In a part of the Underworld that was seen as one of the most powerful magic centres the Geztalt demons, had again set up their headquarters.

Traditionally this place had belonged to the Geztalt sect but they had been driven out by the Old Source when their enemy  the Brotherhood of the Thorn had risen in is influence after successes in promoting witch burning in the 16^th and 17^th century. Fearful of the growing power of the Brotherhood, the Geztalt had promised the Source the use of rat demons to spread  the Bubonic Plague would ensure the leaders of Europe would sell their souls and their kingdoms to escape it and blame the witches, which would lead to the complete annihilation of the hated enemy of demons.

The Great Fire of London was supposed to be the culmination of the Geztalts efforts. A catastrophe that would convince all European leaders that they were at risk and ensure they allied themselves with evil against an invisible enemy. They would use a leaderless threat that was all the more frightening for its anonymity because the powers in Europe could never tell where an attack would come from. And because the Geztalt were faceless, they knew exactly how frightening such was an enemy that appeared to have no humanity . The demons watched with satisfied amusement as witches who were blamed for the Great Plague, were cursed as magic and perceived as a non-human enemy, and therefore  treated with complete inhumanity.

It had nearly worked as more witches were burned at that time than in the history of the world.

But then the calamity of the Great Fire of London happened. With as many as 7000 people a week dying from plague in a city with a population of 300,000 the Geztalt convinced the Source, Europe would be his when the Fire finished off the rest of them and those who had supported the magic females turned on them.

Only it had not happened that way. The Fire destroyed the London city but the leaders had showed courage and kept their heads and the result was that although London burnt, many of the hovels of London that were destroyed were rebuilt and the city rather than being destroyed became greater. No mortals died in the fire, the leaders refused to allow the calamity to be blamed on witches and the many, many rat brother demons who had been so proud of their alliance with the great Geztalts were destroyed in the fire along with the fleas they used to spread the plague.

As the Source saw his plans fail, The Brotherhood were able to convince him that the Geztalt were the sole cause of the failure and he had driven them from their traditional halls. However neither he nor the Brotherhood were quite able to destroy them as they lurked in the underworld, consorting and quietly advising demon sects disillusioned with the Source and resenting the influence of the Brotherhood. The most vindictive of demon sects, they waited their opportunity to destroy both the Source and the Brotherhood. What they had actually done to influence the Seer to promote the madness that lead to the Old Source's downfall was a secret that died with the Seer.

Now Tempus was the Source and highly suspicious of any of the cohorts of his predecessor. The Brotherhood's failure to deliver him any immediate and decisive victory in the quest to turn Africa to evil had lead Tempus to resurrect the Geztalts and return their halls to them on the condition they demonstrated their value and their loyalty.

The Geztalt knew their resurrection to the court of Tempus was a means of countering the influence of the Brotherhood. But this was no issue for the Geztalt, it was their way to insinuate, as supporters, and adherents and to use the tenets of alliance, of friendship, and faceless contribution to the great projects of evil to take control. The Geztalt in their time had controlled more than one Source and ruled supreme and they knew how to do it again. Their philosophy of success was to manipulate and control the face of evil while remaining hidden themselves and they believed their Great Failure with the last Source was because that scarred demon had chosen to hide his face as well.

The great secret of the Geztalt had always been the magic and power they drew from their traditional halls. A nexus of the Underworld protected them from other demons and had places for secret and safe deliberations. It also had great cavernous Halls that were spoken of with reverence by demons impressed by the trappings of power. Visits to the impressive halls by demon sects the Geztalt wanted to use as their front were presided over by the face of the supposed Geztalt leader, known to demons as the Honoured One. The magic of the nexus  made the power of the Geztalt overwhelm the chosen victims, and lower level demons, flattered by the attention of the Honoured One , would agree to fight the battles of the faceless ones who would then use, discard and destroy them in their quest for power .

In the throne room of the Geztalt, the latest Honoured One sat in the elevated throne  that was one of the symbols of leader ship. The Geztalt knew all about the trappings of power which gave authority  and an illusion of control. The Honoured One himself had nothing to do but look like a leader and for any who failed the penalty was quick and brutal. He had to talk as a leader, read the speeches, and assume the role of benevolent host in feasts the sect offered to support its alliances. The Geztalt well knew the advantages of convincing lesser sects that they were allies and 'friends' of the great leader until they were thrown on the sword.

The throne room had impressive emblems, flags and fittings, the demonic candle lighting was fixed and set to enhance the status of the Honoured One and add to feel of power. The room was made to give the impression the Honoured One had a great aura, regardless of how weak the demon who sat on the throne actually was.

The Honoured One was not a leader who needed personal charisma, or the qualities of leadership to give it standing. He assumed the throne and looked regal while the faceless demons who managed him, ruled him, ordained what he would say and do, and how he spoke and what he said. And his reward for this was the gratuitous sucking up of other demons and survival.

The current Honoured One, elected within hours of the Charmed Ones destroying its predecessor, sat on the throne hunched slightly forward surveying the faceless grey demons that made up its clan and powerbase. It was a good-looking demon able to manufacture a face that was pleasant and appealing to mortals in its human form and a red and black shape in demon form, indistinguishable from all the Geztalt who had preceded it. This red and black  face was one long since discovered by its faceless masters as one that demons responded to with fear and respect and they saw no reason to change what worked. It was only very close that demons and mortals noticed a sort of plastic falseness to the form, and a peevishness that could be mistaken for strength until the demon acted.

If the Great Room of the Geztalt clan had demon visitors, two or three of the faceless grey  demons would have stood behind the Honoured One, seemingly standing in respect, in reality guarding his words, directing his leadership, and ensuring the script he had been given, was followed to the last nuance. However as only the faceless ones were present, the grey robed faceless ones lounged at their own ease, in large and comfortable seating, each faceless demon, striking an attitude of its own power, while the Honoured One, slightly ill at ease and unable to follow the conversation, awaited its instructions. The atmosphere was tense and the faceless demons were unhappy.

"I place a curse on the Charmed Ones" said One faceless grey, clearly angry. "We did not work this hard to be defeated by a bunch of cursed witches whose magic, is not even in the same class as ours."

"Underestimating the enemy" said Another "has always been unwise."

"So has overestimating them" said Another "and unnecessarily risking exposure to defeat them."

"The Charmed Ones are the culmination of a prophesy, the most powerful witches of their time" added One "so overestimating them is unlikely. Others have tried to get the accursed females and now rot in the lower regions for their trouble."

"Still only witches" put in Another "cursed witches. And we have come close to exposure each time we have fought them."

"Maybe it is unwise to even be present at the battles" whispered the Honoured One on the throne, clearly thinking of the fate of his three predecessors.

"It is always a curse on them" said another faceless grey ignoring him "And curse on Tempus for not going after them.'

"And a curse on the Old bastard source" said Another "for not getting them."

"I think that curse was played out when the Charmed Ones got the fucking bastard "drawled a faceless demon lounging in a big chair. "He rots where his fate has lead him."

The sect laughed its pleasure in their enemy's defeat even at the hands of witches.

The Honoured One on the throne stared awkwardly at its faceless masters. 'It would be better not to risk a face to face confrontation with the Charmed Ones," it said in a petulant tone.

"And Tempus is just gutless "said Another ignoring its leader "putting a ban on openly going after those stupid damned witches. It is not his plans being ruined because they cannot keep their noses out of evil."

"There is some wisdom there. The Charmed Ones can't be defeated, "said One.

"Not in open battle" suggested Another,

"Open battle is not our way "said Another.

"Then why is it necessary for the Honoured One to face these accursed witches?" asked the pretty demon on the throne.

"Let other's do battle" said Another ignoring it

"Which is useless because others are not defeating the Charmed Ones and the Charmed Ones are ruining us." said One.

"We cannot directly confront the Charmed Ones openly" said Another "we are not yet strong enough to defy Tempus openly."

"It is not our way to confront openly' pointed out yet Another. "We merely provide leadership for others, while they .." It stopped. "We would be strong enough to defy Tempus if the Charmed Ones kept out of our plans."

"And all it would cost us is the a couple of front demons" said One laughing, and the others joined in."

'They become more powerful," commented Another faceless one "And it is costly to retrain the Honoured Ones."

The Honoured one on the throne came to its feet then sat down as the faceless ones ignored it.

"More powerful, less powerful, witches, mortals, they are in our way" drawled One "and that is intolerable, for being in our way, not just  for being the Charmed Ones. The Brotherhood made itself powerful under the old Source, may he rot long and hard, and it is our turn to rise under Tempus."

"And rise above him" smirked Another.

"We understand managing leaders" agreed Another .

The Honoured One on the throne half rose again and then sat down, its shoulders straight as the prospect of a leader being needed on the throne of all demondom occurred to it.

"There was a time a few mortal year ago that the Charmed Ones were not so powerful " commented a faceless demon. "After the old Source went, they were weakened. That was when they lost the desire to help"  and the demon choked on the word "innocents. All they thought of was their own desires."

"I recall "said One "They were nearly evil themselves, and thus weakened."

"Evil weakened them" asked one demon "that sounds unlikely. It should have given them strength."

"It weakened them because they are the unholy who have no real commitment," explained Another

"That one who appears in legends and myths calling herself Belthezor's witch, gained her power by embracing a legend" One commented.

"We are not going down the path of resurrecting urban mythology of demons and witches" said a faceless demon firmly "We are not the brotherhood, and we need so such crutch."

"An enemy that must resort to ridiculous gossip to support its power" sneered Another "An enemy who makeup a mythological demons who consort and bed witches is hardly a worthy enemy."

"It would be all right if it worked," pondered Another with a glance at the Honoured One once again slouched on the throne, staring into space.

"A pretty thought ": answered One  "the Charmed Ones  are mortal and respond to mortal temptation and weakness.  Wasn't that the point of the Brotherhood's Belthezor fantasy tales."

The faceless demons around him nodded.

One snarled "We do not need to give heed to the Brotherhood myths that they use to insinuate their power. Let them tell their tall tales of demons throwing away great evil for witches around their own fires. Such nonsense is not repeated here."

The Other faceless demons responded with snorts, smirks and a few coughs of disagreement.

"The myth does offer one point. We need to tempt them as mortals, not witches." One suggested "and then they will fall as innocents who are tempted fall."

"I thought Belthezor failed to tempt them as mortals "said the Honoured One on the throne but he was ignored and he slouched back from the group.

"What do we tempt them with "asked Another

"Money," suggested one "Fame, lust, "

"Do we know these are things the Charmed Ones desire" asked Another. "What connections do we have who can tempt them, without having to confront them."

"Word is not consistent about how the Charmed One can be tempted," commented one, "I have heard tempting them has been tried, and they have resisted all temptation.

The faceless demons collectively snorted,

"We have evidence that they are not beyond temptation" One said "Just have been rescued before they fell, the price was to big apparently. A common problem when temping good and conscience catches up."

"Perhaps it is not the level of evil in the temptation, just the level of desire" suggested one cryptically. "If they were tempted by something that seemed harmless, weak, they may not resist."

"I recall "said one pondering "some time back some midsummer spite had a powder that released inhibitions, allowed mortals to indulge their fantasies,  back in the sixth decade of the last century, they released it on some witches  in San Francisco for a little midsummer spite and the magic aura of the city exaggerated everything. It mutated and infected mortals as well as witches."

"I recall the release of that potion lead to declarations of peace and free love," said One doubtfully "Hardly useful".

"I remember the love revolution of the sixties "commented Another "very successful. The selfishness of gratifying desire led to greed and venereal disease. A great triumph for evil."

"Over indulgence in anything " explained Another, "is not good, thankfully. How will this defeat the Charmed Ones though."

"It does not defeat them "explained One "it reduces them, and leaves them weaker, vulnerable. And then they will fall to our minions. But we will not be in conflict with Source Tempus.

"Exactly "said One "and the spites who spread it have some debt to us,  do they not?"

"They do "agreed Another. "But we tell them our assistance was alliance and friendship so they will feel obligated to act for us. Far better than force. They will feel they are gaining power when we are gaining ownership of them."

"If I recall from the sixties, the opportunities to infiltrate mortal institutions and control them through the carelessness of self indulgence was a great benefit to the Brotherhood. And now it will be our turn. "said Another

"Would this mean I have to go with spites" asked the Honoured One, bored and uncomfortable.

'No "said a faceless one irritated "this is one instance where it is better our leadership is not recognised. t."

The Honoured One sighed in relief that it would not have to associate with the lowly minions.

"There will be other time soon when the face of leadership will be necessary " a faceless demon informed the Honoured One as he shrunk back into the great throne.

"I still have doubts that this weakening of The Charmed Ones will be their downfall "said a faceless One.

"It is our way "said Another "to under mine the foundation of belief and integrity and let good be destroyed by their own greed."

"It has been known to fail "pointed out Another. "And it cost us 500 years of isolation from power.

"We have learnt "said One "Look where we are and what we have achieved by seducing our enemies by their own desires"

"True said Another "How many wars have we started lately by preying in petty jealousies and fantasies."

"Many" agreed Another

"And now we have decided what to do about the Charmed Ones. What do we do about the Interference of the Ogres in our plans to use allies to control the magic of' Burvjara?

"We defeat them the way we defeat all our enemies" said a faceless demon with great confidence "as we will defeat the Charmed Ones, when the time is right.'

The faceless demon turned to the Honoured One." We will invite the midsummer sites to sup with us. Be prepared." it ordered

The Honoured One straightened in his throne and faced the grey faceless demons who ruled him. He felt the fear and frustration and helplessness as did e all his clan who lived to take this position of power and found themselves ruled controlled and owned by the faceless grey Geztalts.

……………………………………………………….

Leo finally surfaced from trying to fix the bathroom, sighing deeply as he estimated the cost of repairs, when P3 was still paying off the never ending renovations. This time it was modern computer controlled lighting effects, which Leo could not do himself because the public liability insurance required a qualified electrician's certificate. The door to Melinda's room was open and she was asleep with Big Cat. Leo also checked on Wyatt and Patsy who were both asleep, Wyatt on his back and Patsy levitating several inches above the mattress, on his stomach.

He went in and touched both boys gently, very thankful that for the last couple of weeks, both were sleeping, not like three weeks ago when both boys were teething and the whole manor had reverberated.

Wyatt had very early discovered that roaring as loud as he could got him attention away from the two older children, so he roared at the slightest discomfort or need and it worked. When he teethed the whole house suffered along with him.

"He's practicing for being a middle child," Phoebe explained cuddling him at the slightest hint of him opening his mouth. Piper was not sure jumping to reassure him was good but Wyatt was blessed with an exceptional set of lungs and all the advice about letting babies cry never worked. Five adults who were working hard, snatching sleep in between mortal jobs and magic found it was easier just to jump and cuddle him. 

Then at the same time, Patsy started teething again and nothing comforted him, not medicine, magic or cuddling. When his first teeth came through he was exceptionally sore, but the doctor assured his worried family that it was normal. Only it wasn't normal. It just got worse.  This tooth coming through meant he howled, screamed and banged his head. It totally freaked his whole family who were used to Patsy being the child who took things in his stride.

Doctors could find nothing wrong or nor could they explain why Patsy was nearly driven crazy. Marly, the witch baby sitter who gift was herbal lore,  ried all her potions and still Patsy screamed and cried and banged his head. And Wyatt not wanting to be outdone, screamed just as loud. Melinda went to bed curled up beside Big CAT with her hands over her ears.

Neither potions nor medicine nor spells eased Patsy. When the teeth came through they looked perfectly normal but Phoebe carefully feeling her boy's mouth was sure she felt something very sharp and pointed and she came to the conclusion something in Patsy's demonic heritage was causing the problem.

She managed to bail Cole up in between wars and court cases and demanded to know if he had ever had trouble teething.

"Not something I remember," he said distracted.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you anything about when you were a baby?" Phoebe demanded in the strained voice of a frantic mother.

"Not that I recall," Cole said still not concerned because he was away and had not had to cope with the screaming. He became more concerned that night dealing with Wyatt and Patsy screaming. Wyatt at last settled with Tynadol. Patsy cried, screamed and got frantic. And like all people who could be calm when not directly confronted with the issue, Cole became more and more worried while Phoebe's fears came out in anger.

"Are you sure you can't remember if you mother had anything to help you?" she demanded "I mean look at demon teeth sharp as daggers. That must be hell."

"I think demons are born with them" Cole answered.

"Ouch "said Piper who had only just given up breast feeding Wyatt.

"Mamma did make some mutterings about me as a baby," Cole recalled. "Something about how  the neighbours thought I was being hurt, I yelled so much. She was living with my father then. She told me if she hadn't quietened me down they would have had the sheriff calling on her."

"How?" demanded Phoebe

"I don’t know,s ent a servant to the sheriff's office, I suppose" Cole snarked.

"I meant how did that damned bitch quieten you down?" Phoebe clarified, tapping her foot.

"Sang me lullabies," Cole suggested.

Phoebe stamped her foot her expression furious. Patsy let fly with huge pained distraught crying bout.

"I don't remember," said Patsy's helpless father

"Your hopeless" Phoebe told Cole.

"Maybe you should just summon mamma and ask her "Cole totally helpless as Pasty's cried and cried, suggested.

"Don't think I won't",  Phoebe threatened as she cuddled her baby trying unsuccessfully to comfort him.

Three weeks later Leo smiled at the exchange, because it was only Piper's flat refusal to assist with a power of three spell that had stopped Phoebe doing just that.

"Never underestimate what a mother will do for a child "he thought.

Fortunately, Patsy's perfectly normal teeth had come through before the house and his parents marriage disintegrated. But any  mention that Patsy still had teeth to come made everybody in the house shudder and curse Phoebe's ability to just pull premonitions from nowhere, when she reminded them Patsy got worse every time he teethed.

Leo smiled to himself . then he decided as long as life was normal; as long as Cole and Phoebe were adding spice to their life by bickering and creating storms; as long as the family was tottering on the verge of bankruptcy;  and as long as something in the house was all but irretrievably broken, everything was okay.

He opened his and Piper's bedroom door and seeing it empty the smile fell from his face.

"She's upstairs looking at the Book of Shadows" Phoebe said from behind him. "My room is empty too" she added.

Leo glanced at Paige's shut door and inclined his head.

"Mark is discussing magic" Phoebe explained straight faced.

Because it was hot midsummer night, Phoebe was wearing pink short pyjamas with boxer pants falling well under the ever expanding Pookie and a tight top that only just stretched over her breasts. She had her hair loose, no make up and Leo despite himself smiled because she looked young vulnerable and beautiful.

"What "said Phoebe

"Nothing "said Leo

"Seeing we both have empty rooms want to run away together and create a scandal "Phoebe asked Leo grinning as she arched Pookie forward.

"Thanks but no thanks" Leo said quickly and firmly "been there done that."

"You could have pretended to think about it "Phoebe told him.

"I don't suppose Piper is looking up faceless demons" he asked smiling, but his eyes showed concern

"Doubt it "said Phoebe quietly.

"Ever since she touched other magic in the eclipse Piper has become obsessed with magic creatures" Leo muttered.

"It's a change from wanting everything normal, whatever that is "Phoebe the psychology major who could answer anything that was asked of her, told Leo giving him a hug.

"I never understand what it is about Halliwell family "Leo glowered.  "Nothing in moderation, you and chocolate, Prue and innocents, all of you and falling in love'

"All of us and chocolate, "said Phoebe grinning "And we only lack moderation compared to …other people. We have limits, just not the same as ….other people." She caught Leo's disapproving expression" Okay "she conceded "I guess if we had the brakes right off we could make things a little difficult."

Leo snorted

"Anyway its why you love us " she added. "How much would you love Piper if she was a nice sweet momsy type who never said a bitchy thing?"

'I could give it a try  " grinned Leo. "Not the brakes off part" he added

"Spoilsport?" said Phoebe teasing

"Sort out the faceless demons" he asked.

"Not really" Phoebe answered seriously "Mark says" and she stopped as Leo caught his lip.

Leo tried very hard but watching Mark slip into the role of respected whitelighter with the Charmed Ones had not been easy on him. It was once thing to watch whitelighter after whitelighter fail to do what the Elders had considered was his great fault, that he failed to manage the Charmed Ones, it was quite another to see Mark succeed. Leo had had to do some very unangelic swallowing of jealousy.

Paige was so happily in love with Mark she never noticed.  Piper, practically, thought Leo was much better off in his present role of apprentice advisor to the Great Guardians; Piper thought he was better off doing anything that did not involve consulting Elders every few minutes. Phoebe knew and understood his odd moments of jealousy but she sometimes could not resist teasing because she agreed wholeheartedly with Piper, Leo was much better off without the elders.

"We haven't seen the end of the faceless ones" Phoebe told him reaching out to touch his arm. "I better go to bed" she said.

"Cole say when he'll be back" Leo asked touching her arm back

"He left a message on my cell "Phoebe replied biting her lip and  failing to be nonchalant "Stuck dining with that client Correja."

"Its good money" Leo pointed out thinking if the bathroom bill to come and the lighting bill at P3."And the guy may be a shit but he's an honest shit."

"A smart one" snarked Phoebe "He knows damn well that he would never be able to get a lawyer as clever as Cole on retainer for that price if he used one of the big law firms. He wouldn't get a lawyer period." She screwed her face up to cry and then decided being angry was better. "When Cole took the retainer I didn't think Correja would be calling him out at any and all hours" she said tragically.

Leo smiled "I guess owners of radical magazines get sued at all hours of the day and night and if you remember when Cole was working for that bastard law  firm, he was out at all hours smooching clients."

"Hmm " snorted Phoebe. "Go talk to your wife" she told Leo firmly and turned into her bedroom to go to bed alone. " If it isn't Correja, its that damned Burvjara. Whatever he just isn't here."

"There's here and here and sometimes here isn't everything its cracked up to be" said Leo turning toward the attic stairs.

"Hmm "said Phoebe as she went into her bedroom.

Leo went up to the attic and found Piper curled up on the sofa with a half a large glass of red wine and  half a chocolate block on the table and the Book of Shadows  on her lap. Since Wyatt had been weaned, Piper was enjoying her glass of wine at night and her chocolates which Leo was happy for her to have. Indulging in the treats while she satisfied her current obsession with all magic creatures was something he was not thrilled about however.

Leo sat beside Piper and read the page over her shoulder. She was reading a page about Elves and cross checking it against an ancient fairytale book that had belonged to her great, great grandmother.

"What you doing" he asked carefully.

"Looking up elves" Piper answered carefully "all the families and their evil counterparts."

"Ν thought elves were not a subject of interest, since that one stuffed us around as a nanny when Melinda was a baby" Leo replied not as carefully as he should.

Piper snorted, carefully put a post it in the page of the fairytale book and defensively said "I'm researching them against demon manipulation" Piper told him.

"Since when do elves turn evil and get involved with demon manipulation?" Leo asked snippily.

"When they turn into Orchs, not Orcs as its sometimes written and use their magic to forge weapons, swords and athames for evil" Piper retorted. "Did you know that a power of three spell destroying an Orc."

"Over kill " interrupted  Leo  sarcastically

"Destroys the power of all the weapons the orc has created. The Gestalt may revert to Orch made weapons" Piper insisted ignoring his interruption. "I need to be prepared "Piper added primly.

Leo took a deep breath steeling himself for the moment while Piper's expression became her most serious pissed off one when he did not agree with her.

"You've become infatuated with magic creatures." Leo said taking the plunge to talk about it  "It's as if you can't leave them alone. You want to know anything that is different, anything that is out of your control. You can't let it alone. Piper honey, its becoming an obsession."

"I am magic "Piper told him between her teeth "and knowing an understanding the worlds in which I live is important." She took a deep, hard and angry breath "I am raising children who will live in a magic world and have to survive in one, and if I cannot understand that world how can I help them," she demanded.

"You're obsessed, and wanting to know is reasonable." Leo answered "But this isn't. You never have your head out of that damned book. It's not just knowing, its obsession."

"Don't be ridiculous, I am not obsessed. You just get jealous when not everything is about you any more " Piper snorted but did not shut the book. " You chose a different path, which "she added sanctimoniously "I support but don't try and… control me and keep me from what I have to be . Leo 'she said reaching for his hand "we're facing a demon sect that makes its power by manipulating other magic creatures to fight for them," she insisted.

"You were getting fascinated by magic creatures months ago before you even knew about the faceless demons." Leo insisted, taking her hand but refusing to accept her argument. :"When the dragons visited you were like teenage girl drooling over her favourite pop star."

Piper started to open her mouth

"And" Leo kept going now he had the guts to start it "When those four Cetan came , do you know what you reminded me of, screaming and panting the way you were. You reminded me of those teenage girls in the sixties when the Beatles came. You were screaming and breathing like a besotted fan."

"I was not "Piper told him furious outraged. "Cetan are beautiful creatures, do you know they reincarnate the spirit of hawks. Its exciting to meet creatures that are real myths. They have a magic that is outside the realm. Do you know they have a gift of vision from thousands of yards away, and the feather covering is…."

"You damn near fainted you were so over wrought with fan worship " Leo interrupted standing up to look down at her.

"I was feeding Wyatt." Piper insisted "It took out of me.'""

"You were besotted" Leo told her and turned away then turned back "It was just like fan hysteria. What I don't understand is what is missing between us that you need this hysterical fan worship of magic creatures."

"Oh don't be ridiculous" Piper told Leo " Cetan are just beautiful and taking a perfectly normal interest in the normal world I live in is not hysteria. And neither is being genuinely enthusiastic about the new things I learn." She put another piece of chocolate in her mouth and met Leo's glare defying him to argue.

Leo opened his mouth to say something.

"Anyway "Piper pushed, her body language showing how disgusted she was with Leo "since when is being enthusiastic learning something new, hysteria in his house? Have you ever listened to yourself talking about the difference between Plato in translation and Plato in original Greek.'"

"That is different "bit out Leo.

"How is being "Piper took a deep breath "obsessed with long dead Greek's ramblings different to being interested in the world in which my family and I exist. Unless you want to tell me one… obsession is relevant. Mine"

"Its different because I don't spend every waking minute obsessing over Plato" Leo told her.

"Seems like it to me "Piper hissed "Anyway if it was a bad thing to be interested in other worlds why would great, great aunt Cynthia have written all the stuff in the Book of Shadows  about other worlds and realms and connections and creatures."

"You know what happened to her "Leo pointed out ": That's hardly an argument to justify obsession with them. You ought to understand from history….."

"I hate history "Piper interrupted snorting "and I am only trying to learn about magic."

"You're obsessed with other magic creatures" Leo told her.

"Oh but its a passion and study when you run around the world reading philosophy "Piper demanded going ion the attack.

"I know what is important and when to walk away." Leo snarled back ."I know when to stop."

"You do not :"" Piper told him going on the attack "How many times have you been off in libraries and left me to look after P3. It's OUR club Leo, we agreed."

"I do my fair share": Leo insisted getting defensive. "I looked after Wyatt the whole time you were weaning him.'

"When you couldn't dump him onto Cole or my sisters" Piper told him flicking her hair , "I carried him  for 9 months and fed him for 8"

Leo ground his teeth because Piper falling back on motherhood always left him on unsafe ground to argue.

"I am the one who wanted a normal life" Piper said finally forced to slamming the Book of Shadows shut. "I have a duty too "she said "to know about magic to be prepared for evil."

"Yes"-said Leo "that's what I mean about this obsession. You're so hooked on normal, you're going to the other extreme to find out about magic. 'You're obsessed" he said

"You're just pissed I am interested in something you no longer control" Piper told him

"Piper you have gone past across interest. You should be sleeping, resting, you're still not well,   after Wyatt. You're always tired and yet you're up here all by yourself avoiding family, avoiding me , obsessed  about magic creatures. Its not healthy" Leo told her, fatalistically realising he was loosing the battle but unwilling to retreat..

"Oh for god's sake go back to reading history and keep you nose out of Phoebe's psychology books," snapped Piper.

"'Piper "said "he sighed finally giving up "you coming to bed? " he asked.

"No "said Piper pushed and nasty. 'If you want sex have it by yourself. ". She picked up the Book of Shadows again " I'm going to indulge my obsession." She drained the glass of wine, deliberately poured another  from the bottle, put a large piece of chocolate in her mouth.,

"Sometimes lately "Leo said bitterly "I think if I had not been a magic creature you would not have been interested in me." he added as a parting shot.

"I was interested in you as a plumber" Piper told him. "Does that mean I'm obsessed with handymen?"

Leo snorted and stalked out of the attic. . He turned and came back. "It isn't a magic world you're living in Piper "he told her "It’s a fantasy one.

As Piper ground her teeth Leo noisily stomped downstairs.

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