CHARMED
"The Ties That Bind"
By J. B. Tilton
email: K
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 5 episodes "Magic Wears A Mask" and "The Eyes Have It".)
A young visitor to the manor brings a surprising revelation about Prue to the sisters.
ONE
Phoebe opened the front door to the manor to find a young girl about twelve-years-old standing on the front porch. The girl had blond hair and was dressed in jeans and a jacket. Her clothes were mused as if she had been sleeping in them. Next to the young girl sat a small suitcase.
"Can I help you?" Phoebe asked.
"I hope so," said the young girl. "Is this 1329 Prescott Street?"
"Yes, it is," said Phoebe.
"Are you Prudence Halliwell?" asked the young girl.
"No, my name is Phoebe," said Phoebe. "Prue was my sister."
"Oh," said the girl, some disappointment obvious in her voice. "Is she home? I need to talk to her. It's really important."
"Why don't you come in?" asked Phoebe. "You look like you've come a long way."
"Yes, ma'am," said the young girl, picking up the suitcase and following Phoebe into the living room. "I came all the way from Tacoma, Washington. My name is Patricia Shelling."
"It's nice to meet you," said Phoebe just as Piper came in from the kitchen.
"Well, who's our guest?" Piper asked.
"Her name is Patricia Shelling," said Phoebe. "This is my sister, Piper."
"Pleased to meet you, ma'am," said Patricia.
"Well, you're certainly polite enough," said Piper. "Only let's tone down the 'ma'am' stuff, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am, uh, I mean, okay," said Patricia. "My mom always said to be polite to people."
"Sounds like a very smart woman," said Piper.
"She asked to see Prue," said Phoebe.
"Oh?" Piper questioned. "Did you know my sister?"
"No, I never met her," said Patricia. "I've been looking for her for a couple of years. All I have is a picture of her and the name Prudence Halliwell. I found out she lived here so I came to see her."
"I see," said Piper, looking at a photograph Patricia had shown them.
It showed a much younger Prue with a young man about her same age. Neither Piper nor Phoebe recognized the man.
"This was Prue about twelve years ago," said Piper. "But she never cared for the name Prudence. She always went by Prue."
"Oh," said Patricia. "I didn't know that. Is she home? I've come a long way to see her and it's really important."
"Patricia," said Phoebe, glancing uneasily at Piper, "Prue isn't here. There's really no easy way to say this. Prue died last year."
"Died?" Patricia questioned. "She's dead?"
"I'm afraid so," said Piper.
"Was she sick or something?" Patricia asked.
"Not exactly," said Piper. "It was kind of sudden."
"I see," said Patricia. "I guess I came all this way for nothing."
"Is there something we could help you with?" Phoebe asked. "We are her sisters. Maybe there's something we can do."
"No, I don't think so," said Patricia. "I really needed to talk to Prue."
"Out of curiosity," said Piper, "what was it you wanted to see her about?"
"I guess it doesn't matter any more," said Patricia. "If she's dead I guess I'm not going to find out anything. That picture is the only one I have. The man is supposed to be my father. My real father. I was adopted when I was a baby. I've been looking for my real parents since I found out. But I don't know anything about him and I can't seem to find him anywhere."
"I see," said Piper. "And you thought because Prue seemed to know him that maybe she could tell you about your father? Is that it?"
"Yeah, partially," said Patricia. "But it's a lot more than that. You see, I think Prue Halliwell is my real mom."