Early the next morning, Charlotte stepped out of her new bedroom and heard Angel and Cassie down the hallway in the kitchen talking. Her sharp hearing informed her that Cassie had already texted her assistant, who would be in to open the store, and Angel was planning for the two of them to go out for the day. Moving to the bathroom, Charlotte took care of necessary business and then walked quietly down the hall to the kitchen. Both of their backs were to her with Angel looking over some pamphlets of things to do in the area. Cassie was cooking breakfast, and the aromas in the kitchen caused Charlotte's stomach to rumble.

"Good morning, sweetie." Cassie spoke without turning around. Angel lifted his head and looked over his shoulder and smiled softly.

"You heard me?"

"Nope." Cassie chuckled as she turned to slide some pancakes onto a plate, "But your power pulses around you and I sensed you coming down the hall."

With a blush, Charlotte settled into the seat next to Angel, and eyed the plate Cassie slid in front of her. Angel smirked while setting the papers aside to accept his own plate, "It's not meat."

Cassie shook her head with a laugh, "I couldn't believe it when Kevin told me of your dietary choices. I'm glad I had some choices to whip up on short notice."

"I really don't mean to be an inconvenience, Cassie, but thank you,"

"You are no inconvenience, dear. A challenge, to be sure, but I relish challenges. I called my assistant and he'll be over in a couple of hours. After breakfast, I'll get started on some reading. I have a few books in the shop that may help."

"And we're going to go out and enjoy the day sight seeing." Angel declared.

Charlotte nodded, "What are these discs?"

"Pancakes." Cassie declared, "And I do have toast and oatmeal if it's not filling enough."

Angel had already started on his. Charlotte watched him pour syrup over them with a couple scoops of butter and she copied him. Cassie watched, intrigued, as the demon sitting across from her took her first bite of home made pancakes.

Charlotte Mmmmm loudly and went to work on the rest with hungry enthusiasm. Cassie smirked, "I see you like them. Good. Pancakes are not one of my specialties."

"They're great, sis." Angel said after finishing a bite, "When we're out today we'll pick up supplies. Just make me a list."

"Sounds good."

They ate and talked a bit more until their plates were clean. Angel said he was going to go get his shower then he'd take Charlotte out for the day, and left the kitchen. Cassie started collecting the dishes and Charlotte stood, picking her plate up before Cassie grabbed it, "Let me help you. I don't want to just sit here. It's uncomfortable."

"In that case, while we clean, tell me all about you. Your feelings, powers, what you remember if anything, the things you dream. Maybe we'll be able to find some seeds to your true self."

Charlotte nodded enthusiastically and as they worked together to clean up the kitchen, Charlotte told her everything she could about the last few months. How she first changed, that some of her gifts felt natural but others were coming to her in time, like conjuring the branch to help pull the boy out of the river. Determined to make sure she held nothing back, and feeling amazingly comfortable, Charlotte even confessed about the night her and Angel almost made love, why he turned her down and how it made her feel. Cassie listened intently to everything, only interrupting to clarify something. Upon Charlotte's confession, Cassie took a towel off the handle of the stove and while drying her hands, turned to look at Charlotte squarely.

"You do understand he didn't mean to hurt you, right?"

"I know." Charlotte's voice was contrite, but she looked at Cassie firmly, "But I love him, Cassie. I don't care if it's right, wrong or even possible, I love him and I want to be with him. It just hurts that he sees me as a monster."

Cassie slapped her hand on the kitchen counter, startling Charlotte, who cringed but Cassie's voice wasn't rude, only firm, "Kevin does not see you as a monster, sweetie, not in the least. He knows you're special, different and you're both here to find answers to that. Not just so you can be the true you, but so you two can be together. Don't question that, or you won't try with all your heart and soul to recover your memories."

Charlotte returned Cassie's stare with a confident admission, "I slept in that room last night and it was the first night I'd been alone since he found me. I hated it. HATED. IT! I barely slept and when I did I had bad dreams. When I had bad dreams in the motels, I could at least see him in the other bed and it soothed me."

With a subtle shake of her head, Cassie blew air out past her lips, "Do you think Kevin was happy about sleeping on the couch last night?"

"No?" Charlotte looked over her shoulder at the couch, with the blankets folded neatly and the pillow set on top. She looked back at Cassie, confused.

"You've been very honest with me, sharing your deepest feelings and thoughts not just about the last few months, but how you feel about my brother. Maybe you can be that honest with him?"

"He knows how I feel."

"Yes, but not how much the distance is hurting you, especially when I'm sure it's hurting him, too. To be as blunt as I can to drive home my point; two people can sleep together without sex."

Charlotte blushed a bit, "But you sent him to the couch last night. Why the change?"

"New intel. I didn't know how close you two had gotten. If I had, I'd have suggested the room to both of you. This doesn't have to be complicated, not if you don't want it to be. I think it's a nice change of pace that two people know how they feel about each other, and it isn't the lack of honesty keeping them apart."

"Just my memories." Charlotte lamented.

"A tough challenge, like I said, but I firmly believe that if you two can get over the awkwardness of being a couple, even without sex, you can focus on the tasks ahead."

"He pushed me away, though. If I ask him to sleep with me, and he says no…" Charlotte trailed off, fresh memories poking her heart.

"What's real love without risk, darling? Just affirm to him why you need him with you, the loneliness. I bet he feels the same"

Charlotte nodded in acceptance of the task presented to her. She hoped Angel would accept her. As she wondered that, she heard the bathroom door click open and Angel's footsteps coming down the hallway. Cassie smirked at Charlotte, shooing her away from the sink, "Go get ready for your day out."

Angel entered the kitchen, dressed in a casual black dress shirt and black slacks, and combing his short hair into place. It was a look that Charlotte had not seen him in before and she admired how handsome he looked, cleaned up and not looking tense for a mission. Angel smiled warmly at the ladies, "That felt good. It's been a long time since I didn't have to shower in a motel bathroom."

"I'm going to go pick out something nice to wear, so I don't look like a slob next to you." Charlotte smiled shyly, as she walked by Angel, letting her hand brush his tenderly. Angel watched her go down the hall and turned to his sister, "Did I miss something?"

"Better be the last time you do."

"Wha?" Angel's perplexed face was met by a laugh by Cassie.

"Go. Have a good day. I'm going to go start the research and help Davis open the store when he gets here. I'm closing early, so be back here by 6pm and we can go over anything I dig up. I will text you with anything I need for the pantry or for research." Cassie stepped past Angel, giving him a pat on the shoulder and left him there, shaking his head.

"Wha?"

Twenty minutes later, Charlotte stepped out of her room wearing a long dark red V-neck sundress with black high heel shoes. It was obvious to Angel she'd opted not to wear a bra and it was subtle, but revealing how her body filled out the dress. This was the first time he had seen her dress up so nicely, and he blushed as she stepped up to him, "So, handsome? You gonna show me a good time?"

"It would be my pleasure." He held out his arm and she took it, a fresh blush warming her cheeks. They left the apartment to enjoy the day together while Cassie unlocked the door to her shop and entered.

Cassie breathed in slowly, always loving the smell of her shop, with it's incense, candles and various items of enchantments. She specialized in crystal magic, but kept a large variety of witchcraft related items in stock as she was always learning and exploring. Heading to the book section, she looked over the titles and genres, picking out a few selections to start on. She looked at the clock and figured she had about forty minutes before Davis, her assistant, arrived.

Setting the books down on the front counter, with its glass front case displaying fine amulets and charms, she stepped around to the employee only side and pulled up her stool and leaned forward, opening the first and began to read. Flipping through the pages and finding little that she could use, she pulled another book over and started again, browsing the chapters. Lost in her reading, time flowed fast and the next thing she knew, Davis was walking through the front door, carrying two large cups of coffee She looked up and smiled at the young man.

"Good morning, Davis, I'm sorry to call you in on your day off."

"Good morning, Cassie." He said brightly stepping up to the counter and hands her one of the cups, which she takes gratefully, "It's really no problem. I planned to study all day today, and I can do that at home, or here and make a bit extra for my trip over Christmas break."

Taking a much needed sip of hot coffee, Cassie set the cup down and gathered up the books to clear up the counter for customers, and teased, "You know the summer time is supposed to be for fun, not school, right?"

"I want a jump on next semester, and working here is where I have the most fun. Learning from you about spells and the supernatural, meeting all kinds of cool people who come in to shop and browse. I don't need much else."

"Well, then, if you'd do me an extra favor, I'll add on a bonus for your time today."

Intrigued, Davis sips at his coffee, "Really? Of course! What is it?"

Tapping the pile of books she'd pulled, "I'm not sure what I'm looking for is going to be found in these mass published books. I sell them for the customers but sometimes they frustrate me with the novices of the authors. Still, there could be some treasures in there. If you'd take some time during your studies to look through our inventory, I need information on memory spells. Whatever you fine, pull those books out of inventory and stack them in my office. I'm going to go out for a few hours and visit a couple of my friends for their advice."

"Gladly. Memory spells. Anything else?"

Thinking, Cassie nodded, tapping the counter, "Yes. For today everything in this case is not for sale."

Davis nodded and they switched sides, with Cassie picking up her coffee, "How much do I owe you?"

"It's on me, Cassie, but maybe bring something for lunch later?"

"You got a deal." Cassie smirked and with a final goodbye, left the shop by way of the side door to go collect her purse and shawl out of her apartment. Davis immediately got started on the favor Cassie had asked for. His studies could wait. He'd never seen her this intense about research, and he wanted to help as much as he could.

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Angel and Charlotte spent the morning and afternoon exploring the French Quarter on foot, taking in various shops and sights. He treated her to lunch, took her on a stroll down the river and the entire time couldn't really take his eyes of of her. The way she moved in her sundress, her mood so vastly improved, genuinely excited by the different things he showed her gave her a glow that he'd only seen a couple of times before. She also wasn't shy with him like before and took his hand and firmly held it as they walked the cobblestone sidewalks along the stores. He loved the feel of her hand gripping his and fresh regret nudged him, but he pushed it away. He was going to share in her good feelings, today. He joked with her, enjoyed her excitement at discovering what all the area had to offer and let all of his worries slip away for once.

As the day grew long, the pair was back walking along the river towards Jackson Square, moving among the bustling crowd, they stopped next to the Moonwalk monument and Angel checked his watch, "It's almost six. We should start heading back."

Charlotte nodded, having gone quiet. He looked at her, "Is something wrong?"

Shaking her head, Charlotte looked to her left towards the river and saw a wooden staircase that went to the water's edge. Silently, she tugged at Angel's hand to follow her and she led him down the stairs to the waters edge.

"Charlotte?"

She turned, and looked him with determined eyes, and slightly quivering lips "Angel. I've been thinking. I want you to know I forgive you for what happened the other night. You're right. We need to know more about me. But I suffered last night, sleeping alone, and even if we can't be together in that way, I don't want to feel the way I felt last night, ever again."

Stepping close to Angel, Charlotte pressed her forehead against his, their noses touching and she felt his body go still, and she whispered, "Will you please sleep with me tonight. Every night. I miss you."

She felt his hands grasp her shoulders softly, his warm breath tickling her lips, they were so close and she wanted desperately to taste them. She felt his head move back and she silently pouted. Angel's fingers lift her chin up to look him in the eyes, and she saw the softest, gentlest smile he'd shared with her. "I'd be honored."

The moment was frozen in time for them, and with her chin nestled in his fingers, Angel leaned in and they shared a gentle kiss, soft and chaste but full of feeling. When they broke the kiss, Angel saw that her eyes were wet and he drew his fingers along under her lids, wiping them dry. Charlotte pressed her cheek into one of his palms, putting her hand over his. "I was so scared. I didn't want to push you away, but I couldn't hold it in, either."

"Charlotte, I wanted to tell you how much I've grown fond of you over the past few months, how much you mean to me, but I held back because of all the mystery surrounding you. I wish we knew more, because I want to be with you, too."

His admission made Charlotte's heart swell and she sniffed fresh tears, pulling on Angel's hand to guide him up the stares, "Then let's go find out what Cassie's learned!"

Angel let her lead him, impatiently, through the crowds and streets on the way back to his sister's shop.

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Cassie stepped back into her shop about twenty minutes before five o'clock, having made the rounds vising her closest friends in the witching community. She'd learned a lot in a few hours, most of which was not as helpful as she'd hoped, but it eliminated some options. Her mind was jumbled, mixed with a personal need to help Charlotte and an insane amount of curiosity about her. Cassie never thought she'd meet a demon in her lifetime, as most were known to be called for nefarious reasons. She did wonder if Charlotte was called up in a summoning ritual, and if so, by whom and why did it fail?

Frustrated with the tangled web of ideas, Cassie knew she needed to clear her thought so she could focus better. Indicating with a head nod to Davis that she was going upstairs, Cassie stepped out of the shop into hallway leading up to her apartment. She unlocked the door and stepped in and kicked off her shoes, pushing them under the small end table by the door. She opened the closet door next to the table and reached in for a pair of cotton shoes and slipped them on. She stood and picked up one of her oak-wood BO staffs. Re-locking the door she went to the stairway leading to the roof.

Opening the door to the roof, Cassie stepped out and inhaled the air deeply, letting it blow out between pursed lips and walked into the middle of the roof. Makeshift walls had been erected with oriental designs, allowing her privacy from the surrounding neighbors while also giving her room to practice. A clothesline to one side moved in the wind with some various items hanging from it that Cassie had yet to collect.

Taking a stance and gripping the pole in her right hand, the 6ft pole planted to the floor by her right foot, Cassie closed her eyes and than began to move. She loved Tai Chi. It not only calmed her, but it went well with her mystical powers, providing focus and meditation. She lifted the pole and let it drop into her free palm, and started to 'dance' rhythmically while taking slow, wide swings, stepping and forward then back, turning 180 with a low sweep of the pole, imagining a slow motion 'battle' with an invisible opponent. She dropped the end of the pole, shifting her weight and lifting the pole up, letting the shaft slide through her fingers and jabbed backwards. She continued various movements, mimicking both offensive and defensive stances for a full thirty minutes, most of the time with her eyes closed, and let her mind drift away from all thought.

Coming to a stop, she held the BO back in a starting position and let her breath come back to her. The workout had helped for the most part, and she appreciated the calmer feeling, but she knew it was time to get back to work. She'd ask Davis if he found any information, and then look into the crystals. Perhaps they would give her some ideas. Moving from the roof, Cassie decided a quick shower and then back to the store to help Davis close up would be best. By the time she finished up those tasks and got Davis's opinion on the crystals, it would be close to six and Angel and Charlotte would be due home.

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The door chimed to announce Angel and Charlotte arriving into the shop. Cassie was handing Davis his bonus and thanking him when they'd arrived. She quickly introduced Davis to her brother and Charlotte and then ushered him out. Once he'd left, she locked the door and turned, her bright smile having faded.

"Before you ask. No, I didn't have a lot of luck today."

Shoulders falling, Charlotte looked at Angel sadly. Angel nodded, "You tried your best, sis."

"Don't say that like I've given up. I honestly did not expect to find all the answers in the first day. This is new territory for me. The books here are not the best resources, and my witchy friends didn't know that much about demon summoning. It's not exactly an area to be teased. So, I figured I'd next look into crystals."

Cassie walked past the pair and went behind the counter and opened the back. She reached in and pulled out a tray of amulets and crystals, the ones she told Davis not to sell. She pointed to them and explained, "Crystals have power. Most don't know how to really call upon it, only admiring the beauty and ideas of what they are. But those who are attuned to nature, the natural and super natural.. those who know the world has more in it than the naked eye sees. These crystals hold real power."

She pointed to a few of them and explained the various crystal types, and then the amulets. "Amulets, charms and trinkets can be worn with imbued crystals for the wearer to utilize. Now, it's Important to understand that using any power, spell or incantation has consequences if they're used with ill intentions. This is why some become corrupted."

She picked up a white crystal with stalagmite protruding from it, "This is barite. It helps with wisdom and mental awareness, as well as enhancing memory through cleansing. If you have a lot of negative energy stored, accessing and retaining your memories becomes difficult. This has gentle, soft cleansing of the chakra, breaking down the barriers hiding your deepest memories."

Handing the crystal to Charlotte, Cassie warns, "It's not a quick fix, though. It can take time, but I want you to keep it on your person at all times, okay? As we look into ways to break those walls down, it will help the process."

Flipping the crystal in her hands, Charlotte smiles softly, "Thank you, Cassie. I'll cherish it!"

Smiling back, Charlotte explains a few of the other crystals, and selects a hematite for Charlotte to hold onto that will help with focus and drain toxic emotions and negative energies. "While they say you can mix multiple crystals, that's mostly for the common folk. Knowing their true power, it's never good to go past two, maybe three. So we'll start here. Tomorrow, I'll commune with the Frequencies for more advice ."

"You've done a lot today, sis. Why don't we take a break and go out to dinner?"

"Good idea. I forgot to text you today so we can all go shopping and pick out things we all like.. in the vegetarian area, that is." Cassie smirked at Charlotte, who nodded back and the three went upstairs to get ready to go out.

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That night, after a fine dinner, shopping and laughs, they returned to the apartment. Charlotte told Cassie she'd had the talk with Angel and Cassie clapped Angel on the back for not screwing this one up. Angel just gave her a playful dirty look, but allowed a chuckle of his own. Cassie told them she'd had a mid-day shower so she's off to bed, and for them to enjoy themselves. Charlotte blushed and Angel tskd at his sister, who smiled and shut her bedroom door, giving him a raspberry pff as she did.

Angel felt Charlotte's hand take his and he looked at her, with her soft smile greeting him, "Will you join me, my Knight?"

Angel nodded, "Yes, your highness."

The pair walked down the hallway and into Charlotte's bedroom. Charlotte was happy, even though they couldn't make love, she could hold him for the first time, tonight, all night and she knew he felt the same way about her. For a flash of a moment, she worried that if she regained her true self if she would lose him, but that flash faded as fast as it came. Tonight, she would dream wonders just as Cassie said.

What neither of them knew in that moment was that tonight would be their last night of happiness.