Chapter 6 - Taken Away
"He's been gone a while" Piper said, looking at first he watch, then the clock on the mantle.
"Ten minutes." Prue corrected. "I'm sure he's fine."
"Prue, what if he's not? What if something happens to his charge or - or -"
"Piper, relax." Prue commanded. I'm sure he'll be back here any minute."
----
"Are you sure you're OK?" Leo asked Miranda guiltily.
"Yes. Really, you were just in time."
"I'm sorry ... another charge -"
"Don't be sorry." Miranda replied. "I understand that you have other charges other responsibilities."
"Are you definetly OK?" Leo asked again.
"Yes. Go on, I'm sure more charges need you." Miranda smiled.
"Well ... call me if you need anything." Leo muttered, knowing his words didn't mean much now.
Orbing back into the manor, Leo gave a worried Piper a weak smile.
"She's OK." He muttered. "It's OK -"
"No, it's not." Turning, Leo saw the Odin and Zola had orbed in behind him. Odin looked angry, but oddly pleased, and Zola looked upset. Leo knew instantly something was wrong.
"Who are you?" Prue yelled, jumping to her feet.
"Prue - calm down, they're elders." Leo said. Prue gave them a look that clearly said "I'm watching you" and sat down, just as Piper stood up. She moved to stand next to Leo and cling to his arm.
"What do you want?" Piper asked them.
"We've come to take Leo away." Odin said.
"What?" Leo was the first to speak, his voice scared. "Why?"
"You nearly let your charge die."
"I was helping my other charges!" Leo cried.
"They didn't need you as much as Miranda Clement did." Odin said sourly.
"We did!" Paige protested. "Piper would have died if he hadn't -"
"Quiet!" Odin shouted, and Paige jumped, startled.
"Don't shout at her!" Piper cried. "She's just a kid, how dare you yell at her like that!"
"Odin, control yourself!" Zola said, sounding just as angry as Piper. "Is it really necessary to take Leo -?"
"Yes. We will reassign the sisters, and Leo can concentrate on his other charges."
"No you wont!" Prue said angrily. "If we can't have Leo, we wont have a whitelighter!"
"You do not have a choice." Odin replied. "It is our decision to make, and the Charmed Ones need guidance and protection."
"Leo can do that." Phoebe said dismissively.
"We do not believe he can." Odin said.
"You don't." Zola mumbled.
"Leo. Come. Now." Odin commanded.
"No!" Piper said. "I will not lose him again! You cannot take him!"
Odin gave her a smile that was clearly intended to wind her up. "We can." He said then started to orb.
"Zola, please ..." Leo said, as he felt a strange pulling sensation he knew meant Odin was taking him.
"I will do what I can." Zola promised as Leo dissolved. Piper sank to her knees, a million emotions rushing through her.
"Do you mean that?" Paige asked him.
"Yes. I assure you I will do my best to bring him back." And he orbed, leaving Piper a mess.
----
Up in the heavens, Leo was faced with several elders, some he knew, some he did not.
"Please ..." He said weakly. "You can't take me away from her, I love her ..."
"That is our point." Odin said. "Your ... feelings," he said the word with great distaste, "are clouding your judgment."
"They're not! I would have done the same for any other charge, I swear -"
"Really? So how come you nearly left Ms. Clement to die?" Odin sneered.
"I ... I ..." Leo faltered. "You - you lot taught me that everything happens for a reason, that everyone and everything is part of the grand design. So doesn't that mean the Piper and her sisters becoming my charges happened for a reason, that it's part of the grand design?" The elders looked at each other, muttering with interest. "The Charmed Ones were the first charges I got automatically, that weren't assigned to me. I think that means there is a reason behind it.
"Leo, for the time being you are suspended as the charmed one's whitelighter." A female elder said. "You are to go about your other whitelighter duties until we have passed judgement on this."
Leo nodded, knowing this was the best he would get.
"You may go." Zola nodded. "But Leo ... stay away from the sisters. Don't do anything that may damage your case." He added, quieter. Leo orbed out, but with know where to go, he ended up on top of the golden gate bridge, looking out over the city. A while ago he'd promised Piper he would never leave her. And it was promise he intended to keep. No matter what.
