From All Sides
Battle Preparations
Chapter 12
Once Sam had located all the team she filled them in on the details about Paige's location. Sam also told them who she and Hercules believed Paige's accomplices to be. Then they orbed to San Francisco. Yet another moment of truth was at hand, Phoebe thought as she braced herself for the confrontation with Paige. Cole, Prue, Piper, John, Leo, Darryl, Bailey, Rachel, and Sam stood beside her outside an old Victorian home that did in many ways resemble the old Manor. No doubt it was part of some master plan Paige had to psych them out. Phoebe was determined that her evil half sister's new sinister plot would fail as the first one had done.
Everyone of the team that would be facing Paige down looked confident but grim. This wasn't going to be a pleasant task by any means. Phoebe had hoped to get a premonition about what was about what they would be facing but it was not to be. They were going in blind. They didn't even know if Paige's suspected accomplices Demos and Discord had found a way to restore Paige's powers.
"Maybe we shouldn't go in," Piper remarked. "Paige has to know we are coming after her. The place is probably full of booby traps." "At the risk of getting smacked I think Piper has the right idea. The three of you could wait outside and let myself, Cole and the VCTF team handle it," John offered. I mean they don't let doctors operate on their own families for good reason. I think recapturing your escaped criminal sister would fall under the same category."
Prue gave John an irritated look but Phoebe shook her head at her sister. Then she addressed her brother. "John I know you said that because you're worried and trying to protect us. As I've told your twin often before we girls feel the same way about you. We aren't going to let you face the danger alone any more than you would let us. Turning to Piper she said, "Piper, I know how you feel but we have to face this head on and together. It is the only way we can win," Phoebe insisted.
"Phoebe's right! We can do this!" Prue announced with determination. "So what do you say sisters she said putting her hand out. Phoebe put hers on top of Prue's and then Piper added hers on top of Phoebe's." "The Power of Three will set us free," they said in perfect unison. "Okay let's go," Prue said. She was about to take the lead.
John held out his hand and held her back. "If I can't stop you from going in the least you can do is not be the first to charge the door. "Let me do that." "While they were arguing Cole, Darryl, and Bailey had taken the decision out of their hands. They were already up the steps and waiting for the rest to catch up. Darryl kicked in the door and Cole went in first closely followed by Rachel, Leo, Phoebe, Sam, and Piper. John and Prue ended up having to race to join them.
Surprisingly they didn't meet any resistance. As Phoebe moved inside she noted that the room layout was similar to the Manors but the furnishings were very different. It was much more trendy and frankly distasteful. It was very Paige in nature. The group-heard voices, clinking glasses, and forks on china. " It sounds like she's having a dinner party?" Piper whispered in shock. "Let's crash it," Prue said softly. "I don't think we are on the guest list," Leo remarked. "No my guess is Paige wants us on the menu," Cole commented. "I just wonder who her other guests are," Phoebe added. "Think I should freeze them from here, so we can find out?" Piper asked.
Oddly enough Phoebe's case of nerves was subsiding. It was being replaced by the adrenaline rush of being back in the fight against the bad guys. It felt surprisingly good. She nodded. Prue gave her consent too, as did Cole. Bailey, Darryl, John and Rachel, however, all looked a little unsure. "This isn't exactly proper procedure," Bailey growled softly. "We don't exactly follow procedure, but somehow it ends up working nine times out of ten," Cole said to Bailey." "Yes, it may not look like it but we know what we are doing," Prue added. "Trust them," Sam advised. "This is their area of expertise." Bailey reluctantly gave in.
"Oh Paige we are back," Phoebe yelled. Prue and Piper took their positions beside her while the rest of the team flanked them on either side. Paige stood up and they could see she was dressed in a black evening dress and was wearing pearls. "I'm so glad you are here. I've found us this cool new home and everything. Once the three of you give up your magic the four of us can be normal sisters once and for all." "An avalanche must have hit her in the head," Piper commented.
"We aren't going to be anything together," Phoebe said to Paige angrily. "You are going back to the Underworld and we are going back to Olympus." "Don't you see we don't have to? Piper, you know what I'm talking about," Paige continued. "I can't count the number of times you said you hated being a witch and Prue I haven't gotten the chance to know you that well but surely there must have been times you resented not getting to have a normal life. Now Phoebe I know you think being a witch makes you special and all that but there are other ways to feel like you're actually worth something. Finding a career for instance. It is selfish of you, however, to keep we your sisters tied to all this magic stuff when we don't have to be. It's too stressful."
Phoebe could feel the nettles developing under her skin. Boy would she like to knock Paige's lights out. Cole came up behind her. "Don't let her get to you. That's what she wants. He put a steadying hand on her shoulder and she took a few deep breaths and managed to get herself under control. "Leave Phoebe alone and you're right you don't know me if you think I will allow you to attack my little sister without consequences." "But I'm your baby sister," Paige interrupted. "No you are a cretin," Prue shot back.
"Don't get so defensive. I mean think about it. Phoebe is always the one who refuses to give up her powers and she's the one who called for them in the first place. If she hadn't maybe Andy wouldn't have gotten shot Prue and the two of you could have lived the American dream, and Piper you too could have had a normal husband, and dozen of kids by now."
"I don't want normal I have Leo," Piper stated. "And besides even though there were times magic has sometimes caused pain in my life, I've now realized that it has brought me equal or greater joy. I'm proud of being a witch and a goddess now. So if anything I'm grateful to Phoebe for calling for our powers. Besides they allow me to do this," Piper said with a satisfied grin. She waved her hands and a piece of duct tape appeared over Paige's mouth. Everyone looked at her. "Sorry I just had to shut the bitch up, she was getting on my last nerve and it was either that or explode her." "Good thinking sis!" Prue said.
Paige reached for her mouth and began to peel off the tape. "Damn Piper you should have made it irremovable," Phoebe commented. Once Paige had it off she said, "I supposed I deserved that but just think about what I'm saying. I've even found all four of us suitable men. Two are doctors, one is a businessman, and the other is a veterinarian."
"Can he cure rabies?" John asked, "Because if so he ought to check you over. You're as mad as Old Yeller." Prue snickered. "That's my husband," she said proudly to Paige. "I found my own guy." "Yeah right. You're married to a clone of Cole. Did you ever think Phoebe that maybe Prue had the hots for your beloved all along, perhaps the lady did protest too much."
"Did you ever think maybe you're disgusting?" Phoebe replied. "Nothing will ever come between Cole and I, John and Prue, or Piper and Leo so send your pals back to where they belong." "I don't know why you are getting so mad at me. I'm only thinking of your best interests. Leo is a fop on his best days and Cole and John just come from bad seed." "Watch it," Phoebe, Prue, and Piper hissed in unison. Personal insults Phoebe could handle but she wasn't going to let Paige whiplash Cole with her tongue.
"Here I will prove it to you," Paige said. Remember Yen Lo and Limbo? Well our cousins have shown me how to open some gates to some other halfway spots to hell as well. Apparently until final judgment day some ghosts are sent to a type of purgatory to await their final fate even evil ones. You'd be surprised whom you can find in some of those holes. Paige snapped her fingers and one sadistic looking ghost of a man and one vicious looking phantom stepped through a suddenly appearing portal. "Father," John yelled out in fury. "Belthazor," Cole cried out in shock.
Battle Preparations
Chapter 12
Once Sam had located all the team she filled them in on the details about Paige's location. Sam also told them who she and Hercules believed Paige's accomplices to be. Then they orbed to San Francisco. Yet another moment of truth was at hand, Phoebe thought as she braced herself for the confrontation with Paige. Cole, Prue, Piper, John, Leo, Darryl, Bailey, Rachel, and Sam stood beside her outside an old Victorian home that did in many ways resemble the old Manor. No doubt it was part of some master plan Paige had to psych them out. Phoebe was determined that her evil half sister's new sinister plot would fail as the first one had done.
Everyone of the team that would be facing Paige down looked confident but grim. This wasn't going to be a pleasant task by any means. Phoebe had hoped to get a premonition about what was about what they would be facing but it was not to be. They were going in blind. They didn't even know if Paige's suspected accomplices Demos and Discord had found a way to restore Paige's powers.
"Maybe we shouldn't go in," Piper remarked. "Paige has to know we are coming after her. The place is probably full of booby traps." "At the risk of getting smacked I think Piper has the right idea. The three of you could wait outside and let myself, Cole and the VCTF team handle it," John offered. I mean they don't let doctors operate on their own families for good reason. I think recapturing your escaped criminal sister would fall under the same category."
Prue gave John an irritated look but Phoebe shook her head at her sister. Then she addressed her brother. "John I know you said that because you're worried and trying to protect us. As I've told your twin often before we girls feel the same way about you. We aren't going to let you face the danger alone any more than you would let us. Turning to Piper she said, "Piper, I know how you feel but we have to face this head on and together. It is the only way we can win," Phoebe insisted.
"Phoebe's right! We can do this!" Prue announced with determination. "So what do you say sisters she said putting her hand out. Phoebe put hers on top of Prue's and then Piper added hers on top of Phoebe's." "The Power of Three will set us free," they said in perfect unison. "Okay let's go," Prue said. She was about to take the lead.
John held out his hand and held her back. "If I can't stop you from going in the least you can do is not be the first to charge the door. "Let me do that." "While they were arguing Cole, Darryl, and Bailey had taken the decision out of their hands. They were already up the steps and waiting for the rest to catch up. Darryl kicked in the door and Cole went in first closely followed by Rachel, Leo, Phoebe, Sam, and Piper. John and Prue ended up having to race to join them.
Surprisingly they didn't meet any resistance. As Phoebe moved inside she noted that the room layout was similar to the Manors but the furnishings were very different. It was much more trendy and frankly distasteful. It was very Paige in nature. The group-heard voices, clinking glasses, and forks on china. " It sounds like she's having a dinner party?" Piper whispered in shock. "Let's crash it," Prue said softly. "I don't think we are on the guest list," Leo remarked. "No my guess is Paige wants us on the menu," Cole commented. "I just wonder who her other guests are," Phoebe added. "Think I should freeze them from here, so we can find out?" Piper asked.
Oddly enough Phoebe's case of nerves was subsiding. It was being replaced by the adrenaline rush of being back in the fight against the bad guys. It felt surprisingly good. She nodded. Prue gave her consent too, as did Cole. Bailey, Darryl, John and Rachel, however, all looked a little unsure. "This isn't exactly proper procedure," Bailey growled softly. "We don't exactly follow procedure, but somehow it ends up working nine times out of ten," Cole said to Bailey." "Yes, it may not look like it but we know what we are doing," Prue added. "Trust them," Sam advised. "This is their area of expertise." Bailey reluctantly gave in.
"Oh Paige we are back," Phoebe yelled. Prue and Piper took their positions beside her while the rest of the team flanked them on either side. Paige stood up and they could see she was dressed in a black evening dress and was wearing pearls. "I'm so glad you are here. I've found us this cool new home and everything. Once the three of you give up your magic the four of us can be normal sisters once and for all." "An avalanche must have hit her in the head," Piper commented.
"We aren't going to be anything together," Phoebe said to Paige angrily. "You are going back to the Underworld and we are going back to Olympus." "Don't you see we don't have to? Piper, you know what I'm talking about," Paige continued. "I can't count the number of times you said you hated being a witch and Prue I haven't gotten the chance to know you that well but surely there must have been times you resented not getting to have a normal life. Now Phoebe I know you think being a witch makes you special and all that but there are other ways to feel like you're actually worth something. Finding a career for instance. It is selfish of you, however, to keep we your sisters tied to all this magic stuff when we don't have to be. It's too stressful."
Phoebe could feel the nettles developing under her skin. Boy would she like to knock Paige's lights out. Cole came up behind her. "Don't let her get to you. That's what she wants. He put a steadying hand on her shoulder and she took a few deep breaths and managed to get herself under control. "Leave Phoebe alone and you're right you don't know me if you think I will allow you to attack my little sister without consequences." "But I'm your baby sister," Paige interrupted. "No you are a cretin," Prue shot back.
"Don't get so defensive. I mean think about it. Phoebe is always the one who refuses to give up her powers and she's the one who called for them in the first place. If she hadn't maybe Andy wouldn't have gotten shot Prue and the two of you could have lived the American dream, and Piper you too could have had a normal husband, and dozen of kids by now."
"I don't want normal I have Leo," Piper stated. "And besides even though there were times magic has sometimes caused pain in my life, I've now realized that it has brought me equal or greater joy. I'm proud of being a witch and a goddess now. So if anything I'm grateful to Phoebe for calling for our powers. Besides they allow me to do this," Piper said with a satisfied grin. She waved her hands and a piece of duct tape appeared over Paige's mouth. Everyone looked at her. "Sorry I just had to shut the bitch up, she was getting on my last nerve and it was either that or explode her." "Good thinking sis!" Prue said.
Paige reached for her mouth and began to peel off the tape. "Damn Piper you should have made it irremovable," Phoebe commented. Once Paige had it off she said, "I supposed I deserved that but just think about what I'm saying. I've even found all four of us suitable men. Two are doctors, one is a businessman, and the other is a veterinarian."
"Can he cure rabies?" John asked, "Because if so he ought to check you over. You're as mad as Old Yeller." Prue snickered. "That's my husband," she said proudly to Paige. "I found my own guy." "Yeah right. You're married to a clone of Cole. Did you ever think Phoebe that maybe Prue had the hots for your beloved all along, perhaps the lady did protest too much."
"Did you ever think maybe you're disgusting?" Phoebe replied. "Nothing will ever come between Cole and I, John and Prue, or Piper and Leo so send your pals back to where they belong." "I don't know why you are getting so mad at me. I'm only thinking of your best interests. Leo is a fop on his best days and Cole and John just come from bad seed." "Watch it," Phoebe, Prue, and Piper hissed in unison. Personal insults Phoebe could handle but she wasn't going to let Paige whiplash Cole with her tongue.
"Here I will prove it to you," Paige said. Remember Yen Lo and Limbo? Well our cousins have shown me how to open some gates to some other halfway spots to hell as well. Apparently until final judgment day some ghosts are sent to a type of purgatory to await their final fate even evil ones. You'd be surprised whom you can find in some of those holes. Paige snapped her fingers and one sadistic looking ghost of a man and one vicious looking phantom stepped through a suddenly appearing portal. "Father," John yelled out in fury. "Belthazor," Cole cried out in shock.
