Disclaimer : My name’s not Aaron Spelling, so I don’t own them. But I really, really, really like to write about them.

Reunited
by Freaky Fan

Part 1

“Wow.”

The word slipped from Victor’s mouth as he stepped over the threshold into the club. He had, of course, been there before. His daughters owned the place for crying out loud. But he had never been there on a night like tonight. It looked like half of San Francisco had squeezed their way into the building.

“Let’s go, Pops. Some of the rest of us would like to get in before midnight.”

He cast a glance over his shoulder, meaning to tell the young man standing there that patience was a virtue. But one look at the spiked Mohawk, menacing expression and numerous piercings in the boy’s ears, eyebrows, nose and lip made his voice die in his throat. He was about to step aside, giving him the room he needed to get around him, when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

“I don’t think so, Clive.”

Victor was shocked to see the bravado leave the boy’s face.

“Oh come on. My birthday is in a week!”
“Guess you’ll have to come back in a week then.”
“But….”
“Rules are rules. Sorry.”

“Stupid old geezer. If you hadn’t been standing in the doorway I’d be inside right now.” He doubled his hand into a fist. “She never would have spotted me in the crowd!!”

“Let’s get a couple of things straight.” Rion’s voice was a barely veiled threat as she stepped up next to Victor. “First of all, I could spot you a mile away with that stupid hairdo. I know retro is in right now, but give me a break.” She took another step, putting herself between her dad and the boy. “And secondly, this ‘old geezer’ as you so eloquently put it, just so happens to be my father. So unless you want to start something I’m more than pretty sure you won’t be able to finish, I suggest you get out of here.”

The boy was seething. “Fine. But I’ll be back in a week.”

“Don’t bother.” Rion called after him as he walked away. She quickly returned her attention to Victor. “Some people, huh?”

Victor watched as the boy disappeared in the swell of people still waiting to get in. “Will he cause any trouble?”
“Who, Clive? No.” Rion shook her head as she linked arms with her dad and started to lead him down the stairs. “His bark is a lot worse than his bite. He’s been trying to get in for a month now and his birthday is always ‘next week.’ Can’t blame a kid like him for trying.”

“I guess not.” Victor frowned as they passed a couple who was lip locked as they swayed in rhythm to the music blaring from the sound system.
“You’re not used to this kind of thing, are you?”
“No.” He physically flinched as they passed a girl who was swinging her arms violently, much to the enjoyment of the other young women with her. “Usually I’m home alone, sitting on the couch with a stiff glass of Scotch in one hand and a good book in the other.”
Rion’s amusement was obvious as they continued to wind their way through the throng of people. “I told Phoebe as much when she said she had invited you. To be honest, I didn’t think you would show.”
“Are you kidding?” Victor gave her arm a playful squeeze. “What man in his right mind would pass up the opportunity to ring in the new year with four beautiful women?”

“You. Well you almost did anyway. Cutting it kind of close, aren’t you Victor?”

His eyes nearly bugged out of his head when he caught sight of Patty in her tight fitting red dress, her hair falling just so over her shoulders. “I think I better make that five beautiful women.”
Patty smiled. “Just for that I think I owe you a dance.”

Rion smiled as she watched them move a few feet away. Patty instantly started moving to the music but Victor just stood there, mesmerized.

“Is that who I think it is?”
Rion nodded as Phoebe joined her. “Yep. I spotted him when he came in the door.”
“See, I told you he would make it.” Phoebe giggled. “Look at Mom go. I don’t think he knows what to make of her.”
“I think you’re right.”

Rion gripped her sister’s hand as they started back the private corner they always occupied. “Remind me to have a word with Piper about the guy checking IDs tonight.”
“Clive again?”
“Uh huh. He almost made it in this time.”
“Good help is SO hard to find nowadays.”

“What are you two yakking about this time?” Piper graced them with one of her brilliant smiles as they joined her, Leo, Prue and Seth.

“Nothing that won’t keep until tomorrow.” Rion flopped down on the couch next to Prue, who was sitting on Seth’s lap, pulling Phoebe down with her. “Did you guys see who finally made it?”

“We sure did.” Prue grinned. “He looks a bit shell shocked.”
“That’s putting it mildly.” Piper shook her head. “I hope Mom won’t be too much for him.”

They all watched as Patty grabbed Victor’s hands, showing him how to move as the music continued to play. It had been two months since she came back to them. And in that time she had never ceased to amaze them with her zest for life.

“Fresh ones for everyone!” Matt smiled as he walked up, a tray laden with champagne glasses in his hands.
“Let me help you with those.” Rion got up off the couch. “Uh, Matt…. You do realize these are all empty, right?”
“No worries.” He scanned the crowd around them. “My wingman is on the way.”

“You’re wing wh….” Phoebe’s voice trailed off when she saw another figure join them, a bottle of champagne gripped casually in one hand. “What the hell is he doing here?”
“Nice to see you too, Phoebe.” Billy nodded at everyone else. “Hi.”

Rion shot her little sister a look when she saw she was about to say something else. “I asked him to come, Pheebs.”
Phoebe glowered. “Why?”
“He saved my life in the underworld. Call me crazy, but I thought that at least warranted an invitation to the club.”
“Fine.” Phoebe crossed her arms over her chest. “But it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“Crack that bad boy open, Billy.” Seth waggled his eyebrows as he stood, keeping Prue safely in his arms. “The big moment is almost upon us.”
“It sure is.” Leo helped Piper to her feet, putting his arms around her from behind as they watched Billy pop the cork on the bottle.

“Shouldn’t someone go get Mom and Dad?” Phoebe voiced the question as she too stood, reluctantly letting Billy pour her some champagne.

“No need, sweetie.” A flushed Patty appeared, dragging a winded looking Victor behind her. “We’re right here.”

“Here you go.” Matt handed them their glasses before looking around to make sure everyone had a drink. “All right, let me be the first to offer a toast.” He raised his glass. “To a happy and healthy 2004.”

“Cheers.”

Everyone’s voices mingled on the word as they clinked glasses. Seth was about to offer a toast of his own when the bartender’s voice sounded over the PA system.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Five….”

The level of excitement went up a notch around them.

“Four.”

Hundreds of voices joined in as the countdown continued.

“Three…. Two….”

There was what appeared to be a slight pause as they waited for that magical moment. The very second when one year slipped away only to be replaced with another.

“One!!”

Leo and Seth moved in at the same time, kissing their respective wives passionately. Patty grabbed Victor, stunning him with a kiss on the lips rather than a peck on the cheek. Matt did the same with Rion, capturing her lips with his own. But most surprising of all was the way Billy leaned in close to Phoebe, his lips meeting hers before she even knew what was going on.

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!!”

The greeting was followed closely by the sound of flesh on flesh.

“How dare you!” Phoebe slapped Billy again. “What gave you the right?!” She stormed away into the crowd.

Rion pushed away from Matt. “I….” She swallowed hard. “I better go make sure she’s all right.” She hurried after her sister. “Pheebs, wait up!”

Piper shared a look with Prue, neither of them quite knowing what had happened but assuming it wasn’t good as they watched their little sisters disappear in the sea of faces around them.

“Billy doesn’t strike me as the sharpest tool in the shed.” Seth tossed the comment over his shoulder as he handed the cabbie enough for their fare and a sizable tip. Leo could have orbed them all home after they cleaned up at the club if it weren’t for the protection spell the girls had insisted on putting on the house. And none of them had drunk that much, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

“That or he’s too brave for his own good.” Leo shrugged as Seth tapped the side of the cab and started toward the house. “Either way, he’s lucky Phoebe only slapped him a couple of times.”
“Oh, he’ll still be feeling it tomorrow, believe me.” Seth grinned. “Those weren’t exactly love taps Phoebe gave him.”

“And just how would you know?”

Seth looked up when he heard his wife’s voice to find Prue looking at him from the front porch of the house.

“Yeah, Seth.” Piper spoke up from her position next to Prue. “Speaking from experience?” She quirked an eyebrow.

“Hardly.” Seth was quick to answer. “I’m a doctor. We see this kind of thing all the time.”
“Riiight.” Leo chuckled. “You are SO busted.”

“Can we keep the chitchat to a minimum?” Piper pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “It’s nippy out here.”
“I second that.” Prue gave an exaggerated shiver. “Besides, this is the kind of thing we should talk about in private.”

Seth, who had just reached the door, gave her another look, almost dropping his keys.

“Relax.” Leo grinned. “She’s just yanking your chain.”
“Five minutes later and we’re still chattering away.” Piper rolled her eyes.
“Sorry.” Seth blushed as he went back to unlocking the door, stepping aside once it was open so the girls could skirt around him.

“Aw.” Piper stopped in the doorway to the living room. “Could they be any cuter?”

Prue joined her, a smile spreading across her face as she took in the scene before them. Andy was laying on the couch snoring away, Melinda on his chest and Tricia snuggled against his side. Rather than answer she moved into the room, Piper right behind her. Somehow they managed to retrieve their daughters without waking Andy.

“One of you throw the afghan over him, will you?” Piper rubbed Melinda’s back as she started to stir. “We’re going to put the girls to bed.”

“I’ve got it.” Seth started to reach for the afghan when Andy bolted upright. “Whoa!” He barely managed to avoid getting head butted.

“Who? What?” Andy looked around, bewildered. “Where are the girls?!”
“They’re with their mothers.” Leo sat down next to him on the couch. “Happy New Year.”
“Yeah.” Seth sank into the chair next to the couch.

“Oh man.” Andy ran his hands down his face as he yawned. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“No harm done.” Leo looked around the room. “Anything that tried to get through the spell the girls put on the house would have made more than enough noise to wake you up.”
“Besides, we know how hard it is looking after those two.” Seth nodded toward the stairs. “We’re their dads and we have a hard time keeping up.”

“Thanks.” Andy yawned again. “So, how did it go tonight?”
Leo chortled. “You missed some major fireworks.”
Seth nodded his agreement. “That’s putting it mildly.”
Andy frowned. “What happened?”
“Oh, nothing much.” Seth shrugged. “A little song, a little dance, some impromptu romance.”
Andy’s frown deepened. “What?”
“Let’s just say there was some unexpected activity at midnight.” Leo tried to help.
“Yep.” Seth nodded again. “Matt laid one on Rion.”
“Really?” Andy’s frown eased.
“And Billy kissed Phoebe.” Leo supplied the rest.
Andy’s mouth fell open. “No way.”
“Oh yeah.” Seth laughed. “You should have seen her bitch slap him for that.”
“I can only imagine.” Andy shook his head.
“And that’s not all.” Leo shared a conspiratory look with Seth. “Victor asked Patty to go get some coffee with him.”
“Uh oh.” Andy grinned. “Is there some romance in the air there?”

Piper shared a look with her sister from the doorway of the room. “Do you think there’s something there?”
“Between Mom and Dad?” Prue scoffed. “Please.”
“So the going for coffee was….”
“A polite way of getting away from the club without hurting our feelings.” Prue gripped her sister’s hand. “Now come on, let’s go check on our little sisters.”
Piper looked back into the living room. “Do you think we should tell them we’re going?”
“Does it look like they’re going to miss us?”

Laughter drifted toward them as the guys continued to gossip.

Piper pursed her lips. “I guess not.”
“Then let’s go.”

They made their way across the yard, Prue making a beeline for the hide-a-key as soon as they reached the porch. Piper frowned at the key.

“You don’t think we should knock?”
“No.” Prue put the key in the lock. “If we do they’ll just say everything is fine and gives us the bums rush. This way we can at least see how they’re really doing.”

They stopped just inside the door, the sound of music reaching them from upstairs and guttural growls from the basement. Prue started toward the later.

“I’ve got Phoebe.”
Piper nodded. “Then I’ll handle Rion.”

It didn’t take Prue long to make it to the basement. She wasn’t surprised to find Phoebe had changed into some of her workout clothes and was pummeling the crap out of the punching bag hanging from the ceiling.

“What did that poor thing ever do to you?”

Phoebe barely looked up. “It’s a little late for a visit, isn’t Prue?”
“Not if one of my sisters need me.” Prue sat down on the bottom step, patting the spot next to her. “Come on.”

Phoebe took one last swing at the punching bag before reluctantly joining her sister. “I’m really not in the mood.”
“I know baby.” Prue put her arm around her. “That’s why I’m here.”
Phoebe leaned against her. “I can’t believe he did that, Prue. I mean, who does he think he is?”
“To be honest with you Pheebs, I think it was a spur of the moment thing. New Years Eve, a busy club, a pretty girl. He didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“But he did.” Phoebe’s voice was thick with pent up emotion. “No one has kissed me since….”
“Since Cole.” Prue finished for her.
Phoebe nodded, tears spilling from her eyes. “I wasn’t ready for that, Prue. I don’t know if I ever will be.”

Prue didn’t know what to say to that so she did the only thing she could, she pulled her sister into a tight embrace.

Meanwhile, Piper had made her way upstairs and was standing outside Rion’s room, listening to her sister as some kind of Celtic music swelled in the background.

“I wish you were here for me to talk to. You always knew just what to say.” Rion chuckled. “Of course you would be beating the shit out of Matt for even looking in my direction if you were.”

Piper rapped gently on the door. “Rion?”

“Oh, hey.” Rion put the picture she had been holding back on the nightstand next to her bed. She frowned when she caught the time on her alarm clock. “It’s late. Is something up?”

Piper came to sit on the bed next to her. “You tell me.” She looked toward the picture her sister had just put down when she didn‘t answer right away. “Talking to Darryl huh?”
“Yeah.” Rion looked at her hands sadly. “Some old habits are hard to break.”
“That’s one you should never break.” Piper rubbed her sister’s back. “Can I guess what you were talking to him about?”
“I’m sure you already know.”

Rion got up and paced toward the window. “I don’t know what I’m going to do, Piper. I mean, Matt kissed me tonight. And we’re not talking a little peck either. There was some major lip locking going on there.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.”
“I’m not sure I am.”

Piper frowned. “What are you saying, Rion?”
Rion sighed as she came back over to the bed, flopping down next to her sister. “I’m saying I liked it.” She put her head on her big sister’s leg. “I’ve known Matt had more than best friend feelings for me for a while now, but I never reciprocated.”
“Until tonight.”
Rion nodded. “But it feels like I’m betraying Darryl somehow.” She sighed. “What am I supposed to do now?”
“You take your time and think about it.” Piper nodded. “And know that no matter what decision you make, Prue, Phoebe and I will be here for you.”

Piper started running her fingers through her sister’s hair, hoping her words would bring her some comfort.

Patty yawned as she padded down the stairs, still finding it hard to believe she had slept so long. Not that noon was all that late when you considered she was out until well past five with Victor. What had started out as a cup of coffee at an all night café turned into a walk in the moonlight by the waterfront and some long overdue catching up. They might not have gotten along towards the end of their marriage, but they had started out as friends. It was good to know they could still talk.

A voice in the back of her head told her to stop lingering on the stairs and get back to what she had been doing. Ever since she was resurrected at the hands of Fate and Destiny she had made it her mission to spend as much time as she could with her girls everyday. At first she had tried to mother them the way she had wanted to do so many times watching them grow up without her. But they were grown women now with lives and families of their own. So she had settled for loving and nurturing them in whatever ways they needed.

“Morning, Mom.”

A smile graced her features when she heard the voice of her oldest. “Good morning.” She planted a kiss on top of Prue’s head before sitting on the couch next to her. “What are you up to?”

“Photo shopping you into some more pictures.” Prue hit a button on her laptop, scrutinizing the screen for a second before turning it so her mother could look at it. “See?”

Patty fought against the tears that formed in her eyes as she looked at the picture on the screen. It was one Penny had had taken of the girls when Prue was just a freshman in high school. Through the magic of modern technology Prue had added her in as if she had been there the whole time.

“I thought I should use the one with Rion in it.”
“Good idea.” Patty smiled again. “I’m definitely going to want a copy of that one.”
Prue returned the smile. “Count on it.”

Patty gave Prue another kiss on the cheek before pushing herself back to her feet and heading for the kitchen. Fate and Destiny had been kind enough to bring her back and erase the fact that she had ever died from the minds of everyone but those who knew the family secret, but that didn’t mean there weren’t still bases they had to cover.

“Good morning, sweetie.”

Piper looked up from the cookbook she was studying at the kitchen table. “More like afternoon.” She grinned to show she was teasing. “Want some coffee?”
“Of course, but I’ll get it.” Patty motioned for her daughter to stay where she was as she crossed the room, grinning when she saw there was already a cup waiting for her next to the coffee pot. “What’re you doing?”

Piper shrugged. “Nothing much. Just trying to find something different to fix for dinner.”
Patty joined her at the table. “Tired of the same old same old, huh?”
“Yeah.” Piper nodded. “That and it’s a special occasion.”
“A special occasion?” Patty frowned. “Did I forget someone’s birthday?”
“No.” Piper chuckled as she took her mother’s hand. “But it has been two months since we got you back.”

The statement caught Patty off guard. She had had no idea anyone was keeping track of how long she had been back in the land of the living. But one look into Piper’s big brown eyes told her she should have known better.

“Always taking care of everyone else, aren’t you?” She tucked her daughter’s hair behind her ear.
“Not necessarily.” Piper quirked her eyebrow. “Maybe I was just looking for an excuse to try out a new recipe.”
“Right.” Patty shook her head before looking around the room. “Where are the girls?”
“Rion took them outside to enjoy a little sunshine.”
“Oh, this I have to see.” Patty pushed herself away from the table.

“Be careful, Mom.” Piper kept her grip on Patty’s hand. “Phoebe is with her and she’s still in a mood about last night.”
“Last night?” Patty frowned. “You mean she’s still upset about Billy kissing her?”
“More like pissed, but yeah, it’s because of Billy.”
“Thanks for the warning.”

Patty gave her daughter a peck on the cheek and a quick hug before going out the back door. She could hear laughter as soon as she stepped out of the Manor.

“No fair, An Ion.” Tricia’s voice carried across the yard from next door.
“What?” Rion’s amused tone followed. “It’s not my fault Indy is so good at tag.”

Her smile returned as she walked across the grass and caught sight of Rion loping in a circle in the yard, Melinda squealing from her arms and Tricia laughing in spite of her objections as she tried to catch them.

“Mind if I join in?” Patty snatched Tricia up before anyone could answer, barely having to take more than a few steps before they caught up with Rion and Melinda.

“Gotcha!” Tricia clapped excitedly. “Tank you, Gams!” She threw her arms around Patty’s neck.

“Now who’s cheating, huh Melinda?” Rion grinned as her niece cooed. “Nice to see you up and around today, Patty.”
Patty’s smile brightened. She could always count on Rion to give her a good ribbing. “Thanks.”

She followed Rion over to a blanket she had spread out on the ground for Melinda to play on. She watched as Rion put the baby down, being sure she was halfway steady sitting up before plopping down next to her.

“Did you have fun going for ‘coffee’ with Dad last night?” She gave Patty a sly smile.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I did.” Patty put Tricia down, who instantly went to sit on her aunt’s lap. “It was nice catching up with him.”
“Catching up?” Rion furrowed her brow. “I’ve never heard it called that before.”
Patty gave her a playful shove. “Be good.”
“Sorry, not gonna happen anytime soon.”

Patty shook her head. “Where’s Phoebe?”
“Over in the hammock.” Rion nodded toward the trees across the yard as she caught Melinda, sitting her upright again. “Brooding.”
“Over last night?”
“Yep.” Rion shook her head. “Who would have thought one little kiss could cause so much trouble?”

“How about you?” Patty fixed the girl with one of her motherly gazes. “How are you holding up after last night?”
“Me?” Rion suddenly looked uncomfortable. “I….” She swallowed hard. “I’m thinking about it.”
“Ah, I see.” Patty nodded.
“I think Pheebs could really use an ear to bend right about now though.”

Patty couldn’t help but smile. She knew when to leave well enough alone where one of the girls was concerned. “All right, I’ll go give her one. But only if you promise me one thing.”
Rion frowned. “What?”
“That you’ll come to me if you need to talk.” Patty put her hand on Rion’s cheek. “You’re one of my girls too. You know that, right?”
Rion smiled. “Yeah. I know.”

Patty ruffled her hair before starting over toward the hammock. She could almost see the dark cloud hanging over Phoebe’s head as she got closer.

“Good morning, sunshine.”
Phoebe barely glanced up at her. “Hey.”

Patty tried not to flinch at the anger in her daughter’s voice. If any of the girls was more volatile than the others, it was Phoebe. Which meant she couldn’t push her if she wanted her to open up to her.

“Just get it over with.”
Patty frowned at Phoebe’s words. “What?”
“Billy. The kiss.” Phoebe sighed. “Everyone else has weighed in with an opinion. You might as well do the same.”

Patty thought about it for a moment. “Actually I was just wondering if you had room for one more in that hammock. I had kind of a late night last night.”
Phoebe looked surprised. “Really?”
She nodded. “Really.”
“Sure.”

She scooted into the hammock next to her daughter, relieved when Phoebe didn’t shy away from her embrace. She held her daughter close, relishing in the feel of having her baby in her arms again.

“I lied.”
Phoebe frowned. “About what?”
“About not having an opinion about last night.”
Phoebe rolled her eyes. “I knew it.”
“I only have one thing to say.” Patty forged ahead. “You’re a beautiful young woman, Phoebe. You’re bound to draw attention from young men. I’m not saying what Billy did was right, but who could resist kissing a knock out like you?”

Phoebe cuddled closer to her. “Thanks Mom.”
“I’m just speaking the truth, baby girl.”

Patty gave her a kiss on top of the head before her attention was drawn, once again, to Rion. This time she and Melinda were trying to catch Tricia, who was running in a wide circle, giggling.

“Looks like she could use some help again.” Patty gave Phoebe a squeeze. “Are you up for a little game of tag?”
“Sure.” Phoebe nodded.

They climbed out of the hammock and started across the yard, hand in hand. In no time at all they were all zipping around the yard, whooping it up.

Piper surveyed the table, her mind going a million miles an hour. There were eight place settings complete with wine glasses. She had opted to use the good china for a change, hoping to add a little extra flair. Even the plastic plate they would use for Tricia wasn’t one of the old ones they always used. It was one she had picked up special at the market that afternoon. She had also bought a special, compartmentalized plate to put Melinda’s baby food in.

She straightened the bottle of red wine to her right, standing back as she did to make sure it looked identical to the one at the other end. One bottle just hadn’t seemed like enough for all of them. She just hoped there would be enough of the angel hair pasta and sweet basil sauce she had decided to make. How embarrassing would that be…. Running out of food at her mother’s celebration dinner.

“You are so beautiful when you obsess.”

A smile spread across her lips as Leo wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“Sometimes you say the sweetest things.” She turned in his arms, wrapping hers around his neck and pulling him down for a kiss before trying to break the embrace.
“And where do you think you’re going?” Leo tightened his grip.
“I have things I need to get done.”
“But you’ve been in the kitchen all day.”
“And I’ll be in your bed all night.”
“True.” Leo nuzzled her ear. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t sneak a little time here and there throughout the day.” His voice was a seductive whisper. “I mean, we DO wanna give Melinda a little brother or sister, right?”

“Oh man.” Phoebe growled as she walked into the room, Rion at her side. “Can’t you two get a room or something?”
Rion elbowed her. “You agreed to play nice, remember?”
“That was before walked in to soft porn in the dining room.”

“Soft porn?” Leo chuckled as he finally relinquished his hold on his wife.

“Phoebe!” Rion shook her head as her little sister moped back into the living room. “Sorry guys. She’s still a little tense.”
“Yeah, I could see that.” Piper sighed. “Do you think she’ll be civilized at dinner?”
“If she’s not I’ll kick her under the table.” Rion looked at the table. “Oh Piper, everything looks great?”
“Really?”
“No, I’m lying to you to make you feel better.”

Piper nudged her sister. “I’m serious. I want everything to be perfect for Mom.”
Rion slipped her arm around her. “Than mission accomplished, sis.”
Piper put her arm around her sister’s waist. “Thanks.”

They both turned when they heard the doorbell ring.

“I’ll get it.” Prue’s voice sounded as she came down the steps. She pulled the door open, expecting to see her father standing on the doorstep. Her brow creased when she saw that it wasn’t. “Vincent.” She shifted Tricia to her other hip. “What can I do for you?”

“I, uh….” Vincent took in Prue’s dressy yet casual attire. “Am I interrupting something?”

“Not yet.” Phoebe spoke up from behind her big sister. “But you will be in a few minutes. What do you want?”
Prue shot her sister a look. “Don’t mind her.”
“Yeah.” Phoebe nodded. “I’m just a mean old man hater right now.”
Prue forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood. “Did Becca forget something last time she was over?”

“No.” Vincent held up a large manila envelope. “I actually came to see Piper.”
Prue frowned. “Piper?”
“Yeah.” Vincent nodded. “Piper.”

“Piper!” Phoebe yelled toward the dining room. “Someone’s here to see you!”

Piper hurried through the living room, Rion and Leo not far behind. “What’s going on?”
“Who knows?” Phoebe shrugged. “But we have a lawyer with an envelope at the front door. My guess is someone is suing you.”
“Suing me?!” Piper looked to Vincent for confirmation. “Why would someone be suing me?”

“No one is suing you.” Vincent quirked an eyebrow. “Can I come in or would you rather the whole neighborhood know why I’m here?”
“Oh, sorry.” Prue moved aside. “Come in.”
“Gee, thanks.” Vincent sounded glib.

“So….” Piper led them all into the living room. “Why are you here Vincent?”
“Official business.” Vincent sank down in one of the chairs.
“What kind of official business?” Rion stood behind the couch with Leo as Piper, Prue and Phoebe sat down.

“This kind.” Vincent opened the envelope, pulling some paperwork out.
“Oh no.” Piper sighed. “Someone really is suing me and he just didn’t want to tell me because he knew we wouldn’t let him in.”
“He wouldn’t do that sweetie.” Prue patted her sister’s leg. “Would you, Vincent?”

“No.” Vincent shook his head. “I wouldn’t think of anything that clever.”
“By all means,” Phoebe gestured with one hand. “Feel free to use it sometime.”

Vincent cast her another glance before returning his attention to the paperwork in his hand. “I don’t know if you were aware of it or not Piper, but I represented Mr. Jonathan Lucas.”
“Jonathan Lucas?” Leo frowned. “Who’s he?”
“The man who owned Quake when I worked there.” Piper answered quickly, her eyes never leaving Vincent. “What do you mean ‘represented?’”

“Mr. Lucas passed away a couple of days ago.”
Piper put her hand over her mouth. “I had no idea.”
“Yes, well, he was from LA. Not exactly front page news around here. Anyway….” Vincent put the papers down on the coffee table. “The official reading of his will was today.” He turned them so Piper could see them. “And he left you something.”

“Me?” Piper frowned as she picked up the papers, her mouth dropping open as she read them. “Wow.”
“Is that a good wow or a bad wow?” Rion tried to read the papers over her sister’s shoulder.

“A good wow.” Vincent answered for her.
“Definitely a good wow.” Piper looked up. “He left me Quake.”

“What?!” Prue grabbed the papers, letting Tricia slip from her grasp to get a better look at them.

“Yes.” Vincent furrowed his brow as Tricia came to a stop in front of him, not saying a word as she stared him in the eye. “Apparently he was so satisfied with her years of service at the establishment that he….” The furrow became a frown as he tried to shift his head so Tricia was no longer in front of him and the little girl followed his movement. “Wanted her to have it.”

Tricia kept her lock on his eyes. “Bad man?”

“Not tonight, sweetie.” Rion came around the couch to scoop the girl up. “But he can be.” She gave Vincent one of her grins before returning her attention to Piper. “So you’re a restaurant owner now?”
“It would appear so.” Piper was still in shock.

“You were aware of the fire about a month ago, right?”
Piper looked at Vincent. “Fire?”
He nodded. “Gutted the kitchen and most of the dining room.”
Prue raised her eyebrows. “Hadn’t heard about that either.”

“It was in the paper.” Vincent sighed. “My point is, I can try to sell the property for you if you decide you don’t want to keep it. It’s in a prime location. You could get a good price out of it.”
“I….” Piper shook her head. “I really need to think about it.”

“All right.” Vincent pulled a pen out of his inside jacket pocket. “For now all I need is your signature on the back page to make it official.”

Piper took the pen, still looking more than a little dazed. Somehow she managed to her name.

“Thanks.” Vincent took his pen back and put the papers back in the envelope. “Here are the keys.” He pulled them out of his pants pocket as he stood. “As I said, let me know if you decide not to keep it. I have some friends in the real estate business who would be more than happy to take it off of your hands.”

“Thanks.” Piper gripped the keys as she saw him to the door.
“Have a good night, Piper.” Vincent smiled. “And congratulations.”

“I heard the doorbell.” Patty spoke as she came down the stairs, Melinda in her arms. “Was that your….” She hesitated when she saw the look on her daughter’s face. “Piper, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Yeah.” Piper nodded. “I just inherited a restaurant.”

“She’ll have to check out the damage.”
“That’s a given.”
“And get a contractor right away. They’ll be able to tell her if anything can be done with it.”
“I know a really good one. And he won’t charge her anything just to look around. I’ll give her his number.”

Piper’s head swam as she tried to take in everything that was being said around her. She had hoped once they settled at the table everyone would stop trying to talk to her at the same time. But sitting down only seemed to make things worse. Now they were all having conversations amongst themselves, expecting her to keep up with all of them. How was she supposed to do that when she was still trying to wrap her head around what had happened?

She looked around at her family, knowing they meant well but wanting to tell them to shut up. The only ones who seemed to realize they were supposed to be eating were Melinda, who was gobbling every spoonful of food Leo put in front of her, Tricia, who had managed to make a total mess of herself while her parents weren’t looking, Rion, who loved pasta too much to let conversation get in the way of eating, and Patty, who was politely listening to everyone else.

A twinge of guilt hit her as she watched her mother studying her father’s face as he talked with Leo. This was supposed to be her dinner. Her night. And in one fowl swoop of the doorbell Vincent had made it all about her instead.

“I’ve got it.”

Piper frowned when she heard the whispered words coming from Rion. She looked at her sister just in time to see her rising to her feet.

“Excuse me.” Rion cleared her throat, trying to get everyone’s attention. When that didn’t work she used her knife to rap her wine glass. “Hey, listen up.”
“Shhhh!” Tricia put a sauce covered finger up to her lips.
“Thanks for the assist, Little P.”
“Elcom, An Ion.” Tricia smiled.

“OK, here’s the deal. I know we’re all excited for Piper and the good fortune she fell into tonight.” Rion looked at her sister, who was sitting to her right. “But we can’t forget about the other reason we all came here tonight. And I’m not talking about the pasta.” She grinned as she switched her attention to the woman across from her. “Patty, we had no idea just what was missing from our lives until you came back into them. I, for one, am damn glad I get to see you’re smiling face every day. You’ll always be near and dear to me heart.” She raised her wine glass. “To Patty. Welcome home.”

A chorus of ‘welcome home’ followed as everyone raised their wine glasses to a now blushing Patty.

“Thanks.” Piper whispered the word as she gripped her sister’s hand. She had no idea how Rion always seemed to know just what it was she needed, but she was going to have to find a way to repay her this time. The glow of Patty’s smile as everyone focused on her was priceless.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”

Piper’s blood ran cold when she heard the menacing voice. She looked toward the living room to see a man standing in the doorway looking like something straight out of a bad western in his long black coat.

“A bunch of unsuspecting witches.” An energy ball formed in his hand as he cracked a smile. “Easy pickings.”

Everyone moved at once. Seth and Leo snatched the girls from their high chairs, using their bodies to shield their fragile young bodies. Prue deflected the energy ball into the wall as Phoebe grabbed their mother and started for the kitchen. Rion was trying to do the same for Victor, who had dove under the table. Piper saw another energy ball forming in the man’s hand.

“Oh no you don’t!”

Piper growled the words as she threw her hands in the air, at the same time her mother pulled away from Phoebe and did the same thing. An odd energy filled the room for a moment, but the demon continued in his action.

“What the….” Piper frowned at her hands as Prue deflected the second ball into the wall next to where the last one had hit.
“Two people with the same power can’t use them at the same time.” Leo yelled an explanation as Melinda squirmed in his arms. “They cancel each other out.”

“Then I’ll take care of him.”

Prue flung her hand at the demon, channeling her power toward him. But as he flew into the living room, she flew too. It was only a few feet, but it was more than enough to throw her into the chair she had just moved out of. She tripped, landing in a painful heap on the floor.

“OK.” Phoebe frowned. “What the hell is going on?”
“I….” Leo looked shocked. “I don’t know.”

“You’ll pay for that!” The demon billowed as he reappeared in the doorway.

“Oh!”

Piper tried to freeze the energy ball he threw, but so did her mother. It kept following it’s trajectory…. Straight at Victor, who Rion had just pulled from under the table. Luckily Rion saw it coming and tackled him, sending both of them to the floor. Phoebe turned to make sure they were all right in time to see another energy ball coming from the opposite side of the room. It was a lot smaller than the others that had been flung around, but it was an energy ball nonetheless.

“We’ve got another demon!” She grabbed her mother again.
“No you don’t.” Leo’s voice was sheer astonishment. “That one came from Melinda.”
“From Melinda?!” Piper looked at him like he was crazy. “She can’t throw energy balls!”
“Obviously she can!” Leo gave her an equally puzzled look. “She just did!”

“Can we take care of the demon first and then worry about all that?” Seth flinched as yet another energy ball barely missed him and Tricia.

“Right.” Piper gestured with her right hand, blowing the demon up. But just as she started to turn toward her husband there was another explosion. The pot holding the pasta shattered with a sickening crunch. No one had a chance to react before they were covered in angel hair and sweet basil sauce.

“Ow!” Prue hissed as she climbed to her feet, her back splattered with sauce. “How did that happen?!”

“I think Melinda did it.” Leo looked down at his daughter, who was laughing and clapping her hands.
“That’s not possible.” Piper went to them, taking their daughter. “She’s just a baby. How could she possibly have blown up that pot? Or thrown an energy ball?!”
“Yeah.” Phoebe nodded. “Energy balls are a demonic power.”

“Unless she can mimic other people’s powers.”

Patty’s words hung over the room like an impending storm.

“Is that possible?” Rion voiced the question as she climbed to her feet, obviously having taken the brunt of the pasta as she pulled a spotless Victor up beside her.

“Yes.” Leo nodded. “It’s rare, but it’s possible.”

“Do you hear that Piper?” Phoebe grinned. “You’re kid has a special power just like Tricia.”

Piper looked down at her now cooing daughter, wondering if that was a good or bad thing.

Seth couldn’t help but smile at the little girl sitting on the table before him. “All right, Amanda. I want you to take all of this medicine.” He pulled an orange out of a drawer in the stand to his right and handed it to her. “And listen to everything your mommy says.”
“Everything?” The little girl looked at him with big amber eyes.
“Yes.” Seth nodded. “Everything.”
“Even if she tells me I haveta share my orange with my brother?”

Seth laughed as he reached for another piece of fruit. “How about if I give you one for him too? Then will you listen to your mommy?”
“Yep.” The little girl grabbed the second orange and hopped down off the table. “Thanks doc.”

Seth was still laughing as he followed her out of the room. “That’s some kid you’ve got there.” He turned to look at the woman trailing behind him.
“But she’s all right, right Doctor Wilson? I mean, there won’t be any lasting effects or anything?”

Seth looked into a pair of concerned eyes that matched the little girls. “No, Amy. There won’t be.”
“Are you sure? Her and Adam are all I have left. If anything happened to either of them, I…. I don’t know what I would do.”
Seth gripped the woman’s hand. “Not that any surgery is ever routine when it comes to someone you love, but as they go Tonsillectomies are pretty common. Doctor Brooks could do them with one hand tied behind his back.”
The woman grinned. “So she’s really all right?”
“She’s the picture of health.”
“Thank you, doctor.” She pumped his hand, a big smile on her face. “Thank you so much.” She suddenly blushed and let go of him. “I better get going before she breaks both her promises to you.”
Seth frowned. “Both?”
“Yeah. We already know she’s not going to listen to me. If I don’t catch up, she’ll have both of those oranges eaten too.”

“I might not know you very well, but that was smooth.”

Seth turned when he heard the voice behind him, shocked to see who was standing there.

“Smooth, man.” Billy gave him a thumbs up.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Frick and Frack.” Seth started toward them.

“Hey, there’s no need for name calling here.” Matt furrowed his brow. “It’s not like we’re gonna tell Prue about you flirting with that woman.”
“I wasn’t flirting!” Seth frowned. “She was a concerned parent. I was just doing what I had to do to ease her mind about the health of her child!”
“Down boy.” Billy clapped him on the shoulder. “He was just yanking your chain. Like I said before, I don’t know you that well but I know you’d never do anything to mess things up with Prue.” He made a ‘give me a break’ gesture with his hands. “You’d be an idiot to.”
“Yeah.” Matt was quick to nod. “I was only joking.”

Seth gave them both a look. “What are you two doing here anyway?”

“We, uh….” Matt gave Billy a sid