THIRTY-ONE

The reunion between Patty and her daughters was a tearful one. They spend hours catching up and getting acquainted. Patty was amazed at the story Phoebe had to tell. According to her, Phoebe had been born in this timeline. Only she had been stillborn. And as in the real timeline, Paige had been born unbeknownst to anyone. Patty had given Paige up for adoption to protect her from not only the Elders but the humans bent on wiping out all witches.

"This is all very sweet," said Cole, who had stood by watching as the sisters and their mother got reacquainted. "But as I told you when I got back here, they know by now that she's been freed. That can't bode well for any witch they have in captivity."

"Bode well?" Prue questioned. "Who talk like that?"

"This is no time for jokes," said Leo. "Cole is right. If they know that Patty has been rescued they're going to be very nervous. It's very likely they'll decide to just eliminate the problem. Thousands of witches could be at risk. And without their powers they'll have no way to protect themselves."

"Then the White Lighters have to do something," said Patty. "The camps are designed to prevent witches from using their powers. The White Lighters can orb them out before the government has a chance to do anything."

"That's not an option," said Paige. "The government has Dark Lighters working for them. Apparently they have been since the beginning. Any White Lighter that orbs into the camp risks being killed by them."

"In fact," said Cole, "that might just be what they're counting on. If it were me I'd position Dark Lighters in every camp waiting for the White Lighters to show up. By the time the White Lighters realize they're there it would be too late."

"Our only choice is to get Nostradamus back," said Leo. "Once we do, if Phoebe is right, everything can be put right."

"We were talking about that while you were rescuing mom," said Prue. "We think we have a plan to get him out without arousing suspicion. But we're going to need Leo's help."

"I don't understand," said Patty. "You said you rescued me so the authorities wouldn't kill me when you rescued him. And to protect the witches they have in custody. Hasn't that all changed? Why not just orb in and get him out?"

"Because they can't just execute the witches they have in custody," said Paige. "Officially the camps are supposed to be to 'protect' the witches from the outside world. They'll have to come up with a plausible reason to carry out such massive executions. They can't just claim they all tried to escape."

"And if we suddenly break Nostradamus out of the psychiatric hospital it will give them the provocation they need," said Phoebe. "So we have to get Nostradamus out of the hospital without them knowing about it."

"Okay, so what I can I do to help?" Leo asked. "I assume you want me to orb him out while you set up some kind of cover story. One that will keep them from knowing he's gone at least for a while."

"Not exactly," said Piper.

"Ms. Matthews, this is indeed an honor," said the administrator to the Bay Area Psychiatric Institute. "I must admit when I got your call I was mystified. I can't see why a network anchor would be interested in our hospital."

"Well, as I explained over the phone," said Paige, "the network has been planning to do a series of broadcasts on the care and treatment of the mentally impaired. I decided I wanted to do some of the research myself. This is supposed to be one of the best facilities in the country. I wanted to get a firsthand look at just exactly what you do here."

"You won't find a better run facility in the entire country," said the administrator. "With only a couple of exceptions you're free to look around as you please."

"I understand," said Paige. "I thought I might start with a look around the facility. Maybe talk with a few of the patients. Sort of get a feel for how those being treated feel about the place."

"That might be difficult," said the administrator. "You're free to talk to them, of course. But many of them are not exactly coherent. Oh, they aren't violent. I'm afraid those are some of the exceptions I mentioned. But many of our residents have a trouble with distinguishing reality from fantasy."

"I'm sure some can be very helpful," said Paige. "Once I'm through speaking with the residents I was hoping for a few minutes of your time. Get some background information on the facility, the types of people you treat here, that sort of thing."

"I'll be glad to," said the administrator. "We appreciate all the publicity we can get. The more aware the public is of what exactly it is we do here the less stigma there is attached to mental illness. Many people are afraid of seeking help for mental problems because they don't want to be perceived as 'crazy' or something like that. Education is one of our greatest tools in helping the people who really need it."

"One of the reasons the network wants to do a story on it," said Paige. "Oh, this is Cole Peterson. He's my cameraman. Would it be possible for him to take some footage of the facility? Some stock shots that we might be able to use in our broadcast?"

"I suppose," said the administrator, handing Paige and Cole identity badges. "Just be sure to wear these at all times and please don't get in the way of the staff. Their jobs are very important and if you upset the routines we have here it could be very bad."

"I'll be sure and remember that," said Cole, pinning the badge to his shirt. "I thought I might get some shots of things like the kitchen, common areas, restrooms, things like that. Kind of give the viewers what it's like to be a resident here."

"Certainly," said the administrator. "Well, I'm afraid I have a meeting to attend right now. I shouldn't last more than an hour or so. When you're finished with your tour just come to my office. I've all ready prepared some literature for you that you might find useful."

"Thank you," said Paige. I'm sure I will."

"Well, that was easy," said Cole as they walked through the halls of the hospital.

"These places are notoriously under funded and understaffed," said Paige. "I'm sure the administrator thinks that with enough publicity he'll get increased funding from the government."

"So, where do you think this Nostradamus will be?" Cole asked.

"I don't know," said Paige. "I'll have to be careful asking about him. If I appear too anxious the staff might get suspicious. You straight on your part?"

"Yes," said Cole. "You forget I have a great deal of experience with subterfuge. Once we locate him I'll make some pretense about filming some other areas of the facility. Then I'll contact the White Lighter and we can get Nostradamus out of here."

It took nearly thirty minutes before they were able to locate Nostradamus. He turned up in one of the common areas. According to the attendants he spent virtually all of his free time reading. The hospital had a large library that the residents had access to. Nostradamus seemed extremely in reading everything he could, especially historical books.

"Mr. Nostradamus?" Paige asked walking up to him. "My name is Paige Matthews. I'm a reporter. I was wondering if I could ask you some questions about your stay here?"

"Certainly," said Nostradamus, putting down the book he was reading. "You're the first person who has visited me since I arrived here. And I'm afraid the custodians here aren't much for conversation. They believe I'm delusional."

"Yes, that's what I was told," said Paige.

"Well," said Cole, "guess I'll get some shots around the facility. "I'll catch up with you in a bit."

"Your friend seems a bit preoccupied," said Nostradamus.

"Yes," said Paige, lowering her voice. "Okay we don't have a lot of time. Do you remember Phoebe Halliwell?"

"Oh, that nice young woman who claims to have brought me into the future? Yes, I remember here quite well. I'm afraid I don't know what became of her. When they apprehended us we were separated and they won't tell me what became of her."

"She's fine. She sent me to get you out of here. You're in danger. She wants to make sure you're safe and try to get you back where you belong."

"In danger?" questioned Nostradamus. "The administrators of this facility have been quite gracious. As I said they believe I'm delusional and are attempting to 'cure' me of some imagined mental aberration but aside from this I have been treated quite civilly. Much better than I would have been in my own time."

"You're still in danger. I don't have time to explain everything but I need you to do something for me."

"If I can," said Nostradamus.

"It's really quite easy," said Paige looking around. "I need you to return to your room for now. My friend, Cole, is waiting for you in the hallway. He'll follow you to your room and we'll explain everything there."

"Why can't you explain it here?" Nostradamus asked.

"It's too dangerous," said Paige. "We can't risk that we'll be overheard. Please, all I ask is that you do this for me. We'll answer all of your questions then."

"Very well. You seem like a very nice young woman. I must admit I do have some questions. And my 'doctor' seems loath to answer many of them."

"Just go to your room. I promise you'll get all the answers you want."

"Very well," said Nostradamus. "I trust you will be here when I return? I would very much like to continue our conversation. As I said, I get very little stimulating conversation here."

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be around here for a while."

"Very good."

Nostradamus got up and walked out of the common room. As he walked down the hallway he passed Cole who was apparently filming the corridor. As Nostradamus passed Cole and entered his room, Cole glanced around the hallway. No one seemed to be paying them any attention. Cole turned and followed him into the room.

Several minutes passed and then Cole came out of the room. He moved up the hallway and back into the common area where Paige was move around speaking to the people in the room. She saw Cole enter and he walked over to stand next to her, nodding almost imperceptibly. A moment later Nostradamus entered and joined them.

"Well," said Paige, "I've really enjoyed our chat. But I'm afraid I need to get going. I do have a deadline and if I don't leave now I may not make it. I do hope you understand."

"Of course," said Nostradamus. "I hope we will meet again soon."

"I'm sure we will," said Paige. "It was nice meeting you."

"It was nice to meet you, too."

Nostradamus picked up the book he had been reading and sat back down at the table. Paige left the common room and headed for the administrators' office. She spent some time chatting with him and the said she had to be going. The administrator thanked her for the interview and said how much he was looking forward to seeing her broadcast.

"How did it go?" Paige asked as they walked across the parking lot.

"Went off without a hitch," said Cole. "I doubt they'll have any idea that anything is up."

"Good. Let's find some place for you to shimmer. We need to get back to the Overworld right away. So far everything is going according to plan. We need to get this over with before anything goes wrong."

They walked around behind one of the buildings. Cole looked around to make sure they weren't being observed and then shimmered them both back to the Overworld.