Chapter 1

Paige could feel a tremendous amount of pain in her back as she now lay face down on a soft surface instead of the cold concrete that she had hit hard after being attacked. She could now feel a warm sensation illuminating from the wound and the warmer it got, the more her senses seem return to her and the pain faded away. What the hell happened? She thought to herself still unable to speak. Although she couldn't articulate any words at the moment her hearing was firmly in tact as she listened to her two sisters verbally attacking the oldest one.

"What the hell was she doing out vanquishing demons Prue?" said a voice that the woman instantly recognized as her sister Piper.

"I didn't want her to go Piper! I tried to call you but you were too damn busy with the club, Leo was watching Wyatt and Chris and Phoebe was out on yet another date. What was I supposed to do?" the older witch shot back.

"You could have told me that it was an emergency Prue! You know I would have cut my date short if I knew what was going on." Phoebe said in her own defense.

"Or me, my God I can't believe that you would put Paige in danger like this Prue. How irresponsible could you possibly be?" Piper said throwing her hands up in frustration.

"Irresponsible? You're calling me irresponsible? How many times have I given up on things that I wanted just to make sure you, Paige and Phoebe were taken care of? Unh? How many times did I work two different jobs to support you all so you wouldn't have to struggle?"

"That's not the point Prue. We're not talking about fiancés for Christ sakes, we're talking about our sister's life" Piper said getting choked up on the last few words.

"Ladies please!" the angel yelled trying to calm all three sisters down. "All of this fighting isn't helping Paige. Now listen to me, this wasn't anybody's fault but the demons so stop blaming Prue for something that was out of her control. Besides how is Paige ever going to learn how to fight demons if you all lock her up in the house every time there's a vanquishing?"

"She's not supposed to get involved Leo, that's the problem. She's our baby sister and we don't want her to get hurt. So as long as we can keep her hidden and out of danger, we will continue to do so. Paige shouldn't be fighting unless it's absolutely necessary"

"I just hope she's going to ok. She should never have been out there" the second youngest sister spoke.

"What's taking so long?" questioned Prue who was becoming more and more anxious.

"She was technically dead for a few seconds Prue, so it's going to take longer then usual to heal her" Leo informed the woman who now sat by her sister's side.

"Come on Paige, wake up" the woman pleaded with her younger sister who remained motionless.

Paige could sense how worried all her sister's were and felt bad for whining about how they treated her when all they wanted to do was keep her safe.

Suddenly the pain and soreness she was feeling vanished and she was able to move her limbs with ease. She then inhaled sharply and blinked her eyes several times to adjust to the bright lights around her.

"Paige" her second oldest sister called out as she kneeled down by the girl's side.

"Umm Piper I have to go. A charge is calling for me" the man spoke reluctantly, not wanting to leave his wife so shortly after almost losing a sister.

"Ok Leo, but please hurry back soon"

"I will. I'll be as quick as possible" the man said giving his wife a small smile before orbing away.

"What happened?" Paige asked as she moved into an upright position.

"You were stabbed in the back by a demon, but don't worry he's dead now" Prue said with guilt in her voice, sorry that she had dragged her little sister along on a demon hunt that may have gotten her killed.

"Wow" the girl said instantly regretting her choice of words.

"WOW, What the hell do you mean, wow?" Piper's voice screamed loudly into her ear. "You were almost killed Paige"

"I know but at least I know to watch my back the next time we go…"

"THERE WILL NOT BE A NEXT TIME PAIGE!"

Gees Paige thought to herself, her sister was always so damn high strung. She would definitely have to show Piper how to chill out once she finally calms down.

"I don't believe this" Phoebe said now sitting on the table in front of her as she sighed in frustration. "Paige what is it going to take for you to realize that hunting for demons is not amusing, it's not great and it's not something we do for fun. We do it because we have to, but you don't"

"But I want to" Paige said in her own defense. Just because her sisters didn't enjoy the thrill of the chase, or the excitement of a vanquish, didn't mean she had to feel the same way.

"That's it. You will not vanquish any demons, you will not try to follow us when we do and you will stay away from magic. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME PAIGE?" Prue yelled still shaken from almost losing her sister and the fact that the girl thought it was exciting and cool didn't help.

"I am so sick and tired of you guys telling me what I can and can not do! I'm 21 years old. I should be able to do what I want when I want. Besides it's my destiny to and it's not fair for you guys to go out and gain all of the experience while I sit at home in a crystal cage like some two year old who can't defend herself!" Paige exploded.

"YOU CAN'T! My God Paige you were just stabbed in the back and you almost lost your life! Well you know what that's not going to happen again young lady. From now on you will stay home inside the crystal cage when ever we go out to battle and if you even think about trying to get out or orb away somewhere then I swear to you Paige, I WILL BIND YOUR POWERS!" Prue warned before storming out of the room.

Paige was set to follower her and continued the argument until her sister saw things her way but when she went to stand up she was pulled back down by the second oldest charmed one.

"This conversation is over Paige. Listen I know that you feel a little stifled by us and overprotected but you're our little sister and we will do what we have to, to keep you save. Whether you like it or not" the woman said before planting a kiss on top of the girls head and leaving in room in search of her older sister.

"This is so not fair" the girl said folding her arms across her chest, show her displeasure.

"It may not be fair Paige but it's for you own good sweetie. We're just trying to keep you safe" Phoebe said trying to get her sister to see how much she and the others cared.

"I know you guys want to protect me and I'm grateful for that, I really am. But what if you protecting me only hurts us all in the end? What if something happens and I have to rescue you guys?"

"I'm sorry Paige but it's a chance that we're willing to take" Phoebe replied as she rose to her feet and gave her sister a kiss on the cheek. "Good night honey and please just think about what we said. Ok?"

"Alright" Paige sighed as she watched the woman head up the stairs.

"This still sucks" the girl mumbled under her breath before she too headed up to bed. But instead of going into her room, she crept into the attic.

"There has to be something in here that will help me convince Prue, Piper and Phoebe that I'm right" Paige said as she began to approach the book. But just as she reached it, she heard Piper and Prue coming up stairs.

"Damn it" she spoke out loud as she orbed to her room just as her sister open the door.

"Hey" Prue said as Paige sat down on her bed with a sullen expression on her face.

"Hey, come to lecture me some more have you"

"Paige" warned Piper.

"We're sorry about yelling at you Paige, but…" Prue began before being interrupted.

"But you're only trying to protect me. Yeah I know" she said trying not to let her hostility show.

"I know it seems unfair now, but you'll understand one day soon. And I'm quite confident that you'll thank us for it"

"Yeah maybe"

"Well we just came to say good night and don't forget we have a managers meeting at P4 tomorrow" Piper said giving her a hug.

"I didn't forget"

"Ok, good night Paige"

"Good night Piper, Prue" the younger witch called out as her sisters exited the room.

"Oh and don't worry. Everything will be just fine once I cast a little spell on you guys" Paige smiled to herself wickedly before getting dressed and heading to bed.