CHARMED
"9-11"
By J. B. Tilton
Email: K
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.
(Authors' note: This story takes place between season 3 episodes "All Hell Breaks Loose" and season 4 episode "Charmed Again".)
While Piper and Phoebe try to deal with the loss of Prue, Leo suddenly gets a summons from the Elders. A summons which he says is so urgent it has rarely been issued in the past.
ONE
Leo came into the kitchen of the manor. As he did Phoebe handed him a cup of coffee.
"I figured you'd need this," she said.
"Thanks," said Leo, taking the cup. "I can use it this morning."
"Is Piper up yet?" asked Cole, sitting at the table.
"She hasn't been to bed yet," said Leo. "She's been in the attic most of the night."
"She's been in there a lot lately," said Cole. "Ever since. . ."
"I know," said Leo. "Most of the time she keeps the door locked. I wish I knew what she was doing in there."
"Just orb in and ask her," said Phoebe. "A locked door can't stop you."
"I did that once," said Leo. "She went ballistic on me. Told me to get out and stop spying on her."
"That doesn't sound like Piper," said Cole.
"She's taking Prue's death really hard," said Phoebe. "She and Prue were always so close. It's been a real shock to her. I'm not sure she's learned how to deal with it yet."
"You think she blames me for Prue's death?": Leo asked. "I did heal her over Prue."
"Oh, no, I'm sure she doesn't blame you," said Phoebe. "We all understand there wasn't enough time to heal them both. You did what any husband would have done. I'm sure she understands that."
"I'm the one she should be blaming," said Cole. "I'm the one who did make the deal with the Source after all."
"I made a deal with him, too," said Phoebe. "I don't think Piper blames anyone. That's the problem. There's no one to blame. She has all this rage and anger and nowhere to direct it."
"Do you think that's what she's doing in the attic?" Leo asked. "Trying to find some way to direct her anger?"
"What was she doing when you orbed in the one time?" Phoebe asked.
"I think she was looking through the Book of Shadows," said Leo. "She was standing at the podium where you keep it and I think she was looking through it. I really can't be sure. As soon as I orbed in she started laying into me."
"You don't think," said Cole, his voice trailing off.
"What?" Phoebe asked.
"You don't think she's looking for a way to bring Prue back, do you?" Cole asked.
"She wouldn't do that," said Leo. "Would she?"
"I don't know," said Phoebe. "Is there a spell in the book that could do that?"
"Not that I'm aware of," said Leo. "Bringing back the dead really isn't a good idea. You know that magic can be unpredictable. That type of magic can be even worse. There's no way to tell what might happen if you did something like that."
"Maybe I should talk to her," said Phoebe.
"That might be a good idea," said Leo. "She needs to talk to someone. I don't like how she's been acting. If something doesn't happen soon I'm afraid. . ."
Suddenly Leo grabbed his head and steadied himself on the edge of the table. It was almost like he was in pain.
"Are you okay?" Cole asked, standing up and helping to steady Leo.
"Yeah, I'm fine," said Leo. "I have to go. I just got a summons from the Elders."
"Like that?" Phoebe asked. "You looked like you were in pain."
"I have to go," said Leo. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Now?" Cole asked. "Piper needs you right now."
"Look," said Leo, "the summons I just received is kind of like a priority call. I've only known them to use it twice since I became a White Lighter. It takes precedence over anything else the White Lighters are doing at the moment."
"All of them?" Phoebe asked.
"Yes," said Leo. "Whatever it is it's extremely important. I'll try to come back as soon as I can."
Phoebe and Cole watched as Leo just orbed out of the manor.