They began to chant," The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.."
"NO ladies. I am perfectly safe. Nothing will happen to me," she said with an evil grin snickering at their feudal efforts.
"..The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.."
Phoebe hoped that their jailer would run scared. Chanting the phase over and over she could she Shannen even getting into it. Then the curtain in the basement began to move. The demon looked around startled. The curtain fluttered faster and faster. The wind began to blow as the dust was kicked up from the basement floor.
"..The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.."
"No, it isn't possible!" screamed the demon looking around very confused. Cold chills ran up her back as the cold wind blew.
Phoebe looked up a moment. Amazed at the results she held her Piper's and Shannen's hands tighter as they continued the chant.
"..The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.
The power of three will set us free.."
More and more wind whipped up as their demon captor began to spin around and screamed in pain. Faster and faster she spun as she exploded into a fiery mass and disappeared. The hollowing noise stopped, the wind died down and the field around their cage vanished with one small electric crackle.
"How the hell did we do that?" asked Shannen scratching her head.
"I'll say we gave them the old one, two, power of three knockout! Shannen you were super," cried a very excited Phoebe. She reached up to slap five, but neither of the others was paying attention.
"I did that? I'm a real witch?" asked Shannen questioning her own sanity and everything else she had seen the past few days.
Throwing her hair to one side Piper thought for a moment. "Don't you see? I asked that the bond, the power of three not be broken. I wanted us to be whole again. Shannen you aren't a witch, but in our own marvelous way you still hold the secret to the bond of the Halliwell sisters. You aren't Prue, but you understand her. You understand what the Halliwell's and their magical world are about. And you have completed our tirade."
"Come again?" asked Shannen definably not getting the explanation.
"In the past, when our sisterly bond as been broken, we lost our powers. When we were angry or hurt at each other the bond was broken. Piper with all her love wanted that bond renewed. And you filled that void. You're the missing piece of the puzzle. Shannen, you have brought back to us the power of three and together the three of us can survive," Phoebe explained. "This is so great."
"Incredible. I don't believe that. But then a lot of incredible things have happened to me lately. Looks like you can hang out the shingle again. Charmed Ones, open for business," smiled Shannen. "I guess I have just a wee bit of the magic in me. I really can help you guys out with your demon problems. It's a start. A definite beginning for me here."
"You bet. Within our world, within the Charmed Ones and within our hearts. Shannen, You're really one of US!" said Piper like she truly meant it as she hugged her. Phoebe threw herself at the two of them and joined in. A new joy spread across Shannon's face as she gently put her hands on their backs and then embraced them tightly. She closed her eyes and cried inside just a little.
Two weeks later on an especially noisy night at Piper's little dance club, Piper was sitting behind the bar looking over the crowd watching it with her sister Phoebe.
"Never seen the crowd this worked up. Not even with live music. It feels real great!" said Phoebe playing with her drink and moving her shoulders to the music. "Now all I need is for that A.J. McLean look-alike to come over and sit next to me."
"Who?" asked Piper putting down her own drink.
"That cute guy next to the redhead," said Phoebe pointing with her head.
"Not a chance! He's just waiting for Lucy to finish her shift. They are practically engaged," said Piper reluctantly knowing Phoebe really needed a new guy.
"Need more downtime here. Didn't think I had to check with my sister first. Give me another one of these," Phoebe said shoving her glass at Piper.
Piper quipped, "One more Demon Cocktail coming up." Phoebe looked puzzled. "Just kidding!" said Piper looking worried when her sister took her that seriously.
Turning around Phoebe almost ran into Shannen who gleefully sat at the bar. "Break out the champagne!"
"What's all the excitement? The Bayshore Heights Community Playhouse doesn't pay too much," Piper reminded her.
"True. But Paramount does! I've got a part in the new Penny Marshall movie!" said Shannen breaking into even a bigger grin.
"Shannen, that's great! I'm so happy for you!" exclaimed Piper grabbing her arm.
"Wow, you're back on your way to Hollywood! Any place for a psychology major with a will to work and doesn't mind ogling the stars?" asked Phoebe with a little impish grin.
"Don't have enough clout here for that. Yet. Phoebe, you'll find something. I did. It feels great to back be even if it's only a start. I need to have more than three items on my resume," giggled Shannen
"Like mine. Demon hunting doesn't count for much among the business types unless they've taken a franchise from the Source. This doesn't mean you're leaving us?" asked Phoebe looking down a bit.
"That's a point. How long will you be gone?" asked Piper wiping the counter.
"Don't worry guys. It's not for six weeks and it's only a small part. I'm not leaving the only good friends I have here. And you'll need me someday. I won't let you two down," said Shannen patting each of their hands.
"Good to know. And I will break out the bubbly. Well, one bottle. Hell, make it the whole case. Paul!" cried Piper.
"Must be my fate. What I was running from landed me right back in the middle of it again with a whole new twist to the character. The prodigal has returned! Certainly added the 'magic' back into the role."
Piper popped the cork and poured each of them a glass. "Here's to our newest and best friend."
"And to our magical alliance," Phoebe added.
Shannen raised his glass and replied, "To the Charmed Ones!"
And so the saga continues.
A NEW BEGINNING