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Post by leigh19 on Apr 3, 2005 19:13:03 GMT -5
Ahhh, can't wait for the next bit. I really enjoyed this chapter...I love how you have managed to make Kyle fit in with the others, it just seems like he's meant to be there, and I totally love that. Again, the girls were all great/ in character....and I can't offer any criticism....soo....get working on the next part! I'll be waiting
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Post by jdax0721 on Apr 4, 2005 18:39:10 GMT -5
Awesome!! can't wait to read the rest!!
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Post by IlovesmesomeChris on Apr 4, 2005 22:56:24 GMT -5
This is awsome. I always hated the way that Pheobe treated Cole after they vanqushed the source. It just seemed mean. You have captured it perfectly. You have made me want to hate Pheobe and sympatize with her at the same time . keep up the good work.
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Post by niciangel on Apr 9, 2005 1:36:53 GMT -5
This actually reads like a real episode, unlike some of the drivel I've seen on here. I vote for keeping this one going.
Angel
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Post by hollypop on Apr 9, 2005 15:54:26 GMT -5
This was a very good chapter, CF. At first, when I started reading this story... I was a little bit unsure of it. But this chapter proves that, even though it's your first fan fic, you've done your homework on the characters, plots and building up of the drama... you know what you're doing. Hope the story keeps getting better and better... Looking forward to your next post. ;D
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Post by Charmed Force on Apr 9, 2005 20:27:01 GMT -5
Here is the beginning of part two. It is a different 'episode', with a different focus. I hope you all enjoy it.
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For the next 2 days, the Halliwell manor was a very stressful place to live. Piper was busy getting the boys resettled at home, Phoebe was avoiding Cole, and Paige was avoiding both of her sisters. The few times Phoebe tried to talk to Paige they started arguing, which quickly gave into tears. Piper was so hurt by Paige’s words that she wouldn’t go near her. Phoebe had heard Paige at night talking to someone, assuming it was Leo or Kyle, but both of them were very tight-lipped about the whole thing. It was obvious something had to be done, and fast.
On the morning of the third day Piper was busy making breakfast. Phoebe, Cole, and Leo were seated at the table when Paige walked in. It was the first time she had gotten out of bed before noon since it happened. Phoebe took it as a sign that things were looking better for Paige. Phoebe smiled as Paige walked by.
“Good morning sweetie! You are up earlier,” Phoebe said. When there was no response from Paige, Phoebe began talking again. “Piper made some great pancakes this morning if that is what you feel like eating. There is also some cereal, and of course you are getting your own coffee now. Oh, there is also some orange juice. We have plenty of room here at the table if you want to come join us.”<br> “Phoebe, quit rambling. She knows how breakfast works; she’s been living here for 3 years,” Piper quips.
Paige takes a large sip of her coffee and then proceeds to walk out of the room, without ever saying a word or responding to Phoebe. When Piper sees Phoebe sit back in her chair with a dejected look on her face, Piper decides enough is enough.
“That is it. PAIGE! Get back in here!” Piper turns to everyone at the table. “We are going to resolve this once and for all.” When Cole and Leo got up to leave Piper cut them off. “No one moves from this table until we are through, do you hear me?”
Paige walks back in the kitchen and simply looks at Piper.
“Why couldn’t you be polite? I understand you are angry and upset with us Paige, but that is no reason to forget common courtesies. Phoebe was concerned for you and trying to help and all you do is ignore her and make her feel horrible,” Piper starts.
“Make her feel horrible? God I wish that all I felt was horrible,” Paige says. Piper had a feeling that even though these were the first words Paige had spoken to her in three days, they were by no means the last. “Piper, my friend died because I was unable to do anything. My father died trying to protect her, and all I did was stand there as her heart was cut from her body. Not only is her death a complete waste, but it makes Sam’s death useless as well! How do you think that makes me feel? Quite frankly, feeling only horrible sounds pretty d**n good right now!”<br> “Paige, we want to help you but you keep shutting us out. We are your sisters, we were right there with you when this happened. You did everything you could,” Phoebe says.
“No! No I didn’t! And you guys keep telling me the same things over and over like I am an idiot. I know what you have said, just like I know it isn’t true. There was more that I could have done but I just wasn’t strong enough. I was the weakest link, and I let everyone down. I am not as good or strong as Prue was, and I can’t handle all of these pressures right now. I just, I just have to get away!” Paige says as she starts to run from the room.
Piper and Phoebe follow right behind. Paige turns to go out the front door but Piper blows some pictures off the wall right above her. Paige screams, but recovers quickly enough to pick up a decorative water vase and throw it at Piper. Piper screams and blows up the vase, covering herself in water.
“You practically blew my head off! Jeez Piper I knew you didn’t like me but I didn’t realize you wanted me dead too!”<br> “You almost killed me with a water vase, Paige! I knew you were angry but…”
“Stop it both of you! Piper, no more blowing stuff up! Paige, no one hates you and wants you dead! You are both being completely unreasonable!” Phoebe screams as she stands in between them. She looks at Paige, then turns and looks at Piper, standing there like a drowned rat. Suddenly, Phoebe dissolves in a fit of laughter.
“Oh my god sweetie, let me help you with that,” Phoebe says as she approaches the soaking Piper.
“No, thank you! Just stay back Phoebe,” Piper bites out while wringing the water from her hair. “How dare you Paige! We are your sisters and all we want to do is help you through this, but you keep shutting us out!”<br> Paige is still just standing there looking at her sisters. She takes a deep breath, and while fighting to hold back her tears, she tells her sisters, “I am so sorry but I can’t do this anymore. I can’t handle losing my friends and my family for no real reason. I can’t even control my self or my powers anymore. I haven’t been able to orb in days. I just need to get away.”<br> Piper looks at Paige and asks her, “What do you mean you can’t control your powers?”<br> “Piper, I can’t. I just need to go away for a while and think without you guys. I don’t even know who I am. I am not a whitelighter or I would be able to orb, I am not a witch or I would be able to cast a spell. It’s like my powers have left. I used to know who I was before I met you, but now. Now I just don’t know anymore. I don’t have any idea who I am. I have to go find myself.”<br> “But what do you…” Piper begins, but Phoebe interrupts her.
“I understand Paige. When you are ready, you just call us and we will come get you. Anytime, anywhere.”<br> “But I…” Piper starts again, but Phoebe shuts her up with a look.
Paige nods at her sisters, then turns and walks out the door.
Hearing nothing anymore, Leo and Cole walk out of the kitchen.
“What happened in here?” Leo exclaims.
“Where’s Paige?” Cole asks.
Piper is still staring at the door. Phoebe turns to the men and says, “She left.”<br> “What do you mean she left? You let her leave? Phoebe, she has lost her powers! She is completely vulnerable out there! You have to go get her!” Leo shouts.
“No,” Piper whispers. “Let her go. It’s what she has wanted to do for a long time.”<br> Phoebe reaches for Piper and says, “Come on, let’s get you changed.” And the two head upstairs, leaving the men to stand in a puddle of water, glass, and broken picture frames.
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Post by leigh19 on Apr 10, 2005 10:12:13 GMT -5
Good start! I like it so far, I really like what you're doing with Paige's character, I always feel like she doesn't get enough focus on the show:) There were some good intereactions in this chapter, and once again I feel like this could be an actual episode. Good job! Update ASAP:)
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Post by jdax0721 on Apr 10, 2005 15:18:35 GMT -5
Still loving this, keep it comin!!
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Post by Charmed Force on Apr 10, 2005 16:31:12 GMT -5
Paige walked out the door of the manor and down to her car. She climbed in and started the engine, but then she realized she had nowhere to go. All of the pressures of the last few days came at her at once, and Paige broke down in tears. After a few minutes of crying, Paige managed to calm herself down. She had to think about where she was going, what she wanted to do. As Paige was reviewing her options, she thought she heard a voice calling her. “Who’s there?” Paige says as she looks all around her. “Paige,” a quiet voice says. “Go find yourself. Go back to your roots.”<br> “Okay, seriously, who the hell is there? I swear if you are a whitelighter I will kick your ass if you don’t show yourself! Come on!” Paige exclaims. Whispering, Paige tries to convince herself that she isn’t going crazy. “I know I heard a voice. Who was that? It sounded so familiar. I will not go crazy like Leo did. Mysterious voices will not hurt me. Floating heads might, but not weird voices. Pull it together Paige.”<br> Slowly, Paige realizes what the voice was telling her. Go back to her roots. With a new purpose Paige pulls herself together and drives away. _________________________________________________________ Piper is in the boys’ room unpacking their bags from their visit with their grandfather. Several bags are spread out across the room as Piper organizes everything. Phoebe is walking up the stairs with two cups of tea on a tray. Phoebe backs through the door and starts to turn around saying, “Piper I brought us some tea!”<br> “Phoebe, watch out!” Piper warns, but it is too late. Phoebe trips over one of the bags and the tray goes flying. Piper throws her hands up to freeze the tray before it spills, but nothing happens. The tray and teacups go crashing to the ground. Phoebe and Piper are standing there in shock. “Oh Piper I am so sorry! I didn’t look before I walked in.” Phoebe says. “Wait, why didn’t you freeze that?”<br> “I tried. But it wouldn’t freeze,” Piper says, with a weird look on her face. Phoebe looks back at Piper. “Here, freeze this.” And Phoebe throws a shirt in the air. Piper puts her hands up, but the shirt doesn’t freeze. Phoebe throws a shoe in the air, and again it doesn’t freeze. Phoebe looks around again, and then tries to levitate. Nothing happens. She tries a few more times, with the same result. The sisters look at each other, their faces grave. “Leo!!!” They both call. Leo comes running up the stairs. “What’s wrong?” He asks. “Piper can’t freeze,” Phoebe says. “Oh. Well I am sure it is just the stress of the last few days. Don’t worry, once you relax things will go back to normal,” Leo suggests. “No Leo, Piper can’t freeze. And I can’t levitate. We don’t have our powers,” Phoebe explains. “Paige left us, and so did our powers,” Piper remarks. “Oh, well. I’m sure Paige won’t be gone long. She just needs a few days to calm down. Once she realizes her place is here, and works through her own issues she will be back. Until then, just think of it as a vacation from magic,” Leo tells the girls. “A vacation? Leo, we lost our powers and the source has been reincarnated! What if Cain attacks? We have no way to defend ourselves. What will we do?” Phoebe exclaims. “I honestly don’t know. I will go talk to the Elders and find out what they have to say. They must know something about this whole thing,” Leo says as he orbs away. Phoebe begins cleaning up the broken cups and spilled tray. Piper goes back to folding clothes and trying to set the room straight. Both girls have silently agreed not to discuss their power failure again. _______________________________________________________ When Leo returns a few hours later, he surprises the girls with news they didn’t expect. “The Elders will let us know.”<br> “Let us know what?” Piper asked. “I have no idea,” Leo replied. “They were being even more vague than usual. They said to go ahead and protect the manor with any spells or charms we can.”<br> “Well let’s see what kind of stuff we can do,” Phoebe says. _______________________________________________________ A few hours later Leo and Phoebe were busy in the kitchen brewing some potions so Piper went up to the book to see if they were missing anything. As she flipped through the book she looked at all the different notes each of the 4 sisters had made. Piper began quietly weeping as she recognized Prue’s handwriting, and then Paige’s. Am I destined to keep losing my sisters and my family? Piper thought. As Piper kept looking a light filled the room that Piper recognized as an orb. “Leo I think I found another charm we could do. Phoebe will love this one. It’s from when we went back to help Charlotte give birth to…” Piper glanced up and screams. “Oh my god! What are you doing here?”<br> “Piper! It is so good to see you. I am so sorry I couldn’t come after the funeral but the Elders wouldn’t let me. They didn’t want me to confuse you more.”<br> “Well aren’t you a little worried about that now? Cause let me tell you, I am definitely confused!” Piper says, fighting back more tears. “Piper, please. You know exactly what is going on. Now come here.”<br> Piper sniffs back a sob and runs forward into Andy’s arms. He wraps his arms around her and gives her a big hug. Just then Phoebe and Leo run in the room, thinking that Piper is under attack. “Hey! Get off my wife!” Leo calls as Phoebe makes a running kick at the man holding her sister. Andy jumps out of the way of Phoebe’s foot and starts laughing as she lands hard on the ground. He reaches down to help her up and for the first time Phoebe realizes who he is. She excitedly screams and jumps up to hug him. “Andy! Oh my god you are here! What are you doing here?” Phoebe says. Andy lets Phoebe go and reaches to shake Leo’s hand with a smile on his face. “Sorry about that Leo.”<br> Leo grins and replies, “Yeah it’s okay. You understand of course if you do it again I will have fight you.”<br> “Of course. You wouldn’t be a decent husband if you let your wife get man-handled by some strange guy in your own home,” Andy and Leo chuckle a bit before Andy continues speaking. “The Elders sent me down to talk to you all. You aren’t going to like it. With Paige having her crisis of faith, they thought that each of you would benefit from a few days of non-magical living. They felt that you all have been through so much, and all you ever ask for is to be left alone, so that is what they are going to do. They will help protect the manor in case of an attack, but that is very unlikely. So until Paige returns, consider yourselves off-duty.”<br> “Off-duty? I’m sorry Andy but I still don’t get it. What are we supposed to do?” Piper asks. “Piper, you are supposed to do what you always wanted to do. Go take a family portrait. Have a normal family outing. Catch up with old friends or go work at P3. It is up to you. You have always wanted a normal life. Well here you go. This is your chance to have the life you have always wished for. Don’t let it pass by. Embrace it.” Andy turns to Phoebe then. “Phoebe, you have a tremendous gift that has nothing to do with magic. You have the ability to help people. Go to work and read your letters. Help people the way only you know how. You won’t have to worry about magical interruptions or family emergencies. You can work on you, even your own love life and other personal relationships.”<br> “But what about Paige? How can we help her?” Phoebe asks. “Paige is safe. She always will be. She has someone watching her. Leo won’t be able to sense her, but when the time comes for Paige to come home, you will know where to find her. She won’t be able to contact you, but you will know.”<br> Phoebe nods and looks at Piper. “This will be good for us. It will make us a stronger family. You’ll see Piper, it will all work out.”<br> “I have to go now. If you ever need anything, you can call me. Leo is still officially your whitelighter, but Kyle and I are also here.”<br> The girls nod, and thank Andy as he orbs away. Phoebe turns to Piper and asks, “So what now?”<br> Piper pauses, then smiles and looks at her husband. “I think I will take the boys to play in the park. Feel like joining us Phoebe?”<br> Phoebe smiles right back. “No, I think I will go get some work done. See you guys later.”<br>
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Post by Charmed Force on Apr 11, 2005 17:34:10 GMT -5
Paige pulls up into an old gas station in the middle of nowhere. As she fills up her tank, she tries to decide what she is going to say when she gets to her Uncle Dave’s house. Dave was her adoptive father’s youngest brother, and he and his wife Julie took in Paige after her parents died in the car accident. They lived in the city then, and after Paige left for college Dave and Julie decide to move back to Julie’s hometown to raise their twins, Sarah and Joshua, who were now 17. Julie had been in a serious car accident and had difficulty climbing the stairs and hills of San Francisco.
After picking up an Arizona green tea inside the store Paige climbed back into her car and headed over to her uncle’s house. As she pulls up to the house, she sees her aunt weeding the flowerbed.
“Aunt Julie?” Paige calls.
“Paige, is that you? Oh my goodness! Come here and give me a hug!” Julie exclaimed. Paige gives her a hug and is surprised to find herself on the edge of tears. Julie pretends not to notice and turns to led Paige into the house.
“Your cousins are off at some friend’s house for now but they will be back anytime. Dave will be so glad to see you Paige. It’s been too long.”<br> “Yes it has. I am sorry I haven’t visited Julie…” Paige starts, but is cut off by Julie.
“Oh don’t even worry about it. You have a whole new side of the family to get to know. I just love getting those Christmas cards from Piper. She always adds a special note about how great you turned out.”<br> “Piper sends you a Christmas card? I didn’t know that. I haven’t even sent you a Christmas card!”<br> “Calm down, sweetie, she always signs your name too,” Julie says as she walks into the house. “Dave! We have a visitor!”<br> A tall man walks into the entryway and pauses. His face breaks into a grin when he sees Paige and he rushes forward to give her a bear hug. Paige immediately bursts into tears, embarrassing herself.
“Paige, we have missed you so much. Will you be staying a few days with us? We have a spare room you are more than welcome to,” Dave says. Paige nods her head. “Good. Let me show you the room, and you have your own bathroom in there. Why don’t you go ahead and rest after that drive? We will be barbequing with Julie’s family here tomorrow, so be prepared for some loud people.”<br> “Hush Dave! You’ll scare the poor girl. Paige, my family is not that bad. Well… oh damn yes they are. I won’t deny it,” Julie says, giving Paige a sly wink.
As Paige got settled in her room she took a few deep breaths. Dave and Julie had realized that something was wrong right away, but also understood Paige, and knew she would talk about it when she was ready. Until then they would just keep quiet and pretend nothing was wrong, just the way Paige expected. It was one of the reasons she wanted to come.
As she lay on the bed, Paige found herself thinking about the mess she had left behind. She hadn’t thought things through when she stormed out. What if Cain attacks? What about Cole? Phoebe isn’t going to want to go near Cole, but someone has to find out what is going on, Paige thought.
“Don’t worry about it, Paige. They are protected. They have all the whitelighters and all the Elders guarding them. Right now you need to focus on yourself,” the voice said.
“Oh sh!t, not again. Can’t you leave me alone? It’s bad enough I talk back to you but do you have to read my thoughts?” Paige asks.
“Ooh, watch your mouth!” the voice says. Paige is shocked when something smacks the bottom of her foot.
“Oh my god! You can touch me? That is so unfair! I can’t even see you!” Paige whines.
“Most things are unfair Paige, but you just have to deal. Now, back to business. While you have no powers I am here to simply watch and protect, and guide. I won’t interfere unless you are seriously going to do damage, and even then no one can hear me but you.”<br> “Okay, whatever. Just don’t be talking to me when other people are around. I don’t want people to see me talking to myself, you know?”<br> “Paige, that is the least of your worries. You need to focus on yourself and your feelings, and find out where you truly belong. That is the reason you left the manor after all. Now, have a nice nap!”<br> Paige sighed and reached over to fluff the pillow.
“Flipping know-it-all invisible stalker,” Paige mutters under her breath as she gently falls asleep.
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Post by Charmed Force on Apr 11, 2005 17:35:59 GMT -5
The next day Paige wakes and gets ready before heading out to find her aunt and uncle. She is surprised to see that it is almost noon. Hearing noise in the backyard she heads out that way, and is surprised to see a large crowd of people. Looking around, she realizes that many of her adoptive father’s family are here, as well as Julie’s family. Hoping she wouldn’t stand out too much, she tried to quietly enter the backyard and sit down with Julie.
“Paige! Paige!” a frantic voice shouted. “Over here!”<br> As Paige turned toward the source of the yell she noticed that most of the party was now staring at her. So much for not attracting attention, Paige thought. Suddenly she realized that the long- legged brunette making her way over was her cousin Sarah.
“Sarah? Oh my god, look at you! You look so, grown-up!” Paige exclaimed.
Sarah laughs, and then says, “Probably since you haven’t seen me since I was 12 years old. Come on, let me introduce you to some of the people you don’t know or don’t remember.”<br> Sarah proceeded to walk Paige around, pointing out family members, or friends. Once or twice Paige recognized some family members, but the number of people who recognized her amazed her. There were several of her father’s cousins, and their families, as well as some aunts and uncles of her father. Each person she talked to had a little story about when Paige was a child, or when her dad was younger.
As Paige and Sarah were talking to a group of younger cousins Paige felt like she was being watched. She looked around and noticed an old woman sitting in a chair on the back porch. The woman was staring at Paige. Paige tapped Sarah on the arm and asked who the woman was.
“Oh that is Aunt Evelyn. She is our great aunt. I can’t believe the old dragon is still alive. She’s the so-called matriarch of the family, and doesn’t hesitate to put anyone in their place, preferably below her foot, if you know what I mean,” Sarah told her.
“Well, I am going to say hello. I’ll be back in a bit,” Paige says as she walks toward Aunt Evelyn.
Aunt Evelyn is still watching as Paige approaches her. Paige looks just as hard at her, and then smiles.
“Hello Aunt Evelyn. I’m Paige, John and Cecily’s daughter.”
“I know very well who you are Paige. It’s about time you decided to grace this side of the family with your presence.”<br> “Yes, I know I have been away for a long time. You see I found my birth parents, and discovered I had 3 half-sisters. That’s where I live now, with them in San Francisco. Well, with two of them. I met Piper and Phoebe after the oldest, Prue, died.”<br> “Prue, Piper, and Phoebe? You mean the Halliwell girls? Patty’s little ones?” Aunt Evelyn asks quietly.
“You know the Halliwells? How?” Paige demands.
Aunt Evelyn tilts her head toward Paige and studies her for a moment. “I find I am feeling a bit tired now. I think I will go home and rest. Perhaps you will join me for tea tomorrow. That is, of course, if you are planning on staying?”
“I hadn’t decided how long I might stay. But I will be glad to join you,” Paige responds.
“Excellent. Sarah or Julie will give you directions. I’ll see you then.”<br> Paige simply nods as another woman helps Aunt Evelyn to her feet and leads her through the house to the cars. Paige doesn’t notice when Julie walks up next to her.
“Amazing woman, isn’t she? Sometimes she looks at you like she can see your deepest darkest dreams and desires. It is way creepy sometimes. You should talk with her some more Paige. She’ll be able to tell you a lot about your dad, and even you when you were growing up,” Julie suggests. “Have you had a chance to meet my cousin Liz yet? She is about your age; I’m sure she can help entertain you while you are here. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”<br> Paige had a great time that evening, catching up with her family. They were all up late into the night, and finally Dave and Julie started urging people to go home. When it was finally quiet, Dave apologized to Paige for all the noise and mess.
“Oh don’t apologize. I’m used to it. You should see what life at the manor is like. With all those demons constantly attacking, that place is constantly loud and messy,” Paige says without thinking. Suddenly realizing what she has said, she starts to correct herself. “I mean, demons as in the kids. You know boys; they can be a real handful. Since Wyatt is two now he is developing some real attitude. He gets a little wonky and runs screaming through the house, attacking everything in sight,” Paige says with a nervous laugh.
“Yeah we know that one. Josh was a nightmare, but get some of his friends over and the place became a war zone,” Julie says.
Paige sighs, thankful she was able to cover that one up. After saying good night to her aunt and uncle Paige went back to her bedroom. Changing in pajamas, Paige wondered where her imaginary friend was.
“Ask and you shall receive,” the voice said.
Paige groans and sinks to the bed.
“Aw, what’s the matter Paige? Aren’t you happy to see me?”<br> “I have yet to see you! But I am getting tired of hearing you. Can you please just help me out and tell me what you want?” Paige asks.
“Sorry, that wouldn’t work. You know I am here to simply guide you. I know where you need to end up, but I don’t know if you will get there in time. I need to hurry you along Paige. Evelyn is an interesting woman don’t you think?”<br> “Of course she is. And she knows the Halliwells. We are meeting tomorrow to discuss that. Is that moving along your timeline quick enough?” Paige quips defensively.
“Not at all. Quick enough would have been if I hadn’t needed to be here at all. But apparently you can’t be left to your own devices for too long. Now hush up and listen to me. You have hit low Paige, but not all the way yet. What you learn in the next few days will challenge everything you believe. You will either be consumed by it, or you will conquer. Your own actions determine the result. But we have faith in you, and we will help you when we can. Now go to sleep. Anytime you need me you have only to ask, but otherwise, I will not interrupt you for a few days. You will need that time to work out everything on your own.”<br> Paige doesn’t respond, although she has many questions. She is suddenly tired beyond all measure and falls asleep quickly.
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Post by hollypop on Apr 11, 2005 22:17:15 GMT -5
what an emotional roller coaster!! The fight between the sisters... I was in tears until I read about Piper getting soaked, then cried again when Paige met her family. The details you put into your story really make it come alive for me. It's a really great story, CF. I can't wait to find out about the mysterious voice though... will we find out who it is?
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Post by Charmed Force on Apr 11, 2005 22:24:07 GMT -5
Phoebe walks back into the manor in the early afternoon. She cheerily calls for Piper, and getting no response, begins checking the first floor. As she enters the kitchen, she finds Cole raiding the refrigerator. She turns to leave the room, but changes her mind and angrily calls out.
“Cole? What are you doing? Where is Piper?”<br> “She and Leo took the boys over to Darryl’s house. They were having some sort of playgroup. Would you like a sandwich? I was just about to make myself some thing to eat,” Cole says, looking tired and drawn.
Phoebe tries hard to ignore the stab of pity she feels looking at the pain in Cole’s eyes. “No thank you. I’m not very hungry.” Phoebe starts to walk away.
“Phoebe wait!” Cole says as he follows her. She stops and looks at him without saying anything. “Can we talk for a few minutes please? I just want to talk, to get a few things off my chest. I want us to be civil at least.”<br> “We are as civil as we could possibly get Cole. You are my demonic ex-husband come back from the dead, again, and you are leaving in my house for reasons still unknown to me. What more do you want?”<br> “Friendship Phoebe. We were great lovers, but we were also good friends. All I want is the friendship, I swear. Please, can you sit with me for a just a few minutes and talk?” Cole pleads.
Phoebe considers his words. “I don’t know how much of what you say I can believe Cole. You know our history doesn’t encourage this. I will give you a few minutes, but I need you to answer some questions for me.”<br> Cole wanted to shout with joy at this small victory, but managed to simply smile and nod, and then lead Phoebe into the solarium. They sat down in the wicker chairs, and after a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Cole began.
“I just wanted to tell you what happened to me Phoebe, so you know that I am not plotting anything. I know you didn’t want to see me ever again, and I know that it would have been next to impossible for us to ever be happy together. My demonic half was too much to overcome. I know that Phoebe. And even though I loved you so much it truly killed me, I respected your decision, and I wanted to honor it. Even when I realized I was trapped in the spirit realm, I never fought to get out. I could have contacted you, but I didn’t. It wasn’t fair to you. So I suffered there. And then suddenly I felt this great pull, and I knew I was being summoned.
The next thing I remember is being in the cell. Once I came to, the guards brought me into a private sitting area where I saw Cain. I didn’t even realize he was back in power. He had been ostracized years ago when he tried to take over the underworld. Even if he was original evil, he wasn’t the Source of evil. But since you vanquished the Source, Cain felt he was able to ascend to the position. Since I was able to somewhat successfully contain the Source within me, he was going to use me as a temporary resting place when he called back the Source. He would then draw it out of me and into himself, thus lessening the risk to his own self. I tried several times to use my powers, but they weren’t there. Cain saw this and taunted me by telling me that the summoning spell he had used specifically brought my human spirit and not my magic. He intentionally brought me without powers. When you rescued me, Cain had to alter his plan and take the Source directly. It will take him some time to recover, learn to control the power, and then retake the underworld.”<br> Phoebe was still sitting in the same position she was when Cole had started talking, only now she was breathing faster. It was obvious she was upset at Cole’s story. She looked down at her hands, which she had begun wringing together. She then put her hands on her legs, as if wiping something from her lap. She stopped to reach out and touch his arm, and snapped back as the vision took her.
It was Cole, down on his knees, broken and bloody. He had been beaten and tortured. Two guards held either of his arms, and were essentially holding him up. They let go and Cole fell face down in the dirt. He struggled to sit up, and then began waving his arms as if he were telekinetically throwing someone. Nothing happened. Suddenly there was a deep laugh that Phoebe recognized as Cain’s, and she heard the words “ just a simple human mortal.” Then a guard kicked Cole in the ribs, and they picked up his arms and dragged him away.
Phoebe gasped as the vision ended. She looked Cole straight in the eyes, and whispered to him. “It’s true. You are mortal.” Cole simply nodded. They sat still for a few seconds before they realized that Piper, Leo and the boys were home. Phoebe jumped up and ran to greet them. Cole drew in a deep breath, and got up to go back to his sandwich in the kitchen. It wasn’t his place to greet Piper’s family. At one time he would have been welcome, but no longer.
Out in the hallway Piper was surprised to see Phoebe home so early.
“Phoebe, I thought you would be at work. You know, advancing your non-magical career.”<br> “Uh, yeah I was but I finished this week’s column early and decided I would take the rest of the day off and catch up with my two favorite guys in the whole wide world,” Phoebe finishes in her baby talk voice, as she picks up baby Chris and hugs Wyatt. “So what are your plans for the rest of the day?”<br> “You know, I haven’t really thought about it yet. Maybe I will head down to the club for a little while if you will be here with the boys,” Piper says.
“Absolutely! Better yet, why don’t you and Leo take a night for yourselves as well? Leo can met you at the club in a few hours, and you can have a real date while I baby-sit,” Phoebe suggests.
“Well that sounds great Phoebe. Thank you!” Piper says, grinning from ear to ear. “I better head out now before you change your mind!”<br>
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Post by Charmed Force on Apr 11, 2005 22:27:06 GMT -5
As Piper and Leo enjoyed their evening out, Phoebe was enjoying her time with her nephews. After giving the boys a bath, she read a bedtime story to Wyatt and put Chris down to sleep. She spent a few minutes in the doorway watching them sleep, quietly wondering if she would ever watch her own children sleep so peacefully. She could still picture her little girl in the Avatar’s Utopia, and hoped to one day find that girl’s father. She could imagine watching her own daughter sleep while she and the father watched from the doorway. She could even imagine the father being Cole, if he had only been good, and not evil. They would have been happy together then, her and Cole, if only he wasn’t half demon. As hard as he tried his demonic side could not be ignored. As Phoebe came out of her reverie, she realized she was not alone. “How long have you been there?” Phoebe asked. “Long enough to wish I knew what you were thinking. You had the most beautiful look on your face, and then it just clouded up. Will you tell me?” Cole asked. Phoebe shook her head slowly. Cole reached up and cupped her face with his hands, looked into her eyes, and quietly said, “Phoebe, I’m not a demon anymore. I am human, completely mortal. I have a second chance at life, a good life, and I don’t want to waste it. Give me some time, just you and I, to prove that this can work. I’ve never stopped loving you, and now we have the chance to truly love each other forever.”<br> As Cole kissed Phoebe, she knew he meant every word he had spoken. He may have died, but their love hadn’t. And now she had Cole the way she always wanted him: human, and all good. _________________________________________________________________ The day dawned early and bright. Phoebe woke gently and looked over at Cole. Even after all of this time, their love burned strong. This time it will work. I won’t let anything come between us, Phoebe told herself. As she watched Cole sleep, Phoebe heard a soft knock on her door. Before she could say anything Piper swept into the room with a tray of coffee. “Good morning! I just wanted to say thank you by bringing… oh my god you’re naked! Oh, and so is Cole! Oh my eyes!” Piper cries as she turns and rushes out of the room. Phoebe fights back a laugh, but a small giggle escapes. She looks down at Cole, who woke up in time to see Piper’s reaction, and laughed as well. “Good morning.” Phoebe says. “Good morning,” Cole returns, searching her face. “No regrets?”<br> Phoebe smiles at Cole. “No regrets,” and kisses him again. ___________________________________________________ Two hours later Phoebe and Cole finally make it downstairs for coffee. Piper and Leo were seated at the table, and both looked down at their coffee cups as Phoebe and Cole entered the room. A long, uncomfortable silence ensued as Phoebe and Cole got their coffee and sat down at the table. After several minutes, Piper sniffs. Suddenly the sniffs turn into choked back giggles, and soon all four of them have dissolved into laughter. “Your eyes?” Phoebe asks Piper. “What did you want me to do, stand there staring?” Piper jokingly responds. With the tension broken, the four are able to move on to more pressing matters. With Phoebe going to work, Piper going to the club, and Leo looking after charges, only Cole was left to look after the boys. “Normally Paige takes them to magic school, but lately she has been watching them here herself.” Phoebe tells Cole. “Are you sure you want me to? I don’t mind, except that I have no powers to protect them if I need to,” Cole says, looking directly at Piper. “I’ll be just a call away, and besides, we have the house well guarded and Wyatt has his force field,” Leo reminds. “Well, I am okay with it if you are,” Piper says. When Cole nods, she gets up and starts showing him where he can find the different things the boys will need during the day. Leo looks at Phoebe, who just smiles sheepishly back. “He told me what happened down there, Leo. I had a vision, and saw it happen. He isn’t lying. He really is human, totally human,” Phoebe says with an excited look in her face. “I’m glad you are so happy Phoebe, really. I know it has been a rough few days since Cole got here, but you handled it well. Now I need to go check on a few things, so I will see you later,” Leo tells her as he orbs away.
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Post by hollypop on Apr 11, 2005 22:51:37 GMT -5
That's it.... no more parts that will make me cry! lol
CF, I can't say anything except I can't wait to read more.
Your character development is great. Cole and Phoebe having that oh-so important talk - the honesty between them, Piper's reaction to seeing Cole and Phoebe together, the giggles at the breakfast table. It felt genuine... and it was great to read it.
I love this story!!
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Post by jdax0721 on Apr 12, 2005 12:37:21 GMT -5
I love it!!! I love the way you put Cole and Pheobe back together (where they belong!!!) More PLEASE!!! ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Charmed Force on Apr 13, 2005 11:33:35 GMT -5
Thank you all for the reviews! I really appreciate it! I hope you like the next parts just as much! _______________________________________________________________________________ As Paige wakes up to the bright day, she groans and tries to hide back under the covers. Hearing the door open, she quickly calls out, “If that isn’t coffee in your hands then leave now before I hurt you!”<br> “Well good thing it is coffee, Paige. Now get on up out of bed and get dressed so we can get going. I am taking you shopping before you go to tea.” Julie tells Paige. “Coffee? Shopping? You are my hero, Aunt Julie!” Paige exclaims as she crawls out of bed, takes a drink of coffee, and heads toward the shower. A short while later Paige had showered and dressed. She and her aunt got into her car and headed for the mall. They spent most of the morning shopping before sitting down to lunch. After lunch they returned home, and Paige got ready to visit her great aunt. She got directions from Julie, and then set out. She arrived at the address and was surprised to find a lovely ranch house on a large lot. The neighbors were close to a quarter of a mile away. Paige hoped the old lady didn’t live alone. As she knocked on the door, she was relieved to see a middle-aged woman open the door. “Hi, you must be Paige. Evelyn told me to expect you. My name is Joanna; I am the live-in nurse and companion. Come on in. She’s out on the back porch. She has a lovely view out there and prefers to sit in her old rocking chair. I’ll bring some tea out to you in a few minutes once you are settled.” Joanna gave Paige a large smile as she delivered her to her great aunt. “Evelyn? Paige is here.”<br> Evelyn motioned to a chair near her without even looking at Paige. Paige quickly sat down, and began talking. “I’m very happy you invited me to join you this afternoon, Aunt Evelyn. I was surprised to learn that you know who my sisters are. How do you know them?”<br> “Child, do you ever just sit and relax? Take a moment to enjoy the sight. One day you won’t be able to,” Evelyn says. Paige takes a moment to survey her surroundings. They were sitting outside, within an enclosed porch, facing the east. A lush green yard lay in front of them. Beyond the yard was a large pond, with lush vegetation surrounding. There were several herons standing in the shallow water of the pond. The Sierra Nevada mountain range was looming off in the distance. It was a spectacular sight, and the two women passed many minutes simply looking before Joanna interrupted them with the tea. She set it down on a small side table, and excused herself again. Evelyn asked Paige to pour, which she did obediently. After taking a few small sips, Evelyn turned to look at Paige for the first time that day. “It’s in the eyes you know. Penny’s eyes. I looked at you and I saw something so familiar, but I thought it must be a reminder of when you were younger. Then you said your sisters’ names, and I knew. I can’t believe how ironic it is that you would come to my family.”<br> “You knew Grams? How come she never told me?”<br> “I suspect because she didn’t realize. I wasn’t a Matthews then. And by the time I married we were no longer speaking. I could never forget her, but I heard about her through friends often enough. She was trying to protect me by staying away, but it cost us our friendship. We grew up together, and we were as close as sisters. We even planned on going to the same college and joining the same sorority. But when we got there, she found another sorority she liked better and joined them. I stayed with our plan and joined the other sorority. We made it a point to meet for lunch or dinner at least once a week, but after a few months, she started missing those meetings. We had made plans for dinner one night but she called to cancel. I didn’t get the message and had already gone over to her house. I knocked on the door but she never answered. I could see people in the living room through the window, so I walked inside to find her. I saw a group of girls seated around a table filled with lit candles, except for a space in the very center. They were chanting, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. I saw Penny get up from the table and come up to me. She started telling me that I shouldn’t have come; I needed to leave because it wasn’t safe. She said she was sorry, but she would explain everything later; I just needed to leave. But I couldn’t move. A strong wind started blowing, and the girls jumped back from the table. Out of nowhere 3 creatures appeared. Penny waved her arms and said something, and the creatures flew across the room. The other girls started chanting something, but one of the demons got up. He put his hand out, and suddenly there was a ball of fire spinning in his hand. He threw it toward us, and Penny tried to push me out of the way. It caught my side, and it hurt so badly. Then there was this roaring noise, and I saw the creatures suddenly explode and disappear. Everything was eerily quiet and still. Penny looked at me, and saw I was hurt, and she started calling a man’s name over and over. Out of nowhere this man appears in bright blue and white lights. He runs over to me and puts his hands over my side. Then the pain was gone. So was the injury. He had completely healed me. Penny and her sorority sister Gail helped me up and took me to her bedroom. She tried to explain what had happened. She told me that she was a witch, a good witch. She had always been one, but she hadn’t told me because she wasn’t allowed to. When she met the girls at this sorority, she knew they were witches too. That was why she had joined them. What I had just seen was a vanquish. Her coven had summoned those demons to vanquish them because they had been killing other witches. The man who had healed me was her whitelighter Leo. He was an angel who protected her coven. She swore to me that she was good, but she couldn’t let me get hurt again. She made me promise to stay away from her, so that I wouldn’t get hurt by the demons. She said she was afraid that the demons would think I was a witch too and try to hurt me. So I left. I left and I've always looked back. I have thought about that night often, and I wished I had known about her earlier. I would have understood. I would have helped. More than that, I would have been her friend. I heard about her first marriage, and the birth of her daughter Patricia. I sent her an invitation for my own wedding, but I never received a reply. When her daughter died, I sent her a card, but again, no response. When I found out she died, I was heartbroken, especially since I knew I couldn’t attend her services. I was in the hospital at that point, and couldn’t leave. I loved Penny as a sister, and I wish things could have been different. I understand why Penny felt she couldn’t be near me, but I don’t understand how she could have allowed her daughter to give up a child. Why were you given up and the older ones kept?”<br> Paige was still reeling from the story to even catch Evelyn’s question. Grams had let a non-magical person know? And Leo had healed Evelyn, a non-magical person, without asking any questions? With so many thoughts running through her head, it never even dawned on her to deny her own magical connections. “Um, Patty had fallen in love with her whitelighter Sam and got pregnant. They were afraid that Sam’s bosses, the Elders, would take away our powers as their punishment for a forbidden love. So they hid the pregnancy, and when I was born they gave me to Sister Agnes. After Prue died we all found each other.” Paige says. Evelyn gasped. “Powers? You have powers too?”<br> Paige nods. She looks at Evelyn and tells her “Aunt Evelyn, my mother was a witch and my father was a whitelighter. My sisters are witches, and so am I. It’s just that I have some added powers since I am part whitelighter. But we are good, I promise. And I won’t turn you away like Grams did.”<br> Evelyn nods this time and then asks what Paige’s powers are. Paige tells her, and then explains about all of her sisters’ powers as well. “We are a special family, more than you realize Aunt Evelyn. Grams had her reasons for protecting you.” Paige continues by telling Evelyn about the Charmed Ones, and their destiny. Before long the two women realize that the sun has set, and it is starting to get cold. Paige gets up to leave, but Evelyn stops her. “Paige, I don’t know what you are hiding from out here, why you have left your sisters, but I hope you will stay for a few more days. I’d like to tell you more about your Grams, and about your parents. Maybe you can learn something. And please, call me Evie.”<br> Paige smiles. “I’d like that. I’ll be back tomorrow then.” And as Paige leaves she realizes how much she wants to visit again. It was nice talking to someone who could understand both sides of her family and could deal with magic. Paige continued visiting Evie for the 4 days. She heard a lot of stories about Evie and Penny when they were children, and even stories about her adoptive father and his brothers. She heard family histories, family jokes, and about families in general. And she told her aunt Evie about Lizbeth, and the horror of her death. She told her about how she left the manor. The only thing she didn’t mention was the strange voice that haunted her. She could hardly handle it herself; she certainly didn’t think her aunt could. And the more Paige talked, the better she felt. Evie was able to sit and listen, and not need to give advice the way Piper, Phoebe, or even Leo did. Her days with Evie were very healing and serene. She hadn’t felt this relaxed and well-rested in years. But she knew that it was almost time to return to the manor.
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Post by CanadianHalliwell on Apr 13, 2005 21:03:08 GMT -5
Great Update CF! I am glas that Paige has someone who she can talk to and help her through her problems!
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Wicca
Familiar
Here's laughing at you.
Posts: 173
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Post by Wicca on Apr 14, 2005 13:43:38 GMT -5
Wow, this is a really awesome story, CF! I love how Paige has someone she can talk to now, and that was a very interesting story about Grams. I can't wait to read more! PS: You should bring this story over to Charmed's Designation, I'm sure that all of the fanfic lovers there would love to read it! Click my sig to go there
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Post by Charmed Force on Apr 15, 2005 16:02:02 GMT -5
Little did Paige know the chaos that had taken over the manor. After 5 days of normalcy, Piper was at her wit’s end. Many times she found herself spilling things, shocked when she couldn’t freeze and prevent a mess. She never realized how magic prevailed so much in her everyday life. With no magic of her own to combat the strength of Wyatt and Chris, she was always frantically chasing them down. Wyatt had orbed Chris to Victor’s twice when Piper wasn’t watching. Usually Paige would orb over to get the boys, but now Piper had to collect all of the things needed when one takes a baby and a toddler for a road trip. Instead of taking a few minutes to collect Chris, it now took a couple of hours. That of course was nothing compared to the club. With the convenience of leaving the boys at magic school, Piper forgot what it was like to have to find baby-sitters. Cole was helpful, but he couldn’t control the boys any better. Piper had made it to the club only twice all week, and both times she had promptly fallen asleep at her desk.
Phoebe was having her own problems. Her time with Cole was wonderful, but she still had to go to work. And Cole could not be seen outside of the manor since he was presumed dead and they couldn’t risk anyone recognizing him. At work she was so caught up in her thoughts of Cole that she got little work done. The work that was completed was not very good. Determined to focus on the job at hand, Phoebe had discovered that without her empathy she just wasn’t as good as normal. She was also having problems finding her clothes.
“Piper! Have you seen my black silk shirt? Or my D & G pants? I can’t find any of my clothes!” Phoebe cries emphatically.
“Did you get them from the dry cleaners yet?” Piper mumbles, face down in the pillows of her bed.
“No, that’s Paige’s job. I drop off, she picks up,” Phoebe responds.
“But Paige isn’t here. You’ll just have to find something else to wear until you can get the dry cleaning,” Piper tells her.
“But what about the grocery shopping? And the bills? And stocking our potions? Those are Paige’s responsibilities and she isn’t here for them,” Phoebe whines.
“Phoebe, please! I was up all night with the baby and now you are standing here whining like a baby because you don’t want to do one more thing. Well neither do I. I am tired of all of this. How in the world did we ever get things accomplished?” Piper cries.
Phoebe sits on the bed next to Piper. “I miss her too Piper. Don’t worry; she’ll be back soon. Why don’t you work on a list of things you need from the store and I will stop by after work and after the dry cleaners.” Phoebe leaves the room and goes back to get ready for work.
Mid-afternoon Phoebe returns to find Piper in a cleaning frenzy. She is up in the attic going through the boxes and trunks, trying to clean out as much as she can.
“Piper? Where are the boys? And what are you doing?” Phoebe asks.
“Leo and Cole took the boys to magic school and are then going to do some male bonding activity. I thought I would take the chance to clear out the attic. We make such a mess up here I thought we could move some of this stuff down to the basement so that we won’t have so much to clean up next time we go flying.”<br> Phoebe sits down next to Piper and helps her go through a trunk. They laughed as they look at some of the arts and crafts the girls had made when they were kids that Grams had saved. Soon they reached a trunk hidden in the back corner. When they opened it, they were surprised to find some of Grams’ personal items from her childhood. They found several old photos of her and another girl called Evie. Then they found several sorority photos. But most surprising was in a small box at the bottom of the trunk. In there they found a few snapshots. One picture of Patty and Sam and another of Patty, Sam, and a small baby. Piper and Phoebe were shocked. There was never any mention of Paige until after Prue died, but all along there was proof in their own house. Seeing that newborn baby, a picture taken just moments before her parents gave her up, had such a profound effect on Piper and Phoebe.
“Why didn’t we find this the first time we cleaned out the attic, after Grams died and you came home?” Piper asked.
Phoebe just shook her head. “It took me 6 months to come home, so I’m not the person to be asking. And after Prue died we found Paige, and it wasn’t important anymore.”<br> “Of course it was important Phoebe. She’s our sister. I’m really starting to see what she brought to this family. I mean, here we are, just where we left off after Prue died. Is this what life would have been like without Paige? Even with 2 small boys the house feels so empty. Like we are missing something. And not just the lack of magic. I think I could handle not using magic, but I don’t think I can handle not having my sister here,” Piper says as the tears start streaming down her face. “I don’t know why she hasn’t come home. I am so worried about her. What if she decides she doesn’t want to come back? Phoebe, I couldn’t handle that. I could hardly handle losing Prue to a demon, but losing Paige to her own free will? How could I handle my sister choosing to not be near me?”<br> Phoebe wipes off her own tears and puts her arms around Piper. “She won’t choose that Piper. She loves us. We are her sisters and she knows her place is here, with her family. She just needs time to work everything through in her mind. She has had a shock, and once she deals with that, she will come home to her family.”<br> “But why would she want to come back here? I have never treated her the way she deserves. I was always comparing her to Prue in my own mind, and they are nothing alike. Not that Prue is better, but they are two different people. I know that now. Lately I have just been treating her like a chauffeur between here and magic school, or the dry cleaners, or anywhere she can orb to. Not like the sister witch I love and respect. I just wish I could talk to her, tell her all of this.”<br> Phoebe got up and walked over to the book. She traced the broken triquetra with her fingertips. Andy had told the girls that when it came time they would know where to find Paige.
“Piper, if you were in Paige’s place where would you go? We need to find her and bring her home, but where could she be?”<br> “I don’t know. I guess I would want to go somewhere safe, and comfortable, and familiar. I wouldn’t want to be hassled about it either.”<br> “Yeah, but where could she have gone that is familiar, but not so familiar that people ask about us?”<br> Piper’s head snaps up. “Oh my god. I think I know! Come on, let’s go. We’ve got a long drive ahead.”<br>
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