October 21, 1998

Polly walked up to the hotel door and took a deep breath. She hadn't seen this man in twenty years, and yet she was still nervous. He had after all been her brother-in-law. Victor Bennett was a decent man, she knew that. He just had issues with magic, and issues with the great Penny Halliwell. Polly shook her head, allowing her short ponytail to bounce above the nape of her neck. She knew this conversation had to happen, so she knocked on the door.

After a moment, the door opened and there stood Victor. He was wearing a white fuzzy bathrobe of all things. Needless to say his face was shocked when he looked up at who was at his hotel door.

"Polly?" He mumbled.

She flashed him a big smile, the kind that showed her wisdom teeth.

"Yep, it's me Vic. How've you been the last twenty years?" Polly asked as she walked into his hotel room.

Victor rolled his eyes and said, "Sure, come on in." Then he closed the door and prepared himself for this unexpected reunion.

Polly turned back to him as the door closed and said, "Look, I could take the time and we can make small talk, but I remember neither of us really like that."

"Very true Polly." Victor chuckled and said, "I might have married the wrong sister."

Polly gave him a look of disgust mixed with humor and said, "Victor you're not my type." She paused for a moment and said, "I'm a lesbian."

At that news Victor blinked in surprised then said, "Wha...when?"

"Since I had a crush on little Annie down the road." Polly said with a smile. She then looked him dead in the eyes and said, "Vic, listen I'm here about the girls."

Victor walked over to the two arm chairs, motioned to Polly, then the two of them sat down to really have this talk out.

"I know you've taken the brunt of raising them since Patty's death." Victor said softly.

"Yeah, but that's not the point. The girls have their powers and I..."

"What! I thought their powers were bound and unable to be used." He said as his irritation grew.

Polly sighed and said, "Bound doesn't mean stripped. Mother and Patty bound the girls, with them both dead their powers were released. When Phoebe came home a few weeks ago, destiny kicked in."

There was a few moments of silence before anyone said anything further. In those moments, both Victor and Polly remembered the last twenty-eight years. Patty meeting Victor, that awkward first family dinner shared among the four of them. All the holidays, demons, fighting, the birth of each of his daughters, and so much more.

Victor finally broke the silence and asked, "Are they safe?"

Polly nodded and said, "They are. I'm helping them to learn all they need to."

"Good, that's good." Victor said. Then he continued, "There is something else you need to learn Polly." Victor took a deep breath and said, "I swear Polly I didn't know this would happen. I just wanted my girls protected."

"What did you do Victor?" Polly asked firmly.

Victor hung his head then said, "I was desperate after I was informed about Penny's death. See I knew there was a chance..."

Polly put up her hand to him and Victor stopped talking. She looked him dead in the eyes and her voice rang out like a deep echo in his ears. Polly, using her power of suggestion said, "Victor, tell me everything that you've done."

Victor's eyes semi-closed and he said in a monotone voice, "I was contacted by shapeshifters. They knew who I was somehow. The wanted to kill the girls. I was able to persuade them to just steal the Book of Shadows. After which I'd pay them to go away and hopefully destroy the book in the process."

Her face was stricken with utter shock. She couldn't believe what she just heard. In the seconds she took to process the information her psychic hold on Victor ended.

"What the hell did you do to me!" Victor shouted as he shook his head.

Polly sighed and said, "I'm sorry Vic but I needed the whole truth." She paused and said, "My power advanced, I suggested you tell me everything."

Victor's anger subsided and he said, "I didn't deserve that Polly-Pol. I would have told you everything." After a moment, he continued, "I was wrong to do that. I should have called you the moment the demons found me."

"You bet your ass Vic. This was a stupid mistake...but we'll fix it." Polly said as she stood up. Then she said, "So we need to strategize. Do you have food in this penthouse or what?"

Victor laughed and said, "Not really. I have some snacks in the kitchen though, help yourself. Let me get dressed and I'll order in for us. I'm not meeting the girls until seven."

With that Polly Halliwell and Victor Bennet reconnected. She learned from him that the new neighbors are the shapeshifter demons. They'd already tried to steal the Book of Shadows once today, and are supposed to try again when the girls meet with Victor. The two of them agreed to keep that plan, however Polly would be there to stop them. She thanked her mother in the afterlife for instilling in her to always have basic demon vanquishing potions in the house. The attic had a small batch made specifically for shapeshifters.

When the time came, Polly knew that it wasn't Andy who came to check on them. She used her power of suggestion and got the confirmation she needed. Without hesitation and while he was still under her thrall, she vanquished the first demon on the spot. Ten minutes later when the other two arrived, they were pissed. She had a little scuffle with them, but the potions worked as planned. Within 30 minutes the demons were vanquished.

Later that evening, Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Victor arrived back at the manor. Apparently dinner was a little heated, so they thought dessert at the manor would be a lot less pressure.

"...and Bam! Just like that I'm a witch." Phoebe said with a large grin.

Victor smiled and said, "I never doubted you'd love being a witch Phoebe, your mother did too." He stopped then said, "Right Polly?"

Polly nodded and said, "Yeah, Patty was very passionate about magic."

"Is that why you left us?" Prue said with venom in her voice.

"Prudence." Polly chastised her quickly.

Victor held up his hand and said, "It's ok Polly-Pol. I'm a big boy, I can answer her questions." Victor then looked to his eldest daughter, the one who might not have looked the most like her mother, but she held the same fiery spirit.

"Pruden...Prue, leaving your mother was the hardest thing I've ever done. Truth is, it wasn't supposed to be a permanent choice. Your mother and I were divorced however I still came by and spent time with your girls. We didn't have a formal custody agreement, but at the time we didn't think we needed one. I had my work and your mother she had Sa...other responsibilities, but we shared our goal of wanting to raise you girls."

Prue's voice and gaze softened then she asked, "Well, then what happened?"

"I was in London for a conference, only been in there for two days when I got the call." Victor's emotions getting the best of him. "Your mother tried to save the kids and the camp against that demon, but she didn't make it."

"I've already told them this part, it's ok Victor." Polly said as she squeezed his hand.

Victor nodded and said, "Well, I couldn't get back for a week. Believe me I tried, but I would've been fired. That wasn't an option, not with three girls to take care of. Your Grams lived on Alan's pension and her seamstress projects. Polly hadn't graduated from college yet, it was my job to be there for my family, even if we weren't married anymore." He took a sip of water then said, "Anyway, when I was finally able to make it home I had missed the funeral. Penny was furious and wouldn't hear and of my reasons. She said that she and your aunt could take care of you girls."

"Wait, you're blaming Grams?" Piper asked shocked and angrily.

"He's not blaming anyone sweetie, he's telling you what happened. I was there, mother told him to leave." Polly said sadly.

"Right. So I left. Penny and I established a new routine where I would visit one weekend a month. It wasn't as much as I wanted, but it allowed her to set up a new life for you girls. I was to work and continue to support you three each month. However, after only three months I messed up badly." Victor stopped to think of how he wanted to continue the story. "A demon attacked while I was watching Prudence. She was home sick with a cold while Piper and Phoebe were out at the mall with Polly and Penny. I was powerless to do anything. Prue was taken, and...let's just say I'm lucky it worked out the way it did."

Phoebe was shocked, Piper was was furious, and Prue was emotionless.

With no one saying anything Polly jumped in, "You see girls, there wasn't a way of bridging the gap between what you needed to be safe, and what your father could offer. Without Patty here, mother's rule was law."

Piper, always so close to their grandmother said, "So you're both putting all this on Grams? My god, the woman hasn't even been dead six months!"

"No, listen to me Piper, all of you!" Polly said very firmly. She walked over to Piper on the couch and held her hand as she said, "My mother was a damn good woman, but she wasn't without faults. Her inability to see beyond the dangers of demons and warlocks left her emotionally cut off. She wasn't always like that, but losing my father broke her heart."

Victor looked to his daughters and said, "That's why I didn't put up more of a fight, and that was my mistake. I thought being available for phone calls, birthday cards, and the like was the best I could do. Your Grams may have wanted to raise you as witches, while I didn't and we argued about it, but we managed. Your mother agreed to the compromise, bind your powers but tell you the truth. You were each to have your powers unbound once Phoebe was sixteen. However, after Patty died your Grams went to the other extreme of erasing your memories and hiding the truth to protect you all."

"And I couldn't stop that from happening. Mother and I had to split the responsibilities of caring for you three. I stepped into the role as your legal guardian, and mother vanquished the demons that came after three powerless and ignorant children." Polly said looking from Piper to Phoebe, and finally to Prue.

Piper wiped a few tears from her eyes and said, "I think I understand. It was all so crazy, there was no clear answer on how to move forward after Mom died. You all just did what you thought was best."

"Yeah, I knew you didn't leave us without a reason Daddy." Phoebe said in that baby voice that she sometimes did when she wanted to defuse a tense situation.

Prue didn't say anything for a moment, she just took a deep and thoughtful breath. After a heartbeat, she walks up to Victor, her eyes like a wild blizzard of ice. Without a word she pulls him into a tight hug.

"I love you Dad."

Victor smiled through wet eyes and said, "I love you too Prue."

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December 18, 1998

Matthew Tate has been cursed back into the locket. For each of the Halliwell women, it was a journey to learn more about who they are and where they come from. Melinda Warren, the start of their magical line was preparing to return to the afterlife.

"Melinda." Polly said from the doorway of the attic. She was dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a Joan Jett concert shirt. Even in the presence of the great matriarch, Polly was Polly.

Melinda turned to her descendant and smiled warmly.

"Polly! My dear, what are you doing here? Did I not hear Phoebe tell Prue that you have a date with a total babe." Melinda giggled and said, "One named Alice."

Polly rolled her eyes and said, "I ugh...I'm not sure what you think of that but today...you see..."

Melinda held her hand up and said, "Oh my child, it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is your happiness." She walked towards Polly and hugs her. "I do not want you to be late for your date."

"Thank you Melinda." Polly says softly then adds, "I just wanted to say goodbye as I was on my way out. Meeting you has really helped those girls, and myself too."

Melinda smiled and said, "You are very welcome my daughter. Never forget that you are a Warren, a force of nature."

Polly nodded with a small smile and turned to leave.

"Oh, and Polly..." Melinda called out.

"Yeah?" Polly said.

"Alice is going to love the meal. You made the right choice." Melinda said with a knowing smile.

Polly looked at her shocked, "Did...did you have a premonition?"

Melinda winks and picks up the dress that Phoebe gave her. Then said, "Goodnight daughter, and blessed be."

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December 9, 1999

It was over. The dark specter of her past, the demon that haunted her dreams for twenty years was gone. Her sister's killer, was now vapor in the wind. After she made sure the girls were safe, she slipped them a little sleeping potion in their tea. She knew that it wasn't exactly right to drug her nieces, but those girls were through way too much in the last few days. Besides, she had someone else to see.

After the drive, as the sun was setting Polly arrived back at the camp. She had to find him, she needed to talk to him. Polly ran over to the cabins, to the one Prue said was his. When she got there, she saw exactly what she expected, Sam Wilder and Patty Halliwell.

"Hello Patty." Polly said from the doorframe.

Patty jumped in surprise and shrieked, "Polly!"

"Shouldn't you be all...glowing or something sis?"

Patty made a face of annoyance and said, "The Elders gave Sam and I a gift, an evening together."

Polly looked surprised and said, "Why would they do that? Doesn't that break their rules?"

At that, Sam spoke up, "Actually no. Patty's been dead for two decades, she no longer falls under their jurisdiction. I however do."

"They made you a whitelighter again?" Polly said shocked, then said, "Congratulations."

Sam looked sheepish and said, "Well, it was the only option. It allowed me to not only see Patty in the Upper Realm, but also watch over..."

"Paige." Polly finished for him.

Patty looked at her sister and said sharply, "You've met her?"

Polly shook her head and said, "No. But I know her name and the family she was placed with. I may have suggested your friend Sister Agnes tell me what I wanted to know."

"Polly Janice Halliwell! You compelled a nun!" Patty nearly shouted.

Polly scoffed and said, "Oh please, it's no big deal."

"What can you tell us about our daughter?" Sam asked impatiently as he held Patty's hand.

Polly smiled and said, "I can tell you that I had a premonition. I can tell you that it's time for Paige to come home."

October 31st, 2000

The Charmed Ones were sucked into a time vortex, and that left Leo Wyatt, Inspector Morris, and Polly Halliwell with two Grimlocks.

"Ok, Piper's freeze is going to wear off any..." Polly said, just as it happened. The Grimlocks began to move. Polly pushed Morris and said, "Move! Into the kitchen, we need to make that potion."

For the next three hours Polly, Leo, and Morris were stuck in the kitchen. Polly was able to create a magical barrier of salt, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. It usually only worked on spirits, not corporeal beings. However it was Halloween, and the Grimlocks were technically spirits on Earth. So Leo orbed around the house places lines of salt and herbs, essentially trapping the Grimlocks in the living room. Once the potion was ready, the lone Halliwell witch bottled them up and prepared to vanquish them. She kept Morris in the kitchen, asked Leo to be a distraction by orbing into the living room. Then Polly stormed the Grimlocks, throwing the potions, and turning them to goo. With their shrieking screams, the immediate threat was gone.

"I should take Morris back to his home. He's seen a lot today." Leo said to Polly.

She nodded and said, "Tell him to rest, I need to prepare for the girls' return."

So, Leo and Morris left. She knew she didn't have much time. Polly quickly called out to Sam, and soon he orbed into the living room.

"Polly, why are you calling me?" Sam asked with panic across his face.

Polly looked at him and said, "Technically you are still my whitelighter. Besides, this is about Paige."

"Paige? Why? The Elders have her in training." Same said with pride.

Polly was proud too. In the 11 months since vanquishing the water demon and Sam earning his wings back so much had changed. Polly had a premonition that showed Paige needed to return home, needed to know her identity and destiny. With that knowledge Sam went to The Elders and told them the truth of what happened in 1977. To say they were pissed would be an understatement. After hours of keeping him 'up there' and radio silence to Polly, they finally came to a decision. The Elders would allow Leo Wyatt to introduce himself to Paige and help her with her powers as he is technically her whitelighter as well. If Paige proves to be a naturally born whitelighter, something not seen in centuries, then and only then would Sam and Patty be able to meet her. However, out of ear of destabilizing the Power of Three, Paige must not interact with her sisters.

Thankfully for them all, Paige was a natural born whitelighter. Once her powers were formally unbound, they learned she held much potential. Paige had all of a whiitelighter's powers and mastered them fairly quickly. She had the ability to cast spells and make potions like any other witch, along with scry to find lost objects or people. What fascinated the Elders most was that Paige held her own witch power, one they have never seen before. Paige was able to make an orb shield, a powerful ability to deflect all magical and mortal weapons and powers.

Polly shook her head and said, "Today's the day Sam. It's time for Paige to come home."

TO BE CONTINUED...