"Dan?" Piper questioned. "You're the mortal who's on trial?"
"Piper, thank goodness you came," said Dan. "They said if you didn't agree to defend me I'd be found guilty immediately."
"Dan, this is our other sister, Paige," said Phoebe. "But I'm a bit confused. You have an eight-year-old daughter? You never mentioned having any kids when you and Piper were dating."
"I didn't have any," said Dan. "She's my step-daughter. After Piper and I broke up I moved back home. I got back together with an old girlfriend and we ended up getting married. She had Ellen from her first marriage and I adopted her a couple of years after we were married."
"Okay, that explains things," said Piper. "Especially why you requested us as your defense counsels."
"When they told me who you really were I knew you were the perfect choices," said Dan. "The prosecution contends I'm such a terrible father that's why Ellen wanted me dead. Piper, you of all people should know I'm not like that."
"I know, Dan," said Piper. "This whole case is ridiculous. To think that what some child said in anger is taken seriously. It just doesn't make any sense."
"Don't worry, Dan," said Phoebe. "We're going to do everything we can to get you off. It shouldn't be too difficult to convince the judge that what your step-daughter said was said in anger and that she wasn't serious."
"That may not be easy," said Leo. "Everyone else in the court will be bureaucracy demons, including the judge. He's all ready inclined to rule against Dan simply because he's human. You're going to have to work hard to convince him Dan's innocent."
"Oh, that's just great," said Paige. "More bureaucracy demons. Man, I'm really beginning to hate those guys.
"You and me, too," said Piper. "How soon before the trial begins?"
"Just a few minutes," said Leo.
"That soon?" questioned Phoebe. "Don't we get the chance to prepare or anything?"
"Remember what your advocate said when Piper was on trial for inadvertently killing an innocent?" Leo asked.
"I sure do," said Paige. "He said they were only interested in the truth. And the truth doesn't need any preparation."
"I wish he were here now," said Piper. "We could really use his help."
"It wouldn't do any good," said Leo. "He's a criminal attorney. This is a civil case."
"A civil case with a death penalty?" Paige questioned.
"Different realm, different rules," said Leo. "Just do the best you can. I have faith in you."
"So do I," said Dan. "If anyone can get me off it's the Charmed Ones. I hear you're legendary in the magical world."
"I guess we are," said Piper. "Well, I'm not sure what good we can do but we'll do the best we can, I promise. We'll do everything we can."
"I know you will," said Dan. "Like Leo said, we have faith in you."
"Ms. Halliwell?" said a guard sticking his head in the door. "The court is ready for you. Go back up the hallway to the first door on your right."
"Okay, thanks," said Piper. "Well, here goes nothing."
"The court will come to order," said the bailiff. "The dishonorable T. P. Conciliator presiding. All rise."
It appeared to be any courtroom on the mortal realm. The judge sat at a raised bench in the front of the courtroom. The prosecution sat to one side and the defense sat on the other. Behind them was the spectators' gallery that appeared to be full. Apparently this was to be heard only by the judge. There was no jury present.
Everyone in the room looked human. As Leo had explained this was to make the mortal defendant feel more at ease. The judge wore the familiar black robe of any normal judge on the mortal plane. He took his seat at the bench and began to look through some papers in front of him.
"Be seated," announced the judge. Everyone sat down. "Court is now in session. We are here to hear the matter of Ellen Gordon versus Daniel Gordon. Is the prosecution ready?"
"Ready, Your Honor," said the Prosecutor. "Luscious P. Proctor for the prosecution."
"And the defense?" questioned the judge.
"Uh, yeah, I guess so," said Piper. "Piper Halliwell for the defense, your honor."
"Good," said the judge. "Now, the matter seems simple enough. A Vengeance Demon apparently granted the wish of a young girl that her father was dead. According to the complaint, the defendant claims that the girls' wish was unfounded. The prosecution contends that the wish was not only legitimate but justified. Mr. Proctor, you may present your case."
"Thank you, Your Honor," said Proctor. "Approximately two days ago, human time, Miss Ellen Gordon and her father, Daniel, were having a heated argument. During this argument, Miss Gordon said that she hated her father and wished he were dead. The aforementioned Vengeance Demon heard the girls' wish and granted it."
"Objection," said Piper. "That's, uh, what is it, hearsay, Your Honor. Unless Mr. Proctor is claiming to have been present during the argument."
"Overruled," said the judge. "Miss Halliwell, this is not testimony. Mr. Proctor is simply stating the specifics of the case. So far what he's said is undisputed. Hearsay is when one person relates what they allegedly heard someone else say."
"Oh, okay," said Piper. "I'm sorry, Your Honor."
"Perfectly all right," said the judge. "Mr. Proctor, you may continue."
"Thank you, your honor," said Proctor. "The prosecution contends that since the wish was legally made the Vengeance Demon was perfectly within her rights to grant the wish."
"Your Honor," said Paige, "can I object?"
"You are associate advocate for the defense," said Conciliator. "You're allowed to object whenever you wish."
"Then I object," said Paige.
"On what grounds?" the prosecutor demanded.
"She's eight-years-old, for crying out loud," said Paige. "Kids that age say a lot of things in the heat of anger they don't really mean."
"With all due respect," said Proctor, "virtually all such wishes are made in anger. It does not minimize the legitimacy of the wish."
"Agreed," said the judge. "Objection overruled."
Paige glanced at the prosecutor. He was smiling slightly. It didn't take a genius to know that they weren't doing well. The sisters and Leo looked at Dan and at each other knowing they were all ready loosing. Suddenly the bailiff handed some type of form to the judge. He looked it over for a moment.
"We will take a very short recess," he said. "Everyone sit tight. I'll be right back."
Not knowing what else to do everyone sat in their chairs while the judge went back into his chambers.