Faithfully Yours Part 7: There are no strangers..   Chapter 56 "The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means."   Oscar Wilde

Paige orbed her sisters back to the manor, leaving Mark to take his other charges to their homes. It was a difficult farewell because even though the witches had only been away from home a short while by their realm time, they had shared a lifetime experience and it was something that would always be part of them They recognised as they hugged goodbye that it was an experience that would only be understood by those that had shared it. In the future others may judge their actions, discuss them, analyse them but only those who lived it would truly understand it, and it would be a bond shared all their lives.

Paige promised she would bring her sisters to Brazil because Edna insisted they should see her home and she also had to hear the story of the cat, the chocolate and the Burvjarian on the roof. Tisha asked if she could come to and her face lit up when Mark offered to bring her.

“Are you certain the anti-spite spell worked?" Paige, her nose turned up and arms rigidly crossed, which Mark noticed, whispered to Piper.

The rainbow light shuddered.

"Jealousy is a sin" Phoebe whispered to Paige. "You're not supposed to sin up here."

Some witches made a point of thanking Phoebe and others stood back uncomfortably watching her with unabated hero worship. Others made a determined effort to prove to her and them that they were not overwhelmed by her new status as a heroine.

“We need to get out of here” Phoebe told Paige firmly as she suffered through some very awkward goodbyes. She did smile a little when one of Matilda's friends, said a little slyly. "I am glad the Ogre saved you, because you are so good. But you know, when he pulled your dress off for the flag, well just the way he did it. I thought the Ogre had the hots for you."

"He better have" Phoebe answered sweetly.

Another one of Matilda's friends looked at her severely "Some fantasising about men is healthy. Fantasising about Ogres is not" the witch told Phoebe, clearly

"The anti spite spell is working" Phoebe told Paige snippily.

Just before they orbed, Phoebe told her sisters they were not to make a big fuss with the kids when they got home. "They don't know it was anything more than just another magic trip" she said "we don't want them getting upset next time we have to go."

Paige orbed into the hallway, holding her sister's hands. In the living room Leo was trying to occupy a disconsolate Melinda with her toy farm animals but she ignored daddy and sat cross legged on the sofa hugging both her cats.  An irritable Patsy sat crankily whacking a drum as hard as he could, around him several smashed toys of the type that did not make noise were evidence of Leo’s lack of success in keeping Patsy calm. Leo was also bouncing Wyatt on his knee, anticipating every time Wyatt opened his mouth to say Wah with an extra cuddle. Leo had clearly had a tough time while the witches were in Burvjara.

As she came out of the orb Piper saw her husband with her children. She caught her breath in a small oh.

Leo heard the orbs and looked up, his face concerned and relieved. For a second he hesitated as he nervously watched Piper's reaction, then he stood up leaving Patsy on the floor. He dumped Wyatt in Paige's arms as he all but ran past her to catch Piper in a hug. Piper with maybe a second's hesitation flung her arms around Leo's neck. Leo pulled her hard against him his voice catching as he whispered "Oh god you're okay.'

Phoebe glanced around nervously half expecting to see Proctor or Therold turn up to drag her away from the manor "Cole not back yet?" she asked apprehensively.

"No" said Leo his lips against Piper's hair not particularly interested in Cole and Phoebe issues.

"You shouldn't make a big fuss," Phoebe said "Not good for the kids."

"Shut up Phoebe" said Piper.

Phoebe watched Piper and Leo for a second, both envious and apprehensive then she ran to her baby and Melinda pulling them into a hug, holding them so tight they both complained. Patsy grumpily slamming his fist in her face as she kissed him and pulling away. Melinda also pulled away.

"Don't squash pussies Auntie Phoebe" she pouted then she turning her nose up.

Paige cuddled Wyatt who snuggled back, very glad to have one whole person to himself, until she pulled his face hard against her and he smelt all the Burvjarian dust, the sweat from the long walk and the smell from war ruined clothes. He let scream with a loud wah and tried to wriggle free.

Melinda escaped Phoebe by levitating and Phoebe only just managed to stop Patsy doing the same.

Melinda watched Daddy and Mommy hugging and kissing. "Hello Mommy" she said all good girl, as she plonked herself down more interested in her cats. She turned her nose up. "You all stink like Unca Cole does when he comes home" she said and hugged her cats again.

“Give mommy a hug” said Piper.

“You stink“ said Melinda pulling a face then she hugged her cats.

Piper’s lips trembled.

"She's upset about Uncle Glock going without a proper goodbye" Leo explained.  

"Oh" said Piper. "I saw Unca Glock honey" she reassured Melinda "He's fine. He's well."

Melinda sniffed and cuddled her cats. Piper exchanged awkward glances with her sisters.

 "'kay" Melinda said in a voice not really believing.

Patsy finally wriggled himself free from Phoebe and found his drum.

“He’s still pretty grumpy about the teething” Leo explained as Phoebe and Piper exchanged sniffs.

“All I’ve been thinking about was my children” said Piper.

Leo put his arm around her again and Phoebe squashed down a bitter resentment that Cole was not there to do the same for her.

"What happened?" Leo finally asked, freeing Piper just enough so that she could turn around.

"You don't know?" Phoebe asked as Patsy bashed his drum even louder. "He's still pretty grumpy" she said. "Marley's … ointment isn't really working?" she asked Leo cautiously.

"Working enough to let him sleep and just be grumpy" Leo answered narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "Suppose we should be grateful Marly managed to get that for him" he added raising his eyes.

"Oh good" said Phoebe brightly. "Yes" she added while her sisters looked away.

"What happened in Burvjara?" Leo repeated pressing his lips together as he noticed their reaction but deciding not to push it.

"How much do you know Leo?" Paige asked burying her face in Wyatt. He punched it as he got a strong whiff of the Burvjarian dirt all over her.

Leo turned his nose up and frowned. "You do stink" he said "I know a bit "he told them, letting Piper go so she could hug Melinda. Melinda pulled herself free in a hurry "Durand was here. Proctor had told him he observed something. I take it observed means something different to saw. But I heard a bit."

"What did Durand want?" Paige asked as she put Wyatt in his play pen where he rolled on his tummy making disgusted faces "I'm okay too by the way. So is Phoebe," she told Leo.

"You all look like you have been to hell and back" Leo said.

"Got it on one" said Piper. "Why did Durand come?" she asked.

"He was here to talk about right and wrong and what happened when those who knew right from wrong ignored his wisdom and Justice caught up with them" Leo said carefully. He took a deep breath "So I take it Justice did catch up with someone?" he asked.

"Yes "said Paige "Cole caught up with the Powers that Be who lead the invasion. Seems they had been told invading Burvjara was wrong and did it anyway. If he had damn well caught up with them earlier we would have saved ourselves a long walk."

"What sort of Justice did they get?"' Leo asked carefully.

"With what was due to them" Piper said grimly. "No more no less."

Leo looked at her,

"Those who live by the sword die by the sword." Phoebe explained a little to brightly. "Geztalt got what was due to them. Burvjarians defended Burvjara and have a chance to try without Others and demons interfering. Glock's trying to lead them to peace.So everyone got their just desserts."

Leo took a deep breath "Good "he said.

"And a lot of people died, a lot of beings died who didn't need to die" Piper told Leo.

"A lot of people made the choice to do the right thing" Paige said. "So they didn't have to face justice"

Leo took a deep breath "Justice didn't help me at Guadalcanal either."

"Soldiers know they risking getting killed" Phoebe said "Not a whole lot of justice involved."

Leo, Piper and Paige looked at her."

"I can't help it I know the truth "Phoebe sniffed. She looked at Leo's distraught face and went over to put her hand on his arm "Soldiers get a chance for honour that not to many people get. It is a choice they get, not too many others do. If they take it" She said "Like you did. Only sometimes it kills them."

Leo nodded.

Phoebe glared at her sisters who were watching her with grim expressions "Don't look at me like that" she said "I can't help I know the truth."

"Mr Durand was here mommy" Melinda told Piper "Mr Durand says naughty words Mommy'

"Well don't you listen to Mr Durand " Piper told her firmly.

"Like that will work" said Paige

"Proctor and Therold didn't come?" Phoebe asked. "Looking for me I mean?"

"No" said Leo. "Why would they? Hasn't killing a few Elders calmed Cole down? I thought he had just about decided he wasn't going to slaughter Therold for taking you."

"I didn't know that" said Phoebe brightly "He didn't say anything about …whether he was still pissed about that, it wasn't so important…at the time." She said pathetically. Piper and Paige rolled their eyes. Phoebe sucked her lip "So Cole wasn't pissed off ...about …that… about me going with Therold when he left?" she asked disappointed.

"I didn't say that" Leo answered looking at Piper nervously. "I just think he wasn't going to do anything about it, at least not kill Therold...other things seemed more important, than you , like Burvjara" he added.

Phoebe looked panicky at Piper and Paige "Maybe I should go back to Therold's" she said "I mean nothing has changed. I mean".

"You're going to have to… talk to him" Paige said firmly "Running away might make him ... pissed off again. Hope he's calmed down enough.. with the other things that happened, won't be so… emotional."

Phoebe frowned. "It's still a problem" she said awkwardly. "How did you calm him down? He was pretty pissed when I saw him. Nearly saw him, at Therold's."

"Proctor seemed to calm him down" Leo said watching Phoebe curiously. "and Glock."

"Oh" she said "Proctor agreed I should stay with Therold" she said. "So maybe he's watching and.." she shrugged "Maybe Cole wasn't as pissed as I thought he was." she said ruefully. "Maybe after everything he doesn't want me quite as much."

"He was pissed" said Leo drily. "And he wanted you."

"Oh good" said Phoebe.

"The witches who went to Burvjara think Phoebe is a great wise heroine" Paige told Leo.

"They don’t know her well" said Leo with feeling.

"Mummy and aunties stink" Melinda told the cats.

The sisters looked at each other.

"I need a shower" Paige said.

 "I need a bath "Piper said

"Yes" said Leo also turning up his nose. "Just go easy on the plumbing, its working but no guarantees."

"Just  dirt , no slim" Paige reassured him.

Piper ready to go upstairs, turned back to Leo and pecking him on the cheek. Then she deliberately put her lips on his and took a long slow kiss, which Leo manfully returned without sniffing his disgust at the smell. As she did Paige moved into the hallway.

"It's good to be home" Paige said, the relief making her voice crack. "Safe, everything....Not a war…" then she saw the conservatory and her voice trailed off into an ungodly shriek. Her eyes popped out of her head. Phoebe seeing Paige’s reaction carefully stood up and went to see what Paige was staring at.

"Oh" Phoebe said "Oh" she said again.

"Oh" squeaked Paige

 Phoebe sucked her breath and mouthed the word Cole. Both Paige and Phoebe nervously watched Piper. Leo on the receiving end of the kiss opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.

Piper became aware of his distraction. Hurt she walked over to Wyatt and picked him up. She sniffed a little "I am just so glad to be home precious" she said "so glad" she told Wyatt. "I never want to do anything like that again. Never" she turned to Leo a soft welcoming smile on her ace. "Never" she said, smiling and half pleading then caught sight of the conservatory. Her mouth formed a word but nothing came out.

Still clutching a wiggling Wyatt she stalked into the conservatory and starred and starred while Leo and Paige and Phoebe nervously followed her. Melinda bounced along behind carrying her cats.

 "Únca Cole was really pissed mommy" Melinda explained. "daddy told Mr Durand that, didn't you daddy? Mr Durand said Unca Cole was fu.."

"Melinda "said Leo firmly. "What did mommy say about repeating Mr Durand's words."

Melinda stuck her tongue out.

"OH my fucking gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood," screamed Piper. She staggered to the archway staring in shocked disbelief. She caught her breath "That fucking bloody bastard". She screamed "She spun on Phoebe "You married him "Piper roared … You brought... Do you see what that  ... fucking… what he did.'

"Yes" said Phoebe with a small smile "I guess he was a bit pissed because he was jealous of Therold.". She smiled happily to herself.

"Mommy those are bad words" said Melinda

"Don't listen to mommy when she says them" Leo told Melinda.

"Like that will work "say Paige?

"I'll fix it'" Leo said trying to put his arms around Piper. She shook him off and just stared into the conservatory muttering bastard over and over.

"How" demanded Piper "just how the hell can you. OH …my… god" she breathed walking into the Conservatory and kicking at the mostly destroyed furniture. Then she burst into tears. "How could you let him do it?" she screamed at Leo.

……………………………………………………

That night, with children not understanding this return was any different from other times, mommy and aunts had returned form magic, was an anti climax. All three girls spent far longer in showers than they should have, while Leo anxiously prowled, and then carefully checked all plumbing for stops and blockages and then said a silent prayer every time any one flushed or turned on a faucet. They ordered Chinese takeaway which despite the deprivation  of the last days none of the girls could really eat, put the children to bed without fussing to much, warned by Phoebe and supported by Leo fussing would make them anxious on other magic calls. Despite their tiredness both Phoebe and Paige lay awake waiting on any movement on the spirit winds to announce Mark orbing in or Cole returning, before both finally succumbed to a restless and disturbed sleep.

In the early hours of the morning Leo woke up from a very uneasy sleep and turned over. He frowned to himself in the dark. Piper was not pretending to be asleep. She was lying staring at the ceiling, her breath coming in little sobs. For a second she lay there not even aware that he had moved and was watching her. Then she did she shivered a little as he reached his hand to her.

"You okay honey?" he asked softly, not quite avoiding letting her know he noticed her shiver.

Piper nearly shook her head then turned it into a nod. "Just thinking "she said "of war and…things. A lot of things there in Burvjara  ...happened... I need to think about…" She stopped "we didn't fight a battle... You know we sort of stopped it …but we lived one Leo". Her voice shook "we didn't really explain what happened."

"Durand told me" he said shortly "I understand" he said keeping hold of her hand despite the tension in it.

"Do you Leo?" she asked quietly. "Battles  ...wars they make you look at things honestly, make you see things … clearly. Like you did at Guadalcanal. '

"Some things" Leo replied  “Other things...it makes you, not want to look, the only way you can think about them is when someone else who… saw the same things…felt them is around."

"Is that why you found it so hard to talk about it.. Guadalcanal?" She asked. "at first until those ghosts came?"

"Yes "he whispered "You face things or you hide from them. Pretty damned painful either way," he said in a far away voice. "Just depends which one hurts less."

"Yes" she said for the first time really understanding what those last eight months of his mortal life had done to him. Because she had seen some of the same things.

After a hesitation Piper turned and put her other hand over his and they lay there in silence until she asked "The war Leo?"

"Which one?" Leo asked

"The one you were killed in" she said seriously then they both smiled at how ridiculous it sounded. "Do you ever get over it leave it behind? Were you the same person before you went to war?"

Leo took a deep breath "No" he said "No you never get over it completely and no I'm not the same person. And not because I died."

Piper smiled a little and he put his free hand to her face before pulling it away.

"You can't be the same when you see things around you and feel things" Leo told her in a whisper "And then maybe have to stop feeling things because if you do you can't stand to …look in a mirror to shave.'

"I don't shave… much" she said and sensed he smiled. "You did the best you could. You were the best person you could be at Guadalcanal."

"It wasn't good enough" said Leo. "They still all died." he hesitated and then asked deliberately "Were you the best person you could be?" he asked. "In Burvjara."

"Yes "she said. "I was and I'm damned proud that when faced with the question I was. She took a deep breath "They still all died though. Too many people died. Good witches and I could not stop it."

Leo laughed harshly a little more sad than bitter "There was a guy they shipped out before the really bad stuff happened at Guadalcanal. But it was bad enough when he was there. He was in the worst of the fighting. Hand to hand stuff, stuff where you see the people you kill. See their eyes, see their faces, see the life..." Leo stopped speaking. Piper squeezed his hand "This guy stopped shaving, nothing any body could say, no order would make him shave. Pretty obvious why" Leo said.

“Yes" said Piper "What happened to him?"

"He tried to cut his wrists with the blade instead. Keep screaming he couldn't face it. I was with him, looking after him until they shipped him out. Heard a lot" Leo said grimly. "Things I don't want to talk about…even to you."

"Do you think he got over it?" Piper asked.

"I hope" said Leo.

"Did you?" she asked. "Get over it?" Leo did not answer. "Did you get over it?" she whispered

"No" he said "It affected everything I became." He shook his head. "I sometimes think trying to do everything I was told by the Elders and not questioning, was about… not getting over that.  And then, well I faced a few things and went the other way."

Piper took a deep breath and squeezed his hand "The things at Burvjara... the warrior types who wanted to... who wanted war… thought war was the way to go... have been in ascendency for some time.. Since you were called I guess, so it was sort of natural if you believed in good... you would believe in everything…'

"And World War Two was as 'good' a war as one is going to be, so I guess those... the warrior types well they were good then. The warriors were needed then…just they did not realise that it was not good later, they just got caught up in believing being right once meant they were right forever. Maybe they should have looked at some historical…"

“I hate history" Piper interrupted quickly.

Leo laughed. "Durand says they could see the Elders no longer recognised right from wrong yet they had to wait more than 60 years for justice, waited 60 years for Cole."

"Paige is right. If he damn well listened to his calling and let justice get them 60 years ago it might have saved a lot of pain." Piper snapped.

"So everything is Cole's fault?" asked Leo squeezing her hand.

"May as well be" Piper said "Six degrees of Cole. Everything that goes wrong can always be traced to Cole."

"Everything?" asked Leo.

"After what he did to the house, everything" Piper answered firmly.

'“Sounds okay to me "said Leo touching her face with his free hand.

They were silent for a while.

Leo was silent or a while: "Did you see Glock there?" he finally asked.

"Yes "said Piper "saw him. Did not speak...much. Phoebe did...a bit."

“So I heard" Leo said and waited

“At least I got to see him as a… who he is" Piper said.

"Yes" said Leo his voice going tight "Decent, honourable brave. I know he's just goddamn…"

"He's pretty brave… heroic" Piper said softly.

“So I heard" Leo said tightly and Piper caught her breath.

"I..." Piper started to say when they were interrupted by a crying voice at the door saying "Mommy'

Piper sat up "'Melinda" she said. "What's wrong?"

"Can't sleep" she said and without asking climbing over Piper to get between her parents and snuggled in hard, clutching tightly at Piper while Leo stroked her hair.

"She didn't sleep much last night" Leo said. "Kept worrying about you. Guess she picked up how worried I was."

"What's wrong honey?" Piper asking cuddling her daughter harder and closer than she usually did. '

"Nothing "Melinda sais "Can't sleep."

"'K" said Piper and cuddled her daughter.

Melinda crawled under the blankets and snuggled as close as she could, while Piper held onto her. Leo decided bringing up Piper's not sharing adult beds rule was not a good idea.

Finally when she felt really safe and sure mommy was not going anywhere Melinda asked in a little voice "Mommy is Unca Glock dead".

"No" Piper said firmly "I saw him when I went to Burvjara. Uncle Glock is fine" she explained. But her voice caught and Leo noted it. "Uncle Glock wants to stay in Burvjara, where he lives so he can … look after the Burvjarian girls and boys, build houses."

"You sure?" Melinda s asked. "Why doesn't he want to stay with me?"

"I'm sure, he would like to but the boys and girls in Burvjara need Uncle Glock" Piper said "You have mommy and you have daddy."

"Want Unca Glock" said Melinda as Leo drew a sharp breath which Piper noticed.

Melinda finally fell asleep hanging tightly onto Piper.

“Glock said goodbye" Piper said "I don't get why she is so upset."

"I guess" Leo suggested "I think…he did to good a job of explaining he would not be back. He is used to death. I guess he was preparing for the worst."

"Well if it wasn't for Phoebe and Cole" Piper said "he would have been right". Her voice caught again "It's hard when you don’t get proper good bye" she said.

"Yes" said Leo. "Because until you say goodbye, it's never goodbye.  Did you say goodbye?" he asked pointedly.

"Didn't get a chance to really say anything. Just… you know we were on different sides" Piper explained her voice breaking slightly. "We were invading.. he was.. being heroic… saving his world."

"You were both on the side of saving Burvjara" Leo said.

Melinda turned. "Unca Glock's not dead?" she asked mostly asleep.

"No honey, Unca Glock is fine" said Piper as Melinda turned over. "Its hard not saying goodbye" she said to Leo.

 "I know" he said "my parents…you know that was the worst for them when I went. My father did not do so well. You know those things I never tell anyone. I broke the rules. I said goodbye. He was my father Piper. He was hurting."

"I love you Leo" she said "You're a good man." she said "a really good one." She reached for his hand over Melinda holding it hard.

After a while Leo took a deep breath. “Its Cole's fault you know"  he said "Melinda can't sleep."

"Works for me" said Piper almost "How"?"

"He brought Glock here" said Leo.

Piper's voice caught. "I guess he did" she said finally. And turned over to finally fall into a restless disturbed sleep.

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