 |
Faithfully Yours
Part
4:
Toil and Trouble
Chapter 23
"The good ended happily,
and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means."
Oscar Wilde |
Experience is the name everyone gives to their mist
Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan, 1892, Act III
Cole shimmered into a cave in Burvjara as close as he dared to an area where a number of bands of Burvjarians were often encamped, but in order to keep them safe from his magic, and keep his presence quiet, he still had a very long walk to reach them. He had manufactured himself something he hoped was a reasonable facsimile of the Burvjarian robe. However as he had no real understanding of the Burvjarians' complicated systems of recognition through colour and shape of their robes, and Glock had with a wry smile, chosen not to enlighten him, he doubted that it would pass even a minute examination close up. Although, he hoped, it might help him pass for Burvjarian at a distance, if he was seen during his long walk and allow him to see those things he had come to see. He pulled the hood close around him, but it was cold and not even a woollen cap and Leo's old fisherman's jumper, the one Leo kept for winter yard use, and Cole had appropriated as a last minute addition to his trip, completely protected Cole from the cold.
He smiled to himself as he set off for the long walk across Burvjara. Leo was going to be furious at the appropriation of the almost certain to be destroyed sweater. But what could Cole say. The robe did not seem as warm as he thought it would be, the sweater was still in the laundry basket from some months ago because it needed darning and he was tempted. Besides he reasoned, taking the sweater to Burvjara would simply save Piper having to darn it. Although Cole had a fair certainty that Leo would not appreciate Cole's concern for Piper.
Cole was in a different part of the realm than his previous visit, but he did not expect to see much difference to the other place. Burvjara was a devastated realm where ever you went. The air was putrid and stale, from the cycles and cycles of waste from lethal weapons and the destruction of everything around, although as the landscape resembled uninhabitable craters, it was hard to believe that anything had ever once existed there. He curled his lips at the putrid smell of decay and then Cole frowned because normally the stench of the war covered the smell of decay in Burvjara.
After a second's hesitation he careful raised a small magic fire on the end of his finger, testing the air for its reaction to magic because after all the years of war the atmosphere of Burvjara was dangerous to use lethal magic. He waited for the explosion but although the air around crackled and burnt for a few seconds, the explosion fizzled out.
"Hmm" he said out loud and then pulled the hood further around him, set out across the barren landscape.
He walked on following a shemlin track which was the name the Burvjarians gave to creatures that to Cole looked something like a cross between a pig and a rat. Surefootedness and cunning, with an ability to absorb magic due to some no longer understood connection to Burvjara magic pole, shemlins had somehow survived the carnage of the land in which they lived.
Either side of the track the rock had splintered into small sharp shards, turned brittle by the years of blasting a round it. However instead of the brilliant orange rock that reflected the residue of weapons which was what Cole usually saw in Burvjara parts of it were starting to fade into a milder colour. Pondering why this was happening and not watching where he was going Cole tripped and fell to his knees. As he stood up he realised he had tripped over a small clump of blue weed struggling to exist in the burnt orange rock.
He walked on, noticing as he walked that versions of blue weeds and one instance something that looked almost like grass were struggling to grow in the devastated landscape. Three times he had to scramble off the tracks to avoid the solid bodies of the shemlin hungrily feeding on the emerging weeds and unwilling to move away. Cole was surprised because he had a memory of some one telling him that the animals were notoriously sensitive to the stench of weapons residue and as one of the few prey animals of Burvjarian warriors their disappearance from areas where the wars were strongest was frequently one of the reasons the wars stopped as fighting Burvjarians ran out of food supply.
The shemlin presence in the area confirmed for Cole that for some reason the fighting had been slow in these parts for a period of time and the amount of change he was seeing indicated the period coincided with his last visit. He walked on then stopped and sniffed then laughed at himself. Without a doubt the air was stale not burnt. He risked another small fireball in his hand waiting for the ignition of the air around him but as before the air around did nothing but fizzle and crack. Cole wondered if the Burvjarians had left the area and pursed his lips concerned about what had driven them out.
He walked on and many, many strides further on the track became very steep. He found himself looking down a deep gorge which was full of water, ugly green yellow water that was foaming a slimy green as it gushed on. In previous visits Cole had looked at the ruined desert landscape and wondered apart from the pole why anyone would live here. But combatants over their fire one night and predisposed to talk to forget the cold had told him the land in times gone by had been very fertile. A paradise
They told him it was subject to huge flooding rain every so often and this rain filled gorges and natural lakes. In the early days, in times of peace these natural dams had been used to irrigate, the magic of the pole was used to work the land and it had plentifully produced quick growing crops, gardens, fruit and timber. It was a great land they had told Cole with pride, almost as if they did not understand that the futility of their wars had destroyed it. He had been extremely angry at their pride he recalled.
The roaring, murky running water swirling with almost green foam, below him Cole knew would be polluted from the putrid air the rain had fallen through. But as he sniffed, he realised that the reason the air n had ever so slightly cleaned from the poisonous residue of weapons was the rain.
As Cole climbed another hill he became aware of several tall plants with long sweeping fonds. The plants were blue, as he had been told the landscape of Burvjara once was,. They had been seeded by the rain and they were growing over the lower slopes. Their size told Cole the rain that had turned the gorge in a roaring river must have happened almost immediately after he had taken Glock from the realm.
"Hmm" he said to himself.
On the rare times it did rain now Burvjarians did not usually fight. It became a farce Glock had once told him with wry amusement so Cole surmised the fighting had stopped almost immediately, which was usual but it appeared, in the part of the realm he was crossing the fighting had not restarted
Therefore no Burvjarians, combatants, female or offspring would be in the area he concluded and began to look for some place he could safely shimmer without damaging the fragile regrowth. He had to walk some time to up the shemlin path, where he spied a cave opening near the top of the rises. Then from the highest point of the path he stopped very surprised as he overlooked one of the once fertile plains. Far below him he could see three encampments. All three encampment were just at the ideal distance from each other to assert their solidarity, avoid confrontation and keep a careful eye on the activities of the enemy.
The encampments had cloth roofs stretched over the rocks, a sure sign they had been there for some time. Close by the encampments were a few small lots, looking misty blue in the distance, small fertile plots set up at distances from each other encampment but close to the water. It appeared the Burvjarians had taken the opportunity of a lull in war to plant a few seeds and collect a crop of the rice like grain that was often their chief form of sustenance.
Cole shook his head wondering what had changed and why these groups were showing evidence of living without direct confrontation while showing no signs of any unity or alliance.
He moving down to the plain, creeping along a shemlin path, wondering if he had just by luck stumbled onto a group of non combatants. However as he came close to a natural lake which was collecting water from the gorge, he arrived at a small plot where several Burvjarians were obviously watering their crop, lowering leather buckets on long ropes into the deep water. It was obvious that these were the war hardened combatant Cole was used to meeting in Burvjara. All were clad in their long robes and carried weapons and the females all had the sword like weapons they used for protection, and as Cole had found to his dismay wielded, with deadly force.
The Burvjarians were always philosophical about the appearance of Others, cynically welcoming them and then accepting with contempt or amusement or irritation, their arguments, gifts or promises. They rarely turned on Others but treated them with a fatalistic courtesy, a Burvjarian trait which had left Cole frustrated in his attempts to separate them from the interference of outsiders.
He therefore confidently approached the group of males pulling water from the gorge and pouring it into containers which the females carried. One of the females saw him, and without hesitation drew her sword without letting go the water carrier she balanced on her shoulders. She brandished the sword at him while the males turned at her call.
Cole held up his hands and approached showing he was unarmed. The female spat at him and swung the sword threateningly. Cole stopped surprised. Her reaction startled him, but not as much as the reaction of the males, pulling water. Two held the water while the other slung his weapon from his shoulder and with the deliberateness of veteran combatant pointed it straight at Cole and fired. Almost any demon have been on his way to the wasteland from the damage the weapon did and indeed many of the orders of Good, witches for example, would have suffered a similar fate.
Cole he received a massive acid burning hole in his chest as the Burvjarian went rigid with disgust
"Be gone Ogre" the combatant roared and aimed his weapon at Cole's head.
Cole with no choices of shimmering could do nothing but lift his hand taking the brunt of the fire and leaving a huge gap in it, with more acid dripping. He backed away as the ground burnt with the acid while they fired at him. When he was far enough away he put up the least shield powerful he could so the weapons bounced off. The explosion was large, lighting the air between Cole and the Burvjarians but he wondered if he was imagining it or the explosion was smaller than he expected. He used the cover to speed himself away where dripping acid he finally scrambled over some rocks on and was able to put safe enough distance between him and the Burvjarians. The males stood weapons aimed at the spot where he had been, their bodies rigid while the female sheathed her sword without losing any of the water balanced on her back.
Cole's demonic hearing allowed him to listen to her as she spate a stream of invective about what she thought of any Others; demons, Good and ogres who came to claim they arbitrated for the justice of Burvjarians and then killed the most noble of them, the only real hope for Burvjara.
"We don't know that is the one who killed Glock" one of the males pointed out as he slung his weapon back. "Others have come claiming to be powerful ogres, like the demon bastard that killed Glock and then been revealed as just demon bastards." He spat on the ground and ground his boot into the earth as if he was enjoying the thought of grinding an ogre or demon.
"The one that killed Glock claimed friendship and knew the Burvjarians" said the female "that one used the symbols only a leader as decent as Glock would have taught him. Glock taught the one who killed him how to be Burvjarian.'" The female spat on the ground again.
"Glock's decency made him to trusting" agreed one of the males "But it is hard to fault his memory for that."
"No" snorted the female "But even the greatest of us have our failing. Even if it was being to trusting."
Cole took a deep breath and snuck away shaking his head. He moved away, the earth burning with small explosions as his dripping acid blood hit the ground. Was it his imagination or were the explosions slightly smaller than he expected too?
He finally found a shallow cave hidden by rocks where he could regenerate the damage done. His body fizzled as it healed and he smiled wryly. The cave lit up with fire as his magic worked. Finally the burning in the air subsided, and noting the damage done to Leo's sweater and grinning to himself, he sat taking deep breaths. He pulled the small food parcel from the bag he carried, eating an orange and couple of peaches that he was part of the food he had put in his pack when he left the manor while he contemplated the changes in Burvjara.
He threw down the orange peel outside the cave and spat he pips out, and dropped the peach stones, wondered if he should pick them up, then shrugged. Nothing alien would grow in this land. And then he jumped as he heard Burvjarians near and only just managed to slip out of the cave and hastily climb over the rocks to hide as he spied them searching near and in the caves. These combatants knew where to look for ogres
Cole recognised the leader as the one who had fired on him and he was accompanied by several others.
"This was where the light was, the fire" said one "are you sure it was an Ogre?
"It was wearing some mock robes and I fired 4 rounds into it and it stood spitting fire and laughing at me" snarled the Burvjarian who had fire at Cole
"Are you sure you didn't miss?" said another with a scornful snort.
"You want to find out how straight I aim?" snarled the Burvjarian who had shot at Cole.
"Be careful" warned another.
Cole squinted as he watched them. He always had difficulty recognising the various clan insignia that seemed so obvious to the Burvjarians so he was not completely certain but he suspected that the difference in the dyes in their robes indicated these combatants were opposing warriors and he wondered.
The Burvjarians continued to beat about looking for him.
'This is not good" muttered one as he searched "Others coming back. They kill Glock and now what do they want."
'They killed Glock because he knew how to deal with them" said his companion
Cole pulled himself away and they passed close by.
"I heard stories about how Glock used the demons to win his battles then stood back and laughed while they fought each other to a standstill" said a third as they carefully searched.
"Glock was for Burvjara" said another kicking stones very close to where Cole pressed himself against a large rock.
He had to wait along time while the Burvjarians searched carefully all around the area, and from what Cole could see and pick up from their talk, they were from several different clans who were not particularly aligned but in sharing the fertile area had some agreement to unite against Others.
Some time later they gave up the search disgusted that the Other had got away from them, and concerned, making comments about why when no Burvjarians would have anything to do with them since Glock's death, the Others kept coming.
Cole was finally able to move far enough away from any danger and finding another cave in which to hide he shimmered to another part of the realm and found something similar. Several previous enemy groups of combatants were taking the break from the fighting to exist in an area where some feral animals, that had survived the carnage and adapted to whatever food sources existed, grazed. The Burvjarians hunted them for meat and leather to make the boots and other items that ensured their existence to keep on fighting. Cole witnessed an instance where hunters from what he thought were different clans stalked the same animal. He waited for the combatants to burst in warfare over it . They did skirmished and threatened which gave the prey time to escape. The combatants finally observed this but instead of erupting in anger, they backed away from each other a little awkward and embarrassed.
"Hmm" said Cole to himself.
Cole wandered on over the burnt realm and in each place he went he noticed the same scent of decay and just a hint of regeneration.
In a chance encounter Cole finally heard what he suspected. There had been no fighting between combatants since Glock's 'death' and in an unspoken truce the Burvjarians were using the time to exist, and add to their meagre belongings. He moved closer to see what he could see and came across some offspring and females tilling ground and came off a bad second best as they attacked him with stones and one got close enough to use a weapon which finished whatever hope Leo's sweater had of surviving the trip to Burvjara.
Cole found another group that were using the time to harvest he remains of plantations that had once produced a tree with soft silk fronds that had been spun into the silk robe that were once traditional Burvjarian wear. A few trees had survived and the group were taking the time to rather clumsily spin the fronds into cloth.
He hoped, really hoped that maybe removing Glock had started a peace that could be built on, until he came across another group of combatants just in time to witness a group of demons encounter the Burvjarians and offer them one last chance. Any hopes that Cole had that there was peace in Burvjara were lost. It seemed a common enemy had been found because two groups of Burvjarians whom he suspected because of the colour of their hoods were mortal enemies joined forces to massacre the demons without further discussion.
A few demons managed to escape, leaving behind a trail of fire and damage and threats of retaliation.
"Not good" Cole said to himself as the opposing combatants lowered weapons. One leader shrugged "They'll be back" he told the other group.
"Let them come and receive the same " said his opponent "Glock said Burvjara was for Burvjarians.'
The band behind him nodded trunk like noses twitching, yellow eyes bright.
The opposition leader also nodded "Glock was a great Burvjarian" he agreed as he and his band backed away.
"Maybe not so good" said Cole to himself and then knew there was no maybe about it when he came across an almost an almost identical meeting between Burvjarian groups and 4 whitelighter warrior types who were subject to the same massacre, with one mortally wounded but able to orb away in a cloud of such magic that the still toxic air of Burvjara exploded and killed 5 combatants.
"Come back and die" called a surviving combatant to the cloud. He shook his weapon. "Glock said Burvjara was for Burvjarians."
"Definitely not good" said Cole to himself, knowing he had seen what needed to be seen.
……………………………………………………
On Sunday morning, Leo decided that since Patsy's father was being very irregular in his attentions due to the situation in Burvjara, the boys needed some female free time. Therefore he was taking them to a favourite playground where they could watch a local baseball game and then play some "boys" games.
"Wyatt is nine months old" Piper said her hands on her hips. "He'll have no idea about baseball and Patsy will want to toddle out and line the bases up straight."
Leo got a mulish expression on his face and it might have gone badly if Phoebe had not roused herself enough from fantasising about George to point out that strong male influences were very important to boys and it was never too young to start.
"It's important for their development" Phoebe insisted. "Males need male bonding time or they go.." she stopped "its not good for them" she said. Phoebe took a deep breath and played her strongest card "Trust me I know men." she said.
Piper raised her hands and then slapped her thighs, shook her head then slowly nodded. Giving up without trying, because she had never in her whole life won an argument about Phoebe about men.
"And what about your daughter?" Piper demanded finding an easier victim in Leo.
"I don't think she is interested in fathers since she found a new hero" Leo muttered and then frowned as Piper suddenly smiled gently her eyes bright.
"It keeps her from thinking of chocolate" Piper said softly.
Leo snorted when he noticed the smile but kept his thoughts to himself. Ever since Glock had save Melinda and her cat, like her mother she had not been able to leave him alone. She followed the tall Burvjarian about. If he sat she insisted on sitting on his knee and then orbing each one of her animal toys to him and explaining what sort of animal it was, what it did and where it lived. Or she showed him pictures of animals in her books or made him watch stories about animals on TV. Glock his yellow eyes bright and his trunk like nose twitching allowed Melinda to command his attention.
Paige watching this congratulated Phoebe on how she was educating her niece to manage males. Phoebe accepted the compliment with a satisfied smile.
Both Piper, her voice soft and her eyes bright at the sight of her daughter with Glock, and Leo, his eyes narrowed, had told Glock not to let Melinda bother him. However with his trunk like nose twitching Glock assured them he found the stories of the animals fascinating and it helped him understand a little of the realm where he was. Piper had put her hand out to touch his arm in sympathy, her eyes glowing and Leo had frowned deeply.
As Leo put the boys in the pusher in the hall, he saw that Melinda had given up on animals and was out in the yard on her tricycle yelling to Unca Glock to look just how fast she could go down the small slope in the yard.
Leo started to move to the yard to assert a father's rights to point out how dangerous that tricycle was when she used magic to make it go fast but Glock had apparently found a way to use his connection to the magic pole to slow her down without her knowing it because she was yelling as if the bike was going faster than ever.
Leo sucked his lip, turned away and determinedly pushed the pusher to the front door, with Wyatt already doing his favourite thing of being sleep and Patsy trying to arrange the toy barrier to a certain pattern and then using magic to make them spin harder.
Leo shook his head then gave each of the boys a favourite toy, a squeaky train for Wyatt which he has to jam beside him and a swirling light thing that Francesca had given Patsy. Its flashing lights changed patterns depending on the way it was shaken, and it sensibly seemed indestructible no matter what Patsy did to it and it never got lost no matter how many times he threw it on the ground. Complete with two baby bags Leo set off down the street for a boys morning out, waving to nosy Mrs Taylor as he left and then managing to be polite as she chased him down the street to ask after each one of the girls and then with what could be described as a girlish giggle asked how Cole was.
"Fine" Leo muttered pushing the pusher away before she could catch his arm. He left her standing on the foot path glowering at his back.
Piper standing in the hallway watched Leo's back with concern then turned it into a soft smile as she watched Glock with her daughter. Glock's eyes glowed a gentle yellow as he saw her watching him.
Because Piper had been taken a long time to recover from Wyatt's birth and a very hard pregnancy, her sisters had tried to take over the Sunday supper as much as possible which had led to some very strong words between them about whether they thought she was helpless. This Sunday however with both her sisters distracted by spite inspired fantasies, Piper knew she would get no argument. It usually only took her a few hours to cook supper but at ten in the morning she was already sorting ingredients and looking for the exact cooking utensils.
Paige nose in a magazine as she poured herself a coffee put her head on the side. "It isn't going to take 9 hours to cook supper "she said
"Glock has never had a family dinner" Piper explained "I would like to make it a really good one for him.
She was greeted by total silence from Paige.
Piper made a grinding noise with her teeth and made herself busy checking fresh vegetables and certain spices. "Chicken Maryland is about as fancy as I can get" she said "Glock's used to things cooked over camp fires so anything to exotic will be a bit much for him.'"
Paige her nose stuck in the magazine grunted.
"But there is an Asian recipe for the batter and sauce that makes it special, only the batter has to stand for 4 hours" Piper added. "Paige" she demanded looking for an answer.
Paige snorted "Why don't you just defrost those things in the microwave?" she asked nodding at the defrosting chickens
"It wrecks the taste." Piper informed her.
"Uh hu" said Paige
"I think it would be better with fresh pineapple" Piper said looking at the two chickens she had defrosting. "I think we could do with another chicken" she said "and what do you think a leek soup and French pastry éclairs fresh cream for desert.'
Paige never taking her nose out of the magazine poured herself another coffee and sat down again half grunting.
Piper pushed tried her strongest argument "Don't you read that stuff near my daughter" Piper told Paige "She's impressionable."
Paige looked up from the magazine ,raised her eyes, and put her head on her side, her Piper is being a pain expression firmly in place. Piper took note of the expression and put her hands on her hips then sighed.
"And" Piper added determinedly "I don't want our boys even thinking having that stuff in the house is acceptable" she added.
"You don't want our boys thinking pictures of naked men are acceptable" asked Paige examining one closely "I really want to be around when some-one has to explain that to Cole " she said.
"We'll support our boys no matter what there choices or paths in any part of their lives" Piper said firmly "But I still would like to be around when you explain to Cole they first got to see pictures of naked men because of you." She added a touch spitefully.
Paige muttered uh hu and rolled her eyes.
Piper let her breath out in an exasperated hiss, then jumped as the phone rang. She picked it up as Paige buried her nose back in the magazine.
"Explains what to Cole?" asked Phoebe coming into kitchen with a pile of folded laundry. "God we have boring lives now" she added. "Laundry, work. Work laundry while I wait at home for my hubby to wins war" she added." Explain to Cole what? " She asked.
"Yes daddy "said Piper into the phone.
"That his boys like pictures of men" Paige said carefully turning a page of the magazine.
Phoebe giggled 'He's a good daddy. He'll swallow hard, grind his teeth and say his children have to make their choices. At least he will when I've told him he has too" she said
Paige took her nose out of the magazine and looked at Phoebe.
"I've trained him well" said Phoebe
Piper leant against the bench in the kitchen, phone held against her ear as she contemplated whether the chickens were enough for 6 adults and two children , when they were having a three course meal.
"Yes daddy" she said into the phone.
She went across to the stove and turned a near boiling pot down, while Phoebe watched her with interest.
"Yes daddy" Piper said
Piper began sliding grated vegetables into the pot.
"Sure daddy" she said "yes daddy" she said.
She went to the refrigerator, and pulled out some cream and butter and 3 eggs which she put on the bench.
"Sure daddy, yes daddy, yes daddy" Piper said while Phoebe watched. "I mean no daddy of course" she said suddenly. "Any time daddy" she said "sure daddy. See you daddy "she said .
Paige surfaced from the book her concentration broken 'That was daddy" Paige told Phoebe before Piper could say it.
"Daddy's coming to dinner" Piper said putting the phone down and taking a deep breath.
"Today "said Phoebe aghast.
"Do you think that's a good idea? Paige asked '"You know not that I don't think Victor coming to dinner is a problem or anything but Glock…."
"Daddy's used to …well magic stuff" said Piper dismissing "He really wants his daughters" she said "Family" she added before Paige could say anything.
'"Then maybe he could have dinner with Aunt Elinor" said Paige.
"I don’t think Aunt Elinor would be all that sympathetic "Piper said.
"Margaret "said Phoebe. "We can't have Margaret and Glock together."
"Margaret isn't coming her "Piper explained with a roll of her eyes "seems she has other business. That's why daddy needs his family."
"Oh" said Paige
"What sort of business?" asked Phoebe suspiciously "Its Sunday . She doesn't sell houses. She sells big buildings."
"Other business" said Piper crossing her arms
"Other business'?" asked Phoebe "what other business ?"
'Gee Ms advice columnist, knows the world and men. I don't know "Piper replied her voice grim "there's a fantasy plague for women in San Francisco. Hard to guess what business Margaret would have to keep her away from daddy."
All three sisters looked at each other.
"Perhaps we should explain its only fantasies, not real" suggested Phoebe swallowing.
"I gather Margaret's fantasies are all about action" said Piper
"What's Margaret's fantasy man?" asked Paige vaguely interested.
"Tall good looking, rich " said Piper.
"Younger than Victor?" asked Paige.
Piper and Paige looked at each other.
"Statistically" said Phoebe in her Ask Phoebe voice "if you're going to gold dig, its much better to go after an older man. You know they die sooner, and women live longer anyway so you get to be richer longer."
Piper and Paige stared at her
"I'll shut up" said Phoebe.
Piper moved to the stove and turned down the heat on the boiling saucepan.
"You know I was thinking" said Paige putting her magazine down "Just as well Cole's not rich."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Phoebe demanded.
"Well the way Margaret was hanging off him the other day " Paige said "and you know the spites hadn't attacked then. He'd be her perfect man."
"Cole would not be interested in Margaret or any-one "said Phoebe going quite pale "and its only females getting hit by spite attacks."
'"He's male" said Paige "You know how they react to women throwing themselves at them. You know men Phoebe" she said maliciously
"Cole's not interested in anyone but me" Phoebe insisted. "We have trust in our marriage."
Piper and Paige looked at each other.
"What's for desert " Phoebe asked quickly changing the subject
"Chocolate éclairs" said Piper. "Men like them."
"Is that good for Melinda?" Phoebe asked sanctimoniously before Piper could get back to the subject of Cole and Margaret "Wouldn't it be better make lemon cream puffs. Cole likes them better" she added
"Bugga Cole" said Piper. She stared at the unfreezing chickens
"You Paige need to get to the supermarket and get another chicken" she said. She thought about it "three chickens. Fresh is better. "' She glowered at Phoebe "and I need some lemon for rinds" she said "Chocolate is not good for Melinda.' She conceded.
Phoebe stuck out her tongue.
Paige started to argue then she thought about it "I can orb down to the specialty place," she said "and check out the book shop next door."
Paige meandered to the door clutching her magazine "You know Phoebe "she said stopping at the hall door "Fussing about what Cole likes does not make up for fantasising about another man"
Phoebe drew an outraged breathe
"And playing madame hostess does not hide you're fantasising about screwing Glock "Paige told Piper.
Piper paled and clutched the bench as Paige left.
"Its only antasy Piper "Phoebe said "You wouldn't do it. Any more than me. I wouldn't have slept with John Cotton. Honest " she said. She flushed "Bloody spites " she added.
Piper swayed a little.
"Its bloody spites Piper" Phoebe assured her sister.
"I'm not fantasising "Piper whispered "about ...sleeping with him. I just… I want him to be happy." she said.
"Why fanaticise about happy families when you have the reality?" asked Phoebe curiously, her eyes concerned. "You and Leo are a happy family. Don't tell me any different."
Piper let go the bench and took a deep breath. "Maybe you better get your nose into the Book of Shadows and start finding a cure for these bloody spites." She said wiping her hands on her apron.
………………………………………
Later that morning Phoebe thumped through the Book of Shadows. "I could do with some help here" she said glaring at the ceiling and then the book. The book remained curiously open at the spite page that said the cure for spite attacks was reality.
"This is ridiculous "she told Paige who was sitting on the sofa her legs curled under her, seriously contemplating one of the new magazines she had just bought.
"You should not read that stuff near the children" Phoebe told Paige with something sniff.
"Which children?" said Paige not looking up. "No children here"
"Pookie "said Phoebe touching her belly.
This made Paige look up "Well if you think Pookie is going to effected by pre birth … sex fantasies maybe you ought to look closer to home." she smirked.
Phoebe stalked over to Paige and ripped the magazine from her sister's hand.
"I could use some help" she told Paige "for all our sakes" and she threw the magazine throwing it across the room.
'Magazine" said Paige barley missing a blink as it flew back into her hands.
"You do realise if we don't find a cure for spite stuff, my marriage is shot" Phoebe told Paige.
Paige looked at her blankly over the top of the page" Cole will forgive you anything" she said.
Phoebe looked at her "I'm not sure I could forgive me anything" she said softly.
Paige stopped staring at the magazine. "It's just dreaming about fantasy men Phoebe" she said "what happened with John Cotton" she said "As soon a he stopped being a fantasy man you stopped."
"It went an awful long way before I stopped" Phoebe confessed. "Its one thing to look at books and well dream and watch TV shows but …having your husband find you naked, nearly naked with another man is getting pretty risky especially when well you know what my husband is capable of doing" she swallowed.
"No I don't 'said Paige always interested to know what Cole's powers really were "what is he capable of doing?"
"Lets just say no-one wants him getting jealous" Phoebe said. She shook her head "really no-one wants it." she assured Paige
"Then stop flirting with everything in pants" Paige suggested. Then she shook her head "Stupid advice. You can't help yourself. I remember the way you looked at Glen" she added "when we first got together." Then she lifted her magazine to end the conversation.
"It’s the only way you can communicate with half of them" Phoebe said "flirting You have to appeal to their ego's or their dicks." She sighed "I know men "she said.
Paige met Phoebe's eyes and put the magazine down. "Who's the fantasy this time?" she asked
Phoebe bit her lip "There's this man "she said "I met him at work. He's …Paige… he's just gorgeous the most gorgeous man ever."
"Don't be ridiculous "said Paige "You're married to the most gorgeous man ever. Isn't that what you keep telling me?"
Phoebe stopped "Are you . I mean is Cole .. I mean is he your fantasy.. I mean.. really.."
"No" said Paige bluntly. She put the book down and seriously said "But he would have been you know before I met Mark."
"Oh "said Phoebe.
"Now I just like looking at pretty ones" Paige explained.
"And Piper like fantasising about the…. well magic one's said Phoebe.
Paige looked at her sister "You sure that is a fantasy "she asked bluntly.
Phoebe stoped for a second and then slowly shook her head "No" she said
Paige put the magazine down forcefully/ "Maybe we need to find the solution to this?" she said seriously.
"Just reality "said Phoebe thumping the book. That's all it says."
"How do you turn fantasy into reality" said Paige
"Experiencing it "said Phoebe. "which is goddamn dangerous because" she looked at Paige. "I know men. It isn't just fantasising with them" she said.
................................................................................
