Chapter 7

"Did any of you sleep last night?" Melinda asked, coming into the kitchen the next morning.

"I know Paige didn't," Piper said, flipping pancakes.

"I know. Who can sleep after your boyfriend dumps you like that?" Blake asked, helping Tori set the table.

"I just can't stop thinking about one thing," Wyatt said. "This has nothing to do with Paige, but I can't stop thinking about the terrible fate the book was talking about."

"We can't really do anything about that until it happens," Prue replied.

Melanie walked into the kitchen. "I just talked to my mom. She'll be here tonight."

"That's good," Leo responded.

Wyatt nodded, but the fate was still on his mind. He wanted to know what it was. He knew it was going to come. He just didn't know when.

That night, the manor was bustling with activity.

"Where are you going Paige?" Piper asked as she saw Paige get her coat.

"I'm going to Keith's place. I have to talk to him," Paige replied.

"If you want my input, you should orb. I don't think he's going to open the door for you Aunt Paige," Tori replied.

"I'll be back soon, okay?" Paige said.

"Be careful," Piper warned.

Paige smiled, and orbed out.

The doorbell rang then, and Piper answered it. A friendly-looking woman was there.

"Oh my," the woman said. "Piper? Piper Halliwell?"

"Yes?" Piper asked warily.

"My daughter told me she was here. What she didn't tell me was that the Charmed Ones were taking care of her," the woman replied.

"You're Melanie's mother," Piper said.

"Yes! I'm Lily Baxter," the woman said.

"Please come on in," Piper said.

Piper led Lily into the living room.

"Oh my baby," Lily said. She threw her arms around Melanie.

"I'm safe now mom," Melanie replied.

"Normally, my other two sisters would be here, but,"- Piper said.

Lily cut her off. "Phoebe is on her second honeymoon with Cole, the ex-demon, and if I can make an inference, Paige is at Keith's house trying to win him back."

Piper and Leo exchanged a glance. "How did you know that?"

"She read it in the Wiccan Weekly," Melanie replied.

"The Wiccan what?" Melinda asked.

"The witches newspaper," Lily said. "It has all the updates in the magical world. You all are the topics most of the time. You haven't subscribed?" She reached into her purse and pulled out a paper.

Piper reached out and took it. "Charmed One Phoebe Halliwell weds ex- demon Cole Turner. She is currently on her honeymoon in Hawaii. Paige Halliwell is devastated after being dumped by her mortal boyfriend, after he found out that she was a witch. Okee dokee."

"Alright, that is just freaky," Melinda replied.

Across town, Paige orbed into Keith's living room.

"What are you doing here? How did you get in?" Keith exclaimed.

"That's part of my power. And I'm here because I need to talk to you," Paige said.

"What's there to talk about Paige?" Keith asked. "You're a witch."

"So?" Paige asked.

"So?" Keith exclaimed. "Witches are something out of Harry Potter or The Wizard of Oz. They aren't real!"

Paige looked at him for a second, a funny look growing on her face. "You're afraid."

"Afraid of what?" Keith asked.

"Afraid of the idea supernatural things actually exist. You didn't dump me because you were mad at me for not telling you. You dumped me because you're afraid of me," Paige replied.

"That's ridiculous," Keith said.

"You're just like everyone else," Paige said. "Once you find out my secret, you dump me."

"It's not like that Paige!" Keith yelled.

"Tell what it is then," Paige replied.

"I wanted the white picket fence life. I wanted to come home from work and have dinner ready and two kids playing in the yard. If I stayed with you, I couldn't have that life. I would have things happen to us that I don't think I'm ready for," Keith said.

Paige was silent for a moment. "Alright. I get it now. If you're not going to be with me, I have only one more thing to say. Please keep it a secret."

"I will" Keith said.

Paige turned for the door. Suddenly, a Darklighter came blasting into the room.

"Keith, look out!" Paige yelled.

"I'm not here for his soul, witch," he said. With that he pulled back his crossbow, and shot Paige in the stomach.