The Hidden Page
Chapter Four
One Angry Sister
Outside Phoebe pulled in the driveway just as Piper was about to open the front door of the manor. Trying to distract her older sister Phoebe blew the horn. Piper whorled quickly and spilled her purse all over the driveway. "Uh oh," Phoebe thought this would put her Piper in a bad mood even before she knew about Leo's unfortunate metamorphosis. Phoebe hopped out of the car and raced up the driveway to her sister's side to begin helping Piper pick up her spilled belongings.
"Phoebe, why the horn blast? Is there an emergency or something?" "More like or something," Phoebe replied, still wanting to cover for Paige. "I uh just wanted to get your attention." "Well you certainly did that," Piper said looking down at the smashed bottle of her favorite expensive perfume. Phoebe looked down at it as well and winced. "Sorry, I'll buy you another bottle." "Thanks for the thought,' Piper answered, "but with what? You don't have a job yet and it's a pretty costly bottle." Speaking of which weren't you supposed to be showing that magazine your freelance article on criminal psychology, oh about now?"
"Well my breakfast with Dad ended a little earlier than expected and I still have a few minutes before I had to be there and I decided to come home and get a little boost of self confidence from you. "What are you doing home by the way? I thought you were going to be at P3 all day today interviewing new servers." "I was but I forgot my day planner," Piper said looking confused. "Wait a minute you just said you came home to get moral support from me but now you're saying you thought I'd be at the club. So spill the beans what's up? Is there something you're not telling me? Did things not go well with Dad?"
Phoebe, sensing a chance to distract Piper, immediately jumped at the opportunity. "I tried to tell him about the engagement, I just lost my nerve is all." "Well if you want him to walk you down the aisle, you're going to have to tell him sometime. Besides now that Cole is a full- fledged human being, Dad shouldn't have as many objections to you're marrying him. Except Cole doesn't have a job either and that might bother Dad a little." "And you?" Phoebe asked suddenly feeling more than a little hurt.
Piper must have realized her sister was feeling bruised because suddenly she reached out and wrapped her arms around Phoebe. "God, I sound and feel like such a bitch lately," Piper sighed. I don't know what the hell is wrong with me. I guess I'm taking this big sister gig a little too far. I don't mean to criticize Paige but she's driving me nuts. Lord I miss Prue. She'd know what to do with Paige. Any way, I'm sure you and Cole will both find something soon. Now back to my other question. Why are you home?"
"You are not a bitch, you're just a witch," Phoebe said laughing. "You are also determined. I'm uh home because of exactly why I told you. I'm here for emotional support and I didn't just mean from you. I meant from the whole family." I um needed... "You needed?" Piper prompted. "Okay, you caught me" Phoebe replied. "I needed him," she said, pointing to Cole who had just come outside. "He forgot to give me a kiss good luck!"
"He did not. He gave you three! I saw it." Phoebe did not reply nor give Piper a chance to say anything else. She went racing up to Cole, threw her arms around him and gave him a huge smack on the lips. "Are we okay?" she whispered in his ear. " Oh I'd say we're more than fine, especially when you greet me like this," Cole said pulling her more tightly against him. He began returning her kiss with enthusiasm. When Phoebe could breathe again she said, "I meant with the Leo, donkey, Paige situation?"
Cole reluctantly pulled away and Phoebe reluctantly let him. She hadn't just been lying to protect Paige she realized. She really was telling the truth to Piper just a few minutes ago when she said she needed Cole. It scared her sometimes but there was no point in denying it anymore. She reached up and caressed his jet -black hair. He smiled and took her hand and kissed it. "Oh, on the ass front, we are not so good. Leo is still a donkey as far as I know. He's down in the basement. "Damn it," Phoebe muttered."
"Okay, Okay, I hate to break up the mushy stuff, but you now have about ten minutes to get to your interview," Piper said. She had finished picking up her purse and was heading towards them. Plus you're blocking the doorway. I have to get my organizer and get back to the club. You know Phoebe you might as well just have Leo orb you to the magazine."
"I don't think Leo is available at the moment. Besides isn't there that personal gain rule? I mean how would it appear to the elders if Leo was distracted from a real emergency because he was chauffeuring Phoebe to a non-emergency appointment?" Cole spoke up. "For crying out loud," Piper spit out, "it will take about all of five seconds, and if that gets the elders knickers in a knot, then they seriously ought to try therapy. Also who said it isn't an emergency? When there is no money left to pay the electricity bill it will be an emergency, and besides when did you become so concerned about breaking the rules Cole? Something's wrong and I don't need Phoebe's power of premonition to sense it. So spill the beans you two."
"I have no idea of what you're talking about Piper. Nothing's wrong. What could be wrong?" Phoebe asked trying to put on her best innocent looking face. Just then a loud "He-haw" came through the cellar window. Phoebe turned on Cole. "You had to leave the window open didn't you?" "Well it was kind of stuffy down there and he's got a lot of fur, and I didn't want him to suffocate."
`"What the hell was that?" Piper shouted. "It's more like who the hell is that," Cole corrected. Phoebe gave him a slight kick with her foot. "Look sweetheart, I'm sorry but the gig is obviously up. Piper is going to find out sooner or later and you can only protect Paige so far."
"What happened?" Piper demanded, stomping her foot. Did Paige turn some stranger into a jackass?" Leo he-hawed loudly again. "She didn't mean that last word," Phoebe yelled through the window.
"No Paige didn't turn a "stranger" into a DONKEY," Phoebe said shouting so that Leo could hear. "Well that is a relief," Piper sighed. "Uhm, Piper, you won't think so in a minute, so why don't you just hand Phoebe your purse and come inside with us," Cole suggested. "Tell me what is going on now!!!!" Piper growled. "Do you really want to take a chance of the neighbor's overhearing a conversation about you know what?" Phoebe replied.
"Okay so let's go indoors." Piper stormed inside and into the living room. She whirled to confront her sister and future brother in-law as soon as the door shut behind Cole. We are alone now, so why don't you two tell me why we have a donkey in the basement and don't give me anymore crap."
"Yeah, the donkey's been spreading enough of that around anyway," Cole, joked, trying to lighten the atmosphere. I should know, I've been the one cleaning it up." Phoebe laughed despite herself, Piper merely glared.
"One of Paige's spells did backfire and Leo's the one she turned into a mule," Phoebe quickly said before she lost her nerve. Piper raised her hands and exploded a vase full of orange blossoms on the table next to her. "That is only a fraction of what I am going do to Paige once I get a hold of her," she vowed. "Please Piper calm down, Paige didn't do it on purpose, I'm sure the spell will be reversible, and besides remember we are not allowed to use our powers on one another," Phoebe reminded her sister.
"Who needs powers, I'll just strangle her with my bare hands," Piper snarled. Now I am going down to see my poor husband, and then I am going Paige hunting, and don't you two dare try to protect her anymore. She needs some serious but kicking to knock some sense into that air-headed little brain of hers."
"Piper, I don't disagree with you," Cole assured her. "Just remember to be as cautious as you possibly can be. You still need her to work the power of three spells. You're too vulnerable without them." "Oh I understand that perfectly Cole, it's just that I'm beginning to really fear that we are just as vulnerable with Paige," with that Piper turned and headed for the basement.
Phoebe buried her hands in her face. Despite her best efforts to hold them at bay tears started to fall. She was grateful for the strong arms that wrapped around her and held her tight against an equally strong chest. "Don't worry," Cole reassured Phoebe. Piper's madder than I've ever seen her, true, but you and I both know she'd never do anything really harmful to Paige." "That's not why I'm crying," Phoebe said into Cole's jacket. I'm crying because I don't know if Paige and Piper are ever going to make it as friends let alone sisters and there just doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it." It will work out somehow," Cole assured her. "I don't know how but it will." "Now let's go into the kitchen and figure out something we can give Leo to eat."
Chapter Four
One Angry Sister
Outside Phoebe pulled in the driveway just as Piper was about to open the front door of the manor. Trying to distract her older sister Phoebe blew the horn. Piper whorled quickly and spilled her purse all over the driveway. "Uh oh," Phoebe thought this would put her Piper in a bad mood even before she knew about Leo's unfortunate metamorphosis. Phoebe hopped out of the car and raced up the driveway to her sister's side to begin helping Piper pick up her spilled belongings.
"Phoebe, why the horn blast? Is there an emergency or something?" "More like or something," Phoebe replied, still wanting to cover for Paige. "I uh just wanted to get your attention." "Well you certainly did that," Piper said looking down at the smashed bottle of her favorite expensive perfume. Phoebe looked down at it as well and winced. "Sorry, I'll buy you another bottle." "Thanks for the thought,' Piper answered, "but with what? You don't have a job yet and it's a pretty costly bottle." Speaking of which weren't you supposed to be showing that magazine your freelance article on criminal psychology, oh about now?"
"Well my breakfast with Dad ended a little earlier than expected and I still have a few minutes before I had to be there and I decided to come home and get a little boost of self confidence from you. "What are you doing home by the way? I thought you were going to be at P3 all day today interviewing new servers." "I was but I forgot my day planner," Piper said looking confused. "Wait a minute you just said you came home to get moral support from me but now you're saying you thought I'd be at the club. So spill the beans what's up? Is there something you're not telling me? Did things not go well with Dad?"
Phoebe, sensing a chance to distract Piper, immediately jumped at the opportunity. "I tried to tell him about the engagement, I just lost my nerve is all." "Well if you want him to walk you down the aisle, you're going to have to tell him sometime. Besides now that Cole is a full- fledged human being, Dad shouldn't have as many objections to you're marrying him. Except Cole doesn't have a job either and that might bother Dad a little." "And you?" Phoebe asked suddenly feeling more than a little hurt.
Piper must have realized her sister was feeling bruised because suddenly she reached out and wrapped her arms around Phoebe. "God, I sound and feel like such a bitch lately," Piper sighed. I don't know what the hell is wrong with me. I guess I'm taking this big sister gig a little too far. I don't mean to criticize Paige but she's driving me nuts. Lord I miss Prue. She'd know what to do with Paige. Any way, I'm sure you and Cole will both find something soon. Now back to my other question. Why are you home?"
"You are not a bitch, you're just a witch," Phoebe said laughing. "You are also determined. I'm uh home because of exactly why I told you. I'm here for emotional support and I didn't just mean from you. I meant from the whole family." I um needed... "You needed?" Piper prompted. "Okay, you caught me" Phoebe replied. "I needed him," she said, pointing to Cole who had just come outside. "He forgot to give me a kiss good luck!"
"He did not. He gave you three! I saw it." Phoebe did not reply nor give Piper a chance to say anything else. She went racing up to Cole, threw her arms around him and gave him a huge smack on the lips. "Are we okay?" she whispered in his ear. " Oh I'd say we're more than fine, especially when you greet me like this," Cole said pulling her more tightly against him. He began returning her kiss with enthusiasm. When Phoebe could breathe again she said, "I meant with the Leo, donkey, Paige situation?"
Cole reluctantly pulled away and Phoebe reluctantly let him. She hadn't just been lying to protect Paige she realized. She really was telling the truth to Piper just a few minutes ago when she said she needed Cole. It scared her sometimes but there was no point in denying it anymore. She reached up and caressed his jet -black hair. He smiled and took her hand and kissed it. "Oh, on the ass front, we are not so good. Leo is still a donkey as far as I know. He's down in the basement. "Damn it," Phoebe muttered."
"Okay, Okay, I hate to break up the mushy stuff, but you now have about ten minutes to get to your interview," Piper said. She had finished picking up her purse and was heading towards them. Plus you're blocking the doorway. I have to get my organizer and get back to the club. You know Phoebe you might as well just have Leo orb you to the magazine."
"I don't think Leo is available at the moment. Besides isn't there that personal gain rule? I mean how would it appear to the elders if Leo was distracted from a real emergency because he was chauffeuring Phoebe to a non-emergency appointment?" Cole spoke up. "For crying out loud," Piper spit out, "it will take about all of five seconds, and if that gets the elders knickers in a knot, then they seriously ought to try therapy. Also who said it isn't an emergency? When there is no money left to pay the electricity bill it will be an emergency, and besides when did you become so concerned about breaking the rules Cole? Something's wrong and I don't need Phoebe's power of premonition to sense it. So spill the beans you two."
"I have no idea of what you're talking about Piper. Nothing's wrong. What could be wrong?" Phoebe asked trying to put on her best innocent looking face. Just then a loud "He-haw" came through the cellar window. Phoebe turned on Cole. "You had to leave the window open didn't you?" "Well it was kind of stuffy down there and he's got a lot of fur, and I didn't want him to suffocate."
`"What the hell was that?" Piper shouted. "It's more like who the hell is that," Cole corrected. Phoebe gave him a slight kick with her foot. "Look sweetheart, I'm sorry but the gig is obviously up. Piper is going to find out sooner or later and you can only protect Paige so far."
"What happened?" Piper demanded, stomping her foot. Did Paige turn some stranger into a jackass?" Leo he-hawed loudly again. "She didn't mean that last word," Phoebe yelled through the window.
"No Paige didn't turn a "stranger" into a DONKEY," Phoebe said shouting so that Leo could hear. "Well that is a relief," Piper sighed. "Uhm, Piper, you won't think so in a minute, so why don't you just hand Phoebe your purse and come inside with us," Cole suggested. "Tell me what is going on now!!!!" Piper growled. "Do you really want to take a chance of the neighbor's overhearing a conversation about you know what?" Phoebe replied.
"Okay so let's go indoors." Piper stormed inside and into the living room. She whirled to confront her sister and future brother in-law as soon as the door shut behind Cole. We are alone now, so why don't you two tell me why we have a donkey in the basement and don't give me anymore crap."
"Yeah, the donkey's been spreading enough of that around anyway," Cole, joked, trying to lighten the atmosphere. I should know, I've been the one cleaning it up." Phoebe laughed despite herself, Piper merely glared.
"One of Paige's spells did backfire and Leo's the one she turned into a mule," Phoebe quickly said before she lost her nerve. Piper raised her hands and exploded a vase full of orange blossoms on the table next to her. "That is only a fraction of what I am going do to Paige once I get a hold of her," she vowed. "Please Piper calm down, Paige didn't do it on purpose, I'm sure the spell will be reversible, and besides remember we are not allowed to use our powers on one another," Phoebe reminded her sister.
"Who needs powers, I'll just strangle her with my bare hands," Piper snarled. Now I am going down to see my poor husband, and then I am going Paige hunting, and don't you two dare try to protect her anymore. She needs some serious but kicking to knock some sense into that air-headed little brain of hers."
"Piper, I don't disagree with you," Cole assured her. "Just remember to be as cautious as you possibly can be. You still need her to work the power of three spells. You're too vulnerable without them." "Oh I understand that perfectly Cole, it's just that I'm beginning to really fear that we are just as vulnerable with Paige," with that Piper turned and headed for the basement.
Phoebe buried her hands in her face. Despite her best efforts to hold them at bay tears started to fall. She was grateful for the strong arms that wrapped around her and held her tight against an equally strong chest. "Don't worry," Cole reassured Phoebe. Piper's madder than I've ever seen her, true, but you and I both know she'd never do anything really harmful to Paige." "That's not why I'm crying," Phoebe said into Cole's jacket. I'm crying because I don't know if Paige and Piper are ever going to make it as friends let alone sisters and there just doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it." It will work out somehow," Cole assured her. "I don't know how but it will." "Now let's go into the kitchen and figure out something we can give Leo to eat."