It was June. Prue exhaled in exasperation, trying to get her windshield wipers to turn on. After a moment they slowly scraped across the glass, then picked up speed until they had finally pushed all the water out of her view. It was June and it was raining. Like I don't have enough problems, she thought. Someday, somehow, I'm going to get through a week without some crazy emergency. But this certainly wasn't going to be that week.
"Oh come on," Prue muttered under her breath. She pressed her foot down on the gas pedal, but already she could see the red light a block ahead of her. With a sigh she slowed to a halt, resting her elbow against the car door. She focused her eyes on the windshield wipers, watching them go back and forth, anything to keep away the panic that was quickly settling over her.
Her foot hit the accelerator as soon as the light turned green. The car lurched forward and her wheels gave a squeal of protest, but she didn't really care. Prue bit her lip, then reached over to grab her cell phone, trying to keep her eyes on the road. She pushed a button and listened to her voice mail again. The message from Phoebe had been brief. She'd mentioned some sort of emergency. But that was all Prue could get from the jumble of words. Phoebe hadn't said much else. And that scared her more than anything.
Prue wished she could write off Phoebe's message as unimportant. Years ago she wouldn't have worried. She would have assumed it to mean that Phoebe needed money or a ride somewhere. But ever since they had discovered that they were witches things had changed. The Book of Shadows, full of its magical spells and potion recipes, had turned out to be a lot more than a conversation piece. It had given them their powers back.
Prue rubbed her forehead as a wave of frustration washed over her. All of the sisters had been born with powers, but those same powers had been taken away when they were still children. Nearly twenty years had passed before Phoebe found them once more, and sometimes Prue wondered what might have happened if they'd been granted them sooner. Maybe she wouldn't be as frightened as she was now. Maybe she'd be used to it. Prue pushed that thought out of her head as fast as it'd come. No, she'd never be used to it.
Prue leaned forward in her seat, trying to get a better look through her rain streaked windshield. Finally she spotted the elementary school that Phoebe had mentioned. She spun the wheel to the right and skidded to a halt in the parking lot. Prue glanced around as she undid her seatbelt. There were only a few cars in the lot, including Piper's jeep. But everything was quiet. If something had happened, it certainly hadn't attracted attention.
"Okay then," Prue said slowly. She'd expected mayhem, maybe a police car or two. I guess I should be happy, she thought. At least they weren't going to make the ten-o-clock news with a string of grisly murders courtesy of the demon population.
Grabbing her umbrella from the backseat, Prue threw her door open, shivering as a cold blast of air blew through her sweater. Her umbrella was inside out before she could even open it fully and Prue brushed the wind-whipped hair from her eyes. Then she took off across the parking lot, leaping over puddles along the way. She tossed the umbrella into a trashcan, and then darted over to the largest building in sight. It had to be the gym that Phoebe had mentioned. Wrapping her fingers around the door handle, Prue gave it a vicious tug. The heavy door opened, its hinges squealing. Cautiously, she stuck her head inside only to be met with total darkness.
Great, she thought, taking a few steps inside. Big deserted buildings, darkness... it had all the makings of a Halliwell special.
Prue glanced around, letting her eyes adjust. There were a few dirty windows up near the ceilings. The panes were covered in sticky cobwebs and the daylight that had managed to seep through couldn't quite reach the gym's farthest corners. The wind howled over the high roof and the door rattled as another gust hit it. Yep, Prue thought, eerie surroundings. This is definitely bad.
"Phoebe?"
Prue winced as her wet shoes squeaked across the floor. She took a few more steps, glancing around.
"Phoebe, where are you?" Her voice echoed through the building and all she wanted to do was turn and run back to her car. Instead she stood there, holding her breath and waiting for an answer. "Phoebe?"
"Prue!"
Phoebe's voice made her jump, but as Prue's heart rate finally slowed, she breathed a sigh of relief. Whirling around, she peered through the darkness towards the far end of the basketball court. Suddenly the lights came back on.
"Power must be flickering because of the storm," Phoebe said, her voice competing against the ever present thunder. "So what do you think?"
Prue looked around the now illuminated gym. At the other end of the room sat a large stage that she hadn't noticed before. On either side of it, a few makeshift dressing rooms had been crafted using wooden frames and sheets. Prue was at a loss for words. She crossed her arms, taking it all in.
"What should I be thinking?"
"You should be thinking, and maybe even saying, 'Wow, what a great job Phoebe's doing. This place looks fantastic.'" Phoebe suddenly emerged from behind the bleachers, a clipboard in hand. She hurried over to Prue, a grin spreading across her face.
"Actually what I was thinking is, 'Where exactly is the emergency that I came rushing over here for?'"
Prue frowned at her younger sister's unbridled enthusiasm. She was getting the sinking suspicion that her earlier panic had been completely unwarranted. And the fact that Phoebe immediately looked guilty made it all the more obvious.
"Did I say emergency?" Phoebe bit her lip as she finished her trek across the basketball court. She stood before Prue, tapping her pencil lightly against the clipboard. It was a sure sign that Phoebe had done something wrong.
"Well I didn't come over here to catch your act." Prue attempted to smile. But she was getting a little annoyed. She waited for her sister to say something, to give an explanation, but Phoebe had switched over to silent mode. Prue could feel her fingers balling into fists. "Tell me there's an emergency."
"All right, well maybe I overstated that just a little."
"I left my photo shoot," Prue tried not to let the anger creep into her voice. "My very important photo shoot, for your overstatement?"
"Okay, so I owe you one." Phoebe hugged her clipboard as Prue glared at her. "Okay so maybe I owe you four or five now."
"Phoebe..."
"Are you sure I said emergency? 'Cause I think I meant favor. No- I know I meant favor."
Prue exhaled quickly, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. Just as she did she heard a noise coming from the stage. Prue turned, her eyes widening as she caught sight of a short, dirty scarecrow with a bad make-up job. And he was beckoning to Phoebe. There was obviously a child under the huge pair of overalls, but Prue certainly didn't recognize him.
"Are you coming, or what?" the little boy asked.
"Yeah, just give me a second here!" Phoebe called back to him. Prue's eyes traveled from the boy to her sister. She opened her mouth and was about to ask a question, when she stopped herself. It just wasn't worth it.
"Not even gonna go there," she said finally.
"Look, Prue I'm sorry about your photo-thingy," Phoebe said. "If I'd known about it I wouldn't have called."
Prue nodded, giving Phoebe a tight, unhappy smile.
"Okay, well I'm soaking wet and I just missed the rest of that photo thingy." She could hear her voice getting louder, but she didn't even care. "So you don't just owe me five favors. You also owe me an umbrella, because mine is out in the garbage can with the rest of my career!"
Phoebe jumped a little as Prue's last words reverberated off the walls of the gym. Prue watched her youngest sister for a moment, then closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She knew Phoebe didn't deserve the brunt of her frustrations.
"All right, I'm sorry." Prue opened her eyes and unzipped her jacket, shaking the water off of her clothing. Then finally she got up the nerve to look back at Phoebe. "It's just been a really bad day. And you know, when you said emergency I just thought..." she trailed off.
Phoebe waited for a moment, and Prue realized she was trying to survey the situation. Prue knew that her moods changed frequently and Phoebe more than anyone had learned when to duck and cover. She's probably wondering if now would be a good time, Prue thought, feeling a little bit guilty.
"Okay." She put one arm around Phoebe and pivoted her back towards the stage. "So tell me all about this favor you need. I'd rather be here with you anyway."
Phoebe hesitated, but her smile reappeared a few seconds later. She grabbed her sister's hand and started towards one of the dressing rooms.
"So what are we talking about here?" Prue asked. "Do you need make-up tips for scarecrow boy over there?" She stopped. "You know I don't sew costumes right? 'Cause sewing is Piper's department."
"Actually, Piper's the problem," Phoebe said quickly.
"Why, what's wrong with Piper?' Prue looked around again, trying to understand what Phoebe was getting at. Piper was nowhere in sight. The only people around were less than five feet tall. And all were in various costumes. "Did I miss something in your message? I don't remember you going all Spielberg on me."
"Spielberg's film, not theater."
"And exactly what kind of theater are you running here?" Prue shifted her gaze back to her sister. "Child actors are great and all, but there's that whole babysitting thing you get into."
"It's a children's play," Phoebe rolled her eyes. "So I kind of need children."
"How did you get roped into this one?" Prue asked, trying to remember if Phoebe had mentioned it. She had to have known about her sister's latest endeavor, if only for the entertainment value. Phoebe and kids made for an interesting combo.
"Nice to see you were listening last week," she said. "I told you at the club, that day when Piper was sick."
Phoebe was waiting expectantly for Prue's memory to kick into gear. Prue felt a little foolish as Phoebe scowled, dropping her clipboard under her arm.
"My children's psych class? I'm supposed to observe them-"
"Doing what exactly?"
"Well, after I finished my psych project I sort of volunteered to help with this." Phoebe sighed as they stopped in the middle of the gym. Prue could see the surprised look on her face, as if she couldn't quite figure out how she'd gotten there. "But now the teacher's sick, and so is Kelly who was supposed to play the wicked-"
"Phoebe!" a voice suddenly shouted.
"-witch," Phoebe finished.
Prue barely even heard her. She pushed past Phoebe and rushed over to one of the dressing rooms, her sister following close behind. Prue slid to a halt, nearly running into the sheet that served as the dressing room's door. She reached out to pull it back, then gasped as the person inside did it for her. Prue's mouth dropped open. Standing in front of her was Piper, dressed all in black. A pointy hat sat on her head, slightly askew, and she held a broomstick in one hand. And she looked very, very unhappy as she tied back the sheet.
Prue bit her lip, resisting the urge to laugh at her sister. It was perfect. The expression on Piper's face was so priceless. And the costume, well it was rather ironic for obvious reasons. Prue clapped her hands together, then turned to Phoebe, trying to ignore Piper's icy stare.
"Okay, what, exactly, is going on here?" Prue's voice shook as she tried to suppress a giggle. Phoebe chose not to answer and instead smiled at Piper.
"You look great!" She stepped closer to Prue, nudging her a little. She was clearly searching for back up. "Doesn't she look great?"
"Well, she looks...like a witch."
Phoebe rested her chin on Prue's shoulder, careful to make sure that no one else was nearby. "Well, yes, Piper is a witch," she whispered, still smiling. "So I think we're safe there."
Prue eyed Piper, who had shifted her glare over to the oblivious Phoebe. "I'm not so sure you're safe from her."
"She'll be fine. It's just a minor role."
Piper stiffened as Phoebe pushed past her, ducking into the dressing room. Piper looked like she wanted to say something, but she was too angry for words. Instead she eyed Phoebe, marveling at her little sister's nerve.
"Nice outfit," Prue teased, grabbing for the broom. Piper pulled it away, then shoved Prue lightly, watching as she stumbled inside. Prue quickly squeezed in behind the dressing table, smiling at the vicious looks Piper was shooting her way. At least that's not me, Prue thought. But Piper was always the first to get called upon for anything and everything. She was usually so eager to please. But now she seemed eager to kill someone, preferably her younger sister.
Phoebe set her clipboard down on a nearby chair then grabbed for a makeup pencil. Prue thought about warning the girl as she advanced towards Piper. But she was somewhat curious to see how their usually good-natured sister would react to Phoebe's makeup assault.
"All you need is one little wart right-"
"Touch me and I'll be using this thing for more than just flying!" Piper held up the broom high in the air, her eyebrows narrowing as she scowled at her sister. In her hurry to get away, Phoebe tripped over the chair. Prue quickly reached out and caught her, then pulled her back away from Piper.
"She speaks," Prue said.
"And she doesn't speak nicely."
"I said small favor, Phoebe!" Piper took a few short steps towards her youngest sister as Phoebe inched away. "Small favors don't involve brooms and pointy hats."
"All right, costume problems later." Prue said, hastily moving between the two. "Explanations now." She glanced over at Phoebe, and then gestured at Piper, taking special note of her interesting outfit. "Why is she dressed like this?"
"Phoebe called me," Piper muttered, pushing her hat up as it slipped down her forehead. "She said it was an emergency."
"Now where have I heard that before?"
"Our first dress rehearsal is today," Phoebe explained. "I needed a witch, and it's not like I didn't have plenty around."
"Yes, but why me?" Piper pointed towards Prue. "Why not her?"
"You're smaller."
"And available," Prue added abruptly. Now it was her turn to glare at Phoebe. Her youngest sister picked up her clipboard again and was suddenly very preoccupied with whatever she'd written. Piper pushed it out of Phoebe's line of sight with one hand, forcing Phoebe to look at her.
"Why do I need to be small?"
"For the harness," Phoebe said quickly, wincing as she anticipated her sister's response. "You know, broomstick, hat... flying."
"Flying?" Piper's voice rose a few decibels and she nearly swatted Phoebe with the broom.
"You know, Pheebs. I don't think we should be flaunting our witchiness," Prue said as she finally got a hold of the weapon. Prying the broom out of Piper's fingertips, she leaned it safely in the corner, far, far away from her bitter sister.
"But we're not wicked witches," Phoebe protested.
"Not yet," Piper muttered. Prue shot her a look and she collapsed into the chair, looking very much like a pouting child. "Hey, you're not the one who's supposed to melt in act three."
"Speaking of which..." Phoebe looked over at Prue. "Did I mention I needed a Dorothy?"
"No." Prue's eyes widened as she realized that she was about to join Piper in the world's biggest sucker category. That's the last time I listen to Phoebe's messages, she thought. Prue took a few steps away from her, moving behind Piper.
"Just as a stand in," Phoebe followed her slowly, chasing her around Piper's chair. Prue moved away again, careful to stay out of her reach.
"No way."
"Come on Prue," Phoebe pleaded.
Piper watched them go around and around her, looking rather pleased that the attention had finally shifted away from her and onto the eldest Halliwell. Prue knew Phoebe would persist until she got what she wanted, but she wasn't about to give in, not that fast anyway. She darted around her sister once again, and finally Piper reached out and grabbed them both, forcing them to a halt.
"Okay, dizzy now."
"Call it a favor to your youngest sister." Phoebe grabbed Prue's hand, then did her best impression of a sad puppy dog. Prue watched her for a moment, then sighed. It was already over. She'd hardly even put up a fight. Phoebe's face broke into a grin and she grabbed a pair of ruby slippers off of Piper's make-up table.
"I owe you one," Phoebe said as she handed them over to Prue. Then she took her clipboard and hurried through the open doorway.
"I'm counting!" Prue called after her. Phoebe stopped in the middle of the gym and looked back at them.
"Oh and Piper, watch out for the Tin Man." She pointed towards the stage with her pencil. "He's the younger one over there. He's sort of afraid of the Wicked Witch."
"Fine," Piper sighed. "I'll be nice."
"No, it's just that he bites." Piper's eyes widened and she stood up again. Phoebe smiled and hugged her clipboard to her chest. "Gotta go. Kids to round up, scenes to practice." She pointed at Prue. "Dorothy, I'll need you in five."
As Prue watched her go, she couldn't help feeling as though she'd been had. Phoebe's master plan had been perfect and after a few words and a sad face she had her sisters right where she wanted them. It had all been a whirlwind and now that she'd left, Piper and Prue were still standing there, suddenly doing something they'd never wanted to do.
Finally Piper turned and gazed into the full-length mirror. Phoebe had made the mistake of leaving it in the room, propped up against the make-up table. And now Piper could see the true horrors of her costume. She fingered the fabric a moment, then made a face in disgust. Prue couldn't really blame her. At least as Dorothy she'd escape the ugly black sheet Phoebe had draped over their sister.
"Sometimes I wish I could freeze her, just to keep her from talking me into these things." Piper glanced over at Prue. "How does she do this to us, every single time..."
"Well let's just say that seeing the future isn't her only power."
"Yeah, well I like that one better." Piper looked back at her reflection, then adjusted her hat a little. "Oh, if Grams could see me now. I bet she never thought one of her grand-daughters would take up this look."
"Well, that hat isn't bad."
Prue smiled and pulled down the brim, laughing as the hat fell over her eyes. Piper shoved Prue away, then took the hat off and set it back on the table. As she reached up to fix her hair, she turned on Prue, trying on the pouty face that Phoebe was so good at.
"Trade me parts," she pleaded.
"That's funny."
"Come on. I look better in braided pigtails."
"Yeah, about as good as you look in that outfit." Prue couldn't help but kid Piper about it. It was simply too easy.
"Funny." Piper gave her a tight smile. "Real funny." She turned away, crossing her arms. But after a moment she cast a sideways glance in Prue's direction. Then suddenly she reached for the ruby slippers. "Gimme!"