A/N: I'm putting this (quickly) right after that last part because originally it was all supposed to be together, but I felt later, when I reread it, that the introduction of Nor ought to stand on its own. However, it did make me feel sad to see the new part so short (only 2-3 pages on the computer and it looked like even less on ff.net).

Leo called the sitter, Sydney, who helped them when they were in a fix. She was a teenage witch who had been their innocent a couple of months back. Piper seized the opportunity and she was Wyatt's permanent baby-sitter.

She arrived quickly, hearing Leo's tone. I'm here to baby-sit, she said as she walked through the door, her usual battle cry. Upon seeing Leo though she sobered up - this wasn't the usual demon call. I'm not going to ask questions - it's not my business - but whatever it is? I know it'll works out, she said, smiling warmly. Leo tried to smile back, wondering for a brief moment if she was a future whitelighter. She'd be a good one.

Leo, instead of orbing to wherever, took his coat and walked out into the cold night.

* * * * * *

Paige wasn't quite sure what to do with herself. She hadn't felt the same betrayal that Piper and, quite possibly, Leo felt at finding out that the Elders had given Wyatt a whitelighter. He was going to find out about his magic anyway. With the demons constantly shimmering in and being vanquished out Piper couldn't shield him forever.

She sipped another bit of her cappuccino. This coffee shop had been her favorite place to people scope on those long Wednesday lunch breaks. Mr. Cowen made a point of giving every employee of his twenty minutes extra on their lunch break at least one day each week. Paige always picked Wednesday.

Nowadays, her lunch breaks included Phoebe or Piper, as opposed to sitting alone or with her old work buddy, Georgia. She opened her purse and pulled out her address book as she sunk back into the oversized thrift store chairs that the almost empty coffee shop had in excess. She flipped through the leather bound book, running her finger over the names of people she used to talk to constantly - chatting about work gossip or anything at all. She hadn't talked to one of them in months.

We're closing up, Miss, the one employee left said, a bit annoyed.

Paige looked up startled, for a while now she hadn't been aware of the few customers filtering out of the store. Sorry. Do you ?

He waved his hand. Keep the mug. Just please... He sighed.

Paige said with a faint smile. Right. Sorry.

Have a nice night, the coffee shop employee called to her retreating back.

* * * * * *

Piper stuffed her keys deeper into her jeans pocket. It was starting to rain, but she wasn't going to go back to her car. No. She needed to walk.

She let the tears of frustration fall down her face. Damn it, she said. Damn it. She wasn't quite sure what she was angry at. She never trusted the Elders so she didn't feel betrayed. She was angry about that, sure, but not sad. Another display of the Elder's distrust of her marriage, life, and calling would make her blow up things and rant, but not make cry.

The way Leo looked. That definitely made her sad. He looked so tired. So deflated. She knew there was a war raging inside of him. She knew that for months he had sat up in bed at one in the morning, trying to ignore the calls of the Elders. She knew for months he had considered giving it all up, but then, sadly, realized that he didn't have any place in this modern world. Leo had become disillusioned when his own family had become so infected with evil. Piper had seen the metamorphosis. Leo had felt like the Elders had failed them, felt like that they had sat back and twiddled their thumbs while his family went to hell. This was just the icing on the cake.

But that wasn't what she was truly upset about. She made herself face it as she sat on the rain soaked park bench. She was crying because her boy knew. He knew now that he was different. That he could never fit in and be the popular one. He knew that there was evil. He knew. Piper had always wanted a normal life for herself and she harbored the hope that her son, if not she, might have one. Up until this moment she had clung to the wish that, with the destiny of the Charmed Ones fulfilled, Wyatt wouldn't have to learn about his heritage. He could have a wife and kids and a normal nine to five. Wyatt would be accepted in high school, he wouldn't have to battle demons, he wouldn't have to see his sibling face a tragic death at a young age...

* * * * * *

Phoebe wandered around the corridors of Jackman, Carter, and Kline. She wasn't sure why she was back here. She would've liked to think she came in to get away from the rain while she was taking a walk to get away from the tense situation in her home, but as she glanced out the window she realized that she can't give herself that excuse. The library was across the street.

She sighed, sinking against the wall. Well it's not like I have any friends to talk to, Phoebe muttered to herself. And it was true. She left the few friends she had behind when she left for New York those few years ago. And the people she met in New York? She didn't think she'd be seeing them anytime soon. Even though no one had seemed to notice, she had matured. She still wasn't quite up to par, but she was leagues away from the immature person she used to be when she got back from New York with only a backpack and her bike.

* * * * * *

Cole sat slumped in his desk. He had gone over the papers that Phoebe had given him from her father again, but he still needed some things clarified. When he had called Victor up asking for the help Victor had only said icily, It's all right there and made a few threats if Cole ever hurt his daughter.

She's a grown person, Victor, Cole had pointed out. Victor made another threat and then slammed down the phone.

Cole narrowed his eyes as he heard someone in the hallway. He had seen the cleaners go. He had even wished Marty good luck with the baseball game his son was playing in tomorrow. Cole sighed and got up to go see.

* * * * * *

Paige wandered into the manor, setting down the mug by the door. Hi Sydney, she greeted the baby-sitter, who sat on the couch, alternately watching the sitcom on television and doing homework, taking off her rain slicked jacket.

Hey Paige! Sydney yelled, grinning and looking around the corner. She began to shove things quickly into her backpack. Um... this might sound rude, but - Can I go?

Paige laughed. Yeah. Of course.

Sydney returned the laugh, swinging her backpack over her shoulders.

Oh yeah. Payment, Paige mumbled, rifling through her purse.

Sydney shrugged. Don't worry about it. You guys saved my life. I'm sure I can trust you to pay me. Plus - not your kid, not your charge. She said good-bye and told Paige that she'd call Mr. Wyatt, as she insisted on calling Leo. She called Phoebe and Paige by their first names, but Leo and Piper were Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt.

Paige shut the door behind Sydney and walked up to her room.

* * * * * *

Piper continued walking in the park. I'll take a quick walk and then I'll be able to drive home.

No you won't, a voice said. Piper turned around and, happily, saw Leo.

Oh Leo, she said, running and hugging him.

It's okay, Leo whispered, convincing both him and her.

* * * * * *

Cole watched her wander around, peeking in offices every few doors. She sang a little to herself, swaying as she walked slowly through the empty corridor.

he asked.

Phoebe spun around and, seeing her ex-husband, flushed with embarrassment.

she apologized. She began to fumble with the zipper on her jacket. I'll leave. Cole didn't say anything, so she finished zippering up her jacket and began to walk slowly to the elevator. She pressed the down button and waited for it to come. she asked, turning back.



We really need to

Talk. I know.



Cole agreed.

Phoebe nodded and disappeared into the elevator. Cole sighed, walked back to his office, locked the door, and got into the elevator with his ex-wife.