"So, how are the honeymooners?" Prue asked, coming into the living room.
Piper and Leo were sitting on the sofa talking. Although they hadn't had the chance to take a real honeymoon, the past few days without demon attacks was a welcomed respite. They had spent that time together as much as possible.
"We're fine," Piper said. "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"
"The shoot was cancelled," Prue said. "One of the models got the flu so they're going to reschedule. My boss said I've been working really hard lately so he let me take a couple of days off to relax. I can sure use it. After the fiasco I caused at your wedding, meeting the Angel of Death, and that last demon attack, I'm just about burned out."
"You know we don't blame you for the wedding," Leo said. "One of the hazards of being a Charmed One, I'm afraid."
"I know," Prue said. "That doesn't make me feel less guilty about what happened."
"Just forget about it," Piper said. "Ancient history. And everything worked out. Leo and I got married, your astral self seems to be behaving itself, and even the demons seem to have taken a holiday. Just sit down and relax."
"Where's Phoebe?" Prue asked, taking a seat in one of the chairs.
"I don't know," Piper said. "She and Cole left early this morning. I think they wanted to take advantage of the down time, too. Cole said something about a Parisian restaurant he used to frequent."
"Parisian?" Prue questioned. "As in Paris, France?"
"At least they don't have to worry about plane fare," said Leo. "Cole can shimmer them there in a matter of seconds."
"Yeah, but Paris?" Prue questioned. "As if we don't have enough restaurants in San Francisco."
"It's not really the same," Leo said. "Besides, you know what they say about Paris? It's the city of love. I think it will do them good to get away for a while."
"Just as long as they don't run into any bounty hunters," Piper said. "I don't want them bringing any demons back with them. I'm enjoying this way too much."
"I'm sure they'll be careful," said Leo, smiling.
"So, what's for dinner?" Prue asked.
"How about pizza?" Piper asked.
"Pizza?" Prue questioned. "Let me get this straight. My sister - the professional chef - who won't even set foot in a fast food restaurant, wants to order a pizza?"
"Sure, why not?" Piper asked. "I can slum with the best of them. Besides, I don't really feel like cooking just now. I'd rather just sit here and enjoy being with my husband, if you don't mind."
"Fine with me," Prue said. "Only no anchovies."
"Hey, they give it flavor," Piper joked.
"No anchovies," Prue reiterated, laughing at her sister.
The pizza was nearly half gone when Phoebe and Cole shimmered into the manor. Phoebe and Cole were both dressed for a night on the town, even though it was still early afternoon. Phoebe looked at Piper eating her third slice of pizza and smiling.
"You're eating pizza?" Phoebe asked. "Since when do you order take out pizza?"
"Since I don't feel like cooking," Piper said. "Help yourself. There's plenty."
"No thanks," Phoebe said, patting her stomach. "I think I've had enough food for one day."
"I told you it was one of the best restaurants around," said Cole.
"Well," said Phoebe, "I think I'd better get changed. I think I'm suffering from jet lag."
"Shouldn't that be shimmer lag?" questioned Prue, smiling coyly.
Everyone laughed as Phoebe headed for the stairs.
The rest of the afternoon was uneventful. After Phoebe and Cole's trip to Paris, and the pizza the others had enjoyed, no one felt much like a normal dinner. They spent the time in the living room talking and enjoying each other's company. Just as it was starting to get dark a figure orbed into the manor. He was about thirty, wearing casual attire, and had black hair. As he finished his orb, Leo sat up suddenly.
"Timothy?" Leo questioned. "What are you doing here?"
"I just thought I'd stop by and say hello," said the Whitelighter. "Steph is out on some fund raiser and I thought I'd come by and offer my congratulations to the new bride. Haven't had a chance since the two of you got married."
"This is Timothy Shanks," Leo said the others. "He's a Whitelighter for a witch on the other side of town."
"Well, glad to meet you," said Piper. "And thanks. I'm glad some of you guys are happy for us."
"Oh, quite a few of us are," said Timothy. "A lot of us thought it should have been allowed a lot sooner. Too bad it took saving the Elders lives to make them come to their senses."
"Some people are just kind of thick headed," said Prue.
"Prue," said Leo. "They're the Elders. You shouldn't talk about them that way."
"Okay, so their they Elders," said Prue. "That doesn't make them perfect. Besides, what are they going to do? Uncharm me?"
"Can I get you anything?" Phoebe asked Timothy. "Coffee, a soda?"
"A soda would be nice," Timothy said. "Steph is kind of a health freak. She always chides me when I eat or drink something that's bad for me. I can't seem to convince her that as a Whitelighter it's not the same as for a human."
"I'm sure she just has your best interest at heart," Piper said.
"And you must be Belthazor," Timothy said, turning to Cole. "It's a pleasure to meet you finally. You're something of a celebrity among Whitelighters. The famed Belthazor switching sides. And for the love of a witch, no less. Not exactly a common occurrence."
"I prefer the name Cole Turner," said Cole. "Belthazor is in the past, now. And with a little luck, he'll stay there."
"I didn't mean to offend you," said Timothy.
"You didn't," said Cole, smiling. "I realize it's pretty hard for some to accept. Especially with my past."
"Great," said Timothy as Phoebe handed him a soda.
"Thanks," he said, smiling. "I rarely get to drink one of these. But what Steph doesn't know won't hurt me."
"Steph is the witch you're assigned to?" Prue asked.
"Yes," said Timothy. "Stephanie Morgan. I've been her Whitelighter for seven years now."
"Timothy was one of my initiates," Leo said. "I helped train him when he became a Whitelighter."
"And a better teacher I couldn't have had," Timothy said. "Leo was even instrumental at getting me assigned to Steph. Have I ever thanked you for that?"
"Only about a hundred times," Leo said smiling. "I'm happy to see it worked out so well."
"So am I," said Timothy.
"It's nice to see a Whitelighter pop in for a social call," Prue said. "Usually when someone just appears they're trying to kill us."
"Well," said Timothy, "every Whitelighter wants to come down here. To meet the famed Charmed Ones. You have no idea how jealous many of the Whitelighters were when it was announced that Leo was going to..."
His statement went unfinished as Phoebe suddenly grabbed her head and fell to the floor crying out in pain. Everyone immediately rushed to help her wondering what was happening to her.