Revelations of the Ultimate Kind

by PrueAndyForever

NEW CHAPTER. Piper, Phoebe and Paige try to move on with their lives after the Ultimate Battle but come to learn some shocking truths about their oldest sister. A new prophecy is unearthed, an old evil is resurrected, and Billie uncovers a secret.

44. The Fate We Make

A|N: Okay, I know it's been a while again since an update. I had a rough couple of years, a health issue back in October of 2021 shortly after my dad passed, and my focus did have to go into self-care for a while. Then, at the end of 2023, I lost my mom, and 2 of my cats three months in a row. It sucked.

Thanks for that awesome and very detailed review, AmandaH109. Prue and Andy were my favorite ship too, lol. I felt so bummed when they killed Andy off at the end of the first season; there was so much more they could have done with him and his relationship with Prue. I remember hearing the actor decided to move on.

I also gave the reboot a shot, but it wasn't for me. My preference would have been a return with our originals and a continuation with their story. Glad to hear you liked the Billie twist, I noticed there tends to be a mixed reaction to her character. Some Charmed fans don't like her. I did like her, so I wanted to give her more of a connection inside the Charmed universe. Happy you have enjoyed the story so far.

So, something awesome did happen amongst everything else. In March 2023, I got to attend 90s Con in Hartford CT. Got a photo op with three of our Charmed ladies: Shannen, Rose, and Holly. Got a selfie autograph with Shannen & Brian Krause, an autograph from Dorian Gregory, and attended the Charmed panel. The lines were too long, I just couldn't get to Holly and Rose too. Maybe another time. I was in line for over 3 hours to see Shannen; I couldn't afford a VIP pass, and even if I could, they were sold out anyway, lol. I even got to ask a question at the Charmed panel, it was great, never thought I'd get to experience one of these conventions myself.

Once again, to get back into the swing of things, I've gone into my previous chapters to get my writing muse back. Did some Charmed rewatches. If you happen to do a reread, you may notice some edits, revamped sections, or added dialogue. The story is still exactly the same, this just helps me improve my writing.

New Chapter begins now ...

---

Chapter 43: The Fate We Make

"And where exactly do you think you're going?" a slurred voice beckoned.

Fifteen-year-old Molly swiped past, an open duffel bag in hand. Making a face, she passed by the other person in her bedroom and didn't even bother to look. Taking swift and determined strides in the direction of her closet, she could practically smell the intoxication pouring off him. Ick. It made her gag. She was so tired of this. Quickly, she began yanking clothes items off of hangers, shoving them haphazardly into her bag.

"Hey!" the voice demanded, after being ignored. He stepped forward, yanking the duffel bag away. "I'm talking to you!"

Molly glared at her father. "Give it back!" she went to grab for it.

"Answer me," he moved it out of her reach.

She reached a second time, but it was another unsuccessful attempt.

"You can't just take off whenever you feel like it," he scolded.

"I'm not taking off," she countered. "I'm leaving. For good this time."

"Oh, is that a fact?" he almost laughed. "I got news for you, kiddo, you're only fifteen; you're not going anywhere."

Molly moved away from her closet. "Yes, I am," she retorted defiantly.

"Go to bed," he ordered, refusing to entertain the nonsense any further. "It's after midnight."

"No," she refused.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm not spending another night here," she told him, kicking herself for not packing the night before. She could have been ready to just slip through her window and perhaps would have avoided a confrontation like this all together.

Andy threw her a stern look. "Knock it off!" he shouted. "You live under my roof, that means you live by my rules."

"Not anymore," Molly refuted. "I'm going to Aunt Piper's," she informed him. "She and Uncle Leo said if I ever needed anything, all I had to do was ask."

"No, absolutely not!" he objected immediately. "It's out of the question." The direction this argument just headed in was sobering him up fast.

"I'm going," Molly insisted. "And if I can't stay there, then I'll just ask Billie if I can stay with her. Or I'll go to Aunt Phoebe's, or I'll ask Aunt Paige," she listed off.

"Molly?" Andy's voice rose. "You're testing my patience," he warned, a bit taken back by her flagrant disrespect. Then again, it wasn't that shocking things had escalated to this. Even he could admit that on some level.

"And you're a drunk!" she retorted.

"And you're grounded!" Andy shot back. "I'm your father, and you don't get to speak to me like that!" he scolded.

"Since when," Molly challenged. "When are you a dad, seriously, cuz' I'd like to know. While sleeping off whatever half empty bottle you have left waiting underneath the bed."

"Molly ... " he tried to interject but was cut off.

"And when you're not working, you can barely get out of bed. I get up every morning, I make breakfast, I do dinner, and I get us to school on time. I check all the homework. make sure the chores around the house get done," she listed off with her fingers.

Andy looked away, his face masking some of the shame he felt.

"When you're here, you're not actually here," Molly let out her frustration. "I'm so done," tears were brimming her eyes.

It hadn't always been this way, but it had gotten progressively worse over the past year or so. Things had been slowly unraveling and falling apart since her mother's death. She loved her father, but it all had become too much.

"Look," Andy sighed, "I know it's been a bit rough, but things are going to change," he tried placating her. "I promise."

"Rough?" Molly's eyes went wide, her body language reflecting the weariness she felt. Rough was an understatement. And how many times had she heard that things were going to change, get better, she thought to herself. "Dad, get help."

Uncle Coop tried stepping in when her father's problem had just gotten off the ground. Coop had experienced his own demons during a very dark time of his mortal life, before becoming a Cupid. He understood the downward spiral and the path Andy could be heading down if he didn't stop but her father would have none of it. He rejected anything to do with her mother's family. Along the way, Andy had morphed into a functioning alcoholic; however, despite being able to hold down a job, he was pretty much absent in every other way.

"I can't let you go live at the Manor," he lowered his tone, shaking his head. "It's too dangerous."

"Too dangerous," she repeated. "Why?" she played dumb.

"You heard what I said, it's not safe," Andy stressed, refusing to get into the details.

"Fine," Molly shrugged. "Then I'm going to Billie's."

"No, you're not," Andy shot it down.

Molly huffed. "You are unbelievable, what's the excuse this time?"

"Hey, I don't need to justify my reasons to you; this isn't a negotiation," he yelled back.

"You're right, it's not, it's a prison sentence," Molly accused. "Billie comes and goes from the Manor all the time. She doesn't have to hear your lectures on how unsafe," she made air quotes, "you think it is."

"Billie's an adult," Andy countered, making it a point to remind her. "Her choices are her own ... her life, her business," he stopped short.

"Right," Molly snorted, she wasn't buying it. "You barely have anything to do with her. Is that why, because she's an adult," she mocked. Molly knew the real reason. It was because Billie had chosen to keep that life. "At least she got a choice."

Andy narrowed his eyes at her. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what it means," Molly's voice was cracking, full of emotion. "Just because you wanted to erase Mom from your life, didn't mean we had to too."

Andy shut his eyes. "Hold up ... " he began to protest, shaking his head, but Molly wasn't finished.

"We can't just keep pretending!" she fired, determined to make her feelings known. "It's my life!" she shouted. "I think I get a say in how I want to live it."

Andy was looking directly at her again and losing his grip. "Molly, listen and listen good, when you're all grown up, have at it," he threw back at her. "Until then, I say it's not safe and you're not going," he refused to back down. "The end."

"No, you just don't care," she shook her head, feeling dejected.

"I care. Everything I've done, I've done to protect you!" he defended, pointing at her.

"You did it for yourself."

"No, I made a decision as your father to keep you safe!" he reinforced. "And you are."

"So, when you asked Aunt Piper, and Aunt Phoebe, and Aunt Paige to get rid of my powers, it was to keep me safe?" Molly challenged, still not believing it. "You know what I think; I think it was done to run away."

Andy closed his eyes. "How did you find out about that?"

"It doesn't matter," she threw back, feeling a bit betrayed. "You lied to me. You said when mom died, they just went away."

Andy didn't respond right away. Afterall, he couldn't deny it, but he wasn't about to apologize for it either. "Yeah, okay, I lied," he shrugged, his tone calm.

"And that's ok?"

"In this situation, absolutely," her father stood his ground. "And I know it's not what you want to hear, but I won't stand here and tell you I'm sorry for keeping you away from that life, because I'm not," he shook his head, firm in his resolve.

Molly moved to go sit down on her bed. "I wouldn't have to worry about being at the "Manor," she referred to her mother's ancestral home, "if I still had my powers to protect myself."

"Having them is what attracts the danger," countered her father.

"They helped me when I got kidnapped," she stressed, throwing in the reminder about her abduction all those years back. Without the powers, she never would have stood a chance escaping the Underworld on her own.

"Which never would have happened in the first place if you hadn't had them to begin with," he reasoned. "That made you a target." Andy shot up his hand. "Look, it's irrelevant."

Molly shook her head. "Of course you think that. Did you think I would just forget about them or something?" she questioned.

Andy stared, "No, I just made sure very bad things could never find you again."

There was an uneasy moment of silence.

"You wanted normal kids," Molly put him on the spot. "Admit it."

"Okay, for starters," Andy held his hand up, "nothing wrong with normal," he defended, looking her in the eyes, "but that couldn't be further from the truth."

"Sure," Molly didn't believe him. "We're not normal enough for you. Well, you know what, I've tried the whole normal thing and it's not cutting it anymore."

"Then try harder," her father's eyes widened.

"Why even be with Mom if you were against everything she was, and what we are," she accused him next.

A flash of hurt passed through her father's eyes.

"Hey, I wasn't against ... " Andy sighed, doing his best to remain calm. He wasn't going to let himself get sucked into this again. "Drop it," he demanded sternly. "I mean it."

"Then why won't you talk about her?"

Andy felt cornered. "It was complicated. And it doesn't matter," he settled on. "Not anymore."

"It matters to me."

"Hey, listen," Andy attempted to diffuse things, "if you feel like we need a break from each other, I get it. I'll call your grandmother in the morning," he offered up. "But I can't let you go to the Manor."

"But ..." Molly began to protest.

"My answer is final," he left no room for argument.

A scowl appeared on Molly's face. "Grandma Sara said she was renovating this summer. There wouldn't even be anywhere to sleep, besides, I don't want to stay with her. I want to go to Aunt Piper's," she was determined, refusing to let it go.

"Well, you can't stay at Piper's, or with any of them for that matter, because I've already told you why," Andy's teeth were clenching. "And you don't have to like it."

Molly crossed her arms and huffed. "You can't keep me here forever."

"Maybe not but tonight I can."

There was a stare down.

More silence.

"Go ahead. Stay angry, hate me, whatever you want," Andy told her point blank. "Just get some sleep." He turned to leave. "I certainly need it."

"Can I please have my bag?" Molly called out, refusing to look her father in the face. She was angry and wasn't doing very much to conceal it. "I may not have mom, but I'd like to have her camera and her pictures."

Andy gazed down at the duffel bag still in hand.

"You know, if mom were still here ..."

"But she's not," Andy cut her off, raising his voice a notch and speaking over her.

Involuntarily, Molly flinched, and she didn't say another word.

Walking over to the bed, Andy deposited the bag on top of the mattress beside his daughter. "She's not here. Is she?" his voice lowered back down. He silently moved to exit the bedroom when his cell phone went off. Stopping, he pulled it from his pocket and answered. "Yeah, Andy here."

"Andy?" the voice on the other end sounded miffed. "Hey, man, get your shit together! C'mon, you know I'm a mandated reporter."

Andy's eyes met with Molly's.

With a guilty expression in place, Molly shifted her gaze away from him. She knew who was on the other end of the call.

"Right, not a good time, Darryl, we'll talk later," Andy's response was brief. He ended the call, bringing his phone down. His eyes never left his daughter. "You called Darryl."

"Yeah, I did," she admitted. "I needed someone to talk to."

In truth, Molly had felt bad about going behind her father's back in that way, but she had to try and didn't know what else to do. Besides, everything she said had been the truth. As her father turned back around, not another word was exchanged between them as Andy left the room. Molly watched him go.

The loud slam of the door made her jump.

Her attention fell to the pillow. The small, worn-out looking teddy bear was still left leaning against it. She had forgotten to pack it. Reaching for it, she brought it against her chest. The feel of the soft brown material brought back memories. She smiled; this little guy used to bring her so much comfort. In the days following her mother's death, it had found its way out of storage and back onto her bed. The memory of squeezing it tightly each night came to mind, the image of closing her eyes tightly and picturing her mother as if she were still there, alive and well, smiling and laughing, right before she would fall into a deep sleep. The little guy had seen better days, yet it was also the same bear her parents had held onto during the time she was missing, after she had been taken.

A life her father was so vehemently opposed to.

Molly parted her duffel bag and placed the teddy bear in with the rest of her stuff. "If mom were here, she'd understand."

Her father was going to be mad but, in her heart, she knew she was making the right decision. She intended to sneak out before dawn; it wouldn't be very long until her dad passed out for the night anyway.

"Hey! Sleeping Beauty," a voice broke through the deep barrier of sleep. "Time to wake up."

Future Molly stirred but didn't open her eyes right away.

"Did you hear me?"

"Go away," Future Molly mumbled, her eyelids fluttering open and squinting against the light from above. Well, what passed for light inside of the dark and dank atmosphere that was the Underworld. This place still gave her the shudders. She had gotten tired and had been dreaming about the past again. Remembering it did very little to motivate her.

"I said time to get going, pretty princess," the voice mocked. "Nap time is over."

Molly felt someone's foot nudging at her side. "Hey!" she protested, her sight slowly coming back into focus. She made out a figure squatting down in front of her. "Sarah?"

Sarah sneered. "Who else."

Molly's face dropped. "What do you want?"

"Yeah, try not to get too excited," Sarah rolled her eyes, chomping down on her gum. Noticing Molly's attention falling on her chewing, she thrust her hand out at her. "Gum?" she offered, plastering on a fake smile. "Got it off the scumbags dusted in the alley," she laughed at the expense of the two men taken out by the demons not that long ago. Noting the look of disgust, she smirked. "Hey, just because those morons were dumb enough to go and get themselves unalived, doesn't mean a good pack of this has to go to waste, now does it," she winked.

"Ugh, no," Molly shoved her arm away. Sitting up, she looked around. "Where's Mel?"

"On a little tour," Sarah stood back up, supplying a cryptic answer. "And don't bother trying your little mind trick, you're not going to get anything that way."

Molly noticed Wyatt was mysteriously absent as well. After getting to her feet, she faced off with Sarah. "If you did anything to her, I swear ..." she began issuing a threat.

"Relax," Sarah immediately cut her off. "Nobody iced your magical party pal, k?" she threw in the personal dig.

Future Molly turned and began pacing the wall away from her, refusing to engage any further.

"Must be nice taking those kinds of bonds for granted though, huh?" Sarah baited. "Cause you never know, just like that," she snapped her fingers, "it can be gone."

Shaking her head, Molly narrowed her eyes.

"Of course," Sarah sighed, putting on a show, "I wouldn't know." However, the resentment was still clear. "Saved me a lot of useless time. And pain."

Screw it, Molly thought. "And a heart," she snidely returned.

"Cute," Sarah dropped the act, a scowl appearing on her face.

"What can I say," Molly sighed, "real relationships actually take work. Try it some time."

"Yeah, well, you know what they say. It takes two," Sarah retorted.

"Hey, it wasn't my fault," Molly denied, allowing herself to momentarily become stuck in the past. Theirs was a rocky one, there was no denying that; however, getting into any of it now would just be a waste of time.

"Did I strike a chord?"

"You wish," she threw back, folding her arms and turning away. No more taking the bait, Molly thought.

"Sucks getting left behind," Sarah titled her head to the side.

"Nobody's getting left behind," an unexpected voice interrupted the banter and both women turned to see Future Melinda coming into view.

Future Wyatt was close behind.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Future Molly saw she was okay. "Thank god."

"Let's just get this show on the road," Future Melinda threw at Sarah, passing by her. They glared at each other as she rejoined Molly.

"Gladly," Sarah sneered. "The less I have to see or be anywhere near you, the better."

"Likewise, brat," Melinda reciprocated. "You can go back to playing follow the leader now," she mocked in a baby voice, nodding towards her brother.

"Where did you go?" Future Molly whispered to Melinda.

"Sight-seeing," she answered.

Future Molly shot off a confused expression.

"Trust me," Future Melinda threw up a hand to halt any more questions.

Future Wyatt joined Sarah. "Gideon and company shouldn't be none the wiser until we're actually gone," he informed the group.

"And ..." Future Melinda reiterated, "part of the deal," she eyed her brother regarding their agreement to this arrangement, "is we hand those items off to The Charmed Ones," she nodded at him, referring to both the box and stones still in his possession.

"Then what?" Future Molly pushed.

"Then he's their problem, not ours," Future Wyatt answered, void of any emotion. "Much like the rest of the Triad."

"Right, tell us again how much you care, without telling us how much you really care," mocked Future Molly, annoyed by his apathetic nature to the evil their family would need to go up against.

"I don't," Future Wyatt retorted. "I'm not doing this because I care; I'm doing it to get home, plain and simple. So don't forget your end of the agreement," he shot his eyes over to his sister, reminding her of his terms for the deal. "You get the sisters to go along with this or else the items, as you put it," he spoke to Mel directly, "find a new permanent home with me." He then looked between Molly and Melinda. "Are we clear?"

"Sure," Future Molly sneered, "understanding isn't the problem. Trusting you is."

"Once they get their hands on them, then the sisters can take care of it," Future Melinda finished explaining to Molly. "Two less magical items out of evil's reach."

Future Molly relented. "Right, okay," she nodded in agreement.

"But first, some reinforcement," Future Wyatt announced, grabbing their attention. He extended his hand to reveal the demon bell.

Future Molly and Melinda looked to each other.

"Nice," Sarah nodded in approval.

"Is that necessary?" Future Molly voiced her objection.

"No, but it'll make quite an entrance," Future Wyatt countered her. "Don't you agree?"

Molly moved to make a retort when Melinda grabbed for her arm, sending her the clear message to let it go. She shook her head. It wasn't worth it, they needed to get home, and the sisters needed those artifacts.

"This should be fun," Sarah bit down against her lower lip.

Future Wyatt smirked. "Ready?" he called out, before the beast was unleashed.

Future Melinda and Molly begrudgingly took their positions as they prepared for their destination.

X

Manor

Inside the conservatory, Prue was distracted with potions.

Future Chris stood pacing back and forth, contemplating the plan. The potions were back up in case things went south and the girls didn't come back alone or if, barring all else, the crystal shielding failed. Phoebe and Billie had been preparing them in the kitchen, delivering them as they were finished even though everyone was banking on the plan actually working, counting on the girls returning with what was needed. However, they still knew they needed to be practical. This was Gideon after all. He was not an average run of the mill demon. He used to be an Elder on the Council; he knew their ways better than anyone.

"Chris, relax," Prue advised, while arranging the potion vials.

Chris shook his head. He wasn't feeling it. "Right, relax. Remind me again why I've been relegated to back-up bystander if we come under attack?" he vented his irritation.

Halting what she was doing, Prue looked up at him. "Because, I don't have my powers and you're the only other one of us who can offer a distraction, send the demons flying fast enough to give me enough time to aim the potions," she told him.

"Yeah, if it gets that far. Can you say long shot?" Future Chris stopped pacing.

"It gives us the element of surprise."

"Okay, maybe, but what about Billie? Her telekinetic power could do the deed just as easily as mine," he pointed out the obvious.

"She's paired up with Paige," Prue reminded him.

"No, Billie gets to be part of the actual offense which is where I should be," Future Chris resumed pacing again.

Prue sighed. "Hey, I get it. I'm not exactly standing on the front lines either."

Andy walked into the room. "Hey," he called out.

"Hey," Prue greeted back.

"Shouldn't you be upstairs ready to take cover?" Future Chris interjected.

Andy turned. "Yeah, but right now, I don't really see anything to take cover from," he made a pretense of looking around the empty room. "No demons."

"Yet," Chris threw in.

"At this point, does it really matter where I am," Andy addressed the younger man.

Future Chris thought about it. "In this house? No, not really."

"Exactly," Andy was satisfied he had made his point.

"Still," Future Chris countered, "placing yourself in the direct line of fire, not a good idea."

"Oh, believe me," Andy smirked, nodding his head, "I already know." He was recalling the unfortunate events that led to his own demise in the Manor eight years ago. Sighing, he turned his attention back to Prue.

"How are you holding up?" Prue asked.

"Hoping that none of this will be necessary," he answered honestly.

"Yeah, I hear ya," Prue nodded her agreement. "Do you know if Paige and Billie are finished setting up the crystals?"

"No," Andy told her, as he came to sit beside her. "Sorry."

"I'm sure they're on it," Prue found herself growing a little anxious. "So, you know the plan, right," she turned, looking him in the eyes. "You know what to do?"

Andy smirked. "Yes, Prue, we've been over it. Three times," he added, nodding at her.

"I know, but ..." Prue closed her eyes, beginning to protest.

"Don't worry," Andy interjected over her. "I'll stay out of sight, upstairs, until the girls meet back, and we know it's safe."

"Right, just checking in," Prue accepted, but still feeling nervous. "Chris is right, though, you should probably go." Andy was the only other mortal besides Henry, but Henry had already gone back to his own apartment after returning from the Magic School.

"It'll be fine," Andy tried reassuring her. He affectionately reached out, moving a wisp of hair away from her forehead. "Honestly, I'm probably the one who should be worried."

Prue arched her brows.

"You," he looked from her and then nodded towards her waist. "And the baby."

"Ah, right," Prue acknowledged. "We'll be fine," she assured him. "Besides, I'm not the only one doing all this pregnant," she thought of Piper. "This all kind of just comes with the territory. The Underworld doesn't really offer family leave if you know what I mean," she cracked.

"Piper has firepower, you don't," Andy countered, not wanting her to downplay the seriousness behind his concerns. "And she's not here."

Their stares locked.

"True," Prue accepted, "but I can still handle myself," she insisted.

Andy gave her a look with his eyes.

"Andy, I'll be careful," she pushed. "You just do the same."

Witnessing the exchange, Future Chris lifted his brows. Slowly, they began moving in closer until their lips were only inches apart. Rolling his eyes, he interrupted. "Hey, you guys want to be alone or something?" Subtlty was never his strong suit. "Your bad timing is impeccable. Cuz' we have a job to do here," he added on. "Make up sessions should only count if we actually make it out of this alive."

It broke the moment.

After pulling away from each other, Prue and Andy turned to eye him.

"Right," Chris nodded. "Have at it; I'll just go find Paige. Or Billie. And see if they can use a third wheel," he cracked, pointing over his shoulder.

After Chris was gone, Andy let out a laugh. "Well, it can't really get much more awkward than that."

"Yeah, poor kid," Prue could empathize with her nephew. "I get it. Feeling like you should be doing more."

Andy sighed. Without her powers, he understood she was feeling more left out and like a burden rather than a team player. "Still not sure how we're even supposed to fix it."

"No idea," Prue reflected on it, "but we'll have plenty of time to figure it out after we get through this first because Chris was right. We do have a job to get done."

Andy nodded, agreeing, but then decided to reach out and pull her in for a kiss anyway. She closed her eyes at the contact, slowly opening them back up after their lips began to separate. "For luck," he made up on the spot.

"Right, for luck," Prue accepted. Andy didn't pull back right away so she leaned back in and left a slow but gentle peck on his lips.

"And what was that for?" he inquired in a soft voice.

Prue shrugged. "Just ... for luck," she settled on. Clearing her throat, she returned her focus to the task at hand.

x

"And last one," Paige announced, placing the final crystal hanging just above the front door in the foyer. "Finally," she breathed out.

"Yee haw," Billie sighed.

Paige shot her a look. "Huh."

"Oh, yeah, that, JD and I, before all the craziness broke out, we were checking out some old movies together," she quickly rushed to explain. "Moving on."

Paige nodded slowly, giving her the eye.

"What?" Billie became defensive. "Don't look at me like that. We're just friends."

Picking up on the body language, Paige grinned. "I'll bet you say that a lot, don't you," she nodded at her.

"Well, I wouldn't have to keep saying it, if people kept their minds out of the gutter. So, let's just drop it, thank you," Billie quickly dismissed the subject.

"Yeah, yeah," Paige narrowed her eyes, letting it go. "Anyway, I am exhausted, so the only Yee-hawing this witch is going to be doing, is on my way to a bed. Three hours on a basement floor wasn't quite the beauty sleep my body had in mind," she pouted, rubbing her lower back.

"You're always welcome to my dorm bed," Billie cracked a smile at her. "Who needs the gym, I think the springs actually give my back its own work out. Do you know what tuition and room and board cost alone, and we still have to put up with decades old mattresses. Hey," she lifted a finger, "on-the-go magical beds might actually be a great idea," she offered a playful suggestion. "Anybody have that cornered on the witch market yet?"

"For what, Underworld overnights?" Paige cracked. "Hard pass; I'd actually take my chances with the dorm bed."

"Magical humor," Billie stressed. "You remember how to laugh, right? I hope," she thought about it some more.

"Magical whatever," Paige made a face. "Just find me a pillow, stat," she playfully ordered.

Billie laughed.

"Seriously, though, the only thing that could make this day any worse is if Gideon and the Triad try for round two," Paige was dragging her feet across the dining room floor. It wasn't that long ago they had made their first attempt, attacking she and Phoebe at the Manor.

"What do you think the chances are of getting the stones away from Gideon?" came Billie's inquiry.

Paige stopped, her full attention coming to rest on Billie. "Who, you mean the time traveling duo. Well," she sighed, "let's hope high. Very high. Especially considering the plan was your idea in the first place," she reminded her.

Billie made a face. "True, but a mission failure doesn't make the idea bad. It could be an execution problem."

"Just cross your little magical fingers," Paige wiggled her fingers, playfully hitching her voice in disguise, "and pray that the odds be never in his favor," her eyes rolled, thinking about Gideon.

Billie's eyebrows lifted, "I'd say he could probably put the odds never in our favor. And we can't let that be true, at least for JD's sake," her face took on a melancholy look.

Paige sympathized with JD's plight. "Billie, we'll get him back. There's got to be a way, we just need to figure it out."

"I hope so," Billie still felt unsure.

"It doesn't sound like it has anything to do with Gideon or the others, so I'd say luck is probably more on his side than ours at the moment," Paige tried to reason. "He's the leverage, right, if anything happens to him, the demon knows he doesn't get what he wants."

"And that only continues to work if he doesn't find out the truth," Billie argued back. "JD is useless once he knows she's gone."

They both spotted Future Chris rounding the corner, about to meet up with them. Preparing to engage, a very shrill ringing sound broke out all around them, causing all three to cover their ears. It was piercing.

"Ow!" Billie immediately threw her hands over her ears.

"What is that?" Paige cried out.

Billie shook her head, tightening the hold against her ears.

It was too loud; Billie and Chris could barely make out what Paige even said.

X

Underworld

JD pulled on the chains. Moving his legs, they made a sound, dragging against the ground, as he tried to re-adjust his position. His muscles were stiff, his back aching, and he couldn't tell time down here, but it certainly felt like it had been days. Leaning back against the stone wall, he licked his lips. His lips were dry, his mouth parched.

The sound of steps approached.

Squatting down, Marco slid an old stainless-steel bowl towards JD. "Here, drink," he ordered. "You're no use to me dead."

Slowly, JD turned his head to face the demon. One eye was swollen, he could barely open it. "Aw, didn't know you cared," he mocked snidely.

"I don't," Marco refuted, "but the witch needs incentive," he made sure JD was reminded about Billie's part in the entire set up. "Your early demise might kill morale."

"Early demise?" JD laughed. "So, you are planning on killing me."

Marco put on the pretense as if he were thinking about it. "More or less," he settled on. "I don't need you or the witch getting in my way."

"Then you might as well just kill me now," JD's voice rose. "I won't let you hurt her."

Marco began to laugh. "You can hold the reigns there, cowboy," he sneered, mocking the whitelighter. "Right now, you're the motivation. Not the dead boyfriend." He used his finger to push the water bowl a bit closer. "Now drink."

JD eyed the bowl. Giving in, he slowly worked his hands around the bowl, careful to lift it off the ground. Some drops still fell over the side as he brought it to his mouth. Gulping it down greedily, he couldn't contain his thirst.

"That's it," Marco encouraged. "Drink up."

When he was done, JD tossed the bowl. It made a clinking sound against the ground. Marco went to pick it up, then turned around to leave.

"She wants nothing to do with you," JD called out, stopping Marco in his tracks.

Slowly, the exiled Triad member turned around. "Be careful, whitelighter," he warned, eyes blazing.

"Or what?" JD challenged. "You'll kill me?" he snorted. "I think we've already established that's nonnegotiable."

"There are worse things I can do before killing you," Marco threatened. "Keep testing me and you might just find out."

JD smirked. "Maybe, but so will you. Find out, that is," he clarified.

"You know nothing of which you speak," the demon retorted.

"Oh, did I hit a nerve?" JD baited.

Marco regained his composure. "Not at all," he refuted. "See, my dearly misguided daughter doesn't have to want anything," a devilish smile crept across his face. "In fact, there isn't going to be a choice," he stressed.

"What do you mean?" a bit of worry slipped into JD's voice.

Marco let out another laugh intended to mock the whitelighter. "It is unfortunate that my daughter is cursed with her mortal side. The demon inside fighting to find its way out, contained by all that pent up ... humanity," he spit the word out in disgust "It makes things messy. But" he lifted a finger, "that little nuisance can actually be extinguished," he began revealing. "All that humanity can be washed away for good, leaving the demon unhindered."

"How?" JD didn't like where this was going.

"Easy. All that needs to be done is the elimination of any living relative left from her mortal bloodline."

JD's good eye widened. "She'd never do it," he swallowed.

"Perhaps," Marco accepted. "Not on her own. But she doesn't have to. I found a loophole," he revealed, feeling confident in what he was about to let the whitelighter know. He was no threat, after all.

"What?"

"As Lana's only living demonic blood relative, as her father, I can eliminate her mortal bloodline on her behalf. In doing so, the humanity will disappear forever, and evil can flourish. As it was meant to."

"But her only remaining blood relative is ..."

"Richard, the Cupid, I know," Marco interjected impatiently.

JD shook his head. "And he's with a Charmed One," he challenged. "They'll never let you get away with it."

"Hm," the demon hummed, taking a moment to consider it. "Actually, I think the Charmed Ones may have their hands full with my former brethren, don't you think?" he referenced the looming battle on the horizon with the resurrected Triad. "Makes for a nice little distraction," his confidence returned in full force.

Suddenly, they were both distracted by an unexpected noise.

Marco whipped his head around. "Who's there?" he demanded to know at once.

JD tried to use his poor vision to get a better look, but he couldn't make out much. What he did see was the form of a shadow figure slowly coming into view.

"Show yourself!" the demon commanded.

The figure emerged completely.

X

Manor

Prue and Andy shot up from the wicker bench in the conservatory, hands against their ears.

"What's going on?" Andy exclaimed.

Prue shook her head, leaning over.

Both ran out of the room in search of the others, hopefully able to locate the source. They immediately encountered Paige, Billie, and Chris all in the dining area, attempting to block out the invasive sound.

"Phoebe?" Prue tried yelling over the noise.

Everyone began frantically searching the Manor with their eyes.

"Phoebe? Piper? Get in here, we need you!" Prue tried once more.

Shortly after, they were greeted by the sight of Phoebe and Future Piper exiting the kitchen. Both women were just as clueless as the rest.

"How do we stop it?" Paige shouted out.

Phoebe shook her head. "Can you orb to the Book?" she hoped Paige could make out the suggestion.

"What?" Paige shouted back.

"Orb for the Book!" Phoebe repeated.

"Look for a hook?" Paige made a face, completely baffled by what the hell Phoebe was even talking about.

Phoebe squinted, trying to read Paige's lips. This wasn't working, clearly, they couldn't make out each other's words over the sound. She then made a gesture with her hands, mimicking herself opening up a book.

Paige finally got it, and Phoebe received a thumbs up and a nod back. She was just about to orb out when the ringing ceased all together.

"Ok, now it just stopped. What the hell was that?" Phoebe was the first to yell it out.

"I'd say you probably just answered your own question," Prue's thoughts went straight to the Underworld and a potential demon attack. Only, she didn't see any demons.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Phoebe playfully chided her sister. "I was busy going deaf!"

"Yeah, Phoebe, I think we all were," remarked Paige, "and, dude, that is way worse than swimmer's ear," she tried using her fingers to make her ears pop.

Grinning, Prue turned and caught sight of Andy's ear. "Andy?" her face dropped, reaching out in concern.

"What?" he looked at this wife a bit startled and confused.

"Your ears," Phoebe told him, lifting a finger at her own ear to signal the problem.

After catching on, Andy brought his hand up to touch his ear. When he brought his hand back down, he saw blood staining his fingers. Making a face, he realized both ears were dripping.

"Here, I got that," Paige moved over to assist. Before Andy had much time to react, she raised her hands on both sides of his head and the healing light worked its magic. "There, that shouldn't be a problem anymore. Can you hear okay?"

"Uh, yeah, it's fine," Andy nodded, checking his ears again. He was surprised. "Thanks," he offered, not exactly sure what happened. That was something he never experienced before.

Paige smiled. "Whitelighter healing hands. It beats having to get to the doctor's," she joked, wiggling her fingers in the air.

"Yeah, thanks," Prue gave her gratitude. "That was close."

"Comes in handy a lot around here and if you think that was something," Paige told Andy, "Just wait until you start getting orbed everywhere you go."

He had experienced it. Once. With the Elders. And with Coop's teleportation. "Think I might stick with the driving."

"Mhm," Paige hummed, shifting her eyes at the ceiling. "We'll see."

"Hey, you never quite know in this house," Phoebe laughed, then snorted, trying to make light of it.

"Nobody else is hurt, right?" Prue checked in with everybody else.

Everyone else shook their heads; they were fine. Apparently, Andy was the only one to have a strong adverse reaction. He was technically the only mortal in the room but even with the power switch enacted by Coop's magical intervention, that didn't appear to offer him any magical protection nor change his mortal status. They definitely had to be careful.

"I say we still check out the Book," Phoebe suggested. "We need to be prepared next time."

"On it," Paige made her move to orb again when a chillingly familiar voice interrupted.

"That won't be necessary."

Paige stopped.

Future Wyatt suddenly appeared to everyone in the house. He had been invisible. Future Melinda and Molly were with him, along with Sarah. Her identity was still pretty much clouded in mystery to the others, but nobody stopped to dwell on it for too long because within Wyatt's hand, a very odd-looking bell could be seen. It was clearly the culprit and the source of discomfort moments ago.

"What the hell is he doing here? " Phoebe demanded. "And what is that?" her eyes shot back to the strange looking bell.

"This?" Future Wyatt lifted the bell in his hand. "Insurance," he gave a cryptic response. His eyes scanned the entire group.

Prue took a few protective steps in front of Andy.

"Oh, no worries, Aunt Prue, I'm not here for him," Wyatt mocked, "I'm here for you. Or, well, all of you," he looked at each of the sisters, including his mother. He lowered the bell.

"It was you," Paige accused. "Of course it was you."

"Toying with us until you were ready to finish the job?" Prue accused outright. She was pissed. Andy could have been seriously hurt or worse.

Future Wyatt shifted his gaze back to Prue. "Actually, as tempting as that sounds, no. I'm here because I think we can help to resolve each other's, well, mutual problem" he settled on.

"Oh, you mean you," Paige shot him daggers.

Something dawned on Phoebe. "Wait a minute, you were using an invisibility shield. It had to be how you entered the Manor undetected." Her eyes landed on Future Molly. They already knew Molly could tap into that power because she and Paige had witnessed it when rescuing her younger self from the Nauscas demon at the children's center months back. "How could you help him?"

Future Molly met her stare. "It's not what you think," she refuted, shaking her head. One glance over at her mother, and she felt absolutely horrible. She knew how it looked, like a betrayal. She could see the sting of disappointment coving Prue's face.

"Not what we think," Phoebe's reaction was immediate. "You are kidding, right."

"And how did you get past the crystals?" Paige jumped in. "How long have you been there?"

"Long enough."

"I deactivated them," Future Melinda's cut in. "With a spell. We got back shortly before you were finished setting up."

"Melinda," Future Piper voiced her own disappointment, shaking her head at her daughter.

"Mom, you need to let us explain first, please," Future Melinda countered. "We can still get back home."

"Oh no, please, by all means, explain away," Future Chris delivered his sarcastic comeback. He was upset. "Explain why you're standing there alongside the family curse," he shot dagger eyes at his brother, "while the rest of us pissed away all of our time and effort into a plan to get us back home, a plan that is now obviously doomed to fail."

"Chris!" Future Melinda shouted.

The rest of the Halliwell clan let the exchange continue.

Future Chris didn't let up. "Explain why we're looking at them," he nodded towards Wyatt and Sarah, "instead of a box. Or stones."

Future Wyatt sneered. "Chris still has that flare for the dramatics, I see. Some things never change," he asserted. "But, oh ye of little faith," he mocked, magically presenting the coveted magical artifacts before everybody.

Future Chris was unsettled. "You've got to be kidding," he snorted. "Great."

Future Wyatt held the box while Sarah presented the group with the stones.

They had lost the advantage.

"Okay, what the hell is going on here?" Phoebe brought her hands up to the sides of her face, feeling the anxiousness and uncertainty swirling in the pit of her stomach. "You were supposed to get the items away from Gideon, not give them up to Team Evil 2.0."

"He got them from Gideon first," Melinda argued, trying to clear up any misconceptions about the part they were playing in this. "We never even got to see him."

"It had to go down this way," Future Molly jumped in, backing Melinda up.

"Start explaining," Prue's voice was stern. "Like now."

"Gideon uses his own decoys before agreeing to meet with anybody," Future Molly told her mother. "Other demons.

"Decoys," Prue repeated. "And you couldn't get past them?"

"Wyatt intercepted the meeting," Future Molly finished.

"Of course he did," Paige mocked, rolling her eyes. "Do we even need to ask why."

"If Wyatt got close enough to Gideon and those artifacts, it was because he was planning on working with him," Phoebe folded her arms, stating the conclusion they had all drawn by now. Her accusatory glare landed on her nephew.

Completely nonchalant about it, Wyatt shrugged his shoulders. "Guilty."

"Well ... " Future Molly began.

"Never mind," Phoebe threw up a hand, cutting her off. "He double-crossed Gideon. What's to stop him from doing the same with us," she pointed out the obvious.

"Nothing but look at it this way. What other choice do you have," Sarah spoke up.

Future Piper and Phoebe were sharing a defeated look.

"Looks like we sure got our work cut out for us," Phoebe snorted, briefly thinking back to their earlier discussion in the kitchen about potentially altering the future and helping to save Wyatt from himself.

Future Wyatt glanced between Phoebe and his mother. "You will have a lot of work cut out for you, very shortly, if you don't do what needs to be done right now."

It came off like a threat.

"Meaning?" Phoebe challenged.

"Wyatt, stop with the games," came the very stern warning from his mother. "What's your move here? You called off that attack because you wanted something. Well, you have our attention. So, spill it. Now!"

"Wait," Paige became dramatic, "you mean he didn't do this out of the kindness of his own heart," her snide rhetorical question was met with an empty stare coming from Future Wyatt. "Surprise." Did he even have feelings anymore, she wondered.

"Listen," Melinda rejoined the debate, wanting to set the record straight. "The only way for us to secure the items, and to get them back to you, was to agree to let them return home too," she let the group know.

"More or less," Future Wyatt interjected.

"Wait, what?" Phoebe's tone was filled with disbelief.

"Home," Paige narrowed her eyes. "You're only looking to get back home," she wasn't sure she believed it herself.

"Like she said," Future Wyatt's tone was hard to read.

There was silence.

"What's so hard to believe about that?" Future Wyatt broke it. "There's nothing for me here," his eyes scanned the entire group until they landed on his mother.

"Hold on," Phoebe argued. "If we had opened up the portal to get them back," she made reference to Future Piper, Chris, Melinda, and Molly, " then it should have automatically switched all of you back anyway. Correct?" she looked around the room, hoping to find agreement. "Why bother to intervene and come here to ensure it?" her last question was directed back at Future Wyatt.

Nobody answered.

"Or am I missing something?" Phoebe inserted. "Anybody."

Prue folded her arms, thinking more about it. "Not necessarily."

"Not necessarily," Phoebe parroted. "Not necessarily, what," she stressed.

"Meaning, we have no idea how it will actually work in reverse," Prue provided her insights on it.

"Prue, what are you talking about?"

"When Piper and I were pulled through the first time, Gideon used the stones he still had in his possession. Minus one. The one we had with us; the one Gideon gave to the darklighter to use on the kids."

"And?" Phoebe pushed.

"And the stone we had is gone," Prue revealed. "We had it with us when we confronted Gideon and when he activated the box with the other stones, but we don't know if it disappeared or not."

"It's gone. And you're just mentioning this now?" Phoebe's brows raised, unleashing her frustration.

"Guys, not helping," Paige chimed in.

Crossing her arms, Prue countered. "No, Phoebe, I didn't remember it until now. In case you don't get it, I was a little more focused on other things after I found myself stuck eighteen years ago with a demon on my tail."

"Demon, don't you mean Avatar," Phoebe questioned her.

"Both," Prue closed her eyes.

Paige threw a hand up. "We get it," she hoped Phoebe would get the message to drop it. Playing the blame game wasn't helping them. "Where do you think the other stone went?"

"Don't know," Prue answered honestly. "It didn't stay with me. And we have no way to know if it stayed with Piper either."

"Great," Phoebe began pacing in circles, "so, basically, this might not even work at all if we don't have all the stones. Is this even going to be possible without it?"

"Phoebe, look, I ..."

"Prue, that's a pretty big detail to forget," Phoebe vented.

"Hey! It's not like I did it on purpose," Prue defended.

Andy whistled. "Okay, stop, can we back off," he intervened, his hand going up to halt an impending argument. "Assigning blame isn't going to fix this."

"I'm not blaming anyone," Phoebe sighed, denying it. "It just feels like whenever we think we finally have an answer, something else comes along to screw it up," she glared over at Future Wyatt. "It's not fair."

"Phoebe, if it's gone, it's gone," Andy told her point blank. "Find a way to work around it," he looked between Prue and Phoebe.

"He's right," Paige agreed. "We have to; we have no choice."

"I know," Phoebe gave in, agreeing. "Is it too much to hope we catch a break?" She ran her hands through her hair, clearly still frustrated by the turn of events.

"Apparently," Paige cracked.

"Paige, not helping," Future Piper gently admonished with Paige's own sentiments from before. "We need a solution."

"Okay, fine, how's this for help; I say we give it a go anyway," Paige said with determination, looking between all of them. "I mean, can it really get much worse?" she eyed Future Wyatt on purpose.

"Only for you," Future Wyatt delivered back.

Paige narrowed her eyes back at him.

"I agree," Prue conceded, nodding at Paige. "I say we try anyway. What do we really have to lose at this point."

"Well," Future Chris took it upon himself to offer his input, "we may have a lot to lose if opening that thing somehow backfires and we don't get back home. We're the ones going through it, not you guys. Not to mention, the risk of whatever you may be unleashing here. Don't forget, it's still Pandora's Box," he reminded the sisters.

"Yeah, we get it, evil goodies on the loose," Paige retorted. "Which means, we'll be left with the cleanup, not you," she threw back.

"Fine, whatever," Chris gave up.

Becoming more impatient, Future Wyatt broke up the debating session. "Are we doing this or not?"

"Why, what's the hurry, in a rush to get somewhere?" Paige baited.

Future Wyatt sneered. "No, but I'd wager a bet that you all have approximately less than the time it'll take to go to battle with me until Gideon uncovers their absence," he made reference to the box and stones. "Any guesses where you think his next stop will be."

"Right, and thanks for that, by the way," Paige snidely remarked. Wyatt taking the artifacts obviously pushed up the timetable on when they'd have to face off with Gideon and possibly the rest of the Triad.

"Gideon was eventually going to connect it anyway," Future Chris accepted the truth for what it mostly likely was.

"Yeah, but at least the other way could have given us more time to do what we needed to do," Phoebe countered. "He would have been on the search for other demons, not us."

"We're doing it," Future Piper made the final decision. "We're going to have to chance it."

"Are you sure?" Prue asked, concerned.

Future Piper nodded. "We can't stay here any longer; we're a distraction," she looked at all her sisters.

Phoebe's head dropped.

"Good," Evil Future Wyatt shared a look with his mother. "Glad to see we're on the same side of things. For once."

"Just one more thing," Future Melinda remembered to mention. "Right, left, left, right, down, and then in," she listed off, receiving a bunch of confused stares in return.

"What?" Paige voiced.

"Just remember it, the three of you," Future Melinda stressed, looking between Prue, Phoebe, and Paige. "Trust me, it's important."

"Okay, if you say so," Paige gave a nod, clearly not convinced.

Billie had an epiphany and instantly caught on. She was about to say something but then held back. Instead, she made a mental note and would remember to share with the sisters after this was over.

"I do believe you have something we need," Future Piper held her hand out to her son.

This was it. Now or never. Everybody waited in anticipation.

Slowly, Wyatt brought forth the items, the small set of Vicarian Stones and then Pandora's Box. They were given to Future Piper, who then turned around, passing them off to Phoebe. A blast of relief could be felt in the room as the items were now safely in their possession. Phoebe went to place them on the dining room table, so they could prepare for the ritual.

"So, this is really it," Future Molly let out a breath, Melinda reaching out to take her hand.

They moved to join Future Chris, who was already on his way to join his mother at the table. Molly stopped and made a quick turn for her mother. She couldn't leave without a proper good-bye.

"I love you, mom," Future Molly hugged her mother tightly.

Prue closed her eyes. "Love you too. Forever."

Pulling away, Molly then reached for her dad. "Remember your promise," she implored as they hugged and then parted ways.

While Future Piper was lighting candles set up on the table, Paige went to retrieve the Book of Shadows. Piper stole glances over at Prue with her daughter every so often. She watched Molly say her good-byes to her parents and then approach Billie. They too shared a few words and then a quick hug. Sighing, she looked away.

Wyatt paced on the opposite side, carefully observing everything.

"Piper, were you able to come up with a spell?" Prue asked, approaching the table. "It'll work, right?"

"I guess we'll find out soon enough," she answered, positioning the candles, and placing the lighter back down on the table.

While Phoebe and Billie had been working on potions, and Paige with the crystals, Future Piper had tasked herself with creating a spell the four of them could use to get the stones working once they had them in their possession. After she had finished with it, the spell was left inside the Book of Shadows for safe keeping.

"I'm sure it's better than what I'd come up with," Prue shared. "I'm rusty."

Future Piper became contemplative.

"What is it?" Prue asked, noticing the expression she was giving her.

"Prue ..." Future Piper began, " I ... "

"Sister witches, let's get this good-bye party started," they were interrupted by the return of Paige orbing in, Book of Shadows in hand. She walked in between Prue and Future Piper, placing it down on the table next to Pandora's Box and the Vicarian Stones.

Future Piper smiled at Paige. "And this should hopefully do the trick," she pulled the Book to her, recovering four slips of paper with the spell written on them.

"Ladies," Paige jested, "I'd like to say this has been fun, but it wasn't on my top ten list of things to do this year."

"Yes, well, surviving Gideon and the Triad has definitely made number one on mine," Prue offered back.

"Here, here," agreed Phoebe.

The box was arranged in the center of the table with the remaining stones surrounding it. All the sisters formed a semi-circle around one end of the table. The spell was handed to each of them, and they each took a deep breath, linking their free hands. Future Piper stood at the center, with Phoebe flanked to her left.

The rest of the future visitors had gathered to the opposite end of the table.

Billie joined Andy, watching in anticipation.

"Here goes nothing," Phoebe felt a bit anxious.

To her right, Future Piper gave Prue's hand a gentle squeeze. When Prue looked back at her, they shared a brief exchange of smiles.

"I love you," Future Piper shared in her final moments there. "And I forgave you," she let her sister know what had been weighing heavily on her heart for many years. She had never really gotten the opportunity to say it.

Prue squeezed back. "Love you too." She reached out to hug Future Piper. "Thank you," she whispered in her ear.

Eyes shut tight; Future Piper held on until she forced herself to pull back.

Phoebe watched the exchange and felt her own heart grow a little heavy, knowing that Prue's fate was lying somewhere around the corner.

"Well," Paige sighed, "this might not be the most sentimental thing to say, but sure glad this is one trip I won't be taking with you," she quipped.

The other sisters broke into smiles, sharing amused expressions. Leave it to Paige to leave things on a much lighter note.

"Well, Paige, this is the one time I can say I'm glad too," Future Piper mused. "But I'll miss you the same," she shared. "All of you."

They all came together for a quick group hug.

"Ahem," Future Wyatt cleared his throat. "Quite moving," he retorted, "but can we get on with it. Tik tock," he threw out, reminding them of the looming timetable they were on.

Future Piper turned to look, and her smile dropped. The interruption served as a bleak reminder on what reality she was heading back home to. All her sisters were gone. She was alone; the last remaining Charmed One.

"Let's do this," Phoebe set them back on track.

The mood turned somber. The sisters re-linked hands. Future Piper began the chant, then the other sisters joined in, as other eyes fell to the table with the box and stones, waiting to see what would happen. At some point, Future Piper felt a strange sensation begin to overtake her. She couldn't explain it, but she started to feel woozy. Closing her eyes, she tried to regain equilibrium.

The chanting stopped.

"Piper, what's wrong?" Prue's concerned eyes went to her.

Paige reached out in support. "Are you okay"

"I don't know ... I'm not quite sure," Future Piper got out. "But don't stop," she ordered, worried that she might completely keel over any moment before they actually finished and succeeded.

Phoebe happened to glance down at their interlocked hands and noticed Future Piper's hand fading in and out. "Uh, whoa!"

"What is it?" Prue's concern shifted to Phoebe.

"Hand, hand," Phoebe repeated, nodding her head at the interlocking hands.

Prue and Paige looked down and saw it.

Then, glancing across the table, the sisters witnessed the same thing beginning to take place with the other future family members. Their bodies were gradually starting to fade. They would go out then come back.

Next, everyone looked at the artifacts.

"I don't get it, the box and the stones aren't even doing anything yet," Phoebe stated what was apparent to everyone.

Prue's uncertainty was reflected in her own response, "Maybe we should keep on with the chanting," she suggested.

"Hey," Paige suddenly thought of something, "this looks a lot like what happened just before you came back," she informed Prue. "The younger you started fading away until finally she was gone, and you were there."

"How is it happening again?" Phoebe was recalling what happened at the Magic School but didn't understand what was triggering it now.

Paige shrugged.

"She's right," Future Piper got out. However, she had an instant realization that she wasn't just getting ready to fade away. There was an internal shift taking place, other things were changing, she was remembering bits and pieces of new events she did not recall experiencing in her own life.

Something was different.

"Piper, hang in there, you've got this, okay?" came Phoebe's words of encouragement.

Future Piper took one last glance between Prue and Phoebe. When she turned back to Phoebe, the words came. "Five years."

"Wait, what?" Phoebe didn't understand.

"Five years," Future Piper repeated with more intensity and determination. She gave a tight hand squeeze to hopefully drive the point home.

Phoebe looked down at their hands.

It was the last thing Future Piper did before completely fading away for good.

"Uh ... " Phoebe stuttered into the empty space they were all left staring at just before they all turned to catch a last glimpse of the others permanently fading out.

Confusion was felt all around.

"How ... " Phoebe started to seek clarification but was interrupted by the sight of a new figure fading back into place. It was in the same spot Future Piper had just left.

Piper reappeared. Only, it was their Piper and across the way, were three small faces barely old enough to see over the table.

X

Underworld

JD was aghast. "Lana?"

Slowly, she approached the others after revealing herself from the shadows. She had overheard everything. The trip back had been a strange one. Limbo certainly wasn't anything compared to her experience in the Wasteland, as her encounter with the strange man, the half-demon, still played over and over in her mind, but it also wasn't a trip she wanted to make again anytime soon. Looking between JD and the demon revealed to be her father, she said nothing. Standing in one place, she merely observed the scene.

"Ah," Marco sighed, a smirk of satisfaction settling over his face. "Lana. Come," he waved her over.

"Lana! Run, go!" JD panicked, ordering her to leave.

"Quiet!" Marco shouted, turning an eye on the belligerent whitelighter.

Lana didn't move.

"You know who I am," the demon sought confirmation from her.

She nodded but didn't say a word. She had overheard everything.

"Good," the former Triad was pleased. "You came alone; the witch isn't with you."

Lana shook her head.

Turning back to the whitelighter, Marco laughed. "Well, looks like your use has just run out. I didn't need the witch after all," he gloated.

JD shifted his gaze between the demon and Lana.

"Now," Marco turned back to Lana. "It's time for you to take your rightful place, by my side," he told her. There was a brief pause. "The witch," he stated, a sneer beginning to form. "Kill her!" he instructed.

"No!" JD shouted, making an attempt to orb out yet failing. Escape was futile. Not only was he too weak, but the dark enchantment prevented it.

Angrily, Marco quickly faded out and quickly flashed over and back in before JD. Lifting him up by the throat, he seethed. "I said, be quiet!"

Lana's eyes widened but she quickly remembered to mask her emotions. No weakness, she reminded herself. Show no weakness.

"Lana, go!" Marco ordered. "I'll take care of this."

"Don't!" JD slipped through his teeth, trying to loosen the death grip. "If you do it, there's no going back."

Lana's eyes shot to the whitelighter dangling in the air.

"She doesn't need to go back to anywhere," Marco taunted JD. "Her place is with me. She will embrace the darkness as a Triad and help avenge me against those who banished and humiliated me!"

Narrowing her eyes, Lana felt something ignite within her. Her place? She was so sick and tired of being told what to do. Dumain, Gideon, the rest of the Triad and now a father, who wasn't much of a father at all, showing up to use her in a game against other demons who could care less about her, demons who would just as well continue to exploit her like he was all too willing to do. Then again, she thought, what loyalty did she owe to this whitelighter, or to Billie for that matter. Billie had vanquished her. The Charmed Ones vanquished her again. Yet, it wasn't really JD's fault, a little voice popped in, reminding her. Ick, she felt her heart suddenly going to war against her mind.

Sensing the hesitation, Marco slowly turned to face her. "Lana," he scolded. "Do as I say! Go, now, handle the witch before she tries to handle us!"

That was it, she burst. "No!" Lana shouted, and in an instant, she brought her hands to the sides of her temple. Suddenly, a fire burst forth, creating a firewall between her and them and then moving to separate JD from her father.

The whitelighter fell to the ground.

Forced to let go, Marco held onto his burnt hand and used his arm to shield himself from the flames blinding his view. "Noooo!" he wailed.

Using the distraction, Lana quickly faded out and shimmered back in beside JD. Kneeling down, she latched onto him. "Hurry, let's get out of here."

Together, they shimmered out of the Underworld.

After the flames extinguished themselves, Marco could finally see clearly again. Quickly scanning the area, he concluded exactly what had happened.

"Lanaaaaaaaaaaaa!" he hollered out in anger.

X

Manor

"Oh my god, Piper!" Phoebe was the first to let out a squeal, and before she knew it, Piper felt herself being sandwiched in by all her sisters within a gigantic group hug.

"Thank god you're back," Paige felt immense relief.

"Personal space, people, personal space," Piper began to wiggle free.

"Sorr...yyy," Phoebe drawled out in a baby-like voice, "but we missed you."

"Missed me?" Piper's eyes widened. "I was gone for like two seconds."

Phoebe snorted. "Try more like two days."

"Huh?" Piper was confused.

The sisters took steps back.

"Mommy!"

Prue was greeted by the sight of her daughter rushing towards her. Letting out a huge smile, she reached out for her. "Oh, come here, you," she scooped her up, hugging her tight. Her daughter was back home, safe and sound.

Phoebe and Paige glanced over at the boys.

Prue walked over to Andy.

"Guess you found your own way back, and just in time," Paige directed at Piper. "And looks like you," her attention then shot to Phoebe, "got your wish after all. Finally caught our break."

"Don't jinx it!" Phoebe teased, lifting a finger.

"Right," Piper grinned, looking between the two. "Whatever that means."

Prue rejoined them, Molly staying with her father. "Yeah, I don't understand, I mean, the stones and the box didn't even activate," she waved at the artifacts still on the dining room table. "How were they able to leave?"

"Okay, what," Piper looked at Prue, still trying to follow. "How did who leave?"

"Million-dollar question," Phoebe was curious herself, "which I don't have an answer to."

"Hi," Piper raised her hand, "I'd like an answer please."

"Beats me," Paige shrugged, making a face. "But then again, I've never really been one to knock a gift horse in the mouth," she nodded. "I say, sayonara," she rolled her eyes, happy to be rid of Evil Future Wyatt and his shenanigans.

"I know," Phoebe sighed, "but still gonna' kind of miss them," she reflected, in regard to the others. "You know?"

"Okay, sisters!" Piper shouted, throwing up her hands to halt the entire discussion. "I am apparently lost, but still in the room. Pick a sister, any sister," she pointed at each one of them, "but somebody better tell me what is going on."

Billie was busy engaging with the boys, but still paying attention.

"Oh, right," Phoebe acknowledged. "Lost sister stuck in dark ages. Needs light turned on to see," she teased.

"Yeah," Piper cheesed, "and apparently a bright one. Start talking."

"Right, well, while you were gone, there was, well you know ... another you," Phoebe volunteered, a bit on the cautious side.

"Another me," Piper repeated, shaking her head at her sister. "Phoebe, that doesn't make any sense."

"Oh, oh, I know," Phoebe nodded empathically, "but still, she was here, they were here, and now they're not."

"It was just one big Back from the Future afterparty," Paige tackled on.

Piper looked at all of them. "I was ... here," she concluded, still not understanding.

"And the kids," Prue added.

Piper turned to Prue.

"And bad Wyatt," Paige threw in, making sure that was known as well.

Next, Piper turned to Paige while Phoebe gave Paige a look to warn her off.

"What?" Paige defended. "She needs to know."

"I know, Paige, but we didn't need to get into that part right now," Phoebe was grinding down on her teeth.

"She asked for an explanation, and she got one," Paige countered. "So there."

"And the only explanation needed in this very moment is that we're mere minutes away from facing down the wrath of Gideon at our dining room table," Phoebe shot back, gesturing towards the table.

"Okay, people, enough," Piper gave up trying to understand what they were going on about. Although the Gideon part was concerning. "Prue," she turned back to her sister, "you were literally just with me seconds ago, facing down the wrath of Gideon," she stressed. "Why is he coming here."

"Seconds ago?" Prue questioned her. "Piper, we were gone for hours."

"Make that an overnight and several hours," Phoebe corrected.

"Quick summary," Prue jumped back in. "We confronted Gideon, he blasted us with the stones and that box, I went to the past, you went to the future, and our past and future selves came here. Including Wyatt. Not the good one."

Piper stared. "Did you hit your head while we were down there?" she folded her hands. "Are you feeling okay," she brought her hand to Prue's forehead.

"Piper!" Prue scolded, shoving her hand away. "No!"

"Uh huh," was all she said in return.

"Piper, it's true, future you really was here," Phoebe tried again.

"Uh huh," Piper repeated.

"And a different kind of ... something, switched you all back," Paige elaborated.

"Uh huh," Piper responded for the final time, giving a final nod. "Well, clearly, you've all been busy doing god knows what while I was away. Prue," she shot her eyes back to her again, "please give me something to grab onto here. How did we get away, because that detail seems a little fuzzy."

"We didn't," Prue informed her.

Piper fell into a daze. Something was pulling at the back of her mind.

"Piper?" Prue pushed, noting her distraction. "Explain?"

"Explain what?"

"Why you seem so confused," Prue wanted to know.

"Wait, she really can't remember," Paige asked. "Why? Prue's memory didn't get wiped," she pointed out.

"Yeah, but Prue went to the past. And the memories of her past self, they had to have been erased otherwise you," Phoebe turned to Prue, "would remember everything that happened to you back then, right now," she shared what seemed to be an obvious conclusion.

"True," Prue agreed. "And I don't."

"And if the switch back didn't fix it, Grams certainly would have," Phoebe's thoughts ran to their grandmother's spells. "So, future consequences maybe," she took her best guess. "What else can it be."

"Piper, what's the last thing you do remember?" Prue inquired.

"Uh, creepy Gideon, Underworld, bad bad box about to unleash hell on earth," Piper began listing. "You saw it yourself; you were standing right next to me."

"Not for long," Prue gave a nod.

"Not for long," Piper repeated it. "Right, got it. Not." She didn't think she could feel any more confused than she already did. "Prue ... " she shook her head.

"I know you don't remember, but just listen, okay," Prue told her. "Gideon used the box and it somehow separated us. I was only able to get back home before you because of an Avatar," she tried to simplify things.

"An Avatar?" Piper lifted her brow. She didn't know what to say.

"No worries, we already gave her the magical 411 on that for the next time," Paige opted to share so that didn't get rehashed.

Piper looked from Paige back to Prue. "Why can't I remember anything?" she thought hard. "We remembered before," she thought to years back when she, Prue, and Phoebe had traveled to the future to try and save Phoebe.

"Maybe it was different this time," Prue proposed, "I'm not really sure."

"So, you really can't recall anything about how you got back?" Phoebe pressed, hoping for even the tiniest of details. It was unlikely but she could hope that maybe something had slipped through with Piper.

"Phoebe," Piper drew out slowly. "I'm still stuck on getting out of the Underworld and away from Gideon and then being told Gideon is coming after us here. What are you possibly expecting me to pull out of thin air for you to dissect apart," she threw up her hands.

"Yeah, no recall, didn't think so," Phoebe nodded at the confirmation, turning away.

"See, vague retorts like that aren't helpful," Piper reprimanded.

"Listen, you guys, I say we hold off on the rest of this until later," Paige advised. "And figure out what we should do about Gideon in the here and now."

"Agreed," Prue conceded. "Get prepared, there's no way he's going to sit on it once he figures out Wyatt double-crossed him. We probably don't have much time."

"Piper, get those hands ready to ready, aim, fire," Phoebe instructed.

"Well, when you put it like that?" Piper retorted.

"And gosh darn it, no memory. I really wanted to give it to you for taking off with Prue in the first place," Paige turned on Piper.

"Oh, I think we still can," Phoebe lifted her eyebrows. "The memory wipe doesn't cover that far back."

Piper laughed. "Uh, yeah. Demon incoming, remember, let's go," she attempted to circumvent and avoid it.

"Hey, I don't think so," Paige narrowed her eyes.

Piper turned, sharing a look with Prue.

"Yeah," Prue folded her arms. "I actually already took one for the team," she shared, regarding their mutual decision to jailbreak, chance confronting Gideon on their own, and rescuing the kids.

"Did you now," Piper gave her sister a tight smile. "Yeah, that's great, but too bad we don't have the time, huh," she dropped the smile, and headed for the Book of Shadows on the table. "Maybe later."

"Piper?" Phoebe scolded.

"What?" Piper challenged, turning back around. "Hey, it was risky, but you're probably not going to get anything out of me that you didn't already get from Prue," she waved at their oldest sister. "Sorry, but not sorry, you guys. The kids were in trouble, we were all split apart, and we needed to act."

"Right, Piper, I get that," Phoebe told her, "But Prue doesn't have her powers and we already decided that was too risky," she drove the reminder home.

"And that's a chance we took, okay," Piper closed her eyes, "and I get it, I do. Next time, we'll be way more careful until this whole mess is sorted out. Besides, the jailbreak was technically her idea anyway."

"Piper," Prue narrowed her eyes playfully.

"Well, it was," Piper laughed, "and it obviously worked out, and here we are, so let's focus on sending Gideon packing. For good this time."

"Speaking of which, how should we prepare for Gideon coming since Prue doesn't have her powers?" Phoebe brought up the elephant in the room.

Prue and Andy shared a look.

"Uh, well," Piper was considering it.

"I already thought about it," Prue cut back in. "We have the potions from earlier, I can still be back-up, while you guys take the lead. And then if you need me for any spells, we can just improvise."

"Yeah, um, I guess that works ... " Piper shared looks with the others.

"Power of three spells or potions aren't going to cut it anymore," Phoebe reinforced, "especially if Gideon decides against making a trip here solo," she considered the very real possibility of the entire Triad showing up with him. "Which means, I seriously advise we get our noses into the Book and see what type of Ultimate Power-y type ideas we can come up with. We do not, I repeat, do not want a repeat of before."

Paige nodded at Phoebe.

"What's that about?" Piper caught the exchange, pointing between the two.

"Let's just say the Triad already made their first direct move against us while you two were away," Phoebe looked between Prue and Piper. "And they definitely have the use of our powers down."

"We barely got away," Paige shared.

"Oh, not good," Piper acknowledged. "They're moving fast."

"No, definitely not good, and we're already at a disadvantage when it's four of them and only three of us," Phoebe pointed out the dismal odds. "No offense," she rushed to assure Prue.

Prue smirked. "None taken."

"Guys, maybe I can help this time?" Billie offered. "With the power side of things. I mean, you're down one set of powers and I do have telekinesis. And my projection power."

"That could be helpful," Phoebe was actually willing to use any advantage at their disposal considering the odds. The sisters were nowhere near ready to present themselves as the Ultimate Power to the world in order to help innocents, let alone to confront the shifting power dynamic of the demonic Underworld. Power of Three was the best they had, plus one, she thought.

"Really?" Billie was mildly surprised.

"Hold that thought," Piper put up her hand and walked over to the boys.

Orbing lights suddenly appeared, and Leo was surprised to be bumping into his wife. "Piper?" he exclaimed. "You're back!"

"Yeah," she smiled at her husband, "so I've been told," she glanced over her shoulder at her sisters.

They shared a tight embrace.

"But how did the others ..." Leo trailed off, confused by the sudden turn of events.

They pulled apart.

"Yeah, not the right person to ask," Piper told him.

"We don't really know," Phoebe answered for her. "Kind of hoping maybe your bosses had an answer to that one."

"Who, the Senior Elders? No, sorry," Leo shook his head. "Or, at least, they didn't mention anything about it while I was there. They didn't know anything about that book either."

"Shocking," Phoebe delivered the crack, looking away.

"Told you I wasn't counting on it," Paige repeated her sentiments from earlier.

"Yeah, yeah," Phoebe brushed off.

"Actually, when I asked the other Elders about it, they had never heard of it before," Leo elaborated. "In fact, the stones origins are a complete mystery to them."

"Well, that's ... surprising," Paige decided on.

"Very," Prue agreed.

"So, what was the book doing in the Magic School's library like twenty years ago?" Paige asked the next question.

Leo could only shrug. He had no answer for her.

"Okay, everyone," Piper raised her hand. "Abridged version, please."

"It was a book that could summon those Vicarian stones, or whatever, which we now have in our possession by the way, " Phoebe went to the table to demonstrate to Leo. "And Pandora's box. So, what should we do with them?"

Leo nodded. "Well, I can go check with the other Elders. I'm sure a new Guardian will be appointed for the box but the stones, I'm not sure."

"Yeah, well, before you go and do that, we need something else first," Piper let him know. "We're looking at an unwanted visitor any second, so, I need you to take the boys back to Magic School where they'll be safe and out of the line of fire."

"Can you take Andy and Molly too, please?" Prue requested, sharing a quick look with Leo before turning to her husband and daughter. "And me," she looked down.

The others were taken completely by surprise.

"Sure," Leo nodded.

"Prue, wait, are you sure?" Piper was the first to voice what everyone else was thinking.

"Yeah," Prue nodded, "I mean, Phoebe was right."

A small smile crossed over Phoebe's lips.

"I don't have my powers right now," Prue continued, "and we already took one huge risk that we barely made it out of," she reminded Piper. "Gideon's one thing but if the entire Triad does show up, we're probably better off not chancing it."

"Agreed," Phoebe readily supported the decision. "The best we can do for now is try and thwart them; we're nowhere ready for a final vanquish."

"Andy and I can keep an eye on the boys while Leo does what he needs to. Besides, I think Billie's got it covered," Prue nodded at her. "That way you have the extra fire power."

Billie smiled.

"Alright," Piper sighed, "if you're okay with that."

"I will be," Prue nodded.

Leo approached the table to collect the magical artifacts he would later deliver back to the other Elders while Prue, Andy, and the kids all prepared to leave. Andy lifted Molly up into his arms while Prue reached out her hands for the boys to take. Leo then joined them, preparing to orb to the Magic School.

Piper smiled at her sons. Cupping her hands, she blew them a kiss. "Love you guys," she waved.

Wyatt waved back.

Paige looked straight at Andy, who was about to experience orbing. "See, never say never in this family," she teased.

Clearing his throat, Andy grinned.

"Be careful," Prue told her sisters. "You too," she advised Billie.

Leo and the group disappeared within his orbs leaving Piper, Phoebe, and Paige, alongside Billie, to figure out the next step of the game plan.

"All right, you guys, let's get a move on and figure this one out and fast," Piper opened the Book of Shadows with her two sisters, and Billie, flanking her.

X

Lana shimmered into the decrepit and run down shelter. It had been a long time since she had last laid eyes on the place, but it would do for now. This shed had been one of the many places Dumain had used to hide her as a child. For the first time, she got a real good look at JD and noticed he didn't look well. She wasn't equipped for this.

"We need to get you help," she concluded.

Reaching his arm out, he grabbed for her. "No, forget about me," he instructed. "You've got to warn Billie," there was desperation in his voice. "Tell her to stay away."

"Billie, I can't go to Billie," she pulled away, immediately going on the defense. "They killed me, what do you think will happen if I show my face back there."

"Lana, you have to!" he pled with her. "I can't orb myself; I can't do anything."

Lana shook her head vehemently. "No," she refused. "No, there has to be somebody else."

"There isn't ... " his voice trailed, his breathing becoming shallower. "Please, I don't know what's wrong or how much time I might have left." What was in that water, he thought. "Or wait, wait," he thought of something else. "Sam. Sam," he barely got out.

"Who?" Lana made a face, observing JD closely. "I don't know who that is."

"Sam, he's ... he's a friend," JD stuttered, trying to remain conscious. "Call for him."

"Call for him?" Lana was confused until she caught on. "Wait, he's another whitelighter?"

JD gave a slight nod. "Here, take my hand," he said barely above a whisper. "It should link a connection while you call. I can't. Too ... too weak."

Looking down, Lana observed the out-stretched hand. Slowly, she moved her own hand and allowed it to join with his. She felt a spark of connection. Swallowing over the growing lump in her throat, she called out. "Sam?"

A few moments passed but nothing happened.

"Again," JD encouraged, his eyes fluttering. He was trying so hard to stay awake. "Try again."

"Sam!" she yelled louder this time. "Sam, can you hear me? Somebody needs your help."

This time, a flurry of blue and white orbs appeared, and a man stood before them.

Sam's eyes met with those of a young woman he had never seen before. Confused, he wasn't quite sure what to make of it, especially with the unknown darklighter still on the loose, hunting down whitelighters. It was only natural to remain cautious. "Who are you?" he came off sounding on guard.

"Doesn't matter," Lana shook her head, shooting down the question. "He's the one who needs you, not me."

Looking past her, Sam identified the problem. The guard came down. "JD!" he immediately moved towards him.

JD was passed out.

Kneeling down, Sam's concern was evident. "What happened?"

"If I knew, do you think I would be calling on you," Lana retorted. "Now do your thing, can you heal him or not!"

A bit taken back by her forceful approach; Sam reverted his concentration to the young whitelighter lying before him. Stretching his hands over him, the healing light appeared, and Lana watched in anticipation. "Damn it," he brought his hands back down.

"What's wrong, why isn't it working," she wanted to know when nothing happened.

"It's not going to work, there's some type of dark enchantment," Sam explained, feeling discouraged.

"Do it again!" Lana demanded.

Sam turned on her, not happy with her tone. "Hey. I just said it won't work, not unless we break the spell first. We need help," he looked back at JD. "A Witch's kind of help."

Lana closed her eyes. Great, she thought. Just what she was trying to avoid. She knew where this was leading to, back to the Charmed Ones.

"I know someone who can get it for us," Sam settled on.

"Of course you do," Lana scoffed, rolling her eyes behind his back. Then her attention fell back on JD, and she suddenly felt ransacked by guilt.

He didn't deserve to die.

X

Manor

"Well, this is a disappointment," Piper let out, slowly pacing the attic.

They had been anticipating Gideon showing up at the Manor for a confrontation but so far, nothing. Nothing at all. Billie had stayed with Piper while Paige was on the ready to orb back in with Phoebe when they received the signal. After much debate about who would leave and who would remain behind, they settled on the element of surprise still being the best approach for the situation. Which was to make it appear like they hadn't been expecting him. Gideon was also more likely to believe that Wyatt had gone to his mother. The bet was he would seek out Piper first.

"Yeah, go figure, my first big fight, and the demons bail," Billie cracked, laying half-way on the couch. She was munching on some Cheetos.

"Billie," Piper shook her head.

"What?" Billie countered with a laugh. "Hey, we can still give them to midnight if you want," she glanced down at her watch.

"No, this isn't a game," Piper reminded her. She paused, then pointed at her. "And, hey, if you get crumbs all over that couch, you're the one vacuuming."

"Here, see, all done," Billie finished eating, squashing the small empty bag in her fist, "not a crumb in sight. And I totally get it," she sat herself up, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. "Just trying to lighten things up a bit."

"Yeah, well, it couldn't hurt, being in the dark sucks," Piper cracked. "And the fact that Gideon didn't consider retrieving the stones, or the box, a high enough priority, makes me question what they're really up to," she voiced her concerns. "We're really losing touch if we can't even predict their moves anymore."

"Maybe they're just overconfident and cocky about having access to your powers," Billie suggested.

"Maybe," Piper went along with it. "That's still not good. We don't even have all the powers down ourselves yet."

Orbs appeared in the attic and Paige was standing there with Phoebe.

"I take it we're calling it quits," Paige threw up her arms.

"Yeah, either Gideon and the Triad are trying fashionably late on for size or we're just way off on what they're planning next," Phoebe acknowledged, reaching the same conclusion Piper had been thinking moments ago.

"Well, to be fair, Wyatt was the one who planted the idea that Gideon was on his merry way," Paige reminded the others. "Obviously, that was way off the mark."

Piper nodded, accepting the truth for what it seemed to be. "Either way, we should probably call it a night. If he was coming, he would have. You guys should get back home to your guys."

"Honey, are you sure?" Paige asked, wanting to double check. She was tired, craving sleep, but also didn't want to leave Piper in a pickle if she were left to deal with an unexpected attack alone.

"Yes, I'm sure, go," Piper waved them off. "Sounds like you two already had a lot to deal with on your own while Prue and I were gone, so get some rest. Take advantage of the break; I'm sure it won't last," she rolled her eyes, thinking of the inevitable. Turning to Billie, she addressed her next. "You too."

Billie looked up. "Um, okay," she gave in, shutting the Book of Shadows and getting up from the couch. It was late; she was tired. "But ... "

"We'll call if we need you," Piper assured her, placing her hands in her back pockets.

Billie nodded and moved to leave.

"Night," Phoebe told her as she passed by them. "Sleep tight, don't let the demon bugs bite," she teased.

"Night," Paige followed. "Sweet dreams."

"Not on those bed springs," Billie let out as she left.

Paige smirked.

"You always have a bed waiting back here," Phobe shouted loud enough for Billie to overhear.

When they were left alone, Piper gave her sisters a look. "Well, what are you two waiting for? Hit the road, Jacks," she cracked. "Go!" Turning around in a distracted manner, she removed her hands from her back pockets only for a folded piece of paper to come flying out and fall to the floor.

Phoebe went for it. "Uh, Piper, I think you dropped something ..." but as she made contact with it, she was hit by a ton of flashes.

Piper turned around, reading her sister's facial expression. "What, what is it?"

"Whoa," was all Phoebe got out.

X

Magic School

Prue walked up and down the classroom aisles, picking up bottles off desks, examining them and placing them back down again. There were vials, textbooks ready to go, and other strange magical equipment one likely wouldn't see inside a regular classroom in the mortal world. If she didn't know any better, she would guess this was to be a potions lab. She already knew Leo and some of the other Elders, like Dimitri, were hard under way getting the school ready to be up and running again.

Sighing, she turned around and spotted what appeared to be a huge closet space. Walking over to it, she opened it finding the last thing she expected to see. A variety of wands in different shapes, colors, and sizes lined the back wall. Rows of capes hung on hangers, taking up space on one end of the closet.

"Harry Potter, eat your heart out," she cracked, reaching for one of the wands and turning it over in her hands. Carefully, she inspected the engravings. "I know some of this," she began to read what was in Latin.

Suddenly, Leo orbed in behind her. "Hey, there you are," he addressed her.

Prue turned around.

Leo saw what she was holding onto. "So, Chris is in the playpen, we pulled some cots out for the kids. They're all asleep right now so there shouldn't be much of a problem," he assured her. "Andy's in there waiting."

Prue nodded, returning the wand to its rightful place.

"Sixth grade wand casting," Leo nodded at the closet. "Or at least it will be."

Prue smiled. "Yeah, some wand casting sounds nice right about now. I'd feel a lot less helpless."

"Prue, you're not helpless," Leo tried to encourage her.

"I beg to differ," she refuted. "If a demon were to attack right now, it's a pretty safe bet I wouldn't be walking out of here the same way I came in."

"Okay, so you don't have your powers," Leo conceded, "but so what. Phoebe lived without hers for a while and I've been without mine too. You're smart and more importantly, you have your sisters," he reminded her. "It's only temporary."

"Leo ... " Prue tried to cut in.

Leo threw up a hand. "I know. I'll ease up on the pep talk."

"No," Prue shook her head, "I was actually going to say thanks," she offered. "It's kind of nice to have the support for a change."

Leo smiled. "Sure, no problem," he nodded. "And you don't have to worry about demon attacks anyway. At least not here. The magical shields are up and in place, evil can't get in."

"Good," Prue nodded back.

"Well, I was just checking in but I'm going to head off and meet up with the other Elders. Touch base with them on everything and give them the artifacts. I shouldn't be too long," he tried to reassure her.

"Got it. Take all the time you need. We'll be fine," she told him.

"Prue!" a shout could suddenly be heard from not that far away.

Prue and Leo shared a look with each other.

"Andy!" Prue immediately voiced her concern.

They rushed out of the classroom, running down the long hallway. After turning the corner, they entered back into the study. The sight they encountered was completely unexpected.

"What's going on?" Leo was the first to inquire.

There, spread out on the floor, lay JD's unconscious body. Hovering just above him was a girl who was partially out of view as the back of another man stood blocking the way. Andy was standing as a barrier between them and the sleeping children. He kept checking on them to make sure they were still asleep while trying to keep an eye on the erupting chaos that was taking place.

Prue's eyes met with Lana's and widened. "You!" she accused, moving to advance on her.

"Wait, don't," the man who had accompanied them exclaimed, turning around and reaching out to grab Prue's arm to stop her.

After being spun around, Prue realized she had come face to face with Sam.

Sam's face softened. "We need your help," he pleaded, loosening his grip on her.

"Well, you can start by letting me go," Prue requested firmly.

Andy instantly moved over to them looking between the two. "Is there a problem?" he asked, but it was clear the inquiry was directed at Sam.

Sam broke eye contact. "Sorry," he apologized, letting go. "No, no problem," he turned away.

Prue stepped back, closer to Andy. It felt a bit strange to be running into Sam again. Her hardened stare returned to Lana. "How are you even still alive? Didn't my sister vanquish you?"

"Apparently, not well enough," she returned snidely.

"Ho ho," Prue moved on her again.

"Prue, wait," Andy held her back this time. "Not here, the kids."

The reminder was enough to get her to hold off. "Leo, didn't you say evil wasn't supposed to be able to get in here," she addressed her brother-in-law.

"It's not," Leo shook his head, brows contorting in deep contemplation.

"This isn't about her," Sam intervened. "JD needs help," he tried bringing the focus back to where it needed to be.

"Tell us what happened," Leo walked closer to the young whitelighter.

"Pretty sure it's an enchantment, we need a spell to break it," Sam shared with him. "The healing isn't working."

"A power of three spell?" Prue inquired.

Sam turned to her. "I don't know," he answered honestly.

"No, I don't think so," Leo was kneeling down, using his hands and Elder abilities to try and scan to detect the issue. "At least that's not what I'm getting. It's a simple enchantment, any one of the girls can come up with one."

"You mean a spell?" Lana knelt back down, grabbing for one of JD's hands. She was straight across from Leo at eye level.

"Uh, yeah," Leo moved back.

Everybody observed the scene taking place with Lana with interest.

"I figured Magic school was the safest place to bring him," Sam shared. "With that darklighter still on the loose and now this," he sounded dejected. "I thought maybe you could get the girls to help," he told Leo.

"No, I think you did the right thing coming here," Leo agreed.

Prue continued to observe Lana's interaction with JD, her eyes narrowing a bit. Suddenly, they were interrupted by a newcomer and Prue turned to look.

X

San Francsico PD - Precinct

Putting out his cigarette, he threw it on the ground, stomping it with his foot. He had enough, he was done playing games. Agent Murphy could choke on it; the Halliwell's were being brought back in tonight.

Turning around, Inspector Richardson reached for the back door to the building. Break time was over, not that it was much of a break.

"Richardson!" a voice called out.

Stopping in his tracks, the Inspector turned back surveying the darkness. He recognized that voice; he actually loathed it. "Ah, well, look who it is," Richardson remarked snidely. "The one who got away. Oh, I mean, left me hanging."

Marco emerged from the fog that had been shielding him. "Waiting, not hanging."

"Richard. What do you want?"

"For you to do what I brought you into this to do," he countered.

"I don't have the girl and I don't have time for this," Richardson beat him to the punch line, sounding completely disgruntled.

"Forget the girl!" Marco instructed, taking quick strides towards the other man. "New course of action. I need you to go after somebody else."

"Who?" the Inspector demanded.

"An old friend of yours. From another life," the demon sneered. "A man."

"A man," Richardson repeated. "Well, that's not saying much, now is it."

"The same man my alias is named for," Marco revealed.

Richardson shrugged. "A man named Richard." The lack of transparency was beginning to irk him. What was he getting at.

"Yes," he confirmed.

"And what am I supposed to do with that," the Inspector challenged.

"Nothing! You are to do nothing. You are simply to get a hold of him and bring him to me," Marco, posing as Richard, ordered.

The Inspector sneered back. "Is that so?" he mocked. "See, there's just one problem here. I don't take orders from you!" he yelled. "Not anymore. And you're certainly in no position to be making demands when you haven't even lived up to your end of the bargain. So, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to. By myself."

"Leave the Halliwell's and let it be!" Marco demanded anyway. "They'll get what's coming to them, I assure you. Starting with Phoebe," he nodded.

Richardson looked him in the eye. "How so?" he was mildly intrigued.

Marco let out a laugh. "You just do what i ask and you'll see. The man is her fiancé after all."

A smile began to spread across the Inspector's face.

X

Magic School

"Hey, guys," Billie sauntered into the study.

"Billie," Prue's face grew serious, "what are you doing here, you're supposed to be back with the others, did something happen ... wait," she stopped. "How did you even get here?"

Billie couldn't orb.

"With this!" Billie grinned, holding up a vial. "I've had a way in and out of here since last year, see. Came up with it myself," she felt proud of herself. "Anyway, thought I'd skip on the dorm tonight and stay here. Oh, yeah, and as for the rest, don't worry your pretty little head over it, everything is fine," she smiled.

Prue's eyebrows shot up at her.

"Gideon and the others were a no show," Billie informed her.

Crossing her arms, Prue gave it some serious thought. "They didn't come."

"Nope," Billie shook her head, "but the others are back at the Manor, trying to figure out the mystery as we speak," she gazed between Prue and Andy. "So. What's with the long faces," she asked, as Prue and Andy looked to each other.

"Uh, Billie ..." Prue then glanced to the side of her, where JD and the others were.

Billie's attention turned and landed on the young man on the floor. Her face dropped. "Oh my god, JD!" she ran over to him.

"Billie, wait," Prue tried stopping her but it was futile.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god," Billie began chanting really fast, falling to the floor beside him and then taking his face in her hands. "No no. Is he dead?" she panicked, and the tears finally came.

Lana watched. Slowly, she stood up and then backed away.

A hand came to rest on Billie's shoulder. "No, he's not dead." It was the comforting voice of Sam.

Billie let out a huge sigh of relief. "Okay, good. That's good."

"But we do need to act quickly," Sam added on.

Billie looked up at him. Nodding quickly, she wiped the tears from her face and stood back up. It was then that she came face to face with the last person she was expecting to see. Billie had been so consumed by her worry for JD she hadn't even registered that Lana's presence was there. She didn't say anything.

"No!" they were interrupted by the sound of Molly. "I don' t want to go, I don't want to go," she was panicking and crying. She had woken up and seeing Lana again was freaking her out.

Immediately, Prue reacted and rushed over to her.

Lana froze.

Prue had scooped her daughter up and Molly was wailing into her shoulder. "The mean girl," she pointed at her, between sobs. "It's bad very bad."

Her daughter was having a full-blown panic attack. While swiftly walking by, Prue sent Lana a death glare. Quickly, she reached Andy and handed her off to him. "Go!" she instructed. "Get her out of here."

Andy didn't even hesitate. He held on and turned to leave the study. While rubbing her back, he offered soothing words and attempted to calm her down as she continued to cry. Prue watched them go; a saddened expression left on her face. As she turned to confront the younger woman, it was replaced with a scowl.

"Yeah, I know you hate me," Lana declared point blank.

"Yeah, and what gave it away," Prue returned a snide retort.

"You can't kill me," she sounded almost smug about it.

"Oh, you're lucky I don't have my powers right now," Prue threatened, "you don't even want to know what I'm capable of after whatever it is you did to my kid!"

"I'm not the threat," Lana argued. "Not anymore," she added.

"Says you," Prue challenged. "I say once a demon, always a demon."

"Prue, stop, this isn't helping," Leo tried to be the voice of reason. "She's not a threat now, that's all that matters. We need to focus on JD."

Prue fell silent.

"You know it's true," Lana went in for the finish. "I wouldn't have been able to even be here if it wasn't," she waved at her surroundings.

"Yeah, apparently," Leo sighed, giving her the glance over, and having no choice but to agree. If she had been evil, the shields would have blocked her.

Prue just stared; arms crossed. "Yeah, well, stay away from me if you intend on staying," she rolled her eyes, turning away from her. She had enough and still didn't trust the girl even though she knew from a previous conversation with Billie, her daughter had wanted to try. "So, this spell," she shifted focus, "can Billie and I come up with it?"

"Yeah, either one of you should be able to do it," Leo confirmed.

"Great!" Prue feigned enthusiasm. "Billie," she called out. "Let's do this."

However, Billie was suddenly distracted. She watched as Lana returned to JD's side, taking his hand in her own and then affectionately moving some hair away from his forehead. Billie involuntarily flinched a bit, cringed as she felt tightening in her chest, in her gut, and then tried swallowing over the growing lump in her throat.

Noting the distraction, Prue intervened. "Billie," she reached out, gently pulling her back. "Over this way for a minute," she glanced at Lana and JD then back to Billie.

Billie broke out of her spell and followed Prue to another area of the room.

"Listen," Prue sighed, "right now we want to concentrate on JD so clear your mind so we can put our heads together and break this enchantment. Then Leo or Sam can heal him."

"Right," Billie nodded, but she was clearly still somewhat distracted. "They're kind of ... close," she settled on, not knowing how else to say it.

Prue looked over. "Who, the re-vanquished demon and your friend?" she stressed.

"Yeah, no ... I mean," Billie fumbled with her words. "Do you think she likes him?"

Prue smirked. "Billie, are you jealous?"

"What! No," Billie reacted in shock, denying it too quickly. "I mean, I don't know," she threw her face in her hands.

Prue let out a gentle sigh. "Look," she reached out and pulled her hands away. "Time to focus on a spell to save his life. Then there will be time to sort out feelings later."

Billie nodded in agreement.

"Okay, good," Prue nodded back.

Meanwhile, both Leo and Sam were left with Lana and JD. Sam had been meaning to ask something earlier but due to the urgency of the situation, hadn't gotten around to it. He figured now was as good a time as any.

"It wasn't the darklighter?" he inquired.

Lana shook her head.

"Then who?" Leo asked, wanting to know.

She didn't answer.

"How did you find him; how did he get away?" Sam followed up with his next questions.

"He didn't," she admitted.

"But then ..." Leo was confused for a moment but Sam pieced it together.

"You saved him," Sam concluded.

"Okay, we're all set," Prue's voice chimed in. She and Billie came to rejoin the others as they turned to look.

"That was quick," Leo acknowledged.

"Yeah, well, you know what they say. Two heads are better than one," Prue nodded in agreement with Billie.

Lana moved away to give them space.

"This should work," Prue said, but her confidence was wavering a bit. She felt like she was trying to convince herself more than anybody else in the room that she was still capable of being the witch she once was years back before she abandoned the life. It had been a long time since she had done any spell casting, or in this case spell breaking, solo, on her own, without her sisters. At least Billie knew what she was doing.

Together, Prue and Billie began to recite the spell they had created. "End this now, this enchantment crumbles, unseal this fate, this magic tumbles, forever gone, into the ethers, we reverse this curse, he who cast it must go first."

Everyone watched and witnessed a dark grey misty fog arise from out of JD; it floated above him, and then dissipated into thin air. Leo and Sam instantly went to work, holding out their hands, each of them working together to send healing. A few moments later, JD shot up gasping for air.

"JD!" Billie dove for him.

It took JD a moment to register what was happening but when he did, he hugged back. While he and Billie embraced, he turned his head and saw Lana watching. He gave her a smile. "She saved me."

Billie pulled back and looked over.

"Thank you," he told Lana.

Suddenly feeling uncomfortable with all the scrutiny, Lana fidgeted and avoided looking at anybody. Nothing else got said.

"Okay, and that's my cue to leave," Prue rolled her eyes, breaking the silence. "Billie, you got that vial. I think I should get back and check in with the others."

"Sure," Billie nodded, pulling the vial out of her pocket and handing it over to Prue.

"Everyone else is free to leave," Leo jumped in, "but I think it might be best if you stay here for a while, JD," he suggested. "At least until we figure out this threat and if we can handle it or get it under control."

JD nodded. "Yeah, sure, no problem," he agreed.

"You too," Leo nodded over at Lana.

"Me, why?" Lana was confused.

"Because you're a pawn in all this," JD jumped in before anybody else could offer their own insights. "Trust me, it's safer."

"JD's right," Billie had to agree, "he's not going to stop coming after you."

"Right, and while you all get that sorted out," Prue interjected, pointing between all the guys, "the rest of us will get some sleep to fight another day. Coming?" she looked over at Billie.

"Uh, no," Billie declined. "No, I'm going to stay here too."

Prue looked from Billie to JD to Lana and then back to Billie again. "Right," she accepted. "See ya later," and she turned to leave.

Billie and JD turned to each other.

X

Manor

The premonition hit hard and fast.

Phoebe sees a young man. He's dressed in black, talking with Piper. As she turns around, he moves to place the paper inside Piper's pocket before she turns back around and notices. There's also a flash of a mausoleum. She sees an entire wall lined up with names, all of their names. Piper is asking about Prue.

"Whoa!" Phoebe reacted.

"Phoebe, what is it?" Piper asked again, watching her carefully.

"Okay," Phoebe breathes. "Uh, cute guy, dressed in black, talking with Piper," she closes her eyes and begins to list off everything she had seen.

x

AJ stood peering out into the ethers.

"There you are," a female Avatar flashed in behind him, sounding a bit exasperated. "Didn't you hear the calls?"

He doesn't answer her.

x

"You actually got a premonition off that thing?" Paige was surprised.

"Uh, yeah," Phoebe nodded. "Definitely a premonition."

"Well, what else did you see?" Piper was eagerly waiting to find out. "Is it bad?"

"Not sure but I think we just got our answer on how you got this," she revealed to Piper about the paper with the mysterious message etched on it.

x

"Did you hear me?" she pushed. "Where have you been?"

AJ rolled his eyes. "I hear you, Nadia," he grumbled, finally acknowledging her. He turned to face her. "I heard them too."

"Well, then I'm sure you're aware, you must have felt it," she asserted. "The new shift. The collective is meeting over ... " she trailed off after picking up something was off.

He broke eye contact with her.

Her eyes narrowed. "What's the matter?" she sensed his slight agitation. She looked around. "And why are you here?"

x

Paige reached for the paper. "Five years," she read. "What does that even mean?"

Phoebe shrugged. "No clue."

"So, it's a vision of the future," Paige wanted to be sure. "You're sure. Not of the past?"

Phoebe shook her head. "No, definitely the future but not of the future. From the future," she clarified. "The future Piper came back from."

Piper was trying very hard to recall anything.

"You brought this back home with you," Phoebe told her. "Somebody gave it to you. The guy in my vision. Slipped it inside your pocket."

"Guy, what guy?" Paige was confused.

x

AJ wouldn't answer. Instead, using his fingers, he mindlessly rolled the empty vial around still found in his hand.

Nadia looked down and took notice. Her eyes widened. "You didn't?" she scolded. "You interfered with the witch?" she accused. "That's not our place."

"I only helped."

"Helped?" Nadia challenged.

"Assisted," AJ changed his wording, downplaying it.

"The timeline is shifting in and out. It's becoming unstable," Nadia raised her voice, trying to get him to understand the seriousness of the problem.

"So?" AJ challenged back.

Nadia was left speechless. She didn't understand this change in demeanor. "That's all you have to say?"

"I made a promise to someone, and now I've kept it," he turned his focus back to the images he was examining in the observation chamber.

x

A very puzzled expression was covering Piper's face. "Why?" she asked, having a difficult time understanding without remembering.

"No idea, honey," Phoebe shook her head, "but clearly he wanted you to have it."

"Maybe he's connected to how you got back and why the others got to leave," Paige proposed, looking down at the small paper in her hand.

"Could be," Piper considered it, "but I wouldn't know. It's all a blank."

"Think, Piper, think," Phoebe encouraged.

"How is that supposed to help," Piper rejected her sister's push. "Blank means blank, Phoebe, I can't magically conjure up memories I didn't take from myself!" she argued.

"Piper, just try. What can it hurt. Have you tried, because you won't know until you do," Phoebe didn't think she should give up that easily.

"Phoebe?" Piper was unsure. "I don't know ..."

"Concentrate," Phoebe instructed.

"Ugh, fine," Piper closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, and then began searching her memory banks, searching for anything that stood out.

"Anything?" Paige asked, sounding hopeful.

Giving into her frustration, Piper gave up. "No," her eyes shot back open, "and you know what, let me see this," she grabbed the paper, retrieving it from Paige's hands. Immediately upon contact, Piper was pulled into a premonition. She gasped.

"Piper?" Phoebe observed closely. She recognized that look.

Flashes played out like a recording inside Piper's mind. She remembered the initial meeting with the Avatar, the mission to rescue Wyatt, and the various discussions she tried to have about Prue.

"Piper, you okay?" Paige was a little worried. She reached out for their sister.

"AJ," Piper's eyes shot back open.

"AJ, who's AJ?" Phoebe questioned, sharing a look with Paige.

x

"You did this so the witches could live?" Nadia accused, feeling absolutely livid inside.

"I did nothing!" AJ refuted. "I simply provided a piece to a puzzle. And if the witches are smart enough to figure it out, well," his demeanor remained calm, "then it serves them and us at the same time."

"What are you talking about?" Nadia was becoming exasperated with his antics.

"Wyatt has become a menace," he spun around to face off with her. "Good and evil have been thrown out of balance; a little unforeseen consequence of your doing, is it not," he sneered, referring to the actions of the Avatar collective.

Nadia looked away, a guilt-ridden expression. "Our doing!" she corrected. "Do I need remind you who and what you are."

"There's nothing to stop his reign of terror ... except"

"Except what?"

x

"I met him when I went to the future," Piper started explaining. "He's the reason I'm back home, he's ..." her voice trailed off.

"He's what, honey?" Phoebe pushed.

Piper was in a daze. "He's an Avatar," she revealed. Then it hit her. "Guys, I think this message has to do with Prue."

Phoebe and Paige shared a shocked expression with each other as Piper observed the reaction of her two other sisters.

Piper had her memories back.

x

"Except what?" Nadia's voice hitched louder the second time she repeated the question.

He stepped forward. "Except, the Ultimate Power."

Nadia began shaking her head.

"With the other sister still in the picture, their circle will remain unbroken," AJ went on to justify his involvement with the shifting paradigm. "And then, they'll be strong enough for when the time actually comes."

"Strong enough," Nadia repeated. "For what," she slowly approached him.

x

Phoebe and Paige shared a look, each thinking the same thing.

"Piper, there's something you should know," Phoebe chose to break the secret they were holding onto. "While you were gone, you told us something."

Paige folded her arms and looked away.

"I told you something," Piper was confused. "What?" her eyes narrowed a bit.

"Well, the other you did," Phoebe quickly corrected. "Future you."

"Future me," Piper repeated.

"It's not good, you should probably brace yourself," Phoebe warned.

Releasing a deep breath, Piper felt the anxiety and anticipation mixing together. "I'm braced," she cracked. "Don't keep me in suspense."

"It's about Prue."

x

Nadia waited for the answer.

"To save Wyatt," AJ supplied. "And if not that, to stop him."

"And now I must repeat myself," Nadia remained firm in her stance. "As I've told you before, that is not our place!" she reiterated the rules. "It's not your place," she reminded him. "You can be sanctioned by the collective for this."

"So be it," he shrugged, not appearing too phased by the threat. "At least this way Phoebe and Paige don't have to die."

"What?"

"Piper won't be left alone."

"Says who?" she challenged him.

AJ shrugged, causally, almost too casually. "The new timeline," he answered simply.

x

"What about Prue?" Piper's brows contorted.

"Yeah," Phoebe nodded, "there's no real easy way to say this so ... " she gathered up the courage to tell her. "Piper, Prue ...

"Isn't going to make it," Piper finished for her. The flashes shot through her mind. Traveling to the future and discovering none of her sisters were there. Finding out Prue hadn't even made it as far as the rest of them. Trying to get answers, which nobody there seemed willing to give up.

Phoebe was a bit surprised. "Wait, you know?"

"In the future," Piper was recalling, "Prue wasn't there. He wouldn't tell me why," she shook her head, making reference to the Avatar. She picked the paper back up and read it over again. "Why would he help now?"

"Not sure," Phoebe shook her head.

"Well, excuse me, but I think the more pressing concern is why an Avatar is helping at all," Paige pointed out to them. "Aren't they supposed to stay neutral or whatever," she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, good question," Phoebe agreed, "but didn't stop them before."

"Exactly," Paige asserted. "So, what does this one want?"

"Utopia," Phoebe smiled wide.

"Maybe," Paige started nodding slowly, considering it. "Yeah, maybe."

"Paige, I was kidding," Phoebe let her know.

"No, hear me out, " Paige urged them, "remember last time, they gave in and turned things back to the way things were because they didn't think we were ready. What if by Piper going to such a messed-up future and allowing her to keep those memories, they think it'll persuade us back to their cause. Before we were three, now we're four. Maybe they think the odds are better. Maybe they want the Ultimate Power."

"Maybe it's time to bring in Leo," Phoebe suggested, not sure she was liking the direction this could all be heading in.

"Leo, for what?" Piper challenged. "He doesn't know anything. He's not an Avatar and doesn't have anything to do with them anymore."

"I get that, but he was still one of them once," Phoebe argued. "Maybe he'll have some insight into how they think or why they do what they do. Why now. Maybe some ideas on what this new one is trying to tell us."

Piper didn't think it made much sense. "This was from the future, Phoebe. It's entirely likely this Avatar doesn't even exist yet, at least not in our time right now."

"And" Paige sighed, "don't forget, there's still the whole situation with Prue and the Avtar who got her back here ... "

"Which was from the past, Paige," Piper cut in. "Still not seeing the connection."

"You didn't let me finish, Piper," Paige countered. "I mean, first Prue, now you, are we supposed to buy it's all just coincidence, maybe there is a connection."

"Maybe," Piper relented, not really knowing what to think.

"Well, I don't trust it," Paige asserted. "Phoebe, help me out on this one."

There was silence.

"Hello, Earth to Phoebe," Paige pushed. "Back me up with something's up in Avatar land."

Phoebe considered it. "Actually, when I touched the paper with the message and got the premonition, I didn't really sense anything bad ... with the Avatar. Per say." She looked between her sisters.

Narrowing her eyes, Paige made a face. "So, we are trusting it?"

"Didn't say that either," Phoebe tried to backtrack. "I'm just saying, I don't think it hurts to follow the breadcrumb that's been left for us. Especially if it can help save Prue's life."

"You mean the breadcrumb that's been sent to us," Paige corrected her, "postmarked future delivery. Open with caution."

"My point is this can be a clue we're looking for," Phoebe reinforced, "and the only one we have right now. If it can help lead us to whatever might happen to Prue, and we can stop it from happening, then I think we owe it to ourselves and to Prue to try."

Piper didn't have to think about it for long. "Agreed," she jumped onboard.

"Okay, whatever," Paige gave in, "but five years? That's all it says. Not much of a clue."

"No, but remember before other Piper left, she said the exact same thing," Phoebe reminded Paige. "Five years."

"And?" Paige shrugged.

"So, it's got to mean something. Like, literally, mean something," Phoebe concluded.

Piper caught on right away. "Right, so like whatever happens to Prue happens in five years."

"Exactly," Phoebe confirmed.

"Great," Paige sighed, rolling her eyes. "So, we have half a decade to stress over the millions upon millions of possible life-ending scenarios that might be the one to befall our recently resurrected yet about to be departed sister," she cracked.

"Well, when you put it like that ..." Piper shut her eyes.

"And not to put a further damper on it, but I seriously doubt the needle in the haystack approach is going to be effective," Paige was blunt about her feelings on it.

"She is right," Phoebe admitted. "It's an estimated timeline at best but nothing concrete."

"Why couldn't your Avatar just draw you a picture or something?" Paige joked.

"Not my Avatar, Paige, and the next time I see him, maybe you can ask him yourself," Piper retorted, eyes widening at her sister.

Paige made a face in return. "Funny."

"Guys, maybe he just gave us what he could," Phoebe threw out another suggestion. "I mean, whatever the rules, he could have found a way around them and now it's up to us to connect the dots."

"But where do we even start connecting?" Paige pointed out.

"Well, I know Piper, other you," Phoebe nodded at her sister, "said something about how there wasn't a magical solution because it wasn't a magical problem."

"Okay," Piper thought about it, folding her arms. "So, no magic, no demons?" she speculated.

Paige went deep into thought. "And wasn't Molly's reaction to the Inspector Dude, kind of telling," she recalled.

"Telling?" Phoebe laughed. "I got the sense she practically wanted to kill him."

"Richardson?" Piper inquired, quite curious about it.

Paige gave her a nod. "Maybe he's got something to do with it, or at the very least, is connected in some way," she proposed.

"Well, certainly wouldn't surprise me, I mean, according to Andy, he's got anger management plus Avenger cop down to psychotic art form," Phoebe pointed out.

"And now that we know about his connection to Sheridan," Piper added on, "maybe one too many screws got shook too loose up there."

"See, people, this is good, this is very good," Phoebe encouraged, waving her hands up in the air, "keep those ideas flowing."

Piper and Paige smirked.

"I say we keep an eye on him," Piper got serious again.

"Absolutely," Paige agreed. "Creep."

"Yeah, we've been dealing with a lot of those lately," Phoebe added.

The three woman continued to throw out their ideas until a voice calling from outside the attic alerted them to her presence.

"Piper? Phoebe? Paige? Anybody up there?"

"Prue!" Piper exclaimed. "Hide this, hide this now!" she ordered.

"Me?" Paige felt put on the spot. Panicking, she thought to come up with a discreet location to get rid of the card and cover up what they had been doing.

"Piper, what are we doing?" Phoebe questioned, feeling unsure.

"Phoebe, she doesn't need to know about this," Piper insisted, "at least not now."

"Okay, and what happened to not keeping any more secrets," Phoebe was confused.

"Right, and we have five years to tell her," Piper pointed out. "Why put this on her when we don't have to. We don't even have anything to tell her yet."

Phoebe thought about it. "Fair point," she conceded.

The footsteps were approaching closer to the attic.

"Paige," Phoebe scolded in a whisper, "what are you doing get rid of it!"

"I'm trying!" Paige hissed back. "Ah, ah," she chanted, still in a panic, feeling clueless. Just as Prue was about to enter, she called out, sending the small paper card to its new location. "Grandfather clock!" It orbed out.

Piper and Phoebe turned to look at each other.

"Grandfather clock, you sent it to the grandfather clock," Piper laughed.

"At least she'll never look there!" Paige retorted. "Next time, you do it."

"There you guys are, didn't you hear me calling?" Prue stepped into the attic as all three of the other sisters plastered on smiles.

"Hey!" they all said in unison, smiling in Prue's direction.

Prue froze, her eyes darting between all of them. "What's up?" Her eyes landed on Piper.

"Nothing much," her sister shrugged it off, picking at her nails.

Prue's attention shot to Phoebe next, who smiled wider and waved at her.

Prue shook her head, finally glancing over at Paige.

"Hey there," Paige gave her one nod.

"Hey," Prue repeated, her tone reflecting the frustration she was beginning to feel. "Okay, weirdos," she made a face. "Bad time?"

"Not sure what you mean," Piper shrugged, answering back calmly.

Phoebe followed up, trying to play dumb. "Yeah, what do you mean?" she shook her head.

"Obviously, I interrupted something," Prue reached her conclusion.

Phoebe snorted. "No, no, of course not," she waved it off. "We're thrilled to see you. Aren't we, Paige?"

"Yep," Paige nodded quickly.

"Really, guys, c'mon, what's going on?" Prue closed her eyes, not buying it.

"Nothing, nothing at all," Paige waved at her, although, by now, she was fully aware of the fact that their behavior certainly didn't reflect it. She looked over at Piper, hoping she could pull a rescue and do a better job than she was doing.

"Sure, Paige," Prue folded her arms, "that was very convincing. Try again," she looked to each of the sisters again.

"Alright, busted," Phoebe jumped in with a cover, disguising her voice. "You caught us in the middle of planning your welcome home party," she lied, making it up on the spot.

"She did?" Piper's eyes widened at Phoebe.

"Come on, Piper, the jig is up," Phoebe's eyes communicated back, begging Piper to just go along with it. "And we know how much you hate surprises, well, Piper and I do anyway," her focus went back to Prue. "Paige not so much, but, hey, it was her idea after all," she laughed, pointing at their youngest sister and throwing her under the bus.

"It was," Paige's eyes went wide, her voice sounding on edge, until she noticed Prue was staring right at her. "I mean, it was," she plastered on a smile, "of course it was," she nodded. "Guilty," she shrugged, playing it off as best she could. She would remember to give Phoebe a magical kick in the pants later.

Prue didn't say anything but appeared to be thinking about it. "But I've been back home for months," she eyed all three of them.

"Yeah, well, you know," Phoebe sighed. "We meant to get around to it sooner but with all the demonic family crises and emergencies popping up," she made up the excuse.

"Piper in a coma," Paige threw in.

"Yeah, don't think I was really in the partying mood," Piper went along with it.

Prue turned to her.

"And Andy," Phoebe pointed out. "C'mon, we couldn't do a welcome home celebration without Andy," she smiled bigger. "And now that he's back home all safe and alive," she stressed, "why the hold up?"

"Don't know," Piper mocked, "You tell us."

"Yeah, and just think," Paige cut in, "Phoebe was generous enough to offer up her loft for the entire event and all its festivities," she smiled at Prue, knowing full well the reaction she was about to receive from her other sister. It may not have been a magical kick in the pants, but operation payback had been cleared for take-off.

Phoebe's eyes went wide and when Piper started laughing, her attention shot over to her.

"Guys, really, this isn't necessary," Prue tried to squash the idea.

"No, don't be silly," Phoebe assured her. "Not after all the hard work Piper put into making the guest list," she smiled through clenched teeth.

Piper's expression went serious and shot Phoebe a look. "Hey, now," she laughed in warning.

Phoebe sent back a grin.

Clearing her throat, Paige picked up on how super awkward and out of control it had gotten.

Prue just gave in. "Fine, whatever," she shut her eyes briefly, shaking her head. "Try to keep it small. I guess I can wait to tell you what went down at Magic School, and you can fill me in on what didn't happen with Gideon later."

"Right," Phoebe nodded. "Small. Small is ... good," she settled on. "Wait. What happened at Magic School?"

Prue smirked. "Yeah, sorry, but that's going to take more than a few sentences," she shared. "Come find me when you're done." Folding her arms, she turned around to leave. "And let's cross our fingers that party won't be relocated into a jail cell. If Inspector Richardson has his way, we'll all be cellmates instead of party crashers," she threw over her shoulder.

"Night!" Phoebe yelled, as Prue went to exit.

"Later," Prue threw back before she was completely out of sight.

Paige let out a low whistle.

Phoebe's face dropped. "Ugh, and she's right," she conceded, throwing her hand against her forehead. "We still have the whole nightmare with Richardson to clean up, which if I may say so myself, is getting messier and messier as the hours go by. Tic Tock, everybody," she cracked. "Demons may be the last of our worries."

Piper let loose. "Phoebe, never mind the demons. A party," she scolded, "are you out of your mind, what even possessed you to throw that idea out there," she vented.

"Yeah, and my idea?" Paige narrowed her eyes. "Thanks sis," she threw at her sarcastically.

"Right back at ya, sis," Phoebe stressed, throwing it back to Paige. "And I had to say something; she knew we were hiding something. Besides, after what we've all just been through, maybe we can use it. This could end up being a good thing. It can help take our minds off current events for a spell, to relax, and chill," she waved her hands around. "You know, have some fun!" she argued.

"No, Phoebe, no," Piper shook her head. "There will be no fun. We have no idea when Gideon or the Triad will attack again and just because he didn't come after us tonight doesn't mean he won't tomorrow, or the next day, or the night after that."

"See, you do need to relax," Phoebe argued playfully. "All that stress is not good for the baby."

"Yeah, and you know what else isn't good for the baby, or party guests for that matter," Piper turned it back around. "Having energy balls and fire balls being flung at us," she tried to knock some sense back into her sister. "It's not chill, it's stressful, very very stressful!"

"Well, the vanquishes could be kind of fun," Paige bit down against her lip playfully, joking around. "The damages on the other hand, meh, not so much."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about any damages, Paige, you know, since it will all be taking place at my loft," Phoebe's voice hitched, her eyes narrowing at her sister.

"Hey, you earned that one," Paige shot back.

"Yes, and apparently while you're assessing any damages, you won't have to worry about RIP'ing the guest list," Piper playfully sniped at Phoebe.

Phoebe threw her hands up. "Okay, you guys, look, I get it, I realize it's not the most ideal thing but maybe that's why we should've just been honest with Prue in the first place. I mean, she does have a right to know; it is her life after all."

"Not if she doesn't have one," Paige cracked.

"And tell her what exactly," Piper pointed out again, "that we think she might die but we're absolutely clueless on how, why, when, and where. Not to mention, who!"

"Well, yeah, I mean, maybe she can help us figure it out," Phoebe tried to argue. "And there is no might about it; it's been made very clear she is going to die. Unless we stop it."

"Great, so we drop the bomb and send her off on an obsessive demon treasure hunt before getting the chance to deal with Gideon and the Triad," Piper countered. "How is that helping?"

"If it even is a demon," Paige made sure to get it out there. "We're pretty sure it's not."

"Prue will think it is," Piper told Paige, sure in her conclusion about that.

"Fine," Phoebe shut her eyes, "I get it, okay. But it was just a piece of paper anyway," she reminded her sister. "Five years, I mean, big deal," she laughed, "that can mean anything. Who cares if Prue saw it."

"Uh, unless she touched it and got one of your premonitions like Piper did, genius," Paige tossed in the monkey wrench. "Courtesy of the Ultimate Power, because yeah, that's how it works now; we share and tap into each other's powers."

"Yeah," Phoebe remembered, throwing her hands up in the air. "Guys, I don't know."

"I don't know either, " Piper shook her head, "but I do know one thing. Prue's not going to die," she was firm about it. "Not if we have anything to say about it."

All three sisters nodded.

x

Nadia thought about AJ's reference to the new timeline when the realization struck. "And she'll still be alive too," she whispered to herself.

"The Ultimate Power will restore balance," he concluded, firm in his conviction about it. He kept his eye on the console.

Nadia came closer to the console and AJ, watching whatever it was that had him so engrossed. "These recent attachments are very concerning," she reprimanded.

AJ looked Nadia up and down.

Nadia sighed. "Seth, what have you done?"

---

To Be Continued ...

Okay, this was one of my longest chapters. Since it's been a while, I figured why not. Working on the next chapter. If you can leave a review, that would be great, lets me know people are still interested. Hope you enjoyed.