Faithfully Yours Part 5: A Time in the Affairs of Witches   Chapter 34 "The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means."   Oscar Wilde

Leo and the witches stood looking at each not quite sure what to say or where to go.

Then all four jumped as Phoebe's cell phone rang. She tried ignoring it for a while but there was a certain level of intent in the way chimes would did not stop. She finally answered it glancing nervously at her sister's and Leo when she saw who was calling.

"Hello George" Phoebe whispered her voice taking on a husky sexual slur. At any other time Phoebe would have considered there was a calculated innocence George asked her about making an appointment to take the photographs but this time it did not register. However after a quick glance at her family's expressions of irritation, disgust and judgement, she told George a little hastily she would call back and chose to ignore a certain level of peevishness in his tone as she said goodbye

Phoebe ended the call and met her family's annoyed expressions.

"What "she said. "Its business with George "she said "I'm not going to sleep with him." she insisted a touch to aggressively.

Piper put her head on her side and Paige crossed her arms.

"If I slept with every gorgeous man I came across in my job I wouldn't have time to be a….." Phoebe swallowed then stopped.

"Be a what? " asked Piper sweetly.

"Be a damned good journalist"  Phoebe smirked nose in the air then turned on her heel and left the attic.

Piper watched her go. "She's not a bloody good journalist"  Piper said to Leo "she's a sob sister with a flair for emotional over drive. So I don't need to have a power of premonition to know this isn't good."

"You're right "said Leo.

He went out the attic and managed to capture Phoebe's arm on the landing.

"What?" said Phoebe snorting at him.

"Just be careful" Leo told her.

"Careful of what?" she asked with a feigned innocence.

"Phoebe these damned spites, they're demons" Leo told her, his tone urgent "even if they aren't very powerful one, they can do some terrible damage".

"I know they're demons" Phoebe told Leo in a don't treat me like I'm stupid voice. "I'm not evil."

"They're evil Phoebe" Leo insisted "they cause evil. They make you do evil things."

"Are you going to tell me my job is evil Leo?" Phoebe demanded.

"I think getting fixated on this man, what his name…George" Leo relied "Just could be evil".

"I'm not fixated on him" Phoebe said with a sniff "He's a perfectly charming sweet, intelligent man, who thinks I'm sweet and intelligent too, so of course I wouldn't want to hurt him."

Leo shook his head "Phoebe I love you but you're not sweet." he said

"And I'm not charming or intelligent either?" she demanded.

"You're charming when it suits you "Leo said with the candour of a brother "and intelligent when it suits you."

"What the hell does that mean?" hissed Phoebe.

"Like you are with Therold " Leo said "showing him the part that you think he's going to respond to but that isn't all of you Phoebe."

"Just because he sees something ….nice in me, you want to tell me I'm lying about who I am" snapped Phoebe.

"It's great he sees something nice in you" Leo said in a careful reasoned voice. "But its not so great when you make sure he's not seeing the rest of your then... when you won't let him see who you are then yes, I think you're lying."

"Maybe I am what they see and you just don't want to admit it" snarled Phoebe.

And to her disgust Leo laughed. "Phoebe, aren't you the girl who prides herself on being true to who she is?" Leo asked. "Being true to the ..hard parts, the difficult parts because that is as much you as the …. easier ones."

Phoebe let out her breath in an angry snarl.

"I admire that in you" Leo persisted "and I am telling you because if you're hiding, the parts of you that are… honest then there's evil around you."

Phoebe glowered at Leo.

"And if evil is at work, what  is it trying to do. Make Cole jealous" Leo insisted "God knows you have the power over him. None of us want that to happen. Do you?"

"Maybe he should not be so sure of me?" Phoebe snarled "maybe he should work a bit harder for me. Be there for me. Maybe he only wants to work hard when he thinks there is competition."

"That is a spoilt brat talking 'Leo said. "And Cole isn't some mortal who is just going to get hurt and punch a few holes in the wall. If he starts punching things …the consequences aren't …it could be very bad."

"He knows it doesn't mean anything" Phoebe said suddenly softening. '"He loves me." she said "I do love him Leo. And I know him. He isn't going to go over the top. He isn't going to stop his calling by giving way to jealousy. I know Cole. I love Cole."

"Then why the hell are you trying to hurt him" Leo pushed. "You think it doesn’t hurt knowing the woman you love, is finding things in someone you aren't. That well, she must be looking for because you can't give her."

"Who are we talking about Leo" Phoebe demanded "You or Cole?"

Leo flushed and then to Phoebe's horror his eyes filled with tears.

"It hurts" he said

'"Piper loves you" Phoebe said touching his hand "and she wouldn’t do anything to hurt you"

"I think she loves Glock" Leo said "And Glock is such a noble …I want to kill him even if he isn't acting on what she feels. I want to kill him because she feels it."

"She just admires him, respects him, hero sort of, to her," Phoebe explained. "She loves you. She wouldn't hurt you."

"Yeah and you love Cole and yet you're besotted with George." Leo said bitterly

"George is just a fantasy man" Phoebe insisted.

"Like John Cotton" said Leo with nearly a sneer.

"Cole understood about him" Phoebe insisted. "And you should be like him, understand ..crushes. " Piper loves you and .. worsh.....admiring Glock doesn’t change that" she said hugging him closer.

"I want to kill Glock" Leo repeated "And trust me Cole wasn't okay about John Cotton. I think you are playing a dangerous game Phoebe" Leo informed her, not letting her forget why they were talking.

"Oh don't be ridiculous" Phoebe snorted pulling away form Leo.

She went down the stairs clutching her phone, looked at the conservatory and decided the conversation she was going to have was not one for the light so she went out into the backyard and called George. She flirted outrageously with him giggled at all the compliments he made, each one more and more extravagant while her body tingled and her breath palpitated.

Finally after half an hour Phoebe reluctantly said good bye and turned to the house, when a small sound behind her made her jump.  She suddenly became aware that seated on the edge of the children's climbing frame, Glock was smoking in the dark and not even remotely pretending he was not listening to her.

"It's rude to listen to other people's conversation "she snarled "don't they t teach you that in Burvjara."

"No" said Glock sucking on his pipe "In Burvjara they teach you that listening to other people's conversations is a way of knowing your enemy … and your friends loyalty" he added in a gruff voice.

Phoebe's chin came up "You don't like me do you?" she demanded.

Glock eyed her "I don't know you "he said carefully but Phoebe could make out his nose twitching.

"You don't like what you do know?" Phoebe pushed.

Glock's trunk twitched "No" he agreed. "I do not like what I know."

"I don't like you" Phoebe told him chin well in the air.

In the dark Phoebe could just maker out that Glock's expression hardened but he said nothing.

"You're destroying my sister's marriage" Phoebe accused.

"I do no such thing" Glock answered.

"Piper is in love with you and its breaking Leo's heart" Phoebe accused harder.

"I do nothing to harm your brother" Glock insisted.

"You're here "Phoebe bit out " you are here acting like some hero of Piper's dreams , only you are no hero, you are flesh and blood and warm and .. alien. She sees you as a hero, as a leader, a … a messiah and …"

Phoebe stopped and glared at Glock "Don't deny it" she demanded.

"I am no messiah" Glico answered slowly.

"Piper thinks you are" Phoebe pushed. "And all Leo can do is just stand and watch while you play at being in love because you're lonely and feeling alien and…" She stopped speaking as she became aware that the expression on Glock's face was as frozen.., in fear? And his body was so tense the danger was palpitating from him.

"You make that word an accusation" Glock repeated "I am no messiah"

Phoebe snorted and Glock noticeably shook.

"I love Piper" Glock said quietly as Phoebe drew breath "Love her enough to cause no harm".

"Leo is heart broken." Phoebe hissed.

"I heard you say it is no insult to love a man's wife." Glock told her his eyes deep, deep yellow and his nose now as rigid as his body "You told Cole that".

"It's different "Phoebe said blushing

"How?" asked Glock snorting.

"It hurts Leo" Phoebe said. She sucked her breath "Because unlike those ….ones I told Cole about, you're some-one my sister could love. The messiah to your people." She said curling her tongue around the word.

"I am no messiah" Glock said biting out the word "I am a vagabond alien, adrift in a foreign realm, with no end, no expectations and very little hope of a future."

"That makes you at your best" Phoebe accused "and it makes Piper in love with you."

And she did not miss the small twitch of Glock's nose and his slightly indrawn breath.

"But would she love me if she saw my worst" Glock asked "Like Cole loves you at your worst?" and he smiled as she understood the insult.

Phoebe gasped and then caught her breath and turned on her heel, leaving Glock to draw deeply on his pipe.

Glock stood up "Phoebe" he called.

Phoebe took another step before stopping.

"What" she snarled.

Glock approached her and caught her arm. She tried to shake him free, glaring angrily into his face. He ignored her efforts "You have the gift of premonition. Piper says you are a truth teller, without knowing where the truth comes from" Glock whispered harshly.

"So" she demanded angrily trying to shake his grip free.

Glock's grip tightened on her arm "Tell me I am no messiah" he said hoarsely.

Phoebe looked at him as his trunk twitched violently. The light from the house showed his face darken to burnt orange then pale to almost no colour and seemed to illuminate his aura."

"Tell me" Glock demanded his expression brutal, his yellow eyes flaming. "Tell me you premeditated the word as an insult."

Phoebe never took her eyes from his face "I can't" she whispered.

Glock let her arm go and she pulled away almost running toward the house.

Nearly at the door she stopped and looked back to see Glock almost on his knees.

"I could hate you" he whispered hoarsely.

"For telling you a truth "she demanded angry

She sucked her breath and half moved toward him and he waved her away.

"Some truths are crueller than lies." Glock called after her as she entered the house.

…………………………………………………

Phoebe came downstairs next morning carrying a very grizzly and grumpy Patsy who had kicked and spat at her the whole time she was dressing him. She walked into the kitchen to catch Glock positively glowering at Cole and Leo, his face dark and his yellow eyes intense. Piper was standing at the sink wiping her hands with a clothe, wringing  it unnecessarily hard and her expression tight.

Glock glanced toward Phoebe whose nose came right up as she dared him to comment about their last conversation. Glock's nose twitched and his eyes became more yellow but he was an old warrior, who knew not to stretch his resources. He was too caught up in a battle he was having with Cole to start another one up.

"It's for the best" Cole told Glock as he leant back against the kitchen bench, very much in control of his environment. At the tone of Cole's voice, which reminded Phoebe of his most preachy moments, Glock went even darker, his trunk like nose twitching almost angrily.

Phoebe wished everybody a bright could morning and got a peck from Cole, and a glower from Glock  and was barely acknowledged by Leo who was sitting at the kitchen table opposite Glock, his best I am an angel, expression on his face. Melinda, all good girl, was paying attention to her healthy non chocolate cereal.

Patsy as soon as he heard his father's tone, let fly with a very loud and grumpy  WAHHHHH and Wyatt in his high chair tried to out WAHHHHH Patsy and to his disgust was ignored

"Cole's right" said Leo carefully  "this realm does not understand magic. It frightens them. And when they are frightened, they become unpredictable."

Glock's colour deepened as Cole looked at his watch.

Piper put her hands on her hips and started to say something.

"I'm right Piper" Cole said carefully, his voice lawyer smug. "Trust me" he added as he took a last mouth full of coffee.

Piper tried to open her mouth as Glock made a deep rumbling noise.

"Cole is right " Leo said even more carefully  "and Piper, if you were not distracted by all those damn spite things you would not be arguing. Remember what happened when magic got exposed back when Cole went back to hell. Prue got killed and you nearly got killed." He added sanctimoniously.

Piper opened her mouth to say something and the noise from Glock was guttural.

"Leo's right" said Cole even more carefully than Leo "I have to be at work"  he said.

He kissed the kids then smiled charmingly at Glock "Piper seems okay from spite attacks now so you should be safe."

Piper opened her mouth but Cole turned his back then he jumped mightily as the glass in the passage way exploded beside him and he turned to see Piper her hands in the air. She exploded a light bulb over his head.

"Maybe not" Cole muttered and ran.

Piper turned toward Leo who looked up as he heard a message "I have to g " he told Glock. "Piper is a powerful witch. She'll look after you." He added.

He orbed but not before the chair he was sitting on exploded as Piper lifted her hands  and sucked her breath.

Glock said nothing. As Phoebe watched him, he slowly stood up and walked toward the back door, felt in his pockets and pulled out his tobacco sack. It had a very empty look to it.

Glock sighed and looked back at Piper.

"I fear my position is becoming… untenable." he said bitterly.

"Make it tenable "said Phoebe snippily.  She smiled at Glock slyly "Like give up on the smoking …alone in the garden. Filthy habit" she added smarmily.

Glock clearly considered whether he was ready for another battle. But he was a warrior who had survived a long time and he knew when there was nothing to be gained from a battle but a hollow victory and a waste of energy. His nose twitched and he wordlessly went into the garden.

"Shut up Phoebe "said Piper irritably. "Stop being a bitch to Glock."

"Don't blame me because you lost an argument "Phoebe said trying to get Patsy to eat.

"I didn't lose an argument "Piper raged "I didn't get a chance to have one."

"Who's fixing the broken stuff?" Phoebe smirked

"The thing I really hate " Piper muttered ignoring the question "about these magic possessions and takeovers that is every time, it gives those damned males the change to get  all full of themselves and act like they run the world and they are so damn smart because they are 'normal'."

"Hardly call an angel and a demon guardian normal" Phoebe told Patsy.

"There, there dear just be a good little girl and calm down" Piper snorted. "Not like Cole didn't get taken over by the source of all evil and try to rule the Underworld. Not like Leo has never been in some-one else's body. Hell he got switched into me when I was pregnant and behaved like an asshole and then acted like he knew everything about being pregnant."

"What is the boy's together support network arguing about now?" Phoebe asked finally.

"They think Glock leaving the house will expose magic, be very unwise, be catastrophic" Piper said disgusted

"Nothing to do with magic" said Phoebe the truth speaker "They think Glock leaving the house will freak people because of the way he looks."

"I believe you speak the truth" Glock said quietly from the door his colour still very dark.

"Phoebe often speaks the truth, warranted or not'" Piper snarled.

"I believe you" Glock said and Phoebe flushed.

"Does it matter if people freak?" Phoebe asked trying to coax Patsy to eat as he swished cereal around his bowl.

"Not good" said Piper noticing.

"No" said Phoebe "I think he is about to start teething. Go out if you want, do what you want to do. Since when did Cole become the boss of you?" she asked Glock carelessly. "Didn't Cole walk around Burvjara looking like a freaky other?" she asked.

Both Glock and Piper caught their breaths

"What "said Phoebe. "I thought Cole said people there thought he looked freaky."

"Quite a number of them also tried to … dispose of him for looking… freaky" Glock answered slowly the deep orange colour of his face gradually lightening.

"That could cause problems if the same thing happened here" Phoebe admitted.

"It did cause problems in Burvjara." Glock informed her

"Didn’t stop him walking around, didn't he just hide behind ski masks and things" said Phoebe "although come to think of it, he got exposed every time didn't he? Leo's clothes never came back. Patsy please" she begged as her son started to whimper and mutter.'

"Definitely not good" said Piper

Glock looked at Phoebe. "There could be consequences of exposure" he said "as there were in Burvjara."

"There's always consequences "shrugged Phoebe "Consequences are meant to happen. Only way to stop consequences is not to do things and that has consequences "she added turning back to plead with Patsy to eat and not mess with his cereal.

"She's an irritating truth speaker" Piper explained to Glock.

"I fear this is true" Glock answered his nose twitching and Phoebe swallowed hard.

"So find a way around the problem Glock" Phoebe said "Don't hide because Cole and Leo tell you too. I mean if you are stuck living here, you can't spend all you time here" she added.

Glock and Piper exchanged glances

"What? " Phoebe asked.

"Really irritating" said Piper

"I don't understand you" Phoebe said finally giving up on Patsy' "really not good" she said to Piper who nodded in agreement. "And "she told Glock "I don't like you hanging around my sister. Much better if you go out."

"Phoebe" said Piper shocked "Glock is a guest.'

"Then he ought to have better manners than to … steal from people who live here'" Phoebe sniffed as she gathered Patsy up and went into the dining room.

"I am sorry Phoebe is .."Piper said in abject apology to Glock "I can't believe…. Phoebe's just…"

"An irritating truth speaker" Glock agreed "I best go fill in the day as best I can."

"What would you be doing in Burvjara?" Piper asked, catching his arm "I mean if you weren't fighting."

Glock stopped, looking down at her, taking the moment. He shrugged "In such times as we do not fight?" he thought about it "I would walk the realm as we held it" he said "I would seek food. I would understand what surrounded me. I would understand what happened around me. I am not one to hide under rocks" he said.

"Me either "said Piper. She thought it about "I think if you may have to live here you should do something normal. What you would do in Burvjara. You should do reconnoiter the realm" she told him.

"I think … I best take you sister's advice" Glock said his voice rumbling

"Good "said Piper "we're going out to reconnoiter the realm."

Glock's nose twitched "I best take your sister's advice and leave you alone" he said softly.

"And I best take my sister's advice" Pipe said "and do what I want to do" she said "which is go out with you. Don't you want to see San Francisco? Piper asked as Glock started to shake his head

"I think I should bow to Cole's wisdom" Glock decline.

"Cole. He doesn't have any. He's thinking with his dick, acting like a god damn man" Piper snorted.

Glock looked at her

"I am not sweet "Piper told him seriously "I have many virtues" she said "But I'm not sweet.'

"I know "he almost whispered." but your sister is right about consequences."

"Yes "said Piper "which is why you need to go out."

"Your... Mate would not approve" Glock almost whimpered.

Pipe smiled and then flicked her hair' putting her hand on his "Phoebe is right about why Leo does not want you do go out."

"That is not the reason" Glock insisted

"The reason you are fearful to come with me is because you think you are stealing something from Leo" Piper whispered "because I… admire you."

"But you steal nothing from Leo" She said softly. "I love Leo. I respect him, he is my best friend and he is my mate, and even if none of those things applied, I made the promises and I could not ever respect myself id I broke those promises."

"I believe your sister made those promise" Glock said "and I hear Cole …talk about his great love. And I heard she just might be planning to break those promise. It .. I resented the dishonour for Cole's sake and I would not put you in that position to dishonour your mate" he said his hand flexing lightly to touch Piper's hair.

"Phoebe won't break those promises" Piper assured him "because her reality is she loves Cole. Always will, and she cares about him, and no matter how much she teases, acts and generally pisses him off, she will stop there because she loves him and ...honours him"

Glock shook his head "Burvjara was ripped apart by lovers acting without consideration of honour or consequences.'

"Phoebe isn’t like that "Pipe told him "No matter what it looks like and no matter what she acts like." She touched Glock's hand "and I am like my sister about being concerned for honour. I love Leo" she said "and always will but being honourable is not going to stop me admiring you or caring. And it doesn't mean you should not go out."

Glock smiled.

And" she persisted "Cole walked around Burvjara even when your people thought he was a freak: which is perfectly understandable "she added as Glock's nose twitched"

"Did it piss you off?" she asked.

"Sometimes" Glock admitted.

"Then you need to go out because it will piss Cole off and because he deserves it" Piper smirked

"He did usually compromise by hide behind a hood" Glock conceded

"Well most of the hoods were disintegrated by the time he got back here" Piper said "and I think we can fix a compromise.

Glock took a deep breath "On the grounds that there is nothing to be dishonourable and that it will piss Cole off, I will go out "he said "But I fear there will be consequences."

"As my sister said about consequences" Piper said. "She is a truth speaker."

"You sisters' truth speaking is very irritating" Glock conceded

"I know "said Piper. "Anyway I'm one of the most powerful witches in existence" she said "Not that you would know it the way Cole and Leo are behaving lately .anyone has any problems I freeze them."

She rummaged around in the laundry and produced a silk scarf of Paige's

"Just put this over your face "and we say if any one bothers to ask you have an allergy" she said. She smiled slightly "we have to take the kids, pushers. If a great guardian of the universe can push them around a warrior can too." She grinned.

"My dignity of late seems ..flexible "Glock told her as Piper grinned. "So I believe pushing offspring …children around is unlikely to cause any severe embarrassment."

Glock wearing a large cotton jacket of Leo's, a very large silk scarf wound around his neck so it covered the lower part of his face, a fedora hat that Piper found in the attic and she presumed belonged to one of Gram's many husbands, and holding a pair of Leo's sunglasses, watched bemused as Piper prepared for the outing. She quickly and efficiently packed three bags, providing juice bottle milk bottles, treats, lunch, extra diapers, extra clothes for accidents, pulling out rain gear and two blankets for the pusher if the boys decided to sleep.

She added underwear for Melinda, cuddle toys for the car, fruit.

"How long are we going for?" Glock was finally forced to ask.

"Thought we would take a picnic lunch "Piper said making special baguettes with blue vein cheese because Glock had said he liked it, as well as avocado and chicken and lettuce. She put half a cake into a basket and filled two thermos with coffee.

"Its takes a lot of preparation to do anything with children" she finally conceded as Glock watched her. "You just travel light in Burvjara don't you?" she said seeing his expression.

"In Burvjara we just pick up our weapons and move on "he said.

"What if you have children ...offspring?" Piper asked

"We take them with us "Glock told her.

"It's harder when you have peace" Piper explained.

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