Forever Charmed

Chapter 13: I Know Where I've Been

Walking down a school hall; papers strewn all over the place. Lockers open; complete carnage all around me.

Constant cries of frightened people... I look around and find bodies upon bodies laid out; bleeding. Some are dead; others are wishing that they were. I make my way through them... before I feel a sharp pain in my leg. I look down... and see that I too, am bleeding. Have I been shot? Stabbed? Been in some sort of accident?

I push the pain away and continue to move on. I pass a door; completely ablaze. I can barely recognize the sign on it. I suddenly realize it's the boiler room. There's smoke everywhere and the smell of fire... I'm unbelievably frightened... What has happened?

Then, I realize he's not here with me.

Chris. Where is Chris?

I break into a run... or as much of a run as I can stand with the pain shooting through me. I feel bad for the suffering, but I care more about finding him right now. Making sure he is all right. I turn a corner... more people crying; more dead. I make my way through the crowd of death... before I see him at the end of a hall.

He's with Wyatt and Caleb. He's OK. He looks up; smoke and ash covering his face... but he sees me. He walks to me and I do the same. We break into a run at the same time...

And just as we're about to reach each other, there's an explosion....

I jumped from my sleep; sweat pouring all over my face.

"Hey"; Chris mumbled. "What's wrong, baby?"

I felt him sit up next to me... but I was still too freaked to say anything.

"Pete... are you OK?"

"Um... yeah. I just had a bad dream."

"Must've been some dream."

"I guess so"; I replied. "Sorry to wake you up."

"You don't need to apologize to me."

I looked at him and smiled. "You're too good to me, you know that?"

He gave me a quick kiss for that comment. "We should go back to sleep... unless you want to talk about your dream."

"No... I don't even remember it too much. Let's just go back to sleep. First day back to school tomorrow."

"Don't remind me"; he whined as he laid back down. I followed suit and laid next to him.

"I love you, Chris."

He said something to the effect of "I love you, too" in response... it was hard to pick up considering he fell right back to sleep before he said it. Of course, I remembered everything that I had dreamed of, but I didn't want to bother him with it. I stared out the window, unable to relax my mind. I don't know how long it was until I fell asleep again.

"So, this is the infamous Caleb I keep hearing about"; Papa Leo said that morning at breakfast as I walked into the kitchen.

"I guess that would be me"; he replied. "Nice to meet you, Mister... actually, I don't know your last name."

"And polite, too. He's a keeper, Wyatt."

"Dad"; Wyatt grumbled in embarrassment.

"You can call me Leo, by the way"; Papa Leo responded. "Trust me. It would be too confusing if you called me Mr. Wyatt."

"I guess it would be"; Caleb said.

"So, would that make you Wyatt Halliwell-Wyatt"; I commented, while pouring my cereal. Wyatt gave me one of his infamous "shut up" looks.

"Oh, come on, Wyatt. You get a boyfriend and get so embarrassed"; Mama Piper said as she drank her coffee. "Since when did you get so sensitive?"

"He isn't always like this"; Caleb asked.

"Nope"; I said. "Actually, he used to be kind of a prick."

Mama gave me a look. "Sorry, Mama."

"You're really not big on the curse words; are you, Piper"; Caleb commented.

"Not really. Although, I don't remember when that happened. I once was young and carefree." She paused for a second before continuing. "Holy fuck; I'm old."

We all gave her a look due to the sudden outburst. She just replied with a smile and continued drinking her coffee.

Gotta love age rebellion.

"Changing the subject"; I said, "did you stay over again last night, Caleb?"

"I wanted to; but of course, it was a school night."

"More evil words have never been spoken"; Wyatt said playfully in Caleb's ear.

"Anyway"; Caleb said with a laugh and swatting Wyatt away, "I just got here a few minutes ago."

"Ahh, young and in love"; Papa Leo said.

"Young love"; I repeated. "You're really showing your age with that statement."

"Be nice, Pete"; Caleb threw in. "Besides, Leo and Piper don't look a day over 30."

"Caleb"; Mama Piper said, "as far as I'm concerned, you are welcome here any morning."

"Whoo-hoo"; Caleb replied. Wyatt wrapped his arms around Caleb's waist and hugged him from behind.

"I have no complaints about that one"; Wyatt said.

"Something tells me you wouldn't"; Caleb responded.

"You know, Caleb"; Papa Leo commented, "you remind me of someone. I just have no clue on who it is."

"Really?"

"I already know where you're going with that"; Mama Piper said as she walked around the table. "Remember Wyatt's friend, Joshie from junior high school?"

"Wow. That's it exactly, honey. I'm guessing you had this epiphany already."

"Last night during dinner."

"You never told me about him"; Caleb said to Wyatt. "Were you guys close?"

"Yep, We were best friends; totally inseparable."

"Really? Was he cuter than me?"

"He doesn't even compare"; Wyatt replied.

"Good save, bro"; I said.

"Bro"; Caleb asked. "Why would you call him that?"

"Um... no reason"; I said quickly... realizing just what I had almost let out. "So, how have you been since what happened with the whole demon thing? Are you holding up OK?"

"Demon thing'; he asked nervously. "What are you talking about?"

"Last week. The whole cousin-slash-demon encounter. How are you holding up?"

"Oh"; he responded. "I guess I'm OK. It's still a little... scary to think about. And once again, babe"; he said while turning around to face Wyatt, "it wasn't your fault. No more apologies, OK?"

"I wasn't going to apologize anymore... this week."

"Uh-huh"; we all said.

"Morning"; Chris said as he walked into the kitchen.

"You're cutting it a bit close this morning"; Mama Piper said. "You have to leave in a couple of minutes."

"Sorry about that"; he responded. "I had a tough time getting up this morning, thanks to someone who will go unnamed."

"Ha-ha"; I dead-panned. "You seemed to go right back to sleep fine after I woke you up; which again, was an accident."

"I know it was"; Chris commented. "But still, you know I'm pretty much a light sleeper. Any slight movement or sound wakes me up."

"If it's a problem"; Papa Leo said, "you can always take the couch, Pete. Or, and this is not to sound rude, but you can sleep at your place for a couple of days."

"It's not a problem at all"; Chris responded quickly... more quickly than intended. "I mean, I don't mind him staying in my room. I enjoy the company."

"OK"; Papa Leo answered, seeming a bit confused as Chris' forwardness, but pushing it aside and going back to his newspaper.

"Careful, careful. Do you want us being found out"; Chris asked telepathically.

"It was an accident, Pete. Blame it on the lack of sleep."

"Don't feel so bad. I had a little slip-up myself."

"And here you are; making fun of me. You're so going to get it for that one."

"No telepathic messages across the breakfast table"; Mama Piper scolded.

"Whoa"; Caleb said. "You all can read each others' minds?"

"Just Pete and me"; Chris responded.

"And me"; Noah added as he strolled in the kitchen... with books.

"Morning"; I replied back. Everyone pretty much said the same in response.

"Um... where do you think you're going"; Mama Piper asked; pointing to the books Noah was carrying.

"Oh, just to the library. I have nothing else better to do as of late, so I've been reading a lot."

"Isn't it kind of early for the library to be open?"

"No"; Noah replied with forced laughter. "Besides, I like being the first in line."

I knew he was hiding something... but I didn't feel like going there this early in the morning.

"I'm surprised you know what books are"; Chris joked. "I thought you only kept up with issues of US Weekly & Playgirl."

"Ha-ha. I'd give you the finger in response, but why waste the energy on such a low-level cretin?"

"Cretin"; I threw in, "Wow. Such a big word for such a tiny brain."

"OK, enough with the jokes. You're going to be late, boys"; Papa Leo said.

"It was nice to meet you, Leo"; Caleb said with a smile.

"You as well, Caleb"; he responded as he shook his hand.

We all ran around saying our goodbyes before the 4 of us: Wyatt, Caleb, Chris and I walked out the door... Chris lagging behind after grabbing some toast and juice.

"Can you accomplish what I have asked of you"; Pascal questioned.

"Why, yes, sir. I can... but it is an understatement of my skills. Are you sure..."

"You will do what I have told you to do, Rowland and that is final. This is a simple seek and destroy mission."

"Very well, sir"; Rowland replied with a nod as he shimmered away.

"Goodbye, my lover"; Pascal said to the empty space around him.

"I can't believe you're asking me to do this"; Caleb said to Wyatt during lunch.

"Come on, it's no big"; he stated. "And don't you love me anyway?"

Wyatt gave Caleb an exaggerated pout to push his point.

"Stop stealing my thing"; Chris commented as he walked up to the table with Pete next to him. Wyatt gave him a look of confusion.

"You're using my way to get away with whatever you want."

"Is it working"; Pete asked as he sat down.

"I don't know yet"; Wyatt answered. "He still hasn't given me his notes from bio yet."

"And you're not getting them"; Caleb added.

"Oh, come on. It's partially your fault that I didn't do it."

"Oh, really? Explain how I stopped you from finishing your homework."

"Well"; Wyatt said; putting down his soda, "you're the one who wanted to come over and make out in the middle of it."

"I came over to hang out, not just to make out."

"Really? So, who was the one who started kissing my neck..."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa"; Pete said, waving his arm around. "This is officially too much information."

"You seemed to like it"; Caleb continued, ignoring Pete's statement.

"And you liked it even more when I..."; Wyatt then leaned over and whispered the rest into Caleb's ear. When he moved back, Caleb was blushing hard... and reaching into his backpack to get the notes.

"I guess Wyatt won"; Pete said.

"Looks like"; Chris replied.

"Changing the subject"; Wyatt said, "the thing with Noah earlier. What the hell was up with that?"

"Do we ever know what's up with Noah"; Pete answered, grabbing Wyatt's soda before he could put up a fight.

"What was so weird about it"; Caleb asked. "I didn't notice anything weird with him. He was going to the library."

"That wouldn't be a problem... if it wasn't 6:30 in the morning."

"Maybe he just wanted a head start."

"Did I mention the library is closed on Mondays?"

"Maybe he didn't know that."

"You're really fighting hard for Noah's honor"; Wyatt commented. "Should I be jealous?"

"Not in the least"; Caleb said with a smile. "It's just that he seems like a good guy. I don't understand why you don't like him so much, Pete."

"It's not that I don't like him"; Pete answered. "I just don't know if I trust him too much."

"Didn't you guys make up"; Chris asked. "I thought this was a done deal."

"We did. But... you know what? Maybe you're right, Caleb. I'll just let it go."

"Sounds like a good plan"; Caleb replied. "And speaking of letting things go... I have to use the bathroom."

"T.M.I."; Pete, Wyatt and Chris said in unison.

"Be right back"; Caleb said with laughter.

"You know"; Chris said as Caleb walked away, "I'm starting to agree with Mom and Dad."

"That's never a good sign"; said Wyatt.

"I'm serious. Tell me that what Caleb just said didn't just remind you of Joshie."

"Am I the only one who doesn't see this so-called resemblance?"

"I guess not"; Pete commented, "because I just had a deja-vu moment with what he said, too."

"Can we just stop talking about him for a fucking day, please"; Wyatt said angrily.

Pete and Chris just looked at each other.

"And no comments from the mental peanut gallery, either"; Wyatt added.

Rather than continue on that road, the boys went back to eating without saying another word.

Caleb walked into the bathroom and did his business before walking to the sink and washing his hands. He glanced up and took a quick look in the mirror, still getting used to the realization of his new identity.

Not new. Old. True.

He threw some water on his face and turned off the faucet before grabbing some napkins from the rack on the wall. He wiped his face off and looked into the mirror... and saw someone behind him.

"I'm sorry"; Caleb said nervously, "am I in your way?"

The man replied only with a smile.

"Are you OK"; Caleb asked, even more nervously. The man's smile seemed to just get wider.

At that moment, Caleb's "fight or flight" instincts kicked in. He turned around to walk out... and the man grabbed Caleb by the arms and slammed him against the bathroom wall.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that"; he said finally. "If I let you leave, it becomes that much harder to kill you."

"Get away from me"; Caleb yelled.

"Or you'll do what exactly, Drage?"

"My name is... not Drage"; Caleb responded.

"Of course it isn't"; the demon replied. "Pretty soon, you'll just be referred to as "the body.""

Rowland threw Caleb away from him into a bathroom stall door. Caleb slumped to the floor, his head and back throbbing in pain.

"This is too easy"; Rowland commented as he walked to Caleb. "But, if you're wanted dead by the Source, it's my life or yours..."

He grabbed Caleb's arm with one hand and an athame materialized in his other.

"And I happen to like me better"; he finished.

Caleb knew he couldn't do anything but wait for the imposing thrust... he closed his eyes and waited for it to all end.

Instead, he heard Rowland screaming in pain.

When he opened his eyes, he looked at what was occurring. The arm from which Rowland held him by was on fire. He didn't know how it happened... but he wasn't about to stand there and figure that out.

He kicked Rowland away with all his might, which left him with just enough room to stand and run out of the bathroom.

Rowland quickly crawled to the nearest thing to relieve his pain: a toilet. He shoved his arm inside; which immediately doused the flames. He pulled his arm out... and saw the immense burns that led to his forearm.

"Not as easy as I thought"; Rowland said through gritted teeth, still in severe pain.

"So, are you going to tell us what happened"; I asked Wyatt.

"What happened when"; he responded, a sneaky grin on his face.

"You know this really isn't fair"; Chris commented. "You want us to be completely honest about everything between Pete and I..."

"...and now that you have a boyfriend"; I continued, "you're all quiet with you and Caleb. What gives?"

"Did you ever think that maybe it wouldn't be cool if I tell you guys what I do with my boyfriend in front of my boyfriend?"

"That is such bullshit"; Chris replied. "Like he would really give a damn if you told us about your dirty little secrets."

"Well, I don't know that. And I'm not sure if I want to reap the negative effects of what happens if he's less than accepting."

"Somebody's whipped"; I said jokingly.

"I'm not whipped"; Wyatt answered. "Just cautious."

"Whatever. You're so avoiding the question right now."

"And I just told you why I was"; Wyatt said.

"Well, let's find out if he really minds"; I said as I saw Caleb coming back from the bathroom.

"Say a word and you're dead"; Wyatt threatened me with a plastic fork in his hand.

"Caleb"; I said in a sing-song voice... until I saw that he was wincing in pain.

"What happened"; Wyatt asked him, standing up to help him down. Caleb waved him away.

"It's nothing. I'm fine.... just had an accident in the bathroom is all."

"What did you do"; I quipped. "Reached for the flush nozzle and tripped in someone else's piss?"

"I'll be fine"; he said with a light smile, but still in some pain. "Can we just let it go?"

"Why are they both so defensive today"; Chris asked me.

"I have no clue, but I'm about to find out."

"OK, Caleb"; I answered, focusing my attention back to Wyatt. "So... are you going to tell us what's so big about this whole Joshie comparison thing with Caleb?"

"I thought that was a dead subject"; Wyatt commented.

"To you, yes. But obviously, it's something that's bothering you a lot or else you wouldn't try to bite our heads off when we bring him up."

Wyatt sighed and said nothing in response.

"Did he do something to you"; Caleb asked. I saw him move his hand under the table to hold Wyatt's.

"Something like that"; he mumbled.

"What"; the three of us said in unison.

"Nothing"; Wyatt answered. "He just ...hurt me."

"What do you mean"; I asked. "Did he beat you up or something?"

"No way"; he answered a bit angrily before calming himself down. "He wouldn't hurt a fly."

"So what happened?"

"Nothing... he just... he broke my heart."

Chris and I looked at each other... and the bell rang.

"I gotta go"; Wyatt said as he quickly stood up and grabbed his backpack. Tears had started to fill his eyes and it was obvious he didn't want his emotions so out in the open. "See you guys later." He kissed Caleb on the cheek and rushed off.

"Should I be worried"; Caleb asked as he also stood up and looked as us.

Neither one of us had an answer for that.

"Did you know anything about Wyatt and Joshie"; I asked as Chris and I made our way to our lockers.

"Of course not. But obviously, it was a big deal to him."

"What was your first clue"; I said sarcastically. "The way he pratically bolted from the cafeteria?"

"That... and the fact that he kissed Caleb out in the open and didn't seem to give a crap."

"I didn't even think about that one"; I admitted as I grabbed my book for science class.

"Well, I did"; he answered. "You know how Wyatt is about open affection and all."

"Actually, not really, Remember how lovey-dovey he's been around Mama Piper and Papa Leo lately."

"That's a place where he's OK to be himself. In school, it's a totally different matter."

"I guess so. So, not even a clue?"

"Nothing at all"; he responded. "But it wasn't like we were that close back then."

"What do you mean? You guys have always been inseparable."

"Not really"; he admitted as we made our way to class. "I mean, we were close, sure. But even so, I was just his younger brother. We had different hobbies, different likes and dislikes. I loved him and all, but we didn't really bond until a couple of years after that."

"Talk about learning something new every day."

"Well, we are in school"; he said as we entered the class room.

"Funny guy"; I responded. I looked around and didn't see our teacher around. It should've been evident by the fact that most of the class were in loud conversations.

"Where's Mr. Perillo"; I asked Chris.

"I don't know"; he answered. "Aren't we supposed to have a mid-term prep today?"

"Wow. You studied?"

"Ha, ha. The one time I actually get down to studying and it doesn't even matter."

"Might as well make the best of it"; I commented. "Mind if I sit next to you?"

"Like I'm going to complain about that."

Chris made his way to his seat and I sat next to him.

"So, while we wait for the obvious interruption"; I continued, "did you notice any change in Wyatt after Joshie went away?"

"Someone's playing detective"; he said with a smile.

"Nah, just nosy and curious."

He laughed and replied, "I didn't really notice much. I mean, he was a bit moodier than usual, but I just chalked that up to normal teenage stuff."

"You know, the three of us really need to sit down and talk to Wyatt when we get a chance."

"Don't you mean the two of us"; Chris asked, pointing to the both of us.

"No, I meant three. I'm pretty sure Caleb wants to be in on the conversation, too."

"Well, I get that"; he said. "But the both of us need to talk to him alone, too. He's being a little too much of an asshole to the both of us when it concerns Caleb."

"I get that"; I repeated. "But it's not like he promised to tell us everything about his relationship."

"That's true. But on the other hand... neither did we."

"I sense wheels of revenge spinning in your head." Chris replied with a smile and nothing more.

"OK, class, settle down"; came a voice of the room. I looked up and saw a man facing the blackboard.

"He looks young"; Chris whispered to me.

"He looks like he just got out of high school"; I whispered back. Chris chuckled in reply.

"Taking college classes"; the substitute teacher said, obviously hearing us... before turning around.

"But don't doubt my credentials. I'm more than qualified for this job."

The sight of the teacher's face caused my mouth to drop. And for once, Chris wasn't standing in front of it.

"My name is Mr. Fuller. But, since I hate being seen as being so old, you can call me Noah."

"No... fucking... way"; Chris and I both said.

"No... fucking...way"; Rowland said as he made his way through the empty school hall. "How did he do this to me?"

He looked at the burns on his arm, wincing with every light touch.

"I cannot fail"; he said to the emptiness around him. He walked past a classroom and caught sight of Caleb, leaned over a notebook.

"So, he wants to be like a human"; he commented. "Well, he can know the pain of a quick death, just like the rest of them."

"Excuse me, can I help you, sir"; came a voice from across the hall.

"Yes, you can"; Rowland responded as he walked forward. "What do you do here?"

"What do you mean?"

"What kind of... teaching capacity to you have?"

"None, sir. I'm a security guard."

"So... it is your job to protect these... students."

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to either report to the main office or leave the premises."

"Well, I wouldn't want to be a nuisance."

The security guard looked confused by Rowland's statement. As he moved forward to reach for his arm, Rowland pulled his arm back.

"Are you OK, sir"; the security guard asked. "Do you need assistance?"

Rowland, in response, pulled his arm back and hurled a fireball at the security guard, which made him disintegrate into ash instantly.

"No, thank you."

Rowland looked around to make sure that he wasn't spotted... when in his sights, he saw a door which made him smile.

BOILER ROOM: LIMITED ACCESS

"When you play with fire"; he said as he entered the room and took one more glance at his injured arm, "you're going to get burned."

Wyatt sat in his class, trying to get his work started. The class only had a certain amount of time to finish the first part of the science practice test... and all he had done was wrote his name in the corner of the paper.

All of the talk of Joshua Samuel Anderson had messed his head up really badly. He tried to go on with his life after Joshie had suddenly left town. He missed his closest friend. Just hanging out with him, laughing and joking.

Now the pain of what else they could've shared seemed to have reared it's head once more.

He absentmindedly started the test, simply scribbling answers, not caring about getting any answers right.

"Why do they keep bringing him up"; he thought to himself. "It's not their fault. They don't know..."

He felt himself sweating and opened up the window next to him, hoping the person next to him didn't mind. He went back to his test and tried to continue, but all that plagued him were memories of his old friend.

"Stop cheating"; Joshie said to Wyatt as they played a video game.

"How is it possible to cheat during "Street Fighter"?"

"I don't know, but you're doing it!"

They played for a few more seconds until Wyatt's character pummeled Joshie's character to the ground.

"Perfect"; the video game said.

"Ass"; Joshie said. "Can we play something else?"

"Something like what?"

"Something that will give me a chance to win."

"Whatever"; Wyatt said as he stood up to grab another game from the shelf.

"So, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. You're a sore loser."

"Ha, ha, dude. I'm serious."

"What makes you think something's wrong?"

"Let's see"; Joshie said. "For once, you just totally whipped me in this game."

"Because you suck."

"You know I'm usually the one who beats you with "perfects". The only time you put any effort into it is when you're trying to avoid something."

"I don't know what you mean"; Wyatt said, looking to Joshie for a second, before turning around to face his games once more.

"OK. How about the fact that you haven't looked me in the eye for longer than necessary today. Did I do something?"

"Of course not"; Wyatt responded, before turning around. "See me looking right at you?"

"You know I'm going to keep asking you until you tell me what's wrong, Wyatt."

"There's nothing wrong"; Wyatt exclaimed. "Can you drop this, please?"

"I will the second you tell me what's bothering you."

"Leave me alone! There's nothing wrong, OK?"

Joshie sighed and grabbed his books.

"Where are you going"; Wyatt asked.

"Home."

"You never want to leave this early. Besides, aren't you supposed to be staying over?"

"I don't stay where I'm not wanted."

"I never said that, Joshie."

"Did you not just tell me to leave you alone? I'm just granting your wish."

"I didn't mean it that way..."

"Then, give me a reason to stay and tell me what's wrong. No more of this bullshit "strong guy" act. I don't buy it."

"I... I can't say"; Wyatt said, suddenly bursting into tears. "Fuck..."

"Whoa"; Joshie said, dropping his bags and walking to his friend. "What's wrong?"

Wyatt responded with more tears. Joshie, unsure of what to do, pulled Wyatt into an embrace until he stopped crying, which seemed to last a while.

"I'm sorry"; Wyatt said after a while, muffled on Joshie's shoulder.

"It's OK"; Joshie answered. "But, something is going on. You don't have to lie to me. You know can trust me with anything."

Wyatt sighed and removed himself from Joshie's arms and walked to his bed and sat down.

"I'm not sure if I can trust myself with this"; he admitted, wiping tears from his face.

Joshie walked to his friend and sat next to him.

"There's... there's something I need to say and... I'm not sure how to say it."

"Take your time, Wyatt. I'm not going anywhere."

"You were just about to leave a second ago"; he commented.

"Where was I going"; Joshie said with a smile. "Seriously."

Wyatt smiled at that and looked down at his lap.

"Promise you won't get mad or laugh"; he asked Joshie.

"You're avoiding the question."

"Fine"; Wyatt said as he stood up once more and faced out the window.

"I... I kind of been wanting to... kiss someone lately."

"Kiss someone"; Joshie responded with a smile in his voice. "And it's making you this upset?"

"That's the problem"; Wyatt answered, still looking out the window. "It's... it's not someone I would normally kiss."

"OK"; Joshie said. "Still don't get it."

"The person I want to kiss... is... it's.... a guy."

Joshie was silent for a minute. "Oh."

"Yeah."

"So... you're gay?"

"I don't know"; Wyatt nearly shouted. "I'm just all messed up right now."

"So... who's the guy?"

Wyatt laughed sarcastically. "Trust me. You don't want to know."

"I asked, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but you still wouldn't want to know."

Joshie sighed before saying, "Why wouldn't I want to... wait a second. It's me... I'm the guy, aren't I?"

Wyatt nodded slowly and started to sob again, heavier than before. "I'm sorry, Joshie. Please don't be mad at me. I know I can get over this. I don't want you to be uncomfortable when you're with me. And I don't want us to stop being friends. I mean, I understand if..."

Suddenly, Wyatt felt Joshie turn him around to face him. Wyatt automatically looked toward the ground. Joshie raised his head up and smiled lightly... before kissing Wyatt.

It seemed as if Wyatt's world stopped. All that mattered was that his lips were on Joshie's and that Joshie's lips were on his. Slowly returning the kiss, lightly licking each other's lips, Wyatt's hand slowly reaching up to rub Joshie's face; his thumb caressing his skin lightly.

Joshie pulled apart from the kiss and smiled.

"Wow"; Wyatt whispered his eyes still closed.

"You can open your eyes now"; Joshie said with a giggle. Wyatt did as he was told.

"So... are you gay"; Wyatt asked.

"I don't know"; he responded. "But, I'm not scared."

"Me, neither"; Wyatt commented. "Can I ask you something else?"

"Sure"; Joshie said.

"Can we... do that again?"

Joshie smiled even wider this time. "No complaints on this end."

Wyatt returned the smile and moved forward and kissed Joshie once more.

Wyatt looked down at his paper and saw that it was a bit wet.

"Why am I crying over something that happened so long ago"; he thought. He shook it off and wiped the tears away... but found more sweat on his forehead. He looked around and saw other students obviously affected by the heat.

"Just open some more windows and get back to your work"; the teacher said, obviously noticing the student's complaints.

Wyatt sighed and went back to his paper.

"I so need a distraction right now"; he thought.

Suddenly, a large exploding sound came from out of the classroom. The impact caused some of the students to fly out of their seats.

"What the hell is going on"; another student said. Wyatt looked outside of the classroom and saw the hallway to begin to fill with smoke. The fire alarm sounded not long after that.

"OK, students. This isn't a drill. Leave your things and exit the classroom calmly."

Wyatt stood up from his seat and ran for the door. His teacher screamed at him, but there were 3 other people on his mind that were more important than being disciplined.

"So, your teacher seemed to leave a decent amount of information on what you were all working on"; Noah said as he finished writing out the equations on the board. "I'm pretty sure you all know what to do."

"I have no clue on what to do"; Chris whispered to Wyatt.

"I thought you studied"; I replied.

"I did. I think the sight of Noah pretty much messed my brain up."

"What the hell is he doing here"; I said as I tried to figure out the answer. "He doesn't get enough of us at home?"

"I had no idea he had this up his sleeve"; he said as he started his work. "But, this definitely isn't cool."

"And you wonder why I don't trust him."

"Slowly understanding that point"; he admitted.

"Would anyone like to come up to the board and work this out"; Noah said, chalk in his hand as he looked around the class.

"Don't pick me, don't pick me"; I whispered.

No one said anything.

"OK"; Noah commented as he made his way to his desk and looked at the seating chart.

"Please don't, please don't"; I continued to chant.

"The young man next to Christopher. What is your name?"

I sighed and looked up at Noah. Fucking asshole.

"Yes, you. What is your name?"

"Pete"; I said hastily.

"Please come up and work this out for us"; he said with a smile. I thought about just sitting there and doing nothing, but it would've caused too much of a scene. Instead, I pushed my chair back and stood up, slowly making my way to the board.

"If you need any help, I'm here"; Noah commented with a smile.

"You're going to be the one needing help in a minute"; I told him.

He continued to give me that smile that I desperately wanted to knock off of his face. I sighed and worked on the problem as quickly as possible. I completed it and started to walk back to my desk.

"Um, wait a second, Peter"; he said.

"Yes"; I answered as I replied in mid-step.

"I think you may have it wrong. Shouldn't that read 45 instead of 54?"

"No"; I said as I turned around to face him. "I think you added it wrong."

"I'm sure I didn't. Just do it once more"; he commented as he walked to the board and erased my answer.

"I did it right the first time, Mr. Fuller!"

"Please. For my sake. I mean, I am so young and inexperienced."

If I could've knocked fire out of his ass right there, I would've. Instead, I made my way back to the board and did the problem again. I came up with the same answer.

"See. I came up with the same thing."

"Hmm"; Noah said as he looked over my work. "I still think you're wrong."

"And I still think you're... wrong as well." I wanted to say something else, but I caught myself just in time.

"Calm down, baby"; Chris said. "Don't let him get to you."

"You can go back to your seat"; Noah said as he pointed to my desk. "I think I'll do it myself."

I gave him the meanest look I could possibly muster and walked back to my desk, but not before I knocked a book off of his desk.

Of course, the neanderthals in the class thought this was hysterical.

"Sorry"; I said through gritted teeth as I leaned down to retrieve it... when I bumped into a file shelf on the desk. I tried to grab it before it fell... and it stopped.

Literally stopped. In mid-air.

"Oh, no"; I said out loud. I closed my eyes and hoped that no one had noticed what had just occurred.

"Um, baby"; Chris commented.

"Chris"; I responded. "Are we just exposing everything today?"

"Are your eyes closed right now"; Noah asked.

"Yes. Just waiting for the world to implode."

"Then you really should open them. Now."

I slowly opened my eyes. I glanced at a kid in the corner of the room, his pencil in mid-air. Some girl was handing someone else a pen and she seemed stuck in motion. I made my way to a standing position. Everyone, minus Noah, Chris and I seemed to be frozen.

Without my usual ice surrounding them.

"Oh, no. What just happened"; I asked.

"I'm not sure"; Chris answered. "I know our powers would grow and everything... but not like this."

"Could they not grow while I'm in school"; I commented as I finally made my way back to a standing position.

"You have Mom's power"; Chris realized as stood up and waved his hand in front of a guy behind him.

"How long does it last"; I asked, my voice full of worry.

"I'm not sure"; Noah said as he picked up the file shelf, also in mid-air. "I have a feeling not very..."

Before he could finish his sentence, there was a loud explosion from the back of the room. I was thrown back a bit and fell over. As I glanced up, I noticed that the back wall had a gaping hole in it, smoke pouring through the room. A couple of kids desk's were toppled over along with their inhabitants. The explosion also seemed to break my power as everyone was back to normal.

"What was that"; I yelled. "I didn't..."

"No, you didn't"; Chris said as he hurried his way to me. Noah made his way to the students who weren't moving in the back of the class. The rest of the class was in complete panic. There was another explosion outside in the hall and the floor felt completely hot.

"Everybody out"; Noah said to the rest of the room. The students who hadn't already left did as they were told.

I walked over with Chris to check on the two kids that Noah was looking after.

"He's dead"; Noah said, checking a boy's pulse. He checked the girl, who moaned and whimpered.

He waved his hand over her, orbing her away.

"She's safe for now"; Noah replied

"Oh, God"; I replied, grabbing on to Chris' hand. "What the hell is happening?"

"There's no time for this"; Chris commented, letting go of my hand and heading for the door.

"Where are you going"; I asked him.

"To get Wyatt and get us out of here"; he responded.

"Baby, it's crazy out there"; I said.

"I know, but I can orb if necessary. I'll be careful, I promise."

"Fine, then let's go"; I said as I made my way to him, before falling over in pain.

"Pete, what's wrong"; Noah asked as he quickly helped me off the floor. I looked at my leg and saw that there was a huge gash in it. Blood seemed to be seeping through my jeans.

"I must've hit my leg on the desk when the first explosion hit. What is going on?"

"I don't know, but it looks like there are huge holes in the floor outside. Before it gets any worse, I have to go. Noah..."

"I got him"; Noah said before Chris finished. "Go help if you can."

Chris nodded.

"I love you"; I told him telepathically.

"It's going to be fine"; he replied. "And I love you, too."

He winked before running out the door.

"Can you get up"; Noah asked as he helped me to stand.

"If I can't, then I'm fucked."

I got back to my feet and Noah helped me out the door. I turned around to look at the damage in the classroom... and saw the place that I had just been standing collapse into nothing.

Chris ran to the 1^st floor of the building. The carnage down there looked so much worse than before. There was fire and smoke nearly in every corner; blocking his view. Bodies were all around; many were beyond saving. The ones who managed to survive were running rampant; pushing and shoving, desperate to find any exit.

"What happened"; he thought to himself as he made his way through the halls.

Everything around him seemed to be on fire, including parts of the floor. He couldn't stay in one position for too long, so he rested for one second and continued on his path to find his brother.

He finally made his way to his brother's classroom; it was almost empty except for a couple of students who didn't make it. As he ran inside, desperately hoping one of those people weren't Wyatt, he caught a glance of a jacket through the smoke. The jacket was on someone, lying face down.

"No"; he thought out loud. He ran to the person on the floor and turned them over... and was able to see three piercings in their ear.

Wyatt only had one.

Chris breathed a sigh of relief and ran back out the classroom... when someone grabbed his arm.

"Caleb"; Chris said as he faced him. He hugged him tightly, but quickly.

"What happened"; Caleb asked, his face covered in ash. "Where's Wyatt?"

"I don't know. Oh, God..."

"What?"

"What if he went looking for us"; Chris asked, full of fear. "What if he's..."

"Don't"; Caleb said, leading Chris away from the room. "He's fine."

"But, how do you know?"

"We have to get out of here"; Caleb continued, ignoring Chris' worry. They broke into a run, when a pipe from above them fell; blocking their path.

"Oh, no"; Caleb said. "Now what?"

They turned around to run in the opposite direction, when they walked into Wyatt orbing in front of them. Chris grabbed him and hugged him tightly.

"You OK, bro"; Wyatt asked him.

"As well as to be expected"; he responded. Wyatt then let go of Chris and grabbed Caleb, quickly kissing him and hugging him as well.

"Told you he was fine"; Caleb said as Wyatt held him.

"OK"; Chris said. "We gotta go. Now."

"What about Pete"; Caleb asked..

"He's with Noah"; Chris responded. "Don't ask"; he told Wyatt.

"Are they out of the building"; Caleb continued.

Wyatt closed his eyes for a second. "No. They're still here."

"How did you..."

"No time"; Wyatt said, grabbing Chris' and Caleb's hands. "We gotta go and get them."

They quickly orbed away.

"It would be quicker to orb out of here"; Noah commented as he help me down the stairs.

"I'm not going anywhere until I know that at least Chris, Wyatt and Caleb are safe"; I said as we made it to the bottom of the flight.

"How are you holding up"; he asked.

"Better. I think I can walk on my own now"; I told him. He moved his arm from around me. I wobbled a bit, but was able to stand.

"We have to move fast"; he said. "I'm not sure how stable the ground is."

I hobbled down the hall; Noah walking quickly, but not too far away to make sure that I was still able to move.

"Wyatt's class is right down here"; I said. I walked a bit faster; taking in all of the students that weren't able to make it. There were pools of blood that seemed never-ending.

"Who could have done something like this"; I thought out loud as I passed my old music teacher, laying on the floor to the right of me.

I heard the fire engines outside just arriving.

"Noah, go"; I said as I turned around to face him.

"But, what about you"; he asked.

"I'll be out soon. Just go."

He brushed away the ash from his face that had accumulated on our escape. "Fine. But, be careful."

"I will"; I said. He nodded before orbing away.

"Wyatt"; I called out as I turned another corner, waving away the smoke in my face. I only hoped he could hear me. The pain in my leg overtook me and I had to stop for a second. I leaned against a wall and looked down. The bleeding slowed down, but it didn't feel any better. The floor didn't feel as hot as I thought I had a moment to relax before I moved again.

I looked up and saw three people coming through the smoke...

Wyatt, Chris and Caleb were making their way to the exit, directly in the center of the building.

Chris caught sight of me... and smiled.

I pushed away the pain as much as I could and made my way to him. I broke into a run to him and he did the same.

I was about 2 feet away... when I heard was another explosion...

Then nothing.

"Oh my God"; Wyatt yelled as the floor was replaced by a huge flame. "Pete! Chris!" He started to run toward it, when Caleb grabbed his arm and held him back.

"Let me go"; he screamed; attempting to struggle out of Caleb's grasp. "Please, I need to get to..."

"Baby, no"; Caleb said, holding Wyatt back with all of his might. "You can't..."

"My brothers are in trouble"; Wyatt exclaimed, continuing to struggle but losing the battle, knowing that there was nothing he could do. He fell to his knees, unable to do nothing but cry. Caleb held him close, his eyes still on the flames in front of him.

Wyatt screamed and sobbed even harder... never noticing the orbs appearing in front of him. Caleb caught sight of this and moved Wyatt's head to the sight of the person in front of them.

"Chris"; Wyatt whispered. In Chris' arms was Pete.

"What happened"; Wyatt asked sadly.

"I... was able to orb away before the blast hit me"; Chris answered. "I orbed to the other side of the hole... and he was lying there. He's... he's gone"; he finished as his tears wiped away the ash on his face.

Wyatt stood up and walked to them, taking in the sight of his dead brother.

"No. God, no"; Wyatt whispered as he touched Pete's lifeless hand. Blood was caked on Pete's forehead.

"I couldn't... I'm not leaving him here"; Chris said.

"Chris"; Caleb started to say...

"I'm not leaving him here!"

"I know"; Wyatt said, moving his hand from Pete's to Chris. "But, we have to get out of here. It's not safe."

Chris nodded as if on auto-pilot, unable to keeps his eyes off of Pete.

"Forever charmed"; he whispered.

Wyatt placed his arm around Chris and took hold of Caleb's hand and orbed the four of them away.

"It is done"; Rowland said with a smile as he shimmered into the Underworld.

"What is done"; Pascal asked, while bringing forth and extinguishing fireballs.

"What you have asked of me. Drage is no more."

"Really"; Pascal said, ending his activity and walking up to Rowland. "And what makes you so sure of this? Did you actually witness him die?"

"Well... no. But, with what I have done, there's no way anyone could've survived that. Not even the new Charmed Ones."

Pascal laughed at that comment.

"So, I'll take it you're pleased"; Rowland asked.

"No. I'm laughing at your idiotic nature."

"I don't understand, sir."

"Why it is true you did manage to eliminate ONE of the Charmed Ones, you failed to kill the one who I ordered you to kill"; Pascal responded.