A/N: So finally surpassed 100 reviews very happy about that. In answer to some possible questions the news stirring within England will not be mentioned until maybe the next chapter. Anyways enjoy!
Chapter 14 - Helping
Not a week had passed since Scarlett had tentatively rejoined the Halliwells and she felt...hopeful if not as though she was slightly trying to over compensate for her failure.
Her relationship with Chris seemed to be walking on egg shells without seeming to be doing so. They were both trying to b as loved up as possible, getting as much physical contact as possible.
She should feel happy and secure. Her friends and first love had forgiven her and had reinstated her into the family again. She should be happy.
But there was a niggling doubt in her head. She had no hesitation to say she cared a lot about the family but in terms of dating Chris...Things had changed. She had changed. She buried this thought as quick as it had grown. Ignoring it seemed to be a solid plan. For now she would bury it and hopefully it would go away. It had to didn't it?
It was a simple afternoon. Piper had finished up making lunch for the three inhabitants of the manor. Paige and her husband Henry were out,Dealing with the club was Leo.
This left Phoebe, Scarlett and Chris to stay in the house. Phoebe had spent the afternoon until Piper returned from the market with fresh produce for the fridge.
Once Piper had returned Phoebe had walked in and declared a 'pregnant emergency' meaning she was hungry and could not figure out how to make a nice meal with Cheetos's and cereal.
So Piper found herself stuck in the kitchen making four sandwiches for the remaining members of the house, not that she minded though.
Chris and Scarlett were sat reading Scarlett's book and adding a few of the potion recipes that Scarlett didn't know, courtesy Chris's mother, while Phoebe was reading a baby magazine and marking things with a red pen.
All was silent...until a loud crash sounded in the foyer.
Scarlett quickly rushed into action and had lightening crackling at her fingertips as she ran into be greeted with the sight of a girl about her age being held by an older woman holding an energy ball.
"HEY" Scarlett called before sending a bolt of power to the woman. The woman shrieked before she exploded in a shower of sparks.
Chris rushed to comfort the girl who had slumped on the floor. "PIPER!" Scarlett called. The aforementioned woman came running in and when she spied the girl being carried by Chris cleared space on the couch. The girl was laid gently down.
Scarlett quickly cast a diagnostic charm and found no internal injuries just minor bruising and cuts. The reason that she had collapsed was unknown. "She's fine just some bumps and cuts" She said.
"What happened?" Phoebe asked.
"Don't know heard something happening and I ran in and found a woman holding her with an energy ball in her hand. I vanquished her and the girl collapsed" Scarlett answered.
"Why don't you Chris look though the book to see if the demon you killed is in there"
The book held no answers so Chris and Scarlett where sat in the living room waiting for the girl to wake up.
"Has she woken up yet" Paige asked walking after her day out with Henry he had to return to the station to do some paperwork so when Phoebe called she had orbed over.
"No...nothing. She was fine it was probably exhaustion that mad her collapse" Scarlett said.
"Maybe.." Chris began before the girl on the couch groaned.
"Wh...Where am I" She asked her eyes darting around the room.
"Safe...Wanna tell us what happened" Piper said sitting down close to the girl.
"I was running...From demons. They work for some high powered demon called Nanuck who wants to take over the underworld I tried to kill him and he sent his lackeys after me" She said.
"Didn't he get the memo? The source of all evil is back in business" Phoebe said
"Most upper elev thinks they can overthrow him and Nanuck is a high contender for it" She said brushing back a strand of hair revealing a birth mark.
"You're a phoenix witch" Scarlett said suddenly.
"I am...My names Bianca" She said.
"So if you're a phoenix witch why can't your family help you out...I thought you were all trained to be professional bad-asses" Scarlett said.
"My mom can't help anymore" Bianca said in a way that spoke loud and clear the inference "I need your help...Please...I have no where else to turn" Piper looked at the girl and jumped to her feet
"Chris can you bring the book down and see if you and Bianca can find Nanuck and see if there is a vanquishing potion. Me Phoebe and Paige will brew some strong vanquishing potions in case we encounter any of his little friends" Piper said walking with her three sisters to the kitchen.
"Come on the book is upstairs It'd be quicker to go there" Chris said walking with her to the stairs.
"You guys do that and I'll be..." She was alone in the room "Here" She whispered.
An hour later they had found the demon in the book and brewed the needed vanquishing potion and a few extra in case of emergency.
"For the last time Phoebe NO you cannot come" Piper said exasperated "You are 6 months pregnant and with family history of births in the worst time imaginable the less demon hunts you go on the better"
"Fine" Phoebe pouted. Rolling her eyes Piper turned to Bianca and asked "So he has power over shadows so expect him to hide. Now are you sure you know where his hideout is"
"Defiantly I can take you all I think"
"I can follow your magic to you" Scarlett said reluctant to be near the witch.
"That's fine Scar we'll see you down there" Chris said. Bianca nodded and grabbed Chris's hand and Pipers shoulder who grabbed Paige. They shimmered out and Scarlett followed suit focusing on their magic.
Nanuck's lair was the text book example of a upper level Demons. He had torches lining the wall and tables full of strange objects.
In the center there was a fire pit and a few talismans that were thrown haphazardly around it.
"Well well well...Bianca the phoenix whore how nice of you to join me" A voice said from the shadows.
"Yeah well I brought guests this time" Bianca snapped.
"Ahh indeed you did...two of the charmed ones and their son and what's this...Miss Black. My what Voldemort wouldn't do to be in this position"
"Why don't you be a...thing and show your face"
"As you wish" He said stepping into the torch light. He was handsome looking with a square jaw with a straight pointed goatee on his chin. He had cold grey eyes that studied them.
Taking a chance Piper threw the vial of vanquishing potion only for him to be surrounded with a wall of shadow.
"Tsk tsk...Silly witches only thinking potions could kill me...Do you really think you could when so many before you have failed" He said stepping back into the shadows.
The quintet stood in a circle and awaited an attack. The without warning a spear of darkness shot out and grazed Paige's arm. She was thrown backwards by the brunt force.
"PAIGE" Piper called.
"I'm fine it's just a scratch" She called back.
"Piper...You got any more potion" Scarlett asked
"Uh huh" Piper confirmed.
"Why bother...The shadows surround you" He mocked form around them.
"You're pretty clever in the shadows...let's see how you like a little sunlight...LUMOS SOLEM!" She shouted. Instantly a burst of light broke out and a loud screech was heard as Nanuck stumbled onto his knees.
"Piper Potion!" Paige shouted. Piper threw it and it connected sending platters of the pinky coloured fluid across his chest. "NO! NO! NO!" He yelled as he erupted into flames before he dissipated into shadows.
They were back at the Manor by sunset. Phoebe had gone home to coop as Paige went home to Henry. Scarlett watched with a slight frown as Bianca and Chris laughed and...flirted in the dining room.
"Chris...Come help me with these dishes please" Piper yelled to him.
She watched as Chris left and she walked over to Bianca and sat in front of her. Offering the girl a tight smile she asked "So now that the whole Nanuck thing is over are you gonna head back to your people"
"Nah...I was thinking of sticking around for a bit...Seems like there's a lot of interesting things to stay for" She said looking in the direction of the kitchen.
Standing up she headed out of the manor and passed Leo who walked in looking slightly frazzled. "Hey Scarlett...Are you staying for dinner"
She shot a look over at the table where Chris and Bianca where talking with their heads lowered "No...I got...Stuff to do" Leo nodded and smiled as she walked out and onto the street and away from the Halliwells.