Problem Child

I stared at the computer screen on my desk. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what I should be doing. I'd handled all the cases for the day and I still had an hour before I could go home. Suddenly I heard my name being called.

"Paige," one of my co-workers called. I looked up.

"Yeah?" I answered.

"Phone for you," she responded. I let out a sigh as I picked up the phone and pressed the button that was flashing.

"Paige Matthews, how may I help you?" I spoke into the receiver. I sounded like a drone.

"Ms. Matthews, it's Kathleen Masters," the woman on the other end of the line spoke. I was pulling a total blank. Who was Kathleen Masters? Then, like a ton of bricks, it dawned on me.

"Oh, hi Kathleen," I finally greeted.

"There's a problem," Kathleen informed me. She sounded a little freaked out.

"A problem….like what kind of problem?" I murmured. I hated problems, especially this late in the day.

"Well…I'm sorry but we just can't take her," she said.

"What do you mean you can't take her?" I retorted.

"Well she scares the other kids. And honestly, I think she may be possessed," she answered, sounding very freaked out.

"She's not possessed, Mrs. Masters," I said as calmly as I could. This was just great. I'd just put this kid there two days ago.

"I'm really sorry but you have to take her back," Kathleen stated and the call ended.

"Hello? Mrs. Master?" I spoke, not believing she'd just hung up on me like that.

"Everything alright?" I heard over my shoulder. I slowly turned around to see my boss.

"No…I have to go find my 'problem child' another foster home," I answered, not pleased at all.

"Again? Didn't you just place her a day or two ago?" he asked.

"I know, I know. Spare me the speeches. I just can't figure out what is up with this kid," I grumbled. I pulled her file from my desk and grabbed my purse and keys. I needed to stop at the Manor before I went and picked her up. Mostly I just needed to vent to my sisters.

That is still a new concept. I've only known I've had sisters for a few months now. Along with that little surprise came the even bigger one, I'm a witch. I'm getting better at it though. I'm starting to feel like I'm a part of something. I climbed into my car and headed out of the parking lot.

When I pulled up to the Manor I only saw Phoebe's car. I pulled up behind her and got out. I hoped Piper was home too. I needed her opinion on this whole mess too. I reached the front door and stopped. Did I knock or just walk in? I stood there for a good thirty seconds debating before I tried the door, finding it open and walked in.

"Hello? Anybody home?" I called out.

"Paige, hey!" Phoebe greeted, coming towards me from the living room.

"The door was unlocked…so I just came in," I said tentatively.

"Of course it's ok, sweetie," Phoebe answered, giving me a smile.

"Is Piper around?" I finally asked.

"She's out at the grocery store with Leo. But she'll be back soon. Why, is something wrong?" she answered. We headed for the sun room where we sat down.

"It's not a problem exactly, it's more of a work thing," I answered, toying with the edge of the folder in my arms.

"Want to talk about it?" Phoebe pressed. I swear sometimes it's like she can read my mind.

"Yeah, actually I do. I was hoping you guys might have some advice for me," I answered, leaning back in the chair.

"There's this case I have. She's been in the system for the last three years. Her parents divorced and her mom got custody," I began to give brief background on the case.

"I guess her mom couldn't handle raising her after her ex-husband died so she just stuck her in the system," I concluded. It really was a sad story.

"That's so sad," Phoebe murmured.

"And I got her case a year ago. She'd already been in about six or seven foster homes," I sighed.

"Since then she's been bouncing from place to place like two or three times a month," I added.

"Poor kid. It must have been so hard to have such a huge change happen all at once," Phoebe interrupted.

"And I put her in a home two days ago. It's a great home. The family is really nice and they've had success with other foster kids. But I just got a call and they said they need to give her back," I groaned.

"So what are you going to do?" Phoebe asked. Before I could answer the front door opened and two pair of footsteps echoed on the floor.

"A little help here," Piper called out. Phoebe and I got up, heading into the foyer, taking bags from Piper.

"Oh, hi Paige," Piper greeted once the bags were out of her face.

"Hey, Piper. Hi Leo," I greeted. Leo gave me a quick smile as he headed for the kitchen. Phoebe and I followed. I set the bags down and began to unload, suddenly remembering that I don't really know where they keep all of their groceries. Luckily, Piper took the frozen peas from my hand as well as the bag I'd set down and began putting things away.

"So, Paige has a dilemma," Phoebe announced. Piper didn't stop moving but apparently Phoebe knew she'd listen because she kept talking.

"She has this foster kid who bounces from home to home a couple times a month," Phoebe summed up.

"And that's our problem, how?" Piper asked, turning to face us.

"Well…I'm trying to figure out how I can put her in another home tonight but I can't get paperwork through that fast. I'm going to need to find a place to put her," I explained.

"Did you just imply what I think you just implied?" Piper snapped. I jumped a little. She didn't have to be so grumpy.

"What am I implying?" I asked, feeling confused.

"Paige, can you give us a minute?" Phoebe asked me, stepping in. I nodded and wandered in the direction of the sun room.

"Piper, it's just for one night. I mean…I'm sure we can somehow manage to keep the demons from attacking," I could hear Phoebe saying.

"What about the Book?" Piper retorted.

"We won't let her in the attic," Phoebe answered. I heard Piper let out a huff and then footsteps came towards me.

"Ok, she can stay for one night," Piper announced. I couldn't resist hugging her.

"Thank you so much. I really owe you guys," I exclaimed.

"I can stay tonight if you want….to make her my responsibility," I added.

"Yeah, that would be good," Phoebe agreed. I smiled broadly as I retrieved the file from the couch and headed for the front door.

"I'll be back in like a half hour," I called, shutting the door behind me. Once I was back in my car, I headed with a renewed sense of purpose over to the Masters'. I had just climbed out of the car when the front door opened and Kathleen came running out.

"What took you so long?" she demanded.

"I'm sorry, I had something I had to do first. Is she ready?" I apologized. Kathleen nodded and I looked up to see a young girl carrying a suitcase. I couldn't quite read her expression. Part of it was sad, that was obvious. But there was another part that seemed happy. She looked at me as she put her suitcase in the car.

"I'm so sorry," I apologized as I gave Kathleen a firm hand shake. The first few minutes of the ride were quiet.

"So where do I go now?" she finally spoke up from the passenger seat.

"Well I have a place for you to stay tonight and I'll start looking for a new place tomorrow," I answered. I caught her give me an eye roll.

"Look, you need to at least be nice to these people. They're doing me a huge favor letting you stay here tonight," I said sternly.

"Whatever," she sighed. I pulled up to a stop sign and slammed on the breaks a little to get her attention.

"No, not whatever. You're going to be respectful. You may think you can go around being rude to other people and their families but I will not have you disrespecting my sisters," I lectured. That seemed to shut her up.

The rest of the ride to the Manor was silent. It was tense but at least I'd gotten through to her, even though it was probably temporary. I pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. Together we climbed out and headed for the front door. As calmly as I could I pushed the door open and led her inside.