The Fool of Traverse Town

Disclaimer: Same as before.

Prue blinked her eyes, this didn't feel like her bed on the Morrowind at all. It felt a lot like the living room couch at home. She opened her eyes and found herself lying on the living room sofa. Wha-was this some kind of crazy dream? Prue thought. No, this isn't a dream…it couldn't…

It hit her like a ton of bricks. Astral projection. That was the only explanation. The last thing she remembered was being really tired, but she wrote it off to a lot of the late nights and early mornings she had between worrying over Andy and the chats she'd had with Godfrey.

She glanced at the clock on the VCR, and if it was still three minutes fast then it was about five minutes after midnight. She heard the sound of keys rattling and saw Phoebe walk inside, with a red haired woman she hadn't met before.

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Phoebe said, "I've got class tomorrow, so I had to cut out early. I hope Piper and Leo will be able to handle the crowd tonight…"

The pair walked into the living room and Phoebe promptly froze in her tracks. "Oh my God! Prue? What are –"

The surprise overwhelmed Phoebe and she promptly fainted, and Paige caught her. "A little help?" Paige asked.

Prue helped carry Phoebe over to the couch and laid her down. "You must be Prue." Paige replied, "I'm Paige, and of the two of us, I figured I'd be the one to faint considering I'm new to the whole witchcraft and Power of Three thing…"

"Whoa, back up." Prue began, "Before I faint from surprise."

"I'm Paige," the other woman began, and somewhat awkwardly said, "We're related, somewhat, through the same mother."

Prue processed this, "OK, I'm guessing your father was Sam, my mom's Whitelighter…"

"I know this is a lot to take in." Paige replied, "And I'm sorry I didn't write you when Phoebe and Piper sent you their reply to your letter. Sorry, but I honestly didn't think it was my place to write you a letter."

"Piper told me the Power of Three was reborn here, but she didn't say that we had a half sister." Prue replied.

"You might want to ask Piper about that, but she's closing up tonight and won't be back for another few hours." Paige replied.

Phoebe moaned and sat up and when she saw Prue her eyes popped wide open. "Oh my God! It's so good to see you!"

Phoebe threw her arms around her big sister, tears coming down her cheek. Tears appeared in Prue's eyes as well as she hugged her baby sister back, she missed her younger sisters so much.

Paige stood awkwardly off to one side, part of her feeling like she didn't belong here, as though she had replaced a much loved sister. Another part of her was saying that what she was feeling was ridiculous. You just don't know Prue that well, that's all…

"How did you get here?" Phoebe asked.

"I'm guessing my astral projection powers are growing." Prue replied, "I just helped move Andy onto the Morrowind and when we went to sleep I found myself lying on the couch…"

I can't tell you about Andy, Leo told us not to. But damn it! It'll break your heart…Phoebe thought.

"So what does this mean?" Phoebe asked, "You can visit us?"

"When I get more control over it, yes." Prue replied, "But it seems to be triggered when I fall asleep."

"I'll be sure to leave some clothes lying around in case you and Andy…you know…" Phoebe replied.

"Phoebe!" Prue said in mock offense.

"What, you said you can't control it just yet…" Phoebe said, wolfishly grinning.

Prue reddened, "Phoebe."

Paige stood off to one side, awkwardly and Phoebe turned towards her, "I guess you've met Paige."

"I did." Prue replied, "I'm just slightly miffed that Piper or Phoebe didn't say we were related."

"We were going to, but I thought the idea that the Power of Three being back together again would have been too shocking." Phoebe protested.

"Phoebe, I died and was reborn, how much do you think that news would have shocked me?" Prue replied.

"I'm sorry." Phoebe said.

Prue felt the familiar feeling of being pulled back into her own body. "I'll see you all again." Prue said, sadly.

As Prue returned to her own body, Paige turned to Phoebe and said, "This was a really interesting evening."

"That's an understatement if I ever heard one." Phoebe quipped.

"I really wish I'd gotten to know her." Paige observed.

"To be fair, you never really met her." Phoebe said, "I hope you two get to know each other."

"To be honest, I kinda feel like I put you guys out." Paige replied.

"Don't be silly." Phoebe replied, "You'll get to know each other, if Prue keeps showing up, and you'll feel like family before you know it. Next letter we send, you should write one too."

"I'll think about it." Paige replied, with a yawn before heading upstairs, "I've got work tomorrow."

"Good night." Phoebe replied.

"They let you have a break?" Doc asked, as he saw Godfrey sitting at a table in a café in the First District.

Godfrey nodded. Doc was going to pick up some medical supplies. "Do you ever relax?" Doc asked, when he noticed the slim volume on the table.

"I am relaxing." Godfrey protested.

"What is that?" Doc asked.

"Ovid." Godfrey replied, at Doc's blank stare he said, "The Metamorphosis. Basically it describes people getting turned into any number of things for any number of reasons. For instance there is the tale of the huntsman Acteon. He accidentally caught a glimpse of Artemis, goddess of the hunt; bathing and she turned him into a stag. His own hounds ripped him to shreds."

"Weird people, those Romans." Doc replied.

"Not really." Godfrey replied, "Ovid actually retold several Greek stories…"

"Adding to that little debate you and Prue had at lunch last week." Doc replied, "I still remember you were arguing that Roman culture was effectively a knock-off of Greek culture."

"And I never knew that Prue happened to be somewhat of a fan of Roman culture." Godfrey replied, "Boy did I get an earful about 'fast-talking Greeks' being a bother for Rome."

"Yes, I still remember you two were arguing over that for hours." Doc replied.

"An enjoyable debate." Godfrey replied, grinning tiredly.

"You two have been getting pretty close over the past couple weeks." Doc observed.

Godfrey nodded, "The fact that we're the only ones aboard from our respective worlds gives us common ground."

"Are you sure it's not anything more?" Doc asked, knowingly.

"I'm sure." Godfrey replied, with a mildly defensive tone. Wanker. Am I that transparent?

"I'm here for you if you want to talk, buddy." Doc replied, before Godfrey fixed him with a piercing stare, "Your secret's safe with me."

"Understand I don't want to risk losing Prue as a friend for one, and Andy's already in the equation for two." Godfrey replied. Besides, they always say mortals falling for goddess' always have bad things happen to them.

"I understand." Doc replied, "You've gotten to be pretty good friends and you're afraid to lose her over this."

"That's why I'd best not say anything." Godfrey replied. Developing feelings for someone you've got to work closely with is a bad thing in the intelligence business, says Major Waverly.

As Godfrey was about to reply a man dressed in a ragged old suit of clothes ambled towards their table. "Remain strong, for there will be those who will rely on your strength."

The fool ambled away almost as soon as he came. Godfrey turned towards Doc, "Who the hell was that?"

"That was the Fool of Traverse Town." Doc replied, "He tends to wander the streets, saying bits of nonsense and advice to anyone who listens."

Godfrey replied, "A lot like some vagrants I saw in Mayapore that did the same thing. I'd best be going; I'm supposed to receive training on some new small arms we might receive courtesy of the AIB."

"See you later, Godfrey." Doc replied, as he left to get the medical supplies he had come over to the First District to receive. That's something I never expected. Doc thought, regarding what amounted to Godfrey's confession.

Godfrey headed back to the embassy where he was to receive new instructions. He had already learned the technical specifics, assembly and disassembly, and operation of two new American small arms that he was taking back to the Morrowind and he wondered just what else they had in store for him.

Godfrey stood outside the conference room until a sergeant summoned him. Godfrey entered the room and saw Major Waverly standing beside the conference table with two other occupants. One of them was the female Royal Air Force flight sergeant, obviously a typist or secretary judging by her demeanor. The other was a broad shouldered man with gray hair with some snow white streaks at the sides, wearing the uniform of a US Army colonel.

Godfrey instinctively straightened his carriage and said, "First Lieutenant Godfrey, reporting as ordered."

The American colonel introduced himself, "Colonel Lyle T. Rourke, I'm the head of the American Office of Strategic Services."

A dossier was in front of Rourke and he gestured to Godfrey, "Sit down. I've read through your dossier, and it appears you've had quite an interesting career with the Indian Constabulary Service in Mayapore."

Godfrey wondered where this was headed as Rourke continued, "And now you're assigned as the Allied Intelligence Bureau liaison with the Morrowind. The AIB is a great organization, and I know quite a few of your colleagues are aboard these independent airships, and they also provide excellent intelligence to our cause. Giving that America is relatively new to this conflict, we're in need of cooperation of more experienced allies. I understand Britain has been fighting the Heartless and their allies for nearly three years since 1939."

"Yes sir." Godfrey replied.

"Well, to win a war we need intelligence. And while your reports have been thorough, we are interested to see more detail regarding these supposed magical beings you claim to run into. Particularly this Sora person and his two helpers. And this supposed witch that defended Mayapore."

"My reports aren't thorough enough, sir?" Godfrey asked. Instinctively he did not like where this question was going.

"They're just fine." Rourke replied, "But I personally would like to hear of these so-called magical occurances."

What the hell would they possibly want with Prue and the others? Godfrey asked to himself.

"I can see you're curious." Rourke replied, "I do believe the help they could do for our cause is great. However, we will need to know what their capabilities are."

You're asking me to be an Ephialtes on my own crewmates? Godfrey thought but said nothing.

"We need to know what these magical beings are capable of. And if they're any danger to our servicemen…" Rourke began.

"That's preposterous, sir!" Godfrey protested.

"Lieutenant." Waverly said warning, "The good Colonel has some legitimate concerns."

"I've been honest in my reporting. These 'magical beings' as you say wish only to help innocent people." Godfery replied.

"We need to know what they're capable of…" Rourke replied.

"They aren't dangerous, sir." Godfrey replied.

"Lieutenant," Rourke said, "You would do well to mind your tongue."

"Yes sir." Godfrey replied, feeling distaste for the assignment.

"That's all, Mr. Godfrey. See him out." Rourke replied, and the female RAF sergeant complied.

When they were out of earshot, Rourke turned towards Waverly and asked, "How reliable is Mr. Godfrey?"

"He's been a good officer to date." Waverly replied, "He's just a bit outspoken about issues when convinced that he's right."

"I hope my trust in your good faith isn't misplaced." Rourke replied.

"I assure you, it isn't." Waverly replied, "I know my man, he'll follow his orders."

But for how long? Just what is it Rourke wants with these reports? Waverly thought.

Later aboard the Morrowind Milo carried his sleeping daughter Lal in his arms to the rec room. He saw Andy sitting in the room and Godfrey walked in just then. "Hey, guys," Milo said, "Could you do me a favor and watch her for a few minutes while I go to the store."

"Of course." Godfrey replied.

"I guess you're a dad." Andy asked.

"No, my mum was a matron, she knows a lot about babies." Godfrey replied, "I learned a thing or two about them too."

"If she wakes up, just hold her." Milo said, "Kida just fed her ten minutes ago and she's sleeping for a little bit."

"Don't worry," Andy said, "We've got this in hand."

As soon as Milo stepped out, Lal woke up and began to wail. "What's wrong?" Godfrey asked.

"Don't ask me, Mr. 'My Mum was a Matron'." Andy replied.

"Carry her for a bit, maybe that will quiet her." Godfrey replied. Andy picked Lal up gingerly, and the baby still wailed.

"Maybe she's hungry." Andy began.

"Impossible, Kida just fed her not even ten minutes ago." Godfrey replied.

"She's still crying…" Andy replied sharply and then looked down at Lal, "Shh. It's OK darling, your daddy just stepped out, he should be back soon. Please stop crying, I'm a police officer, I don't know much about babies."

"I have ears, mate and for God's sake, you're not holding her right." Godfrey replied.

"You try genius." Andy hissed and Godfrey took the baby in his own arms and began to walk around the room.

"Come on sweetheart," Godfrey whispered, "Daddy will be back soon."

A light laugh caught both of their attentions. Prue stood in the doorway, her arms folded across her breasts. Both men turned.

"What, you were here the whole bloody time?" Godfrey said.

"You guys were entertaining to watch." Prue replied, and doing an impression of Andy, "Please stop crying, I'm a police officer, I don't know much about babies."

"I've got her." Prue said, and Godfrey put the baby into her arms.

"Aww, you're so cute." Prue cooed at the little girl, "You'd be even cuter if you stopped crying. What's the matter? Oh I see, you need your diaper changed."

"That was amazing, how'd you know to do that?" Godfrey asked.

"Easy, it was a case of Reckless Abandon." Prue replied. Both men raised their eyebrows.

"We found an abandoned baby and took care of it for a while." Prue explained.

"You've got one interesting girlfriend, mate." Godfrey quipped as Prue changed Lal's diaper, threw the dirty one away, and cradled the baby again. She reached her free hand to the little girl, allowing her to grab her finger. Prue smiled at the baby who was now cooing.

"Here you go." Prue said, handing Godfrey the baby.

Prue stepped out for a breath of fresh air. Andy joined her just then, and Prue yawned. "You certainly slept enough last night." Andy remarked.

Prue turned to face him and leaned her head against his chest, "I had the weirdest dream last night."

"Really." Andy asked, "Because when I woke up, you were fast asleep. I could barely wake you. What did you dream about?"

"I dreamt I was back at the Manor, talking to Phoebe. And then I saw Paige, the half-sister they never told me about in their letter to me." Prue replied.

"But it's a dream, right. It probably isn't real." Andy replied, and then it hit him, "It wasn't a dream, was it?"

"No it wasn't." Prue replied.

"Why did you say it was a dream then?" Andy asked, irritated.

"You haven't exactly been Mr. Truthful yourself." Prue replied, "You might have told us that Maleficent remade you…"

"And have you turn me out." Andy replied.

"Andy!" Prue said, "You know me better than that."

"Prue, all I'm saying is that this whole thing about you being a witch…it's just so much to have to take in…You kind of unloaded that whole thing on me unexpectedly. And now you're saying your powers are growing." Andy replied, "I'm afraid, Prue, I don't want to lose you."

"You'll never lose me." Prue replied, putting her arms around Andy's chest.

How do tell her I'm going to die in twelve days? Andy thought as he returned her embrace.

TBC

Ephialtes - The Theban who betrays the Greeks at Thermopylae by showing the Persians a way around the mountain