ELEVEN

"How long do you think it's going to take?" Paige asked. "They've been gone nearly an hour."

"That depends on how adamant this Zeebok is," said Leo. "As you're aware most bureaucracy demons can be very unyielding. Peter will have to convince him that keeping the book is actually a violation of the regulations before he'll release it."

"Well, it sounded like Peter had everything covered pretty well," said Phoebe. "If this Zeebok thinks he's violating bureaucracy law it seems to me he'll be more than happy to turn over the book."

"If he thinks he's violating bureaucracy law," said Paige. "It seems to me that sometimes bureaucracy demons can be pretty single minded about their jobs."

"Well, Peter sounds like a very efficient lawyer," said Leo. "He did represent demons in the human courts. It seems to me it would take an exceptional lawyer to do something like that."

"Yeah, but this is a bureaucracy demon we're talking about," said Piper. "Once they have their minds set on something it's virtually impossible to change them."

"Let's just give Peter a chance," said Phoebe. "He did say he thought we had a pretty good chance at this."

"Better than pretty good."

They all turned to see Peter and Victor standing in the entryway. Victor was holding the Book of Shadows.

"You got it," said Piper, taking the book from Victor.

"Yeah," said Peter. "It took some fast talking but eventually we were able to convince Zeebok that keeping the book violated Other World law. He was hesitant at first but eventually he gave in and returned the book. But just as I suspected he would only give it to Victor. It's a good thing he came along. If he hadn't Zeebok might have checked with his superiors and that could have complicated matters."

"I hope I never have to do that again," said Victor. "Being surrounded by hundreds of demons can be very unsettling even if they are only bureaucracy demons."

"Oh, it wasn't that bad, Victor," said Peter. "You never even saw another demon except Zeebok."

"Yeah but I knew they were there," said Victor. "We were just lucky no one else came into the warehouse while we were there."

"Anyway," said Peter, "you have the book back and Elbert was very apologetic about all the trouble he caused. He only meant to protect the book until Wyatt and Chris were old enough to use it. He kept saying over and over how he wouldn't have taken it if he knew Piper had given it to Victor."

"Well, I wish we could tell Elbert that we understand," said Phoebe. "I know he didn't mean any harm and he was only trying to help. It's too bad we can't tell him we're still alive."

"I'm sure he knows that you wouldn't have held it against him," said Peter. "He really does like you guys a lot. And I have to admit you were right about him. He does remind you of a lost puppy."

"Well, we have the book back and no one knows we're still alive," said Paige. "Looks like we're on our way to a normal life finally."

"And your secret is safe with me," said Peter. "I of all people know what it's like to want a normal life free of demonic interference. Lucky for me I'm able to just walk away from it. Well, most of it anyway."

"I'm afraid being part demon is just something that you'll have to deal with the rest of your life," said Phoebe. "At least you don't have to worry about demon attacks. They're likely to leave you alone if you leave them alone."

"I have no doubt," said Peter. "Oh, did I tell you that Elbert invited me to have dinner with he and his mother?"

"Really?" questioned Leo. "I guess you really made an impression on him. Elbert's not real comfortable around regular demons."

"I'm no ordinary demon," said Peter. "I guess I remind him of Cole. And he's told me several times that Cole was his bestest buddy in the entire Underworld."

"Yeah, he told us the same thing," said Piper.

"Speaking of Elbert," said Peter, "it seems there were a couple of things you didn't mention about him."

"Really?" questioned Phoebe. "I was sure we covered everything."

"Well, it may not have seemed important earlier," said Peter. "And maybe it's nothing of any consequence. But considering that Cole was my father I am understandably curious."

"Curious about what?" Piper asked.

"Cousin Pudge," said Peter. "Why does Elbert refer to Cole that way? And what was this about Elbert and Cole writing books together? You never mentioned that before."

"Oh, those," said Phoebe, giggling. "Yeah, I guess with trying to get the Book of Shadows back and everything we didn't see that those things were all that relevant."

"We have the book back," said Peter. "And I have some time before my dinner with Elbert and his mother. So what say you fill me in. Why does Elbert refer to my father as cousin Pudge?"

"Well," began Phoebe, "it seems that when Cole was growing up he was, shall we say, big boned."

Piper and Paige just giggled as Phoebe led Peter into the kitchen to fill him in on things about Cole and Elbert that they had neglected to tell him earlier.

The End

If you've enjoyed this story, you can find more "Charmed" stories at my website, Creative Passions, listed in my bio. You can also post your own "Charmed" stories or other stories if you like to write fan fiction.