CHARMED
"UNCHARMED"
by J. B. Tilton
email: aramath@isot.com
Rating: PG-13 (for mild language)
PART 4: UNCONSCIOUS DESIRE
Leo and Matilda return with news that the Elders have no idea
what's going on. Piper, Phoebe, and Paige discover that they may have
to accept that they are no longer the Charmed Ones. And that they will
remain normal humans forever
* * *
ONE
Patty and Phoebe spent several hours the next morning with Pam.
She remained as Phoebe had first seen her. Unconscious and unmoving.
She looked very peaceful even considering she was hooked up to
machines, most of which Phoebe couldn't identify.
Phoebe even took a turn reading to Pam. Patty seemed to
appreciate the assistance. Even after twenty-two years, Phoebe could
tell it was hard on Patty. She wondered how she would feel if it was
Piper or Paige lying in that bed.
"So," said Patty, when they took a break from reading, "how is
it that you and Cole Turner ended up together?"
"We were witnesses in one of his cases," said Phoebe. "Of
course, at the time, we didn't know who he really was. By the time we
found out, I was already in love with him. Things really got
complicated after that, I can tell you. I'll just be glad when . . .
and if, I can get him back. It's been really hard without him."
"I can imagine," said Patty.
"Why didn't you ever marry?" asked Phoebe.
"Never could find the right person," confided Patty. "I mean,
we have to keep our being the Charmed Ones a secret. There were a
couple of guys. But when they found out I was a witch, they couldn't
handle it."
"I can understand that," said Phoebe. "We've had our share of
those, too."
"You know," said Patty, "it's not that I don't believe you.
About reality being changed and all. It's just that it's a bit much
to swallow. To have that kind of power would be incredible."
"I know what you mean," said Phoebe. "I know how it sounds.
But as Piper said, our memories are too real, too vivid. I can't
believe it's someone who's just playing with our memories."
Just then the door to the room opened and two men walked in.
They were wearing the white coats that identified them as doctors.
One was Dr. Cavanaugh, Pam's regular physician. He introduced the
other as Dr. Sommerset, a specialist.
"Dr. Sommerset is a neurologist," explained Dr. Cavanaugh.
"He's run some test on Pam. I'm afraid the news isn't good, Patty."
"I'm afraid your sister's condition is only going to get worse,"
said Dr. Sommerset without preamble. "It seems that her synaptic
pathways are beginning to deteriorate. Dr. Cavanaugh has been able to
delay the degradation with drug therapy, but she's beginning to build
up a tolerance to the drugs. I'm afraid it's only a matter of time
before they won't do any good."
"I understand," said Patty. "Dr. Cavanaugh told us this would
eventually happen. We've been prepared for it for several years. How
long before this happens?"
"Two to three weeks is my guess," said Dr. Sommerset. "Maybe a
month, depending on her resistance to the drugs. Not much longer, I'm
afraid. It would probably be best if you made whatever arrangements
you may need to make. I can assure you, she'll remain unconscious.
She won't suffer."
"Thank you," said Patty. "My sisters and I appreciate
everything you've done for her."
"They seemed pretty blasé about it," said Phoebe, after the
doctors had left. "Almost as if they didn't care."
"They care," said Patty. "Dr. Cavanaugh has been Pam's doctor
for the last eleven years. We've always asked him to be totally
honest with us about her condition, even if the news was bad. And as
I told Dr. Sommerset, it's something we've been expecting. I just
thought I would be better prepared for it after all these years."
"No matter how much preparation you have," said Phoebe, "you're
never really quite ready for it. I know from personal experience. I
never knew my mother that well before she died. But when grams died,
and then Prue, we didn't really have much time to prepare. One moment
they were with us, the next they were gone."
"You're right, of course," said Patty. "Deep down I guess I
always hoped she would come out of it. She was little more than a
child when she was put into that coma. She didn't even have a chance
to live. I suppose we should get back to the manor. I need to tell
Patrice and Paula. I'm sure they're there by now. Patrice probably
has the vanquishing potion ready."
"Okay," said Phoebe. "Maybe later on we can come back again."
Patty just smiled, then the two left the center and returned to
the manor.
When they got to the manor, Patrice and Paula were there.
Patrice held up a small vial with a green colored liquid in it. The
vanquishing potion for Belthazor was ready the next time he attacked.
Leo and Matilda were also there. The Elders had no idea what
was going on, according to Leo. No one had ever exhibited any
psychokinetic ability to the degree that they could change all of
reality the way it had been changed. They had told Leo they would
check into it and see what they could find out.
On a brighter note, they were able to confirm that Matilda was,
indeed, a White Lighter. Everyone was perplexed at how she could be a
White Lighter without anyone else knowing about her. Since she was a
White Lighter, they had agreed to let her remain with the Halliwell
sisters. If, and when, Belthazor returned, she would be an added
protection against his power.
While they were in the living room talking, they suddenly heard
the front door open. They all watched the entry way as a man walked
into the house and stopped, looking into the living room.
"Hi," said the man, putting a briefcase down on the floor. "I
didn't know we were having company."
Everyone stared at the man in disbelief. While the others were
startled, Phoebe was completely stunned. None could believe that this
man had simply walked into the manor as if he belonged there.
Standing in the entryway with an overcoat slung over his arm was Cole
Turner.
"UNCHARMED"
by J. B. Tilton
email: aramath@isot.com
Rating: PG-13 (for mild language)
PART 4: UNCONSCIOUS DESIRE
Leo and Matilda return with news that the Elders have no idea
what's going on. Piper, Phoebe, and Paige discover that they may have
to accept that they are no longer the Charmed Ones. And that they will
remain normal humans forever
* * *
ONE
Patty and Phoebe spent several hours the next morning with Pam.
She remained as Phoebe had first seen her. Unconscious and unmoving.
She looked very peaceful even considering she was hooked up to
machines, most of which Phoebe couldn't identify.
Phoebe even took a turn reading to Pam. Patty seemed to
appreciate the assistance. Even after twenty-two years, Phoebe could
tell it was hard on Patty. She wondered how she would feel if it was
Piper or Paige lying in that bed.
"So," said Patty, when they took a break from reading, "how is
it that you and Cole Turner ended up together?"
"We were witnesses in one of his cases," said Phoebe. "Of
course, at the time, we didn't know who he really was. By the time we
found out, I was already in love with him. Things really got
complicated after that, I can tell you. I'll just be glad when . . .
and if, I can get him back. It's been really hard without him."
"I can imagine," said Patty.
"Why didn't you ever marry?" asked Phoebe.
"Never could find the right person," confided Patty. "I mean,
we have to keep our being the Charmed Ones a secret. There were a
couple of guys. But when they found out I was a witch, they couldn't
handle it."
"I can understand that," said Phoebe. "We've had our share of
those, too."
"You know," said Patty, "it's not that I don't believe you.
About reality being changed and all. It's just that it's a bit much
to swallow. To have that kind of power would be incredible."
"I know what you mean," said Phoebe. "I know how it sounds.
But as Piper said, our memories are too real, too vivid. I can't
believe it's someone who's just playing with our memories."
Just then the door to the room opened and two men walked in.
They were wearing the white coats that identified them as doctors.
One was Dr. Cavanaugh, Pam's regular physician. He introduced the
other as Dr. Sommerset, a specialist.
"Dr. Sommerset is a neurologist," explained Dr. Cavanaugh.
"He's run some test on Pam. I'm afraid the news isn't good, Patty."
"I'm afraid your sister's condition is only going to get worse,"
said Dr. Sommerset without preamble. "It seems that her synaptic
pathways are beginning to deteriorate. Dr. Cavanaugh has been able to
delay the degradation with drug therapy, but she's beginning to build
up a tolerance to the drugs. I'm afraid it's only a matter of time
before they won't do any good."
"I understand," said Patty. "Dr. Cavanaugh told us this would
eventually happen. We've been prepared for it for several years. How
long before this happens?"
"Two to three weeks is my guess," said Dr. Sommerset. "Maybe a
month, depending on her resistance to the drugs. Not much longer, I'm
afraid. It would probably be best if you made whatever arrangements
you may need to make. I can assure you, she'll remain unconscious.
She won't suffer."
"Thank you," said Patty. "My sisters and I appreciate
everything you've done for her."
"They seemed pretty blasé about it," said Phoebe, after the
doctors had left. "Almost as if they didn't care."
"They care," said Patty. "Dr. Cavanaugh has been Pam's doctor
for the last eleven years. We've always asked him to be totally
honest with us about her condition, even if the news was bad. And as
I told Dr. Sommerset, it's something we've been expecting. I just
thought I would be better prepared for it after all these years."
"No matter how much preparation you have," said Phoebe, "you're
never really quite ready for it. I know from personal experience. I
never knew my mother that well before she died. But when grams died,
and then Prue, we didn't really have much time to prepare. One moment
they were with us, the next they were gone."
"You're right, of course," said Patty. "Deep down I guess I
always hoped she would come out of it. She was little more than a
child when she was put into that coma. She didn't even have a chance
to live. I suppose we should get back to the manor. I need to tell
Patrice and Paula. I'm sure they're there by now. Patrice probably
has the vanquishing potion ready."
"Okay," said Phoebe. "Maybe later on we can come back again."
Patty just smiled, then the two left the center and returned to
the manor.
When they got to the manor, Patrice and Paula were there.
Patrice held up a small vial with a green colored liquid in it. The
vanquishing potion for Belthazor was ready the next time he attacked.
Leo and Matilda were also there. The Elders had no idea what
was going on, according to Leo. No one had ever exhibited any
psychokinetic ability to the degree that they could change all of
reality the way it had been changed. They had told Leo they would
check into it and see what they could find out.
On a brighter note, they were able to confirm that Matilda was,
indeed, a White Lighter. Everyone was perplexed at how she could be a
White Lighter without anyone else knowing about her. Since she was a
White Lighter, they had agreed to let her remain with the Halliwell
sisters. If, and when, Belthazor returned, she would be an added
protection against his power.
While they were in the living room talking, they suddenly heard
the front door open. They all watched the entry way as a man walked
into the house and stopped, looking into the living room.
"Hi," said the man, putting a briefcase down on the floor. "I
didn't know we were having company."
Everyone stared at the man in disbelief. While the others were
startled, Phoebe was completely stunned. None could believe that this
man had simply walked into the manor as if he belonged there.
Standing in the entryway with an overcoat slung over his arm was Cole
Turner.