INT. MANOR - ATTIC - NIGHT

Phoebe is sitting on the loveseat, still a little shaken from her vision. Piper is sitting beside her and Paige is leaning against the armrest. Neither of them is touching Phoebe.

PIPER
Are you sure you're okay?

PHOEBE
Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just a little... I've never experienced
anything like that before.

PAIGE
So was it a premonition?

PHOEBE
I don't know. Maybe. Except it seemed more like little bits of a
bunch of premonitions.

PIPER
Well, what did you see?

PHOEBE
Everything happened so fast...I'm not sure what I saw. I saw you
guys, and I think I saw Cole.

PAIGE
Cole?

PIPER
You don't think he's come back, do you?

PHOEBE
I don't think so.
(then)
I don't know.

Overwhelmed, Phoebe buries her face in her hands, and Piper and Paige share a concerned look.

PIPER
Look, it's getting late. Why don't...

Piper places a hand on Phoebe's arm and she jolts as she is thrown into a premonition.

INT. P3 - OFFICE - DAY - PHOEBE'S PREMONITION

Piper sits across from a Hispanic man in his early thirties, JAVIER, and is telling him as sympathetically as she can that she has to fire him. Javier looks upset, but is taking the news well.

IN THE ATTIC Phoebe opens her eyes.

PIPER
Phoebe?

PAIGE
Was that another premonition?

PHOEBE
Yeah. I think I saw Piper firing that guy.

PAIGE
Javier?

PHOEBE
Uh huh.

PIPER
(beat)
And?

PHOEBE
And...that's it.

Paige moves and her leg accidentally brushes Phoebe's, throwing her into a premonition.

INT. OFFICE - DAY - PHOEBE'S PREMONITION

An INTERVIEWER, a man in a business suit sitting behind a desk, is questioning Paige.

IN THE ATTIC Phoebe emerges from her premonition.

PHOEBE
(to Paige)
Okay, and I think I just saw you at some sort of interview.

PAIGE
I have a job interview tomorrow. Well, was I in any danger? Is
the guy who's interviewing me a demon or something?

PHOEBE
No. The interview didn't seem to be going too well, but besides
that...

Phoebe jumps as she is thrown into yet another premonition.

INT. MANOR - KITCHEN - NIGHT - PHOEBE'S PREMONITION

Paige stands at the stove making tea.

IN THE ATTIC Phoebe emerges from her premonition.

PHOEBE (cont'd)
(to Paige)
Okay, I saw you making tea.

PAIGE
This is weird. Aren't your premonitions usually demon-related or
at least impending danger-related?

Phoebe nods.

PIPER
Well, when you first got your powers, sometimes you would have
visions of things that had nothing to do with demon stuff.

PHOEBE
Yeah, but those premonitions usually allowed me to help someone.
I don't see how helpful it is for you to know you're going to
fire your assistant manager and for Paige to know she's going to
make tea.

PAIGE
And apparently blow my interview.

PIPER
(to Phoebe)
Nothing you've seen seems to be life-threatening does it?

PHOEBE
No.

PIPER
Then why don't you get some rest and we'll try to figure things
out in the morning. Maybe you're just tired.

Phoebe agrees and as she stands she touches both Piper and Paige, which throws her into another premonition.

FLASHCUT: Episode 21, year 4 - Piper tells Paige that she might not be able to have children.

IN THE ATTIC Phoebe emerges from her premonition, confused and a bit overwhelmed by what she saw. Before her sisters can ask questions, she stands and walks toward the attic door.

PIPER
Phoebe, was that another...

PHOEBE
Yeah. It wasn't important. Good night.

Phoebe leaves.

PIPER
Good night.

PAIGE
What was that about?

Piper shrugs and begins to clean up the potion supplies on the table. Paige gets up to help her. Piper looks at the Book of Shadows, which is open to the entry about the tea ceremony Paige and Phoebe had performed.

PIPER
You don't think this has anything to do with her powers going
wonky do you?

PAIGE
I don't think so. I mean we both performed the ceremony. We all
drank the tea and..."Book of Shadows."

The Book ORBS into Paige's arms.

PAIGE (cont'd)
My powers don't seem to have been affected. How 'bout you?

PIPER
I don't know.

Piper tosses a coffee mug in the air and FREEZES it. She UNFREEZES it and catches the mug as it falls.

PIPER (cont'd)
They seem to be fine.

Piper continues to clean up the table while Paige places the Book of Shadows on its stand.

PIPER (cont'd)
Phoebe's always had problems controlling her premonitions. It's
probably nothing serious.

PAIGE
Maybe if she would actually practice her powers she wouldn't
have as much trouble controlling them.

PIPER
Paige...

PAIGE
All I'm saying is that I was a witch for less than a year and I
learned to control my orbing. You've mastered your exploding
power. And she's had that power for, what? Five years now and
she still has trouble calling premonitions.

Piper just looks at Paige, refusing to comment.

PIPER
If Phoebe's still having problems in the morning, we'll call
Chris and see if he knows what might be happening to her power.

PAIGE
Chris?

PIPER
Chris.
(beat)
He is our whitelighter now, you know.

PAIGE
That doesn't mean I trust him.

PIPER
Well, I don't really trust him either, but who else are we gonna
ask?

Piper and Paige silently wish that they could talk to Leo.

PIPER (cont'd)
I'm really tired. Do you mind taking the cups downstairs? I'll
wash them in the morning.

PAIGE
Sure. Sleep well.

PIPER
Good night.

Piper leaves and Paige watches her with concern.

EXT. HOUSE – DAY - ESTABLISHING

A beat to establish, then:

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

A WOMAN in her late twenties lays facedown on the floor, obviously dead, her eyes open and staring. Two very large male demons, known as THE POTESTAS, are rummaging through drawers and the closet. The room is in total disarray. POTESTAS #1 emerges from the closet.

POTESTAS #1
You find it?

POTESTAS #2
No. Nothing! She doesn't have it.

POTESTAS #1
So what now? If the witch didn't give it to her...

POTESTAS #2
If the witch didn't give it to her, there are still a hundred
places it could be.

POTESTAS #1
We can try another locater spell...

POTESTAS #2
We've tried every variation we know. The witch is protecting it
somehow.

MAN (O.S.)
Lisa, are you home?

The Potestas look toward the bedroom door. ANGLE on the door as a man in his twenties enters.

MAN
Lisa, do you...

He stops short when he sees the demons and the woman lying on the floor.

MAN
Oh god.

Without hesitation Potestas #1 launches an ENERGY BALL at the man, which strikes him. With a yell of pain, the man falls backwards into the hallway, dead.

POTESTAS #1
I think it's time we pay the witch another visit.

POTESTAS #2 nods in agreement and both demons DEMATERIALIZE.

EXT. P3 – DAY - ESTABLISHING

A beat to establish, then:

INT. P3 - OFFICE - DAY

Piper sits next to Javier, telling him as sympathetically as possible that she is firing him--the same scene Phoebe saw in her premonition.

PIPER
I'm really sorry. I know that you've been having a difficult
time recently, but...

JAVIER
I understand, Piper. If I were in your position, I would fire me
too.

PIPER
I'm so sorry.

JAVIER
Well, I guess I'll see you around.

Javier leaves. Piper sighs, looking and feeling guilty. After a moment Paige appears in the doorway.

PAIGE
Hey.

PIPER
Hi.

PAIGE
I ran into Javier. Did you...

PIPER
Yeah. Sometimes being the boss sucks.

Paige sits next to Piper.

PIPER (cont'd)
So how was your interview?

PAIGE
Not very good. Just like Phoebe predicted.

PIPER
I'm sorry.

PAIGE
It's okay. The guy who interviewed me seemed like a jerk anyway.

She notices something on the floor, a man's wallet, and she picks it up.

PAIGE
Someone dropped his wallet.

She looks for a driver's license inside.

PAIGE
It's Javier's.

PIPER
Oh, do you mind getting it back to him? I don't know if I can
handle seeing him again today. I feel guilty enough all ready.

PAIGE
Chicken.

PIPER
I know.

Paige puts the wallet in her purse.

PIPER (cont'd)
Speaking of Phoebe, how was she this morning?

PAIGE
Her power's still on hyper drive. While I was making breakfast
she foresaw that the teapot would whistle, we would run out of
milk, and--get this--my bagel would actually pop out of the
toaster. And amazingly no demons attacked trying to steal the
milk, the tea or my bagel. I wouldn't have been surprised if
they had though. It was blueberry.

PIPER
What do you think this could be? A power progression?

PAIGE
Her power doesn't seem to be progressing, just getting weirder.
What triggers her premonitions does seem to be changing though.
Most of the premonitions she had this morning were caused by
sounds instead of her touching something.

PIPER
Did you try looking in the Book of Shadows for information about
power progressions?

PAIGE
I looked last night and Phoebe looked this morning but none of
the information was anything we didn't all ready know.

PIPER
(choosing her words carefully)
Well, I guess when we get home we can call for Chris and see if
he knows what might be going on.

PAIGE
Okay.
(beat)
It's okay to miss him, you know.

PIPER
Miss who?

PAIGE
Leo. It's okay for you to miss him.

PIPER
(beat)
How can it be okay? He's off trying to be a force of good in the
universe and I'm upset that he's not here to be with Wyatt or to
hug me when I've had a bad day or to... I feel like I'm being
selfish when I miss him.

PAIGE
You miss your husband. You miss the father of your son. I don't
think that's being selfish.

Paige places a reassuring hand on her sister's knee.

INT. MANOR - PHOEBE'S BEDROOM - EVENING

WYATT, tired from playing with the toys strewn in front of him, is laying back again pillows on Phoebe's bed. Phoebe is sitting on the bed flipping through the Book of Shadows. The baby makes a noise that draws her attention. Phoebe starts to play Peek-A-Boo with her nephew, but Wyatt only yawns in response.

PHOEBE
Are you getting sleepy, little guy? Let's get you to bed then.

She picks him up and receives a premonition.

EXT. FIELD - NIGHT - PHOEBE'S PREMONITION

The vision is very hazy and indistinct. A man, his features blurred, is running in the blue light of the night. His breathing is audible as well as the sound of his feet hitting the ground.

IN PHOEBE'S BEDROOM Phoebe emerges from her premonition, aware that that premonition felt important, unlike most of the premonitions she has had today. Standing, she takes the baby into...

INT. THE NURSERY - CONTINUOUS

Phoebe places Wyatt in his bassinet, tucking a blanket around him. She comes out of the nursery into...

INT. PIPER'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Phoebe sees that Piper has left a jacket on her bed. She picks up the jacket to hang it up and receives a premonition.

FLASHCUT: Episode 20, year 4 - Piper, drunk, tells Leo that she let Cole destroy Phoebe.

IN PIPER'S BEDROOM Phoebe emerges from her premonition and, overwhelmed by her sister's pain, sits on the bed, tears welling up in her eyes.

PIPER (O.S.)
Phoebe!

Brushing the tears from her eyes, Phoebe hurries out of Piper's bedroom.

INT. FOYER - CONTINUOUS

Piper and Paige are starting to climb the stairs as Phoebe comes down the stairs.

PHOEBE
Hey, guys.

PIPER
Hey. How's Wyatt...
(noticing the redness of Phoebe's eyes)
Are you okay?

PHOEBE
Yeah. I'm fine. And so's the baby. I just put him down to sleep.

PIPER
Oh. So Paige and I were thinking that if your powers are still
acting funny we could try calling for Chris and see if he knows
anything.

PHOEBE
Fine with me. The sooner my ears stop ringing, the better.

PIPER
Okay.

The sisters trade uneasy glances.

PAIGE
So I guess we just...

PHOEBE
Chris!

PAIGE
Do that.

CHRIS ORBS IN. He looks at them expectantly.

CHRIS
Yeah?

PHOEBE
"Yeah"?

PAIGE
Well, "hello" to you too.

CHRIS
(mockingly)
My apologies. Good evening, ladies. How may I be of service?

PIPER
Something's wrong with Phoebe's powers.

CHRIS
Wrong?

PHOEBE
I keep getting all of these premonitions about...stuff that's
not important. I mean, I'm seeing what Paige had for lunch and
that Piper is about to change her clothes. I swear I've had
fifty premonitions like those just today.

CHRIS
(beat)
So?

PAIGE
What do you mean, "so"?

CHRIS
I mean, it doesn't sound like there's anything wrong with her
powers to me. (to Phoebe) Your gift is to see visions of the
past and future...

PHOEBE
Visions that help us to slay demons and save innocents, not to
tell Piper that her new top won't look good with her burgundy
pants.
(to Piper)
Sorry, honey.

Chris shrugs his indifference.

PIPER
I thought whitelighters were supposed to guide.

CHRIS
Yes, guide--not coddle. You are the Charmed Ones. You should
have a handle on your powers by now.

PHOEBE
I don't think you understand. There has to be something wrong
with my powers because I'm getting premonitions off of
everything. And some of these premonitions I really didn't need
to see. A girl only wants to know so much about her sisters'
love lives, if you know what I mean.

Paige glares at Phoebe and Piper turns a little red.

CHRIS
Just because your powers aren't acting like they do normally
doesn't mean there is anything wrong with them. A witch's powers
are closely tied to her emotional state. Just like your body
will respond to different emotions, so will your powers. And if
you pay attention to them, your powers will help you realize
what's troubling you and help you find your balance.
(to Piper)
Is that enough guidance for you?

PIPER
Yes, thank you. Now if you would please check with the Elders to
make sure this is an all natural and not a supernatural thing.

CHRIS
The Elders?

PIPER
Yes, the Elders. Cranky, controlling, long robes...

CHRIS
Why do you want me to ask them? They're not going to know
anything and if they do they're not going to tell me...

PIPER
Would you please just check with them?

CHRIS
Fine. I'll ask them. But I'm telling you, they won't know
anything.

PIPER
Humor me.

Chris ORBS OUT.

PAIGE
I can't decide if I kinda like that guy or if I just find him
really obnoxious.

Piper starts climbing the stairs.

PIPER
I'm going to go...well, you all ready know.

PHOEBE
Paige, did you have time to pick up my prescription from the
drugstore?

PAIGE
Yeah, it's in my purse.

Paige opens her purse and starts rummaging through it. She finds Javier's wallet.

PAIGE (cont'd)
Oh, I almost forgot. Javier will probably be needing this.

Phoebe gasps as she receives a premonition.

INT. JAVIER'S APARTMENT - EVENING - PHOEBE'S PREMONITION

Javier is being attacked by the Potestas. One of the demons throws an ENERGY BALL at Javier, which he ducks. Then he manages to throw a potion at the demons, but it explodes in a harmless puff of smoke.

IN THE FOYER Phoebe opens her eyes as the premonition ends.

PHOEBE
Now that's a premonition I'm used to. Piper!

PAIGE
What did you see?

Piper comes bounding down the stairs.

PIPER
What is it? What?

PHOEBE
Your assistant manager...

PAIGE
Javier?

PHOEBE
I just saw him being attacked by demons. Very, very big demons.

PIPER
Could you tell where they were?

PHOEBE
It looked like an apartment. But there's more--I think Javier is
a witch.

PAIGE
Really? A witch?

PIPER
But he always seemed so...

PHOEBE
Normal?

PAIGE
When was the attack happening?

PHOEBE
I'm not sure. It was dark, but not too dark. Kind of like it
is...now.

PIPER
You stay with Wyatt. Paige and I will orb over to his apartment.
Let's just hope our powers will be enough if these demons
attack.

Piper takes Paige's arm and they ORB OUT to...

INT. HALLWAY - EVENING

Piper and Paige ORB IN. Paige opens Javier's wallet and glances at his driver's license.

PAIGE
This one's his.

She indicates an apartment door, on which she knocks. After a moment, Javier opens the door cautiously, looking weary and nervous.

JAVIER
Paige.

He opens the door wider.

JAVIER (cont'd)
Piper. What are you doing here?

PAIGE
You left your wallet at the club.

PIPER
And there's something else we want to talk to you about.

Paige tosses Javier his wallet and Piper FREEZES it in midair. At first Javier's face registers surprise, but he quickly understands. He takes his wallet from where Piper had suspended it.

JAVIER
What do you need?

PIPER
We don't need anything. We want to help you. Our sister, she has
premonitions and she had a vision of you being attacked by
demons.

ANGLE on Javier as the Potestas MATERIALIZE in his apartment behind him.

PAIGE
Like those.

Potestas #1 raises his arm to launch an energy ball at Javier.

PAIGE (cont'd)
Look out!

Paige tackles Javier to the ground, throwing them both backwards into...

INT. JAVIER'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

Piper tries to blow up Potestas #1, but only succeeds in knocking him backwards. Potestas #2 throws an ENERGY BALL at Piper but she manages to FREEZE it and/or BLOW IT UP before it can hit her. Potestas #2 launches another ENERGY BALL, but Paige, having picked herself up from the floor, calls for it and redirects it back at the demon. Potestas #2 catches the ENERGY BALL in his hand and snuffs it out. Potestas #1 rises to his feet.

PIPER
Paige...

PAIGE
Right.

Grabbing both Piper and Javier, Paige ORBS OUT. The Potestas exchange looks before DEMATERIALIZING.

END OF ACT I