A/N: It has been a while since Replay got an update, so here it is. If you
want to see a picture of mini-Prue, check out my webpage, Fingerpaint on my
profile page.
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Leo walked into the room, just as Piper and Phoebe dissolved into giggles, seated on the couch, watching Paige and Prue dance. Paige was just teaching Prue how to slide her hand along her partner's arm, and little Prue was hamming it up like anything, throwing her (now older) sisters sultry looks from beneath her eyelashes, and blowing kisses at them. Compared to the older sister Prue, who had become disillusioned, and cynical about life, little Prue attacked it with cheerful exuberance, and was exceedingly affectionate towards them, as she got more comfortable with the family. She'd been there a week, and Leo was starting to think the Elders might just let them get by.
"What's happening here?" he asked, with a grin, his blue eyes catching Piper's. Prue twirled around, her arms spread-eagled, her short black hair flying out.
"We're playing dancing," she informed him, giggling as she came to a dizzy stop, one lock of dark hair falling over her eye. Leo lifted his hands, and crept towards her on tippy-toe, made a grab for Prue, and began tickling her. The little girl shrieked with laughter, her shoulders shaking, as she pushed at him.
"No.. stop it.. Leo," she managed through her gurgles of laughter. "Stop tickling me!" The white-lighter flew back a couple of paces, until Prue calmed down a little, and controlled her powers.
"Whew," Leo said, a little shame-facedly. "Tickling the mini-witch, not such a good idea." He raised his eyebrows at Piper, who smiled coolly at him from her place on the couch.
"Hey, munchkin, how'bout we go find Phoebe and Piper some cookies?" Paige asked breathlessly, catching the look Piper and Leo were shooting towards one another. Prue nodded, and happily took Paige's hand, skipping slightly as they left the room.
"Still no jingle from them?" Phoebe asked, her brown eyes full of hope as she leaned forwards on the couch, her hands clenched in her lap. She turned her gaze on Piper, beseechingly. Piper looked at Leo.
He shook his head, "Nothing. I don't know if it's a sign or-" he broke off, wincing at the painfully hopeful look on his wife's face. They had had so little luck in getting pregnant, and the little girl, as well as being Piper's much loved sister was also a child who all four of them were getting very attached to.
"Normally the Elders are there straight away, aren't they?" Piper reasoned, sounding calm, her eyes tranquil. Only her hands gave her away, her knuckles showing white with tension. She got up restlessly, and began to pace. Phoebe touched her arm sympathetically, and Piper stopped, still standing, not looking at either of them.
"I just can't take it Leo," Piper finally bit out, her voice laced with anger, and sadness. "I can't take the waiting. They'd darn well better stay out of it. They can't have her back. Not now."
Leo shook his head again, his jaw set. "They won't take her back. We won't let them."
"I told the Elders once that I wasn't going to do this anymore. When she-" Piper took a breath, and calmed herself. "When she went. If they try and take her away, I won't do it. I can't."
He was about to answer when the summons tugged him in the familiar way. He looked anxiously from one sister to the other.
"What is it?" Phoebe asked quickly, rising.
"They're calling," he told her. He reached out for Piper, held her arms lightly. She turned to look at him, a tear making its way down her cheek. She shook her head, a tired look in her eyes.
"I just- I can't, Leo," she whispered, meeting his gaze. He nodded. He took a step back, and shimmered out of view in a haze of blue lights.
"What's happened?" Paige asked urgently, stepping back into the room. "I thought I heard Leo orb."
"You did. They finally called. No guesses as to why," Phoebe answered grimly, looking towards Prue.
"Piper?" A small hand touched her own, and Piper hastily swiped away her tears, and tried to smile at the little questioning face.
"What's wrong?" Prue asked, a serious look on her face. Her blue eyes were filled with worry. Sometimes Mommy got sad, like when Daddy called, on Christmas, and when she and Piper froze Andy the first ever time, and on her birthday that one time.
Piper sniffed, and shook her head. "It's okay, honey. Really." She reached out, and stroked the silky dark head. Two arms wrapped around her waist, and Prue nestled in close, snuggling against her. Piper breathed out a wobbly sigh.
"That's it," Paige said suddenly. Phoebe looked at her. "Scre- I mean, uh, darn this, I'm going up there," Paige stated, a firm look in her own brown eyes. "They can't take her away from us."
"I want to come too," Prue slid off Piper's lap, and slipped her hand into Paige's. She wanted to know where Leo and Paige went when they went all shimmer-y. It made a tinkly sound, like Grams' music box, in the attic.
Paige smiled slowly, as she looked down at Prue. "Y'know, that's not a bad idea." She looked at Piper.
"Prue always was good at communicating," Phoebe added, with a wicked grin.
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"Try to understand. The Charmed Ones have missed their sister. They love her. How can you take her back?" Leo looked desperately at the impassive face of the blue hooded Elder heading the group. The man's hands were folded into his robe as he regarded Leo, his whole manner calm.
"It is not their place to choose whether the child remains with them. It was a mistake, these things have to be rectified," the Elder said serenely.
"How did it even happen then?" Leo demanded angrily, his blue eyes flashing. "How did you, the almighty Elders, allow Prue back?"
"The powers of the Charmed Ones united are very great," the Elder said carefully. "We did not foresee any one of the three being able to use such resources. Nevertheless, the error must be corrected."
"How can you stand there, and say that?" Leo growled, losing his calm. There was a light sound, and then Paige, Prue slung on her hip, appeared in a corner. Leo turned around, with a look of bewilderment, as Prue slid to the floor.
The little girl smoothed her red cord skirt, and bent to pull up her long white socks. She straightened up, and smiled sweetly, looking straight at the Elder. He smiled back, feeling his heart melt a bit. She was adorable, even if she was a mistake.
"Are they still refusing to let her stay?" Paige asked anxiously, looking at Leo. Prue caught the question, and her eyes widened.
"They're gonna take me away?" she asked, her tiny brows knitting together in a frown. Paige looked at Leo. Prue scowled. She liked her new sisters, and she liked Paige. Leo was fun to play with.
"I don't want to go," she said, stamping her foot. "I don't. Want. To!"
The Elder folded his arms.
"Prudence, we must return you to your own place," he said reasonably. He'd always thought that by addressing children as adults, you got a better result. Prue's scowl deepened.
"No," she said firmly.
"Yes," the Elder answered, feeling distinctly foolish. Prue cocked her head on one side, and let her blue eyes scrutinise him. It was very uncomfortable, he decided. It was almost as if the four-year-old could see right through him.
Prue's scowl disappeared, and she smiled sunnily at him once again. The Elder sighed with relief.
"Piper'n'Phoebe'n'Paige took me to the bowling alley," she said proudly, her blue eyes sparkling. "Do you like to bowl, Leo?" she turned to address him. Leo nodded, confused.
"Me too," Prue agreed, turning back to meet the Elder's gaze head on. She made a throwing motion in the air, and the Elder flew back a way, crashing into the Elders behind him.
"Yay! I win!' Prue yelled with glee, then smiled again, just as sweetly at the Elder. "I like playing bowling. I can play it lots and lots." Her blue eyes fixed on his, and glinted slightly. The Elder frowned. Was the small Charmed One threatening him.
"I like those things," Prue said thoughtfully, looking directly at a white column. The column crashed to the ground.
"Boom!" Prue yelled again, clapping her hands in delight. Once again, she looked at the Elder steadily. He swallowed. Definitely threatening him.
"There is a way," he said hesitantly, getting up. Prue raised one small eyebrow in an eerily reminiscent look of older Prue.
"Good," she said clearly. Paige and Leo exchanged a barely concealed grin.
"Since there are three complete Charmed Ones," the Elder said slowly, looking at Paige, "The magics of one could not exist if the circle is complete. However-" He looked at Leo, and smiled. "Prudence may stay with you," he said firmly.
Prue shot him a defiant look. "My name is Prue," she stated stubbornly, lifting her chin.
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"And?" Piper looked at Leo anxiously, then at Prue in Paige's arms. Leo smiled broadly.
"She can stay," he confirmed. Piper and Phoebe's eyes widened, and then filled with joy. They swooped on Prue, covering her with kisses as Paige laughed.
"You're squishing me," Prue complained, but allowed herself to be hugged. She smiled secretly to herself. Piper'n'Phoebe'n'Paige'n'Leo had to wait before they knew too.
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A/N: Cryptic little kiddo. Soon, the consequences of the Elders' message hit in, and Prue goes to kindergarten.
REVIEW!!!
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Leo walked into the room, just as Piper and Phoebe dissolved into giggles, seated on the couch, watching Paige and Prue dance. Paige was just teaching Prue how to slide her hand along her partner's arm, and little Prue was hamming it up like anything, throwing her (now older) sisters sultry looks from beneath her eyelashes, and blowing kisses at them. Compared to the older sister Prue, who had become disillusioned, and cynical about life, little Prue attacked it with cheerful exuberance, and was exceedingly affectionate towards them, as she got more comfortable with the family. She'd been there a week, and Leo was starting to think the Elders might just let them get by.
"What's happening here?" he asked, with a grin, his blue eyes catching Piper's. Prue twirled around, her arms spread-eagled, her short black hair flying out.
"We're playing dancing," she informed him, giggling as she came to a dizzy stop, one lock of dark hair falling over her eye. Leo lifted his hands, and crept towards her on tippy-toe, made a grab for Prue, and began tickling her. The little girl shrieked with laughter, her shoulders shaking, as she pushed at him.
"No.. stop it.. Leo," she managed through her gurgles of laughter. "Stop tickling me!" The white-lighter flew back a couple of paces, until Prue calmed down a little, and controlled her powers.
"Whew," Leo said, a little shame-facedly. "Tickling the mini-witch, not such a good idea." He raised his eyebrows at Piper, who smiled coolly at him from her place on the couch.
"Hey, munchkin, how'bout we go find Phoebe and Piper some cookies?" Paige asked breathlessly, catching the look Piper and Leo were shooting towards one another. Prue nodded, and happily took Paige's hand, skipping slightly as they left the room.
"Still no jingle from them?" Phoebe asked, her brown eyes full of hope as she leaned forwards on the couch, her hands clenched in her lap. She turned her gaze on Piper, beseechingly. Piper looked at Leo.
He shook his head, "Nothing. I don't know if it's a sign or-" he broke off, wincing at the painfully hopeful look on his wife's face. They had had so little luck in getting pregnant, and the little girl, as well as being Piper's much loved sister was also a child who all four of them were getting very attached to.
"Normally the Elders are there straight away, aren't they?" Piper reasoned, sounding calm, her eyes tranquil. Only her hands gave her away, her knuckles showing white with tension. She got up restlessly, and began to pace. Phoebe touched her arm sympathetically, and Piper stopped, still standing, not looking at either of them.
"I just can't take it Leo," Piper finally bit out, her voice laced with anger, and sadness. "I can't take the waiting. They'd darn well better stay out of it. They can't have her back. Not now."
Leo shook his head again, his jaw set. "They won't take her back. We won't let them."
"I told the Elders once that I wasn't going to do this anymore. When she-" Piper took a breath, and calmed herself. "When she went. If they try and take her away, I won't do it. I can't."
He was about to answer when the summons tugged him in the familiar way. He looked anxiously from one sister to the other.
"What is it?" Phoebe asked quickly, rising.
"They're calling," he told her. He reached out for Piper, held her arms lightly. She turned to look at him, a tear making its way down her cheek. She shook her head, a tired look in her eyes.
"I just- I can't, Leo," she whispered, meeting his gaze. He nodded. He took a step back, and shimmered out of view in a haze of blue lights.
"What's happened?" Paige asked urgently, stepping back into the room. "I thought I heard Leo orb."
"You did. They finally called. No guesses as to why," Phoebe answered grimly, looking towards Prue.
"Piper?" A small hand touched her own, and Piper hastily swiped away her tears, and tried to smile at the little questioning face.
"What's wrong?" Prue asked, a serious look on her face. Her blue eyes were filled with worry. Sometimes Mommy got sad, like when Daddy called, on Christmas, and when she and Piper froze Andy the first ever time, and on her birthday that one time.
Piper sniffed, and shook her head. "It's okay, honey. Really." She reached out, and stroked the silky dark head. Two arms wrapped around her waist, and Prue nestled in close, snuggling against her. Piper breathed out a wobbly sigh.
"That's it," Paige said suddenly. Phoebe looked at her. "Scre- I mean, uh, darn this, I'm going up there," Paige stated, a firm look in her own brown eyes. "They can't take her away from us."
"I want to come too," Prue slid off Piper's lap, and slipped her hand into Paige's. She wanted to know where Leo and Paige went when they went all shimmer-y. It made a tinkly sound, like Grams' music box, in the attic.
Paige smiled slowly, as she looked down at Prue. "Y'know, that's not a bad idea." She looked at Piper.
"Prue always was good at communicating," Phoebe added, with a wicked grin.
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"Try to understand. The Charmed Ones have missed their sister. They love her. How can you take her back?" Leo looked desperately at the impassive face of the blue hooded Elder heading the group. The man's hands were folded into his robe as he regarded Leo, his whole manner calm.
"It is not their place to choose whether the child remains with them. It was a mistake, these things have to be rectified," the Elder said serenely.
"How did it even happen then?" Leo demanded angrily, his blue eyes flashing. "How did you, the almighty Elders, allow Prue back?"
"The powers of the Charmed Ones united are very great," the Elder said carefully. "We did not foresee any one of the three being able to use such resources. Nevertheless, the error must be corrected."
"How can you stand there, and say that?" Leo growled, losing his calm. There was a light sound, and then Paige, Prue slung on her hip, appeared in a corner. Leo turned around, with a look of bewilderment, as Prue slid to the floor.
The little girl smoothed her red cord skirt, and bent to pull up her long white socks. She straightened up, and smiled sweetly, looking straight at the Elder. He smiled back, feeling his heart melt a bit. She was adorable, even if she was a mistake.
"Are they still refusing to let her stay?" Paige asked anxiously, looking at Leo. Prue caught the question, and her eyes widened.
"They're gonna take me away?" she asked, her tiny brows knitting together in a frown. Paige looked at Leo. Prue scowled. She liked her new sisters, and she liked Paige. Leo was fun to play with.
"I don't want to go," she said, stamping her foot. "I don't. Want. To!"
The Elder folded his arms.
"Prudence, we must return you to your own place," he said reasonably. He'd always thought that by addressing children as adults, you got a better result. Prue's scowl deepened.
"No," she said firmly.
"Yes," the Elder answered, feeling distinctly foolish. Prue cocked her head on one side, and let her blue eyes scrutinise him. It was very uncomfortable, he decided. It was almost as if the four-year-old could see right through him.
Prue's scowl disappeared, and she smiled sunnily at him once again. The Elder sighed with relief.
"Piper'n'Phoebe'n'Paige took me to the bowling alley," she said proudly, her blue eyes sparkling. "Do you like to bowl, Leo?" she turned to address him. Leo nodded, confused.
"Me too," Prue agreed, turning back to meet the Elder's gaze head on. She made a throwing motion in the air, and the Elder flew back a way, crashing into the Elders behind him.
"Yay! I win!' Prue yelled with glee, then smiled again, just as sweetly at the Elder. "I like playing bowling. I can play it lots and lots." Her blue eyes fixed on his, and glinted slightly. The Elder frowned. Was the small Charmed One threatening him.
"I like those things," Prue said thoughtfully, looking directly at a white column. The column crashed to the ground.
"Boom!" Prue yelled again, clapping her hands in delight. Once again, she looked at the Elder steadily. He swallowed. Definitely threatening him.
"There is a way," he said hesitantly, getting up. Prue raised one small eyebrow in an eerily reminiscent look of older Prue.
"Good," she said clearly. Paige and Leo exchanged a barely concealed grin.
"Since there are three complete Charmed Ones," the Elder said slowly, looking at Paige, "The magics of one could not exist if the circle is complete. However-" He looked at Leo, and smiled. "Prudence may stay with you," he said firmly.
Prue shot him a defiant look. "My name is Prue," she stated stubbornly, lifting her chin.
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"And?" Piper looked at Leo anxiously, then at Prue in Paige's arms. Leo smiled broadly.
"She can stay," he confirmed. Piper and Phoebe's eyes widened, and then filled with joy. They swooped on Prue, covering her with kisses as Paige laughed.
"You're squishing me," Prue complained, but allowed herself to be hugged. She smiled secretly to herself. Piper'n'Phoebe'n'Paige'n'Leo had to wait before they knew too.
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A/N: Cryptic little kiddo. Soon, the consequences of the Elders' message hit in, and Prue goes to kindergarten.
REVIEW!!!