(Sequel to the story "The Unwonderful Wizard Of Charmed)
By J. B. Tilton and Angela Roche email: Rating: PG (for mild language)
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 4 episodes "A Paige From The Past" and "Trial By Magic".)
When everyone else inexplicably begins reverting to the characters they portrayed in the movie "The Wizard Of Oz", Phoebe finds herself alone facing the warlock that originally put them there.
ONE
Phoebe walked into the kitchen with Cole close at hand. Piper, Paige, and Leo were all ready there just beginning breakfast.
"Morning, sleepy heads," said Piper. "I guess nearly getting married must have really wiped you out."
"I did get shot," said Cole. "I'm just glad Leo and Paige got back from the past in time to heal me."
"Lucky for you you're fully human now," said Leo. "Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to heal you completely."
"He was pretty worn out after that," said Phoebe. "So we decided to sleep in for a bit."
"Well, I can heal the damage," said Leo. "But I can't do anything about some of the side affects. Like draining your strength. That has to be replenished normally."
"Nothing wrong in sleeping late," said Paige. "We all deserve it now and again."
"And if you don't head for work," said Piper, looking at her watch, "your boss might think you deserve to be fired for being late again."
"Right," said Paige, getting up from the table. "Well, off to the salt mines."
"I'd hardly call the work you do salt mines," said Cole.
"Maybe," said Paige. "It's still not easy work."
"Yeah, right," said Phoebe, smiling. "You probably just sit around at your desk all day and drink coffee."
"Better be careful," said Paige with a mock cackle in her voice, "or I'll have to deal with you, my pretty. And your little dog, too."
"Yeah, yeah, real funny," laughed Phoebe. "You'd better get to work while you still have a job to go to."
"On my way," said Paige, as she breezed out of the kitchen.
"I'd better get going, too," said Piper. "Today is when the distributor makes his deliveries and I need to make sure everything is there."
"Want me to orb you there?" Leo asked.
"No," said Piper, "I'll drive. It's a nice day out today."
"This is San Francisco," said Phoebe. "It's always a nice day out."
"All the more reason to enjoy it," said Piper.
"Okay, I'll see you tonight," said Phoebe as Piper left the kitchen. Phoebe turned to Cole. "So, what do you want to do this afternoon? We could go see a movie. Or maybe we could have lunch at one of the restaurants downtown."
"Hmmm," said Cole. "That's a hard one. Both sound like fun. I'm not sure which one appeals to me more."
"Let's go see a movie, then," said Phoebe. "After we have lunch at a restaurant."
"A decisive woman," joked Cole. "I love that."
"What's that?" Leo asked, suddenly looking into the entryway.
"What's what?" Cole asked.
"Oh, nothing," said Leo. "I just thought I heard something, that's all."
"Well," said Phoebe, "Piper and Paige are busy for the day. Come on, Cole. Let's go find something to occupy our time."
As Phoebe and Cole left the manor Leo began to look around. He was sure he had heard something. But neither Phoebe nor Cole had apparently heard it. And nothing seemed out of place in the manor. After a while he decided it must have been his imagination. As everyone went about their business none of them noticed a slight red glow coming from the back of Phoebe's closet.