Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Charmed characters. I do own any and all of the others unless otherwise stated.
Summary: The Elders have a little job for the youngest member of the Charmed Ones. Only when Paige discovers the job her sisters realize it may hit a little too close to home.
Reviewer Responseskendallpaigecharity: Thanks that's so nice of you!
Paige Halliwell: Thanks.
fanmania: I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Piperfairy63: Sorry it took so long to get this update but I was having more computer problems.
Who-will-change-the-world: I'm a huge Paige fan to and I'm glad you like the story so far. I hope you continue reading and reviewing.
Rory: Thanks for the suggestion but the main plot of this story involves her time before coming of age. Maybe I'll do a sequel with her after she comes of age. I'll have to think on it. It'll also depend on how many people read this and then want a sequel.
Paige Marie Halliwell: Great!
Doorstep Baby
Chapter 3
"Wait, wait slow down." Paige said suddenly putting Faith back into the crib basket obviously disturbed.
"The Elders left a magical baby on our doorstep and expect ME to take care of her?" she demanded pacing the room tension echoing in her words. Leo nodded as he took his son from Piper and sat down with him.
"Okay but what are we supposed to do with her? I mean for such an important job they didn't give us a lot of warning or advice or anything else for that matter." Phoebe said from where she was leaning against the wall on the other side of the room.
"Well I don't really know a lot about it." Leo said glancing up at her. Piper entered the room carrying the Book of Shadows under her arm.
"Let's see what we have okay?" she said sitting down and opening the heavy book. Paige and Phoebe moved over and sat down next to her, a few seconds later Piper pointed to something in the book.
"Here we go, the Guardian of the Balance." Paige read over her shoulder as Phoebe read aloud.
"The Guardian of the Balance is a mortal child generally born to non-magical families.
Their powers manifest themselves when they come of age.
The Guardians live extremely long lives as they are only born every two hundred years.
When they come of age they become immune to all magic so that they can complete their job as set out from their birth.
However before that time members of both good and evil generally hunt them.
They have superior strength, intellect, and powers from the day their conceived.
Only known way to kill a Guardian is to cut their throat before the come of age." Phoebe sat back as the color dropped from her face.
Paige had gotten to her feet once again pacing the room while Piper closed the book and gazed at the sleeping child.
"Okay so we protect her until she hits puberty?" Paige said wringing her hands for some reason she had an over whelming feeling of dread hovering over her and it made her very nervous.
"Apparently." Leo answered.
"We have to protect her from everyone. We can't even trust the good guys anymore. Everyone will be after her." Piper said rubbing her temples, she had the same feeling of dread that Paige had and it was giving her a headache.
Phoebe nodded, she got to her feet and looked around the room, "We need to start setting up some more demon alarm systems."
Paige nodded and left the room to begin the necessary preparations. Piper picked Faith and her cradle basket up and took them upstairs to Wyatt's nursery where she began making a place for the little girl.
It still hadn't hit them that they would be caring for the girl for another twelve years at least. Leo picked the sleeping Wyatt up and carried him to the nursery so he could sleep.
A few hours later Faith, who from what Leo had told them was only about a year old, was awake and lying quietly in her cradle gazing at the ceiling. Wyatt was only a few months older and he was lying in his bed still asleep when Paige entered the room as quietly as possible.
She walked over and sat on the floor nest to Faith and sighed, "You're definitely not a normal baby." she slipped a small silver necklace with a glowing violet crystal around the little girl's neck. The crystal flashed brightly and when the light receded, Paige saw the little girl was watching her in interest.
Paige looked away; she didn't want to become attached to this little girl.
"Paige?" Phoebe whispered looking into the room to find her sister.
"Yeah?" Paige answered quietly as she stood up and carried Faith into the hall where Phoebe was standing with her arms crossed and a very concerned look on her face.
"Hey are you okay?" she asked gazing into her younger sister's face.
"Of course I am." Paige lied knowing full well Phoebe wouldn't believe her. Phoebe raised an eyebrow but decided not to pursue it; she nodded and turned her eyes barely betraying the worry she felt.
Paige entered the kitchen with Faith in her arms; the baby girl was crying quietly her hands flying. Paige had a feeling she was hungry so she had set off to find Piper in the hopes she could help her out. Piper glanced up from the table as the two entered the room and she quirked an eyebrow.
"What's up?" she asked as she set the newspaper aside hoping Paige hadn't seen it.
Paige grinned, "I saw the newspaper but at the moment I have a problem. Do you have any extra bottles lying around? I think she's hungry." Piper nodded and stood up; she opened the cupboard and pulled out a clean bottle.
She heated up some formula and handed it to Paige who thanked her and left the room to feed the baby. Piper watched her leave and felt the concern welling up but she pushed it away and went back to the newspaper.
(Celsie) I think the chapters are going to be short because I'm basically FORCING this story out of my brain and I can write stories I have no inspiration for better if it's in short chapters.