FOURTEEN

"Prue, Phoebe, he's on," said Piper as she turned the volume on the television set up. Adler stood next to her.

On the screen of the TV was a podium. Gathered around the podium were reporters holding notepads. Attached to the front of the podium were half a dozen microphones. As Prue and Phoebe walked into the living room, Sperrle walked up to the podium.

"I have a brief statement to make," said Sperrle. "And I'm afraid I won't have any time for questions. I have given this much thought. Due to a family emergency, which is too lengthy to go into, I find I will be unable to continue with my plans for reelection to the city council. In addition, I have found it necessary to submit my resignation to the Mayor for the balance of my term as city councilman. I have spoken to the Mayor and he has accepted my resignation. It becomes effective immediately.

"I regret having to take this action. But my family obligations force me into this position. It has been a privilege to serve the people of San Francisco and it is my hope to one day return to public service in this great city. I have asked the Mayor to appoint my personal assistant, Brandon Glass, to fill my position on the city council until the upcoming election. Mr. Glass has been a good friend and I am confident he will continue to represent the people of this city as I would myself.

"I would like to thank the people of San Francisco for the opportunity to represent them and to have a part in continuing the rich tradition which is our heritage. And I would ask that my constituents show their new council member the same support and confidence they have shown me during my term of office. Thank you."

As Sperrle left the stage most of the reporters began to shout questions at him. He all but ignored them as he exited the stage through a door in the back.

"He nominated me to replace him?" Adler asked in astonishment.

"Why not?" Piper asked. "You obviously know the political scene in San Francisco. And you can do a lot of good as a city councilman. Besides, you said you want to continue helping people. You can do that as a councilman."

"Plus, you all ready have a reelection campaign running," said Prue. "I doubt very many people would object to you substituting yourself in Sperrle's place."

Just then Leo orbed into the living room.

"How did I do?" he asked.

"You were great," said Piper, putting her arm around him. "If I didn't know better I would have thought you were the real Sperrle."

"I don't think I got his hair quite right," Leo joked.

"You were fine," said Phoebe. "Even the reporters thought you were really Sperrle."

"You were very convincing," said Adler.

"Your coaching helped," said Leo. "Even the Mayor was convinced I was him. He was sorry I had to leave but he understood."

"Thank you for nominating me to replace you," said Adler. "I mean, Sperrle. I don't think I deserve it. If he does appoint me I'll do everything I can to justify your confidence in me."

"You heard what Garrow and the others said," said Cole. "You've made up for your part in what happened in Berlin in the early 1940s. You have nothing to apologize for."

"I guess," said Adler. "Still, I will try to do a good job. I owe that to the people who suffered under Sperrle and men like him."

"You just remember that and you'll do fine," said Prue. "Politicians serve the people. Too many of them seem to have forgotten that."

"I won't," said Adler. "I have sixty years of reminders to help me."

"So, what will you do now?" Piper asked. "You don't have to worry about Kernian any more. And you won't be ageless either. Without his power you're going to age just like the rest of us."

"I'm kind of looking forward to that," said Adler. "I can actually start to live a normal life. Maybe even consider getting married. It was something I couldn't even think of before."

"That's a good idea," said Phoebe. "And Kernian was right about one thing. You don't have to worry about any Nazi hunters coming after you. You're much too young to have been in Germany in the 1940s."

"I don't know how to thank you for all you've done," said Adler. "I never could have escaped Kernian without your help. I don't know how to repay you for that."

"Well," said Prue, "you helped us vanquish a demon and set some tortured souls free to rest in peace. I'd say that pretty much pays us back for helping you."

"I'll second that," said Phoebe. "You risked a lot to help us. There aren't many people who would have risked it."

"I didn't have much choice," said Adler. "I was just so tired of it all. Even death seemed preferable to living like that."

"Oh," said Leo, "the Mayor asked me to ask you to stop by when you get the chance. I think you better clear your schedule for the next few weeks. My guess is you'll be attending a lot of city council meetings in the future."

"I guess I should get going," said Adler. "Looks like I'm going to be kind of busy. Thank you again for everything. If there's anything I can ever do to help you in the future don't hesitate to contact me. I owe you a debt I can never repay."

"Just keep doing what you've been doing," said Prue. "That will be thanks enough."

"You did a good thing today," said Cole to Leo. "I'm sure he had no idea what he was going to do now that Kernian was no longer around. You helped give his life new meaning."

"Thank Piper," said Leo. "It was her idea."

"Hey, it never hurts to have a councilman who owes you a favor," said Piper.

"I'm sure that wasn't the reason you did it," said Prue. "You were always dragging in stray animals when you were a kid."

"Yeah, to Grams' dismay," said Phoebe.

"Okay, so I have a soft spot for him," said Piper. "So sue me. I just thought it might be nice to help someone without having to resort to magic for a change. And it looked to me like he could use the help."

"No one is hassling you," said Prue. "I think it was a good idea."

"Well, I'm just glad it's all over," said Phoebe. "We've been so busy with Kernian we haven't had much of a chance to concentrate on anything else. I for one am looking forward to doing something a little bit more fun."

"Unfortunately, I can't stick around," said Cole. "I've actually been here longer than I should have been. I need to leave again for a while to make sure no bounty hunters are on my trail."

"What?" Phoebe asked. "But we haven't had a chance to spend much time together the last couple of days. I was hoping we'd be able to relax and enjoy ourselves at least for a day or two."

"We will," promised Cole. "After I get back. If bounty hunters show up here we'll be too busy dodging fireballs to enjoy anything. I promise I'll b back in a couple of days. Until then we'll just have to wait."

Cole shimmered out of the manor leaving Phoebe alone with her family.

"Come on," said Piper. "It may not be an adequate substitute but I happen to know there's some chocolate cake in the kitchen. And if I'm not mistaken, we still have some chocolate ice cream in the freezer."

"Okay," Phoebe pouted. "But I'm not going to enjoy it."

The End

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