Power Surge

The Emerald Bay Restaurant- A Short While Later

         "I'm sorry, but I can't seem to find your names on the list," the greeter informed Piper and Leo with an apologetic smile. "That figures," Piper muttered under her breath as she rolled her eyes. "How can that be possible?" Leo asked. "I called myself three days ago. Look under Leo Wyatt. It has to be there," he insisted. "I'm sorry, sir, I just can't seem to find it," The greeter informed them. Piper smacked her hand down on the podium and said in a tight voice, "Look! We just sat in traffic for half a freaking hour. How hard is it to keep reservations straight? Check the other book!" she demanded, trying to keep her patience. "Sorry, Mrs. Wyatt," the host began. "But-"

"No! No buts," Piper stated as she held up a hand. "You have two books... one is for parties and one is for general reservations. I ran Quake for a year by myself, and cooked, and I still managed to keep track of both books. It's not that hard, trust me."

"Honey, if they don't-" Leo began before Piper cut him off saying "No!" as she reached out a hand to freeze the host. "Piper, no!" Leo snapped as he reached for and grasped her hand. Piper shot him a look in response that said 'he's pissing me off and so are you!' The host subtly turned the page as Piper and Leo argued, finding the Wyatt's reservation as he did so; for the wrong day, but with a note from the manager stating it was indeed for New Years Eve, and to treat them well as they were honored guests. "Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt? I just found your reservation. If you would follow me please?"

"Yes, thank you," Piper stated with a saccharine sweet smile. Leo pinched Piper gently on the forearm as he grasped her elbow to lead her to the table. "Behave yourself," he warned her. Piper shot him a look of pure innocence in reply, causing Leo to choke on a snort of amusement as they followed the host through the restaurant.

A Short Time Later At Home

"Glenn!" Paige shouted as she orbed into the dining room. "What's wrong, honey?" Glenn asked as he came running in from the living room. "Didn't the little one drink the formula from the bowl?" she asked. "I honestly couldn't say, Noog," he replied in an exasperated tone. "I've been too busy trying to clean up and keep Phoebe off of my ass to notice if the damn cat ate or not!"

"I was just asking a question, you don't have to yell at me!" Paige shouted back, feeling tears pricking under her eyelids.

"Hey! Hey! What's going on?!" Phoebe shrieked as she came into the room and stood protectively in front of her little sister. "Why are you yelling at Paige?"

"Stay out of it, Phoebe!" Glenn barked. "No, I will not stay out of it," Phoebe informed him with a defiant glare. "My baby sister is on the verge of tears, and her emotions are about to overload me. What's going on?' she commanded in a low voice. "Paige?" Phoebe asked as she put her arms awkwardly around her sibling. "I came in, and the kitty was chewing on the chair cushion, crying because she's obviously starving. So I asked Glenn if she had drunk any of the formula from the bowl, and he s-snapped at me!" she informed Phoebe as the tears finally overcame her.

"Sweetie, this little one doesn't look like she's old enough to drink from a bowl, yet. Kit had a litter while she was with us, though, and one of the babies was too weak to nurse from her. If you look down in the basement, there's a box under the stairs, and in it, you'll find a little bottle set. That might work better...so why don't you go down and look for that while I get her to stop eating the chair?" Phoebe suggested as she grabbed a tissue from the box on the sideboard, and handed it to Paige as she nudged her toward the kitchen door.

"You snap at my sister like that again and I'll toast you like a marshmallow, buddy," Phoebe warned Glenn. "I don't care if it would be construed as harming an innocent, because you're not innocent at all. Something's going on, and I'm gonna get to the bottom of it if it kills me."