AN: Well here's the last chapter. I will be writing a sequel which should focus more on Piper, Phoebe, Paige and Prue after a couple of chapters or I'll do a second running parallel to this focusing on Jenna and Reuben. It's up to you. Review and let me know? Hope you enjoy, and have enjoyed reading this story.
Please review x
Kallie xx
Christmas in Halliwell Manner 2010
Remorse and reconciliation
"Jenna, what do you mean? How do you want me to help fix this? What's done is done. You said so yourself."
Jenna glared at him. "I didn't mean it like that. I was just trying to… You of all people know that's not true. Let me see, Cole created an alternative world without Aunt Paige and the power of three, my father is, was, a whitelighter, my uncle is a whitelighter, and my aunt Prue died in 2001. They should all be dead, gone and buried, but in our world they're not. I can change things like this. That's why I was given this power; to change the mistakes – your mistake."
"Look, I'm sorry I killed your mum, but seriously, what can you do about it? I don't understand."
Jenna snorted in disbelief. "You're sorry?! You're sorry you killed my mum and inevitably wiped me out of existence?!"
"Jenna, it is killing me how much I've hurt you. Even worse is knowing that I am responsible for your new lack of existence. I don't want to lose you. I… can't lose you. You mean too much to me. Please, what do I have to do? I will do anything to fix this."
"You will?" Jenna looked at him, her anger disappearing. "Do you really mean that?"
"Yes," answered Reuben, his eyes filled with honesty and remorse.
"Why?" asked Jenna, taking a step towards him. "Why? You killed my mum and yet you still say you'd do anything for me. I don't understand."
"Because I love you. Because… because logic and wisdom go out the window when love is involved. I made a huge mistake – well that's a complete understatement. My point is I'd do anything to make it right and to prove to you that I do really love you. I'm not a demon."
"Okay then." Jenna turned away and wiped away the tears that had slid down her cheeks. She cleared her throat and turned back around to face him, smiling weakly. "Right. This may be a bit disorientating. You've never travelled through time like this before so it may feel weird at first."
"What do I have to do?"
Jenna held out her hand. "Just trust me. It may be a bit easier if you close your eyes. It's not like orbing at all or whatever you do to appear places."
Reuben smiled weakly. "So how come I'll know now but I didn't before? I mean how come I can tell that I'll be travelling through time with you but not… not with my masters. I'm not saying that's why I killed your mum, I didn't think it would have such a big impact."
"It's ok, you don't need to explain." Jenna frowned. "I… maybe it's because I don't shimmer or maybe you didn't realise because of Tempus."
Reuben looked a little confused. "Tempus? Who or what is Tempus?"
"The demon of time. Ever heard of him?" shot back Jenna, a little frustrated.
Reuben shook his head. "Nope. Just because I was trained by demons doesn't mean I know all of the underworld and it's residents."
Jenna sighed, knowing she shouldn't take her frustration out on him. "I'm sorry. I just don't know what to believe anymore, especially from you because you… I don't know what to believe."
Reuben grabbed hold of her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "Believe me when I say I'm sorry, that I want to fix this and that I love you."
"Reuben I…"
"Shush." He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, feeling her hard edge melt slightly. He closed his eyes, breathing in her scent then pulled away. "Come on, Hadn't we better go and fix my mistake?"
Jenna sighed and opened her eyes. "Yes. C-come on then." She held out her hand and he took it, smiling. "Beam me up Scotty," he joked and Jenna thumped him as they disappeared in a white glow.
They reappeared in a dark cave. Around them were obscurely placed rocks of many different shapes and sizes, the largest rested near where they were stood, measuring about 8 feet. The scattering of the rocks suggested someone had sent a hurricane through the cave, which they then called away having picked up the rocks, depositing them in the random positions they were in. The floor was covered in a light dusting of dark golden sand which currently was glowing blood red from the small fires that were burning on top of the larger rocks, illuminating the cave.
Reuben smiled and held up his hands, studying the cave. "Hmm, not bad. With a bit of work, this could be very homely although I would definitely hire an interior decorator. What do you think? We could make this our holiday home, you know, visit the in-laws down here."
Jenna thumped him. "This isn't the time to be messing around."
Reuben rubbed his arm where Jenna had hit him. "Sorry. I… Never mind."
Jenna looked at him puzzled. "No, what is it?"
Reuben rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed and took a step away from her. "Well I… Have you ever… Have you ever thought about us? Our… future, together."
Jenna paused, remembering her dreams of the two of them growing old together. "I… I… Maybe." She shook her head. "Now's not the time Reuben and if I don't fix this, then I won't have a future, will I, let alone one with you."
"You're right. Sorry." Reuben replied a little sadly.
"Hey." Jenna laid a hand on his arm. "Just because now's not the time, doesn't mean I don't. We can talk about the future after all this. Right now, we need to save my mum."
He nodded, slightly embarrassed. "You're right. So what do you want me to do?"
Jenna thought for a moment. "Why don't you keep guard. We don't want your past-self seeing you here now."
Reuben nodded again, flexing. "Yeah, ok. I'll just go behind this big rock here and keep a look out." He smiled. "That way I can make sure no-one sneaks up on you." He turned to the right, walked behind the 8 foot rock and leant against it. He started whistling but a look from Jenna shut him up.
"Hey Reu…" Jenna stopped and looked around as if she was trying to find something or someone.
Reuben looked at her. "Yeah?"
She ducked behind Reuben's rock. "When you… you… When you killed my mum, what… what happened? Like, now…" She stopped and looked around confused.
"What is it hun?" asked Reuben worriedly.
"I… It's my mum. She's down here on her own and has been here a while." Jenna turned and looked around, then back at Reuben. "Your masters… Did they kidnap my mum then told you to kill her?"
Reuben shook his head. "I have no idea. They just sent me down here. Once I killed her, they came and said I could go. Then I came to you as soon as I could, to fix it."
Jenna nodded. "Okay, I believe you and just – Wait here."
She stepped out from behind the rock just as Piper ran past. Piper jumped and tried to freeze Jenna.
"Hey, hey," called Jenna holding her hands up in surrender as she took a couple of steps back so Piper could see she wasn't frozen, and hoping she might recognise her from earlier in the attic with Wyatt and Chris. "I – We're here to help." She pulled Reuben out from behind the rock and slipped her hand in his, causing him to look down in surprise.
Piper noticed and held up her hands to blow them up instead, not recognising Jenna. "Why should I believe you? Who – who are you?"
"M – Piper, we're here to help you. We're here to save your life, to get you out of the underworld and back to the manor. I'm Jenna, remember, and this is Reuben. We're… witches from the future, good witches." Seeing Piper hesitate she added "We know you're pregnant. Wyatt told me. I'm Wyatt and Chris's friend. You remember me, don't you?"
Piper looked at Reuben, then her startled. "You… Wait, Jenna? That… That was almost 2 months ago. Why are you here, now? I've been calling for help since I got taken here earlier."
Jenna thumped Reuben. "Mrs… Piper, you… Reu, back, now!"
Reuben nodded and got back behind the rock, just as his past-self appeared. Jenna pulled Piper to the side as past Reuben got his bearings and spotted her. When he saw Jenna he blinked.
"I'm really sorry but… if you're here then maybe it will be alright," he said. He sighed sadly and threw a fire ball at Piper.
Jenna froze it then with a wave of her hand sent it spinning madly into the wall to their left. Past Reuben disappeared and Piper looked around, confused.
"Wait, he… that's Reuben. He just tried to kill me."
Reuben stepped out from behind the rock and looked at Jenna, ignoring Piper's gaze. "Do you think everything's back to normal?"
Jenna looked around. "I… I don't know. The past you disappeared but that may be because it didn't happen. I don't feel any different. They may send someone else to come and kill her." She blinked and turned to Piper. "I'm sorry. Come on, we better get you back to the manor in case they send someone else."
Piper looked at Jenna shocked. "First I want answers. What exactly is going on?"
"We're not completely sure. Reuben was told to kill you by… the demons who kidnapped him. He did but then wanted to fix it because he knew it was wrong but at the time had no choice. That now hasn't happened which is why there were two of him and why one has now disappeared. Come on, we need to get you out of here."
Piper nodded accepting it. "Okay. But I want a complete explanation back at the manor, like why they want to kill me now and why for you to kill me," she said looking at Reuben.
Jenna clutched her head and winced, dropping to her knees. Reuben rushed to her side. "Jenna. Jen, love, what is it? What's wrong? Who is it?"
"I…" Jenna looked up and shakily got to her feet, leaning on Reuben slightly. "They're coming, the demons I mean. Piper, get out of here. You must be able to somehow. A potion or… or something."
"No, I don't, I can't. They brought me here so I didn't come prepared."
Jenna cursed and kicked a rock angrily. "I don't have time to take you myself. Someone needs to be here when they come and I'm not leaving Reuben on his own. They'll kill him. But I can't just send you away either. I can't guarantee my powers are working completely, especially with things like that." Jenna ran a hand through her hair frustrated.
Piper looked at her. "I can take care of myself. I'm…"
"A Charmed One, I know, I know. But I can't risk you getting hurt or even killed, if not for your sake, for the sake of your daughter," replied Jenna, sinking to the floor.
Reuben frowned, thinking. "Well there is one way but… I think… It's too risky. I can't let anything happen to either of you."
Jenna looked up at Reuben. "What is it? If you have an idea we've got to try, else we're sitting ducks."
"Do…" Reuben turned away. "No, it's…" He sighed and turned back around. "Do you still have the necklace I gave you? The one to keep you safe back when I first met you?"
"My…." Jenna touched the chains at her throat and pulled the key charm out from under her shirt. Grinning, she leapt to her feet and kissed Reuben's cheek. "You're a genius. But why… Oh." Stopping, she looked at Reuben and saw the fear in his eyes. "You gave this to me to keep me safe and you're worried that if I take it off I could get hurt." She shook her head and touched his cheek. "I'll be fine. I've battled plenty of monsters before."
Reuben shook his head and took her hand in his. "Not like this. They're brutal, completely evil."
"You mean like every other warlock, demon and dark force out there, with the exception of Cole?" asked Piper, stepping towards them.
Jenna looked at Piper. "Cole was only half-demon, therefore not completely evil. He did try to be human, to be good but the universe had a different purpose for him."
Reuben nodded, cutting across Piper before she could reply. "Except my masters… they're not like other demons. They're ruthless yes, but they're smart, very smart. They're organised and leave nothing to chance. Jenna, you're probably right. They'll send someone in case I missed which I did. At the very least they'll have sent someone to check. If time is sorting itself out, which it should because Piper's not dead, then they'll know something's wrong."
As he finished talking three demons appeared. One Piper blew up instantly, causing his comrades to growl and throw energy balls at the trio. Piper froze one before it hit them and Jenna sent it spinning back into the one on the left. The other energy ball went high and hit the wall above them. Reuben waved a hand and the remaining one was engulfed in flames. The pair vanished and Jenna smiled weakly. Reuben looked around the cave, expecting more to appear.
Jenna touched him lightly on the arm. "They're gone. Come on, let's get out of here."
Reuben shook his head. "No, there'll be more. I know them; they'll send more. They're trying to make us think we're safe but instead…" He spun on his heels and glowered. "Piper, Jen, behind you!" he cried as he was knocked to the side by a demon, hitting his head on a rock as he fell.
A tall sandy-haired demon grabbed Piper from behind and held a knife at her throat. "Not another step girly or she dies."
Jenna and Piper frowned. "I thought the goal was to get rid of me, you know, break the Power of Three."
He laughed. "You think that's what this is about? Lady, there are much more powerful forces coming. You help us eliminate them in advance."
"A fire-wielder and Halliwell girl…" muttered Piper. "Wait, you're telling me, my unborn child is…"
He laughed again. "No. Not her, her," he said pointing at Jenna with the knife. "Your future… which isn't going to happen anymore."
Piper looked at Jenna shocked, then looked up at the demon. "So why kill me now, why not later?"
The demon shrugged. "I have no idea, I just kill who I'm told, when I'm told."
Jenna coughed and he looked at her. "If you wouldn't mind letting go of my mum, then this might not hurt quite so much."
"No chance sweetheart. You're next, then you're traitorous boyfriend," he answered waving the knife in her direction.
Piper winced and Jenna scowled, clenching her fists. "Right." She blinked and Piper orbed next to her. Jenna took of the key and handed it to Piper. "Put this on. It'll protect you from… well it'll protect you."
Piper fastened the necklace around her neck, then glancing at Jenna stepped back.
Slowly Jenna raised her hands. The floor began to glow and turned red-hot. Without the protection charm Piper was sure she would have been incinerated from the heat. As it was, Jenna was beginning to struggle, despite tapping into Reuben's power as she slammed her hands forward, sending the heat straight at the demons, incinerating them all, except a few. Jenna stumbled, nearly falling. The remaining demons, seeing this, sent a flurry of fireballs at Jenna, knowing she couldn't defend herself easily and that Piper was too far away to help.
"No!" yelled Reuben, diving in front of her, pushing her slightly to the side. The fireballs hit Reuben full on, spinning him in mid-air before he crashed to the ground. Dazed, Jenna looked up and saw him lying on the ground bleeding heavily. Angrily she got to her feet and clenched her fists. Her eyes flickered with burning flames as a cloud of darkness descended on the demons, engulfing them. They screamed, clawing at the dark matter before exploding in a shower of sparks.
Piper stepped out from behind the rock, awe-struck at the amount of energy and power the girl had used in barely a minute. Jenna glanced at her and smiled, relieved before remembering that not everyone was alright. She sank to her knees and crawled across the sand to Reuben. She took him in her arms, cradling him, willing him to be alright. Tears dripped down her cheeks and Reuben stirred, groaning. He opened his eyes and touched her cheek. "Shush. There's no need to cry."
She gasped, startled. "You're alive still. I can heal you. Maybe not like Wy or Chris can but I can heal you." She wiped her cheeks and moved to heal him.
Reuben knocked her hands away, shaking his head. "It's too late. I'm too badly hurt. That was some hit I took for you. I won't be doing that again, I can tell you," he joked.
Jenna laughed weakly and burst into tears. "This is all my fault."
"Hey, hey, shush. It's not your fault. I said I would do anything to make it up to you. You know I'd do anything to keep you safe because I love you." He groaned and held her face in his hands. "Jenna, I love you. Never forget that. Be safe my love, my only love. You made the world right again and I'd never change a single moment of our time together." He coughed, stroked her head closing his eyes, took one last breath and lay still.
Jenna collapsed over his body, sobbing furiously. Wyatt and Chris orbed in with Leo from that time. Chris and Wyatt saw their sister crying and went over to her. Leo looked at Piper who shook her head and went over to Jenna, knelt beside her, gathering the girl up in her arms. Jenna leant against her, sobbing as the family knelt in the sand together by Reuben's body, comforting Jenna as she cried.