From All Sides

Fear and Anger

Chapter Nine

Once Phoebe and Cole returned to the Mansion they joined in the hunt for Paige. There was no trace of her. Who ever had aided her escape had made sure she was well hidden. Finally frustrated and hungry the Charmed Ones and their husbands reluctantly decided to head back home to eat supper and regroup so they could start the search again early the next morning. None of them were happy about leaving Paige on the loose but there really wasn't much of a choice.

Piper managed to pull off the menu she had planned on earlier but Phoebe could tell her sister's heart wasn't in her cooking like it normally was. It didn't matter any way since no one seemed very hungry. The women just pushed their food around their plates and the guys looked like they were only eating for sustenance.

Phoebe felt bad for her parents. What should have been a joyous homecoming had been spoiled by the news, which Prue had broken to them. One more mark against Paige. There was very little discussion and Patty was the first to excuse herself from the table. Victor thanked Piper for trying and followed after his wife. Grams wasn't far behind.

The younger couples stayed to clean up the kitchen. They could have used their powers and had it done in seconds. Instead they chose to do it the mortal way since it gave them something to do besides stew about Paige. John and Prue were busy spooning the leftovers into plastic containers while Phoebe and Cole scraped dishes and passed them to Piper, who was washing them. Leo had towel duty.

Everyone jumped a mile when a plate slipped out of Piper's hand and crashed to the floor. "Damn it," she shouted. "That was one of my best plates and I cut my blessed finger." Then she burst into tears. Leo quickly grabbed her hand and kissed her finger before healing it. Then he pulled her into his arms and said, "It is going to be all right." "I was so close to believing that," she said.

"Well keep on believing," Phoebe encouraged her sister. "Paige can't touch us. We were stronger than she was before and now we are more so. We are going to find the little bitch and then I am going to personally kick box her fat ass into Tarturus." "I was hoping I could just explode her," Piper growled. "Honey, you don't mean that," Leo chided. "The hell I don't. You know that I admire you for being a pacifist but this is definitely war."

Phoebe was in complete agreement with Piper and said so. Then John spoke up, "Ladies I know how you feel but you know what they say about revenge. It doesn't take away the pain and in fact can wind up hurting you worse. I know. I almost put a bullet in a suspect in Kate's shooting. Thank God Bailey stopped me. It could have wound up costing me everything and it wouldn't have brought Kate back to life. In the end it turned out the guy wasn't even the one who did it.

"This is different," Phoebe said to John. "There is no doubt in our minds that Paige is guilty besides what's the difference between vanquishing her and any other villain? We do it with demons all the time." "The difference is Phoebe is that Paige isn't a demon. She's a human being with a soul and it is up to a higher power to judge her, not us," Cole spoke softly.

For a moment Phoebe felt frustrated with her husband. She wanted to cling to her righteous anger at Paige. He continued, "If we set ourselves up as her judge, jury, and executioner we will be putting our own souls at risk, and basically I don't think she is worth it do you? Besides no matter how angry you are with her at the moment and no matter how much the three of you wish it weren't so she is your sister. I know that somehow someday you would end up regretting your actions. Leave it up to Athena, Zeus, and the Light to decide Paige's ultimate fate once she is recaptured."

"As much as I'd like to do a little damage to Paige myself," Prue remarked. "Cole's right." Phoebe felt puzzled when Cole then lifted up his left foot and examined it. "What are you doing?" she asked. "I'm examining my shoe for ice because I'm sure hell just froze over." Everyone burst into tension relieving laughter.

"So fearless leaders what do you suggest we do in the meantime until we find the little fugitive?" Piper asked. Sit in the living room twiddling our individual thumbs. Everyone looked at each other to see if anyone had any bright ideas. Suddenly Prue's face lit up. In all this confusion I nearly forgot about my special surprise for tonight. Hurry up and finish with the dishes and I will meet you all in the living room in ten minutes. Phoebe watched as her eldest sister tore out of the room. She hoped that what ever Prue had in mind would help alleviate some of the stress from all of them.