5x08: The Inconvenient Untruth

[The Virtual Series]

CHARMED: RESET REALITY (A new Alternate Universe series brought to you by Daniel, 4Ever, Drama, Xenith, and a host of others!)

STARRING:



SHANNEN DOHERTY...Prue Halliwell
HOLLY MARIE COMBS...Piper Halliwell
ALYSSA MILANO...Phoebe Halliwell
ROSE McGOWAN...Paige Matthews

CO-STARRING:



BRIAN KRAUSE...Leo Wyatt
JULIAN McMAHON...Cole Turner
DORIAN GREGORY...Darryl Morris
SHAWN CHRISTIAN...Matt Capiello

CHARMED: RESET REALITY is a concept conceived and copyrighted by Daniel Taylor and cannot be copied without his permission.

Based on the television show "Charmed" created by Constance Burge and featuring characters created by her and Brad Kern.

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. If we owned Charmed, the last few seasons would be more like this! All characters and locations are fictitious or are used fictitiously. We only own the characters listed as "Original characters" within the credits. All others are products of the old WB and the new CW and belong to them and Aaron Spelling Productions. This work was not written for sale and is meant only to be read by visitors to websites for the fans of the television show, Charmed.

5.08 THE INCONVENIENT UNTRUTH

GUEST-STARRING:
IVAN SERGI
SANDRA PROSPER
EMMANUELLE VAUGIER
BILLY ZANE

Script written by...CAMILLE (FOUREVER CHARMED), DAN (ASTRAL ECHO)

Script edited by...DRAMA (ASSASSIN WITCH)

Script proofread by...CAMILLE (FOUREVER CHARMED), DRAMA (ASSASSIN WITCH), DTAYLOR (ASTRAL ECHO)

Executive Producer...DTAYLOR (ASTRAL ECHO)

Produced by...DRAMA, FOUREVER CHARMED, XENITH

Directed by...James A. Contner

[The Virtual Series]

The Inconvenient Untruth

Teaser

[Scene: Manor. Attic. The light is on and PRUE HALLIWELL, dressed in a mid-thigh length black cotton nightgown, is rifling through The Book of Shadows. PAIGE MATTHEWS shuffles in, wearing lime colored pajamas with coral colored butterflies. She rubs her messy dark hair as she takes a drink from a white mug with a teddy bear on it.]

PAIGE: (tiredly) What are you doing up at three in the morning?

(PRUE looks PAIGE up and down.)

PRUE: I could ask you the same question.

(PAIGE mumbles something unintelligible in reply as she makes her way over to her sister. She yawns, making no attempt to hide it, and then leans her head over PRUE’s shoulder.)

PRUE: I’m sorry, could you repeat that? I don’t speak Sleep Deprived Paige.

(PAIGE wrinkles her nose and makes a sad attempt at a glare.)

PAIGE: I clearly said that I couldn’t sleep, thank you very much.

PRUE: Clearly, of course! (pause) Why couldn’t you sleep?

(PAIGE snorts.)

PAIGE: Men. (She takes another drink from her teddy bear mug.) Stupid men. I hate men.

PRUE: Ahh, the "Glenn and Henry debacle." (She picks up The Book and walks over to the burnt, ripped, and messily repaired sofa and sits down. PAIGE follows and also takes a seat, patting a burnt patch of the sofa cushion.)

PAIGE: One day, this is going to collapse under us.

(PRUE vaguely nods.)

PRUE: So, what’s the problem between them now?

(PAIGE leans her head back, staring blankly at the wooden beams in the ceiling.)

PAIGE: Henry keeps pestering me for information about Glenn. And Glenn, well, I dunno…when I told him I was dating Henry, he didn’t react at all how I thought he would. He was…pleasant about it, as if it didn’t bother him at all.

PRUE: And you thought it would?

PAIGE: Well…yeah. I mean, I’ve known him forever, and it just seems out of character for him.

PRUE: Maybe that was just you hoping he’d be upset?

PAIGE: How do you mean?

PRUE: Oh, I think you know what I mean. (pause) Well, honestly, Paige, who do you want to be with?

PAIGE: If I knew the answer to that, do you really think I’d be having sleepless nights? (She sighs.) I wish my love life was as clear cut as Piper’s. (PRUE laughs.) What?

PRUE: Did no one ever tell you about Piper’s "Leo and Dan debacle?"

(PAIGE shrugs.)

PAIGE: Phoebe mentioned it a couple times.

PRUE: And you think that was simple?

PAIGE: Well…yeah. I mean, it was clear that she was going to choose Leo, ya know? He knew her secret and he knew magic and he knew her.

PRUE: But neither Glenn nor Henry fit the first two for you?

PAIGE: Exactly. (She sighs.) I wish there was a way to find out for sure what they’re thinking, then maybe it wouldn’t be so hard. (She stands up.) Anyway…why were you up here again?

(PRUE smiles.)

PRUE: Just studying up. (She pats The Book lovingly. PAIGE eyes her, then nods.)

PAIGE: Thanks for the chat.

PRUE: Anytime. (PAIGE leaves. As PAIGE’s footsteps fade down the hallway, PRUE looks at the cover.) You read my mind, Paige. (PRUE opens up The Book of Shadows again, this time turning it to the Truth Spell.)

Clickable Credits.

[The Virtual Series]

{SCENE: The song “Lies,” written and sung by Billy Talent, is heard as stock shots of San Francisco are shown while the Guest Credits are rolled.}

Act One

[Scene: Manor. Prue’s bedroom. The sun is now shining through the window, casting a soft glow on the floor. A pile of clothes are on the bed and ruffling sounds are heard from the open closet. Finally, PRUE emerges with a red and white striped box with a silver bow stuck on the top. She flops down on the side of her bed and yanks the top of the box off, revealing a folded block of golden fabric. She removes the fabric and shakes it out, revealing a long sleeve, fitted satin blouse with a ruffle down the front.]

PRUE: Who would’ve thought that you’d eventually come in handy? (She leans over to her dresser and grabs a notepad. She clears her throat.)
“For this witch who wants the truth revealed,
open his heart and his secrets unsealed,
from now until it’s now again,
after which his memory ends.
For only the witch who wears this blouse,
will hear the truth from Matt’s own mouth.”

(A magical shimmer washes over the blouse. PRUE smiles, satisfied, then glances at the clock, which says the time is 10:05 A.M. The sound of a tea kettle going off suddenly reaches her ears, so she sets the blouse on the bed and heads out of her room.)

[Cut to the kitchen. The tea kettle is screeching on the stove as PRUE walks in. She hurriedly removes the tea kettle and pours the steaming water into a mug which already has a tea bag waiting in it. PRUE swirls the tea bag around a few times as she moves to a cupboard where she pulls out a sugar dispenser and sprinkles some into her mug. She takes a long, hot drink and seems to relish it until the sound of the front doors is heard.]

[Cut to the foyer. PAIGE and PHOEBE HALLIWELL squeeze through the front doors holding bags of shopping in both hands. PRUE walks in, sipping her mug and heading for the marble table in the center of the room. She eyes her sisters’ bags as she sets down her mug.]

PRUE: Oh my god! Did you just go out and buy the whole shop or something?

PHOEBE: Don’t be silly…this is from several shops! (The sisters laugh as PAIGE drops her bags to the floor, exhausted.)

PAIGE: I don’t know about you, Phoebe, but I’m wiped out!

PHOEBE: No! You can’t be, we still have a baby shower to arrange! (She playfully nudges PAIGE.)

PRUE: Did Piper really leave this all to you? It doesn’t sound like her at all.

PAIGE: As if she had much of a choice, it’s pretty taboo to hold your own baby shower.

(PHOEBE furrows a brow.)

PHOEBE: Not to mention, she’s already run herself ragged. She can barely stand for a minute before she has to sit back down again, yet she still insists on keeping busy with the club. She just plain doesn’t have the energy to do anything else.

PAIGE: I wonder if that’s normal?

PRUE: Well, of course it’s normal! She’s pregnant, Paige, and pregnancy takes its toll on women.

PAIGE: I know that! (pause) I just meant…she’s only seven months along, should she really be that exhausted already? (She scratches her head.) I had a co-worker who was pregnant a few years back, but I don’t remember her pregnancy taking half the toll on her as it is on Piper.

(PHOEBE shrugs. PRUE picks up a stack of mail that’s sitting next to her tea mug on the marble table. She begins to flick through it.)

PHOEBE: Different people do react differently, though. And…I doubt your co-worker was carrying a magical baby. I mean, just imagine what kind of stress it puts on Piper. First freezing, and then force fields? What if explosions or fires come next? Add that to the normal pregnancy symptoms and it’s amazing that she can even function, let alone still insist on helping to run P3.

(PAIGE nods. PRUE sets down all but one envelope, which she begins to open.)

PAIGE: I guess you’re right. (She shrugs.) Remind me of that if, for some reason, I ever decide to want to have kids, okay?

(They laugh again and PAIGE nudges PHOEBE playfully, the latter of whom continues to chuckle softly. Their amusement is quickly interrupted by a gasp from PRUE. PHOEBE and PAIGE look at her with alarm.)

PHOEBE: What is it?

(PRUE holds up a letter.)

PRUE: It’s from my boss; he wants to send me to New York.

(PHOEBE and PAIGE grin.)

PHOEBE: Prue, that’s fantastic!

PAIGE: Yeah, congratulations! (PAIGE and PHOEBE both give PRUE congratulatory hugs, but PRUE is still staring at the letter, looking completely unenthusiastic. PHOEBE and PAIGE pull back, uncertainly.)

PAIGE: You look upset, what’s wrong?

PRUE: I’m-it’s just…I can’t take this, I can’t go…

PHOEBE: (shocked) What? Why? (She waves her hand.) Just a couple years ago you were jumping at the chance to go to New York with Jack! What’s the problem now?

PRUE: Everything, Phoebe! Piper wasn’t pregnant a couple years ago, the Queen of the Underworld wasn’t after us, and I didn’t have my suspicious ex trying to weasel his way back into my life either. (She takes a deep breath and drops the letter on the table, shaking her head.) If it were any other time, I’d jump at the chance…

PAIGE: Prue, Piper isn’t due for another two months.

PHOEBE: And it’s not like we weren’t facing evil back then. We had The Source then and The Queen now. In fact, if anything, we’re better off now than we were back then. (She motions to PAIGE.) Not only do we have Leo, but Paige can also bring you back in the blink of an orb if we need you.

(PRUE seems to think about it for a minute, then shakes her head stubbornly.)

PRUE: I can’t, it’s just too dangerous right now. I know you two mean well, but my responsibilities here are still too important. (PHOEBE and PAIGE exchange sorrowful looks and then each wrap their arms around PRUE in a comforting hug. PRUE sighs heavily and then squirms out of her sisters’ embrace.) I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go pick up Piper. Apparently Leo was called up to The Elders, so she asked me if I could drop her off at P3.

(PRUE heads upstairs before PHOEBE or PAIGE can foster a response. The younger sisters look at each other, both with conflicted looks written across their faces. PHOEBE sighs and grabs her set of shopping bags. PAIGE looks back at the letter on the table, shakes her head, and then follows PHOEBE upstairs with her own shopping bags.)

[Time lapse. PRUE’s BMW X5 is parked in the driveway of Piper and Leo’s house. PIPER HALLIWELL is waddling towards the vehicle, looking uncomfortably pregnant. As she reaches the car, PRUE squints her eyes and the door opens for PIPER. PIPER struggles to climb inside.]

PIPER: Personal gain, Prue.

PRUE: Personal? Hardly! I was helping you and my niece.

(PIPER closes the door and then begins to fight with the seatbelt.)

PIPER: I swear, they don’t take pregnant women into consideration when they make seatbelts! (Finally, she yanks the seatbelt around her large belly and forces it to click.) Ugh, I don’t know how I’m going to stand another two months of this!

(PRUE starts to back out of the driveway.)

PRUE: Maybe you should just take Ava’s advice and go on maternity leave? Monica seems to have things under control.

PIPER: I know, I know…but then I’d just be so bored! As much as work can frustrate me, I still enjoy having something to do. I mean, honestly, can you tell me that sitting in bed all day is something appealing to you?

PRUE: No, but neither is dealing with a fickle band manager when I could be taking one day off to rest my sore feet.

PIPER: Oh, gee thanks, and I’d almost forgotten about how swollen they are. (She rolls her eyes.) Anyway, thanks for picking me up today. (She shakes her head disappointedly.) I can’t even believe that my stomach is too big for me to reach the pedals.

PRUE: Just another reason that you should be resting…

(PIPER turns to look at PRUE, as if to say something, and then her eyes lock onto PRUE’s silver blouse.)

PIPER: Hey! Is that the blouse that Phoebe got you for your birthday?

(PRUE nods.)

PRUE: Yeah, what do you think?

PIPER: It looks better than I expected.

PRUE: Thanks.

PIPER: What made you decide to wear it? (She lifts a curious brow.) Just between you and me, I didn’t think you were as into it as Phoebe.

(PRUE turns the corner.)

PRUE: I figured now was as good a time as ever to put it on…and I used it in my modified version of the Truth Spell.

(PIPER blinks.)

PIPER: What?

PRUE: I decided-

PIPER: Don’t you remember how much trouble the Truth Spell got us into last time? Why would you even consider casting it again?

PRUE: Because I need to know the truth from Matt, once and for all! (PIPER’s eyes become as wide as saucers. PRUE notices.) Don’t worry, I made sure it won’t affect Paige or Phoebe, just Matt. As long as I’m wearing this blouse, the spell should only affect Matt. (She sighs.) I know it was trouble last time, but I just can’t stand all the secrets with him, Piper. It’s my job to protect this family, and this seems to be the only way to finally discover what his agenda really is.

PIPER: Have you told Paige and Phoebe?

PRUE: No. (pause) I’d appreciate if you don’t tell them either…at least not yet. I want to figure out what’s going on with Matt first, and then I’ll tell them what I know. (PIPER nods. PRUE pulls up at P3.)

PIPER: Well…thanks for telling me, I guess.

(PRUE rolls her eyes.)

PRUE: Oh, don’t give me that tone; you know I’d never keep anything life shattering from you. (She shrugs.) We’ve always told each other everything.

(PIPER quickly turns her head away.)

PIPER: Yeah…right. (The seatbelt clicks and she quickly opens the door.) Thanks again for the ride. (pause) Uhm, so, are you going to meet Matt now?

PRUE: Actually, I was thinking of taking a trip down to the mall and just happen to see him at his new job. (pause) You did say it was the one at the gun shop, right?

(PIPER grits her teeth in a fake smile.)

PIPER: Yeah…

PRUE: Well, okay, I’ll see you later then. Wish me luck!

(PIPER nods as she shuts the door. She watches PRUE drive off. PIPER throws up her hands in frustration.)

PIPER: (muttering) This is just perfect! (She unlocks the front door and wades inside.) Perfect, perfect, perfect! (She stops as she sees the stairs that she has to walk down.) Ah, crap!

BREAK

[The Virtual Series]

Act Two

[Scene: Manor. Phoebe’s bedroom. PHOEBE is sitting cross legged on the floor surrounded by bows, wrapping paper, and a pair of scissors. She is adjusting a pink diaper bag in a box as the door opens and COLE TURNER walks in. PHOEBE looks up, slightly alarmed until she sees who it is.]

PHOEBE: (awkwardly) Cole. (She sets aside the diaper bag.) Hi.

(COLE looks at the mess.)

COLE: You look busy.

(PHOEBE shakes her head.)

PHOEBE: No, no, I was just wrapping the gifts for the shower. (She stands up and takes a seat on the bed.) What did you need?

COLE: I wanted to talk to you about something…

PHOEBE: Yes?

(COLE’s eyes shift slightly, then he looks away.)

COLE: I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about, well… (pause) what do you think about me moving out?

(PHOEBE looks shocked.)

PHOEBE: What? (She stands up.) Are you…I mean…are you suggesting that we…take a break?

COLE: No! (He unconsciously tightens his grip on the door handle.) I just...want to give you your space. That is what you said you wanted, right?

(PHOEBE lips twitch.)

PHOEBE: Where would you go?

COLE: Drake has a spare bedroom at his penthouse. (COLE shrugs.) Did I ever tell you that we used to be roommates, way back when?

PHOEBE: I don’t think so.

COLE: Oh.

(Silence.)

PHOEBE: So, that’s what you’ve decided?

COLE: Nothing’s set in stone. (pause) Look, I’m just trying to accommodate you. I don’t want things to be awkward between us, like they have the last two months.

(PHOEBE shakes her head.)

PHOEBE: I’m sorry, Cole. I’m sorry that I’m just not ready for the step that you want to take! (She holds out her hands in frustration.) I wish you could see it from my point of view!

COLE: And I wish you could see it from mine!

(PHOEBE looks away.)

PHOEBE: And even if I was ready-

COLE: What?

Phoebe: Even if I was ready, there are so many other things that haven’t been factored in. I mean, (she flicks her hand towards the ceiling) what about The Elders? You know the kind of trouble They put Piper and Leo through. And you’re half demon, just imagine-

COLE: That’s absurd! The Elders have no dominion over demons! If They did, do you think we’d still be here?

PHOEBE: Maybe not you, but me-

COLE: As far as I know, you’re not a whitelighter.

PHOEBE: But-

COLE: But nothing. (He holds up his hand.) You’ve made your point, Phoebe. I told you that I will respect that, but it doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it. (He turns to leave, then stops and turns back around.) By the way, Piper’s gift is at Drake’s. Do you want me to bring it over or do you want to pick it?

PHOEBE: You bought it? Cole-

COLE: Of course I bought it. It was something we’d been talking about, and I don’t believe that our – issues – should interfere with her, do you? Piper’s always been good to me, and I’d like to return the favor.

(Silence.)

PHOEBE: I’ll have Paige pick it up.

(COLE nods and leaves.)

[Scene: P3. Backroom. PIPER is pacing back and forth as she presses the phone to her ear, which just keeps ringing.]

PIPER: It’s me again. If you get this, come straight to the club! (She hangs up and falls down onto her swivel office chair, exhausted. She puts her hands to her face.) Why did I ever agree to keep his stupid secret in the first place? (She glares.) Oh right, because Melinda Warren gave an okay to do so. (She rubs her temples.) What do I do? (Silence.) I need to reverse the spell…ah! But I need the original spell first and- (She orbs out.)

[Scene: Manor. Attic. PIPER orbs in on the worn out sofa. She looks around with large eyes, which finally land on her bulging stomach. She lightly touches her stomach.]

PIPER: Did you do this? (Tentatively, she stands up. The Book of Shadows flies open and when PIPER nears it; she sees that it’s on the Truth Spell. She tilts her head to the ceiling.) So, this is a group effort, huh?

[Cut to the foyer. The doorbell rings and PAIGE comes running to the door. She opens it to find HENRY MITCHELL on the other side. She grits her teeth.]

PAIGE: Henry! I, uh, was not expecting you. (She glances over her shoulder.) And I’m kinda busy right now, getting ready for my sister’s shower and everything.

(HENRY nods.)

HENRY: Actually, that’s what I came over for. (He pulls a yellow baby blanket that seems to be tied with a rattle out from behind his back and holds it out to PAIGE. PAIGE stares down it and then takes it.)

PAIGE: Uhm-

HENRY: There’s a package of neutral onesies in there. (He shrugs.) I figured your sister probably already has enough pink stuff.

(PAIGE nods.)

PAIGE: Uh, thanks. (She smiles.) I guess I’ll wrap it-

HENRY: Oh no! (He motions to the parcel in her hands.) It is wrapped.

(PAIGE wrinkles her nose.)

PAIGE: It is?

HENRY: Yeah, wrapped in a blanket and tied with a rattle. (He grins.) That way it doesn’t waste paper and the wrapping is actually useful. (PAIGE nods.) I saw it on Martha Stewart.

(PAIGE smirks.)

PAIGE: You watch Martha Stewart?

HENRY: It’s a long story.

(PAIGE tucks the gift under her arm.)

PAIGE: Well, thank you, and I’m sure Piper thanks you too.

(Pause.)

HENRY: Well, (he points to his car) I’ve gotta go.

PAIGE: Oh, yeah, me too.

(HENRY leans in to kiss PAIGE and she turns her head, causing HENRY’s kiss to land on her cheek. HENRY just nods and heads off the porch. PAIGE watches him reach his car and then shuts the door and leans against it. A moment later, PHOEBE comes running down the stairs with a bag of wrapped gifts slung over her shoulder.)

PHOEBE: There you are! Are you ready to go? We’ve still got to meet Sheila over at Piper’s to see if she’s done decorating. (She notices the gift under PAIGE’s arm.) And what’s that?

(PAIGE looks down at the gift.)

PAIGE: …A long story.

[Scene: Mall. Benson’s Gun Co. An elderly man with a gray mustache and rectangular black rimmed glasses comes out of the back room with a frown on his face.]

ELDERLY MAN: Hey, Capiello! (He muffled a strangled cough.) I think yer phone’s a ringin’ back there!

(MATTHEW CAPIELLO pops up from behind the counter with a gun and shining rag in his hands. His expression turns to alarm.)

MATT: Oh, I’m sorry! I’ll turn it off right now! (He sets the gun and rag aside and hurries off to the back room. The ELDERLY MAN snorts.)

ELDERLY MAN: Youngsters and them new fangled gadgets of theirs! (He grumbles to himself as he picks up the gun MATT put aside and begins to finish shining it.)

[Cut to the back room. A low humming is coming from a coat that’s slung over one of the many boxes. He unzips the pocket and pulls out a cell phone, with a blinking red light. He flips it open to discover that he has fifteen missed calls from PIPER, and a voicemail box. MATT looks around and then presses the call back button on his voicemail.]

[Cut to the mall strip. PRUE passes by Benson’s Gun Co. but does not see MATT at the desk. She looks down at her watch, mumbles in annoyance, and then walks over to a bench and sits down.]

PRUE: Take all the time you need, Matt. I’ve got nowhere to be today. (She begins to strum her fingers on the bench as she keeps a careful eye on the gun shop.)

[Scene: Manor. Attic. PHOEBE is looking around the attic as PAIGE walks in.]

PAIGE: What are you doing? I thought you were going to meet me at the car; I’ve been out there for five minutes!

PHOEBE: I had to use the bathroom and then… (She looks over her shoulder.) I thought I heard something in the attic. (She shrugs.) I guess not.

PAIGE: Then let’s go! We’re already off schedule!

PHOEBE: You’re right.

(PAIGE bats her eyelashes.)

PAIGE: ‘Course I am. (She leaves. PHOEBE follows, stops in the doorway to take another suspicious look, and then leaves. Several moments later, PIPER orbs in behind a wall of boxes. She rubs her head and wobbles out from around them.)

PIPER: Oh boy… (PIPER flops down on the battered sofa and leans against it. The Book of Shadows smacks opens to the Truth Spell, revealing a folded piece of paper stuffed between the pages. PIPER forces herself to get up and go to The Book, where she unfolds the paper to reveal a spell written in blue ink. She pulls a pen from her pocket and hurriedly scribbles down the remainder of the spell.) Now, all I need is Matt!

[Scene: Mall. Benson’s Gun Co. Back room. The sound of MATT’s cell phone dies away as the phone shuts itself down. MATT pulls on his coat and hurries out of the back room. As he rushes out from behind the counter, the ELDERLY MAN glares after him.]

ELDERLY MAN: And just where do you think you’re going?

MATT: I, uh, I…f-family emergency!

ELDERLY MAN: Family emergency? (He squints his eyes suspiciously.)

MATT: Y-yeah. I’m sorry, I’ve gotta go! (He races towards the glass doors and then almost falls over as he comes to a dead stop, eyeing PRUE on the bench outside. He quickly ducks behind a display case.) Crap! Of all the things that could happen- (He turns to the side and bumps into PIPER. They both jump.) Where did you come from?!

(PIPER raises a silencing finger.)

PIPER: That is not important right now! (She touches her belly.) And you need a serious lesson concerning magical exposure!

MATT: Piper-

PIPER: We need to get you out of here-

MATT: But-

PIPER: Prue’s on her way-

MATT: I kn-

PIPER: With the Truth Spell- (MATT grabs PIPER and forces her to look around the display case. PIPER’s eyes widen as she pulls her head back behind the case.)

MATT: I got your messages and I was just leaving when I saw her.

(PIPER leans against the back of the display case, exhausted.)

PIPER: I hate Plan B’s.

BREAK

[The Virtual Series]

Act Three

[Scene: Piper and Leo’s house. Living room. PHOEBE and PAIGE walk in to find SHELIA MORRIS on a step ladder, hanging a banner reading “Baby Shower!” above the sliding glass door. One box wrapped in shiny pink paper and two pastel bags overflowing with tissue paper are sitting on the coffee table.]

PHOEBE: It’s looking great!

(SHELIA finishes pinning up the banner and turns around.)

SHELIA: Hey! (She climbs down from the step ladder.) I was wondering when you two were going to arrive.

(PAIGE grins.)

PAIGE: Someone was being a little pokey. (She lugs a big bag over to the coffee table and proceeds to unload wrapped baby shower gifts in all shapes and sizes.)

SHELIA: Okay, I’ve got a host of activities set up for the shower. (She motions excitedly to PHOEBE and PAIGE, beckoning them to follow her to the kitchen.)

[Cut to the kitchen. A row of baby food jars with the labels torn off, and each with a spoon, are lined up on the table. SHELIA, PHOEBE, and PAIGE walk in.]

SHELIA: Ta-da!

(PHOEBE blinks.)

PHOEBE: Baby food?

SHELIA: It’s a game. (She digs a few credit card shaped items out of her back pocket.) My friends set this up for my shower when I was pregnant with Alicia. (She walks over to the table and holds up a jar filled with burgundy mush.) There are five jars that get passed around and whoever can guess the most flavors, or closest to, wins a gift card.

(PAIGE wrinkles her nose.)

PAIGE: But baby food?

SHELIA: Well, we could play Bottle-Bottle-Binky but somehow I think that Piper would have a disadvantage.

PAIGE: Good point.

SHELIA: So, are you guys good to stay here and finish up the decorations? I still need to pick up the balloons and the cake, in addition to making a quick stop back at my house, because I forgot to grab Pin the Bib on the Baby.

PAIGE: Pin the Bib on the Baby?

(PHOEBE laughs.)

SHELIA: Just so you know, it was something else from my shower. (She shrugs.) It’s only ever been used once, and since it is rather occasion-specific, I figured it couldn’t hurt.

PHOEBE: Well, I applaud you, you’ve been a major help for this endeavor.

(SHELIA smiles.)

SHELIA: My pleasure. (She looks at the black rimmed clock by the cabinet.) So, I’ll probably meet you back here in a few hours?

PHOEBE: Sounds good to me!

(SHELIA leaves.)

[Scene: 840 Center Street. PIPER and MATT walk up the cement steps to MATT’s apartment building. He pulls the door open for her and they walk inside.]

MATT: You orbed there? (Piper nods.) So, why couldn’t you just orb us here? We could’ve avoided the whole glamouring spell.

PIPER: Because I didn’t orb, the baby did. (A woman in the lobby gives them a strange look and PIPER quiets her voice as they begin to head up the stairs.) I can’t control her powers, I just tap into them accidentally…or she activates them when she feels that one of us is threatened. (They reach the top of the stairs and begin to head down a short hallway.)

MATT: So, you have a counter spell? (PIPER nods.) Why couldn’t you just cast it while we were there?

PIPER: Too many people. (They reach Apartment #6 and MATT starts to unlock the door.) Last time Prue cast the spell, it affected everyone in the house. I couldn’t take that chance in a mall.

MATT: But isn’t it just a reversal spell? How could it affect everyone?

(PIPER shrugs.)

PIPER: I’m just being cautious. Prue said she rewrote the spell to be specific to you, but I don’t know her wording. I rewrote mine from the original spell, which means they’re probably different. That’s the tricky thing, (they walk inside) if it’s not worded just right, it might not even work…or it could backfire.

MATT: Now that’s comforting.

(PIPER takes a seat on the blue couch.)

PIPER: But if it works the way I intend, then it should just cancel out Prue’s spell. (MATT walks into the kitchen and pours a cup of water, which he then brings out to PIPER.) Thanks.

MATT: No, thank you. (He sits down next to her as she sips the cold water.) I know it must be really difficult to keep this from your sisters, not to mention going out of your way to protect me.

(PIPER sets the empty glass down on the coffee table.)

PIPER: Like I said before, (she looks him up and down) it’s because of Melinda Warren. She died to protect our line, which gives me a pretty good indicator that she wouldn’t send someone here to help protect us if she didn’t trust that person completely.

(MATT nods.)

MATT: Well, no matter your reason, I still appreciate it.

(PIPER pulls the spell from her pocket and unfolds it. She clears her throat.)

PIPER: “For those who do not want the truth revealed,
close hearts and secrets kept sealed,
from now until it’s now again,
after which the memory ends.
Those who are now in this house,
will not speak truths from their own mouths.”

(MATT looks around.)

MATT: Did it work?

(A loud banging at the door interrupts them.)

PRUE’s VOICE: Matt! I know you’re in there, I saw your car outside! We need to talk!

PIPER: (hushed) Oh! (She jumps up and MATT begins to usher her towards his bedroom.)

MATT: I’ll be right there! (PIPER suddenly orbs out. He pauses.) Piper? Piper- (The door starts to jiggle and MATT leaps for it, pulling it open to find PRUE with a raised hand. He grits his teeth.) Prue! What a nice surprise…

[Scene: P3. PIPER orbs in. MONICA SINCLAIR is wiping down the bar when she looks up and sees PIPER. She jumps.]

MONICA: (shocked) Piper!

PIPER: Monica! (She flashes a false smile and lightly taps her stomach in annoyance.)

MONICA: When did you get here? I didn’t realize-

(PIPER points towards the back door.)

PIPER: Alley. I…misplaced my keys to the front and had to come in the back.

(MONICA nods uneasily.)

MONICA: Oh, okay.

(PIPER eyes the clock.)

PIPER: Did I miss the band manager?

MONICA: No, actually, he called and said he’d late. (She rolls her eyes.)

PIPER: Good, because I didn’t want to deal with him anyway. (MONICA blinks in surprise and PIPER covers her mouth.)

MONICA: Oh…well, I can handle it then if you’re-

(PIPER shakes her head.)

PIPER: Yes! (She curls her fists.) No! Uh…Hormones, it’s the hormones. (She points towards the bathroom.) I need to use the restroom. (She runs off, leaving a very confused MONICA at the bar.)

[Scene: Matt’s apartment. PRUE is seated on the blue couch and MATT sits in front of the triple windows on the white love seat.]

MATT: Can I get you anything?

PRUE: No.

MATT: (muttering) Good.

PRUE: What?

(MATT shakes his head.)

MATT: Nothing, nothing! (He smiles.) So, uh, what did you want to talk about?

(PRUE taps her foot, seeming to study her ex. Then she fiddles with the cuff of her golden blouse.)

PRUE: Do you like my blouse?

MATT: Excuse me?

(PRUE shrugs.)

PRUE: Just your honest opinion, Matt. Do you like my blouse?

MATT: It’s gorgeous!

(PRUE blinks in surprise. She purses her lips.)

PRUE: Oh, thank you…

MATT: That’s what you came to talk to me about? Your blouse?

PRUE: No. (She folds her arms.) Of course not, I came to talk about your involvement with my family.

MATT: (cockily) What do you want to know?

PRUE: Where are you from?

(MATT grins.)

MATT: Boston, New York.

(PRUE bites her lip, annoyed.)

PRUE: And why are you here?

MATT: I needed a change of pace.

PRUE: Why did you breakup with me?

MATT: I… (MATT clutches the arm of the love seat, struggling with himself.) …don’t love you!

(PRUE blinks back a glassy sheen in her eyes.)

PRUE: Did you ever love me?

MATT: …No.

PRUE: (louder) Then why did you come into my life?

MATT: To watch you die! (He covers his mouth. PRUE jumps to her feet.)

PRUE: I knew it, you were working for The Source, weren’t you? (MATT starts to shake his head, with his hand still over his mouth. PRUE throws out her hand, telekinetically slamming MATT into his television, which cracks as they both hit the floor.) Weren’t you?!

MATT: (yelling) Yes! (He climbs to his feet.) Prue!

PRUE: I should’ve vanquished you a long time ago!

(PRUE starts to pull something out of her pocket as a smoke bomb appears in MATT’s hand. He smashes it to the ground and immediately thick black smoke clouds the air. PRUE waves her arm and hears a crash, along with MATT’s pounding footsteps. She covers her mouth with one hand, while waving the other to clear the smoke away. As it dissolves, PRUE finds herself alone in the apartment, with the coffee table overturned across the room, and the front door left wide open. She swears under her breath as she looks down at the potion vial in her hand. Then she notices something crushed near the broken television. She walks over near the TV and bends down to discover MATT’s cell phone, which was crushed when she’d attacked him. PRUE starts to collect the crushed piece of the cell phone.)

BREAK

[The Virtual Series]

Act Four

[Scene: P3. Back room. PIPER is pacing when the door opens to reveal MATT. PIPER throws up her arms.]

MATT: Everything’s going great! (He curls his fists in frustration.)

PIPER: I don’t know what went wrong. (She growls in annoyance as she moves to the desk and grabs the piece of paper with her Anti-Truth Spell. As MATT walks up beside her, PIPER shoves the spell at him.)

MATT: Okay, I’m following you… (MATT rolls his eyes. PIPER gives him a sarcastic glare as she underlines the last line of the spell, “will not speak truths from their own mouths,” with her finger.)

PIPER: This is amazing!

(MATT’s eyes suddenly light up and a pen appears in his hand. He scribbles something onto his hand and then grins. PIPER lifts her eyebrows and MATT shows her his palm which reads, “We can only speak lies!”)

PIPER: Unclearly. (MATT holds up his index finger, silencing her. He circles the word “speak” on his palm. PIPER looks confused, so he writes down, “Loophole!” PIPER starts to nod as she opens the drawer of her desk and pulls out a mini notepad and pencil. MAT writes, “I told Prue I was working for The Source.” PIPER’s mouth drops open.) What?! Why on earth would you admit to that, of all the lies you could’ve told?!

MATT: It wasn’t a yes or no question! (He stops and then snaps his fingers.) A question!

PIPER: What?

MATT: It’s the question! (PIPER shakes her head, still not following.) Is your name not Piper Halliwell?

PIPER: No.

MATT: To speak the truth, we can’t ask lies. (pause) How shouldn’t we fix this?

PIPER: We can’t, we have to wait the whole twenty-four hours for the spell to run its course. (MATT writes down, “But what about Prue?”) What…not about Prue?

MATT: She still thinks I’m out to kill all of you.

PIPER: Question?

MATT: Oh, uhm, how don’t we deal with her?

PIPER: Well, my spell didn’t counter hers, it replaced it, which means that if things work the same way they did the first time, just in reverse, then only you and I should remember that this mess ever happened.

PRUE’s VOICE: Where’s Piper?

MONICA’s VOICE: In the back room-

PRUE’s VOICE: Have you seen Matt?

MONICA’s VOICE: Uh, no-

(PIPER and MATT share worried looks as the sound of PRUE’s footsteps grow louder. PIPER hurriedly grabs MATT’s arm and rubs her stomach encouragingly. They orb out just before the door bursts open, leaving PRUE to stare into an empty room with a mixture of worry and fury etched onto her face.)

[Cut to alley behind P3. PIPER and MATT orb in. MATT heaves a sigh of relief.]

MATT: That was-

(PIPER’s eyes roll back in her head and she starts to fall backwards. Instinctively, MATT wraps his arms around her, catching her before she can fall. He gently taps her face, but she doesn’t wake up.)

[Scene: Piper and Leo’s house. Kitchen. PHOEBE walks in to find PAIGE eating a cookie with pink icing, in the shape of a pacifier.]

PHOEBE: What are you doing? (She sees a plastic container of similar cookies.) Where did you get those?

(PAIGE plucks one of the cookies from the container and holds it out to PHOEBE.)

PAIGE: I may have smuggled them into our shopping this morning.

(PHOEBE bites into the cookie while simultaneously wagging her finger.)

PHOEBE: I knew something wasn’t right when I saw you eyeing the bakery shop in the mall.

(PAIGE grins.)

PAIGE: So, are we all caught up now?

PHOEBE: I think so. (She stops chewing.) Wait…no, there’s still one other thing…

PAIGE: Oh?

(PHOEBE leans awkwardly on the table.)

PHOEBE: It’s at Drake’s.

(PAIGE blinks.)

PAIGE: As in Cole’s demonic buddy? (PHOEBE nods.) What is it?

(PHOEBE sighs.)

PHOEBE: The last of the gifts for the shower.

PAIGE: You mean-

PHOEBE: Yeah.

PAIGE: Oh. (pause) And why is it over there?

[Scene: Cemetery. PIPER weakly opens her eyes to find MATT staring down at her. She blinks rapidly.]

PIPER: Wh-where are-

MATT: Shh. (He presses his finger to her lips.) Do you remember orbing out of P3? (Piper shakes her head. He clicks his tongue, choosing his next words carefully.) Well, I’ll fill you in on what didn’t happen then…you fainted once we got into the alley, so I carried you to my car and drove us to the cemetery. (He smirks.) And for good measure, (he holds up his finger which has a piece of slightly bloody napkin wrapped around it) I dropped a little blood at every stop sign and red light along the way. (He grins, clearly pleased with himself.) The scrying crystal’s probably going crazy about right now.

[Scene: Drake’s penthouse. Balcony. DRAKE DE'MON and COLE are there, each with a glass of scotch on the rocks in hand.]

DRAKE: You do have to admit, it is a little ironic. (He leans on the railing of the balcony.) Stereotypically, doesn’t the guy always shy away from commitment?

COLE: You’re one to talk about stereotypes. (He sips his scotch. DRAKE laughs.)

DRAKE: Maybe it’s just you? (He shrugs.) You just have a bad history of falling for women who aren’t looking for a long term relationship.

COLE: Phoebe isn’t anything like Abigail!

(DRAKE holds up his hand, unable to contain his smirk.)

DRAKE: Independent, powerful women, each descended from a long line of powerful witches dating back to the days of Salem? Sure sounds like they have a lot in common to me. (COLE sneers.) Touchy, are we? (He grins good naturedly.) For what it’s worth, I didn’t mean to insinuate that Phoebe never wants commitment, because honestly? I think she’ll come around…but in time, friend. She’s one of your more complicated women.

(COLE snorts.)

COLE: It’s a Halliwell trait.

DRAKE: Speaking of, I think we have company. (He spins around in time to see PAIGE orb in on the other side of the glass balcony doors.)

[Scene: Downtown San Francisco. Parking lot. Inside Prue’s car. The map is seated in PRUE’s lap and the scrying crystal, tied with a piece of MATT’s broken cell phone, is swinging above it. Every few seconds it lands on one spot, then pops up and begins swinging again, only to land on another spot and repeat the process. Finally it lands and stops at the corner of Jefferson and Hyde. PRUE looks up from the map, eyeing the street sign, also Jefferson and Hyde. She growls in frustration and then picks up her cell phone from the dashboard and punches in a number. “Dialing Phoebe” appears on the screen.]

[Scene: Piper and Leo’s house. Garage. PHOEBE and SHELIA are examining a beautiful white dresser.]

SHELIA: It really turned out nice.

(PHOEBE nods.)

PHOEBE: That’s Leo for ya. (She smiles.) He’s been working on this for months, apparently. Actually, I just found out that he’s been invoking Cole’s counsel on it as well. (She shrugs.) A little male bonding or something, I guess. Anyway, he’d originally planned to have it ready for the shower, but I guess he decided to show it to Piper privately beforehand, so he could be there to see her reaction.

SHELIA: That’s so sweet! I wish Darryl would’ve done something like that for me. (She walks around the dresser.) Unfortunately, when it comes to craftsmanship, he’s utterly hopeless. (She shrugs.) He does make up for it in other ways though. I don’t know what I’d do without him.

(PHOEBE chuckles.)

PHOEBE: I know what you mean.

(SHELIA looks up.)

SHELIA: So, does that mean things with you and Cole are doing better than?

(PHOEBE blinks.)

PHOEBE: What?

SHELIA: Well, by the way you were just talking about him, it sounds like things might be getting back on track.

PHOEBE: Oh. Oh! (She shakes her head, embarrassed.) Yeah, no. I mean… (She sighs.) He’s trying to give me my space, actually.

SHELIA: Oh…I’m sorry, I didn’t-

(PHOEBE waves her hand dismissively.)

PHOEBE: No, you didn’t know, it’s fine. (They head back for the door into the house. PHOEBE steals a glance at her watch.)

[Scene: Cemetery. The sun is starting to set. PIPER and MATT are sitting on the grass underneath a large tree.]

MATT: Do you remember what time, exactly, you didn’t cast the spell?

(PIPER squints.)

PIPER: Eeeh…I know it was after eleven and before noon, but since I hadn’t planned on this, it never really occurred to me to check it in the first place.

MATT: How fun, now I have an entire night in the graveyard to look forward to. (He sees the guilty look on PIPER’s face and pats her arm, before extracting a twenty dollar bill from his wallet and holding it out toward PIPER.)

PIPER: What’s this for?

MATT: To buy groceries.

(PIPER rolls her eyes.)

PIPER: What isn’t it for? (She accepts the bill.)

MATT: To get you back home because your sisters are probably going crazy, thinking I’ve abducted you or something.

(PIPER folds her arms and defiantly shakes her head.)

PIPER: And what would I tell Prue? It’s not like I’m in the same boat you are. (She leans against the trunk of the tree.) I’m sure we won’t think of something while we’re waiting. And besides, my feet are hating this rest waaay too much!

[Scene: Piper and Leo’s house. PHOEBE is on her cell phone.]

PHOEBE: She’s what?! (pause) No, he’s still Up There. (pause) Fine, we’ll meet you there. (She hangs up.)

(SHELIA and PAIGE look worried.)

SHELIA: Is Piper alright?

PHOEBE: Uh…yeah…she’s just…not feeling well. Prue wants Paige and I to meet her at the club. (She shifts uncomfortably.) I’m not sure how long it’ll take.

(SHELIA nods understandingly.)

SHELIA: Do you think you’ll be okay to hold the baby shower tonight, or do we need to hold off?

(PHOEBE and PAIGE exchange looks.)

PHOEBE: I honestly don’t know.

SHELIA: (disappointedly) I hope she’s alright. She’s probably just overworked herself. I know that’s a lesson I learned the hard way during my first pregnancy, which landed me on bed rest.

(PAIGE nods.)

PAIGE: Overworked, yeah…that sounds like what Piper’s been doing.

SHELIA: You’ll give me a call to let me know later?

PHOEBE: Of course!

(SHELIA nods as she slides her purse onto her shoulder.)

SHELIA: I’ll see you later. (PHOPEBE and PAIGE nod as SHELIA leaves. After the door shuts, PAIGE turns to PHOEBE.)

PAIGE: What’s really going on?

BREAK

[The Virtual Series]

Act Five

[Scene: Cemetery. Mausoleum. PIPER and MATT are there, both with flashlights in hand. A pen and sheet of paper appear in MATT’s hand. He scribbles down “You have to leave!” and shoves it at PIPER. PIPER opens her mouth to protest, but instead MATT writes down, “I came back to protect you and the baby. Do you really think allowing you to stay out all night in a cemetery is protecting the baby?” PIPER's shoulders slump forward as MATT holds the twenty dollar bill out to her again. This time, she accepts it. After a long beat, she finally turns and leaves.]

[Scene: Manor. Attic. PAIGE walks in to find LEO, PHOEBE, and PRUE gathered around a small table, huddled over the scrying map. PAIGE has the cordless phone in hand.]

PAIGE: Darryl said he’d keep an eye out for anyone matching her description, but unless she’s been missing for twenty-four hours, he can’t file a missing persons report. (She sets the phone down on a shelf and walks over to her sisters.) Leo?

(LEO shakes his head. His face is pale and worried.)

LEO: I can’t sense either of them.

PHOEBE: Maybe I should check the house again, to see if I missed something that could give me a premonition?

(PRUE curls her fist around the chain on the scrying crystal. She nods without looking up. PHOEBE and PAIGE join hands when LEO emits a yelp. All three pairs of eyes look at him.)

LEO: I can sense Piper!

PAIGE: Is she-

LEO: She seems to be okay…

PRUE: Hurry, go get her!

(LEO orbs out. The Charmed Ones share looks mixed of relief, tainted with worry.)

[Time lapse. PIPER is lying on the bed in PRUE’s room, with a cool rag on her forehead and a yellow notepad in hand, three-fourths written on. Ava Nicolae is also there, checking PIPER’s back with a stethoscope.]

AVA: Everything seems to be fine. (She takes off her stethoscope and puts it into a carrying case.) If the baby’s developed the ability to orb, then what Piper’s said, er, written, (she motions to the notepad) is entirely feasible. (to PAIGE and LEO) I assume you both know the magical drain orbing takes?

(PAIGE and LEO nod.)

PAIGE: I understand that orbing takes a lot out of you, and I’ll be the first to admit that it made me light headed on more than one occasion, but…how do you explain her losing her voice?

(AVA shakes her head.)

AVA: That, I can’t answer. I’ve never come across anything like this before, but then again, I haven’t exactly monitored enough magical pregnancies to know what to expect, either. (She taps her fingers on her knee.)

LEO: But you’re positive that the baby’s okay?

(AVA nods.)

AVA: Both Piper and the baby are fine. Piper just needs to make sure she lays off the workload for the next two months. (She looks sternly at PIPER, who nods. She grabs her bag and stands up.) If there’s anything else I can do, don’t hesitate to call.

(PHOEBE nods.)

PHOEBE: Thank you for coming.

AVA: Of course. (She leaves. As soon as the door shuts, PRUE bounds out of her chair.)

PRUE: He has to be responsible for this! It’s too coincidental that you would just pass out right after I find him out and then be unable to speak.

(PIPER writes, “But it doesn’t make sense. Why wouldn’t he just kill me?” onto the tablet and holds it up.)

PRUE: I don’t know, but frankly, I don’t care. (She grabs her vanquishing potion from the end table.) He was working for The Source, Piper, and that’s all the matters… (She suddenly tilts her head to the side.)

PAIGE: What?

PRUE: Piper, you said Melinda orbed you to the cemetery? (PIPER nods. PRUE turns to PHOEBE and PAIGE.) That’s it!

(PHOEBE throws up her hands.)

PHOEBE: It makes sense!

PAIGE: Come again?

PHOEBE: You can’t be tracked in the cemetery, Paige. That’s why Cole and I would meet at the mausoleum, and why Leo couldn’t sense Piper. Given that we haven’t been able to track Matt either, it only makes sense that he’d be at the cemetery!

(PIPER’s eyes get wide, but her sisters don’t seem to notice.)

PRUE: (to LEO) You stay with Piper, we’ll go take care of this. (PIPER starts to shake her head, but PRUE, PHOEBE, and PAIGE are already taking hands.) I’m not going to let him pose a threat to us any longer. (She nods to PAIGE and the three orb out. LEO sits down on the bed next to PIPER and places his hand on hers.)

LEO: I was so worried about you.

(PIPER nods. LEO lightly squeezes PIPER’s hand and then he uses his free hand to draw a finger down the side of her face. PIPER smiles weakly at him. She raises her hand, as if to return the gesture, sucks in a deep breath, and then waves it in front of his face. To her relief, LEO freezes. She slides her hand out from under his, shakes her head regrettably, and then climbs off the bed and begins to waddle towards the door.)

[Scene: Cemetery. PAIGE, PRUE, and PHOEBE are moving around in the dark, with the sky lit only by the moon and starlight.]

PAIGE: We should’ve thought this through. If he is here, it’ll take forever to find him out here in the dark. (She folds her arms.) We need more light.

(PHOEBE glances at the sky.)

PHOEBE: “Star light,
Star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may,
I wish I might,
Be guided by your brilliant plight.”

(A beam of starlight drops down in front of the sisters. Soon several follow into line, creating a pathway of starlight.)

PAIGE: (to PHOEBE) I can’t believe that’s working!

(PHOEBE nods.)

PHOEBE: Ditto. I honestly had my doubts.

PAIGE: And now I somehow feel like I should be making a Three Wise Witches joke.

(PHOEBE playfully slaps PAIGE, who slaps her back. The path of starlight suddenly stops and the sisters’ eyes follow the path to its end, where they land on the mausoleum; the most brightly illuminated thing under the night sky.)

PAIGE: (shocked) He’s in the mausoleum?

(PRUE’s fingers clutch the vanquishing potion. She takes off down the starlit path, leaving her two sisters to chase after her.)

[Cut to the Manor. PIPER is in the attic, standing over The Book of Shadows. She’s flipping anxiously through the pages.]

[Cut to the cemetery. PRUE charges into the mausoleum.]

PRUE: (yelling) Come out, Matt! We know you’re here!

[Cut to the Manor. PIPER turns to the Spell to Accelerate Time.]

[Cut to PRUE. She stops at the bottom of the steps and comes into eye contact with MATT. Her cold blue eyes meet his and they hold each others stare. As the sound of PAIGE and PHOEBE’s footsteps begin to echo through the mausoleum, PRUE raises the vanquishing potion.]

PRUE: You’re not getting away this time.

[Cut to PIPER.]

PIPER: “Winds of time, gather ‘round.
Give me wings to speed my way.
Rush me on my journey forward.
Let tomorrow correct today!”

[Cut to downstairs. The hands of the Grandfather clock begin to spin forward.]

[Cut to outside. The sky begins to change from dark to light.]

[Cut to the Grandfather clock. The hands stop at 11:43 A.M.]

[Cut to PRUE. She blinks confusedly as she stares at MATT and the potion in her hand. PHOEBE and PAIGE walk up behind her, each with equally confused faces.]

PAIGE: (to PHOEBE) What are we doing here?

(PHOEBE shakes her head.)

PHOEBE: I…don’t know.

[Cut to the Manor. LEO is still frozen on PRUE’s bed as PIPER shuffles in. She sits down next to LEO and starts to feel in each one of his pockets, until she retrieves a small satchel which she opens and collects a small handful of dust. PIPER takes a deep breath and then blows it into LEO’s face.]

PIPER: You don’t remember that I was ever missing, you never thought that Matt kidnapped me, and you believe that Phoebe and Paige are with Prue, who’s cast the Truth Spell on Matt to find out who he truly is. Also, you’re going to orb me to the mausoleum right now.

(PIPER closes the satchel and tucks it behind her back, just as LEO unfreezes. He blinks and some of the dust shimmers and falls off his eyelashes.)

LEO: We need to get to your sisters. (PIPER nods as LEO wraps his arms around her and they orb out.)

[Cut to the mausoleum. PRUE is staring at MATT with a distrustful look on her face.]

PRUE: What are you doing here?

MATT: I-

(LEO and PIPER orb in, distracting the Charmed Ones from MATT.)

PHOEBE: Piper?

(PIPER ignores PHOEBE, and instead, walks right up to her sisters as she pulls the satchel out from behind her back. She dips her hand into the bag and blows on the tips of her fingers, sending the dust spraying into her sisters’ faces.)

PIPER: (to PHOEBE and PAIGE) You were here to backup Prue as she used the Truth Spell on Matt. (to PRUE) And you’ve discovered that Matt is merely a good witch who does not pose a threat to us.

(MATT walks up behind PIPER.)

MATT: Is that…memory dust?

(PIPER nods as she turns to LEO and sprays him with only a touch.)

PIPER: You won’t remember that I’ve used the memory dust on my sisters.

MATT: How did you get a hold of that?

PIPER: How do you think?

(MATT looks away.)

MATT: Thank you, Piper.

(PIPER glares.)

PIPER: Don’t thank me yet. (She dusts MATT.) And you won’t remember that I’ve used the memory dust on my sisters either. (She bites her lip.) I can’t have you slipping up and causing them to remember any of this, which is why you won’t remember that the Truth Spell or the Anti-Truth Spell were ever cast.

(PIPER seals the satchel and starts to move back to LEO, when she notices the vanquishing potion in PRUE’s hand. She grabs the potion and sticks it in her pocket, then moves to LEO and slips the memory dust satchel back into his pocket. A moment later, everyone else snaps out of their daze.)

BREAK

[The Virtual Series]

Act Six

[Scene: Golden Gate Bridge. LEO is there, gazing over the edge. He has a glass of champagne in hand. A second whitelighter orbs in beside him, DAISY. She smiles brightly at him and sips her own glass of champagne.]

DAISY: You did a great job today, Leo.

LEO: (distractedly) Thanks…

DAISY: Something wrong?

LEO: I…no, I guess it’s New Whitelighter Orientations.

(DAISY nods.)

DAISY: They’re pretty draining. (She holds up her champagne glass.) But we got through it! And, (she smiles) with the new whitelighters becoming official, you’ve finally been removed of a lot of your charges, so you’ll have more time for your family when the baby comes.

(LEO smiles and clinks his glass to DAISY’s.)

LEO: Yeah, I am looking forward to that.

DAISY: You’re going to be a fabulous father, Leo. You’ll definitely have to bring her Up There to show off.

(LEO just smiles and takes another sip of his champagne.)

[Scene: Drake’s penthouse. Cole’s bedroom. DRAKE pops his head into the room, looking excited.]

DRAKE: I can already tell this is going to be just like old times!

(COLE looks up from his position on the bed.)

COLE: I could’ve sworn I’d never make the same mistake twice.

(DRAKE winks.)

DRAKE: It’s gonna be great! (He flops down on COLE’s bed.) You and I together again! Doesn’t it just bring back the fondest of memories?

COLE: Oh? I didn’t realize dementia affected demons.

(DRAKE grins.)

DRAKE: But, you remember the most important rule, right?

COLE: And that would be?

DRAKE: When the shrunken head’s on the door handle-

COLE & DRAKE: You don’t come in!

[Scene: Piper and Leo’s house. Living room. Bows and wrapping paper are strewn all over the floor and coffee table. A large streamer with the words, “Baby Shower!” is hung above the sliding glass doors and a couple of balloons are strewn throughout the room reading “Congratulations!” and “It’s a Girl!” PRUE, PHOEBE, and PAIGE are squished together on the sofa opposite the television, while SHELIA is seated next to PIPER on the adjacent sofa and MONICA is on the overstuffed chair diagonal from the coffee table. A large silver box is seated in PIPER’s lap and she carefully unwrapping it.]

PIPER: You guys have no idea how much this means to (she sets her hand on her large stomach) us. (She smiles.) Thank you, this has been such a beautiful shower.

SHELIA: And well worth the wait! (She wraps an arm around PIPER’s shoulders.) I’m so glad you’re feeling better today, Piper! I was a little worried last night when no one called to tell me how you were-

PAIGE: (confused) How you were?

PIPER: (flustered) Oh, I’m fine, really, nothing to worry about! (She spots the last gift.) Let’s finish with the gifts-

PHOEBE: (excitedly) Yeah! We’re dying to see what Monica got you!

(MONICA rolls her eyes.)

MONICA: Apologies in advance.

(PIPER rolls her eyes dismissively.)

PIPER: (to MONICA) Don’t be silly, I’m sure whatever you got is- (She opens it to find a foot spa.)

MONICA: I know it’s not really for the baby but-

PIPER: It’s perfect! (She lifts up her hands, showing the foot spa off to her sisters and SHELIA.)

SHELIA: (to MONICA) Are you sure you’ve never had kids before? (MONICA shakes her head.) I wish I would’ve gotten one of those for my showers. During the end of my pregnancy, I was sure that my sore feet would do me in before I ever got to the actual labor. (She pats PIPER’s back.) You’re a lucky woman!

PIPER: (to MONICA) Well, I guess I know what I’m putting to use tonight.

MONICA: (to PIPER) I’m glad you like it.

PIPER: Ha! That’s an understatement. (She sets the foot spa on the coffee table.) Well, I think that does it for the presents. (She bites her lip.) And we’ve covered the games-

PAIGE: (to SHELIA) I still don’t forgive you for the baby food game.

PRUE: (to PAIGE) On the bright side, you did recognize the creamed spinach and won the gift card.

(PAIGE cringes.)

PAIGE: I still say it wasn’t worth it.

PIPER: Well, why don’t we wash it down with cake? (to SHELIA) You picked it up from the bakery, right?

SHELIA: Actually…

MONICA: I think we’ve still got one more present, (to PHOEBE) right?

(PIPER raises her eyebrows suspiciously.)

PIPER: What?

(PRUE stands up and produces a pink blindfold.)

PRUE: Cute, huh? We thought it fit the theme.

PIPER: (suspiciously) What did you guys do?

(PHOEBE wiggles her fingers.)

PHOEBE: Upsie daisy! (SHELIA gets up and helps PIPER waddle to her feet. PRUE moves behind her sister and secures a blindfold around her eyes.)

PIPER: I hope you didn’t go out and do something drastic. (She blindly wags a disapproving finger.)

PHOEBE: Me? Drastic? Never!

(PRUE takes PIPER’s hand and begins to lead her waddling sister towards the hallway. Everyone else follows except for PHOEBE, who sneaks ahead of PIPER and PRUE, beating them to MELINDA’s nursery. PHOEBE opens the door and everyone files in. They position PIPER in front of the group. PHOEBE gets behind PIPER.)

PHOEBE: Ready? (PIPER nods and PHOEBE removes the pink blindfold. PIPER gasps and moves her hands to her mouth.)

PIPER: You didn’t! (She stares in awe at a brand new white crib, with a large pink bow on the side of the bars and a hanging card. She moves to the crib and starts to read the oversized card.)

PHOEBE: It’s from Cole.

PIPER: But Phoebe, this must have cost-

(PHOEBE holds up her hand, silencing her sister.)

PHOEBE: He wanted to, Piper, and he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. After all, the bassinet that you have is nice, but my niece can’t stay in it forever. He wanted you to know that he wanted to put his law firm earnings to good use.

(PIPER wipes at her wet eye.)

PIPER: Oh… (She moves to each of her sisters and friends.) Thank you so much! (PHOEBE, with difficulty due to PIPER’s very large stomach, hugs her sister back.) And Cole, too! Oh, I should call him-

MONICA: Ah, ah, ah! Not before we finish the shower!

(PAIGE grins.)

PAIGE: Yeah, whatever happened to that cake? (She makes a noise.) I’ve still got that lingering spinach taste in my mouth!

(PIPER wipes her tearing eyes again.)

PIPER: Thank you all so much. (She sniffles.)

MONICA: Would you like me to get you some tissues?

(PIPER shakes her head.)

PIPER: No, no, I’m okay. (She dabs her eyes with her sleeve.) It’s just the hormones.

(PRUE drapes her arm around PIPER’s shoulders and walks her towards the door.)

PRUE: C’mon, I’m starved! (She leads PIPER out of the room, followed by SHELIA and MONICA who strike up a conversation as they leave, then PAIGE, and finally PHOEBE, who shuts the door behind herself.)

[The Virtual Series]

End Credits

Co-Starring
Jennifer Badger --- Monica Sinclair
Lisa Robin Kelly --- Daisy

Featuring
Larry Hankin --- Elderly Man

Production & Design
Daniel (Astral Echo) - Co-Casting Director
Camille (Fourever Charmed) - Co-Casting Director
Alex (Combustion) - Video Editor (Credits)
Alex (Combustion) - Set Designer