SIX

Paige had slept for several hours after Santerra's death. So
had the other people. Leo was able to make sure that they each woke
up in a different location to prevent anyone from suspecting what
might have happened. He had been able to replace Prue's body back
into the crypt where she had been buried without anyone discovering
that she had been taken.

"Okay," said Paige, sitting at the kitchen table with her
sisters, Cole, and Leo. "Explain to me exactly what happened. If my
soul left my body, why wasn't I dead?"

"Death occurs after the body ceases to function," explained Leo.
"Then, the soul leaves the body. Your body still functioned even
though your soul had been removed. Technically, you never died.
That's why you kept your powers in your spirit form."

"I see," said Paige. "What about the others? What happens when
they remember what they went through?"

"They won't," said Leo. "They won't have a memories of what
happened. They'll just wake up in a strange place without knowing
why. I made sure that someone found them so they won't be in any
danger."

"So why do I remember what happened?" asked Paige.

"Because, sweetie," said Piper, hugging her sister, "you're a
Charmed One. Not your typical, run of the mill human."

"That makes sense," said Paige. "So, if the philosophers stone
protected Santerra from your magic, how were you able to defeat her?"

"By giving her exactly what she wanted," said Cole.
"Immortality."

"I don't understand," said Paige.

"Haven't you ever wondered why you have to die to become a White
Lighter?" asked Leo.

"I never gave it much thought, really," said Paige. "I just
thought it was a reward for leading a really good life."

"It is," said Leo. "But the human body isn't designed to be
immortal. The amount of power that sustains a White Lighter as
immortal would consume a human body. Just as it did Santerra's.
That's why you don't become a White Lighter until AFTER you die. When
a person becomes a White Lighter, their body may look exactly as it
did in life, but it's actually a different body. One that can
withstand the immortality it has."

"So by trying to drain off your immortality," said Paige,
"Santerra actually killed herself."

"Exactly," said Phoebe. "If she had only taken a little as Leo
suggested she would have been fine. But we were betting on her being
too greedy and too impatient to keep the bargain. We figured that she
would want to get all of Leo's immortality in one instant. That way
she wouldn't have to worry about it ever again."

"And she thought the philosophers stone would protect her from
that?" asked Paige.

"Well, either that," said Leo, "or she wasn't aware that she
couldn't be immortal as a human. That's probably what it was. Most
humans aren't aware that they can never be immortal, no matter what
they do. Death is a natural part of being human, just as anything
else is."

"Leo," said Piper apprehensively, "if this thing is as powerful
as you say it is, couldn't we use it to bring Prue back to life? All
we have to do is use it to bring her soul back and put it back into
her body."

"No," Cole practically screamed. "I'm sorry. Piper, it's not
that I don't want Prue back. I know how much she means to you and to
Phoebe. This is nothing personal, believe me. But you can't use it
to restore life to someone."

"Cole's right," said Leo. "It's not as easy as just putting her
soul back into her body. Prue's been dead for months now. Her body
was embalmed. Once a body is embalmed, it's useless to house a
person's soul.

"But there's another reason. One that Cole was probably
thinking of. Resurrecting the dead is very dangerous. It takes
extremely powerful magic to do it. But there's no guarantee that it
will work the way you want it to. In fact, it usually doesn't. And
believe me, you don't want that to happen with Prue."

"Are you saying she'd come back different?" asked Phoebe.

"Yes," said Cole. "Much different. It probably wouldn't be
Prue at all. Just one of any number of bodiless spirits waiting to
take over. Most of them are very evil. They would have the power to
prevent Prue's soul from reentering her body and get in themselves.
And in her body, with her powers, there's no telling what damage she
could do."

"In the end," said Leo, "you'd be forced to destroy her. Or
she'd destroy you. No, Piper, I'm afraid that's not an option. I
know it's not easy to accept, but Prue's gone. Nothing can bring her
back. You have to let her go."

"I kind of figured that," said Piper, disappointment in her
voice. "I guess it was just wishful thinking. It would have been
nice to have her back. But not at that cost."

"Besides," said Cole, "it's the Power of Three, remember?
There's no telling what affect bringing Prue back would have on Paige.
In a way, Paige inherited Prue's power. Even with the philosophers
stone, you could end up loosing both of them."

"Speaking of the philosophers stone," said Piper, holding up the
small rock, "what do we do with this? We can't risk it falling into
evil hands again."

"Couldn't we keep it?" asked Paige. "If it amplifies our
powers, maybe we wouldn't have to worry about spells or potions any
more."

"Or about being alive very long," interjected Cole. "The
philosophers stone is as close to absolute power as anyone will ever
come. And you know what they say about power."

"Power corrupts," recited Phoebe. "And absolute power corrupts
absolutely."

"Exactly," said Cole. "It's just like the Hollow. With that
much power, no one could resist the urge to play God."

"Cole's right," said Leo. "This wasn't meant to be in the hands
of mortals or anyone else. The temptation is just too great. In the
end, it can only destroy whoever uses it. Just look at Santerra." He
reached over and took the stone from Piper. "I'll find some nice
secluded place to hide this in. Hopefully it will never be found
again."

"Good idea," said Piper. "I think I've had enough of this stone
for one lifetime."

"Hear, hear," said Phoebe.

"I shouldn't be gone long," said Leo, kissing Piper on the
cheek.

He orbed out of the kitchen leaving Cole and the sisters alone.

"Well," said Cole, "I think I'm going to take a nap. I never
realized how draining it could be to be fully human. I think it's
going to take some getting used to. Phoebe, you coming?"

"She'll be up in a minute," said Paige. "I'd like to talk to
her and Piper for a sec if you don't mind."

"No, not at all," said Cole. "I'll wait for you upstairs,"

"Okay, sweetie," said Phoebe.

After Cole left the kitchen, Piper and Phoebe looked at Paige.
She seemed uncomfortable. Almost apprehensive.

"I spoke with Prue," Paige announced unceremoniously. "When we
were trapped in that rock. She was in there with me. She and all the
other souls Santerra had trapped."

"You actually spoke to her?" asked Piper excitedly.

"Yes," said Paige. "Once we learned there was no way for us to
get ourselves out, we knew we had to rely on you to get us out. Prue
never doubted for a minute that you would find a way."

"She always did have the strongest belief in our powers," said
Phoebe. "The Charmed Ones come first. She always used to say that."

"How is she?" asked Piper. "Is she happy? Is she at peace?"

"Yes," said Paige, "to both questions. I told her what's
happened since we met. After she died. She's very proud of both of
you. And she said to tell you that she loves you and she misses you
very much. She also said that when it's your time to cross over,
she'll be there waiting for you."

"Thank you," said Piper, kissing Paige on the cheek. A single
tear trickled down Piper's face. "It's something you can't help but
wonder about. I've always believed she would be at peace after she
died, but I could never be quite sure."

"She can't look in on you like a lot of the other spirits do,"
said Paige. "Not yet, any way. I don't really understand it.
Something about a transition period between being alive and dead. But
she said that eventually she would be able to. And she's looking
forward to it very much."

"I'm glad," said Phoebe. "She, of all people, deserves to know
what happens with us. She kept us together through a lot of hard
times. Without her, I don't think there would ever have been any
Charmed Ones."

"She also said something else," said Paige. "I didn't
understand what she meant and she wouldn't explain it. All she would
say was that I would understand soon."

"What did she say?" asked Piper.

"She said, 'keep an eye on the left side of the cloak closet
just inside the front door'," said Paige. "I asked her what it meant,
but she just smiled. Any idea what she might have meant by that?"

Piper burst out laughing. Several tears fell from her eyes.
Phoebe just smiled and hugged Paige close.

"It means," said Phoebe, "that you belong here."

"I don't understand," said Paige.

"In some ways," said Piper, wiping the tears away, "Prue was
something of a control freak. Certain things had to be her way; no
exceptions. The closet just inside the door was one of those. She
felt that since there were three of us living here, each of us should
put our coats in a particular place in the closet. Hers was the left
side. She used to get absolutely livid if one of us accidentally hung
our coat there."

"What it means, sister dear," said Phoebe, "is that the left
side of that closet is now officially yours. Prue would never let you
hang your coat there if she didn't think you belonged here. Piper and
I have told you that you belong with us. So have Cole and Leo. Now,
Prue has made it unanimous. No matter what may have happened in the
past, or what may happen in the future, you're one of us now. And
there's no going back."

"I see," said Paige. "Would it be okay if I had a picture of
Prue? I'd like to put it on the dresser in my room. She's my sister,
too. Somehow, I feel it's appropriate that I put a picture of her
next to the ones of you that I have."

"I think that can be arranged," said Piper. "There's a box of
photographs in the attic. I haven't had a chance to go through them
yet. I know there are quite a few of her in that box. Just pick out
the one you want, and we'll get a frame for it."

"Thanks," said Paige. "I think I'll go do that right now."

Piper and Phoebe watched as Paige left the kitchen and headed
for the attic. It hadn't been so long ago that she had been a total
stranger to them. Just another young woman among hundreds of
thousands in the city. Now, she was their sister, a Charmed One, and
a pretty darn good witch in her own right.

"You know, little sister," said Piper, "there are times when
Paige reminds me of Prue. Nothing I can put my finger on. Mostly
just little things. Once in a while. You ever notice that?"

"Actually," said Phoebe, "I have. I think it's her strength of
will. Sometimes, she can be as exasperating at Prue used to be."

"Nice, isn't it?" asked Piper, smiling.

"I've always thought so," said Phoebe. "It's nice to see how
easily you accept it. I was afraid you might have a problem
considering what happened to Prue."

"I did at first," said Piper. "All those emotions came flooding
back in so fast the only thing I wanted to do was go out there and
kill Santerra. I never did thank you and Leo for giving me the time
to get my head together."

"What are sisters for?" asked Phoebe. "What say you and I go
upstairs and help Paige pick out a picture. And I think I remember
seeing a frame that will hold three photographs up in the attic a
while back."

"What about Cole?" asked Piper. "He's upstairs waiting for
you."

"He'll understand," said Phoebe.

With their arms around each other, the two sisters went upstairs
to help their youngest sister pick out just the right picture to go
with the two she already had.

The End

If you've enjoyed this story, you can find more "Charmed"
stories at my website, www.geocities.com/killeenmale/ . You can also
post your own "Charmed" stories if you like to write fan fiction.