"I'm not sure I understand," said Leo. "I've not sensed any of them in danger. And there have been no demon attacks for several days. Why would they need me to heal them?"
"That's what we meant by bending the rules," said Magdalena, shooting an angry glance at Porthic. "A situation has come to our attention regarding the youngest of the Charmed Ones."
"Phoebe," said Leo. "She's perfectly healthy. The last time I talked with her she didn't even have a cold."
"She's been suffering from a serious condition for some time," said Tolar. "We haven't done anything about it because, quite frankly, it hasn't been a problem. That has changed. It is now a very serious problem and we can no longer sit idly by and do nothing."
"What kind of problem?" Leo asked.
Magdalena explained to Leo the condition that Dr. Phillips had diagnosed Phoebe with.
"As you can see, she is very ill," said Magdalena. "As Tolar said, it has not been an issue up to this point. But now she may not be able to perform her duties as a Charmed One without risking her life. We've decided that is an unacceptable risk."
"But isn't that against the rules?" Leo asked. "This heart condition doesn't seem to be demonically related. Aren't I forbidden from healing her because of that?"
"Do you have any idea how long it took to prepare the witches to receive their power?" asked Porthic. "Generations of preparations are involved. We can't afford to loose one of them now. Not when our most potent weapon against evil is now come to fruition."
"Are you ordering me to do this?" Leo asked.
"No, Leo, we aren't," said Tolar. "We cannot order you to violate one of our highest rules. But the entire Elder Council has discussed it and we are unanimous in our decision. The Charmed Ones must be allowed to fulfill their destiny. If Phoebe dies, the Power of Three will be lost to us. And we may never recover from such a loss. Under these circumstances, we feel that allowing you to heal her is in the best interest of our goals, even though it is technically against the rules."
"The ends justifies the means?" questioned Leo. "You've always taught me that the means are at least as important at the ends."
This is true," said Magdalena. "But we don't feel we have any other choice in this matter. They've had their powers for only a few weeks. Things are changing. Demons are becoming bolder. If we allow the Power of Three to end now, it could put all of us at risk later. As we said, we are not ordering you to do this. They are your charges and it is your decision. But know that if you do this for us, none of the Elders will speak against you for it."
"I understand," said Leo. "I'll have to give it some thought. Before I always acted on impulse. It wasn't a deliberate attempt to defy you or disobey the rules. I acted on the spur of the moment. Knowing that by doing this I'm deliberately violating one of our highest rules makes it a difficult decision to make."
"We understand," said Tolar. "And whatever your decision, it will not reflect badly on you."
"Thank you," said Leo. "I'll let you know when I've made my decision."
The Elders turned and walked away to leave Leo with his thoughts.
Leo stood quietly in the corner of Phoebe's bedroom. It was very early in the morning and she seemed to be sleeping comfortably. He watched her sleep wondering if he had made the right decision. On the one hand, if did nothing, she would most assuredly die soon. On the other hand violating the rules he had followed for sixty years was not something to be taken lightly. There were ramifications from each action that affected not only those involved, but sometimes generations yet unborn.
His initial instinct was, of course, to heal her immediately. He had died helping people. His entire mortal life he had done nothing but try to help those in need. As a White Lighter, he had helped many witches and even mortals in times of trouble. It wasn't in his nature to turn from someone in distress.
But sometimes that could do more harm than good. That's why the rules for White Lighters were so strict. Even with the blessing of the Elder Council, Leo had to consider what his actions might precipitate in the future. The Elders weren't perfect. Even they made mistakes from time to time. And if something bad came out of this, he would be the one the other White Lighters would blame, not the Elders.
Still, in the end, he knew there was really only one decision he could make. A twinge of guilt passed through him as he moved over to Phoebe's bed. He knew there would be a thousand questions that couldn't be answered. Phoebe knew his secret. But the other sisters didn't. And not even she would ever know what really happened. She would simply wake up in the morning miraculously cured of a life threatening illness that not even the best medical experts in the world would be able to explain.
Quietly, Leo placed his hands over Phoebes' heart and activated his healing power.
The End
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