Author's notes: Hey, I wanted to thank everyone reading and for those who're reviewing: 102 reviews is a big deal for me, I don't really believe that the number of reviews matter, but I -like any other author- enjoy hearing what other people think of my stories, so thank you very much for taking time to let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed or any of its original characters. I do, however, own this story line and any characters you're not familiar with.
P.S. Words in italics are either thoughts, dreams, or premonitions.
Jo (trying her best to hold back the tears): I'm not sure, our whole mission depended on Piper's survival and she's dead... I failed...
Voice (by the book of Shadows): That's what you think, and that's where you're wrong!
Jo and Jericho instantaneously stood up ready for whatever fight they're going to face, only to find a girl with a slim body, long brown hair and looked to be in her twenties. Actually she looked identical to Jo, Jericho noted.
Jericho: I'm confused, who are you?
Girl: I've always thought you were an idiot, you can't even recognize your own sister?
Jericho: Josephine?
Girl: You know I prefer Jo. (She then looked at Jo) Nice looks!
Jo: Very funny Jo.
Jericho (confused): Jo?
Josephine: It's not like I look any different!
Jericho: I know, but with Paige disguised as you it's kinda hard to differentiate, besides it isn't like you to show up in the past. Aren't you always glued to "Lord" Wyatt's side?
Josephine: How many times do I have to explain this? I had no choice!
Jericho: How the hell do you not have a choice when it comes to marrying the Source of All things evil?
Josephine: I didn't mean I had no choice in that. I loved Wyatt... I still do and I think there is a chance to change him!
Jericho: I think that chance flew out of the window when he killed my fiancée and kid!
Future Paige (frustrated to have to hear this argument for the hundredth time): Sorry to cut the family reunion, but to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?
Josephine (remembering the task at hand): I've been sent back on a special mission. I'm here to remind you of something you seem to have forgotten... Fate.
F. Paige: What do you mean?
Josephine: You came here originally knowing that Piper's death isn't something you can change, yet you turned your whole mission around trying to save her.
F. Paige: Because saving her would save Wyatt!
Josephine: That's your assumption.
F. Paige: When we were in the future, Wyatt could've killed me like he killed everyone else, you know that, but he told me he didn't need saving and he let me go back to the past.
Jericho (knowing that this was more important than fighting with his sister): Wyatt meant that he wasn't the one who needed saving, from my understanding. Who else could he have meant? If we stopped Piper's death, then Leo's death would've been preventable, and because Wyatt wouldn't be evil, everyone else's death wouldn't have happened.
Josephine: You reached that conclusion because you weren't looking at the bigger picture. You didn't bare in mind everything that you knew about Wyatt. Wyatt did mean that he wasn't the one who needed saving, he did imply that he wanted you to save his mother, but that was because of his own selfish hopes, not because it would stop him from becoming what he became.
F. Paige: What?
Josephine: Wyatt tricked you, he made you look in the wrong direction fearing that you will be able to "save" him by discovering that when Chris came to the past he figured out the truth. He had to steer you away from that truth!
F. Paige: What truth? Leo killed Gideon and we thought it was over, but Wyatt still turned out to be evil.
Josephine: The truth is that Gideon tried to kill Wyatt in Chris's future…only just like in that time, he found out that Wyatt can protect himself. So, he had to get him away so he could figure out how to do it.
F. Paige: Okay, the theory was by being taken away from us for weeks, maybe even months, constantly fending off Gideon's attack, Wyatt unintentionally turned evil. But that didn't happen, we saved Wyatt from that.
Josephine: Are you sure about that?
F. Paige: Yes, Wyatt wasn't with Gideon long enough to do any damage!
Josephine: That's where you're wrong. Wyatt watched Gideon kill Chris, then watched Leo kill Gideon.
Jericho (getting the point): Good people in his life killing other good people.
Josephine: That planted the seed of reversing his morality, that made him grow up thinking that it was okay to kill people to protect the ones you care about, or to defend your own beliefs.
F. Paige: But then why did the spell take me to this time? Why not send me back to when Chris came to stop that from happening?
Josephine: That's why I'm telling you, you keep forgetting about fate. Somethings aren't meant to change, and Chris received the chance to change the future, but even though he knew what turned Wyatt, he couldn't stop it, and he was killed which is part of why Wyatt turned evil.
F. Paige: What are you saying? That it's Wyatt's fate to be evil. You of all people don't believe that.
Josephine: No, Wyatt is destined for Good. I'm saying you should look at the bigger picture. Wyatt tricked you to save his mother, but that's not how you save him.
F. Paige: Then how? Because I ran out of ideas and theories!
Josephine: What happened to Wyatt after Piper died?
F. Paige: I don't know, he was too young to understand but he knew she wasn't coming back home and...
Josephine: Right after Piper died!
F. Paige: Hmmm... I dunno, I wasn't there!
Jericho (remembering from when he visited that time line before): He got kidnapped by Mass!
F. Paige: Right, Leo told me about that, but I don't know how it happened, and he was returned by the time I got back.
Josephine: That gap is your fall!
F. Paige: What?
Josephine: I can't tell you more.
F. Paige (almost whining): Jo.
Josephine: Do you have any idea how much trouble you put me in by that little stunt we pulled?
F. Paige: I know I'm sorry, we didn't exactly think this through.
Josephine: I had angry relatives of yours looking for me, and your daughter almost killed me! Which made my lovely husband extremely mad!
Jericho: You make my sick!
Josephine: We'll talk when you get home, maybe then you'll have an open mind about things.
Jericho: Like that's something I would ever accept!
Josephine: A year ago, when you were still living in the Underworld you would have. Actually you were accepting of it, I remember there was a time when you and Wyatt were even friends!
Jericho: Then I came back to my senses.
Josephine: No, then you fell in love. Look I have to go now. Just remember, somethings aren't meant to be changed, (then looking at Jo) and events that seem important may be the key to saving Wyatt. Good luck, I hope you figure it out... for all of our sakes!
Josephine disappeared in ball of light.
Jericho: Lights don't suit her! Couldn't they have worked out a better cosmic transport for the Queen of the Underworld?
F. Paige (shaking her head): Do you think she knew more?
Jericho: It's not a matter of knowing more, it's a matter of could she have told us more. Don't tell her I said this, but Josephine is good and I know it. Her down fall is that she loves Wyatt too much and he's crazy about her. If she could've done anything more to help, she would have. It's a good thing she came. I was starting to think there was no hope.
F. Paige: We still have no idea how to save Wyatt!
Jericho: I guess the answer is in that gap. You orbed out after Piper died right?
F. Paige: Yes, and I came back the next morning to be informed Wyatt was kidnapped but he was returned safely.
Jericho: How was he returned? Phoebe couldn't have possibly been able to get him back, and Leo is powerless!
F. Paige: I dunno, I didn't ask! I was overwhelmed with everything. Can't you just do your thing and go back and see what happened?
Jericho: No, we changed the time line so it has been erased.
F. Paige: But we know someone who can see what happened!
Dark circles were visible under Phoebe's eyes, and her eyes were blood shot red from all the crying. Coop was holding her as they listened to Jo and Jericho explain their new theory.
Phoebe: You're out of your mind!
Jo: Why? It makes perfect sense.
Phoebe: And your theory about changing the results of the battle with Mass made sense too, yet that didn't work, now did it?
Jo: It's all we've got!
Phoebe: We have got nothing! Piper is dead because you failed to warn us that she will die in the battle with Mass.
Jo: It wasn't relevant.
Phoebe: Like hell is wasn't! She's dead and your future is screwed! That's not a a coincidence!
Jo: I didn't know you were going to fight Mass today, it didn't happen until 2 more months in my time.
Phoebe: And you were the one who was warning us about things happening before they're supposed to because you're here! SHE'S DEAD AND IT'S YOUR FAULT!
Jo didn't reply, because she knew it was her fault. This time and when it actually happened in her time.
Jericho: Phoebe all we're asking, is that you try and get a premonition!
Phoebe (her anger not going away yet): Can't you travel to the past and save her?
Jericho: I'm afraid not, it's clear that there are somethings I can't change, and I tried as soon as it happened but it didn't work.
Phoebe: Why? You pace through time and space all the time, why is this time different?
Coop: He proved he was good, and that makes him unable to change things when he feels like it, because some things are just destined to happen.
Phoebe (looking at Jo): And you can't use your spell to get you to the past?
Jo: I'm afraid the spell was designed to send me back when I would get a chance to change the future.
Phoebe (putting her hand to her forehead): Where is Paige?
Jericho: She orbed out... We don't know where though.
Phoebe (looking back at Jo): But you do!
Jo: I can't tell you that... Not because of anything that you might think of, but it's something Paige needs to do.
Phoebe: Well we kinda need her right now!
Jericho: It might not work, it might work, we don't know; but we need you to try so we could figure out what to do next.
Phoebe seemed to consider Jericho's word, it wasn't like she would lose anything if she tried; in fact, it could save the future.
Phoebe: Fine!
Leo was holding Chris protectively and staring off into space, with tears running down his face, while Henry and Billie were talking and playing with Wyatt who was upset.
Coop, still holding Phoebe, walked in along with Jericho and Jo. Leo glanced at the group then avoided them all together because seeing Jo upset him.
Phoebe (clearing her throat and wiping the tears away): Hey can I borrow Wyatt for a minute?
Leo (while looking away): Why?
Phoebe: Jo and Jericho have a new theory about what turns Wyatt evil.
Leo: A new theory? That's what, the 5th in a month?
Phoebe: I know, I am skeptical too, but I just need to try to get a premonition off of Wyatt, if it doesn't work then we'll worry about it later.
Leo didn't acknowledge, Phoebe this time so she assumed it was an okay. Billie stood up allowing for Phoebe to sit down next to Wyatt.
Phoebe (chocking on her own tears): Hey Wy, do you mind giving me a hand with something?
Wyatt didn't look at Phoebe, but he gave her his hand.
Henry: Smart kid!
Phoebe closed her eyes, and willed her powers to work just this once. You owe me that! She thought hoping the elders would here her plea. Phoebe gasped as she was pulled into a premonition and Jo perked up along with Jericho.
Phoebe breathed heavily as the premonition ended.
Phoebe: Thank you Wyatt!
Jo: Phoebe what did you see?
Phoebe pointed her head towards outside the kitchen as to signal that they should do this somewhere else, as not to disturb everyone.
Phoebe (taking a deep breath): Mass returned Wyatt.
Jo: What?
Phoebe: You said Wyatt was kidnapped and you had no idea who returned him. Mass brought Wyatt back with no one seeing him, because Mass got what he wanted.
Jo: Which is what?
Phoebe (closing his eyes): Wyatt killed an innocent.
Jo: What? How? Why?
Phoebe: I'm not sure exactly the premonition was really fuzzy, but Mass tricked him somehow, made him think that the innocent was him. Wyatt knew Mass harmed his mother, so he wanted to vanquish him, but instead he killed the innocent.
Jo: I had no idea.
Coop: No one did, that's why Wyatt grew to be evil right under everyone's nose.
Jo: But this didn't happen now, Wyatt is with Leo in the kitchen. Does this mean we changed the future?
Jericho: No, the future is still the same. Which would mean Wyatt still kills an innocent, but just a little bit later.
Phoebe nodded in agreement.
Jo: When?
Phoebe: That we don't know, and I don't think we will know.
Jo: But if I'm meant to save the future it must mean we stop it somehow. Do you think you can try to get another premonition?
Phoebe: Not from Wyatt...
Jo: Then try me!
Phoebe nodded and took Jo's hand. But no matter how hard Phoebe wished it to happen, it just didn't. She was however pulled in another premonition surprisingly.
Premonition 1
Mass laughed evilly as he pulled the trigger, releasing the arrow. Paige heard the unmistakable sound of the arrow, but as she commanded the arrow to orb away, the arrow kept on going in her direction.
Piper pushed a very pregnant Paige back into the couch right before the arrow would hit her, having no time to get out of the way herself, the arrow pierced through her heart. Piper's mouth was held open in a silent scream of agony as she dropped to her knees, then to the ground...
Phoebe: NOOOO!
Premonition 2
Mass laughed evilly as he pulled the trigger, releasing the arrow. Paige heard the unmistakable sound of the arrow, but as she commanded the arrow to orb away, the arrow kept on going in her direction.
Piper pushed Paige back into the couch right before the arrow would hit her, having no time to get out of the way herself, the arrow pierced through her heart. Piper's mouth was held open in a silent scream of agony as she dropped to her knees, then to the ground...
Jo (shimmering in with Jericho just in time to see what happened): NOOOO!
End of Premonition
Phoebe started sobbing as she saw the part she missed when she was knocked out during the fight, how her sister died, and what she assumed how it happened in Jo's world. Not only that, she felt everything Piper felt, and it made her cry even more. Piper didn't know it was going to kill her, she was just thinking about Paige.
Jo (confused): Phoebe?
Phoebe (screaming): You let her die again!
Jo: What?
Phoebe: You knew how it happened, exactly how it happened and you didn't do anything to stop it.
Jo (assuming she was talking about Piper): I didn't know it was happening today.
Phoebe: YOU'RE THE REASON SHE'S DEAD.
Phoebe wanted to move towards Jo, but Coop restrained her while Jo took a step back.
Phoebe: LET ME GO, God DAMN IT, LET ME GO, LET ME GO, let me go!
Phoebe was fighting against Coop but then just melted into his embrace sobbing.
Jo (starting to cry): I know I'm the fuckin' reason she's dead, both times! It should've been me the first time, and I should've been able to stop it from happening again, but I couldn't! I know it's my fault... How do you think I feel? Huh? Did you think about that? I watched her die twice! TWICE... and I never got over it the first time. Do you wanna know where your Paige is right now? She's on the Golden Gate Bridge drowning herself in her sorrow!
Jo: Because she thinks it's her fault... because I've always knew it was my fault! She blamed me at first, but then it's essentially blaming herself... She is willing to do anything including giving herself up, hoping that somehow that would bring Piper back.
Phoebe gasped at the sudden burst of emotions, Jo has been holding her grief behind a mask of anger and superiority, but now all that was gone. All that was left was the shell of the person she used to be. Hopelessness and grief made her heart heavy, while shame and guilt choked her.
Jo left the kitchen, and Jericho just watched her leave knowing that she's been haunted by what happened to Piper her entire life, in her dreams, in her thoughts, whenever something good happened and she'd realize Piper is not there to see it because of her. No body else blamed Jo for what happened, but because she believed it should've been her who died that day, she blamed herself. He was told she recoiled within herself, and buried herself in her grief and refused to open to the outside world until a talk with someone and her son's birth snapped her back to reality.
Jo sat in the sun room on the rocking chair with her feet propped up on the table just like she was doing this morning, only now everything was different. Her face was lined with unspoken sorrow and her eyes shone with the tears she shed. She was holding the athame that got broken this morning. It was a gift from Piper, that's why she was surprised Piper didn't recognize it. Piper gave it to her when she first became a witch.
She was holding the broken athame for a reason other than to remember her sister now though. The athame breaking was her sign that Piper would die that day. It happened in the past, the morning of the day Piper died as well, but she magically repaired it. She should've realized that this was a warning sign, she should've remembered but she didn't and Piper was now dead...again.
T.B.C
"The guilty one is not he who commits the sin, but the one who causes the darkness." - Victor Hugo.
Author's notes: Funny how this turned out longer than it should have -actually it is the longest chapter in the whole story- , but I didn't want to divide it in two chapters again.
If you're interested, the reason I chose the voice to belong to 'the real' Josephine Bram is just to tie some loose ends. Up until now, she hasn't been properly introduced, and you knew nothing about her.
Next chapter will be the last... I think (I never know, this story has a mind of its own) and I might put a short epilogue afterwards just to make sure all secrets are revealed and explained, so if there's anything not clear please don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you for reading, hope you tell me what you think!