Charmed Rewrite: Season 4

by I'm-Not-Your-Average-Monster

This is my version of season 4 with all four sisters included. It will be all of the episodes including a few of my own if needed. Ships will be the same as they were in Season 4 of Charmed with the added exception of Andy/Prue! Please read and review!

14. Chapter 14

Lost And Bound

'Hey guys! XD Here's another update for you all and I would just like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all my reviewers as I have officially surpassed the 100 reviews mark for this story! YAY! 103!
Please enjoy this chapter and keeps those reviews coming. I can't tell you how much they mean to me or how much you all ROCK! XD

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Halliwell Manor

"Hey." Cole greeted as he entered their bedroom to find Phoebe sitting, cross-legged on the bed, folding laundry, "Guess what?" he urged excitedly.

Phoebe looked up at him, "You've come to help me fold the laundry."

"Uh...no." he corrected reaching into his pocket.

"What good is being a witch if I can't just twitch my nose and make the laundry fold itself?" she asked with a dejected sigh, staring at the basket full that she still had to fold.

"Uh...which witch can do that?" Cole asked, eyebrows raised curiously.

Phoebe smiled, "Samantha Stephens." She revealed and Cole stared at her blankly.

Upon hearing only silence Phoebe looked over at him, eyes widening at her puzzled expression, "From Bewitched?" Phoebe elaborated, her eyes widening at his still blank expression, "Oh, it's only, like, one of my favourite old television shows. You know, sometimes I forget that you've only been fully human for like, a month."

"And becoming more human by the day." Cole quipped, "What would you say if I became really human and...got a job?" he asked.

Phoebe took a deep breath, "If that's the criteria for being really human, then I am in biiiig trouble." She chuckled bitterly.

"I'm serious." Cole smiled, "Paige said that a lawyer at Legal Aid quit, so she kind of...recommended me."

"She did?" Phoebe asked going back to folding the laundry.

Cole frowned then took a seat on the bed in front of her, "Of course, if you don't think I should, then—"

"No, no." Phoebe cut him off, "Um...actually I think that's a great idea." She encouraged him, "It'll keep you busy and...help you find your identity..." she gathered up the laundry in her arms then quickly said, "...while I lose mine." And jumped off of the bed.

"Sorry?" Cole asked his frown deepening.

"Nothing." Phoebe shrugged.

"Tell me." He ordered kindly.

Phoebe placed the folded and stack laundry on the dresser and turned to him, "It's just...becoming a wife." She said simply, "I mean I like Samantha, but I never actually wanted to become her." She tried to explain, placing one hand on her hip and the other on the chair.

Cole looked at her blankly, shaking his head to tell her he didn't quite follow.

"See, Samantha..." Phoebe sat back down in front of him, "She was married to a human, Darrin. Darrin completely repressed Samantha's magic. Completely denied who she was and, and it wasn't because he didn't love her. It was just...that's the way it had to be."

Cole frowned, looking skeptical, "And this was one of your favourite shows?"

Phoebe suppressed a laugh, "Well, not that part." She smirked and he smiled, "It's just, growing up, that was my only role model for a typical marriage. So that's all I knew." She shrugged, "And he was able to meet people and leave the house and go to work and build his career and she had to stay home. You know, and cook dinner and..." she gestured to the laundry basket, "...do the laundry. She went from being Samantha to being Mrs. Darrin Stephens overnight."

Cole smiled, "Well, that won't happen to you." He assured her.

"Won't it?" Phoebe countered.

Cole smirked, "You'll become Mrs. Cole Turner." He corrected her and Phoebe glared, "Phoebe come on." He said placing his hands on her, "Number 1: this is a different time, different world, obviously." He pointed out, "Number 2: we're hardly typical. I proposed to you under a hail of demon goo, and you accepted while I was bleeding to death. Remember?" he asked and she smiled a little, tilting her head. "Look, why don't we just..." he stood up and reached into his right pocket, "...do it again, start over." He suggested pulling out a beautiful white gold engagement ring and presenting it to her gallantly.

Phoebe grabbed his hand in her two and gazed down at it in awe, "Grams' ring." She gasped with a smile.

"Mmm-hmmm." Cole nodded watching her closely.

Phoebe looked up at him, "Where did you get that?"

"Prue and Piper gave it to me." He shared, "It was all very..." he shook himself, "I thought I was in trouble." He chuckled and Phoebe joined in, "They gave it to me so I could give it to you."

"Well, that's not exactly a good omen." Phoebe stated pointing to the ring, "She was married with that thing six times."

Cole laughed, "Well, she must have liked something about it, or she would have stopped at, like, three." He shot back and Phoebe giggled, "Right?" He smiled down at her then dropped down on one knee, "Miss Phoebe Halliwell, I come to you, a man, nothing more, nothing less, to ask...will you be my wife?" he asked, eyes full of love.

Phoebe looked at the ring pretending to think then looked back at him and smiled, "Yeah." She nodded, "I will." She agreed holding out her hand, "Again." She added as he slipped the ring on her finger.

"Good." He smiled, sighing inwardly in relief when it fit perfectly.

Phoebe smiled at him, took his face in her hands and kissed him then wrapped her arms around him and sighed happily, eyes closed so unfortunately she failed to see the beautiful diamond ring that now adorned her finger glow.

~PO4~

"Tyler?" a blonde haired woman called out gently through the door, "We just wanna talk."

"It was an accident." Tyler replied instantly, "I'm sorry."

"It's all right." Her husband assured the young boy kindly, "Just let us in."

"No, you'll yell at me." Tyler refused.

The man turned to the blond woman, "I'll deal with Tyler. You contact Ludlow."

"Who's Ludlow?" Tyler asked from the other side of the door and the blond woman winced.

"He runs the academy we told you about." The man answered quickly.

Tyler frowned, "I'm not going to boarding school. You can't send me away."

"Oh, honey, it's for your own good." The blond woman assured him.

"I told you, I didn't mean to do it." Tyler cried again, "I swear I'm not bad. I swear!" he exclaimed them clutched his head, massaging his temples, pain shooting through it and his bed caught fire.

Tyler's eyes popped open and he gasped at the sight.

"Tyler? What's going on?" the blond woman called through the door as the flames grew, "Is that smoke I smell?"

~Opening Credits~

Halliwell Manor

"C'mon, c'mon." Prue muttered from her place perched on the edge of the toilet seat as she glanced between her watch and the extremely daunting plastic stick by the sink, "God, since when has three god damn minutes lasted this freakin' long." She cursed shaking her head and glancing down at her watch one more time, "Oh thank god." She cried as the seemingly endless three minutes finally came to an end.

Prue jumped up off the toilet seat and walked towards the sink, her hands gripping the edge tightly as she drew in deep, calming breaths: 'in through your nose your through your mouth.'

Prue bit down on her lip and slowly reached for the piece of plastic that could inevitably, change her life and the life's of her sisters' forever, one way or the other. Prue's fingers had barely grazed the offending object before there was a sharp knock at the door and her heart stopped dead, "OH!" she screamed the hand, instead, flying to her chest.

"Prue?" Andy's voice came booming through the door, "You alright in there?"

Prue nodded her head, willing her heart to slow down again then realised there was a large wooden door between them, "Uh...yeah I'm fine."

"Are you done? Everyone's downstairs for breakfast." Andy informed her.

Prue sighed, "Yeah uh...I'll, I'll be right down." She assured him and waited to hear him walk away.

"Honey—"

"DAMN IT ANDY, I SAID I'LL BE RIGHT DOWN!" She yelled, her anxiety getting the better of her.

"Okay." Andy backed off and Prue breathed a sigh of relief as she heard his footsteps become quieter.

"Oh-kay." Prue breathed turning back towards the sink, she lifted the stick and brought it closer, her eyes snapping closed before she could see the answer.

"Damn it." Prue cursed chewing on her lip relentlessly as she tried to coax herself into opening her eyes, "Okay Prue, you're okay." She told herself calmly, gripping the stick until her knuckles turned white, "Just take a breath and open your eyes." She instructed and that's exactly what she did.

Prue's gaze landed on the little oval shaped window strip that would tell her 'yes' or 'no', 'baby' or 'no baby'. She stared at the strip blankly, reaching out to the left and snatching up the box to double check what one line meant and what two meant before throwing it back down and exhaling sharply.

Prue sank back down onto the toilet seat, test still in hand and breathed deeply until she realised that people would notice her absence if she prolonged it any further. Prue grabbed the cap for the end in which you pee and concealed it, then slid the test itself back into the paper wrapper and chucked it into the box, making sure to take it all with her as she left the bathroom.

There was no way in hell she was leaving a pregnancy test, no matter the result, in the waste paper basket for her sisters' to find.

~PO4~

Piper and Leo sat on opposite sides of the dining table, a section of the newspaper each, their eyes fixed on the words, completely ignoring the others' presence as a barely wakened but fully clothed Paige came down the stairs.

Paige yawned loudly and stretched her arms, "The sun came up again." She said solemnly.

"OH!" Phoebe chirped strolling back in from the kitchen, a very large pot of coffee in hand. She smiled broadly at Paige, "Good morning sunshine." She greeted snatching up an empty cup, "Let me pour you a cup of coffee." She said lifting both the pot and the mug up to eye level, moving her arms in a circular motion in front of Paige's face, "Notice anything different about me?" she asked making sure her left hand was in full view but Paige was still too tired to function properly.

"Engagement ring." Piper supplied helpfully, "Notice it or wear coffee." She warned and Phoebe giggled.

Paige's eyes lit up as they caught sight of the rock on her sisters' finger, "Nice ice!" she exclaimed taking the mug from Phoebe so she could inspect it further.

"Thank you very much!" Phoebe smiled, staring at it admiringly, "I can't stop looking at it." She informed her as she moved around the table and took a seat next to Piper.

"I was like that when I got my belly ring." Paige shared, rubbing her stomach wistfully, "Oh you're right." She nodded catching the look her older sister was sending her, "A wedding ring is totally different."

Phoebe grabbed Piper's mug and re-filled it with coffee as Paige fell into the seat next to Leo.

"Morning." Andy greeted as he too came down the stairs.

Phoebe grabbed another mug and filled it then shoved it in his face using her left hand.

"Whoa!" Andy cried in surprise, "What's with the aggression?" he asked and Phoebe smiled excitedly.

"Notice anything different?" she asked waving her hand in his face just like she did Paige.

Andy noticed the ring but shook his head, "Nope." He shrugged taking the coffee from her and drinking from it.

Phoebe frowned and her shoulders sagged while Andy smirked into his coffee mug. Phoebe narrowed her eyes at him and then slapped his arm, "Hey!" she whined 'baby Phoebe' coming out to say hello, "That's mean." She pouted making her brother-in-law chuckle.

"I'm sorry." Andy apologized wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into a hug, "It's beautiful. A beautiful ring for a beautiful girl." He complimented and Phoebe blushed hugging back, "Congrats kiddo." Andy congratulated kissing her head.

Phoebe grinned up at him, feeling like a little kid again, "Thanks."

Andy nodded then took a seat next to Paige who passed him the bowl of mixed fruit with a 'good morning' and a smile.

Phoebe was about to go back to her own seat when Prue came down the stairs and she pounced on her.

"OH!" Prue yelped as Phoebe arms locked around her neck. She looked at Piper quizzically who only chuckled having received the very same greeting minutes before, "Good...morning to you too Pheebs."

Phoebe pulled back and grinned, "Thank you."

Prue frowned and Phoebe held up her left hand and Prue smiled, "You're very welcome Phoebe." She pulled her sister into a one armed hug and kissed her head, "It suits you."

Phoebe nodded, "I think so too." She agreed tempted to jump up and down with excitement.

Prue chuckled, "Sit." She instructed nodding to the chair beside Piper and Phoebe bounced away. Prue turned to her husband and kissed him quickly, apologizing with her eyes to which he smiled and kissed her again.

"Here." Phoebe handed her a mug as she sat down next to her.

Piper looked up from her paper, "Phoebe?"

Phoebe turned, "Yeah?"

"Will you pass me the milk?" Piper asked her eyes going back to the paper.

Phoebe frowned glancing at Prue who frowned also, "Uh...it's right next to Leo." Phoebe stated re-filling her own mug.

Leo looked over at them, "We're not talking to each other." He announced with a sigh.

"What?" Phoebe asked, eyes wide.

Prue shook her head, "Still? Seriously?"

Phoebe frowned, reaching for the milk and using it herself then pouring some in Prue's mug before handing it to Piper, "Wait, shouldn't you wait till after you have kids to start fighting about them?" she asked suppressing a chuckle of amusement while Prue bit her lip to do the same.

"Well, what's the matter?" Paige asked looking between the couple, "Maybe we can help."

Leo, keeping his eyes on his paper, replied, "It's about a magical child in a non-magical world." He explained and Andy's eyes instantly cut to his wife's: they had yet to discuss that little detail.

"Someone..."Piper spoke up, "I won't say who, has the insane notion of binding our child's powers." She snapped, all the while glaring daggers at her husband.

"Why is that insane?" Leo questioned, putting down his paper and looking over at his wife, "Grams bound your powers when you were a child." He correctly pointed out.

"Yes." Piper nodded, "And we spent twenty-odd years ignorant about our destiny. I look back on those normal days and I feel like I was a complete and total fraud!" she informed him, slamming down her own paper.

Leo sighed, "I'm not saying hide the truth." He corrected her, "It's just, growing up is hard enough without the extra burden of having powers."

Piper grabbed her paper leaning forwards in her chair, "Magic is not a "burden". It is a gift." She glared then put her paper up in between them, blocking her face from his view.

"It's a lot for any child to deal with, plus ours will be doubly magical: half whitelighter, half witch." Leo explained opting to remain calm in this current debate. Something Piper couldn't maintain.

"Hey that's like me." Paige piped up happily and Piper tore away her paper barrier and glared at her youngest sister, "Oh." Paige's face became sympathetic, "You might have some trouble." She warned them and Phoebe smirked.

Piper's eyes narrowed suddenly and she rounded on her older sister, "Hey! You?" she called and Prue looked down, "Couple at the end who have been unusually quiet during this whole discussion."

Prue bit her lip her eyes staring intently at the table while Andy stared at his food.

"What do you think?" Piper asked expectantly and Phoebe jumped around in her seat.

"Yeah...you two will have to make the very same decision at some point." She agreed eager for some more entertainment.

Paige popped a piece of melon in her mouth and nodded.

Prue glanced at Andy who raised his head, "Uh...we have no comment." He told them and Piper frowned.

"Why the hell not!" she exclaimed stomping her foot under the table.

"Because we—" he gestured between himself and his wife, "—haven't even discussed it between ourselves yet so we're not about share our opinions with you before one another." Andy explained calmly and Piper sighed.

Leo nodded, "He's right." He said to his wife who glared.

Andy sighed in relief and then stood, "I've gotta get to work."

"Oh! Me too." Paige cried jumping up then paused, "Wait, where's Cole?" she asked Phoebe.

"I'll get him." she smiled helpfully, "And Paige, thank you soooo much for getting him this job. Especially now, you know, that we're gonna be married, and he's gonna have to get used to bringing home the bacon." Phoebe mused with a smile.

"What?" Prue muttered as her sister disappeared up the stairs.

Paige looked at her with the same frown, "Since when does Phoebe care about bacon?"

"I'm sure she meant all breakfast meats." Leo suggested offhandedly and Prue and Paige turned to him quizzically.

Paige rolled her eyes, "Bye." She said smiling at Andy and then kissing Prue on the cheek before heading towards the door to wait on Cole.

"Piper, would you please pass me the milk?" Leo asked her voice strained as he stared at his wife.

Piper shook her head, "Nope."

Prue's eyes widened at the couple as Andy leaned in for a kiss, "Love you." He told her and she nodded.

"Stay safe." She warned and he nodded.

"Later Leo." He waved he called as he walked towards the door, "By Piper." And then he was gone.

Prue looked between the couple carefully and then, when she was sure Piper was too busy sulking to notice, she slowly and telekinetically moved the milk towards Leo, who smiled at her and mouthed 'thank you'

Piper's hand shot out in Prue's direction, pointing an accusatory finger at her, "I saw that."

Leo cringed and looked at his sister-in-law who mere shrugged at him and laughed silently, glancing towards Piper.

"Oh honey, you look gorgeous!" Phoebe gushed with pride as Cole descended the stairs in a very nice suit, "Should I make you some breakfast?" she asked then raised her eyebrows, "You know, it's the most important meal of the day."

"Thanks, I'll just grab a coffee on the way." Cole assured her walking towards the door but Phoebe grabbed his arm.

"Are you sure?" she asked with wide eyes, "I could whip something up in a jiff."

Cole turned to her, "In a jiff? Really?"

Phoebe nodded, "Yeah." She smiled widely.

"Come on, dude." Paige called from the front door as she pulled on her coat, "Let's get paid."

"Have a great day." Phoebe told him with a smile, "I am so proud of you." And then kissed his lips quickly, "Oh, look at us. We're so Bewitched." She observed happily.

"No, no, no, no. No, we're not." Cole countered shaking his head, "You feel free to use all the magic you want while I'm gone." He assured her she nodded.

"Okay. Whatever makes you happy." Phoebe told him gazing down at her ring, "I wonder what I should make him for dinner?" she asked herself, head tilted to the side in thought.

~PO4~

South Bay Social Services

"So this is your office." Paige informed Cole hurriedly, showing him into a relatively small room with limited space, "It's got a desk, a chair, a lamp. What more do you need?" Paige asked with a smile.

"Uh...oxygen." Cole replied looking around in dismay, "You know when I was a DA, I had an office eight times this size." He pointed to one of the four solid walls and chuckled, "Windows, an assistant." He added sitting down in the chair, which fell several inches under the unexpected weight. Cole dropped his briefcase by his side, "Plus, I could throw energy balls." He sighed wistfully.

Paige smirked, "Yeah, well, you're human now, so get used to being humble just like all the rest of us."

Cole sighed and shook his head standing up again and glaring at his chair.

"Cole Turner?" A brunette, middle-aged woman questioned as she entered the office with a stack of manila files in her hands. Cole looked up and nodded, the woman smiled, "Hi. I'm Cynthia Corn, director of the Legal Aid Office." She introduced herself, re-adjusting the folders to shake his hand.

Cole took her proffered hand with a pleasant smile, "Hi."

Cynthia looked towards Paige, "Paige has told me such wonderful things about you." She mused then turned back towards him, "I wish I had time to get to know you, but I don't so...jumping right in, if we could."

"I have to jump right out." Paige announced pointing to herself, "If anyone needs me, I'll be down the hall." She informed them as she slipped out the door, Cole following her a little helplessly before turning his full attention onto his boss.

"Okay, your first case." Cynthia began, handing him the first folder, "Slumlord Alan Yates cut off heat to his tenants last week. He's due in at 12 for a fact-finding session which means you have two hours to learn everything you can about this case."

Cole's eyes widened as he glanced between her and watch then back to her again.

Cynthia smiled, "Yeah, so you better be fast and you better be good." She outstretched her hand again, "Thanks."

Cole shook it, looking slightly afraid, "Thank you." He whispered as he watched her leave then called out, "I'm only human you know."

Paige walked into the main area of the office, passing Tyler who was sitting on the uncomfortable plastic chairs. She regarded him with curious eyes and smiled, "Hi." She waved as she passed him and he offered her a tiny half-smile in return.

"Hey." Paige reached out and stopped her boss as he passed her, "What's with the kid?" she asked jerking her head in the blonde haired boy's direction.

"Oh." Mr. Cowan glanced his way then addressed Paige, answering her question, "The police brought him in. Found him sleeping in an alley."

"Is he a runaway?" Paige asked, glancing at the boy and Mr. Cowan nodded.

"Looks like it. His name is Tyler but I'm having trouble getting more information from him." he admitted looking at the boy in concern.

Paige shrugged, "Sometimes those little video-game things help loosen them up." She shared then pointed behind her, "Billy's got one in the back. I'll go get it."

"Good." Mr. Cowan nodded then made his way over to Tyler, bottle of soda in hand, "Uh...here ya go Tyler." He said handing the bottle over, which Tyler happily took, "Thought you might be thirsty."

Tyler nodded and hastily unscrewed the top and took a long gulp.

"So...have you thought about giving us a phone number so we can call your parents?" Mr. Cowan asked casually, "Let them know your okay."

Tyler swallowed his mouthful but remained silent, staring straight ahead.

Mr. Cowan sighed quietly then asked, "Do you want them to know you're okay?" but Tyler still remained quiet. Mr. Cowan frowned, leaning closer, "Did they hurt you?"
"No." Tyler replied, shaking his head, "They didn't hurt me." He assured him.

Mr. Cowan nodded in relief, "Good, alright um...but something happened?"

"I don't wanna talk about it." Tyler insisted firmly.

"Yeah, I know it's hard Tyler, but talking is how we fix things." Mr. Cowan explained gently.

"I said I don't wanna talk about it!" Tyler repeated harshly then clutched his head, rubbing his temples just like before and the trash can in front of him burst into flames before Paige's eyes.

"FIRE!" she yelled as no-one else had noticed and Mr. Cowan left Tyler's side reluctantly to go deal with it.

Tyler, afraid of getting into trouble took the sudden distraction as an opportunity to split, unfortunately Paige watched him go and grabbed her coat and purse, running out after him.

"Hey." Paige greeted when she found him crouched behind a car.

Tyler looked at her in surprise them made to run.

"Hey, hey, don't go." Paige called, stopping him, "You don't have to be afraid." She assured him coming to a stop in front of the boy who turned and walked away, "I won't tell anyone I saw you start the fire." She promised following behind him.

Tyler stopped dead and turned to her with wide eyes, "You saw?"

Paige nodded, "Yeah, but nobody else did and I promise I won't tell." She repeated to ensure that he believed her, "I swear I won't."

"I didn't meant to do it." Tyler told her quietly.

"I know, Tyler. I know."

"Please don't make me go back to the clinic." He begged her, "I don't ever wanna go back to my foster parents. They don't...understand me."

Paige smiled softly, "I know a place where I can take you where you'll be safe." She told him catching his eye, "But you gotta trust me, okay?"

Tyler watched her carefully, thinking it over before he nodded slowly.

"Come, on." She smiled and guided him towards her car.

~PO4~

Mr. Cowan had just finished putting out the fire when he turned around and almost collided with Tyler's foster parents, "Sorry, I didn't see you there." He apologized.

"We're looking for our son." The man informed him, "His name's Tyler, 11 years old, blond hair."

"And you are...?" Mr. Cowan questioned suspiciously.

"His foster parents." The woman replied, "Is he here? Is he alright?"

Mr. Cowan sighed, "He was."

"Thank god!" the foster father cried happily, "We've been checking everywhere for him, we've been worried sick."

"What do you mean "he was" here, where is he?" the foster mother demanded.

"There was a fire." Mr. Cowan explained, "In all the chaos, he ran off."

"Ran off?" the foster father repeated, "What do you mean, you lost him?"

"Where could he have gone?" the woman asked her husband, "We've gotta find him."

"We will." He assured her.

"I mean right now."

"I understand this must be difficult." Mr. Cowan sympathised.

"No, you don't understand." She snapped harshly, "We need our son, and we need him now!"

The man looked at her, panic flashing across his face before he addressed Mr. Cowan, "Would you give me a moment with my wife? She's obviously very distraught."

Mr. Cowan nodded, "Of course." And they moved away.

"You're making a scene." He fumed staring down at her.

"Can't a mother be upset about the loss of her son?" she retorted, arms crossed defensively.

"You're not acting like an overreacting parent, you're reacting like a—"

"A what?" she spat , cutting him off.

"A demon." He glared.

"We don't have time to play the concerned parents. Ludlow wants the boy before nightfall. No boy, no bounty."

Bounty hunters.

"These humans can't help." The male demon insisted.

"So what are we supposed to do?" she demanded, "Wait until Tyler uses his power again?"

"It's the only way we have of tracking him." he pointed out.

"What if he doesn't get angry?"

"He will. Just be patient." He ordered and then the two demons beamed out.

~PO4~

Halliwell Manor

"How's it goin'?" Piper asked as Paige joined them in the conservatory after having been with Tyler in the TV room.

Paige shook her head, "Not so good. He's barely making eye contact. Not really speaking." She shrugged, "He's just really afraid."

"Of what?" Leo asked.

"Himself, his powers." Paige replied simply, "He's just showing all the signs of a kid who's never received sustained affection." She explained sadly.

"Well, plus, being shuffled in and out of foster homes doesn't help either." Piper added shaking her head.

"No." Paige agreed, "And I get the sense that he's always felt like an outsider, and a bit of a freak and now he's found out that, in some ways, he kind of is."

Piper sighed and the two sisters glanced in towards Tyler. "Prue's on her way home." She informed her youngest sister, "We don't exactly know what we're dealing with here so I figured it would be safer to have the power of four around..." she shrugged, "...just in case you know?" she asked and Paige nodded.

"Which is why it could make sense for us to bind his powers." Leo suggested turning to his wife.

"Yeah, maybe we could just take off one of his legs at the same time." Piper retorted turning on her husband, "You know, because they're both part of him."

"It is not the same thing, Piper." Leo said calmly, "Tyler's powers could be a danger to himself and to others." He reasoned and Piper shook her head.

"Wha—no, you know what don't make our issues his issues." She glared, "I think you need to give him a chance to learn how to control it." She suggested with an angry shrug, "Maybe that's why we met him. To teach him, guide him."

"Feed him." Phoebe announced as she walked into the room looking very old time 1960.

"Wow, Phoebe, you went all out." Paige stated in regards to the plate full of cookies.

Phoebe shrugged, "Oh, well, you know me. Any excuse to spend a little extra time in the kitchen."

Piper nodded, "I do know you and that's just not true."

"Oh but it is now that I'm gonna be Sadie, Sadie married lady." Phoebe quipped and Piper's eyes narrowed further.

"Alright Sadie, how about I take the cookies to the kid?" Piper asked, holding out her hand for the plate and Phoebe smiled handing them over with pride.

Piper turned to Paige, "Do you mind if I try talking to him?" she asked, knowing that kids in these sorts of troubled situations was kinda Paige's thing.

"No, actually, the sooner we get through to him, the better." Paige assured her, "Because the last time I checked, kidnapping is still illegal. I'm gonna go back to work. You guys call me later."

Piper shook her head, "But—"

"If Prue's gonna be here then you should be fine on the power front." Paige interrupted knowing what she was objecting to, "And besides, going back to work will buy us more time. I mean, it'll look a little iffy if I go missing the same time that the kid runs off." She pointed out and Piper nodded. "Later."

"STAY REACHABLE!" Piper yelled after her sister's retreating form.

"Eat them while they're hot." Phoebe piped up, nodding to the cookies.

"Uh...Pheebs?" Piper called, "Friendly little tip: lay off the hair spray, there's a fire-starter in the house."

"Hi." Piper greeted as she walked through the door that connected the conservatory and the TV room, closing it behind her.

Tyler remained silent, his back to her as he played with the game boy Paige had given him.

"My uh...sister made some cookies. Do you want some?" she asked and once again was hit by silence, although Tyler did turn around at least. "Hmmm I don't blame you. It could be kinda dicey." Piper stated placing them down on the table, "She's not really a great cook." She jibed pointing to them, "Why don't you try one so, you know, her feelings don't get hurt." She suggested sitting on one of the arm chairs.

Tyler tried to ignore her but the smell of the cookies made him realise how hungry he was so he put down the console and picked one up, tentively taking a small bite, "Can I have another?" he asked with a small smile and Phoebe, who was watching hopefully, smiled brightly before disappearing back into the kitchen.

"Help yourself." Piper nodded, "You now, it's probably hard to believe, but something amazing has happened to you." She informed him gently, "You've been given a gift. A magical gift...and as strange as it sounds, you're not alone." She assured him, "I know exactly what you're going through."

Tyler scoffed, "Yeah right. You start fire too?" he asked sceptically.

Piper smiled, "Not exactly. But I do know what it's like to possess a power that you can't control." She admitted and Tyler looked over at her, "And to want so desperately to be normal, but it's just not an option and because there aren't any options, you just..." she shrugged, "...sometimes get so angry that you wanna—" Piper cut herself off with a flick of her wrist, obliterating a vase.

Tyler turned to it, jumping slightly but smiling, "Wow! What was that? What did you just do?"

"I proved that I know what you're going through." Piper answered with a smile.

"But...how did you do that?" Tyler asked curiously.

"Pretty much the same way you do." Piper explained, "I've just learned how to focus my emotions and control it."

Tyler sighed and sat down on the end on the coffee table, "I wish I could control mine." He said sadly, "Then I could be around people."

"Is that why you ran away?" Piper asked kindly, "Because you were afraid you were gonna hurt someone."

"I was scared." Tyler answered honestly, "I set fire to the living room couch. I didn't mean to but my foster mom was yelling at me, that I was "good-for-nothing" and it made me so mad I just..." Tyler trailed off as he clutched his head and one of the chaise' caught fire.

"Whoa!" Piper exclaimed jumping out of her chair as Tyler shot up.

"I'm sorry." He apologized, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Piper assured him, "In this house it's okay." She threw out one hand and froze the flames, "I can also freeze things."

Tyler grinned, "Now that's cool."

"LEO" Piper called on her husband, "COULD YOU GET SOME WATER?"

"PIPER?" Prue yelled as she came through the front door, "WHAT'S THE 91..." she trailed as she found her sister and a young boy standing together in the TV room, "...1." Prue's eyes fell on the boy and she smiled, "Hi." She waved then turned to Piper, "What's—OH!" she cried seeing the frozen flames, "Fire—"

"Starter." Piper finished for her tipping her head towards Tyler, who was watching Prue curiously.

"What?" Prue asked, eyebrows raised.

"He's a fire-starter. That's the 911." She explained and Prue nodded slowly.

"Riiight." She agreed turning to Tyler with a genuine smile, "You got a name?" she asked, her voice friendly and kind.

"Tyler." He replied smiling back.

Prue nodded and outstretched her hand, "I'm Prue." She introduced herself and Tyler took her hand, shaking it firmly, "Nice to meet you Tyler." She smiled.

"You too." Tyler replied.

Prue released his hand and her eyes lit up, "Oooh cookies!" she gushed happily picking on up and taking a bite, "Mmmm, these are really good Pipe." She praised looking at Piper, "Taste a little different though."

Piper nodded with a smirk, "That's cause Phoebe made them." She informed her sister who froze, cookie half-way to her mouth.

"Seriously?" Prue questioned with wide eyes and Piper nodded. Prue frowned and turned to Tyler, "Phoebe can't cook anything. I mean, me..." she pointed to herself, "...I can bake a little but Phoebe can't really do much more than that either so..." she shrugged trying to include him in the conversation, knowing he must feel a little out of place, "Are you sure?" she asked Piper who nodded with a shrug, "Weird." Prue summarised and Tyler chuckled.

"Yeah and so is Phoebe." Piper informed her.

Prue took another bite and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Just wait." Piper replied just as the doorbell sounded loudly.

~PO4~

Phoebe opened the oven door and breathed in deeply, inhaling the sweet smell of her homemade pie baking away before moving off to the Island.

"Oh Leo!" she smiled as her brother-in-law entered the kitchen, "I'm so glad you came in. I have a very important question to ask you."

"Uh...what is it?" Leo asked as he filled a jug with water.

"Do you think that little boy will be staying for lunch?" Phoebe asked seriously.

Leo frowned, "I would imagine so uh...what's the important question?"

Phoebe paused and looked over at him, "That was it." She smiled.

Leo's eyebrows shot up, "Really?" he asked turning off the faucet and Phoebe nodded. Leo turned to face her, jug in hand, "Phoebe? Are you feeling alright?" he asked looking her over carefully.

Phoebe nodded, "Peachy keen. Oh!" she turned to the ringing phone, "I'll get it." She told him and Leo nodded, leaving the kitchen to attend to the small fire. "Hello?" she answered with a smile.

"You gotta keep me from killing this slumlord." Cole's voice sounded down the line, "I got a meeting in like, ten minutes with a guy who's the biggest ass."

"Hold it." Phoebe cut in firmly, "Do not make me march down there and wash your mouth out with soap, mister."

"Huh?" came Cole's highly puzzled reply.

"Do you want me to twitch my nose and turn him into Mr. Nice?" Phoebe questioned as she once again admired the beautiful ring adorning her finger.

"No, I want to use an energy ball and send him where he belongs." Cole informed her seriously, "The jerk turned off the heat, causing an elderly tenant to get pneumonia, then he tried to evict her!"

"Okay, well just relax and try to get through it, and I will have a martini waiting for you when you get home." Phoebe assured him lovingly, her voice calm and soothing.

"Martini?" Cole echoed.

"Yeah." Phoebe nodded, "And a steak. You really need some more red meat in your diet."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Cole demanded incredulously.

"Oh! Company." Phoebe grinned at the sound of the doorbell, "I have to go." She chirped and hung up the phone.

"I'LL GET IT!" Phoebe called loudly as she raced to the door, stopping Piper in her tracks who shot Prue a pointed look.

"Hello." Phoebe smiled at the couple on the other side of the door. The couple of Bounty Hunters.

"Hi." The female demon smiled back.

"Hi." The man nodded to her, "We're looking for our son, Tyler. Is he here, by any chance?"

"You betcha." Phoebe nodded, "Come on in." She invited and they did. "Can I make you anything? A sandwich, a Spanish omelette, perhaps?" Phoebe offered helpfully.

Piper shot her older sister a look and Prue nodded, silently moving back towards Tyler, subtly blocking him from view, telling him to stay quiet.

"Wait." Piper instructed turning back to the couple, "How did you know he was here?" she queried, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

The two demons glanced at one another before the woman replied, "Maternal instinct." With an obviously fake smile and Piper's frown deepened right before the male demon smacked her across the face, sending her soaring backwards into the TV room.

"PIPER!" Tyler yelled and Prue instinctively pulled him behind her and threw up her hand sending then flying backwards as Piper jumped to her feet.

Tyler's eyes widened and he smiled, "Awesome." He muttered and Piper smiled briefly before turning her attention back to the two advancing demons.

The female quickly formed an energy ball and threw it towards them, Prue instantly deflecting it as Piper threw up her hands freezing the second oncoming attack.

Prue directed the frozen ball away as Piper shuffled Tyler back so he was half hidden by a bookcase.

Leo came running into the room as the demon directed another energy ball towards Piper and he threw himself at his wife, knocking her to the ground, the energy ball striking the chair instead, blowing it apart and sending pieces in all directions.

"Bitch." Prue growled and threw out her arm sending the woman in the wall.

The male demon stepped forwards and struck Prue sending her backwards, past Tyler and into the living room.

"LEAVE THEM ALONE!" Tyler screamed angrily.

"Nobody is keeping us from collecting our bounty." The male growled as Leo pulled himself and Piper to their feet.

"No! Stop!" Tyler ordered.

"Shut up Tyler." The female snapped and Tyler clutched his head, rubbing his temples and the two demons caught on fire, burning until there was nothing left.

Piper and Leo turned to him in shock while Prue limped into the room, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

~PO4~

Tyler was sitting, knees to his chest on the couch in the living room, the broken coffee table on which Prue had landed, in front of him as he fought off frightened tears. "I didn't mean too." He told Piper quietly.

Piper glanced back at Prue, who was perched on the arm behind her before addressing Tyler gently, "Tyler, you don't have to explain anything." She assured him with a kind smile, "We were there, we saw what happened."

"I thought I was gonna hurt someone, and then I did." Tyler replied shaking his head.

"You did what you had to do." Leo insisted from the chair to the left of the young boy.

"I did a bad thing." Tyler informed him sadly.

"They were bad people Tyler." Prue interjected, "They were hurting us." She reminded him, touching Piper's shoulders to indicate who, exactly she was talking about, "You were protecting us."

Piper nodded, "She's right Tyler." She smiled at him, "You saved us."

But Tyler shook his head and looked to the floor.

Piper sighed, "Tyler look at me." She ordered gently, "Look at me." And he did, "You didn't do a bad thing. Those were very bad people and they were gonna kill us." Piper pointed to the coffee table, "They did hurt us." She pointed out, "You saved us." She repeated firmly, looking the young boy in the eyes, "Come on I wanna show you something." She told him seriously, "Come on, it's okay." She assured him when he failed to move and gently pulled him to his feet and towards the stairs.

Prue pulled on Leo's arm, stopping him and jerked her head towards the kitchen, "I'm gonna go deal with Phoebe." She informed him and he nodded before jogging up after his wife.

"A book?" Tyler turned to her, eyes skeptical and Piper smirked.

"Not just any book. It's a magical one." She told him lifting the Book of Shadows into her arms, "Can I trust you?" she asked tilting her head and Tyler nodded.

"Sure. Yeah." He assured her, his curiosity piked.

Piper nodded, "Okay, let's find out who those people really were." She gestured to Aunt Pearls old couch and they took a seat.

"My foster parents?" Tyler queried.

"They weren't really your foster parents, Tyler." Leo told him from his place on a stool to their right, "They were..."

"Demonic bounty hunters." Piper finished for him, her page flicking coming to a halt, "Driven by greed, these heartless low-level demons will stop at nothing to collect their bounty." She read aloud from the description on the page.

Tyler bit his lip in thought then looked at Piper questioningly, "So...if they're bad, does that mean I didn't do anything bad?" he asked and Piper nodded.

"That's right." Leo replied and Tyler sighed in relief, turning back to Piper.

"Is there anything about me in there?" he asked sounding both hopeful and fearful.

"Actually I think there is." She replied and turned a few more pages, "Here it is. You read." She told him.

"The fire-starter: an extremely rare and coveted magical creature." He paused and frowned, "What does "coveted" mean?" he asked curiously.

Piper raked her brain quickly then replied, "It means "highly desirable, wanted."

"I'm...wanted?" Tyler asked uncertainly and the doubt in his eyes broke Piper's heart.

"Very much so." She confirmed firmly and Tyler smiled, "Their power is linked to their emotions." Piper continued to read, "First manifests itself in adolescence. They're often trained to be the...bodyguards of the Source." She finished slowly, looking over at her husband with wide fearful eyes.

"What's the Source?" Tyler asked looking between the two adults.

"A really, really, bad guy." Piper replied, her eyes still on her husband, as she closed over the book.

"Which probably means he's resurfacing." Leo informed his wife grimly, "If the bounty hunters are after Tyler."

Piper sighed unhappily and closed her eyes.

"So Ludlow must be a bounty hunter too, then." Tyler stated, thinking aloud.

"Who is Ludlow?" Piper asked, opening her eyes and attempting to mask her growing fear.

Tyler shrugged not entirely sure, "Some guy who runs some sort of academy." He turned to Leo, "My demon parents were gonna send me there."

"To train." Leo elaborated, "To serve the Source."

Tyler looked at Piper pointedly, "So then I am bad."

Piper frowned, "Why do you say that?"

"Well, if I'm supposed to use my powers to protect somebody bad..."

Piper shook her head, "No, but that's not how powers work. They're not good or bad by themselves, it's how we use them." She explained gently.

"Tyler why don't you read a little more while I talk to Piper." Leo suggested looking at his wife seriously.

Piper smiled at the boy and handed him the book before moving off to the side with her concerned husband.

Piper smirked at him, "See? With a little guidance, he's already on the road to acceptance and control."

"That's great." Leo nodded glancing towards him, "But I think we have another problem." He told her and Piper's eyes cut to his, "I figured out how the bounty hunters found out where Tyler is: they tracked his powers."

"You mean when he blew up the chair?" she asked her eyes now on Tyler.

"Yeah so...when he vanquished them..." he trailed off looking his wife in the eyes.

Piper sighed, "So there may be other bounty hunters on the way." She concluded and he nodded and Piper sighed again, "Damn it. We gotta tell Prue and Phoebe." She told him, "And call Paige." She added as an after-thought.

~PO4~

Prue walked into the kitchen to find her younger sister, chopping vegetables and singing away to herself happily.

"I'm making soup for Cole. He'll eat it in a bowl. I guess that's my new role just making soup for Cole."

"Oookay." Prue droned frowning at her sister as she dropped the peppers into the pot.

Phoebe turned to her and smiled, "Prue!" she grinned and Prue rolled her eyes.

"What the hell is going on with you?" Prue demanded sternly, her hands on her hips.

Phoebe's eyes widened innocently, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Prue scoffed, "Right. Don't play dumb with me Phoebe Elizabeth Halliwell." She ordered and Phoebe's mouth fell open at her middle name, "I know you. Have known you your whole life and this..." she gestured towards Phoebe wildly, "...is not you. I mean seriously Phoebe, you look like Martha Stewert."

Phoebe eyes lit up, "Really?" she asked hopefully and Prue threw her hands up in frustration just as a demon appeared behind her.

"Where's the fire-starter?" he demanded, his voice low and booming.

Phoebe shrieked and Prue spun around, her eyes on the large demon, as she slowly back away and towards Phoebe.

"You nearly scared me half to death." Phoebe informed the demon, shaking her head at him.

"The boy, now!" he growled.

"I don't like your tone of voice, mister." Phoebe reprimanded, moving past Prue, one hand on her hip.

Prue stared her younger sister incredulously and yanked her away from the demon and back behind her as he formed a nasty looking energy ball which he then released in their direction.

Phoebe shrieked again and Prue pulled her down, the energy ball flying over their heads and exploding against the curtains which instantly caught fire.

Prue shot up and threw him backwards with a wave of her hand.

The demon hit the wall and grunted then shot out an energy ball which Prue deflected as Phoebe bounced up.

"Hey!" she yelped pointing to the flaming curtains, "That wasn't very nice now was it?"

Prue glared at her, "Stay down." She ordered sternly, pushing her sister back down. She turned towards the demon only to be struck by his next attack: the energy ball hitting her stomach sending her to the ground.

Piper came running around the corner as Prue hit the floor. She flicked her wrists at the demon and blew him up, Phoebe smirking as she stood up again.

Piper looked at Phoebe questioningly as she ran to Prue's side, "Are you okay?" she asked and Prue shook her head, lifting her hands from her wound so Piper could see. Piper's eyes widened and she turned away from the burnt and bleeding flesh, "Oh my god." She cried then pressed her hands down on the wound, "LEO!" she yelled for husband, "LEO!" she screamed louder as Prue's eyes slipped closed.

Leo came running around the corner, Tyler right behind him.

Piper whipped her head around, "Heal, hurry!" she pleaded and he nodded his head, dropping down next to Prue and laying his hands over her wound, that familiar golden glow appearing.

Piper smiled at Tyler, "She'll be okay." She assured him, "Don't worry. Healing people is what Leo does." Then she turned on her younger sister, "What the hell Phoebe?" she snapped, remaining on the ground next to Prue, "Were you hiding? Since when do you scream instead of fight?"

"Actually I did consider scratching him." Phoebe countered, demonstrating with her right hand.

Piper shook her head incredulously then sighed, "Are you alright?" she asked looking her over.

Phoebe nodded, "No messy clean up." She enthused waving her hands to where the demon had previously stood and the spotless floor underneath.

Phoebe's smile faded and she turned to their older sister, "Is she okay?"

Piper nodded, "She will be." She assured her then looked at her husband who's face expressed a mixture of relief, shock, happiness and fear and she frowned, "Leo?"

Leo turned to his wife and tried to mask his feelings, "She's fine." He assured her as the glow disappeared and Prue's eyes fluttered open, distracting Piper suspicious eyes.

"Hey." She smiled at Prue who grimaced back, pushing herself up and taking Piper's proffered hand. "You good?" she asked giving her the once over and Prue nodded silently her eyes locked onto Leo's.

"That was another bounty hunter." Piper informed her and Prue pulled her eyes from her bother-in-laws.

"What?" she asked and Piper nodded.

"Yeah and more are just gonna keep coming until Ludlow gets Tyler." She elaborated and Prue frowned.

"Whoa! What am I missing here?" she asked glancing at the couple.

"Ludlow runs an academy which trains young fire-starters' who then go on to be bodyguards for the Source." Piper explained stressing the important details.

Prue's eyes bulged, "The Source?" she echoed and Piper nodded, "Crap."

"Yeah." Piper agreed, "So we need to get Ludlow first."

"Ew!" Phoebe interrupted, satisfied that her sister was fine she had went back to her cooking, "Dishpan hands." She grimaced showing them her hands.

Piper and Prue dismissed her strange behaviour in order to deal with protecting Tyler.

Piper nodded to her husband, "Leo and I can pose as bounty hunters and say that we have Tyler."

Prue nodded, "That way you can gain access to Ludlow and vanquish him." she smiled then frowned, "But, Piper, this Ludlow guy has gotta be powerful, you may need the power of four."

Piper nodded, "You should call Paige, tell her to get her butt back here now!"

Prue turned to Phoebe, "What do you think Pheebs?" she asked and Phoebe smiled.

"Sure. Just as long as their home for dinner." She chirped then went back to her cooking.

Piper turned to Prue and pointed at Phoebe. "I know." Prue nodded, "I'll deal with her." She promised, "You just worry about Tyler." She ordered turning to the boy who was staring at them in concern.

"You okay Tyler?" Piper asked gently and he nodded.

"Are you okay?" he asked Prue smiled at him.

"I'm just fine." She assured him, "But it's sweet that you were concerned."

Tyler shrugged, "I like you guys but if you're gonna keep getting hurt because of me..."

Piper shook her head, "Protecting and helping people like you if what we do Tyler." She explained putting her arm around his shoulders, "Now come on. You can play some more video games until Paige gets home." She said ushering him out the kitchen.

Leo watched them go with a smile then turned his full attention to his sister-in-law who shook her head and looked pointedly at Phoebe.

Leo gestured to the dining room and Prue followed him out ordering over her shoulder, "Phoebe, call Paige!"

"Okey-dokey." Phoebe replied, putting down her whisk and picking up the phone.

~PO4~

"Leo—" Prue began but Leo cut her off.

"How long have you known?" he demanded shortly, looking at her curiously and seeming almost angry.

Prue exhaled sharply at his question mouth agape, eyes widening, eyebrows rising, "Oh my god it's true." She breathed falling back against the dining table, hands covering her mouth.

Leo frowned, "You didn't know?" he asked panicking slightly.

Prue shook her head lightly, her hands falling from her face, "I...I took a test this morning but, but I hadn't been to my doctor yet to confirm." She whispered her eyes still wide.

Leo lifted his shoulders, "It does explain why you've been so ill." He pointed out and she merely shifted her eyes to his staring blankly at him.

Leo chuckled at her shocked expression and placed his hands on her upper arms, "Prue, you're pregnant." He told her with a smile, the first to say the words out loud.

Prue gasped, her eyes widening further as she stood straight up, "Ohhhh my god, I'm pregnant." She repeated swaying slightly and exhaling slowly.

Leo frowned, concern replacing the smile and he eased her down onto one of the chairs, crouching down in front of her, "You okay?" he asked slowly.

Prue cut her eyes to him, narrowed and glaring, "Seriously? You're seriously asking me that question?" she snapped and then paused, "Wait, are you—before your voice—are you mad at me?" she asked her voice rising an octave.

Leo cringed, "I was—before—but only because I thought that you knew and hadn't told me." He explained and Prue frowned, completely confused, "I'm your whitelighter Prue, if one of you is pregnant I need to know so I can keep both you and the baby safe. That's my job as the whitelighter." He explained.

Prue looked at him, a smile spreading across her face, "Awwwww Leo! That's so sweet!" she gushed, "But I thought your job is to guide." She smirked and he chuckled.

"I'm serious Prue." He pressed, "The life of a Charmed One is extremely dangerous. You need to take extra care and extra caution." He looked at her pointedly, "And you need to tell your sisters'."

"I need to tell my husband." Prue countered and then sighed deeply, "I can't tell them yet Leo." She said quietly, "I need to get my head around this first. I, I need to deal with it, I mean, you know how I feel about kids and this life style." She raised her head to look at him and he nodded.

Prue shook her head and laughed sharply.

Leo smiled, "What?" he asked curiously.

Prue looked up, "I'm pregnant." She said simply, "Me! I just...I can't believe it. It's so weird."

Leo shook his head, "It's great." He corrected her and her amused laughter ceased as her eyes became sad.

"I'm sorry." She apologized and he frowned, "I know how bad you and Piper want a baby but how you agreed to wait until after we vanquished the Source to have one, which I supported." Prue reminded him pointing to herself and shaking her head, "And then I go and get pregnant myself." She laughed bitterly biting her lip, "It's the worst possible time for a baby. I mean, Andy and I are still practically newlyweds and then there's the Source, Phoebe's engagement, Cole being human now, you and Piper and Paige is still learning...Urgh! Worst time ever!"

Leo squinted taking her hand in his, "Prue, a baby is never a bad thing and the timing is never right." He told her with a smile, "You can't control these things, not in this family. If something's meant to be then it's going to happen, whether you agree with the timing of it or not."

Prue looked at him and quirked an eyebrow, "So you're saying we don't have a choice?" she asked with a smirk and he laughed. Prue smiled softly, "I'm still sorry."

Leo shook his head, "It'll happen for us but for now I'm gonna make sure that you and my niece are okay, okay?" he asked and Prue nodded.

"I'm kinda scared, Leo." She admitted quietly chewing on her lip, "What if I suck?" Prue asked and he laughed standing up straight. Prue frowned at him but let him pull her to her feet, "I'm serious Leo! What if I'm a crappy mother?"

Leo smiled at her, "That's not possible." He told her matter-of-fact, "Remember Prue, I've been watching over you, Piper and Phoebe your whole lives—"

"Which is kinda creepy." Prue added with a grimace to which Leo rolled his eyes and continued.

"I know you and I know that your sisters', especially Phoebe, are the woman they are today because of what you did for them." He informed her, "And those are Piper's words, not mine." He added with a smile, "My point is, you've already been a mother so you're gonna be a great one to that baby." Leo summed up pointing to her stomach.

Prue smiled up at him, "You think?" she asked and he nodded, "Aw Leo!" she smiled and threw her arms around his neck, "Piper is so lucky to have you, you really are worthy." She teased and he rolled his eyes. "Thank you." She said sincerely, releasing him and he shrugged, "I hate asking you to lie to Piper but..."

Leo held up his hands, "Whitelighter/Charge confidentiality."

Prue sighed in relief and smiled, "Thank you."

"Congratulations Prue." Leo smirked and hugged her again.

Prue chuckled, "Yeah...it's still weird but I'll get use to it, I'll have to." She corrected and he nodded.

Leo placed a hand on her shoulder seeing the slight distress in her eyes, "This is a good thing Prue." He assured her firmly, believing every word, "And if you're worried about me and Piper then don't be, like I said it'll happen for us too when's it's meant to and until then she is going to be so happy for you and so excited to become an aunt."

Prue smiled at him, hoping to god that it was true because if she didn't have Piper with her 100%, by her side to help her through this whole thing then she just wouldn't get through it.

"Actually..." Leo continued, "I think it'll be better this way, for Piper I mean." He explained, "Seeing what will happen before it's actually happening to her will help her stay calm. You know how she hates change."

Prue cocked her head at him and pouted, "Ya know that makes me feel better about Piper but somehow I'm not all that comforted about the rest."

Leo smirked and squeezed her arm, "Everything's gonna be okay Prue." He told her gently, "You're gonna be okay."

"Much better." She smirked and Leo rolled his eyes.

"I'm gonna check on Tyler." He told her and she nodded knowing he was really giving her some space.

Prue took a deep breath and went to place her hands on her stomach but paused, biting her lip. If she acknowledged her pregnancy anymore than she already had it would be too much and she was freaked out enough, so for now she had a job to do and the baby just...didn't exist yet.

Prue sighed, dropping her hands to her sides and took a breath before heading back into the kitchen as if her whole world, and her sisters', hadn't just changed forever.

~PO4~

South Bay Social Services

"Oh god, I'll have everything done for you in once second, okay?" an extremely harried Paige assured the impatient man in front of her, "Two secs." She corrected herself picking up her chirping desk phone, "Paige Mathews." She greeted tersely.

"Serena? Sam." Phoebe's voice greeted her down the line.

Paige frowned, "Phoebe?" she questioned utterly confused by the greeting but having no time to deal with it, "Look, I'm in the middle of about a zillion things can I just, call you back?" she asked glancing at the man and smiling sweetly.

"Prue told me to call. Piper wants you home." Phoebe informed her, "And I want you to bring your appetite."

"Yeah, Phoebe, like I said, I'm in the middle of a zillion things." She repeated as someone was thrown out of an office.

Cole came stalking out, approaching the frightened man fiercely and Paige's mouth dropped.

"Back off." The slumlord ordered, "This is assault."

"Yeah well, it's better than what you do, which is close to murder!" Cole fumed pointing in the guys face.

"Stay away from me!"

"Oh...my god! You would not believe what Cole is doing!" Paige cried, her eyes wide and angry.

"Cole." Phoebe cooed, "How is my little sweetie?"

"GET UP! You scum." Cole ordered hatefully.

"I'll see you in court." The slumlord shot back and Cole grabbed him by the lapels on his suit jacket.

"You'll see me every time you turn around buddy!"

"I don't believe this." Cynthia cried stopping next to Cole, "Let go of him. What are you doing?"

"I want that heat turned back on for those tenants today, do you hear me?" Cole growled.

"Hands off me!" the slumlord pushed him off.

"This is not the way we do things around here." Cynthia chided.

"Yeah, well, maybe you should." Cole replied, "Or maybe I should QUIT!" he yelled at the same time she told him he was fired.

Paige closed her eyes and sighed.

~PO4~

Halliwell Manor

"He looks so normal." Piper observed as she and Leo stood watching Tyler as he played with the gameboy in the TV room.

Leo frowned, "You sure we should let him play those games?" he asked and Piper furrowed her brow in confusion. "Aren't they kinda violent?" Leo elaborated and she smirked up at him.

"Darn it!" Tyler cursed, his anger boiling and he clenched his fist fighting for control and winning.

"Looks like he's learning to handle his power." Leo stated.

Piper smiled proudly, "He wouldn't have been given them if he couldn't."

Leo looked at his wife, "Is that what you think about you and your sisters'?"

Piper breathed deeply, "I don't know. Maybe." She replied vaguely, "All I do know is that, when we finally got our powers back, it felt like we were scrambling to catch up." She explained quietly, "And I can't help but think if we'd had our powers from day one, we would have been more prepared. Things would have turned out different."

"Different how?" Leo asked taking a step towards her.

Piper shrugged, "Oh, I don't know. Maybe Andy wouldn't have died, Prue wouldn't have died, we would have vanquished Shax before we lost our innocent and the Source would be dead already." She listed in one long breath and then looked up at him pointedly, "And we would be on our way to having a family as opposed to just talking about it."

Leo smiled as he thought of Prue and Andy and his words that he and Piper will have their little girl eventually before he smirked at her and replied, "And life...would be perfect."

"Not perfect." Piper smiled and clicked her tongue, "Just easier."

"Obviously when I recommended you for the job I thought you were a former demon." Paige snapped as she and Cole barrelled in the door.

Piper and Leo glanced quickly at Tyler as they picked up their coats and headed to the door.

"You know, do me a favour, Paige and don't do me anymore favours." Cole replied her tone just as angry as hers.

"Good Paige, you're home." Piper smiled at her as she and Leo stopped in front of them, coats on.

"Yeah but not for long." Paige glared at Cole, "I have to get back to work unlike Cole here."

"The Legal Aid thing didn't work out for me." Cole informed them, hands in his pockets, "See I thought lawyers were supposed to seek out justice."

"Oh, please, tell me he got fired." Prue begged with a smirk as she approached them from upstairs, cell phone in hand.

Paige smirked at Cole then turned to her sister and nodded, "Oh yeah!" she grinned.

Prue laughed, "HA! Sweet."

Piper rolled her eyes but laughed non-the-less, "Okay children enough. We've got bigger problems." She looked at Paige, "The Source wants Tyler so, let's focus on the most pressing matter at hand."

"LUNCH!" Phoebe announced coming in from the kitchen.

"Phoebe!" Cole's eyes widened in surprise, his fiancé looking and sounding nothing like herself.

"Darling! What a pleasant surprise." She grinned and kissed his cheek.

"You feeling okay?" he asked frowning.

"Oh yeah!" Phoebe assured him, flashing to black and white then back to color, "Happy as a clam. Why?" she asked then did it again.

"What was that?" Piper asked watching Phoebe closely.

"What was what?" Phoebe asked turning to her.

"You saw it too?" Prue asked, coming to a stop next to her and Piper nodded.

"Saw what?" Phoebe asked again.

"Me three." Paige joined in, raising her hand.

"You just flashed." Cole informed his fiancé, "Black and white."

"Oh, don't be silly!" Phoebe laughed.

"Oh he's not being silly." Paige promised her, "We all saw it."

Prue shook her head and turned to Piper, "Oh—okay I will deal with this, you two gotta get to Ludlow before the Source does." She pointed out, "We will fix Phoebe." She assured them.

"Uh...how?" Paige questioned uncertainly.

Prue turned to her, "I don't—I'm not exactly sure yet but we will." She smiled whipping back around to Piper, "You go." She ordered and Piper nodded heading towards the door.

"What about bounty hunters?" Leo asked looking at Prue and glancing down pointedly.

Prue glared at him, "I will handle it besides, Paige is here now so I've got back up." She assured him and sent him a murderous glare at his hesitation.

"We're gonna need some proof for Ludlow that we actually have Tyler." He told Piper heading to the door after her.

A ding could be heard and Phoebe clapped, "Biscuits are ready." She announced happily and scurried off towards the kitchen.

Piper gestured to the jacket in her hands, "We're gonna take his jacket." She said answering his previous question.

"Why can't I come with you?" Tyler asked coming out of the TV room.

"Because it's too dangerous." Piper answered without missing a beat.

"But I can protect myself." Tyler pressed, "Besides I helped you out before, didn't I?"

"This is different." She answered after a short pause.

"Okay, everyone, be ready, be prepared." Leo advised them, "No surprises." The he took hold of Piper and began to orb out.

Tyler saw the opportunity and ran forwards jumping on Leo's back as they disappeared.

"NO!" Prue yelled trying to grab him but it was too late, "Shit." She swore shaking her head, "God damn kids." She cursed then turned to Cole and Paige, "Alright we need to fix Phoebe cause she needs to write a power of four spell."

"Why?" Paige questioned tilting her head.

"In case Piper and Leo have no choice but to lure Ludlow back here." Prue explained and Paige nodded, "Okay."

~PO4~

Piper and Leo orbed in front of a large, castle type building, with a steel metal gate at the front, their extra passenger jumping off of Leo and stumbling from the feeling out a first time orb.

"HEY!" Piper chided upon seeing him, "What happened?" she demanded.

"He jumped the orb!" Leo exclaimed.

"Dude." Piper walked towards Tyler, "You are so going back right now." She ordered as several demons in black shimmered in around them.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" one of the demons demanded.

"Uh...we got lost." Leo replied uneasily.

"The academy is protected by charms, which means you can't find the place unless you're lookin' for it. Kill them."

The other two demons formed energy balls and Tyler flinched away.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Piper exclaimed holding up her hands and they all froze.

"Let's get out of here." Leo suggested forcefully.

"I'm not going." Tyler informed them and Piper blanched.

"You wanna bet?" she retorted and Tyler ran towards the gate, "Hey! I said no." Piper grabbed him and turned Tyler to face her.

"Look, just listen to me." Tyler pleaded, "They don't know I'm a fire-starter yet. Once they do, they'll take us right to Ludlow. Isn't that what we want?" he asked her knowingly.

"No! Not at your expense, and I'm not gonna let you go in there." Piper replied sternly.

"And I don't wanna spend the rest of my life with bad guys chasing me." Tyler shot back and Piper sighed.

"He's right. Wherever we take him, they will eventually find him." Leo agreed reluctantly.

"Yeah but if something happens to him—"

"They won't hurt me." Tyler interrupted her, "Remember? I'm coveted."

"If he tags along, it might double your chances of getting Ludlow and not having to go home." Leo reasoned.

"I'd like to do something good for once." Tyler told her honestly and Piper squeezed her eyes closed.

"Alright." She relented, "But you stay next to me and if anything goes wrong, we're out of there." She laid down the law and Tyler nodded vehemently.

Piper exhaled sharply and pointed at Leo, "This better work." She threatened then unfroze the guards as Leo moved to her side.

Their energy balls hit the gate and the three of them ducked.

"Hi." Piper called and they turned to her.

"How'd you—?"

"We're bounty hunters. We need to see Ludlow." Piper informed them sternly.

"Who's the kid?" he asked nodding at Tyler.

"I'm not a kid." Tyler corrected him, "I'm a fire-starter."

"So are you gonna let us in or not?" Leo asked from Piper's side.

"What's the password?" the demon asked and Piper felt her panic rise.

"The password?" Leo repeated slowly, "It's...uh..." he turned to Piper who nodded and flicked her wrist, vanquishing him.

"That was it." The blond one informed them, "You're in." And waved his hand at the gate, opening it and then the two led them through.

~PO4~

Halliwell Manor

"Oh, hi honey." Phoebe smiled as Cole entered the bathroom to find her neck deep in bubbles and water, shower cap on her head.

Cole shook his head at her, "What are you doing?" he demanded coming into the bathroom completely, "This is no time to be taking a bath." He scolded with a frown, "Piper might be home any minute and she's counting on you to write a spell."

"Oh I tried." Phoebe told him with wide eyes, "And I only got as far as "hey demon" and then my mind went blank." She explained then blew bubbles at his face with a giggle.

"Look, I don't know what's happening to you." Cole told her lifting a towel, "It might be some backfired spell or curse or something but you gotta...snap out of it! There's work to be done."

"Yeah." Phoebe nodded her brow creasing, "Hey, why aren't you at the office?"

"Because I quit my job." Cole replied.

"You what?" Phoebe gasped.

Cole shook his head, "I don't think I'm cut out for that whole 9-to-5 life."

"Oh honey, what will you do?" Phoebe cried throwing out her hands.

"I don't know." Cole shrugged, "I'm still searching for who I am. But we know who you are, which is a demon-fighting, ass-kicking witch who never lets her sisters' down so get out of that bathtub and show me what you're made of!" he ordered enthusiastically.

Phoebe wriggled around then stood right up and flashed black and white again, "Better?"

"Hey Cole, how's your progress going—? OH GOD!" Paige shrieked as she and Prue entered the bathroom to find a naked Phoebe staring Cole. "Full-frontal Phoebe." Paige stated the obvious turning away, "Sorry."

Prue closed her eyes and sighed, "Oh, Phoebe."

"She just—she just flashed." Cole informed them pointing to his naked fiancé, his mouth dry.

Prue nodded, "Yeah, we got that."

"No, I mean she just flashed black and white." Cole elaborated still staring at Phoebe appreciatively.

"Again?" Paige questioned staring resolutely at Cole's back, "She's like an old TV that's on the blink or something."

Prue looked at Cole and clicked her tongue unimpressed before marching forwards and pushing his aside, "Give me that." She snatched the towel out his hands, "Honestly." and turned to Phoebe who grinned at her.

Prue nodded, "Hi." She smiled then held up the towel, "Here." Phoebe lifted her arms and Prue wrapped it around her, "Step." She instructed and Phoebe jumped out of the tub, "Okay, good girl."

"Hey maybe that's the connection." Cole suggested, "The TV show Bewitched, is that in black and white or color?" he asked walking towards Paige.

"Originally black and white." Paige replied.

"Brrrrr! I'm very chilly." Phoebe informed them from her place next to Prue who, out of habit, started rubbing Phoebe's shoulders like she did when they were young and Phoebe smiled at her, inching closer.

"Why are you asking me about Bewitched?" Paige asked Cole puzzled.

"Because Phoebe was worried about becoming an old-fashioned housewife like Samantha." Cole replied, "And that might be fine for some people, but for Phoebe that could be kinda dangerous."

"Phoebe." Prue turned to her sister, "Why didn't you talk to me?" she asked and Phoebe shrugged.

"It was stupid." She answered quietly but Prue shook her head.

"No it wasn't." Prue countered pulling her closer when she shivered again, "Hey?" she turned towards Cole and Paige, "Phoebe started acting weird after you gave her Grams' ring." She realised and Cole nodded. Prue looked at Paige, "Okay, Cole you try and fix Phoebe and Paige you go write the power of four spell."

Paige's eyes widened, "What? I've never done that before."

Prue nodded, "Exactly and there's no time like the present." She smiled and Paige frowned.

Cole turned to his future sister-in-law, "What are you gonna do?" he asked and Prue gave him a tight smile.

"I..." she started pushing Phoebe towards him, "I am gonna throw up." She informed them with a grimace and they both looked at her as if waiting for the real answer. Prue raised her eyebrows, "I'm serious." She told them, "I'm gonna throw up, Phoebe's bath salt things or whatever it has made me nauseous and now I'm gonna hurl so please..." she pushed them out the door and slammed it shut.

Paige frowned at the door, grimacing when she heard the sounds of retching coming from inside, "Not good." She muttered then turned on her heel and went in search of a pad and paper.

"You think she's okay?" Cole called after her and Paige shrugged.

"If she wasn't she'd tell us." Paige replied before she disappeared around the corner.

Cole looked down at Phoebe who was shaking her head, "She is wrong. Prue wouldn't tell us until this was over and even then..." she shrugged her shoulders smiling and flashed again.

"Okay, let's get you fixed." Cole suggested leading her towards their bedroom, "Then maybe, you'll be able to worry about your sister."

~PO4~

Leo, Piper and Tyler followed the blond haired demon down corridor after corridor, Leo at the front and Tyler next to Piper.

"So we're gonna try to take him out, right?" Tyler asked in a whisper as the continued to follow.

"Yes." Piper whispered back, "I will go in first."

"I have to get angry for my power to work don't I?" Tyler asked her hesitantly.

"So?" Piper asked slowly.

"So, what if I'm just scared instead? What if it doesn't work?" he asked as they reached the top of a winding staircase.

They all fell silent as the demon stopped at the top of the stair case and pointed to a large wooden door with no handle, "Just walk through that door."

"Through the door?" Leo repeated, seeking confirmation.

"Yes. Through the door."

"Relax." Piper instructed Tyler and then they all walked through the wood, one by one.

"Where is he?" Leo asked, glancing around the empty room as Piper pulled a straying Tyler back to her side.

"Ludlow?" Piper called sharply and they turned back towards the door as lightning bolt hit the chair behind the large desk. Piper turned back around in time to see Ludlow appear.

"So...you brought the alleged fire-starter." Ludlow stated his eyes resting on Tyler, "You've given us quite the run-around, haven't you boy?"

Tyler glanced quickly at Piper for reassurance, fear creeping up on him.

"I said, haven't you, boy?" Ludlow repeated the question.

"Yes." Tyler replied looking at the floor.

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, sir." Tyler amended himself and Ludlow smiled.

"No-one teaches manners anymore." He addressed Piper and Leo and Leo nodded in agreement while Piper forced a smile.

"About our...payment." Piper ventured, "See, we don't want any surprises." She said casually throwing up her hands in an attempt to freeze him which failed.

"Yeah, cause we hate surprises." She tried again but still nothing.

Ludlow frowned, "What are you doing?" he asked rising up out his seat, "Oh, you're afraid I'll grab the boy and...stiff you?" he smirked, "If the child is a fire-starter, you'll get your reward. If he's not...you'll all die."

"Well, Tyler is a fire-starter so that won't be an issue." Leo affirmed with a confident nod.

"Prove it." Ludlow commanded.

Piper turned to Tyler with a hidden smirk, "Go ahead. Give him everything you've got." She hinted subtly.

Tyler nodded and turned to Ludlow, concentrating hard. He clutched his head and rubbed his temples focusing everything on Ludlow but nothing happened.

"What? Not even a flicker?" Ludlow taunted.

"Okay, he's just a little scared." Piper defended him.

"Oh that's ridiculous." Ludlow dismissed walking around the desk, "Don't be scared boy. You're closing in on the most important moment of your life. Prove what you are, and you'll meet the Source, the most powerful evil that exists in the universe."

"Yeah, okay, see that's not helping." Piper snapped.

"Do it."

"He's just a kid." Piper spat.

"Do it, boy!"

"I mean it, lay off of him!"

"Insolent!" Ludlow snapped, "How dare you!"

"No!" Tyler cried his protectiveness of Piper sparking his trigger and he clutched his head, rubbing his temples and Ludlow caught on fire.

Piper jumped and Leo pulled her backwards, away from the flames.

Tyler stared at Ludlow in shock as the flames disappeared and he was still standing.

"Excellent!" he exclaimed, "Well done!" then shot some powerful air towards him and Tyler fell unconscious onto a chair.

Piper jumped in shock, "What did you do to him?" she demanded.

"Just a precaution." Ludlow shrugged, "Till the Source arrives to kill him and steal his power."

"But—" Piper shook her head.

"Your bounty's outside." Ludlow informed them, nodding towards the door then threw out his arm sending them soaring backwards out of the door.

They reappeared outside on the concrete, the gates locking them out.

Leo jumped up and pulled Piper up too.

"Leo hurry. Go get him." she ordered and he disappeared in a flurry of lights only to bounce back off the gate and land on the ground.

Piper flicked her wrists over and over again, determined to blast through the gate, refusing to face the fact that Tyler was trapped, "It's a force field. I can't blast through it."

"I'll go get your sisters'." Leo told her.

"Leo." She said seriously, her eyes shining.

"I know." He nodded, "Hurry."

~PO4~

Halliwell Manor

Paige was seated in the attic, on Aunt Pearl's couch with the Book of Shadows in front of her while Cole stared helplessly at Phoebe who continued to flash, only now she stayed black and white for longer.

Leo orbed into the attic, "It's a disaster there. Ludlow has Tyler." He announced fearing for the boy's safety.

"It's a disaster down here too." Cole pointed at Phoebe which said it all.

"Piper needs her sisters' immediately." Leo shot back.

"Oh, I'll be right with you." Phoebe assured him, "As soon as I finish this sleeve." She added looking pointedly at her knitting, now completely black and white all the time.

"A child is in danger Phoebe. We need you now." Leo begged.

"Phoebe?" Phoebe questioned, "Who's Phoebe?"

"She can't go with you." Paige pointed out, "She doesn't even know who she is anymore."

"I beg your pardon." Phoebe cut in, "I know exactly who I am." She gazed up at Cole, "I...am Mrs. Cole Turner."

Leo sighed heavily and looked around, "Where is Prue."

Paige looked up again, "Uh...last I checked she was throwing up in the toilet." She said with fake cheer, "I swear to god, whatever she's got, she better get rid of it soon or we'll have four sick Charmed Ones for the Source to come and kill."

"Ha. Ha." Prue glared, her voice deadpanned as she entered the attic popping a mint in her mouth. She came to a stop beside Cole and gasped, "Oh...my god she's officially black and white."

Cole shook his head, pointing at Phoebe, "This is all wrong. Ever since I put that ring on your finger you've been acting strange."

Phoebe smiled up at him, "You mean I've been acting normal?"

"Which is strange for you, you know, I gotta be honest." He sighed, "If this is what being married to you is gonna be like, you can take that ring off now."

Phoebe shot to her feet, "I will not!"she cried in outrage, "This ring is a symbol of our love."

"OH!" Prue exclaimed suddenly, slapping Cole's chest, "That's it." She announced and they frowned, "What did I say before I kicked you all out of the bathroom?" she asked then answered her own question, "I said that Phoebe started acting differently after you gave her the ring. Gram's ring, you now, the woman with the worst luck with men in the history of the world and absolutely hates all men and the thought of marriage because of it."

Paige stood up, "It's the ring!".

Prue nodded, "It's the ring." Then looked to the heavens and glared, "Really Grams?" she asked, hands on hips, "Cursing the ring? Seriously?" then she turned back to Phoebe and held out her hand, "Give it to me." She ordered firmly but Phoebe clutched it to her chest and shook her head defiantly.

Prue turned to Paige who smirked and held out her own hand, "Grams' ring please." She called and the ring orbed to her.

Phoebe looked down at her bare finger, "No." She whined as she began flickering back to color.

"Listen to this inscription." Paige command, "To gain another is to lose yourself." She read as Phoebe eased down on the chair again.

Prue looked to the heavens, "Seriously!" she fumed.

Cole looked to Phoebe who was once again normal and rushed to her side, "Are you feeling better?"

"I feel a little faint." Phoebe admitted shakily.

Prue rolled her eyes, "Join the fracking club." She muttered darkly and Phoebe tilted her head at her.

"Can you hold it together?" Paige asked hopefully, "We gotta go."

"I don't know." Phoebe sighed looking around, "I'm still a little confused."

"Well, nothing will remind you of who you are better than saving an innocent." Cole pointed out, "Now go to work."

~PO4~

Leo orbed in with Paige, Phoebe and Prue, Piper turning to them instantly and striding over. "I can't get in!"

"Oh my god!" Prue gasped clutching both Paige and Leo's arms as she doubled over.

Phoebe's eyes widened, "Whoa!"

Piper frowned, "You okay?"

Prue remained bent double, "Dizzy...Lightheaded...Faint...Nauseous...World...Spinning." She replied one word at a time then added quickly, "I'll be fine."

Piper frowned deeper but turned to Phoebe, "You gotta write a spell."

"Are you up to it?" Paige asked and Phoebe nodded.

"I think so uh...Door unlock, no magic block."

"That's it?" Piper asked sceptically.

"Come here." Phoebe ordered pulling Piper towards her, "Prue?"

Prue took a deep breath and stood upright, "Okay." She nodded, taking both Piper and Paige's hands.

"Door unlock, no magic block"

The said together and the gate glowed and Piper sprang forwards grabbing the bars but received a shock in return.

Phoebe walked after her, "Honey, maybe we should go back and check the Book of Shadows again."

"I can't leave Tyler here." Piper shook refused.

"It doesn't look like you have much of a choice." Paige pointed out gently.

"NO!" Tyler yelled from inside and Piper froze, "NO PLEASE DON'T HURT ME?"

"Stand back." Piper ordered and then blasted the gate but it had no affect so she tried again but still nothing, "Damn it." She cursed, hearing Tyler yell again, "Shit."

Prue stepped in beside her, "Try again." She ordered and Piper turned to her with tear-filled, desperate eyes.

Prue nodded then faced the gate.

Piper took a deep breath and Prue placed one hand on her sister's shoulder, the other on her arm and channelled all her power into Piper.

That coupled with Piper's already boiling rage, the gate was blasted to smithereens.

Piper smirked and cut her eyes to Prue, "Thank you."

Prue shook her head, eyes wide, "Nu-uh. That was all you hon." She said staring at Piper in awe.

Piper sighed and then strode forwards: a woman on a mission.

Phoebe ran up to Prue and asked, "What was that?"

Paige appeared on the other side, "I think we just saw a mother lift a car off her child."

Prue nodded her head slowly, "Piper is pissed." She stated as they ran after their scary-mad sister.

~PO4~

"All the pain...is over." Ludlow mused as he waved his hands over a frozen solid Tyler, "Soon...you will serve...the Source." He finished just as the door to his office was blasted open and Piper walked through it, her sisters' behind her.

"I'm back!" she smiled.

"I paid you your bounty." Ludlow cried in insult.

"Yeah that's not what I'm after." Piper spat and flicker her wrists blasting him backwards then turned to Phoebe, "Power of four spell." She demanded and Phoebe shook her head.

"I don't have one." She exclaimed and Piper froze.

"What?" she snapped and Prue smiled at Paige clearing her throat loudly. "What!" Piper turned on her and she pointed to Paige.

"I did one." Paige said timidly and shrugged.

Piper and Phoebe sent Prue a questioned glance and she smiled.

"There's a first time for everything." Prue replied and shrugged, "The girl's gotta learn."

Paige unfolded a piece of paper and handed it to Piper and Prue who were in the middle as Ludlow clambered to his feet.

"Nu-uh." Prue shook her head and held out her hand, "You can't get up yet." She informed him and he hit the ground, face down.

"The brittle winter, gives way to flowers of spring.

Ludlow is vanquished."

The fours sisters' chanted together, Piper, Prue and Phoebe exchanging looks as they read, Phoebe snatching the paper from their hands at the end and turning it over looking for more.

Ludlow jerked on the ground and clutched his stomach before he blew apart.

"What the hell was that?" Phoebe demanded as they raced towards Tyler.

"It's a haiku." Paige answered, "I couldn't do the rhyming thing."

"Leo he's frozen!" Piper cried but her husband's hands were already hovering above the boy, healing him slowly.

"I got him." he assured her, his eyes on Tyler.

Prue shot Phoebe a look who was shaking her head at Paige chuckling silently then turned to the youngest and newest Charmed One, "Don't worry sweetie, you'll get better." She assured her rubbing her arm, "I hope." Prue asked quietly, "Cause that was really terrible." She chuckled and Paige stuck out her tongue at them.

"His hand is starting to warm up." Piper announced suddenly and seconds later Tyler was alert and gasping for breath, completely defrosted.

"He's gonna make it." Leo assured them, "Let's get back to the gate and orb home."

Prue cringed, "Urgh! Do we have to?" she whined as Leo lifted Tyler into his arms.

Phoebe and Paige turned to her with raised eyebrows.

"If we do, I'm gonna throw up." She informed them and Phoebe cringed.

"If you wanna walk..." Paige shrugged and Prue sighed shivering at the thought.

"Aw, poor baby." Phoebe teased wrapping her arms around her big sister as they followed Piper and Leo out.

~PO4~

Halliwell Manor

"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Piper asked Tyler, holding the glass with a couple inches full of blue liquid to her chest, "It's completely up to you."

"Yeah, I'm sure." Tyler nodded.

Piper bit her lip, "It's an awful lot to give up."

"No, it's not." Tyler disagreed, "Not for me."

Piper sighed, glanced at Leo, "Alright, here ya go." then held out the glass, "It uh...will bind your powers. It won't strip them but it'll bind them." She explained and Tyler downed the liquid quickly and burped.

"Say "excuse me" Piper ordered and Leo laughed.

"Excuse me." Tyler said obediently.

"Ludlow's right, nobody teaches manners anymore." She quipped smirked over at her husband as she put the glass in the sink.

"Do you think it worked?" Tyler asked Leo hopefully.

"Try it." He shrugged, "Look at something and get mad. Just think of Ludlow."

Tyler focused on the kitchen table and concentrated hard but nothing happened, "I didn't hurt it!" he cried happily, "I'm normal!"

"Whatever that means." Piper teased and he smiled, "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Piper called as he made a dash for the kitchen door, "Where you going?"

"To play video games." Tyler grinned then ran off in the TV room.

Leo smirked at his wife, "Still wanna have a baby?" he asked going to the cupboard for a glass.

Piper nodded, "Uh-huh. I'm just not ready for an adolescent yet."

"Well, Paige said she found a pretty good family, not too far from here." Leo informed her with a smile, pouring himself some juice.

"I'm glad because I want visitation rights." Piper quipped only half-joking, "Plus, you know, I have to be in touch, in case he ever wants his powers back." She added wrapping her arms around herself.

"You think he will?" Leo asked, closing the fridge again.

Piper shrugged, "I don't know. He's a surprising kid."

"Yeah." Leo nodded, "Like the piggyback orb."

Piper smirked, "I was so focused on how I was gonna guide him...then he ended up guiding me." She admitted quietly.

"How?" Leo asked, putting down his glance as approaching his wife.

"Well, you know, how I was upset with Grams for binding our powers..." she looked up at him as he ran his hands up and down her arms, "...leaving us unprepared for our magical future?"

"You mentioned it once or twice." Leo teased and Piper scoffed.

"Well, now, I see the wisdom in her decision." She admitted looking up into his eyes, "I mean, she realised, someday, we were gonna have to battle demons but she also realised that children shouldn't live in fear." She paused as tears stung at her eyes and a lump formed in her throat. "They need to feel safe." She whispered then cleared her throat sharply, "To explore and learn and grow." Piper continued then smirked slowly, "I still think magic is a gift...but Grams gave us the greatest gift of all: a normal childhood." She choked out, swallowing the lump as her eyes filled up with tears, over what she wasn't really sure, maybe it was thanks and gratitude for her grandmother.

Piper sniffled as Leo's hand cupped her cheek, "The gift of innocence." She smiled at him and he smiled back before pulling her against his chest as a few tears slipped out, Piper clutching onto him and closing her eyes with a small sigh.

~PO4~

"Hey." Andy greeted quietly as he slipped into his bedroom, clicking the door closed behind him.

Prue, who had previously been staring off into space, her legs crossed, sitting in the middle of their bed startled slightly, and angled her body towards him, plastering a genuine smile on her face, "Hey." She grinned beyond relieved to see her husband's handsome face, "How was your day?" she asked curiously as he stripped off his tie, pants and shirt before falling onto the bed beside her, clad in only his boxers and a white wife-beater, resting his head in her lap.

"Long." Andy replied with a heavy, tired sigh.

Prue nodded, "Oh mine too." She agreed as she played with the tufts of hair at the base of his skull.

There was a comfortable moment of silence before Andy stated, "There's a kid downstairs."

"I know." Prue nodded, "That's Tyler."

Andy looked up at her, "The runaway?" he questioned and his wife nodded.

"Magical fire-starter too." She added in as an after-thought.

"He's in our living room playing video games." He continued, staring up at her face.

Prue nodded again then paused, "Huh...I thought he was in the kitchen with Piper and Leo." She mused then shrugged her shoulders dismissively, "Guess they did it already."

"Did what?" Andy asked, eyes now closed.

"Bound his powers." Prue stated, her eyes on her husband's face as she continued to run her fingers through his hair lightly.

Andy frowned, "Thought Piper was against that."

"She is—Was—Not too sure anymore but it was the kid's decision." Prue explained with another shrug, "He's old enough to understand the risks and responsibilities, therefore old enough to make the decision himself...and he chose to have a normal life since he actually has that option." She frowned, "Unlike our children."

"You think they'll be too powerful?" Andy asked although it was more of a statement than a query.

Prue nodded slowly, "And too sought after." She added then looked down at her husband seriously, "A little like Tyler, who was deeply desired by the Source." She pointedly stressed the name and felt Andy stiffen under her touch, his eyes popping open to look into hers. "He's back." She informed him matter-of-fact, her voice grim.

Andy exhaled slowly and pushed himself up, resting on his forearm instead. "Which means we're back in the game." He concluded and Prue smiled at his use of the word 'we' instead of 'you' in regards to the imminent fight ahead as it made her feel a lot safer knowing she had her husband's support no matter what, especially now.

Prue nodded slowly, almost reluctantly, "But we'll get him baby." She assured him with a smile, running her fingers along his jaw, "We Halliwells' always get our bad guy." She smirked and he rolled his eyes.

Prue laughed, watching him with a loving smile as she stroked his cheek, "I know you're tired and I hate to keep you up later than necessary but..." she trailed off and bit her lip nervously while his eyes were still closed, "I really need to talk to you...it's important."

Andy's eyes, once again, popped open and he looked at her intently, giving his full attention.

Prue took a breath, "I need to know where you stand on the whole bind or no bind deal when it comes to our kid's powers." She told him in one long breath.

Andy's eyes widened slightly and he exhaled deeply, wishing she had waited until morning to ask this question, he really didn't want to fight tonight. "Uh..." Andy ran a tired hand down his face, "...I'm actually against it." He told her honestly and Prue blinked once, the surprise more than evident in her features.

"Excuse me?" she said, narrowing her eyes in disbelief, "Did I hear you correctly?"

Andy felt his head throb at the potential clash of opinions and dropped his head, "Yes. Why? Do you feel differently?"

Prue shook her head, then realising that he wasn't looking at her, cleared her throat and answered, "No. No, I uh...I, I actually feel the same way." She informed him and heard his audible sigh of relief.

"Thank god!" he cried tipping his head back, "I am way too beat to argue."

Prue glared silently at his comment then poked his bicep with her forefinger sharply, causing him to jerk his head forwards again and cut his eyes to hers, "What about the Church?" she asked carefully, "I know how important your faith is to you."

Andy nodded slowly, "Yeah it was—is—but now it's just, I don't know, I'm a little more lenient I guess." He said vaguely and Prue furrowed her brow looking at him quizzically and he elaborated, "After you die and see what the afterlife is like for a magical being, haven been so close to one in life that you were allowed in, you tend not to worry about what comes after quite so much." He explained tilting his head up to her, "I guess what I mean is that, we can take 'em to Church steadily and then let them decide when they're old enough, cause I already know where they're gonna go when they die, I've seen it, been there so...it's not a concern of mine anymore. I know they'll be safe." Andy reached up and cupped her cheek, "We'll let them decide, when they're ready."

Prue smiled softly at him then closed the distance standing between them and pressed her lips to his lovingly.

"There's something else." She informed him quietly, her tone even more serious than before.

Andy's eyes narrowed and he pushed himself up right, "What happened?"

Prue bit her lip and grabbed his hand in hers tightly. She took a deep breath and just blurted it out, knowing if she thought too much, or more than she already had, she'd never be able to get the words out of her mouth.

"I'm pregnant." She revealed and silence engulfed the room.

Andy stared at her for several, terrifyingly long minutes, before blinking rapidly and lifting his eyebrows questioningly to which Prue nodded her head in confirmation.

Andy's eyes lit up with an overwhelming array of emotions as a large grin threatened to split his face in two, "We're having a baby?" he whispered as if it were some fragile secret and the reality would shatter it if he said it too loudly, eyes dancing merrily.

Prue, still biting down on her lip, nodded her head mutely, managing a small, "Uh-huh." in reply.

"We're having a baby?" Andy repeated, sounding a little more convinced and Prue merely nodded her head again and kept nodding every time he asked the same question, "We're having a baby!" Andy exclaimed almost too loudly and Prue slapped her hand over his mouth silencing him.

"Sssshhhhh!" she ordered harshly, "I haven't told my sisters' yet, and I'm not ready too, the only other person who knows—besides you and me—is Leo and only because he found out himself." Prue scowled at him and they conversed with their eyes, he making a silent vow to be quiet, and she released her grip.

Andy stared at her, and not knowing what else to say at that moment asked, "How did Leo find out exactly?" that being the only question that managed to push its way through the haze of shock and cloudy elation.

Prue's eyes widened innocently and she reluctantly answered, "When he...healed me." She winced at the flash of anger and panic that flickered across his eyes before the emotions from before returned. "Comes with the job honey, you know that. It's the same for you." Prue reminded him with a pointed finger, "Anyway, he was the one that confirmed it. I, I hadn't even gotten to the doctor yet and I'd only taken the test this morning so..." she shrugged and gazed into his eyes, "Sorry he knew before you did." She apologized sincerely, resentful of that fact herself but knowing that it was necessary in order for her to be able to tell him now.

Andy shook his head and looked at her, grinning like a Cheshire cat, "I'm too happy right now to give a shit." He swiftly leaned down and pushed his lips on hers, excitement and joy and love and thanks all pressed into the one kiss and Prue felt her head spin and she hoped to god it was the kiss and not nausea.

Andy released her lips briefly, looking deep into her eyes, "I love you so much." He told her sternly.

Prue smiled at him, her eyes wet and blurry, his happiness making her deliriously so, "I love you too." She whispered back before he pulled her head towards his and crashed his lips onto hers hungrily, fully intending on celebrating the most magical words he'd heard from her lips since 'I do'

~PO4~

Phoebe squealed loudly, covering her face with her hands as she cried, "Okay, okay, stop splashing! I'll say it." She relented wriggling against Cole's body, the water swishing up the sides of the bath as she did so, "Cole Turner, is the greatest lawyer in all of the world." She giggled and Cole kissed the top of her head.

"The greatest unemployed lawyer in all of the world." Cole corrected her and Phoebe laughed loudly. "Although Mr. Yates did respond to my..." Cole paused, searching for an alternative word for 'threat', "...persuasive argument—" he chuckled and Phoebe laughed silently, her shoulders shaking, "—and got the tenants' heat back on." Cole pointed out positively.

Phoebe's eyebrows rose, "And he's not going to press charges?" she asked brightly.

"Nope." Cole replied happily, "His lawyer thought the case would raise more issues than it closed." He explained kissing her head again.

Phoebe grinned, "I am so proud of you." She gushed tilting her head to kiss his lips.

"Now, that was colorful." He teased and Phoebe rolled her eyes.

"Okay, now, I think I figured out what Grams did to this ring here." She informed him reaching for the ring which was resting on one of the unlit candles.

"Did you, now?" Cole asked pulling her closer to him.

Phoebe nodded as she held it up in front of them, "I think to keep her from making a seventh mistake, she put a hex on the ring. So that it she ever got engaged again, the ring would remind her of what she hated about marriage."

Cole nodded knowingly, "Hmmm...the loss of identity, the subjugation to a man, the focus on housework." He listed of quickly and Phoebe nodded.

"All those things that I was afraid of." She sighed, shaking her head at the ring.

"But Grams was from a different era." Cole pointed out wisely, "That's not gonna happen to us. Sitting and knitting is not the woman you are, just like sitting and typing is not the man I am."

Phoebe smirked and a loud giggle escaped her lips, "No." She shook her head, "I can't picture you doing that."

Cole chuckled along with her but his eyes held a deeper question, "But...can you picture us together, or are you so freaked out by marriage that you don't—"

"No." Phoebe interrupted sternly, "I wanna marry you." She assured him with a smile, "We just have to work extra hard to make sure neither one of us loses our identity." She looked up at her fiancé and he kissed her forehead, repeatedly.

Phoebe smiled then turned her focus back on the ring, "And as for Grams and her notion of marriage..." she pushed herself up and yanked out the plughole, the water draining slowly. She turned her head as Cole slid up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "We can watch that go down the drain." She grinned mischievously and then dropped it down the plughole.

Cole chuckled, pulling her tight against him and kissing her slowly.

~PO4~

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And scene! lol Well, another episode, another update. Let me know what you thought and maybe I'll update even sooner lol

Rachel xo