It had been three days since the demon attack as she hid away at the family home. Kendra ignored every text, voicemail, and call that came from Zen. The audacity of that man! The fact he lied to her and purposely deceived her made it hurt even worse. She had to admit to herself that her former Watcher was right. Having close connections will only get both civilians and even a Slayer killed. Perhaps, thinking that she could have a life outside of her destiny was her own fault. She was always taught to focus, not build relationships, and, more importantly, survive. This only strengthened her convictions that being a hermit was the life chosen for her. Yet, she felt guilty that being a part of a family meant getting warm feelings and comfort inside. Perhaps, being selfish was something she needed.

Hugging a huge throw pillow in front of her while she laid on the couch in a t-shirt and jeans, she pondered what to do next. She had no plan of action or even a job anymore and with this Asmodeus as the demon threat, she had nothing formulated to stop it. Darcy noticed her worries and approached her.

"You know, lil' sis," said her older sibling. "My department is looking for a clerk. If you want, I could put in a good word for you."

"Thanks," replied the Slayer. "I'm still processing. Losing your job and the guy you liked takes some time to get over."

"Cheer up, Kendra." Darcy smiled. "It's not the end of the world. Zen is an ass but there are plenty of guys out there."

"And one deserving of my granddaughter!"

Maman Sin entered the living room and crossed her arms. "Now don't go sulking, girl! This Zen Minasi is not worth it! No man is! After my fifth husband, God rest his soul, died, I immediately started looking for a potential mate! I suggest dating apps! They work wonders for me!"

"Dating apps aren't everything," clucked Sheila who also joined the conversation. Dressed in a work suit, she scowled at her family before drawing her attention to her baby sister. "Whatever happened to waiting until the right one came along. It worked for me and Darryl."

Maman Sin sighed. "Yeah, but not everyone is as lucky as you and Darryl!"

A row of lights appeared in the room as their White Lighter orbed in.

"Did anyone say my name?" Darryl grinned. "What did I miss?"

Sheila filled him in. "Oh nothing, honey. Just everyone interfering in Kendra's love life."

The White Lighter rubbed his face in frustration. "Are you sure you want me to be a part of this? It's a little personal."

Frustrated, Kendra threw up her hands. "By all means! Everyone put in their two cents why my dating life sucks!"

Once again, Sheila became the voice of reason. "Look, we're just concerned. You've never had a serious relationship, but I know you really liked this guy even though he's a liar and was using you. We just don't want you to get hurt."

Kendra exhaled. "Listen, I appreciate everyone's concerns but I'm fine. I just need some time and I'll bounce back. I'm the Slay…I mean I'm a Charmed One. I know how to roll with the punches."

"That's my girl," Sheila winked at her. She then turned to her husband. "Any word from the Elders about Asmodeus?"

Darryl shook his head. "Still nothing. Our spies in the Underworld hear something big is coming from the demon but they haven't received any information. We're working blind here. Maybe, if we unite with the Order…"

A collective 'NO' from the Young women put a cap on that suggestion.

"They lied to us, Darryl," explained Sheila. "They can't be trusted as allies. It's better if we vanquish this demon on our own."

"I agree," said Maman Sin. "Nobody hurts a member of this family and expects us to turn the other cheek. It'll be a cold day in the Underworld before we ever work with the Guardian Order of the Apostles!"

Sheila shrugged. "That's that!" She gestured to her husband. "Now that we got that out of the way! Can you orb me to work this morning?"

Darryl raised his brows. "But you have a car. Can't you drive to work?"

Sheila smiled. "I know but you know city parking is expensive and, besides, I'm lazy and don't want to drive today."

"I need a ride to work too!" Darcy jumped in. "It's only a few blocks from Sheila's law office. You can drop me off along the way!"

Darryl scoffed. "Is this the White Lighter taxi service? You're really taking advantage of my powers for personal gain!"

Sheila shrugged again. "Just this once, honey, I promise." She gave him an affectionate peck on the cheek. Darryl sighed and shook his head. "The things I do for my family. Okay everyone, grab my arms!" Sheila slipped hers under his left while Darcy took his right. A row of lights flickered around them as they disappeared into their destinations.

Maman Sin clapped her hands. "A White Lighter in the family. Who would have ever thought?"

"Yeah," whispered Kendra. "Who would have thought?" The doorbell rang. Tossing the throw pillow aside, she answered it and opened the door.

Gorgeous Zen stood on their porch, dressed in a tight fitting flannel shirt and khakis. Damn, why did he have to look this fine? Kendra quickly came to her senses and slammed the door in his face.

Continual knocks on their door from him began to annoy her.

"Who was that?" Maman Sin asked, not realizing who was at the door.

Kendra gave her look of exactly the identity of the person who was rapping at their front door. Her grandmother looked displeased. "Open the door, child!"

The Slayer began to protest. "Maman, I got this. You don't need to…"

"Open the door, now!" Maman demanded.

Kendra sighed and slowly opened the door as Zen stood dumbfounded and confused. "Look, Kendra, I want to apologize…" He stopped as Maman Sin pointed a finger at him from across the living room.

"You listen to me good, boy!" Maman threatened. "You hurt my granddaughter and for that I want to hex you by making your body break out into warts and blow you away into the nearest ocean but that will make me no better than the lying deceiving demons we deal with. So, I'm letting you go with a warning. Say what you came here to say and be gone with you!"

"Can I at least come in?" Zen pleaded.

"Fine," sneered Maman. "However, make one unkind remark and I will follow through with my threat!"

Kendra rolled her eyes and groaned. "Come on in, you lying bastard!"

Zen sighed and sheepishly entered the Young home. Keeping a watchful eye on Maman, he addressed the Chosen One. "Look, I realize I'm not a person you want to see right now but I think I owe you an explanation."

Kendra glared at him. "Your nose healed just fine." She folded her arms. "Maybe I should break it again!"

The Order warrior paused to stop her. "All right. I know I deserved that. You were angry." He touched his schnoz. "Some healing ointments fixed that right up in a few hours. No harm. No foul." The Slayer did not seem to care. "Listen, I want to explain myself and tell you how sorry I am for everything that went down. Can I tell you why I did it?"

Kendra scoffed. "You mean the deception? The manipulation?" Her voice scowled. "Yeah, tell me why you did it?"

Zen exhaled again. "Our eternal mission is complicated. We've been demon fighting for centuries and lost many along the way. Guardians like us are difficult to come by. Not everyone who is a descendant of an Apostle is gifted with immortality and a skill to be a warrior. Those that are chosen are blessed among the bloodline but there is a price to pay for being gifted to be destined for the Order."

Hearing his words, it sounded very similar to being chosen as a Slayer. Into every generation, a Slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a Chosen One. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their number. She is the Slayer. Kendra could empathize with his words and his role. Almost.

Maman Sin questioned him further. "What do you mean by a price to pay? How are these Guardians selected?"

Zen continued. "As we mentioned before, we enlist seers and oracles who foresee the birth of a potential Guardian. We journey to that location to see if there is any truth to these predictions. Once there, we will determine if they are truly gifted with the Apostle bloodline via their deaths."

Kendra cocked her head confused. "Deaths? I thought you said you immortals don't die like normal."

The Apostle warrior hesitated before speaking. "Not the second time around. The first deaths are the hardest."

"First deaths?" Maman also looked at him puzzled. "This doesn't make any sense."

Zen explained further. "When a Guardian dies the first time, they are resurrected. Just like the savior did according to Biblical history. The gifted Apostle blood given by Him allows these chosen warriors to be reborn, turns them ageless, and bestows them the skills to battle demons for our cause. As soon as they are resurrected, they are recruited and trained by the Order and enlisted in our ranks."

The Young grandmother began to piece the puzzle together. "And that is how you came to believe that Kendra might have been a potential Guardian. By all accounts, she should've died in that car accident."

"Exactly," replied Zen. "All the signs pointed to Kendra possibly being the next Guardian for the Order so we went to investigate. We had no clue she was a Charmed One."

"Was me being in the hospital the first time you approached me?" Kendra asked the Guardian.

Zen nodded. "Yes. I'm not lying when I say I have a medical background. I've lived for centuries so I have several degrees and certifications in the health field. My ruse as a nurse was to get close to you to see if you might be a Guardian before the demons began attacking the hospital."

"It still does not justify you lying about it," Kendra argued. "You should've come clean about everything so my family would've helped you with your mission."

His eyes looked down with shame. "I'm sorry. I know. It was a dick move." His face returned to face her. "For what it's worth, Dr. Blakely still wants you for the teaching job. You're one of the best qualified candidates for the position and still want to discuss it with you back at the campus if you are okay with that?"

Kendra rolled her eyes again. "So, she sends her errand boy to fetch me?"

Zen shrugged his shoulders. "Something like that." He leaned in. "Plus, we can talk about other things more privately."

The Slayer swallowed hard. The seductive tone in his voice made her knees buckle. She still had questions and wanted to discuss them apart from her family. Her face shifted to Maman waiting for advice and approval. Maman's stern appearance returned to Kendra.

"It's up to you, child." said Maman. "It's your decision. I trust your judgment."

"Let me get my phone and purse," responded Kendra to Zen. She dashed into her room to grab her items and returned to her annoyed grandmother glaring intensely at the Apostle warrior. Slipping on some sneakers, she began pushing him out of the front door.

"Remember, Mr. Minasi," warned Maman Sin. "If you lie and hurt my granddaughter again, I will make good on my word and vanquish you myself! Is that clear?"

Zen gulped. "Yes, mam!"

The door slammed behind them as they made their way toward the sidewalk where his car was parked.

The drive to the California University campus was weird and awkward as no words were said between the pair. Even as Zen pulled into the parking lot in front the Art gallery building, they remained quiet as Kendra followed him inside.

"Classes began next month so the campus is closed," he informed her. "We won't be disturbed."

Kendra simply nodded and went inside the private building to see Dr. Blakely, Sanjay and Monica talking privately in a group near the pharaoh statue that led their underground facility. Their heads turned to greet the Slayer and Zen who appeared surprised to see them.

"Ms. Young!" Dr. Blakely clapped her hands. "You've reconsidered and taken up our offer!"

"Not quite," Kendra replied bluntly. "I'll consider your proposal but you have to convince me first."

Dr. Blakely frowned. "I see." She nodded to Sanjay and Monica. "Can you leave us alone for a few minutes?"

The Apostle pair nodded and headed toward the front door of the Art gallery. A rough bump to her shoulder by Monica in passing surprised her but she thought nothing of it. Kendra kept her composure as soon as the Apostle duo exited leaving only her, Zen, and Dr. Blakely alone inside the room.

Eden Blakely started to explain herself. "I feel I should begin with an apology…"

Kendra raised her hand. "Save it, Dr.! Let's discuss the first important detail. Are you still keeping me in your employ as a teacher?"

Dr. Blakely nodded. "Of course. Just because we had a tiff concerning our extracurriculars, I still need an e-mailed copy of your syllabus based on the mythology and history classes assigned to you. Classes begin next month and I hate to scramble for a replacement."

"Perfect," the Slayer said dryly. "Second, I'm not joining your Order. I'm a Charmed One and I'm perfectly fine fighting for the greater good with my sisters."

"Certainly," Eden nodded. "I wouldn't ask you otherwise. I only suggested that we work together to takedown whatever impending threat is coming." She extended a hand. "A truce, perhaps? We could really use your sisters to ally with us."

Kendra still refused to accept her offer completely. "I can't speak for my family but I will talk on my behalf. This will be a trial partnership. I will relay what I know but on the agreement that you provide full disclosure. That means no more lies, deception, or manipulation. I will assist you and the Order with the understanding that you will try to rebuild a trust with the Charmed Ones. Agree to this and an alliance can possibly be formed."

Eden smiled. "Deal." She extended her hand again. "Handshake?"

The Slayer was not done yet. She lifted her finger to signify she was not done. "Last request."

"Okay," Eden curiously cocked her head. "What is it?"

Kendra smirked. "Apparently, I'm the weakest of my sisters. Therefore, I'm prone to be an easy target for most demons. With that said, I'm asking to be trained for combat like your fellow Guardians?"

Zen's eyes widened. "Are you sure? You might get hurt. Guardian training is not going to be an easy feat even for a normal human military soldier."

The Slayer grinned. "Trust me. I have many skills." She returned to Dr. Blakely. "Do you have a deal?"

The Order leader rubbed her chin. "Are you sure you want to train with us?"

"Positive," smiled the Chosen One.

Eden shrugged. "All right. Kendra Young, we have a deal!" She extended her hand to which the Slayer proudly shook it. "Welcome to the team, Charmed One!"

Once again the drive back home was eerily quiet. Zen parked his car right in front of the Young manor as he slowly pulled up the sidewalk and stopped the car. Kendra remained silent as she began to unbuckle her belt and open up the side of her door. Zen placed a hand on her wrist.

"Kendra, wait!"

She sat back down and turned to him. "What, Zen?" Her face looked at him in annoyance.

His breath released in and out nervously. "No matter how many times I say sorry, it doesn't make up for the fact that I lied to you. There's no excuse for that and I understand you can never trust me but one thing is true." His eyes gazed at her differently. "I really like you."

The Slayer looked away, turning her back to him. "Was this before or after you tried to find out if I was a chosen Apostle warrior? Did you use that same lie hoping I would just enlist knowing full well I liked you back?"

Taken back by her admittance, Zen covered his mouth. "I didn't think this would get complicated. I didn't think I would catch feelings."

"Neither did I," Kendra confessed. What am I saying these things? I'm not supposed to get emotionally invested. I'm the Slayer for god sake! She ignored her internal feelings and continued with something more reasonable. "Besides, it won't work out. How old are you, Zen?"

"Last count," he did the math in his head. "Approximately over 800 years old. Why?"

"I'm mortal," she informed him. "A human woman in her mid-twenties." Technically, I'm a teenager but I don't want to think about that! "You're an older man and way out of my league. You have maturity and experience. Me? I'm lucky if I paid for part of my family phone plan."

Zen grinned. "Honestly, I'm way older than most regular mortals so your reasoning negates everything."

"I think you're missing the point, Zen." Kendra argued. "We're too incompatible. I don't think we can continue seeing each other. We're just too different…"

Quickly, he unbuckled his seatbelt as he grabbed the Slayer's face with both hands and slowly drew her in. Leaning into her, Zen kissed her furiously, hard as Kendra found herself not fighting back. Instead, she submitted and enjoyed the close contact of his mouth onto hers.

A few minutes into their connection, they both finally withdrew. Him pulling back to gaze upon her flushed and beautiful face while her leaning against the passenger door blushing and out of breath. Her eyes scanned the windows of his vehicle. Everywhere in the front seats, warm puffs of steam fogged the dashboard windows and mirrors to which they faced each other again.

Without hesitation, the pair returned to their embrace. Hands caressing the back of each other's heads, arms intertwined around shoulders and torsos, while mouths tasted, touched, and tongues explored every aspect of their lips.

Heavy breaths and moans escaped inside the steamy car to the point they heard a pounded outside of the vehicle. Kendra's eyes shot up as she pushed Zen away from her to see Maman Sin banging at the hood of the car.

"I see you two!" Maman Sin frowned in disapproval.

Kendra blushed as Zen tried to adjust himself and stop the tent embarrassingly poking from his pants.

So far, the Apostle warrior was not leaving a good impression.