Cordelia's twentieth birthday and then Xander's passed without incident. Cole was...adjusting to the major life change and it wasn't easy by any means, but Phoebe's willingness to stand by him was helping. And aside from Piper bring briefly possessed just before her ten year reunion, the holiday season was quiet. That changed the end of January however when a bitchy whitelighter showed up.

"Piper, what is that god awful smell?" Leo asked as he wandered into the kitchen looking for breakfast.

"I'm practicing my potion making skills." She answered. "While stocking up on a few 'we might need them and it's better to have them and not need them, than need them and not have them' potions. We're doing everything we can to stay safe and not invite trouble, Wards against demons, the Sanctuary Ward, the demon alarm, the experimental make them visible spell we put on the Manor and talking about our feelings so demons don't have an avenue to exploit. This is just one more thing to help with all of that. What time did you get home from the hospital last night? You look exhausted."

"I am, a car crash came in about twenty minutes before I was due to get off and even an orderly like me has to stay and help as much as possible. Between the college classes and working at the hospital, I'm running low on energy. Will there be any breakfast this morning? Not that I have much of an appetite with that smell."

"I fell asleep waiting for you to call, Leo. I was worried. But an explanation like that means I have to be understanding. I knew theoretically that dating a guy working toward being a doctor wouldn't be easy, but finding that out for myself also hasn't been easy. Just try to call, okay? Five seconds, I have to work late, if I'm too tired to drive home I'll call a cab."

"In the future I will, promise. Maybe I'll just have some of Phoebe's cereal. What you're doing is important too. Are the others practicing potion making too or just you?"

"Prue practices at her and Andy's place, Phoebe prefers using the cauldron in the attic, she says it makes her feel closer to Mom and I prefer to do it in here because I feel closer to Grams. Cordelia and Margaret work on potions together, Margaret's really getting into it too. She doesn't have much interest in Magic itself, but helping with potions makes her feel like she's supporting Cordelia and Xander. Which is why Charles has been spending time reading the Chronicles, he wants to be able to identify demons. He hopes it'll give us a warning of potential other problems."

"They're really getting into being proactive, you all are."

"Demons won't stop coming, we have to live with that, but we don't have be taken by surprise by them either."

"Good, you'll live longer with an attitude like that and I'm all for that." He poured a bowl of cereal, added milk and leaned against the counter and ate quickly as they continued to chat. He'd just finished when bright white orbs indicated someone was orbing into the kitchen.

"Leo, there you are." A woman said, glaring at him.

"Excuse me," Piper glared at the woman. "Who the Hell are you and who the Hell do you think you are just barging into our house like that? Is it too much to ask that you knock on the door like a civilized person?"

"There isn't time for that and your attitude needs adjusting."

"My attitude?! You're the one barging into my house without knocking. I'd say it's your attitude that needs adjusting, lady." Piper glared at her. "And you still haven't identified yourself."

"Natalie and I suggest you show me some respect, because as of now, I'm the Charmed Ones whitelighter."

"We haven't had a whitelighter in nearly two years and haven't needed one. We're doing just fine on our own. If you've got a message to deliver, than deliver it, otherwise goodbye."

"I'm not going anywhere and it's not up to you. Finding a whitelighter for you wasn't easy after Leo selfishly clipped his wings and left his charges high and dry and it was felt you need special handling, which is why I was chosen."

"You know why I quit, Natalie, I was afraid I couldn't give my charges my complete attention because I'd be worrying about Piper and I couldn't be the Charmed Ones whitelighter because I love Piper and I haven't stopped helping people just because I'm no longer a whitelighter."

"It was hoped you'd come to your senses and rejoin, but the Elders have decided you're not going to. Now, as I said, I'm the Charmed Ones whitelighter and the first order of business is that you will sever all ties with that trouble making elemental witch next door. The second is that you'll prepare to deal with a darklighter that I'm certain is targeting the Charmed Ones."

Natalie's orders were met with incredulous stares from both Piper and Leo. Then Piper snorted. "I guess you never got the message. We don't take orders from you or the Elders and I thought the Elders got the message that their job description doesn't include giving orders. I'm going to call my sisters and Xander and you can tell us all about the darklighter before you hit the road." Piper was smirking at the infuriated whitelighter as she reached for the kitchen phone and began calling in her family.