CHAPTER 2: Reunion

Halliwell Manor, San Francisco, CA...Present Day

Piper mixed the pancake batter vigorously, putting herself completely into her task.

Leo watched her and smiled. It was good to see Piper mixing something other than potions. Surprisingly, since Cole's death, the Charmed Ones were seemingly given a break from demonic activity. Leo was grateful, considering that his child would be born in a matter of months.

He frowned, though, as his thoughts turned to Phoebe. She had closed herself off from almost anyone except her sisters and himself. She had barely left the house except to go to work or run errands. Leo could tell that she was afraid that if she allowed herself to fall in love again, she would be burned, big time.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching from the living room. Twisting around in his chair, he spotted Phoebe.

Piper looked up from the mixing bowl and smiled. "Morning, Pheebs," she said cheerfully. "I'll have pancakes ready in a few minutes, if you want some." She poured some batter onto the griddle.

The aroma that passed under Phoebe's nose was delicious and brought a smile to her face. "Sure, Piper, I'd love some."

"Well, I haven't seen one of those on your face in quite a while," said Piper. "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Yeah, actually," said Phoebe. "I guess it took me a little longer to work out the mess in my head than I thought." She looked at Piper and smiled. "I was thinking about going with you guys to P3 tonight."

"Really?" said Piper excitedly. "That's great!"

"I'm not saying that I'm looking to meet somebody," said Phoebe, "but I'll at least allow myself to get out and have some fun."

Leo smiled. The healing had begun.

****

Smith Estate, San Francisco, CA...Present Day

In the evening of that same day, Michael arrived in San Francisco.

He was grateful that Phoebe had given him her address and phone number in San Francisco before he'd left. Otherwise, it would have been interesting to explain how he found her. He at least wanted to have a comfortable few minutes with her before telling her everything.

He dialed her number. However, it appeared that no one was home since the answering machine picked up.

"Hi, you've reached the Halliwell Manor. Sorry we're not here right now. Leave a message at the beep, or, if you're REALLY desperate to talk, we're down at P3, seeing that we own it. Ciao!"

Michael smiled and hung up the phone. Her voice was like honey to his ears.

He put on a black button-down shirt over his black t-shirt and a pair of dark blue pants. Satisfied with his appearance, Michael went out to his computer and printed out directions to P3.

****

P3, Downtown San Francisco...Present Day

P3 was bouncing as usual.

Phoebe sat with Paige in their reserved alcove seats. Paige was glad to see Phoebe out and about again after being cooped up in the Manor for almost two straight weeks, and told her so.

"Thanks, sis," said Phoebe, patting her younger sister's hand.

"So, have you checked out the male population yet? I've spotted quite a few hotties in the area tonight, but I'll let you have first crack at them if you want."

"Not really," admitted Phoebe. "It's kind of hard to go looking for love after everything that I've been through in the last two and a half years."

"Well, you can't go on like that forever. Sooner or later, love will find a way back into your life," said Paige.

"I hope so," said Phoebe. "I really hope so."

****

Michael walked down the stairs of P3. He was quite impressed with what he saw. The club was tastefully decorated in his opinion, and the clientele seemed to make for a friendly environment.

He sat down at the bar. So far, he hadn't spotted Phoebe yet, which was good, considering that he still could not figure out what he was going to say to her.

What does one say after being away for five years?

The bartender, a brown-haired woman who appeared to be about Michael's age, approached him. "What can I get you?" she asked pleasantly.

"I'd like a mineral water, please," he said.

"Be right back," she said, walking to the other end of the bar. A minute later, she came back. "Here you go."

"Thanks," said Michael, taking out his wallet. He laid it down on the bar and reached inside to take out some cash. As the bartender reached to take it, she caught sight of a photograph in the wallet and stared at it intently. It was of Michael and Phoebe at the same club where they had first met in New York. Michael figured that the bartender must know her. "Do you know her?" he asked.

"Yes, she's my sister," said Piper.

"Really?" said Michael. He remembered Phoebe mentioning that she had two sisters, which had been the other key in realizing that Phoebe was a Charmed One. Michael stuck out his hand. "I'm Michael Smith," he introduced himself.

"Piper Halliwell," she said, shaking his hand. "How do you know Phoebe?" she asked curiously.

"She was my girlfriend back in New York about five years ago," he answered.

"I guessed as much on the timeframe, considering that Phoebe's hair hasn't been that short since then," Piper said, chuckling. Then, more seriously, she added, "I don't think she's ever mentioned you before."

"To be perfectly honest, I'm not surprised," said Michael somberly. "It was very painful for both of us when I had to leave, but I didn't have much choice at the time." He paused a moment to take a sip of water. "I promised her that I'd come back someday, and I have every intention of keeping that promise."

Piper was a bit taken by the dark-haired man in front of her. He seemed honest and sincere, which was definitely what Phoebe needed if she became involved in a relationship again. Still, she felt it best to inform him. "Listen, Phoebe's been going through some rough times recently. If she doesn't want you around right now, don't push her, ok? I really don't want to see her get hurt again," she warned.

"I won't hurt her, I promise," said Michael. "Is she here?"

"Yeah, she's over there, sitting with Paige, our other sister," said Piper, indicating the alcove seats that were hidden from view behind the dancing people.

"Hmmm..." Michael mused. "Piper, Phoebe, and Paige are three Ps. I guess that explains the name of the club, right?" asked Michael.

"Uh, yeah," answered Piper quickly.

Michael smiled inwardly. He, of course, already had guessed that the name came from the Power of Three. "I guess I'll see you around, Piper," he said as he walked away.

"Good luck," she said. 'You're going to need it,' she thought.

****

Phoebe reclined in her seat, very much relaxed at the moment. She had Paige to keep her company, and good music to listen to. As Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" started to play, she decided to take her sister's advice and check out the male population of the club. All of a sudden, her heart started to pound as she laid her eyes on the tall, dark, and handsome man that was approaching her.

She couldn't believe it. He'd come back.

After five years, he was finally back.

A warmth she hadn't felt in a long time rose in her chest.

She recognized it immediately: true love.

It was still there, after all.

And soon enough, there he was, standing right in front of her.

"Hello, Phoebe," he said. His voice was still rich and deep just as she remembered.

Phoebe found that her throat had gone dry. She swallowed. "Michael," she breathed, still not completely sure that this was real, that it wasn't the sweetest dream of all time.

"May I join you?" he asked politely, allowing a smile to play across his face.

She nodded and he sat down next to her. Finding her voice again, she said, "This is my sister Paige."

"Very nice to meet you," said Michael, shaking her hand.

"Likewise," said Paige. Realizing the situation from her sister's reaction to Michael, she said, "I'll go see what Piper's up to," and left.

"You're just as beautiful as I remember," said Michael.

She blushed and smiled. "You're just as handsome as I remember," she countered.

His face became more serious as he said, "I never expected to be away for as long as I was. I can't even imagine how much it must have hurt you."

She smiled sadly. "I was never angry at you about it. Of course I was upset, but I was upset at fate for having interfered in our life together." She paused. "I have to admit, I did have a few relationships while you were gone. I'd understand if you didn't want to see me because of that."

Michael was taken aback. "Phoebe, how can you say that? I love you. Nothing will ever change that."

Tears came to her eyes. "You do, after all this time?"

"Of course I do," he said, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'm not going anywhere this time, not now, not ever. As long as you want me to be in your life, I won't leave you again, I promise."

Phoebe allowed the tears to roll down her cheeks. "I - I love you, too."

Michael let out sigh of joy. Everything was working out just as it should. Now, he had to tell her the truth. After a moment, he said, "You remember the day when we found out about my father?"

"Yeah," said Phoebe. "Why?"

"Well, I told you that I had something to tell you, and I never got a chance to tell you it."

"I'm here now," she said. Phoebe saw that he seemed to be struggling a little. "Whatever it is, you can tell me," she reassured him, smiling.

"All right," he said. It was now or never. "Take my hand."

"What?" she said slightly confused.

"Do you trust me?" he asked her seriously.

"Yes," she answered.

"Then take my hand." He extended his right arm. Phoebe gingerly reached out to hold his hand. As she did so, she was jerked into a premonition.

****

New York, NY...February 1998

"NO!" Michael yelled. The mugger had just stabbed Phoebe in the stomach, and she was now lying on the ground unconscious. Michael quickly charged at the man and kicked the knife out of his hand. The man tried to fight Michael, but he quickly subdued him. Michael passed his hand in front of the man's face and said, "You will no longer follow this dark path. You will devote yourself to helping others. Now go." The man shook his head and walked away, confused.

Michael knelt over Phoebe and was relieved that she had a pulse. He cursed as he realized he didn't have a cell phone with him, and she could die at any moment. A feeling of regret quickly passed through his mind as he realized that his plan not to use his magic at all was not possible. Perhaps he'd been wrong to think he could deny being a witch. Returning to the matter at hand, he placed his hands over her wound. A white light emanated from his hands. Slowly, the blood began to flow back into her body, and the wound closed as though it had never been.

****

P3, Downtown San Francisco...Present Day

Phoebe gasped. "What - what the hell?" she stammered.

"Now you know the truth," said Michael, looking right into her eyes.

"You - you healed me..."

"Yes," he answered gravely. "I wanted to tell you. God, I wanted to tell you so badly. I wasn't sure that you could handle it then."

"How did you know?" she asked him.

"I felt your powers unbinding. The surge was so high that I knew you had to be a Charmed One, and I was able to discern which of the three powers you'd have."

"What are you?" Phoebe asked, still in shock from the whole thing. "Are you a Whitelighter?"

"No, Phoebe. I'm like you. I'm a witch."

Phoebe just stared at him. She couldn't believe it.

Michael was a witch.

That, from all the things she could have imagined, was definitely the last thing she expected.

Finally, after a few minutes, she was able to find her voice again. "So, what kinds of powers do you have?"

"I've lost count, actually," he admitted sheepishly.

"I'd like to hear about them," she said.

"Of course," said Michael.

"I don't think here is the best place," said Phoebe. Then, she said something that Michael had not expected just yet:

"Do you want to come to my place?"

Michael's heart nearly stopped.

If the seductive lilt in her voice could have dripped, he would be drowning in it.

The desire in her eyes was enough to take his breath away.

God knows how he managed to find the strength to answer her.

"I'd love to."

TO BE CONTINUED...