CHAPTER FOUR

Paige brightened with hope, so she called and called and called for the Angel of Destiny, but the Angel didn't make an appearance. Instead Sandra the Elder orbed in. She truly looked sorrowful over the loss of the other two Charmed Ones.

"I'm so sorry, Paige. Leo was to be returned after Piper helped win the battle. But the battle wasn't won. No one has won."

"But we vanquished the Triad!" Paige argued. "We vanquished Billie and Christy! We even put the Hollow back!"

Sandra nodded. "And you've also ended the Charmed Ones. That means it was a draw."

"There's gotta be something you can do!" Paige begged. "Figure it out or, or, or I'll never answer your jingles again!" she threatened, trying to do her best impersonation of Piper on a tirade.

Sandra's face oozed sympathy. "I am so very sorry." and she orbed out.

Paige stomped her foot in frustration, then fell into Henry's arms and began sobbing wildly, now in complete despair. "Why did I have to be the one who survived? Why couldn't Piper? She would've figured out something. I'm useless. I can't do anything without her or Phoebe! I always just do what they tell me to do! What will I do without them?" and she buried her head in Henry's shoulder, weeping uncontrollably while Henry tried to soothe her.

Victor refused to give up. He turned on Coop. "How 'bout you? You're magical. Can't you help?"

Coop shrugged. "How? I'm just a cupid. I'm don't have powers like the Charmed Ones."

"But you love Phoebe," Henry coaxed. "I can tell you do. Can't you use your ring and your love to make her come back to life?" and Paige raised her head, afraid to even dare to hope.

Coop shook his head. "My ring doesn't work that way. It helps me make a love connection between people or to show them why they've closed their hearts, but that's it, and with Phoebe and Piper gone and Paige and Henry a couple, there's not much more I can do. I can't do anything else until the next generation is ready for love. It's part of being a cupid."

Paige brightened. "No, you can do more! Phoebe told us how you took her to the past to explore her love failures--can't I use your ring to turn back time so I can save my sisters?"

Coop shook his head. "My ring doesn't work that way. It's used strictly as an amplifier and a pointer for my cupid powers. You're not a cupid, so it wouldn't work for you."

"Well, then can't you take me on that time trip? To save Phoebe?" Paige knew which button to push.

"I wish I could," Coop replied fervently. "Anything to save Phoebe so I can convince her that she feels the same way about me as I do about her. But I told you--I can only use my powers to take someone back in time to follow love."

"Perfect," Paige told him. "Because I love my sisters."

Hope brightening their eyes, both Victor and Henry encouraged Coop to try. Coop wanted to, but was still reluctant. Turning to Paige, he warned her, "My powers do not always work as they should because love is not practical."

Paige shrugged. "I don't have any other choices. Please?"

Coop reluctantly agreed and put his hand on her shoulder. "Think about your sisters and how much you love them. Just remember, it's best to keep it simple."

"How 'bout trying to keep it simple by concentrating on just one of your sisters?" Henry suggested and Coop nodded.

Paige breathed the word "Piper."

Coop looked disappointed, but his ring glowed as he and Paige heart-orbed out.