"This hearing will come to order," said a green demon sitting at the head of a long table.
Leo, the sisters, and Shyster sat on one side of the table. Ms. Bicheterous, with a female demon holding Pipers' son, sat on the other side. All that was present were the table and chairs. Like the other hearings they had attended before in the Other World, this one had only the skeletal appearance of a real room.
"Don't they ever use real rooms here?" complained Piper.
"Quiet," said Shyster.
"My name is Arbiter Settlemontos," said the green demon. "I am an arbitrator, not a judge. However, my decision is legally binding. I'll listen to the evidence and testimony and make my ruling based solely on that evidence and testimony.
"The matter before us today is case number 1173629478136-J, the Other World Infantile Oversight and Defense Department versus Ms. Piper Halliwell. Does the advocate wish to have the specific charges read into the record?"
"I. M. A. Shyster, sir," said Shyster, "advocate for the defense. We waive the reading the charges."
"Who is representing the complainant?" asked Settlemontos.
"Ms. Bicheterous, sir," said Ms. Bicheterous, "senior case worker and field representative for the Infantile Custody and Placement Division of the Other World Infantile Oversight and Defense Department."
"Very well," said Settlemontos. "As the complainant in this case, you may present your case."
"Thank you, sir," said Ms. Bicheterous. "As you are aware, Ms. Halliwell is a Charmed One. The OWIOD stipulates that, after discovering her pregnancy, she needlessly and recklessly endangered her unborn child by continuing to perform her duties as a Charmed One. This often placed her in grave and even mortal danger from demonic attacks. With no thought whatsoever for the safety of her unborn child."
"That's a blatant lie," said Piper.
"Advocate, please control your client," said Settlemontos.
"I apologize, sir," said Shyster. "Piper you have to control your outbursts. We'll get our chance. She's just making her allegations, that's all."
"It is our contention," continued Ms. Bicheterous, "that since Ms. Halliwell demonstrates such flagrant disregard for the life of her unborn child, said child would be in similar danger since its birth. Based on a lawfully obtained court order, I removed the child from the Halliwell manor. We ask that permanent custody of the child be awarded to the OWIOD Department where a suitable home will be found for the child."
"Serious charges, Mr. Shyster," said Settlemontos. "How do you respond to these allegations?"
'Nuts," said Shyster.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Settlemontos.
"They're nuts," said Shyster. "Ms. Halliwell never sought out these demons. They came after her or her sisters. She can certainly not be held accountable or responsible for that."
"She could have removed herself to a safe location where they couldn't get to her," said Ms. Bicheterous. "Her husband is a Whitelighter. He could have orbed her to the Whitelighter realm where she would have been out of danger to protect the baby."
"Sir," said Shyster, "many woman continue to work during pregnancy. And since she was quite invulnerable during her pregnancy, the child was never in any real danger. I submit that Ms. Bicheterous has failed to meet her burden of proof in this matter."
"It is not only her actions we question," said Ms. Bicheterous, "but her thought processes. The invulnerability you mentioned was only discovered when a demon tried to kill her. Before that, she was not aware she was invulnerable."
"Well, that's true," said Shyster.
"And since she didn't know she was invulnerable," continued Ms. Bicheterous, "it demonstrates her lack of proper concern for her unborn child or she would never have put it in harms way to begin with."
"As I've pointed out," said Shyster, "she didn't go looking for demons. They came after her. Again, she can't be held responsible for that."
"He has a point, Ms. Bicheterous," said the arbiter.
"But did she cast any protection spells to keep demons out of the manor?" asked Ms. Bicheterous. "Did she make any charms? Did she even contract for some sort of protection to safeguard her unborn child and herself? Before she knew she was invulnerable?"
"Well, no," said Shyster.
"I believe I have met my burden of proof, sir," said Ms. Bicheterous. "The Protection Code is very specific in this area. I request an immediate ruling in favor of the OWIOD and ask that permanent custody of the child be granted to that department."
"She has met her burden of proof, Mr. Shyster," said Settlemontos. "Unless you have something more compelling, I'll have to grant her request."
Shyster didn't say a word.