CHAPTER 27:

2003, at the Halliwell Manor

When they entered the kitchen an amazing smell came towards Joey. She sniffed the smell and looked at Chris. "Wow, does it always smell so good around here?" Piper heard them coming in and said "Well speaking about the devils, anyone want breakfast?" "Yes", Chris said with a smile to Joey. "And yes I am hungry", he said while he turned to Piper. He saw Joey didn't know how to go on from there, so he took her hand and led her to the kitchen table. "Just try to act as normal as possible", he whispered in her ear when he saw she couldn't take her eyes of Piper.

Joey looked away from Piper and focussed her attention on the food that was standing on the table. Hungry as she was she dished up pancakes, scrambled eggs and toast. Within no time the full plate was empty and she saw Piper, Paige and Chris staring at her. "What?", she asked as she shrugged. "I haven't eaten in a while. Besides my guardian maybe sweet and she always manages to give me enough to eat, but she's just not such a good cook."

Piper smiled. "It's okay, I am glad you like it. Want me to make something else for you?" "Ehm… no. No thanks, I mean", Joey stuttered. She pushed the plate away, pretending she was full so she didn't had to talk to Piper anymore. She turned to Chris and asked. "So what's next? Do you already have a plan? And how do I get all the powers you said I need?"

Just then Phoebe walked in and heard what Joey said. "What powers? Do you have more?" "I think so", Joey answered. "I just got powers and they are still developing." "I know how you can get your powers", Phoebe said. "I lost mine once, and I still have the spell somewhere I used when they were restored. I am sure that with a few minor adjustments you can use it to. C'mon", she said as she offered her hand to Joey.

Joey looked doubtful at Chris but he nodded to her "It's okay, go with her", he said. "In the mean time I'll explain to Piper and Paige what we are going to do, okay?" Joey nodded and stood up. She followed Phoebe out of the kitchen back upstairs again, while Chris explained the situation to the sisters as much as he could without telling them who Joey really is.

"I found out that she's a very powerful witch. The reason her powers were blocked is because a demon called the master is after her. He couldn't find her this way and now she's old enough to face him slowly her powers return. I don't know for sure if she can handle this on her own, so I will go with her. Wanna help me?", Chris quickly said to Piper and Paige.

Meanwhile Joey went to the attic with Phoebe. She stood at the doorway waiting, while Phoebe was flipping through a large book on a small table. She got impatient and walked closer. She recognised the book and said surprised "Hey the book of shadows". "Yes the book of shadows", Phoebe repeated as she looked up at Joey for a brief moment. "Do you know it?", she asked, still looking for the spell. "Yes, I have one to", Joey answered.

"Ah got it", Phoebe suddenly said. "Okay so this won't work for you, because you didn't got attacked. So I have to change what was taken from the attack, into… ehm…", she bit on the top of the pencil, while she thought of what she could use for the last sentence. Suddenly she jumped up and wrote a little something next to the spell in the book. "Now read this out loud", she said to Joey.

Joey took the book from Phoebe and silently read the spell. When she knew for sure it was the right spell she said the words out loud:

"Powers of witches rise,
come to me across the skies.
return my magic,
give me back,
all that I didn't know I had."

The moment she said the last word she got surrounded by white lights. Only for seconds, before they disappeared. Only Phoebe had seen they went into Joey. When the lights disappeared Joey said disappointed "Was that all? I expected a little more magic. O well, how do I know if it worked?"

"Good question", Phoebe said as she looked at the girl. "I actually have no idea, since I didn't know what your powers were to begin with. Well except for telekinesis of course. You know the thing with which you let Chris fly with chair and all", she smiled at the thought of how Chris began to panic. And that for a whitelighter who orbs in and out all the time.

"I know we discovered the powers of me and my sisters when we got mad or afraid, it was linked to our emotions. So I guess I just need to scare you", Phoebe said with a wink. "Or we can of course go downstairs so I know what Chris has to tell and see from there. I know for sure you have your powers, all that is left for us is to activate them somehow", she said as she took Joey's hand and walked down the stairs.

Chris was just done talking - both Paige as Piper agreed to help the girl - when he saw Phoebe walk in and he curiously asked: "Did it work?" "I think so", she answered. "We will know for sure when her emotions will take over at some point. I say we just go after the demons that were after her, I am positive she'll kick their butts", she said as she wrapped an arm around Joey's shoulders giving Joey some confidence. She needed it for what was about to happen.

"One demon", Chris corrected her. "But you're right. We are going to kick some butt. Paige, Piper, you'll make the potions? I need to talk to Phoebe and Joey." Paige nodded and took Piper's hand and walked to the kitchen sink. Chris took Phoebe's and Joey's hand and orbed to the living room.