A/N. Thank you for the reviews. I know some you of you wanted to see Leo's reaction to Piper's news, but this chapter takes place much later. Leo's reaction was a good one and Piper is four months pregnant because she was already two months pregnant in the last chapter. Also, just to let you know there will be probably three or four chapters left after this, and I might not be updating for a while because I'm moving house tomorrow.

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Chapter 9 – Two months later

Not a muscle moved in Piper's body as the petite brunette stood in the centre of the attic. It was as if her own freezing power had been used against her. But if anyone looked close enough, they would have seen her breathing deeply and noticed her chocolate coloured eyes roving in their sockets, searching for the enemy.

The door burst open with a shuddering clang and the thing Piper was waiting for floated into the attic. Towering above the witch, the Source's face was, as usual, shrouded in the ominous black hood.

Piper braced herself and threw up her hands with her eyes closed in concentration. She opened her eyes tentatively to find the Source moving as if in slow motion. Excellent, Piper's powers were growing stronger; last time she had attempted this the freeze had no affect. Or maybe it was the baby enhancing her powers…

Before Piper had a chance to ponder this, the Source had sprung into motion, shooting an energy ball at the Charmed One. The lethal ball of electricity hit Piper square in the chest, but instead of falling to the floor Piper merely stumbled a few steps back.

Piper grinned at the demon mockingly. "Wanna try that again?"

For a moment the Source hesitated, as if he were afraid of harming the witch or her baby.

"Come on, I'll dodge it," Piper taunted.

Almost reluctantly the Source let loose another crackling blue energy ball.

When it was only inches from Piper's stomach, she began to glow a heavenly blue before orbs swirled around her and transported her away. Seconds later she reappeared looking confused and slightly queasy.

"Piper?" The Source took a step forward. As he did he seemed to shrink slightly; his cloak receded to be replaced by a shirt and jeans. A concerned Leo was left in his place. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Leo, the baby orbed me!"

"I saw. Lucky thing she did. That energy ball could have seriously hurt you."

"Oh come on, it was low voltage," Piper scoffed.

"Maybe I should stop glamouring into the Source for you. The baby might get hurt."

"No, Leo. Phoebe's training with Jake and even Andy is showing Prue some self defence," Piper protested, dropping into a seat. "We all have to be prepared."

"But the baby…"

"Can take care of herself. And besides, you had to heal Phoebe this morning."

"Phoebe is not four months pregnant!" Leo almost shouted. "You're vulnerable and you don't know what to expect with this baby. She could screw up your powers."

"All the more reason to practice daily and keep them under control. Now stop worrying. That's my job."

Leo smiled slightly and pulled Piper gently towards him.

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Phoebe bent double, panting, an aching pain burning a hole in her side. Sweat trickled down her forehead and she raised a shaky arm to swipe it away.

"Back up."

Phoebe lifted her head slightly, but stayed bent over, massaging the stitch just above her right hip. "I can't… I'm exhausted."

Jake, who was also breathing heavily and sweating, gave her a stern look. "You'll face much worse with the Source. Now get back up."

Phoebe was about to argue more when a spiral of flesh scalding flames sped towards her. She dodged out of the way, but not before the flames licked at her skin. She gasped out in pain and stumbled to the cold basement floor.

"Get up," Jake ordered.

"Jake, you burned me. I need healing!" Phoebe said incredulously. She couldn't believe her boyfriend was being so harsh. Tentatively, she placed her fingers over the wound. Immediately excruciating pain shot through her arm. She jerked her blooded fingers away.

"You think the Source will give you a chance to call for Leo? He'll take advantage of every weakness."

"You're not the Source, Jake. You're my boyfriend! Why are you acting like this?"

"I'm trying to prepare you for fighting the Source. I don't want to lose you." Jake hauled Phoebe to her feet and wrapped her in a hug, careful not to touch her burn. "I'm sorry for hurting you."

"I know. And I know you're only trying to protect me, but sometimes you go a little bit far."

"I'm sorry."

"If you let me call Leo I'll for give you," Phoebe said with a smile that showed the forgiving had already been done.

"Sure."

"Leo!"

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Prue strode through the bustling San Francisco street on her way to Golden Gate Park. Usually she would have driven the distance from her home to the famous tourist attraction, especially with her heavy photographing equipment, but it was such a beautiful sunny day she had decided to walk.

Now, as the shoulder strap of her bag bit into her bare flesh, she was seriously regretting her choice. Her mobile began to vibrate and she dug around in her pocket, wincing as the rough strap scraped against her skin.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?" demanded a male voice on the other end of the line.

"I'm on my way Dylan."

"On your way!" Dylan, the journalist accompanying Prue on her assignment, shrieked. "You're already ten minutes late!"

"What?" Prue looked down at her watch. Dylan was right; the time read ten past two. "I'm sorry. I lost track of-"

"Usually I wouldn't mind," Dylan interrupted. "But you know how John Novelli is."

"I can imagine," Prue muttered. She had read articles on the famous French chef, and his ego. "Listen, I'm half an hour away, but if I run I can make it in twenty."

"You'd better run like the wind, otherwise we'll lose the gig," Dylan advised before ending the call.

Prue slipped her phone back into, hoisting her bag securely onto her shoulder and set off at a sprint, wishing she had the power to orb.

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The dancing orange flame cast flickering shadows over the Source, adding to his powerful and evil aura. Lurking in the deeper shadows stood a beautiful, voluptuous demoness. She stepped from the darkness and dropped into a crouch.

"My Liege."

"Rise Carla."

Carla did as instructed, but kept her sea green eyes downcast.

"Have you got the spell?" the demonic leader demanded.

"Yes Lord." Carla took another step forward and placed a scrap of paper in the Source's outstretched clawed hand.

The Source began to read the spell silently, but stopped when Carla did not leave. "You are dismissed."

"Sire I beg you not to carry on with your attacks on the Charmed Ones!" Carla cried suddenly.

"Why? Have you seen my future?" the Source asked indifferently.

"No-no. I am not a Seer."

"Then why?"

"I…I…"

"Do you doubt my plan to switch the Charmed Ones' powers to weaken them? Or perhaps you doubt my power?"

"No, neither my Lord. It's just that… that you have never succeeded in your attempts before."

"Are you the only one who feels this way?" the demonic leader asked, his voice dangerously cold and calm.

"I… I do not think so," Carla stammered.

"I cannot have demons doubting me." The Source swept his arm forward and Carla erupted into flames with an agonising scream.

Undisturbed, the Source started the spell that would switch the sisters' powers so he could begin the next stage of his plan to destroy the Charmed Ones.

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Phoebe dropped into a split second crouch, narrowly missing Jake's foot as it spun towards her. She sprung back up and jabbed her outstretched hand towards her boyfriend. The base of her palm hit his chest, causing him to stumble backwards. Taking advantage, Phoebe spun around with her leg sticking out, catching Jake's ankles so he toppled over with a thud.

"Excellent," Jake praised, as Phoebe helped him to his feet. "Let's start again. Re-Phoebe?"

The youngest Charmed One was no longer looking at Jake. She was staring into space, a vacant expression on her face. Suddenly she lurched forward with a gasp. She looked wildly around her for a moment, as if only just realising where she was. She glanced down at her body and gave another, louder gasp, her eyes filling with panic.

"Jake, what am I doing here?"

Phoebe's voice was different, deeper and more mature. Jake couldn't put a finger on where he'd heard it before.

"What are you talking about? You've been here the whole -" Realisation dawned on Jake like a light being switched on. This wasn't Phoebe it was… "Prue?"

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Prue gave an extra burst of speed. Dylan and John Novelli were in sight.

"Dylan!"

The young, good looking journalist spun around at the sound of Prue's voice and a look of relief washed over him. He whispered something to the slightly taller man beside him, who also turned.

Prue's thumping heart sank as she neared the two. John Novelli was gorgeous; jet-black hair, which fell casually over his eyes and bronzed skin taut over chiselled cheekbones. However, the look of disgust and boredom on his face was less than attractive.

"I'm so sorry," Prue panted, skidding to a halt.

"No harm-"

"Eez zis 'ow you treat all your celebrities?" John interrupted, rounding on Prue.

"No, Mr Novelli," Prue gasped, clutching her side.

"I 'ave bin waiting 'ere for half an hour. Maybe I am no longer in ze mood for photographs."

"I believe that would be a wasted opportunity, sir," Prue said, finally breathing regularly again.

"And why eez zat?"

Prue did not answer. She was gazing over Dylan's right shoulder, her eyes blank.

"Prue?" Dylan prompted, slightly desperately.

Prue gave a shudder and took a deep intake of breath. Her eyes flicked between Dylan and John, before she crumpled to the ground.

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"What did you do?"

Jake stepped backwards as the body of his girlfriend moved forwards. "I-I didn't do anything!"

"You must've done," Phoebe/Prue snapped. "My … well, soul I guess, couldn't've just transported into Phoebe's body by itself!"

Jake took another involuntary step backwards; Phoebe/Prue's voice had risen dramatically in pitch, holding a note of hysteria. It was quite disconcerting to see someone who looked like Phoebe talk and act so differently.

"Hang on a minute, if you're in Phoebe's body, where's Phoebe?" Jake asked.

"In my body, I suppose. Oh God I hope she doesn't do anything stupid…" Phoebe/Prue trailed off as she contemplated the horrible things that could happen with Phoebe in her body.

Jake gave her a few seconds imagining, then cleared his throat loudly. "We need to sort this out."

Phoebe/Prue's eyes zoomed to Jake's face. "Yes! Right. Book of Shadows, now." Phoebe/Prue turned on her heel and marched up the basement stairs, Jake following in her wake.

"What does it feel like?" Jake wondered as they crossed the dining room. "Being in someone else's body, I mean?"

"Bizarre," Prue replied. "I feel like I'm a square peg stuck in a round hole."

"I can imagine," Jake murmured. He had never known two sisters as different as Prue and Phoebe.

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"Oh my - Prue!" Dylan leapt forward and caught Prue/Phoebe around the middle before she hit the hard, grassy ground. He lowered her gently down and checked her pulse. "She's got a pulse."

"Zis eez outrageous!" John ranted. "Do you not know-"

"Right now, I couldn't care less who you are. Just ring an ambulance!"

John looked stunned for a moment, then dug into the pocket of his loose fitting Levi jeans, muttering some obscenities in French.

Dylan lowered his ear to Prue/Phoebe's mouth and was relieved to hear steady breathing. Knowing there was nothing he could do until the ambulance got there, he reached into Prue/Phoebe's pocket and pulled out her phone, searching for 'home'.

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Piper's eyes had just fluttered closed and her breathing had become slow and deep as she lay her hand on Leo's lap. The door of the attic burst open and she jerked her head up to see who she thought was Phoebe and Jake stride across the attic.

"Where's the fire?" Piper asked as she swung her legs over the sofa and sat up straight.

Both Jake and Phoebe/Prue jumped and spun towards the whitelighter and witch.

"Piper, is that you?" Phoebe/Prue asked, peering at her sister.

"Who else would it be?"

"At least one of you is okay," Jake muttered.

"What d'you mean?" Piper demanded, getting to her feet. "What does he mean, Phoebe?"

"I'm not Phoebe," Phoebe/Prue told her.

"What? You certainly look like her."

"That's because it's her body," Phoebe/Prue replied impatiently. They were wasting time.

"What she means is, Prue and Phoebe have somehow switched bodies. We think," Jake explained.

"What do you mean, 'we think'?" Leo asked, joining his wife as Phoebe/Prue headed for the book.

"We know Prue's in Phoebe's body and assume Phoebe is in Prue."

"Whoa," Piper murmured, sinking back into the sofa. "How-how did this happen?"

"That's what we want to know," Phoebe/Prue replied, already thumbing through the Book of Shadows.

"I'll check with the Elders," Leo offered, orbing out immediately.

The phone began to ring and Piper reached across to pick up the handset, which someone had left there. "Hello?" she listened for a few seconds then asked anxiously, "is she okay?" After a few moments she thanked the person on the other end and hung up.

"Who was it?" Jake asked.

"Someone called Dylan. He said Prue's collapsed."

Two pairs of eyes turned to Phoebe/Prue, whose face was flushing with anger. "I did what?"

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A/N. Just to clarify, Phoebe/Prue is Prue in Phoebe's body and Prue/Phoebe is Phoebe in Prue's body. Please review!