Chapter One
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters. They all belong to their respective owners.
A/N: So it's slightly different from what btvsfreak put in the challenge but it comes down to the same thing. I really like this challenge. I'm writing this one on my own so bear with me since I'm usually not that great with multichaptered fics.
Raising the Twice-Blessed Child
by WhenNightFalls-:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------:-
-:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------:-Piper cradled Wyatt gently as she sat in the nursery. Maybe she’d have to thank whoever blinded her. Right before she vanquished them of course, but without her sight she was getting so much closer to Wyatt then she was before. She did hope to get her sight back soon though, demon hunting isn’t as easy blind and besides, she’d love to actually see her son again. A footstep, ever so quiet, alerted her of a presence.
“Who's there?” She called out with just the tiniest hint of wariness in her voice. She sighed somewhat relieved when she heard a familiar voice. The voice didn’t belong to the speaker however. The old but powerful Crone smiled and replied in Paige’s voice she had gotten through her monkey totem.
“Leo found the monkey totem, and I got my voice back.”
“Oh my god, where is he?” Piper got up immediately, thankful her husband was back.
“In the kitchen with Phoebe.” The Crone replied still in Paige’s voice. “They're working on the potion to vanquish the Kazi King.” That would get them of her tail for a little while. “Don't worry; I'll take care of Wyatt.” An evil smile formed on the Crone’s face as she saw Piper nod in approval and felt her way to Wyatt’s bassinet.
“Okay.” She placed her the baby boy in the bassinet and turned toward the doorway. “Okay. Be right back.” Whether it was directed at Wyatt or the Crone impersonating as her sister wasn’t clear. “Whoa. What's that smell?” She asked and sniffed the air again before pulling up her nose. “It's like charcoal.”
“Burnt Kazi flesh.” The Crone replied hastily. “We just vanquished his warrior.” She added content with her explanation. Piper nodded in understanding and muttered an agreement before leaving the room. As soon as she was around the corner in the hallway Wyatt put up his force field.
“There, there, now, Wyatt.” The crone cooed with Paige’s voice as she slithered closer to the bassinet. “Don't be afraid. I just want to hold you.” Standing by his bassinet she softly began to sing. “Hush little baby, don't say a word, mama's gonna buy you a mocking bird.” A more affectionate smile crossed her features but it faded quickly upon realizing.
She kept singing to him quietly, hoping he would lower his shield soon. She didn’t need her totem to hear Phoebe yell downstairs that they were brewing a vanquishing potion made for her especially. It wouldn’t be too long before they would come barging in here. She smiled as Wyatt’s force field began to waver and disappear almost completely.
“Hands off, hag.” She turned in her place and faced Piper but that couldn’t be right. Piper was staring right at her as if she wasn’t blind. Then when she heard the stomping on the stairs the Crone gave a sardonic smirk and reached for the child as is shield was gone entirely. Her fingers had barely touched the bassinet when she found herself thrown to the side. She looked up from her position against the wall just in time to see the brunette picking up Wyatt and vanishing in a flash of golden light.
“No!” The Crone screamed out in anger. Her attention was brought to the nursery doorway where the three sisters now stood. She didn’t have the time to react as Phoebe threw the vanquishing potion, engulfing her in a whirlwind of flames. The old Crone cried in pain at the top of her lungs, her last thoughts going to the imposter.
“Can I just say…?” Paige spoke up with a smile “Anything really.” She grinned widely and was about to say something more when she noticed Piper’s slightly panicked look at the bassinet. She followed her gaze and held her breath as Phoebe clasped her hand to her mouth.
“Oh god.” Phoebe breathed.
“Please tell me there’s a baby in that basinet.” Piper’s voice hitched as she stalked closer to the basinet. “That my baby is sound asleep but that I can’t see him.” Piper’s breathing quickened and she felt her throat close up as she touched the inside, feeling nothing. “Some,” She yanked the blanket away, “some kind of backfiring.” She pulled away the tiny mattress to feel something “A side effect for vanquishing the Crone.” Piper knocked over the bassinet and started looking through the nursery for any hint where Wyatt could be.
“Sweetie…” Phoebe took a deep breath, willing her tears to remain unshed as she carefully walked up to her big sister and gingerly touched her shoulder. Piper jumped from the gentle touch and shook her head violently.
“No, he, he has to be here.” Piper ran her hand through her hair and looked around the nursery. “Maybe, maybe she somehow teleported him to the underworld.” She said, more to herself than to her sisters. “Maybe he can orb.” A twinge of hope lighted Piper’s eyes. “Maybe he orbed himself out of danger.” She chuckled breathlessly and left the room calling Wyatt’s name.
“Somebody took him, didn’t they?” Paige questioned in a small voice. Somebody took her little nephew, a baby who hadn’t had a chance to piss anyone off just yet. Even if he was what the Crone said, a great power. He wasn’t a great power yet, he was just a little baby. A baby with the protection of a universal law, for God’s sake.
-:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------:-Her feet had barely touched the hard concrete upon appearing when she started speed walking her way through the streets of Sunnydale. She had a very clear mission and she wasn’t going to give up because of her fears of what roamed the streets at night. Especially now, with the coming of the First. She kept glancing around her to see if anyone, or anything, had followed her or was watching her. The child in her arms was whimpering but didn’t utter a cry. The disguise worked better than she had thought.
“It’s okay, sweetie.” She whispered to Wyatt. “Mommy will take you somewhere safe.” Everything the boy could see, feel or hear was that of his mother’s. She had worked for months on the perfect spell to succeed in taking the boy, ever since she had heard about the oldest living Halliwell being with child. The chances of her getting out of Sunnydale were slim to nil but as long as the future of her King would be safe she knew she succeeded.
“I’m taking you to the Slayer.” She said quietly slipping into an alley. The lightened streets were a little too crowded for a witch and the future magical leader. “The Slayer will protect you.” She whispered ducking behind a dumpster when two men exited a backdoor. She waited patiently ‘til she couldn’t hear their footsteps anymore and continued her way to the address she had been given at the beginning of her mission.
She exhaled a heavy sigh of relief when she entered Revello Drive. Hearing a rustle in the bushes not too far from her she continued her way a little faster. Running wasn’t an option with Wyatt in her arms. The shocking movements could cause the baby to cry and that would get too much attention. The rustling stopped and were replaced with footsteps not too far behind her. Making sure she had Wyatt positioned so they couldn’t spot him from behind her she ducked behind some bushes and stayed low as she laid the little boy on the ground. She had to make a run for the rest of the way, she couldn’t risk anyone getting their hands on the child.
“Wyatt, danger.” She whispered and the shield came up immediately. “The Slayer will protect you, she will keep you safe.” She added softly, hoping for dear life he could understand her. “Shhh, it’s okay.” She cooed when Wyatt began to whimper, blinking his blue eyes furiously. “The Slayer will come for you.” She stuck her head just a little out of her hiding and saw her destination. Whoever was following her had some friends along and they were coming closer. The house she was looking for was just across the street, if she was fast enough she could alert the Slayer before her assailants could get to her.
She cast one final look at her future leader and took off in a sprint to the house across the street. The only house in the street were the lights were still on. The footsteps that had been following her sped up to a run, just as she expected. She had just reached the house and managed to bang the door once when she was pulled back by her assailants. She landed in the middle of the front lawn, finding herself surrounded by three vampires.
Inside of the house the occupants had been discussing, rather loudly, about their plan now that they had driven Buffy out of the house. At least they were until one of them heard the single bang on the door. Faith stood up and walked toward the hallway but it was hard to hear anything else over the shouts of the others.
“Shut up, will ya?” She yelled into the living room, content that everyone quieted down. She listened for a second longer before a look of realization crossed her features and she swung the door open leaping of the porch onto the first vampire. The two others had been so startled that they didn’t see the arrow from the crossbow Dawn had fired hit one of them straight in the heart.
The woman they had been drinking from slumped to the ground. The vampire with the mullet snarled angrily and launched an attack on Faith, who had thrown the vampire she leapt on against the large tree, but was stopped by Robin grabbing him by the back of his collar and shoved him against the stake Kennedy held ready. The remaining vampire growled but seeing he was far outnumbered decided to make a run for it. He didn’t go far as Dawn fired another arrow, hitting him in the heart from behind.
While Faith checked around for any other vampires or other demons Willow had knelt by the woman’s side to check her pulse. She did find one but it was very weak. There was no way they could save her in time. She was fading fast. Looking at the barely conscious brunette Willow couldn’t help but wonder what she was doing here at night. Everyone who was smart enough had left Sunnydale hours, days ago.
“Slayer.” The woman croaked out. Willow tried to get the woman to stop talking but she shook her head as much as she could. “I need-”
“Faith.” Willow called out hurriedly. She didn’t understand the need for the woman to see the Slayer, or even how she knew about the Slayer but it was probably the last thing she would ever ask or see. This just had to happen just when the more human friendly Slayer had left.
“The Slayer.” The woman croaked out once more. Faith threw Willow a wary glance but gave a nod and knelt down on the other side of the brunette. “Wyatt.” Faith frowned and glanced over to Willow who seemed just as confused as she was. “Wyatt.” She repeated pleading with her eyes.
“Who’s Wyatt?” Willow asked softly. Was this about someone in trouble? Maybe this Wyatt could help with the First? Was Wyatt a pawn of the First? Was Wyatt even a person? Maybe it was a building or the author of a book. Maybe he was a powerful warlock or a dangerous demon and this woman was sent to warn them.
“Twice-Blessed Ch-” A strangled cough escaped her lips. She looked straight at Faith and grabbed the Slayer’s hand tightly, putting as much pressure in her grip as she could muster. “Protect Wyatt.” Faith couldn’t look away for some reason and just nodded slowly.
“Where is he?” She then asked the dying woman quietly but the woman closed her eyes as her head fell to her side. “Hey, wake up, where’s Wyatt?” Faith gently shook the body to get some reaction. How was she supposed to protect this guy if she didn’t know where to find him. For all she knew he could be dead right now.
“She’s gone, Faith.” Willow spoke softly then frowned and pulled Faith away from the body as it began to glow and alter form. Where lay a shorter brunette a few moments ago was now a taller, much skinnier, woman with short dirty blonde hair.
“A shape shifter?” Dawn spoke up, confusion clear in her voice. “Aren’t those usually evil?” She directed her question to both Giles and Willow. Robin had taken the potentials back inside along with Anya who had commented something along the lines of ‘watching the dying woman being boring’.
“Then why look for the Slayer for help?” Xander scratched his head puzzled at Faith’s reaction to the dying woman’s cry for help. Given, he didn’t really trust the darker Slayer but he couldn’t deny that Faith seemed to be set on wanting to protect this Wyatt guy.
“Maybe a disguised witch, to get the demons off her trail.” Willow suggested with a shrug. It wasn’t uncommon for other witches to know about the Slayer but to come looking for one was pretty rare. Especially in Sunnydale. Willow hadn’t kept her eye off of Faith since she had let go of the woman. It was clear enough that she didn’t really know how to deal with being the “leader” Slayer.
“Look, whatever, just-” Faith stopped midsentence and turned her attention toward the street. “Did you guys hear that?” She asked walking away from them. The closer she got to the street the more she seemed to be sure there was something out there. As she crossed the street she saw something blue flickering in the bushes across from the Summers residence.
“Faith, where are you going?” She heard Willow call out to her but ignored the redheaded witch. The closer she got, the more careful she started walking. When she came to stand right in front of the blue glowing globe-like shield she crouched down and gently probed the force field only to have her zapped a few feet back. In matter of seconds the rest were by her side and stared baffled at the baby inside of the blue glowing globe.
“I think I found Wyatt.” Faith snorted as she stood back up.
