Author's Notes: Sorry for the inhuman delay. My Interner connection crashed again and then there was no muse and school work, anyway... I suck and I hope you still read this story ::tired smile::

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"WHAT???"

Pedestrians froze midway, glancing at the entrance into the dark alleyway and exchanged hesitant looks with the other passers by that were shocked out of their everyday hassle by the thunderous shriek. Coughing uncomfortably, they all silently agreed to ignore the event for the rest of their lives and anxiously scurried back onto their ways.

The source of such deafening bellow, which surely scared birds in some remote parts of China, was actually the dainty form of Piper Turner, also known as the almighty Bellatrix, also known as the demon whose head the Source would appreciate seeing on a silver platter.

She was standing in the middle of the same alleyway she stood five minutes ago, staring wide-eyed and stunned at the smirking witch she dared to consider a friend (though she would've never admitted such a disgracing thought) and the mildly surprised whitelighter she couldn't help but wish to strangle and kiss at the same time.

Recovering from the initial shock, partly by the volume of her own shout, Piper cleared her throat calmly and addressed the witch patient. "Paige, sweetie… did you hit your head when I pushed you out of that energy ball's way?"

"No, Piper, it does make the perfect sense," insisted Paige, the gleam in her eyes increasing as the thought settled in her mind. "We need to vanquish the Source, you need him off your back… what better way to get him off your back if not to vanquish him?"

"Paige, there will be no back to get him off of if I am dead," Piper countered. This was unbelievable! Was the youngest Charmed One actually suggesting joining forces and act against the Source together? Piper knew Paige was the most impulsive and daring out of the siblings, but this was an utter death wish. She was not going to endanger herself and the child, just to go on a suicide mission so she could help to vanquish the Source, thus promising her daughter a free life where she wouldn't be forced to look over her shoulder every time she hear sizzling energy. Whoa! When did it turn to be a pro argument?

"But this is… just so damn obvious!" exclaimed Paige feverously, a wide grin prancing on her lips. "Can't you see it? This is what was meant to be," she whispered the statement in a hushed manner, as if realizing it while speaking and not wishing for an outsider to hear it as well.

Piper furrowed her brows in concern; Paige was starting to disturb her. Perhaps it wasn't such a great idea asking the youngest for help? Of course it was the only way to get near the Charmed Ones, but now Piper didn't like the way this event was unwinding. "Paige, do you listen to yourself? You're speaking nuisance, woman! Snap out of it!"

"No, listen to me. There are no coincidences in this world! It was not a coincidence you were so loved by the Source, nor was it a coincidence you were sent to kill us. It was not a coincidence you befriended me and fell in love with Leo--"

Piper's gaze flickered onto the whitelighter who remained suspiciously quiet up until now. His features broke out of the bleak façade and he instinctively glanced at her, his blue eyes boring deep into the core of her very being. Piper almost moaned, holding herself back not to launch at him as his lips curved into a bitter smirk and his eyes shone calmly. Damn you. Damn you, you damn whitelighter… she hissed inside her mind, seeping her nails into her palm. Damnyoudamnyoudamnyou!

Paige went on with her rambling, counting off the not-coincidences on her manicured fingers, oblivious to the two beside her. "--It wasn't a coincidence you just happened on my way home today and it definitely is not a coincidence you showed up here to asked for our help to get the Source away from you, right when we need to vanquish him before that new unknown force arrives…"

Piper's eyebrows shot up instantly at Paige's words. "What?"

Paige paused and for a moment a hesitant flash passed through her eyes. Piper could see her concern clearly and wasn't surprised that the youngest Charmed One faltered in revealing further information. She smiled forlornly at her ex best friend and expected her to change the subject, but was completely surprised when Paige pursed her lips thoughtfully and before she knew it, rhymes were flowing out of her lips.

"I, who want the truth revealed
Open her heart, her secrets unsealed
From now until I deem it right
This demon won't speak any blight
If asked a question, she's committed to fact
Unless I allow her to break up this pact"

Just as abrupt as the rhythmic chanting began, it has ceased, leaving a smirking witch, an amused whitelighter and a frantic demon in the middle of that alley.

Piper blinked twice, the horrid realization sinking into her mind at the sight of Paige's smug expression. Trying to recompose herself, assuring herself the spell couldn't have possible worked, Piper exhaled sharply, smirking at the young witch. "Was that a truth spell? Well, it worked perfectly."

Piper froze suddenly, her face dropping any evidence of self-control. Her left eye began to twitch as her heart tripled its' pace frenziedly, forcing her to stumble back in search for a support. Clawing at the wall just behind her, Piper laid her gaze on Paige and the twitching resumed. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! This cannot be happening! How can this be happening? I'm under a truth spell! Oh Gods, no! Piper's eyes searched the asphalt aimlessly, hoping perhaps to find an escape route there, but she caught a glimpse of Leo's shoes and allowed her gaze to climb up onto his face.

Leo was smiling. Widely. The bastard is actually smiling!!!

"What have you done, you lovable cutie!" Piper roared at her friend, sending her into uncontrollable feats of giggles. Brat! I meant 'annoying brat'!

"Ha!" Paige quipped. "You said 'cutie'! Piper, don't say 'cutie', that is disturbing…"

"I meant to say 'brat', you clever person!" Piper shouted again, her eyes widening in horror. "I meant 'idiot'! God damn it!"

Recovering from her giggles, Paige drew enough air to ask a question. "Piper, are you planning on killing me?"

"I am NOW!" Piper barked back.

Paige giggled again at the sight of her friend's reaction. "No, I mean are you here cause you were sent by the Source to kill the Charmed Ones or because you want to get back on his good side by delivering us to him?" Paige re-asked her question, figuring the late phrasing was a bit dual.

"No! Now could you remove the damn spell?!" Piper shrieked indignantly, suddenly feeling very vulnerable and naked.

Paige pursed her lips again and was about to reply when a voice, which was unheard during the conversation, suddenly spoke up from behind her.

"Piper," Leo's voice, silky and soothing, yet very unnerving to the demon's ears at this particular moment, broke the momentary silence. "Do you love me?"

Piper's eyes widened once again as the question reached her, coursing maddeningly inside her mind, calming every rigid nerve in her. Her heart leapt in protest and her throat instantly became awfully dry as the dreadful positive answer climbed from the pit of her stomach, clawing its' way up against all Piper's defenses that tried to keep it down. Her mind screamed helplessly, commanding her to, under no circumstances, answer the question. But her mind was powerless against the Charmed One's spell and the answer continued to stumble out nonetheless. "Y--"

"You don't have to say the truth," suddenly came Paige's hurried remark, twisting Piper's love confession around.

"--ou manipulative bastard! How dare you? If I still had my powers, I would've incinerated your shiny twinkling ass months ago! I can't believe that when I'm standing here, asking for help, you dare to use the situation for your advantage! You're suppose to be the good guy, the one who will never stab a knife into one's back! You're a freaking angel, for hell's sake! How could you try to pull something so… so… URGH!" Piper growled, not quite interested in an actual answer. Venting out her anxiety, she was aware of the fact that the answer was painfully written all over her flushed face, but it didn't matter as well. If Paige's words came a moment later, Piper would've had to kill herself right there on the spot.

Leo gave her a semi sheepish semi sly smile and shrugged her accusations off. "Can't blame a guy for trying," he quipped nonchalantly.

"Why you little wingless rodent…" Piper hissed, her hand absently searching her back for an explosive potion.

Paige, noticing this, was jolted out of her amused state and jumped into action. "Well okay then… lets get to the Manor so we could continue this lovely conversation there," Paige hurried to hook her arm with Piper's and drag her out of the alleyway in the direction of her parked car. Something told her it would not be such a great idea to let Leo orb them all there, considering the fact Piper was ready to blow him up with a potion.

"What Manor?" Piper shrieked, squirming out of Paige's grip. "I'm not entering your house without any offensive powers! Cole would stuff me!"

"Relax," Paige dismissed with a wave of her hand. "Cole won't hurt you, I'll deal with him." Suddenly her expression was filled with doubt and she bit her lower lip, folding her arms on her chest. "Just to be on the safe side - don't do any sudden movements…" she quipped, grabbing the demon again and hauling her into the green beetle.

Frowning, Piper allowed herself to be pulled by the chirpy witch, hoping she knew what she was talking about. But as she was towed away by the stubborn zealously confident Paige, she couldn't help but notice the strange gleam in Leo's eyes when he caught her stare right before she disappeared behind the curve. Bracing one hand protectively over her stomach, she prayed to Gods everything would play out to her advantage.