CHARMED
"UNCHARMED"
by J. B. Tilton
email: aramath@isot.com
Rating: PG-13 (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 after the ending of "Witch
Way Now" but before the beginning of the new season

* * *

It's been several weeks since the Angel of Destiny visited the
Charmed Ones. One morning they wake up to find their Charmed Powers
gone. And the world a totally different place from what they have
been used to.

* * *

PART 1: THE PREMONITION

Phoebe gets a premonition that leads the Charmed Ones to a woman
in a coma who is apparently in no danger whatsoever. With no clue
about what Phoebe's premonition meant, they return home and soon find
their lives irrevocably changed.

* * *

ONE

Piper opened her eyes and looked around. She was in her
bedroom. Suddenly, the last few weeks came flooding back to her. It
had been three weeks since the Angel of Destiny had offered to make
the Charmed Ones normal mortals. An offer they had finally decided to
decline.

She smiled to herself. In that time, things had been very
quiet. Not even a single demon had surfaced to cause them any
trouble. She was finally accepting the fact that she was pregnant:
something she and Leo had wanted for so long. He had been elated
when he found out. He had immediately orbed out to tell all the other
White Lighters the good news.

Phoebe's career was growing by leaps and bounds. Her boss had
been more than pleased with her work. Cole hadn't made an appearance
since saving Phoebe from the witch hunter. They all figured he was
laying low waiting for Phoebe to adjust to his return.

Paige had finally been able to get to work on time on a regular
basis. Something her boss was ecstatic about. She had also been able
to concentrate more on her work than on helping, and protecting, her
sisters. She actually seemed more relaxed than in the past.

"Leo," she called out softly.

Leo stuck his head out of their closet.

"Hey," he said, smiling. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm pregnant, Leo," said Piper, smiling back, "not fatally ill.
Why do you always ask me how I'm feeling when we wake up?"

"Well," said Leo, "Phoebe suffered sickness through most of the
day when she was pregnant. Just want to make sure you're feeling
okay."

"Phoebe was carrying Damien Junior," said Piper. "Ours is going
to be a normal baby."

"Normal?" questioned Leo. "Half White Lighter and half witch is
not exactly what I would call normal."

"You know what I mean," said Piper. "At least I won't be
throwing fire or trying to take over the underworld."

"Thank God for that," said Leo. "You wouldn't look very good
with flames shooting out of your head."

"Ha, ha, very funny," said Piper. "What are you doing in
there?"

"Just looking for something to wear," said Leo.

"Do you smell something?" asked Piper.

"Yeah," said Leo. "Smells like someone is cooking breakfast."

"Someone?" questioned Piper. "Who besides me cooks in this
house?"

"Well, Phoebe is getting better," said Leo. "What say you and I
go find out?"

"Great idea," said Piper. "Just let me throw some clothes on."

As they entered the kitchen, Piper could hardly believe her
eyes. The entire table was set with one of the largest breakfasts she
had ever seen. Phoebe and Paige were busy putting the finishing
touches on the table.

"Hey, look who's up," said Paige.

"What's all this?" asked Piper.

"Paige and I thought we'd surprise you," said Phoebe. "We're
going to be aunts. We just thought we'd give you and Leo the morning
off for a change. Now, I know we aren't the chefs that you are. But
it should be edible anyway."

"This is wonderful," said Piper, kissing Phoebe and Paige on the
cheeks. "Thanks, you guys. This all looks so great."

"Unfortunately," said Phoebe, "I'm not going to be able to stay.
I have to go in early to catch up on some work."

"Really?" asked Piper. "Can't you stay for just a bit? You
went through all this trouble, it would be a shame if you didn't get a
chance to enjoy it."

"Afraid not," said Phoebe. "Besides, with all the nibbling I've
been doing this morning I don't think I'm really all that hungry
anyway."

"One of the pitfalls of cooking," said Piper. "Now you know why most professional chefs are rather rotund."

"Well," said Phoebe, kissing Piper on the cheek, "enjoy it.
I'll be home on time tonight."

"Have a good day," said Paige.

"Wasn't that your cameo she was wearing?" asked Piper when
phoebe had left.

"Yeah," said Paige. "She keeps borrowing it. She says it goes
with so many outfits. I can see why Prue used to get upset with her."

"Well," said Piper, "she usually didn't ask Prue before she
borrowed something. That's usually what caused the tension. Anyway,
it looks good on her."

"I know," said Paige. "There's this little second hand store
near where I work. I'm going to go in there on my lunch hour and see
if they have something there that might look as good."

"That's not a bad idea," said Leo. "Phoebe will love it."

"I hope so," said Paige. "You guys have done so much for me,
I'd like to pay you back some."

"Nonsense," said Piper. "You've done more than your share
around here. And I don't mean with just the demon fighting. Your
income alone has helped to alleviate a lot of the financial worries
around here. We all do our share. You're one of the family."

"I know," said Paige. "I just feel like I don't do enough of
the more mundane things around here."

"Don't worry about it," said Leo. "Like Piper said, we all do
our share around here. Now, this all smells so good I hardly know
where to start."

"Let's dig in," said Piper. "After all, I am eating for two
now. And Leo is right. This all smells so great. I'm glad I don't
get sick like Phoebe did."