Just a quick note to say that the information on the Victorian Green house at Golden Gate Park came from a travel guide and internet search that I did when researching the story. I have never been there, and apologise for any inaccuracies.

'Whoah' Phoebe exclaimed, levitating out of the path of an energy ball that exploded behind her obliterating three trees and leaving a raging fire in its wake.

'Energy ball' Paige demanded holding out her hand. The energy ball that had been speeding towards her obediently appeared in the palm of her hand. She threw it back in the direction that it had come from, managing only to destroy a little more of the foliage. 'Oops' she shrugged apologetically. 'Not one of my better shots, but then it's kinda hard when you can't see what you're aiming at.'

'Just keep on deflecting them' Phoebe instructed grimly 'I need you to keep them off of me while I go get the survivors.'

'You know I'm starting to think that we should'a brought Piper after all' Paige said through gritted teeth. 'We could definitely use her firepower right now.' She looked at Phoebe eagerly 'How 'bout I orb back to the Manor and get her?'

'No.' Phoebe said stubbornly as she dodged a second energy ball, and whipped around trying desperately to figure out where it had come from. The bright sunshine of the morning had given way to a grey afternoon, and as they had been fighting, the last of the light had ebbed away. Now a cold wind whistled around them and Phoebe thought she could feel the first spots of rain.

She turned to face Paige. 'Look Paige we already talked about this. Whatever she says, Piper's vulnerable right now. The sooner she's safely up there with the Elders the better I'll feel.'

'Don't you think you're underestimating Piper?' Paige asked carefully, aware that she was on dangerous ground. 'I mean she's smart, she's not gonna do anything to put the baby at risk. She's pretty tough too, and she does have that whole invincibility thing going on.'

Phoebe opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Paige continued hurriedly 'I know we've managed without her so far, but this thing we're facing is really big and I just think that we need her this time. And' she decided to take the plunge and finally admit what had been bothering her for the last couple of weeks 'I'd hate for you to let your paranoia get in the way of saving innocents.' She looked at Phoebe anxiously, knowing that she had taken a huge risk in speaking her mind.

Phoebe sighed heavily. She should have seen this coming, Paige had been hinting at this for the last few days and it was time that she levelled with her.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. 'What you're saying makes sense Paige, it really does. And you're probably right; I am a little paranoid about Piper and the baby. It's just that I've already lost one sister' she hesitated, struggling to remain in control of her emotions 'I can't lose another one.'

'Okay I get that, I do' Paige said softly as she pushed her hair out of her eyes. 'But what if you're wrong, what if this thing isn't about Piper and the baby at all, what if it's about you?'

Phoebe was so taken a back by that, she stopped checking for energy balls, and stared at Paige in surprise 'What are you talking about Paige?'

'Oh c'mon Phoebe you know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about Cole and his obsession with you' Paige said insistently. She knew that she was being hard on Phoebe, but it had to be done, it was the only way to get her sister to listen.

'You said it yourself he wants you back. Probably wants to try and turn you evil again, and what better way than shifting the balance of power?'

Phoebe shivered, feeling a chill that had nothing to do with the wind or the rain. She didn't want to hear this. If Paige was right it meant that Cole really was evil and that he might try and turn her evil again, and she so couldn't handle that. Refusing to allow herself to even consider the possibility, she brushed away Paige's suggestion.

'Look I don't have time to argue with you right now, we've got a coven to save- or at least what's left of one.' She pointed at the two witches huddled together beside the Victorian Green house, desperately chanting a protection spell.

Paige followed Phoebe's gaze and winced as an energy ball hit the side of the Green house obliterating a large section and destroying hundreds of flowers. If she'd had time Paige would have felt sad about the Green house. It had been damaged during a terrible storm back in 1995 and had only recently re-opened to the public after a 25 million refurbishment. She wondered how much damage it would sustain tonight, and how long it would be before it re-opened.

'You know pretty soon that protective shield is gonna give way' Phoebe said.

Even as Phoebe spoke, Paige saw the purple sphere of light surrounding the witches begin to flicker and wane before extinguishing completely. 'Looks like their time just ran out' she observed. 'Alright change of plan, you draw their fire, I'll orb over there and get the witches.'

'Okay' Phoebe agreed 'But you'd better hurry.'

As Phoebe made a run to the left drawing the fire of the energy balls, Paige took a deep breath, focusing her concentration, and then orbed to the witches. She arrived just as the energy ball hit, obliterating the two remaining witches and blowing Paige in to a million tiny blue orbs.

'Paige!' Phoebe screamed as she charged across the grass slipping and sliding in the mud. So intent was she on reaching Paige that she didn't even notice that the energy balls had stopped. Blinded by tears, she didn't see Cole at all until she ran right in to him.

To be continued …