For my readers who wanted to see a little more detail and emotion, this is an updated version of the previously posted chapter.
Princess Pinky: I am trying to wind things down with this story, as I am anxious to start chapter 3. I can't really say how many chapters are left b/c I still have some loose ends to tie up, but it'll probably be less than 5. Zythe: You bring up some good points, but Ally isn't going to be invincible. The Elder's are going to put limitations on her power, so that she can't change history too much or interfere with the grand design. You will see how that works in an upcoming chapter. piperleo4eva Sci Fi Fan Gillian:PrUe AnD AnDy: CuteLittleBritt: Thanks for reviewing! Pruedence.Halliwell: You will find out what is going to happen to Prue soon. C. C. McKenna: you make me blush grins thanks Dude if you wouldn't have been such a faithful reader of Inner Demons, I probably would not have gotten this far.wyatt333: Yep Amanda will be the strongest. It's a birth order thing...PrueAndyForever: Thanks so much for your kind words. Rahaf: thanks for taking the time to review. I believe that Prue is about 33. The present year is 2004.
This chapter takes place 5 months in the future. Piper has just given birth to Melinda. Ally is now almost 5 months and Amanda is 3 yrs.
Charmed in the Afterlife: Goodbye is Never Easy
Phoebe felt tears gather behind her lashes as she smiled at the sight of Piper with her newborn daughter. The entire family was gathered around the kitchen table where Prue, Paige and Ava had just assisted with the delivery. Leo stood at Piper's side, holding her hand and grinning from ear to ear, proud as can be.
"Congratulations" Andy grinned, holding Ally in his arms, while she greedily guzzled a bottle of breast milk.
"Can I see baby Melanie?" Prue lifted Amanda into her arms allowing her daughter a closer look at the newborn. "She is tiny like Ally". Amanda inferred knowingly.
"Yes she is". Prue gave her daughter a small kiss on the cheek.
That's the most beautiful thing, I've ever seen". Phoebe ran a knuckle under her eyes. The sight of her two older sisters with their children was overwhelming. "Too bad, that will never be me".
Cole looked at her curious, from where he stood with his hands on her hips. "What you do mean?"
"I think you know" Phoebe tossed him a slight grin and headed for the kitchen. Cole reluctantly followed sensing a change in her normal cheery demeanor.
"No I don't think I do"
Phoebe kept her back to him as she reached for a water glass from the cupboard, "there is no way, I'll ever have a baby with you"
Cole's brow furrowed, "is there something I should know, because last time I checked you and I were both perfectly able too-". His voice suddenly trailed off seeing that Phoebe at turned to face him.
"I could never give birth to a demonic child. You and I both know that". The risk of bringing another version of Cole's demonic side into the world was too great. There were no guarantees that the child would be able to suppress the growing evil.
"I see you've finally given into to your Grams browbeating" Determined not to see her granddaughter marry a demon Penny had finally worn the love sick witch down by filling her mind of the possible horrors that could become by marry demon and giving birth to his children.
"That's not it," Phoebe lied turning her back again. Cole walked up behind her placing his hands on her shoulders whispering softly in her ear.
"I love you Phoebe. If you don't want to have children that's fine, but don't turn your back on me. I need you"
Tears ran down Phoebe's face. "I'm sorry Cole . . ."
Cole grabbed her by the arm, spinning her arm. His hands wrapped around her thin forearms, squeezing them tightly, "Strip me of my powers then. Make me mortal!"
"It wouldn't change who you are!" Phoebe tore away from his grasp. Even if she stripped him ofhis powers, he'd still be Belthazor to Prue, Paige and Grams. There would also be consequences from the Elder's. After watching Piper and Prue, Phoebe knew better than to think that the powers wouldn't retaliate against her wishes. Her sister's and her family's legacy needed to come first.
"You need to leave," Phoebe somehow managed to choke with finality as Cole burst into a shimmering set of flames caused by his own upheaval of emotions.
"I love you, Phoebe. You can never have anyone but me"
Phoebe's hand clamped over her mouth in an attempt to keep her emotions at bay. Pruehad just entered the kitchen with Ally when she saw Phoebe slam into the counter with both fists.
"Pheebs?" The distraught emotion on her sister's face was clear.
"I just really want to be alone right now, Prue". Phoebe took a moment to scrub the tears from her face, and then turned on one heel, heading for the back door.
"Phoebe where are you going?"
"To the office, I have to meet a deadline for Elise" Phoebe answered dully.
Prue shook her head and blew her bangs away from her face, "why do I get the feeling this had something to do with Cole?" she told Ally. Ally grinned kicking her feet at the sound her Mother's voice.
"I'm so lucky to have you," Prue cooed not seeing Andy step in the doorway with Amanda.
"And, I'm lucky to have the three of you," Slowly he meandered towards her with a devilish grin.
"I know that look" she smiled teasingly kissing his lips.
"you think you want to have another one?" he asked making Prue's smile brighten.
"I could have a whole houseful of children with you" A slight pause passed between them allowing Prue's facial expression to become somber, "I love you Andy"
Andy's eyes narrowed slightly, "why do I get the feeling you're about to say something, serious?"
"You know why" Prue whispered quietly, adverting her eyes to Ally. Her time on this earth was almost up. She'd passed on her legacy to two beautiful girls and had seen that her sister's were well cared for and ready for the destiny they'd yet to face. Shax would be coming for her soon.
Letting Amanda slide from his arms, Andy dipped his finger under Prue's chin, "Prue, I'd laid my life down for you. I won't let Shax or anybody else harm you"
"Not this time," Prue returned, "it's my destiny just like it was yours to die for me". Her words echoed through both of her brains, leaving a sensation of void.
"Everything happens for a reason" Andy kissed the top of her head, listening to her sigh.
"Let's just hope, Grams is right, and it's for the right reason" Prue's green eyes reflecting the doubt, that Andy had been feeling. "Please don't try to be a hero this time. I need to know that you'll protect them," she added referring to her daughters. "Promise me".
Andy nodded solemn, not certain that was a promise he could keep. One thing was certain though not even the Elder's or the Angel of Death could keep them apart. Some way, some how they would find their way back to one another.
"What are you going to tell your sisters?"
Prue lowered her eyes, pursing her lips, "nothing". Just like with Andy's death Prue knew that this was something they weren't suppose to stop and she feared that if they tried, one or all of them might be killed.
"Nothing? But Prue.." he argued. Andy's face looked incredulous. He couldn't believe that she wouldn't at least try to find a way to say goodbye.
"Andy please, I know what I'm doing this is the way it has to be". Tears of selfless pain filled her eyes, making Andy realize the real motive behind her descision.
"You can't say good-bye, can you?"
Prue shook her head, letting tears fall at will. "No more than I can say Good-bye to you"
Andy gently wiped the tears away from her face with the pads of this thumbs, "this isn't good-bye Prue. The Elder's have promised you a new destiny, a new life"
"I love you" Prue mouthed with a sniffle.
Smiling, Andy kissed the tip of her nose, as Paige entered the room. "Am I interupting something?"
Prue shook her head, wiping tears away, "no, we're done"
"Hmm" Paige hummed resisting the urge to probe further, "where's Phoebe?"
"At the office" Andy supplied taking Ally from Prue and placing the babe, carefully on his shoulder.
"Something came up between she and Cole" Prue added reaching for a paper towel to blow her nose.
Later that evening, Prue sat in the big over sized chair, waiting for Phoebe to return. In her hands, she held three letters one addressed to each of her sister's. She was nearly finished with Piper's when she heard the door knob of the big heavy antique style door open.
Phoebe entered quietly, hanging up her coat. "Prue you startled me, I didn't see you there. What are you doing up so late? Is somebody sick?"
"No, actually I was waiting for you" Prue quickly tucked her letters inside the book she'd been using as a writing surface and pulled to her feet.
"Me?" Phoebe looked at her sister in disbelief, "why did somebody die or something?"
No, but somebody's about too" Prue bit her bottom lip and shoved her hands in the back pocket of her jeans.
Phoebe let a disgusted sigh, escape from her nose. "Prue if you're talking about Cole, Im really not in the-". Her words were cut off by Prue.
"I'm not talking about Cole". Little did Phoebe know, Prue had waited and debated all night on the best way to say to goodbye. After several hours of comtemplating, the ever reasonalbe one, had come to decision at least where Phoebe was concerned.
"Prue, you're scaring me, if you not talking about Cole then what do you mean?"
Prue gave her sister a half hearted glance. The words she had to say weren't easy. Despite her better judgement, she'd decided to give Phoebe her blessing about Cole. Taking in deep breath for courage, Prue began to speak,"that's not important right now. I just wanted you to know that I've had a change heart, I want you to be happy"
Phoebe's brown chestnut eyes narrowed, "change of heart? About Cole and me? But Prue you always said that since Cole is a-"
"I know what I said" Prue lashed out a little more harsher than she'd meant to, "recently somethings have come up that have made me see Cole differently. He loves you Phoebe and I know you love him".
"And what if love just isn't enough anymore?" Phoebe asked adverting her eyes.
Prue reached out touching her shoulder, "Look Phoebe, if there's one thing, that losing Andy taught me, it's never to give up on love. If I can find a way to be happy with Andy then I know there's a way for you and Cole too".
"Prue I don't know what to say" Phoebe pulled her oldest sister into a hug clinging her to her tightly.
"Say you'll marry Cole, no matter what happens"
"Thank you, Prue.Thank you so much". The two sister's held each other, until the force of a premonition pulled them apart. A bright flash formed in Phoebe's mind accompanied by a heart stabbing pain. As clear as day, Phoebe saw her sister laying dead, with blood pouring from the back of her head followed by another vision of she and Piper and Paige were once again standing next to white coffin with tears streaming down their faces."
"Phoebe?"
Phoebe's face blanched as she stepped away from Prue. "Oh my God Prue...I just saw you die"
"What?" Paige rubbed her eyes tiredly as she came down the stairs. The sound of voices and the cries of little Melinda had awoken her from a peaceful sleep. "Did you say you just say you saw Prue die?"
"I just saw Prue-" Phoebe began right before Prue suddenly pinched her arm. "Hey ow!"
"Phoebe said, I would just die if I didn't get one of those new sweaters down at Saks"
Paige's eyes darted back and forth, "is there something else going on here, because that's the second time you've done this to me"
"Done what?" Piper appeared behind Paige holding the newborn Melinda in her arms.
"Phoebe just had a premontion and Prue doesn't want us to know about it" Paige replied a matter of factly.
"A premonition? Please tell a demon isn't about to attack, I'm really not any condition to deal with one tonight" Piper cut in, rocking Melinda gently, "oh by the way Prue, Melinda woke up Ally and then Andy suddenly had to orb out with Leo. Some sort of emergency"
"Cowards" Phoebe snorted as Prue started to take the stairs.
Not as big of a coward as I am Prue thought dully. Glancing back over her shoulder she looked down at the sight of her sister's cooing over Melinda.Their bond of sisterhood would be what she would miss the most, next to her own children.
"You're not a coward Prue" she retorted inwardly, protecting your sisters is what your life has always been about.
A Few Weeks Later...
The day that Shax attacked the manor, played out just the way the netural see'r had predicted. Phoebe had received a premonition early inthe morningof Shax attacking and killing a local Dr. named Griffiths.
"Oh My Gosh Prue!" she shuddered sitting straight up in her bed. Tossing the covers back, she reached for the scrap of paper that held the partial words to a spell. A spell which she hoped would save her sister from what seemed to be an unstoppable death.
Dressing quickly, Phoebe met all three of her sisters in the hall. Prue was the first to speak. "Phoebe what is it?"
Phoebe locked eyes with Prue, speaking fearfully, "I just had a vision of the Source's assassin, killing a doctor, here at the manor."
"Today's the day" Prue muttered under her breath, not taking the time to bat an eye. "Okay, Piper and Phoebe come with me.Paige you take the kids to the dimension of the lost, and I'll have Andy wait here in case the demon attacks early."
Paige shook her head, "excuse me, did you just say the dimension of the lost?"
Prue nodded authoratatively, "Well considering that Leo is gone right now assisting one of his other charges and we need Andy for additional fire power, it's the safest place for the girls"
Paige waved her hand, in doubtful but playful manor, "earth to Prue, have you forgotten about Shaylee? The little demonic orphan who tried to steal all of our powers?"
"No I haven't and neither will you, but you can't let it stop you from protecting our family"
"But Prue" the youngest Halliwell started to argue until Prue placed her palm in the air.
"You can do this Paige" Prue said assuredly, "After all next to me you're the next super witch"
"Well since you put it that way" Paige rolled her eyes in a playful flattery before suantering off to the nursey to gather the children.
"I'm going to get a bag ready for Melanie and Ally" Piper said heading back for the bedroom, leaving only Phoebe and Prue.
Phoebe waited until she heard the sound of the bedroom door close before taking a hold of Prue's elbow. "I don't want to lose you today Prue"
Prue smiled, heartfelt leaning into her little sister's awaiting embrace, "I don't want to lose you either; any of you" Tenderly she stroked Phoebe's hair, whispering words that in the past had been to hard for her to utter.
"I love you"
"I love you too" Phoebe returned with a rush of tears filling her eyes.
After returning to the manor with Dr. Griffiths Prue had Phoebe go upstairs to retrieve the vanquishing the spell.
Andy was at her side, crossbow ready.
"I can't lose to this demon," Prue thought, suppressing her fear through her pride. She was Prue Halliwell, the leader of the Charmed Ones. The Elder's had never been able to tell her what to do before, so why should they now? Suddenly she wasn't so certain she wanted this new offer of power.
Charmed in the Afterlife? What good what it be if she couldn't be with her family?
Her thoughts quickly drifted back to her to the innocent at hand.
Phoebe! Phoebe We need you!" Prue screamed in nervous anticipation.
Doctor Griffiths justlaughed, "is this a joke? Did my second wife put you up to this?"
Prue shook her head, in time with a shiver running up her spine.
"What?" Piper asked.
I-I don't know, I just felt a chill," Prue swallowed. "Phoebe!". A sudden tornado burst through the door, knocking Piper and Prue to the floor in time with a clap of thunder. The demon Shax appears and the doctors gasp.
"Dear God!"
"Andy Now!" Prue shouted pushing herself from the floor.
A heat-seeking probe formed in Andy's hand at the same time Shax produced an energy ball. Shax laughed when the energy destroyed the probe and then stuck Andy. Helpless, Prue watched Andy crash through the stained glass door,
"ANDY!" She raised her arm to retaliate, but Shax was quicker throwing her through the wall along with Piper.
Death came quicker than Prue thought he would. In a matter of seconds, he was standing beside her. Prue gazed down to see that her body had become transparent and that she was dressed in a white flowing robe.
"It is finally your time," the angel grinned sardonically.
Prue glanced to her left, letting her eyes fall upon Piper's broken body. Andy was laying nearby. "We need to help them. Leo!"
The angel clasp his hands in front of him, "you need not to worry, their name's on not on my list" His eyes drifted over to the window where the Doctor was laying slumped over a broken window pane, "only his"
Shax was still standing in the room, gloating over his handy work. He was just about to leave when suddenly a small set of orbs, appeared in front of him.
Prue's eyes lit up with fear. Amanda? But how she was supposed to be with Paige. "NO!" Prue scream fell upon deaf ears, as she watched the large grey demon grin down upon her daughter. Shax looked at the child curiously, forming an energy ball in his hand.
"Mommy?"
Prue felt her transparent body shake with eminent fear. Tears filled her eyes. "No please" she begged to the angel
"This is out of my control," the angel swallowed coolly.
"I want to go back!" Prue balled her fists. "I need to go back"
"You cannot"
Seeing the energy ball leave Shax's hand, Prue screamed. The energy ball was just millimeters away from striking the child when another set of orbs intercepted it. Natalie appeared, orbing Amanda from harms way.
Prue gazed heavenward, "thank you". A bright glowing light appeared before her. Patty was standing in the middle, her arms open wide.
"A new destiny awaits you, Prue"
"It is time for us to go" Seeing Prue look back at her injured family, the angel nudged her forward. "The whitelighter is on his way." Prue hesitated waiting for Leo to appear, and then took a step toward the light.