TITLE: Paige and Clementin (Part 1)
AUTHOR: Buffy Anne Slayer
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT: This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only or posted in fanfic archives for general distribution, but must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.
SPOILER WARNING: Nothing that give season four away (small reference to "A Knight to Remember")
RATING: PG-14
SUMMARY: Paige relives a past life. But finds that her reason for time travel may be more than to just help a friend out.
DISCLAIMER: Paige, Piper and Phoebe Halliwell, Cole, Leo and all other characters who have appeared in the series "Charmed" together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent, and the Warner Brothers Television Network. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.
London, England 1843
Petunia Clodimor picked up her skirts and dashed away from the grand mansion
that held four of her relatives, tons of meddling mamma's and one beau. One
very persistent beau who she had tried to avoid all evening.
Sidney De Paul, Earl of Heartwood had already asked for her hand in marriage.
Several times, infact. Petunia had lost count. She let him down gently at
first, telling them they didn't suit at all.
And they didn't.
Sidney was an overbearing typical man who thought women were possessions instead of equals. He was a very serious and stern man, and whenever Petunia looked up into his
eyes - which she often tried to avoid - she felt something dark and sinister
in them. Petunia was everything the Earl was not. She was kind, generous,
loving and heartfelt. And above all, she was a witch.
A witch who from time to time could see things others could not. Present situations and even past. Of course she'd love to see an image of Lord De Paul leaving England all together and leaving her alone.
Petunia's mother was also a witch. She had told Petunia about the magical powers they possesed when she was little, and made her promise to cover it up as best she could if she was in public. Aurora Clodimor even said that Petunia's power was the worst of all, because it was incontrollable. Infact, there was no reason for Petunia to use it at all. Her mission in life was to go to grand ball after grand ball, socialize and giggle with the unmarried women of the ton until a fine and sophisticated bachelor approached Petunia to ask for her hand in marriage. THEN after that goal was accomplished - her task in life wasnt over yet - She was to make him a happy wife and sire many heirs incase this man held a title.
It's what Petunia grew up to learn.
It's what Petunia grew up to defy.
*
San Francisco, United States - present day
"PAIGE" Phoebe placed a hand on the end of the stairwell and called up to her sister. "PAIGE" She yelled again, hoping to get a response.
Her half-sister came halfway down the stairs, wearing faded jeans and a casual black and green top. Her black hair was swept back with a few hairs falling out of her pony tail.
"It's the phone" Phoebe said handing her the cordless.
Paige readily accepted it, and quickly bounced back up the steps talking to the strange man on the phone. "Oh, Hi Brent." She said rounding the corner. Phoebe watched her leave, but before she shut the door behind her she heard the last words of "Of course we're still on tonight..."
Phoebe shook her head. "That women and her endless line of dates." She muttered, making her way into the kitchen.
Piper groaned when she saw Phoebe enter the room, and with a phone in her hand she waved it in the air. "Why does she always tie up our line?" She asked her, watching as Phoebe walked to the fridge to grab herself a glass of orange juice. "She's always chatting on that thing."
"Oh leave her be." Phoebe said, setting a glass down. "She's young. She's free. She's got a hot date tonight." Phoebe looked up and frowned. "Remember when we had hot dates lined up night after night?"
Piper raised an eyebrow. She was becoming very good at that. She remembered Phoebe having that problem...but her and Prue were more on the focused track..."Well now we're settled women." Piper said. "And happy settled women at that."
"I'll drink to that." Phoebe said raising her full glass of orange juice in the air and smiling, thinking about her fiance and love of her life - Cole Turner.
"Drink to what?" At that moment, Paige walked into the room, setting the cordless phone back on the receiver.
Piper turned around at that moment, "Oooh nothing." She told her, not wanting to explain that they were talking about Paige's 'loose' love life. "Who was that?"
"Oh Brent Troy. He's a friend of a friend." Paige explained. "Actually...." Paige bit her lip and rocked back and forth on her feet.
"Oh no." Piper said shaking her head. "Whatever you're trying to get us into. Get us out of it." She looked down at the phone in her hand, and went back to dialing the number of P3 for some figures she needed.
"Piper" Phoebe swatted her arm. "You don't even know what she was going to tell us."
"Thank you, Phebes." Paige said, nodding at the one sister who did come to her defense. "As I was saying. Brent has this costume party to go to for his work. He's an anthropologist for the San Francisco museum. They are holding their annual dress up gala. And he invited me to come with him."
"Sounds like fun." Phoebe said.
Piper let the phone down and muttered "busy".
"It's a reenactment of the late 19th century balls. Everyone attending has to wear those old fashioned ball gowns and petty coats. They're holding it in the oldest mansion in San Francisco. One that was actually used in the late 19th century for those things. He needs a date, so...as friends of course" She added real quickly "...he invited me to come along." When Phoebe just smiled, and Piper quickly jotted something down in her records notebook she sighed and went on. "I dont really want to go...so I kinda got him to open the invitation up to my two sisters and their dates."
This time Piper looked up, and Phoebe leaned in for more information.
Paige played with the ring on her finger. "So will you?"
"When is this...ball of yours?" Piper asked, feeling only a little silly using that term in the 21st century. But she had to admit, the idea intrigued her. This was something Prue would definitely enjoy. She felt a small jab in her heart thinking about her eldest sister dressed in the attire to attend. She'd look perfect. Piper shook her head of that image.
"Saturday. It's standing invitation only, and apparently a huge thing in San Francisco. Everyone who's everyone in the historical society attends."
"Are there a lot of highly ranked people in the historical society?" Piper asked. Piper ignored the look Phoebe gave her when she pinched her from behind.
"What she means is - we'd love to go. I'm sure we're not doing anything, and if we are we can clearly clean the agenda book for this. It sounds cool." Phoebe said for both her and Piper.
Paige smiled. "Great. I felt kinda weird going to a thing like this alone. Especially with someone who's just a friend...and who I dont know that much."
"Now were are we going to find three Victorian dresses?" Piper asked.
"Maybe there's some in the old bureau up in the attic." Phoebe suggested. "You did say there were a few dresses up there when you were cleaning it."
"Maybe. I'll have to check it out tonight." Piper said. "But Saturday doesn't give us a lot of time. I have a bit more number crunching to do, and then we can make further plans." Piper said. Grabbing a pen and notebook she left to do some more work in the gazebo room.
*
Petunia sighed and sunk down in the chair facing her dressing table. Lily, her dressing maid went straight to work on pulling out hair pins and barrettes that keep her golden hair up in a sophisticated bun. Lily heard the lady's sigh but did not mention a thing about how her night went. A mass of blonde curls fell loose and cascaded down the beautiful women's shoulders. But Petunia wasn't even looking in the mirror, nor did she flinch like usual when her hair brush ran through the waves.
A figure entered her room, and upon noticing the presence, Petunia spun
around, only thinking for a moment that maybe Lord De Paul had
followed her.
Luckily he hadn't. The figure who leaned lazily against her door frame was
that of her brother. "Oh it's you, Clementin." She said, relief had washed
over her and she loosened up a bit. Lily, done with her hair anyway took this
time to leave the room.
"Why on earth did you leave the ball so soon, Petunia?" Clementin asked, making his way to her. "Some of the elder ladies were wondering where the belle of the ball went to. Mother told you were feeling ill and decided to take a coach home."
"I was feeling ill.' Petunia said through clenched teeth, remembering Lord De Paul's smoldering eyes that had leered over her that night.
"De Paul again?"
"How did you guess?" Petunia asked. Clementin was Petunia's eldest brother, and soon to be Duke of Tuelon. She loved her brother dearly, more so than Francis, the second eldest son. Clementin and her were more better described as friends than mere brother and sister. They talked about a lot of things, and Petunia had told him about Lord De Paul's persistent efforts. Lucky for her, Clementin didn't much care for the man himself, and told her - and her mother - that she could decline his hand in marriage if she chose to do so. Clementin knew his sister was more lovely than most gently bred ladies and she'd find her match soon. Sidney was not it.
"He'll stop chasing your heels soon enough, Petunia." He said comforting her. "Meanwhile why don't you take it as flattery that so many men wish to court you."
Petunia got up, and picked up the skirts that were in her way before making her way around her oversized bed. So many times she wanted to tell Clementin about her inherited power. That her and mother were witches.
Petunia could fortell the future, and her mother had the ability to read peoples minds at will. That would make for an interesting conversation.
But as much as she loved her brother, and trusted him, this one fact he would not believe. If Petunia and Aurora possessed magical powers, why not him or Francis? Or even little Orvelle. And he would have a point. Petunia always wondered why men didn't inherit the wonderful gift.
"I don't see you making any marriage proposals yourself." Petunia said slyly, changing the subject. Her family, who hailed from France , settled into London after her father had inherited an English Dukedom many years ago. Clemintin was only a lad of 12 years old when they moved but since then him and Francis grew up to be very charming men. And very eligible bachelors. All of the unmarried women wanted to dance with either Clodimor brothers. Especially Clemintin because he was due to become a Duke. What a catch he would be. Intelligent, charming, witty, handsome and above all, he had a title.
"Petunia, really - " He was about to say more, but someone came rushing into the room. Aurora Clodimor scanned her daughters room before finding her leaning against the wall, facing the window. She brushed past her eldest son and ran to Petunia.
"Good heavens, child." She said, sweeping her into her arms. "Why did you run off like that? You scared the dickens out of your father and I. We all came rushing home to see to you."
Petunia gave her a tight smile. "As did Clemintin. And I'll assure you, as I did him, that I'm fine now. I was starting to get a headache - I couldn't find either of you and I wanted to get out of the room very quickly. Sorry if I showed bad manners, mother." She said giving her the best apology she could.
"It's no worry." She took her daughter by the shoulders and led her to the bed. "I have wonderful news for you, though."
"You do?" Clemintin and Petunia said in unison.
"A gentlemen came to us to offer for you."
"Someone did?" Petunia could feel a headache rising. This one for real.
"Yes, Your father and I decided you should court him, aside from his persistent behavior, I'm sure you'll grow to like the man, Petunia." She scowled. "You're not getting any younger."
"Persistent...." Petunia didnt want to put two and two together. But it looked like Clemintin already had. He stepped forward, and crossed his arms, gazing down at the two women.
"Just who is this man you speak of mother?" He asked, a little too sharply.
Aurora looked up, and smiled. "Why it's Sidney De Paul of course!"
*
Paige had decided to go up to that attic to look for the costume. Piper and Phoebe were way too busy, and she was just happy to have them come along with her. She didn't mind looking for the attire they would have to wear. The attic, as always, was clean as a whistle. She made her way to the antique bureau and pushed away the two boxes that were in the way. Slowly she opened the cabinet doors and peered inside. Just as Piper had mentioned, a row of neatly packaged garments hung care free on the rack. She'd have to open each one of them to find what was hidden inside.
"This could be fun." Paige said reaching up for the first one. She found two old wedding dresses, a black evening gown, a few other costumes most likely used for Halloween, but when she was nearing the end she knew her luck changed when she opened up a bag and saw a mens coat, cravat, vest, shirt and breeches hanging on one hanger. This garment was definitely worn in the 1800's. Surely there was a dress to match.
Paige pulled open another bag, disappointed in seeing just another evening gown worn in the 40's more or less. She thought she was on to something when she came upon the mens suit. At last a black garment bag caught her eye, and she opened it up, gasping at what she found. It was a dress. A Victorian 1800's dress to be more percises. And it was perfect. Pale green in color, it was long and puffy, with white panels and lace that separated the different layers of the dress. The collar was low cut - or at least it would have been so in those days and adorned with beautiful lace. The sleeves poofed out from the shoulder, then back in to taper the arm length. It was so beautiful, Paige could see herself in it already.
But wait. There were three sisters and one fine dress. Who would have claim to wear it?" Don't be silly, Paige" she told herself plucking the dress off the rack and biting her lip in thought. This dress belongs to your ancestors too. But what's fair is fair, she'd have to tell her sisters about what she had found anyway. Paige grabbed the men's costume thinking that either Leo or Cole would like it -as her date already had his picked out since he went to the reproduction ball almost every year.
Humming, Paige made her way down stairs
*
Again, Petunia found herself being forced to attend another ball. The Whitshire's ball and it was a very grand affair. All the young ladies were hoping to find the right husband at these kinds of things, and unfortunately because of her parents - Petunia had already been legally declared by Lord Sidney De Paul. Earl of Heartwood. The name made her wrinkle her nose in disgust at the title that would soon be hers.
She hadn't cried for days, like Clementin had thought she would. He thought she had been taking her arranged engagement rather well. She didn't speak to her mother for two whole days - which was odd to Clementin because despite his mother's harsh rules the two ladies did get along rather well. It seemed at times they were friends...almost like they had a secret hidden between them.
"Aren't you going to the Whitshire ball?" Petunia asked, slipping on two pale violet gloves that matched her dark purple and violet dress. She turned to her brother, who was resting upon a chair, a book in hand.
"You know I hate those things." Clementin said without looking up. "It's more Francis' calling."
"That's because mamma bugs you to find a lady too." Petunia teased. The first light thing she said since the two days she found out about her engagement to the man she detested.
"Perhaps." Clementin said, trying to suppress the grin that he wanted to sprout. That was a main reason he hated those stupid balls. He did like going to socialize with other members of his class, and sometimes him and his buddies would go to Greenly's hall and play cards when the ball got boring with no suitable women present.
"Oh please do come, Clementin." Petunia crouched to the ground, gripping onto the arm of his chair as she looked up at him. "I'll need some support from at least one person who's on my side." She said with huge puppy dog eyes.
Clementin looked down at his sister. Truly sorry for her position. And those damn eyes. She knew how to get to him. "Oh - all right." He finally said, snapping the book shut and marking it with his index finger. "You may find me there. But I won't be there for long." He warned. "Just enough to see how Lord De Paul reacts with you tonight."
"Oh Clementin. I do love you!" Petunia wrapped her arms around her brother in joy. The only thing joyous would be his presence tonight.
"Petunia. Watch your hair!" Came the strict voice of Aurora as she swept into the parlor room. With her eyes she ushered Petunia to get out of the room and into the waiting carriage. She was about to leave the room and shut the door behind her when she turned around and faced her eldest son. "Did I hear right? Are you making your presence shown tonight?" She asked.
"For Petunia's sake, yes." Clementin said.
"Two showings in one week. I do say, Clementin. Are you looking for a young lady to wed?" She asked. When Clementin had nothing to say to her remark, she just gave him a tight smile and made her way out the door as well.
*
"Oh my God." Piper said wriggling around in the pink dress that she had managed to find at a rental shop. "How did women wear all these layers and items of clothing. I don't think I can breathe in this corset."
Phoebe tilted her head and pierced an earring into her ear. "You look stunning, Piper. And you know it." She assured her sister. Phoebe ran a hand along her satin cloth of midnight blue, waiting for Piper to say the same about her. Piper smiled. "We do look like we stepped out of the pages of the Cinderella fairytale, don't we?" She asked.
"You look ravishing." Came a new voice. Cole entered the Halliwell's foyer and grabbed Phoebe from behind, nestling his face into her neck. Phoebe giggled and placed her hands on the arms that were wrapped around her. "Are you sure we have to go to this gala tonight?" He asked.
Piper rolled her eyes. "Leo!" She called out impatiently. She waited for his mere presence to orb into the room. And was shocked when she saw him. Decked in black pants, a white top with a vest and jacket over it he looked perfectly like a higher class gentleman from the ninetieth century. The four of them defiantly dressed to their part.
"Wow. Piper." Leo said, thinking the same thing she was. He walked up, about to give her a kiss, and then decided to pick up her hand instead. He lightly grazed his lips along the back of her hand, and bowed. Piper looked amused. "Should that follow a curtsey?" She asked him, playing along with his game.
Up in her room, Paige knew her sisters and their dates were waiting for her. She raised a hand to her temple, and tried to shake off the odd feeling she was getting. Something turned very very wrong in her room. Her body felt weak and she was light headed. She glanced back into the mirror to check her appearance. Aside from a slight flush, she looked fine. She looked more than fine. She looked like a nineteenth century princess. She wore the pale green dress which fit her perfectly, hugging every feminine curve. The low cut swoop neck allowed her to wear a black chocker - which was also in the attic - with a fancy pendulum adorning it. Her hair was swept up in a high bun, but a few trendils escaped, framing her pale face. She wore very little make up - just enough to accent her beautiful features, and all in all Paige was pleased with the outcome.
She slapped the white gloves against her thigh, and groaned. Then why was she feeling this way? She didn't have a sixth sense, but yet something was wrong. Something was weird.
"PAIGE" Came Piper's yell from down stairs. Ok, they were getting impatient.
"Coming." Paige yelled down. She picked up her small purse, and took a step towards the door. She felt the whole room spinning. "Stop it Paige..." She muttered to herself. "Stop this feeling, and go out tonight. Have fun. You didn't dress up for nothing."
Her self help talk seemed to help, because she made it out of her room, and down the steps in mere seconds.
*