The Hidden Page
Family Trial
Conclusion
A large contingent of the immortal community from near and far gathered in one of Olympus' largest courtrooms. The trial of this or any century was about to begin. The defendant Paige Matthews was led to her seat in chains forged by Hesphestas himself. She was dressed in a robe made of sackcloth died orange. The look completely suited her, Phoebe thought and then felt completely ashamed of herself.
There wasn't a doubt in her mind that she wanted Paige to have to accept responsibility for her crimes against them and face whatever consequences were coming to her as a result. What Phoebe didn't want was to become vindictive. That would be handing Paige, Sam and Anton a post mortem victory of sorts. Plus like it or not, Paige would always be her half sister for better or worse, and that fact alone made Phoebe sincerely sad that things had turned out this way.
She felt a hand grip her right one. Phoebe half- way turned in her seat to gratefully acknowledge Prue's support. Their older sister also had a hold of Piper's hand who was seated to the other side of her. The sisters shared solemn glances and then turned their attention back to the unfolding scene as Paige's counsel took her place at the defendant's table. The woman looked more than a little flustered as she kept dropping the multitude of scrolls she carried.
"Who is Paige's defense attorney?" Phoebe asked. Her name is Dirce. She's a wonderful and caring being that really does have her clients' best interests at heart. She's just not particularly organized," Prue told them. "I kind of feel bad for her. There's no way she can win this case," she continued. The deck is kind of stacked against the defense. Athena is definitely a judge who errs on the side of Law and Order. She'll be fair though, I'm sure."
"You ought to know," Piper remarked. "She is your guardian goddess after all which again shouldn't surprise me. I always knew I was surrounded by beauty and wisdom," she said smiling at her two sisters.
"And we've always been surrounded by the warmth of a truly caring heart," Phoebe said as she reached across Prue to squeeze Piper's free hand.
Just then Cole entered the courtroom looking very distinguished and confident. He was back in one of the roles that suited him like a glove, that of a district attorney. He turned to look at Phoebe and she winked at him for luck. Not that he was going to really need it, she thought. He was a damned good lawyer. It was just as Prue had said a few moments ago. Paige didn't stand a chance of beating this rap. Even if by some miracle she won in this courtroom, both the Norse and Ere courts had charges pending against her for her part in the conspiracy to harm Leo and Cole.
Cole discreetly blew Phoebe a kiss in return and turned back to open his brief case and then he became the soul of concentration. As Athena entered the courtroom, Evander ordered everyone to rise. Phoebe observed with shock that Paige remained seated. Not only that she was playing with her nails as if she didn't have a care in the word.
Evander cleared his throat and nervously repeated himself. Paige continued to nonchalantly defy the courtroom etiquette. Hercules who had been sitting with his wife Marriana stood and then stepped forward to firmly draw Paige to her feet. Athena who was now behind the bench shook her head in clear disapproval of the defendant's attitude. She took her seat and motioned for everyone to do the same. She banged her gavel and Evander called the court to order. Athena pointed towards Cole.
"Mr. Turner what are the charges against the defendant?" she asked him.
"Your honor" Cole began, "Miss Matthews is charged with conspiracy to commit assault, battery, and attempted murder on the persons of Piper and Phoebe Halliwell, Leo Wyatt and myself."
Athena briefly scribbled some notes and then Phoebe saw her gaze move to Dirce. "How does the defendant plead?" Athena asked.
Dirce stood up and knocked over her glass of water. She ineffectively tried to dab at the flood. Hercules took over the mopping job for her after he had pointed towards his sister on the bench.
Paige with her right shoulder practically body slammed Dirce into her seat. The whole court gasped at this disgusting display of behavior. Iolaus moved forward quickly to subdue Paige.
"Would you care to explain why you just attacked your defense attorney?" Athena asked clearly angered.
"Please don't insult my intelligence or yours by calling this cerebrally challenged airhead a defense attorney," Paige sneered. "And I'll be glad to tell you why I did it. It's because I refuse to participate in this Kangroo court. I don't recognize your jurisdiction over me and besides have any of you supposed giant legal minds ever heard of conflict of interest? Your district attorney here is by his own admission one of the alleged victims and he's shacking up with one of the other alleged victims."
She sent a nasty look Phoebe's way. Phoebe couldn't resist giving Paige an even nastier one in return.
Then Paige turned back to Athena. "And then there is you, your honor. You are the really ancient Aunt of both two of the victims and myself although the thought of being related to you makes me want to throw up. Do you really think you can be impartial? So why don't we just end this joke and convict me. You know you are going to any way so I'll save us all sometime and proudly plead guilty. My only regret is my father's plans to get those two bitches and their lover boys didn't succeed."
"Oh my God," Prue whispered in amazement. She's even more moronic than I feared. Is Mom really sure she gave birth to this cretin? It's like she wants to end up eternally banished to Tarturus."
"Tarturus?" Piper questioned Prue. "What is that?" "Its Olympus' version of the hell of all hells. From what I've heard it makes the Source's underworld seem like a beach in Cannes. If Athena decides to send Paige there, there's no hope for her. She won't even have a chance at redeeming herself through future reincarnation," Prue informed them.
At this point Phoebe was beginning to wonder if that was the only possible resolution to be reached here. She felt really sorry for their mother, Grams, Zeus and Hera. They were obviously devastated that Paige seemed to be growing more malevolent by the moment. The woman whom Prue had identified as Demeter, goddess of nature, was practically inconsolable. Aphrodite had told Phoebe earlier that Demeter was meant to be Paige's guardian goddess.
Apparently she felt responsible for failing Paige even though everyone had assured her that she wasn't to blame because she hadn't even been made aware of Paige's existence until just recently. Demeter wasn't convinced, however, because when she had found out she hadn't rushed to begin her duties. She'd apparently been in one of her blue periods because her daughter Persephone was spending more and more time with her husband Hades, in the underworld, and spending less time with her mother.
Aphrodite had explained that it wasn't that Demeter didn't love her mother, it was just as the years passed Persephone and Hades were growing closer than ever and it was becoming harder and harder for her to part with her husband even for short periods. Phoebe sympathized with her on that end. She thought the rule that forced Persephone to make such choices was as silly as anything the Elders had ever come up with and she intended to take the matter up with her great grandfather as soon as possible.
Phoebe had her own nuclear family crisis to deal with at the moment, however.
"Well then Miss Matthews you leave me no choice but to except your plea," Athena said with a tinge of reluctant pity in her voice. And for the record if you had shown any sign of remorse I would have bent over backwards to aide you and been extremely lenient. It is far too late now, however, far too late."
"By the power invested in me by the Light and my father Zeus, I here by sentence you to a term of imprisonment on the dark side of Hade's underworld which shall run the rest of your mortal life. There you will undergo court ordered therapy and hopefully it will help you see the error of your ways so that you may redeem yourself and be eligible for reincarnation. There is still a chance to save your soul Miss Matthews, and it is this court's sincerest wish that you will seize it. As for your powers they will be permanently stripped from you even should you be reincarnated. This court cannot take the risk that they will corrupt you again and be used to harm innocents."
"Is my decision acceptable to the prosecution?" Athena asked Cole.
"Yes your honor," he answered. Phoebe could tell her future husband felt no victory in the verdict. He like her was obviously pondering the tragedy of Paige's wasted potential.
"Dirce, please accept the court's apologies for the defendant's uncalled for assault on your person and reputation," Athena said still conducting the trial. "I know it may be difficult for you to continue on Miss Matthew's behalf but are you willing to do so?"
"Yes, your Honor," Dirce said managing to pull her dignity together despite what had happened.
"Then is the court's decision fair and acceptable to the defense?"
"Yes it is your honor and as her defense council I sincerely apologize to you and the assembled court on her behalf. She is obviously a very troubled young woman and I like you sincerely hope that she will be able to obtain the help she needs in order to regain her immortal soul. You have been more than fair."
Paige just harrumphed. "Don't push your luck," Dirce growled softly at Paige.
Hades and some of his guards appeared and took Paige into custody. The only sound that could be heard in the courtroom after they disappeared was the soft sounds of sobs. Phoebe was grateful that her father had stepped forward to take their mother in his arms and comfort her. She was equally glad when Cole and Leo walked over to she, Piper, and Prue and pulled all three of them into a consoling group hug. It was really needed at this point. While all the younger Halliwell clan was happy this nightmare was finally over there was no joy in the way it had concluded. They could only take solace in one another and hold on to the hope that the future had better things in store.
The End of The Hidden Page.
Family Trial
Conclusion
A large contingent of the immortal community from near and far gathered in one of Olympus' largest courtrooms. The trial of this or any century was about to begin. The defendant Paige Matthews was led to her seat in chains forged by Hesphestas himself. She was dressed in a robe made of sackcloth died orange. The look completely suited her, Phoebe thought and then felt completely ashamed of herself.
There wasn't a doubt in her mind that she wanted Paige to have to accept responsibility for her crimes against them and face whatever consequences were coming to her as a result. What Phoebe didn't want was to become vindictive. That would be handing Paige, Sam and Anton a post mortem victory of sorts. Plus like it or not, Paige would always be her half sister for better or worse, and that fact alone made Phoebe sincerely sad that things had turned out this way.
She felt a hand grip her right one. Phoebe half- way turned in her seat to gratefully acknowledge Prue's support. Their older sister also had a hold of Piper's hand who was seated to the other side of her. The sisters shared solemn glances and then turned their attention back to the unfolding scene as Paige's counsel took her place at the defendant's table. The woman looked more than a little flustered as she kept dropping the multitude of scrolls she carried.
"Who is Paige's defense attorney?" Phoebe asked. Her name is Dirce. She's a wonderful and caring being that really does have her clients' best interests at heart. She's just not particularly organized," Prue told them. "I kind of feel bad for her. There's no way she can win this case," she continued. The deck is kind of stacked against the defense. Athena is definitely a judge who errs on the side of Law and Order. She'll be fair though, I'm sure."
"You ought to know," Piper remarked. "She is your guardian goddess after all which again shouldn't surprise me. I always knew I was surrounded by beauty and wisdom," she said smiling at her two sisters.
"And we've always been surrounded by the warmth of a truly caring heart," Phoebe said as she reached across Prue to squeeze Piper's free hand.
Just then Cole entered the courtroom looking very distinguished and confident. He was back in one of the roles that suited him like a glove, that of a district attorney. He turned to look at Phoebe and she winked at him for luck. Not that he was going to really need it, she thought. He was a damned good lawyer. It was just as Prue had said a few moments ago. Paige didn't stand a chance of beating this rap. Even if by some miracle she won in this courtroom, both the Norse and Ere courts had charges pending against her for her part in the conspiracy to harm Leo and Cole.
Cole discreetly blew Phoebe a kiss in return and turned back to open his brief case and then he became the soul of concentration. As Athena entered the courtroom, Evander ordered everyone to rise. Phoebe observed with shock that Paige remained seated. Not only that she was playing with her nails as if she didn't have a care in the word.
Evander cleared his throat and nervously repeated himself. Paige continued to nonchalantly defy the courtroom etiquette. Hercules who had been sitting with his wife Marriana stood and then stepped forward to firmly draw Paige to her feet. Athena who was now behind the bench shook her head in clear disapproval of the defendant's attitude. She took her seat and motioned for everyone to do the same. She banged her gavel and Evander called the court to order. Athena pointed towards Cole.
"Mr. Turner what are the charges against the defendant?" she asked him.
"Your honor" Cole began, "Miss Matthews is charged with conspiracy to commit assault, battery, and attempted murder on the persons of Piper and Phoebe Halliwell, Leo Wyatt and myself."
Athena briefly scribbled some notes and then Phoebe saw her gaze move to Dirce. "How does the defendant plead?" Athena asked.
Dirce stood up and knocked over her glass of water. She ineffectively tried to dab at the flood. Hercules took over the mopping job for her after he had pointed towards his sister on the bench.
Paige with her right shoulder practically body slammed Dirce into her seat. The whole court gasped at this disgusting display of behavior. Iolaus moved forward quickly to subdue Paige.
"Would you care to explain why you just attacked your defense attorney?" Athena asked clearly angered.
"Please don't insult my intelligence or yours by calling this cerebrally challenged airhead a defense attorney," Paige sneered. "And I'll be glad to tell you why I did it. It's because I refuse to participate in this Kangroo court. I don't recognize your jurisdiction over me and besides have any of you supposed giant legal minds ever heard of conflict of interest? Your district attorney here is by his own admission one of the alleged victims and he's shacking up with one of the other alleged victims."
She sent a nasty look Phoebe's way. Phoebe couldn't resist giving Paige an even nastier one in return.
Then Paige turned back to Athena. "And then there is you, your honor. You are the really ancient Aunt of both two of the victims and myself although the thought of being related to you makes me want to throw up. Do you really think you can be impartial? So why don't we just end this joke and convict me. You know you are going to any way so I'll save us all sometime and proudly plead guilty. My only regret is my father's plans to get those two bitches and their lover boys didn't succeed."
"Oh my God," Prue whispered in amazement. She's even more moronic than I feared. Is Mom really sure she gave birth to this cretin? It's like she wants to end up eternally banished to Tarturus."
"Tarturus?" Piper questioned Prue. "What is that?" "Its Olympus' version of the hell of all hells. From what I've heard it makes the Source's underworld seem like a beach in Cannes. If Athena decides to send Paige there, there's no hope for her. She won't even have a chance at redeeming herself through future reincarnation," Prue informed them.
At this point Phoebe was beginning to wonder if that was the only possible resolution to be reached here. She felt really sorry for their mother, Grams, Zeus and Hera. They were obviously devastated that Paige seemed to be growing more malevolent by the moment. The woman whom Prue had identified as Demeter, goddess of nature, was practically inconsolable. Aphrodite had told Phoebe earlier that Demeter was meant to be Paige's guardian goddess.
Apparently she felt responsible for failing Paige even though everyone had assured her that she wasn't to blame because she hadn't even been made aware of Paige's existence until just recently. Demeter wasn't convinced, however, because when she had found out she hadn't rushed to begin her duties. She'd apparently been in one of her blue periods because her daughter Persephone was spending more and more time with her husband Hades, in the underworld, and spending less time with her mother.
Aphrodite had explained that it wasn't that Demeter didn't love her mother, it was just as the years passed Persephone and Hades were growing closer than ever and it was becoming harder and harder for her to part with her husband even for short periods. Phoebe sympathized with her on that end. She thought the rule that forced Persephone to make such choices was as silly as anything the Elders had ever come up with and she intended to take the matter up with her great grandfather as soon as possible.
Phoebe had her own nuclear family crisis to deal with at the moment, however.
"Well then Miss Matthews you leave me no choice but to except your plea," Athena said with a tinge of reluctant pity in her voice. And for the record if you had shown any sign of remorse I would have bent over backwards to aide you and been extremely lenient. It is far too late now, however, far too late."
"By the power invested in me by the Light and my father Zeus, I here by sentence you to a term of imprisonment on the dark side of Hade's underworld which shall run the rest of your mortal life. There you will undergo court ordered therapy and hopefully it will help you see the error of your ways so that you may redeem yourself and be eligible for reincarnation. There is still a chance to save your soul Miss Matthews, and it is this court's sincerest wish that you will seize it. As for your powers they will be permanently stripped from you even should you be reincarnated. This court cannot take the risk that they will corrupt you again and be used to harm innocents."
"Is my decision acceptable to the prosecution?" Athena asked Cole.
"Yes your honor," he answered. Phoebe could tell her future husband felt no victory in the verdict. He like her was obviously pondering the tragedy of Paige's wasted potential.
"Dirce, please accept the court's apologies for the defendant's uncalled for assault on your person and reputation," Athena said still conducting the trial. "I know it may be difficult for you to continue on Miss Matthew's behalf but are you willing to do so?"
"Yes, your Honor," Dirce said managing to pull her dignity together despite what had happened.
"Then is the court's decision fair and acceptable to the defense?"
"Yes it is your honor and as her defense council I sincerely apologize to you and the assembled court on her behalf. She is obviously a very troubled young woman and I like you sincerely hope that she will be able to obtain the help she needs in order to regain her immortal soul. You have been more than fair."
Paige just harrumphed. "Don't push your luck," Dirce growled softly at Paige.
Hades and some of his guards appeared and took Paige into custody. The only sound that could be heard in the courtroom after they disappeared was the soft sounds of sobs. Phoebe was grateful that her father had stepped forward to take their mother in his arms and comfort her. She was equally glad when Cole and Leo walked over to she, Piper, and Prue and pulled all three of them into a consoling group hug. It was really needed at this point. While all the younger Halliwell clan was happy this nightmare was finally over there was no joy in the way it had concluded. They could only take solace in one another and hold on to the hope that the future had better things in store.
The End of The Hidden Page.