Gideon surveyed Leo with a critical eye, "I understand what you are suggesting Leo, I just don't quite understand why."
Leo bit his lip anxiously and wrung his hands in an almost pleading gesture, "I know it's not exactly…normal practice, but it would just be temporary. Besides, she's already from the future…it wouldn't affect any…"
Gideon sighed heavily and raised a hand, signalling that he wanted Leo to stop. They were stood on the edge of the abyss; where the clouds met the rolling purity of 'Up There' and everything was bathed in pure white. Somewhere in the distance, the virginal hue of the sky bled midnight blue and small diamond bright stars shone out of the mist; the only indication of the time of day.
"Leo, it is the simple fact that she's from the future that makes me hesitate to even take this…Irequest/I any further. She took a huge risk coming here already, and who knows what things her and Chris have changed," Gideon said, fairly.
Leo gave an exasperated groan, "No, Gideon, I beg you. If you don't help me, then that's it. No more Charmed Ones." He saw Gideon's face fall into slight dismay, though he could see the well practiced mask slip into place, "Please…I'm asking you now as a fellow Elder and as a past student…but most of all, as a friend."
Gideon felt guilt rise up in his throat like bile. He looked back into Leo's hopeful, yet careworn face; he knew that Leo didn't deserve any of this. In a moment of rare clarity in Gideon's now pacing mind, he remembered how much Leo meant to him. It wasn't his fault if his brat was going to bring about the end of the world…
And no Charmed Ones? Gideon inwardly shuddered at the thought.
Slowly, with the faultless control of a true elder, he brought his hands together and turned back to where Leo was stood, "You do understand the repercussions of what you are asking me to do? You understand that if I bring her back to life, that it will be your life force that will be drained?"
Leo nodded, regretfully, his jaw set. Gideon continued, "This spell will only last for as long as you can hold out…the stronger the life force, then longer she has."
Leo nodded again, this time clearing his throat and saying, "I understand."
Gideon nodded, "Very well. I shall have to inform the other Elders…" He turned with a sweep of his cloak, and walked away.
Leo took a deep shaky breath. He knew how much he'd sacrifice for the sisters…he'd done it many times before. He closed his eyes and imagined the living room, before feeling his body become weightless in a spattering of orbs. He opened his eyes as he felt his feet hit solid ground, and he found himself back in the Manor.
He immediately walked over to Laura's side, and pulled the sheet away from her small body. Her face was tarnished with deep scarlet scratches, and some glinted eerily, as the last remains of glass were still lodged in the wounds. He lifted her up, she was so light, and placed her on one of the seats. Her young face was hidden as her limp neck lolled forwards and she slumped downwards. Leo lifted up her head with a finger under her chin and looked at her again.
Although her face looked young and innocent, she seemed to be older than the 17 years she had professed. He tried to imagine her eyes open…blue, fresh blue sapphires that searched your own uneasily.
Prue's blue eyes.
Her face could have belonged to Prue, if it weren't for small details; her nose was too rounded, and her hair was too light a shade of auburn. He noticed a few freckles on the bridge of her nose. Prue never had freckles, but Piper did.
In fact, he noted, silently, for Phoebe's daughter, she didn't display any physical similarities at all. But then again, she was a Halliwell, not to mention a woman. They make things doubly complicated.
Paige took in a deep breath, and held it there as Penny walked towards her. Walking Istraight/I towards her. Paige panicked. She could see her? But how was that possible…?
Uh, hi Gra…Penny…" Paige began, but was cut off when Penny didn't stop walking, and walked straight through her, as if she wasn't there. The prickling sensation she had felt when she first saw her started to subside, and she turned back to find Phoebe, dancing to IYou're the One That I Want/I.
"I used to blove/b this song when I was younger…" Phoebe said, excitedly, in-between belts of Olivia Newton John. Paige rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help laughing at the bizarre sight; small Phoebe spinning and twirling around in her party dress, and larger Phoebe jumping around as if she was exactly the same age.
The scene suddenly gave a terrific lurch, and Paige stumbled sideways, falling to the ground. She heard grown Phoebe's scream and a thud as she hit the ground too, but Paige had her eyes shut tight out of instinct, and she couldn't see a thing.
Then there was silence.