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 The Orion Factor. Reading it first isn’t necessary, but you may not understand some references made here.

The Test
by Freaky Fan


Part 1 - Quality Time

It had been a little over a month now. A time in which Piperville came crashing down around her ears and was slowly but surely rebuilt through hard work, sisterly love and the reappearance of her long lost cousin. The thought made her smile. Rion brought a new life to the Manor. An underlying current of energy she had never even realized was missing.

“Orion Marie Matthews!”

The severity of Prue’s words brought Piper out of her thoughts. She looked down at Leo, who was still asleep after a long meeting with Them the night before, and headed out of their bedroom. Better to find out what was going on now before it became a real problem. She stepped into the hall to find Rion and Prue in a staring match.

“How many times have I told you not to run around the house while you’re brushing your teeth?”

“Pwoo...”

“Rion, I’m not joking. One of these days one of us it going to run into you since you never seem to watch where you’re going and you’re going to shove that damned toothbrush down your throat. Then what will you do?”

Rion grinned. “Puw it ou n heal.” (Interpretation - “Pull it out and heal.”)

Prue sighed. “Go spit that crap out so I can understand what you’re saying. You look like a rabid dog.”

“Ruff.”

Piper giggled at her cousin’s antics, drawing a glare from Prue.

“You’re not helping any.”

“You want help with her, ask Phoebe.”

The youngest Halliwell’s voice could be heard through her bedroom door. “Why me?”

Piper grinned. “Cause you share the same middle name.”

Rion came out of the bathroom. “Sorry I egged you on, Prue. I just haven’t had anyone yell at me about running around with my toothbrush in my mouth in a long time. It felt kind of good.”

Prue kept a straight face, not sure if she was still mad or not. “So it‘s not the first time?”

“No, Mom used to ride me about it all the time.”

The mention of Ophelia Matthews put a major damper on the moment. She was a subject the Halliwell sisters had been avoiding since Rion’s return because they had no idea how their cousin would react. Sure they knew the pain of losing their own mother, but they had all been too young to really know her. Rion had had her mother for nearly sixteen years. They had spent a lot of time apart with Ophelia off protecting innocents, but they had been inseparable when they were together. And Rion not only lose her mother on that fateful night, she lost everything. She tried to downplay the whole thing but they could tell it bothered her.

Piper and Prue shared a look as Phoebe came out of her bedroom. This was something they were going to have to face. Together. Not with the power of three, with the love of family.

The silence became too much for Rion. “At least you’re keeping good company. But just so you know, it never worked for her either.” She gave them a weak version of her normally radiant smile before disappearing down the stairs.

Piper started after her but Prue gripped her arm. “Let her go.”

“Prue, that was a plea for help. She hasn’t mentioned her mother before today.”

Phoebe shook her head. “No, Piper. That was a feeler. We’ll know when Rion is ready to talk. She’s not shy about speaking her mind.”

“They’re right, Piper.”

They all turned when they heard Leo’s voice.

“That’s what my meeting was about last night. They think the four of you need some quality time together.”

Prue frowned. “Quality time?”

Leo nodded. “With the Source out of the picture for the time being, They think it’s a good idea for you to get away from the Manor for a while. Take some time for yourselves. Some time to get to know Rion a little better.”

“We already know Rion.”

“No, Phoebe, you know the Rion she used to be. Ten years is a long time not to see someone. Especially someone who was living a life they were never meant to have.”

It was Piper’s turn to frown. “What do you mean by that?”

Leo sighed. “I mean she was meant to be raised with the three of you. Roderick taking her away broke the natural order of things. They want to make sure the bond between the four of you is completely restored while things are quiet on the demon front. They think all the memories here in San Francisco will stand in the way of that.”

Prue narrowed her eyes. “So They think getting away will help. Where exactly are we supposed to go?”

“They know of a witch who owns a couple of cabins in the Sierra Nevadas. The type of place you can feel free to be yourselves without fear of being exposed. Arrangements have been made for you to leave tomorrow and spend the weekend.”

“A weekend in the mountains.” Phoebe smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

“What about the club?”

Leo grinned. “I think I can handle the club for one weekend.”

“And I can always help out.”

Phoebe’s smile broadened as Cole appeared in the doorway of her bedroom. “You’d to that?”

He smiled as she cuddled up to him. “For you, anything.”

“OK. It looks like we’re taking a trip.” Prue smiled at her sisters. “Let’s go tell Rion.”

Phoebe bolted down the stairs in front of her sisters. “Hey, Rion! We’ve got something to tell ya!”

“Sleeping bags?”

“Check.”

“Bug spray?”

“Check.”

“Cooler full of fattening food?”

“Double check.”

Piper smiled as Phoebe handed Rion everything they would need for their trip and Rion made sure it was packed neatly in the back of the jeep.

“Leo said the woman who owns the cabin will have supplies for us.”

Phoebe shrugged. “That’s fine, but you can never have too much food. Especially where Rion and I are concerned.”

“She’s right, Piper. Aunt Penny used to accuse us both of having hollow legs.”

Piper looked confused. “Hollow legs?”

Phoebe nodded. “Yeah, to store all the food we eat in. Get it?”

Piper shook her head. “Not really.”

“Are they confusing you again, Piper?”

“Very funny, Prue. Like you understand them any better than I do.”

Rion laughed as she climbed out of the jeep. “Funny. I seem to remember hearing that quite frequently when we were younger. Should we start using our super top secret language, Pheebs?”

“You do and I’ll have to hurt you.” Piper pointed at her cousin to emphasis what she was saying. “I hated that stupid language.”

“Grams said it was quite imaginative of us to come up with it.”

“Yeah, when you were five. It was the fact that you used it until you were teenagers that drove everyone crazy.” Prue shot Phoebe a smile. “But we loved you anyway. So, are we all set?”

Rion nodded. “I think so.”

Prue looked at the packing job her cousin had done. “Nice.”

Rion smiled. “Thanks.” She looked up as Leo and Cole came out of the Manor. “Hey guys.”

Leo returned her smile. “Hey yourself. Ready to go?”

Piper put her arm around his waist. “Ready as we’re ever going to be.”

Phoebe sighed as she gave Cole a kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to miss you.”

Rion turned to Prue. “Maybe we should take one last look around inside. Too much mush out here for me.”

Leo gave Piper a squeeze. “No more mush, I promise. You guys need to get going if you’re going to meet Ilsa before she leaves for the weekend.”

Piper raised her eyebrows. “We’re going to be all alone out there?”

“No, silly. We’ll have each other.” Phoebe gave Cole another kiss and grabbed Rion’s hand. “Come on, Rion. We’re laying claim to the backseat.”

Piper ignored her sister. “Leo?”

Leo sighed. “It’s part of the charm, Piper. Besides, this is about the four of you spending time together, not spending time with Ilsa. She’ll leave her cell number with you in case something goes wrong.”

“Let’s just hope the phones work.”

Prue rolled her eyes. “Enough worrying, Piper.” She took her sister by the shoulders and lead her to the jeep. “Want me to drive?”

“No way. My jeep, I drive.”

Prue shrugged as climbed into the passenger seat. “Fine. I’ll navigate.”

Leo followed Piper to the driver’s side. “We’ll see you in a few days.”

Piper laid a passionate kiss on him before getting behind the wheel. “That’s to make me miss you.” She smiled as she started the jeep and pulled out of the driveway.

Phoebe stuck her head out the window and waved at Cole as they started down Prescott Street. “Bye, baby. See you soon.”

Cole waved back, catching the look on Leo’s face as the Whitelighter watched the jeep until it was out of sight. “This is about more than the girls spending quality time together, isn’t it?”

Leo nodded. “Yeah, Cole, it is. A lot more.”

“Are they going to be in any kind of danger?”

“I don’t know. They wouldn’t tell me. All I know is the girls are to be tested.”

Cole frowned. “Tested? What kind of test?”

“I have no idea.”

“Well go find out.”

Leo turned to look at the reformed demon. “I can’t. For the next two days I’m stuck right here in San Francisco. Whatever They’re going to put the girls through, they’re going through it on their own.”

“Ugh! Can we go back? I think I lost my stomach on that last bump.”

“Stop it, Phoebe. Your comments aren’t helping Piper’s tension.”

“I’m not tense! I just want to know if this Ilsa woman has ever heard of that marvel of modern science called pavement.”

Rion sat back, enjoying every minute of their trip so far. She loved listening to her cousins. Especially when they were bickering. It reminded her of all the long afternoons they had spent at the Manor as kids when it was too wet to be anywhere else. The kind of day where it took their young minds about five minutes to decide there was nothing to do and death by boredom was imminent. A day that always ended with Aunt Penny threatening to pull her hair out over some stunt one of them had pulled.

“I mean, this is ridiculous. I’ve heard of cow paths but no bovine I know would travel this treacherous, pothole infested...”

“You know bovines?”

“Phoebe...” Prue’s voice was a not so carefully veiled threat.

“Oh, come on, Prue. That was funny. You’re just mad because you can’t figure out that stupid map Leo gave you.”

“That’s not true, Phoebe. We’re on the right road to get to the cabin.”

Phoebe rolled her eyes. “Whatever. If you ask me you flipping that thing around is making Piper stress more than my cracking jokes.”

“I’m not stressed!! Now will you both shut up before I break an axle or something!”

Rion knew her role well. This is where she, as an outside observer, was supposed to step in and break the tension. She ran through the possibilities in her mind and came up with the one thing she was sure would work. Well, the one thing she hoped would work.

“Hey guys, are we there yet?”

The sound of her voice was just unexpected enough to make all three Halliwells be quiet. As her question sank in, Phoebe started laughing. It took her sisters a minute but they soon joined in. Piper gave Rion a smile in the rearview mirror and Prue turned in her seat to slap her playfully on the leg.

They were all still laughing as they finally pulled up in front of the cabin. Or what was supposed to be the cabin. It looked more like a rundown shack. Their laughter faded as they all stared at the structure through the windshield. Piper broke the silence with a simple statement.

“Someone please tell me that’s the outhouse.”

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

Ilsa watched as from her vantage point by a tree as four beautiful young women piled out of the jeep. Three instinctively huddled together in front of the vehicle while the fourth, obviously more excited to be there than the others, started taking in their surroundings.

“It’s not that bad, guys. It’s doable.”

She looked enough like the others to be their sister, but Ilsa knew better. There was a bond between the four of them but not the elemental closeness the sisters shared.

“Hello, ladies.”

The sisters jumped, one of them letting out a shrill squeak. The fourth walked nonchalantly back to the group, putting herself between them and what she perceived as a possible threat. Ilsa couldn’t help but smile. The protector’s instinct was strong in the girl.

The eldest sister stepped forward, offering her hand. “I’m Prue Halliwell.”

She was the leader. The one who accepted responsibility because it had always been expected of her.

“These are my sisters. Piper.”

Prue gestured toward the squeaker. She was obviously the middle child. The one who took comfort in the knowledge there would always be someone around to share things with. To turn to in time of need.

“And Phoebe.”

The youngest gave a little wave. She was the free spirit. The one most in touch with her Wiccan side.

“And this is our cousin, Rion Matthews.”

Prue dropped her arm around the shoulders of the last young woman. The protector. The recent addition to the Charmed Ones lives. The reason for their trip to the cabin.

“Nice to meet all of you. I’m Ilsa Roberts. And I must say I feel lucky to be meeting the Charmed Ones.”

Phoebe smiled. “We’re not so different from everyone else.”

Ilsa turned and started toward the cabin. “Well let me give you the grand tour before I take off for my meeting.”

Rion walked directly behind her, taking in everything at once while keeping a close eye on her cousins. Phoebe walked next to her, chatting about something or other. And Prue and Piper brought up the rear, holding hands as they took in their surroundings.

“I know it may not look like much, but it will protect you from the elements.”

“What more could we possibly ask for?”

Prue tightened her grip on Piper’s hand as she mouthed the words, “Cut it out.”

Ilsa opened the door to the cabin to reveal the even more miserable looking interior. It was one room with a small kitchen area in one corner, complete with a dangerously wobbly table with mismatched chairs and an old fashioned pump at the sink. A fireplace ran along an adjoining wall with half burned logs poking out of the grate. The floor looked as if it hadn’t been swept in a year and thick sheets of dust covered everything.

“There are some cleaning supplies in the kitchen if you think the place needs a little sprucing up. There’s also some dried food stuffs in the cabinets and some firewood on the hearth. As long as you brought your own sleeping, I think you’re ready to stay.”

“Sounds like we’re good to go to me.” Rion smiled at her cousins. “Isn’t this going to be fun?”

Ilsa tried her best to hide the grin that formed on her lips at the less than enthusiastic reply the girl got. “Well, I’ve really got to be going. My cell phone number is on the table. See you in a couple of days.”

Piper broke away from Prue. “What if something happens between now and then?”

Ilsa played dumb. “Happen? What do you mean?”

“I mean, what if one of us gets hurt or sick? Or if a horrible storm comes along and blows the place away with us inside? Or some psycho decides this would be the perfect place to hole up until the cops got off his trail?”

“There are never any visitors up here. For one thing there’s the road you just finished driving. Not many people would brave a road like that to get to a place like this. And then there’s the fact that I have the place under a protection spell. No one can see it besides those who are meant to.”

“I think what she’s trying to say, Piper, is we’re safe.” Prue shook Ilsa’s hand again. “Thanks for everything. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Rion nodded. “Me too.”

Ilsa gave them a final glance before leaving the cabin and heading back in the direction she had come from in the first place. There was nothing more for her to do today. It wouldn’t do to start on them too soon. No, They had been very specific in how she was to handle these four and she had a feeling things would run much smoother if she stuck to their plan. She smiled again as Piper’s voice breeched the still mountain air.

“Well I’m not cleaning the place. Those dust bunnies are big enough to swallow a small dog.”

Yes, tomorrow she would begin her task. For now she would hang back and get to know her visitors a little better.


Piper sat up suddenly, her heart hammering in her chest. The dream didn’t haunt her like it once had but it was still pretty intense. Piperville laid in ruins around her as she clutched Prue’s dead body to her, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that she would never see Phoebe again.

She turned to where her sisters were sleeping, relaxing a little when she saw their peaceful faces. She thought about waking them to make sure they were really all right but told herself to stop being ridiculous. They were right there in front of her, safe and sound in their sleeping bags. She had worked them really hard cleaning the cabin the night before. They deserved to sleep in a little while she decided what to make for breakfast. Just like...

A sinking feeling washed over her when she saw that Rion wasn‘t in her sleeping bag. She stood, searching the room but coming up empty. She instinctively headed for the door. Rion was probably outside checking the perimeter or some other protector task. Whatever it was she intended to give her cousin an earful for disappearing without telling anyone.

Her breath caught in her throat as she opened the door. Rion was sitting on the ground, her back toward the cabin, her shoulders shaking as sobs wracked her body. Piper was at her side in an instant.

“Rion, honey, what’s wrong?”

Rion turned to look at her, blue eyes sparkling. She wasn’t crying, she was laughing.

“Piper. What are you doing up so early?”

“Looking for you.”

Rion blushed. “Sorry. I love to watch the sun rise. And as for the laughing, I was remembering the last camping trip we took with my mom.

Piper nodded, memories of that day filling her mind. “We were supposed to set up the tent while your mother went into a nearby town for supplies.”

Rion smiled. “Yeah. And we did a half ass job so we could go to the lake and watch some boys swimming. The tent looked good to us but that night, when it started raining...”

“It fell in on us!”

“And we couldn’t get out from under it!”

They both cracked up, leaning on each other to keep from toppling over.

“I don’t think I ever saw your mother quite so mad.”

“You would have been too if you had to put your tent back up in the middle of the night in the pouring rain while your daughter and cousin stood there laughing.”

They laughed again. Piper loved seeing Rion like this. So happy and full of life.

“It’s good to hear you talking about her.”

Rion stopped laughing and looked at her cousin. “What do you mean?”

Piper swallowed hard. Now she had done it. She and her sisters had agreed not to push Rion and here she was, getting ready to push.

“Piper, what did you mean?”

“I... Well, I...”

“She meant you haven’t said much about your mom since you came back to us and we are starting to get worried about you.”

Rion and Piper turned to see Phoebe and Prue standing in the doorway of the cabin. Phoebe came to sit on the other side of Rion while Prue squatted down behind Rion, putting her hands on her cousin’s shoulders.

“Pheebs is right, sweetie.”

Rion frowned. “I really haven’t talked about Mom?”

Piper shook her head. “Nope.”

“Well that’s weird. I think about her a lot.”

Prue squeezed her shoulder. “No one expects you not to. Just don’t be afraid to share with us.”

Phoebe grabbed her cousin’s hand. “Yeah.”

Rion grinned. “Believe me, I wasn’t doing it on purpose.”

“You don’t talk about your time in Ohio either.”

Rion met Piper’s eyes. “That’s a little different, Piper. I don’t want to talk about Ohio. None of you have any idea what it’s like to be a completely different person. You’ve always been the Halliwells. I went from being Rion Matthews to being Janie Daniels and back again. From being a carefree kid to having no idea who I really was to suddenly remembering everything and feeling cheated because I missed out on so much time with you guys. Well now that I’m back where I belong, I have no intention of dwelling on what happened. And as for Mom, I’ll try to share a little more.” She felt all three sisters looking at her and sighed. “All right, a lot more. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to use the little girl’s room.”

Prue took Rion’s place between her sisters as they watched Rion walk into the woods nearby. “Well, it’s a start.”

Piper nodded. “A good one. She hasn’t said that much in a long time.”

“Let’s give her some room, guys. She promised to share more with us.” Phoebe’s eyes twinkled as she stared at where her cousin had disappeared from view. “Watch this. Hey, Rion!”

A muffled “What?” could be heard.

“Make sure you don’t wipe with poison ivy!”

“Ha! Ha! Very funny, Pheebs!”

All three sisters laughed as Rion reemerged, a lopsided grin on her face.

“Come here, Phoebe. I’ve got something for you.”

She pulled a leaf from behind her back and started chasing Phoebe around in front of the cabin. Piper and Prue tried to stay out of it but Rion soon had them on the run too. In no time she had Piper pinned on the ground.

“Okay. Enough’s enough. Put that thing down before you really make someone start itching.”

Rion gestured with the leaf. “You mean this?” She rubbed it no her cousin’s face. “This can’t hurt you, Piper. It’s a leaf from a tree.”

“Why, you!“

Piper shoved her cousin off of her and stared tickling her. Phoebe came over to help Rion but got broad sided by Prue. Soon they were a tangled mess, out of breath from laughing so hard.

“All right.” Piper pushed the hair out of her face. “Why don’t the three of you get dressed and take a walk while I fix breakfast?”

“But I thought I would help.”

“No way, Rion. Piper prefers to be alone in the kitchen. Besides, we need to see what there is to get into around here.” Phoebe sprang to her feet. “Race ya!”

Prue rolled her eyes as Rion and Phoebe sprinted into the cabin. “Great. I get to babysit the Bobsey twins.”

Piper smiled. “That’s what you get for not knowing how to cook.”

Prue stuck her tongue out at her sister as they linked arms and started back toward the cabin.

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

Ilsa watched her charges with interest. She was beginning to think she had been wrong about the young women earlier. The bond between the sisters and their cousin was strong. Incredibly strong considering how long they had been apart. But it wasn’t her place to call Their judgment into question. They had sent the girls to her for a reason and she intended to do what They asked.

She watched as the youngest sister and cousin rushed into the woods, the eldest following close behind. So the middle one was to be the first. She closed her eyes, letting her mind’s eye take her inside the cabin. It didn’t take her long to find what she was looking for. Someone’s sleeping back was thrown haphazardly on the hearth. One spark from a seemingly dead ember set a log on fire which in turn set the sleeping bag ablaze.

Ilsa pulled back. The middle one would come to her soon enough without any more effort on her part.

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

Piper wrinkled her nose as she stirred some water into the dry pancake mix Phoebe had picked up at the store. No wonder Grams taught her to make everything from scratch. She had never, in all her life, seen anything quite so lumpy. And no matter how hard she stirred, the lumps stayed. Her concoction looked more like the wheat paste they had used in school than potential breakfast food. She was a chef for Heaven’s sake. The last thing she needed to do was tarnish her reputation by poisoning her sisters and cousin. They would have to make do with...

A crackling noise interrupted her thoughts. She turned around, expecting to find Phoebe or Rion standing there causing some sort of mischief. What she found was half the cabin in flames.

“Oh!!”

She grabbed one of the sleeping bags and tried to beat down the flames. Her sisters and Rion would see the smoke and come help her. All she had to do was hold her own until they got there and one of them would know what to do. She continued beating at the flames until the sleeping bag in her hands caught fire too and she had to drop it. Black smoke had filled the room, making it hard to breathe. She couldn’t wait for the others to get back. She was going to have to find a way out on her own. Grabbing some of their stuff went through her mind but her lungs were screaming for fresh air. How she got to the door would remain a mystery. She managed to get it open and stumble a few feet away from the cabin before crumpling to the ground.

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

She was in his arms, his familiar scent filling her senses. She snuggled closer, a contented smile on her face. This was how it was supposed to be. Just the two of them shearing a quiet moment before the chaos of the day began.

He kissed her on top of the head. “Good morning.”

She pulled out of his arms, looking into the depths of his green eyes for a second before giving him a steamy kiss. “Morning.”

He smiled. “Don’t start something we can’t finish. I’ll get fired if I’m late again.”

She chuckled. “Right. How can They...”

The door being thrown open interrupted her. A small girl of no more than four bound into the room and jumped on the bed. “Hi Mommy! Hi Daddy!”

He kissed her on the cheek. “Morning, sunshine.”

“Stayin’ home today?”

“You know Daddy has to work.” He rumpled her hair as he stood. “I’ve gotta go get my shower.”

The little girl cuddled up to her sadly. “Looks like it’s just me and you, Mommy.”

“Why don’t you see if your Aunt Prue wants to go shopping today?”

“Nah, she has an auction today. Besides, Aunt Phoebe is supposed to be call from the Big Apple.”

She was about to say something when the room froze and a man appeared next to the bed.

“What the hell is going on?”

The man smiled. “This is a gift for you. A normal life with a husband who works nine to five and a little girl who hangs on your every word. A life where witchcraft has never been a factor.”

Piper looked at the man in disbelief. This was exactly what she always dreamed of. Leo and their beautiful child living their lives without the threat of a demon or warlock or Darklighter trying to kill them. She could stay here forev...

A voice in the back of her head wouldn’t let her finish thinking the word. What about her sisters and all the good they had done since becoming the Charmed Ones? Who would protect the innocents? And what about Rion? Leo hadn’t mentioned her when he suggested the shopping trip. Did that mean she wasn’t around?

“Sorry. I’m perfectly content with the life I already have.”

The man growled menacingly before disappearing. The room and Leo and their daughter disappeared and a smiling Ilsa appeared beside her.

“I was hoping you would say that.”

Piper frowned. “What happened? Who was that guy?”

“No one for you to be concerned with. Let’s get you back to your family.”

“But...”

Piper’s voice trailed off as blackness consumed her.

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

“Come on, Piper. Come back to us.”

She felt someone tapping her cheek and fought to make her eyelids open. She found herself looking up into the anxious faces of her sisters and cousin.

“What...”

Rion held her down as she tried to get up. “Don’t try and move yet, Piper. Give yourself a second.”

She complied, drawing blissfully clean air into her lungs. The last thing she remembered was deciding against pancakes for breakfast and...

“Fire.”

“We know, Piper. We saw the smoke and came back as fast as we could.” Prue put her hand on her sister’s cheek. “Are you all right?”

Piper grinned. “Fine. Just a little disoriented from all the smoke.”

“Oh crap!” Phoebe looked down at Piper with wide eyes. “Do you have your keys on you?”

Piper nodded, pulling them out of her pocket. “Why?”

Prue realized what Phoebe was getting at. “Cause the jeep’s an explosion waiting to happen.”

Phoebe grabbed the keys. “Come on, Prue. You can help me avoid getting too close to the cabin without getting stuck in one of those damned potholes.”

Piper tried to sit up again. “I have to help them.”

Rion shook her head. “You’re staying put. They can handle it.”

“Well at least let me up.”

“You’re sure you’re all right?”

“Yes.”

“Really all right?”

“Yes!”

“Good.” Rion pulled her up into a hug. “Cause you scared me.”

Piper returned the hug. “Sorry. I won’t let it happen again.”

“You better not!”

“Phoebe!”

They broke the embrace when they heard Prue shouting and looked up in time to see all hell breaking loose.


Phoebe rushed to the jeep, the heat from the now blazing cabin almost more than she could stand. “All right, Prue. Help me miss those killer potholes. I don’t think Piper could stand to almost be barbecued and lose her jeep all in the same day.”

“Gotcha, Pheebs.”

Prue positioned herself where she knew Phoebe could see her in the side mirror and waited impatiently for her sister to start the jeep. She would have had it in gear and halfway to safety by now. But quickness came with experience and Phoebe didn’t have much when it came to being responsible for a vehicle. Maybe it was time they thought about getting another car. Especially now that Rion was around. The two of them were bound to have places they wanted to go. What was the sense in her or Piper having to cart them around? Another car would tighten the budget again but the club was doing well and her photography jobs were picking up. And it would save them all a lot of time and aggravation in the end. She was going to have to run the idea by...

“Prue.”

Her thoughts were shattered by the sound of the all too familiar voice. She froze, completely unprepared for who she saw coming toward her from the cabin.

“Andy?”

He smiled as he continued toward her. She took a step toward him, completely mesmerized.

“How? I mean....”

“They sent me, Prue. You’ve been through a lot lately and They thought you could use a shoulder to lean on.”

Yes. That was exactly what she wanted. For Andy to hold her close and tell her she had handled things correctly. That being the oldest made her a natural at always taking charge. Piper and Phoebe and Leo and Cole to reassure them when they needed it. Why couldn’t she have Andy? He reached out to her as he got closer.

“Come on, Prue. Let’s go.”

She started to reach for his hand as his words sunk in. Go? Why did they have to go anywhere? Piper and Phoebe would be thrilled to see him again. And it would be fun to see the look on Rion’s face when she saw him. Her little cousin had suffered from major puppy love when they were growing up. No, she wanted to have her cake and eat it too.

She looked back up at him, really looked at him, and realized this wasn’t her Andy. Whoever it was had the same bright eyes and beautiful smile, but it wasn’t him.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Andy.”

“No, don’t lie to me. Who are you and what do you want?”

Andy’s face twisted into an obscene mask for a moment before settling into the features of another man. “Names aren’t important. All you have to know is I’m the being who will finally destroy you and your sisters.”

Prue felt strange, as if someone were physically dragging her away. The man looked angry and shook his fist at the air.

“I will have one of them before the night if over, Ilsa.” He began to fade away. “I swear by all that is unholy I will.”

Prue found herself back where she had started. She looked up just in time to see the jeep bearing down on her.

“Phoebe!”

She tried to get out of the way but it was too late. Pain exploded through her body as the jeep slammed into her right side, launching her into the air. She sank into unconsciousness moments before landing in a heap over ten feet away.

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

“Prue!” Piper tore across the grass on unsteady legs, falling down next to her sister’s unmoving form. “Oh God, Prue.”

Phoebe appeared at her side. “I didn’t see her! I thought she had moved!”

Piper saw the fear in her little sister’s eyes and knew she had to be strong. “It’s all right, Pheebs. We’ve got Rion.”

Rion knelt down on the other side of Prue. “Already on it, Piper.” She put her hands on Prue’s shoulders and closed her eyes, expecting to feel her healing power course through her. Nothing happened.

“Rion?”

She heard the fear in Phoebe’s voice and concentrated harder. This couldn’t be happening. She hadn’t been in the healing business very long but she knew enough to know the only way someone wouldn’t heal was if they were...

“Rion, why isn’t anything happening?”

Rion opened her eyes and met Piper’s gaze for the second time that day. “I don’t know.”

Phoebe’s face grew pale. “Is she...?”

Rion’s hand shook as she reached for Prue’s throat. Relief washed over her when she felt the steady beat against her fingers. “She’s alive.”

“Then why can’t you heal her?”

“I don’t know, Piper. Maybe my powers are on the blink.”

“Maybe they don’t work here. Ilsa said she had the place under a protection spell. Piper, try using your powers.”

Piper cringed as she threw her hands in an upward motion before her, expecting something to blow up. She opened one eye when nothing happened. “Okay.”

“Leo!” Phoebe screamed her brother-in-law’s name toward the heavens. “Leo!”

Again, nothing happened.

“Looks like none of us has our powers. We’ll have to get Prue in the jeep and...” Rion’s voice trailed off as she stood up. “Phoebe, did you put the jeep in park when you got out?”

“Of course I...” Phoebe’s voice died in her throat as the jeep rolled past them, hit a huge pothole, flipped several times and came to rest against a tree. “...didn’t.”

Piper looked up in disbelief. “First the cabin burns down with me inside then Prue gets hurt and now the jeep is totaled and Leo is nowhere in sight. I smell Them all over this.”

“Piper...”

“No, Rion. Think about it. They have Leo tell us we need to spend some quality time together and send us to this Godforsaken place where we’re met by some strange lady who has a nonspecific meeting to get to that will keep her away all weekend.”

Phoebe nodded. “We were set up.”

“I’m thinking the same thing but we need to be concentrating on the here and now. Prue’s hurt and They’re obviously not going to help us. We need to figure out some way to get her back to civilization.”

“Uhm.” Prue’s eyes fluttered open. “What happened?”

Tears filled Piper’s eyes when she heard her sister’s voice. Seeing her unconscious had been a little too close to the dream for her liking. “Prue!”

“Ow!” Prue winced as Piper hugged her.

“Sorry.” Piper looked down at her. “Are you all right?”

“I think so.”

“Good, because I’m mad at you. You promised never to do this kind of thing to me again.”

Prue frowned. “What kind of thing?”

Rion grinned, relief evident on her face. “Phoebe creamed you with the jeep and you were unconscious for a few minutes.”

Prue looked up at Phoebe. “You hit me with the jeep?”

Phoebe looked down at the ground. “It’s not like I meant to.”

“Yeah, well we can discuss that later. Right now we need to...OW!!” Prue’s face twisted in pain when she tried to stand up.

“What?” Piper looked at her sister frantically. “Where does it hurt?”

“My leg.” Prue hissed her answer out through clenched teeth. “I think it’s broken.”

Rion looked at Prue’s right leg. “I don’t know about broken, but it sure is swollen. You’re not going to be walking on that for a while.”

“Walking?”

Phoebe looked at the ground again. “I was so worried about you I forgot to put the jeep in park.”

“What?!” Prue noticed the smashed vehicle for the first time and sighed. “Well that’s just great. Now what are we going to do? We can‘t stay here with the cabin burning. It could set half the woods on fire.”

“I have an idea.” Rion disappeared behind the still blazing cabin and came back with a big, dirty looking piece of cloth.

Piper eyed the cloth suspiciously. “What’s that.”

“I think it used to be a hammock. We can tie it to a couple of sturdy tree branches and make a litter to carry Prue out of here.”

“Carry? I’m too heavy for that. You and Phoebe should leave me here with Piper and...”

Rion shook her head. “Not a chance. We came here together and we leave here together. The three of us should be more than able to carry you back down to the main road.”

Prue put on a stubborn face. “I think we should vote.”

Phoebe shrugged. “I think Rion’s right.”

Piper nodded. “Me too. Now let’s make this litter thing and get the heck out of here.”

Rion knelt down next to Prue as Piper and Phoebe went in search of branches. “Don’t worry, Prue. We’ll take good care of you.”

Prue sighed. “I know. I just don’t want to be a burden. You guys would make much better time if you left me here.”

“Well we’re not going to so get over it.”

Prue laid back down as Rion went to help Piper and Phoebe. Sitting up had been harder on her than she cared to admit. And it felt like her leg was going to throb right off her body. She hated to admit it, but she wasn’t going to be able to call the shots this time. Thank goodness Rion was keeping a cool head. Maybe her plan would work. Maybe they would make it back to the main road without anything else happening. Prue shut her eyes. Those were awfully big maybes.

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

Tavian. The name sounded over and over again in Ilsa’s mind. She had always written him off as an inferior demon. One hardly worth worrying about when it came to the witches sent to her to be tested. And yet today he had influenced two of the Charmed Ones. Two of the most powerful witches ever to walk the land. She needed answers and she needed them quickly. She hated to leave her charges, but this was an emergency. She disappeared in a flash of white light, hoping They would be able to help.

Phoebe mentally berated herself for the millionth time that day. All of this was her fault. Every last stinking bit of it. She still couldn’t believe she had hit Prue with the jeep. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she looked down at her sister. Prue’s skin was a sickly shade of white and sweat covered her brow. Her condition was worse than any of them had imagined. She had passed out nearly an hour before and showed no signs of regaining consciousness any time soon. If only they had the jeep. But no, she had screwed that up too. Who didn’t put a vehicle in park before getting out of it? Talk about something being number one on the list of stupidest things she had done in her life. And to top it all off, she was pretty sure it had been her sleeping bag on the hearth. There was no way to tell since the cabin was nothing more than a pile of ashes now, but she had been so frightened when she heard Piper and Rion outside the cabin that she had thrown her sleeping bag and rushed off to check on them. She was the one sleeping closest to the fireplace so it made since that it would have landed on the hearth. If Piper had... She cast the idea from her mind. Piper was a little ragged around the edges but she was alive. So was Prue. They would reach the main road soon and get them both to a hospital. Until then she intended to stay as far away from Rion as possible. Taking out two loved ones in one day was more than enough for her.

“Pheebs?”

She tensed as Rion’s hand fell on her shoulder. She tried to play it off as being startled but knew Rion wouldn’t fall for it. They knew each other entirely too well. Rion quickly withdrew her hand.

“Look, I don’t know what your problem is, but we don’t have time for you to be playing the blame game right now. We’re leaving again once Piper’s rested.”

She got up and walked into the nearby undergrowth, Rion‘s scathing tone too much for her. She couldn‘t stand the thought of her cousin being angry with her. They had only fought a handful of times their entire lives. Rion was the best friend she ever had. Her lost sister. Her soul mate.

“That’s funny. I thought I was your soul mate.”

“Cole?”

His name slipped easily from her tongue. She looked up to see his smiling face.

“I missed you so I thought I would come see what was going on.”

She threw herself into his arms, her tears finally falling. “I’m glad you did.”

“Hey.” He held her at arm’s length. “What’s the matter?”

“Everything. I ruined our whole weekend. First I left my sleeping bag on the hearth and the cabin caught on fire with Piper inside. Then I hit Prue with the jeep and jumped out to check on her without putting it in park and it flipped over. And I’m scared to death something will happen to Rion so I keep pushing her away and it’s starting to make her mad.”

Cole wiped the tears from her cheeks. “You’ll feel better once I get you out of here.”

She smiled. “Probably, but you need to take Prue to a hospital first.”

“I only came for you.”

“But...” Her heart skipped a beat as she searched his eyes. This wasn’t the Cole she had spent the last month with. The love and trust their relationship was built on was gone, replaced with the hatred and coldness that had dominated his demon days.

“What do you say we get this over with?”

Phoebe watched, wide-eyed, as Cole became a man with blond hair and black eyes.

“Sorry to be so blunt with you. I know I gave your sister’s a little more attention, but time is of the essence here. I have to have one of your souls before midnight and, well, it looks like you’re it.”

Phoebe looked down to find herself on the edge of a cliff. The man holding her smiled.

“Your family will think you committed suicide. Ain’t that a kick in the head?”

“Hey!!” Rion came running toward them. “Get away from her!”

“Damn it!” He looked from Phoebe to Rion and back again. “I’m still going to get one of you. You have my word on it.”

Rion reached her side as the man disappeared. “Are you all right?”

She somehow managed to nod. “I think so. How did you...?”

“Your sisters. Prue finally woke up and she and Piper started comparing notes on the day’s events. Seems the same guy came after both of them so I played the odds and came to find you.”

“I’m lucky you did. He said he needs one of our souls before midnight. He was going to throw me over.” More tears spilled down her cheeks. “He was going to kill me.”

Rion pulled her into a hug. “It’s over now. You’re safe.”

Phoebe clung to her cousin. “Am I? Are any of us?”

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

Ilsa watched the whole thing through a reflecting pool in Their chamber.

“Do you see? How am I to test them if Tavian keeps interfering? And when did he become strong enough to interfere in the first place?”

“You are not the true test. He is.”

She frowned at the disembodied voice. “What are you talking about?”

Another voice joined the first. “Tavian is one of the last demons who remained loyal to the Source. As such he can receive energy from his master.”

A third voice chimed in. “A full solar cycle has not yet passed since the Source became Shalaman’s prisoner. If he possesses the soul of one of those who delivered him to his brother, he will be freed. Tavian is to be his redeemer.”

“Then what was the point in sending them to me?”

The original voice boomed throughout the chamber. “To get them away from San Francisco. There are far too many innocents there to risk having Tavian attack.”

Ilsa was disgusted. “So you used Leo to persuade them to leave the city and then you used me for the secluded setting I offer. And all this was done in the name of the greater good?”

“Yes.”

“Than what about them?” She gestured toward the pool. “They are no longer part of the greater good?”

“Of course they are.” The second voice spoke up. “But even the good must be tested.”

Ilsa shook her head. “What if something happens to one of them? What if Tavian wins?”

“That is the test. They must keep one another safe until midnight. Afterwards Tavian will lose what the Source has given him and no longer be a threat.”

“So it’s a waiting game?” Ilsa knew They wouldn’t respond but she had to speak her mind. “This is one of the dumbest ideas you’ve every had. I’m at least going to warn...”

“You are not going anywhere.” The third voice held a mocking tone. “You will remain here until the test is completed.”

Ilsa looked at the young women in the pool, silently apologizing for leaving them alone with Tavian and praying they would all survive to see another day.


Rion sighed as she paced back and forth. This was getting really old really quick. Just when they were all rested and had started to make some headway they were hit by a torrential downpour. Prue and Phoebe wanted to keep going but she and Piper decided they couldn’t risk Prue getting soaked. She was putting on a brave front for them but it was obvious the eldest Halliwell was in pretty bad shape. They managed to make it up a steep hill to the relative safety provided by a thick grove of trees so they were out of the worst of the rain but with the change in the weather came a stiff, cool breeze. One that was starting to take its toll on her cousins.

“Why don’t you guys get in the litter with Prue? You know, to share body heat.”

Phoebe looked up from the tree stump she was sitting on. “What about you?”

“I’ll stand guard in case creepy man shows up again.”

Piper got up from beside Prue. “I’ll keep you company.” She saw the look on her cousin’s face and frowned. “And don’t give me any attitude. We have a deal.”

Rion gestured toward Prue. “You’ll be right there. It’s not like I’ll be alone.”

“But we Halliwells have a tendency to fall asleep when we cuddle. What if creepy man shows up and we’re all so out of it we can’t help you?”

“He hasn’t bothered me yet, Piper. Maybe he’s just after the Charmed Ones.”

“Or maybe he hasn’t had the chance to get to you yet.”

Rion frowned down at Prue. “You’re supposed to be resting.”

“And you’re supposed to respect your elders.” Piper grinned. “So it’s all of us or none of us.”

Rion looked at her shivering cousins and sighed. “Fine. But I refuse to call this cuddling. It’s sharing body heat.”

Phoebe smiled as she curled up next to Prue. “Whatever.”

“Go ahead, Piper.”

“Uh huh.” Piper shook her head. “I don’t trust you enough to be on the outside.” She grabbed Rion by the arm. “Get in there next to Prue.”

Rion did as she was told, trying not to hurt her cousin as she settled in next to her. “Ow!” She flinched when she felt Piper’s elbow in her back.

“It’s called cuddling, as in getting close to the one next to you. Scoot over.”

Prue cocked an eyebrow. “She gets cranky when she’s tired.”

“I’m not cranky!”

Rion stifled a laugh as she and Prue shared a smile.

Phoebe rolled over, throwing her arm over all three of them. “Stop picking on Piper.”

“Thanks, Pheebs.”

“No problem.”

Rion rolled her eyes. “Do you feel as much like a sardine as I do?”

Prue stared at her as she tried to get comfortable. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Yeah, me too. My idea of a good time is being stuck out in the middle of nowhere laying on a smelly old hammock with my cousins who have been harassed by some weirdo.”

Prue grinned. “I meant in general.” She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her cousin’s ear, suddenly looking serious. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you for so long.”

“Prue...”

“No, I need to say this. Piper and Phoebe know what they mean to me, but I’m afraid you don’t. And I want you to know that I love you and I’m really, really glad you’re back in our lives.”

Rion sighed. “I’m not good at this mushy stuff, Prue.”

“You don’t have to be.” Prue snuggled into her cousin’s shoulder. “I just wanted you to know.”

Rion looked at the top of Prue’s head, completely overwhelmed. Instinct took over and she placed a gentle kiss on her cousin’s hair. “I love you too. All three of you.”

Phoebe squeezed Rion’s arm. “Same here.”

And Piper snuggled even closer to Rion’s back. “Me too.”

She smiled, basking in the love of her family as they one by one fell asleep.

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

Her eyes shot open sometime later. It took her a moment to remember where she was. Once she did she gave herself a good swift mental kick. It was her responsibility to protect her cousins and she had literally fallen asleep on the job.

“Don’t worry. Mr. Creepy didn’t show.”

Rion looked up at Phoebe. “I thought you were asleep.”

“Yeah, well I always could fake being asleep. Besides, you were exhausted.”

Piper yawned as she sat up and stretched. “What’s going on?”

Phoebe smiled. “All you sleepyheads are finally waking up.”

Rion untangled herself from Prue, being careful not to wake her. She stood, craning her neck until it gave a loud pop. “Looks like the rain has stopped. What time is it?”

Piper looked at her watch. “Quarter ‘til twelve.”

“Good. Mr. Creepy said something about having one of our souls before midnight. We stay put for fifteen more minutes and...”

“We run the risk of not finding a ride once we reach the main road.” Rion looked at Piper and Phoebe. “People tend to stay off of curvy mountain roads after dark. Our only chance is to catch someone leaving the bar we passed on the way up here. If we wait, we may be too late. And this sticking together things seems to be keeping the bad guy away.”

Piper nodded. “I agree. We need to think of Prue now.”

Phoebe shrugged. “I’m with you. Let’s get going.”

Piper and Phoebe picked up the end of the litter that cradled Prue’s head while Rion took her feet.

“I’ll go first. It could be a little...”

Rion’s feet shot out from under her. She tried to drop the litter in time to keep her cousins from joining her as she fell but she waited a split second too long. Her weight dragged them along, spilling Prue to the ground as they tumbled down the hill.

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

Piper came back to her senses first. Her body protested painfully as she sat up, looking for her sisters and cousin. Prue was at her side, completely oblivious to the fact they had just taken a nasty fall. Phoebe and Rion were nowhere to be seen.

“Phoebe?” She climbed unsteadily to her feet. “Rion?”

“Over here.”

She walked in the direction of the voice, relieved to find Phoebe in one piece. “Are you all right?”

Phoebe grimaced as she stood. “For the most part. How about you?”

“Peachy.”

“What about Prue and Rion?”

“Prue’s still too out of it to realize anything happened.” Piper looked around them. “And I haven’t seen Rion.”

Phoebe’s eyes grew wide with fear. “You don’t think that guy got her, do you?”

Piper took her sister’s hand in her own. “Let’s not assume the worst until we’ve had a look around.”

Phoebe nodded as they started walking. Rion would probably appear out of nowhere, angry with herself for what happened and all business about getting Prue to the main road.

“Pheebs.”

She looked up as Piper tightened her grip on her hand. Rion was laying motionless a few feet ahead of them.

“Oh God.” She dropped Piper’s hand and ran to her cousin, tears blurring her vision as she got close enough to see the odd angle of Rion’s right arm and the fact that her face was submerged in the rain water at the bottom of a pothole. “Rion?!” She grabbed her cousin, frightened by how limp the body in her hands was as she gently rolled her over.

Piper knelt down beside her. “How is she?”

Phoebe barely heard her sister’s question as she put her head on her cousin’s chest, hoping for the best but finding the worst. There was no sound whatsoever. No breathing. No heartbeat. Nothing. Tears flooded down her cheeks as she looked at Piper.

“She’s dead.”

“What?!” Piper shoved Phoebe out of the way as she bent over Rion, unwilling to accept her sister’s words. “Rion?” She shook her gently by the shoulders. “Rion, this isn’t funny.”

“She can’t hear you, Piper! She’s dead!” Phoebe buried her head in her hands as sobs wracked her body. “Dead!!”

Piper wanted to comfort Phoebe. To go to her and wrap her arms around her and tell her everything would be all right but all she could think about was Rion. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. It was so unfair. As a matter of fact, it was so far beyond unfair that unfair didn’t even begin to describe it. How could they get their cousin back after ten years to lose her less than a month later? She looked angrily at the sky. This was Their fault. Every time things started to go their way, They had to step in and mess things up. Well this time they had gone too far. Letting Shax kill Prue as a lesson about the risks of being exposed had been bad enough, but to let Rion die for absolutely no reason was ridiculous. Who did They think...?

The wetness of Rion’s hair drew her out of her silent ranting. Some time in the course of events she had absentmindedly started running her fingers through her cousins hair. The wetness of the locks between her fingers and the rain filled pothole to her left told her all she needed to know. Rion had drowned. And if she had drown, a little CPR just might bring her back.

Phoebe was now laying with her head buried in Rion’s stomach, sobbing uncontrollably. Piper knew she had to get her little sister out of the way before she could start. It took a lot to make Phoebe overly emotional but once she was there she was uncontrollable. There was no telling what she would do if she saw her sister start pumping away on their cousin’s chest.

“Phoebe.” She rubbed her sister’s back, hating the fact that she was wasting precious time. “Phoebe!”

Her baby sister looked up, eyes almost swollen shut from crying. She managed to whisper a “What” between sniffles.

“Go check on Prue.”

Phoebe frowned. “I don’t wanna.”

“This isn’t an option, Phoebe. Go check on Prue before Creepy Man gets to her again.”

The sternness of Piper’s voice brought the youngest Halliwell out of her funk enough for her to get up and stumble in the direction they had come. Piper waited until she was sure her little sister wasn’t coming back to tilt Rion’s head back and force air into her cousin’s lungs before starting compressions.

“Come on, Rion. We can do this.”

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

Rion found herself in a dank room. A room not unlike the cell Shalaman had occupied.

“What are you doing here?!”

“Prue?” Rion turned to see her cousin staring back at her. “Tell me where exactly this is and I’ll be more than happy to tell you.”

“This is the in between. The place you go when you’re not quite dead enough to cross over yet.”

Rion frowned. “Then what are you doing here?”

Prue raised her eyebrows. “Phoebe broad-sided me with the jeep, remember? Now what are you doing here?”

“I have no idea. The last thing I remember was slipping when we started back down the hill and then I was here. Maybe I broke my neck or something.”

Prue frowned at her. “Don’t joke about things like that, Rion.”

Rion grinned. “Sorry.” She noticed for the first time that Prue had a halo of light around her. A halo she didn’t have. “What’s up with the glow?”

“What?”

Rion gestured toward her cousin. “You’re glowing. How come I’m not?”

“Because you’ve got a slight advantage in the Whose Soul Am I Going to Take Next game.”

They both turned when they heard the voice behind them. Rion instantly put herself between the newco