NO ONE'S HERE TO SLEEP

Rebecca stepped out of her dad's worn but well cared for sedan with a large duffle bag thrown over her shoulder. She leaned back into the car and gave her dad a winning smile. Her parents had been skeptical when she came down to breakfast that morning and announced she would be going to the dance after all. After her pronouncement the day before about swearing off guys and locking herself in her room for the majority of the day she could not blame them. Her mother was the first to warm up to the idea of allowing her to go to the dance; her dad was still lukewarm on the whole idea.

"Monkey, are you absolutely sure you want to do this? We can spend the night as a family watching the Doctor Who show instead," reasoned her dad.

Rebecca shook her head and leaned in further so that he could kiss her cheek. "I'll be fine dad. It was just a misunderstanding."

Her dad still did not look convinced. "I'm going to beat that punk's ass."

"Daddy, please, it wasn't his fault. Really, I'm ok. No, I'm happy. He's a great guy, and I really like him."

Her dad drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. "Still…"

"Come on, I'm not a little girl anymore. Getting hurt is part of life, right?"

"Not if I can help it."

Rebecca stretched and pecked him on the cheek. "Don't worry so much. Sophia will be there to kick his ass if he screws up."

Her dad's lips twitched and she knew she had won. "Be safe, monkey, and your mother and I expect you back home by one."

"Alright, daddy, love you. Bye."

She carefully maneuvered her torso back out of the car and shut the door. She bent down and waved once more, turned around, and made her way up the steep driveway outside a massive mansion of a house. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew that Sophia's dad was some big shot at one of the major movie studios. Nevertheless seeing Sophia's house brought home that fact that her new friend's family was beyond being well off. To own a house this size in the city must cost a fortune.

She reached the front door, which were intricately decorated in carvings of vines. A brass knock hung to one side, and she hesitantly pulled it back and let it fall back against the metal plate underneath. The sound reverberated inside of the house, and immediately the front door opened to reveal a white-haired man dressed in a black-and-white tuxedo.

"Ms. Starling, I presume," said the man in a thick British accent.

Rebecca nodded feeling slightly intimidated.

The butler gestured for her to enter and closed the door behind her. "Ms. Parker has already arrived. Madam Watson is waiting with her for you in the guest wing. Would you like me to show you the way?"

Rebecca gulped; the house had wings. Who lived in a house that had wings?

The butler bowed and took her silence for consent. "This way, miss."

Rebecca adjusted the bag on her shoulder and followed the man down a long corridor lined in pictures of Sophia and her family with the occasional celebrity popping up in one. The corridor opened up into a massive room with two sweeping marble staircases. They took the one of the right and turned down another passageway; this one left plain but for a single massive painting. They took a third hallway, and Rebecca could faintly make out Sophia's voice. They came to a halt in front of a simple cream door. The butler knocked twice in quick succession. A squeal echoed from the other side of the door.

It burst open and Sophia rushed out, half dressed. "You made it! Thank you, Albert."

Albert bowed and vanished back down the hallway.

Sophia, grinning from ear to ear, pulled her into the door and slammed the door shut. "We're worried your parents had changed their mind. This is Beth, by the way. You know, Kenny's sister. Beth, Rebecca."

Rebecca extended one hand, and the other girl shook it, sheepishly smiling. "Hi."

"Howzit?"

Sophia laughed. "She says the most ridiculous things, but isn't she gorgeous?"

Beth blushed and ducked her head. Rebecca still reeling from Sophia's perkiness could only imagine what Beth had been through so far. The excitement exuding from Sophia was completely at odds with the rather bookish girl Rebecca thought her friend to be.

"Um, Sophia, you ok?"

Sophia nodded vigorously. "Of course! Now, let's see this dress of yours. If we don't like it I have like a zillion hand-me-downs from my mom you could try on."

Rebecca shot Beth a worried glance and the girl shrugged. "I didn't think stuff like this was your thing, Sophie."

Sophia blinked. "What? Oh—yeah—well, you see it's easier to keep the respect of the boys if I'm not dressed like that whore Angela and her cronies. But I'm a chick, of course I love getting dressed up. Just don't tell, Matt, he finds the whole pampering one's self a bit off putting."

"Right." Rebecca started to unzip her duffle bag. "Do you have something to wear, Beth?"

Beth held up a beautiful red dress. Rebecca could tell the dress would be very form fitting; she nodded her approval. Sophia held up her own dress without invitation. It was an elegant black gown more suited for the red carpet than a high school dance, but Rebecca kept her comment to herself. Regardless of how appropriate it was the dress would look amazing on Sophia, and that was all that mattered. Considering the two previous dresses, she felt her dress fell horribly short. Her dress was also black but did not catch the attention like Sophia's did.

Beth commented first. "It's really nice."

Sophia puckered her lips. "It's very—uh—safe."

"Safe?"

Sophia grabbed the dress and held it up against herself. "Yeah, it's a great dress to wear to church, but we aren't going to church, chica. We're going to a dance, and you've bagged one of the hottest boys in the school, and, yes, I do know he is hot, even if I think of him as a brother."

Rebecca blushed.

Beth spoke up. "You're going with Zach Halliwell, right?"

Rebecca nodded.

The South African stood up and scrutinized the dress. "I think we can do better."

"He likes the dress," mumbled Rebecca.

Sophia chuckled and chucked the dress onto the nearby bed. "Smart as he is Zach does not know a thing about fashion. No, we can all be modern feminists and know that what a boy thinks of us doesn't really matter, but it still feels great when you walk into the room and they lose the ability to speak."

As she spoke Sophia walked to the closet in the back of the room and opened it up. Rebecca had been expecting a simple closet, but it was an entire room unto itself. Beth and she followed Sophia into the room and gazed dumbfounded at the sheer expanse of dresses, outfits, bags, and shoes.

"Now, most of these won't fit you, but I recall my mom wearing this blue dress to the Oscars after-party a few years ago," muttered Sophia. "Ah ha! Yes, perfect!"

She run over and pulled out a deep blue, knee-length, and strapless dress. She held it out and inspected it before offering to Rebecca. "Try it on. Beth, let's go get your makeup on."

She and Beth stepped out of the closet. Rebecca bit her lip; she really liked her dress even it was inadequate. This dress was just not her style.

Maybe, it could be her style.

Slowly she undressed, carefully folding each item. The dress was stunning, and she could imagine the look on Zach's face if she wore it. The thought brought a smile to her face. He may not be the most popular boy at school, but he was the first one that caught her eye. He was also often brought up in conversation among her girl friends when they discussed boys at lunch.

She pulled on the dress and admired it on herself before finding a mirror. She saw herself in the mirror and audibly gasped. It may not be her usual style, but the dress looked hot on her. A smile broke out on her face, and she twirled in place. Sophia was right. Who would have guessed bookish Sophia was actually a fashionista? Someone knocked on the door.

"YEAH?"

"Are you decent?" called Sophia.

Rebecca shook her head. "Come in."

Sophia stepped in followed by Beth whose makeup was half finished.

"You're drop-dead gorgeous."

Beth nodded her agreement. "You're going to be the envy of the dance."

Still smiling, Rebecca stepped up the mirror and examined herself again. "Do you think so?"

Sophia sidled up besides her holding a pair of black high heels. "I know so."

The Manor had seen days when every room was full and even additional rooms were conjured into existence in order to accommodate the Halliwell family. Unfortunately those days were long over, and Manor felt incredibly cramped with the addition of four very excited teenage boys. Sarah had retreated to the basement to finish up an editorial article she was writing concerning the problems of cancer survivors. Wyatt who was used to a large family found the noise level too intolerable. He had convinced the other adults at the house to join him outside for coffee, while the boys got ready.

Kenny, Matt, and Andrew occupied all three bathrooms, leaving Zach and Danny waiting impatiently in Zach's room. They had been foolish enough to play a friendly game of football earlier in the afternoon. The resulting sweat, mud, and grim meant all of them needed a shower before getting dressed. Being boys, they had left the showering to the last minute, and Zach was fretting they would not be ready before the girls showed up.

"By the way, congrats on the teams win the other night," said Danny, breaking the awkward silence.

Zach smiled appreciatively. "I didn't have anything to do with it, but thanks."

Danny lowered his blue-grey eyes sheepishly. "Right, sorry, I forgot."

"Don't worry about it! It's no big deal."

Danny cleared his throat and opened his mouth. He closed it, and opened it again. Sound started to come out, but he chocked himself into silence. "You've known Andrew for awhile."

Zach dipped his head a few times. "Since preschool."

Danny nibbled on his lip and did not meet Zach's expectant gaze. "Is he—does—uh—is he happy?"

"What do you mean?" asked Zach being deliberately obtuse.

Danny breathed out heavily. "With me. Is he happy with me?"

"He seems to be. Why don't you ask him?"

"It just—er—I know about his folks. And—uh—I don't –um—I mean—ah—I don't want to force him into something. You know? I'm proud of who I am, but I'm also lucky enough to have two amazing dads. When we're together Andrew is very…"

"Let's leave out the details," interrupted Zach.

Danny's cheeks darkened. "Right, sorry, but then afterwards he gets very withdrawn, and doesn't want to talk. We never really talk."

Zach sighed; he was hardly the relationship guru. "Look, dude, all I can tell you is you guys have to figure this stuff out between the two of you. It's got to be a mutual decision. But I will add that when he talks about you it's the happiest I've ever seen him."

"Thanks," said Danny, and he seemed to breathe easier.

Kenny walked into the room already dressed in black slacks and a starched white shirt. "Who's next?"

Zach indicated that Danny could go first; Danny did not hesitate.

Kenny dug through the pile of bags in the corner of Zach's room until he found his and pulled it out. He collected a simple black bowtie and a toiletry bag. "Do you have a mirror?"

Zach shook his head. "But there's one in my parents' room. They won't mind you using it."

"You sure?"

"Of course."

Kenny grinned and strode out the room but popped his head back in. "Which room is your parents'?"

Zach chuckled. "I'll come with. Matt using the bathroom there, and he needs to hurry up."

Zach lead the way to his parents' room. He indicated the chair and full-length mirror his mother used to put on her make-up in the morning. With Kenny situated Zach pounded on the bathroom door.

"What?" shouted Matt.

"Hurry up!" yelled Zach.

The water turned off, and Matt strode out with one towel draped very low around his waist. He used another towel to dry his hair. "All yours."

Zach cocked an eyebrow. "Trying to impress someone?"

Matt stuck out his tongue. "Fuck off, idiot."

Zach shut the door in Matt's face. Matt sniggered to himself and continued to dry his hair until he noticed Kenny in the room.

"Sorry, dude."

Kenny shrugged. "You guys fight like brothers."

A grin graced Matt's face. "He is my brother."

Matt found his neat pile of clothes he had gathered before taking a shower. He quickly put on a pair of boxers and his suit's grey pants. The button up shirt he had chosen was ivory per Sophia's request. He pulled on the shirt and swaggered over to Kenny who was struggling to tie his tie.

"Need some help?"

Kenny glanced over his shoulder in the mirror. "Is it that obvious?"

Matt shrugged. "Who cares? Let me."

Matt was half way through tying Kenny's bowtie when a half-dressed Andrew sauntered pass the room and wolf whistled. Matt gave him the finger and continued tying the bowtie. Kenny blushed.

"Ignore him," advised Matt. "Somehow he found out that I'm bi and now he teases me every chance he gets, the git."

Kenny stiffened. "You're bi?"

Matt let go of the finished tie and straightened up. "Yeah, that a problem?"

"No, I just—how do you know?"

Matt smirked. "A story for a different time."

Kenny turned his attention to styling his hair, and Matt left the room to gather up his belt, jacket, and powder blue bow tie. Andrew popped back into the room fully dressed in a simple black suit, white shirt, and emerald green tie.

"Is Zach in here?" he asked Kenny.

Kenny bobbed his head. "He's in the shower."

Andrew slipped into the room, knocked on the bathroom door, and opened it.

"DUDE!" yelled Zach.

Andrew rolled his eyes. "It's not like I haven't seen it before."

Zach huffed and turned the water off. He opened the shower door just enough to snake his arm out and pull back a towel. He hastily wrapped the towel firmly around his waist.

"What the hell couldn't wait, five minutes?"

Both of Andrew's eyebrows arched up, and he smirked. "Hopefully you last longer with Rebecca."

Zach grabbed the closest lose object, his mother's hairdryer, and chucked it at Andrew. "GET OUT!"

Still smirking Andrew barely dodged the hairdryer. "Sorry, sorry. Ok?"

Zach picked up a brush that was lying out and held it up. "What is it?"

"What did you say to Danny?"

Zach's eyes shot skyward before piercing Andrew. "Just talk to him. Now, out! I've got to get dressed."

"But, dude, you're my best friend. You've got to help a guy out. It's part of the bro's code."

"Bro's code? We're officially not friends anymore." Zach said and brushed passed Andrew, holding tightly onto his towel.

Andrew followed him out in to the bedroom holding up a pair of black slack pants and boxers. "Don't you need these?"

Zach spun around and snatched the items out of Andrew's hands. "Don't follow me!" he warned.

Andrew ignored him and meandered behind the blond. "Dude, he wants to have the talk. I don't need that tonight. I've still not figured out what I'm going to tell my folks."

Zach reached his bedroom to find the door closed. "Who's in there?"

"Matt, I think," said Andrew.

Zach pounded on the door and wiggled the knob. "MATT!"

Matt stepped out of the bathroom with a brush still in his hair. "What's up?"

"Who's in my room?"

Kenny emerged into the passage from Wyatt and Sarah's room fully ready. "Must be Danny."

Andrew shook his head. "No, he was using the other bathroom."

Kenny pointed at the other three boys. "Well, I count four of us. Who else is here?"

"Danny?" shouted Zach putting his ear against the door. There was no sound from the other side. Zach gritted his teeth. "Andrew, fix this. I'm going to get ready."

Zach stalked off back into his parent's bedroom. Kenny and Matt looked up at Andrew. Andrew gulped and smiled sheepishly.

"What'd you do?" inquired Matt innocently.

Andrew shrugged.

Kenny answered. "He walked in on Zach showering."

Matt chuckled. "Yeah, my cousin is a bit self-conscious. Why'd you need to speak to him?"

Andrew looked down at the ground. "No reason."

"You buy that, Kenny?"

Kenny shook his head.

Matt removed the brush from his hair. "I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark. You and Danny are an item."

Kenny coughed, but Matt glared at him to keep him quiet. Andrew started shaking.

"Drew, you know I don't give a shit if you're gay, straight, bi, or something else entirely. It's not a big deal," said Matt softly.

Andrew looked up and Matt saw the tears building in his eyes.

"Matt's bi," blurted out Kenny.

"What the fuck, Kenny!"

"Sorry."

Andrew laughed. "I knew that."

Matt narrowed his eyes. "How exactly? Because I certainly never told you. Only one I've told besides Kenny is Zach, and he wouldn't tell a soul."

"That boy you—anyways he's my cousin once removed. He told me."

Matt huffed. "Seriously need to move to a bigger city. That was supposed to never leave the bedroom, but we're talking about you."

Andrew shuffled his feet. "How'd you know?"

"The fact that Danny's gay isn't a well kept secret. Then one day he joins our group despite the thing between Peter and Zach. He always sits far too close to you for it to just be a friendship. I could go on, but it's beside the point. Homosexuality is not the huge deal it once was."

"It is with my parents," whispered Andrew.

Matt cocked his head to one side to meet Andrew's lowered gaze. "Then fuck them. If they can't accept you for who you are that's their problem not yours. Does he make you happy?"

A small smile appeared on Andrew's face, and he sniffed. "Yeah."

Matt looked over at Kenny who remained silent. "Are you doing anything illegal?"

"No."

Matt straightened up. "Then go for it. It's your life, not theirs. You need to do what makes you happy."

Andrew sniffled and wiped away the tears with the back of his shirt. "They're going to hate me."

Kenny stepped forward. "Maybe, but you'll always have us."

"You're a weird kid, Kenny," joked Andrew.

Kenny smiled. "I try."

Zach joined the group. "What happened?"

Matt punched him. "You knew! Why were you such an ass?"

Zach rubbed his arm. "Because they needed to figure it out for themselves. I'm tried of being the middle man."

Andrew pocked him in the chest. "You're the worst and best friend ever."

"So you decided then?" asked Zach taking a step away to avoid further physical injury.

"Yeah." Andrew turned around and knocked on the door. "Danny, want to be my date tonight?"

The doorbell rang as Zach's door opened.

Zach pushed his way to the front. "Sorry, but my stuff is in there."

Kenny shook his head. "I'll go meet the girls. Tell them you guys need a few more minutes."

Matt smiled. "Happy for you." He went back to finish getting ready.

Andrew found his mouth very dry. "So?"

Danny brushed fingers through Andrew's hair. "You mean it?"

"Of course."

Danny bent down and kiss him on the forehead and lips. "I'd love to be your date."

The last few buttons on his black shirt still undone, Zach approached the two boys. "Very happy for you. I am, but right now I need you out."

"Why?"

Zach shoved them out of his room. "Go entertain the girls!"

Danny laughed and wrapped an arm around Andrew. "He doesn't handle stress well."

"I think it's more got to do with the girl than stress," said Andrew loudly.

Zach yelled through the closed door. "I can hear you! GO!"

Downstairs Kenny and the girls were seated in the living room and were joined by the adults, most of them awkwardly twiddling their thumbs. The only one in the group who truly knew the adult Halliwells well enough to feel comfortable around them was Sophia, having known them for four years.

"So what are your plans this evening, Dr. and Mrs. Halliwell?" asked Sophia trying to get a conversation started.

Chris perked up. "We're planning a double date."

"Is it a date when you invite your mother along?" asked Piper teasingly.

Chris cringed. "Whatever, Mom, a family dinner and movie night, then."

Sophia fought back a smile. She did not think it wise to laugh at the father of her boyfriend. "That sounds nice."

Andrew and Danny strode into the room and quickly created some space between them when they saw the adults. Andrew said, "Thanks again for letting us all gather here, Mr. Halliwell."

Wyatt smiled. "It's Wyatt, Andrew, you know that."

Andrew bowed his head. "Yeah, but I don't want to make the little kiddies feel jealous."

Wyatt smirked. "I take it my son and nephew are still getting ready?"

Andrew nodded, taking a seat next to Sophia. "You look lovely, girls."

A murmur of 'thank you' followed his pronouncement.

"Do we all know each other? Danny, sit," said Andrew.

Rebecca and Beth squeezed together, and Danny sat down smiling his thanks.

"We were about to get to that," said Sarah, seated next to her husband and eyeing Rebecca very closely. "I know you and Sophia, of course, and I've heard about Rebecca."

Rebecca blushed. "Nice to meet you finally, Mrs. Halliwell."

Sarah kept a stern look on her face. "This must be Danny Beck, right?"

Danny nodded with a look of surprise.

"Zach told us how you kept him from getting into a lot more trouble than he is already in. Thank you."

"You're welcome," muttered Danny.

Serena took over the introductions. "Kenny, you're looking very smart this evening."

"Thank you, Mrs.—er—Serena," said Kenny.

Serena turned to look at Sarah. "He's from South African and shares with me a deep love for rooibos tea."

Sarah smiled. "I don't know how you drink that stuff."

"That just leaves…" trailed off Serena looking at Beth.

Kenny jumped in. "This is my sister Mary Elizabeth Parker, but she likes to be called Beth."

"A pleasure to meet you," said Sarah for the adults. "You all look amazing."

Piper clapped her hands together and rocked herself back onto her feet. "Who wants something to drink? You've guys still have a few minutes before the limo arrives."

"Limo?" asked Rebecca a bit louder than she meant to.

"Yes, you all won't fit in one car, and that way my sons don't have to worry about picking you up tonight."

"Is that really expensive?" continued Rebecca.

Piper waved her hand dismissively. "Nothing is too expensive for my grandsons."

Rebecca leaned back on the couch. "That's crazy," she mumbled.

Sophia patted her on the knee. "You get used to it. Piper likes to spoil Zach and Matt."

"Drinks?"

There was a general consensus in the affirmative. Piper gathered up her two daughter-in-laws and went to fetch an assortment of beverages. Chris and Wyatt looked at each other and then the teens and chose to go help in the kitchen. The teens let out a collective sigh of relief.

"She hates me," said Rebecca. "I should have worn my dress."

Beth eyed Danny sitting next to her. "Hi," she said seductively.

Danny smiled back. "Hi." He eyed Andrew.

Beth followed his eye line and huffed. "Why are all the good-looking guys taking?"

Kenny leaned forward so that he could see his sister. "Thanks, sis."

Beth rolled her eyes. "Piss off, domkop."

"Domkop?" asked Andrew.

"Idiot," replied Kenny. "My sister is still struggling with the language barrier."

Beth rounded on him. "Says the idiot who tried to like ten times to get that clerk to understand what a robot is."

Kenny chuckled. "That was funny."

"Er—what is a robot? I'm guessing it's not what I think it is."

"A traffic light."

Zach finished styling his hair with Matt impatiently looking on.

"Sophie is going to kill me."

Zach licked his lips and studied himself in the mirror. "What do you think?"

"Great. Can we go?"

Zach smiled and turned around. "This is your fault for taking so long in the shower."

"Whatever. Let's go."

Zach nodded and let Matt lead the way down the stairs. They met their mothers in the passageway, holding trays of drinks.

"Oh don't they look all grown up," sniffed Serena.

Sarah smiled at her son. "You clean up nice, young man."

Zach returned the smile. "Thanks, Mom. Are they in there?"

Sarah nodded. "Let us go first."

"Why?"

Serena did not bother answering and walked into the living room, dragging Sarah with her. The two cousins eyed each other, shrugged, and followed their mothers.

Zach rounded the corner, and his eyes immediately settled on Rebecca. The rest of the room seemed to go out of focus and any noise dimmed. She looked stunning in her dress, and her hair was curled slightly and framed her face. She slowly ran her tongue over her red lips, and he found himself mimicking her. He found it difficult to breathe, and his heart beat fast and hard. It felt like he glided over to her and slowly pulled her to her feet. They stared deeply into each other's eyes.

"You look amazing," he breathed, getting so close he could feel the warm air leaving her slightly parted lips.

She fluttered her long eyelashes. "You don't look too bad yourself, handsome."

"Where'd you get the dress?"

She stepped closer and whispered in his ear. "You like it?"

"Yes," said Zach, feeling very lightheaded with her so close.

She placed a delicate hand on his chest. "I like your tie. It suits your eyes perfectly."

Someone very close to them clapped their hands together loudly. They sprang apart.

Zach turned to chew out whoever interrupted them. His voice died in his throat. It was his dad. "Hi, dad."

Wyatt arched an eyebrow. "Your mother wants pictures before you leave."

"Where?" asked Zach, realizing most of their friends were already filing out of the room, drinks in hand.

"On the back patio. You uncle strung up lights," said Wyatt evenly even though his eyes twinkled with repressed mirth.

Zach took Rebecca's hand and led the way out to the backyard. His parents followed them.

Sarah got close to Wyatt and whispered. "I don't like this."

Wyatt chuckled. "He's young and in love."

'They've known each other for two weeks. They can't possibly be in love."

"I was," said Wyatt warmly.

Sarah pulled a face. "Yeah, and we were in college. They've barely reach puberty."

Wyatt bent down and kissed his wife quickly to stop her hyperventilating. "Stop worrying, honey."

"He's going to get hurt," said Sarah.

"And we'll be there to pick him back up if that happens," said Wyatt soothingly.

"And what was she thinking wearing that. It barely covers her ass."

"What? I didn't notice."

Sarah hit him in the chest. "Don't lie! I saw you."

Wyatt shook his head. "She's way too young for me to be noticing stuff like that."

Sarah actually laughed. "You'll do well to remember her age, mister."

They arrived at the back door and stepped into the cool night air. Kenny stood off to one side with a camera up against his face. Matt and Sophia stood on the patio smiling at the camera, while Kenny gave them instructions.

"Looks like we have another one," commented Wyatt.

Sarah pretended to groan. "It was bad enough getting a family portrait done with two of them."

A flash went off and Kenny looked at the camera to inspect the image. "Perfect!"

Matt frowned. "Let me see."

Kenny shook his head. "No! It's fine. Next."

"Dude! Let me see it."

Chris, Piper, and Serena stood with wine glass in hand laughing at the antics.

Kenny ran and hid behind Andrew yelling, "You've had ten pictures. We need to move on. I swear it's fine."

Matt tried to grab the camera. "Then let me see it!"

Sophia caught up to them and grabbed Matt by the shoulders. "It's fine, munchkin."

"Munchkin?" mocked Andrew.

Sophia let go of Matt and rounded on Andrew. "Yes?"

Andrew shrunk away. "Sorry, sorry."

Wyatt burst out laughing, catching everyone's attention.

Sarah ignored her husband. "Who still needs to go?"

Kenny sidled into view. "Just Zach and Rebecca, Mrs. Halliwell."

"Right, Zach and Rebecca, let's go," said Sarah in a commanding tone.

Matt glared at Kenny as he snuck passed the sulking teen.

Wyatt left his wife to direct and joined his mother, brother, and sister-in-law. "Did Kenny and Beth have their pictures taken?"

Piper nodded. "Yeah, two shots each, but you know Matt he hates being in front of the camera."

"And he is a perfectionist," added Chris.

Wyatt and Serena said, "wonder where he gets that from?"

Chris opened his mouth to argue but decided to down the last half of his wine glass instead. "Is the limo here?"

Wyatt nodded. "Yeah, we're going to have to thank Kyle again for this."

Chris frowned. "I still don't know why we can't just go."

"Because they need this," said Wyatt. "We need to give them a few more nights of a normal life."

Serena asked, "How many guards did Kyle send? Ten?"

"Ten," confirmed Wyatt. "All highly trained."

"But not witches and not us."

Wyatt sighed. "If I had any inkling that they were in any danger I'd be locking Zach in his room, but I didn't get a single hit when I scried this morning."

"And don't you find that a little bit odd?" asked Piper.

Wyatt eyed his mother. "This was your idea."

Piper sipped her sparkling cider. "Yes, but I'm having second thoughts. That's ok, you know. Their my grandbabies."

Wyatt turned and watched Zach and Rebecca take another photo. His son looked like he was on top of the world. "We can't stop them from going now."

"Do you trust their lives with those bodyguards?"

"Two of them are ex-Royal Marines, and one of them guarded the royal family. We can't find anyone better."

Piper put her glass down. "Then we let them go and spend the night scring, sensing, and whatever else to make sure we know the second they're under attack."

Chris watched his son throw his head back and laugh at something Andrew had said. "We can't lose them."

Serena wrapped an arm around her husband. "And we won't, right?"

"Not if I have anything to say about it," said Wyatt firmly.

"Does a limo always need an escort service?" asked Rebecca once they were inside the gymnasium at the school.

The homecoming committee had gone all out in the decoration department for the dance. The gym was transformed into something akin to a massive ballroom that belonged in some amazing European palace. Half of the room was dedicated to a dance floor and it was already packed with teens dancing to the thumping music. Table and chairs occupied another section of the room. On the outside of the tables and chairs were lines of tables fill of snack foods and various punch bowls. The last part of the room held a collection of large plastic buckets filled to the brim with comical props. Three photo booths with different backgrounds were set up; two were in use.

Zach wrapping an arm around Rebecca's waist answered her. "No idea."

"I'd say not," said Matt, spotting the photo booths. "And no, we're not doing that."

Sophia smiled mischievously. "Whatever you say. Andrew, did they find your flask?"

Andrew shook his head and patted both of his back pocket. "Shots, anyone?"

Sophia nodded her head and dragged Matt with her. Andrew and Danny followed.

"Do you want to?" asked Zach tentatively.

"Maybe later. Right now I want to dance. Coming Beth?" asked Rebecca disentangling herself from Zach's arms.

Zach started to follow her, but she shook her head. "Sorry, I promised the first dance to Beth. Go with Kenny."

Zach frowned. "Is that normal?"

Kenny shrugged. "I'm single. Let's go find Andrew before they finish all the vodka. I can't stand tequila."

They made it to the first set of table. A bunch of jocks and their dates were seated, eating and drinking. One of the boys, however, recognized Zach and poked another one to get their attention. The other boy looked up and Zach groaned. It was Jose Gonzalez, one of the mindless muscle behind Peter's reign of terror. Jose detached the tiny girl with ridiculously long hair who was hanging onto him and stood up.

"Halliwell!"

Kenny and Zach paused. "Hi, Jose," said Zach as calmly as he could, "enjoying the dance?"

Jose cracked his knuckles. "Peter is looking for you."

"Really? I always got the opinion he hated my guts. Why'd he be looking for me?" asked Zach unable to help himself.

Dr. Ianos passed by the table. "Evening, boys and girls."

Jose glared at Zach. Zach smiled and used the opportunity to quickly put some distance between the jocks and himself, Kenny in tow.

"What is with Peter and you?" asked Kenny.

Zach cringed and shrugged. "Chris and his dad were on the swim team together at in the day. Chris got made captain over his dad, which cost his dad some scholarship. Therefore his dad couldn't go to college, and now they live in some rundown apartment complex because of it."

"Seriously?"

Again all Zach could do was shrug. "It's what he told me the first time he beat me up. But its turned into something more because the most he does toward Matt is glare, and Matt's Chris's son. Honestly I do my best to avoid him."

Kenny looked over his shoulder again. "And that Jose kid?"

"Peter's muscle, like he needs it."

Kenny shivered. "I don't like the kid."

Zach chuckled. "No one does. Come on, they should be behind the bleachers."

They reached the bleachers. Zach checked to see if any teachers were looking their way, but he did not see any in the vicinity. Quickly they both ducked behind the curtain of streamers clearly meant to cover up this particular entrance. They passed a few couples deep in make-out sessions. Toward the very back of the hidden compartment, they found their friends.

"Any left?" asked Zach.

Matt took another long swig with Sophia's encouragement and passed the flask over to Zach. Zach took a more conservative taste before handing it off to Kenny. Zach felt the cheap alcohol burn his throat and slowly heat his extremities. He was never much of a drinker and had been told by Andrew and Matt it did not take much to get him wasted.

"Pictures, Matt?" asked Sophia innocently.

Matt squinted his eyes, and backed his head as far as it would go. "Why not," he slurred.

Zach shook his head. "No more for him. I'd prefer to keep my grounding at its current length."

Sophia clapped him on the back. "Come on! It's the only way to get him to take photos with me."

"Doesn't sex work?" piped up Andrew, breaking free from kissing Danny.

Zach glared at his best friend. "DO NOT answer that in my presence."

"You need to lighten up," said Andrew, handing him a much smaller flask. "Take a sip."

Zach eyed the flask suspiciously. "What is it?"

Andrew giggled and started kissing Danny again.

Zach caught the flask before it spilt all over the floor. Cautiously he sniffed its contents. "Absinthe. Where'd you get absinthe?"

"Isn't that the stuff that makes you see fairies?" asked Kenny, taking another sip of vodka.

Zach closed the lid of the flask and pocketed it. "The good stuff does, and it's beyond illegal. You can buy the stuff without wormwood, but this smells like the genuine deal."

"How do you know?"

Zach swallowed hard. He knew because one of the few potions he had brewed contained wormwood. It was not a smell he would soon forget. Of course he could not tell Kenny the truth. "Um—I've tried the real stuff?"

Kenny cocked his head to one side but did not press the issue further. "I'm officially filled with liquid courage. I'm going to bag me a date."

Zach followed Kenny back out into the gymnasium proper. They walked past a group of girls, and Kenny spun around, hung his arms around two of them, and begun flirting with the whole group. Zach stayed long enough to know he was not about to be shot down immediately.

He avoided the sitting section and found himself in front of the photo booths. In one of the booths stood Matt and Sophia. Matt wore a princess tiara, a coconut bikini top, and a pink feather boa. Sophia, being more sober, opted for a pair of absurdly large glasses. The camera operator held up his hand and counted down from three. The flash went off and the pair changed poses. They kissed as the next shot was taken. The third shot consisted of Matt wrapping his leg around Sophia's waist and holding out the peace sign. The cameraman actually started laughing.

Zach was about to turn away when Matt spotted him and rushed over to him. "You have to join us!"

Zach shook his head. "You're doing fine on your own, Matt."

"No, no, no, no, no. You need to wear this Viking's helmet—hat thingy," argued Matt, pulling him onto the backdrop of a tropical beach.

Zach and Sophia shared a bemused look.

"Viking helmet?"

Matt nodded. "Yeah like that fat Valkyrie wore. Even though Grandma says that is not what they wore, you know?"

Zach's eyes grew wide. "OK! Where's the helmet."

Matt bent over tipsily and dug through one of the buckets. "HERE!"

The cameraman leaned to one side of the camera. "Is he alright?"

"Yeah, just had a bit too much. That a problem?"

Cameraman shook his head. "Only have to report drinking if I actually see it."

Zach took the offered hat and stood awkwardly to one side, but Matt had other ideas. He pulled Zach in between him and Sophia.

"First one we look cool, then pull a silly face, then Sophia and me kiss and you can look disgusted," said Matt very quickly.

The three shots went off and Zach pried himself away from Matt. Sophia aided by distracting him with rainbow feather boa. His eyes barely adjusted to the darker lighting when Beth ran into him.

"Oh, hi!"

Zach helped her find her balance. "Hi, where's Rebecca?"

"Looking for you," said Beth. "HEY REBECCA!"

Rebecca appeared out of a crowd of passing seniors. "Where have you been?"

Zach smiled and pecked her on the cheek. "No where. Just had to take a few pictures with Matt and Sophia."

Beth pointed over near the bleachers. "Is that my brother?"

Zach looked over. "Yeah."

Beth whistled. "Who knew all it took was some alcohol. Well, I'm off to find me a dancing partner."

"Guess what I saw on the dance floor?" asked Rebecca excitedly.

"Corey doing the two step? I've heard he's rather good."

Rebecca giggled. "No, silly, Angela being pulled to one side by Ms. Ianos. Ms. Ianos didn't look pleased."

"What did she do?" asked Zach trying to not sound too interested.

"Nothing. One minute she was dancing with some senior, and the next Ms. Ianos was pulling her off the dance floor. Weird, huh?"

Zach nodded. "So? Are you thirsty?"

Rebecca shook her head. "No, you?"

"Nope. So—what do you want to do?"

Rebecca leaned in close. "There is this one thing I've been dying to do ever since I saw you in your suit."

"Really? What?"

"This." Rebecca stood on her toes and kissed him on the lips.

A tap on Zach's shoulder interrupted the very passionate moment. He jumped to see Dr. Ianos so close to his face.

"Keep the public displays of affection to a minimum, shall we?" he asked in a sweet singsong voice.

"Sorry, Dr. Ianos." They both muttered, out of breath.

He moved off, and they broke into a fit of sniggers. Zach comfortably pulled Rebecca closer to him and stared into her warm brown eyes.

"Thank you."

Tiny thin creases developed around the edges of her eyes. "What for?"

Zach sighed. "For this. For giving me a second chance."

Rebecca laid her head against his chest. "Didn't have much choice, did I?"

"No, I supposed not," joked Zach.

"So, shall we go take the quintessential prom picture?"

Zach checked over his shoulder and did not see Sophia or his cousin. "Sure."

They chose the booth with a rose garden as the backdrop. Rebecca chose a tiara out of the prop basket and selected a sophisticated monocle for Zach. Zach gladly put the monocle on and stood behind Rebecca, wrapping his arms around her waist as the cameraman counted down for the first picture. The second pose consisted of a white feather boa and a large top hat. Finally Rebecca convinced Zach to put on the coconut bikini top; she wore the Viking helmet.

Everything was going fine until Kenny ran onto the scene and screamed for Zach to duck. Zach saw the twisting energy ball and threw himself on top of Rebecca, knocking her to the floor. There was screaming and chaos all around them. Zach thought he heard gunshots, but he focus was on Rebecca. Her eyes were not open and her mouth hung open.

"Rebecca?" he asked loudly, shaking her.

Kenny dropped down beside them. "Are you ok?"

Zach noticed his hands were shaking and tried to stop them. "Rebecca?"

Kenny checked for a pulse. "Are you ok? Did it hit you?"

Zach slowly lifted his head. "How'd you know?"

"Not the time. It's Peter."

Something exploded next to them, and Zach shielded Rebecca with his body.

"HALLIWELL!" screamed an inhuman voice, but Zach recognized it.

Leaving Rebecca to Kenny, he jumped to his feet and turned to face Peter Thomas. Only the creature approaching him was not Peter; not the Peter he knew. This Peter's skin was an ashen grey, and his eyes flashed dangerously before turning completely black. In his hand he held a massive energy ball and in the other a long spiny staff.

"Peter! Stop this," yelled Zach.

The demonic Peter chuckled in a low throaty voice. "Why should I? After everything your family has put mine through?"

Peter threw the energy ball, and Zach thanked his father for forcing him to take self-defense class. He dodged the attack, drawing Peter away from his friends. Peter conjured another energy ball and hurled it at him. Zach ducked and felt the energy ball singe his hair. The next attack caught his shoulder, and the pain shot up and down his arm. He felt utterly useless, but he had to keep Peter distracted.

"That the best you got?"

Peter growled and bore his teeth. The teeth were no longer perfectly straight and human. They resembled the rows of teeth Zach had seen in skulls of tiger sharks during the school trip to the aquarium. He noticed how the shadows around the room appeared to be drawn toward Peter. Some were even twisting around his feet and ankles. It clicked in his head that this truely was not Peter. Peter may be a horrible human being, but he was human. This creature was a wraith in Peter's form. Why the taunt about his family?

"Peter, you have to fight it." He must be possessed.

Peter threw back his head and howled. "Fight it? This is the best I've felt. Why fight it? First I'm going to kill you, and then I'm—then I'm going to have my way with that pretty girlfriend of yours."

"Like hell you will," roared Zach, and he picked up the nearest heavy object. It happened to be a gun covered in something very thick, red, and warm. Zach dropped the gun and looked down. A man with buzzed-cut hair and dressed in all black lay on the floor next to him. His blank eyes stared up at Zach and a silent scream remained on his wide-open mouth. His neck was completely savaged like by a rapid dog. Zach felt sick.

"Like my work? It seems your daddy thought a dozen witch hunters for hire could protect you. Don't worry, I took care of all of them."

Zach brought a very shaky hand up to his mouth to stifle the scream of terror. He bent over and threw up. Peter smirked and conjured an athame.

"Unfortunately I've been told I can't do the same to you. Your death is to be a clean one. A simple sliced throat or perhaps a dagger to the heart."

Zach stood up straight, wiping away the vomit-tinged salvia still clinging to his lips. "Come on then!"

Peter twirled the athame between his fingers. "What's the hurry? I promise you death will come."

Zach spat. "DO IT!"

"I was told you'd be a challenge," bemoaned Peter.

Peter raised the athame to throw it.

"Wait! Are you really going to kill the grandson of a Charmed One wearing someone else's skin?"

Peter smiled again, bearing his razor sharp teeth. "I do suppose the meat suit is no longer necessary."

The shadows collected around Peter's feet convulsed, and Peter dropped to the floor unconscious. Standing in his place was a massive, heavily scared man. On his chest were two tattoos of wolves both with glowing red eyes. Down one arm was another tattoo of intertwining jet-black snakes. A forth tattoo of a serpentine dragon covered most of the other arm.

Zach stared at the true face of his attacker. It held no mercy or remorse. In fact the wraith looked immensely pleased to have caused so much horror and pain. The wraith flicked to athame at Zach, and he did not have time to react. The blade pierced his flesh just above his right nipple. The impact of the blade threw him backwards and to the ground. The wind was knocked out of him, and the pain overwhelmed his mind. The last thing his remembered were people screaming his name as he slipped off into a cold darkness.

AN: HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! Thank you for reading! An even bigger thanks if you decided to review. I am sorry for the cliffhanger, but the next chapter is well on its way. Hopefully my muse stays with me and I can finish it up for release soon. On a lighter note have you guys checked out the tumblr for this story? You should (link is on my profile)! It has pictures of all the characters to help your imaginations and mine. I do know that descriptions are something I need to work on ;). There are also tidbits of information every once in a while about the characters that were cut from the story. That is enough of me talking to you about stuff; I'll let you go enjoy your lives. Until next times.