A/N: The shocker was supposed to be the kiss between Bradley and Paige, but I guess it wasn't so shocking after all. Oh well. :-)
By the way, I'm really trying to make this chapter very long so it's not going to posted right away! Sorry for the delay!

Chapter 11: A Stranger Visits

Bradley sat in an easy chair. He gave a supercilious look as he wiped his mouth off with the back of his right hand. Paige floated into his thoughts again, but he quickly quashed it.

Stealing memories through a kiss? Is that irony? He shrugged, he was never that good in school.

Bradley sorted through Paige's memories for one of the hated Halliwell witch. a cruel smile spread across his face. The witch is scared, broken, and lost. Beautiful. He hummed to himself. Only the good die young.

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Phoebe flipped through her photo album, running her fingers over the faces she knew so well. Tears threatened once again, but this time, being alone, she let them spill onto her cheeks.

If they only knew me so well, she thought.

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You know what? Paige was folding laundry as Piper changed and dressed her son.

Piper asked, annoyed.

I think that PHoebe should come over more often.

Piper gave a dubious glance. She already seems uncomfortable enough at our Sunday dinners.

Paige marveled at one of Wyatt's cute little outfits before folding it up. Don't you think spending more time together would makes us more comfortable? You forgot her at today's lunch!

Piper sighed, both at Paige's statement and her wriggling and giggling son, who obviously would rather sleep in the nude than in his sailboat pajamas. I still think that Phoebe doesn't forgive us for not knowing that it was her all that time.

Before Paige had a chance to reply Leo, who had been standing in the doorway, offered his thoughts. I bet she does. Phoebe's a forgiving person. The real Phoebe. You guys need to make the first move, however. Phoebe's been through a lot.

Piper sighed again.

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Gazana shot a fireball at the demon, who was quickly engulfed in flames. She smiled to herself and stole a glimpse at Julie, who was plotting revenge. Gazana's smile grew wider.

Some would call it a However, it was more a cold smirk, a display of absolute confidence, smugness. Gazana smiled a cheshire cat smile.

Julie, that sad excuse for a demon, probably hadn't figured out who the cloaked figure was. Gazana knew, of course. There was no doubt in her mind about that. However the black haired man, by the name of Bradley, was an entirely different matter.

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Cole shimmered into the manor. Alone and on a Thursday night he was at the strangest house on Prescott Street, which was very surprising to say the least. He looked around the rooms, finding the entire family in Piper and Leo's bedroom. I need to borrow your book, Cole announced, stepping through the doorway and past Leo.

Our book? Piper exclaimed, upset by Cole's lack of reverence for the family tome.

Hello to you to, Paige said, a faint smile on her lips.

Is Phoebe okay? Leo asked.

Cole nodded distractedly in response to two of three outbursts. He took a moment before replying. She's... well she's... She's coming over tomorrow.

Piper, surprisingly, nodded as Paige put the book, which she had orbed from the attic, into Cole's unsuspecting hands. He dropped it like it was on fire.

He took a couple of steps away from the book and looked up sheepishly. Can you look it up? Cole asked Paige, eyeing the book nervously. I still don't trust that thing.

Paige gave an amused smile to her demonic brother-in-law as Piper shooed them out of her bedroom. Let's go to the solarium, Paige suggested.

Paige put the heavy spell book down and turned to Cole. Now, Turner, what do you want me to find for you?

Cole rolled his eyes. Paige occasionally called him which she found insanely amusing and he, frankly, thought that she was crazy because of it. The Avatars, the Library of Life, and Henry Whitfield.

Henry Whitfield? Paige gave a bewildered look. This thing doesn't have demon's alter-egos. If it did Phoebe probably wouldn't be with you now.

Cole sighed and rolled his eyes. First of all, Henry Whitfield isn't and demon and secondly, he'll be in there.

Oh okay, Paige said, hunkering down to look everything up. The Avatars, she said, finding the page easily enough. The Avatars are supreme beings who are seemingly invincible. They are yet to be as found as good or evil since they exploit both sides for their own purposes, Paige read. She looked up. That doesn't sound good.

Keep reading, Cole waved his hand, interrupting his nervous pacing for only a moment.

Paige stuck out her tongue at Cole, who didn't notice, before continuing. The Avatars are believed to be more powerful than the Elders, although they might just be more active in their pursuits. Paige laughed. That's right! The Elders and active are never in the same sentence!

Cole shouted.

She looked back down, wondering why this was so important to Cole. Other beings that rule the universe, unbeknownst to most, are much more powerful than these soldiers of fortune. Paige bit her lip. Didn't the book call Belthazor a soldier of fortune? She didn't wait for a reply and continued to read. It is not know why they haven't been quashed as of yet. Paige shrugged. The entire entry was baffling. Does that help you?

Yes thank you, Cole replied tersely. Can you look up Library of Life now?

Paige groaned at the amount of thanks, but looked it up nonetheless. The Library of Life is a vast library in which all the stories of every life is found. Only one person has been to the Library of Life. Vivian Farl in 1878 went to Library and discovered a secret which saved a key player in the battle between good and evil. According to her, a kindly man, Henry Whitfield, resides there although his origins and age are unknown.

He's one thousand two hundred years old, Cole said flatly before shimmering out, leaving a confused and dazed Paige in his wake.

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Phoebe looked down at the paper with a frustrated glance. Was it just her or was writing spells harder when she didn't have her powers?

Good magic
It dwells where it should not be
Bring the magic
Back to me

Phoebe read the spell aloud. That was the only good thing about not having her powers, she could read spells aloud without activating them. Phoebe sighed, took off her glasses, rubbed her eyes, and tore the page out of her notebook. It wasn't powerful enough. She balled it up and threw it near the already overflowing trash bin.

Taking a deep breath, Phoebe put her glasses back on and started to write again.

Blood of the Halliwells
Power of three once before
Ignite the fire of family lore
We call upon the magic once more

Premonitions, levitation
The magic does not dwell where it should
Fire, ice, wind, water, metal, and wood
The elements make out pact good

Defenders of justice, defenders of innocence
We call, us sisters, for what is ours
Return the powers
And we shall protect throughout the hours


Phoebe gave a contented sigh and lifted off her glasses. It was long, it might be the most powerful spell she had ever made, and she was almost positive that it'd work. She hoped...

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Cole paced up and down in the mausoleum. Why would Henry think that he was going to become an Avatar? Cole slammed his fist into the wall.

Haven't I proved that I'm good? Haven't I proved it, damn it! Cole slumped against the walls, pondering the ambiguous words of the librarian.

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Paige, in a much more comfortable spot, also pondered. However, she was pondering about Cole. Paige shrugged, leaving it be for now, shut the book, and went upstairs to play with her nephew.

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Cole asked, shimmering into the living room.

Phoebe looked up, startled, slamming a notebook she was holding shut. The glasses, precariously balancing on her nose, made her brown eyes seem that much bigger. Cole laughed. She looked like a deer caught in headlights.

What happened here? Cole motioned to the pile of crumpled up paper. He collapsed on his couch, the thoughts of Avatars disappearing, for the moment, to the back of his mind.

Phoebe picked up the newspaper beside her, lying quickly. I was trying to write better advice than, Phoebe wrinkled her nose in disgust, She held up the paper for Cole to see, showing him the Ask Jennifer' column that replaced Ask Phoebe.'

Cole smiled. Phoebe nodded quickly, shoving the papers into the wastebasket, and mumbling. What'd you say, honey?

Phoebe took a deep breath, turned around, and smiled at her husband. I want to go see my sisters. Tonight. I have something to tell them... and you.

Cole shrugged, baffled, and secretly relieved that he wouldn't have to tell her that he had invited himself - and her - over there. he said slowly. Sure! Just get dressed!

Phoebe grinned at him and skipped into her bedroom, clutching the notebook to her chest.

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I can't believe Phoebe's coming over tonight, Paige enthused.

Piper fastened Paige's necklace around her neck. she teased.

Paige turned around to face her sister. Excited! We might finally be close to getting our sister back!

Piper replied, an undeniable hint of sadness in her voice. It wasn't sadness, however. It was guilt. After all this time Piper was still feeling guilty. She had let a demon into her home for almost a year and, in doing so, left her sister in hell.

They had a lot to patch up.

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Phoebe whirled around in her off white dress that was spotted with flowers.

You look lovely, Cole replied, kissing her. Ready to go?

Wait a second! I'll be right there! Phoebe rushed off into their bedroom, grabbed the notebook, and ran back into the living room.

I'm not leaving without you, Cole laughed. He glanced at the notebook. Going to give your sisters advice?

Phoebe replied teasingly, giving him a peck on the lips. Are we shimmering or taking the car?

I was thinking shimmering, Cole replied.



Honestly, Phoebe preferred shimmering to orbing. When you orbed you felt so disconnected, like you were being taken apart and put back together when you landed. It didn't hurt or anything. Phoebe just didn't like it. Phoebe, however, did like shimmering. You just felt like you were melting into whomever you were with and you just oozed back together when you got wherever you were going.

Phoebe gave a small giggled. Prue must have hated that feeling when they went back in time, to the days of the cowboys.

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When do you think they will get here? Paige anxiously tapped her watch.

Piper looked on, bouncing Wyatt up and down. Soon, Paige. Soon, she replied calmly. It was so strange. Piper was usually the nervous one, running about in happy, yet anxious, anticipation of the arrival of whatever guest.

However, Piper didn't have any happy anticipation of the arrival of her sister. Her stomach churning, she left Paige pacing alone in front of the door.

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Phoebe gave a sigh and smile as she came into the house she had lived in for so many years. Piper! Paige! Phoebe yelled, walking out of the sun room, holding Cole's hand tightly.

Paige bounded over to the two and wrapped her arms around her sister. It's so good to see you!

You too! Phoebe gave a laugh. Where's Piper? I'm hungry.

Paige, noticing the absence of her sister for the first time, looked around. Piper? Piper!

I'm here! Piper masked her fear at seeing her sister with a smile. Dinner's almost ready. Piper had been having dinner with Phoebe every Sunday, but this was different. It was the first time Phoebe had come over because she wanted to... or so Piper guessed from Cole's inviting himself. Also, at the regular Sunday dinner, Piper and Cole made pleasant conversation while Phoebe practically hid in her soup bowl. Now she looked radiant and herself. Piper thought that this was the end. It was finally time for Phoebe to turn to her with an accusing glance and denounce her.

Phoebe raised an accusing finger towards Piper. Piper shrunk back, Phoebe's gaze almost burning a hole in her.

Piper asked nervously.

You ruined my life! You didn't know it was me and you ruined my life! You never liked me, did you? You just pretended for the sake of peace and harmony! You just wanted your perfect life and you blame me for bringing these gifts to us! Phoebe shook with anger. You ruined my life in a flash because you didn't know me... you own sister!



Piper, snapped out of her thoughts, looked up. Piper saw Phoebe's smiling face inches away from her own.

You okay, Piper? Phoebe asked with a giggle. You've been staring off into space for the past two minutes.

Eyes glazed over and everything! Paige interjected with a laugh.

Phoebe and Paige looked at each other before bursting into laughter again.

Ooh! Just thinking, you know! Sorry. Wyatt's teething, Piper gave a nervous laugh. Maybe Phoebe wouldn't accuse her...

Piper gulped. She hoped.