The Visitor

[noazmale]

CHARMED
"The Visitor"
by J. B. Tilton
email: [e-mail]
Rating: K

Disclaimer: “Charmed” and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.

* * *

(Author’s note: This story takes place between season 3 episode “All Hell Breaks Loose” and season 4 episode “Charmed Again”.)

* * *

Phoebe receives a late night visitor and learns some things about Prues' death; and about herself.

* * *

ONE

Phoebe looked over at the clock on her nightstand. It read 2:13 a.m. It seemed much later. Tissues littered her bed and the floor. Her eyes were still puffy and her nose was still congested. It seemed as if she had been crying for weeks. Still, the tears threatened to deluge her like a torrential downpour during a summer thunderstorm.

The events still seemed so surreal to her. Less than twenty-four hours ago she had gone with Cole to the underworld. To save her sisters from a certain death. Now, she and Piper were alive and safe, while Prues’ body lay in a mortuary.

Prue was dead and the Power of Three was broken forever. With just Piper and her, their greatest weapon against evil was gone forever. Not that it made much difference when it came to her powers. Pipers’ freezing ability and Prues’ astral projection and telekinesis made her power of precognition seem almost inconsequential. Even her recently manifested ability to levitate seemed trivial when compared to those of her sisters.

“That’s not exactly true,” said a voice in the darkness.

Phoebe bolted upright in bed. Leo had told them they should be relatively safe for a while. The forces of evil would be cautious about the Charmed Ones after their escape from The Source.

She reached over and turned on the light next to her bed. Standing in the corner was a man. He appeared to be about her age. His black hair was neatly trimmed over his ears. His clothing gave no indication as to who - or what - he might be.

“Leo, Piper,” screamed Piper.

If this demon meant to attack her, she would need all the help she could get. She tensed herself to protect against the inevitable attack.

“They can’t hear you,” said the man.

“Who are you?” demanded Phoebe, getting out of bed. “What do you want?”

“You,” said the man. “Or rather, a few moments of your time. I promise I’m not a threat to you.”

“How do I know that?” asked Phoebe.

“If I had wanted to harm you,” said the man, “you’d be dead right now.”

Phoebe realized he was right. She had been so wrapped up in her grief over Prues’ death she hadn’t even noticed this stranger enter. He could have attacked her before she would have known he was even there. Which meant he must want something else.

“Okay,” said Phoebe, still on her guard. “So, who are you and what do you want?”

“As for what I want,” said the man, “I’ve already told you. I only want a few moments of your time. As for who I am, I have been called many names over the centuries. To be honest, it’s not so much who I am as what I am. And, no, I’m not a demon. Or a half demon, as your boyfriend Cole is.”

“What do you mean ‘what’ you are?” asked Phoebe uneasily.

“As I said,” replied the man, “I have had many names over the years. I think the name you would understand most easily is . . . Fate.”

[vanillabliss]

wow...um add more is all I can say!

[noazmale]

TWO

“You’re fate?” asked Phoebe.

“Fate, destiny, karma,” said the man, “it all means the same thing. Let me ask you something. Do you find it strange that I have a human form?”

“Well, yeah,” said Phoebe. “I guess I never imagined fate as being a literal person.”

“Actually, I’m not,” said Fate. “On occasion, I have the ability to take human form. Just as Death does.”

Phoebe immediately thought of Prue. She remembered how Prue had once told them of meeting Death. In his human form. And of how he had helped her come to terms with their mothers’ death.

“Death and I are old friends,” said Fate, to Phoebes’ unspoken thoughts. “It is from me that he gets the list of who is to be taken.”

“You’re responsible for Prues’ death,” said Phoebe angrily.

It wasn’t a question. More like a sudden realization.

“Yes,” said Fate. “Ultimately, I am the one who decides who is taken and when. It is one of my purposes.”

“One?” questioned Phoebe. “You have more than one purpose?”

“Yes,” said Fate. “I am misunderstood by most mortals. They imagine I am unavoidable. That I will happen regardless of what they do. That I am bound to happen, no matter what.”

“And you’re not?” asked Phoebe.

“Far from it,” responded Fate. “If I were unavoidable, there would be no need for free will. For the right of people to make their own choices.”

“Then what is your purpose?” asked Phoebe. “Other than to decide when and where people die.”

“I see the potential in people,” said Fate. “I see what they are capable of becoming. My purpose is to guide them toward those goals.”

“You’re just a guide, then,” said Phoebe.

“More like an advisor,” said Fate. “I’m that voice in your head that says turn right instead of left. Or that feeling you get when you’re trying to make a decision. Or that nagging concern if you’ve done the right thing. I can be many things to many people. It all depends on the situation.”

“Then why is the world in such a mess?” demanded Phoebe. “If you guide and advise people, why do so many people make so many wrong choices?”

“Fear, doubt, selfishness, insecurity,” said Fate. “I can only give guidance. Each person has the free will to accept or reject that guidance. It’s why one person will run into a burning building to save another while someone else won’t. Or why one person will tell the truth and accept the consequences while another refuses to do so. Or why one person accepts the death of a loved one while another fights to reject it.”

Phoebe looked at Fate. Was he suggesting that she just accept Prues’ death? As if her death had no meaning?

“Not in the least,” said Fate suddenly, as if in answer to her unspoken question.

“You can read my mind?” asked Phoebe.

“Not exactly,” said Fate. “But I am aware of your feelings and concerns. It’s my nature.”

“So what are you suggesting?” asked Phoebe.

Her anger seemed to have subsided somewhat. Her curiosity had taken over.

“I’m suggesting,” said Fate, “that you realize your sisters’ death had purpose. While you still grieve for your loss, you have accepted that she is gone.”

“What purpose?” asked Phoebe, her anger flaring again. “With her death, we lost the Power of Three. She was still young. There was so much for her still to do. So much that she could have contributed.”

“Come with me,” said Fate, extending his hand.

“Where?” asked Phoebe.

“I have something to show you,” said Fate.

Phoebe hesitated. Part of her wanting nothing to do with this aberration that called itself fate. Part of her wanted only to go back to her grieving. But there was also a part of her that wanted answers. To know that Prues’ death held some meaning. That it has served some purpose.

She debated the matter for several long moments. Then, almost reluctantly, she reached out and took his hand. Fate just smiled, the Phoebes’ bedroom faded from view.

[vanillabliss]

You can't leave it there!! add more! this is getting good ;D

[noazmale]

THREE

“Where are we?” asked Phoebe.

Fate and Phoebe were standing in an unlit bedroom. It was sparsely decorated. A man lay sleeping in the bed. On the wall over the bed hung a crucifix. On a dresser across the room lay a Bible and a rosary.

“I know him,” whispered Phoebe, looking at the man.

“There is no need to whisper,” said Fate. “He cannot hear us. And, yes, you do know him. He’s a Catholic Priest.”

“That’s right,” said Phoebe. “A demon had stolen his empathic power.”

“Which the demon then transferred to Prue,” finished Fate.

“I remember,” said Phoebe. “It almost drove her insane. Until the Priest told her how to use the power against the demon.”

“Which destroyed the demon,” said Fate. “And helped to show the Priest he didn’t need his empathic power to help people.”

“That’s right,” said Phoebe. “We helped him find his purpose in life again.”

“Yes,” said Fate. “Because Prue intervened. And because of that, he’s been able to help dozens more people.”

Suddenly the scene changed. Once again they stood in a bedroom. But this was a woman’s’ bedroom. She sat in the bed, propped up against the headboard, reading a book. She seemed oblivious to the two intruders who stood at the foot of her bed.

“Do you recognize her?” asked Fate.

“Yes,” said Phoebe. “She had been cursed by a demon. He was trying to make her commit suicide.”

“Yes,” said Fate. “Prue lifted the curse and drew the attention of the demon. He cursed her and she nearly took her own life because of it.”

“It was lucky that Piper and I were able to get to her in time,” said Phoebe.

“Lucky, yes,” said Fate. “As I said, I have many names. And you’re aware that she is a future White Lighter.”

“Of course,” said Phoebe. “Leo said that’s why the demon was trying to get her to commit suicide. She couldn’t be a White Lighter if she took her own life.”

“Precisely,” said Fate. “Prue intervened once again and when this young woman becomes a White Lighter, she will help untold numbers of people.”

Once more the scene changed. This time they stood in the aisle of what appeared to be a supermarket. On the floor in front of them, a young man was stocking shelves.

“I know him,” gasped Phoebe.

She did remember him. He and Prue had dated for a while in college. Years later, the Charmed Ones had been forced to fight several demons to keep him from becoming a demon himself. A fight that had nearly cost Piper her life.

“I always wondered what happened to him after we rescued him,” said Phoebe.

“He’s the manager here,” said Fate. “He happy and content. And he’s satisfied with his life as it is now.”

“Good,” said Phoebe. “I’m glad he’s okay.”

“There’s more,” said Fate. “Just last week, while on his way to work, he noticed some smoke coming from an apartment building down the road. He notified the authorities who then investigated. It seems there was an electrical short, which had caused a fire in that building.

“Because of him, they were able to put out the fire with relatively little damage. Most of the residents of that building are unaware that there even was a fire in their building that night.”

“Then he’s a hero,” said Phoebe.

“Very much so,” said Fate. “If he hadn’t been there, the building would have burned to the ground. Twenty-seven people owe their lives to him. All because Prue insisted that you intervene and save him from becoming a demon.

“All these people I’ve shown you, and more, have one thing in common. They are alive and well because Prue risked her life for them. She voluntarily placed herself in harms’ way to protect these innocents. She didn’t have to, but she chose to.”

“I know all this,” said Phoebe. “It still doesn’t explain why you had to take her.”

The scene changed once more. Once again, Phoebe found herself standing in an unlit bedroom. A woman only a couple of years younger than Phoebe lay sleeping in the bed.

“This is why,” said Fate. “This young woman lives in the building which the young man saved. If not for him, she would have died that night.”

“I understand that,” said Phoebe. “But what’s so special about this woman?”

“Her name is Paige Matthews,” said Fate. “She is your younger sister.”

[vanillabliss]

[glow=green,2,300]WOW....can't wait to read more. ;D[/glow]

[noazmale]

FOUR

“I don’t have a younger sister,” protested Phoebe. “I’m the youngest.”

“Technically,” said Fate, “I suppose you’re correct. She’s actually your younger half-sister. You both had the same mother. But Paige’s’ father was a White Lighter.”

Phoebe looked at Paige. She knew that, after she had been born, their mother and father had split up. And their mother had become involved with her White Lighter. But there had never been even a hint of a child from that involvement.

“I don’t believe you,” said Phoebe.

It wasn’t the truth, but she didn’t know what else to say. Deep down inside, somehow she sensed that what Fate was telling her was the truth.

“Yes, you do,” said Fate. “Remember; I know your feelings.”

“It doesn’t make any sense,” said Phoebe. “Why haven’t we known about her before now?”

“You’ll learn that in due time,” said Fate. “It has no bearing on what we are discussing now.”

“So why did Prue have to die because of her?” demanded Phoebe.

“Phoebe,” said Fate, “Prue was never meant to be a Charmed One. She was supposed to have died at the age of fourteen. When her appendix burst.”

“I remember that,” said Phoebe. “The doctors said it was a miracle she survived at all.”

“Another of my many names,” said Fate. “You were very young then. Paige was even younger. And even more rebellious than you were. I knew if she were to ever take her place as a Charmed One, she would need your guidance and strength.

“So I decided to let Prue live a little longer. I knew that she, you, and Piper would eventually become the Charmed Ones. And I knew that it would be Prue who would instill in both of you just how important the Charmed Ones were. This is something, which Paige must learn. Something, which you and Piper must teach her.”

“But why?” asked Phoebe. “Why couldn’t you just let Prue live?”

“Because it is the Power of Three, not the Power of Four,” said Fate. “Your lineage was prepared for years for you to accept your powers. That couldn’t be changed.

“It was necessary for Prue to die so that Paige can take her rightful place. Just as it was necessary for your grandmother to die so that you three could become the Charmed Ones. The power could not be passed on as long as they lived.

“It is time for Paige to accept that power. To take her place as a Charmed One, as she was destined to do. In order for that to happen, Prue had to die. So the power would pass from her to Paige. That’s why I had to take her.”

Phoebe was beginning to understand. Prue had taught her so much. Had helped her to become a responsible adult instead of the rebellious, spoiled child she had been. Prues’ strength had kept the sisters together through all the tough time. It was Prue who had always said, the Charmed One come first.

“It was your strength as well,” said Fate. “You accepted your grandmothers’ death more easily than Prue did. And you’ve accepted Prues’ death more easily than Piper has. You understand that all things much change. It does not minimize their deaths because you have accepted them. But you understand that the old must always give way to the new.”

“Yes, I guess I do,” said Phoebe. “But since I’ve accepted Prues’ death, and Piper hasn’t, why come to me? Why not come to Piper and explain it to her?”

“She wouldn’t hear me,” said Fate. “She would only blame me as Prue blamed Death for your mothers’ death. Nothing I say will alter that. Until she accepts that Prue is dead.”

“She hasn’t yet, I know,” said Phoebe. “She and Prue were always closer than Prue and I were.”

“Remember I said your power of precognition was not inconsequential next to the powers of your sisters?” asked Fate.

“Yes,” replied Phoebe.

“In many ways,” said Fate, “yours is more important that any of your sisters’ powers. How many innocents have the Charmed Ones saved over the years?”

“I have no idea,” said Phoebe. “I wasn’t keeping score.”

“More than you’d imagine,” said Fate. “While it was often Prues’ or Pipers’ abilities that were needed to save them, or the Power of Three, they would have been useless if you had not known where they were needed. Being able to banish a demon is useless if you don’t know where that demon is. And you cannot help an innocent if you don’t know they’re in danger. You still do not appreciate just how powerful you really are.”

“I’m beginning to,” said Phoebe.

“With Paige,” said Fate, “the Charmed Ones will become even more powerful. They’ll be able to save even more innocents. The Power of Three will be restored through her.”

“I understand,” said Phoebe. “But it doesn’t make it hurt any less that we’ve lost Prue.”

“Nor should it,” said Fate. “Grief is a very real and necessary thing for mortals. It’s part of what makes you who you are. You will still grieve. Not even I have the power to change that. Nor would I if I could. But you can take some solace in the fact that Prue was with you much longer than she was supposed to have been.”

“I appreciate that,” said Phoebe. “If not for her, I’m not sure where I’d be right now.”

“Piper is going to need your strength in the coming days,” said Fate. “She still refuses to accept that Prue is gone. This makes her vulnerable. Your strength and support will help to protect her until she can finally accept Prues’ death. And she will eventually.”

Phoebe suddenly found herself back in her own bedroom. Nothing had changed. Even the clock on the nightstand read 2:13 a.m. It appeared that Fate had the ability to manipulate time as well.

“Not manipulate,” said Fate, “suspend. And only for short periods. I have a message for you from Prue. She said to tell you she’s at peace. She’s with your mother and grandmother. They are all waiting patiently until it’s time for you and Piper to join them.”

“Thank you,” said Phoebe, wiping a tear from her eye. She had a strange sense of peace. “Can you tell them that I love them and miss them very much?”

“They know that already,” said Fate.

“I can’t wait to tell Piper about this,” said Phoebe. “I can finally make her see that Prues’ death has meaning.”

“You won’t remember any of this,” said Fate. “At least, not consciously. It has to be that way. Subconsciously, however, you will retain the peace and strength our talk has given you. It will help you to help Piper when she needs it most.”

“I see,” said Phoebe. “At least that’s something.”

Phoebe suddenly felt very tired. She climbed into bed and was fast asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Fate smiled at her as he wiped the events from her conscious mind. Then he walked out into the hallway and disappeared from the Halliwell Manor.

[barmyoncharmed]

Oh this is good, please update soon

[noazmale]

FIVE

Phoebe woke up and looked at the sunlight streaming in her bedroom window. She had the strangest sensation of having had a dream that night. But even now, most of it was gone from her memory. Like so many dreams, this one would soon be gone forever.

She was still saddened by the loss of Prue. It would take time to get over that loss. But she also found that the sleep had given her a renewed strength. The strength to go on with her life, as she knew Prue would have wanted.

The Power of Three was gone forever. But for the moment, that didn’t matter. Piper needed her. Piper needed her more now than she ever had needed her in the past. Leo would help, of course.

But Phoebe could give her older sister strength and comfort that one could only get from a sister. Especially a sister as close as she and Piper were. Piper would eventually come to accept Prues’ death. Phoebe knew that. Until she did, Phoebe made a silent vow to herself that she would be there for Piper as long as she needed her.

THE END

If you’ve enjoyed this story, you can find more of my stories for a variety of shows and subjects at www.geocities.com/killeenmale . You can also post your stories if you like to write fan fiction.

[vanillabliss]

awesome story! although I still hate that prue died. I'm checking out your site right now.

[charmedgoddess]

Very, very amazing story. I loved how you used fate. It gave me a more clear way to see why Prue died, though we all wish She could have lived. It good to see her death put this way!

[truelycharmedfan]

*claps* well done i luved it ur shuch a gd writer i luv it i hope you continue writing charmed fan fics