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: This story takes place between season 3 episodes "Exit Strategy" and "Look Who's Barking".)
While researching a paper for school, Phoebe learns the secret behind the Book Of Shadows.
ONE
Phoebe walked into the manor and dropped her books on the entryway table. Prue was just coming down the stairs.
"Hey, I thought you were at work," said Phoebe.
"Computer system went down again," said Prue. "The technician said it would be tomorrow before they have it back up. Not much I can do until then so I decided I'd take the afternoon off. Are you okay? You look haggard."
"Yeah, I'm okay," said Phoebe. "It's just this paper I'm doing for extra credit. It's turning out to be more work than I anticipated."
"Well, you did tell your professor that your behavior was an experiment," said Prue. "After being infected with the seven deadly sins, I think you came up with a pretty good excuse for your professor. I would have loved to seen the look on his face when you began unzipping his pants with your teeth."
"I had to tell him something," said Phoebe. "He thought I had lost my mind. And when he offered me extra credit, which I really, really need, by doing this paper I figured I couldn't say no. He might have gotten suspicious. Still, I've got most of the research done. I just have to type the paper now. How's Piper doing?"
"She seems to be adjusting well," said Prue. "She's in the kitchen right now making dinner. Except she keeps calling me in to get things for her off the top shelves of the cabinets. Ever since she's gotten that ability to blow things up she's afraid to lift her arms."
"Can't say I blame her," said Phoebe. "The other day she reached for a glass and exploded it all over the kitchen."
"I hope she gets control of it soon," said Prue. "It's getting to be a hassle being called into the kitchen every two minutes."
Smiling, the two went into the kitchen. Piper was standing over the stove stirring a simmering pot while Leo was at the table cutting up some vegetables.
"Hey, Leo," said Prue. "I didn't know you were here."
"I just got in a few minutes ago," said Leo. "Piper asked if I wanted to help with dinner so I said okay."
"Domesticated all ready, huh?" giggled Phoebe.
"Just being a considerate husband," said Piper. "Hi, Phoeebs. How's the paper coming?"
"Grueling," said Phoebe. "Writing a paper on how social behavior has changed over the years is more involved that it sounds. In fact, the professor was so impressed with my paper on our family history that he suggested I combine it with this one. Show how our ancestors compare with how things are today."
"Well that certainly sounds interesting," said Leo. "You did say your paper on the family history was the most complete one in the entire class."
"I did have some help with it," said Phoebe. "Not everyone has a Book of Shadows with virtually their entire family line listed in it."
"Hardly the entire family line," said Leo. "It only contains those of your family of importance. There was a lot of Melinda Warrens' family line that were never included in the Book of Shadows."
"So I've found out," said Phoebe. "I was even able to go back a few generations before Melinda Warren."
"Maybe we should add them to the Book of Shadows," suggested Prue. "You never know when something like that might come in handy."
"That's not a bad idea," said Piper. "Pheebs, feel like updating the Book of Shadows when you finish your paper?"
"I guess so," said Phoebe. "Just let me get the paper finished first. After I'm done with it I should be able to take it easy for a while."
"Sure, no rush," said Piper. "Leo, can you get me that pan from the top cabinet, please?"
"Honestly, Piper," said Prue, "I think you're overreacting. You haven't blown up anything all day."
"And I don't intend to," said Piper. "Until I get a handle on this new power I don't want to take any chances."
"Hey, Leo," said Phoebe as Leo was getting the pan for Piper, "how well do you know the Warren family line?"
"Pretty well, I guess," said Leo. "I was briefed on the family line before I was assigned as your Whitelighter. Mostly beginning with Melinda Warren."
"Well, maybe you could give me a hand with some of the names I've found during my research," said Phoebe. "Some of the records back then aren't very complete."
"I'll help as much as I can," said Leo. "But I can't guarantee I'll know any more than you've all ready been able to find out."
"I understand," said Phoebe. "Any help you can give will be appreciated."
"Sure, no problem," said Leo.
"In fact," said Phoebe, "there's one particular name you might be able to help with. I found it in an old Bible in the library but all I can find out is the name and a date of birth."
"A lot of families listed births and deaths in their family Bibles," said Leo. "In fact, they can be considered official records in many instances."
"I know," said Phoebe. "And a lot of old family Bibles can be found in some libraries. But in this one there's just a birth record, nothing about when this person died."
"Well, what's the name?" Leo asked. "Maybe I can help with it."
"Patrick Warren," said Phoebe. "According to the Bible I found the name in he was born March 12, 1693 near Salem, Massachusetts."
As Leo started to hand the pan to Piper, he suddenly dropped it and it clattered to the floor.
"Leo," Piper said, "are you okay? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
"Where did you find that name?" demanded Leo, suddenly very serious.
"Just in an old Bible, like I said," said Phoebe. "What's the matter, Leo?"
"Yeah, Leo," said Prue. "You seem to recognize that name."
"I do," said Leo. "I'm just surprised that Phoebe was able to find it. Any records to Patrick Warren were supposed to have been expunged decades ago."
"Expunged?" Phoebe questioned. "You mean someone tried to erase any information on this Patrick Warren?"
"Yes," said Leo. "In fact, it was done at the orders of the Elders. After what happened they felt it best if any records of him were removed."
"Who was he?" Piper asked. "And what could be so bad that the Elders would want to destroy all the records about him?"
"What happened is a bit complicated," said Leo. After a pause he continued. "As for who he was, that's the easy part. He was Melinda Warrens' son."