TW: Thank you.
Magic School
Afternoon
In her office, Paige was planning out schedules as Miss Donavon caught her up on everything she had been missing.
"Seems like you've been doing a good job while I've been gone. Sorry I took so long off," Paige apologized as she made a note in a book.
"It's fine, but you are coming back, right?" Miss Donavon asked letting some uncertainty enter her voice.
Paige paused, letting the words mull over in her head. Honestly, she really didn't know. She could admit her heart wasn't in Magic School anymore, but she couldn't just leave them high and dry.
Paige was saved from answering when Piper walked in, holding a device that looked like a boomerang in her hand.
"Hey, Paige, can I talk to you for a minute?" Piper asked before spotting Miss Donavon. "Oh, I can come back later."
"It's fine. Miss Donavon, would you mind giving us a minute?" Paige asked and Miss Donavon nodded her agreement.
"Of course. But Paige, we will need to talk about this later," Miss Donavan said before walking out of the room.
"Everything alright?" Piper asked concerned.
"Yeah, fine. What's up, and what is that?" Paige asked as she gestured to the device Piper had in her hand.
"Well, this is what a demon used to try and kill Leo," Piper said and Paige sat up in alarm.
"Is he alright?"
"He's fine but I need you to scry with that thing and vanquish the demon. I'd do it myself but I need to get home and protect Leo," Piper said as she sat down in the chair in front of Paige's desk.
"Why didn't you just bring him here?" Paige asked confused.
"He's being stubborn, so I had to set some crystals to keep him safe," Piper said and Paige raised an eyebrow.
"He let you do this?"
"He doesn't know," Piper said.
"I think there's something you're not telling me Missy," Paige said lightly and Piper sighed in frustration.
"Leo and I are just having trouble adjusting to him being human again," Piper admitted.
"That would be a big adjustment," Paige agreed. "We're also gonna have to adjust to the fact that he can't heal us anymore."
"Or himself. And I don't want Wyatt or Chris having to tap into their powers before they're ready, so can you handle this?" Piper inquired.
"Absolutely," Paige promised and Piper nodded.
"You might want to take Clark, that thing is probably from some sort of Tribe," Piper said as she got to her feet.
"Clark is kind of taking the day off from Blur related activities. He's busy," Paige said and Piper raised an eyebrow.
"Doing what?"
Washington DC
Same time
As Martha made them both some tea, Clark looked around her apartment with interest. He had never actually found the time to come visit Martha in DC, even when he'd taken his brief hiatus from Clark Kent, he had merely placed a call and told her how to reach him.
It was a rather modest apartment for a Senator, nothing too fancy but was very comfortable. Exactly what he'd expect from his mother. He saw a few photos around the apartment and paused, staring at one of himself and his father.
"I miss him. Every day," Martha said softly as the tea finished and she saw Clark's attention on the photo.
"Me to," Clark said softly, both getting lost in their memories.
"So, what brings you by Clark? As good as it is to see you, I know my son well enough to know he didn't just call me on a whim," Martha noted as she poured them both a cup.
"You caught me," Clark said, smiling at his mother slightly abashed. "I assume you've heard about me and Lois?"
"Yes, I got a call from Chloe not long ago," Martha said and Clark straightened.
"You've heard from Chloe?"
"A few months ago. She said she'd be out of touch for a while. From what I saw of Oliver Queen's interview, I can guess enough to know what happened," Martha acknowledged. "She told me you and Lois were done and that you'd seek me out in a bit to talk. She seemed like she had this…foreknowledge. Was she right about you and Lois?"
"Yeah. Lois and I…just didn't work out. I didn't trust her when I should have. But I'm not here to talk about Lois," Clark said, surprising Martha. "But I am here to talk about… a woman."
"I see. Are you dating again?" Martha said as they sat down at the kitchen table.
"I wouldn't call it dating. But I know…care about her in a way I haven't cared about anyone but Lois in…a long time," Clark acknowledged awkwardly. "But it's…complicated."
"Because of your secret," Martha noted but Clark shook his head.
"No, she knows," Clark said, taking Martha aback. "I ran into her a few years ago, when I was on Red Kryptonite in Metropolis. I saved her life, she knows what I am, what I can do."
"Do you trust her?" Martha asked after a moment.
"With my life," Clark said without hesitation.
"Then what's the problem Clark?" Martha asked, not understanding.
"She's…not like any woman I've ever met. She seems to understand me in a way no one ever has. But my track record is not great. Lana, Kayla, Alicia, Lois, I screw up every relationship I've ever had. It's hard to explain but Paige and I will be in each other's lives regardless or whatever happens between us. I don't want to make things overcomplicated for her," Clark explained, confused by the smile that crossed Martha's face.
"You are your father's son, through and through. Jonathan would have those same worries about every decision he made regarding you. He never wanted his mistakes to impact you," Martha said, taking a moment to remember her husband fondly. "I can't tell you what to do Clark. But if this Paige is amazing enough to make you feel this way about her, then it's worth taking a chance. I had many failed relationships before I met your father. Your first love isn't the one you spend the rest of your life with Clark. When the one you're meant to be with walks into your life, you'll know."
"Lois said something similar to me once," Clark said with a slight laugh. "I guess you both have a point. I can't let fear hold me back. I've done that too often."
"It's easier to see our mistakes in hindsight. But if Paige is as amazing as the way it sounds when you talk about her, I have no doubt she feels the same way about you," Martha said with a smile.
"I hope so Mom," Clark muttered, not even sure how he was going to broach the topic with Paige.
Underworld
Later that day
Paige Orbed down into the Underworld after locating the demon. She would have brought Phoebe but her boss had unexpectedly placed Phoebe in charge of the paper temporarily, so Paige had decided to go it alone for the time being.
Paige had barely taken two steps when, in a flash of fire, Zankou had appeared in front of her.
"Greetings," Zankou declared as she looked at him perplexed.
"Zankou? What are you doing here?" Paige asked confused.
"Where are your other sisters?" Zankou asked, seeming perplexed by this.
"Why do you wanna know?" Paige demanded, feeling something was off about this.
"I have my reasons," Zankou smirked before snapping his fingers and various demons appeared behind him.
Realizing Zankou was behind the attack, Paige threw the vanquishing potion at the demons and some of them exploded with a cry. Zankou retaliated by shooting an energy ball but Paige dodged, taking cover behind a rock. Realizing she was outnumbered and outgunned, Paige Orbed away.
Halliwell Manor
Not long after
Orbing into the Manor, Paige paused as she saw the destruction in the sitting room and dining room.
"Piper? Leo?" she called out.
Becoming worried when she didn't get a response, Paige quickly ran through the house and found no one. Making her way up to the attic, Paige was surprised to find Wyatt and Chris alone, Wyatt sitting in front of a doll house.
"What are you two doing up here?" Paige asked as she walked over, picking Chris up out of his playpen. "Where's your Mommy and Daddy, huh? I saw what happened downstairs."
After a moment of thought, Paige rationalized she couldn't leave them there alone and since she didn't know where Piper and Leo were, it would be best to take them to Magic School. So she Orbed out with her nephews, unaware of Piper and Leo, who were trapped a few feet away in the doll house.
Kent Farm
Later that afternoon
After arriving back from seeing his mother, Clark was putting some food in Shelby's bowl when Paige Orbed in right in front of him.
"Hey, I'm glad you're back. I need your help," Paige said in a rush and Clark raised an eyebrow.
"What's going on?" Clark asked as he put Shelby's bowl in front of the dog.
"Zankou, this demon is after me and my sisters and I can't find Piper and Phoebe is trapped at work. Think you can come to the house and see if you can find anything?" Paige asked in a rush that Clark barely understood.
"This Zankou guy, how bad is he?" Clark inquired after a moment.
"Pretty bad. We worked with him once but that was the greater good. I don't think I can take him on my own," Paige explained and Clark nodded.
"Alright then. Let's go find Piper," Clark said a hint of steel entering his voice.
Halliwell Manor
Not long after
Paige Orbed Clark and herself into the Manor only to find themselves surrounded by Demons.
"Friends of yours?" Clark asked dryly as they looked around.
"Not exactly," Paige said uneasily as Zankou walked into the room.
"Well well well, who might you be?" Zankou asked as he appraised Clark.
"I'm gonna take a shot in the dark and say you're Zankou," Clark said as he eyed the demon.
"Indeed I am. And you are?" Zankou inquired as Clark ignored him, looking towards Paige.
"They're all demons?" Clark inquired and she nodded. "Good. That means I don't have to hold back."
Without another word, Clark shot a beam of heat vision at two of the demons, who cried out before they disintegrated. Taking advantage of the surprise, Paige threw a vial of vanquishing potion at one, which was vanquished as Clark sped over to another demon, punching him hard enough to snap his neck. As the demon disintegrated, Clark used his heat vision to vanquish the remaining demons until only Zankou was left. Zankou was still processing what had happened when Clark sped over, grabbed Zankou around the neck and slammed him against the wall.
"Where are Piper and Leo?" Clark demanded.
"I truly do not know. But I think it may be time for me to leave," Zankou said, seeing the tide had turned.
Without another word, Zankou shot an energy ball which stuck Clark in the side. Pain exploded in Clark and he cried out in pain, releasing Zankou before the demon shimmered out.
"Clark!" Paige cried out, rushing to Clark's side as he leaned against the wall.
Clark looked down at his side, grimacing as he saw the blood that now stained the bottom of his shirt. Paige lifted it up and they both grimaced at the sight of the large wound in his side.
"I'm vulnerable to magic. I shouldn't have let my guard down," Clark said with a grimace.
"You can beat yourself up later. Will you be alright?" Paige asked worriedly.
"I don't know. I think as long as I can get to the sun, I should be," Clark said weakly.
Paige nodded, placing her hands by the wound. And, to the surprise of both her and Clark, her hand glowed brightly and the wound was slowly healed.
"What was what?" Clark asked in surprise and Paige stared down at the spot where the wound had been for a moment before speaking.
"I think I just tapped into my inner Whitelighter," Paige said before looking back up at Clark. "I've never done that before."
"Well, I'm glad you did," Clark said with a smile.
Paige smiled tightly and then the air seemed to change between them, filled with a kind of tension neither could really explain.
Clark looked away after a moment, knowing now wasn't the time. And then he paused, using his super hearing.
"Clark? What is it?" Paige asked as she saw the look on his face.
"I think I hear something up in the attic," Clark said.
Warily, the two make their way up to the attic to find it empty. Confused, they exchanged a bewildered glance before Clark used his X-Ray vision and saw something over by the Book of Shadows. Walking over to it, he smiled, staring down at the tiny Piper and Leo.
"Well, that's one mystery solved," Clark said amused.
P3
Night
Paige sat down with Phoebe and a newly resized Piper and Leo, listening to the band as she explained about her ability to heal.
"I really don't even know how I did, it just…it felt natural," Paige said lamely.
"It is natural Paige. Being a Whitelighter is as much a part of you as being a witch. It's who you are Paige," Leo said sagely.
"I'm just noticing how suspicious it is that your healing powers kick in right as Clark gets hurt," Phoebe said teasingly and Paige rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Oh shut up," Paige said good naturedly before turning to Leo. "But while we're on the subject of your vast magical knowledge, there's something I wanted to talk to you about Leo."
"Sure, what is it?" Leo asked as her sisters looked at Paige curiously.
"Magic School, my heart's not in it anymore. It's like helping Clark, discovering my inner Whitelighter…it's like I found my calling, you know? And you're practically a walking Book of Shadows. So what do you say, feel like taking Magic School off my hands?" Paige asked as Leo stared at her for a moment, not quite processing what she was saying.
"I don't know," Leo hedged.
"It sounds like a great idea to me. Leo, you'd be great at it," Piper encouraged her husband.
"You were amazing as a Whitelighter, which is basically like being a teacher," Phoebe added and Leo mulled it over.
"Alright. Alright, if you're sure Paige," Leo said as he looked over at her.
"Oh I'm sure. By the way, you need to make up class schedules," Paige said cheekily and Leo shot her an amused look as she got to her feet. "Well, it's been nice, but I need to get back to the farm. Which is a sentence I never thought I'd say."
"Say hi to Clark for us," Piper said and Paige nodded.
"Will do," Paige said before she walked away.
"So, who do you think is gonna make the first move?" Phoebe asked Piper once Paige was out of earshot.
"I'm staying out of that. Besides, would make me a hypocrite to guess on a Whitelighter/Charge relationship," Piper said as she and Leo exchanged a look.
"Considering she healed him, I think it's only a matter of time," Leo said with a shrug.
Kent Farm
Not long after
Paige walked through the front door after Orbing in and saw Clark at the kitchen table, seeming deep in thought.
"Hey," Paige greeted and he looked up.
"Hey. Piper and Leo okay?" Clark asked and she nodded.
"Yeah, they're fine; I even got Leo to take Magic School off my hands. I think he'll be great at it," Paige said optimistically and Clark nodded.
"Good, that's good," Clark said and a silence descended in them.
"Is everything okay? Things go alright with your mom?" Paige asked, confused by Clark's strange behavior.
"Yeah, yeah everything's fine. I just have something to tell you and I'm…trying to put it into words," Clark said, still not sure how to say it.
"Well, I've learned that honesty is the best policy about this kind of thing. If you have something to tell me, just say it," Paige said and Clark took a deep breath.
"Okay…okay. When we first met, I had just had a relationship, probably the best relationship I've ever had, end," Clark started, briefly thinking of Lois, surprised to find it didn't hurt anymore before carrying on. "I was…drowning in my failures. And it was like you came along and saved me, pulled me out of the darkness and showed me the light again."
"You saved me to Clark. I had lost myself and you helped me find who I am again," Paige told him and Clark shook his head.
"You're not understanding what I'm trying to say. I had closed off any possibility of love; I thought I was destined to be alone. If it wasn't gonna work with Lois, I didn't think it would work with anyone. Then you walked into my life and I started to…feel things I thought I shouldn't," Clark said, looking at the stunned Paige. "I know it's complicated with you being my Whitelighter, but I like you Paige. And it's okay if you don't feel the same way, but I just needed to let you know how I feel."
"Clark…there are rules. Whitelighters aren't allowed to date their charges," Paige said softly.
"Didn't stop Leo and Piper. I know I'm new at this and there will be challenges, but I'm willing to face them all because I think you're worth it," Clark said, walking forward until barely an inch separated them. "If you have no feelings for me, that's fine Paige, I'll never bring it up again. But I've wasted a lot of time before in keeping silent about my feelings and missing out. I wasn't gonna make the same mistake with you. You deserve better than that."
It had been a long time since someone had said something like to Paige. In fact, Paige honestly couldn't ever recall a man saying something like this to her before. And she was tired. Tired of trying to push down feelings for Clark she knew she had, tired of letting the Elders dictate her family's relationships as they had done with her parents and with Leo and Piper.
So, before she lost her nerve, Paige grabbed Clark by his collar and pulled his face down to hers, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. And, as Clark wrapped his arms around her waist and returned the kiss, Paige knew that whatever came next, she would not allow herself to fall victim to the Elders the way her parents and sister had.
The events of 7x17 would obviously go easier with Clark there because a bunch of demons I not match for Superman.
I went back and forth about having Paige tap into her healing abilities but it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up tbh. It always bugged me that it took Paige so long to tap into that ability.
I don't consider myself a good writer of romance, so I hope I did okay on the Clark/Paige scene at the end.
Anyway, now that we're through that, buckle up, because I'm about to take you all for a ride by combining the concept of both a Smallville and Charmed episode. This is where the fun begins.
