I do not own charmed
Howdy doody! Thanks for the reviews and may I just say "Mon aeroglisseur est pleine d'anguille" (It means: My hovercraft is full of eels! LOL- Don't you just love Monty Python?)
Cutleryismyfriend- I can't believe they killed him! Sniff! But still scrumptious :p we always have reruns & ur fantabulous story to keep him alive! Thanks for your review!
Passions- Thanks! & You'll see in the next chapter about the baby! ;)
Jackie67-Not many people like Jason, glad to see sum1 else does! & OMG! Agent Brody does look like Cole Jr! lol
Wyatt333- Thanks for giving me the correct names of those powers! I was actually gonna ask if anyone knew them in an authors note so thanks! & He calls her a half-breed because he resents the fact she is accepted for it and he isn't. & You're welcome! Actually, though it doesn't seem that way yet, Piper is my fave sister! (& No, she is NOT going to die! How could I do that to Piper? I think it is clear who the first sister to die will be (even tho I'm actually warming to season seven Phoebe…SHOCK SHOCK HORROR HORROR!)…but that won't be for a while yet!) It is quite Paige centric at the moment, but each sister will have their time to shine! Btw, your first review was chapter three so you haven't reviewed chapter 2 either (so subtle, aren't I? lol!) Once again, thanks!
Peanutlb- I loved Andy! I actually got annoyed when Piper didn't consider his name for Wyatt! And as for Jason Dean, I always liked him so yeah, I'm gonna pair him with Phoebe! Not many people seem to, but I thought he was sweet. I always say it, but I figure if Phoebe had actually told him about magic herself he'd have accepted it. Thanks for the review!
Anywayz…the eagerly awaited chapter ten is here! I planned on having Paige's baby born this chapter but it was MILES too long! It will be here soon though! My Muse seems to have extended her vacation! & My spell writing in this chapter (and all others- lol) kinda sucks, but lets just pretend it's up to charmed standard… Enjoy & Review…please!
May the Cheese be with you!
Laur xXx
Chapter10- The gift of power
Piper set a plate on pancakes down in front of her youngest sister and smiled; realising Paige had fallen asleep at the table. Paige had been doing this a lot for the past month. It was early September and her due date was three weeks away, but the unborn baby was beginning to get restless, keeping Paige up at all hours of the night. On this misty, September morning, the three charmed ones had been planning to move Laura's stuff from the basement into Paige's old bedroom, which she would share with Prue. Because it was only eight thirty and MJ was at her father's Phoebe wouldn't be up for at least another hour, so her sisters and their daughters were planning to start the day without her.
"Auntie Paige! Your pancakes is ready!" Prue yelled.
"Rumplestiktskin!" Paige mumbled sleepily, rubbing her eyes and yawning before she realised where she was. "I can't wait until I can drink coffee again..."
"Baby here yet?" Laura asked. Although her Aunt Phoebe had attempted to explain how babies were born, Laura still did not fully grasp the concept. Now she was under the impression that the stork would deliver her baby sister when she was ready.
"Not yet Pixie," Paige said through a yawn, "Soon."
"You's a sleepy giwl Mommy!" Laura giggled, sitting down on the floor at her mother's feet, "You should go backs to beddy!"
"Did your Daddy tell you to say that?"
Laura stood up, only just small enough not to bang her head on the table, and grinned mischievously at her mother. She twirled one of her dark curls around her finger and pulled on the bottom of her lilac, Tinkerbelle pyjama shirt with an odd look of innocence about her.
"Maybe…"She said laughing.
"Oh my god, she looks so much like you when she does that!" Piper gasped.
"That's why she's my beautiful little girl." Came a new voice as Mark appeared from the basement. Unlike the occupants of the kitchen, he was fully dressed and looking wide-awake. He picked up his daughter and kissed her forehead before placing her onto a chair next to Prue. "You be good for Mommy and your Aunties, okay Pixie?"
"Pwomise Daddy!"
"Wait, where are you going?" Piper asked, knowing Paige was not awake enough to register what Mark had said.
"Leo, Andy and I are going grocery shopping!" He said, "And don't worry, we'll be back before you can say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious…or of course you could say dociousaliexpiisticfragicalirepus, but that's taking it a bit too far, don't you think?" (AN-I was so proud when I learned how to say that! Now I can be the next Julie Andrews…yeah right!)
"Mark, if I didn't know that Paige loved you, I'd say you watch way too many musicals for a straight guy!"
"Hey, you can't question my sexuality when Phoebe's dating Mr 'I wake up ten minutes earls so I can make sure my hair doesn't fall out of place'! What a loser!"
Jason Dean had asked Phoebe out after only one week of arriving in San Francisco and after six and a half months, they were still going strong. The unfortunate thing was, Jason and Cole had crossed paths before and neither seemed to be very fond of the other. Cole was definitely not happy about MJ spending so much time with Phoebe's beau, but was learning to accept that he had no influence on his ex's choice in men and besides, he was still very in love with Danielle. And because Cole was Mark's best friend, the nauctater had a rather low opinion on Jason too.
"Spanky, Cole's happy with Danni, just leave it at that okay?" Paige had now slightly perked up after her husband's arrival and was wolfing down her breakfast like there was no tomorrow.
"Sorry Sweetie." Mark said, kissing his wife's forehead and departing with a wave.
"Bye guys! We'll be back soon!" Leo's voice came from the foyer, followed by the banging of the front door.
Paige and Piper shared a smile and continued with their breakfast. It was not long, however, until the 'normal' morning in the Halliwell Manor was brought to an abrupt stop. The two sisters stood at the sink; Piper washing, Paige drying and the girls running around the table playing tag, when the eldest Charmed One let out a howl of agony. She fell to the floor, clutching her blooded leg, where the athame had just hit and snapped into mother mode.
"Girls, orb into your room and stay there until we come and get you! NOW!"
Luckily, Laura and Prue did not turn to see the horrifying demon which stood only meters away from them. His skin was a putrid shade of green and was covered in what appeared to be third degree burns. His eye sockets were empty, but residing in the centre of his wrinkled forehead was a single eyeball. He wore no clothes, but a ragged grey loincloth and every inch of his chest was covered in cobwebs.
"I've brought you a message from my master." The demon snarled. Ironically enough, he sounded almost like Dick Van-Dyke in Mary Poppins.
"Let me guess," Paige snapped back, "Decron?"
"He said you'd guess that, half-breed."
"Urgh! Why do people keep calling me that?"
"Because it's what you are: a filthy half-breed!
"So is your master, you great oaf! And what the hell is the message?" Piper yelled, "What are you, the demon of sloth?"
"Not quite." The demon grinned menacingly and turned to face Paige, "The message was that the next time you hear from him, you won't be able to escape."
"What the hell kinda message is that?" Piper threw out her hands attempting to blow up the demon, but unfortunately it backfired and he deflected it straight back at the two witches. The blast knocked Paige from her feet and on reflex; she orbed herself behind the demon. When she reappeared in the familiar cloud of lights, she noticed the huge energy ball in his left hand, which he was aiming directly for her sister.
"Oh my God! Piper!" Paige's tone was panicked and she threw out her arms, hoping with all her might that her powers would be strong enough to orb Piper from the spot she was in. However, much to both sisters' shock, Paige grew suddenly cold and a huge burst of ice emitted from her palms. Paige was so shocked that the next thing she knew, the demon was trapped inside an ice sculpture of himself. "Good baby!"
"Now that's a freezing power with kick!" Piper exclaimed, "You think it was the baby?"
"Who else could it have been? I mean, that's Mrs Anderson's power so the baby must take after Grandma!"
"Wow! So, what do we do with Mr Frosty here?" Piper attempted to stand, but found the pain in her leg was too much.
"Um…smash him?"
"Good thinking Batman!"
Paige proceeded to lift one of the stools from the ground and threw it violently at the ice sculpture. It smashed into thousands of pieces and even before they all hit the ground, they had disappeared into tiny flames.
"Let the object of objection become but a dream as I cause the scene to be unseen," Paige said and sighed happily as the kitchen restored to its original state. "And now, to call a whitelighter: LEO!"
Seconds later, the heavenly handyman appeared. He took one look at the pool of blood that was coming from Piper's leg and knelt to heal her immediately.
"What happened?" He asked, helping Piper to her feet.
"We got sent a messenger." Paige replied angrily, "I'll give you two guesses who sent him."
Leo did not need to think twice after Paige stormed out of the back door. He looked at Piper with a feeling of helplessness in his heart and sighed. Piper had the same distant look of sympathy in her eyes and kicked one of the chairs. Leo came up behind her and pulled her into a hug. He kissed her hair and whispered softly in her ear, "We will vanquish him."
However, it was not just Decron that was playing on Piper's mind. Another thing that was worrying her was Andy's curious absence of witch powers. For a four month old he had very precise control over his orbing, but had still shown no signs of a Wiccan ability. At first they had wondered about him being able to receive premonitions, but ever since Grams had visited, Piper was convinced Andrew had no powers because he was male. What she did not know was that one of her worries was to be lost very soon.
Exactly one week later, Phoebe walked sleepily down the stairs with MJ resting on her hip and yawned as she made her way towards the kitchen where the cup of coffee she so desperately needed was waiting. Piper and Leo were sitting at the table, deep in conversation and they seemed to pay no attention when Phoebe sauntered in.
"Piper, where's the coffee?" Phoebe asked bluntly, placing MJ in the high chair, which was not already occupied by Andrew.
"Where it usually is Phoebs!" Piper replied laughing at her sister's lack of energy.
"Is it leaded?"
"You know you really are turning into Prue!"
"Yeah, minus the cool powers!" Phoebe mumbled, slouching into a chair and savouring the smell of her freshly poured coffee.
"Shh!" Piper snapped, her attitude suddenly changing, "Do not mention the 'P' word in front of Andy! He might get a little sensitive!"
"Piper, he's four months old! He has plenty time to grow into his powers. Just because Grams doesn't approve of males, doesn't mean that the elders don't."
"Bu-"
"Speaking of elders," Leo cut in, sensing the argument that was about to take place, "They told me that we'd be getting a visit today."
"From who? An elder?"
"Or a demon?" Phoebe asked, ignoring her sister's glare and beginning to cut up a banana for her daughter's breakfast.
"Neither." Leo replied, "I have no idea whose coming, but I'm assuming they're about to tell me. They're calling. See you guys!"
"Woah! The elders are doing something nice! That's a first!" Piper replied with a smirk as she watched her husband orb out.
"I wonder who they're sending."
"I don't know Phoebe's, but whoever it is, they won't want to see me in my PJs!"
Piper left the kitchen with her son and made her way to the stairs, silently pondering who the visit could be from. There was one person Piper hoped it would be, but doubted with all of her heart that she would be allowed to se her. Before she was even half way up the stairs, she heard Paige singing, which meant the youngest charmed one was in the upstairs shower. This also meant that Prue and Laura were alone in the bedroom and if their recent behaviour was anything to go by, they would be getting up to no good. Piper's heart stopped as she heard a scream emitting from the girls' bedroom.
The two cousins sat on the end of Prue's bed with their heads in their hands, looking very bored. Laura, who, even at a young age, was becoming a neat freak, began to rearrange her cousin's stuffed animals. When she picked up 'Whiskers', her brown beanbag cat, her eyes lit up with glee.
"I gotsa idea Pwue!" She declared, "We can magic Whiskas into a weal kitty!"
"Yeah!" Prue agreed, "But we is not rhymey."
"We is too! Watch…I want a kitty, make it pwetty, I wants it now, I don't cawe how!"
Laura squealed in delight as her spell began to take effect. The room was filled with a bright white light and when it faded, Laura noticed the small brown kitten sitting next to her.
"Yay Pwue! I maded a weal spell!" She declared, but when she noticed Prue's curious absence, she let out a scream. "Uh oh!"
Laura began to run from the room and just as she reached the door, she walked into her Aunt Piper. Guilty tears began to form in her eyes and she looked up with a trembling lip. Her mother soon appeared on the scene looking like she had dressed in the dark and just as panicked as Piper.
"I's sowee Auntie Pipey…I did not mean to…"
"Pixie, what did you do?" Paige asked, kneeling down to brush away Laura's tears.
"I turneded Pwue into a kitty!"
"Oh…"
"You WHAT?" Piper snapped, "Where is she?"
"On da beddy!" Laura said with a sniff. She looked up at her mother and aunt with a look of fear. She knew she should not have been using magic for personal gain and was waiting to get yelled at, but the thing that surprised Laura was that her mother did not look angry, almost proud.
"You made up a spell powerful enough to do that?" Paige asked, picking up Laura and kissing her forehead. "All by yourself?"
"Uhu…" Laura replied uncertainly.
"My little Pixie is a genius!" Paige beamed at Laura.
"Paige! Prue is a cat! We have to turn her back, now!" Piper snapped and her sister's face fell. "Laura, you should know not to use magic irresponsibly. And Paige, you should know not to encourage her. Go to the attic, I'll get Prue."
Paige was slightly shocked at Piper's sudden bitchiness, but did as Piper had asked and started on her way up the stairs. She assumed it was because, between working until all hours at P3 and raising two magical children, Piper had no time for herself. Of course, on top of this, the eldest charmed one had her worries of Andrew's lack of witch powers and the constant threat of demons, so when Paige thought about it, she understood. Although Paige was only short while away from becoming the mother of two magical children, she had no job to worry about and there was no risk of her husband orbing 'up there' when he was looking after the kids. Thinking about it, Piper had every right to be a bitch- especially since her daughter was now a cat.
It was just as Paige placed Laura on the love seat that she realised what she was wearing. She had been so panicked after hearing her daughter scream that she had ended up with a pair of red jogging trousers and a lime green maternity blouse which she had buttoned only at the top. (AN- You never know with Paige, she may actually decide to wear that out of choice! But for the purposes of the not-very-important paragraph, Paige has some style…) She covered Laura's eyes so not to set a bad example and silently orbed a different outfit onto herself. When she looked up again, she noticed Mark standing in the doorway grinning.
"That power of yours is mighty handy!" He said laughing, "Now I know why Laura thinks it's okay to turn Prue into a cat. She takes after you."
Mark grinned teasingly and moved towards his wife. It was then that Paige noticed the small, black and very alert kitten in the palm of his hand. Oddly enough, the raven coat and huge brown eyes made it look almost like the three-year-old girl. Perhaps not as pretty as when in human form, but she definitely made a pretty cat. Paige was about to praise her daughter's spell casting again, when Leo, a now dressed Piper, Phoebe, Andrew and MJ came hurrying in.
"Okay…" Paige mumbled before voicing her thoughts, "What's with the family gathering? All we're doing is changing Prue back."
"Beats the hell out of me!" Piper replied, "but Leo just told us to come up here."
"God damn cryptic whitelighters!" Phoebe muttered directing a glare at Leo.
"Has anyone got a shape shifting reversal spell handy?"
"Paige, how long have we been doing this now? Just improvise…um…My daughter's a cat, I don't like that, return her to her natural state, make it now 'cause I can't wait."
A bright light filled the room and when it dimmed, Prue was sitting in her uncle's arms. She looked relieved but very angry.
"Laura! You maked me a cat!" She scolded and crossed her arms.
"Are you okay honey?" Piper asked.
"Yeah, I guess so. I was not knowing that kitties see only in grey."
"C'mere sweetie, you were very brave." Leo took Prue from Mark's arms and smiled knowingly. "Y'know, this sorta reminds me of the banshee incident…"
"Yeah, well at least we didn't have to clean up after her like we did with Prue." Phoebe mused and although everyone but Piper and Leo looked confused, she continued, "What is it with Prues and getting turned into household pets?"
"Yeah, well I certainly hope my three year old niece is not getting run over and picked up by hot guys…"
Piper and Phoebe's heads jerked upwards and they shared a silent conversation. Paige had never been told of the banshee incident and Phoebe would not be answering her own question. Besides, that voice could only belong to one person. Tears formed in each of their eyes and they turned to the doorway where she stood, looking not a day older than when she had died. She was as beautiful as ever: her long, dark hair swept her shoulders and her white dress gave her an even more angelic look. Her blue eyes filled with love as she turned to face them and she smiled her million dollar smile.
"Prue," Piper choked, handing Andrew to Mark and standing in shock. Phoebe placed MJ next to Laura and wiped away her own tears. Was she seeing things? Or was that really Prue. Both felt their hearts swell with anticipation and stood, fixed to the spot.
"Well, what the hell are you waiting for? Come give me a hug you big galloots!"
Yes, that was definitely Prue. Both Piper and Phoebe ran towards their oldest sister and wrapped their arms around her, never wanting to let go. Even Mark had tears in his eyes now.
"I missed you so much." Piper sobbed. "I thought I'd never see you again."
"I missed you guys too!" Prue replied softly, stroking her sister's hair.
"I can't believe you're here!" Phoebe said, standing back to take a look at Prue. "…why are you here?"
"Explain later, hug now."
Paige felt tears well up in her own eyes but she was unsure of whether they were tears of joy, jealousy or just 'the crying thing'. Watching all three of her sisters, the original charmed ones, share a hug, she could not help but feel like a spare tyre.
"Come on!" Prue said, gesturing for Paige to come join the hug, "I do have three baby sisters, do I not?"
"Um…yeah…" Paige said, smiling shyly, "but my bump's sorta gonna get in the way of a group hug…" She felt kind of odd saying that to Prue as when she had summoned her two years ago, she had been talking about how scared she was of having Laura; now Paige was almost at her second child and, even if she did say so herself, she was a damn good mother!
Apparently, none of Paige's sisters had cared what her excuse was and were now squashing her in the middle of a huge cuddle. Paige relaxed and smiled. This was what she had wanted ever since she found her family: to be receiving a hug from all three of her big sisters.
"So…" Piper said when all the introductions to Mark and the kids were through and they had moved downstairs to the comfort of the living room, "Not that I amn't thrilled, but why are you here?"
"Well, you see…" Prue started and she took a seat on the arm of the sofa and continued, "That mainly involves my nephew… But, if someone didn't try and summon my butt down here soon I was gonna crack anyway!"
"Wait, Andrew? What's he got to do with it?"
"I come baring gifts!" Prue announced, "Of the magical variety."
"Still not following here honey," Phoebe said, slightly confused.
Prue took a look around the room and hesitated before she spoke. Piper was sitting with Andrew on her knee smiling broadly and her eyes still showed the remainder or happy tears; Phoebe, who was still in her pyjamas, was sitting on the floor, changing Melinda-Jayne's nappy; Paige, the sister Prue did not know she had until death and still did not know very well, was sat in an armchair, her arms cradling her very pregnant stomach; Leo, her angel of a bother-in-law, was playing horsey with his daughter, looking genuinely happy and Mark, a person she had never met, but already approved of, was massaging Paige's back and was keeping quiet so not to intrude. Laura seemed to have taken a liking to her Aunt Prue and was sitting on her knee and playing with her gold, hoop earrings in fascination. Her whole family had grown and changed in so many ways and Prue savoured the moment as much as she could, knowing that the quicker she told them why she was here, the sooner she would have to leave.
"Earth to Prue?" Phoebe said, waving her hand in Prue's face.
"Oh…sorry! What were we saying?"
"That you was given Andy a magic pwesent." Laura told her Aunt with a smile, "I once gived him chicky pox!"
"Did you?" Prue asked in a baby voice, "And where did you get them from?"
"Mikey," She said, referring to Darryl Morris's son, "He gived them to me and MJ and Shauna. They was so itchy!"
Prue's smile widened at the little girl sitting on her knee. She had never been given the chance to have children, but at least now, in heaven, she had Andy. Piper and Phoebe's eyes were still on her, waiting for an explanation. At least her youngest sister was not so persistent.
"Guys! She's been here for five minutes! Give the lady time to breath…wait, do you have to breath?"
"When I'm corporeal, yes Paige. And I'm telling you, it feels weird after four years of not breathing…"
"Right…sorry…"
"It's okay. Death is a natural part of life."
Prue placed Laura on the floor and picked at her cuticles. She wanted to avoid the topic of her death at all costs, especially in front of the kids. She decided that if she made Piper and Phoebe wait for her reason of being there any longer, they would crack. She walked over to Piper and took Andrew from her arms. Prue then moved to the back of the room where all eyes followed her and she began talking to her family.
"You may have noticed that Andrew has a curious lack of powers?"
"Yeah." Piper replied in confusion, "And call him Andy, he likes that better."
"Andy…hmm. Just like my Andy. He told me to tell you how honoured he was that you named your son after him." She smiled vacantly, thinking of her true love before realising all eyes were on her, "Anyway, back to what I was saying." Prue paused and averted her eyes so that she was looking at Mark, the only person, she felt, that was not waiting intently for an explanation. "The reason he has no Wiccan powers is, as you may have guessed, because the magic in the Halliwell line is passed through the female blood."
"What's that got to do with you?"
"Phoebs! I'm not finished yet!" Prue snapped playfully. It was just like the Phoebe she remembered to be childish and impatient. Although she had matured greatly, she had still not lost that trait. "I'm here to give Andy my powers." Andrew let out an excited squeal, as if acknowledging what his Aunt Prue was giving him and his green eyes lit up with delight.
"Are you sure Prue?" Piper questioned. She was unsure of what effect this may have on Prue, "You don't have to do this."
"Piper, I want to do this. It's the least I can do!"
"Are you really sure?"
"Yes! I promise! Now come take your son whilst I perform the spell."
Piper smiled and moved towards Prue. She took Andy and rested him on her hip after kissing his sandy brown hair. She stepped back after being instructed to do so by her sister and watched as her son's expression turned to one of curiosity.
"Powers of the witches rise, course unseen across the skies, give my powers to my nephew here and rid my sister's heart of fear." Prue chanted and just as she had finished she shivered and a bright white ball of light lifted from her body.
The ball of light hung in the air for a moment before drifting towards Andrew, who had his hands outstretched and his moth open in awe. As it entered him a shiver ran down his spine, just like what had happened to Prue when her powers left. For a moment, the room sat in silence, as if waiting for something to go wrong, but the noise soon erupted when Andy waved his hands towards MJ and her pacifier came flying into his mouth.
"Now both my babies are telekinetic!" Piper squealed, but her happy expression soon left as she noticed the white light surrounding her big sister. "Prue! You can't leave yet!" She yelled and at this comment both of her younger sisters rose to their feet.
"I'm afraid I have to." Prue replied sadly, "This was all I was here to do."
"But-" Phoebe started, but Prue cut her off.
"You'll see me soon enough. I love you," She turned to Paige, "…All of you. Blessed be."
"Byeeee!" Yelled (little) Prue.
The Charmed ones slumped back down on their chairs and sighed, tears welling in each of their eyes. Prue was gone… again, but at least they had gotten to see her. And now one of Piper's problems was solved. The other, however, even though it was on no one's mind at the moment, was just as prominent.
AN- So, another chapter down! I know the whole Cat thing was a bit pointless, but I just wanted to show how complicated life with magical children is going to get! & Yay, I finally managed to post my second Prue chapter! I love writing those! I'm gonna give you a little bit of an insight into the future again and ask if you think I should write Cole's wedding? It won't be very action packed, just 'fluffy'. Tell me in your reviews (hint hint!) Onyhoo, tune in next week for another instalment of "As the Laur grows slightly more insane"…I mean 'A life of Magic'…heh…
Don't forget to review!
Laur xXx