Phoebe leaned forward here, "So," she said getting serious, "How do we prevent a demon no one seems to know from attacking Paige?"
That was the question. Unfortunately for everyone involved, there was no simple answer; at least none that could be solved immediately. As such, it was decided that, for now, it would be better if Paige remained at the manor.
"Alright," Paige said, "I need to get some clothes from the hotel, then." She stood up, "I'll be right back." Prue shook her head, standing up, "I'll come with you," Prue looked at Paige, adding, "Just in case," to show the whitelighter she wasn't calling her weak. Paige sighed, "Fine," she rolled her eyes, "but don't expect me to play damsel in distress much longer, Leo," she eyed the man who talked her into staying with them. Leo chuckled and said, "Of course not."
Paige held out her hand for Prue, who took it, both of them once again feeling butterflies in their stomach, as they orbed to Paige's hotel room. Paige sighed loudly as she grabbed some of her clothes from the closet, "I can't believe I let him talk me into this," she grumbled, looking back at Prue, "Honestly, I'm a grown woman, and I trust you all, but I'd rather take care of myself." Prue nodded her head, "I understand, Paige."
Paige sighed, "What happens when a charge needs me? I can't just disappear; oh, and my book tour," she grumbled, "I got to call Jackie," she said as she pulled out her cellphone, hitting the speed dial, "Jackie? Hey," she said, "Today was the last signing, right?" A pause then, "Good, any other plans this week?" Another pause then, "Just Friday? What about tomorrow? … Canceled? Oh. I guess they found someone else? Oh, what's her name? … Yeah, I guess. Alright, Friday? What time? 2:00PM? Okay. See you there." Paige hung up the phone.
Paige laughed, looking down at the phone as she put it away, "So," she began, looking back at Prue, "I have an interview at the Bay Mirror this Friday at 2:00PM." She chuckled, "After that, the tour is heading to Los Angeles." She shrugged, "Nearing the end; finally," she groaned. Prue smiled, "Not a fan of adoring fans?" She quipped. Paige laughed, "No, don't get me wrong, I love helping people; it's what I do, but I prefer not having people all giddy over me…I'm just a regular person, even if my life is far from normal." She sighed.
Prue nodded her head, "I understand," she smiled, "My life is hectic too." Paige nodded her head, just finishing her packing, "I'm sure, with being a Charmed One and a famous photographer," Paige laughed, "So much to do and all that." Prue nodded, "Sometimes I wish people would see the real me and not the famous me."
Paige tilted her head to the left, "So," she said with a gleam in her eyes, "Who isthe real Prue Halliwell?" Prue smirked, "Well," she thought for a moment, sitting on the bed, "Honestly, I care about my sisters a lot. I'm a protector and I need to protect my friends and family. I'm also very careful who I trust because, unfortunately, I've been hurt a lot." She sighs, "So have my sisters." Paige nodded, sitting in a chair by the bed, "I can relate." She sighed as well, moving a stray hair from her face, and adjusting her glasses, "People think I have it all together, because of my books, but even I don't know the meaning." Paige laughed here, "Sometimes everything seems so overwhelming that I just have to," she smirked here, "scream or something."
It was now Prue's turn to laugh, "I understand completely," she finally managed to say. "I feel that way a lot." She sighed, looking down, "To be honest, I can talk to my sisters about a lot, but I am supposed to be the strongest, and it's tough. You know? How am I supposed to be the big, strong, older sister and yet, at the same time, cry when I need to?" Paige nodded here, "I've never had actual siblings but I have to be the same way. People read my books, listen to me on talk shows, etc. and expect me to be this big, strong, independent woman who can do everything. That is a lot to live up to," Paige sighed as well.
Prue shrugged, "How did we get ourselves into this mess?" Paige laughed, "By being strong, independent women?" She quipped. Prue laughed, an honest-to-goodness laugh, the kind few people could make her do, and then she felt nervous, for some reason. This other woman was making Prue feel uneasy, yet a good kind of uneasy, like she first felt with Andy so long ago…before he died. Prue sighed loudly; she never liked anyone besides Andy, not really. She had been out with Roger before, and other men, but certainly never loved anyone like she loved Andy. She knew the difference, but then how could she be feeling this for this woman she hardly knew? It wasn't a spell. Leo knew Paige and Paige was a whitelighter. Anyway, Prue knew she could trust Paige as soon as she met her. Honestly, she had to meet Paige as soon as she saw her picture in the paper this morning. That was when she first saw her. That was when she knew or, at least, suspected.
Paige looked at Prue and didn't say anything. She couldn't. Those darn butterflies were back. She inwardly cursed herself. She had never been with anyone since her first boyfriend, back before her adoptive parents died. After the car accident, life had moved fast and she just had more priorities. She certainly never liked a woman before. Paige had never questioned her sexuality before, and yet here she was falling for a woman she hadn't even known for a day. Truthfully, she had been to the manor twice before this afternoon. Once, because Leo had to check the sister's Book of Shadows about a demon that was going after a charge they were both watching. The second time was when she had been attacked by a darklighter and had no choice but to go to Leo. Both times the sisters were out so she hadn't had a chance to meet them. Suddenly, Paige found herself truly regretting that. After all, wouldn't it have been better to meet the beautiful woman before her before today?
Prue was watching Paige and trying not to do anything stupid but, truthfully, she was having a hard time not leaning over to kiss her. Damn it Prue, get ahold of yourself! She mentally berated in her mind. This was no time to think with her hormones, but why was she thinking in such ways? Certainly, Prue had never had such feelings for another woman. Right? Well, she had only really ever romantically loved one person. Damn it Prue, you don't even know her! Get ahold of yourself. Paige sighed, wondering if she should kiss Prue. Wait, kiss her? She hardly knew her. Paige sighed again, looking over at the beautiful woman seated on her bed, thoughts running through Paige's head that were not befitting a whitelighter, especially one born as one.
Finally, Paige had made a decision. "Prue?" She said, with a bit of a nervous edge attached to her voice. "Yes?" answered Prue. "Do you, uh," Paige stuttered, "think you," Get ahold of yourself, Matthews! "What I mean to say is this," she sighed again, closing her eyes then reopening them, "Prue, I like you. I was just wondering if, well, er, you like me? I mean I could totally understand if you don't; I mean, I wouldn't be happy but I would total—"Suddenly, Paige's lips were not alone; Prue's own had found Paige's and a feeling of complete bliss had come over Paige. She moaned as Prue's tongue slowly found her own, being invited inside without any hesitation.
Prue had smiled as Paige asked her question. Truthfully, Prue was close to asking herself but had been trying to find the courage. Normally, Prue would be the first to be upfront, especially in a potential relationship, but Paige was different. She made Prue feel nervous, perhaps even giddy, much like Andy had done to her. In truth, it made Prue happy and, as such; the least she could do is kiss Paige in order to relief the tension the babbling woman had. Truthfully, it was one of the best kisses Prue had ever experienced. She couldn't help but moan as Paige did. Her hand gently brushing the other woman's hair, as their tongues danced with one another. Prue had to admit that she believed she already loved this woman. How without even knowing her a day? Prue didn't know. Certainly, she had never expected it; and yet, here they were…kissing. Wow. That was all Prue could think. Wow.