FOUR

"Phoebe said the manor had taken some damage but I never imagined it was like this," said Peter as they sat in the living room talking.

"Well, structurally it's still sound," said Leo. "It will need some minor repairs but otherwise it's okay."

"Well, the new looks are interesting," said Peter. "It will take some getting used to."

"You do realize that no one can know about us?" questioned Piper. "If they learned we're still alive we could have demons coming here in droves."

"Not to worry," said Peter. "I won't even tell Cherise. I understand how important this is."

"Thanks," said Piper. "We really appreciate it."

"So, Phoebe said someone took the Book of Shadows?" questioned Peter.

"Apparently," said Piper. "We came home and started to clean up and it was missing from the attic. We've looked everywhere but it's nowhere in the house."

"Well, if I understand you correctly, it couldn't have been a demon. Evil can't touch the book. Have you considered the Elders?"

"Yeah, we considered them," said Leo. "Only there's no way for us to check and find out without revealing that we're still alive."

"I could do that," said Peter. "Mom still drops in from time to time when she isn't with one of her charges. If the Elders took it I'm sure she'll know about it. Any other ideas who may have taken it?"

"None," said Paige. "Leo says there are other magical beings who would like to get their hands on the book but there's no way to even know where to start looking for them."

"I still have a few demonic contacts," said Peter. "I could check around with them."

"I thought you said you didn't represent demons any more?" questioned Phoebe.

"I don't. But they still show up sometimes hoping I'll take their case. I do pretty much as I did with you and send them on their way. Plus there are still a few demons who still accept me in the Underworld because of Cole being the Source. And as his son I'm an honorary member of the Brotherhood of the Thorn. If anyone knows about the book, I'm sure Baldasor would."

"Baldasor?" questioned Phoebe. "Cole's brother?"

"Yes," said Peter. "Not much goes on in the Underworld that the Brotherhood doesn't know about."

"Isn't that risky?" Paige asked. "Wouldn't that be letting them know we're still alive?"

"I'm a lawyer," said Peter, smiling slightly. "I'm used to asking questions and getting information that the witness doesn't want to give. And I'll be very careful. Don't worry. No one will have any idea you're still around."

"So, how's Cherise?" Piper asked. "You said the two of you were getting married."

"That's right," said Peter. "Probably in a few months. She's been real supportive. Her mother was a witch but it seems to have skipped her. So when she found out what I was it wasn't that much of a shock."

"You still make sure we get those invitations," said Phoebe. "Even if we have to let the world think we're dead there's no reason that Jenny, Jo, and Julie can't have normal, regular lives."

"And Louis," said Leo, smiling. "Let's not forget about him."

"Oh, don't worry, honey," said Piper, putting her arm around him. "We won't forget about Louis."

"Where are Wyatt and Chris?" Peter asked. "They're obviously not here. It's hard to imagine you'd leave them with someone else considering they have magical powers."

"They're with the babysitter," said Victor. "When the girls 'died' some Elf or Gnome or whatever she is simply appeared at my door. She said she knew I would have trouble raising magical babies now that the girls were gone and offered to help out when I needed her. As far as she's concerned, the girls are gone but Wyatt and Chris still need a magical influence in their lives. When I discussed it with Piper she said that the woman had babysat for Wyatt on occasion and it would be okay to leave them with her."

"Oh, okay," said Peter. "Looks like you pretty much have everything in hand."

"We're trying," said Piper. "Everything except the Book of Shadows. If we don't find it soon it could be a real problem for everyone."

"I'll do my best," said Peter, smiling slightly. "Which should be more than enough. I'm very good."

"Thanks, Peter, for everything," said Phoebe. "We appreciate the help and we really appreciate your keeping our secret."

"What else can I do?" said Peter. "You helped reunite me with my mother. I owe you a lot for that. Well, let me check around a bit and I'll let you know what I find out. Then we can decide where to go from there."

"We?" questioned Leo.

"Well, if the book has been stolen," said Peter, "getting it back is going to be tricky. The girls can't just walk up to whoever has it and demand it back. That would risk exposing them. So once I find out who's taken it we can decide on the best course of action to retrieving it."

"Thanks again, Peter," said Piper. "We really appreciate al the help."

"My pleasure," said Peter.

With that he shimmered and vanished from the manor.