CHARMED: FATE REWRITTEN 1x01: The Gloves are Off

[Esmeralda]

------------------------------

CHARMED: Fate Rewritten
Fate can be Changed with a Change of Heart

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

CHARMED: Fate Rewritten is a concept conceived by StoryGirl83 and Esmeralda--inspired by a concept conceived by them and Azureina and Twin_Swords--and belongs to Esmeralda and StoryGirl83. It can not be copied without permission from one of them.
© Copyrighted May, 2008

DISCLAIMER: We do not own anything CHARMED, which is owned by Spelling Productions and The WB, now The CW. This is a fan-written script and was not written for sale, but written solely for the enjoyment of fans reading this "script". No infringement of any copyrights is intended.

CHARMED: Fate Rewritten
1x01, "The Gloves are Off"
Series Premiere

STARRING:
Shannen Doherty as Prue
Holly Marie Combs as Piper
Alyssa Milano as Phoebe

CO-STARRING:
Brian Krause as Leo
Julian McMahon as Cole
Dorian Gregory as Darryl

GUEST-STARRING (in order of appearances):
Rose McGowan as Paige
Michael Bailey Smith as Shax
Drew Fuller as Ben
Megan Corletto as Penni
Emmalee Thompson as Patti
Wes Ramsey as Wyatt
Boti Ann Bliss as Abbey
Audrey Wasilewski as Natalie
Michael Bailey Smith as Belthazor


Written by Esmeralda, StoryGirl83 and Twin_Swords
with lots of help from Primrose_Empath and Silverstar03

Based on:

CHARMED: Episode 3x01 "The Honeymoon is Over"
Written by Brad Kern
As transcribed by Janelle Hackbeth and Shay Fitzgerald of charmedscripts.tv

and

CHARMED: Episode 3X11 "Blinded by the Whitelighter"
Written by Nell Scovell
As transcribed by Shay Fitgerald of charmedscripts.tv


TEASER

FADE IN:

INT. HALLIWELL MANOR - FOYER

The front door flies open and two women rush a third one into the house, slamming the door behind them. All three look very familiar to CHARMED fans--they are PRUE Halliwell [30], her sister PIPER Halliwell-Wyatt [28] and their friend and innocent, PAIGE Matthews [23]. They stand at the base of the stairs, worry showing on their faces.

PRUE:
Don’t worry, Paige, we’re not going to let anything happen to you.

PAIGE:
I think I’ve been around you guys long enough to know that you’ll take care of things. What I don’t understand is why I’ve suddenly become a target.

PRUE:
Comes with the territory.

PIPER:
We did tell you that knowing our secret and being friends with us could be hazardous to your health.

PRUE:
Not to mention all the good that you’ve been doing. Clearly The Source seems to think you’re enough of a threat to send his personal assassin after you.

PAIGE:
Well isn't that just grea--

Paige stops, frowning as she looks towards the stairs, suddenly getting a strange feeling.

PIPER:
What?

PAIGE:
I don’t know; I just felt a chill.

PRUE:
You've sensed evil before...Phoebe?
(no answer)

PRUE (cont.):
(a little more worried)
Phoebe? Are you there?
(no answer)

PRUE (cont.):
(now frantic)
Phoebe! Where are you?

A TORNADO OF WIND twists through the front door, blasting it open. Prue quickly shoves Paige behind her protectively as she and Piper look towards the door with dread. The tornado knocks the two of them to the floor, sending the two sisters SAILING. A clap of THUNDER sounds before the tornado calms down, REVEALING SHAX, the personal assassin of The Source of All Evil. Paige takes several fearful steps back.

PAIGE:
Prue?! Piper?!

PRUE:
No!

Prue gets up off the floor and shoves Paige out of the way just as Shax throws an ENERGY BALL at her. It sends Prue CRASHING literally straight through a wall. Piper pushes herself up. Paige SCREAMS as Shax throws an ENERGY BALL at Piper, sending her CRASHING through the wall as well. Shax then turns to Paige.

PAIGE:
Oh, God...

Shax throws an ENERGY BALL at Paige and sends her CRASHING through a window. Just as Paige goes sailing, a CLOUD OF ORBS appears, forming into LEO Wyatt [76, appears to be 30].

LEO:
Piper! Prue!

He rushes towards them, stumbling over the debris from the smashed walls. Shax tilts his head to the side, watching Leo. A cruel smile twists his face.

Leo holds his hands over Prue and Piper. First his hands and then the girls begin to GLOW GOLDEN, but before he can have a significant effect on them, he doubles over in pain.

LEO:
Phoebe...

The air near Leo SHIMMERS, forming into a wounded COLE Turner [115, appears to be 35], who is carrying a limp and lifeless-looking PHOEBE Halliwell [25] in his arms.

COLE:
Leo, it’s...

SHAX:
The end.

Cole and Leo both realize that Shax is there too late. Shax throws an ENERGY BALL at Leo, sending him CRASHING into a wall to fall limply to the ground. Cole, still holding Phoebe, doesn’t have time to react as the next ENERGY BALL catches him and sends them both CRASHING into a wall.

The CAMERA focuses on Phoebe’s limp form and Cole who has landed, twisted next to her with one arm draped over her. He tries to lift his head up, pain shining in his eyes but his head drops back down against the debris.

Shax looks around at the damage he has done, pleased. He then turns back into a TORNADO OF WIND and flies out the front door. The glass on the door SMASHES as it slams shut.

BLACKOUT.

Even as the screen remains dark, we hear a familiar voice, that of Drew Fuller. But in this version, he's not playing Christopher Halliwell:

BEN (v.o.):
And that was the day that The Source of All Evil claimed a temporary victory and our family took a huge loss.

The CAMERA fades in to show a child's room, the children's room at Halliwell Manor. SUPERIMPOSED near the bottom is "May, 2030".

Seated on the edge of a large bed is Benjamin Coleridge Turner III, otherwise known as BEN [27]. The BOOK OF SHADOWS rests in his lap and it is what he has been referencing for his story.

The listeners to that story are a pair of young girls under the covers of the bed, eagerly looking towards Ben. One of them, Penelope Turner, PENNI [4], clutches a raggedy-looking teddy bear. The other little girl, Patricia Halliwell, PATTI [9], looks towards the door.

We can hear someone walking into the room. Ben looks up and the CAMERA pans to show his cousin, WYATT Halliwell [28]. Wyatt looks tired, but he leans casually in the doorway, looking at his cousin and the two little girls.

BEN:
Well, there you are.

PATTI:
Hey, Dad. Did you have to use any magic?

WYATT:
No, this time I was able to use my skills as a surgeon; no magic needed, but after five hours, all four of the patients should survive and be as good as new in no time, no problem.

Patti jumps off the bed and runs over and hugs her dad.

PATTI:
I'm so proud of you. I want to be a doctor, too.

Wyatt hugs his daughter back, grinning proudly.

PENNI:
Uncle Wy, Daddy was telling us stories from The Book of Shadows!

WYATT:
I see that. We're the only family on the planet whose history also doubles as entertaining bedtime stories.
(smiles at Ben)
After all, our moms used to read it to us.

BEN:
(ignoring his cousin)
Lights out, girls. Your moms would insist.

Ben closes The Book of Shadows and stands up, reaching to turn off the light to a chorus of complaints from the girls. He shakes his head and smiles, starting towards the door. We see Patti twitch a finger and the light turns back on. Ben turns around, eyebrows raising.

PATTI:
Please, Uncle Ben. You gotta start earlier than that.

PENNI:
Yeah, Daddy, please?

BOTH GIRLS:
Pleeeeeeease!

Ben exchanges a look with his cousin, who smirks, and Ben returns to his seat. He opens The Book of Shadows. He sighs, tired, but completely vulnerable to the girls' pleas for more.

BEN:
What did you mean earlier?

PATTI:
Tell when They let my Grams marry my Gramps.

PENNI:
Yeah, Daddy! That's my favorite!

Wyatt comes in and stretches out across the foot of the bed, cupping his chin in his hands, looking expectantly at his cousin. Ben raises his eyebrows at him.

BEN:
And what are you doing?

WYATT:
Making myself comfortable. That's my favorite, too, and we're going to be here for a while.

The CAMERA focuses on Ben as he flips through the pages.

BEN:
No, we're not. Their mothers would shoot us if we let them stay up that late, and you know it!

PENNI:
(whining)
But, Daddy, I wanna hear the whole story! It includes my Grams meeting my Gramps!

PATTI:
I do, too!

Wyatt sits up and leans over and flips the page to find one that has several images of different kinds of demons. These are THE DEMONIC COUNCIL.

WYATT:
Just tell the story, Ben. Start with them.

GIRLS:
PLEEEEEEEEEEASE?

Ben gives a huge, heavy sigh and then plops The Book of Shadows on Wyatt's lap.

BEN:
You know the story as well as I do. Start telling it while I make popcorn. You're right -- it's going to be a long night.

As he gets up and begins walking towards the door, the girls and Wyatt exchange conspiratorial looks. As Ben walks out the door, we can hear him mutter.

BEN:
But as soon as their mothers gets home...

As the door shuts behind him, the girls giggle then turn to Wyatt.

PATTI:
Okay, tell the story, Dad!

PENNI:
Yes, Uncle Wy, please!

WYATT:
Very well. Let me see. Oh, yeah. That's right. The Demonic Council. Okay, well, The Charmed Ones got their power in 1998, but one could argue that their journey as witches didn't really begin until two years later, when my dad tried to orb my mom Up There.

OFF the little girls' surprised faces, we

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. CLOUDY, SMEARY PLACE - ETERNAL DAY

We see Piper and Leo looking like they did at the end of CHARMED's Season Two, attempt to ORB Up There, but they don't succeed. They end up in this bright, white, cloudy, smeary place, something like we saw in CHARMED's "3x11: Blinded by the Whitelighter", but it's a room and there is no one around.

A date is SUPERIMPOSED on the bottom of the screen: "May, 2000"

Piper looks around, confused.

PIPER
(confused):
This is it?

Leo looks around, also confused.

LEO:
No, it's not. I don't know where we are...

We hear a big, deep sonorous VOICE that echoes all over the place.

VOICE:
(loud, solemn)
Leo Wyatt, you have violated the most sacred of all rules. You have attempted to bring a still-living being Up Here, and worse, it is one of your charges. You have violated the rules one time too many. You and your charge will be held here until We decide what to do regarding your arrogant disregard of the rules.

PIPER:
My sisters!

LEO:
What about my other charges? They might need me!

VOICE:
You both should have thought of that before you attempted to break this most sacred of rules.

OFF Piper and Leo's look of horror, we

BLACKOUT.

END OF TEASER

OPENING CREDITS ROLL.

So what do you think? More to be posted if there's interest.

[Esmeralda]

Just for Matthew, who showed some interest in this story, here's more:

ACT ONE

STOCK FOOTAGE: Scenes of San Francisco at night, ending with HALLIWELL MANOR

INT. HALLIWELL MANOR - ATTIC - ESTABLISHING

The CAMERA pans around the familiar room to stop on Phoebe frantically flipping through THE BOOK OF SHADOWS, which rests on its podium.

The cuckoo clock CUCKOOS ONCE. Phoebe gasps in surprise - it's one in the morning. Phoebe shakes her head, then returns to The Book, determined to find whatever it is she's searching for.

Suddenly we hear the door behind her SLAM OPEN o.s. and now Phoebe gasps in terror. Her gasp is echoed by another one o.s. and Phoebe finds herself FLYING across the room, right into an old bed. She screams and then moans as the old bed tumbles over and she cracks her head on the floor.

PRUE (o.s.):
Oh, oh, God!

Prue runs over to Phoebe and helps her stand up.

PRUE:
Phoebe, I didn’t realize you were up here. I thought you were in bed. Are you okay?

Phoebe feels her head gingerly before nodding an affirmative.

PRUE:
I’m so sorry. Are you all right?

PHOEBE:
I’m fine. Uh, feeling a little jumpy, are we?

PRUE:
Well, yeah. Especially now that we know The Demonic Council is behind all these attacks. We’ve been very lucky to have survived one sister down.

Phoebe rolls her eyes.

PHOEBE:
Um, yeah. I don’t need a recap.

PRUE crosses her arms and begins to shiver.

PRUE:
Well, what I need is some heat. It's freezing in here! Did you forget to pay the gas bill?

Phoebe gives her a puzzled look.

PHOEBE:
I...I thought that you were supposed to pay the gas bill.

Prue sighs impatiently.

PRUE:
No, Phoebs. Remember? I'm taking care of the club while you're taking care of the house so you can concentrate on your studying.

PHOEBE:
Oh, right. Uh, I’ll call the gas company first thing.

Phoebe sighs.

PHOEBE (cont):
I will be so glad when Piper gets back.

PRUE:
(ominously)
What if she doesn’t?

PHOEBE:
Doesn’t what?

PRUE:
What if she doesn’t come back? I mean, what if when she and Leo orbed out, it was for good?

Phoebe stares at her in shocked horror.

PHOEBE:
Prue, that is ridiculous.

PRUE:
No, Phoebs. It’s not ridiculous. Think about it. We have not heard from her in a week, and we’ve already been attacked a number of times. And that’s not like her or Leo.

PHOEBE:
All right, look. Piper is not going to just ditch us, okay? We’re her sisters. And neither is Leo. He’s our whitelighter too.

PRUE:
(worried, afraid)
Then why hasn’t he come when we called? And why hasn’t Piper contacted us? I mean she has to know that we’re worried about her. She also has to know that she’s left us one sister short in The Power of Three.

Phoebe sighs.

PHOEBE:
Yeah, you’re right. Here she is Up There, romping around the clouds with Leo, while we’ve got our wiccan butts flapping around in the wind down here. We've been very lucky that neither of us have been seriously hurt yet.

Prue shakes her head determinedly.

PRUE:
No. It has absolutely nothing to do with luck. All of these attacks have just been by lower-level demons that have been easy to vanquish. It's almost like a skirmish leading up to the actual war. The Demonic Council is up to something. We just don’t know what it is yet. And that’s exactly my point. Piper and Leo have to know this. So where the hell are they?

PHOEBE:
I don’t know. And I couldn’t sleep worrying about it, so that’s why I came up here and have been studying The Book for the last few hours when I probably should be studying for my finals. We’re screwed without Piper, so she better come back soon!

PRUE:
(truly frightened)
Maybe she can’t.

PHOEBE:
(also getting scared)
What do you mean?

PRUE:
I mean what if we’re never going to see her or Leo again, and not because they don’t want to come back, but because
(looks up at the ceiling)
THEY won’t let them. Because Piper and Leo have broken one too many rules.

PHOEBE
No, Prue! You can't mean that! You can't.

PRUE
I'm afraid I do.

The phone RINGS o.s.

PHOEBE:
Who’s calling us at one in the freakin' morning?

Prue speed-walks out the door and down the stairs, Phoebe close at her heels.

PRUE:
Guess we don't find out until I answer it.

CUT TO:

EXT. BACK ALLEY BEHIND P3 - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING

There is police tape blocking off the alley. In the middle of the area is a white-sheet-covered BODY. Inspector DARRYL Morris [32] is standing against a wall outside the police tape, talking on his cell phone.

INTERCUT between Prue at the Manor and Darryl in the alley.

PRUE:
Do you have any idea what time it is?

DARRYL:
I don’t think this woman cares.

PRUE:
What woman? What happened?

DARRYL:
We've identified her as Sarah Emery, and she's been murdered. We aren’t sure what happened, but I think this is something you need to take a look at.

PRUE:
Can you give me something more than that?

DARRYL:
I think it was done by a de-de-

PRUE:
Demon?

DARRYL:
(whispering, frightened)
Don't say the D-word! There's cops around here!

PRUE:
(rolling her eyes)
Darryl! Why do you think that?

Darryl looks across the police line toward the victim. The CAMERA zooms in on the inverted triangle carved into the victim's forehead.

DARRYL:
There's a mark on her forehead. It looks like an inverted triangle.

PRUE:
A tattoo?

DARRYL:
No, it looks more like it was carved with a knife.

PRUE:
Ick.

PHOEBE:
Ick what?

PRUE:
(to Phoebe)
An inverted triangle carved into the victim's forehead.

Phoebe wrinkles her nose.

PHOEBE:
Ick.

Phoebe nods.

PHOEBE:
Carved inverted triangle. Got it.

Phoebe turns around and runs upstairs.

PRUE:
Phoebe's gone off to check on it, Darryl. But is there anything else you can tell us?

DARRYL:
Not at present. Except...

PRUE:
Except what?

DARRYL:
Except there is a possibility the killer might still be here and the chief wants us to interview everyone at the club.

Darryl opens the back door to P3 and walks in.

PRUE:
Club, what club? Darryl? Where are you?

DARRYL:
At P3. He's here somewhere. I know he is.

Phoebe comes running back down the stairs.

PHOEBE:
Found it. It's
(quoting The Book of Shadows):
“An opening by which demons known as Guardians Demons steal an innocent soul.”

PRUE:
Guardians Demons?

PHOEBE:
Yeah. They protect their mortal killers in exchange for their victim’s souls.

PRUE:
Oh, my God!
(into the phone)
Darryl, stay away from him!

DARRYL:
And let him kill somebody else? I don’t think so.

PRUE:
No. Listen to me. We’ll be there as soon as we can. Let us take care of protecting the innocents by taking care of him.

DARRYL:
Prue...

PRUE:
You cannot stop him. We can. You getting killed won't help save his future victims.

DARRYL:
Listen, Prue. I can take care of myself. I gotta call you back. I’m not sure where this guy is.

Darryl hangs up.

PRUE:
Darryl? Darryl? Darryl!

END OF INTERCUT

Prue hangs up and speeds-walks to the kitchen with Phoebe following.

PRUE:
All right. We’re only, uh, 3 minutes away.

PHOEBE:
What do we do once we get there?

PRUE:
We stop the demon. What else?

PHOEBE:
But without Piper? This doesn't sound like one we can handle without her.

PRUE:
Phoebe. This guy is dangerous. And Darryl is going after him.

PHOEBE:
Let's go.

Prue grabs her purse as they head for the door.

PRUE:
Any idea how to vanquish these guys?

PHOEBE:
Well, The Book says you kill it just like you would a vampire, with a stake.

Prue nods, then walks out the door. Phoebe looks Up.

PHOEBE:
(desperately)
Piper! Leo! Where are you guys?

As Phoebe follows Prue out the door, the CAMERA backs up to show this scene reflected on the wall of Piper and Leo's "smeary white prison cell".

PIPER:
Leo! They could get seriously hurt this time! They need us!

Leo looks Up.

LEO:
You have to let us go.
(silence)
You don't want to lose The Power of Three, do you?
(silence)
You have to let us go!

Piper looks Up.

PIPER:
(begging)
Please! I won't try to come Up Here anymore. I promise. I won't. Just let me go help my sisters! I can't lose my sisters. Please!

There is nothing but silence.

PIPER:
(tears and worry in her voice)
Leo!

Leo holds Piper comfortingly knowing there is nothing they can do but watch.

The CAMERA focuses on the scene on the wall which slowly fills the entire screen. Prue and Phoebe are entering the very crowded nightclub part of P3. People are dancing to the band o.s. Both Prue and Phoebe begin hunting for Darryl. Not spotting him, they work their way through the crowd towards the bar where a bartender familiar to Charmed fans, ABBEY Landers [23], is working.

PRUE:
Abbey.

ABBEY:
Hey, Prue, Phoebe. Till's looking good tonight.

PRUE:
That's great but have you seen Darryl?

ABBEY:
Oh, you mean the inspector?

Prue nods.

ABBEY:
Yeah, I just saw him walking quickly towards the back.

PRUE:
(to Phoebe)
Let's go. Hurry!

CUT TO:

EXT. ALLEY OUTSIDE P3 - NIGHT

Darryl is lying unconscious on the ground. A man, EMILIO Sanchez [late 20's], is kneeling next to him, holding a stake above his chest. We hear soft chanting. He’s about to stake Darryl when VIRGINIA Jones [early 20's] walks by and sees this. She gasps. Emilio sees her and jumps up. She screams and runs towards P3’s back door. He runs towards her as she bangs on the door. He pulls her to her knees and swings the stake at her, but she ducks and he misses. She tries to jump back up, but he pulls her down to the ground.

Virginia screams as Emilio STAKES HER HEART, killing her immediately.

QUICK CUT TO:

INT. P3 - BACK AREA - NIGHT

Prue and Phoebe hear the scream and begin running towards the back door.

QUICK CUT TO:

EXT. ALLEY

Emilio is CARVING the triangle into Virginia's forehead as more soft chanting is heard. The triangle GLOWS. The GUARDIAN DEMON, a huge spirit, RISES FROM Emilio. A DARK BLUE LIGHT goes from Virginia's body into the spirit before the Guardian Demon GOES BACK INTO Emilio. Emilio walks back towards Darryl who is still unconscious.

The back door to P3 slams opens, and Prue and Phoebe run outside and react to seeing Virginia dead. They then turn around to see Emilio trying to do the same thing to Darryl.

PHOEBE:
Darryl! Prue!

Prue waves her arm, using her power to SEND EMILIO FLYING on top of a Dumpster. She and Phoebe run to check Darryl. The Guardian Demon RISES from Emilio.

PHOEBE:
(relieved)
He’s alive.

Hearing Emilio approaching, the sisters turn to see the Guardian Demon ABOVE Emilio.

PRUE:
Uh, I think we’ve found the Guardian Demon.

Prue and Phoebe stand up.

PHOEBE:
Okay. Get rid of it.

Prue waves her arm, using her power to SEND A STICK INTO the Guardian Demon, but it GOES RIGHT THROUGH HIM.

PHOEBE:
Wait. The Book says they were just like vampires.

The Guardian Demon picks up the athame.

PRUE:
So?

PHOEBE:
The rune. Aim for the rune. Hurry!

Again Prue waves her arm, this time using her power to SEND A STICK FLYING THROUGH the triangle in the Guardian Demon’s forehead. He is ELECTROCUTED and DISAPPEARS.

PHOEBE:
(growling)
Okay, if Piper ever comes back, I am going to kill her.

TIME LAPSE

The police are putting Virginia's body into a body bag. Phoebe and Prue are with Darryl, who’s awake and being checked by a PARAMEDIC.

PHOEBE:
(watching the police)
Poor girl.

PARAMEDIC:
(to Darryl)
Do you feel dizzy at all? Nauseous?

DARRYL:
No.

PARAMEDIC:
Trouble focusing? Headache?

DARRYL:
(impatiently)
I’m telling you I’m fine. Only thing wounded is my pride.

PRUE:
(concerned)
Is he really all right?

PARAMEDIC:
Yeah. Thanks to you guys.

PRUE:
What do you mean thanks to us?

The paramedic looks at her in confusion.

PARAMEDIC:
Well, you fought off the attacker, didn’t you?

THE CAMERA cuts to Emilo who is walking towards the police car, staring at Prue and Phoebe with an evil grin on his face.

PARAMEDIC (cont, o.s.):
Isn't that what happened?

THE CAMERA cuts back to the group.

PRUE:
(uncomfortable)
Uh, yeah, you know, it wasn't really that big of a deal. After all, all I did was push him into the wall.

PARAMEDIC:
Well, you saved his life. I think that's a pretty big deal.
(to Darryl)
You're a lucky man, Inspector. Take care.

DARRYL:
Thanks.

The paramedic grabs his bag and walks away.

PHOEBE:
(to Darryl)
Okay, can we go now?

DARRYL:
No. You have to give witness statements.

PRUE:
Uh, Darryl...

DARRYL:
Prue, you're witnesses to a crime. In this case the only witnesses.

PHOEBE:
No, Darryl, we can't be witnesses. We used our powers to stop the killer; what are we supposed to say?

PRUE:
And he saw us use them, too.

DARRYL:
Nobody's gonna believe anything that sleazeball has to say. And that was smart-thinking on your part, Prue. If you say that you pushed him against the wall...

PHOEBE:
Well, that's what she did, didn't she? If we say that she used her powers to do it...

DARRYL:
Yeah, you'd be the ones who are locked up, not him.

PRUE:
I just feel uncomfortable lying, even if it will help stop a killer.

PHOEBE:
Yeah, me, too. Wrong things done for the right reasons are still wrong.

DARRYL:
(insistent)
But it's not lying. You told him exactly what happened and now you have to keep telling them that. Listen to me: without your testimony, Emilio Sanchez walks and you know that he'll just keep on killing. Do you want that?

PRUE:
Of course not. But--

Prue looks over at Emilio, and he is still grinning at them.

PRUE:
(irritated)
What is he smiling at anyway? It's not like he has his guardian demon to protect him anymore.

PHOEBE:
Yeah, and unfortunately our guardian angel is nowhere to be found.

She looks Up.

PHOEBE:
(frustrated)
We sure could use some cosmic help right now. What are we supposed to do? We've never been in this situation before.

DARRYL:
(warningly)
Oh, oh. Here comes the ADA.

Cole approaches them. Phoebe stares at him.

COLE:
Ladies. My name is Cole Turner and I'm the Assistant District Attorney assigned to this case. I was wondering if either of you saw what happened here.

Phoebe raises her hand.

PHOEBE:
I did! I did!

OFF her smitten face and Prue's shocked one, we

BLACKOUT.

END OF ACT ONE

So? What do you think? And now do you want to read more?

[Esmeralda]

ACT TWO

STOCK FOOTAGE: SAN FRANCISCO COURTHOUSE - DAY

INT. COURTROOM - DAY - ESTABLISHING

The CAMERA pans the room including the American flag, the State of California flag, the judge's bench, the witness stand, the court clerk's table where the COURT CLERK is sitting, the defense table where Emilio and public defender ALAN Sloane are sitting, quietly talking. The CAMERA stops panning and focuses on the prosecutor's table where Cole is standing with his back towards the table, facing the first row of the spectator benches where Prue, Phoebe and Darryl are sitting.

COLE:
I think we’re in good shape except for the, what did you call the murder weapon? A-an ay-thay-mee?

PHOEBE:
Athame. It’s a ceremonial knife used by--

Prue glares at her.

PHOEBE:
(nervously)
Um, cults.

Prue's glare gets stronger.

PHOEBE:
(more nervously)
You know, those cults they show on TV? They usually use one of them to make those types of marks on people? You know?

COLE:
And are you sure you didn't see who took it?

PHOEBE:
No, we were there to check on Darryl and--

PRUE:
--now we don't know where the athame is. Will it hurt the case?

COLE:
The PD will try to focus on it but this is just an arraignment. Unless there's something I don't know about, we should have more than enough for the judge to hold him over for trial. Don't worry; I'm good at what I do.

The JUDGE enters the room.

CLERK:
All rise.

Everyone stands as the judge crosses towards bench. Cole turns around to face the bench. The judge sits behind his bench.

CLERK:
Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge William Hamilton now presiding. Please be seated.

Everyone sits down.

PHOEBE:
(to Prue, whispering)
I'm nervous.

PRUE:
(whispering)
Oh, you know. Witches and trials. It’s that whole Salem thing.

PHOEBE:
(nervously giggling, whispering)
Must be it.

CLERK:
Case number B684400. The State of California versus Emilio Sanchez. One count of murder in the first degree of one Virginia Jones and one count attempted murder of one Inspector Darryl Morris.

Cole stands up.

COLE:
Assistant District Attorney Cole Turner for the State.

Alan stands up.

ALAN:
Public Defender Alan Sloan for the defense.

JUDGE:
How does the defendant plead?

ALAN:
Not guilty, Your Honor.

JUDGE:
So noted. Mr. Turner, I have read your brief; do you have anything to add?

COLE:
No, Your Honor. The State stands by the arrest report and the eyewitness testimonies.

JUDGE:
Mr. Sloan?

ALAN:
Well, uh, it seems to me, Your Honor, you can't very well hold for a murder trial without a murder weapon.

COLE:
The State has already stipulated that the alleged murder weapon is still outstanding. We have two eyewitnesses who--

ALAN:
(sarcastically)
Saw what, exactly? My client bent over the inspector? That's how they justify the attack? How do they know he didn’t just happen to come across the scene, and was trying to revive the inspector?

Phoebe rolls her eyes

PHOEBE:
Oh, please!

The judge bangs his gavel.

JUDGE:
Order!

Cole turns to glare at Phoebe and she ducks her head mouthing "Sorry".

ALAN:
(sarcastically)
And why, if they were so easily able to subdue him, don't they know exactly what happened to the alleged weapon? I mean, what? Did it just poof! magically disappear?

COLE:
Objection!

PHOEBE:
Oh God, he knows.

Prue lays her hand on Phoebe's arm.

PRUE:
Easy.

COLE:
Your Honor, the witnesses aren't on trial here.

ALAN:
Why? Perhaps they should be. We only have their word that my client was trying to harm the inspector. Perhaps it was they who killed Ms. Jones and were trying to kill the inspector and are still in possession of the murder weapon....

COLE:
Objection, Your Honor! We have the testimony of the man who was attacked, a San Francisco inspector. He was attacked by
(points at Emilio)
that man, not the witnesses.

JUDGE:
Mr. Turner, unless you have something else or can produce the alleged murder weapon, I'm inclined to agree with Mr. Sloan.

COLE:
(shocked)
You're what, Your Honor?

JUDGE:
Do you or don't you have any additional evidence?

COLE:
You mean aside from the fact that he's the prime suspect in three other murders where no less than five people saw him leave the scene of the crime just before the attacks and that everything other than the missing murder weapon makes this in any other courtroom a slam dunk?

JUDGE:
This country believes that a man is innocent until proven guilty, Mr. Turner. Despite those five witnesses, this defendant has never been found guilty of any of those offenses so any mention of them is not permissible in this court. Nor have you given reasonable cause to waste more of this court's valuable time on this matter. The charges are dropped; the defendant is released.

The judge bangs his gavel.

COLE:
(shocked)
I don't believe this.

JUDGE:
Clerk, next case.

Emilio and Alan stand up. Emilio grins at Prue and Phoebe as they walk past them.

COLE:
(outraged)
Yeah, you keep smiling, punk. I'm not giving up until I see you fry.

DARRYL:
Come on, Turner; this isn't gonna solve anything.

Alan rushes Emilio towards the door.

ALAN:
Let's go. Let's go.

THE CAMERA follows them as they rush down the aisle then focuses on an outraged Paige, sitting in the back row and glaring at Alan and Emilio as they exit out the back door. The CAMERA cuts back to Cole and the sisters.

PHOEBE:
(to Cole)
I'm so sorry, I wish that there were more that we could do.

COLE:
If there's something you're not telling me, anything, if you're afraid of him we can protect you. I can refile.

PRUE:
Um, we have to go. Sorry.

PHOEBE:
But--

PRUE:
C'mon, Phoebe, let's go.

They begin walking down the aisle as we

CUT TO:

EXT. COURTHOUSE - STAIRS - DAY

Prue and Phoebe are walking down the stairs, both still upset.

PRUE:
I can’t believe the judge just let him walk like that. What happens the next time he kills? The ADA seemed so sure we had enough to get it to trial.

PHOEBE:
All I know is Cole is an angel. He was so awesome in that courtroom.

PRUE:
See something you like, Sis?

PHOEBE:
(a bit shyly)
Maybe.

PRUE:
That nice butt?

PHOEBE:
Maybe. Or maybe it’s just nice to run into someone who's not a college boy, someone who's a man.

Phoebe frowns, but Prue doesn’t notice. She laughs.

PRUE:
More years, less hormones, huh?

Phoebe is silent. Prue looks at her

PRUE:
Phoebe?

PHOEBE:
Sorry, I just remembered I have class in half an hour. Can you drop me off?

PRUE:
Sure.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - PATHWAY BETWEEN BUILDINGS - DAY

Phoebe is walking along the path. Cole sneaks up behind her and taps her on the shoulder. Phoebe spins around and does a high karate kick.

PHOEBE:
(screaming)
Hi-yah!

Cole grabs her leg before it makes contact.

PHOEBE:
Cole!

COLE:
Hi, how’s it going?

PHOEBE:
(embarrassed)
Oh
(laughs)
Wow, this is embarrassing. Uh, I...I...I’m...

COLE:
It’s okay; I’m okay. Nice calf.

PHOEBE:
Oh, thanks. Can I have it back?

COLE:
Sure. Sure.

Cole lets go of her leg.

PHOEBE:
Okay.
(laughing nervously)
Uh, how did you find me?

COLE:
Told you I was good at what I do. Although you probably wouldn’t think so after my performance in court.

PHOEBE:
No, I thought you were amazing. It’s just you were up against a, uh, an unfair judge.

COLE:
Free Willy; he’s got that reputation. Still, I know I didn’t put on my best case, that’s why I’m here to see if you can help me do a better job.

PHOEBE:
How?

COLE:
I don’t know - you tell me. Look, Phoebe, I may not be the greatest prosecutor, but I’ve got good instincts. I can sense things about people, things they might not even want me to know.

PHOEBE:
And what do you sense about me?

COLE:
That you’re struggling with the truth. That you’re a good person who wants to do the right thing here, but for whatever reason you can’t. How am I doing so far?

PHOEBE:
You're right about me, but you're off about today, Cole. We told you the truth.

Cole looks at her, the look asking, "Are you sure?" then sighs in defeat.

COLE:
Well, if you're sure. But if you think of anything, anything at all--
(sticks his card between the pages of the book she’s holding)
please call me. Home number’s on the back. Bye.

Cole turns and walks away. Phoebe checks out his butt appreciatively. She pulls his card out of the book and gasps as she is pulled into a quick premonition, one in color as the CAMERA cuts to a tight closeup of a demon familiar to Charmed fans. BELTHAZOR is attacking someone whom we can’t see. Phoebe gasps as she comes out of the premonition.

PHOEBE:
Oh no! Cole!

CUT TO:

INT. HALLIWELL MANOR - ATTIC - DAY

Just like earlier, Phoebe is standing at the podium, flipping through THE BOOK OF SHADOWS, but this time it's frantically.

PHOEBE:
(muttering)
C'mon! C'mon! You gotta be in here somewhere!
(looks Up)
Piper! Leo! Get your butts down here right now! I so need you guys!

PRUE (o.s):
(yelling)
Phoebe! Where are you?

PHOEBE:
(yelling back)
Up here in the attic! Hurry!

As Phoebe keeps flipping through The Book, we hear Prue coming up the steps.

PRUE:
(speed-walking through the door)
Okay, so what's the big emergency? Do you know how hard it was for me to get away from my photo shoot? You are so luck-

PHOEBE:
(interrupting)
Not now! It's Cole. He's going to be attacked by a demon! We've gotta save him!

PRUE:
Slow down! Take a deep breath and slow down!

PHOEBE:
But, Prue...

PRUE:
Wait. Did you say Cole? As in Cole Turner? The ADA Cole Turner?

PHOEBE:
Of course as in ADA Cole Turner! He...

PRUE:
Yes, I know. He's going to be attacked by a demon. So you're still thinking about him?

PHOEBE:
Yes, I mean, no, I mean, he came and found me at school. He still wants us to help put Emilio Sanchez behind bars. He gave me his card and I got a premonition of this horrible demon.

PRUE:
So did you find the demon in The Book?

PHOEBE:
No, I'm still looking. He's gotta be in here somewhere.

PRUE:
So what does this demon look like?

Phoebe's eyes grow big as we hear SHIMMERING o.s. and she points behind Prue.

PHOEBE
Um, like him! Duck!

Prue ducks as a LARGE ENERGY BALL FLIES just over her head. It leaves a BURN MARK on the wall behind her.

The CAMERA cuts to focus on BELTHAZOR throwing a SMALL ENERGY BALL then cuts back to Prue waving her hand just before the energy ball would hit Phoebe. Prue's power manages to THROW IT A LITTLE OFF-COURSE. It STILL GRAZES Phoebe's arm, causing her to scream in pain.

PRUE:
(screaming)
Piper! We need you!

Phoebe clutches her arm and scrambles across the attic in search of something to throw. Belthazor SHIMMERS OUT and REAPPEARS in front of her, an ENERGY BALL GROWING in his hand as soon as he REFORMS. He SLAMS THE ENERGY BALL INTO PHOEBE'S STOMACH, sending Phoebe FLYING across the room, BURNED AND BLEEDING where the energy ball hit. Her unconscious body RAMS INTO THE WALL.

PRUE:
Phoebe! Hey! Big, black, red and ugly!

Belthazor spins around to see Prue swing her arm out, trying to throw Belthazor, but he holds up his hand and Prue GOES FLYING INTO A TABLE near Phoebe, CRASHING THE TABLE down on her.

As Prue is trying to get out from under the table, Belthazor walks over, an ENERGY BALL FORMING in his hand. Just as Prue manages to get out from under the table he reaches them. His eyes meet hers, malice in them, and he THROWS THE ENERGY BALL at her, knocking her to the floor and BURNING HER CLOTHES AND SKIN where he hit her.

ANOTHER ENERGY BALL FORMS in his hand, GROWING into the HUGEST BALL YET as he stands over Phoebe and Prue, ready to finish them off. He stands there for several seconds and then he scowls. He FLICKERS and then TURNS BACK into Cole as the ENERGY BALL VANISHES. He stares at Phoebe, uncertainty in his eyes, before he SHIMMERS OUT.

The CAMERA focuses on the two unconscious sisters and then backs up to show the scene reflected on the wall of Piper's and Leo's smeary white "prison cell". Piper is in Leo's arms, crying on his shoulder.

PIPER:
Leo! Orb! Now! You gotta! They're both hurt! You gotta go down and heal them or they'll both die! Please! I can't lose my sisters!

Leo tries to orb, but no such luck.

LEO:
I can't!

PIPER:
You've got to!
(looks Up)
Please! I was the one who told him to bring me Up Here. Don't punish my sisters, too. Let him go heal them. Please!

A whitelighter familiar to Charmed fans, NATALIE, orbs in.

LEO:
Natalie! What are you doing here?

NATALIE:
No, Leo. You can not go down there and heal them. Not while
(she looks Up)
THEY are still debating your fate. That is against the rules. Instead I will. As of now, I am Prudence and Phoebe Halliwell's whitelighter.

OFF Piper's look of horror we

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

So, what do you think now?? Like I've said; it's similar to Season Three, but it's different--rewritten. And most important, do you want to read more??

[Esmeralda]

ACT THREE

INT. CLOUDY SMEARY PLACE - CONT.

Piper is staring at Natalie stunned.

PIPER:
Who are you? My sisters and I already have a whitelighter.

NATALIE:
You broke too many rules. THEY may decide that he isn’t fit to be your whitelighter any more, or even a whitelighter at all.

PIPER:
(shocked)
What?

LEO:
Calm down, Piper. She’s here to help. I know her. Natalie and I served together during World War II. We trained as whitelighters together.

PIPER:
I don’t care who she is. I don't call her taking over your job as helping!

LEO:
(softly)
She’s going to heal your sisters.

Piper freezes. She glances at Natalie and swings her hands up and down, using her power to FREEZE Natalie in place.

PIPER:
(growling through her teeth)
That’s not what she said at all. She said she’s taking over, taking your place.

LEO:
For now. Just for now. Piper, you can’t just freeze her. THEY aren’t going to like that.

PIPER:
I don't care what THEY like. I want out of here. I want you as our whitelighter, not her. I want you as Prue and Phoebe's whitelighter.

LEO:
So do I, but at the moment what we want is not important. Piper, listen to me. Please. If THEY decide that I am not fit to be your whitelighter THEY may decide to recycle my soul.

Piper gasps in horror.

LEO (cont):
So if you truly want me as your whitelighter, as Prue and Phoebe's whitelighter, you're going to have to do things THEIR way for now, and since THEY are not going to let me heal your sisters, if you don't want them to die...

Piper stares at him for several beats and then turns and waves her hands at Natalie, using her power to UNFREEZE her. Natalie frowns and looks at them suspiciously.

NATALIE:
What happened?

Piper ignores her and stares straight ahead at scene on the wall, still showing her unconscious sisters.

NATALIE:
Leo?

LEO:
(reluctantly)
She froze you.

NATALIE:
Excuse me.

LEO:
She’s...upset.

NATALIE:
That is no excuse for
(shuddering)
using her powers on a whitelighter.

Piper spins around and glares at Natalie.

PIPER:
(growling)
What are you waiting for? Go heal my sisters. Now.

NATALIE:
(calmly)
Not yet. You must first be advised that THEY have charged me with teaching your sisters the proper way to fight Evil. Rumor Up There has it that you three just...
(shudders)
“wing it”. That is entirely unacceptable.

PIPER:
(angrily)
Why are you telling me? I don’t have any choice in this. My sisters are down there dying! Get down there and save them. Now!

NATALIE:
(still calmly)
Because I have been charged by THEM to teach you, too, Ms. Halliwell, in case THEY actually decide to allow you two to return. With all the rules you have broken... All the same, I shall not be returning here until or unless THEY order me to, so I shall need you to pay close attention to the lessons I will try to teach your sisters.
(looks up)
Remember. THEY will be watching you.

Natalie immediately ORBS OUT and appears in the scene on the wall. Piper closes her eyes and hugs Leo as the CAMERA zooms on the scene on the wall and we

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HALLIWELL MANOR – ATTIC - DAY

Natalie ORBS in. First she picks up the fire extinguisher that sits in the corner and PUTS OUT the fires. Then she kneels down next to the Halliwells and puts a hand over each of them. Her hands GLOW GOLDEN and then both sisters GLOW GOLDEN. The sisters' wounds FULLY HEAL right down to the blood on their clothes and the clothing themselves. As the groggy sisters blink their eyes open, Natalie stands and dusts herself off.

PHOEBE:
(bleary)
Who are you?

NATALIE:
I am your new whitelighter. My name is Natalie.

PRUE:
(bleary)
Our new what?!

NATALIE:
Your new whitelighter. It became apparent to THEM that you were in need of one.

Prue slowly stands up, glaring at Natalie as she does.

PRUE:
We don't need one. We already have one. His name is Leo. Leo Wyatt. Where is he?

Phoebe also gets up, moving to stand next to Prue.

PHOEBE:
And where is Piper? Where is our sister?

NATALIE:
I am not allowed to answer those questions. It is against the rules.

PRUE:
Damn your rules! I want to know what happened to my sister, and I want to know now!

Prue raises her hands, getting ready to use her power.

NATALIE:
I would not suggest using your power on me, Ms. Halliwell. Your sister already did that and I am certain that THEY were not pleased. If you wish to see her or Leo Wyatt again I would strongly suggest you do not continue to displease THEM.

Prue glares at her and then slowly lowers her hands.

NATALIE:
That is better. Just because your last whitelighter broke the rules for you does not mean I will.
(looks up)
THEY have made me your whitelighter and I need you to tell me what happened that you were in such dire need of a whitelighter's healing power. Were you not, THEY would not have sent me to you. Now what happened to necessitate my coming down here?

PRUE:
(snapping)
We were attacked.

PHOEBE:
Attacked by a demon. A big red and black and ugly demon.

PRUE:
Phoebe!

PHOEBE:
(whispering to Prue)
Maybe if we cooperate she’ll tell us something about Piper and Leo. Besides we have an ugly demon to take care of. Maybe she can help.

NATALIE:
Whispering is not polite. Nor should you ever keep secrets from your whitelighter. The knowledge they possess can save your life.

Prue groans.

PHOEBE:
Would you please go tell Leo that we want him back, so--

NATALIE:
(interrupting)
I can not and will not pass on messages for you. Now about the demon, where is your Book of Shadows?

Prue lets out a breath of air and simply points across the room to the podium.

NATALIE:
(horrified)
Here? In the attic? What is your most sacred of books doing out of your altar room?

PHOEBE:
(mouthing at Prue)
Altar room?

Prue smirks at Phoebe.

NATALIE (cont.):
The rules are very clear. Every coven must keep its Book of Shadows in a sacred and protected spot.

Prue rolls her eyes.

PRUE:
(mumbling)
Right.

NATALIE:
What was that?

PRUE:
Altar room. Yeah. And that would be right next to the potions lab, I suppose.

Phoebe giggles.[/blockquote]NATALIE:
(seriously)
Well, not always, but that would be useful.

PHOEBE:
(whispering to Prue, still giggling)
Is she serious?

PRUE:
(whispering to Phoebe)
Unfortunately, I think she is.

NATALIE:
(getting just a bit perturbed)
What have I told you about whispering? Now bring your Book of Shadows back to your altar room where it belongs immediately. Do not remove it from its sacred, protected place unless it is an emergency. That is the rule.
(sighing)
I suppose I should inspect both it and your potion labs first.[/blockquote]Phoebe and Prue exchange looks, both unwilling to be the one who tells Natalie that their attic is their altar room and their kitchen is their potion lab.

As they do, THE CAMERA backs up to show Piper and Leo in their smeary white prison cell watching, Piper in shocked horror.

PIPER:
She wants to inspect our what? But that's my kitchen! She better not step one foot in my kitchen or...

She raises her hands in a way that most Charmed fans will recognize as her getting ready to explode something. At this point, it's not a power she possesses, but, oh, does it look like she wants to!

LEO:
Piper, no! Let your sisters handle this!

And THE CAMERA again focuses on what they're watching on the wall.

PRUE:
(to Phoebe)
Do you want to tell her or should I?

PHOEBE:
(to Prue)
You're the oldest.

PRUE:
Thanks.

NATALIE:
(getting more perturbed.)
Tell me what? And when I give an order you must follow it immediately. That is also a rule. You two are far worse than I was ever brought to believe. I can not believe that Leo Wyatt was so slack in his duties to his charges.

PRUE:
Look. We're different. We're The Charmed Ones...we're allowed a little leeway. And we were not raised Wiccans. We didn't even know we were witches until a couple of years ago, and that was done to save our powers, something that I would think is important to THEM Up There. Look,
(indicates Phoebe)
my sister found the Book of Shadows
(indicates the trunk)
in that trunk in the attic, so that's why it has always stayed here. We made that podium for it. We do respect it and we do not need to protect it. It does that all on its own. It can't be removed from this house.

Natalie stares at Prue in shock, her mouth opening and closing, but no sound comes out.

PRUE (cont.):
And we don't have a potion lab - we concoct our potions either here in the attic or in the kitchen - and we have done very well for two years without an altar room or a potions lab, thank you.

Natalie starts fuming, getting ready for another lecture, but Phoebe interrupts.

PHOEBE:
Look, there's no time for that. Maybe we can construct this altar room or this potion lab that seems so important to you later, but right now we have an innocent who needs protecting. If you are truly a whitelighter you must know that they must come always first.

Natalie stares at her for several beats, then nods.

PHOEBE:
(grinning at Prue)
See? She can be reasonable.

Again Natalie starts fuming, but Prue interrupts her.

PRUE:
Now wait a minute. If the premonition was about him, why did that demon attack us?

PHOEBE:
I don't know. I just know that I saw that demon when I touched Cole's card so it has to mean he's going to be attacked and soon. He might be hurt now!

Before either Prue or Natalie can say a word, Phoebe takes out Cole's card.

PHOEBE:
(to Prue)
May I use your cell, please? I don't want to have to run downstairs.

Prue glares at Phoebe, then reaches into her pocket and pulls out her cell phone, which she hands to Phoebe. Phoebe looks at the card and then dials Cole's number.

PHOEBE:
Cole?...Cole?...Are you all right?....It's Phoebe, Phoebe Halliwell....No, I haven't thought of anything else that might help you convict Emilio Sanchez...Well, uh, I just had this feeling that maybe something had happened to you, something terrible, so I had to be sure that you were all right...Well, all right, if you're sure....Yes, if I think of anything I'll be sure to call...Okay, bye.

Phoebe closes the phone.

PHOEBE:
He says that he's fine, but appreciates my concern and that he'll be careful.

Phoebe begins to put the phone in her pocket, but Prue holds out her hand and Phoebe places the phone in Prue's palm. After giving Phoebe a look, Prue puts the phone back in her pocket.

NATALIE:
I still believe that you should find this demon in your Book of Shadows so that I may help you decide how best to confront and vanquish him.

PHOEBE:
That's what I was doing, but I couldn't find him.

PRUE:
You were going through it awful quickly, Phoebs. Maybe you went past him.

Phoebe nods and returns to The Book of Shadows and begins going through it more slowly.

NATALIE:
You must always treat your Book of Shadows with dignity and respect.

PRUE:
We do, but if we go through it too slowly, we would've died about twenty times by now.

Again Natalie begins to fume but she's interrupted by Phoebe's cry of triumph.

PRUE:
You found him?

Phoebe nods excitedly, so Prue runs over to the Book while Natalie strides over.

PRUE:
Yes, that's him.

NATALIE:
Belthazor!

PRUE:
You know him?

NATALIE:
Of course. Every whitelighter knows about Belthazor.

PRUE:
Who is he?

PHOEBE:
What is he?

NATALIE:
He is a mercenary demon. He murders for hire. Witches, non-magicals, warlocks, demons, it does not matter--if someone offers him more power, he will murder anyone for them.

PHOEBE:
Cole! We have to go save him now!

Natalie reaches out and grabs Phoebe's arm.

NATALIE:
No, you can not just run off half-cocked. Belthazor is much worse than anything you have ever faced before.

PRUE:
What do you mean? Look at all of the warlocks and demons and other bad guys we've taken out.

NATALIE:
But none of them are as smart as Belthazor. None of them has survived as long as he has. The Powers of Good have been trying to take him out for over a century and we have not succeeded. Defeating Belthazor will require split-second timing and flawless teamwork. I can not tell you what you will be doing but I can tell you what you will not. You will not be
(shuddering)
"winging it." You will not be
(shuddering)
"hoping for the best."
(firmly)
The will to win is the will to prepare to win. Do you understand me?

PHOEBE:
But, Cole...

PRUE:
(whispering in her ear)
Let's just humor her for now. We know Cole is all right for the moment. And we want Piper and Leo back.

NATALIE:
What did I tell you about whispering?

Phoebe gives Prue a look.

PRUE:
(mumbling)
For Piper.
(turns to Natalie)
You said not to keep secrets from your whitelighter. We are still getting used to the idea, so why don’t you just let us whisper when we feel the need and teach us what you think we need to know to fight this Belthazor?

NATALIE:
You are obviously upset with me. I would suggest you channel your anger you feel for me towards the high-level demon you are meant to vanquish. Now, first...

PRUE:
Okay, could we just have a moment to process this, please?

NATALIE:
No. It is time you stopped focusing on yourselves and started focusing on Belthazor. You must prepare yourselves for battle. Mentally, physically, sartorially.

PHOEBE:
I'm sorry, what?

PRUE:
She doesn't like our clothes.

NATALIE:
You need outfits that are loose and move. That means no more braless, strapless, sleeveless attire.

PRUE:
Okay, but then I have nothing to wear.

CUT TO:

EXT. ALLEY - DAY

Prue and Phoebe are stretching. They are wearing loose clothing - including bras. Natalie is also stretching in front of them.

PHOEBE:
Okay, tell me again why we’re doing this?

PRUE:
Because one bad word from General Goody-Two-Shoes and we might not get our sister back.

PHOEBE:
That’s a good reason.

Natalie turns to face the girls, her face stern.

NATALIE:
All right, let us begin. You are not going to win this battle by winging it, because Belthazor is not going to let you. He will not make stupid mistakes that you can capitalize on, so do not look for them. You are going to do this because you are more ready than he is. Do you understand me?

PRUE:
Uh-huh.

PHOEBE:
I’m sorry. I didn’t quite get that last platitude.

NATALIE:
You think you have what it takes because you have won all your battles so far? Let me tell you something. You are only as good as your next vanquish and if you want that to be Belthazor you are going to have to pay attention. This alley is a neutral battlefield. Our challenge is to fight Belthazor. Our primary goal is--

PHOEBE:
To win!

NATALIE:
No.

PHOEBE:
(confused)
No?

NATALIE:
No. It is to stay alive and not let any innocents be hurt.
(beat)
So Belthazor has your innocent.

PHOEBE:
Cole.

NATALIE:
Whomever. How do you plan on separating him from your innocent? Let us pretend I am the enemy.

PRUE:
Oh, that is way too easy.

Phoebe claps her hands, laughing. Natalie glares then picks up a piece of wood.

NATALIE:
This piece of wood is your innocent. Now talk me through how you plan to separate me from your innocent.

PHOEBE:
Well, if Piper were here, she'd freeze them.

NATALIE:
But Piper is not here.

PRUE:
(muttering)
No thanks to you.

NATALIE:
What was that?

PRUE:
Nothing. I would just use my power to do this...

Prue uses her power and the piece of wood FLIES OUT OF Natalie's hands.

PRUE:
Oh, I'm so sorry.

Phoebe laughs.

NATALIE:
Not as sorry as you would be if Belthazor deflected your power so it threw you instead.

PRUE:
Yeah, like he did during the battle.

Natalie looks smug.

PHOEBE:
He has deflection?

NATALIE:
Yes. That power, along with his intelligence, is why he has survived for so many years.

PHOEBE:
All right, you know what? This is too hard. Usually in these situations, you know, everything happens so quickly and the adrenaline is pumping. Although I admit I can't do a lot. I can make suggestions to Prue, but that's about it.

NATALIE:
But that is much better. I want you to think using your brains, not your glands. Now try again.

PHOEBE:
Well, I could throw a potion at him.

NATALIE:
Potions will not work on a high-level demon like Belthazor. Not without a piece of his flesh.

PHOEBE:
Ew!

NATALIE:
So already your innocent would be dead. Think about it.

PRUE:
No, we have one more weapon - spells.

PHOEBE:
But we don't have Piper. No Power of Three.

NATALIE:
No, you do not. But the properly-worded spell may still work. And it is something you can do before you confront your demon, not something you can do after you begin to battle him.

Both Prue and Phoebe roll their eyes.

DISSOLVE TO:

STOCK FOOTAGE: P3 during the day.

INT. P3 - NIGHTCLUB - DAY

Prue and Phoebe are sitting at the bar trying to write spells. Natalie is sitting at a table nearby.

PHOEBE:
Hey, if we don't vanquish Belthazor, can we at least vanquish Natalie?

PRUE:
Don't tempt me. All right, I've got the part where we call on the power of the Warren line. We don't have Piper but we do have that.

PHOEBE:
Mine came out a little country western. "I'm rejectin' your deflection."

Prue looks over Phoebe's spell.

PRUE:
Well, if I add it to mine, the spell should work, but we have to get it past you-know-who.

Prue quickly writes on her sheet of paper.

PHOEBE:
You know something? Leo never had to approve our spells. He trusted us.

PRUE:
Yeah, but she said that she needs to hear it.

PHOEBE:
You know what? What she needs none of us can give her, all right?

PRUE:
All right, but still personal feelings aside, you kind of have to admire her professionally, you know? She's very dedicated.

PHOEBE:
Yeah, but she's not Leo.

PRUE:
No, she's not. Leo cares about something besides the rules.

Natalie walks over to Prue and Phoebe.

NATALIE:
How is that spell coming along?

PHOEBE:
Great. All done.

NATALIE:
Good.

PRUE:
Here you go.

Prue hands Natalie the piece of paper and Natalie reads the spell.

NATALIE:
(approvingly)
Very good. I do believe that you are ready.

PRUE:
All right, I'll start scrying for his location.

PHOEBE:
I want to check on Cole. Prue?

Prue gives her a look.

PHOEBE
Please? I promise I'll get my own as soon as I get a job.

Prue sighs and reaches in her pocket for her phone while Phoebe reaches in her pocket for Cole's card. Prue hands Phoebe her phone and Phoebe dials. She waits and waits, listening and getting no answer, getting more upset as she does. She finally disconnects.

PHOEBE:
(panicking, waving the phone around)
There's no answer. We've got to go save him! Now!

Prue manages to grab her phone from Phoebe's hand and returns it to her pocket. Phoebe hardly notices, she's so frantic. She turns to Natalie.

PHOEBE:
You can orb us there, right?

NATALIE:
You can not be serious. It is strictly against the rules for a whitelighter to use his or her orbing power to transport someone else, especially a charge. I know, of course, that Leo broke this rule when he attempted to orb your sister Up There. Was this not the first time he broke this rule?

PHOEBE:
It’s to protect an innocent. Please.

PRUE:
Phoebe, we don’t even know where to go. And with him not answering his phone, we don’t have any way of finding out.

PHOEBE:
Cole’s probably hurt and needs our help.

Prue takes the card from Phoebe.

PRUE:
Look. We can try calling his office.

PHOEBE:
That won’t do any good. They won’t tell us anything.

Prue sighs and turns over the card to get Cole's home number again. She raises an eyebrow.

PRUE:
Why didn’t you mention he left his address for you, too?

PHOEBE:
He did?

Prue nods and hands Phoebe the card. Phoebe grins.

PHOEBE:
He did!

Phoebe waves the card at Natalie.

PHOEBE:
Now we know where to go. Please help us, Natalie.

NATALIE:
It is completely against the rules.

Prue puts her hand on Phoebe’s shoulder.

PRUE:
Quit arguing with her. It won’t work and we’re just wasting time.

Phoebe gives Natalie a look and nods at Prue.

PHOEBE:
Let’s go.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. UNDERWORLD CAVE – COUNCIL CHAMBER - ETERNAL NIGHT

Cole warily eyes the six hooded members of The Demonic Council.

COLE:
Is that all?

COUNCIL MEMBER #1:
You may leave.

Cole turns and walks toward the entrance. Behind him the council member nods to a LIGHTNING DEMON standing nearby. The Lightning Demon raises his hand and LIGHTNING BOLTS FLY FROM HIS HAND, HITTING Cole in the back.

COLE:
(swearing)
What the hell!

Cole doubles over, narrowly avoiding BEING HIT AGAIN BY A LIGHTNING BOLT.

The CAMERA cuts over to the Council, who simply watches, then cuts back to Cole, who jumps to his feet, roaring. He RIPPLES and TURNS INTO BELTHAZOR.

BELTHAZOR:
(roaring)
Since when do you attack me?

Belthazor forms a HUGE FIRE BALL and throws it at the Lightning Demon who SHIMMERS OUT of the way. When he SHIMMERS back IN, his hand is again raised. Belthazor raises his own hand. The Lightning Demon smirks.

LIGHTNING DEMON:
(sarcastically)
Sorry, Belthazor, but your reflective powers do not work against my lightning bolts.

COUNCIL MEMBER #1:
It is why we chose him for this task.

LIGHTNING DEMON:
And it is my pleasure.

Again the Lightning Demon holds up his hand and a LIGHTING BOLT FLARES from the demon to Belthazor, HITTING HIM IN THE CHEST, forcing him to FLY ACROSS THE ROOM where he HITS THE WALL OF THE CAVE with a loud CRACK. After a few beats, his body FLICKERS and TURNS BACK into Cole. The Lightning Demon walks over to him, a sickeningly sweet smile on his face.

Cole is barely conscious, but he turns to look at the Council.

COLE:
(whispering, in great pain)
Why?

COUNCIL MEMBER #1:
You gave a Charmed One a card and it gave her a premonition of you attacking them. She thinks that it was Belthazor attacking you. Thanks to that card, they are almost to your penthouse. They must find what they expect to see or you are useless to us...and our Master.

COUNCIL MEMBER #2:
(to the Lightning Demon)
Take him back to his penthouse. Be certain that it appears that he has been attacked in his own home. You will receive the bounty that was once promised him.

The Lightning Demon grins and then turns to face the Council and bows.

LIGHTNING DEMON:
It shall be done.

The Lightning Demon leans down and picks up Cole before he SHIMMERS OUT.

QUICK CUT TO:

INT. COLE’S PENTHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING

The Lighting Demon SHIMMERS IN, Cole still in his arms. The Lightning Demon drops Cole unceremoniously to the floor then holds up his hand. LIGHTNING BOLTS FLY from his hand, DESTROYING almost every piece of furniture in the room. He turns towards Cole, his hand still raised, and a LIGHTNING BOLT FLIES from his hand and HITS Cole. Cole screams from the agony.

LIGHTNING DEMON:
Our Master also sends his regards, Belthazor. Personally, I hope The Charmed Ones do not arrive in time.

OFF Cole, moaning and groaning in agony, we

BLACKOUT.

END OF ACT THREE

[/font]

[Esmeralda]

ACT FOUR

INT. COLE’S PENTHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONT.

Cole is lying on the floor, still moaning and groaning in pain. The front door flies open and Prue and Phoebe run in. Phoebe rushes over to Cole and kneels down next to him.

PHOEBE:
Cole! Are you all right?

COLE:
(moaning)
I think so.

PRUE:
What happened?

COLE:
I was attacked.

PHOEBE:
Was it by a big red-and-black ugly thing?

COLE:
Yeah, I guess that's how you would describe it. I've never seen anything like that before. What was it?

Prue looks at Phoebe who looks at her.

PRUE:
It was a demon.

COLE:
A demon? There's no such thing as...

PHOEBE:
I'm afraid there are. There's also such things as angels.
(looking up and yelling)
Leo! Leo! We need you.

PRUE:
(sighing)
He's not allowed to answer, remember?

Phoebe sighs.

PHOEBE:
Oh, yeah.
(yelling)
Natalie! Natalie! We need you.

Natalie ORBS IN, frowning.

NATALIE:
What is it? And why did you call me when you were not alone? That is against the rules.

PHOEBE:
Cole. Our innocent. Belthazor attacked him. You must heal him.

NATALIE:
That is against the rules. A whitelighter only heals her charges.

PRUE:
No. You heal wounds caused by Evil. He was attacked by a demon. That's what your healing powers are for. Now start healing.

Natalie considers it, then nods and kneels down next to Cole.

COLE:
She's an angel? Not my idea of any angel.

PHOEBE:
Sh. She can help.

Natalie holds her hands over Cole. They GLOW GOLDEN and soon Cole GLOWS GOLDEN as he is healed.

COLE:
I don't know who or what you are, but thank you.

Natalie nods and then turns to Prue and Phoebe.

NATALIE:
I am going to go report to
(looks Up)
Them. This is all very disturbing.

Before Prue or Phoebe can reply, Natalie ORBS OUT..

PRUE:
Ooh! I wish I could find that precious rules book of hers and whack her over the head with it!

COLE:
(turns to Phoebe)
Is this what you were talking about on the phone?

PHOEBE:
Yeah.

COLE:
How did you know?

PHOEBE:
This is going to be hard to handle, but I'm a witch.

PRUE:
Phoebe!

PHOEBE:
He's already been introduced to magic in a horrible way, Prue. He deserves to know. Cole, we're witches, but we're good witches. We've done a lot of good. You won't give us away, will you?

COLE:
How can I give you away when I don't understand what's going on? First a demon, then an angel, and then a witch? I'm going to wake up soon, right?

PHOEBE:
No, it's all real, I'm afraid. There's more. I have powers. I had a premonition of this happening. I wish we could have prevented it.

COLE:
But why would a, a, a demon attack me? I'm just an ADA, and now I think I'm not that good of one.

PRUE:
Did he say anything that might give us a hint?

COLE:
Yeah, that's right, he did. Just before he left, he said that Sanchez sent his regards. Is Emilio Sanchez one of those demons, too?

PRUE:
No, but he's been in league with them before.

PHOEBE:
(relieved to be telling the whole truth)
That's why we couldn't find the murder weapon. The demon who was helping him took it when we vanquished him.

Cole nods in pretend understanding as Prue glares at Phoebe, afraid that she's telling Cole too much.

PHOEBE:
You've vowed to see him behind bars. Maybe he's trying to get rid of you so you can't.

COLE:
Well, thanks to you girls I'm more determined than ever to put him where he belongs for the rest of his life.

Phoebe smiles at him dreamily, clearly smitten.

PRUE:
You might want to leave that to us. We've had more experience with this.

COLE:
Just a moment. I have something that might help.

Cole walks over to what’s left of his desk and starts looking for something.

PRUE:
Be quick, we need to find him before anyone else is hurt.

PHOEBE:
But where do we find Sanchez before he or that ugly demon hurt someone else?

PRUE:
I don't know, but we should tell Darryl about this in case there's more attacks.

PHOEBE:
You know how much he hates hearing about demons.

PRUE:
Yes, but he should be warned.

Phoebe nods as Prue takes out her cell phone. In the b.g. Cole lifts a black portfolio in triumph.

COLE:
I found it.
(to Phoebe)
Come take a look at this.

Phoebe walks over and Cole holds out the portfolio.

COLE:
This is the brief I have from the trial. Maybe something in here will help you find him.

Phoebe takes the portfolio and gasps as she is thrown into a premonition.

QUICK CUT TO:

PHOEBE'S PREMONITION (in black and white)

EXT. ALLEY - EVENING

Emilio is attacking Darryl with another athame.

QUICK CUT TO:

INT. COLE'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM

Phoebe gasps as she comes out of the premonition. Prue has the phone next to her ear, but she’s watching Phoebe.

PRUE:
Phoebe! What did you see?

PHOEBE:
Darryl! Sanchez is going to attack Darryl!

PRUE:
Let's go!

COLE:
But...

PRUE:
Just stay here. Let us take care of this.

Prue and Phoebe rush out the front door.

After a beat, the demon SHIMMERS IN.

DEMON:
Very good, Belthazor. The Council is well pleased and so is our Master. Continue the deception of The Charmed Ones and they and he might just let you live.

The demon SHIMMERS OUT as Cole rakes his fingers through his hair, not really certain what to think or what to do. This is like nothing he has ever faced before.

CUT TO:

INT. COLE’S APARTMENT BUILDING – ELEVATOR - EVENING

Prue closes her cell phone, looking worried.

PRUE:
(muttering)
No answer. Why isn’t he answering? I left a message but I would feel better if he'd answer.
(to Phoebe)
Are you sure what you saw was P3?

PHOEBE:
I’m not sure. I'm sure it was an alley, and I think it was the alley behind P3.

PRUE:
Think, Phoebe. Was there anything in there to tell you where it was?

Phoebe frowns, thinking.

PHOEBE:
No, but I think it was. It’s our only shot.

Natalie ORBS in.

NATALIE:
Your only shot? You are both being quite impetuous again. You must return to the Manor for more training.

PRUE:
Training! But, Natalie, Darryl could be in trouble.

NATALIE:
But you do not know that. Nor do you know how to stop Emilio Sanchez.
(looks up)
THEY insist that you receive more training first.

PHOEBE:
Darryl is our friend.

NATALIE:
And if you do not do this properly he may be the next one to die while Emilio Sanchez goes free once again. You do not even know for sure where this attack will take place. Until you do, you must not act so impetuously.
(looks Up)
THEY are not pleased.

The CAMERA backs up and again we see Piper and Leo trapped in their smeary white prison cell. Piper is hopping mad.

PIPER:
Training over protecting an innocent? Especially when it's Darryl? Is she nuts?! Ooo, if I were down there...

LEO:
(calmly)
Well, she is right, Piper. They don't know where the attack is going to take place. They can scry or do other things so they can be sure.

PIPER:
But Phoebe thinks it's P3! That's where the other two attacks were.

LEO:
Phoebe thinks it's P3. She does not know.

Piper sputters as THE CAMERA goes back to the scene on the wall and we see Natalie, Prue and Phoebe exiting from the elevator.

NATALIE:
I shall meet you at the Manor.

She looks around to be sure that the foyer is empty then ORBS OUT.

PRUE:
I suppose we should do as she says.

PHOEBE:
Yeah, otherwise we might not get Leo or Piper back.

PRUE:
Well, nothing better happen to Darryl or I will sic a darklighter on her,
(looks Up)
THEM or no THEM!

CUT TO:

INT. P3 – NIGHTCLUB - EVENING

Abbey hands Darryl a glass of water.

ABBEY:
Did you have any more questions, Inspector?

Darryl shakes his head.

DARRYL:
No, that’s all. Thanks, Ms. Landers. I’ll let you know if I think of anything else.

ABBEY:
All I know is that Prue was wonderful the way she took over and rushed back there and saved your life. I wish I could be like that.

Darryl smiles.

DARRYL:
Yeah, she and her sisters have helped the SFPD a lot.

Abbey smiles back as she wipes down the bar and puts the paper towels into the trash before taking out the plastic liner and tying it up.

ABBEY:
Inspector, the evening rush is going to start soon, so I'm going to go dump this. Just holler if you need me.

Darryl nods absently as Abbey exits. Darryl pulls out his cell phone and opens it, turning it back on.

DARRYL:
(mumbles)
Missed message from Prue.

PRUE (v.o. filtered):
Darryl, Phoebe and I are worried. She saw Emilio Sanchez attacking you again, and she thinks it was behind P3. Please be careful. And don’t go near P3.

DARRYL:
P3?

Darryl looks toward the back as we hear a scream o.s.

DARRYL:
Ms. Landers!

Darryl runs towards the back, taking out his service revolver as he does.

CUT TO:

EXT. ALLEY BEHIND P3 - EVENING

Emilio has Abbey in his grasp with the athame raised. Abbey is screaming and struggling, trying to get free. Darryl runs out the back door.

DARRYL:
Police! Let her go!

Emilio begins to strike with the athame but Darryl SHOOTS him in the arm that's holding the athame. The athame goes FLYING as Emilio screams, letting Abbey go. Darryl rushes over to Emilio and shoves him against the Dumpster, grabbing Emilio's arms, Emilio screaming from the pain. Darryl ignores the screams as he pulls Emilio's arms behind his back and cuffs him.

DARRYL:
Emilio Sanchez, you are under arrest for attempted murder. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law...

QUICK CUT TO:

INT. COURTROOM - DAY

Although we can't hear what's going on, we see a different judge (JUDGE #2) sitting behind the bench listening to Darryl who is holding the athame and testifying as Cole questions him.

As Darryl testifies, he DISSOLVES and becomes Abbey, who is also testifying as Cole questions her.

The CAMERA cuts to the front spectator row where Prue and Phoebe are watching, very pleased to see what is going on. The CAMERA pans the other spectators and we see Paige sitting in the back row, also smiling at the procedures. She looks down at the framed picture she's holding, one of Virginia Jones. A single teardrop falls on the picture.

Again the scene DISSOLVES, this time showing JUDGE #2 reading his decision.

JUDGE #2:
After listening to both sides, I find that the Assistant District Attorney has satisfactorily shown that there is enough evidence to hold Emilio Sanchez over for trial for attempted murder in the attack on Abbey Landers. The trial will begin in three weeks. Until then, the defendant will be kept in custody on a $2,000 bail.

JUDGE #2 bangs his gavel.

The CAMERA cuts to a grinning Paige, who is once more in the back row. As we once more hear the judge BANG HIS GAVEL o.s., she pumps her fist in victory, then looks down to smile at the framed picture.

After a moment, the CAMERA cuts to Phoebe, Prue and Abbey who are celebrating then the CAMERA pans to Cole who turns to smile sadly at them.

COLE:
(resigned)
It's not the same as prosecuting him for first-degree murder. The most he'll serve is ten years. But he will serve those ten years, I swear it. A partial victory is better than no victory at all.

Phoebe smiles back, even more smitten than before.

CUT TO:

INT. SAN FRANCISCO JAIL – BOOKING

Emilio is on the phone.

EMILIO:
You’re supposed to give me the best defense. Why didn’t I get to have Free Willy as my judge again? He would've let me go free.

ALAN (o.s., filtered):
You didn’t get Willy because you blew it. The same reason why I'm no longer your attorney.

EMILIO:
Well, you should've gotten me another guardian demon so I could've finished the deed.

ALAN (o.s. filtered):
You still don’t you get it. There are no second chances. You blew it and that’s it. No more help. Ever.

EMILIO:
I would have...

ALAN (o.s. filtered):
I don’t want your excuses. You blew it and then like a fool you did something stupid. I wash my hands of you. I am done with you. Find yourself a new laywer. I don’t back fools. And unless you want to spend the rest of your life in a straitjacket, I wouldn't suggest mentioning the word demon in any court.

OFF Emilio's disbelieving look, we

DISSOLVE TO:

TAG

STOCK FOOTAGE: P3 at night.

INT. P3 - NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

The CAMERA pans to the crowded dance floor, while a band plays o.s. It pans over to the Halliwells' usual booth where Phoebe and Prue are sitting, sharing drinks. The CAMERA focuses on Piper's still-empty place before backing up to focus on her two sisters.

PHOEBE:
Cole was so wonderful in that courtroom. I've never known anyone like him.

PRUE:
Well, we were lucky that Sanchez is a non-magical and no longer had his guardian demon. If he was a demon or a warlock, I don't think Darryl would've fared as well. Both he and Abbey could be dead now.

PHOEBE:
Yeah. It's lucky that it was Sanchez doing the attacking, not Belthazor.

PRUE:
Well, we're lucky he hasn't attacked again with Piper and Leo still gone. I do wish THEY would let them come back soon.

PHOEBE:
At least Natalie has also stayed away.

PRUE:
Yeah, but she's still our--

Phoebe shushes Prue as Abbey comes over to bring them some snacks.

ABBEY:
I still can't believe what happened! Mr. Turner was wonderful

Phoebe glares at her, a bit jealously.

ABBEY (cont):
and Inspector Morris was wonderful, too. But you were the most wonderful, Prue.

PRUE:
Me?

PHOEBE:
Her?

ABBEY:
Yeah, if you hadn't saved the inspector, he wouldn't have been able to save me. Oh, I wish I could be more like you!

PRUE:
You really don't want that, Abbey. I really live a pretty dull life. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.

ABBEY:
Well, I wish that would've happened to me rather than being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The sisters nod sadly as Abbey sets the snacks on their table and then returns to the bar. The sisters raise their glasses and tap them before reaching them towards Piper's seat and pretending to tap hers. Then as they lean back to listen to the music, we

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT FOUR

END CREDITS

END OF EPISODE