Witchlighter

by Phoenixed

Post 8x22, Paige continued to tend to her charges and her husband. In her ultimate journey of discovery, she comes into a new destiny and must embrace her heritage all while trying to fight off the demonic Darklighter who plots to destroy her. R & R

10. Halliwells

A/Note: Big delay and long story. Some know and others will wonder. This was my favorite chapter to write so far without a doubt for many reasons and I hope you guys will all enjoy it enough to leave your longest reviews possible for the longest chapter yet. Since it's been a while, here's a recap. SPOILERS ahead if you didn't read Chapter 9.

Paige lost her powers due to a poisonous mist of Avo's. Magic School was reclaimed by Good and Avo and Rose went into hiding to prepare to take in a greater power. Billie discovered that Christy isn't dead and without further ado... A very special guest star is in this chapter.

Chapter 10- Halliwells

October 2nd, 2006.

Six spheres of dancing gold lights materialized in a hallway of Magic School. They coalesced into two shining silhouettes and seconds later fully formed into Paige and Henry. One final golden wash phased the couple before vanishing into the air. Paige and Henry were holding hands as they began to walk down the hall. She was in a maroon top and white slacks with slip-ons. She turned to Henry, who had his other hand in his blue jeans pocket and was looking around at the school's structure.

"This place is amazing, Paige," Henry admired.

"I thought so too the first time I came here. It still is, but I've been here enough not to appreciate its beauty so much anymore. I fought two of my greatest battles here with the last one topping the previous. What I'm trying to say is that I have a lot of history here with running the school, running through the school and so on," Paige explained, rolling her hand through the air as she continued to ramble. "It's just hard to concentrate on the school's interior when I still don't have my powers back."

Henry nodded, understanding, "I know, I know. That's why we're here though. The Elders are going to have some answers for you. I'm sorry I got caught up with the school, I was just..."

"Interested," Paige answered for him. "I'm the one who should be apologizing. I'm sorry that I took you away from that, I've just been crabby lately. All should be fine soon."

The two entered the Great Hall and saw a great amount of work being done. Whitelighters that were assisting could be identified in their simple white robes and Witch Doctors that were cleansing the school of evil remnants were in their traditional gray robes with earrings sculpted like a horned skull.

One Whitelighter approached Paige, "Greetings."

"Hey," Paige said. "Would you happen to know when Sandra and Odin or any of the other Elders are coming down here?"

"I'm afraid I can't answer that question as the answer is beyond my knowledge. I'm sorry, but I do have a request of you," he replied.

"And what would that be?" Paige asked.

"The Witch Doctors that are present need to clean the room where the Triad resided earlier in the year. They were vanquished in that room as well and rested within the white platform, which we have identified as an altar of great ability. The only problem standing in their way would be that your friend Billie won't leave. She doesn't want anyone touching the place until she's done with it," the Whitelighter explained. "She's been in that room for days and there is no telling when she'll be done with it. We were hoping that you'd be able to talk her down as she won't throw you out the room." He then dropped his hood and revealed a forehead that seemed to be bruised.

"Oh, that looks like it hurts," Paige said. "I'll go and talk with her." She then turned to Henry and said, "Mind waiting here? I just don't want to risk you getting the greatest headache of your life."

"Billie wouldn't attack me," Henry said.

Paige patted him against the chest and said, "Why don't we just play it safe, buddy?" She turned to the Whitelighter, "Can you maybe show him a magazine or something? He'll tell you what he likes. I'll be back soon."

She then walked off and tried to remember the room.

(X)

The black room had a magical effect. The eternal shadow enchanted into the room had the effect to conceal those who wished to be hidden, but Billie didn't have that desire. It could've been the white silk blouse she had on that helped make her more visible, but the logical reason would be the white glowing altar placed in the center of the room. Three separate scorch marks with specks of ash on top were on the altar, dimming the light slightly, but Billie wasn't paying attention to the ashes that never seemed to blow away with the amount of wind that constantly passed through the school.

The ashes that Billie was paying attention were those of her sister. Like the ashes of the Triad, the wind never blew them away. Billie was crouching down before them, rethinking if whether or not these were her sister's ashes with the knowledge of finding out that Christy wasn't dead. She was staring at the ashes long enough. She now reached out and scooped some of them up in her hand. "Hopefully... This will lead me to you, Christy."

Billie pulled out a vial with her free hand and let the ashes slide out of her palm and into the vial. She then rubbed the remaining ashes that didn't go in onto the floor and corked the vial. She lifted the vial to her eye level and just stared.

(X)

Paige opened another door and it was just a classroom. "I sure hope you didn't cloak that room from everyone else," Paige said about Billie, but not to anyone. Paige had forgotten where the room was with all the time that passed and just continued to search. She moved to the next door and felt a strange tingle the closer she got. Her fingertips touched the doorknob, but something hesitated her from turning it. Realizing this was nonsense, Paige turned the knob and pushed it open.

A golden vortex opened up and the feeling that Paige got before intensified. Her body began to glow the same color as the vortex and swallowed her in. The vortex closed, as did the door. Paige was gone.

(X)

Paige glistened into Halliwell Manor -- and felt bewilderingly different, close to being swamped by a sense of family love. "What the hell?" she wondered out loud, shaking her head to clear it of the overwhelming sensation.

She looked around, realizing she was in her old bedroom. And that it was different too. Her bed, the one that had originally belonged to the late Prue Halliwell, was still there, but it now sported different color linens, a matching blanket, and a rose-patterned quilt. Her old paintings had vanished from the walls; in their place were flowery prints that Paige found decidedly unappealing.

Her eyes landed on the full-length mirror -- and her translucent complexion went paler as she took in her reflection. She walked slowly to the mirror, her jaw dropping as she ran her hands over her clothing and stared at her hair. It was still dark brown, only it was now longer, nearly reaching the middle of her back. Her maroon top had been replaced by a white blouse under a plaid vest of black, white and gray. Instead of white slacks, she now wore khaki pants. And her slip-ons had somehow morphed into black-heeled boots.

For a long moment the Witchlighter could only gape at her new self in disbelief. "What's going on? What's happened to me?" Determined to find an answer, she turned and left the room, her newly lengthened hair flowing behind her. She went out into the hallway. It looked the same: The wall was lined with framed photographs of Piper, Leo and their sons, the deceased Prue, Phoebe and Coop, Patty Halliwell, Grams, and of Paige herself with Henry.

She proceeded down the staircase to hear the sound of male cheers and whoops coming from the conservatory. Puzzled, she entered to find a casually dressed Henry, Leo and Coop sitting in front of the television, watching a 49ers game. And their cheers said the team was winning.

Paige stared wordlessly at her husband, who noticed her and smiled before turning back to the game, not at all surprised by her new appearance. His calm response wasn't the only thing that shocked her; her parole officer spouse should have been at work, not here watching football. And wasn't Leo supposed to be at Magic School, meeting with the Elders to plan new classes for the upcoming semester? And why was Coop, a hard-working cupid, glued to ESPN instead of out helping potential couples realize their potential as couples? Something was definitely wrong.

Paige sighed and pursed her lips. "I think I'll refrain from saying I'm not in Kansas anymore," she muttered to herself.

"What was that, honey?" Henry asked, not taking his eyes from the TV screen.

She quickly decided that until she got to the bottom of this new mystery, it was best to play along. "Nothing," she lied. I hope the Book of Shadows is still here in the house, she added mentally. Because if it isn't...

Leo flicked his eyes at her and then at the staircase in a subtle gesture. "Aren't you supposed to be in the attic, helping the girls?"

"Oh, is that what I'm supposed to be doing?" Paige said nonchalantly. She gave him an innocent smile and an equally innocent shrug. "Well, okay, if you say so."

She turned and retreated back up the stairs, reaching the top landing. Walking down the hallway, she reached the attic door, opened it and entered, wondering what she would see.

The attic, with its dark wooden walls and beamed ceiling, looked as it always had: Familiar old furniture and boxes, knickknacks, books, and keepsakes littered the room while the three large Persian rugs, two square-shaped and the other round, were in their usual places on the hardwood floor.

Paige's eyes drifted to the podium holding the Book of Shadows, in front of the stained-glass windows. There, having opened the Book to a certain page, stood Phoebe Halliwell, beautiful as ever, clad in blue jeans and a green shawl over a tee-shirt, her chestnut hair tied back in a bun. Her large dark eyes were fixed on whatever entry she was reading, a notepad in her hand.

A faint bubbling sound reached Paige's ears. She turned her head to see her eldest sister, Piper Halliwell, standing at the large, circular table cluttered with bowls and jars of various herbs, powders, and other magical ingredients the Charmed Ones used for potion making. Also on the table sat a pair of three-legged, pewter cauldrons from which mist and the bubbling noise emanated. Her own face a mask of concentration, Piper tossed into each cauldron some eel skin, demon ash, and a substance resembling blue honey. She then rubbed her fingers over the cauldrons, wiping off the ash.

Eel skin? Demon ash? Paige wondered in surprise. I can't place the blue stuff, but eel skin and demon ash means Piper's making some of her best vanquishing potions. But for who?



Piper glanced at the attic entrance and spotted Paige. She smiled. "Ah, there you are. How'd everything go with your charge?"

Whoa, Paige thought, I still have my Whitelighter powers? "My charge?" she said, quickly returning the smile. "Um, she's fine. Thanks for asking."

Phoebe raised her eyes from her notepad. "I thought you said your charge was male," she said to Paige in a puzzled tone as Piper cocked a curious eyebrow at the Witchlighter.

"Oh!" Paige exclaimed and slapped her hand against her forehead. "Slip of the tongue. Silly me."

Her joking smile faded as her sisters looked at each other and then back at her, their expressions changing from puzzlement to suspicion. "Piper, freeze her," Phoebe suggested.

Paige's dark eyebrows shot up. "What? No, wait! I'm not a demon!"

Piper's hands flashed out in her direction. Paige strangely braced herself for the time-freeze that would render her motionless in the case she could freeze, and didn't. She sighed with relief.

The older Halliwell nodded in satisfaction. "She's clean." She turned to Phoebe. "Lucky for us that I can freeze these warlocks. Otherwise, my test would have been useless."

Paige stared at her in amazement. "A test? Is my word not enough?"

Piper saw her expression and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, Paige. It's just that with these warlocks we're facing, we have to take precautions." She turned her attention back to her bubbling potions. "Would you like to help me finish these or do you want to help Phoebe with her spells?"


Paige pasted on a smile. "I know I can't top either your potions or her spells, but I'll head over to the Spells Department anyway. I can be of more help there." She went to the Book of Shadows, where the now-receptive middle Halliwell sister greeted her with a smile.

Phoebe ripped a page out of her notepad. "Okay, here's what I have," said Phoebe, handing it to Paige. "On the front are typical offensive-defensive spells; on the back are several vanquishing spells. If you feel any wording is off, tell me now. We have to do this right from the get-go."

Paige felt uneasy as she eyeballed the paper. "Uh, Phoebe, you know I'm always honest with you about your spells. Is our situation so bad that you feel you have to add a disclaimer?" Who the hell are we fighting? she wondered.

"Sweetie," Phoebe said with a patient smile, "I wish you'd stop thinking your word doesn't count in this family. It does, or I wouldn't ask you to go over this with me. But you have to accept the fact that your opinion as a Whitelighter doesn't carry as much weight as it would if you were a witch."

Wait a minute! Paige thought, stunned by her sister's words. What do you mean if I was a witch? I am a witch! What's going on here?

 "Oh," she said calmly. "Is that why I usually feel like I never get any credit?"

"Come on, Paige, don't be like that," Piper spoke up from the potions table. "Phoebe and I are Charmed Ones; you're not. You've complained about it, but it's always been that way. If we could've had some Power of Four click, we would've, but it wasn't set up to be that way."

"And it makes you lucky in some areas," Phoebe hurriedly added, seeing her half-sister's offended look. "Being a Whitelighter means you don't have to worry about Wiccan duties." She chuckled. "Believe me, I'd kiss the foot of anyone who can be both a witch and a Whitelighter."

"Then I'll take off my shoe so you can start kissing!" said Paige angrily. "Not only am I a Charmed One, I'm a Whitelighter! In fact, I'm a Witchlighter!"

"A what?" exclaimed Piper in wide-eyed amusement.

"Paige, you're not a Charmed One," Phoebe said, her calm response hiding her surprise at Paige's vehemence. "Three sister witches with active powers were prophesized. I should know; I read the entry about it. Prue, Piper, and I are the Charmed Ones." She smiled. "But I admit I do like 'Witchlighter'. It's a cute play on words."

Paige stared silently at Phoebe. It was several moments before she found her voice. "Prue?" she said slowly. "Excuse me, but did you say 'Prue'?"

She quickly went through the facts: Her outfit had changed and her hair was longer, then her own sisters had informed her that she was not a Charmed One, only a mere Whitelighter. And now...

Paige shook her head. "No, you have that wrong. Prue's dead." She looked from Phoebe to Piper. "That's how you guys first met me, after she died."

"Who died?" a voice asked a short distance from the doorway.

Paige froze, fighting to stay calm as her Halliwell blood instantly rejoiced upon recognizing one of its own. Her deepest instincts said this new voice was as familiar to her as her own, but her rational mind rebelled, arguing that the owner of the voice was nobody she knew, someone she had never met and had never been destined to meet.

Footsteps approached. Willing herself to turn around, Paige blanched, her heart practically coming to a stop, as the fair-skinned woman clad in blue jeans and a black sleeveless top -- the woman whose likeness Paige had seen in family albums and the photographs out in the hallway -- entered, carrying a brown paper bag.

Her glossy black hair swung gracefully about her shoulders, Prue Halliwell went over to Piper. "Here are your ingredients," she said.

"Thanks," Piper replied, taking the bag from her to place it on the table.

Paige watched as Prue cast her ice-blue gaze in Phoebe's direction, and then at Paige herself. "Glad to see you're back," she said, giving a toothy smile. "How's your charge? Is he okay?"

Paige couldn't answer even if she had wanted to. Her face now totally white, she continued to stare at the predecessor who she knew couldn't possibly be alive and, more to the point, shouldn't have been.

Seeing the shock on the younger girl's face, Prue's smile faded. She approached Paige, concern clearly present in her voice and expression. "Are you all right? You look like you've --"

"Seen a ghost?" Paige took a step back, finishing the sentence. "Maybe, just maybe, because I have." Her words tumbled out from her. "How can you be here, Prue? You're dead! You were killed by Shax, the Source's hit-man!"

Now it was Prue's turn to be shocked. "What are you talking about? Piper, Phoebe, and I killed him! You saved me; you healed me while Leo healed Piper. And the Elders told us you were just in time, so if it wasn't for you, I would be dead." She took Paige by the hands. "Look at me. I'm alive, aren't I?"

Paige felt the gentle pressure of the grip. Almost reflexively, she squeezed Prue's hands, feeling warm skin and solid bone beneath. "Yes," she replied, "you are."

"Yes," Prue continued in a calm, firm voice, "so you need to get it together because we have big bad warlock ass to kick."

Paige stared at the three women. "You guys don't get it," she protested. "This shouldn't be happening; it must be some kind of funky alternate reality." She shut her eyes with a groan. "Why me? Why does this always have to happen to me?"

A concerned Piper watched from the potions table. "Prue, check her temperature."

"Yeah, she may be coming down with something," Phoebe added worriedly.

Prue felt Paige's forehead for a minute. "No, she's fine. She doesn't have a fever." She placed her hands on the Witchlighter's shoulders, looking her straight in the eye. "Paige, listen to me. This isn't an alternate reality; this is here and now. And you have to get a grip. We'll need you if we take on these warlocks. This is our Ultimate Battle and we can't afford to go into it with you dazed."

"We had the Ultimate Battle!" Paige cried. "It ended when Billie killed her sister after she realized Christy had tricked her into betraying us."

"Paige, you're talking nonsense," Piper said. "That was nowhere near an Ultimate Battle. And Billie never betrayed us. You were such a good Whitelighter to her that she believed you rather than that demon-reared sister of hers. Billie vanquished Christy before she could infiltrate our lives any further. It was both unfortunate and necessary and Billie realizes that."

Phoebe looked at Prue, still worried. "And those are awfully big factors for her to forget." She glanced at the attic door as a fresh wave of male cheers floated up the staircase from the conservatory. "Should we say that she's developed amnesia?"

"No," said Prue, shaking her head. "She's our baby sister; we protect family. We don't want to worry everyone else." She smiled at Paige, gently placing a hand on her cheek. "And besides, Paige doesn't like to be crowded by helping hands, so three pairs will do nicely," she finished with a wink.

Paige gazed at her predecessor, unable to mistake the look in her face and eyes for anything other than it was: Genuine love and caring. She remembered Phoebe telling the story of how, after the death of their mother Patty Halliwell, seven-year-old Prue had taken it upon herself to help Grams look after the younger Piper and Phoebe. "Nobody asked her to do it and she really didn't have to," Phoebe had said, "but Prue chose to practically sacrifice her own childhood to help Grams raise us, so she was always more like a second mother than a big sister." Indeed, at this moment Prue seemed to glow with maternal warmth. It filled Paige with such soothing calmness that she was surprised when she felt herself relax more quickly and completely than she ever had in her life. She heaved a quiet sigh.

"Feeling better now?" asked Prue, still smiling.

Paige smiled and nodded back. She had always wondered what it would have felt like growing up with the original Charmed trio, especially Prue. As she glanced around the attic, Paige saw that this is how it must have been in this particular timeline: Fighting alongside them and sharing intimate sisterly moments. Now she wondered what else she would discover in this alternate universe.

Piper went to the window overlooking the backyard, and peered out. "Okay, the kids are fine, but I think we should remind the guys that they're outside before we leave."

"We're nowhere near leaving," said a frustrated Phoebe. "We still haven't agreed on what spell to use, the potions haven't settled, and we apparently have to tell Paige about the warlocks." She gave Piper an apologetic look. "Sorry to be so negative, but they aren't the usual low-base types we've fought before." She sat down at the oak table, put down her notepad, and rested her chin in her cupped hands.

"Don't worry, Phoebs," Piper said, tossing some more ingredients into her cauldrons. "We know what their powers are."

"But I don't," Paige interjected, raising her hand in the air like a curious student. "I'm still listed in the Yellow Pages under 'Clueless'."

Her smile vanishing, Prue eyed the young woman, and glanced at her sisters. "Uh, Phoebe, Piper, why don't you go downstairs?"

Phoebe raised her head and looked at Prue in surprise.

"What?" said an equally surprised Piper. She pointed at the cauldrons. "But the potions--"

"I'll watch them," Prue assured her. "Meanwhile, help Phoebe choose a spell. We have to get a move-on before they attack again."

The two other Charmed Ones exchanged puzzled looks, but Piper shrugged and walked away from the potions table. Phoebe picked up her notepad and followed her out of the attic.

Prue turned to face Paige, whose heart pounded against her chest as she met the elder Halliwell's gaze. She was now alone with the sister whose voice she had never heard before until today, the sister whose looks and personality Paige shared... the legendary Charmed One who was unstoppable when it came to protecting her innocents and her loved ones from evil.

Paige swallowed, masking her anxiety as best she could. "So, are you gonna cast a spell on me to see if I'm a warlock?"

Prue shook her head. "Piper would have tried to freeze you, and obviously she couldn't, so it means you truly are my sister. If you were a warlock, you'd know about our clashes with other warlocks, as everyone else in the magical world does." Concern filled her face and voice. "And the fact that you don't worries me. What's going on with you, Paige? What's happened?"

Paige waited for several moments before answering, her mind working hard. I have to go along, she thought. Magic School sent me here for a reason, so I may as well enjoy the ride. 

Recalling what Phoebe had said earlier about her not being a Charmed One, she took it from there. "Oh, you know me," she said with the most innocent shrug and smile that she could muster. "I was just wishing I was Charmed like you guys. I tend to feel out of place at times, that's all."

Prue arched an eyebrow. "You know we don't treat you any differently. I thought you got past this."

Ah, Paige thought, enjoy the ride and learn something along the way. "I did? How? Refresh my memory."

Prue gave her a look that unmistakably asked why are you so out of it? Yet she took a breath and patiently explained. "You were searching for your place in the world, and after Mom and Sam said you had gifts that none of us had, and what you could do with them, you realized you'd found it."

Paige couldn't resist smiling. She listened to Prue's explanation, enjoying the fact that she was actually having a conversation with the big sister she had never known. But beneath her pleasure, confusion still swirled, and the mention of Sam Wilder, the Whitelighter who was her biological father, only added to it.

This can't really be Prue, or can it? her rational mind asked. In fact, this whole alternate timeline can't be real, or is it? And if it is, are both my biological parents still alive? I need answers.

She nodded after Prue finished speaking. "Okay, thanks," Paige said. "As you know, I stick mainly to my charges, so I'm not well versed on these warlocks you've been talking about. Can you shed any light on them?"

"Not a great deal; they're still fairly new to us," Prue admitted. "But I can say they're probably the strongest ones we've ever come up against. This is what the Book of Shadows had to say about them: They're known as the Rowe Coven. Since the tenth century, every generation of them has gotten stronger, so now the power of the present generation equals ours, except it's evil. We're hoping to vanquish them now, while we're all here together, so they don't attack each of us when we're alone."

Paige's eyebrows went up. The Rowe Coven? The three warlock brothers? Phoebe had told her the story: The youngest brother, half-human Brendan Rowe, had renounced his demonic heritage and had entered the priesthood to escape it. His two full-warlock sibs, Greg and Paul, had nearly succeeded in turning him prior to his ordination, but the Charmed Ones' intervention, as well as Brendan's feelings for Prue, had put a permanent end to the Rowe Coven, with Greg and Paul being vanquished as an extra bonus.

But it doesn't sound like it happened here, Paige mused. The way Prue was telling it, Brendan in this timeline didn't reject his evil side; he embraced it.

"They each have special powers," Prue continued. "And since killing for powers is how warlocks get them in the first place, we have to be extra careful. For all we know, the Rowe brothers could have stolen even more powers by now to strengthen themselves against us."

One of the potions exploded, emitting a small mushroom cloud. "I better get that," she said. She went to the brew and telekinetically stirred it to help it settle.

"Hey, lady," Paige exclaimed, "isn't that a little thing called personal gain?"

"Yes, it is. For that," laughed Prue, gesturing at the wooden spoon lying next to the cauldron. "I don't dare use it; the potion would dissolve it until only the handle was left. It's one of Piper's best spoons, and if anything happened to it, she'd make me buy her a new one."

"Oh, I see," Paige replied with a smile. "Anyway, getting back to the Rowe Coven, isn't there a way to disempower them? You know, with a power-stripping potion or spell?"

"Unfortunately, we only have one that disempowers witches," answered Prue.

"Maybe it can be reworked to disempower a warlock or three."

"Well, unless you're eager to make a potion from a fresh human heart, I doubt we'll be doing that. We're going to vanquish them, Charmed style." Prue suddenly smiled. "And we won't leave our Whitelighter out of it, either."

Paige returned the smile. Despite her faint suspicion that Prue was only being sympathetic, it was good to see that, even though she wasn't a Charmed witch in this particular universe, Paige was clearly a valued member of the family.

Piper's voice from downstairs ended the conversation. "Prue! Paige! Front and center!"

Prue stopped stirring the potion and checked it. She grinned. "Whew, saved by the Piper. I think I was stirring this too much."

"I guess so," Paige chuckled. She gestured at the attic door with her head. "I take it we should put in an appearance downstairs?"

"Uh-huh," Prue said as she put the potions into vials and corked them. "Piper wants to get this over with so we can all return to our normal lives, such as they are."

Paige gave a little snort of laughter. "Some things never change, do they?"

"Maybe some day, for us," said Prue. She placed the now-filled vials into pouches. "Done. Let's go."

The Witchlighter nodded and led the way out of the attic. Prue caught up with her, linking arms with her in sisterly fashion. "Hey, don't leave me," she said with a smile that Paige warmly returned.

The eldest and youngest Halliwell went down the stairs and through the foyer and living room. Unlinking their arms, they entered the dining room to see Phoebe and Piper sitting opposite each other at the table. The two middle sisters turned and smiled.

"Well," Phoebe said good-humoredly to Paige, "are we doing better now, or do I call Bay Side Witches' Hospital?"

"Phoebe!" Piper said in mock reproach.

Paige blushed at the remark, but took no offense. She always knew when Phoebe was only teasing.

"She's fine now," Prue said, smiling. "She told me that while she was protecting her charge, the Darklighter she was fighting conked her with his crossbow."

Paige saw it was her cue. "Yeah, it hurt like hell too," she said, rubbing the back of her head. "But I vanquished him." She smacked her hands together. "So, are we ready to go kick warlock behind?"

"Let's say good-bye to the kids first," Piper said. She rose from the table. "We don't want to regret not doing it should the worst happen." She headed for the backyard, followed by Phoebe and Prue.

Paige went to follow them but stopped, her eyes widening as a thought suddenly struck her. Dear God, am I a mom here? She felt her stomach quizzically. Not even a slight bump.

"Paige, come on!" Prue called.

"Coming!" she answered and trotted after her sisters. She cut through the conservatory and caught up with them at the door leading out to the backyard.

And the scene that met her as she entered the backyard made her softly catch her breath. Five children were playing: A blond hazel-eyed boy, holding a soccer ball, was being chased by two brown-haired ones. On the other side of the yard, a pair of little brunette girls, one taller than the other, held hands while they ran in circles, laughing merrily.

"Oh, my God," Paige breathed, watching the children. She was shocked that they were able to enjoy themselves like this when evil was all around them.

The taller girl suddenly tripped and fell, bringing down the shorter girl with her. "Mommy! Mommy!" the smaller one wailed from the grass as her companion guiltily rose to her feet.

Phoebe went to them, knelt, and took the crying child in her arms. "It's all right, honey. You're okay." She kissed the child's forehead and rocked her soothingly.

The three boys stopped their game and crowded around Phoebe and the little girl. "Is Melinda hurt, Aunt Phoebe?" the blond boy asked, throwing his soccer ball down. "Should I heal her?"

"She's fine, Wyatt," Phoebe replied, "but thank you for offering." She continued to shush her little one.

Piper walked over to her sons, Wyatt and Christopher Halliwell, and placed a hand on a shoulder of each. She gazed worriedly at their tearful cousin. "Are you sure, Phoebs?"

Phoebe looked up and nodded. "She'll be fine. She has only a few minor scrapes."

The remaining boy, whose brown hair was much darker than Chris', ran to Prue and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Is Melinda gonna be okay, Mom?" he asked, looking up at her with large blue eyes. "Aunt Phoebe didn't want her to be healed."

"She's okay, Aaron. She has to learn how to handle little hurts, that's all," Prue explained. She turned to Paige and smiled. "It's wonderful how our children care about each other. I think we did a good job raising them considering everything we have to go through."

"Yeah, it sure looks like it," Paige said with a smile. She turned toward the second girl -- and her eyes widened. The child's face resembled hers all the way to the dimple in the chin; she had the same dark hair, amber-colored eyes, and pale skin. An eerie feeling crept over Paige that this was in fact her own daughter, a suspicion that was verified when the child spotted her and ran to her.

"I didn't mean to make Melinda fall, Mommy, honest!" the child cried. "We were just playing and then I tripped and she fell down with me. It was an accident!"

Paige crouched down and embraced the child. "It's okay..." she began, and then stopped abruptly. Oh, no, she realized with a jolt, I don't know her name! She released the little one and gazed at her. The child's face was reddening; she was plainly on the verge of crying.

It was then that Phoebe unknowingly came to the rescue. "Samantha!" she called.

Paige mentally sighed with relief as the little girl looked toward Phoebe and then back at her with worried eyes. "Are you gonna say it was my fault?"

"No, sweetie. I'm sure Aunt Phoebe knows it isn't, but I'll come with you just in case." Paige smiled. "Okay?"

Samantha gave a little smile and nodded. "Okay."

They rose from the ground. Paige took Samantha's hand and they went to Phoebe, who was helping her daughter up.

"I didn't mean to make her fall down, Aunt Phoebe," Samantha apologized.

"I know you didn't, honey," Phoebe said to her. "It was just an accident. But she's not as big as you are, so you have to be careful when you play with her."

The little girl nodded and approached her sniffling cousin. "Are you better now, Mellie?" she asked.

Melinda nodded, rubbing tears from her dark brown eyes.

"I'm glad," Samantha said, brightening. "Wanna spin around some more?"

Paige chuckled. She turned to see Prue and Piper talking to their children, and knew it had to be about the upcoming battle with the Rowe Coven. "Just a moment, Samantha, I have to talk to you."

Samantha looked up at her. "Am I in trouble?"

"No," Paige said, kneeling in front of the child. She took her by her slender shoulders. "Your aunts and I have to leave now."

"Where are you going?"

"We have to fight some bad guys. We're just letting you know in case--"

"You don't come back?" Samantha finished for her in a quivering voice.

Paige took a deep breath. This mother gig was so new to her, and her speech wasn't one she had practiced. But the child's frightened look told her where this was going.

"Hey, we'll be okay," she said reassuringly. "Haven't we always come out of these things?" Samantha nodded, and Paige continued. "Besides, we have to make the world safe, not just for you and your cousins, but for big witches and ordinary people." She smiled. "I promise I'll come back to you and Daddy. Do you trust that Mommy can do this?"

Samantha nodded. She let go of Paige's hand and wrapped her arms around her neck. "Yes, Mommy, I trust you."

Paige lifted the child and embraced her, fighting back tears. She felt her growing faith in herself as a mother as she held Samantha. And she now couldn't help but wonder if the child in her arms was actually the baby that might be growing within Paige at this moment. If so, she wasn't worried. She already knew how to love her.

(X)


After spending a few more minutes with their children, the four sisters trouped back into the manor to say good-bye. They paused in the entrance to the conservatory, seeing their better halves still parked in front of the TV. Prue cleared her throat. "Uh, guys." The men looked in her direction.

"We have to go. The Rowe Coven can't wait," she said. "But much as we'd like our own homefield advantage, our families' safety comes first. So, on that note, plant your kisses so we can get outta here."

"Oh, somebody's grouchy because their man's still at work," Phoebe joked.

Prue shot her a look of mock warning and exited the conservatory, leaving her sisters alone with their husbands. The men rose from their seats and approached their wives, who went to them.

Henry put his arms around Paige's waist and looked down at her. "Going into battle again?"

"How well you know me," she quipped, pressing up against him.

"True, so you don't have to give a reason; it always turns out fine." His brown eyes gazed steadily into hers. "But this is the big one, isn't it?"

She nodded. "Yes."

Henry heaved a slow sigh. "Okay, let's relax for a moment and look ahead. After you win this Ultimate Battle, how do you see us?"

"What else? As one big clichéd happy family," Paige said, smiling, "the kind we can't stand seeing on television. But don't worry; I'll still have the occasional charge to liven things up. Sound good?"

Henry chuckled. "I've been married to you for six years now. You've given me a beautiful daughter, some of the happiest times of my life, and we managed that with the occasional charge calling for you. So it's safe to say life will be just as great as it is now."

"Well, Mr. Mitchell," Paige teasingly said, tapping her finger on his chin, "if life is good now, it will continue to be so. I promise."

They kissed and embraced tightly. Paige noticed Piper and Phoebe doing the same with their spouses.

"I'll walk you out," Henry said, wrapping an arm around Paige's shoulders. They left the conservatory, followed by the other two couples. She slowed her steps in surprise when she saw Prue standing in the foyer with a man in a white shirt, a brown suit and tie, and black shoes. Paige had never seen him before, but judging from the embrace the couple shared, he was doubtlessly Prue's husband.

"Well," Phoebe said jokingly behind her, "it seems Andy came to see Prue off after all."

Andy? Paige thought, her eyebrows lifting. Andy Trudeau? This was another story Phoebe had told. Andy Trudeau had been the love of Prue's life. They had first met as kids and dated in high school, then lost track of each other following graduation, with Prue pursuing a career in the fine-arts field while Andy became a police officer. Shortly after the Charmed Ones had moved back into Halliwell Manor following Grams's death, Andy and Prue met each other again and had picked up where they had left off. But their rekindled romance had ended all too suddenly when Andy, in an attempt to protect Prue and her sisters, was killed by a demon the Charmed Ones were fighting. As tragic as the story was, it was a lesson in love that Paige never forgot. And she couldn't help but smile as she saw that Andy too was alive and with Prue in this alternate reality.

"Hey, what do you expect?" said Andy, grinning over Prue's shoulder at Phoebe. "I'm a hardworking lieutenant in the San Francisco Police Department. But I have seniority and they understand. Besides, Darryl's covering for me."

"As usual," Prue said, smiling at her husband. "I'm so glad he's your partner. I don't think you could've been assigned anyone more trustworthy."

Paige privately agreed. In her own reality, Lieutenant Darryl Morris had proved to be just as trustworthy to the Charmed Ones after he had learned their secret following Andy's death.

"That's for sure," said Piper. "At first I thought he couldn't handle it when you told him we were witches. You said it really freaked him out."

"It did," Andy concurred. "He didn't want to know anything about it, not even when I jokingly asked if he wanted to know if you could actually fly."

Prue chuckled. "He didn't even want to know if we owned a broom, a skillet --"

"I do own the skillet," Piper interjected, getting a laugh from the group.

"Or a cauldron or a Dustbuster," Phoebe said, chortling. "Poor Darryl, he was really shaken."

"Yeah, it took his wife and me to calm him," Andy said. "After he realized you girls also protected the innocent, we've worked together more closely since then." He looked from one sister to another. "But enough praise for my partner. You have work to do, so you'd better get going."

"We're leaving now," Prue said. She turned to her sisters. "Let's go."

Stopping at the coat rack by the front door, Prue put on her black leather jacket, while Piper took her tan one and shouldered herself into it. Phoebe apparently felt comfortable enough to brave the weather with only her shawl. Paige decided to play it safe by wearing a white jacket.

As Prue opened the door, she suddenly stopped and slapped her forehead. "Crap, I forgot the potions!" She turned to Paige. "Can you run upstairs and get the pouches? I'm going to go and start the car and we'll meet you out front." She walked out, followed by Piper and Phoebe. Phoebe closed the door after them.

"Car? We're driving?" Paige said bewilderedly as she turned and headed for the staircase.

(X)

Five minutes later, Prue was behind the wheel of her black SUV, with Piper next to her on the passenger's side, while Paige and Phoebe sat comfortably in the back. All four were buckled in, the Charmed Ones' and Paige's potion pouches resting on their laps.

"Okay, Paige, here's the game plan," Phoebe said. "You'll be hidden while the rest of us trick the Rowe brothers into thinking it's three against three. I doubt they'll expect an attack from inside their own house." She smiled to herself. "I'm going to love turning the tables on them."

"But we're giving them the home court advantage," Paige pointed out. "We might as well have sent our families to Magic School and invited the Rowes to trash Halliwell Manor."

"That's Plan B," said Phoebe. "For now, we're aiming to surprise them at home. I just hope they haven't killed a seer or psychic witch, and know we're coming."

"Still, if they're anything like you guys, they'll recover from the attack quickly. How many demons have barged into the Manor and gotten their asses kicked despite having the element of surprise?"

"That's because we've honed our powers and our instincts for that kind of attack," Piper said over her shoulder. "The Rowe Coven have powers, but so do we. And we have to have faith in ours."

Prue sighed as she negotiated the road. "This is all my fault," she said regretfully. "I should have tried harder to convince Brendan that his brothers only wanted to use him to complete the Rowe Coven. And now that they have, they'll kill us if we're not careful."

"Prue," Piper said, "we've told you a million times that it isn't your fault. Bottom line, Brendan's warlock side was stronger than his human blood." She turned to face the front. "And now the Ultimate Battle pits three of the world's strongest witches against three of the most powerful warlocks who ever lived. As difficult as it may be, fighting these guys beats the hell out of fighting another demon or an evil witch."

"They cheated to reach our level of strength," said Phoebe. "They killed witches, demons, and other warlocks with powers to add to their own. And their bond is just as strong as ours if they've been doing this for as long as we have." She sat back in her seat, taking a deep breath as she gazed out the window. "We should have cast a spell to enhance our powers before we left."

Prue made a sharp left turn, causing all four women to shift in their seats. "We've been at this for nine years, Phoebe," she said as she straightened her car's trajectory. "And we know the warlocks we're going after. The only thing to watch out for is if they've obtained any new powers. As I see it, our own powers will protect us: My telekinesis and astral projection, Piper with her ability to freeze and explode things, and your skills at levitation, martial arts, and empathic channeling."

"You're right, there's no severe need to panic. We're grounded in our powers," said Phoebe with an ironic smile. She opened her pouch to eye the vial filled with blue liquid. "But I'll play it safe and use Piper's potion."

"Hey, don't doubt yourself," Prue said, pulling her SUV up alongside a curb. "Like Piper said, we have to have faith and you wield your empathic gift in ways that I never could."

"That's because you weren't meant to be an empath," Phoebe said. She recalled how a cursed demon had tricked Prue into receiving his empathic gift, and how it had nearly destroyed her.

Prue smiled. "Point taken," she said as she set the brakes and switched off the engine. She looked at her sisters. "Are we ready?"

Piper, Phoebe, and Paige nodded as one. Unbuckling their seat belts, the Halliwells exited the SUV. Standing alongside each other on the sidewalk, they gazed at the ominous structure before them.

"There it is," Prue said quietly. "Rowe Manor."

"Wow, evil has worked for these guys," Paige said, taking in the dark, gothic features of the house.

Piper smirked. "Some real estate agent's going to have a field day after we vanquish the current owners."

"If we can't, maybe we can sue them for house-naming infringement," said Phoebe wryly.

Her sisters looked at her with snorts of laughter. "Now, Phoebs, think good thoughts," Prue scolded her good-naturedly. She eyed Rowe Manor. "Let's do it."

The four women took each other by the hand and started up the steps to the manor's front door.

"Piper, Phoebe, and I will go in first," Prue said to Paige. "Then you orb in and hide somewhere." The Witchlighter nodded.

When they reached the stoop, the girls let go of each other and Paige stood back as Prue extended her hand. The gray door blasted open, slamming against the wall inside.

"Go," ordered Prue. The Charmed Ones went in. Paige quickly checked if they were being watched. Seeing no one, she orbed inside the manor and materialized behind a living room sofa. She crouched down and waited.

As her sisters hid in a closet in the foyer, Prue cautiously entered the living room, looking about for the Rowes. She didn't have far to look; the casually dressed warlocks came dashing out of the kitchen, alerted by the banging door. They stopped and glared murderously at the lone witch.

"Well, well," smirked Brendan. "Look who's here."

"I got tired of waiting," Prue replied with a confident smile. "Hope you don't mind the surprise visit."

"Not at all, Prue," said Brendan as Greg and Paul came up beside him. "In fact, I thank you for showing me that the Rowe Coven was my true path." His eyes blazed. "But enough talk."

"Agreed," Prue said and swung her arm in a wide arc, flinging the brothers into a wall.

Her sisters bolted from the closet and to her side. The Charmed Ones yanked out the vials out of their pouches and hurled them at the warlocks. Paul leaped to his feet, deflecting the vials back at the witches with his force shield. Piper flicked her hand, instantly freezing them in mid-flight.

As Paul retracted his shield, Brendan and Greg scrambled to their feet. The trio extended their hands, energy balls blossoming in their palms. They hurled them at the Halliwells -- and the balls crashed into the hovering potion vials. The huge explosion savagely flung the Charmed Ones and the Rowe Coven into opposite walls.

The Witchlighter ran out from behind the couch to see her sisters on the floor, lying sprawled on top of each other. From where she was, she could see that Prue's breathing was labored. Piper lay beside her, groaning in pain as she clutched her side. Phoebe lay unconscious on the other side of Prue.

"Oh God," breathed Paige as she knelt beside them. Then she heard a growl and turned to see Greg Rowe stagger to his feet. With a roar he shot out his hand, his palm glowing crimson. She held up her own hand to orb him back into the wall -- and nothing happened.

Damn! she thought. I forgot I'm only a Whitelighter here.

An energy bolt blasted from Greg's hand. Paige ducked, the lethal power sizzling over her head and crashing somewhere behind her. Grabbing Piper's foot and Phoebe's arm, she orbed all three sisters out of Rowe Manor before Greg could fire another bolt.

(X)

"Almost done, Prue," said Paige gently, moving her glowing hands over the eldest Halliwell's body. "Just sit tight." Prue smiled up at her from the floor of Magic School's Great Hall, her breathing becoming less and less labored.

The other Halliwell pair stood by, wincing every time their sister let out a groan. Piper folded her arms and stared at the floor. "I'm just grateful that nothing worse happened. Those potions are meant to kill. If they had come into contact with any of us..." She stopped with a shudder.

"They didn't," Phoebe said. "We were lucky."

"Only because the Rowe brothers exploded those vials," replied Piper, "and Paige was there to orb us to safety."

Phoebe couldn't argue with that last point. During the past nine years, each Charmed sister had come perilously close to death. And each time their Whitelighters, Leo and Paige, had kept them from taking that final step. How many witches could say that?

Phoebe looked over at the Witchlighter. "How's it coming, Paige?"

"I'll be fine in another minute or so," Prue grunted before her half-sister could answer. "I want you and Piper to go home and round up everyone. Bring them here."

"Magic School forbids mortals being here," Phoebe said, raising her eyebrows.

"Screw the rules," Prue snapped. "Get our families up here. Now."

Phoebe's face burned; she had unwittingly placed rules and regulations over the lives of their loved ones. And Prue's reprimand made her feel like the family screw-up once more.

Piper wrapped a supportive arm around Phoebe's shoulders, and produced a vial of teleportation potion from the inside pocket of her jacket. "Back in a couple," she said and dropped the vial onto the floor. It shattered at their feet, and the pair vanished in a smoky column.

Paige's hands stopped glowing. "All done," she said, smiling as she stood.

"Thanks," Prue said, sitting up and taking some deep breaths. "I thought that was going to take forever."

"Well, you were right to insist that I heal Piper and Phoebe first. To be honest, I was afraid I was going to lose them both, especially Phoebe."

Paige helped her sister to her feet and to a nearby couch to rest.

"But Piper was also right," said Prue as she sat down. "We're lucky that blast only knocked us out, and even luckier that you were there. Otherwise, we'd be goners by now."

Paige flashed on her Ultimate Battle and shuddered. It was more frightening to see her sisters being thrown around than of being tossed about herself. She quickly banished the memory. "What's our next move?"

"After Piper and Phoebe arrive with our families, we'll plan our strategy," Prue said. "But I can say this: We'll need an edge if we're to defeat the Rowe Coven."

"Should we call Billie to help us out?"

Prue shook her head. "No, she shouldn't have any part in this; she's done enough for us. And this isn't anyone's fight but ours, so no charges and no Magical Community. Only us Halliwells."

Paige smiled. This was a world she didn't want to leave, a world with the Charmed Ones, her husband, and her beautiful daughter. Yes, they still fought evil, but it was easier with four sisters to take care of such things. And this was seemingly their final battle with the dark powers anyway.

Approaching footsteps made Prue and Paige turn to the entrance. "Here's everybody," Piper announced as she entered the room with Leo and their two sons. Behind them came Phoebe, Coop, and their daughter Melinda, who held on to her father's hand.

An orb cloud materialized beside Piper, coalescing into Henry and Samantha. "Great job, Sammie," Henry praised the smiling child. "You brought Daddy right to Mommy and Auntie Prue."

Prue looked around. "Not quite everybody. Where's Andy and Aaron?"

As if on cue, both entered the Great Hall. The little boy looked around in wide-eyed wonder, but his father wasn't happy with his new residence, temporary though it was.

"Prue, I can't be here," Andy protested as he approached her with their son. "I have a job to do."

"It's for your safety and Aaron's," Prue said firmly, folding her arms. "We don't want the Rowe Coven attacking our loved ones to get to us."

A grinning Piper waved a finger at him. "I practically had to threaten you to get you to come."

"And I thought being part of a magical family was going to be dull," Andy said drolly, eyeing his sister-in-law in mock wariness.

"She did what she had to do," Prue said, unable to suppress a smile at the exchange. She turned to her sisters. "Let's plan our next move."

The Halliwells exited the Great Hall, entered an empty classroom, and sat down at a table. "We have to come up with something better," Piper started the conversation. "That potion literally threw us off." She looked at Phoebe. "We didn't even have a chance to use the spell we had chosen."

"So, any ideas?" Prue asked, and her sisters stared at her. "Hey, don't look at me like that," she protested. "I'm not always the one brimming with ideas. The only thing I can think of is using our powers on the Rowes. When we've weakened them enough, we vanquish them with the spell. Other than that, I don't know how we should go about this."

"Maybe I can help," a melodious voice suddenly said.

The quartet looked about the empty room in surprise. "Mom?" breathed Paige, her heart leaping.

A woman entered the classroom, she was a softly glowing form of an auburn-haired, dark-eyed woman in a full-length white skirt, a tan peasant blouse, and matching sandals. In her arms was a large, green tome.

"Mom!" exclaimed four delighted Halliwells.

Patty Halliwell smiled lovingly "Hello, girls," she said in a gentle, echoing voice.

"You brought the Book of Shadows from the attic?" said an incredulous Prue.

"Yes, in case demons came to call while you were out," Patty explained, moving closer.

"How did you get here?" Paige asked. "None of us summoned you."

"I used a teleporting spell in the Book to get up here. I may not have your orbing powers, Paige, but I'm more than capable of chanting a few words in order to get to my daughters," the mother defended.

"We're glad you came," Phoebe admitted. "You probably already know that we didn't vanquish the Rowe Coven."

"I figured that when I didn't get my victory call or the victory dinner we planned. What went wrong?" Patty asked.

"The brothers blew up the potion that was meant to destroy them," Piper answered.

"Have you decided your next move?" Patty asked.

"We were beginning to ponder that, Mom," Phoebe answered. She sighed. "We don't feel helpless, just more discouraged than usual."

"I know this is a setback, but you must fight on," Patty said encouragingly. "This is the toughest battle you'll ever encounter, but I have faith in all of you." She looked at her three eldest girls. "You're the Charmed Ones, the most powerful members of the Warren line." She turned towards Paige. "And you're their Whitelighter. Your father taught you that when your sisters are at a low point, it's your job to give them an encouraging speech so they never feel hopeless."

All four sisters listened quietly. Deep down inside, Paige felt cool with her mother's loving lecture, and knew it to be right. She took pride in knowing that she was often called upon to boost her sisters' morale when it sagged.

"You know how much I loved my time-freeze power," Patty continued. "And how I sacrificed it so I could raise all four of you together."

Paige's eyebrows shot up. "You did?" she blurted. "You gave up your power to keep me?"

"Of course I did," her mother replied, blinking in surprise. "My daughters are more important to me than anything. I thought you knew that, Paige."

Prue came to the rescue. "You'll have to forgive her, Mom. She was hit on the head by a crossbow while protecting a charge from a Darklighter."

"I've been a little shaky with the facts all day," Paige added quickly. "Can you tell me the story again?"

Patty nodded. "Very well. The Elders vehemently opposed my loving Sam, but I was determined to keep you, so I had Grams bind all of our powers. If I couldn't have you, I wouldn't even want to be a witch. But when her death unbound them, I pushed you to embrace your destinies to show the Elders that the situation was under control."

"But they always doubted it," Piper groused. "They were a total pain in the ass when it came to my marrying Leo. I'm surprised they didn't clip his wings then and there, though Paige was skilled enough to take up the slack."

"Leo shares his knowledge, which makes him the perfect angelic guide," Phoebe reminded her. "We were lucky the Elders assigned him to us as a Whitelighter instead of letting Paige do it all."

"Which brings us back to my point," Patty said. "This is your Ultimate Battle. None of you are excluded and you must work together if you're to triumph in the end."

"Mom's right," said Paige, nodding. "We have to do this." She thought for a minute and looked at Phoebe. "What about Plan B? With our families safe in Magic School, we can give ourselves the home court advantage by luring the Rowe Coven into Halliwell Manor. We can have a crystal cage all set and waiting in the attic. We already have the spell." A smile spread across her face. "And we should drop the word that I'll be helping out."

Prue grinned. "Looks like we now have a game plan."

"What if they hire a Darklighter to kill you, Paige?" Piper asked. "The Source nearly did, in the battle where we destroyed him. Leo was there to save you, thank heaven." She added hurriedly, "Uh, no pun intended."

"As long as we take care of each other, we'll win," Paige assured her. "Then we can live the way we want, however we want."

Piper brightened considerably "You bet. I'm going to lead a normal life with my boys and husband, and go to sleep every night with both eyes comfortably closed." She turned to Phoebe.

"I'm going to settle down and appreciate what I have," Phoebe said proudly. "I'll prepare Melinda one day for life as a witch, but for now, I just want to enjoy the little things." She looked at Prue.

"I second that, Phoebs. Andy and I will raise Aaron normal to keep his father slightly saner. Later, I'll train him to use his powers to protect innocents. But I want a regular life without demonic interference."

"I'll continue being a Whitelighter," Paige chimed. "I can juggle both work and family responsibilities. But I'll always be there for anyone who needs help."

Patty smiled and nodded approvingly. "Good. I'll have the Book back on the podium when you arrive. It looks as if you didn't need it. Now what are you planning for the Rowe Coven?"

Prue stood, hands resolutely on her hips. "The perfect way to draw them into battle."

(X)

The sisters sat in the living room of Halliwell Manor, finished with going over their plan once more. "Time to bait the hook," Prue said. "Set up the crystal cage in the attic. I'll have the Rowe Coven follow my astral self."

"Will do," Phoebe said with a nod. "Use anything to bring them here, even a little cleavage."

"Prue shouldn't mind that. Despite being married to Andy, she did admit that Brendan was cute," Piper smirked. "Except when he put on his warlock face. Not so attractive."

"Very funny," Prue retorted. She turned to Paige. "Would you like a shot at me?"

Paige chuckled. "Pass."

"Thanks, I appreciate that," Prue said, grinning. "Ready the crystals and then come back down. We'll engage the Rowe brothers and then lure them into the attic."

She lay down on the couch, shut her eyes, and concentrated. A red flash of power briefly enveloped her, the signal that her soul had left her body.

"Okay, we don't have much time," Piper said, taking charge. "Paige, go upstairs and set the trap. Phoebe and I will stay here in case Prue gets back early."

"No problem," Paige said, and orbed upward in a glowing column.


(X)



The moment she arrived in the attic, Paige went to the table where the box of crystals sat. She grabbed the box and turned to the spot where she would orb them into a circle. Raising the lid, she commanded, "Crystals! Circle!"

Nothing happened.

"Crystals! Circle!" Paige called again. The stones remained in the box. She looked at them in bewilderment, and then remembered.

"Damn," she said. "I keep forgetting I can't orb things in this timeline. I'll have to do this the old-fashioned way."

She immediately started walking clockwise in a circle, placing down one crystal after another as she went. In practically no time, she laid a trap comprised of four crystals as equidistant from one another as she could have them. There was one other that she intentionally tossed to the side. They would find a way to activate it as soon as the Rowe Coven had stepped into the trap. She looked at her handiwork, hoping the cage would hold the warlocks long enough for her sisters to chant the spell and vanquish them.

All that was left now was to wait for Prue to return with the Rowe Coven in hot pursuit.

(X)

"The trap's set," Paige announced upon orbing back into the living room. She saw Prue still lying unconscious on the couch as Piper and Phoebe hovered over her.

"Thanks, Paige," Piper said. "We're just waiting for Prue to --"

Prue suddenly let out a gasp as a crimson glow flashed through her body. She opened her eyes and looked up at her sisters. "They're coming. Are the crystals ready?"

Piper nodded and extended her hand to help Prue up from the couch. "Ready and waiting. And I assume the Rowe brothers are now completely pissed?"

Prue grinned. "You know it," she said as she got to her feet. "Warlocks hate astral games and I'm the toughest witch in that sport."

Out of the corner of her eye, Paige saw a black-garbed Rowe Coven materialize in the living room, all three brandishing black-handled athamaes. "Uh, guys? Company's here," she said tensely.

Her sisters whirled to face the intruders. "Paige, duck!" Prue shouted. The Witchlighter dropped to the floor as Prue swung an arm, telekinetically flinging Greg Rowe into the air and through the staircase banister with a crash. He landed painfully on the stairs.

"You'll pay for that!" shouted Brendan.

Paul Rowe snarled at Paige, "Did you think we'd forget you?" He extended his hand toward the floor, and a chameleon materialized in an eerie glow. He then sent a a blue wave of power at his pet. The ripple enveloped the lizard, causing it to swiftly grow in size. Paige watched as the creature suddenly stood on two legs and took on human shape. The glow faded to reveal a black-clad man holding an armed crossbow.

"A Darklighter!" hissed Piper. "I knew it!"

Paul jabbed a finger in Paige's direction. "Attack!" he ordered the Darklighter.

She didn't wait for him to obey. She charged at him and aimed a round-house kick that connected with his waist, but the blow barely made him stumble. He retaliated by striking her on the back of her head with his crossbow. She fell to the floor.

"Damn," Phoebe commented. "Twice in one day!"

With an evil smirk, the Darklighter aimed his crossbow at Paige.

"No!" Prue shouted. She waved her hand -- and all four sisters gasped as a violent telekinetic blast hit the Darklighter, exploding his body as well as a few pieces of furniture near him. The blast also threw Paul and Brendan to the floor.

Prue stared at her hand in amazement as Piper and Phoebe gaped at her. "My power," she whispered. "It's finally reached that level."

"And it couldn't have come at a better time," Phoebe said gratefully. "That Darklighter was about to kill Paige. Too bad we won't have much use for it after this battle."

Paige groaned and the Charmed Ones helped her up. "Are you okay?" Phoebe asked.

"I'm fine," Paige said, rubbing the aching back of her head. She smiled at Prue. "Thanks."

"Hey, no sweat," Prue replied, smiling back. "Like I said; we protect family."

"And now it's my turn," Phoebe said grimly as she noticed Brendan and Paul Rowe getting to their feet. Throwing off her shawl, she rushed at them, levitated about five feet into the air, and delivered a fierce kick to the jaw of each warlock. They collapsed back onto the floor.

But Phoebe was too focused on them to notice a now-recovered Greg Rowe leaping at her from the stairs. "Pheebs, look out!" Piper cried.

The warning came too late. Greg tackled Phoebe and the two crashed to the floor, with Greg straddling her. She struggled to free herself as he raised his athamae to plunge it into her skull.

"No you don't!" shouted Piper. Her hands flashed out, and both warlock and athamae froze in mid-swing, as did his brothers while they were getting to their feet. But she knew there was no time for praise. "They won't stay frozen forever, Phoebe," said Piper warningly, "so you might want to slide out from under there."

Phoebe suddenly grinned. "I'll do you one better." She wiggled out from under the motionless warlock, leveled her heel at him, and kicked him hard in his manhood. The impact made Greg instantly unfreeze and double over with a yelp of pain.

Phoebe stood up, and her sisters joined her just as the Rowe Coven and the rest of the room unfroze.

Brendan and Paul rose to their feet, brushing wood chips off their dark clothing. Enraged that Prue had killed his pet, Paul hurled his athamae at her, but Piper swiftly exploded it in mid-flight with a flick of her wrist. She thrust out both hands to vanquish Paul, but he activated his force shield and deflected the blast back at Piper, sending her into the coffee table behind her.

"Piper!" cried Prue. Paige was already kneeling beside the prostrate Charmed One, running her glowing hands along Piper's body, as her concerned older sisters ran over to them.

"Enough screwing around!" Brendan shouted as he and Greg extended their force-shields as well. To the sisters' horror, the warlocks morphed into their true selves: Their heads and ears darkened and lengthened, their noses became broad, ridges and warts appeared on their faces, and their teeth and nails became long and sharp.

Paige shuddered. "Ew, they're ugly!" she said as Piper, now fully healed, regained consciousness and sat up. She froze when she found herself gazing into three pairs of pale, slitted warlock eyes.

"Not attractive," she said grimly. "And I've never been able to freeze them when they're in that state."

"Time to head upstairs," Prue said, her voice tense.

"We second, third, and fourth that motion," replied Phoebe as Piper and Paige stood.

"Oh, you want to run?" Brendan sneered. "We were just getting ready."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Phoebe taunted. "Drop your shields."

"We have a better idea," smirked Paul, and the Rowe brothers charged through their shields, disintegrating them.

"Paige, now!" Prue ordered, grabbing hands with Piper and Phoebe. The Witchlighter took hold of Piper's shoulder and the quartet dissolved in an orb cloud.

"They're headed for the attic!" shouted Greg. "After them!"

(X)

Prue grinned when she saw the trap ready and waiting as she and her sisters came out of orb in the attic. "I see we're good to go," she said.

Paige nodded. "Once the Rowe Coven is inside, slide that last crystal into place and we'll have them."

"Let's get ready," said Piper. "They'll be right --" Before she could complete her sentence, the three warlocks blinked into the attic and directly in back of the Charmed Ones.

"Behind you -- literally!" shouted Paige.

The sister witches elbowed their pursuers in the abdomen and followed Paige as she raced toward the crystal cage and through it. They turned to see the Rowe Coven coming after them in a tightly bunched group, just as they had hoped. Prue waited until all three were in the cage before telekinetically moving the last crystal into place with her eyes. A white energy shield ejected from each crystal, and the now-trapped warlocks collided with the power and fell back within the circle.

"NO!" Brendan roared. He and his brothers tried to punch their way out of the cage, screaming in pain when they could only electrocuted themselves.

"You shouldn't have been so eager," Paige smirked, "especially since we had home-field advantage."

Standing between her older sisters, Phoebe produced the vanquishing spell from the rear pocket of her jeans. Paige stood off to one side, watching and yearning to join them as they chanted, "Warlock foes, your days are done,
 As we three say this spell as one,
 No more shall Rowe Coven grow,
 We vanquish you to Hell below!"

The cage glowed with deadly power. The warlocks stared at their feet in terror, where flames suddenly exploded into being. "No, no, no!" they shrieked as the fire climbed their bodies, incinerating their clothes and skin. They desperately tried to beat it out with their hands, to no avail. The fire reached their necks and finally raced upward, consuming them. The screams of the warlocks were muffled by a great sphere of flame filling the cage, and when it dissipated, nothing remained of Greg, Paul, or Brendan Rowe, just a cloud of smoke that vanished within a matter of seconds.

The Charmed Ones took a deep breath of relief and smiled at one another. "We did it," Phoebe sighed happily.

"You bet we did," said Prue, placing an arm around Piper and Phoebe's shoulders. "We're the Power of Three." She turned to Paige. "Plus one," she added proudly.

The Witchlighter gave a radiant grin. Prue gestured for her to join them, which she did for a triumphant group hug.

(X)

The next morning, Paige still found herself in this alternate universe. She stayed in the manor that night with Piper and Prue's families. The manor was Piper's home, but Prue and Andy found it to be too much of hassle to head home after an overwhelming battle. Paige was grateful for the extra time with Prue, but they all had eventually gone to sleep.

Paige and Piper were currently sitting at the dining room table enjoying their coffee. This situation was very similar to that of her Ultimate Battle where the three sisters triumphed over their battle. This battle seemed more fulfilling for Paige, despite not knowing if this world was just a rewarding simulation. This time her friend wasn't hurt with the loss of a sister and they were able to bask in their glory with no guilt.

"I wonder what's taking Prue so long to get up," Piper pondered with Paige. "She's always been the first one up and last one down."

"I think I might've taken the Last One Down Award last night," Paige replied. Her sister shot her a questionable stare and Paige continued, "I was just up thinking about things."

"Like what?" Piper asked, taking a sip of her coffee from her black mug.

"Uh, where we really go from here now," Paige lied. "It's just strange that we'll be coming together a little less without being called to duty."

Piper nodded understandably, "I'm sure that it won't become that bad. I do admit that it seems possible that we may drift slightly, but you know we're going to be calling each other to say the smallest thing. We'll be fine, Paige."

Phoebe then walked in from the kitchen with a piece of buttered toast on a small plate. She scanned the table and said, "Prue is just taking her sweet time, isn't she? I'm surprised she didn't wake up when Andy left to the park with the guys and kids." She then joined her sisters at the table.

Footsteps were then heard coming down the steps and Prue turned the corner into the dining room with the Book of Shadows pressed against her chest. She smiled at her sisters as she set the Book down at the head of the table, "Morning."

Piper looked at her watch and said, "Or so you think its morning. It's noon, Prue. Phoebe had to come from her loft and was awake before you."

Prue chuckled, "Yeah, yeah, I lost track of time. I've been awake, I was just up in the attic just sitting with the Book of Shadows. It was strange flipping through the pages, seeing the past demons and recounting what we went through to win those battles."

Paige smiled as she had a feeling where this was going. She decided to push upon it, "So why did you bring the Book down? It's not to fight a demon, is it?"

The eldest smiled at her baby sister, "No, it's not. We've all been through a lot with nine years of fighting against Evil and I figured we would better prepare the generations that come after us. It's no doubt that we wouldn't have made it this far without the help of our ancestors and I don't want future witches..." she turned to Paige, "And Whitelighters of our line to not know how to handle a situation."

"So what exactly are you proposing we do?" Piper asked.

"We write down everything we want them to know. Even if it's something that occurred with our personal lives, we just leave our marking in time and tell our story," Prue answered. "Who we are, what we did and through time we'll keep adding little bit by little bit until it's time to pass down the Book to its next owner."

Phoebe gave a toothy grin, "I think our kids are going to be having a duel or two to get their hands on that Book. I say we push the idea of sharing while they're young a little more to avoid any future incidents. But for now, I'd like to start with writing an entry. Is that fine with everyone else?"

Piper took ahold of the tome and passed it along to Phoebe. "I hold no objection."

"Have at it," Paige said.

Prue slid out a pen from her pocket and rolled it across the table. "We'll give you some time to do this and I'm going to have some breakfast. If only there was a chef in the house..."

Piper smirked, "Scrambled or fried?" She stood up and Prue wrapped her arm around her. "Or are you thinkin' omelet?"

"Thatta girl," Prue responded. She turned back to Paige and asked, "You coming?"

"I actually think I'm going to just sit outside on the porch. I just need some time to myself to think things over," Paige said.

Prue and Piper nodded. "Well if you change your mind, we'll be in there as Phoebe writes away in here." The two then left for the kitchen as Phoebe was turning the pages to a fresh spot to start her entry.

Paige turned on her heel and left through the front door. She walked to the steps and just sat down. She had a strange feeling that the worst was about to happen. Her time with this world was coming to an end.

(X)

Close to an hour later, Prue called from inside the manor. Paige jumped to her feet and headed back inside where she saw her sister standing at the bottom of the steps.

"Okay, Phoebe went, Piper went and I just finished. We'll be upstairs helping Piper clean the attic," Prue announced. "She's cringing at the fact that it's still a little messy from yesterday, but she's happy knowing that it might just stay clean now."

"I bet she is," the Witchlighter replied. "I'll head on upstairs when I'm done."

Prue smiled and jogged up the steps.

Paige walked over to the table and saw the Book was still lying open with the pen in-between the crease. She pulled it out and curiosity got the best of her. She flipped all the way back to Phoebe's initial page. There were pages left blank between all the entries and Paige figured it to be reserved room for future add-ons. And then she spotted Phoebe's page...

So much has happened over the last nine years. So much has been gained and lost. But in the end, I feel as if all of our lives are at a new beginning... And it is. For I have loved before, but I've never truly known love until I met Coop. He's a man that has ended my search for love and helped me bring our daughter Melinda Penelope Halliwell into this world. She was long ago foreseen, but I had feared I'd never have her. I was so blessed to have an addition to an already strong family and now life without demons will open up new roads for me. For instance, I'll be allowed to devote more of my time to my family and work. I might be finished with protecting Innocents, but that doesn't mean that I'm done with helping others who need my advice.

Being the protectors of the Innocent has introduced us to wonderful people. Some of our best times were when we would be able to learn about the life of an Innocent and although it may be tough to introduce them to magic, if they're in the dark, it's necessary. Magic is something I wish could be open to the world, but the truth is that there are people who aren't ready for it and that has to be taken into consideration.

But to the witches and Whitelighters who read this, embrace your gifts. Times are going to be tough, don't expect an easy going lifestyle just because you're magical. While magic may have perks, it has responsibility that overcoats the fun. Remember the important lesson of how you're powers are linked with your emotions. If you're in control of yourself, you have the power to do anything.

The most important of Wiccan rules would be to avoid personal gain. Don't take advantage of your magic, cherish it. It can bring you the greater things in life. I have my husband and daughter to prove that to me.

The Witchlighter smiled upon finishing the entry. It was very similar to the one that Phoebe started in her world and Phoebe had been keeping up with her promises as well. The major difference about this entry was about her daughter Melinda and Phoebe's lessons. Paige turned the pages again and saw Piper's entry and read:

Our Ultimate Battle was a success. This has been a long fought battle for us and we've finally achieved what I hope to be a relaxing victory. At this point in time, we figure that the demons won't be resurfacing to challenge us after we defeated the greatest force of evil to ever exist. It took the four of us to do it, but it's done nonetheless and now I can begin to plan a life that I've chased after for some time now; a normal one.

I'm positive that Leo is going to continue with his duties as Magic School's Headmaster. He has decades of knowledge and what it takes to reach out to these children. He's a fantastic father to our two boys, always has been, and together we will educate our children about the life of a mortal and the good things magic can offer, as well as the negative aspect. Together Leo and I can do this, for he may be a mortal now, his teachings will leave him immortal in the hearts of our family and the students he educated.

As for me, I'm finally going to have the time needed to pay attention to my restaurant. It's time I put my cauldron away and consistently cook something other than potions for once. This is a dream that I'm living and now I'll be able to enjoy it without demonic interruptions. This dream is all the more rewarding because of my life as a Charmed One. Knowing that my sisters and I have saved lives of countless Innocents and how their lives changed afterwards is something I'll always remember with being a witch.

Paige finished reading and smiled at yet another entry. Back in her world, Piper started her entry off with things she'd like to achieve such as eventually opening a restaurant. In this world Piper already had that, but apparently has been granted more time to tend to it. The Witchlighter took a deep breath as she turned the pages for Prue's entry. She was sure that this was going to freshest of entries. She found Prue's page and admired the handwriting as Prue's penmanship was a delicate script.

Being a witch has never been a severe issue for me. My sisters and I endured great trials and tribulations, but as always, I knew I had my duty to watch over them. We've had each other's backs since we were children and that was a trait that had to remain stronger than ever with the added threats we encountered as witches. Nine years later, we're all alive and were successful in protecting the Innocent. It wasn't a job we asked for, but it was a job that we were destined to do and we all had our moments where we wanted to throw in the towel, but when a demon is running loose there is no waving a white flag. It'd be easier to put our needs before others and despite how seductive our needs may be, being a witch is an opportunity to do great things. I feel that my being a witch only made me stronger. It can do the same for others.

Unlike my sisters, I didn't meet the man I love through duty as a witch. Andy Trudeau has been my love for years and while it took him a while to accept magic for what it is, he was yet another example of a mortal with the capability of understanding magic's greatness. He once asked me, under very special circumstances, what would become of our children? I was still a freshman witch and I myself was under the impression that if we had a girl, she would be a witch, but a son would be mortal. I was mistaken, but I couldn't be happier for our son, Aaron Andrew Trudeau. He's our gift to the world as he is the eldest Halliwell of the Charmed children. We'll raise him with the safe life of a mortal endowed with the knowledge of a witch. Those precautions will keep him safe and knowing that he knows how to protect himself with his psychokinetic abilities helps me breathe cooly through each day.

The time will come for Aaron and his four cousins to take over the fight. We'll prepare them to the best of our abilities. I'm counting on Aaron to be able to protect his family and as long as I'm capable, I'm willing to stand by him for when he's starting out. My sisters and I took out some of the greater threats this world should ever see. There is always a chance for a new power to rise up to pose a great threat, but Warren Witches have the ability to overcome it.

An important lesson I'd like to present to those who read this would be about the value of your life. With magic comes a chance of an early death and that is why I advise that you embrace each day for what it is. You might be battling a demon one day and think you have the power to defeat him, but one wrong move may cost you your life. Keep this lesson close to your heart if you're to live long enough to one day be able to add to this Book with your own lessons and experiences.

And that was all Prue wrote. Paige was tearing as she again realized how much she missed out on without having her big sister in her life. Life could've been different. It wasn't horrible now, but it would be easier and this was a life she always had a desire to own. She then turned to see Prue, Piper and Phoebe staring at her from the doorway. Paige hadn't heard any footsteps, but began to feel a great pull towards the door.

Paige hovered off of her seat and glided towards her sisters in the greatest of confusion. The door swung open and Paige's body continued to soar through the house and magically made her vacate the manor. Prue stepped closer to the door and Paige had a feeling she was getting ready to pull her back with her powers, but she didn't. Prue extended her finger and telekinetically swung the door close on Paige as the Witchlighter was consumed in a golden glow.

Paige Halliwell left this world.

(X)

The golden glow reappeared in the hallway of Magic School, in front of the door that brought Paige into this world. She looked from the left and then to the right, confused. She did see Henry during her shift, but he wasn't who she was searching for. "Prue..." she whispered. She then put her hands on her head and dropped onto her bottom.

Henry ran to her side and kneeled down besides Paige and cupped her chin with his hand, "There you go. Are you alright?"

Paige nodded intensely to her sides and pushed her head back, removing it from Henry's hand. "I have to go back. How did I... Why did it end... Why?" She jumped to her feet and grabbed the knob and pushed the door open, waiting to be pulled into that world again. But nothing. An ordinary classroom was there. She took a few steps back and said with teary eyes, "I want to go back, Henry. Everything was good there...We were happy, our daughter was happy... And beautiful." She took a deep breath. "I love my life now, but things were set for us there."

Henry took ahold of her arms and said, "Calm down. Honey, calm down. The Elders told me you'd need some recovering after what you just went through, but wanted me to help you understand that this world has much promise as well. I'm still kinda lost as to what happened with you though."

A tear finally managed to escape Paige's eyes and slid down her cheek at a speed impossible to catch. She ignored his question and said, "It's just not fair to do that to me. To show me a world that could've been... And then to take it away? It's not fair."

"The Elders wanted me to tell you something else as well..." he knew his wife was very attentive now. "A new opportunity awaits you now. I personally have no idea what it is, but they have faith that you'll figure it out. I have faith you'll figure it out."

Paige just stared at him. She just experienced a world of change and now was about to change her own.

End of Chapter.

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Please be sure to leave top-notch reviews, if possible. In this next chapter, you'll see more of this chapter's very special guest star along with how Paige deals with it. Also, more about Henry's life will be revealed.

Final note, I'd like to thank Brandon (Temporal Death) for helping me work some bits together. Ross, for giving me some advice on how to better my entries and my great editor Patricia. You guys helped make this chapter better. Thanks.