by J. B. Tilton email: PG
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.
Piper is once again forced to deal with bureaucracy demons when the equivalent of the Child Protective Services takers her baby out of "a dangerous and unstable home environment".
ONE
Piper came down the stairs with her newborn son in her arms. Leo met her at the bottom of the stairs holding a cup of coffee.
"I was bringing this up to you," said Leo. "You shouldn't be up. You just gave birth. You need to get your strength back."
'Women all over the world give birth while working in fields and go right back to work," said Piper. "I feel fine."
"That's an exaggeration, and you know it," said Leo.
"Maybe," said Piper, "but I'm okay. I won't overdo it."
Just then the doorbell rang.
"Just make sure you don't," said Leo, answering the door.
When Leo opened the door, he was met with a startling sight. A black woman dressed in a business suit stood on the porch. The horns sprouting from her forehead and her long barbed tail showed that she was, in fact, a demon. Two male demons, similar in appearance, stood behind her.
"Ah, Ambassador Wyatt," said the woman. "My name is Agnes P. Bicheterous. I'm here to see your wife."
"Who is it, honey?" asked Piper, stepping to the door.
"Ah, Ms. Halliwell," said the demoness, producing a badge. "I'm Agnes P. Bicheterous of the Other World Infantile Oversight and Defense Bureau." She pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Piper. "I have a court order here to take immediate possession of your newborn child. The child is being removed from a dangerous and unstable home environment, which would be detrimental to the normal welfare and emotional stability of a newborn, as stipulated in the order. This is the child, I presume. Please relinquish physical custody of the child immediately."
'Like hell," said Piper as one of the male demons moved forward to take the baby.
"Please, let's not make this any more difficult than it is," said Ms. Bicheterous. "This is a lawful court order issued under the provisions of the Other World Infantile Protective Code regarding the suitable health, welfare, and safety of magical children born to magical parents. You are in violation of provisions 117-23, 146-98, 147-26, and 338-49 of that code."
"No one's taking my baby, least of all a demon," said Piper.
Piper stepped back and raised her hand. Her explosive power erupted around the male demon. The power exploded around the demon, but the demon remained unharmed.
"Please, Ms. Halliwell," said Ms. Bicheterous, "this violence is not going to reflect well in your record."
"Wait a minute," said Leo as the demon forced the baby out of Pipers' hand, "you can't just walk in here and take our baby. This is my embassy. The Other World Civil Code is not applicable here."
"As I said," said Ms. Bicheterous, "this falls under the jurisdiction of the Other World Protective Code. And that specifically gives me the right to remove any child I deem is in immediate danger. Section 223-91 of the Supernatural Interagency Oversight Accord specifically states that the Other World Infantile Oversight and Defense Bureau has the final say other codes and regulations notwithstanding."
"You can't do this," cried Piper. "That's my baby."
"And you'll be allowed to present your case at the hearing," said Ms. Bicheterous, handing a piece of paper to Leo. "Your advocate will be in touch, though the hearing is really just a formality. Once the hearing is over, permanent custody of the child will revert to the Other World Infantile Oversight and Defense Department and a suitable home will be found for the child."
Before either Leo or Piper could move or speak, the three demons, with the baby, flamed out and were gone. Leo and Piper just stared at each other.