Paige woke alone on Richard's sofa. For a moment she panicked that he'd left her until her appeared holding a mug of coffee.

'Morning,' he smiled passing her the mug. 'You slept like a log.'

'I didn't think I would,' Paige yawned. 'Too much on my mind.'

Richard sat down next her. 'Are you gonna try and talk to Piper today?'

'Piper's not my problem.' Paige answered.

'But she can talk to Phoebe,' Richard argued. 'All Phoebe needs is a bit of time.'

Suddenly there was a swirl of white lights and Leo appeared with Piper.

'Morning Paige, Richard.' Leo greeted them.

'Hi guys.' Paige smiled weakly. 'How is everything?'

Leo exchanged a worried look with Piper. 'It's not good, Paige.'

'What?'

'The power of three has been severed,' Leo sighed. 'It's essentially you and Piper against Phoebe.'

'Is this all because of that Andy guy?' Richard demanded.

'He was the catalyst that brought Phoebe's fears to the surface.' Leo explained.

'Then she always hated me?' Paige asked delicately.

'She doesn't hate you,' Piper said. 'She's just placing her trust in the wrong person.'

Paige grimaced. 'I think I should go back to the orphanage.'

'Paige,' Leo said. 'The priority here is The Charmed Ones.'

'No, Leo,' Piper told him firmly. 'The priority is Marie.'

'Oh, no,' Paige buried her head in her hands. 'I told Carol Walsh I was part of a stable family unit!'

'You are.' Piper said. 'Or you will be. Leo, let's go see Phoebe.'

They orbed out leaving Paige and Richard sitting in silent contemplation. Finally Paige stood; 'I'm gonna go see Phoebe.'

'Er... Paige, I don't think that's a good idea,' Richard said. 'Let Piper handle it.'

'Nope, Richard,' Paige said. 'This is my fault and I need to sort it. I'll be back soon.'

The manor was quiet. Paige checked the bedrooms ut they were empty, the attic was deserted but the book was open at a page that the witch had never seen before.

It was a potion to bind the powers of an evil child. Paige had seen many binding potions in the book, for almost every species of demon imaginable but never concerning evil children. Good children, yes, for their own protection but this was like containing a threat.

And Phoebe saw the threat as being Marie.

Well, why not? If Phoebe thought Paige wasn't to be trusted then why shouldn't she think that both mother and daughter could turn evil?

Without hesitation she orbed over to the orphanage.