By J. B. Tilton email: Rating: G
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: Technically, the only season where Prue and Cole would have appeared together during Christmas, Prue and Piper thought Phoebe had all ready vanquished Cole. I've taken a minor liberty in adjusting the timeline slightly to better fit the story.)
A visitor comes to the manor and tells the girls that without their help, Christmas may not come this year. Or ever again.)
ONE
Prue came into the manor with her arms filled with presents. Unable to close the door behind her because she had her arms full she simply went into the living room to put her packages on the sofa. As she dropped the packages Phoebe came out of the kitchen.
"Did you buy out the stores?" Phoebe laughingly asked as Prue came out of the living room.
"I feel like it," said Prue. "But only three days until Christmas and I think for once I finally got all the shopping done. I can sit back and relax for the next three days."
"You got something for your boss?" Phoebe asked.
"First one on my list," said Prue.
"The mailman?" Phoebe asked. "Paperboy? The head bartender at P3? The gardener? You got everyone on your list?"
"Absolutely," said Prue. "I made a list and checked it twice."
"Oh, very funny," said Phoebe, smiling.
Just then Piper came in from the kitchen. She had flour all over her and was wiping her hands on a towel.
"I see you finally got home," she said to Prue. "Every year you make this whole ritual about going out to buy presents for everyone you know. It seems you actually got done early this year."
"Not that you'd care," said Prue. "You never seem to get into the spirit of it. What happened? You look like a sack of flour exploded all over you."
"I'm preparing Christmas dinner," said Piper. "You know good and well I do this every year. It takes time to make sure everything is just right. As for not getting into the spirit of things why should I? The rushing around, the short tempers, the long lines, the outrageous prices on everything, and for what? So all your presents can be returned or exchanged the next week for something people really want? No, thanks."
"Has she always been such a stick in the mud?" Phoebe asked Prue.
"Pretty much," said Prue. "She just never seemed to get the Christmas spirit."
"Well, I have to admit," said Phoebe, "it certainly doesn't seem like Christmas. I can't explain it but it seems different this year. Usually people are a lot more tolerant even considering the long lines and all. But this year there's something different. There's none of the electricity in the air that there have been in the past."
"Just your imagination," said Prue. "You've probably just been too busy to notice it. Even I've been extra busy this year. But with everything done we can just sit back, put up the decorations and enjoy the holiday. You'll see. You'll get that old spirit back in almost no time."
"That may not be true," said a voice from the entryway.
They all turned to see a man standing in the entryway smiling at them. Immediately they all went on the defensive. They took up defensive stances ready for the attack that must surely be coming.