TWENTY-ONE
"I don't know what you're talking about," said Phoebe nervously.
"You're a poor liar," said Prue.
"Funny," mumbled Phoebe, "I used to be pretty good at it."
"She's not right, is she?" Piper asked. "Prue's not dead, is she?"
"Go on," said Prue. "Tell her I'm wrong. You said Paige didn't know she was a witch until after. But then you changed it to until she met us. And just a few moments ago you said she has telekinesis similar to what I had; past tense. If I was still alive you would have said similar to what I have."
Phoebe just looked at Prue. She hadn't wanted to say anything about Prue's death. There was so much going on right now she didn't want to concern them with things like that. Now it seemed she had no choice. She had been found out.
"I was trying to spare you guys that," said Phoebe. "Especially Piper. She took it really hard. We almost lost her to the Furies after you . . . afterwards. It was quick. And it wasn't in vain. Tempus and Shax were vanquished at the same time. And because of Paige we were able to vanquish the Source."
"No," said Piper on the verge of tears. "It can't be true. Prue can't be dead."
"Piper get hold of yourself," said Prue. "We always knew it could happen. Apparently in the real timeline it's a dangerous as it is in this one. What about mom and Grams?"
"Mom died fighting a water demon," said Phoebe. "Apparently the same date she died in this timeline. But the three of us eventually vanquished that demon. With Sam's help, mom's White Lighter and Paige's father. Grams died of a heart attack in 1998. We got our powers about six months later when I found the Book of Shadows in the attic.
"After you died Piper cast a spell to try and bring you back. Instead it brought Paige to us. We didn't know about her until then. She sort of inherited your power of telekinesis. Only it works with her orbing instead of the way it worked for you. And like I said, because of her we were able to vanquish the Source."
"I didn't think that was possible," said Prue. "He's supposed to have the entire power of the underworld at his disposal."
"He does," said Phoebe. "But we were stronger. With Cole's help."
"Turner?" questioned Prue. "He helped vanquish the Source of All Evil?"
"Yeah," said Phoebe. "It's kind of a long story. He's totally different in my timeline. At least he was. It's too much to go into here but that's how I know we can trust him. He's half human. We . . . I helped him get in touch with his humanity. He changed from evil to good and did a lot to help us vanquish demons. That's how I know he'll help us put the timeline right."
"No," said Piper forcefully. "We can't do that. If we do Prue will die. That can't happen."
"Piper calm down," said Prue. "If it's going to happen then it's going to happen. We can't prevent it any more than we could prevent mom or Grams' death. At least my death seems to have had some meaning. And I guess if I have to go fighting demons is as good a way as any."
"But Prue I can't loose you," said Piper. "Dad left and then he turned against us. Mom was killed. Then Grams died trying to save us. You're all I have left. If I loose you I'll be all alone."
"No, you won't be," said Prue, glancing at Phoebe. "You have Phoebe. And apparently Paige. Not to mention Leo and a new baby on the way. It sounds to me like you've got a pretty good life."
"And there's dad," said Phoebe. "He came back into our lives a few years ago. Maybe he can't make up for leaving us when we were children but he's been a lot of help. We're almost like a real family. I wish Prue could be with us but all things considered it's not too bad."
"I won't loose Prue," said Piper. "I don't care what things are like, I won't loose the only family I have left."
"That's enough," said Prue. "Get yourself together. There's more at stake here than just you and me. Hundreds, maybe thousands of witches are at stake. Not to mention all the innocents who may have died because they were sympathetic or wrongly believed to be witches.
"And this world we live in. Everyone suffers because of the witch hunts. How long do you think it will be before not just witches are hunted. Anyone who's different could be next. Anyone who doesn't conform to what society says is 'normal' could be at risk. If we can do something about that we have to try. No matter what the consequences."
"You certainly are taking your death well," said Piper wiping tears away.
"Grams used to tell me if you can do something to change things then do it," said Prue. "If there's nothing you can do complaining about it won't do any good. Just do what you can."
"Grams always was a smart old bird," said Phoebe. "I wish I had listened to her more when I was younger. I might have had it a little easier growing up."
"Okay," said Prue, "as soon as Leo gets back with the Book of Shadows we'll check it to see if there's any way to reset things without working with demons. Assuming there isn't any way, we'll go see Matthews. Assuming we can convince her to help us we'll see about finding this Nostradamus."
Suddenly Leo orbed back into the cabin. He was holding a large book in his arms. He walked over and sat the book down on the table.
"Here it is," said Leo. "Sorry I was gone so long. I had to do some explaining to the Elders. They aren't convinced of this time folding theory but since you two are out of that camp now they figure the book belongs to you. But if there's even a chance that mortals may get their hands on it I'm to return it to them immediately."
"Understood," said Prue. "And we've been doing some bonding while you were gone. Seems little sister here had a whole lot to tell us about what the real timeline is supposed to be like."
"Little sister?" Leo questioned. "So you believe what she's told us?"
"I'm not sure," said Prue. "But if even part of it is true then the world is a lot better place than it is now. I think we should at least try to put things back if we can."
"Are you okay?" Leo asked Piper. "You look like you've been crying."
"I'm fine," said Piper, glancing at Prue. "Now. What about finding Nostradamus? Were the Elders able to help with that?"
"No," said Leo. "They had absolutely no luck in tracking him down. That in itself seems strange. If he were brought from the past they should have had some indication of it. You can't just move through time without getting someone's attention."
"Maybe this time folding has something to do with it," said Phoebe. "Maybe somehow it has altered their perceptions. Or maybe it caused them to miss the movement through time."
"I can't answer that," said Leo. "One of them – Thaddeus – thinks you might be right. Like Tempus he's had this vague feeling that something was wrong but couldn't put his finger on it. Over the years he's just marked it down to nerves or his imagination or something. But he thinks if you're right and the timelines have become jumbled then we need to do everything we can to put things back the way they're supposed to be."
"Phoebe says you can orb us anywhere we need to go," said Prue.
"Yes," said Leo. "I'm not sure it's a good idea. The orbits of the satellites rarely take them over this part of the country because it's largely uninhabited. If you go anywhere else you'll risk being discovered."
"No choice," said Prue. "Since the Elders can't find this Nostradamus we have to find some other way to find him. Matthews seems to be our only option. If what Phoebe has told us is true we know how to activate her powers. Once that happens she'll have to help us or risk being discovered for being a witch."
"I still think it's risky," said Leo.
"This whole world is risky," said Phoebe. "Leo, we need to go to Paige's home. Can you find out where she lives?"
"Actually, I all ready know where she lives," said Leo. "The Elders keep a close eye on the most outspoken opponents of supernatural beings. You really think this is a good idea?"
"It's all we have," said Prue. "Do you know if she h as a sensor where she lives?"
"No, she doesn't," said Leo.
"You need to take us there," said Phoebe. "As soon as she's alone we need you to orb us there so we can convince her to help us."
"Okay," said Leo. "I'll keep an eye on her and let you know when she's alone. We'll have to be very careful, though. If we're detected it won't take the authorities very long to get there."
"Or very long for you to orb us away," said Phoebe. "Don't worry, we'll be careful. With any luck it won't take long to convince Paige to help us."
"You don't know her," said Prue. "Every night on her broadcast she identifies witches or suspected witches the authorities are looking for. She's been responsible for I don't know how many hundreds of witches being captured or killed."
"That's because she doesn't know she's a witch," said Prue. "Once she learns that I'm sure her attitude will change. Self-preservation can be a great little motivator."
"I just want you to be careful, that's all," said Leo.
"We will," promised Phoebe. "Now go watch Paige. We need to find Nostradamus as soon as possible. We'll check the Book of Shadows and if we find anything we'll call you."
Leo orbed out of the cabin leaving the sisters alone.