TWO

"Okay," said Prue, "are you feeling better now?"

"I guess so," said Paige. "I just don't feel dead, that's all.
I always imagined that being dead would be different."

"It's never what you expect," said Prue. "I've been dead for
several months. I'm still getting used to it. Don't worry. It gets
easier relatively quickly. So, what's your name?"

"Paige," said Paige. "Paige Matthews."

"I guess you were killed by a Dark Lighter's arrow," said Prue.
"I saw you orb. Which means you are . . . or rather, were, a White
Lighter. You seem kind of young for a White Lighter."

"Actually," said Paige, "I'm . . . I WAS only half White
Lighter. That's how I was able to orb. My, uh, father was a White
Lighter. My mother was a witch."

"How did you know my name?" asked Prue. "Were you an innocent I
helped once? I don't recall ever helping a half White Lighter. In
fact, I never knew there were half White Lighters."

"I'm kind of unique, I guess," said Paige. "At least, I haven't
met any others like me. You know how the Elders feel about witches
and White Lighters fraternizing."

"Boy, do I," said Prue. "My sister fell in love with our White
Lighter. I can tell you we went through all kinds of . . .." Her
voice trailed off as a look of realization suddenly crossed her face.
"How do you know about the Elders? Did your father tell you about
them?"

"Not exactly," said Paige. "He and my mother died when I was
still a baby. I was raised in a foster home."

"So how did you learn about them?" asked Prue. Paige could tell
she was getting suspicious.

"That's kind of complicated," said Paige. "Actually, I know
Leo. And Piper and Phoebe. We met a few months ago. At your
funeral, as a matter of fact. That's how I knew about the elders.
I'm not just half White Lighter. I'm also a witch. Just like you
are. Or were. Or whatever."

"Well, you may have been a witch," said Prue, smiling and
obviously relaxing a bit, "but I doubt if you were a witch like me. I
was one of the Charmed Ones. My sisters and I were. I'm sure you
knew of us, even if you didn't know us personally. Most witches did."

"Well," said Paige nervously, "actually I wasn't a witch until I
met Leo and your sisters. That's when I learned I was a witch. And
that I was half White Lighter. I never knew any of it until I met
them."

"That's unusual," said Prue. "Most witches know about it when
they are young. I wonder why it took you so long? I guess being
raised by foster parents prevented you from learning about your
heritage when you normally would have."

"Something like that," said Paige.

"Piper and Phoebe may no longer have the Power of Three," said
Prue, "but they were experienced witches. I'm sure the were able to
teach you a great deal in the short time you knew them."

"They did," said Paige. "Prue, there's something else you don't
know. Something you have a right to know. And I'm not real sure how
you're going to take it."

"It can't be that bad," said Prue, smiling. "Come on. You can
tell me. After all, we're both dead. The affairs of the mortal world
no longer concern us."

"I'm not so sure," said Prue. She took a deep breath. "My
father; my biological father; the one who was the White Lighter; his
name was Sam."

"My mother's White Lighter was named Sam," said Prue. "After
she and my father broke up, she and Sam ran off together. We never
did learn what happened to them. Only that my mother died some time
later . . .."

Prue's voice trailed off suddenly.

"I know," said Paige. "My biological mother's name was Patty
Halliwell. I'm your half sister. And the Power of Three was restored
through me. So you see, I AM a witch just like you were. I'm a
Charmed One, too."

Prue just stared at Paige, total disbelief on her face.