The Manor: Saturday morning with Prue

As Prue sat at the kitchen table, nursing a cup of coffee and reading the morning paper, she also let her memory drift back over the last 12 months. Travelling down memory lane, she still clearly remembered sitting in P3, late on a Friday night, watching Paige's face as they told a young women they had just met, that she now had three sisters. And that had been the least of the shocks that Paige had faced in what had been a weekend that had driven all the sisters through all the emotions possible from joy to terror, from hate to relief.

New sisters, witchcraft, demons and the Source of all Evil had as Paige so neatly described it "had my life turned upside down and back to front" made for two days that few people had ever had to cope with. And Prue could only empathise with her youngest sister. While she had never said it directly to Paige, she had watched Paige grow into a self assured and powerful witch with a great deal of pride.

Looking internally to examine how she felt, she had to admit that she watched with similar pride at what all three of her sisters had accomplished. Even Phoebe, who she still considered somewhat irresponsible and unpredictable, had come so far. Phoebe's obvious love and dedication for Cole was something that impressed her even as it dismayed her.

She still found it difficult to trust an ex demon who had come so close to killing them all, even he was now without any of his old powers and so totally in love with Phoebe.

Like Paige, she too wondered about how her powers were developing. Since the battle in the park almost a year ago, she had found that her power and control had advanced rapidly. It was almost frightening what she could now do. The last demon she had vanquished, had literally been ripped apart by her power, as her anger had driven her attack.

And one day soon Prue thought, they would have to deal with the Source of all Evil, something she had not yet discussed with her sisters, although she was sure Piper had also been considering it. At least some, if not most of the demon attacks had been sent by the Source or any of the other upper level demons, seeking not only the deaths of the Charmed Ones, but also the power and bragging rights that would come with a successful attack.

As Leo had speculated, none of the most powerful demons had risked a direct attack on the Charmed Ones, given how the the Power of Three had not only withstood a massive demonic attack but had also vanquished so many of the attackers. Still the Source could not wait much longer, he apparently was under increasingly pressure from both his allies and enemies to kill the Charmed Ones and his position was under considerable threat.

She still could clearly remember the almost addictive feeling of all four sisters joining together to fully access the power of three. The sheer feeling of power and the control she had over it, was something they had not had the opportunity to experience since then. Something both Prue and her sisters had mixed feelings about.

Now her astral self could manipulate both physical objects and use her powers. For example it was getting increasingly difficult for Piper to tell the difference between Prue's real self and her astral self. The last time she had sent her astral self down for breakfast, it had taken Piper almost five minutes to realise it, as astral Prue had set the table and handled various objects. Paige because of her sensing powers was never fooled and Phoebe always seemed to be able to tell the difference.

Looking forward into the future, Prue wondered what life would bring. According to Leo, her powers would continue to develop rapidly, apparently spurred on by Paige joining the family. As she looked across at the preparation island, she used her powers to move all the plates, cutlery and anything else that needed washing over to the sink were they neatly stacked themselves. Other objects returned to the various cupboards or the fridge. Such fine control was becoming easier and easier.

And then there was her professional life. Her photography job with 415 was now almost full time and her reputation had developed enough so that people would request her presence. She had developed a reputation as a difficult but talented photographer as her occasional 'family' emergences, which forced her to leave photo shoots early or reschedule, meant that her clients had to wait. Still those who needed the Charmed Ones help took priority and she rarely lacked for work in either role.

And then there was her personal life. She might have her own surprise for her sisters as her relationship with her boy friend of almost six months showed all the signs of becoming very serious. Her sisters seemed to think so, certainly the grin Paige had given her when Matt had kissed her goodbye last night had suggested something. Both Phoebe and Piper had been more open and demanding about what Matt's intentions were and when was Prue going to tell him the big secret. Very soon if Prue could find the time and the courage.

Even Leo and Cole had obviously be considering the possibility, and had been including Matt in more of their activities. The big problem was of course, when to tell him about her being a witch and how!

At least Piper and Phoebe had it easy, both Leo and Cole had known their secret before her sisters had known theirs. She still remembered both the pain and disappointment from Andy's initial rejection of her when he learned she was a witch. That he had slowly come around to excepting her had been wonderful, and his death all that more devastating.