Disclaimer : My name’s not Aaron Spelling, so I don’t own them. But I really, really, really like to write about them.

This is a follow-up story to several others I‘ve written. Reading them first isn’t necessary, but you may not understand Rion’s connection to the Charmed Ones.

You Give Me Fever
by Freaky Fan

Prologue

Prue sat on her bed, staring at the plastic bag on the floor of her closet. It had fallen from its hiding place on the shelf above the hanger rack when she got frustrated and started throwing around the maternity clothes she would never use. One second she was swinging around a pair of pants three times too big for her, thinking how unfair it was that she wouldn’t be wearing them, and the next the bag almost hit her on the head. In less than a second her fit was over and she had stumbled to the bed to stare at it from afar.

She couldn’t blame her sisters. The three of them had done an excellent job getting rid of anything remotely related to the baby before she came home from the clinic. The crib. The rough draft of the blueprints for the changing table Leo and Rion were going to build. The mountain of undershirts and bibs and burp rags. All of the beautiful little outfits. Everything but that one bag. And how were they supposed to know it was there? She had bought the contents and hid them without telling anyone.

Her knees were like jello as she stood and started toward the bag. She knew she shouldn’t. It had been nearly two weeks and she was doing really well. She still cried sometimes and got frustrated like she had earlier, but nothing like what she had gone through those first few days. All she had to do was say the word and one of her sisters would make it disappear like everything else. But she couldn’t make her mouth work. Not that she would of if she could. She had to see it again. Just one last time and then she would get rid of it herself. The idea was to pick up the bag and go back to the bed, but her legs wouldn’t cooperate so she sunk to the floor.

She could still remember buying it like it was yesterday. It was a week after she told her sisters the good news. She and Rion had gone out for an assignment and Rion was off in search of apricots, one of the few things she could eat without immediately getting sick early on in her pregnancy. She was walking by one of the ultra sheik baby boutiques when she saw it and knew she had to have it. Price didn’t matter. It was absolutely perfect.

Her hands shook as she opened the bag and pulled out the little rectangular box. The sales lady had smiled the whole time she was putting it in the box, going on and on about how it was one of a kind and how pretty it was and how lucky she was to get it because so many women had looked at it already. She just returned her smile and waited patiently to get her package and leave the store. She had thought about sharing it with Rion but changed her mind. There had to be at least one thing she kept to herself during her pregnancy. One thing that was only between her and her baby. And this was it. So she had put the bag in with her camera equipment and stashed it in her closet when she got home, pulling it out every once in a while to admire it again.

She choked on a sob as she took the lid off the box. Inside was the tiniest, whitest, laciest little dress ever made. Complete with matching bonnet and booties. The perfect outfit for the first in a new line of Warrens to wear when she got her blessing.

“Prue?”

She looked up at Piper as her sister opened her door. Piper took one look at her and quickly came inside, shutting the door behind her.

“Oh, sweetie, what is it?”

Prue pointed at the box, tears streaming down her cheeks. “It.... It was supposed to be the baby’s blessing dress.”

“What?” Piper knelt next to her.

“Her blessing dress.” Prue fingered the lace delicately. “Remember, Mom and Ophelia had Phoebe and Rion blessed by a high priestess right after they were born. We were too young to remember the ceremony, but I found it in the Book of Shadows right after I found out I was pregnant. It’s supposed to start a child off on the right foot with the Wicca community. The blessing of a high priestess. And I wanted....” She closed her eyes. “I wanted my little girl to wear this dress for hers. I wanted Grams to do the blessing. And I wanted Mom to be there.”

Piper put her arms around her near hysterical sister. “Oh, Prue.” She swallowed her own tears, trying to be strong. “I’m sorry, honey. I’m so sorry.”

Prue clung to her. “Take it, Piper. Take it for Melinda.”

Piper shook her head. “I....”

“Please. At least we know you’re going to have a little girl. We’ve seen her. Who knows if I’ll ever....”

“Stop right there, Prue. Don’t even think like that. I know it hurts right now, but you’ll have more children some day. We all will. The four of us will be those mothers we always make fun of in the park, screaming at their kids to be good. Or at least Rion and Phoebe will be. Our little ones will be well behaved.”

Prue sniffled. “I love you.”

Piper tightened her grip. “And I love you.” She rocked Prue ever so slightly, her heart breaking as her big sister started sobbing again.

*************

Sabian smiled as he watched the scene. He made a show of taking a deep breath. “I love the smell of witches in mourning.”

The gray haired demon looked at him coolly. “You have been enjoying it for far too long now.”

“Excuse me?” Sabian turned away from the portal he was using to watch Prue and Piper. “I scored a major victory against the Charmed Ones. I’m not allowed to enjoy that?”

“I would hardly call taking a child a major victory.”

Sabian pointed at the portal. “Don’t you see what it’s done to the oldest one? She falls apart at the drop of a hat. What good is she going to be to the others? And I’ve already taken care of the protector.” He raised his hand to silence the demon. “I know. Consequences. But she doesn’t realize she still has her powers. When she does, she’ll feel guilty for not trying to help her big sister. That’s two down, two to go.”

The demon nodded. “And which one will be next?”

“Hmm.” Sabian rubbed his chin. “I really hadn’t thought about it. But not that you mention it, I think I’ll target the youngest. She’s the spirit of the group. Break her and the last will break with her. Not to mention she’s the baby of the family.” He looked at demon expectantly. “Get it? The baby?”

The demon gave him a blank stare.

Sabian waved him off. “Yes.” He nodded, his eyes gleaming. “Phoebe will be next.”

Phoebe watched her sisters as they cleared the last of the tables. Piper said something, making Rion crack up and, much to everyone’s surprise, Prue smile. Phoebe almost dropped the trash bag she was tying. It was the first genuine smile to grace Prue’s face in nearly three weeks. One would think anything that made Prue happy after everything she had been through would make her sisters happy too, but it didn’t. At least not her. It made her jealous. And she hated herself for it.

She went back to tying the trash bag, nearly ripping it to shreds in the process. It wasn’t like Prue was shutting her out. They had spent over an hour talking over coffee and the paper that morning. But they never talked about the baby or how either of them was coping or if things had gotten any better with Seth. Prue always turned to Rion and Piper for that kind of stuff. She turned to Rion and Piper for everything but small talk over coffee and the morning paper.

Phoebe sighed and hefted the bag over her shoulder as she started toward the back. Getting jealous every time she saw Prue with Rion or Piper wasn’t going to get her anywhere. She was just going to have to sit her big sister down and tell her how she was feeling. Make her realize that....

“Oh!” She jumped as she opened the door leading out into the alley and found herself face to face with a handsome young man.

“Sorry.” He smiled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“That’s all right.” Phoebe eyed him. “But what are you doing back here? The club is closed for the night.”

“I know. I was actually looking for you. Phoebe Halliwell, right?”

She swallowed hard, suddenly nervous. “Maybe.”

“Oh, come on Miss Halliwell. It’s obvious I already know who you are.” The man held out his hand. “Sabian. I believe your sister might have mentioned me. Prue, I mean. We go way back. I’m afraid Rion doesn’t really remember much about our time together. And I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Piper personally yet, but I will.”

And there was her confirmation. Standing before her was the bastard who had killed her niece. Who had put Prue through a living hell most people wouldn’t have survived. Who had stolen Rion’s powers. Who was now threatening Piper. She tossed the bag toward the trash cans and stepped out into the alley, her Halliwell temper flaring.

“Oh, she’s gonna come out and play.” Sabian rubbed his hand together. “I like my women feisty.”

“Then you’re going to love me.” Phoebe glared at him as she moved out into the alley where she had more room to move.

“Yes, I can see that I am.” Sabian smiled again as another demon appeared behind Phoebe, a small crossbow in his hands.

“Hey, Pheebs. What’s taking you so....” Rion’s eyes got wide as she opened the door and looked out into the alley. “Phoebe! Behind you!!”

Phoebe spun around in time to avoid being hit in the middle of the back with an arrow, but it still went through the bicep of her left arm. The demon who fired the crossbow quickly disappeared.

“Phoebe!!”

“No!” Phoebe winced at the pain in her arm as Rion ran out into the alley. “Go back inside!”

Sabian grinned. “Another brave one. But you have to be careful, don’t you?”

Rion glared at him. “Bite me!” She decked him as hard as she could.... and staggered backward when she felt the pain in her own jaw. “What the....”

“I told you you had to be careful, Little One.” Sabian laughed.

“Rion?! Phoebe?!” Piper came running out of the club. “What the hell is....” She stopped when she saw Sabian. “Oh, great. Can’t you guys leave us alone for two seconds?” She kicked him in the stomach.

“Ugh!” Rion doubled over in pain. “Piper, don’t....”

Piper looked at Rion, obviously confused. “Rion?”

Phoebe glared at Sabian. “What the hell are you doing to her?!”

“What’s....” Prue’s voice died in her throat and all the color drained from her face when she saw who was in the alley with her sisters. “No.” Her voice was little more than a whisper. She saw the arrow in Phoebe’s arm and the fear knotted in her stomach gave way to anger. Pure, undiluted rage. “You BASTARD!!”

“Wait! Prue!!”

Piper saw what her sister was about to do, but it was too late. Prue threw both of her hands out at Sabian, sending him into the brick wall of the neighboring building hard enough to shake the ground. Rion fell like a ton of bricks as Sabian stood back up and dusted himself off.

“Oh, did I forget to mention that anything you do to me effects your sister?” Sabian looked at the motionless Rion and shrugged. “Oops!” He smiled again as he shimmered away.

“Rion?” Phoebe fell to her knees next to her sister. “Rion, answer me!”

Piper quickly joined her. “Rion, honey?” She gently turned her over, gasping when she got a good look at her. “Oh my God!”

Prue stood frozen in place, horrified at what she would find if she joined her sisters. She knew how much force she had used to throw Sabian. Enough to make him feel as much pain as she had. Enough to get vengeance for her daughter. Enough to kill.

Phoebe used her good arm to feel for a pulse. “She’s alive.”

Prue looked up when she heard the words. She finally convinced her feet to take her to her sisters. “How bad....” She again cut herself off when she looked down at Rion. The entire right side of her face was bathed in blood and her skin had a funny gray tint to it.

“Cole!” Phoebe looked upward, screaming her husbands name. “COLE!!”

He shimmered in behind her. “Phoebe, what’s the mat....” His eyes got big when he saw Rion. “What the hell happened?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Phoebe pulled him down beside her. “You’ve got to get her to Seth’s clinic. Fast.”

Cole saw the blood on her arm. “You’re hurt too.”

“Not as bad as her.”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re coming.” He put one hand on Phoebe’s shoulder and the other on Rion’s arm and shimmered.

“We’ve got to get to the clinic.” Piper spoke as she stood back up. She was halfway back into the club when she realized Prue wasn’t behind her. “Prue?” She turned to find her sister still standing in the alley. “Prue?!”

Prue looked up at her, tears shining in her eyes. “What have I done, Piper?” Her shoulders shook. “What have I done?”

Prue gripped Rion’s left hand in her own. “Time to wake up, squirt.”

Her own voice sounded foreign to her. Too.... What was the word she was looking for? Old. Then again, she felt old right now. Old and guilty. Rion was laying there because of her. She looked at her little sister and fresh tears filled her eyes. The poor kid looked like she had been put through a meat grinder. The right side of her face was a mass of bruises and scraps, not to mention the eight stitches it took to close the gash just above her right eyebrow. And she had been unconscious for nearly two hours now. Prue wasn’t a doctor, but she knew the longer Rion was out, the worse her injuries were. What if she was bleeding internally? What if she had brain damage? What if she slipped into a coma and never....

“Prue?”

The sound of Piper’s voice brought her out of her thoughts, but she didn’t look up. She knew what she would see if she did. Piper’s brown eyes would be full of concern for both of her sisters, and she didn’t deserve anyone’s concern. Not after what she had done.

“How’s she doing?”

Prue didn’t really feel like answering, but she knew she had to. “The same.”

Piper stepped into the room. “Honey, you heard what Seth said. She’s going to be fine.”

“Fine?” Prue fought to keep control of her emotions. “Look at her, Piper. This does NOT equal fine in my book. It equals, ‘look at me, my big sister threw me into a brick wall.’”

“We’ve been over this a million times tonight, Prue. You didn’t throw Rion, you threw Sabian. How were we supposed to know what we did to him would hurt her?”

“We? I didn’t see you trying to blow him up.”

“I would have if I had known who he was. And I’ve got news for you, you’re not the only one who hurt him. I kicked him. And Phoebe was ready to go all kung fu master on him. Even Rion took a shot at him before she realized what was going on.”

“But I....” Prue’s voice cracked. “I’m the one who did this to her, Piper. I’m the reason she looks like a punching bag. The reason she’s laying in a hospital bed. The reason she hasn’t woken up yet.”

Piper went to Prue as she started crying again. “Prue, this isn’t your fault. Do you hear me?” She cupped her sister’s chin, making her look at her. “Do you?”

“Yeah.”

“Good, cause I’d hate to have to kick your ass to make you realize I’m right.”

“But we could sell tickets.”

They were both shocked to hear Rion’s voice.

“Charmed One versus Charmed One. Phoebe could be the referee. And I’d be the ringside announcer. We could make a fortune.”

“Rion?!” Prue jumped to her feet and leaned over her sister, followed closely by Piper.

“That would be me.” Rion opened her eyes slowly, her forehead creasing in pain as she did. “Ugh!” She blinked and licked her dry lips. “Um, I think I’m.... I’m gonna....”

Prue grabbed the trash can next to the bed as Rion sat up. She held it with one hand and rubbed Rion’s back with the other as she wretched. “Let it out, squirt.”

Piper turned her head. “Is she all right?”

Prue nodded. “Seth said she might do this when she woke up. Something to do with having a concussion.” She put the trash can down as Rion leaned back against her pillows, eyes shut. She grabbed the pitcher of water on the stand at her side and poured some into a glass. “Here, drink this.”

Rion lifted her head and drank the entire glass. “Thanks Florence.” She grinned when she saw the look on Prue’s face. “You know, as in Nightingale. You would have made one hell of a nurse, Prue.” She looked at Piper. “But not you, Petunia. You’re too squeamish.”

Piper smiled, breathing a sigh of relief. “Sounds like she’s all right to me.” She saw the way Prue was watching their sister and knew they needed a few minutes alone. “I’ll go get Seth.”

Prue gave her a grateful look before returning her attention to Rion. “How are you feeling?”

“Let’s just say I know how poor Wylie Coyote feels every time that anvil hits him on the head and pounds him into the ground.” Rion winced as she tried to get in a more comfortable position. “What happened?”

“What do you remember?”

Rion frowned. “I went to cheek on Pheebs. There was some guy in the alley. And a demon with a crossbow. I warned Phoebe but she still got hit in the arm. The guy started running his mouth so I decided to shut it for him.” Her frown deepened. “But when I hit him, I felt it.” She shrugged. “It gets beyond fuzzy from there.”

Prue ran her fingers through Rion’s hair. “The guy was Sabian. And it seems that whatever we do to him hurts you. I....” She looked away, not wanting to see Rion’s reaction to what she was about to say. “I threw him in a wall. That’s why you’re here. Because of me.”

“Let me get this straight.” Rion thought about it for a second. “Anything someone does to Sabian effects me?”

Prue nodded, not trusting her voice.

“And you’re blaming yourself for what happened?”

Prue nodded again.

“Well that’s just stupid. How were you supposed to know what was going on?”

“But I....”

“You reacted like any of us would have, Prue.” Rion sighed. “That bastard put you through hell. And if I had known who he was I would have done a lot more than punch him in the jaw. If this is anyone’s fault, it’s his. He’s the one who kidnapped me and did some funky, weird demonic experiment.”

“I know, but....”

“But nothing. He hurt you, Prue. In more ways than one. You came out into the alley, saw he was there and got mad. No one can blame you for that.”

Prue hung her head. “I can.”

“Well I don’t. And from what Piper said, she doesn’t. And I know Phoebe won’t. So stop beating yourself up and chalk it up to experience. We’ll just have to come up with some other way of dealing with Sabian.” Rion leaned back against her pillows again, looking worn out. “Now I’m going to tell you I love you and I expect to hear it back without any tears or guilt or....” She waved her hand. “Anything. Ready? I love you, Prue.”

Prue couldn’t help but grin. “I love you too, squirt.”

“See.” Piper spoke as Phoebe pushed past her and rushed into the room. “I told you she was awake.”

“Rion!” Phoebe hurried over to the bed and threw her arms around her sister. “Are you really all right?”

“Take it easy, Phoebe!” Piper scolded her.

Rion smiled. “She’s fine. And yes, I’m really all right.”

Phoebe flopped down on the edge of the bed. “Wow. You got stitches.”

“Yeah, well you got shot in the arm.”

“But I bet you have a brick wall headache.”

“With this hard head? Are you kidding? It’s more like a bounced my head off a regular wall headache.”

Prue rolled her eyes and shook her head as she joined Piper by the door. “It figures they would compare battle scars.”

“Was that an attempt at a joke?” Piper grinned as she tucked Prue’s hair behind her ear. “Does that mean you’re feeling better?”

“Now that Rion’s awake I am.”

“Uh, guys.” Phoebe looked over at them. “I think....”

“I healed her arm.” Rion interrupted her, staring at her hands in disbelief the whole time. “Just now. All I did was touch her and....” She swallowed hard. “How is that possible?”

Prue and Piper shared a look, wondering the same thing as they went to the bed to calm down their little sisters.

Seth rolled his head from side to side as he made his way from the kitchen to his living room, a fresh cup of coffee in one hand. He had taken Cole up on his offer to keep an eye on things so he could go home and try to get some sleep. It wasn’t like he couldn’t be back at the clinic in two seconds considering he lived next door. But once he got there he couldn’t bring himself to go to bed. What if the girls needed him? What if Prue needed him?

He was still worried about Rion’s head injury, knowing she wouldn’t tell anyone if she was having dizzy spells or if the pain got worse. But it was thoughts of Prue keeping him awake. They hadn’t spoken much since.... Since the hospital. There was an awkwardness there that neither one of them could overcome. As if the baby was the only thing keeping them together. He knew that wasn’t true, but that’s how it seemed.

The window overlooking the clinic beckoned to him and he started across the room. She was down there right now with her sisters. All he had to do was work up enough nerve to walk into the room and tell her they needed to talk. Needed to work things out before too much time had passed and neither one of them felt like making the effort anymore.

He did a double take when he saw the raven haired figure standing outside the clinic. For a moment he thought it was Prue but then he saw spikes and knew it was Rion. He put his coffee cup down and stormed out of the house. He didn’t know what she thought she was doing but he intended to give her a piece of his mind.

“Rion?!”

She turned quickly when she heard his voice. A little too quickly. He had to literally run to catch her before she fell over.

“Whoa!” He put his arm around her to keep her standing. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?! You shouldn’t be out of bed!”

“I....” Rion squeezed her eyes shut. “Can you yell at me later? I’ve kinda got a headache.”

Seth sighed. “Sorry. Here, let’s get you back inside.” He felt her trying to pull away and tightened his grip. “Don’t be so stubborn, Rion. Let me help you.”

She did as she was told, letting him lead her through the front door. She stopped when he started toward her room.

“I don’t want to go back in there, Seth. Not yet.”

“But....”

“Just put me in the lounge, all right?”

He couldn’t help but catch the defeated tone in her voice. “What happened, Rion? Why don’t you want to be with your sisters?”

“I just....” She swallowed hard. “I can’t face them right now, Seth. I just want to be alone.” She pulled away and sat down in one of the chairs.

Seth sat down next to her. “Why?”

“Seth....”

“I’m not going anywhere until you talk to me, Rion. It’s obvious something is bothering you.”

Rion sighed and put her head in her hands. “Oh, let me see. I stood by and watched my big sister lose her baby and didn’t do a damn thing to try and help her. Is that a good enough reason for you? I’m surprised you can stand to be in the same room as me.”

“What?!” Seth looked at her in disbelief. “What are you talking about?”

“You saw what I did today, Seth. I had my powers that night. Even if I didn’t have them, I should have tried to do something. But no, I just stood there like a bump on a log and watched. What kind of sister just stands by and watches when her sister is in pain?”

“There was nothing you could have done, Rion. There was nothing anyone could have done. We were....”

“If you say, ‘meant to lose the baby’ I’ll kick your ass. There was nothing natural about what happened, Seth. Sabian stepped into our lives and screwed everything up. And you wanna know why? Because I came back. Because of the stupid balance between good and evil that says, hey, the good guys got one back so let’s have another baddie. Like there aren’t enough of them out there.”

Seth saw her shoulders shaking and rubbed her back. “Calm down, Rion. You’re going to make yourself pass out.”

“Calm down?” She looked sideways at him. “Calm down?!” She shrugged his hand off and stood unsteadily. “How can I do that? Huh?! There’s some sick, twisted demon out there gunning for my sisters. And the first time one of them needed me, I wasn’t there for her!”

“Yes you were.”

They both looked up when they heard Prue’s voice. She came around the corner into the lounge, tears on her cheeks. She immediately went to Rion and pulled her into a hug.

“No!” Rion tried to pull away from her.

Prue held on tight. “I’m not going to let you blame yourself for what happened, Rion. I can’t.”

“But.... I....” Rion broke down, sobbing. “I....”

“Oh, squirt.” Prue led her to the couch, never letting go. “How could you think anyone would be upset with you? Especially me? I mean, you didn’t think twice about forgiving me for throwing you into a brick wall.”

“It’s not.... Not the same....” Rion sniffled.

“Yes it is. Neither one of us were in control of the situation that we’re blaming ourselves for. How were you supposed to know you had your powers? I’m the one who saw Sabian supposedly take them. Just like how was I supposed to know what I did to him would hurt you?”

Rion closed her eyes. “But....”

“No buts.” Prue put her sister’s head on her shoulder. “Now just sit here with me and calm down. You’re not even supposed to be out of bed, you know.”

“Pheebs was kicking.”

Prue smiled. “Well, I’m going to say I love you and I expect to hear it back without any tears or guilt or anything. Ready?” She gave Rion a gentle squeeze. “I love you.”

Rion leaned heavily against her, finally giving in to her big sister’s embrace. “I love you too.”

“That’s my squirt.”

Seth couldn’t help but smile at the two of them. Sisterhood would never cease to amaze him.

“I think you guys need to be alone. I’ll be next door if anyone needs me.”

Prue gave him a grateful look. “Thanks for not leaving her alone, Seth.”

He shrugged. “No problem.”

“Hey Seth.”

He turned when he heard his name.

“She loves you too.”

He smiled as he left the room, knowing Rion was right. In the end, he and Prue would be all right.

Phoebe sighed, a slight smile playing across the corner of her mouth as she cuddled deeper under the blankets. This was how it was supposed to be. Lazing the day away without a care in the world. No dark prophecy. No Prue losing her baby. No Leo being sent away. No Rion without her powers. No looking over her shoulder every two seconds to make sure there was no one there. No being scared. Just a sense of complete and utter calm.

Her brow creased as something tried to invade the blissful nothingness her mind had created for her. Some sort of sound. She held her breath, hoping whatever it was would go away. For a moment she thought it was a cruel trick of her imagination to bring worry and doubt into her perfect hiding place but then it came again. Louder this time. And accompanied by what sounded like muffled voices.

She grabbed a pillow and pulled it over her head, hoping to block whatever it was out. She wasn’t ready to get up yet. Just a few more minutes of peace and maybe she would be able to face another day of the living nightmare that had become her life. If not she was likely to snap. To finally give in to the fear and anger and overwhelming helplessness that had plagued her night and day for nearly three weeks now.

The sound of shattering glass split the air, drawing a startled yelp from her as she bolted upright. She clutched the pillow that had been over her head close to her chest as she looked around, completely confused. This wasn’t her room. It wasn’t one of her sister’s rooms either. Things were too white and sterile to belong anywhere in the Manor. But what would she be doing anywhere else?

“Watch out!”

She jumped when she heard Piper’s voice. That was all it took to remind her of where she was. Of what had happened the night before. Of Sabian and the alley and being shot and Rion being hurt. The clinic. They were at the clinic.

“Ugh!”

Someone slammed into the wall just outside the door, making her jump again.

“Rion? Piper? Prue?” She said her sisters names as she climbed out of the bed and crept across the room toward the door. “Guys?!” She took a deep breath and looked out into the corridor, but whoever had hit the wall was gone. “OK, I’m starting to get a little freaked out, here. Where....” She yelped as Rion flew into the wall up the corridor. “What the....”

Rion didn’t even look at her as she climbed unsteadily to her feet. “That does it!” She growled as she threw herself back into the lounge.

Phoebe hurried the rest of the way to the lounge, shocked to see it was literally crawling with demons. Cole was doing what he could to keep them away from Rion, who kept wading into them even though she looked like a strong gust of wind could have knocked her over. Prue was on the other side of the lounge, keeping demons away from a downed Seth. And Piper was a few feet away from her, blowing up anything that got in her way. They all needed help, but which one needed her the most? Her heart skipped a beat as still more demons appeared. There went her time to think about it. She rushed over to Prue, knowing her big sister would be thinking more about Seth than the fight. And she could keep an eye on Piper at the same time.

“Rion, get....”

She looked up in time to see Cole being tackled by a horde of demons as Sabian shimmered into existence.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Sabian eyed Rion. “An unprotected sister?” An ornate athame appeared in his hand. “Like a lamb to the slaughter.”

“No!” Phoebe tried to get through the demons in her way, but it was no use. She watched in absolute horror as Sabian grabbed Rion from behind and put the blade to her throat.

“I was going to do this before, but I thought ‘why should Prue get to have all the fun?’ I think all three of you will enjoy this.”

“NO!!!”

Prue and Piper screamed at the same time, but Phoebe couldn’t find her voice. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Sabian made a quick slicing motion with his hand. At first she thought he was faking them out. Egging them on a few time before he actually did anything. But then she saw the look of amazement on Rion’s face as she raised her hands to her neck. They were instantly drenched in blood.

“That should do.” Sabian smiled. “For now.” He and the demons disappeared at the same time.

“Ehhh....” Rion made a strange noise as she collapsed to the floor.

“No.”

Phoebe’s voice was little more than a whisper as she moved toward her sister.

“No, Rion.”

She fell to her knees, her legs no longer strong enough to support her. There was blood everywhere. On the floor, on Rion, on her. She stared at it in awe. How could one person hold so much? The sound of Rion struggling to breathe made her snap out of it.

“Rion?” She pulled her sister’s head into her lap.

“Oh God!!” Piper was suddenly at her side, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Rion?!” Prue dropped down on her other side.

Rion looked up at them, her lips moving but no sound coming out. She fought hard to keep her eyes open, but it was a losing battle. She locked eyes with Phoebe for a split second before going limp in her arms.

“No!” Phoebe held her close.

Piper and Prue put their arms around her, the two of them sobbing hysterically as Seth and Cole looked on. Phoebe didn’t cry, though. An anger built up in her instead. One unlike any she had ever felt before.

“NO!!” She threw her sisters off of her. “I’ll kill you for this, you bastard! I swear by everything that is good in this world I will! You’ve pissed off the wrong Charmed One!!”

The tears finally came as she kissed Rion on the cheek and said a silent goodbye.

She did this every time. Her body would send out the heads up that it was ready to start another day and her mind would resist. It was always a losing battle, but she did it anyway in hopes of gaining a few more precious moments of sleep. Today her mind resisted extra hard, knowing something wasn’t right. Something that made her want to pull the covers up over her head and hide from the world. Something her exhausted mind couldn’t quite come up with. She sighed as she felt herself coming around. She hated when she got like this.

Coffee!! A nice big cup of pure black caffeine was just what the doctor ordered to kick start her sleep addled brain. Hopefully Prue would be the first one to the kitchen this morning so that what she poured in her cup would be real coffee, not the watered down stuff Piper thought was healthier for all of them. Or, heaven forbid, Rion and her....

Rion. Just thinking her sister’s name brought it all back. Sabian. The athame. The blood. The look Rion shared with her just before.... Just before dying in her arms. She sucked in a strangled breath as that look played over and over again through her mind. It held so much. Everywhere they had ever gone. Everything they had ever done. But most of all it held love. The kind of love you could only get from someone who had known you the majority of your life.

She opened her eyes, grief blinding her as tears slid down her cheeks. No, it wasn’t just grief. There was anger there too. Rage that every time things seemed to be going right for them evil had to rear its ugly head. She and Piper were happily married, Prue was about to walk down the aisle and become a mother and Rion had finally found someone who could make her happy and accept the family secret at the same time and someone like Sabian showed up. Someone who could take everything and throw it all away with one swift swipe of a knife.

The sound of shattering glass made her bolt upright, drawing her from her thoughts.

“Watch out!”

A major sense of deja vu fell over her as Piper’s voice filled the air.

“Ugh!”

Someone slammed into the wall just outside her door, making her jump. It was happening again. Just like it had before.

“Prue?! Piper?! Rion?!”

There was no hesitation on her part this time as she ran out of the room and down the corridor. Maybe what had happened before was a premonition. Maybe she could stop it. Maybe she could....

She skidded to a halt as Rion hit the wall in front of her. She had just been thinking that maybe she could save her sister this time, but actually seeing her sent a chill down her spine as visions of a slit throat and more blood than she had ever seen in her life filled her head. She didn’t notice Rion struggling to regain her footing.

“That does it!”

“No!” She reached out toward her sister, but it was too late. Rion had already thrown herself back into the lounge. Damn her and her protector instincts anyway! She hurried to catch up, knowing what she would find once she rounded the corner just ahead of her.

It was just as she remembered it. Demons were everywhere. Prue was using her powers to protect Seth, who had apparently been thrown through the pane of stained glass next to the door to the lounge. And Piper was a few feet away, blowing up anything that came within a few feet of her. Cole was doing his best to keep demons off of Rion, who was obviously tiring fast but refused to give up. This time she knew what she had to do. She hurried toward Cole as a fresh batch of demons appeared. Sabian wouldn’t surprise her this time.

“See, that’s where you’re wrong witch.”

Her blood ran cold when she heard his voice. She turned to find him standing behind Prue and Seth, the ornate athame gleaming in his hand.

“Which one should it be this time? Him?” He pointed the athame at Seth. “Or her?” He smiled as Prue turned toward him. “Never mind. I’ve made my decision.”

“Prue!” Phoebe screamed her sister’s name, but it was too late. She watched as Sabian buried the athame up to its hilt in Prue’s chest.

“Oops! Looks like you made the wrong decision again.” He laughed as he pulled the athame free and shimmered out, taking the demons with him.

“Prue?!” Piper caught her sister as she started to fall. “Oh God, no!!” She sank to the floor, sobbing as she cradled Prue to her.

She sensed Rion moving toward their sisters and followed, her heart beating out of her chest. Everything would be all right. Rion had her powers. She would heal Prue and the four of them would come up with a way to get rid of Sabian once and for all.

“Let me see her, Piper.” Rion put her hands over Prue’s wound as Piper loosened her grip, but nothing happened. She closed her eyes and tried again, but still nothing. “She’s gone.”

“No.” She shook her head. “This can’t be happening. It can’t be!” She looked to the heavens. “Why are you letting this happen?! Damn you! Why?!” Her voice cracked as she looked down at her sisters. “Why?” She fell to her knees next to Piper, who was still cradling Prue in her arms. “Why?”

Phoebe Halliwell sobbed as she laid her head on her big sister’s shoulder, once again saying a silent goodbye.

*************

“Oh, this is going better than I ever imagined.” Sabian co