CHARMED
"Jonas"
by J. B. Tilton
email: aramath@isot.com
Rating: PG (for mild language)
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
* * *
(Author’s note: This story takes place between season 4 episodes “Enter The Demon” and “Size Matters”.)
* * *
The Charmed Ones are sent another helper. A two hundred year old White Lighter who can't seem to do anything right.
* * *
ONE
A man stepped out of the shadows of the attic. He looked around the small room and noticed the book sitting on a pedestal nearby. The man was short, only about five foot six and was what would be called portly. He was bald on top and wore wire-rimmed glasses. He appeared to be about forty years old.
The man walked over and looked at the book. His brow furrowed for a moment, and then he suddenly recognized the book. He looked around the attic and chuckled to himself.
"I was never told they were the Charmed Ones," said the man to no one in particular. "This is even better than I thought. If I can complete this assignment correctly, I'll really impress the bosses."
He looked around the attic once more and then stepped back into the shadows. He knew where each of the sisters would be. He would approach them one at a time. That would probably be the easiest way.
* * *
Piper counted the bottles in yet another case. It was inventory time again and she was making out her list for ordering more liquor. She marked the case on her list.
"John," she called to the back room, "I need five more cases of vermouth and three cases of gin."
"Okay," said John, from the back room, "let me see what I have in my truck."
John was Pipers' normal liquor deliveryman. P3 was the last stop on his route and he often helped her stock the liquor he delivered into her stockroom. Piper turned back to count the next case. A man standing in front of her startled her. He stood five foot six and was rather portly. He was bald and was wearing wire-rimmed glasses.
"I'm Jonas," he said smiling.
"Okay," said Piper. "How did you get in here? The front door is locked."
"Oh, that," said the man, smiling. "Locked doors aren't much of a hindrance to me. You'll learn that soon enough."
"I will?" questioned Piper. "Listen, I don't know what you want but . . . "
"I'm ready," said the man, still smiling.
"Ready?" asked Piper. "Ready for what?"
"To go home with you," said the man. "That's why I'm here, of course."
"Excuse me," said Piper, "but I'm very happily married, thank you very much."
"Oh, I know that," said Jonas. "That's okay with me. I'm sure your husband won't mind. In fact, he is probably expecting me."
"Sure he is," said Piper, trying to control her temper.
"Piper," said John, bringing a handcart of cases into the club, "I only have three cases of vermouth left, but on my next trip I'll . . . "
He stopped and looked at Piper and the man.
"John," said Piper, "this is Jonas. He was just leaving. Would you mind showing him to the front door?"
Jonas began to say something when John stepped out from behind the crates. John was a big man. He was well over six feet tall and looked as if he worked out every day. Considering the heavy cases he delivered each day, that probably wasn't far from the truth. John had picked up on Pipers' discomfort with the man and decided his size alone would prevent any scenes.
"It would be my pleasure, Piper," said John, walking over and towering over Jonas. "It's that way."
Jonas just looked at Piper, disappointment in his face, and then shrugged. He turned and walked to the front door. John unlocked the door, and then locked it back after Jonas had left. He walked back over to Piper.
"How'd he get in?" asked John. "The front door was still locked."
"I don't know," said Piper, "but I appreciate the help."
"Not a problem for my favorite customer," said John. "I'll bring those other cases of vermouth by on Friday. I need to be getting home. My wife gets upset when I'm late."
"Okay, John," said Piper. "I'll see you on Friday."
After John left Piper thought about Jonas. Even before she was married, she'd had plenty of "offers" like the one Jonas had given her. But no one had ever broken into her club before. Some people had a lot of nerve.
Jonas Teen
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NoAzMale
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Jonas Teen
"One day we are going to look in our microscope and find outselves staring into God's eye. And the first one to blink is going to loose his testicles." - Peter O'Toole in "Creator"
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NoAzMale
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TWO
Phoebe came out of the office building with a disgusted look on her face. Yet another job interview that she was sure she had failed. She was beginning to become depressed. Every time it was the same thing. Thanks, we'll call you when we've made a decision. And, of course, they never did call.
She glanced up the street. It was busy for the middle of the afternoon. But then, the city usually was. She looked at her watch and decided to head home. She had no other appointments this afternoon and she was so disgusted with the way her job search had been going she wasn't even in the mood to shop. Not even window shop. She turned and started to walk down the street and nearly collided with a man standing right next to here.
"Hello," said the man, "I'm Jonas."
"Good for you," said Phoebe, perplexed.
The man acted as if they were old friends. The stupid grin on his face only served to irritate her more.
"Are we going home now?" asked Jonas.
"Excuse me?" said Phoebe.
"Certainly you're aware that we're supposed to be together," said Jonas.
"I'm sorry," said Phoebe, "but I have a fiancé."
"I'm aware of that," said Jonas. "Although I don't know who he is, I'm sure he's a very nice man. He would have to be if he's with an attractive woman like you."
"Yes, he's very nice," said Phoebe. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to be going."
"I know," said Jonas. "I'm supposed to be going with you."
"I don't think so," said Phoebe. "I don't know who you are but you are certainly not coming home with me."
"Of course I am," said Jonas. "I'm surprised no one told you. It was clearly arranged."
"Well, not by me it wasn't," said Phoebe. "Now, if you don't get away from me right now, I'm going to drop kick you into next week."
"You don't understand," began Jonas.
"No, you don't understand," said Phoebe. "I've had a rough day and I'm not in the mood for your foolishness. Now, just go away and I won't have to hurt you."
Phoebe pushed her way around the man and stormed down the street. She glanced behind her after she had walked several steps to make sure Jonas was not following her. He was nowhere to be seen.
"Good," thought Phoebe. "The last thing I need is some nut case hitting on me in the middle of the street."
She continued to walk down the street as Jonas watched her from a doorway.
"Well," said Jonas to himself dejectedly, "that's two for two. I hope I have better luck with Paige. This isn't beginning to look very good for me."
He turned and began to walk up the street heading for Paige’s' office. She was the youngest and the newest of the Charmed Ones. Hopefully, she would be more accepting of him than Piper or Phoebe had been.
Phoebe came out of the office building with a disgusted look on her face. Yet another job interview that she was sure she had failed. She was beginning to become depressed. Every time it was the same thing. Thanks, we'll call you when we've made a decision. And, of course, they never did call.
She glanced up the street. It was busy for the middle of the afternoon. But then, the city usually was. She looked at her watch and decided to head home. She had no other appointments this afternoon and she was so disgusted with the way her job search had been going she wasn't even in the mood to shop. Not even window shop. She turned and started to walk down the street and nearly collided with a man standing right next to here.
"Hello," said the man, "I'm Jonas."
"Good for you," said Phoebe, perplexed.
The man acted as if they were old friends. The stupid grin on his face only served to irritate her more.
"Are we going home now?" asked Jonas.
"Excuse me?" said Phoebe.
"Certainly you're aware that we're supposed to be together," said Jonas.
"I'm sorry," said Phoebe, "but I have a fiancé."
"I'm aware of that," said Jonas. "Although I don't know who he is, I'm sure he's a very nice man. He would have to be if he's with an attractive woman like you."
"Yes, he's very nice," said Phoebe. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to be going."
"I know," said Jonas. "I'm supposed to be going with you."
"I don't think so," said Phoebe. "I don't know who you are but you are certainly not coming home with me."
"Of course I am," said Jonas. "I'm surprised no one told you. It was clearly arranged."
"Well, not by me it wasn't," said Phoebe. "Now, if you don't get away from me right now, I'm going to drop kick you into next week."
"You don't understand," began Jonas.
"No, you don't understand," said Phoebe. "I've had a rough day and I'm not in the mood for your foolishness. Now, just go away and I won't have to hurt you."
Phoebe pushed her way around the man and stormed down the street. She glanced behind her after she had walked several steps to make sure Jonas was not following her. He was nowhere to be seen.
"Good," thought Phoebe. "The last thing I need is some nut case hitting on me in the middle of the street."
She continued to walk down the street as Jonas watched her from a doorway.
"Well," said Jonas to himself dejectedly, "that's two for two. I hope I have better luck with Paige. This isn't beginning to look very good for me."
He turned and began to walk up the street heading for Paige’s' office. She was the youngest and the newest of the Charmed Ones. Hopefully, she would be more accepting of him than Piper or Phoebe had been.
"One day we are going to look in our microscope and find outselves staring into God's eye. And the first one to blink is going to loose his testicles." - Peter O'Toole in "Creator"
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Angie
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NoAzMale
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THREE
"Paige," said her boss, "I need the file on the Carter family. Mr. Carter is coming by for a meeting and I want to familiarize myself with the case."
"It's on your desk," said Paige, not looking up from her computer screen. "I put it there this morning."
"Thanks," said her boss back to her.
"If you'd look once in a while," muttered Paige, "you might not have to shout across the office so much."
"You're quite right, of course," said a man standing in front of her desk. "Most people are notoriously lazy about that sort of thing, I'm afraid."
Paige looked up to see Jonas standing in front of her desk. He was smiling at her.
"I'm Jonas," said the man. "I'm ready whenever you are."
"Ready?" asked Paige. "Ready for what?"
"I'm ready to go home with you," said Jonas. "The, uh, bosses sent me. They said we were to, now what was the term that's used nowadays? Hook up, that's it. We're supposed to hook up."
"We are?" asked Paige. "That's not going to happen, bub."
“I'm afraid you don't have a choice," said Jonas. "As I said, the bosses sent me. Don't worry. I've been doing this for a very long time. It should be a very easy transition, all things considered."
Just then Paige’s' boss came out of his office carrying a file. Paige called him over to her desk.
"You know this nut case?" she asked.
Her boss looked at Jonas. He thought for a moment.
"No, can't say I do," he said finally.
"He says you sent him," said Paige. "He said we're supposed to ‘hook up'. That's ain't gonna happen."
"Hook up?" questioned her boss. "Okay, buddy, I think you'd better leave. I don't know who you are but you can't just walk in here and hit on my workers."
"No, no," said Jonas, "I'm not hitting on her. Paige, if I could just explain. In private."
"You'd better get out of here before I call security," said Paige.
Jonas began to say something, but then thought better of it when he noticed several of the other men in the office beginning to gather around. He knew that even if they weren't Paige’s' friends, they would come to her aid if they thought she was in trouble. He turned and walked out of the office.
"Strange little man," said Paige’s' boss.
"I think he's harmless," said Paige. "He strikes me as being a bit lonely. He's got a strange way of asking for a date, though."
"He's a little old for you, isn't he?" asked her boss.
"Maybe a bit," said Paige. "It's almost five. Think I'll call it a day. Don't forget, I have tomorrow off."
"I haven't forgotten," said her boss. "Have a good evening."
Paige just smiled at him as she picked up her purse and left the office. She glanced around to see if Jonas was waiting for her outside. She had expected to find him waiting for her outside the front door, but he was nowhere in sight.
As Paige walked down the street, Jonas watched her from a concealed position across the street. He had tried the sisters separately. That hadn't worked. He decided he'd have to confront them together. Probably in their home would be best. They might be a bit more receptive there.
"Paige," said her boss, "I need the file on the Carter family. Mr. Carter is coming by for a meeting and I want to familiarize myself with the case."
"It's on your desk," said Paige, not looking up from her computer screen. "I put it there this morning."
"Thanks," said her boss back to her.
"If you'd look once in a while," muttered Paige, "you might not have to shout across the office so much."
"You're quite right, of course," said a man standing in front of her desk. "Most people are notoriously lazy about that sort of thing, I'm afraid."
Paige looked up to see Jonas standing in front of her desk. He was smiling at her.
"I'm Jonas," said the man. "I'm ready whenever you are."
"Ready?" asked Paige. "Ready for what?"
"I'm ready to go home with you," said Jonas. "The, uh, bosses sent me. They said we were to, now what was the term that's used nowadays? Hook up, that's it. We're supposed to hook up."
"We are?" asked Paige. "That's not going to happen, bub."
“I'm afraid you don't have a choice," said Jonas. "As I said, the bosses sent me. Don't worry. I've been doing this for a very long time. It should be a very easy transition, all things considered."
Just then Paige’s' boss came out of his office carrying a file. Paige called him over to her desk.
"You know this nut case?" she asked.
Her boss looked at Jonas. He thought for a moment.
"No, can't say I do," he said finally.
"He says you sent him," said Paige. "He said we're supposed to ‘hook up'. That's ain't gonna happen."
"Hook up?" questioned her boss. "Okay, buddy, I think you'd better leave. I don't know who you are but you can't just walk in here and hit on my workers."
"No, no," said Jonas, "I'm not hitting on her. Paige, if I could just explain. In private."
"You'd better get out of here before I call security," said Paige.
Jonas began to say something, but then thought better of it when he noticed several of the other men in the office beginning to gather around. He knew that even if they weren't Paige’s' friends, they would come to her aid if they thought she was in trouble. He turned and walked out of the office.
"Strange little man," said Paige’s' boss.
"I think he's harmless," said Paige. "He strikes me as being a bit lonely. He's got a strange way of asking for a date, though."
"He's a little old for you, isn't he?" asked her boss.
"Maybe a bit," said Paige. "It's almost five. Think I'll call it a day. Don't forget, I have tomorrow off."
"I haven't forgotten," said her boss. "Have a good evening."
Paige just smiled at him as she picked up her purse and left the office. She glanced around to see if Jonas was waiting for her outside. She had expected to find him waiting for her outside the front door, but he was nowhere in sight.
As Paige walked down the street, Jonas watched her from a concealed position across the street. He had tried the sisters separately. That hadn't worked. He decided he'd have to confront them together. Probably in their home would be best. They might be a bit more receptive there.
"One day we are going to look in our microscope and find outselves staring into God's eye. And the first one to blink is going to loose his testicles." - Peter O'Toole in "Creator"
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NoAzMale
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FOUR
"Hello," said Paige, coming into the manor.
No one answered her. Either no one was home, or they were in part of the manor where they couldn't hear her. She heard voices in the kitchen. She dropped her purse on the sofa in the living room and went into the kitchen. Just as she opened the door to the kitchen, she saw Piper at the stove and the last remnants of Leos' orbing out.
"Hey," she said, "where's he off to?"
"They called," responded Piper, glancing up. "He said he'd be right back. How was work?"
"Fine," said Paige. "Actually, I got hit on today."
"Really?" asked Piper. "Funny you should mention that. I got hit on, too."
"Yeah," said Paige, "but I'm not married. Isn't there a law or something against that?"
"No," said Piper. "It's only wrong if you hit on someone when you're married. It's not your fault if someone else hits on you when you're married."
"I guess he didn't notice the wedding ring," said Paige.
"I suppose not," said Piper. "It was in the club and it was kind of dark. It was really strange. He got inside somehow with the door still locked."
"Do you think he was a demon?" asked Paige.
"I don't think so," said Piper. "He didn't strike me as the demon type."
Just then they heard the front door slam. It slammed so hard the glasses and dishes in the kitchen cabinets shook.
"Sounds like Phoebes' home," said Piper.
She and Paige left the kitchen and went into the living room. They watched as Phoebe plopped down in one of the chairs. The look on her face told them it had not been one of her better days.
"I guess the job search didn't go well, huh?" asked Paige.
"No," said Phoebe, fuming. "Everywhere I went it was the same thing. We'll call you. Yeah, right. Don't call us, we'll call you."
"No one said it was going to be easy, honey," said Piper smiling for her.
"And to top it all off," said Phoebe, getting up and walking over to Piper, "this guy accosts me outside my last interview and tells me we're supposed to be together and that he's ready to go home with me."
"What?" asked Piper.
She and Paige suddenly became very intent on what Phoebe was saying.
"Yeah," said Phoebe. "Sort of a portly bald guy with glasses. I mean, he wasn't rude or anything. He was just insistent that we were supposed to go home together."
"A portly bald guy?" asked Paige. "About forty or so? Wearing blue jeans and a kind of striped shirt?"
"Red with blue stripes," said Piper.
"Yes," said Phoebe. "How did you know that?"
Almost in unison, Piper and Paige said, "Jonas."
"How did you know that?" asked Phoebe.
"He hit on me, too," said Piper.
"Me, too," said Paige. "He said my boss had sent him so we could ‘hook up'. When I asked my boss about it, he didn't know the guy."
"He was at the club," said Piper. "I don't know how he got in, but he said that he was ready to go home with me. When I told him I was married, he said he didn't care. He said Leo would be expecting him."
"This is just too weird," said Phoebe. "The same guy hitting on all three of. Wanting to go home with all of us. You think he's a nut case?"
Before any of the sisters could answer, they all noticed someone begin to orb into the living room. But instead of orbing into the room itself, whoever it was was orbing in on top of the coffee table. When he had finished orbing, Jonas stood on the coffee table.
He didn't stand there very long. The table wouldn't withstand his weight and its' legs buckled, sending Jonas tumbling to the floor collapsing in front of the fireplace. The Charmed Ones just watched as he stood up and straightened his clothes.
"I'm sorry about that," he said. "I've never really gotten the hang of orbing, I'm afraid. No matter how much I practice."
"Leo," screamed Piper into the air. "Leo, get down here right now."
Suddenly, Leo orbed in beside Piper. He began to ask what was wrong, and then he saw Jonas standing next to the fireplace. He also saw the smashed coffee table. A pained look crossed his face.
"Hello, Jonas," was all that Leo said.
"Hi, Leo," said Jonas. "I hope I'm not early. I was told to wait until you told them I was coming."
"You're a bit early," said Leo. "I was just informed."
"Leo, honey," said Piper with her "boyareyouintrouble" voice. "Who is this and what is he doing in my home?"
"This," said Leo, "is Jonas. He's another White Lighter. He's . . . going to be staying with us for a while."
The three sisters just stared at Leo.
"Hello," said Paige, coming into the manor.
No one answered her. Either no one was home, or they were in part of the manor where they couldn't hear her. She heard voices in the kitchen. She dropped her purse on the sofa in the living room and went into the kitchen. Just as she opened the door to the kitchen, she saw Piper at the stove and the last remnants of Leos' orbing out.
"Hey," she said, "where's he off to?"
"They called," responded Piper, glancing up. "He said he'd be right back. How was work?"
"Fine," said Paige. "Actually, I got hit on today."
"Really?" asked Piper. "Funny you should mention that. I got hit on, too."
"Yeah," said Paige, "but I'm not married. Isn't there a law or something against that?"
"No," said Piper. "It's only wrong if you hit on someone when you're married. It's not your fault if someone else hits on you when you're married."
"I guess he didn't notice the wedding ring," said Paige.
"I suppose not," said Piper. "It was in the club and it was kind of dark. It was really strange. He got inside somehow with the door still locked."
"Do you think he was a demon?" asked Paige.
"I don't think so," said Piper. "He didn't strike me as the demon type."
Just then they heard the front door slam. It slammed so hard the glasses and dishes in the kitchen cabinets shook.
"Sounds like Phoebes' home," said Piper.
She and Paige left the kitchen and went into the living room. They watched as Phoebe plopped down in one of the chairs. The look on her face told them it had not been one of her better days.
"I guess the job search didn't go well, huh?" asked Paige.
"No," said Phoebe, fuming. "Everywhere I went it was the same thing. We'll call you. Yeah, right. Don't call us, we'll call you."
"No one said it was going to be easy, honey," said Piper smiling for her.
"And to top it all off," said Phoebe, getting up and walking over to Piper, "this guy accosts me outside my last interview and tells me we're supposed to be together and that he's ready to go home with me."
"What?" asked Piper.
She and Paige suddenly became very intent on what Phoebe was saying.
"Yeah," said Phoebe. "Sort of a portly bald guy with glasses. I mean, he wasn't rude or anything. He was just insistent that we were supposed to go home together."
"A portly bald guy?" asked Paige. "About forty or so? Wearing blue jeans and a kind of striped shirt?"
"Red with blue stripes," said Piper.
"Yes," said Phoebe. "How did you know that?"
Almost in unison, Piper and Paige said, "Jonas."
"How did you know that?" asked Phoebe.
"He hit on me, too," said Piper.
"Me, too," said Paige. "He said my boss had sent him so we could ‘hook up'. When I asked my boss about it, he didn't know the guy."
"He was at the club," said Piper. "I don't know how he got in, but he said that he was ready to go home with me. When I told him I was married, he said he didn't care. He said Leo would be expecting him."
"This is just too weird," said Phoebe. "The same guy hitting on all three of. Wanting to go home with all of us. You think he's a nut case?"
Before any of the sisters could answer, they all noticed someone begin to orb into the living room. But instead of orbing into the room itself, whoever it was was orbing in on top of the coffee table. When he had finished orbing, Jonas stood on the coffee table.
He didn't stand there very long. The table wouldn't withstand his weight and its' legs buckled, sending Jonas tumbling to the floor collapsing in front of the fireplace. The Charmed Ones just watched as he stood up and straightened his clothes.
"I'm sorry about that," he said. "I've never really gotten the hang of orbing, I'm afraid. No matter how much I practice."
"Leo," screamed Piper into the air. "Leo, get down here right now."
Suddenly, Leo orbed in beside Piper. He began to ask what was wrong, and then he saw Jonas standing next to the fireplace. He also saw the smashed coffee table. A pained look crossed his face.
"Hello, Jonas," was all that Leo said.
"Hi, Leo," said Jonas. "I hope I'm not early. I was told to wait until you told them I was coming."
"You're a bit early," said Leo. "I was just informed."
"Leo, honey," said Piper with her "boyareyouintrouble" voice. "Who is this and what is he doing in my home?"
"This," said Leo, "is Jonas. He's another White Lighter. He's . . . going to be staying with us for a while."
The three sisters just stared at Leo.
"One day we are going to look in our microscope and find outselves staring into God's eye. And the first one to blink is going to loose his testicles." - Peter O'Toole in "Creator"
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NoAzMale
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FIVE
"What do you mean he's staying with us?" asked Piper, her temper beginning to flair.
"That's why I was called away," said Leo. "They think it would be a good idea if he stayed here for a while. That's all I know."
"Yes," said Jonas, "that's what I was trying to tell each of you today. There seems to be a Dark Lighter who's out to get to the three of you through Leo. They thought it would be a good idea if you had someone to help you keep watch."
"So, when you said we were supposed to hook up," said Paige, "you didn't mean that we should . . . "
"Should what?" asked Jonas, not understanding what she meant. Suddenly a look of recognition crossed his face. "You mean . . .? No, no, nothing like that. In most cases, it's forbidden between a White Lighter and his or her charge." He glanced over at Piper and Leo. "They thought that since there was a Dark Lighter around stalking Leo it might not be a bad idea to have another White Lighter around."
"Leo, honey," said Piper, holding her temper in check, "can I speak to you in the kitchen for a minute."
"Yeah," said Leo. "Jonas, don't touch anything. We'll be right back."
Jonas just smiled, and then sat down on the edge of the sofa. At least he tried to sit down. As he put his weight on the arm of the sofa, the arm cracked under his weight and spilled him onto the floor. He quickly regained his feet, feeling totally embarrassed. He just smiled an awkward smile at the others, and then stood quietly next to the fireplace.
"What's this about, Leo?" demanded Piper, letting her anger flair. "What do you mean he's going to be staying with us? We don't have the room for him here."
"Calm down, Piper," said Leo. "It won't be for very long. He can sleep on the sofa. They think it's a good idea."
"They think?" insisted Piper. "What about what we think? If there is a Dark Lighter out to get you, the three of us should be able to take care of him. We'll just have Phoebe write a spell to vanquish this Dark Lighter. And I can prepare a potion just in case."
"Piper," said Leo, "if you want to send him away, you can. They didn't make it a requirement that he stay here. But this may be his last chance. If you send him away, I don't know what they’re going to do with him."
"What do you mean his ‘last chance"? asked Piper.
"Jonas has been a White Lighter for over two hundred years," said Leo. "And from the looks of the coffee table, I can guess he hasn't even learned to orb correctly yet. Jonas is kind of a klutz. He's never been able to get an assignment right."
"Why don't they assign him something else?" asked Phoebe.
"He keeps insisting he can become a good White Lighter," said Leo. "Everyone feels sorry for him, even they do. Jonas seems to fall in love with all of his female charges. That clouds his objectivity. So much that it has often endangered some of them."
"You fell in love with a charge," said Piper.
"It's not the same," said Leo. "Jonas doesn't seem to have the ability to distinguish between that and his duty to his charges."
"So, assign him to a male charge," said Piper. "That should solve that problem."
"They’ve tried," said Leo. "He doesn't do well with male charges. He has a habit of being intimidated by them. That’s as dangerous as falling in love with a charge. It clouds his judgment to the point of being dangerous."
"Okay," said Piper, "he can stay for one night. Then we'll see."
"Thanks," said Leo. "He'll be glad to hear that."
"This is a mistake, I can feel it," said Piper.
"I'll get him some bedding," said Paige, leaving the kitchen.
As the four of them walked back into living room, the front door opened and Cole walked in. He smiled when he saw Phoebe and glanced into the living room. He saw Jonas standing next to the fireplace.
"Belthazor," gasped Jonas under his breath.
He looked around and saw the poker to the fireplace in the stand. He reached down and picked the poker up from the stand. Then he turned and faced Cole.
"Don't worry," said Jonas. "I'll protect you."
He raised the poker and threw it at Cole. Piper didn't hesitate. As Cole tried to duck away from the flying missile, the poker simply froze in midair.
"What the hell is going on here?" demanded Cole.
"Jonas, no," screamed Phoebe, Paige, and Leo in unison.
Jonas just looked at the sisters and Leo, then at Cole. A perplexed look crossed his face.
"I don't understand," said Jonas. "That's Belthazor. He's a demon mercenary. He'll kill all of you and me, too."
"No, Jonas, he's not," said Leo, as Phoebe rushed to make sure Cole was okay. "At least, not any more. The girls' vanquished his evil side. He's as human as anyone else now."
"Who is this nut?" asked Cole, his temper starting to rise.
"I'll explain later, honey," said Phoebe. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I guess I'm okay," said Cole.
"I'm sorry," said Jonas apologetically. "I didn't know. No one told me that you weren't you any more. I was just trying to protect them."
"I guess that's okay, then," said Cole. "Just don't go throwing any more fireplace pokers at me."
"I won't, I promise," said Jonas. "Again, I'm really sorry."
"Yeah, okay," said Cole, his temper beginning to subside.
"Come on," said Phoebe, linking her arm in his. "Let's go upstairs. I'll explain what's going on."
Paige went to get some bedding for Jonas while an exasperated Piper went back into the kitchen, followed by Leo.
"What do you mean he's staying with us?" asked Piper, her temper beginning to flair.
"That's why I was called away," said Leo. "They think it would be a good idea if he stayed here for a while. That's all I know."
"Yes," said Jonas, "that's what I was trying to tell each of you today. There seems to be a Dark Lighter who's out to get to the three of you through Leo. They thought it would be a good idea if you had someone to help you keep watch."
"So, when you said we were supposed to hook up," said Paige, "you didn't mean that we should . . . "
"Should what?" asked Jonas, not understanding what she meant. Suddenly a look of recognition crossed his face. "You mean . . .? No, no, nothing like that. In most cases, it's forbidden between a White Lighter and his or her charge." He glanced over at Piper and Leo. "They thought that since there was a Dark Lighter around stalking Leo it might not be a bad idea to have another White Lighter around."
"Leo, honey," said Piper, holding her temper in check, "can I speak to you in the kitchen for a minute."
"Yeah," said Leo. "Jonas, don't touch anything. We'll be right back."
Jonas just smiled, and then sat down on the edge of the sofa. At least he tried to sit down. As he put his weight on the arm of the sofa, the arm cracked under his weight and spilled him onto the floor. He quickly regained his feet, feeling totally embarrassed. He just smiled an awkward smile at the others, and then stood quietly next to the fireplace.
"What's this about, Leo?" demanded Piper, letting her anger flair. "What do you mean he's going to be staying with us? We don't have the room for him here."
"Calm down, Piper," said Leo. "It won't be for very long. He can sleep on the sofa. They think it's a good idea."
"They think?" insisted Piper. "What about what we think? If there is a Dark Lighter out to get you, the three of us should be able to take care of him. We'll just have Phoebe write a spell to vanquish this Dark Lighter. And I can prepare a potion just in case."
"Piper," said Leo, "if you want to send him away, you can. They didn't make it a requirement that he stay here. But this may be his last chance. If you send him away, I don't know what they’re going to do with him."
"What do you mean his ‘last chance"? asked Piper.
"Jonas has been a White Lighter for over two hundred years," said Leo. "And from the looks of the coffee table, I can guess he hasn't even learned to orb correctly yet. Jonas is kind of a klutz. He's never been able to get an assignment right."
"Why don't they assign him something else?" asked Phoebe.
"He keeps insisting he can become a good White Lighter," said Leo. "Everyone feels sorry for him, even they do. Jonas seems to fall in love with all of his female charges. That clouds his objectivity. So much that it has often endangered some of them."
"You fell in love with a charge," said Piper.
"It's not the same," said Leo. "Jonas doesn't seem to have the ability to distinguish between that and his duty to his charges."
"So, assign him to a male charge," said Piper. "That should solve that problem."
"They’ve tried," said Leo. "He doesn't do well with male charges. He has a habit of being intimidated by them. That’s as dangerous as falling in love with a charge. It clouds his judgment to the point of being dangerous."
"Okay," said Piper, "he can stay for one night. Then we'll see."
"Thanks," said Leo. "He'll be glad to hear that."
"This is a mistake, I can feel it," said Piper.
"I'll get him some bedding," said Paige, leaving the kitchen.
As the four of them walked back into living room, the front door opened and Cole walked in. He smiled when he saw Phoebe and glanced into the living room. He saw Jonas standing next to the fireplace.
"Belthazor," gasped Jonas under his breath.
He looked around and saw the poker to the fireplace in the stand. He reached down and picked the poker up from the stand. Then he turned and faced Cole.
"Don't worry," said Jonas. "I'll protect you."
He raised the poker and threw it at Cole. Piper didn't hesitate. As Cole tried to duck away from the flying missile, the poker simply froze in midair.
"What the hell is going on here?" demanded Cole.
"Jonas, no," screamed Phoebe, Paige, and Leo in unison.
Jonas just looked at the sisters and Leo, then at Cole. A perplexed look crossed his face.
"I don't understand," said Jonas. "That's Belthazor. He's a demon mercenary. He'll kill all of you and me, too."
"No, Jonas, he's not," said Leo, as Phoebe rushed to make sure Cole was okay. "At least, not any more. The girls' vanquished his evil side. He's as human as anyone else now."
"Who is this nut?" asked Cole, his temper starting to rise.
"I'll explain later, honey," said Phoebe. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I guess I'm okay," said Cole.
"I'm sorry," said Jonas apologetically. "I didn't know. No one told me that you weren't you any more. I was just trying to protect them."
"I guess that's okay, then," said Cole. "Just don't go throwing any more fireplace pokers at me."
"I won't, I promise," said Jonas. "Again, I'm really sorry."
"Yeah, okay," said Cole, his temper beginning to subside.
"Come on," said Phoebe, linking her arm in his. "Let's go upstairs. I'll explain what's going on."
Paige went to get some bedding for Jonas while an exasperated Piper went back into the kitchen, followed by Leo.
"One day we are going to look in our microscope and find outselves staring into God's eye. And the first one to blink is going to loose his testicles." - Peter O'Toole in "Creator"
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Angie
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NoAzMale
- Self Proclaimed King of Blandness
- Posts: 927
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 12:22 am
SIX
The next morning, Jonas came into the kitchen while Piper was working on the potion to vanquish a Dark Lighter. She smiled at Jonas, though she still hadn't forgiven them for forcing him on her.
"Where is everyone?" asked Jonas.
"Phoebe and Cole left earlier," said Piper. "Paige is still upstairs. It's her day off. Leo had to orb out. Something about a meeting with them."
"Oh," said Jonas sheepishly.
"How did you sleep?" Piper asked, trying to be friendly.
"Fine, fine," said Jonas. "I appreciate your letting me stay. Leo told you about me, I'm sure. I'm kind of a screw up."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," said Piper, trying to cheer him up. "Some people just take some time to get acclimated, that's all."
"Two hundred years?" asked Jonas. "You'd think that after two hundred years I'd at least be able to orb properly. I can't even do that right."
"Neither can I," said Paige, coming into the kitchen.
"From what Leo tells me," said Jonas, "you've only had your powers for a short time. It's not the same thing. Besides, you're only half White Lighter."
"Don't be so down on yourself," said Paige. "I'm sure all you need is some guidance. What are you working on, Piper?"
"The potion to vanquish the Dark Lighter," said Piper.
"Anything I can do to help?" said Jonas.
"Not really," said Piper. "I'm almost finished. Can you hand me the thyme. I need a pinch of it for the potion."
"Oh, I can do that," said Jonas.
He picked up the bottle of thyme and unscrewed the cap. Carefully he turned the bottle over and started to sprinkle some into the pot on the stove. Suddenly, the filter on the top of the bottle dropped off spilling the entire contents into the bubbling pot.
Piper just looked at the pot. She had been working on the potion for over an hour and now all of her work was ruined. She didn't say a word. She just turned around and walked into the living room trying not to loose her temper.
"Don't mind her," said Paige, seeing the embarrassed look on Jonas' face. "She's a bit touchy about her potions, that's all. It could have happened to anyone."
"No," said Jonas, "it's always the same thing. I try to help out but somehow I always manage to screw things up. I'm not really a very good White Lighter. Maybe I should just let them reassign me to something else. Like bookkeeping or something."
"Nonsense," said Paige. "If they didn't think you would be a good White Lighter, they wouldn't have made you one."
"No one is perfect," said Jonas. "I think they made a mistake with me. Well, I ruined Pipers' potion. The least I can do is clean up the mess for her."
He picked up several plates from the table and moved to put them in the sink to wash. As he did, one of the plates dropped from his hand and shattered on the floor. He just stood looking at the pieces of plate on the floor.
"What is it now?" demanded Piper, coming back into the kitchen.
She stopped in the doorway and looked at the shattered plate on the floor. Then, she looked at Jonas standing over it holding the other plates in his hands.
"That was one of my grandmothers' good china dishes," she said slowly and deliberately. "She got the set as a wedding gift for her first wedding. There wasn't so much as a single chip out of any of the pieces."
"I . . . I'm sorry, Piper," said Jonas. "It . . . it was an accident, honestly. I'm so, so sorry about this."
Piper just threw up her hands, turned around, and stalked out of the room. She knew that if she said anything, it wouldn't be very nice. Paige was embarrassed for Jonas. It had been an accident. He hadn't purposely dropped the plate. He was just trying to help.
"I'll go talk to her," she said.
She followed Piper into the living room. Piper was sitting on the sofa with her head in her hands. Paige walked into the living room and stood next to the sofa. It looked strange with no coffee table in front of it.
"Piper, it was an accident," she said. "I saw it happen. He was trying to help. He didn't do it deliberately."
"I know," said Piper. "It's just that, first, he's sent to us without even a word. Then he ruins a potion I spent over an hour making. Then he breaks one of grandmothers' best china."
"Let's give him a chance," said Paige. "I've seen this kind of thing before. With some of the families I work with. He has trouble doing what he's supposed to do and everybody begins to tell him how inept he is. How he can't do anything right. Pretty soon, they begin to believe it. If we just be patient with him, maybe we can change that for him."
Just then Jonas came into the living room. He looked to Paige like a lost puppy dog. He had the saddest look on his face she had ever seen before. He was wringing his hands.
"Piper, I really am sorry," he said. "I really didn't mean to break the plate. I know it was special and I'll do anything I can to make up for it."
As he walked into the living room apologizing, he inadvertently bumped into a vase of flowers sitting on a stand just inside the living room door. The vase looked very old and appeared to be hand painted. As he bumped it, the stand tumbled over, sending the vase toward the floor. Piper didn't hesitate. She brought up her hands and froze the stand and vase in place. She rushed over and grabbed the vase to keep it from hitting the floor.
"This was my grandmothers' favorite vase," she said in a low, deliberate voice. "It's over five hundred years old and is worth a great deal of money. Jonas, I'm sorry, but you can't stay here. I know it's not your fault, but I just can't take it any more. You'll have to find some place else to stay."
Jonas didn't say a word. His head dropped and he turned and walked into the entry way to the manor. He looked back at Piper one last time and mouthed the words "I'm sorry". Then he orbed out and was gone.
The next morning, Jonas came into the kitchen while Piper was working on the potion to vanquish a Dark Lighter. She smiled at Jonas, though she still hadn't forgiven them for forcing him on her.
"Where is everyone?" asked Jonas.
"Phoebe and Cole left earlier," said Piper. "Paige is still upstairs. It's her day off. Leo had to orb out. Something about a meeting with them."
"Oh," said Jonas sheepishly.
"How did you sleep?" Piper asked, trying to be friendly.
"Fine, fine," said Jonas. "I appreciate your letting me stay. Leo told you about me, I'm sure. I'm kind of a screw up."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," said Piper, trying to cheer him up. "Some people just take some time to get acclimated, that's all."
"Two hundred years?" asked Jonas. "You'd think that after two hundred years I'd at least be able to orb properly. I can't even do that right."
"Neither can I," said Paige, coming into the kitchen.
"From what Leo tells me," said Jonas, "you've only had your powers for a short time. It's not the same thing. Besides, you're only half White Lighter."
"Don't be so down on yourself," said Paige. "I'm sure all you need is some guidance. What are you working on, Piper?"
"The potion to vanquish the Dark Lighter," said Piper.
"Anything I can do to help?" said Jonas.
"Not really," said Piper. "I'm almost finished. Can you hand me the thyme. I need a pinch of it for the potion."
"Oh, I can do that," said Jonas.
He picked up the bottle of thyme and unscrewed the cap. Carefully he turned the bottle over and started to sprinkle some into the pot on the stove. Suddenly, the filter on the top of the bottle dropped off spilling the entire contents into the bubbling pot.
Piper just looked at the pot. She had been working on the potion for over an hour and now all of her work was ruined. She didn't say a word. She just turned around and walked into the living room trying not to loose her temper.
"Don't mind her," said Paige, seeing the embarrassed look on Jonas' face. "She's a bit touchy about her potions, that's all. It could have happened to anyone."
"No," said Jonas, "it's always the same thing. I try to help out but somehow I always manage to screw things up. I'm not really a very good White Lighter. Maybe I should just let them reassign me to something else. Like bookkeeping or something."
"Nonsense," said Paige. "If they didn't think you would be a good White Lighter, they wouldn't have made you one."
"No one is perfect," said Jonas. "I think they made a mistake with me. Well, I ruined Pipers' potion. The least I can do is clean up the mess for her."
He picked up several plates from the table and moved to put them in the sink to wash. As he did, one of the plates dropped from his hand and shattered on the floor. He just stood looking at the pieces of plate on the floor.
"What is it now?" demanded Piper, coming back into the kitchen.
She stopped in the doorway and looked at the shattered plate on the floor. Then, she looked at Jonas standing over it holding the other plates in his hands.
"That was one of my grandmothers' good china dishes," she said slowly and deliberately. "She got the set as a wedding gift for her first wedding. There wasn't so much as a single chip out of any of the pieces."
"I . . . I'm sorry, Piper," said Jonas. "It . . . it was an accident, honestly. I'm so, so sorry about this."
Piper just threw up her hands, turned around, and stalked out of the room. She knew that if she said anything, it wouldn't be very nice. Paige was embarrassed for Jonas. It had been an accident. He hadn't purposely dropped the plate. He was just trying to help.
"I'll go talk to her," she said.
She followed Piper into the living room. Piper was sitting on the sofa with her head in her hands. Paige walked into the living room and stood next to the sofa. It looked strange with no coffee table in front of it.
"Piper, it was an accident," she said. "I saw it happen. He was trying to help. He didn't do it deliberately."
"I know," said Piper. "It's just that, first, he's sent to us without even a word. Then he ruins a potion I spent over an hour making. Then he breaks one of grandmothers' best china."
"Let's give him a chance," said Paige. "I've seen this kind of thing before. With some of the families I work with. He has trouble doing what he's supposed to do and everybody begins to tell him how inept he is. How he can't do anything right. Pretty soon, they begin to believe it. If we just be patient with him, maybe we can change that for him."
Just then Jonas came into the living room. He looked to Paige like a lost puppy dog. He had the saddest look on his face she had ever seen before. He was wringing his hands.
"Piper, I really am sorry," he said. "I really didn't mean to break the plate. I know it was special and I'll do anything I can to make up for it."
As he walked into the living room apologizing, he inadvertently bumped into a vase of flowers sitting on a stand just inside the living room door. The vase looked very old and appeared to be hand painted. As he bumped it, the stand tumbled over, sending the vase toward the floor. Piper didn't hesitate. She brought up her hands and froze the stand and vase in place. She rushed over and grabbed the vase to keep it from hitting the floor.
"This was my grandmothers' favorite vase," she said in a low, deliberate voice. "It's over five hundred years old and is worth a great deal of money. Jonas, I'm sorry, but you can't stay here. I know it's not your fault, but I just can't take it any more. You'll have to find some place else to stay."
Jonas didn't say a word. His head dropped and he turned and walked into the entry way to the manor. He looked back at Piper one last time and mouthed the words "I'm sorry". Then he orbed out and was gone.
"One day we are going to look in our microscope and find outselves staring into God's eye. And the first one to blink is going to loose his testicles." - Peter O'Toole in "Creator"
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NoAzMale
- Self Proclaimed King of Blandness
- Posts: 927
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 12:22 am
SEVEN
"Piper, how could you do that?" asked Leo. He had orbed back in only minutes after Jonas had orbed out. "I told you what he's been through."
"What he's been through?" asked Piper. "What about what we've been through? He ruined the coffee table; nearly killed Cole, broke the arm of the sofa, shattered one of grams' best china dishes, and almost destroyed a five hundred year old vase. And he hasn't even been here a full day yet."
"I think he just needs some confidence building," said Paige. "He seems like a nice guy. Just kind of shy, that's all."
"Be that as it may," said Piper, "he can't stay here. He'd destroy the entire manor within a week."
"Piper," said Phoebe, "what about them? They said there was a Dark Lighter after Leo. If that's true, we may need Jonas around to help."
"Help what?" asked Piper. "Trip over him?"
"Okay, this isn't getting us anywhere," said Paige. "We need to find Jonas right now. Any idea where he might be?"
"I think I might know," said Leo. "He likes flowers. He's been known to visit arboretums and nurseries when he's upset or depressed. Which seems to be a great deal of the time. I think I know which one he'll go to. I'll be right back."
"Take me with you," said Paige.
"Good idea," said Piper. "While you're gone, I'll start working on a new vanquishing potion. Don't bring Jonas into the kitchen until I'm finished."
Paige took Leos' hand and they orbed out. When they orbed in again, they were in a garden. It appeared to be on the top of a building and was completely enclosed in glass.
"It's one of his favorite places," said Leo. "He spends a great deal of time here."
"So, where is he?" asked Paige.
"Probably over by the roses," said Leo. "They seem to be particularly calming on him for some reason."
"Leo," said Paige, "why don't you go back to the manor? Let me talk to Jonas alone for a bit. I think he just needs to talk right now."
"Are you sure?" asked Leo. "He's not real communicative when he gets like this. I know. I've tried. Most White Lighters have at one time or another."
"I'm sure," said Paige. "I've had a little experience in situations like this."
"Okay," said Leo. "If you need me, just call."
"I will," said Paige.
After Leo orbed back to the manor, Paige looked around the garden. She eventually found the most beautiful rose bushes she had ever seen. Sitting on a bench in front of the bushes was Jonas. He was holding his head in his hands.
"Mind if I join you?" asked Paige, sitting down next to him.
"I'm surprised you're here," said Jonas. "I thought none of you ever wanted to see me again."
"No," said Paige, "that's not true. Piper just lost her head. She'll calm down and then you'll be welcomed back. You'll see."
"It's probably not a good idea for me to go back," said Jonas. "Leo and the other White Lighters are right. I'm a klutz. I can't do anything right. I can't orb properly. And I've never been able to heal anyone. I guess it's just not in me."
"Sure it is," said Paige. "You're a White Lighter. From what I understand, all White Lighters can heal. Maybe you just need to get the hang of it. I might even be able to heal one day.””
"But you're not a screw up," said Jonas dejectedly. "I've never been able to complete even a single assignment. I always manage to screw things up. I just wasn't cut out to be a White Lighter."
"I don't believe that," said Paige. "What did you do before?"
"You mean when I was still alive?" asked Jonas. "I was a cobbler. I made shoes. And I was very good at it, too. You know that a pair of my shoes is in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.? That's how good I was. But as a White Lighter, I'm a failure."
"Why is that?" asked Paige.
“I told you," said Jonas, "I'm not cut out to be a White Lighter."
"But there must be some reason you keep messing up," said Paige. "If you weren't meant to be a White Lighter, they wouldn't have made you one. So, what is it that keeps making you mess up?"
"I don't know," said Jonas.
"Okay," said Paige. "When you orbed into the manor, what were you thinking about?"
"I was thinking about orbing," said Jonas. "Into the living room. Leo can do it without thinking. I have to concentrate on it."
"Is that all?" asked Paige. "Just orbing into the living room?"
"Yes," said Jonas.
"Okay," said Paige. "Try to orb over there." She pointed to a large fern several feet away. "Just orb right over there."
Jonas concentrated then orbed. But instead of orbing next to the fern, he orbed several feet to one side of it. He looked dejected at Paige.
"Were you concentrating on that fern?" asked Paige.
"Yes," said Jonas. "Like I said, I have to concentrate to do it."
"Was that all you were thinking about?" asked Paige.
"I think so," said Jonas. "Well, maybe not totally."
"Okay what else were you thinking about?" asked Paige.
Jonas looked at the floor. He kicked at something imaginary on the floor.
"Great," said Paige. "Piper, Phoebe, or me?"
"You," said Jonas sheepishly. "You're such a beautiful lady."
"Listen to me," said Paige. "You're not in love with me. I know you think you are, but you're not. We only just met and you haven't had enough time to get to know me, let alone fall in love with me."
"But," Jonas began to protest.
"No," said Paige, "you're not. Get that out of you mind once and for all. Now, try to orb back to where you were. Only this time, concentrate only on orbing. Don't have anything else on your mind."
Jonas looked at Paige, then closed his eyes. He concentrated very hard, and then orbed. Almost instantly he reappeared sitting next to Paige where he had been originally.
"I don't believe it," said Jonas. "I orbed properly for a change. I've never done that before. I don't understand."
"When you orbed into the manor," said Paige, "were you thinking about me then, too?"
"Yes," said Jonas sheepishly. "I guess I was. You've been on my thoughts a lot since we first met."
"I think I know what's wrong," said Paige. "Now, let's get back to the manor. You can orb us there if that's all you concentrate on."
“Why don't you orb us back?" asked Jonas. "You're half White Lighter. Can't you orb us?"
"I can only orb in place," said Paige. "I haven't had my powers that long and I'm still learning to use them. Now, just clear your mind of everything. Concentrate only on orbing back to the manor. Try to put us in that spot next to the fireplace."
"Okay," said Jonas.
Paige took hold of his arm and he closed his eyes. He concentrated for several moments, then he and Paige orbed out.
"Piper, how could you do that?" asked Leo. He had orbed back in only minutes after Jonas had orbed out. "I told you what he's been through."
"What he's been through?" asked Piper. "What about what we've been through? He ruined the coffee table; nearly killed Cole, broke the arm of the sofa, shattered one of grams' best china dishes, and almost destroyed a five hundred year old vase. And he hasn't even been here a full day yet."
"I think he just needs some confidence building," said Paige. "He seems like a nice guy. Just kind of shy, that's all."
"Be that as it may," said Piper, "he can't stay here. He'd destroy the entire manor within a week."
"Piper," said Phoebe, "what about them? They said there was a Dark Lighter after Leo. If that's true, we may need Jonas around to help."
"Help what?" asked Piper. "Trip over him?"
"Okay, this isn't getting us anywhere," said Paige. "We need to find Jonas right now. Any idea where he might be?"
"I think I might know," said Leo. "He likes flowers. He's been known to visit arboretums and nurseries when he's upset or depressed. Which seems to be a great deal of the time. I think I know which one he'll go to. I'll be right back."
"Take me with you," said Paige.
"Good idea," said Piper. "While you're gone, I'll start working on a new vanquishing potion. Don't bring Jonas into the kitchen until I'm finished."
Paige took Leos' hand and they orbed out. When they orbed in again, they were in a garden. It appeared to be on the top of a building and was completely enclosed in glass.
"It's one of his favorite places," said Leo. "He spends a great deal of time here."
"So, where is he?" asked Paige.
"Probably over by the roses," said Leo. "They seem to be particularly calming on him for some reason."
"Leo," said Paige, "why don't you go back to the manor? Let me talk to Jonas alone for a bit. I think he just needs to talk right now."
"Are you sure?" asked Leo. "He's not real communicative when he gets like this. I know. I've tried. Most White Lighters have at one time or another."
"I'm sure," said Paige. "I've had a little experience in situations like this."
"Okay," said Leo. "If you need me, just call."
"I will," said Paige.
After Leo orbed back to the manor, Paige looked around the garden. She eventually found the most beautiful rose bushes she had ever seen. Sitting on a bench in front of the bushes was Jonas. He was holding his head in his hands.
"Mind if I join you?" asked Paige, sitting down next to him.
"I'm surprised you're here," said Jonas. "I thought none of you ever wanted to see me again."
"No," said Paige, "that's not true. Piper just lost her head. She'll calm down and then you'll be welcomed back. You'll see."
"It's probably not a good idea for me to go back," said Jonas. "Leo and the other White Lighters are right. I'm a klutz. I can't do anything right. I can't orb properly. And I've never been able to heal anyone. I guess it's just not in me."
"Sure it is," said Paige. "You're a White Lighter. From what I understand, all White Lighters can heal. Maybe you just need to get the hang of it. I might even be able to heal one day.””
"But you're not a screw up," said Jonas dejectedly. "I've never been able to complete even a single assignment. I always manage to screw things up. I just wasn't cut out to be a White Lighter."
"I don't believe that," said Paige. "What did you do before?"
"You mean when I was still alive?" asked Jonas. "I was a cobbler. I made shoes. And I was very good at it, too. You know that a pair of my shoes is in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.? That's how good I was. But as a White Lighter, I'm a failure."
"Why is that?" asked Paige.
“I told you," said Jonas, "I'm not cut out to be a White Lighter."
"But there must be some reason you keep messing up," said Paige. "If you weren't meant to be a White Lighter, they wouldn't have made you one. So, what is it that keeps making you mess up?"
"I don't know," said Jonas.
"Okay," said Paige. "When you orbed into the manor, what were you thinking about?"
"I was thinking about orbing," said Jonas. "Into the living room. Leo can do it without thinking. I have to concentrate on it."
"Is that all?" asked Paige. "Just orbing into the living room?"
"Yes," said Jonas.
"Okay," said Paige. "Try to orb over there." She pointed to a large fern several feet away. "Just orb right over there."
Jonas concentrated then orbed. But instead of orbing next to the fern, he orbed several feet to one side of it. He looked dejected at Paige.
"Were you concentrating on that fern?" asked Paige.
"Yes," said Jonas. "Like I said, I have to concentrate to do it."
"Was that all you were thinking about?" asked Paige.
"I think so," said Jonas. "Well, maybe not totally."
"Okay what else were you thinking about?" asked Paige.
Jonas looked at the floor. He kicked at something imaginary on the floor.
"Great," said Paige. "Piper, Phoebe, or me?"
"You," said Jonas sheepishly. "You're such a beautiful lady."
"Listen to me," said Paige. "You're not in love with me. I know you think you are, but you're not. We only just met and you haven't had enough time to get to know me, let alone fall in love with me."
"But," Jonas began to protest.
"No," said Paige, "you're not. Get that out of you mind once and for all. Now, try to orb back to where you were. Only this time, concentrate only on orbing. Don't have anything else on your mind."
Jonas looked at Paige, then closed his eyes. He concentrated very hard, and then orbed. Almost instantly he reappeared sitting next to Paige where he had been originally.
"I don't believe it," said Jonas. "I orbed properly for a change. I've never done that before. I don't understand."
"When you orbed into the manor," said Paige, "were you thinking about me then, too?"
"Yes," said Jonas sheepishly. "I guess I was. You've been on my thoughts a lot since we first met."
"I think I know what's wrong," said Paige. "Now, let's get back to the manor. You can orb us there if that's all you concentrate on."
“Why don't you orb us back?" asked Jonas. "You're half White Lighter. Can't you orb us?"
"I can only orb in place," said Paige. "I haven't had my powers that long and I'm still learning to use them. Now, just clear your mind of everything. Concentrate only on orbing back to the manor. Try to put us in that spot next to the fireplace."
"Okay," said Jonas.
Paige took hold of his arm and he closed his eyes. He concentrated for several moments, then he and Paige orbed out.
"One day we are going to look in our microscope and find outselves staring into God's eye. And the first one to blink is going to loose his testicles." - Peter O'Toole in "Creator"
-
Angie
: Jonas is cute! I think this was the sweetest couple of chapters, Jerry, especially when I learned that Jonas had a crush on Paige! 
I was temporarily upset with Piper when she told him he couldn't stay there, but I'm glad it worked out... I hope that he can prove he's a good White Lighter after all! Great updates, Jerry!-
NoAzMale
- Self Proclaimed King of Blandness
- Posts: 927
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 12:22 am
EIGHT
"Are you sure it was a good idea to leave them alone together?" asked Phoebe.
"I think so," said Leo. "Paige was probably right. Jonas needed to talk and I don't think another White Lighter could help him very much right now. He needs someone who's going to listen to him without any preconceived ideas."
"I shouldn't have kicked him out," said Piper. "I shouldn't have lost my temper."
"No one blames you," said Cole. "Jonas just seems to know how to push peoples' buttons."
"Not deliberately," said Leo. "He's just sort of different from a normal White Lighter, that's all."
"I'm sure he'll be okay," said Phoebe, putting her hand on Leos' shoulder.
Almost immediately she had a premonition. She saw Leo standing in the living room of the manor. In front of him was a Dark Lighter holding his crossbow; the ones used to kill White Lighters. The Dark Lighter raised the crossbow and fired, striking Leo in the shoulder. Almost as quickly, the premonition ceased.
"We have a problem," said Phoebe.
She explained the premonition to the rest. Piper stood up and moved next to Leo.
"We have to get you out of here," she said. "Orb somewhere. Anywhere but here. We'll wait here for the Dark Lighter and use the vanquishing potion to take him out."
"That won't be necessary," said a voice from the doorway.
They all looked over and saw a Dark Lighter standing in the doorway. He walked in from the entryway instead of "popping" in as Dark Lighters did. He raised the crossbow in his hands and fired directly at Leo.
Piper reacted instantly. She raised her hands and froze the Dark Lighter in place. But she had been an instant too slow. The bolt from the crossbow wasn't caught in the freeze and struck Leo in the shoulder. It would have struck him in the heart, but Cole attempted to push Leo out of the path of the bolt.
Piper turned and moved to Leo. He collapsed and Cole caught him before he could hit the floor. Carefully, he laid Leo on the sofa, while Piper and Phoebe knelt on the floor over him.
"Oh, no," cried Piper, tears beginning to fill her eyes, "we have to do something."
"We need a White Lighter," said Cole. "It's the only way to heal him."
"Maybe a potion or a spell," suggested Phoebe.
"There's no time," said Cole. "He'll be dead before you can finish either. In the mean time, what do we do with him?" He indicated the still frozen Dark Lighter.
Piper looked at the Dark Lighter, and then ran from the living room into the kitchen. A few seconds later, she returned carrying a vial with a greenish colored liquid in it."
"This is what we do," said Piper, almost on the verge of crying.
She unfroze him, then splashed the liquid in the vial on him. The Dark Lighter vanished in a conflagration of flames and smoke. Within seconds, he was completely gone.
"Okay," said Cole, "one problem down. Now, what do we do about Leo? If we don't do something soon, we're going to loose him."
Suddenly, Paige and Jonas orbed into the living room. They appeared at almost the exact spot where Jonas had been standing after breaking the arm of the sofa.
"I did it," said Jonas, elated. "I actually did it. For the first time in my life, I orbed to exactly where I wanted. I've never been so happy in my life. Paige, you did it. If I practice this enough, I might even get to be almost as good as Leo."
Just then, Paige and Jonas noticed the others in the room. They also noticed Leo lying on the sofa, spasming from the poison of the Dark Lighters' arrow.
"What happened?" asked Paige.
"No time for explanations," said Cole. "You have to heal Leo or he's going to die. Let me get the bolt out, then you can heal him."
Cole raised Leo up into a sitting position, and then grasped the protruding head of the bolt. With a swift yank, he pulled the bolt completely out of Leos' body. Leo screamed from the pain and collapsed unconscious. Cole carefully laid Leo back onto the sofa.
Paige knelt over Leo as Cole moved the Dark Lighters' bolt far from her. She was still half White Lighter and the poison of the bolt could kill her just as easily as it could kill Leo. She placed her hands over the wound in Leos' shoulder and concentrated.
Nothing happened.
"It's not working," she said frantically. "I'm not healing him."
"Damn," said Piper. "Being only half White Lighter must mean your powers are diluted somehow. Or maybe you're just not experienced enough with them to heal him. Jonas, you're a White Lighter. You can heal him
"I've never been able to heal," said Jonas, apologetically. "I wish I could. I really do."
"You can," said Paige. "Remember what I said? All White Lighters have the ability to heal. Do it just as you did with the orbing. Just concentrate only on healing Leo."
"I can't," protested Jonas. "I told you, I don't have that ability."
"Yes, you do," said Paige, nearly screaming. "Just try. Concentrate only on healing Leo and nothing else. You're his only hope."
Jonas looked at Paige for a moment. The concern in her eyes for Leo moved him. He placed his hands over the wound in Leos' shoulder and concentrated as he had never concentrated before.
For several seconds nothing happened. Then, suddenly, a soft yellow glow covered Leos' shoulder. When it subsided, the wound in Leos' shoulder was completely gone. He looked up at the five people standing over him. Piper threw her arms around her husbands' neck and softly wept.
"Are you sure it was a good idea to leave them alone together?" asked Phoebe.
"I think so," said Leo. "Paige was probably right. Jonas needed to talk and I don't think another White Lighter could help him very much right now. He needs someone who's going to listen to him without any preconceived ideas."
"I shouldn't have kicked him out," said Piper. "I shouldn't have lost my temper."
"No one blames you," said Cole. "Jonas just seems to know how to push peoples' buttons."
"Not deliberately," said Leo. "He's just sort of different from a normal White Lighter, that's all."
"I'm sure he'll be okay," said Phoebe, putting her hand on Leos' shoulder.
Almost immediately she had a premonition. She saw Leo standing in the living room of the manor. In front of him was a Dark Lighter holding his crossbow; the ones used to kill White Lighters. The Dark Lighter raised the crossbow and fired, striking Leo in the shoulder. Almost as quickly, the premonition ceased.
"We have a problem," said Phoebe.
She explained the premonition to the rest. Piper stood up and moved next to Leo.
"We have to get you out of here," she said. "Orb somewhere. Anywhere but here. We'll wait here for the Dark Lighter and use the vanquishing potion to take him out."
"That won't be necessary," said a voice from the doorway.
They all looked over and saw a Dark Lighter standing in the doorway. He walked in from the entryway instead of "popping" in as Dark Lighters did. He raised the crossbow in his hands and fired directly at Leo.
Piper reacted instantly. She raised her hands and froze the Dark Lighter in place. But she had been an instant too slow. The bolt from the crossbow wasn't caught in the freeze and struck Leo in the shoulder. It would have struck him in the heart, but Cole attempted to push Leo out of the path of the bolt.
Piper turned and moved to Leo. He collapsed and Cole caught him before he could hit the floor. Carefully, he laid Leo on the sofa, while Piper and Phoebe knelt on the floor over him.
"Oh, no," cried Piper, tears beginning to fill her eyes, "we have to do something."
"We need a White Lighter," said Cole. "It's the only way to heal him."
"Maybe a potion or a spell," suggested Phoebe.
"There's no time," said Cole. "He'll be dead before you can finish either. In the mean time, what do we do with him?" He indicated the still frozen Dark Lighter.
Piper looked at the Dark Lighter, and then ran from the living room into the kitchen. A few seconds later, she returned carrying a vial with a greenish colored liquid in it."
"This is what we do," said Piper, almost on the verge of crying.
She unfroze him, then splashed the liquid in the vial on him. The Dark Lighter vanished in a conflagration of flames and smoke. Within seconds, he was completely gone.
"Okay," said Cole, "one problem down. Now, what do we do about Leo? If we don't do something soon, we're going to loose him."
Suddenly, Paige and Jonas orbed into the living room. They appeared at almost the exact spot where Jonas had been standing after breaking the arm of the sofa.
"I did it," said Jonas, elated. "I actually did it. For the first time in my life, I orbed to exactly where I wanted. I've never been so happy in my life. Paige, you did it. If I practice this enough, I might even get to be almost as good as Leo."
Just then, Paige and Jonas noticed the others in the room. They also noticed Leo lying on the sofa, spasming from the poison of the Dark Lighters' arrow.
"What happened?" asked Paige.
"No time for explanations," said Cole. "You have to heal Leo or he's going to die. Let me get the bolt out, then you can heal him."
Cole raised Leo up into a sitting position, and then grasped the protruding head of the bolt. With a swift yank, he pulled the bolt completely out of Leos' body. Leo screamed from the pain and collapsed unconscious. Cole carefully laid Leo back onto the sofa.
Paige knelt over Leo as Cole moved the Dark Lighters' bolt far from her. She was still half White Lighter and the poison of the bolt could kill her just as easily as it could kill Leo. She placed her hands over the wound in Leos' shoulder and concentrated.
Nothing happened.
"It's not working," she said frantically. "I'm not healing him."
"Damn," said Piper. "Being only half White Lighter must mean your powers are diluted somehow. Or maybe you're just not experienced enough with them to heal him. Jonas, you're a White Lighter. You can heal him
"I've never been able to heal," said Jonas, apologetically. "I wish I could. I really do."
"You can," said Paige. "Remember what I said? All White Lighters have the ability to heal. Do it just as you did with the orbing. Just concentrate only on healing Leo."
"I can't," protested Jonas. "I told you, I don't have that ability."
"Yes, you do," said Paige, nearly screaming. "Just try. Concentrate only on healing Leo and nothing else. You're his only hope."
Jonas looked at Paige for a moment. The concern in her eyes for Leo moved him. He placed his hands over the wound in Leos' shoulder and concentrated as he had never concentrated before.
For several seconds nothing happened. Then, suddenly, a soft yellow glow covered Leos' shoulder. When it subsided, the wound in Leos' shoulder was completely gone. He looked up at the five people standing over him. Piper threw her arms around her husbands' neck and softly wept.
"One day we are going to look in our microscope and find outselves staring into God's eye. And the first one to blink is going to loose his testicles." - Peter O'Toole in "Creator"
-
NoAzMale
- Self Proclaimed King of Blandness
- Posts: 927
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 12:22 am
NINE
"I still can't believe it," said Jonas sitting around the kitchen table with the others. "I actually healed someone. I've never been able to do that before. And I can orb properly."
"I always knew you had it in you, Jonas," said Leo. "By the way, thanks for saving my life. If it wasn't for you, I'd be dead right now."
"Well," said Piper, "whoever sent that Dark Lighter after you will probably think twice before trying it again."
"I still don't understand what happened," said Leo. "No offense, Jonas, but you've never been able to do anything right before. I don't understand how you were able to do all this so fast."
"Thank Paige," said Jonas. "She inspired my confidence. I never believed I could do any of that, but she did."
"It's very simple, actually," said Paige. "I think Jonas suffers from A.D.D."
"A.D.D.?" questioned Cole.
"Attention Deficiency Disorder," said Paige. "He has trouble concentrating on things. When he puts his mind to it, it's not a problem. And after two hundred years of having people tell him he was totally inept, he began to believe it."
"Attention Deficiency Syndrome," said Leo. "It's hard to imagine. I wonder why no one ever picked up on it before."
"Because," said Paige, "you're all so interested in fighting evil and vanquishing the bad guys you have a tendency to overlook some of the more mundane things."
"Not to mention," said Piper, "that we were so concerned with what he couldn't do we never stop to think about what he could do. Including me. Jonas, I'm so sorry about blowing up the way I did. We're supposed to help the innocent and all I was concerned with was a stupid plate. I'm so, so sorry."
"No need to apologize," said Jonas. "Maybe I can do something about that."
He walked over to the counter where the pieces of the plate lay. He placed his hands over the pieces and concentrated. Nothing happened. Jonas looked disappointed.
"Jonas," said Leo, "you've done quite a bit for the time being. Maybe you shouldn't push it."
"I don't understand," said Jonas. "I thought things had changed. I thought I could actually do things right now."
"You can," said Paige, putting her arm around Jonas. "It will just take some time for you to get proficient with it. Don't try to rush it. You just need to practice."
"Are you sure?" asked Jonas, looking to Paige for support.
"Of course I am," said Paige. "Trust me. Pretty soon you'll wonder how you were ever able to screw up like you used to."
"Well," said Leo, "now that we know what Jonas' problem was, what can we do about it?"
"There are a lot of witches in the world," said Phoebe. "I'm sure there must be one somewhere who's a teacher. Maybe a teacher who works with gifted or problem children. What about assigning him to her? He can help her while she helps him."
"That's a great idea," said Paige. "And she'd also have more patience with him than other witches."
"But what about my falling in love with her?" asked Jonas. "You know I have a tendency to do that."
"She'll be able to help with that, too," said Paige. "Just remember. What you probably feel is infatuation. Your new charge will probably be able to help you distinguish between the two."
"I'll orb up and tell them what's happened," said Leo. "Jonas, I think you should orb up with me. It might be a little hard to convince them of such a drastic change so quickly."
"Okay, Leo," said Jonas. "Would you mind if I orbed up by myself? I can surely use the practice and I kind of like being able to do it right for a change."
"Sure," said Leo, smiling. He turned to Piper. "I shouldn't be long."
He kissed her then orbed out.
"Thanks for everything," said Jonas to Paige. "You have no idea what you've done for me. The Dark Lighter was vanquished and I saved Leo. They have to admit that I completed this assignment. It's my first."
"My pleasure," said Paige. "Be sure to stop in for a visit some time. I want to know how you're doing."
"I will," promised Jonas. "Well, they're probably waiting for me. I'd better get going before they start thinking Leo has lost his mind."
"Jonas," said Piper, "you're welcome here any time. Only try not to orb in on top of the coffee table again. We have enough damage around here from demon attacks as it is."
"I promise," said Jonas. "I'll see you later."
Jonas then orbed out.
"Well, little sister," said Piper, "looks like you did a good thing. We were all so upset with Jonas we never considered he might have a real problem."
"We all have our strengths," said Paige. "I deal with people like Jonas every day. It didn't take me long to pick up on the fact that his mind wandered. I'm just glad we were able to help him out."
"Just as long as he doesn't throw any more pokers at me," said Leo. "Without my powers, I could really get hurt."
"Don't worry, sweetie," said Phoebe. "I don't think he'll be throwing any more pokers at you."
"Well," said Piper, "I'm kind of tired. I think I'll go up to my room and wait for Leo to get back."
"Good idea," said Piper. "Cole, why don't you and I go upstairs and see if we can occupy ourselves."
"Ooh," said Cole, "I like the sound of that."
Paige just rolled her eyes.
"I think I'll see what's on TV," she said.
The four of them left the kitchen. Cole, Phoebe, and Piper went up the stairs while Paige went into the living room.
The End
"I still can't believe it," said Jonas sitting around the kitchen table with the others. "I actually healed someone. I've never been able to do that before. And I can orb properly."
"I always knew you had it in you, Jonas," said Leo. "By the way, thanks for saving my life. If it wasn't for you, I'd be dead right now."
"Well," said Piper, "whoever sent that Dark Lighter after you will probably think twice before trying it again."
"I still don't understand what happened," said Leo. "No offense, Jonas, but you've never been able to do anything right before. I don't understand how you were able to do all this so fast."
"Thank Paige," said Jonas. "She inspired my confidence. I never believed I could do any of that, but she did."
"It's very simple, actually," said Paige. "I think Jonas suffers from A.D.D."
"A.D.D.?" questioned Cole.
"Attention Deficiency Disorder," said Paige. "He has trouble concentrating on things. When he puts his mind to it, it's not a problem. And after two hundred years of having people tell him he was totally inept, he began to believe it."
"Attention Deficiency Syndrome," said Leo. "It's hard to imagine. I wonder why no one ever picked up on it before."
"Because," said Paige, "you're all so interested in fighting evil and vanquishing the bad guys you have a tendency to overlook some of the more mundane things."
"Not to mention," said Piper, "that we were so concerned with what he couldn't do we never stop to think about what he could do. Including me. Jonas, I'm so sorry about blowing up the way I did. We're supposed to help the innocent and all I was concerned with was a stupid plate. I'm so, so sorry."
"No need to apologize," said Jonas. "Maybe I can do something about that."
He walked over to the counter where the pieces of the plate lay. He placed his hands over the pieces and concentrated. Nothing happened. Jonas looked disappointed.
"Jonas," said Leo, "you've done quite a bit for the time being. Maybe you shouldn't push it."
"I don't understand," said Jonas. "I thought things had changed. I thought I could actually do things right now."
"You can," said Paige, putting her arm around Jonas. "It will just take some time for you to get proficient with it. Don't try to rush it. You just need to practice."
"Are you sure?" asked Jonas, looking to Paige for support.
"Of course I am," said Paige. "Trust me. Pretty soon you'll wonder how you were ever able to screw up like you used to."
"Well," said Leo, "now that we know what Jonas' problem was, what can we do about it?"
"There are a lot of witches in the world," said Phoebe. "I'm sure there must be one somewhere who's a teacher. Maybe a teacher who works with gifted or problem children. What about assigning him to her? He can help her while she helps him."
"That's a great idea," said Paige. "And she'd also have more patience with him than other witches."
"But what about my falling in love with her?" asked Jonas. "You know I have a tendency to do that."
"She'll be able to help with that, too," said Paige. "Just remember. What you probably feel is infatuation. Your new charge will probably be able to help you distinguish between the two."
"I'll orb up and tell them what's happened," said Leo. "Jonas, I think you should orb up with me. It might be a little hard to convince them of such a drastic change so quickly."
"Okay, Leo," said Jonas. "Would you mind if I orbed up by myself? I can surely use the practice and I kind of like being able to do it right for a change."
"Sure," said Leo, smiling. He turned to Piper. "I shouldn't be long."
He kissed her then orbed out.
"Thanks for everything," said Jonas to Paige. "You have no idea what you've done for me. The Dark Lighter was vanquished and I saved Leo. They have to admit that I completed this assignment. It's my first."
"My pleasure," said Paige. "Be sure to stop in for a visit some time. I want to know how you're doing."
"I will," promised Jonas. "Well, they're probably waiting for me. I'd better get going before they start thinking Leo has lost his mind."
"Jonas," said Piper, "you're welcome here any time. Only try not to orb in on top of the coffee table again. We have enough damage around here from demon attacks as it is."
"I promise," said Jonas. "I'll see you later."
Jonas then orbed out.
"Well, little sister," said Piper, "looks like you did a good thing. We were all so upset with Jonas we never considered he might have a real problem."
"We all have our strengths," said Paige. "I deal with people like Jonas every day. It didn't take me long to pick up on the fact that his mind wandered. I'm just glad we were able to help him out."
"Just as long as he doesn't throw any more pokers at me," said Leo. "Without my powers, I could really get hurt."
"Don't worry, sweetie," said Phoebe. "I don't think he'll be throwing any more pokers at you."
"Well," said Piper, "I'm kind of tired. I think I'll go up to my room and wait for Leo to get back."
"Good idea," said Piper. "Cole, why don't you and I go upstairs and see if we can occupy ourselves."
"Ooh," said Cole, "I like the sound of that."
Paige just rolled her eyes.
"I think I'll see what's on TV," she said.
The four of them left the kitchen. Cole, Phoebe, and Piper went up the stairs while Paige went into the living room.
The End
"One day we are going to look in our microscope and find outselves staring into God's eye. And the first one to blink is going to loose his testicles." - Peter O'Toole in "Creator"
-
Angie
