I'm soooo sorry! for taking so long to update. I had completely forgotten about this story. Okay, so thanks for the reviews everybody and keep it up. They're the fuel that keeps me going. Anyway, this chapter takes place in the past, or well, the present. Either way you'd like to look at it, I guess. So please review!

Melinda

If I'd thought it was hard to keep the sisters focused before, it was even harder with Preston around. It was bad enough when Piper had to worry about Wyatt and Chris, but Preston was a cry-baby, and every time something happened, Prue had to stop and make sure he was okay. The sad part was, it was pretty obvious that the only person more infuriated by all of this than me was Prue. Phoebe and Paige couldn't help fussing over him, commenting on how cute and sweet he was. It was sickening.

There was so much going on, and nobody seemed able to focus. Didn't they realize that Wyatt didn't have forever?

I stood in the kitchen, brewing a potion, staring into a pair of innocent blue eyes. Preston sat on the counter staring at me, carefully watching my every move. I wanted to push him off the counter, but I managed to fight back the urge. Chris never would have let his emotions take control of him like that, and neither would I.

Phoebe entered the room searching for a cup of coffee. It wasn't until she had her first sip that she even acknowledged me. "Mel, why are you up so early?" she asked.

"Well, I figured since none of you seem very interested in Wyatt's safety, it's probably best that I start working over time," I growled.

Phoebe glanced over at Preston who was still watching me intently. She picked up her nephew, bouncing him on her hip. Preston giggled happily and for a moment, my anger began to fade. It had been a long time since he'd smiled like that. I couldn't stand to think that this might be the last time.

"I'm sorry, Mel," Phoebe said, dragging me back to reality. "But with work and the wedding and everything, we've all been a little distracted."

"I do understand that Phoebe," I said. "I'm not completely heartless or anything. But Wyatt has to be the number one priority right now, or we'll lose him. We can't afford any distractions."

Now, I've never been much of a fan of irony. It made for a funny twist in movies, but irony and I could never be good friends in real life. It was clearly trying to get on my nerves when it picked that moment to send the only thing that truly could have distracted me hurdling into my life at that very moment.

A swirl of golden lights; a tattered body; a pair of green eyes. "Peyton?" I asked, shock taking over.

"Mel," he choked out. Only two more words managed to escape his lips before the darkness overtook him. "Help me."

Waiting for Prue to heal Peyton felt interminable. My mind was racing, my feelings a jumbled heap, and everything that should have made sense strangling me. When his eyes finally did open, I found myself hugging him, probably squeezing the life out of him, terrified of letting go.

"Mel," he choked, hugging me back, but with a lot less force. "I'm happy to see you to, but you're going to crack my spinal cord."

I pulled back only to look at him, but my fingers still rested on his arms. He looked paler than usual, skinnier, and definitely more tired. I wondered if he had been getting enough sleep. It was doubtful.

"Peyton, what's going on?" I asked.

"It's a long story," he said, his eyes falling to the floor.

"Well, kid, I suggest you start explaining," Paige said, pursing her lips and tapping her foot impatiently.

Peyton glanced up at me for a moment before averting his eyes. "It's gone."

"What's gone?" I asked, not even bothering to hide the fear in my voice. When a few moments passed and he still hadn't answered, I demanded, "What's gone, Peyton?"

"Everything," he whispered, choking back sobs. "Mel, I'm so sorry. I didn't know what to do. I panicked."

"What are you talking about?" I asked again. He continued to cry, burying his face in his hands. I pulled him to me, embracing him. "Look, it's going to be okay, alright? I just need you to tell me what happened."

"Why don't you start with who you are and why you're here?" Prue said, causing anger to build up inside of me.

"Do you not see that he's having a hard time right now?" I snapped.

"Do you not realize that we've experienced enough problems to know that we shouldn't let random people in our home without an explanation?" Prue retorted.

"It hasn't been your home for a long time," I mumbled beneath my breath, turning my attention back to Peyton. He was obviously distraught, and I was mostly just worried about him. Still, I knew that Prue, and the other sisters for that matter, wouldn't leave us alone until they received answers.

I sighed before saying, "This is Peyton and he's been my best friend for as long as I can remember. You can trust him."

"Don't be so sure," Prue said. "After all, I'm still not sure whether or not I trust you."

No one said a word, and I took that chance to focus on Peyton. "Hey," I said, trying to draw his hands away from his face to no avail. "Pey, it's okay. Don't worry."

"Maybe we should give them some space for now," Phoebe suggested. I could have hugged her.

The sisters couldn't really find any reason not to oblige, so within a few moments, they had all made their way from the room. I could finally focus all of my energies on making sure Peyton was okay, and I knew from one quick look at him that that was a full time job.

Sorry it took so long for me to update. My muse has been terribly overworked lately, so I sent her off to Disney World, but she refused to come back! The nerve. Anyway, her boyfriend dumped her so she finally came back home, but she was far too distraught to get back to work. However, she did give me the number to one of her long-time friends, and she seems to be more than excited to help me out while my muse is recovering. Anyway, please review. The more I get, the more I can pay this muse. :)