Chapter 7: It's nice to finally meet you
Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed or any of the characters!
The woman standing with Paige was someone she had never met before. The woman had long dark hair and spoke softly but in an authoritative tone. No, Paige had never met her, but there was no doubt she knew who this woman was. How could she not? She was looking at someone she had longed to know, someone she looked up to even though she had only heard things about her. The woman she was looking at was Prue.
"Prue?" she asked as if she was trying to make sure she was right.
Prue smiled, "It's me Paige."
"I can't believe I'm actually looking at you. I mean I've seen you in pictures and I've heard stories but I never imagined I would be meeting you," Paige said.
"I feel the same way," Prue said. She walked over to Paige and she enveloped her in a warm embrace. It felt so good for the two of them to be in each others arms. Two sisters who shared so much in common were finally meeting. "Let me look at my baby sister," Prue said, stepping back from Paige. "You are beautiful," she told Paige.
"So are you," Paige replied. "There is so much I have wanted to say to you. I don't know where to start."
"I wish we had more time together Paige, but unfortuanately I am only here to guide you."
"What? This isn't fair! We just met one another for the first time and you are telling me that we don't have much time together? I want to get to know you. I want to find out about the sister that I missed growing up with. Can't we just forget about this little vision quest thing and get to know each other?" Paige begged.
"Paige I would love to spend more time with you, but I can't. I had to beg for the Elders to even let me guide you through this part of your life. Please, let's not waste the time that we do have." Like the others had done before, Prue waived her hand and more of Paige's life was revealed to her.
"This is the day I met Piper and Phoebe," she said.
"Are you surprised?" Prue asked her. "Who better to guide you through your travels with your sisters than another sister? Besides, I know these guys and I understand how annoying they can be at times so I'm sure I can sympathize with you in some of these memories," Prue said with a laugh,
"Yeah they can be a little annoying at times," Paige agreed, "but I still love them." Paige watched as she shook hands with Piper that first night at the Manor. That was a moment that changed her life forever. Not only did she meet her sisters, she became a witch. "I remember how upset I was at first when I became a witch. I thought I was some sort of freak. Little did I know, magic would be the best thing to ever happen to me."
"I know exactly how you felt. When I first found out I was a witch I struggled with a lot of the same issues you did. I went from being normal to suddenly having to save the world from evil. It was tough."
Paige was in awe of her older sister. As they talked she discovered they had so much in common.
"Hey did you know that we share the same power?" Paige asked Prue.
"Yeah I knew, but your's works a little different from what I hear," she said.
"I guess because I'm part Whitelighter my power ended up a little altered."
"What did you expect, you're a half-breed," Prue joked.
"Hey, I resent that. I am very proud of my Whitelighte side thank you very much," Paige laughed. "I remember Piper called me that once. You know, they really miss you," Paige said sounding a little more serious.
Prue looked to the ground. "I miss them too. Piper and Phoebe and I shared an intense bond. They are good people."
"I wish you could go back to them," Paige said. "I know they would love to see you."
"I would love to see them as well, but it's just not possible. That is why I need you to be strong when you go back. You have to let them know that I am watching over them every day and I am so proud of the people they are becoming."
"Why can't you go back for a little while? Grams crosses over all the time," Paige said.
"It's different for Grams or for mom. They are not part of the power of three. If I were to cross over it would put you guys in so much danger. Demons can sense when a spirit crosses the divide and if they knew four of us were in the same room at the same time they would all attack," Prue explained.
"Well what if it was just the three of you?" Paige asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, go back in my place," Paige said.
"What?" Prue asked her. She was shocked at what she thought Paige was suggesting.
"Look, I am obviously on some quest here, so my spirit can't be in my body. If my spirit is not in my body then technically the four of us wouldn't be in the same room at the same time. Piper and Phoebe would love to see you. They love you so much," Paige explained.
"Paige, they love you too. That is why I want you to go back. The longer your spirit stays out of your body, the bigger risk you are taking. Now lets just forget all this talk about me taking your place and get back to this vision quest of yours," Prue said.
She began showing Paige more memories from her time with her sisters. There was the time she switched bodies with Phoebe, the first time she ever orbed, Wyatt and Chris's births, there were times of laughter and times of closeness. But it was almost as if Paige's mind had drifted somewhere else. She had stopped watching the scenes with Prue. Instead she stood wondering if going back was really worth it. Yes, she had experienced good times with her sisters, but she knew they didn't compare to the times they had spent with Prue. She was the sister they really longed for and it was because of her that Prue was not able to see her sisters again. Maybe she should just give up. By dying maybe Prue could go back. After all, Piper had never even told Paige she loved her and Phoebe was having a hard time with her life. They would do better if their older sister was back.
As Paige felt herself slipping away, it was almost as if Piper and Phoebe were re-living her life at the hospital.