Just In Case Files #002 - The Lost and The Found

Summary: Justin Russo, private eye. Alex Russo, reformed criminal and plucky sidekick. A mystery woman walks in to the Skylight, asking for their help… but the case ends up hitting too close to home.

Rating: T for adult language and situation.

Disclaimer: See, if I owned the Russos, I'd bring this Just In Case series to USA Network (characters welcome) and make a kick-ass sci-fi series out of it! But I don't own them. So I shall dream… and continue to own Barry.

A/N: Thank you to all my loyal readers that have probably waited a long time for the next installment! And for those that are reading this series for the first time, I actually suggest you read the first story (Just In Case Files: Fangs for the Memories). This is so you at least know and are not confused as to what has happened to the Russo kids in this alternate future storyline. Oh and keep in mind that this series doesn't exactly coincide with the latest WOWP season. Past two seasons, definitely… but not this current one and possibly beyond. Because in my alternate storyline, Juliet leaving Justin wasn't like the latest episode "Wizards Versus Werewolves." I did, however, smile at Justin's line to Alex at the end… because, I'm going to be shameless here and promote my other WOWP fanfic "Regular Guy." But I digress… This was the story that I was thinking heavily about as I was finishing up the first "Just In Case Files." My other half thinks the plot for this story was really good and has the potential to be one of my best… So, yeah, usual rules apply: Read and Please Review and most importantly; ENJOY!

~~*~~

Prologue

A few years back, my dad died.

Justin found him. Or what was left of him, I suppose.

Back then, I couldn't mourn for my dad.

Not that I was heartless. Not that I was any less of a daddy's girl.

I just… Damn it, I was a punk back then! A selfish brat. I was pissed that my brother was the family wizard, and stupid because I needed money and thought the only thing I could do to get it was sell "drugs" (technically magic enhancers…) called Ex-Potentials (street name of Ex-P's).

Huh. Who would have thought I'd be so good with chemistry? Essentially it's like making drinks, you know? One part here, two parts there… mix this with that… don't mix that with this… Simple.

Who would have thought the same girl that had long ago mixed up a love potion with regular cola could have been capable of mass producing a drug that served as an amphetamine that causes a specific synapsis within a wizard's DNA. Plainly put; it adds an extra charge into an otherwise dormant gene. Wizards by birth that aren't full wizards yet are given a temporary boast of full wizard energy.

See? I am capable of being smart… I was just lazy.

So when I got busted and imprisoned, I thought "Well, that's fuckin' great… Oh, look! Here comes Justin to save my ass. Again."

And okay, not that I wasn't grateful or anything. Probation to be served under the watchful eye of my older brother… or serving a twenty year sentence for possession, distribution, and manslaughter (yeah… a kid O.D. on the Ex-P… I almost fuckin' slit my wrist out of guilt because of it). Yeah, no contest. Because I don't do fugly yellow jumpsuits. Oh, and prison food? I'd slit my throat before digesting that slop.

And this diamond choker? Usually I'm down with pretty and somewhat kinky jewelry. I mean, c'mon, look at me. I don't do Goth, but I rock the black ensemble like a second skin. Black tight tees, black skinny jeans (fishnet leggings on hot summer days), black coat, black boots. I used to wear a lot of black eyeliner, but okay I will admit that Justin had a point. I did look like crap wearing all that crap. But this choker? I guess I'm less than enthused about this thing because it's merely a magical collar attached to an invisible leash held onto by Justin's brain.

Basically I can't take a shit without Justin (who could be halfway across town!) knowing.

My life now is nothing like how I had imagined when I was sixteen, hanging out with Harper, making Justin's life miserable-slash-entertaining, and learning how to be a wizard.

Now, I'm twenty-seven… ish.

I'm not "hanging out" with Harper… mostly my fault, I guess. After the wizard competition, I didn't want to be reminded of my failure. And it doesn't help when -- at the time -- your best friend was crushing on said reminder of it…

But hey!, looks like it was all for nothing because now I'm working and still living with said reminder.

Because regardless of how different my life had turned out, what remains is Justin. Still looking out for me. Still protecting his siblings. Still trying to do right (whatever that definition may be). Justin.

My big brother.

Justin Russo.

The man that could never break my heart…

Even now, standing in front of me with his gun trained at my chest. His eyes staring with sorrow and determination.

"I love you, Al… Please forgive me."

My eyes looked away. Angry and yet…

"Just kill her already." the voice said with a mixture of feign boredom to mask the delight.

Sadistic bastard. I hope Justin kills him after he kills me.

I watched Justin close his eyes, his finger on the trigger as he pleaded, "Forgive me…"

I heard myself utter "Always."

Because even now, as the gunshot rang and my blood had been spilled, I couldn't hate him or love him less…