J. B. Tilton/Page 8

CHARMED

"Unfinished Business"

By J. B. Tilton

Email: K+ (for mild language)

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 2 episodes "Animal Pragmatism" and "Pardon My Past ".)

Prue is hired as a technical advisor on a film that begins having more than its share of "mishaps".

ONE

Piper came into the manor and dropped her purse on the entryway table. She looked in the living room and saw Prue sitting on the sofa watching television. She looked at her watch. It was nearly four o'clock. Prue was still in her pajamas and bathrobe.

"Hey, what's up?" Piper asked, walking into the living room.

"Apparently," Prue responded, "Melissa is married to Glen but having an affair with Thomas. Only she doesn't know that Thomas is secretly seeing Margaret but doesn't know that Natalie is really his long lost half sister. At the same time Jennifer is thinking about leaving Carl for Patricia only she doesn't know how to tell her sister, Ann, that she's actually gay."

"I beg your pardon?" Piper asked in confusion.

"Oh, just these stupid soap operas," Prue said turning the television off. "Since I've been out of work I've been watching a lot of them. It's amazing how caught up in them you can get."

"Shouldn't you be out looking for a job?" Piper asked, sitting on the sofa next to her.

"I mailed out twelve applications this morning," Prue said. "I swear if I don't find something soon I'm going to go stir crazy."

"I'm sure you'll find something," Piper said. "You've got a lot of experience. And you have a good reputation in the business world. I'm sure someone will snatch you up any day now."

"I hope so," Prue said. "Sitting around all day mailing out resumes gets really old really fast."

"Where's Phoebe?" Piper asked.

"Oh something about a big shoe sale at the mall," Prue said. "Honestly, I think that girl has more shoes than Imelda Marcos."

"She does love her shoes," Piper laughed. "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you come help me with dinner? I'll make something special tonight. Something extravagant."

"It beats watching soap operas all day," Prue said.

Prue and Piper were in the kitchen when they heard Phoebe come in the front door.

"Prue?" Phoebe called into the house. "Prue, are you here?"

"In the kitchen," Prue called out.

"You're still in your pajamas?" Phoebe questioned, coming into the kitchen. "Hurry upstairs and put on something nice."

"Why?" Prue questioned. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Just hurry up and do it," said Phoebe pulling her up from the chair. "Someone's coming to see you and he'll be here any minute. Now hurry up and get dressed. Put on that black strapless dress. And your makeup. No, wait. No time for makeup. You look fine."

"He who?" questioned Prue.

"No time for explanations, big sister," said Phoebe, pushing Prue to the entryway. "Just get upstairs and get dressed as quickly as you can. I'll stall while you do. You've got five minutes. Not get a move on it, sister."

Completely baffled Prue hurried upstairs to her room. Phoebe was not usually so forceful. Oh, she could be when she wanted to. And apparently this was one of those times. Prue had no idea what was going on but she knew one thing. Phoebe had better have a good reason for this.

Prue was dressed in record time. She heard the doorbell ring while she was just finishing. She contemplated putting her makeup on but decided against it. That would take her too long. And she was very interested in this "he" that Phoebe had alluded to.

As Prue came down the stairs she saw a man sitting in the living room talking with Piper and Phoebe. As they noticed her coming down the stairs, the man stood up. Phoebe jumped up and ran over to Prue.

"This is Prue, my big sister," said Phoebe. "But then, you all ready know that, don't you?"

"Yes, I do," said the man. "It's good to see you again, Ms. Halliwell."

"I'm sorry," said Prue. "Have we met? I really don't remember."

"It was several months ago," said the man. "My name is Harold Bennings. You handled the auction for my late grandfather's estate several months ago."

"Oh, yes, the Bennings estate," said Prue. "I remember. Quite a collection your grandfather had."

"Only one of many," said Harold.

"So," said Prue, looking suspiciously at Phoebe, "to what do I owe the honor of this visit?"

"Well, if I may be blunt," said Harold, "I've come to offer you a job. If you're interested."

Prue just looked at the man, speechless.