A/N: Thanks for reviewing, Barb. And, yes, they're working past the heart break and healing. That's getting boring. This is my last healing chapter. Okay? I promise! :-)
And everyone else... Are you getting bored of the heart healing stuff?
I'll try to make this chapter long. :-))

Chapter 12: Magic Weaves a Deadly Spell

Piper sighed, looking at her sister once again. Phoebe would never. Would she?
Piper could almost imagine the scene. It played before her eyes. The accusations and the part where everyone walked away, realizing the fraud that Piper was.

Piper felt Phoebe's arms encircle her in a hug. Piper asked, looking up, and for the first time noticing the fresh tears on her face.

You were crying, Piper, Phoebe whispered so that only her sister could hear. It wasn't necessary though. Paige had left the room with Wyatt to find his daddy. She felt they needed to be alone. I don't blame you, Piper. I don't. Piper looked up, prepared to speak, but Phoebe put a finger to her own lips, a symbol for silence. I know you don't believe, but Piper, Phoebe smiled warmly, I love you. I don't blame you for anything that happened. It wasn't your fault and it wasn't mine. It was fate.

Fate I could have prevented! Piper shouted, pulling away from Phoebe. Phoebe was so calm, so sure... It was crazy to Piper. She should be mad and indignant. Phoebe had lost her child, but Piper had one! Phoebe had lost her job and Piper had one! Phoebe had lost her powers and Piper had hers! Phoebe...

The Halliwell is not the one she was
And no one may know because
Destiny must play out its path
To prevent future blood bath
That Halliwell's information is concealed
Until her destiny is revealed

Phoebe said the rhyme, a smile on her face. Piper looked confused and almost hurt. It was destiny, Piper. And we all know that is even more powerful than fate. Piper... you have to understand. I told Cole and, with his help, I overcame it. I moved past it. It's a closed chapter in my life, but if you keep feeling guilty all you're going to do is make yourself sick and put salt on my wound. I don't want to remember, Piper. We're going to get my powers back and forget. Okay?

Phoebe's face looked a bit pained, but she smiled once again. Phoebe wasn't requesting that Piper stop feeling upset, she was ordering. Piper nodded and gave a small smile. Okay, Phoebe.

=====================================

Hey guys, Paige walked into the sun room, bouncing Wyatt up and down in her arms.

Where are Phoebe and Piper? Cole asked, watching Leo take Wyatt from the youngest Charmed One.

Well, Turner, your wife is comforting his, she cocked her head towards Leo, who was engrossed in daddy-duty, playing with his fair haired son.

Cole asked, slightly confused. He expected it to be the other way around.

Paige replied. Don't look so surprised. Phoebe's resilient. And Piper's not. She's been blaming herself for months. I still, sometimes, don't think she's gotten over Prue's death. I don't think she should forget Prue, but... Paige sighed, trying to think of the right words.

Anyone ready for dinner? Piper stuck her head in the sun room, all smiles. Paige smiled back. Maybe Piper was tougher than she thought. Paige was still trying to get a grasp on her sisters though. She saw Piper as strong, but really a big softy on the inside, trying to fill shoes that got too big if she thought about it too much. Phoebe was still struggling to find her place in the world. She had been just getting used to where she was and then it all changed. Phoebe was tough, strong, resilient, and would hold things together if she had to. She was a fighter, Piper was a peacemaker. Paige thought about herself for a moment. She was... She was a survivor who was trying to get a grip. She was impressionable really. That's how she saw herself.

Paige? Coming? Phoebe grabbed her sisters hand and pulled her towards the dining room.

=====================================

Piper wait! Phoebe stopped her sister, who was about to get the dessert. She scooted Piper back into her seat and stood up so everyone could see her. Clutching her notebook to her chest she announced, I wrote a spell.

For what? Leo questioned

A spell, Piper echoed.

Can you do that? Paige asked.

Cole was the only one who didn't say anything. He knew that Phoebe had something in that notebook - something besides advice. He smiled.

The spell is for getting my powers back. Yes, I think I can do that. And... well there's not anything else. She flipped the notebook open. Listen:

Blood of the Halliwells...

Paige and Piper shouted, getting up.

Phoebe laughed. Guys... guys... this is a spell to get back my powers, remember? Phoebe laughed again as Paige and Piper sat down sheepishly. Now if I rhyme frogs won't fall from the ceiling. So just listen.

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


That's good, Paige enthused, wondering if it'd work.

Phoebe laughed again. I'm not done. It's long, but it's a summoning spell with a little ritual and everything.

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


Okay... now I'm done.

That's really long, Piper remarked. Paige whistled.

Phoebe blushed. Well we make a star drawn in chalk and put a crystal on each point. We put two candles next to each crystal and a pot in the middle of the star. Then we drop each element in the pot as we say it. She smiled expectantly.

You've had a lot of time to think about this haven't you? Leo teased.

Why the crystals? Paige asked.

Well I don't want anything bad that comes with my powers to get out or someone bad to come steal my powers while no one has them, Phoebe explained.

That's strangely logical for you, Piper teased her younger sister.

Phoebe stuck out her tongue at Piper, but exclaimed as Paige went to get up,

Everyone turned towards Phoebe. Paige asked with a laugh.

I want to do the spell after dessert, Phoebe said.

They all laughed.

=====================================

Here Paige... you're the artist, Phoebe handed a stick of chalk to Paige. They were all up in the attic, save Leo, who was putting Wyatt down for his nap. I was thinking of doing this in the basement - it's close to the nexus, but then I was afraid that I'd let the woogy man out.

Paige laughed, looking up from the figure she was drawing on the floor. The woogie man?

Yes, the woogy man, Phoebe stated simply. It's a large mass of evil that lived in our basement.

Paige didn't ask anymore and went back to drawing the star.

Found the pot, Piper made her way out of the mess of things in the attic, pot in hand.

Phoebe replied with a nod. I'll have my powers back soon and we'll reconstitute the reconstituted power of three. She laughed.

Ready as I'll ever be, Paige remarked, holding out her hand. Relatively new at the witch business she didn't think that she'd ever get used to pricking her finger for blood. That was a painful situation she couldn't orb out of. Paige stuck her finger in her mouth.

It's just a prick, Paige, Phoebe remarked with a smile, pricking her own finger and watching the blood drop into the pot.

Phoebe pricked Piper's finger last and gave an excited laugh as it fell into the bowl. I think I need to say the spell with you.

Piper and Paige nodded their agreement and, after Phoebe set the pot in the middle of the star, picked up their pieces of paper upon which the spell was written. Phoebe didn't need to. She had committed to memory the moment she set it down on paper.

Blood of the Halliwells
The 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,
Paige threw a match into the pot, careful not to burn herself.
ice,
Piper struggled not to laugh as she threw an ice cube in.
wind,
Phoebe threw in a fan, which after much deliberation had been chosen to represent wind.
water,
Paige dribbled some bottled water into the pot.
metal,
Piper, with a hint of hesitation, threw in one of Phoebe's favorite old charm bracelets. Phoebe had insisted on using the bracelet, which was covered in Cinderella related charms. Phoebe said that the spell would be more powerful if they used something of hers and charmed bracelet to become Charmed.
and wood
Phoebe, barely containing her excitement, threw in the part of an old picture frame she had made in camp one summer.
The elements make our 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

One of Phoebe's spells I take it, Julie remarked, appearing in the circle.

Phoebe gaped at Cole's old assistant.

How'd I know? Julie asked, fingering the necklace. You always screw everything up don't you?

That's it! Piper raised her hands, ready to burst. She motioned but nothing happened. The power looked as if it had been sucked into Julie's necklace.

Phoebe whispered.

Good job, Julie laughed. She clapped her hands. The stupidest and smartest of her sisters. That's the paradox of Phoebe. This necklace is just like your dear Anton's. Julie raised her hand, ready to fire. Poor little Phoebe Halliwell. She never grew up, she never shut up. Well, Julie cocked an eyebrow, until now.

Go ahead, Paige taunted. The powers will just bounce back at you.

The twinkling sound of orbs was heard and Leo orbed in, tripping and displacing on of the crystals. What's going on up here?

A Charmed One's demise, Julie remarked, raising her hand menacingly.

That's when Cole chose to grab her and shimmer them both out of the room and Bradley chose to kidnap Phoebe.

The sound of orbs was heard again. Phoebe glanced away from the heated fight that Piper was having with Leo. Was Paige already back? No... she had just orbed out to help Cole.

Phoebe felt a strangely familiar hand clamp over her mouth and, letting out a strained cry, she felt herself orb out.

=====================================

What? Can't have a little fun with your little witch? Julie stepped back from Cole's grasp.

Shut up, Cole growled. Give me back her powers and I may not have to kill you.

How do you even know I have them? Phoebe's spell could have been wrong, Cole, her eyes pleaded with him. She's wrong in a lot. Do you remember when she couldn't decide whether she should marry you or not? What if she was wrong in marrying you?

She didn't marry me! She married the Source! Cole let out a strangled yell, a fireball appearing in his hand.

Julie agreed. You were wrong to ask her though, Cole. Why suffer fighting your demon side everyday for a a pathetic thing like her? She's not a Charmed One anymore so it's not like she has power. It's not like she had power anyway. She was always the weakest. That's why you went after her. Or don't you remember? She was always the weakest. Cole opened his mouth to speak. Oh don't spout about your love for her. Demons can't love, which is why you turned down my friendly advances! The woman scorned summoned her own fireball.

He turned down your friendly advances' because he hates you and loves my sister, Paige remarked mockingly as she orbed down. The necklace appeared in her hand.

Get out of here, Paige. I don't want that necklace or you to get hurt, Cole yelled over his shoulder.

I can handle myself, Turner, but thanks for caring, Paige laughed and orbed out.

Julie frowned in distaste, you care for the little witches.

You... you're horrible. I don't mean evil horrible either, Cole laughed and launched a fireball close to her, scorching her shoulder. You're a bad demon. You're bad at it. Period. Not to mention you lust for a traitor. He laughed, an irate laugh. The Seer told you everything and without her you're lost. Lost.

I'm the best damn demon there is! Julie protested.

Then why is this going to happen to you? Cole launched round after round of fireballs at Julie until he was sure she was dead. He spit on the pile of ash with disgust. he muttered.

=====================================

Bradley stepped out in front of Phoebe. Automatically she recognized his eyes. His cold, hard eyes. Bradley morphed into her blonde captor.

Oh God. Phoebe's hand flew over her mouth and she backed up.

Do you know why I want to kill you? Bradley asked, cornering Phoebe.

Phoebe shook her head and whimpered, frightened at the man who stood before her. The man who had haunted her dreams and reality for months.

You killed me. And you're evil. Good can't have you on its side. Cause you're not good, Bradley summoned a white orb into his hand. Bet Leo never told you about this. Phoebe shook her head again, tears pricking her eyes. She willed them back and stood motionless, a determined look on her face. She wasn't going to let this man frighten her again. She wasn't. Phoebe tried to kick him, but he simply orbed behind her. As I was saying before you so rudely interrupted this is a whitelighter's defense mechanism. Only to be used in extreme circumstances you know.

He orbed in front of Phoebe, who jumped back in surprise. She felt so scared, but she tried to not let him see it. He reveled in it. You are an extreme circumstance. Evil then good and then evil again. You have to pick a side, Phoebe. The Elders were going to break apart your marriage any day now anyway. They should have done it sooner, but they couldn't decide what to do. I imagine that they'll think I'm doing them a favor. Bradley gave a harsh laugh, almost a bark. Dating a demon. It seems you have changed too much since your past life.

My... my pa-ast life? Phoebe stuttered, frightened beyond reason and paralyzed by it.

Oh yes. I came over to visit your dear cousin. And you, Abby, had your little boyfriend, Anton kill me. Your cousins tried to kill you of course, but it didn't work. And I had to watch! I had to watch while your cousin, Charlotte, married another man! I kissed your sister Paige because that's Charlotte's past life, but it wasn't the same. Paige isn't the same person Charlotte was.

And I'm not Abby! I'm not my past life! Phoebe tried to stop the tears, which flowed freely from her eyes.

Oh, but you are. Dating a demon before, dating a demon now. Before you were seduced by evil just like you are now, Bradley bounced the white orb up and down in his hand.

Please don't, Phoebe pleaded now. I'm not evil. I'm not. I'm not even magical. Her knees buckled and she fell to the ground.

Bradley stood over a cruel smile, which only faltered for a second, on his face. This will suck the life out of you, but don't worry it won't hurt... much. He launched the orb at a cringing Phoebe.

A/N: Will Phoebe be saved (or escape)? Will Bradley get the death he deserves? Will Piper and Leo realize that two - no three of their relatives are gone? Will the future be saved? Will the future blood bath that Henry spoke about be prevented? Will the author get reviews? So many questions, so many answers! Review! (It *might* make me post faster.)