CHARMED

"Maternal Instinct"

By J. B. Tilton (a.k.a. NoAzMale) and Teri Thibeault (a.k.a. K

Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.

(Authors note: This story takes place between season 4 episodes "Brain Drain" and "Black As Cole".)

When a battered woman comes to the Bay Area Social Services for help, the Charmed Ones become embroiled in a fight with demons to save the life of the woman's unborn child.

ONE

"And how are we feeling this morning?" questioned Paige as she bounded down the stairs and into the living room.

"I don't know how you're feeling but I'm a little tired," said Piper who was stretched out on the sofa. "Having the Source of All Evil in my mind can be very taxing. Not to mention I nearly stripped us of our powers."

"That's okay. You didn't so all's right with the world. So, are you just going to veg out here all day?"

"Not all day but a good part of it. I still have to go get the club ready this afternoon but until then I'm just going to lie here and rest up."

"Well, I think you've earned it. We defeated the Source so I think you deserve some rest and relaxation."

"We defeated him this time. That's no guarantee we will the next time. And there will be a next time, trust me on that."

"We'll worry about that when the time comes. Right now I'm off to work. For a change I'm going to be early. That will make my boss happy."

"Well, you have a good day, sweetie. I'll see you when you get home tonight."

Smiling, Paige headed out the door to her car. Working at the Bay Area Social Services had always been challenging for her. Not that she minded the challenge. At least it made her feel like she was really helping people. But when compared to fighting demons and protecting the innocent, her work was easy.

Just as she had predicted she arrived early at work. Her boss didn't say anything to her but she noticed him check his watch as she came in the front door. She smiled to herself as she took a seat at her desk. He was always lecturing her about the importance of being prompt. At least for today she wouldn't have to worry about that lecture.

She spent most of the morning working on her paperwork. No matter how much she worked on it, it never seemed to get done. In fact, if she didn't know better, she would have sworn that it just continued to build up. She was bound and determined that today she was going get caught up.

It was just before lunch when she saw the woman come into the office. The woman was about thirty and she was pregnant. Very pregnant. Paige just glanced up as she saw Harry step over to speak to the woman. Harry was a good social worker. Whatever the woman's problem she couldn't be in more capable hands. Paige went back to her paperwork. A few moments later Harry came over to her desk, the woman close behind.

"Paige? This young woman asked for you by name."

"Hi there," said Paige, putting aside the file she was currently working on. "Is there something I can do for you?"

Harry just smiled and then walked back to his own desk. It wasn't an unusual occurrence for people to ask for a specific social worker. Many had dealt with a specific one in the past and still others had been referred by friends. Whenever possible the workers tried to accommodate anyone who walked through the door.

"Paige Matthews?" questioned the woman nervously. "You were referred to me by a friend. She dealt with you a few months ago and she said you were very good. She said I could trust you."

"That's what we're here for," said Paige smiling. "What's your name?"

"Tricia," replied the woman. "Tricia Boyle."

"Okay, Tricia. If I may ask, who referred you to me?"

"What?" questioned the woman. "Oh, uh, Gladys Murphy."

"I don't remember any Gladys Murphy," said Paige thoughtfully.

"Please, I need your help," pleaded the woman. "If he finds me he'll kill me. I have no one else to turn to. You have to help me."

"Okay, just relax," said Paige. "No one is going to hurt you here. Now, why don't you just start from the beginning and tell me what this is all about?"

"Well," said the woman, glancing around furtively, "I'm pregnant, as you can see. About 7 ½ months. When my, uh, husband found out I was pregnant he wasn't real happy. He was never interested in having children."

"Some men are like that," said Paige, trying to calm the woman down. "You said something about him trying to kill you?"

"Yes," said the woman. "My husband is very old fashioned. He thinks that the first child must be a boy to carry on the family name. I recently discovered that I'm going to have a girl. If he finds out he won't like it. I'm afraid he'll kill me when he does find out."

"Is he abusive?" asked Paige. "Has he ever hit you before?"

"All the time," said the woman. "It started right after we got married. If the dinner wasn't on time or if I was gone longer than he thought I should be he'd hit me. To teach me my proper place, as he put it."

"Yeah, I know the type," said Paige. "We deal with a lot of them. Why do you think he'll kill you if he finds out you're having a girl instead of a boy?"

"He said he would," said Tricia. "He's often said that only male children are worth having. His whole family is like that. The women in his family are treated as second class citizens. I don't have anywhere else to turn. I can't stay home."

"Do you have any family you could go to?" Paige asked. "Some place where you'd be safe?"

"He knows all my family. If I go to one of them he'll just follow me."

"You could go to the police," suggested Paige. "If he's hit you before you can press charges against him. They'll lock him up."

"That's not an option," said the woman. "You see, he's an inspector with the San Francisco police department. None of the police will believe that he's abusive. He presents the perfect air to the outside world but at home, alone, it's a different story. I couldn't even consider filing a report because none of them would believe me."

"Would you like something to drink? Maybe some water or something."

"Some water would be nice."

Paige got up and walked over to the water cooler near the door. As she was filling the cup a man wearing a suit and tie entered the office. He glanced around as Paige's boss walked over to him.

"Can I help you?" asked her boss.

"Yes," said the man, showing a police ID. "I'm Inspector Dennis Boyle with the San Francisco PD. I'm looking for my wife and I understand she came in here. Her name is Tricia and she's about 7 or 8 months pregnant."

"Oh, I think I saw her go down the hall," said Paige. "It's the fourth door on your left just down the hall."

The man turned and headed down the hall without so much as a "thank you".

"Paige," said her boss, "you just sent the inspector to the janitor's closet."

"No time for specifics," said Paige. "I have his wife at my desk right now and according to her he thinks he's using her to audition for the next 'Rocky' movie."

"Understood," said her boss. "I'll try to keep him busy while you get her out the back door. Get her over to the shelter as quickly as you can."

"He's a cop," said Paige. "He probably knows where the shelter is. I'll take him home until he can check the shelter and find out she's not there. Then I can take her over there until we can get everything sorted out. Thanks for understanding."

"Our job it to help and protect our clients," said her boss. "Even from the police if necessary. Just get her out of here before there's a scene."

Paige hurried back over to her desk.

"Come on, Tricia," said Paige. "We have to get you out of here. Your husband just came in and my boss is going to keep him busy until we can get you to some place safe."

"Oh no," cried Tricia. "I didn't think he'd find me so quickly. What am I going to do?"

"You're coming with me, that's what you're going to do," said Paige. "I'll make sure you're safe from your husband and we'll see to it he never hurts you again."

Tricia offered no resistance. As Paige's boss attempted to delay the inspector, Paige and Tricia hurried out the back door of the office.