FYI: My loyal readers know that thanks to my ultra-slow dial-up, I can't post at home, only here at work. So I won't be able to add another piece until next Monday. Have a nice weekend, everyone!

A big thank you goes out to courteneycoxfan for adding this story this story to your favorites -- you just made our day! Thank you again to lizardmomma, PrueAndyForever and Allen Pitt for being such loyal and awesome reviewers -- we truly appreciate it!

PART FIVE: "Kernus!"

And yet even as he considered it, Leo knew he couldn't do that. Again, it would make a mockery of everything Piper died for. He'd just have to continue guiding her sisters, missing her constantly, but not able to do anything about it. He knew the sisters were no longer The Charmed Ones, no longer able to harness the Power of Three which made them the most powerful witches ever, but they were still witches and would still need him to guide them, even if they didn't always listen to him.

He knew he would simply have to wait until Piper decided to reincarnate again and then wait for her to grow up again and hope that she would decide to be a witch again and the Elders would once more allow him to be her whitelighter. But it was such a long wait last time; I'm not sure if I can do that again, or if the Elders will even allow me.

But would They? Look how long it took me to convince Them to let me be the Charmed Ones' whitelighter. They didn't think I should since They remembered the connection Piper and I had had during our previous life, when I was her lover before she met her husband. I was able to convince Them that it was that connection that would help me be able to guide The Charmed Ones to use their powers properly, the way they were meant to be used, would I be able to convince them again? Even if I promised to truly keep my identity a secret from them, like I did this time, unlike most witches who know who their whitelighter is. Yeah, I should've stayed gone as soon as they found out my secret. But I didn't; I couldn't. And the Elders kept letting me. I never understood why. I still don't. Would They let me next time? I'm just glad They let me this time. Knowing Piper, loving Piper; missing Piper is still better than never having known her at all. Only when Piper and I tried to secretly wed did They take me away again. Thank God They let me come back once she proved herself to them.

But then again, maybe it would've been better if she hadn't. If only she wasn't so selfless, maybe she wouldn't have sacrificed herself for the innocent by putting herself between him and Kernus after her explosion and freezing powers and Prue's TK failed to affect Kernus. But that selflessness was one of the things I love most about her; her willingness to put innocents in front of her own desires, despite her huge desire to have a normal life. That's why she was already gone by the time I reached them; at least I was able to save Prue. But I couldn't save Piper and I couldn't save their innocent. It's something I'll have to live with, but the same time, something I know I'll never forgive myself for.

Even as Leo sank deeper and deeper into his despair, he could vaguely hear one of his charges calling. But he was so depressed he couldn't even bring himself to listen or respond.

Meanwhile, Cole was busily putting the final touches on some deposition documents for one of his upcoming court cases. Just one last task, and I can call it quits for the day. With a "click" and a "whir", the printer in the corner sprang to life, producing the final needed page. Finally. It's time to blow this pop stand.

Carefully placing the document in a folder, he set it in his briefcase, snapped the lock shut, and grabbed his car keys off the desk. Gotta keep up appearances after all.

No sooner was he halfway across the office when a strange sensation hit him, sending a chill down his spine…the sensation of something not being quite right. "Phoebe," he whispered as he dropped the briefcase and car keys on a nearby table. After a quick glance out the door to confirm that nobody was in the immediate vicinity, he hit the lights and shimmered out.

Seconds later he reappeared in P3 and was shocked at the sight--it looked like a tornado ripped right through. "Kernus," he muttered in disgust while taking in the overturned tables and chairs. Immediately his eyes zeroed in on a still form lying in a crumpled heap against the far wall and he sprinted over.

Damn you, Kernus! ran through his head as he carefully cradled his love in his arms, and quickly checked for a pulse. Oh, thank Lucifer, there is one--a weak one, but a pulse nonetheless. Kernus has really done a number on her, and she won't last much longer if I don't get some help…and soon. I can't lose her; I can't. I'd be lost without her. I've got to find Leo, he's my best bet. Oh, I wish I wasn't half-demon, so he could hear my call. The Manor. Certainly he should be at the Manor, and if he's not, Prue will and carefully hugging his unconscious love to his chest, he shimmered them both to Manor, praying that the whitelighter and his healing touch will be there.

Prue was getting into a pretty good rhythm while developing her pictures, and before she knew it, the whole roll was almost done. Not having Phoebe around really has its benefits. Nice not having her constantly barge in at just the wrong moment.

As she waited for the second to last batch to dry and last ones to set, her mind started to wander.

Start Flashback (Episode 1.13 From Fear To Eternity)

Piper: I'm just glad you're all right.

Prue: I love you.

Piper: What did you just say?

Prue: I love you.

Piper: I think that's the first time you've said that to me.

Prue: Yeah, I know, I wish I would've said it a long time ago. Ever since Mom died I've been afraid to say it. I didn't want to lose anybody else.

Piper: Well, we're not going anywhere.

End Flashback

If only that were true. I'm so sorry, Piper…I let you down. A solitary tear rolled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, took a sip out of her water bottle, and tried to focus on happier times.

Start Flashback (Episode 2.10 Heartbreak City)

Piper: Although I have to admit some of the things Dan said were kind of true. I do think about Leo sometimes.

Prue: Jack wasn't wrong when he said I was on the rebound.

Piper: Still it's all so weird. One minute the four of us are laughing and having a great time…

Prue: And the next we're acting like we hate each other. Uhh…

Piper: What?

Prue: I was just thinking about Drazi.

Piper: No way. He couldn't have had anything to do with this. We vanquished him.

Prue: Jack's scum.

Piper: So is Dan.

Prue: Are you scum?

Piper: No, I'm not scum.

Prue: I knew you weren't.

End Flashback

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