Charmed by Love

[Esmeralda]

Our new librarian (congrats, StoryGirl!) found this in the Old Cafe Fanfics board and asked me to post it here since it's so badly formatted there. I was surprised to hear that - I was certain that I had posted it here, but I guess not.

This is my very first Charmed fanfic. It was written during the summer between Season Five and Six long before there was such a thing as a Charmed DVD (I don't even think they were doing TV show DVDs at that time) or Netflix or Youtube. Keep in mind that at that time, most people still had dialup. So if you wanted to see more than one episode or you wanted to watch a specific one, you were out of luck unless someone did something like what I did. Reading's not the same as watching, but... At the time I was writing this, my readers totally completely loved it, but once the DVDs came out, most new readers didn't, especially because everything in this one is exactly as it was on the show - just told from Phoebe's point of view. So you'll always know what's going on and what's going to happen. That - the fact that there wasn't a lot of interest once the DVDs came out - might be why I didn't post it in the "new" ProBoards Cafe, but at StoryGirl's request, I am now.

This story got started soon after "Oh, My Goddess" was aired. At that point, Piper and Leo was my favorite couple on Charmed (that changed during Season 6...) and I was very upset, thinking that Chris had murdered Leo and we'd never see him again. Well, I have some friends who got into Charmed late (during S4, in fact) who couldn't understand why I was so upset. I told them that they didn't realize what all Piper and Leo had to go through in order to get married and be together and now to have them separated...

Well, I totally love novelizations of movies and was wishing that there was one that told Piper and Leo's love story, but at that point the only ones of the Charmed books that were actual novelizations were 'Something Wicca This Way Comes' and 'Charmed Again', which I'd already shared with them.

Well, the next day, on my way home from work, I suddenly heard Phoebe's voice in my head - not Alyssa Milano's from the time of S6, but S1 Phoebs' much-younger, much-more-enthusiastic's voice - telling what's written in the Prologue of this story.

And that's when it hit me - *I* could write that novelization for my friends.

Well, fortunately for me, TNT started all over with Season One the following Monday. So every day, I'd VCR the show, then fast forward through it, looking for Leo. If he was there, I'd transcribe the scene and then Muse Phoebs would tell me how to write it from Phoebe's point of view. I ended up giving the full thing to my friends as a Christmas present and they totally loved it, as they finally realized why I felt the way I did - although by that point I was already changing my own mind so that now they're my least-favorite couple on the show.

But I still ended up having to share it with others at the old Cafe and at fanfiction.net to see their reaction and, now, I'd love to see yours...

Just because it's so long, I'm just going to post the Prologue and see if anyone is interested in reading more.

CHARMED BY LOVE
by Esmeralda

Disclaimer:

I do not own any of these characters; they are all products of The WB (now The CW) and at the time this was written belonged to them and Aaron Spelling Productions. This story was not written for sale and is meant only to be read by visitors to fanfiction websites. Also, all plot points and most of the conversations come directly from episodes of the TV show "Charmed", whose rights are now owned by CBS. Only Phoebe's thoughts come from my own imagination. Also some scenes are slightly changed to help the story go more smoothly. This takes place right after the episode 'Oh, My Goddess!'

PROLOGUE

Piper! This is your sister Phoebe writing to you. I'’ve been watching you the last couple of days, and I know there'’s something wrong, something terribly wrong. You keep acting as if everything is just great, but it'’s not! Piper, Leo is gone! He’'s really gone and this time, he'’s not coming back! Ever! After having been guided by our Whitelighter for five years, he'’s been snatched from us and made into an Elder, not only an Elder, but the Chief Elder!

Yes, Piper, you’'re right - it is a great promotion, one we know he couldn’'t turn down, and I know that you'’re strong and that you'’ll be able to raise young Wyatt as a single mother, especially because Wyatt has two doting aunties more than willing to help out, but I also know how very much you love Leo and how much you and Leo had to go through in order to become husband and wife and become parents of that adorable little boy.

And yet, Piper, you’'ve been so very calm, so very serene. You’'ve hardly mentioned Leo at all or even how much he helped us develop as the Charmed Ones, the most powerful good witches ever. It’'s almost as if your pain has been taken away. I don'’t know who did that, but I also know that whoever did that did you no favor, because this isn’'t your way, Piper - you fight! The way you fought when they tried to take Leo away from you before. The way you fought when our big sister Prue was taken from us. Now I’'m afraid that the Elders have taken away that pain by taking away all of those memories of all those things that you and Leo have gone through. You must admit, Piper, that’'s exactly the sort of thing the Elders would do; they fought your and Leo'’s union from the start, because witches and Whitelighters aren’'t supposed to get together like that. And yet I know you would want to remember, to treasure what happened. I also know that you would want to save those memories, so you can later tell Wyatt all about his daddy and how very much he loves both him and his Mommy.

I was going to simply tell you all about this, but I'm afraid Chris, our new whitelighter, will overhear. Maybe it’'s simply that he’'s not Leo, but there'’s something about him I just don'’t trust. Besides, maybe the Elders are right. I remember your reaction when Prue was taken away from us and wouldn’'t want you to go through that again. So instead I’'ve decided to write out the full story and then put it where I know you’'ll eventually find it. I just hope that you'’ll find it when the time is right.

I guess our story starts when I first came back to San Francisco. No, it starts earlier than that. It starts when Grams died.

As you well know, Piper, we lived with Grams, our maternal grandmother, in the Halliwell Manor - the large old house that always seemed to be falling on our heads - ever since our mother died when we were very young, so young that I didn'’t even remember her at all, while you did a little, and our big sister Prue, who remembered the most, chose to forget most of it to keep her from the pain of losing Mom.

Remember, Piper? Grams had just gotten back from the hospital after having a heart attack and wanted to take a picture, just one picture of her three girls. She didn’'t choose a very good time.

So? What do you think and would you like to read more?

[sol]

I would, it's something new a Phoebe's letter

[Esmeralda]

Jun 29, 2016 16:21:10 GMT -5 sol said:

I would, it's something new a Phoebe's letter

Thank you.
I'm glad you like the idea of me writing as Phoebe, putting a different spin on Piper and Leo's love story. Hope you like Chapter One, as well.

CHARMED BY LOVE - PART ONE: PRE-WITCHED

I’ was just caught shop-lifting (hey, they were the perfect pair of shoes that I had to have!); Prue was getting ready to get married and moving out; and you were depressed about becoming stuck at the Manor, taking care of me and Grams. Do you remember what happened shortly before that picture, Piper? You went walking with Prue, and Prue told you that she wanted you to be her maid of honor because she and I didn'’t get along - she was too goody-two-shoes for me, always doing what she was supposed to do, while I was too much of a free spirit for her, always doing what I wasn’'t supposed to do. While you were talking, you ran into a handsome young man, and you both shared a look - the first time you looked Leonardo Wyatt in the eyes.

I wonder if even then Leo knew that we would become the Charmed Ones, that he would become our whitelighter and you two would share something special. I never got a chance to ask him, but it wouldn'’t surprise me.

Anyway, Grams wanted her picture. We were standing on the steps outside the Manor and Grams wanted us to move just a little closer (which I didn't want to do since I was standing right next to Prue - I don't think she wanted to either). Then she asked me to turn so she could get my good side, and you told her I didn’'t have one that day. You were right - I just wanted to get that picture done and over with.

Prue wanted to know if I had plans and if it was anyone she knew, since she was still upset that the day before I called her fiancé, Roger. Hey, I was just trying to be nice to the guy, considering he was going to be part of our family soon, when I wasn’'t even sure I wanted to be part of our family, not then! Besides, I wanted to know, why would I want to spend my time on a wimp who had mother issues? That got Prue mad, as she wanted to know why she should believe me when I didn’'t even know the difference between what belonged to me and what belonged to the shoe store.

I was all ready to stomp off, picture or no picture, when Grams suddenly gasped and grabbed her chest. We ran over to her, telling her to take shallow breaths and whether we should call a doctor and she told us, “"No doctor. Just a picture. Is it too much for an old lady to ask her granddaughters to retract their claws, stand still and look at me long enough to take one lousy picture?"

So we stood on the steps, tried to smile and Grams took the picture. It still sits on the table in the foyer, but we'’re standing a lot closer than I remember standing during the picture - proof how close we’ became as the Charmed Ones, when we were anything but back then.

Later, while I was getting ready to go out, I walked passed the steps leading to the attic, a room whose door was always locked, but I could have sworn that Grams was talking with someone. Only when we sisters, as the Charmed Ones, went back to the 70's to save our powers from a warlock and got to meet our mother, did I realize that's who Grams was talking with - the spirit of our mother. But their words and what those words almost led to, they haunt me to this day, Piper, showing how very close you came to never even getting to know Leo, much less getting together with him..

First, I thought I heard someone (who I now know was Mom) say, “"It’'s just a phase. When their destiny’'s revealed, they’'ll come together,” and Grams reply, "“But what if they don'’t? What if they never do? What if the gift is too much for them to handle and they...? Well, regardless, I fear there may be only one option if I can'’t find a way to bring these girls together.”"

Well, at the time, I had no idea to whom she was talking to or what they were talking about and personally didn’'t just rolled my eyes, thinking that nothing could bring us girls together, nor did I care, so I totally forgot about it until years later. So I just went in my room and got ready for my big night out.

Later, I waltzed towards the kitchen to get the keys for the car we sisters shared. As I drew near, I heard you asking Grams what she was making and she said she was just keeping her hands busy. You asked her if she needed a hand and you must have thrown some stuff into the pot, because Grams wanted to know how you knew what to add and you said you needed to balance stuff out and Grams said "“You were born for this, literally. Why do you insist on wasting your talents behind some counter in a bank?"” and you replied that your talents didn'’t come with health benefits and with Prue getting married and me, well, I was me, so someone had to be practical. Grams didn'’t think you should be practical at the expense of your dreams and you said, no, at the expense of losing the Manor and not being able to pay Grams’' hospital bills.

I remember being glad that you were the one willing to make the sacrifice, because I sure wasn’'t and at that, I walked into the kitchen, grabbed the keys and got ready to go out, even when Grams asked if I wanted to join you two with whipping up something you’'d regret the next day. Not me, I had my own ideas of doing things that other people might regret, but I sure wouldn’'t!

Only much later did we realize that what you’ helped Grams make was a potion that would totally bind our powers, so we would never receive them, not even when the time was right. Not even Mom'’s ghost had been able to convince Grams that we wouldn't blow our destiny as the Charmed Ones - she was certain it was best for us not even to try, which would've put you and Leo on totally different paths. But before she could give us that potion the next day, she had another heart attack and stumbled down the steps and was gone before we could do anything about it.

A couple days later, after the funeral, we were in the living room. You were holding that bottle of potion, the bottle you'’d found at the top of the steps. When you told us where you’ found it, Prue wanted to know what she was doing up there in the attic. Even though I’ heard her talking up there before, I didn'’t want you guys to think I was crazy, hearing things (which I still thought might have happened), so I said it wasn'’t possible, since Grams always told us that the attic was sealed off, but you wanted to know what was she doing, coming down the stairs, so to change the topic, I wanted to know what we were going to do about that thing that Grams was always concerned about - our future. The only reason we were still there together was because of her, and now Prue already had one foot out the door with her engagement and I knew you didn’t want to bunk with me any longer than you had to.

You didn’'t want to discuss that right then, instead you suggested that we discuss it over dinner - you’'d even make one of Grams’ favorite meals, since she always liked the idea of you being in the kitchen, but Prue was supposed to spend the night with Roger, and I’ decided that this was my perfect chance to escape. So I told you two that I was taking off, that I didn’'t know what my future held, but it sure wasn'’t in San Francisco. You both tried to talk me out of it, but I said we all knew that the only thing that I contributed to our threesome was trouble, so I was going to go see what New York thought of me. After all, Grams always said that we all had a purpose and maybe we’'d have an easier time finding it out on our own.

I knew that without Grams, the one who was always the glue who kept us together, that I couldn’'t stand sticking around a sister who refused to believe that I’ did anything with her almost-husband - as if I ever would - not only was she my big sister, almost a mother-figure, who along with Grams had practically raised me, but I knew from the beginning that he was a creep who was only using Prue from the start.

So I ran away to New York to try to find our father, Victor Bennett (at that point we had no idea why Mom kept her maiden name, the reason why we were also Halliwells and not Bennetts), who also left us when he left our mother. I know it wasn’'t fair saddling you with the Manor, since Prue expected to be married to Roger soon, but what can I say? You and Prue and Grams spoiled me, the baby of the family, rotten, and I was still very young and very foolish and very self-centered and didn’'t know better.

Within months, I did - I lost my job, was broke, was homeless, so I turned to you, Piper, the only person whom I felt I could trust. You told me that Prue was talking about finding a roommate to help share expenses, and after all, as you well know, Grams had willed the Manor to all three of us for a very special reason - —had we not all been in that house together, we would not have received our powers and you would have never met Leo!

So I came home in the middle of a thunderstorm. Remember, Piper? When I walked into the door, you and Prue were looking at something she found in the basement when she went looking for the fuse box to try to fix the entryway chandelier. It was our old spirit board that Mom had left us. We never knew what the inscription on the back meant:

“To my three beautiful girls.
May this give you the light to find the Shadows.
The Power of Three Shall Set You Free.
Love, Mom”

We would soon find out.

So?? What do you think now, now that you've read more of what you already know, but from Phoebe's point of view? Like I said, I know you know what's going to happen, so if you don't want to keep going, don't be afraid to say so.

[adzpower]

I really enjoyed that Es, very interesting reading it from an outsider's perspective. I know technically Phoebe wasn't an outsider but still, it's fascinating reading events that have happened but told from a point of view that we haven't seen before.

[Esmeralda]

Jun 30, 2016 6:58:40 GMT -5 adzpower said:

I really enjoyed that Es, very interesting reading it from an outsider's perspective. I know technically Phoebe wasn't an outsider but still, it's fascinating reading events that have happened but told from a point of view that we haven't seen before.

Thank you, Adzpower; I truly appreciate that.

Here's the next part:

CHARMED BY LOVE: - PART TWO: Something Wicca This Way Comes

CHAPTER ONE

Prue wasn't thrilled about me coming home, but thanks to your loving mediation, Piper, I was allowed into the Manor, if not actually accepted back into the family.

Later, you and I were playing with the spirit board, asking typical questions like whether you'd get the chef job you were auditioning for the next day. We also asked whether Prue - who was no longer engaged to Roger but still working for him - would have sex with anyone but herself that year. As always, you accused me of pushing the pointer, something I never did, since I was sure you were the one pushing it!

The news was on TV in the background, and there was a story about a serial killer who was murdering young women, young women who all practiced Wicca - white witchcraft. I don't know if I'll ever forget that first conversation about your boyfriend:

You were pointing at the reporter. "That's my boyfriend, Jeremy."

"Yummy, he's hot! Are the roses on the table in the entryway from him?

"Yes, along with the bottle of port, the special ingredient for my audition recipe tomorrow."

"Now that's what you call a thoughtful boyfriend. When did you meet him?"

"In the hospital cafeteria the day Grams was admitted. He was working on a story and I was bawling over a bagel, so he handed me a napkin."

"Oh, how romantic!"

"Yeah, it was. The napkin had his phone number on it," and I laughed.

Then you glanced at the television again. "Hey, speaking of boyfriends, look at the inspector who's talking with Jeremy - isn’t that Prue’s old boyfriend, Andy? I thought he was still in Portland. I wonder what he’s doing back in San Francisco and whether Prue knows he’s back."”

Then you stood up, saying that you were going to make us some popcorn, and suggesting I ask the board about Prue and sex again, and as you walked towards the kitchen, for once, I really did try to push that pointer towards “Yes", but it suddenly started moving all on its own! I was hardly touching it at all! It spelled AT. I yelled and both you and Prue came running. I explained what had happened, but neither of you would believe me, again accusing me of pushing it. When I tried to show you two, it stayed put until you both turned your backs.

Prue walked away, but as you watched, it started moving again, and I wasn’t even touching it! We both yelled for Prue, who was still very cynical, especially when I showed her what it spelled: ATTIC. I was all set to run upstairs, but she told me that that was impossible - that door had been locked from the inside for as long as you guys could remember.

But I didn't care. Nope, not impulsive, act-first/think-later Phoebe! I climbed up the steps and tried to open the door. I tried and tried, but couldn't get it to open. Admitting that Prue was right, I started to walk away, when I heard something. I turned back and there was the door, wide open! Not only that, but a ray of light was shining on a trunk sitting near the window!

Yes, Piper, I know - I should've gone and told you and Prue, but I was drawn to that chest, wanting to know what whoever was using the spirit board to communicate with us - Mom? Grams? Someone else? - wanted us to find. I opened the chest to find a big old dusty book. I picked it up and blew off the dust. On its green leather cover was a strange symbol, three arches surrounded by a large circle. I opened the cover to read its title out loud: The Book of Shadows.

Flipping the title page, I found a page decorated with beautiful illustrations and words in an old, flowing ornate script. I'm still not sure why I did, but I read the words aloud:

Hear now the words of the witches,
The secrets we hid in the night.
The oldest of gods are invoked here.
The great work of magic is sought.
In this night and in this hour,
I call upon the ancient power.
Bring your powers to we sisters three.
We want the power. Give us the power.

Power? What power? I'd always felt so powerless, to receive some sort of power, something I could share with my sisters, especially Prue, a sister I wanted to be close to but who I knew would never let me, sounded wonderful.

But wasn’t it just some crazy poem? I didn't feel any different, nor were there any strange manifestations. But when I closed the book, that symbol had changed. Now all of those arcs intersected with each other and the outer circle was now inside the arcs, joining them to form the symbol we now know as the Triquetra, our symbol.

Yes! It had to mean something!

[Esmeralda]

PART TWO, CHAPTER TWO

At that exact moment, you and Prue came running into the room, wondering what I was doing up there and what had I done. They'’d been standing under the chandelier, that one that Prue couldn'’t fix - now it was shaking and glowing with light! Now I knew for sure that the spell had worked! We were witches and we had powers! Great powers! But once again you two refused to believe me. Prue was infuriated that I had included her in this and marched out.

You wanted to know if anything had happened when I said the incantation, and I rolled my eyes and said that of course something did: my head spun around and I spat out split-pea soup! But the symbol on the Book changed and you said the chandelier came on.”

But you just shook your head and left, insisting that witches don’'t exist and those things could be explained.

But now I knew better. I stayed up all night reading that Book, more fascinated by every page. It said that there were three main essentials for magic - timing, feelings, and the phases of the moon. Were we to receive our powers, the moment I spoke the incantation - the most powerful time of all: midnight of a full-moon - was the best time. I then read about our ancestors, especially Melinda Warren, a powerful good witch who could move things with her mind, freeze time and see into the future. Before she was burnt at the stake, she vowed that every generation of Warren witches would become more powerful and more powerful with the culmination of three sisters who would be the most powerful witches the world had ever known.

And, oh, yes, Piper, do I ever remember your response the next morning as you prepared to leave for your audition: "“Hey, Phoebs, last night was pretty weird, but we aren’'t witches and we don’'t have powers. After all, Grams wasn’'t a witch and to our knowledge, neither was Mom. So take that, Nancy Drew."”

Even when I told you that we were the protectors of the innocent and known as the Charmed Ones, you drove off.

But as you well know, Piper, we are the Charmed Ones, and we do have powers. You found out about yours when your prospective boss entered the kitchen before you could add Jeremy’'s port. When you raised your arms, everything froze. Everything! Not just the chef, but the bubbling pot, the clock, everything but you! Once you figured it out, you were able to add the port before he unfroze, and you won the job. While you were telling me about this on the phone, Jeremy came up behind you to offer his congratulations and ask you out for a celebration dinner.

In my excitement, I jumped on my bike and began riding, wondering which power was mine, hoping I could move things with my mind - what a cool power that would be! - when suddenly something flashed in my mind, like a dream, but so much more real - a big, black car, slamming into two boys on skateboards. No sooner did the scene fade from my mind than I spot a black car coming up over a hill, heading full-speed towards an intersection! And there were two boys on skateboards, heading towards the same intersection, doing tricks, not looking!

“"NO! STOP!”" I yelled as I skidded my bike in front of the boys, stopping them as the car swerved in front of us. But I conked my head and ended in a hospital with a mild concussion and scratches.

Prue came to get me. As she waited, she ran into her ex-boyfriend, Inspector Andy Trudeau, who was still working on that case, and bought her a “cup of rotten coffee.”

Later, as Prue treated me to a cup of good coffee at a restaurant, she apologized to me about Roger - he'’d shown himself to be the bastard I knew he was, and she was now unemployed. She laughed, remembering how the fountain pen that he always waved at people to make his point, suddenly split in his shirt pocket, drenching his white pocket with blue ink.

"“You did it!"” I exclaimed. "“You moved the cap and made the ink spatter his pocket! You can move things with your mind!"”

She firmly shook her head. "“You might think you can see into the future, but I do not have special powers. Now where’'s that cream?”

And the pitcher of cream moved, Piper, it moved all on its own to sit next to Prue’'s cup! Oh, Piper, you should'’ve seen the look on our unflappable big sister’'s face as I told her, “"Well, that looks pretty special to me!"” and when the cream moved from the pitcher to her coffee, she had to agree.

Unfortunately, becoming witches had its drawbacks, as I explained to Prue on our way back to her car, another conversation I'll never forget:

“"While I was looking through the Book of Shadows, I saw these pictures. All of these incarnations of evil battling three women, three witches.”"

“"Evil battling evil. That’s a twist.”"

“"Actually a witch can be either good or evil. Good witches follow the Wiccan reid: “And it harms none, do what you will.” A bad witch, a warlock, has but one goal: to kill good witches and obtain their powers.”"

I had no idea that at that exact moment, you were discovering just how very true those words were as you ran into our very first warlock - Jeremy! Your boyfriend was the one who killed all of those other women! As he raised an athame, a ceremonial knife, his face and his voice changed and he told you, “"I knew when the old witch died that you would come into your powers as soon as you were all united. So when Phoebe came home, I knew I could now claim them as mine!”"

Fortunately you first used your power to what we (and Melinda Warren) thought was freezing time but is actually freezing molecules and then a board across his head to escape and hurry home. We used his roses and other ingredients to cast our very first spell - one meant to vanquish him, but when I picked up the bowl we were using, I had another flash - Jeremy, thorns sticking out of his body, but still alive, still coming after us! Only when Prue remembered the words on the back of the spirit board and we all joined hands and chanted those words, “The Power of Three shall set us free” over and over no matter what Jeremy threw at us was he finally truly vanquished.

That’'s when we all finally accepted that we were not only witches, but witches who would have to stick together. As you put it, “"That should be interesting."”

And it was.

We quickly discovered that the Book of Shadows, now activated by my incantation, was a magnet for evil beings, all who wanted its power - and ours - for themselves. But it also attracted very good beings. We didn'’t know it at the time, but some very good beings (or so we would think at the time - now I'’m not so sure...) were watching over us and had sent one very special being to be our guide and protector.

You've gotta know who I mean, Piper - your future husband, the father of your son and the true love of your life - Leonardo Wyatt.

So?? What do you think now???

[adzpower]

Still enjoying it immensely, I feel like you've really captured the essence of early Phoebe in these stories, like deep down in her season 5 and 6 mind, she's still the same Phoebe we know and love, she's just put up harsh barriers to hide that side of her now, but now that we're seeing inside her mind, it can't be hidden.

[Esmeralda]

Jul 1, 2016 5:00:35 GMT -5 adzpower said:

Still enjoying it immensely, I feel like you've really captured the essence of early Phoebe in these stories, like deep down in her season 5 and 6 mind, she's still the same Phoebe we know and love, she's just put up harsh barriers to hide that side of her now, but now that we're seeing inside her mind, it can't be hidden.

Oh, Adzpower, I *so* love that idea! And I do believe it's possible. After all, Drake brought out the Phoebs in PhoeME in 'Show Ghouls', which is why it's one of my all-time favorite episodes, and why I've always believed that he's her true love.

Here's more, the actual introduction of Leo:

CHARMED BY LOVE - PART THREE: The Truth is Out There…and it Hurts

CHAPTER ONE

Do you remember the very first time we met Leonardo Wyatt, Piper? I sure do.

Some evil shape-shifters tore down the door to the attic, trying to get to the Book, so we decided to call for a handyman. Then we got so caught up with the shape-shifters that we never did, so when you announced that the handyman was here, I guess we each thought one of the other two had called. I expected some old guy, so I was very pleased when you led a very sexy, very handsome young man into our home, and I admit it, Piper, I drooled!

Hey, how was I to know he’d end up with you - at that point, I just wanted him to end up with me, even if only very temporarily, since at that time I was a lot more interested in having fun than having a serious relationship - I decided to save that for you, who was always the romantic of the family, or Prue, who was starting to go out with Andy again. (And, yes, I was a good girl - I never made a play for him once they did.)

But looking at those hands and imagining them all over me, WOW!

And when he mentioned that there weren’t very many houses left like our home and you told him it was falling apart and he replied, “The problem isn’t the Manor, but the manner in which it was treated!”, I think all three of us were hooked, even Prue!

And when he wanted to see more, I gladly led him up the steps towards the broken attic door. But don’t kill me, Piper - I didn’t keep his attention for long - I wonder if even then he remembered seeing you that day before Grams died and had already fallen for you.

I’ll admit that I continued to flirt with him, but I’ll also admit that I did it more to get your goat and to help you get over Jeremy, because I quickly realized that I didn’t even have a chance. And when Prue cast a truth-spell, that’s exactly what I told you.

But I wasn’t the only one to take advantage of the truth-spell, which forced anyone to answer any question truthfully - us included. You later told me and Prue that when Leo came into the kitchen, looking for a fresh cup of coffee after spilling his first cup on his shirt, you decided to find out whether he felt the same way towards you as you did about him, so you asked him if you could ask him a question.

Man, were Prue and I proud of you - our shy, introverted Piper (and, yes, Piper, you truly were shy and introverted back then - I swear it!  Oh, has becoming Charmed and losing Prue changed you!) willing to ask a guy such a thing! And, man, did we laugh when you admitted, (remember - we were all still under that truth-spell so you had to spill!) that at first you chickened out and asked, “Do you need another shirt?” and he replied that he had another one in his truck.

But somehow you found the courage (probably from knowing that at 8 PM that night - 24 hours after Prue cast her spell - Leo would forget what he’d say), so you told him that wasn’t the question that you wanted to ask and instead it was, “Do you ever think of me?” and when he admitted he did, you asked, “In what way? As a friend sort of way or –“ but before you could finish, he said, “You have beautiful eyes.”

Prue and I cheered, but you really surprised us when we asked you to continue, because you admitted that after he apologized for saying something totally inappropriate, you decided, “"Oh, what the hell. Leo, how do you feel about women who make the first move?”"

“You didn’t!” exclaimed Prue and you blushed, admitting you had. We cheered, but then I had to ask, “So? What did he say?”

Your face went redder remembering, but you still had to answer (that truth-spell thingie again). “He said he didn’t know because he was waiting for it to happen.”

“What happened next!” I demanded, knowing you’d have to spill.

Your face went even redder, glaring at me, but you blurted out, “What else could I do? I grabbed his face and kissed him for all I was worth!”

Prue and I really celebrated that answer, high-fiving each other and hugging you, then Prue asked, Well? How did he react?” and now your embarrassment turned to pure joy.

“Oh, Prue! He asked me how I felt about men who make the second move, so I told him I loved them and he kissed me even harder than I kissed him!” and now both Prue and I melted, going, “Ohhhh! How romantic!”

Of course, as wonderful as this was, there was just one problem, well, actually two.

First, shortly after 8, you ran into Leo at Quake, the restaurant where you had your audition and were now working as a manager, and he told you he had a very strong feeling that he’d done something that he should apologize to you for, but couldn’t remember what it was. You told him that there wasn’t, not at all, and offered to buy him a drink. But that told you what we all feared - that now you knew how he felt about you, but he no longer knew how you felt about him, and once again you were afraid to tell him because of the other thing - something that Prue told us about.

The reason why Prue originally cast that spell was that she wanted to find out whether Andy would still want to date her even if he knew she was a good witch with powers and whose daughters (well, at that point we thought it would only be daughters…boy, did Wyatt prove us wrong on that!) would share that heritage. He didn’t think he could, so now you feared that our handyman might feel the same way and you were too afraid to find out. Seeing how miserable Prue was, I didn’t blame you one bit.

The next time you saw Leo, he was fixing our sink, while you and I admired the view he presented. OOO! Sweet cheeks! You were discussing your job at Quake and happened to mention crab, so you asked Leo if he liked crab. So he asked you if he could tell you what he’d love.

Of course, we both wanted to know that that was…

Just because that one was so short and because the next part is one of my own personal favorites, I decided to do that one, too...

[Esmeralda]

CHARMED BY LOVE - PART FOUR: The Witch is Back

CHAPTER ONE

At the look on our faces, Leo stuttered, “Uh, the, uh, ratchet extension. Could you hand it to me?”

You agreed and looked in his toolbox, but were totally lost. So I walked over and pulled out the ratchet extension, all set to hand it to him, but you grabbed it from me and handed it to Leo yourself.

Frustrated with me, you tried to get me to leave, but no such luck. So you dragged me into the dining room, away from Leo. “Stop it."

“My sentiments exactly!” I grinned.”Stop messing around and ask him out already. Give him some of your crabs.”

You told me to stop being disgusting, so I told you to stop being so shy.

I’ll never forget the fear in your eyes and in your voice. “What if he says no?” but I just rolled my eyes, asking how likely that would happen, but you insisted that you were serious. You finally got it through my thick skull that you had honestly never asked a guy out before. I began wondering if I was the only person in our family who inherited the “take a chance” gene.

I sure remember your reply to that: “Probably. ‘Cause if I remember my biology correctly, it’s attached to the 'can’t mind my own business' gene.”

I stuck my tongue out at you and then pushed you back into the kitchen, making sure that I left the door open just far enough so I could watch. (Hey, if I was going to play matchmaker, I was sure going to enjoy the fun of seeing if it worked!)

No sooner were you back in the kitchen than Leo came out from under the sink. After telling us what was wrong with the sink (whatever that was…), he said that he was finished, so you asked if you could get him some tea and as he agreed, I silently cheered.

So you got the tea out of the fridge just as I walked back in, asking what would be great. You replied “Nothing” just as I accidentally knocked the tea off the bench where you’d just set it down. You quickly froze it before it fell on the floor. Then you were horrified that you used your powers in front of a non-magical.

When you asked me about him, I checked him out (in more ways than one!) and after telling you that he was frozen, I raised my eyebrows at you, telling you to quickly have your way with him.

You raised your eyes, pleading for heavenly help, wanting to know if I ever stopped, but I just laughed as you held a bucket under the still-frozen tea. I thought it looked like a perfect Kodak moment as I pretended to take a few photos, telling you to smile as Leo and the tea unfroze.

Just then Prue walked in, warning us that we had serious problems. But before she could let the cat out of the bag, I pointed at Leo behind his back. She nervously greeted him and he returned it so Prue, still a little flustered, told us sisters to get upstairs right now.”

We followed her up to the attic where she told us about her morning. While we were having fun trying to get you together with Leo, Prue’s new boss, Rex (who came home from England to run the family business, Buckland’s, an auction house that was her new place of employment) brought a very old locket for Prue to catalogue. After he left and Prue opened the locket, a warlock dressed in 17th century clothes emerged from the locket. When Prue wanted to know who he was, he told her that his name was Matthew Tate and that if she freed him from that locket, she had to be descended from Melinda Warren, and began walking towards her. So Prue used her power to make him fly across the room. But rather than being scared or angry, he was very pleased - by tricking Prue into using her power on him, he now had it himself!

And now he wanted the other two Charmed powers and knew who we were!

Do you remember how scared we were when Prue told us about this, Piper? I was certain that our powers - and we - were truly goners this time. You suggested that maybe Andy could help, but I sure remember how Prue quickly squashed that suggestion: “Oh, yeah. You want to have that conversation with him? ‘Hey Andy, I hate to bother you but this seventeenth-century warlock is trying to kill me and my sisters.’ Any thoughts?”

While she was talking, I had an idea: why not ask someone who did this before - Melinda Warren. Big Sister Prue couldn’t believe Little Sister Phoebe actually had a good idea, but I was serious. You see, during that first night when I was reading the Book of Shadows, I found a spell where blood could call for blood. And it worked, Piper, it really truly worked! Shortly after we stuck our fingers and dripped our blood into the locket before dropping it into a bowl and saying the summoning spell, our beautiful ancestress stood before us!

Later, as we helped Melinda into a modern dress, Leo approached the doorway. As always in Leo’s presence, you got flustered, trying to explain Melinda, but Little Sister Phoebe came up with another good idea, telling him that she was our cousin, Melinda.

Leo smiled his beautiful smile, and you explained to Melinda that he was fixing our plumbing, but then she wanted to know what plumbing was and Prue quickly ushered us out.

But as Melinda passed Leo, she told him, “To work with one’s hands is a great gift.”

Leo smiled. “Well, I am a true laborer. I earn to eat, get that I wear.”

Melinda smiled back, “Owe no man hate, envy no man’s happiness,” and then together they cried out, “Shakespeare!”, which made Melinda giggle, sounding an awful lot like me!

Prue just shook her head nervously and finished ushering us out, even as Leo walked into the attic. After he did, Melinda smiled at you. “He is a treasure, Piper!”

You blushed. “Why you telling me?” and I had to snicker.


And although it got very hairy, our ancestress helped us to put Matthew back in the locket, while we kept our powers intact. Afterwards, as we prepared to send her back to her own time, you were running down the stairs with me not too far behind when you ran into Leo. As always with him around, you totally forgot about me, so I just hid on the landing on the stairs, not wanting to miss this.

“Leo,” you exclaimed, nervously. “You’re here. Why are you here?”

“I thought I’d work on the plumbing in the downstairs bathroom.”

“Oh, now’s not really a good time. We’re getting our cousin Melinda ready to go away. Can you come back later? Like tomorrow?”

He smiled his beautiful smile, “Sure,” before turning to leave.

But somehow learning how short Melinda’s life was – that when she died, she was the same age as you were then - you decided to stop wasting yours. “Uh, Leo?” When he turned back, you quickly blurted it out. “Would you like to go out sometime? With me, that is.”

“Again there was that beautiful smile. “I’d love to. Give me a call.”

You agreed and turned to run back up the stairs, so I spun and ran faster, although I doubt if you would've even noticed me. You were too intent on helping Melinda return to her time period to realize that we didn’t have Leo’s number.


A couple weeks later, Prue and I went clothes shopping, partially to help console her over her breakup with Andy, brought on by what happened with that truth spell. We tried to talk you into coming, but you had this mischievous look on your face and said you were busy. Prue and I thought maybe you had found a new boyfriend, since you hadn’t heard from Leo at all since we sent Melinda back to the past. So Prue and I went out, arguing as always over what was proper attire and what wasn’t. When we got home, she was still grumbling about one of the outfits I’d help her buy.

“That's what a new wardrobe's all about,” I explained. “Pushing the limit.”

Prue looked up to heaven for guidance. “Yeah, and stretching the budget. Maybe I should just check with Piper.”

But just as she was about to call your name, we could hear your laughter and suddenly you ran into the foyer, closely followed by Leo! You were so surprised to see us that you froze Leo and end up tripping over his leg and went sliding across the floor, stopping at our feet. We helped you up, as I commented, “Of course, she may have other things on her mind like having her way with the handyman…”

I'm first to admit that I'm not sure if the real Phoebe was really this snoopy. BUT it works for the story, so she can now tell Piper, since I don't think Piper would've told her! I'll be taking liberties with the show in order to do this from Phoebs' point of view from here on. I hope that will be okay.

[adzpower]

Haha, sneaky Phoebe! I can imagine her doing that since if I recall correctly she used to spy on Prue and Andy when she was younger through the grill in the kitchen right? In "That 70's Episode"? The big snoop!

[Esmeralda]

Jul 2, 2016 8:06:58 GMT -5 adzpower said:

Haha, sneaky Phoebe! I can imagine her doing that since if I recall correctly she used to spy on Prue and Andy when she was younger through the grill in the kitchen right? In "That 70's Episode"? The big snoop!

You're absolutely right about that - it's what inspired me to make her snoopy. But as I said, I think she's a bit more snoopy here than she actually was, but I'm glad you don't think it's out of character.

Here's more:

CHARMED BY LOVE: PART FIVE: Wicca Envy

Chapter One

Oooo, Piper, I know how much you're going to hate me for reminding you of this, but I don't care because thinking of the shy, quiet introverted Piper who you were back then and thinking of the woman you are now, and knowing how much Leo had to do with changing you, I feel like you need to be reminded and me, personally, I'll never forget that next conversation!

You blushed beet-red. “I thought you guys were supposed to be shopping.”

“Obviously,” replied Prue.

I noticed that your shirt was unbuttoned. I turned to Prue, “Oh, look! Front-clasp bra. She means business.”

Prue nodded, “Serious business!”

You went even redder. “Do you mind?”

“No, are you kidding?” I asked, “I think it's great. As long as he's not still on the clock.”

“That's what I mean. You guys have to get out of here before he unfreezes. I never know how long this things lasts.” Then she spot all of our shopping bags and paled instead. “How much did you guys spend?”

“Lots.” I replied. “Prue's new look is perfect for an SHW.” Prue wanted to know what SHW meant, so I explained, “Single Hot Witch.

“Prue, are you sure this isn't depression buying, you know, post-breakup?” you wanted to know.

So I reached in a certain bag and pulled out some red, sexy lingerie, asking, “Does this look like something a depressed woman would wear?” and Prue thought maybe you should borrow it!

That was enough for you. “Okay, time's up. You two gotta go.” and you pushed us into the living room. “Go, go in there and be quiet.” I agreed, but only if she and Leo would!

Of course, by now you know you have a very snoopy little sister. I had to peek and watch you as you walked over to Leo and stood where you were standing when we first came in. He unfroze and you two ran up the stairs, making me smile. And, no, I gave you your privacy - I didn't follow and listen at your door, much as I might have liked to.


The next morning, I came down the stairs, dressed in a suit. Prue came down after me, wearing one of her new outfits. I spun around, modeling my own outfit, which upset her, because it was hers. I insisted it WAS hers, now it wasn't - she thought otherwise...

Even as I finally agreed to change, you came bouncing down the stairs. “Hi. Bye.” as you headed for the door. Prue thought you had to go in early that morning, and you agreed that you did, which was why you were running late, but it just took you a little longer to get out of bed than you planned. Again you tried to sneak out the door, but no such luck as your older and younger sisters ran and blocked the door, starting another conversation I'll never forget:

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I insisted. “You. Leo. Last night. Dish.”

You went red again. “Um, well, it was nice. It was...well, it was wonderful. We just had a few problems.” When we asked what those were, you admitted, “Well, it's been a while since, you know, I-I was a little nervous, and I kinda kept freezing him.”

“Piper, you didn't?” cried a shocked big sister, while Little Sister cracked up.

“I didn't mean to,“ you wailed. “The first time.”

“Okay,” asked Prue. “So, um, at what point exactly in the process exactly did you freeze him?” but you refused to answer.

“Hello?” I asked. “Earth calling Piper!”

“I gotta go” you demanded and walked around us, still trying to get to the door. We ran after you and again held you back, crying out, “No, no, Piper, we're only teasing you.”

“Yeah,” I added. “The truth is we're just jealous.”

Prue nodded. “Yeah, seriously, we're just happy to see you with a great guy finally.”

“I mean, between you and Leo, and Prue, the new Hot Wicca Woman, and me, soon to be employed, things are looking up.”

“Don't say that!” you pleaded. “The moment someone says that, everything always goes south!”

“Unless you freeze him!” You glared at me, so I added, “Oh, I couldn't help it. It was so good.” and you still glared.

Just then Leo came down the stairs. “Good morning.”

“Yeah, we heard,” as I wiggled my eyebrows at him, making you laugh nervously. Prue and I grabbed our coats as we exhorted you two to have a magical day as we walked out the door. Prue kept going, but Snoopy (me) had to stay by the door.

Leo wanted to know what that was about and I couldn’t wait to hear your answer, but I was disappointed, because you just blew him off. I heard a kissing sound, so I snooped in the window. You were turning to leave, but Leo grabbed you around the waist, pulled you back and planted a big, fat, wet one right on your lips! YES! Then as you two said your good-byes, I quickly ran for the bus stop, not wanting you to see me or for me to miss my bus.


Unfortunately, you were right about everything going south. No sooner was Prue at Buckland’s than Rex, her boss, accused her of stealing a priceless tiara from the auction house! And no sooner did she tell us about it than both Andy and his partner Darryl Morris came over trying to find it! And you had to keep freezing them before they did, because it kept bouncing around! After they left, as we tried to figure out what to do, since it was obvious that some warlock was trying to set Prue up, Leo walked in, wanting to know what the police were doing at our house. You put him off, then he asked if he could go upstairs and fix the bathroom sink. I told him to knock himself out, but then after he was gone, I asked you two, “Did anyone ever think that maybe he’s a warlock?”

You sighed impatiently. “Why is it always someone I’m dating that gets accused of that?” Then you quickly added, “Don’t answer that!” and as the phone rang, you added, “Answer that. It’s safer.”

But it wasn’t. It was Rex, wanting to know about the tiara. Prue managed to put him off while you ran upstairs, hoping to look in the Book of Shadows and find the warlock who was setting up Prue. Later you told us that you were very surprised to find Leo in the attic, not far from the Book! “Leo!” you cried out, “What are you doing? I thought you were going to fix the sink!”

It was his turn to look embarrassed, like the kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Yeah, I was, I-I mean, I am. I just, uh, I need to fix a light downstairs and I was hoping there’d be some old fixtures up here that I could cannibalize. Listen, uh, there’s something I need to tell you. Something I don’t think you’re gonna like. Uh, I might have to leave here soon. I might have to go back home.”

You were shocked and hurt, but you managed to ask, “Is home far away?”

He nodded. “Yeah, it’s pretty far. I mean, I don’t know for sure yet, but, uh, you know, I wanted you know, just in case.” You thanked him, then he decided that he better get back to work.

Later, after we helped the police catch the true thief - Prue’s boss, Rex Buckland, who wasn’t really Rex Buckland at all, but a warlock pretending to be Rex! - thanks to a spell that we found the Book opened to, you came running down the stairs, tears in your eyes.

When we asked what was wrong, you told us that you went up in the attic, trying to figure out how the Book had been opened to that page. Suddenly you heard a familiar voice say, “Knock, knock.” When you turned, saying Leo’s name, he told you that the front door was open – he left his tool box…

Prue and I caught on immediately: we knew what Freud always said about leaving things - that you secretly wanted to come back for it, and you nodded, saying that he said that he was guilty.

Prue grumbled about you using that word, and you apologized and I first smirked, then asked you to continue. The tears started flooding your cheeks again, because you then asked him if he was leaving and he said he was afraid so. Both Prue and I yelled out, “No!” as we surrounded you and hugged you.

You nodded and told us that you asked him if he really had to go and he replied that he’d fixed everything he came here to fix. But he said he’d be back, promise, that nothing could keep him away from you. Then he grabbed his toolbox and left. But that made no sense to me. I was in in the foyer all morning. I never saw him come down the steps. How did he get away?

Neither of you knew, but you were relieved that at least he was just a plain old guy and not a warlock (it seems lately that every guy ended up being one). And that’s when it hit me – maybe Leo was the one who opened the Book to the right spell. Prue looked at me as if I was crazy, so I admitted that he probably wasn’t and as we hugged you tighter, you agreed. No way could Leo be anyone but a very nice guy, right?

So now what do you think? Still think Phoebs is in character or is she a bit too snoopy? Although that's not going to change any time soon!

[adzpower]

Yeah I do think this sounds like Phoebe, like she said she was jealous, but in a healthy way, she wanted Piper to have found love and was jealous because its something that she had always wanted for herself. Hence her need to go and find her Dad in New York, and why she felt abandoned by their mother. And why she was obsessed with finding it in later seasons. Good job!

[Esmeralda]

Jul 3, 2016 11:46:03 GMT -5 adzpower said:

Yeah I do think this sounds like Phoebe, like she said she was jealous, but in a healthy way, she wanted Piper to have found love and was jealous because its something that she had always wanted for herself. Hence her need to go and find her Dad in New York, and why she felt abandoned by their mother. And why she was obsessed with finding it in later seasons. Good job!

I'm so glad that you agree that this is still Phoebs. I was afraid I was making her *too* snoopy, but she had to be so she could tell Piper the whole story.

Here's more:

CHARMED BY LOVE: PART SIX Secrets and Guys

Chapter One

Well, a lot of time went by and we didn’t see Leo. Once again we were certain that he was out of our lives - specifically yours - for good. You were very sad about this, but tried to make the most of it.

Then one day, I was in the kitchen, trying to help you whip up some potions, when Prue yelled at us to get up to the attic. She was using Mom’s spirit board herself and this time it said, “Help Max.” The next morning, we were still trying to figure out who Max was. I thought he might be a ghost with powers - after all the spirit board wasn’t exactly AT&T. After rolling her eyes at me, Prue decided to go see Andy and see if he knew anything about a Max needing help, while I could look through the Book Of Shadows and see if there was anything in there about spirit board SOS, while you could…

But you couldn’t do anything right then. While we were talking, your cordless phone rang, so you were busy talking to your new cook at Quake, well, talking’s not quite the right word - try yelling! - but now you turned off your phone, growling that the jerk hung up on you, and you slammed the phone on the table, making the pointer jump, and me and Prue jump, too. When Prue assured you that we had things under control, you decided to go to Quake before that new cook did any more damage to P3.

As you ran out the door, I happened to glance out the window. What I saw made me giggle. Prue gave me a “What?” look. I giggled harder, then motioned her to quickly follow me down to the landing, where we could see you, but you couldn’t see us.

You were busy finding your coat and purse and just getting ready to leave when we reached the landing. You opened the door to find LEO there! He actually blushed, and Prue and I had to bite our tongues not to give ourselves away. And that next conversation was really just so sweet and so typical of my then-shy, introverted sister that I remember every word:

“Ha.” said Leo, nervously. “Ding-dong.” and you both giggled a little.

“Leo!” you cried in shock. “You’re back. Come in,” and he did, hugging you tightly. “It’s so good to see you. How are you?”

Leo smiled. “Better now.” and Prue and I silently low-fived. Then Leo let you go, asking, “How are you, Piper?”

“Uh, I’m better now, too.”

I couldn’t help it; I grabbed Prue’s hand and led her downstairs. She couldn’t protest without letting you know, although she tried to, because she was carrying the spirit board, not wanting to be away from it, in case we had another message. We greeted him and then I wanted to know what brought you back, also mentioning that the chandelier in the living room keeps flickering, so he said he’d go get his tools. But wanting him to have more time with us, I mean, you, I told him to take his time while Prue started nudging me towards the stairs, reminding me that I had some reading to do.

I glared, but knew she was right, so I ran up the stairs. But you know your snoopy sister, Piper! I didn’t go all the way to the attic - I stopped at the landing!

I was glad I did, because Leo asked Prue if she was holding a spirit board, and I had to bite my tongue again as our big sister tried to find her way out of that one, finally telling him that she was taking it to the auction house to have it appraised.

Good job, Prue, I silently cheered, as she grabbed her coat, telling you to call if she heard anything and out the door she went. Not Snoopy Phoebe - I stayed right where I was! I wasn’t about to miss this reunion for anything! And, oh, yes, I remember that conversation, too.

“I’ll be at the restaurant,” you said, and I began to pout.

“Do you have to go now?” YES! Good job, Leo! Now, Piper, stay put!

But not my much-too-loyal-to-her-job sister. “Uh, yeah,” you told him. “Sort of, but I’ll be back soon. I promise. Uh, can you wait?”

“Uh, sure,” he agreed as he kissed you again.

“Ooh. So glad you’re back.” YES! He smiled, kissed you one more time then sent you on your way.

But I’ll bet you were wishing you were a little more like me when you got to the restaurant - the new cook, Harry, actually called you Pippy and said your voice didn’t do you justice, that you were actually attractive! That got on your nerves, but so did a lot of other things about him. You were so mad that you knew you had to settle yourself down, so you called home, and I remember that conversation, too – one of those “how could I forget it” type thing, although it started fairly normal...

I was still in the attic, still trying to find something about Max in the Book of Shadows. “Yeah,” I told you. “He sounds like a real piece of work. He has a nice voice though. What’s he look like?”

“A complete and total jerk,” you replied. “Is Leo still around?”

I smiled at that, and since I was using the cordless phone, I began walking down the stairs towards the foyer, thinking I’d give the phone to him and you could talk with him.

“Yeah,” I told you. “He’s working away. He wants to know when you’re gonna get back though.”

“Uh, I think it might be a while,” you replied. “Maybe I should talk to Leo.”

YES! I thought, as I replied, “Sure. Hold on a second.”

I turned the corner of the stars, and there was Leo FLOATING next to the chandelier, a light bulb GLOWING in his hands!

“OH, MY GOD!”

[Esmeralda]

Chapter Two

At my voice, Leo turned his head to look right at me, yelling my name as he fell. I told you I’d call you back as I quickly disconnected the phone, then turned it around, ready to use it as a weapon, pointing it at Leo as he stood up with the light bulb still glowing.

He begged me to wait, saying he could explain. Yeah, sure he could! I started backing away from him, him following me, while I tried to decide what to do next. I decided to just confront him, so I accused him of being a warlock, but he insisted he wasn’t. He tried to grab the phone, but I quickly pulled it away from him. If he knew about warlocks, it had to mean he was one, right? After all of the evil boyfriends you ran into that first year of our Charmedom, I could just imagine how heartbroken you were going to be when you found out.

The rest of our conversation is another one I’ll never forget:

“Think about it,” he reasoned. “If I were a warlock and I wanted to hurt you, don’t you think I would have done it the last time I was here?”

“Okay,” I admitted, but not convinced. “Good point, but still most normal handymen use ladders to fix chandeliers” I stuck the phone under his chin. “Are you a witch?”

He shook his head. “No.”

‘Then what are you exactly?”

He started answering, then stopped, then tried again. As he did, he accidentally waved the light bulb, still glowing, in front of me. My eyes followed the light bulb, still startled by his power. Suddenly it stopped glowing and he gave me the goofy smile we would get to know so well. “I guess I’ll just tell you. I’m not a bad person; I’m a very good person. I’m a whitelighter.”

“A what?”

“A whitelighter."

“Yeah, right. I mean up until today, I thought you were a handyman, and now I find out that you’re a…"

“Whitelighter.” he repeated.

“A whitelighter,” I repeated, still confused, since there was no mention of whitelighters in the Book. If there ever was one, it was removed before I activated our powers “What exactly is a whitelighter?”

“Well, we’re really just messengers. Guides.” I must have still looked confused, because he kept trying to explain. “Think of us as guardian angels for good witches. Your tea is cold.”

“Tea?” I turned to where he was pointing. There was a cup of tea sitting on the foyer table. There was no saying how long it had been sitting there. Leo walked over to it and waved his hand. Immediately the tea began to steam.

“Wow!” I cried. “Well, you are handy!” and he smiled a little at that. “So, all this time, you knew who we really were?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I was sent to watch over you and your sisters when you first came into your powers. You know, help out wherever I could.”

“Sent by who?” I wanted to know.

“Whom,” he corrected and I stuck my tongue out at him - he sounded too much like Prue! “They’re a group of elder whitelighters. They’re just known as the Elders. You were never supposed to find out. I screwed up and got caught.”

“So, what?” I asked. “You’re here again to help us out with something else?”

“Uh, actually I’m here to help a boy named Max.”

“MAX? Wait. That’s the…the…”

He nodded. “The spirit board. I know. See, Max is new to his powers. But he’s very young and vulnerable. And he’s in serious trouble. Someone wants to take advantage of his gift.”

“So why don’t you help him?” I wanted to know.

“I did,” he insisted. “I made sure Prue received his cry for help. That’s why I was sent here. That’s all I’m supposed to do for now. The rest is up to Prue.”

“Yeah, but Prue doesn’t know anything about him. She doesn’t even know that he’s a little boy.”

“Well, she will. In the meantime, you must help me keep my secret or I could get into trouble,” and I grinned, glad I wasn’t the only one who got in trouble with my elders! “No, I’m serious, Phoebe. Piper and Prue can never know what I really am.”

“Me?” I asked. “Keep a secret? Hel-LO! Wrong Halliwell! Besides, you have to tell Piper because if I know her, she’s gonna think that…”

“I know. I know. And that’s where I need your help. See, whitelighters and witches aren’t allowed to fall in love. It’s like humans and angels aren’t. But I did. I fell in love with Piper.”

“And I know how much she cares about you.”

He sighed unhappily. “It isn’t fair to keep her in the dark…but I have to keep this secret. So somehow I have to tell Piper that I can never see her again and I can’t tell her why.”

I shook my head. “You don’t need my help, .Leo. You need a miracle!” and he could only sigh again.

Well, we talked about it and talked about it and finally came up with a plan. We headed for Quake to try to put our plan into action, and, oh, do I remember what happened during it – another one of those scenes I don’t think I’ll ever forget!

I went into Quake’s kitchen to try to tell you that Leo was out there and wanted to talk with you, but you were on the phone. “What? You had another message and Max is just a boy and he’s been kidnapped? Don’t you think you should call the police?” Prue must’ve told you that Andy already knew, because you then asked, “So everything is under control?”

Just then, Harry, the new cook, came marching in without even noticing me. “Uh, no. Everything’s not under control.” and he tossed the phone into the sink. “I need more crab for my ravioli because somebody threw it all away and I just got five more orders, Pepper.”

“That’s PIPER!” you cried out, but he was already going back out the door. I glared at him as he walked passed, then went in myself.

“Does Prue need our help?”

“Doesn’t sound like it. She’ll call if she does.”

“Okay. In the meantime, Leo’s outside. He wants to talk with you.”

“Okay. As soon as I find some more crab for that crab of a cook!”

I returned to Leo, who was sitting at a table. We talked for a while, then I cranked because my water glass was empty and our waitress never came back to refill it. So Leo put his hand over the glass, and it immediately filled up with water. I thanked him, just as you came out.

“Hi,” you said sheepishly. “I know you guys have been waiting a long time…” Just then we could hear a crash in the kitchen.

“Hey, have you heard anything else from Prue?”

“Uh, no. So she, uh, must have everything under control. No news is good news, right? Uh, I’ll be right back.” and she hurried back to the kitchen.

I turned to Leo. “Okay. It’s actually good that we have a few more minutes. We can go over your plan. You know. What you’re gonna tell Piper.”

“Oh, well. I thought that I’d tell her that, uh, as much as I love her and as much as I’d like to stay in San Francisco I can’t. A-and I don’t know how long my work will keep me away.”

I shook my head. “No. No. What you just said is just like saying as much as you’d like to stay and have sex with her, you’ve got a wife and kids in another part of the country. Try again.”

He thought for a moment or two then tried again. “Uh, Piper, um, you know how much you mean to me, and more than anything, I wish things could work out, but they can’t, and no one is more sorry then I am.”

I shook my head. “Translation-I found someone I like even better.”

Leo also shook his head. “I’m completely confused.”

“Uh, look Leo, it’s not that complicated. Okay. Um, just avoid the following. We can still hang out. I don’t deserve you yet. I need more "me time" before we can have "we time". And my personal favorite, "It’s not you. It’s me." And whatever you do, do not start a conversation with "we need to talk". Other then that, you’ll do fine,” as I took a sip of water, as you returned from the kitchen. Seeing you, I got up and headed for the ladies’ room, or so you two thought. Naturally, I just ducked out of the way, where I could still watch and listen without you guys seeing me. Not that you would’ve anyway - you only had eyes for each other.

“Sorry. Small mutiny in the kitchen,” you explained as you sat down. “Where were we?”

“Piper,” Leo started, “there’s something I need to tell you.” and I shook my head in defeat. Not a good start!

“Yeah?” you asked. “What’s that?” but I could already see tears beginning to well in your eyes.

“Uh, look. Forgive me, but I could be summoned at any moment, so I have to tell you this now. I can’t…I can’t, uh…I can’t believe how much I missed you.”

“Well Leo, I missed you too, but what do you mean "summoned"? Summoned where?”

Just then some girls walked passed me on their own way to the ladies room, blocking my view of you, and they chattered so loudly that I couldn’t hear what Leo answered. When I could see again, you were standing up, very angry. “Okay. That’s it. I’m ending this now,” and you started to marched towards the kitchen.

I ran after you. “Oh my gosh. You know.”

“Of course, I know.” you groused, as you turned back to look at both me and Leo. “The whole restaurant knows. Didn’t you hear him scream across the room?”

He WHAT?!? I turned to Leo, confused. “I thought it was a secret.”

“Phoebe…” he warned.

You were still very angry. “I wish. It will probably be in the newspaper tomorrow.”

HUH?

[Esmeralda]

Chapter Three

“No." I protested, unable to imagine shy Leo screaming at Piper in a public place. "It can’t be. Look, Piper, he never meant to hurt you.”

“Phoebe, please. You haven’t even meet the maniac yet. What’s gotten into you?” and shaking your head, you marched back into the kitchen.

I looked questioningly at Leo, still ultra-confused.

He shrugged. “She’s talking about the new chef. He just came out and yelled at her.”

I sighed with relief as it all finally made sense. “Oh, right. So does that mean she took your news well?”

He sighed again. “That means she doesn’t know. I can’t tell her, Phoebe. I can’t stand to think about it, much less talk about it.”

However there was something else I was afraid that he wouldn’t want to think about. Piper said that Prue had everything under control, but I couldn’t find her – she wasn’t answering her cell phone. Leo suggested trying calling our inspector friend, but when I called Andy, wondering if he’d seen Prue since that morning, he told me that he was going to ask me the same question because he thought she knew something about a boy named Max and did I….

Whoops! How was I supposed to answer that? So I didn’t. “Oh. That’s my call waiting. Gotta go. Could be Prue. Bye.” I hung up and then looked at Leo, continuing the part of the conversation I can’t forget. “Uh,…anything?”

He shook his head. “No. I can’t reach either Max or Prue telepathically.”

“Does that mean they’re in trouble?” I asked, just as you returned.

“Who’s in trouble?” you asked.

I thought quick. “Oh. The 49ers. No secondary. They need a really good draft pick next year. Well I’m gonna go back to the Manor and see if I can get in touch with Prue.” I turned back towards Leo with a significant look in my eyes. “Carry on…”

He nodded, and I turned to leave. But by now I’m sure you can guess that I just hid behind a corner.

“Alone,” you sighed. “Finally. Don’t have to worry about any more interruptions from Harry. He, uh, quit.” You went to stand behind Leo and tried to hug him, but he shrugged you away. So you walked to the chair across from him, muttering, “Okay. Not the enthusiastic response I was hoping for.”

“Look, uh, Piper, I’ve been searching all day for an easy way to tell you this…”

“Oh. Uh.” and you froze him. “Phoebe. Phoebe, I know you didn’t leave.”

So I went back, saying, “That is so weird. I was just on my way back.”

You gave me a “Yeah, right” look, which tells me that you did know how snoopy I was, but had something more important to ask. “Is Leo about to tell me he doesn’t want to see me anymore?”

I sat next to you, then looked at Leo. “You’ll have to ask him,” and I got up to leave, hiding in a less-conspicuous spot than the last time, behind some plants.

Just as I did, Leo unfroze and he continued as if he’d never stopped. “And that’s the problem. I fell in love with you and I shouldn’t have.”

“You’re married,” you wailed in despair.

He shook his head. “No.”

“Engaged?” you ventured.

Again he shook his head. “ Um…I’m involved. But it’s not…the way you think. The truth is that I led you on and made you believe that I was coming back.”

“Leo, you are back,” you pointed out with a roll of your eyes.

“Yeah, but I…I have to leave again. Now, and…and it’s not because I want to, though. It’s because I have to. I’m sorry.”

You sighed heavily, not understanding, but you must’ve decided to help make it easier on him. “That’s okay, Leo.”

“It is?” he asked, shocked and disappointed, so-obviously now thinking that he was wrong and you didn’t feel the same way about him as he felt about you.

You nodded. “Yeah. I mean, Leo, you’re a nice guy and I like you a lot, but let’s face it. You’re, uh, geographically undesirable. I mean, you said you live really far away, right?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Pretty far,” and now that I knew where he lived – up in the clouds - I thought that that was putting it mildly!

“Well I try never to get involved with guys I can’t see regularly. So, don’t feel bad. I mean, I understand. Really, I do.”

You kissed him, then got up and went back into the kitchen.

I ran back to the table, naturally pretending that I hadn’t heard a word. “So how do you think she took it?”

“Not bad.” Just then we heard a tinkling, like chimes. “Oh. Um. Excuse me, but I have to go.” He grabbed his coat and headed towards the door.

“Leo!” I cried. “What—wh—where you going? What do I tell Piper?"

He stopped at the doorway. “I uh, have to leave. Now."

[Esmeralda]

Chapter Four

Only much later did we find out why Leo had to leave so fast. Prue had found Max and his father, but the bad guys had shot his dad! That’s why Leo had to get to him, FAST! When Max’s dad thought Leo was Max’s mom, Leo told him, “It’s not time to with your wife, Gordon. It’s time to be with your son,” Just like me, Max’s dad didn’t get it, so Leo simply put his hand over Max’s dad’s wound, his hands turned golden, the wound turned golden and sealed itself up - his awesome power, one that continues to absolutely amaze me, didn't even leave a scar, as we would eventually find out!

Later, after Prue helped the police save Max from the bad guys, I heard something up in the attic. Going up there, I saw a toy train going across the floor. I picked it up, trying to figure out where it came from, when Prue stood up from behind a box, where she'd been watching the train. She told me that it was Dad’s old train. After what happened with Max, Prue thought that maybe we should save that stuff for when we had kids – and, oh, Piper I hope you remember Wyatt’s huge eyes the first time Leo set up that train for him – adding that she thought that she’d make a pretty good mom if she did say so herself.

Oh, Piper! I’d forgotten about that until I started remembering all of this. How I wish that our big sister had that chance to find out – even if it might have meant that we would’ve never met Paige.

But the reason why I’m remembering this is that just then you walked in with another box of old toys that Prue was going to give away. “I can’t believe you,” you scolded her. “You get mad at me for chasing monsters on my own…”

Prue shrugged. “Well, I figured I could handle it when I realized they weren’t demons, but I probably should have asked for help.”

Yep, that sounded like our big sister. “Even though that killed you,” I commented, then pointed out, “and it almost did.”

Again Prue shrugged. “Live and learn, I guess.”

And, oh, do I wish she had!

You nodded. “Yeah, you didn’t even get to say good-bye to Leo.”

I looked at you. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Your turn to shrug. “I don’t know. It’s just weird. I felt like…he was holding something back from me.”

“Holding something back?” Prue asked. “What do you mean?”

Again you shrugged, but there was a very sad, disappointed look in your eyes. “Who knows? It just seems like he wasn’t telling me the whole story. Like…he had some secret he was afraid I couldn’t handle.”

“Well,” I replied. “That’s his call…”

You two turned to both give me a “WHAT?” look. WHOOPS! Phoebe Halliwell sticks her foot in her mouth again! I warned Leo that I wasn’t good at keeping secrets! But I still tried to protect him. “…uh, assuming that he had a secret. Might not have.”

You marched over towards me, no longer hurt but mad. “What are you talking about?”

I sighed. “Okay. Okay. You don’t have to beat it out of me.” And closing my eyes, I said it very quickly, getting it out. “Leo is a whitelighter. They’re sort of guardian angels for witches. And they’re not supposed to get involved with witches. But Leo couldn’t help it. He fell in love with you, and that broke all the rules and got him in all sorts of trouble. And even though he’ll love you forever, you will probably never see him again.”

Both of you broke out laughing! “WHAT!” you cried out. “Phoebe, that’s…that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Oh, God. Don’t be so silly."

I joined in their laughter - sorta. “Yeah,” I said. “That’s me. Silly.”

“I gotta go get some more tea,” you decided, and as you walked out the door, I thought about how Leo could’ve heated your tea for you.

“Yeah,” agreed Prue. “You know, Phoebs. With an imagination like that, you should be writing children’s books or something.”

“No,” I cried. “But I didn’t…I didn’t…” Oh, what the heck! “...even think of that. That’s a really good idea, Prue. Yeah, good idea,” and I was glad I had kept Leo’s secret, even if I hadn’t!


Well, more time passed and again we didn’t see Leo. Again, you truly believed that he had left you behind forever. Again you were sad, but not quite as sad as before, maybe because you had a chance to hear him say he loved you and you had a chance to say good-bye. You were just glad that you hadn’t admitted how much you cared for him, making it easier on him to leave and easier for you to let him go. During this time, Prue finally let Andy know about her being a witch. He didn’t think he could get involved with one, but he wanted to remain her friend. That was disappointing for Prue, but like you since Leo left, she was making the most of it.

Then, a couple months later, we were all very excited. After almost-a-full year of warlock-vanquishing and demon-ass-kicking, we were going to go on vacation! One of Prue’s co-worker had a condo in Cabo San Lucas and was letting us have it for the weekend! None of us could wait! We were just getting ready to go and I was glaring at Prue. “I can not believe you're going to wear your bikini on the plane."

Prue gave me her best mischievous look. “Time saver. We have all of forty-eight hours in Cabo. The minute we land I'm on the beach getting all golden-brown.”

“I know, but you're making me look frumpy - it's like the sign of the apocalypse.”

“Phoebs, I practically had to beg the guy in accounting to lend us his condo. There are no warlocks in sight, Andy finally found out our big secret, I'm going to get crazy.”

“It's about time,” I agreed. “How long have I been after you to find some new male blood? Preferably tan and buff.”

“And limited verbal skills.” she added.

I nodded. “And ...”

We both laughed, then both yelled out, “No strings attached!”

“Stella,” I added. “We are getting our groove back!” We tried high-fiving but missed, and that made us both laugh. When we settled down, I asked, "Okay, so, speaking of which, where is Piper?"

“I think Piper's gonna be in a groove-free kinda mood for a while.”

I couldn’t believe it! Not after all these months. “She's not seriously ...”

“Taking a vacation from men, yep. Afraid of falling in love again, I think.”

“So, while we're partying all weekend, what is she gonna be doing?”

“I don't know. The last time I checked she was in the attic looking for a suitcase she put her books in.”

“Books?” I asked. “What kind of books?”

“Kind they make into Kevin Costner movies.”

“Oh, we've got to stop the insanity.”

“Maybe we should let her be, I mean we're not the ones who fell in love with a warlock, a ghost, a geographically undesirable handyman, and a very dorky grad student,” and I refused to go into the story of the ghost and the very dorky grad student, Piper - this is yours and Leo’s story, not all of your almost-stories! If you don’t remember those earlier ones, fine, because I sure don’t want to!

Anyway, I suggested, “Maybe she's just gone in a slump.” Prue glared at me. “All right, it happens to Piper a lot, but celibacy is not the answer.”

“A couple of dates not picking up the check, that's a slump; this is more of a sucking void.”

Just then we heard a thump and then a little scream.

“The attic!” I cried as we heard your voice scream, “Prue! Prue, Phoebe!” and we ran up those stairs as fast as we could. As we ran into the attic, we froze in shock.

There lying on the floor was Leo Wyatt, grimacing in pain, an arrow stuck in his shoulder!

So? What do you think now?

That conversation between Phoebe and Prue is one of the ones that I wondered if it should truly be part of this since it's not *really* about Piper & Leo and *could* be summarized like I've done the others that don't, but it's just so much fun... What do you think?

[adzpower]

I for one thouroughly enjoy the sisterley moments as well as the friendship between Phoebe and Leo, she's like his wing-man, steering him in the right direction to get to Piper's heart, eurgh I even hate to admit it but being an advice columinst, helping others with love actually kind of suits her.

[Esmeralda]

Jul 4, 2016 15:05:37 GMT -5 adzpower said:

I for one thouroughly enjoy the sisterley moments as well as the friendship between Phoebe and Leo, she's like his wing-man, steering him in the right direction to get to Piper's heart, eurgh I even hate to admit it but being an advice columinst, helping others with love actually kind of suits her.

We...ell, it suited Phoebs. I don't think it suited PhoeME all that much!

Here's more...

CHARMED BY LOVE - PART SEVEN: Love Hurts

Chapter One

Once we could move again, Prue ran downstairs to the bathroom to fetch bandages and antiseptic and other stuff. You and I helped Leo to a chair, you warning me to be careful while I insisted I was even as Leo groaned.

Prue came running back in. “How did you get up here with that thing in you without us hearing you come in the door or go up the stairs?”

“There was a bright white light,” you told her, “and then a bunch of golden sparkles, and suddenly he was right there, lying on the floor!”

Prue wanted to know how and I knew I’d have to tell you two. “I told you the truth before. He really is a whitelighter - our guide, sent here to help us.”

You stared at me. “I can't believe you knew and the fact that our handyman - the man I was dating - was supernatural just happened to slip your mind?”

“There was no slipping, okay? I told you but you didn't want to believe me.”

“Piper,” Leo managed, as we set him on the chair. “I wanted to.”

“But you didn't.” and you glared, anger and pain in your voice.

“Forget about that for now,” I insisted, “It’s not important. C’mon, we gotta, we gotta get his legs up.”

“Don't worry about me,” Leo insisted. “There's someone...!” but he couldn’t continue as he cried out in pain.

Prue decided that we’d have to get the arrow out, but Leo warned her against touching it – it was tipped with poison. You wanted to know how we were supposed to get it out if we couldn’t touch it and Leo turned to look at Prue wondering if she could, and she knew he had come to the right witch. Asking him if he was ready and seeing him nod, gritting his teeth. Prue used her power to throw the arrow out as Leo screamed in agony.

“Okay,” she told him. “I brought everything that I could find; I just didn't know what to use on a ...” She turned to look at me. “What is he again?”

“A whitelighter,” you replied, speaking the word for the first time, sarcastic disgust filling your voice.

I nodded. “Yeah, they're sorta like, you know how Peter Pan has Tinkerbell? They're sorta like that minus the tutu and the wings. He guides witches.”

“Future whitelighters,” Leo clarified. “That's why I came to you.”

You were still in shock, as you turned to me. “You should’ve told me.”

Leo shook his head. “I should’ve told you.”

You grabbed a bandage and pushed it down hard on his wound, making him scream. “Oh, did that hurt? Good!”

Fortunately for you, Leo’s not the vengeful kind. He was still thinking of his charge. “There's a woman. Daisy. You have to protect her from the darklighter.

“The darklighter?” Prue asked. “Is that what shot you?”

He nodded. “Yeah, they seduce innocent women. Their goal is to create evil through reproduction.”

I rolled my eyes. “Great. Generation 666.”

“He broke the rules” Leo explained. “He fell in love with one of his victims, a human. And she loved him back.”

“Until she found out who he really was, right?” you asked, hurt and anger still in your voice.

He turned to look at you. “Piper, you have every right to be mad at me.”

“Thanks for the permission. I'll get some more gauze.” and you marched out of the attic.

“Please,” he begged. “You have to find Daisy before he does. Otherwise she won't be able to do the good that she's destined to do. She won't be able to become a whitelighter.”

“Okay,” Prue agreed. “Where is she?”

“I don't know. I can’t sense her with the darklighter poison in me. The last time I saw her she was at a minimart, heading for a rental car. If he finds her first, he'll never let her go. Ever.”

“Any tips on how to vanquish a darklighter in case we run into him?” I wanted to know.

“Just don't let him touch you. His power is in his hands, and when he chooses you, he has the touch of death.”

“And,” Prue reminded him, “we have the Power of Three.”

Then she turned to me and turning into General Prue, she began giving orders. “All right, call the airline; cancel our tickets. I'll call Andy see if he can help me locate her, and Piper should ...”

“I'll talk to her,” I told her. “Somebody's gotta stay with Leo.”


Later, after performing my two tasks, I made some soup and brought it back to the attic. “Leo, I brought you some food in case you're ...” Then I thought about it and had to ask, “You do eat, right?”

“Yes, Phoebe, I eat, but I’m not hungry. How's Piper?”

“Oh, you know, she's dealing. I mean, it's not every day that you find out that the guy you're seeing isn't human. Although, in Piper's case...”

“I wish she didn't have to find out about me like this. Being with her broke the rules, but not being with her breaks my heart.”

“You know, Leo, it's not like we rushed to tell you we were witches. I think Piper understands about those little secrets that we have to keep.”

“Any word on Daisy?”

“Yes and no. Prue called. Andy thinks he found out where Daisy's staying. They're on their way now.” Then I pulled off his bandage, then quickly turned my head when I saw the ugly wound. “Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.”

“It's okay; I know it's bad.”

“I guess I need to work on my poker face a little bit, huh?" as I began to apply a new bandage. "You know, Leo, didn't you tell me that whitelighters have the ability to heal? Why can't you just ...”

He shook his head. “No, my powers are for others; I can't use it on myself,” then he broke into a coughing fit.

“Ah, you know, we just gotta get you better. Then you and Piper will have lots of time to talk about stuff when you're well.”

Leo looked at me. “Phoebe, I'm not going to get better.”

“That's ridiculous, Leo, of course you will; we're just gonna have to find something in the Book of Shadows.”

“No, the darklighter's poison can't be reversed. It's used to kill whitelighters. That's what it's doing; it's working its way through my system. It's just a matter of time.”

I stared at him in shock, then had to ask, “How much time?”

“Not much. I'm going to die and there's nothing you can do about it. My powers are ebbing. With it, my ability to cloak Daisy from him,” and I couldn't help but smile that he was even more upset about losing his innocent than he was about losing his life or you.

“We're gonna save you both, Leo,” I insisted. “I swear it. Now just hang on!” and I ran downstairs where you were looking through the Book of Shadows..

As I walked into the conservatory, you slammed the Book shut. Hard. “I have looked everywhere in this d@mn book for something, anything to help Leo, and I can't!” Then you looked at me, your face growing very pale, seeing something in my impression (I warned Leo about my lack of a poker face!). “What's that face? What's the matter?”

“Leo's in pretty bad shape, Piper. And he's getting worse.”

“I know; that's why I need to find an ointment or a cure or something.”

I knelt down next to you and held your hand, forcing you to look at me. “You need to listen. This is really hard to say, but you really need to hear it. I think that you need to learn the possibility, that maybe we're not supposed to save Leo. Maybe he's not our innocent. Maybe we're only meant to save Daisy."

You firmly shook your head. “We have to save him whether we're meant to or not.”


In the meantime, Prue and Andy managed to find Daisy, but unfortunately, the darklighter, Alec, got away. I went up to the attic, where you’d returned the Book. I entered the attic, calling out, “Hey, Prue's home, she just ...” Then I paused in surprise. “I hear rhyming; what are you doing?”

You looked at me, tears and determination still in your eyes. “Everything I can. Look, we know Leo can't heal himself, but maybe with his powers I can.”

I looked at you in shock. “What are you talking about?”

“It's a power-switching spell,” you explained. “If Leo and I exchange powers, then I'll have the healing touch, and maybe I can fix him.”

Just then Prue walked in. “Hey, what's going on?”

“Ah, you know, the usual,” I told her breezily. “Made some coffee, read the newspaper, walked in on Piper switching powers with Leo. You know.”

[Esmeralda]

Chapter Two

At Prue’s shocked look, you insisted that you had to save him. As always, one thing was on Prue’s mind - was it safe. The determination in your eyes grew. “To tell you the truth I don't really care. He's slipping away and if either one of you have a better idea then I'm all ears. If not, then I'm casting the spell and I would like to do it with the support of my sisters.”

We gave you that support, so you cast the spell:

“What's mine is yours; what's yours is mine,
Let our powers cross the line,
I offer up this gift to share
Switch our powers through the air.”

I wondered if it worked and you admitted that you didn’t know – you didn’t feel any different. Just then Kit, our cat, came running in, so you tried to freeze him, but Kit kept running. It meant you could no longer freeze, which gave you hope that the spell had worked.

But then Prue accidentally brushed me and gave a long gasp as her face went pale, scaring the crap out of you and me. But she insisted that she was okay – she thought she had just had one of my “premonition thingies.” She WHAT! Although a bit scary, it was kinda cool to know what I look like when I have a premonition! “Really?” I asked. “What did you see?”

She pointed to a lamp. “That shattering.” Just then Kit jumped on the table where the lamp is.

“Kit, NO!” I cried out. I put up my hand to catch the lamp, but instead it flew across the wall and smashed, just like when Prue used her power! “Did I just do that?” I asked, bewildered.

“Uh, huh,” Prue nodded. “And that’s what I saw in my premonition. So, okay, you're moving things, I'm having premonitions and Piper can't freeze which means ...”

You ducked, sensing what was coming, “Am I gonna get yelled at?” you asked in a small voice.

“IT SWITCHED ALL OF OUR POWERS!” cried Prue.

I shrieked, “It's a supernatural freaky Friday!”

Just then the phone rang. ”Okay, you know what?” Prue told us. “ I'm going to get that downstairs and I'm sure you guys will have all this worked out by the time I get back!” and out she marched.

You hardly noticed. Knowing that the only power that wasn’t accounted for was healing, you walked over towards Leo. “Okay,” you told yourself, trying to convince yourself. “I can do this.” You sat down next to him and put your hand over his wound. “Now, heal. Come on, heal!” But your hands didn’t turn golden and no golden thingies fell on his wound nor did it begin to heal. You looked up at me, desperation on your face. “Why aren't these working?”

Although Prue probably could’ve done it better, I tried to help. “Okay, okay, okay. Piper, relax. Remember when we first got our own powers, it took us a while to learn how to trigger them.”

“Well, I'm doing what I always do.”

I nodded. “Yes, but maybe you have to find his trigger not yours.”

Just then Prue came back in. “Hey, that was Andy. A new charge came up on Daisy's credit card report. She bought a bus ticket twenty minutes ago. She's running again. If she leaves town we'll never be able to find her. Let's go.”

“Wait!” I cried. “We have to switch our powers back.”

“Not until I heal Leo.” you insisted.

“Piper,” I reminded you. “We have to get Daisy. She’s our innocent.”

You nodded. “I know. But I have to heal him, I'm not losing him again.”

Prue gave a heavy sigh. “Okay, you know what, you stay here. We have to find Daisy before the darklighter does. We'll just have to do it using each other's powers. Come on, Phoebe,” and we walked out the door, down the stairs and out the door of the Manor.

Well, just like I told you, it took a while for me and Prue to figure out the triggers for our new (hopefully) temporary powers. But by bringing up some old not-so-pleasant memories, like my high-school nickname of Freebie (rumor only; I insist!) and the time I got blamed for denting Gram’s car fender, when it was actually Prue, we figured out where the darklighter and Daisy were. We even managed to get her away from him and bring her back to the Manor.

As soon as we got in the door, Daisy’s face turned pale. She thought that some flowers sitting in a vase on a table were from Alec the darklighter, since that was his way of letting her know he was keeping an eye on her. But the note with the flowers announced that they were from Andy and he needed to see Prue right away. She didn’t think she should leave us, but I reminded her that I could protect Daisy, since I was the one with the active powers now. With new respect for me in her eyes, Prue agreed. Out the door she went while Daisy and I ran up the stairs to check on Leo.

There we found Leo apparently asleep on the couch, while you were sitting on the floor, your back to us.

“Piper,” I started. “We found Daisy...”

You turned back, devastation and agony on your face and in your tearless eyes. “I tried. I really tried. He's gone.”

Both Daisy and I screamed “NO!” then I wanted to know what happened.

“I tried to find the trigger. I really tried! But I just couldn’t. Then Leo looked at me and said, ‘When I die,” and I told him that he wasn’t going to die, but he finished, “And when it happens this is where I want to be. I love you,’ then he closed his eyes and stopped breathing. Why couldn’t I save him, Phoebe? Why?”

I ran to hug you as tightly as I could. “I don’t know, honey; I don’t, but I wish I did.”

Suddenly I heard clattering on the steps. “Daisy!” and I ran off after her, grabbing her at the landing. “You’ve got to stay here! I don't think this is the best time for you to be alone.”

She shook her head. “Without Leo, it's just a matter of time before Alec finds me again. I have to get away.”

“No,” I insisted. “My sisters and I can take care of Alec.”

“I don't want you to try. Too many people are dead now because of me. And now Leo...” and she started to cry.

“Honey, that's not your fault.” I consoled her.

“It doesn't matter. When Alec finds me again, he's not gonna let you get in the way either. It's better off that I leave. Trust me. I have to go.”

“DON’T YOU DARE!”

At the sound of your voice, we both turned to see you standing at the doorway, tears now flowing down your face, but anger glowing in your eyes. “Don't you dare leave! Leo gave up his life to bring you here. If you leave, Alec will find you for sure. And Leo's death will mean nothing. You're not going anywhere!” and Daisy reluctantly agreed.


Later, I walked back up to the attic, to find you standing in the doorway, staring at Leo. I put my hand on your shoulder. “I thought you might like to talk.”

“He could have stayed with us. He could have fought harder.”

“He was in pain, sweetie, great pain. He had to let go.”

You shook your head. “He didn't have to. Our magic has never failed before. I cast the spell; I took his power; all he had to do was show me how to do it, and he never did.”

I couldn’t believe it. “How can you be mad at him?”

“Because it should have worked! Prue's having premonitions, and you figured out how to use her power, why couldn't I find a trigger? Why couldn't he just help me, give me the trigger?”

“He wanted to live, he didn't want to leave you. It's hard to lose someone you love.”

You nodded, tears beginning to well in your eyes again. “Yes, he told me he loved me, but I never told him!”

“Well, you can still tell him now.”

So you walked over to the couch and sat down next to him, tears rolling down your cheeks. You picked up his hand and squeezed it, sobbing, “I love you, Leo. I truly love you!” One of your tears fell on your hand, and your hand started to glow! Oh, yes, Piper, yes! You did it!

You knew it, too. “I found it, Leo! I found it!” You held your glowing hand over his wound. “Can you hear me?” you begged, as I prayed that it wasn’t too late, “I love you, Leo; I love you!” and Leo’s wound began to glow! “Oh, yes! Hear me, Leo. I love you! I’ve always loved you! I will always love you!” As you cried out the words, the wound slowly healed itself, and after it did, Leo opened his eyes! YES! He looked around, looked into your eyes and whispered your name as you hugged each other tightly and joyous tears poured down my own cheeks.

“Oh, thank God!” you cried out. “Oh, Leo, I tried so hard, and I couldn't make it work before. Why didn't you tell me?”

“That love was the trigger?” he asked. “You had to find that out on your own. Why couldn't you tell me?”

“I don't know.” But I did, and after a moment, you did, too, as you admitted it. “I was afraid. Leo, I was afraid,” and I nodded. “I was afraid that if I admitted how I really felt, it would hurt more if I lost you. I'm so sorry! I should have said it before.”

He smiled at you. “It's better late than never.” and you hugged him again as he kissed you tenderly, and I left you two alone, knowing that you had never noticed me.


Later, when you helped Leo down the steps, Daisy cried out, “Leo! Oh my God! How did you ...?”

“There's no time to explain,” you told her, and Leo agreed because Daisy had been out of the cloak too long and now Alec could find her.

You wanted to know where Prue was, because we needed to get her back to the Manor and we need to find a Power of Three spell to vanquish the darklighter. I hoped Prue had her cell phone on, but before I could call Prue, Alec, the darklighter appeared! I screamed as I tried to use Prue’s power to throw him against the wall. But I missed as the light bulbs above him smashed.

He smirked at me, then grabbed you. “All right. No more tricks, ladies.”

“Let her go, Alec.” Leo growled.

Alec shook his head. “I don't think so. I have what you love; you've got what I love. Care to trade?”

[Esmeralda]

Chapter Three

I raised my hand, getting ready to try to make him go flying again.

“Don't do that,” he warned and his hand began to glow. “I will kill her if I have to. You still think I'm incapable of love, Leo? You wanna see far I'm willing to go?”

“Alec, no!” begged Daisy.

“Daisy,” you commanded. “Stay back.”

“You shut up!” Alec yelled.

Just then, the door opened and Prue walked in. In the confusion, Alec shoved you into me, and then grabbed Daisy.

“No!” cried Leo, agony in his voice.

“Phoebe, stop him!” cried Prue, but before I could, Alec shimmered out, taking Daisy with him.

“Now what do we do?” I asked in despair.

Leo turned to you. “Piper, you’re going to have to find her. You can do it.”

“Me??!!” you protested. “I can't do it!”

“Yes you can,” he insisted. “You have every one of my powers including the power to find Daisy.”

“Leo,” Prue asked. “Wouldn't it be faster for you guys just to switch your powers back?”

He shook his head. “No, I'm still too weak. It's up to Piper. Trust me, Piper. You can do this. Just look deep inside yourself, Find a place where you can find peace; a place where you find love.”

So you took a couple of deep breaths, settling yourself in, later telling us you were imagining a place where both you and Leo were just a normal, married couple with grandkids, and began concentrating. Almost immediately your face lit up with triumph. “Right! I can hear her!”

“Listen to her,” Leo instructed. “Let her tell you where she is.”

“She's screaming,” you told us. “She's afraid; he's pushing her passed some trees.”

“Can you recognize the place?” Leo asked. “Can you tell where they're at?”

“Hero's Grove,” you cried in excitement. “Golden Gate Park!”

“Let's go,” ordered General Prue, already heading for the door.

“What about Leo?” you asked, reaching out to grab his hand.

“I'm fine,” he replied. “Save Daisy.”

“Piper,” Prue told you. “We really need the Power of Three to do this.”

But I’d been thinking about it. “Actually, I don't think we do. I think there's a better way. Piper, you stay with Leo. Prue, you drive; I'll talk,” and out we ran.

My plan was rather simple but elegant, if I do say so myself - I’d use Prue’s power to throw Alec away from Daisy and then Prue would use the same power-switching spell, but this time use it so she could switch powers with the darklighter! I’d seen the way his eyes glowed with hatred before his hand began to glow, so I was certain that in the same way that love was the whitelighter trigger, hate would be the darklighter trigger, and I was right! Prue threw all of her hatred at this demon who had hurt Daisy and Leo and you and others so much, and vanquished him, switching back the powers before he was totally gone. Then we gladly switched our powers back, so we could each have our own.

When we returned to the Manor, you were there, but we didn’t see Leo. We figured that he must be resting, so we asked you what had happened.

“Well, after you guys left, I brought Leo back up to the attic, so he could lie down and rest, but this time I lay down with him,” and we smiled at your pink cheeks. “I told him that I almost wished I didn't have to give him his powers back.”

Prue smiled, understanding. “Then he wouldn't be able to leave.”

You nodded. “He thought so, too.”

I’d been wondering about something else. “So if Daisy's a whitelighter-to-be, doesn't that mean Leo used to be...”

“Human?” you asked with a smile. “I asked him about it and, yes, it does. He was actually born right here in San Francisco. He lived here all the way up until he went off to war.”

“War?” Prue asked. “You mean like Vietnam?”

You shook your head. “That’s also what I thought, but, no. It was World War II,” and we gasped, realizing that this young man we’d gotten to know and who you had come to love, wasn’t as young as we thought.

“He told me all about it,” you told us, your eyes misty with memories. “Leo left med school and enlisted as a medic. He wanted to help save people, not shoot them,” and we smiled - that sounded so much like Leo.

“The last thing he remembers,” you continued, “he was bandaging a soldier’s head-wound, and suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his own head, and the next thing he knew, he was floating, surrounded by whitelighters. They offered him immortality and the chance to help special people like Daisy - and us.”

“Wow,” I breathed. “Immortality!”

You nodded. “But not real life. He told me that he never once doubted that he didn't make the right choice. Never, until he met me,” and tears began glowing in your eyes again. “Oh, Phoebe! Oh, Prue! He told me that ever since he looked into my eyes, all he could think is how he’d give it up and have a mortal life again to have a family, grow old with me,” and both Prue and I melted.

“Is that possible?” Prue wanted to know.

You nodded. "Yes, Leo could become human again. He said he would if I wanted him to.”

“Are you kidding?” I cried. “Oh, honey, that’s wonderful! I know you want that more than anything - you couldn’t stand to lose him again.”

But Prue saw the sad look in your eyes. “But...”

You smiled at her and nodded. “But then he wouldn't be able to help other witches or other future whitelighters, would he?” and tears began rolling down your cheeks again. “He couldn't save the next Daisy.”

There was silence in the room as neither Prue or I knew what to say to something like that. We then drew near you, so we were surrounding you and hugged you tight. From there, you finished your story. “Leo said he better go, and I agreed. We kissed good-bye and he told me he loved me, so I told him I love him, and then he became all golden sparklies again and when the sparklies vanished, so did he,” and all we could do was cry, knowing the tremendous sacrifice you had both made.

Later, Prue and I were sitting in the kitchen. “Is it just me?” I asked. “Or can you draw a chalk outline around this place?”

Prue grinned. “Well, I don't know what you could possibly mean, Phoebe. I mean the weekend's almost over; we never made it to Cabo; Andy and I agreed to never see each other again, and Piper just lost the love of her life."

I smiled. “The glass is way more than half-full here, Prue.” As I talked, I got two pineapples out of the fridge. “Piper saved the love of her life; Alec is long gone and Daisy's on her way back to her family. And we even managed to straighten out our powers, thank God.”

That surprised Prue, since she thought I had always wanted an active power. And I did, but one that was mine, not someone else's. I'd actually missed my premonitions. It made her smile and she actually admitted that she was wrong when she said I had no vision, because it takes a lot of strength to see what I see.

I grinned and raised my pineapple. “I'll drink to that. We can't go to Cabo, we might as well bring Cabo to us.”

“Can I have one of those, too?”

At the sound of this new voice, we turned to see you standing in the doorway, listening to us. You were wearing something around your neck. I got up and checked it out - dogtags. “Leo’s?” I asked and you nodded, as you went to the cupboard, found the Sangria and began pouring it into our pineapples, before finding one for yourself.

“I don't know, Phoebs,” Prue said. “Why celebrate when we still have some serious problems?” and you smiled sadly, even as you poured Sangria into your own pineapple.

I grinned at both of you as I turned on the radio, scanning until I found some reggae music. “Problems are for Monday mornings, Prue. What do you say?” I asked, looking at you.

You managed a small smile. “It's gonna be hell of a Monday morning, but until then ...” and you raised your pineapple, so Prue and I raised ours, and we all clinked our pineapples.


Well, after that, you were even more bummed than you were before. Prue and I understood - we knew how much you had sacrificed to let Leo go. Prue soon understood even more than I did - her boyfriend, police inspector Andy Trudeau, gave up his life in order to save us from a demon. She, too, was having troubles getting over her lost love. Unlike you, she was also having troubles using her powers, since she felt they had caused Andy's death.

About that same time, you were asked to do a cooking segment advertising Quake on The Food Network. You were very honored, but very nervous. The segment's producer ended up being someone you knew from high school, who boasted about her wonderful life, but when she asked about you, well, what could you say? But when a demon made it happen again and again and again, well, you finally had enough and told her off! I was so proud of you! I cheered you good and loud as she marched off, very insulted.

That episode did something else for you. Once we vanquished the demon - thanks to Prue being willing to use her powers again, since she now admitted that Andy died because he was a protector of the innocent, just like us - I asked if you ever called to reschedule your segment. You said you weren't going to, because you decided to quit your job - that ex-classmate had reminded you that you always wanted to be a chef and have your own restaurant, not manage one, and I thought that was wonderful.

Later you found a club that thanks to a home equity loan that Prue and I took out, became your club, P3, named after us three "P's". Unfortunately, in order to run it, you'd have to bring it up to code, and there was a lot of things that had to be brought up to code.

All of this happened shortly before our first anniversary as witches. On that same day, new people moved in next door. If we only knew where you getting your club and new people moving next door would lead….

Piper, I really don’t want to bring up bad memories with this letter, but discussing what happened to you and Leo during our second year as Charmed Ones is so important for you to understand just how much you and Leo went through in order to get your happy ending, one that now includes Wyatt. So I hope you don’t mind me telling you about the biggest choice you’ve ever had to make – did you want to marry Leo who you loved with all of your heart but who could never give you the normal life you wanted so badly, or could you marry a non-magical who could give you that life, but who you didn’t really love, and really wasn’t much more than a rebound from Leo.

Of course I’m sure you know by now who you chose, but, oh, what the three of us had to go through to get you to that point….

I was the first to meet our new neighbors when Jenny Gordon came over wanting to use our phone. She was a pretty teenager, maybe about fourteen, fifteen. No sooner was she in the Manor than she was followed by her uncle, Dan Gordon, a very, very good-looking young man who made me drool in a way that I hadn't since we first met Leo! Even you two perked up a little looking at this handsome guy. And the idea that we had him right next door - oh, yes, we'd all enjoy this eye-candy!

Just like with Leo, I reminded you and Prue that I had seen him first and you two glared, just like then. However, when you saw his truck parked outside, a truck showing that he was in construction, you knew what you had to do.

The next morning, you walked over to the house next door and picked up the paper off the stairs.

Dan opened the door before you could knock. After you greeted each other and you gave him his paper, he asked you if you wanted to come in, but you told him you just stopped by to ask a quick favor, that your club received a visit from a DBI last night. Dan understood - neighbor Dan, he's in construction; maybe he could help.

You offered to pay him something, but before he could answer, Jenny came out, telling Dan she was late and greeting you, then reminding Dan of his promise.

Well, that made up Dan's mind - he agreed to check out the code violations and see how serious they really were if you helped Jenny with a paper - it was for her biology class, about something that was awkward for a guy to talk to his niece about...

You understood - it had to be about sex. You agreed, saying you had plenty of experience. When he was surprised that you had plenty of experience with sex, you corrected him - you had lots of experience talking about it, which pleased him.

Well, I ended up helping Jenny with the paper, thanks to a spell I cast on myself so I could be smarter and get into school, but there was no doubt that once more the new guy in our lives was interested in you, not me. I didn't mind too much. I hoped that maybe Dan Gordon would be the one who would help you finally get over Leo.

*sigh* Re-reading this always reminds me what whitelighters and darklighters were supposed to be like and thinking how badly Charmed ruined them. Of course a lot of that had to do with the fact that this was supposed to be the only episode when we'd see whitelighters or darklighters - Leo wasn't supposed to come back for Season Two. You don't know how often I've wished that that had been the case - despite how much as I loved Leo and Piper's love story the first time I watched it, before I knew how badly it was going to devolve. To think this wonderful angel would end up being a little errand boy and a teacher in a magic school where magical kids could use their powers on this now-unmagical man... *sigh*.

So? How 'bout you? What do you think?

And can you believe we're into Season Two already???