SIX
"Morning everyone," said Paige, coming into the kitchen the next
morning. Piper, Phoebe, and Matilda were already there. "Matilda, I
thought you were going to check with the Elders this morning?"
"I'm going in a few minutes," said Matilda. "Piper has fixed
another of her great meals. You are such a good cook, Piper. I think
it's a shame you gave up being a chef."
"Yeah, well, things don't always work out the way we planned,"
said Piper. "I'm perfectly happy with the way things have turned out.
Or had turned out. Oh, this can really mess with your mind."
"I know what you mean," said Paige. "I was so sure about what
was causing this. I really am sorry about all the trouble I caused.
I should have thought things through a little more before I said
anything."
"Already forgotten," said Piper. "Now, sit down and eat while
everything is still hot. I haven't slaved over a stove all morning to
let this food go to waste."
"I guess Cole has already gone to court?" asked Paige while they
were eating.
"I suppose," said Phoebe. "He was gone this morning when I got
up. He did say he had to be there early this morning. I just didn't
realize how early. I miss him."
"He'll be back soon," said Matilda. "In the mean time, I guess
I should be getting 'up there'. The sooner I see if the Elders know
anything, the sooner I can get back here. Belthazor is still out
there somewhere. I want to make sure I'm here when he attacks again."
"Not a problem," said Phoebe, pulling the vial with the
vanquishing potion out of her pocket. "I'm ready for him. The minute
he shimmers in, we'll be rid of him forever. Then we won't have to
worry about demon attacks every again."
'Maybe not," said Piper. "Belthazor is a mercenary. Which
means he was hired by someone to kill you. If we vanquish him, it's
possible that whoever hired him will just get someone else to finish
the job."
"We can worry about that later," said Phoebe. "Right now, our
main problem is Belthazor. Maybe once we vanquish Belthazor, whoever
sent him after us will think twice about sending anyone else after
us."
"Maybe," said Matilda. "But until we figure out what's going
on, Belthazor will have to wait."
Suddenly, Leo orbed into the kitchen. No one was really
surprised to see him. In this altered time line, they were getting to
be friends with him as well as the new Charmed Ones. Leo stood
looking at the Halliwells for a moment, and then looked at Matilda.
"Matilda," said Leo, with a look of confusion on his face, "what
are you doing here?"
"I'm staying around as much as possible," said Matilda. "In
case Belthazor attacks again. If nothing else, I can orb Phoebe away
before he can do any harm."
"Belthazor?" questioned Leo. "How could Belthazor harm anyone?
They vanquished him months ago. At least you stripped him from Cole.
What I don't understand is why you're here, Matilda."
"What do you mean?" asked Piper. "We explained all that the
other day. Since no one remembers who she is, we all thought it was
best if she stayed with us. Now that you have new charges and all."
"What new charges?" asked Leo. "Now, I'm totally confused.
I've been your White Lighter practically since you became the Charmed
Ones. I don't have any new charges."
The four women looked at Leo in total confusion. He was talking
as if nothing had happened in the last few days. As if they were
still the Charmed Ones.
"Leo, what are you talking about?" asked Piper. "You know
perfectly well what we're talking about."
"Maybe he doesn't," said Matilda. She picked up a cup from the
table. "Piper, see if you can freeze this." She threw the cup into
the air.
Piper watched as the cup arched in the air and began to descend
back toward the table. As it did, Piper raised her hands and the cup
suddenly froze in midair. Everyone but Leo stared at the dangling cup
in total amazement.
"Let me try," said Paige.
Paige suddenly orbed out, and a moment later came walking back
through the kitchen door.
"I can orb," she announced excitedly. "I can orb again.
Matilda, I was right after all. I guess it just took a while for
things to be put back the way they were supposed to be."
"So it would seem," said Matilda. "It would also seem that you
all have your powers back. And I'm willing to bet that more than that
has changed. I think that everything is probably back to the way
they're supposed to be."
"What do you mean 'the way they're supposed to be'"? asked Leo.
"Will someone explain to me what you're all talking about? And just
why the head of the White Lighter council is protecting my charges?"
"Head of the White Lighter Council?" asked Phoebe. "I thought
you said you were just another White Lighter?"
"Just another White Lighter"? questioned Leo. "Is that what she
told you? Matilda always was extremely modest. She's not just
another White Lighter. She's the head of the White Lighter council.
They help the Elders decide which person should become a White
Lighter."
"Yeah, that much we know," said Piper.
"Well, what Matilda may not have told you," said Leo, "is that
she's no ordinary White Lighter. She's actually the very first White
Lighter. The first person that was ever blessed with being a White
Lighter. Most White Lighters don't even know how long she's been a
White Lighter and she's always refused to tell anyone."
"It's not important," commented Matilda. "We all serve the
Elders. All White Lighters are important. Especially the Charmed
One's White Lighter."
"Which brings me back to my original question," said Leo. "What
is all this talk about me having new charges? And things changing.
Am I being reassigned? Is that why you're here?"
"Not exactly," said Piper. "Leo, what do you remember about the
last four years?"
"What kind of question is that?" asked Leo.
"Just answer it," said Piper.
"Okay," said Leo. "Four years ago Phoebe opened the Book of
Shadows and she, you, and Prue became the Charmed Ones. About a year
ago Prue died fighting the Source and Paige came into your lives,
restoring the Power of Three. A few months ago you defeated the
Source and fulfilled your destiny."
"What about us?" asked Piper. "What do you remember about you
and me?"
"Is this some kind of test?" asked Leo. "You know as well as I
do that you and I are married. We have been for some time. And
you're expecting our first child."
Piper just squealed and threw her arms around Leo and hugged him
close. Phoebe and Paige just looked at each other smiling.
Apparently everything had changed back to the way they were supposed
to be. Even though they were thrilled with the changes, they were
still perplexed at what had happened.
"Leo," said Piper, "you'd better sit down. We have a story to
tell you. And I'm not sure exactly where to start."
* * *
"That's one hell of a story," said Leo. "You're saying that
someone changed all of reality, making you normal humans and making
someone else the Charmed Ones. And I didn't know anything about it?"
"That's about the size of it," said Matilda. "Believe me, Leo,
I know how you must feel right now. As we said, I was away on retreat
when it happened, so I was protected from the changes. And it seems
we owe Paige an apology. It seems she was right."
"About what?" asked Paige.
"About Pam," said Matilda. "Last night, after you had all gone
to sleep, Paige convinced me that Pam just might be behind everything.
She said that if Pam was healed, things might be put back the way they
were supposed to be. I was skeptical, but I felt there was too much
at risk not to take that chance."
"You healed her?" asked Leo. "That's not allowed. How many
times have you told me that? Healing powers are only to be used for
demonic attacks. Anything else is unacceptable."
"I know," said Matilda. "But I thought it was necessary. As it
turns out, it seems that Paige was right. With Pam healed, things
have been set right again."
"So, everything is back to normal?" asked Leo.
"It would seem so," said Phoebe. "Paige and I will have to make
a couple of phone calls to make sure, but I think we'll find that
things are back the way they were. Which means I'm no longer a
klepto."
"A what?" asked Leo.
"Long story," said Piper. "I'll tell you all about it. Right
now, I want to spend some time alone with my husband. Leo, let's go
upstairs."
Still not completely sure of what was going on, Leo just smiled then
orbed Piper and himself up to their room.
"Morning everyone," said Paige, coming into the kitchen the next
morning. Piper, Phoebe, and Matilda were already there. "Matilda, I
thought you were going to check with the Elders this morning?"
"I'm going in a few minutes," said Matilda. "Piper has fixed
another of her great meals. You are such a good cook, Piper. I think
it's a shame you gave up being a chef."
"Yeah, well, things don't always work out the way we planned,"
said Piper. "I'm perfectly happy with the way things have turned out.
Or had turned out. Oh, this can really mess with your mind."
"I know what you mean," said Paige. "I was so sure about what
was causing this. I really am sorry about all the trouble I caused.
I should have thought things through a little more before I said
anything."
"Already forgotten," said Piper. "Now, sit down and eat while
everything is still hot. I haven't slaved over a stove all morning to
let this food go to waste."
"I guess Cole has already gone to court?" asked Paige while they
were eating.
"I suppose," said Phoebe. "He was gone this morning when I got
up. He did say he had to be there early this morning. I just didn't
realize how early. I miss him."
"He'll be back soon," said Matilda. "In the mean time, I guess
I should be getting 'up there'. The sooner I see if the Elders know
anything, the sooner I can get back here. Belthazor is still out
there somewhere. I want to make sure I'm here when he attacks again."
"Not a problem," said Phoebe, pulling the vial with the
vanquishing potion out of her pocket. "I'm ready for him. The minute
he shimmers in, we'll be rid of him forever. Then we won't have to
worry about demon attacks every again."
'Maybe not," said Piper. "Belthazor is a mercenary. Which
means he was hired by someone to kill you. If we vanquish him, it's
possible that whoever hired him will just get someone else to finish
the job."
"We can worry about that later," said Phoebe. "Right now, our
main problem is Belthazor. Maybe once we vanquish Belthazor, whoever
sent him after us will think twice about sending anyone else after
us."
"Maybe," said Matilda. "But until we figure out what's going
on, Belthazor will have to wait."
Suddenly, Leo orbed into the kitchen. No one was really
surprised to see him. In this altered time line, they were getting to
be friends with him as well as the new Charmed Ones. Leo stood
looking at the Halliwells for a moment, and then looked at Matilda.
"Matilda," said Leo, with a look of confusion on his face, "what
are you doing here?"
"I'm staying around as much as possible," said Matilda. "In
case Belthazor attacks again. If nothing else, I can orb Phoebe away
before he can do any harm."
"Belthazor?" questioned Leo. "How could Belthazor harm anyone?
They vanquished him months ago. At least you stripped him from Cole.
What I don't understand is why you're here, Matilda."
"What do you mean?" asked Piper. "We explained all that the
other day. Since no one remembers who she is, we all thought it was
best if she stayed with us. Now that you have new charges and all."
"What new charges?" asked Leo. "Now, I'm totally confused.
I've been your White Lighter practically since you became the Charmed
Ones. I don't have any new charges."
The four women looked at Leo in total confusion. He was talking
as if nothing had happened in the last few days. As if they were
still the Charmed Ones.
"Leo, what are you talking about?" asked Piper. "You know
perfectly well what we're talking about."
"Maybe he doesn't," said Matilda. She picked up a cup from the
table. "Piper, see if you can freeze this." She threw the cup into
the air.
Piper watched as the cup arched in the air and began to descend
back toward the table. As it did, Piper raised her hands and the cup
suddenly froze in midair. Everyone but Leo stared at the dangling cup
in total amazement.
"Let me try," said Paige.
Paige suddenly orbed out, and a moment later came walking back
through the kitchen door.
"I can orb," she announced excitedly. "I can orb again.
Matilda, I was right after all. I guess it just took a while for
things to be put back the way they were supposed to be."
"So it would seem," said Matilda. "It would also seem that you
all have your powers back. And I'm willing to bet that more than that
has changed. I think that everything is probably back to the way
they're supposed to be."
"What do you mean 'the way they're supposed to be'"? asked Leo.
"Will someone explain to me what you're all talking about? And just
why the head of the White Lighter council is protecting my charges?"
"Head of the White Lighter Council?" asked Phoebe. "I thought
you said you were just another White Lighter?"
"Just another White Lighter"? questioned Leo. "Is that what she
told you? Matilda always was extremely modest. She's not just
another White Lighter. She's the head of the White Lighter council.
They help the Elders decide which person should become a White
Lighter."
"Yeah, that much we know," said Piper.
"Well, what Matilda may not have told you," said Leo, "is that
she's no ordinary White Lighter. She's actually the very first White
Lighter. The first person that was ever blessed with being a White
Lighter. Most White Lighters don't even know how long she's been a
White Lighter and she's always refused to tell anyone."
"It's not important," commented Matilda. "We all serve the
Elders. All White Lighters are important. Especially the Charmed
One's White Lighter."
"Which brings me back to my original question," said Leo. "What
is all this talk about me having new charges? And things changing.
Am I being reassigned? Is that why you're here?"
"Not exactly," said Piper. "Leo, what do you remember about the
last four years?"
"What kind of question is that?" asked Leo.
"Just answer it," said Piper.
"Okay," said Leo. "Four years ago Phoebe opened the Book of
Shadows and she, you, and Prue became the Charmed Ones. About a year
ago Prue died fighting the Source and Paige came into your lives,
restoring the Power of Three. A few months ago you defeated the
Source and fulfilled your destiny."
"What about us?" asked Piper. "What do you remember about you
and me?"
"Is this some kind of test?" asked Leo. "You know as well as I
do that you and I are married. We have been for some time. And
you're expecting our first child."
Piper just squealed and threw her arms around Leo and hugged him
close. Phoebe and Paige just looked at each other smiling.
Apparently everything had changed back to the way they were supposed
to be. Even though they were thrilled with the changes, they were
still perplexed at what had happened.
"Leo," said Piper, "you'd better sit down. We have a story to
tell you. And I'm not sure exactly where to start."
* * *
"That's one hell of a story," said Leo. "You're saying that
someone changed all of reality, making you normal humans and making
someone else the Charmed Ones. And I didn't know anything about it?"
"That's about the size of it," said Matilda. "Believe me, Leo,
I know how you must feel right now. As we said, I was away on retreat
when it happened, so I was protected from the changes. And it seems
we owe Paige an apology. It seems she was right."
"About what?" asked Paige.
"About Pam," said Matilda. "Last night, after you had all gone
to sleep, Paige convinced me that Pam just might be behind everything.
She said that if Pam was healed, things might be put back the way they
were supposed to be. I was skeptical, but I felt there was too much
at risk not to take that chance."
"You healed her?" asked Leo. "That's not allowed. How many
times have you told me that? Healing powers are only to be used for
demonic attacks. Anything else is unacceptable."
"I know," said Matilda. "But I thought it was necessary. As it
turns out, it seems that Paige was right. With Pam healed, things
have been set right again."
"So, everything is back to normal?" asked Leo.
"It would seem so," said Phoebe. "Paige and I will have to make
a couple of phone calls to make sure, but I think we'll find that
things are back the way they were. Which means I'm no longer a
klepto."
"A what?" asked Leo.
"Long story," said Piper. "I'll tell you all about it. Right
now, I want to spend some time alone with my husband. Leo, let's go
upstairs."
Still not completely sure of what was going on, Leo just smiled then
orbed Piper and himself up to their room.