PART II
AT A HOTEL
"Fi, Annie, are you guys insane?! What you're asking me to do is
basically lie to mom, Irene, and Ned. Not to mention Clu and Carey. And did
I also mention that going to a complete stranger's house over something as
ridiculous as freezing time is a totally stupid idea?!"
"Quick, Fi, your brother is going to have a heart attack." Annie joked.
"Jack, I don't like lying to mom and Clu as much as you do… but this
sounds too important."
"Fi's right, Jack. Didn't you hear what Leo said? It's a matter of
life…"
"Life and death. Yeah, I heard it the first time, Annie." Jack sighed,
falling on the hotel bed.
It was the morning after the "weird encounter" back at P3. Fi and
Annie had managed to send the Bell brothers out on errands for them while
they talk about their plans this afternoon.
The Halliwell sisters, Kiara, and Leo felt extremely relieved to have
the others on their side after the incident. It was much easier for them to
dismiss the "photo" of Leo with Fi and Annie distracting the others.
"Well, I know Molly has that radio station interview this afternoon.
And since your mom gave Ned and Irene the afternoon off, I know that
Irene plans to drag Ned around the city, shopping and site-seeing."
"That leaves Clu and Carey." Fiona said thoughtfully.
"Well, Annie, Carey, and I had plans to see a movie this afternoon."
Jack informed his sister.
"Clu said he had plans for us too." Fi added.
Annie sighed, only one thought coming to mind. "Guys, we have to tell
them."
"Annie, we can't!" Fiona exclaimed.
"I'm going to have to agree with Fi." Her brother said, then slyly
adding, "For once."
"If we tell them about this, and if what Prue says is right, we'll just be
dragging them into the mud with us! And I can't do that to Clu."
"And Carey." Jack added.
"I know you love Clu too much to put him in danger, Fi. But you know
that he would do anything to keep you safe. Same goes for Jack, Carey, and
everyone else that loves you."
"Annie's got a point there, Fi."
Fi sighed, not knowing what to do or think. Jack noticed the distress
on his baby sister's face. He hated seeing Fi in such pain. He held out his
arms for her, "Come here, Fi."
Fiona allowed herself to be hugged by Jack, feeling safe in her big
brother's protective arms.
"We have to at least tell Clu and Carey about this, Fi. The more of us,
the better chance we have of keeping this from the adults."
She nodded, looking up at him. "You guys are right. Let's tell them."
Annie smiled at Jack, giving him a silent thumbs-up. Who says that Fi
was the only Phillips with the ability to wrap people around her finger?
"Besides," Jack added, "They'll definitely believe you two. You know
how gullible those guys are into believing whatever weird stories that come
out of both your mouths."
Annie and Fi glanced at each other, thinking the same thought. Both
reaching for pillows, they smacked Jack right on the face.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ON CAMPUS
"You two just had to follow me, didn't you?" Phoebe glared at her two
sisters as they tried to hold back a giggle.
"Whatever do you mean, dear sister?" Prue asked.
"Give it up, Prue. Phoebe's the original actress in the family."
"That must explain the outfit she's got on then, huh Piper?" Prue
indicated toward Phoebe's wardrobe. Phoebe was wearing a pink halter top
barely covered by a white jacket. She was also wearing a matching short
skirt to reveal her tanned legs.
"You guys are so mean!" Phoebe tried to walk ahead, distancing
herself from the others. "Just because I'm the youngest. The baby of the
group."
"You think she's onto us, Prue?" Piper teased, as they caught up with
her.
"Guys!" Phoebe turned around. "I said that I could handle Declan and
I will handle it! So please, leave."
"We know you can handle Declan, sister dear," Prue smirked, causing
Phoebe to glint back at her.
"What Prue is trying to say," Piper interrupted, back in the middle as
only a middle child could accomplish, "Is that maybe he would really believe
you if we were there with you. I mean, how else are you going to get Declan
to agree on coming to our little meeting unless you give him a reasonable
explanation without incriminating yourself."
"Wow, Piper. And all in one breath no less." Prue remarked. She
smiled innocently at her middle sister, "Seriously, Piper's right, Phoebe. And
since you said that he's into all this unexplained phenomenon, I'm sure that
three powerful witches will definitely catch his attention."
"I thought you two promised not tease me on my passive powers
again." Phoebe's only strong power at the moment was her clairvoyant
ability. Recently, she acquired the power to float in mid air, but she was still
finding it hard to control.
"We're not, Pheebs." Prue defended.
After much thought, "Okay. Fine. Let's go." Phoebe started to walk
ahead again. Prue and Piper followed, Prue slyly adding, "At least we finally
get to meet the man responsible for Phoebe's sexy wardrobe."
"I heard that!"
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HALLIWELL MANOR
"Okay, Kiara. Now concentrate solely on the orange." Leo advised her,
just before tossing the fruit into the air.
The young woman stared at it intently, then caught it… so to speak.
Relying completely on her telekinesis, Kiara was able to stop the orange in
mid air, causing it to spin on its own axis.
"You're getting stronger everyday, Kiara." Leo smiled proudly at her.
"I just hope that one day I could be one-fourth as powerful as the
Charmed Ones."
"You'll be more than that, Kiara. Believe me."
Kiara beamed, then tossed the fruit back towards Leo. "Maybe."
Leo was about to toss another object Kiara's way when the Halliwell
doorbell rang.
"Coming!" Kiara called out.
She made her way towards the door, while Leo decided to orb himself
into the living room.
"You gotta teach me how to do that sometime, Leo." She smirked as
she rounded the corner past him.
"Hey, we need to at least keep some white lighter tricks a secret."
Answering the door, Kiara was both surprised and secretly glad to see
Jimmy.
"Hey, Olsen. You're early."
"Well, don't early birds always get the worms?"
"Quite a cliché." She retorted, opening the door wider, "Come on in,"
To Leo, "Leo, it's Jimmy!"
Jimmy entered the living room, "Hey Leo. Where's Prue and her
sisters?"
"Hey, Jimmy. They left to talk to Declan."
"Have a seat, Jimmy. Want something to drink? Ice tea, maybe?"
"Ice tea is fine, Kiara." He smiled at her. His heart jumped as she
nodded and returned the smile.
"Alright. Same thing for you too, Leo?"
"Sure, Kay."
"Don't gossip without me." She sang-sung into the kitchen.
"Like us men gossip." Scoffed Jimmy. "Right, Leo?"
"Yeah," He called out. "Us guys don't gossip, Kiara…"
"We prattle around…" Jimmy lowered his voice.
"Exactly." Leo agreed, his voice also soft.
"Professor Dunn? Hello… it's me, Phoebe Halliwell?" Phoebe stepped
into the college classroom, noticing its emptiness. She waited a few seconds,
thinking that maybe he was in the office next to the classroom. "Okay, he's
not in here like Becky said he would be…"
"Miss Halliwell… well, I see that you've come back to harass me even
more."
Phoebe spun around, feigning a laugh.
"Ha… me? Harass you? Never, Professor."
Declan stepped out of the shadows, his eyes taking the college
student in. He stopped for a second, stunned.
"You okay, Professor Dunn?" She took a step towards him, noticing
that he was no doubt handsome… in a scrubby sort of way.
Shaking his head, he had to remind himself that this girl was a
student… an attractive student who no doubt probably had a boyfriend.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Phoebe." He looked down at his teaching notes, "So
what can I do for you today?"
"Uh… well…" She stumbled, a bit nervous. Taking a deep breath,
"Okay, wait here." Phoebe stepped out into the hallway, "Prue! Piper! Can
you come in here please?" She faced Declan again, "First, I want you to
meet my sisters."
"Wow, already meeting family without having been out on the first
date. Aren't we taking things a bit too fast, Phoebe? I don't even know your
birth date." He teased.
She gave him the once-over before replying, "I'm a Scorpio… what's
your sign?"
Declan chuckled, boy did this girl know how to flirt. He was about to
respond when two women, Phoebe's sisters, stepped into the room. He
smiled at them, thinking that beauty does run in the family.
"Professor Declan Dunn, these are my sisters, Prue and Piper Halliwell.
Prue, Piper, this is Professor Dunn."
He shook hands with them, offering a kind smile to each lady. "Please,
call me Declan."
"Does that apply to me too, Professor?" Phoebe grinned flirtatiously.
Piper and Prue smirked, knowing that she would flirt with any guy
worth teasing—including a college teacher.
"Wouldn't have it any other way, Phoebe." He flirted right back.
Piper sighed, "Phoebe…"
"What? Oh, yeah… uh, we're here for a reason, Declan. A very
important reason in fact. We… well, we basically need your help."
"Do you mind if I ask what for?"
"We can't really talk about it here and now, Declan," Piper said, "But
we're hoping you can join us at our home later this afternoon… say, three
o'clock? We can fill you in on our… well, our situation then."
"How important is this—situation?"
Phoebe cast a glanced at her sisters. They nodded, complying to their
sister's silent request.
She looked at him, "Declan, word around campus is that you're sort of
like a moth attracted to the miraculous wonders of the world flame."
He smiled, "Moth to a flame, alright."
The youngest Halliwell smirked, "Well, how's this for miraculous…
Prue?"
Declan watched, first in confusion, as Prue held her right hand up,
palm out. She had a look of mixed concentration and natural ease as she
suddenly was able to "snatch" his notes away from his grasp. His eyes went
wide with shock as she handled his notepad that was now in her hand. "How'd
you… you just…"
Prue smiled coyly as she then floated the notepad two inches above
the palm of her hand.
A single word popped into his head, "Telekinesis."
"Just one of her powers, actually." Phoebe bragged.
"Powers?" He asked, a bit baffled.
"Speakin' of which, check out Piper's prowess." She pointed out as
Piper nudged Prue.
Declan watched as Prue violently toss the notepad high into the air.
He inched instinctively to catch it, but Phoebe stopped him.
Just as she cried, "Wait Declan," Piper threw her hands up and
stopped the pad in mid air. He looked at the object, stunned. He then gazed
over at Piper. "You stopped it. How?"
"Look around you, Declan. The pad wasn't the only thing frozen in
time." Phoebe said.
He glanced around the room, and began to notice some of the small,
yet significant things. The wall clock was still, the air felt quiet, unmoving.
As his eyes wondered to outside of the classroom walls, his breath held as
he noticed that the wondering students were… well, not wondering around at
all. Frozen in place… frozen in time.
"You froze time." he said to Piper, awed by her ability.
"Yeah," She humbly replied.
Declan faced Phoebe, "And you? What's your gift?"
"What makes you think that I have a gift?"
"A feeling. So do you?"
"I'm clairvoyant… and recently, I can fly."
"Fly?" He grinned with amusement. Declan looked over the sisters,
"So, why are you guys showing me this?"
"Because we wanted to give you a taste of what's to come… and
because we need you to trust us, just like we need to trust you." Prue
replied.
"Well, you guys can definitely trust me." He was so awed by them,
"You guys… it's totally incredible!"
"So, we can count on you for sure?"
"Yeah. I'm in!" Declan had a very good feeling about this… and
towards the three Halliwell sisters. Especially Phoebe.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Yeah… uh-huh…"
Jimmy glanced behind the couch, watching Kiara pace back and forth
while on the phone. He faced Leo again, who still shrugged.
"I understand, Annie… No, you're right, they have to know… Don't
worry about what they'll say, Annie… Look, they'll understand… Okay, we'll
see you guys later then, alright?… Great, bye."
"Kay, why did Annie call you?" Leo asked as Kiara hung up her cell
phone and joined the guys in the living room.
"Oh… well… you'll see. Later on tonight, that is." She had a secretive
smile, sort of a "cat that ate a cannery" grin.
"Good or bad?" he asked.
"I guess it depends on how you look at it." She shrugged.
"In other words, it's probably bad." Jimmy said.
Leo chuckled at that statement. He was about to say something when
he glanced up, hearing the call from above. The white lighter looked
confused for a moment, trying to listen in on the heavenly message.
"Leo?" Jimmy asked. He looked over at Kiara, "What is he doing?"
"His bosses are sending him a message."
Leo faced Kiara, a bit shock by what he has heard. "They told them,
didn't they?"
"What?" Jimmy gave Kiara a confused look.
Kiara nodded, "They had to. Besides, Annie said that they can be
trusted."
"Can someone please fill me in here?"
Leo sighed, then looked over at Jimmy. "They," indicating towards the
heavens, "Just told me that Fiona and company had informed two more
people about the meeting this afternoon. Two people who are in no way
capable to protect themselves magickally."
"Prue, Piper, and Phoebe will understand, Leo." Kiara tried to plead
her case. "Look, I trust Annie when she says that their friends can be
trusted. You even… well, you sort of met them. Clu and Carey? Fi's
boyfriend and the guitarist who has the hots for Prue?"
"I'm just trying to keep things quiet, Kiara. If anyone else knows…"
"No one will, Leo. Jeez, keep your halo on."
Leo rolled his eyes at her, as Jimmy restrained a laughter from his
lips.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Prue? Where are you going?" Piper watched as her eldest sister
walk in the opposite direction from the car.
"Prue?" Phoebe called out.
"Guys, I just forgot that Daryl wanted me to come down to the station
this afternoon."
"Why?"
"He wanted me to look over at some photos on a case he's working on.
He thinks that it's connected somehow to 'our level' of reality. I agreed that
I'd check it out."
"Well, why didn't he ask all three of us to look it over?" Piper asked.
"Because I told him that I'd do it. You guys can cover for me until I
get back. Besides, it's probably nothing." Before her sisters could protest,
Prue hailed for a cab.
Piper and Phoebe met eyes. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
The younger of the two said as they got in the car.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Daryl!"
Police detective Daryl Morris looked up from his files, a small smile
appearing on his face as he spotted Prue Halliwell. Daryl was practically one
of the only few mortals around who knew how "special" the Halliwell sisters
were. It took him some time to adjust to that fact, but there has been
some great advantages towards him knowing the truth.
"Hey, Prue. Glad you could make it."
"Well, I'm glad I could help, Daryl. But I can't stay long."
He looked in her eyes, feeling that odd "Uh-oh, something's up" feel
whenever the Halliwells were involved in something big.
"Should I even ask, Prue?"
"Maybe not." She replied, giving him a meek grin.
"But you will inform me—"
"When and if it's urgent and it involves major covering up." Prue
finished for him.
"Okay, I have the pictures in a folder in my office. Wait here while I
get it."
As Daryl left for the moment, Prue decided to rest and gather her
thoughts for the days ahead.
Being the eldest of the Charmed Ones, and still trying to maintain any
normality in her life, can definitely wear someone out. Don't get her wrong,
she secretly loves the challenge that being a witch brings to her life. She
just doesn't try to show it as much as her baby sister, Phoebe, does.
"You look like you need an aspirin."
Prue snapped her head up, shock as she met eyes with the most cutest
guy on earth… make that, the cutest cop on earth. She silently cringed
though. Rephrase that, she thought, the cutest living cop on earth next to
Andy, God rest his soul.
The tall lean officer had soft eyes, and an adorable—almost
innocent—smile.
Prue's mind screamed for her to say something, not just to stare at
him with her mouth gaping like a total dork.
"You okay?" He spoke again, a bit concerned.
"Uh… me? I'm—I'm—I'm fine!" She mentally wanted to slap herself.
*Great, Prudence, you're acting just like Carey Bell when he first met you!*
She thought to herself ruefully.
"Are you sure? Can I get you something? You looked kind of out of it
a moment ago."
*He is so sweet!* Prue cried joyfully in her mind. Again, she mentally
slapped herself as she realized just how childish she was thinking.
"Prue?" Daryl came up next to her, having noticed that one of the new
officers was looking at her worriedly. "What's the matter?" He asked both
her and the officer.
The cute cop was about to answer, when Prue yelped, "Nothing!" She
met eyes with the officer, "I mean… nothing is wrong. I'm fine. Really, I
am."
Daryl nodded, not quite sure on how to respond to her reaction. He
glanced and the young cop, then at Prue… when it slowly dawned on him.
"Prue… this is Michael Hunt. Hunt, this is Prue Halliwell." He
introduced them to one another.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Prue." Michael smiled, causing Prue to
slightly falter. He held out his hand to her.
"To meet you a pleasure it's too…" She said, returning his hand shake.
She stopped, closed her eyes and sighed as she realized how stupid she
sounded. "I mean, it's a pleasure to meet you too, Officer Hunt."
"Call me Michael."
Prue was feeling so giddy over him… now she knew how Phoebe felt
most of the time. She stared at him in total awe.
"Prue?"
"Huh?" She heard the voice, but all she could see was Michael.
"Prue?"
Prue faced the voice, and blushed. "Oh, right, Daryl. I'm sorry."
"I should be getting back to work," Michael said. To Prue, "I hope I'm
not being too forward by saying this… but, I hope to see you again, Prue."
Before she could say a word, Michael handed her something, and
walked away.
All Daryl could do was shake his head in amusement. Prue stared down
at her hand, seeing Michael's business card in her palm. A big smile
appeared on her face, causing Daryl to smirk at her.
The old Prue, however, quickly snapped back, staring daggers at
Morris. "What are you looking at?" Snatching the folder with the pictures,
"And give me that."
"Unbelievable."
"And don't you even mention about what had happened to my sisters—
got it?"
"Lips are sealed, Prue." He saw her slyly cast her eyes towards
Michael, who was sitting at his desk. Daryl silently chuckled, "Lips are
sealed."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Whoa, cool house." Fiona said, awed by the Victorian house before
them.
"I'll say." Clu agreed, squeezing Fi's hand.
"Guys, we're kind of early. What if they're not home?" Jack asked, a
bit worried.
"We're only fifteen minutes early, Jack." Carey said, he and Annie
joining Jack on each side.
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
"Don't worry, big brother." Fi walked up to Jack, giving his arm an
assuring squeeze. "As long as we're together, nothing will happen." She
looked at her little safety group, at the people she trusts most in this world.
"Right guys?"
"Right." Annie and Carey said at the same time.
"Definitely." Clu spoke with a smile.
Jack sighed, his trademark Jack Phillips grin returning to his lips. "As
they say… all for one—"
"And one for all!" Everyone else proclaimed with Jack.
Fi was all smiles. This was how she wanted to spend her days. Going
off on cool adventures, being with the people she loved and cherished on this
earth, working together and being one big team. She was glad that she
decided to return back to the only place she knew as home… and that was
with the people she holds dear in her heart.
"Fi?"
Fiona turned around, seeing Prue Halliwell as she got out of the yellow
taxi. Prue walked up the driveway, her eyes scanning over the little group,
confused.
"Hey, Prue!"
Prue noticed the extra additions, "Fiona, I don't really mean to be
rude…"
"I know what you're thinking." Fi began. "But we had to tell Clu and
Carey about what had happened at the club, and about the meeting today."
"I called Kiara," Annie added. "She said that it was okay for them to
come."
"Fi…" Prue began, but was interrupted yet again by the young sixteen
year old.
"I know that this was meant only for me, Annie, and Jack… but Clu and
Carey are really dependable guys. They've practically seen the same weird
stuff I've seen, so whatever out of this world things you and your sisters are
into, it's probably not as bad."
Prue sighed, knowing that this was a conversation that needs to be
talked about inside the manor. She gave everyone a half-smile, "Let's go
inside, alright? We can talk about it in there where it's less likely for us to
be overheard by some unwanted… people."
As she was ushering everyone up, she noticed that Jack was lagging
behind.
At the door, she opened it for them and called out for her sisters and
Kiara. "Piper… Phoebe… Kiara… Fi and her friends are here!" Once everyone,
with the exception of her and Jack, was inside Prue faced the Phillips boy.
He smiled at her, sensing that she knew how he was really feeling.
"You okay, Jack?"
"Yeah. I'm fine, Prue." He replied, still a bit unsure.
She placed a sisterly arm around him, "Being an older sibling is tough,
isn't it? Is that what's bothering you?"
"Sort of."
Prue lead him towards the front stoop of the stairs, sitting
themselves down.
Jack looked at her, tentative about telling a total stranger about his
feelings. As he saw into her kind eyes, Jack had a feeling that he could
trust her… that she was someone that he knew will be there for him when
worse comes to worse… just like he knew that Fi will always be there for
him.
He opened his mouth, about to open himself up to her, when she beat
him to it.
"I get worried over my sisters too, Jack. When I look at your sister,
it's like I'm looking at a younger version of my baby sister Phoebe. They love
the most weirdest, freakiest things out there… and it scares me! Because if
Phoebe knows it's out there, she will stop at nothing until she figures it out."
"That's my Fiona to a T." Jack chuckled.
Prue reached over, giving him a friendly, reassuring hug. "If you need
someone to talk to Jack, don't hesitant to look for me. It's strange, but I
have this feeling that we're going to need each other. And I don't mind
playing big sister to you, Jack Phillips."
Jack returned Prue's smile. "And I don't mind playing little brother to
you, Prue Halliwell."
Prue gave him one more comforting hug, before getting up. As she
stood up, she felt Jack's hand reach out for hers. She looked down at him,
noticing that his eyes changed into a sad blue. "Jack?"
"It's Fiona, isn't it? That's why we're all here. The real person in
danger is my baby sister."
"Jack…" She began, but Jack cut her off as he jumped up and faced
her, his hand still latched onto hers.
"I need to know, Prue. I don't know what made me think that it is, but
if it's so, I need to know. As a big brother, it's my right to know."
"I'm sorry, Jack…" Was all she could say, for her equally sad blue
eyes said it all.
He looked down, sighed, then faced her again. "I can't lose her, Prue…
she means everything to me. She means everything to my family and to
everyone else that loves her."
"She's really special, isn't she?"
"Yes she is." His pensive expression changed to one of seriousness,
"And that's why I would do anything in my power to protect her."
"That's why we're here, Jack." Prue gave his hand a strong, promising
squeeze, "I promise you, Jack, that nothing will harm Fi. I won't let anything
happen to your sister… or to you and your friends."
"Thanks, Prue." His smile returning, "I trust you."
"Now that," Her eyes were twinkling as she placed an arm around him,
leading him into the house to join the other, "Is the most powerful sentence
in the whole universe… next to 'Abra Cadabra, Hocus Pocus.' of course…" she
slyly added, causing him to laugh for the first time since the whole
adventure started.
AT A HOTEL
"Fi, Annie, are you guys insane?! What you're asking me to do is
basically lie to mom, Irene, and Ned. Not to mention Clu and Carey. And did
I also mention that going to a complete stranger's house over something as
ridiculous as freezing time is a totally stupid idea?!"
"Quick, Fi, your brother is going to have a heart attack." Annie joked.
"Jack, I don't like lying to mom and Clu as much as you do… but this
sounds too important."
"Fi's right, Jack. Didn't you hear what Leo said? It's a matter of
life…"
"Life and death. Yeah, I heard it the first time, Annie." Jack sighed,
falling on the hotel bed.
It was the morning after the "weird encounter" back at P3. Fi and
Annie had managed to send the Bell brothers out on errands for them while
they talk about their plans this afternoon.
The Halliwell sisters, Kiara, and Leo felt extremely relieved to have
the others on their side after the incident. It was much easier for them to
dismiss the "photo" of Leo with Fi and Annie distracting the others.
"Well, I know Molly has that radio station interview this afternoon.
And since your mom gave Ned and Irene the afternoon off, I know that
Irene plans to drag Ned around the city, shopping and site-seeing."
"That leaves Clu and Carey." Fiona said thoughtfully.
"Well, Annie, Carey, and I had plans to see a movie this afternoon."
Jack informed his sister.
"Clu said he had plans for us too." Fi added.
Annie sighed, only one thought coming to mind. "Guys, we have to tell
them."
"Annie, we can't!" Fiona exclaimed.
"I'm going to have to agree with Fi." Her brother said, then slyly
adding, "For once."
"If we tell them about this, and if what Prue says is right, we'll just be
dragging them into the mud with us! And I can't do that to Clu."
"And Carey." Jack added.
"I know you love Clu too much to put him in danger, Fi. But you know
that he would do anything to keep you safe. Same goes for Jack, Carey, and
everyone else that loves you."
"Annie's got a point there, Fi."
Fi sighed, not knowing what to do or think. Jack noticed the distress
on his baby sister's face. He hated seeing Fi in such pain. He held out his
arms for her, "Come here, Fi."
Fiona allowed herself to be hugged by Jack, feeling safe in her big
brother's protective arms.
"We have to at least tell Clu and Carey about this, Fi. The more of us,
the better chance we have of keeping this from the adults."
She nodded, looking up at him. "You guys are right. Let's tell them."
Annie smiled at Jack, giving him a silent thumbs-up. Who says that Fi
was the only Phillips with the ability to wrap people around her finger?
"Besides," Jack added, "They'll definitely believe you two. You know
how gullible those guys are into believing whatever weird stories that come
out of both your mouths."
Annie and Fi glanced at each other, thinking the same thought. Both
reaching for pillows, they smacked Jack right on the face.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ON CAMPUS
"You two just had to follow me, didn't you?" Phoebe glared at her two
sisters as they tried to hold back a giggle.
"Whatever do you mean, dear sister?" Prue asked.
"Give it up, Prue. Phoebe's the original actress in the family."
"That must explain the outfit she's got on then, huh Piper?" Prue
indicated toward Phoebe's wardrobe. Phoebe was wearing a pink halter top
barely covered by a white jacket. She was also wearing a matching short
skirt to reveal her tanned legs.
"You guys are so mean!" Phoebe tried to walk ahead, distancing
herself from the others. "Just because I'm the youngest. The baby of the
group."
"You think she's onto us, Prue?" Piper teased, as they caught up with
her.
"Guys!" Phoebe turned around. "I said that I could handle Declan and
I will handle it! So please, leave."
"We know you can handle Declan, sister dear," Prue smirked, causing
Phoebe to glint back at her.
"What Prue is trying to say," Piper interrupted, back in the middle as
only a middle child could accomplish, "Is that maybe he would really believe
you if we were there with you. I mean, how else are you going to get Declan
to agree on coming to our little meeting unless you give him a reasonable
explanation without incriminating yourself."
"Wow, Piper. And all in one breath no less." Prue remarked. She
smiled innocently at her middle sister, "Seriously, Piper's right, Phoebe. And
since you said that he's into all this unexplained phenomenon, I'm sure that
three powerful witches will definitely catch his attention."
"I thought you two promised not tease me on my passive powers
again." Phoebe's only strong power at the moment was her clairvoyant
ability. Recently, she acquired the power to float in mid air, but she was still
finding it hard to control.
"We're not, Pheebs." Prue defended.
After much thought, "Okay. Fine. Let's go." Phoebe started to walk
ahead again. Prue and Piper followed, Prue slyly adding, "At least we finally
get to meet the man responsible for Phoebe's sexy wardrobe."
"I heard that!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HALLIWELL MANOR
"Okay, Kiara. Now concentrate solely on the orange." Leo advised her,
just before tossing the fruit into the air.
The young woman stared at it intently, then caught it… so to speak.
Relying completely on her telekinesis, Kiara was able to stop the orange in
mid air, causing it to spin on its own axis.
"You're getting stronger everyday, Kiara." Leo smiled proudly at her.
"I just hope that one day I could be one-fourth as powerful as the
Charmed Ones."
"You'll be more than that, Kiara. Believe me."
Kiara beamed, then tossed the fruit back towards Leo. "Maybe."
Leo was about to toss another object Kiara's way when the Halliwell
doorbell rang.
"Coming!" Kiara called out.
She made her way towards the door, while Leo decided to orb himself
into the living room.
"You gotta teach me how to do that sometime, Leo." She smirked as
she rounded the corner past him.
"Hey, we need to at least keep some white lighter tricks a secret."
Answering the door, Kiara was both surprised and secretly glad to see
Jimmy.
"Hey, Olsen. You're early."
"Well, don't early birds always get the worms?"
"Quite a cliché." She retorted, opening the door wider, "Come on in,"
To Leo, "Leo, it's Jimmy!"
Jimmy entered the living room, "Hey Leo. Where's Prue and her
sisters?"
"Hey, Jimmy. They left to talk to Declan."
"Have a seat, Jimmy. Want something to drink? Ice tea, maybe?"
"Ice tea is fine, Kiara." He smiled at her. His heart jumped as she
nodded and returned the smile.
"Alright. Same thing for you too, Leo?"
"Sure, Kay."
"Don't gossip without me." She sang-sung into the kitchen.
"Like us men gossip." Scoffed Jimmy. "Right, Leo?"
"Yeah," He called out. "Us guys don't gossip, Kiara…"
"We prattle around…" Jimmy lowered his voice.
"Exactly." Leo agreed, his voice also soft.
"Professor Dunn? Hello… it's me, Phoebe Halliwell?" Phoebe stepped
into the college classroom, noticing its emptiness. She waited a few seconds,
thinking that maybe he was in the office next to the classroom. "Okay, he's
not in here like Becky said he would be…"
"Miss Halliwell… well, I see that you've come back to harass me even
more."
Phoebe spun around, feigning a laugh.
"Ha… me? Harass you? Never, Professor."
Declan stepped out of the shadows, his eyes taking the college
student in. He stopped for a second, stunned.
"You okay, Professor Dunn?" She took a step towards him, noticing
that he was no doubt handsome… in a scrubby sort of way.
Shaking his head, he had to remind himself that this girl was a
student… an attractive student who no doubt probably had a boyfriend.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Phoebe." He looked down at his teaching notes, "So
what can I do for you today?"
"Uh… well…" She stumbled, a bit nervous. Taking a deep breath,
"Okay, wait here." Phoebe stepped out into the hallway, "Prue! Piper! Can
you come in here please?" She faced Declan again, "First, I want you to
meet my sisters."
"Wow, already meeting family without having been out on the first
date. Aren't we taking things a bit too fast, Phoebe? I don't even know your
birth date." He teased.
She gave him the once-over before replying, "I'm a Scorpio… what's
your sign?"
Declan chuckled, boy did this girl know how to flirt. He was about to
respond when two women, Phoebe's sisters, stepped into the room. He
smiled at them, thinking that beauty does run in the family.
"Professor Declan Dunn, these are my sisters, Prue and Piper Halliwell.
Prue, Piper, this is Professor Dunn."
He shook hands with them, offering a kind smile to each lady. "Please,
call me Declan."
"Does that apply to me too, Professor?" Phoebe grinned flirtatiously.
Piper and Prue smirked, knowing that she would flirt with any guy
worth teasing—including a college teacher.
"Wouldn't have it any other way, Phoebe." He flirted right back.
Piper sighed, "Phoebe…"
"What? Oh, yeah… uh, we're here for a reason, Declan. A very
important reason in fact. We… well, we basically need your help."
"Do you mind if I ask what for?"
"We can't really talk about it here and now, Declan," Piper said, "But
we're hoping you can join us at our home later this afternoon… say, three
o'clock? We can fill you in on our… well, our situation then."
"How important is this—situation?"
Phoebe cast a glanced at her sisters. They nodded, complying to their
sister's silent request.
She looked at him, "Declan, word around campus is that you're sort of
like a moth attracted to the miraculous wonders of the world flame."
He smiled, "Moth to a flame, alright."
The youngest Halliwell smirked, "Well, how's this for miraculous…
Prue?"
Declan watched, first in confusion, as Prue held her right hand up,
palm out. She had a look of mixed concentration and natural ease as she
suddenly was able to "snatch" his notes away from his grasp. His eyes went
wide with shock as she handled his notepad that was now in her hand. "How'd
you… you just…"
Prue smiled coyly as she then floated the notepad two inches above
the palm of her hand.
A single word popped into his head, "Telekinesis."
"Just one of her powers, actually." Phoebe bragged.
"Powers?" He asked, a bit baffled.
"Speakin' of which, check out Piper's prowess." She pointed out as
Piper nudged Prue.
Declan watched as Prue violently toss the notepad high into the air.
He inched instinctively to catch it, but Phoebe stopped him.
Just as she cried, "Wait Declan," Piper threw her hands up and
stopped the pad in mid air. He looked at the object, stunned. He then gazed
over at Piper. "You stopped it. How?"
"Look around you, Declan. The pad wasn't the only thing frozen in
time." Phoebe said.
He glanced around the room, and began to notice some of the small,
yet significant things. The wall clock was still, the air felt quiet, unmoving.
As his eyes wondered to outside of the classroom walls, his breath held as
he noticed that the wondering students were… well, not wondering around at
all. Frozen in place… frozen in time.
"You froze time." he said to Piper, awed by her ability.
"Yeah," She humbly replied.
Declan faced Phoebe, "And you? What's your gift?"
"What makes you think that I have a gift?"
"A feeling. So do you?"
"I'm clairvoyant… and recently, I can fly."
"Fly?" He grinned with amusement. Declan looked over the sisters,
"So, why are you guys showing me this?"
"Because we wanted to give you a taste of what's to come… and
because we need you to trust us, just like we need to trust you." Prue
replied.
"Well, you guys can definitely trust me." He was so awed by them,
"You guys… it's totally incredible!"
"So, we can count on you for sure?"
"Yeah. I'm in!" Declan had a very good feeling about this… and
towards the three Halliwell sisters. Especially Phoebe.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Yeah… uh-huh…"
Jimmy glanced behind the couch, watching Kiara pace back and forth
while on the phone. He faced Leo again, who still shrugged.
"I understand, Annie… No, you're right, they have to know… Don't
worry about what they'll say, Annie… Look, they'll understand… Okay, we'll
see you guys later then, alright?… Great, bye."
"Kay, why did Annie call you?" Leo asked as Kiara hung up her cell
phone and joined the guys in the living room.
"Oh… well… you'll see. Later on tonight, that is." She had a secretive
smile, sort of a "cat that ate a cannery" grin.
"Good or bad?" he asked.
"I guess it depends on how you look at it." She shrugged.
"In other words, it's probably bad." Jimmy said.
Leo chuckled at that statement. He was about to say something when
he glanced up, hearing the call from above. The white lighter looked
confused for a moment, trying to listen in on the heavenly message.
"Leo?" Jimmy asked. He looked over at Kiara, "What is he doing?"
"His bosses are sending him a message."
Leo faced Kiara, a bit shock by what he has heard. "They told them,
didn't they?"
"What?" Jimmy gave Kiara a confused look.
Kiara nodded, "They had to. Besides, Annie said that they can be
trusted."
"Can someone please fill me in here?"
Leo sighed, then looked over at Jimmy. "They," indicating towards the
heavens, "Just told me that Fiona and company had informed two more
people about the meeting this afternoon. Two people who are in no way
capable to protect themselves magickally."
"Prue, Piper, and Phoebe will understand, Leo." Kiara tried to plead
her case. "Look, I trust Annie when she says that their friends can be
trusted. You even… well, you sort of met them. Clu and Carey? Fi's
boyfriend and the guitarist who has the hots for Prue?"
"I'm just trying to keep things quiet, Kiara. If anyone else knows…"
"No one will, Leo. Jeez, keep your halo on."
Leo rolled his eyes at her, as Jimmy restrained a laughter from his
lips.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Prue? Where are you going?" Piper watched as her eldest sister
walk in the opposite direction from the car.
"Prue?" Phoebe called out.
"Guys, I just forgot that Daryl wanted me to come down to the station
this afternoon."
"Why?"
"He wanted me to look over at some photos on a case he's working on.
He thinks that it's connected somehow to 'our level' of reality. I agreed that
I'd check it out."
"Well, why didn't he ask all three of us to look it over?" Piper asked.
"Because I told him that I'd do it. You guys can cover for me until I
get back. Besides, it's probably nothing." Before her sisters could protest,
Prue hailed for a cab.
Piper and Phoebe met eyes. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
The younger of the two said as they got in the car.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Daryl!"
Police detective Daryl Morris looked up from his files, a small smile
appearing on his face as he spotted Prue Halliwell. Daryl was practically one
of the only few mortals around who knew how "special" the Halliwell sisters
were. It took him some time to adjust to that fact, but there has been
some great advantages towards him knowing the truth.
"Hey, Prue. Glad you could make it."
"Well, I'm glad I could help, Daryl. But I can't stay long."
He looked in her eyes, feeling that odd "Uh-oh, something's up" feel
whenever the Halliwells were involved in something big.
"Should I even ask, Prue?"
"Maybe not." She replied, giving him a meek grin.
"But you will inform me—"
"When and if it's urgent and it involves major covering up." Prue
finished for him.
"Okay, I have the pictures in a folder in my office. Wait here while I
get it."
As Daryl left for the moment, Prue decided to rest and gather her
thoughts for the days ahead.
Being the eldest of the Charmed Ones, and still trying to maintain any
normality in her life, can definitely wear someone out. Don't get her wrong,
she secretly loves the challenge that being a witch brings to her life. She
just doesn't try to show it as much as her baby sister, Phoebe, does.
"You look like you need an aspirin."
Prue snapped her head up, shock as she met eyes with the most cutest
guy on earth… make that, the cutest cop on earth. She silently cringed
though. Rephrase that, she thought, the cutest living cop on earth next to
Andy, God rest his soul.
The tall lean officer had soft eyes, and an adorable—almost
innocent—smile.
Prue's mind screamed for her to say something, not just to stare at
him with her mouth gaping like a total dork.
"You okay?" He spoke again, a bit concerned.
"Uh… me? I'm—I'm—I'm fine!" She mentally wanted to slap herself.
*Great, Prudence, you're acting just like Carey Bell when he first met you!*
She thought to herself ruefully.
"Are you sure? Can I get you something? You looked kind of out of it
a moment ago."
*He is so sweet!* Prue cried joyfully in her mind. Again, she mentally
slapped herself as she realized just how childish she was thinking.
"Prue?" Daryl came up next to her, having noticed that one of the new
officers was looking at her worriedly. "What's the matter?" He asked both
her and the officer.
The cute cop was about to answer, when Prue yelped, "Nothing!" She
met eyes with the officer, "I mean… nothing is wrong. I'm fine. Really, I
am."
Daryl nodded, not quite sure on how to respond to her reaction. He
glanced and the young cop, then at Prue… when it slowly dawned on him.
"Prue… this is Michael Hunt. Hunt, this is Prue Halliwell." He
introduced them to one another.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Prue." Michael smiled, causing Prue to
slightly falter. He held out his hand to her.
"To meet you a pleasure it's too…" She said, returning his hand shake.
She stopped, closed her eyes and sighed as she realized how stupid she
sounded. "I mean, it's a pleasure to meet you too, Officer Hunt."
"Call me Michael."
Prue was feeling so giddy over him… now she knew how Phoebe felt
most of the time. She stared at him in total awe.
"Prue?"
"Huh?" She heard the voice, but all she could see was Michael.
"Prue?"
Prue faced the voice, and blushed. "Oh, right, Daryl. I'm sorry."
"I should be getting back to work," Michael said. To Prue, "I hope I'm
not being too forward by saying this… but, I hope to see you again, Prue."
Before she could say a word, Michael handed her something, and
walked away.
All Daryl could do was shake his head in amusement. Prue stared down
at her hand, seeing Michael's business card in her palm. A big smile
appeared on her face, causing Daryl to smirk at her.
The old Prue, however, quickly snapped back, staring daggers at
Morris. "What are you looking at?" Snatching the folder with the pictures,
"And give me that."
"Unbelievable."
"And don't you even mention about what had happened to my sisters—
got it?"
"Lips are sealed, Prue." He saw her slyly cast her eyes towards
Michael, who was sitting at his desk. Daryl silently chuckled, "Lips are
sealed."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Whoa, cool house." Fiona said, awed by the Victorian house before
them.
"I'll say." Clu agreed, squeezing Fi's hand.
"Guys, we're kind of early. What if they're not home?" Jack asked, a
bit worried.
"We're only fifteen minutes early, Jack." Carey said, he and Annie
joining Jack on each side.
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
"Don't worry, big brother." Fi walked up to Jack, giving his arm an
assuring squeeze. "As long as we're together, nothing will happen." She
looked at her little safety group, at the people she trusts most in this world.
"Right guys?"
"Right." Annie and Carey said at the same time.
"Definitely." Clu spoke with a smile.
Jack sighed, his trademark Jack Phillips grin returning to his lips. "As
they say… all for one—"
"And one for all!" Everyone else proclaimed with Jack.
Fi was all smiles. This was how she wanted to spend her days. Going
off on cool adventures, being with the people she loved and cherished on this
earth, working together and being one big team. She was glad that she
decided to return back to the only place she knew as home… and that was
with the people she holds dear in her heart.
"Fi?"
Fiona turned around, seeing Prue Halliwell as she got out of the yellow
taxi. Prue walked up the driveway, her eyes scanning over the little group,
confused.
"Hey, Prue!"
Prue noticed the extra additions, "Fiona, I don't really mean to be
rude…"
"I know what you're thinking." Fi began. "But we had to tell Clu and
Carey about what had happened at the club, and about the meeting today."
"I called Kiara," Annie added. "She said that it was okay for them to
come."
"Fi…" Prue began, but was interrupted yet again by the young sixteen
year old.
"I know that this was meant only for me, Annie, and Jack… but Clu and
Carey are really dependable guys. They've practically seen the same weird
stuff I've seen, so whatever out of this world things you and your sisters are
into, it's probably not as bad."
Prue sighed, knowing that this was a conversation that needs to be
talked about inside the manor. She gave everyone a half-smile, "Let's go
inside, alright? We can talk about it in there where it's less likely for us to
be overheard by some unwanted… people."
As she was ushering everyone up, she noticed that Jack was lagging
behind.
At the door, she opened it for them and called out for her sisters and
Kiara. "Piper… Phoebe… Kiara… Fi and her friends are here!" Once everyone,
with the exception of her and Jack, was inside Prue faced the Phillips boy.
He smiled at her, sensing that she knew how he was really feeling.
"You okay, Jack?"
"Yeah. I'm fine, Prue." He replied, still a bit unsure.
She placed a sisterly arm around him, "Being an older sibling is tough,
isn't it? Is that what's bothering you?"
"Sort of."
Prue lead him towards the front stoop of the stairs, sitting
themselves down.
Jack looked at her, tentative about telling a total stranger about his
feelings. As he saw into her kind eyes, Jack had a feeling that he could
trust her… that she was someone that he knew will be there for him when
worse comes to worse… just like he knew that Fi will always be there for
him.
He opened his mouth, about to open himself up to her, when she beat
him to it.
"I get worried over my sisters too, Jack. When I look at your sister,
it's like I'm looking at a younger version of my baby sister Phoebe. They love
the most weirdest, freakiest things out there… and it scares me! Because if
Phoebe knows it's out there, she will stop at nothing until she figures it out."
"That's my Fiona to a T." Jack chuckled.
Prue reached over, giving him a friendly, reassuring hug. "If you need
someone to talk to Jack, don't hesitant to look for me. It's strange, but I
have this feeling that we're going to need each other. And I don't mind
playing big sister to you, Jack Phillips."
Jack returned Prue's smile. "And I don't mind playing little brother to
you, Prue Halliwell."
Prue gave him one more comforting hug, before getting up. As she
stood up, she felt Jack's hand reach out for hers. She looked down at him,
noticing that his eyes changed into a sad blue. "Jack?"
"It's Fiona, isn't it? That's why we're all here. The real person in
danger is my baby sister."
"Jack…" She began, but Jack cut her off as he jumped up and faced
her, his hand still latched onto hers.
"I need to know, Prue. I don't know what made me think that it is, but
if it's so, I need to know. As a big brother, it's my right to know."
"I'm sorry, Jack…" Was all she could say, for her equally sad blue
eyes said it all.
He looked down, sighed, then faced her again. "I can't lose her, Prue…
she means everything to me. She means everything to my family and to
everyone else that loves her."
"She's really special, isn't she?"
"Yes she is." His pensive expression changed to one of seriousness,
"And that's why I would do anything in my power to protect her."
"That's why we're here, Jack." Prue gave his hand a strong, promising
squeeze, "I promise you, Jack, that nothing will harm Fi. I won't let anything
happen to your sister… or to you and your friends."
"Thanks, Prue." His smile returning, "I trust you."
"Now that," Her eyes were twinkling as she placed an arm around him,
leading him into the house to join the other, "Is the most powerful sentence
in the whole universe… next to 'Abra Cadabra, Hocus Pocus.' of course…" she
slyly added, causing him to laugh for the first time since the whole
adventure started.