Paige Matthews sat on the plane that was headed toward Dallas Fort Worth Texas. There was a good school down there that had a really good art program. She had graduated high school just four months ago and had gotten a scholarship to this university. Had she had her own way, she would not have gone to college. She wanted nothing more, than to get a job and just start life. She didn’t think college was for her and coming from a broken home, she just wanted out, with no responsibilities, other than to care for herself. However, Mrs. Davis, her high school guidance counselor thought better of the idea, and persuaded her that college was the best answer for her. Mrs. Davis knew that Paige needed something special in her life. She was an amazing artist and Mrs. Davis made sure that she did all in her power to get her to a good school. What was even better about this school was the Big Sis/ Lil Sis program. This college had this specific program for freshman. Seniors and graduates working on their masters were given a little sister to take under their wing. Guide them through college life and help them along their journey.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please prepare for landing. We will be arriving in Dallas Fort Worth in approximately twenty minutes,” the flight attendant announced. Paige focused her gaze out the window. She was not looking forward to this. She was not ready to get a big sister for her freshmen year. She was used to being on her own, not being under anyone’s care. And why should she. Her father left her mother when she was seven and her mother turned to her friend Jack Daniels to drown her sorrows. Unfortunately, Mr. Jack Daniels, and some ecstasy took her mother’s life. She moved in with her aunt at the age of eleven and grew very hard very fast. She put up a brick wall that no one could break though. She was a leader not a follower, a loner, and someone that most people in her high school either feared or greatly respected. She didn’t want to share anything with anyone, and number one on her list was her life with a stranger, who was now claiming to be her big sister.

~~ ~~ ~~

Meanwhile, at the airport, Prue Halliwell stood nervously at the gate. She knew exactly what her little sister looked like, thanks to Mrs. Davis, from Bay View High School. Prue was here at college for her master’s degree in photojournalism. She’d had a big sister her freshman year in college and thanked God everyday that Kayli was there for her. Prue had had a good childhood, not the happiest maybe but a good one. She was a big sister, a biological big sister, and therefore, she didn’t know how to relinquish control. She still didn’t know how to relinquish control sometimes but Kayli helped her to understand how to get a hold of things, put thing into perspective. As she waited for the flight to land, her mind drifted back to her freshman year. Kayli had picked her up at the airport gate, just as she was doing for Paige now. Prue couldn’t wait till her new little sister got off that plane. Finally the plane landed and Prue watched anxiously as the people disembarked the plane. Finally she saw her. The five foot five brunette, with brown eyes and fair skin. “Paige!” she called out. Paige groaned and walked over to Prue and grabbed her carryon bag tightly. Paige was amazed at first. This girl looked exactly like her, except for the fat that she had half a foot on her. Prue looked like this tall Amazonian woman, and it actually made Paige a little leery. Prue grabbed her and wrapped her in a big bear hug and Paige thought her lungs would collapse from the strength. Prue finally released her and Paige felt a strange calm wash over her. Something was different about this woman, so she gritted her teeth and decided to try to bare the next nine months of school.

Prue took Paige’s hand in her own and lead her through the airport to baggage claim, making sure that she had a tight grip on her the entire time. “You know I’m not a child,” Paige said. “I know, I just want to keep an eye on my new baby sis.” Prue smiled ignoring the slight whine in Paige’s voice. Getting to carousel six they grabbed Paige’s suitcase and caught a cab to the college. Prue’s car was in the shop at the moment. Paige groaned as the two got out of the cab. “Wait here while I pay honey,” Prue said sweetly. Prue paid the cab driver and watched as Paige crossed the parking lot, completely ignoring Prue instructions. Prue took a deep breath. This was it, it was starting already, she was going to have to lay down the law, and she didn’t like it one little bit. It seemed much easier to be the little sister rather than the big sister. Prue took a deep breath and caught up to Paige, just as she hit the dorm lobby. Prue walked up behind Paige and popped her on the behind. “I said don’t run off Missy!” Prue said narrowing her eyes. Paige backed as far as she could and glared at Prue. “You can’t touch me!” she yelled. “That’s where you are wrong Missy. For all intents and purposes, you belong to me, and I can do with you what I please.” She saw the look on Paige’s face and was able to read her mind. “Yeah, I know you don’t think it’s true, but I assure you it is. Trust me, I’ll be your best friend, or I can be your worst enemy, but I am here to be your big sister whether you like it or not. And while I would never hurt you badly, I would not hesitate to punish you how I see fit.” Paige glared at Prue, but said nothing. Prue pulled her close and wrapped an arm around Paige’s shoulders. “Like it or not kid, you’re stuck with me!” Prue said as the two stepped into the elevator. Taking it to the fourth floor, they walked into room 407.

Paige was forced into the room and looked around her. There were two twin beds on each wall and a nightstand between them. There was a desk at the end of each bed and two big closets behind Paige for her clothes and things. “Alright Missy, would you like help unpacking?” Prue asked kindly. “Whatever,” Paige said throwing her duffle bag on the floor. Prue looked at Paige and smiled. “Like it or not you have a big sister now, someone who will look out for you and defend you. It would behoove you to keep that in mind. I’ll help you unpack if you want.” “Yeah I guess,” Paige sighed. Prue nodded and pulled out the bed sheets. Making the bed, she watched as Paige put away her clothes and then saw her stop dead in her tracks and stare at the picture on Prue’s desk. “What’s up Missy?” Prue asked gently as she held her from behind. Paige tried to shake her off but Prue held tight. Paige resigned to the fact that she was going to get a lot of hugs apparently and asked Prue who the people in the picture were. “Those are my biological sisters. Piper and Phoebe.” Paige quickly turned around and looked at Prue. “Let’s get one thing straight, I’m not a charity case!” Paige argued.

Prue was about to scold Paige for her attitude but they were interrupted by a scream from down the hall. First day of school and already someone was getting a paddling. It brought back many memories of her years at her aunt’s house. Her uncle had been very abusive so she’d felt the paddle or the belt her own body many times. Somehow she’d managed to hide it all from her guidance counselor at school and never really dealt with it. It was one of the reasons she didn’t talk much about her past, or her dreams, or her plans for the future. One more scream set her into gear and she went racing down the hall. The blonde on the bed was shocked when Paige burst through the door and yanked the crying girl off her lap. Ashley was shocked that someone had come rushing to ‘rescue’ her from a spanking. Nicole stood up and went to grab Ashley back, but Paige gripped her even tighter. Ashley stumbled a bit as her jeans and underwear were around her ankles at the moment. She was now highly embarrassed and didn’t know what to feel. Prue was now in the room yelling at Paige. Nicole saw panic in Ashley’s eyes, and rage in Paige’s. “Prue get her under control,” Nicole said softly. Prue nodded and slowly stepped toward Paige. “Missy,” she said carefully. “Let’s leave Ashley and Nicole alone, come with me,” Prue said slowly reaching out her hand. Paige glared at Prue, before letting her have an earful.

“YOU LEAVE ME ALONE!” she screamed at Prue. Prue stood her ground and went to move forward, but Paige took a step back and pushed Ashley behind her. “Ash come here sweetie,” Nicole said gently. “NO!” Paige snapped at Nicole. “Paige,” Prue said warningly. “NO STAY AWAY!” Paige yelled. “You are NOT a big sister, at least not a good one, you do not got around hitting people if you are!” Paige yelled. “That is the cruelest thing anyone could ever do to anyone, in the world, you have no idea, the pain you are causing her!” she snapped and then she started to advance on Nicole, leaving Ashley unattended. Prue walked over to Ashley and helped her pull up her pants. Prue gave her a hug and kissed her forehead. Ashley had been frightened by the outburst from Paige and so she was partly crying from that and partly crying from the spanking, and the humiliation of having someone walk in on her. Prue guided Ashley to her bed and told her to sit down for a bit. Then she turned her attention to Paige and Nicole.

“PAIGE MATTHEWS!” she bellowed. “Get the hell out of my way!” Paige yelled. “You and your ...ing big sister, little sister club. All you do is beat the crap out of us! You can’t call yourself my big sister ever! And YOU!” she screamed at Nicole. “You leave her alone, don’t you dare touch her, or I swear to God, I’ll come after you myself!” Prue seized her chance and grabbed Paige from behind and dragged her kicking and screaming out of the room. Continuing down the hall, Prue dragged her into the bathroom, and had managed to grab the attention of the other floor mates. Madison poked her head out of her room and looked at Prue. “No, we’re fine!” she said. Madison nodded and backed off. Then she headed down the hall to Nicole and Ashley’s room, since she was pretty sure that’s where things had started.

~~ ~~ ~~

Madison walked toward the bedroom, only to find the door locked. So she knocked on the door and waited. When she was let in, she saw Ashley standing in the corner and sobbing. “What happened?” Madison asked. “Someone decided that maybe it would be a smart idea to start yelling profanities at me, and I taught them that that was unacceptable,” Nicole stated. “And the yelling of Prue’s little one?” “Yeah, that I’m not sure about. She came in and yanked Ashley off me, and just went ballistic. Prue will deal with it fine, I’m sure, remember, she had Kayli as a big sister.” “Yeah you’re right,” Madison agreed. The two sat talking and finally Nicole released Ashley from the corner. This girl was a submissive mess, and also very open with her mouth. Nicole pulled her down next to her and ran her hands through her hair. “Listen to me Ash. You are my little sister now and I will look out for you and care for you, but I will NOT tolerate that mouth, understand me young lady?” Ashley nodded and surprisingly let Nicole hug her and tell her that she was a good girl again and all was forgiven.

~~ ~~ ~~

Meanwhile in the bathroom, Prue threw Paige into the shower. A very cold shower and kept her in there, getting wet herself. She didn’t care, Paige was seething, and she had to cool her off fast. The water felt so cold and Paige screamed bloody murder, till she finally sunk to the floor and began crying. Prue let her cry it out by herself and ran as fast as she could to grab some clothes. It was nearly lunch so she grabbed two towels and dashed back to the bathroom. “Prue,” Madison called after her. “Not now Maddie, thanks though,” she said quickly.

Getting back into the bathroom, she rounded the corner to the shower stall and found Paige exactly where she left her. Her face was all splotchy and her eyes looked a little puffy, even though she was sitting in the cold water. Prue turned off the water and pulled Paige out of the shower. “Young lady, you are in so much trouble!” Prue growled at her. She stripped her out of her wet clothes and turned on the water. She went to put Paige back in a warm shower, and Paige began screaming her protests. “No honey, come on,” Prue said gently. She pushed Paige under the water and when she got her to realize that she was okay, she stopped fighting. She let Prue wash her down and then pull her out. Prue wrapped a towel around her body and rubbed her back briskly. “Come on then,” she said as she guided her out of the stall fully. She used the second towel to wrap her hair up and then guided the girl down the hall and back to their room. She set Paige down on her bed and moved to the dresser. She pulled out a bra and a pair of underwear. Prue instructed Paige to put her bra on. Paige only shook her head and found an interesting spot to stare at on the floor. “Missy if you don’t dress yourself, I’m going to have to do it for you!” Prue said sternly. Paige just stayed there. She didn’t know what to think, all she knew was that she was in huge trouble with this woman who had six inches on her, and she was quickly learning not to mess with that.

Prue sighed and put Paige’s bra on for her. Before she continued on with what she was planning, she decided that a proper conversation was in order. She pulled Paige close to her and was surprised when Paige didn’t protest. “We need to talk don’t we,” Prue said gently. She waited a moment and heard nothing. “Why did you barge in on Nicole and Ashley?” she asked after a moment. “She was torturing her,” Paige said. Prue sighed and pulled Paige’s chin so she could look at her. “Look at me Missy!” she said carefully. “I want you to understand something right now okay?” “This is how the big sister/little sister program works. I know it sucks, believe me I had a big sister, I was in your shoes once. When you screw up, we spank you, but I mean bad, you don’t get hit for every little minor infraction. You are all eighteen, you are supposed to know right from wrong and when you mess up, we correct you.” “Don’t hit me,” Paige begged. “Shhh,” Prue soothed as she tried to draw Paige into a hug. “Missy, I know you don’t think it’s fun, but these are the rules at this school, and I’ll tell you a little secret?” Prue whispered. “Sometimes, if you give in, it feels good.” Paige looked at her confused. Prue rolled her eyes and blushed a bit. “It gets you off.” Prue said. “NO!” Paige cried as she quickly made her way to the door. Prue was too fast though she grabbed her waist and pulled her back. Paige apparently had some big dark secret and Prue was determined to find out at least a little bit of it. “Honey,” she said once Paige had calmed down. “Missy talk to me, I need to know, and if you don’t start talking, you’ll get the spanking that you deserve. You are not to attack anyone on this floor, I know you know better than that.” “She was being tortured. I had to save her. You can’t let her do that, He’ll hurt me, make him stay away, it’s not right!” Paige said quickly. It hit Prue that Paige was now talking about males and this was a female floor. Prue quickly pulled Paige to her and hugged her fiercely. Paige started bawling all over again. “Oh sweetie. Is my little sister tired? Did the travel take too much out of you?” Prue said gently. Paige struggled free from Prue and Prue let her go. “Talk to me please.” “Just do it, just beat me and be done with it.” Paige said. Prue sighed and looked at Paige. “Listen to me, I know you don’t believe it now, but I’m doing this because I love you.” “You don’t know me!” Paige whined. Prue grabbed Paige’s chin and forced her to look. “What I know, is that I have a little sister, who did wrong and needs to be punished and needs to feel forgiven for her transgressions.” Paige just looked away and didn’t believe any of what Prue said. “Alright then, if that’s how you feel, over you go, let’s get this over with.”

Prue guided Paige face down over her lap and began her spanking. Paige remained stoic and felt a very strange warmth come over her. It was unlike anything she’d ever felt. And now she was blushing because her big sister was right, she really was starting to get her off and being the good big sister she was, she brought Paige to the ‘promise land’. She let the spasms finish and then pulled Paige up to her lap. She cuddled her close and helped her to relax. “Why didn’t you beat me?” Paige asked in a tiny voice. “I never would Missy,” Prue said kissing her temple. Paige relaxed and then Prue told her it was time to get dressed. “Come on, up you get,” Prue said pushing Paige to her feet. “We need to go get lunch.” “I’m not all that hungry,” Paige said quietly. “Dress, and let’s go, you are eating end of story!” Paige sighed and got dressed.

~~ ~~ ~~

Sitting down at the cafeteria table Prue guided Paige to sit next to Ashley, while she talked to Madison who was sitting across from her. Ashley was sitting next to Paige and leaned over. “Thanks for before, but I’m okay, really,” she whispered. Paige took a sip of water and leaned over. “I think I found out what happened to you,” she grinned. Ashley smiled and grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. “So what is your major?” “I’m an art major,” Paige said as she took another bite. Paige, Ashley, Marissa, and Haylie, didn’t even notice that their big sisters were discussing them, as they were wrapped up in their own conversations. Madison looked at Prue and leaned a bit away from the girls. “What happened?” “I have no idea.” “Did you get a file on her?” “No, housing and the psych department told me she didn’t have one.” “That’s crap they all have one,” Madison said a bit angrily. All eyes turned to her and she quickly regrouped. “Mara,” she said as she ran her hand over her little sister’s head. “There’s an ice cream stand thing over in the corner, why don’t the four of you go get ice cream.” “I agree,” Jordan added quickly. Jordan was Haylie’s big sister. The four girls carefully got up and went to get some ice cream.

“Alright, what’s up?” Jordan asked as she and Nicole scooted closer to Prue and Madison. “Oh, we were just discussing my little sister’s file,” Prue said. “No, you mean the lack of her file!” Madison said. “Prue, there’s got to be a file on her,” Nicole said. “I’m telling you guys, they said she didn’t have one.” “They all have one. You should see Haylie’s it’s this thick,” Jordan said holding up her fingers. She quickly shut her mouth when the girls came back with ice cream. The older girls separated, making room for the little ones to sit down. They all happily ate their ice cream and Prue marveled at her little sister. “Prue you are quite lucky, she even looks like you.” Madison commented. Prue smiled and picked up the spoon and put it in Paige’s mouth for her. “Well I definitely will take good care of her, she can rest assured about that.” Nicole looked at her watch and then told Ashley to finish up. “I’ve got one little thing I need to do okay baby?” Ashley nodded and finished her sundae, and the two girls went off. “Prue I’ll get you what you need,” she said gently. Paige looked at her quizzically. “Finish your sundae honey,” she said sweetly.

~~ ~~ ~~

Nicole and Ashley went down to housing first. Nicole worked in the housing office, three nights a week. “Honey, you sit here and be a good girl okay?” Nicole asked. “I’m not four ya know,” Ashley sassed. “You only get one warning baby, remember that,” Nicole said. Ashley pouted and Nicole rolled her eyes and let her be for the moment. She went in to the back room and began searching through files. “Matthews, Matthews, where is her file!” Nicole muttered. While Nicole was searching, she heard the door to the office open and close several times. “Ashley!” she called and heard nothing in response. “Ashley!” she called in a warning voice. “Ashley!” she yelled as she walked into the main office area. As she turned the corner, she sighed. There was Ashley, lying on the little sofa, curled up in a tight ball and sleeping. “Oh Kay,” she sighed. She went back to the filing cabinet and finally found it. It was marked wrong. Instead of seeing Matthews, Paige, she found Halliwell, Paige. She guessed that the person making the labels confused the sisters and just typed the label wrong.

Walking back to the main office, she tried to wake Ashley from her nap. “Come on baby,” she cooed gently. “It’s time to go back to our room.” She gently roused Ashley from her nap and found out exactly how cranky her new little sister was. “Go away,” she whined. “Come on little sister, let’s go,” she said, as she pulled Ashley to her feet, whether she liked it or not. Ashley didn’t struggle, but she made no bones about being so unhappy. And when they got back to the floor all she did was whine and complain. “Ashley ENOUGH!” Nicole scolded her. “You’ve already gotten it once today, I wouldn’t go for two!” she said angrily. She pushed her into their room, number 402, and told her to lay down and take a nap. “GO AWAY!” Ashley yelled at her. “Fine you want to play it that way we will.” With that Nicole shut the door, locked it and took care of business.

~~ ~~ ~~

Prue and Paige sat in their room and Prue was going over the campus layout with Paige so she would get to class on time. “Okay Missy, what’s next?” Prue asked kindly. “Um, that’s it I’m done.” “You are?” Paige nodded and moved over to her desk to put her schedule away. Prue watched her carefully and saw the look of anxiety in her eyes. “Paige, please talk to me, I might be able to help, even if all I am is a sounding board.” Paige turned around and calmly told Prue that there was nothing to talk about. Unfortunately her voice faltered and Prue caught it and pulled Paige back to her. “What’s wrong baby? Why is my little sister so upset?” “I’m not upset,” Paige said fighting back tears. “Well I think different,” Prue said quietly. Paige could hold back no longer, she didn’t know what was happening to her. She never cried, and in the past twenty-four hours, she’d never felt more upset than she did at this very moment.

Prue saw her little sister’s face crumble and pulled her close. “It’s okay sweetheart,” Prue said as she rocked back and forth a little. Her hand went down to Paige’s hip and began tapping lightly. It was just something her mom always did for her when she was upset. Paige didn’t cry though. She just couldn’t, she didn’t know how to cry right now. Prue was at a loss, she didn’t know what to do. So she just held her new baby sister and hoped she could help.

~~ ~~ ~~

Nicole finished punishing her little sister and put her in the corner. “I’m not a child!” she yelled boldly. “Ashley Brianna Parker,” Nicole growled and immediately Ashley backed off and scooted into the corner. She wasn’t fast enough though and Nicole grabbed her and gave her half a dozen more swats to her already tender backside. “Twenty minutes, you do not move!” Nicole growled. She was going to go give Prue the file on Paige, but was not about to leave Ashley alone for a second. She went over to her desk and pulled out her latest mystery novel and began to read. Two chapters through, and the twenty minutes were over. “Alright little one, come here,” Nicole said gently. Ashley turned around and tentatively moved over to Nicole. “Come on baby, I won’t spank you again,” she said softly. Ashley moved toward Nicole, but didn’t dare sit down. “I’m not the big bad wolf baby, come here please.”

Nicole sat cuddling Ashley and finally she calmed down and stopped crying. “I know you don’t believe me now baby, but I do love you,” she said softly. There was a faint knock on the door just as Nicole finished her statement. “Come in,” Madison entered and smiled. “Aww, you two look so cute,” she said sweetly. Ashley just buried her face in Nicole’s chest. She was embarrassed enough that she was forced to cuddle, and she’d been spanked, for the second time that day, and she was made to stand in the corner. She did have to admit that the cuddling felt good, but she didn’t want anyone else to know. “It’s alright Ash, I cuddle Mara too,” Madison explained. “What’s up Maddie?” Nicole asked changing the subject. “I’m taking the girls to buy books, you coming?” “Girls?” Nicole asked. “Yeah, Erin went down to the mall to get Amy some appropriate school clothes and she didn’t want a fight. So I’m taking Marissa and Amy to the bookstore. Would you like to join us Ash?” Ashley didn’t move, but Nicole forced her. “Go on baby, you need to get those books okay?” “I don’t wanna,” she whined. “Ohh,” Madison said quickly. “I think someone needs a nap.” “No, someone had a nap and I had to wake her up from it.” “Oh I see,” Madison smiled. “Come on Ashley, let’s go,” Madison said. Nicole could tell that Ashley was not going to go just yet so she sighed and looked at Madison. “Why don’t you go see if Prue’s little one will go with you, she and Ash have bonded, and besides, I have what Prue wanted before. Madison gave her a puzzled look but nodded and left the room.

~~ ~~ ~~

“Nikki, this is a novel!” Prue exclaimed when she got the file. “Yeah I know, but just read as much as you can and then when you get the chance confront her about it.” “Yeah because that will go over so well won’t it. ‘Paige I was told about your life before college, so why don’t you just talk to me and we’ll fix it all.’ Nikki, you know that that’s not going to happen.” “All right just read the file then. You graduated with a psychology degree, with honors no less, and a degree in photojournalism. If anyone can handle this you can.” “Okay, well then, I guess I better get reading. Nicole nodded and left the room. When Prue finished reading, she was ready to cry. Paige had been adopted, her mother had died when Paige was just eleven and her uncle had beat her nearly everyday of her life. She was arrested in high school for underage drinking. Prue could only imagine what Paige’s uncle did to her. Now it was becoming clearer about why Paige had told Prue, to just beat her before. Prue decided that maybe she needed to take a different approach with Paige.

Prue was sitting and reading from her psychology book and began reading. She took in everything she read very carefully. She wanted to make sure that she handled this right. She took a huge sigh and wandered down the hall. She knocked on the door and went in after she got the okay. Jordan and Nicole were studying together and Prue was glad to have both of them there. Beth joined them seconds later and the four sat discussing Prue’s issue. She wanted to do right by her new baby sister and she felt comfortable enough talking with. They had been her fellow classmates, or just a year or two younger than her. “Prue, just show her you love her, you know that works best,” Beth suggested. Prue nodded and was about to open her mouth when Madison came back with the gang of girls she’d taken to the bookstore. “Girls enough, I’m getting a migraine!” Madison said. She guided all the girls to Nicole’s room as she saw the door open. Each big sister took their little sisters to them and began to check them over. “Madison, what the hell happened?” Prue barked. “Sorry that was too harsh.” “Believe me harsh is what happened in the bookstore!” she sighed.

~~ ~~ ~~

“NO!” Amy screamed. Erin squared off and grabbed Amy. “Shhh,” Erin said softly. “It’s okay baby, Beth is a nurse.” “NO!” she cried again “Just hold her,” Beth said, and with that she popped Amy’s elbow back in place and then ran to grab an ice pack from the community room. Amy sat there in her big sisters arms, bawling from the pain. “I know sweetie,” Erin said gently. Beth came back with a bag of ice, a glass of water and some Tylenol. Erin took the pill and literally had to put it in Amy’s mouth, and help her drink the water. Erin continued to cuddle her little sister and looked to Beth. “Can I have an explanation now?” she asked. “Maddie took the girls to the bookstore,” Prue supplied from the doorway. “Why don’t I like the sound of that?” Erin asked. Prue smiled and looked at Beth. “Can you go check Paige over for me? Tell her I’ll be right there.” “She in your room?” “Yeah, with Ashley and Nicole.” Beth nodded and left the room.

Prue moved in and sat down across from Amy, who was still crying. Prue leaned over and brushed Amy’s hair out of her face. “Well, Madison came back after about an hour or so at the book store. I give her a lot of credit, she had Paige, Marissa, Haylie, Ashley, Amy, and Shaina with her.” “She took six of them on her own?” “Brave huh?” Prue asked sarcastically. “Yeah, not quite the word I was thinking, how did this happen though?” “Well from what Paige and Maddie said the girls were in line to pay for their books.” Erin nodded and carefully adjusted Amy so that she was cradled on her lap. “So one of the girls saw, what they thought was me and…” “Wait what girls? Our girls?” “Delta Zeta,” Amy said quietly. “Shhh,” Erin said softly. She adjusted the ice bag and looked at Prue, indicated it was time to continue. “Well apparently I ticked off someone in that group and thinking that Paige was me, they walked up to her, and socked her in the face.” “Oh God. How bad?” “Prue,” Beth called from the doorway. “That bad,” Prue said as she held out her arm to her little sister. Beth guided Paige to Prue and Prue pulled her to her lap. She could tell she’d been crying a little bit. Paige sat gingerly on her sister’s lap. “It’s okay Missy, just relax,” Prue soothed. “Aim,” Paige said softly. “Thanks.” “No problem,” Amy said softly. “Prue it still doesn’t explain why Amy had her elbow dislocated.” Paige sighed heavily and let the tears flow. “Aww baby, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Erin tried to sooth her. Prue sighed and stood up holding Paige against her. “There was a ruckus, but now that it’s getting close to dinner, I think we all need to go eat and forget about everything else.”

~~ ~~ ~~

Getting to the cafeteria, Paige claimed along with the rest of the little sisters that they weren’t going to eat. They were too upset to eat. “Nice try ladies, you are eating, if we have to force feed you, but one way or another you will eat!” Jordan said. She guided Haylie in front of her and put her in line with a tray. She took two sets of forks and knives and put them on her tray. “I can…” Haylie started but Jordan turned her around and pushed her forward. “Can I please have my utensils,” she tried as she began to turn back around. “No sweetheart, it’s too dangerous for you to handle.” “I’m sorry what?” Jordan took a breath and leaned forward. “If you want a public spanking in the cafeteria I’d be happy to comply with that wish, now just face forward. Haylie stopped arguing, she knew that Jordan would comply and as she looked behind her for a quick moment, she saw Marissa having the same problem. She had a tray, but no utensils, and Marissa was pushing Madison further than she should.

They got their food and Haylie watched as Madison tried to discretely feed Marissa her dinner. “I can do it myself!” Marissa said quickly. “Mara,” Madison warned. “Open,” Madison said bringing the fork full of vegetables to Marissa’s lips. “Stop,” she whined. “Marissa!” Madison warned again. “No I can do it!” she whined and then crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. “At least she knows better than to run away,” Madison thought. “Ash, eat,” Nicole scolded her. She noticed how Ashley was more intent on staring at Madison and Marissa, rather than eat her own dinner. Ashley decided to listen to Nicole this time with no arguments and Nicole went back to eating. She looked up and saw Paige and Prue eating and couldn’t help but laugh. The two even fell into the same rhythm and it was uncanny. Prue looked up at Nicole and asked her what was so funny. “You two, I don’t know why, but I swear you two are related.” “Not possible,” they answered together, in the same tone. “See,” Nicole pointed out. “I had that with Kayli though!” Prue said. “Not like this Prue, this is dead on in sync!” Nicole pressed. “You’re just seeing things,” Prue said as she went back to eating and again fell into a rhythm with Paige. Nicole let it go and eventually the gang of girls finished dinner. “Missy, if you want ice cream you can go get it okay?” Prue said sweetly. “Me too?” Haylie asked hopefully, when she heard that?” “You ate well enough, yes go on.” The rest of the ‘little ones’ looked at their older sisters and begged silently. “Mara, don’t even try it. If you want your ice cream, then you better finish dinner, without one more word of complaint.” Madison picked up the fork and started to feed her. Marissa had a mouth full of food and was about to swallow when she saw Paige get socked again, by the same DZ girl that hit her in the bookstore.

Marissa began choking on her food and pointing rapidly towards where Paige was standing. Prue turned around in time to see Heather take another punch to Paige’s gut and Prue ran over to her faster than she’d ever ran in her life. “What the hell is your problem!” she screamed at the girl. “HEATHER!” the other DZ girl yelled. “She said our club sucked!” Heather yelled, drawing the attention of the entire cafeteria. Renee walked over to Heather and yanked her off Paige. “Hey Prue, take her to the doctor, send me the bills, the sorority will pay for it I promise.” “Renee, you really don’t…” “Prue I insist!” Renee said. “Okay, okay,” Prue agreed. Paige’s eyes grew wide with fear and she began crying. “NO DON’T,” she wailed. Nicole rushed over to the two of them and picked Paige up and brought her back to their table, while Prue and Renee had a discussion. “Prue I’m really sorry, I promise she’ll be dealt with when we get back to the house.” Prue nodded and left to go talk check on Paige. She looked pretty bad and like it or not, she was going to the doctor.

~~ ~~ ~~

“I don’t want to be here,” she wailed. “I know baby,” Prue soothed. “I’m sorry sweetheart, but we have to. I want to make sure you’re okay.” “I’m fine!” Paige insisted as the tears fell. Prue felt so bad for her and she felt that now was a bad time to bring up Paige’s file. She moved over to Paige and sat next to her. She wrapped an arm around her and hugged her tight, causing Paige to wince. “Sorry sweetheart, see that’s why we need to be here.” The doctor stepped in the room a few seconds later and began talking calmly to Paige. “Well I see we had a bar brawl,” he said. “NO! She didn’t, she was unrightfully beat up by some brat at our college campus, so cut the crap and just examine her,” Prue growled as she moved in front of Paige to protect her. “Okay then,” he said as he started to examine Paige. “Where were you hit?” “Her eye and her stomach,” Prue answered for her. “Did she have the wind knocked out of her?” “Yes,” Prue answered for her. “What’s your name honey?” he said calmly. “Paige,” Prue answered for her. The doctor rolled his eyes and asked Paige to lay down. He lifted her shirt and Paige shocked everyone when she screamed. “NO! NO!” she wailed. Prue jumped in quickly and realized that this was unfortunately the perfect time to talk about her file.

~~ ~~ ~~

“Shhh,” Prue soothed. It took her five minutes, but she managed to get Paige to stop screaming and pay attention to her. “He…and they….and you can’t…don’t…you can’t…” Paige sobbed. “Shhh, I know baby, I know. Missy, I know, I know what happened.” “But you….” “Shhh, I know,” Prue soothed. “I can’t…” Paige wailed. “It’s okay, you have me now, it’s okay!” Prue said gently. She leaned over and kissed Paige’s temples so many times she lost count, but that’s what she did for her sisters and now she considered Paige one of them. “It’s okay baby, I’m here, I’m not leaving.” Prue assured her. The doctor moved in and examined Paige’s stomach. Finally after what seemed like forever, the doctor proscribed her some extra strength Tylenol for the pain and told Prue to put some aloe on her eye. Prue nodded and thanked the doctor. She looked outside and saw the sun was still out. She helped Paige to sit up and kissed her cheek. “Come on Missy, we have to go talk okay?” Prue waited and got a simple nod of the head. “Okay good girl, come one then.” With that Prue guided them to the car.

~~ ~~ ~~

Prue turned off her engine, and the girls sat quietly for a moment. The drive to the pharmacy was wordless. She looked over at Paige who had been so upset, that Prue had to buckle her into her seat. Prue had reclined the seat and helped Paige to lay down. “Close your eyes, try and rest,” Prue said as she leaned down and kissed Paige’s cheek. Looking over at her new little sister, she talked softly to her. “Missy? Honey, I’m going to get your medication, I’ll be right back. You just stay here and keep the doors locked.” Paige moaned a bit and Prue quickly went and got the Tylenol as well as a jar of aloe cream. Getting back to the car, she unlocked the door and got in. Paige jumped a bit but Prue put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay sweetheart, it’s just me,” Prue said softly. “What did you mean you know?” Paige finally asked. “Shhh, just rest Missy, we’ll talk in a bit okay?” With that Prue drove off to the nearest park.

~~ ~~ ~~

Prue sat down under the tall oak tree and bent her knees, spreading her legs apart. She reached up and grabbed Paige’s hand and pulled her down to the ground. She had Paige sit in front of her and she wrapped her arms around Paige’s waist. She leaned forward and gently placed her head on Paige’s shoulder and turned to kiss her cheek. Paige hung her head. She didn’t know what was going on. It was quiet for a really long time and when the sun finally began to set, Paige started talking.

“What did you mean, you know?” Paige asked barely above a whisper. Prue sighed. She had to handle this carefully. “Well you give me your guess and I’ll help you out okay?” “You meant Uncle Todd didn’t you?” Prue nodded and Paige took a sigh before continuing. “When my Mom died, I was only eleven. Daddy left when I was seven, and Mom drank a lot when that happened.” Paige took a deep breath and shuddered before continuing. “Aunt Lydia didn’t even care, she just let him do whatever he wanted.” Paige gulped before continuing. “I think I was twelve… he saw me pour the milk into the cereal bowl and I misjudged, so he took whatever he could find and hit me with it.” Prue held her breath. “One night we had a really bad storm… and I was crying…………….. he heard me and locked me in a closet……..I couldn’t…… see….couldn’t see for,” she said. Paige stopped herself from that memory and moved on to another one. She thought for a moment and carefully took Prue’s hand and fixed it so that Prue had her pointer finger extended. Then she took it and traced the ring of a scar on her forearm. “Spilled the water, when I cooked dinner. He got mad………….. he pushed my arm……… right in. Then he ran it under cold water and left me.” Finally it got to be too much for Paige, she was tired of reliving her memories and Prue didn’t want to force her. Prue had the file, and the file stated everything Prue had just told her plus some stuff. Paige took one last breath, struggled free and stood in front of Prue, starting at her not saying a word. She slowly unbuttoned her jeans and stood in the park, in her underware. “Paige Kaitlyn Matthews,” Prue said quickly. Paige cut her off when she turned her left leg out to the side, revealing a large straight scar right down the center. Prue tried to hide her gasp, but she quickly realized that it didn’t matter. Paige collapsed into her and started bawling.

~~ ~~ ~~

The sun had almost finished setting and Paige finally stopped bawling. Her throat was dry and she was tired. She did however find the strength to ask Prue one last question. “Why did you save me from that DZ girl?” Paige asked. Prue sighed and fixed Paige so that she wasn’t contorted in all directions. “Missy… Paige I need you to listen okay? I want you to really pay attention to me.” Prue waited for Paige to find the courage to look at Paige for longer than a few seconds. “You ARE my baby sister. From today forward, you are my baby sister, and I don’t care if you are 90, and I’m 97, you are still my baby sister.” Paige nodded but Prue could tell she may not be so convinced. “Listen Missy, you are my baby sister, and if takes me till your senior year to get it through to you, you’re going to understand that you are my baby sister and NOTHING with change that.” “Why?” Paige asked really softly. “Big sisters have that responsibility.” Paige yawned and put her head on Prue’s shoulder. “Come on my little one,” Prue said softly. “We’re going back to the dorm, and you are going to bed.” Paige said nothing and didn’t even move. Prue sighed and managed to stand up and keep Paige glued to her chest. The girls somehow managed to walk back to the car and drive back to campus.
~~ ~~ ~~

Prue got out of the car and extended her hand to Paige. Paige took it and Prue held her hand all the way back to her room. Prue found her night shirt and a pair of clean underwear. She had originally sat Paige down on the bed but quickly grabbed a towel and Paige’s shower supplies and led her back to the bathroom. “Okay Missy, in you go,” Prue said gently. Paige nodded and got in the shower stall. She showered and came out looking like a drowned rat. To top it off, she had the biggest pout on her face. Prue took her out of the shower and just as she wrapped her in a towel, Jordan and Haylie walked in. “All fixed?” Jordan asked. “Getting there,” Prue answered and then guided her back to their room.

Prue opened the door and sat Paige on her bed. She carefully pulled on the night shirt and helped Paige put on her underwear. She helped her stand up and then turned down the sheets. Prue had to help her lay down and then covered her with the blankets. She sat on the bed and smiled when Paige rolled on her side and closer to Prue. Prue ran her hands through Paige’s hair gently and over her shoulders for a bit. Finally Paige fell asleep and Prue couldn’t help looking at her.

Nicole had snuck in behind her and cleared her throat. “Do you see it?” she asked. “No Nicole, I don’t. What I see is A LOT of pain” “You’ll get her through it and I don’t care what you say, I see it. She could be your biological sister!” Nicole raised her voice slightly and Prue felt Paige flinch. “Shhh,” Prue soothed. It’s alright now Missy. I’m here, you’re safe now.” She soothed Paige back to sleep and then she and Nicole stepped out of the room.

~~ ~~ ~~

They walked into the community room where most of the girls on the floor were watching some television. “Prue I’m telling you, she’s YOURS!” Nicole pressed. “What are you driving at Nikki, there is no way that I am related to that girl.” “And I’m telling you, you are!” Nicole said. “Everyone else sees it but you!” “That’s because you are all looking for something that isn’t there!” Prue said logically. “Look, just for my own piece of mind, get Beth to do a blood test on you, on both of you!” “Yeah Prue I can call in some favors down at the hospital,” Beth supplied. “It’s not necessary Beth, but thank you.” Then she turned to Nicole. “Listen to me, I have TWO younger sisters living at home in San Francisco. Not three, TWO, and I am in the big sister PROGRAM, here at school.” “You’re impossible!” Nicole said throwing up her hands. “Only because you know that I’m right,” Prue countered. “Nikki, just let it go!” Jordan advised her. “Whatever,” Nicole said taking a seat behind Ashley. She reached over and started to brush out her little sister’s hair. At first Ashley didn’t protest but when Nicole started to put it up in a French braid, then Ashley began whining and complaining. Nicole took a sigh and quickly finished. “Let’s go sweetheart, you are obviously over tired,” Nicole said extending her hand. Ashley scowled at her and stood up. She purposely backed up and crossed her arms over her chest. Nicole quickly reached out, grabbed her arm, yanked her forward, gave her one pop on her backside and lead her to their bedroom. Nicole stepped out of the community room and into the hall where she saw Paige standing up outside her room. She looked confused and cold and so Nicole decided to just tell her where Prue was. “Paige honey, your Sissy is in that room right over there,” Nicole pointed out. Paige walked into it like a zombie until she found the person she was looking for and ran to her for comfort.

Paige crawled onto Prue’s lap and tried not to sob in front of the rest of the girls. Being very tall, and very strong, Prue simply stood up and carried Paige back to bed. “Don’t go!” Paige sobbed. “Shhh, no sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere, we are both going to bed. Come on love, lay down for me.”

~~ ~~ ~~

Some time around eleven thirty, after Ashley had finally been put to bed, there was a knock on the door. Nicole got up and answered it so as not to disturb her little sister. “Ash, you just stay there and go to sleep,” she scolded her. Opening the door, she stepped outside and beamed when she saw none other than her twin sister Danielle standing before her. “Hey Nic!” Danielle smiled. “Oh Dani, I missed you!” Nicole said throwing her arms around her. “I want you to come meet someone,” Danielle beamed. They went down to room 406 and Nicole walked in to see a very beautiful, but very tired figure sleeping in bed. She stepped back out of the room and smiled at Danielle. “She’s so adorable! “Jessica Karen Johnson.” “Oh god I could eat her up,” Nicole laughed “Tomorrow, where is your little one?” Danielle smiled. “Remember how Amanda used to curse me, I hope you get one as bratty as you? Well….it worked.” Danielle covered her mouth and tried to hide the smile and the laughter. “Ashley Brianna Parker, and she’s a little devil that one,” Nicole whispered. There was a very good chance that Ashley had snuck out of bed and she didn’t want Ashley to think that she didn’t like her. “I love her to death,” Nicole said a little louder. “Yeah I know that tone, how many times have you had to spank her.” “Three, and I think she might be asking for four. That girl is the most stubborn girl I’ve ever met.” “Besides yourself,” Danielle added. “Not cute. Okay, I’m beat, I gotta get to bed and make sure that Ashley actually stays in bed.

Getting back to her room, Nicole found Ashley sitting up in bed and awaiting her arrival. “What are you doing up little one, back to sleep!” Nicole said. “Who was that, is Paige okay? Did Prue need help? Can I go help out too?” Ashley asked in rapid fire. “Ashley, BED,” Nicole said sternly. “But I just want to help. She’s my friend!” she whined. “You are too tired to help anyone but yourself, now lay down!” “No!” Ashley pouted and she crossed her arms over her chest. Nicole sat down on Ashley’s bed and forced her to lay down. “You’re a little monster you know that?” she asked as she leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I’m notta monsser,” Ashley said with a yawn. “Yes you are, you are MY little monster and don’t you ever forget it!” Nicole laughed as she dug her fingers into Ashley’s ribs. Ashley squealed and squirmed a bit and then sat up again. “Okay fine, I’m your monster, now can you take me to see Paige?” she asked hopefully. “Ash, that wasn’t Prue, that was Danielle,” Nicole sighed. “Who’s she?” “My twin sister, and she lives on this floor with us.” “Oh, well I still want to say goodnight to Paige.” “You can tell her tomorrow night, right now she is sleeping and you will leave her alone!” “But…” “Ashley, I’m not playing around here. You set one foot on this floor and you’ll be spanked got it!” Ashley pouted but rolled over and tried to go to sleep. Nicole got up and went to her own bed. She got in, and then realized she had to run to the bathroom, and while she was gone Ashley grabbed her chance.

She lay there for a split second and then made her move. She got out of bed and tip toed out of the room. She began to wander down the hall towards Paige’s room and screamed when someone grabbed her from behind and silently began dragging her back to her room. She didn’t know it was Nicole at first and as she went screaming down the hall she woke everyone, including Paige. Nicole literally said nothing and pulled her across her lap when she sat down on the bed. She yanked off her underwear and began laying into her little sister. Nicole was relentless. The only reason she was being so harsh, was because she told Ashley, specifically what to do and she deliberately disobeyed her. Where her intentions were good or not, she did not listen, and Nicole was NOT going to let that slide. As her arm began to get tired, she reached over and grabbed the wooden hairbrush and used that to smack her every couple of seconds. Each swat left a big red splotch in it’s place, and Nicole continued until Ashley’s entire backside was a light shade of red. Ashley was bawling hysterically and by the time Nicole had stopped spanking her the fight had gone out of her body. She fell limp across Nicole’s lap and just cried.

Nicole waited a few moments before doing anything else. She wanted Ashley to remember this lesson for a good deal of time. She gently rubbed the angry red marks. She’d squeeze Ashley’s buttocks for a second and then let go. After a few minutes, she grabbed the aloe lotion she kept on the nightstand and began to rub it in gently. Ashley began to whimper at first but then relaxed a bit. Her bottom still hurt a lot, but the lotion felt nice. The sting wasn’t so bad anymore and she began to relax. Nicole carefully helped her up and put her in bed, on her stomach of course. She wasn’t entirely cruel. She leaned over and kissed her temples. “I meant it baby, but for now you get some sleep, we’ll discuss the rest of your punishment in the morning.” “The rest?” Ashley sobbed. “Shhh, yes baby, the rest, that was not all of it.” “Well what is it?” Ashley asked sounding more like she was six rather than eighteen. “Shhh, sweetheart, close your eyes, go to sleep. I have to go make sure you didn’t wake up the whole floor.” Ashley let out a sob and then tried to calm down. “You do not move, am I understood?” Nicole asked sternly. Ashley nodded and continued to try to get her breathing under control.

Nicole kissed her little sister one last time and then went down the hall. She paused at the doors before continuing on to the next one. She heard nothing till room 404. Haylie was awake and babbling on incoherently about something, so Nicole softly knocked on the door. She waited a few seconds and then opened the door. Haylie was curled up on Jordan’s lap talking about a woman, and a gun. Nicole looked at Jordan who just waved her hand and sent her on her way. “We’re good, I promise!” Nicole nodded and left the room. Then she finally got to Paige and Prue’s room. She knocked on the door and was surprised when Prue opened it. Quickly ushering Nicole in, Prue turned around and was surprise when Paige attached herself to her. “Shhh, I gotcha baby, you’re okay now,” Prue soothed. Nicole looked at Paige and her heart broke. She was so stressed and Nicole knew that Ashley’s screams were not helping her. She looked at Prue and Prue nodded.

Nicole leaned over and began to talk gently to Paige. “It’s alright love, that was just Ash, she didn’t listen to me.” Paige whimpered, pushed herself deeper into Prue and finished crying. Prue looked sympathetically at Nicole. “Thanks for your help, but we got it. Do me a favor and lock the door on the way out.” Nicole nodded and kissed Paige on the cheek, then she quickly ran her fingers through her hair and left the room.

~~ ~~ ~~

“That’s not fair!” Ashley whined. “Don’t argue with me baby, I’m not in the mood,” Nicole scolded. She threw Ashley the clothes that she was going to be wearing for the rest of the day, part of her punishment. Nicole explained that for the next week, Ashley was to be with her or Danielle, if she was not in class. “It’s still not fair.” “Well maybe you will remember this the next time you think about disobeying me! Roll over I want to make sure you’re okay.” Ashley sighed, rolled her eyes, and rolled over. Her entire backside was the faintest shade of pink. “Good,” Nicole said and then she pulled up Ashley’s underwear and started getting dressed herself.

~~ ~~ ~~

Danielle picked Ashley up from her math course, and then the two of them went down two buildings to get Paige from her astronomy course. Danielle was shocked. Paige looked so young and vulnerable. “Alright ladies, we just have to go get Marissa from her class and then we can go back to the dorm okay.” Both girls stayed silent, so Danielle just rolled her eyes and continued on to get Marissa. “We are old enough to walk to and from classes on our own ya know.” Danielle gave her a sugary sweet smile. “Well until we decide otherwise this is how it is. If I were you, I’d soak it all up now, because it’s a big cruel world out there and you never know when all this love and affection will stop.” Marissa chose to keep quiet at the moment.

~~ ~~ ~~

“HUMOR ME!” Nicole argued. “Nikki, you are grasping at straws.” “Oh come on, just do it!” Nicole said forcing her into the chair. Nicole forced Prue into the chair and Beth grabbed her arm. “You aren’t buying this are you?” Prue asked incredulously. “I don’t know Prue. What I do know is that you and Paige, look like real sisters!” “It can’t be possible. We don’t have the same parents!” “She was adopted, you don’t know that.” “Oh please, I would know at age five if my mom was pregnant, I knew at age four when my mom had Phoebe, how would I not know that she wasn’t pregnant again. “Fine then just humor us okay? Because for one thing, I’m tired of her complaining,” Beth said “Oh fine, just do it.” Prue sighed. Beth wrapped the band around Prue’s arm, gave her a sponge to squeeze every so often and quickly drew the blood. Finally Beth had her vial of blood and then put a band-aide on Prue’s arm. “Okay, all done.” “Good,” Prue said with a smile. “How long till results?” “I can’t do a thing, till I get a vial of Paige’s blood.” “Right of course,” Prue sighed. “Guys, I do NOT want to do this to her.” “Prue it’s a vial of blood,” Nicole said quickly. “Nicole, you did not read her file. To her that’s someone threatening her life! You did tell Danielle that she is NOT to spank her right? Only I do that, if I decide she needs that.” “Prue relax, she’s fine. She’s the best behaved brat out of all of them.” “Yes because she’s terrified of everything!” Prue yelled. “Was she terrified when you first met her?” “No she wasn’t, she was a down right brat, and so I spanked her, and look where it got me,” Prue said annoyed. “Prue,” Beth said quickly. “You didn’t know, none of us knew. Housing and Psychology said she didn’t have a file. They screwed up not you.” “Well until you spend a night with Ashley, who won’t go to sleep, unless she’s in your arms, and you stay up all night, making sure she stays asleep, then we can have this conversation again okay? I’m sorry guys I just want to do right by her.” Nicole and Beth both hugged Prue. “You are,” they assured her. “Especially if you turn out to be her biological sister, like I think you are!” Nicole said.

~~ ~~ ~~

Prue walked into her room and found Paige studying intently. “Hey Missy,” she smiled. Paige turned around and attacked her. Prue didn’t know if she was happy to see her, or upset and she needed comfort. “Hey, hey, what’s all this about?” Prue asked gently. “I missed you,” Paige said simply. “Aww, I missed you two sweetheart,” Prue said kindly. She held Paige for a moment longer before releasing the hug and putting away her own books. “So how was your day?” Prue asked. “Eh,” Paige said softly. “That doesn’t sound good, what happened?” Paige went back to studying and Prue realized she had to do this carefully. “Do you want to talk about it?” Paige shook her head in the negative and Prue took a deep breath. She wanted Paige to open up to her, but first, she had to figure out how to convince Paige that she needed a vial of blood drawn.

Prue took a few moments to collect her thoughts and form her words so that it sounded like a legitimate statement. So she put away her books, filed some papers, changed into a pair of jeans, a white tank top, and white sandals. “Hey sweetie, what classes do you have tomorrow?” “Um, algebra and my freshman seminar.” “What times?” “Algebra is at 10:30 and then my other class is at 1.” “Okay well tomorrow is my day to pick you all up from classes so I’ll get you from algebra, then pick up Haylie, Marissa, and Ashley, and we’ll go to lunch.” “Why not the others?” “Oh Beth is picking up the other girls and we’ll all have lunch together.” Paige nodded and went back to her homework. Prue made a point of going through a folder of papers and then looked at Paige. “Missy, where is your orientation folder?” Paige thought for a moment and then began rummaging through her desk. She pulled out the folder and handed it over to Prue. “Thank you sweetie,” she said softly.

Prue thumbed through the papers and made a phone call. “Shay, let me speak to Beth please. Hey, I need to make an appointment. We can be there, um, hang on. Missy, what time does your class get out?” “Two something, it’s the shorter class.” Prue smiled and then went back to her phone call. “Make it for three please.” “No problem Prue,” Beth smiled as she made a note. “Hey why is Shaina with you?” “She was causing trouble so Erin dropped her off here and as punishment she has to actually work.” “That makes sense. Okay, well thank you for your time, we’ll see you tomorrow at three. See you at dinner.” Prue hung up the phone and looked up to see Paige staring at her. “What’s up Missy?” “I’m don’t want to go,” Paige said simply.

~~ ~~ ~~

Sitting at dinner, Paige just picked at her food. Prue let it go for a while, but then picked up the fork and fed her a few bites. Paige let out a whimper and Prue looked at her. “If you don’t want me to feed you then eat,” Prue said. Paige took a few more bites of food and then put her fork down. She sat quietly and waited until someone spoke to her. “Missy,” Prue said gently. “I’m not hungry,” she answered looking at Prue, then her eyes darted past Prue to reveal Heather standing there staring at her. Haylie had been sitting next to Paige and felt her go tense, and ribbed her older sister to grab her attention. “What honey?” Jordan asked simply. Haylie leaned over and whispered about Heather. Jordan took a glance and saw Heather, standing there just waiting to strike. Prue was about to give Paige another bite of food when Jordan stopped her. “Prue, I think that now is not quite the right time.” Prue looked at her quizzically. “Look at her,” Jordan said motioning to Paige. “Alright Missy, tell me what’s going on.” Paige looked at Prue carefully. “She’s here,” Paige whimpered. “Okay, okay, listen to me,” Prue said as she gently laid a hand on her cheek. “I won’t feed you now okay, but you will eat more.” Paige nodded slightly. “We’ll wait till she leaves, or we’ll get a doggie bag or something alright?” Paige nodded and leaned into Prue and then pulled back. She wanted to hug her and feel that everything was okay.

Prue saw the pain and frustration in her eyes and then made a decision. “We’ll see you ladies back at home.” They nodded and Prue and Paige got up and left. Prue took Paige toward the bathroom and then inside. Paige crumbled in her big sister’s arms and started to cry. “Shhh, I know baby, I know,” she soothed. Prue held Paige tight and let her cry it out. After about ten minutes Paige decided she was done. Prue made sure Paige was okay and then the two girls went back to their room.

~~ ~~ ~~

“I’ll do it!” Paige growled. “Don’t get fresh with me Missy,” Prue warned. “Prue, please, I want to do it by myself,” she whined. “Paige,” Prue warned. “Please, come on I can eat on my own.” “I never said you couldn’t.” “Then let me do it on my own!” she whined again. “If you weren’t whining and complaining I might actually buy that. Now open your mouth!” Prue said sternly. Paige gave in and let Prue feed her. The fear of a spanking out weighed the slight humiliation of having Prue feed her. It’s not like she was making airplane noises or anything. The two girls were sitting on Paige’s bed. Paige was in her pajamas already. She’d taken a shower as soon as they got back to the floor. Prue insisted on it. Paige did not sleep well the night before and she wasn’t eating well all day. Prue sat on the bed and had her legs spread open. Paige said right in front of her and the tray of food in front of that. They were watching tv and every few seconds, Prue would pick up some food and force Paige to eat. Paige closed her eyes and thought for a moment. “I guess it could be worse,” she told herself. Then she got really tired and ended up leaning back against Prue. This was safe and comfortable so once she got settled she made no move to change her positioning. Prue smiled to herself. Maybe she was finally winning Paige’s trust.

~~ ~~ ~~

Beth sat at the desk of the health clinic on campus. She grinned when she saw Paige and Prue walk in. “Hey ladies,” she smiled at them. “We are running behind today. Here fill out these and by the time you are done we should be ready to start your exam.” Prue nodded, took the forms and sat down. Prue sat in the chair next to Paige and filled out the forms for her. “Honey are you allergic to penicillin?” “No,” Paige said, barely above a whisper. Prue nodded and continued on filling out the forms. She turned them in to the receptionist at the desk and sat back next to Paige. She wrapped an arm around her little sister and rubbed her shoulder. “Paige! Come on sweetheart,” Beth said standing in the doorway.

Getting into the exam room, Beth shut the door behind her and told Paige to have a seat on the table. Paige looked so scared that Beth felt so bad for forcing her to go in. “Come on honey,” Beth said. Prue sighed and guided Paige to the table and literally picked her up and helped her sit on the table. “You’re okay sweetie, it’s Beth, and I’m not leaving okay?” Paige nodded but stayed quiet. “Okay honey, you need to put this on,” Beth said handing her a gown. Paige’s eye’s got wide with fright and Prue realized that she did not make the right decision. Prue put her hand on Paige’s chin and forced her to look at her. “I’m not leaving okay baby? We’ll do this as fast as possible and if you get really freaked out you let me know okay?” Paige nodded and Prue leaned in and kissed her forehead. “That’s my good girl,” she said gently as she moved to the side of the table. “Tell ya what Paige, we’ll start with the easy stuff okay? Here let me take your temperature.” Beth took the ear thermometer and quickly took her temperature. Once it beeped, Beth took it out of her ear and looked at the read out. “97.4, Good, very normal,” she smiled. “Okay sweetie let me take your blood pressure.” Paige nodded but let out a whimper. “What’s wrong sweetheart?” Prue asked. Paige said nothing but let a few more whimpers escape. “Alright Missy, it’s alright,” Prue said. She drew Paige close and hugged her while Beth took her blood pressure. “You know how this works right sweetheart?” Beth asked as she wrapped the cuff around her arm.

Paige flinched when she heard the Velcro snap close and she felt Prue adjust her. Prue separated Paige’s legs and stood between them. She picked her legs up and wrapped them around her waist. Paige didn’t need anymore coaching, she wrapped her free arms around Prue’s neck and buried her head in her chest. “Shhh, it’s okay sweetheart,” Prue whispered. “It’s just going to get a little tight but it won’t last long okay?” Paige stayed motionless, but Prue nodded to Beth. As the cuff got tighter and tighter Prue felt Paige’s legs grip tighter and tighter, so Prue tightened her own grip on Paige. “Try and stay still Missy, you’re okay.” Finally it was over and the cuff deflated. Once it was off Paige, she wrapped both arms around Prue and tried really hard not to cry. “Well?” Prue asked. “It’s a little elevated, but it’s understandable. I will monitor her at home.” Prue nodded and smiled when Beth gave her a glass of water. Prue took it and pulled back from Paige. “Come on Missy,” she said tilting the cup back. “It’s just water, come on,” she coaxed. Paige drank the water and then went back to her position. “Alright little one,” Beth said gently. “I need to examine you now, so lay back for me okay?” Prue literally had to peel her off of her own body and help her lay down.

~~ ~~ ~~

“Alright little one, you’re done,” Beth said as she placed a band-aid on Paige’s arm. She just got her vial of blood and that was the end of the exam. She walked over to the corner of the room and pulled out a lollipop. “You deserve it,” she said handing her two of them. Paige said the softest thank you they’d ever heard before. Prue smiled at Beth and then helped Paige up. “Ready to go home Missy?” Prue asked. Paige nodded and the two girls went back to the dorm. “Okay Missy, lay down sweetheart,” Prue said. Paige looked quizzically at her. “I know about your homework, don’t worry about that now, lay down for me,” Prue instructed. Paige laid down and Prue walked over and sat by her. “I’m really proud of you Missy,” Prue told her. She ran her fingers through Paige’s hair and Paige closed her eyes and relaxed. As they sat there, the phone rang and Prue answered it. “Hey, it’s me,” Beth said. Prue smiled into the phone and continued to play with Paige’s hair. “I’ve got some things we need to talk about, I just didn’t want to freak her out anymore.” “Okay,” Prue said calmly.

Prue listened closely and kept all her emotions in check as best she could. “Prue, her exam worries me because her spine is all out of alignment.” “Well how bad is it,” Prue asked calmly. Beth giggled. “She must be lying next to you.” “M-hmm,” Prue said nodding as if she were having an intent conversation. “Okay well I won’t ask you too much,” Beth said getting the file she had on Paige. “Okay I didn’t want to alarm you, but her blood pressure is through the roof. She was headed for heart attack city, I’m very sure that if you had not hugged her then she would have had one. Alright so I want to monitor that, but we’ll do it at home where she’s more comfortable.” “Hang on let me get a pad and pen.” Beth paused and Prue grabbed a pen and pad. She debated about sitting back down next to Paige, but Paige was now asleep and her suspicions were further confirmed when Paige rolled over and went back to sleep. “She’s out, tell me fast,” Prue whispered. “Okay her b.p. was 210 over 120 and she has an 65% C curve to it, L2 all the way up to T7.” “I don’t understand that,” Prue said in a hushed voice.

~~ ~~ ~~

Paige woke up about an hour later. She sat up with a start and Prue was at her side in a split second. “Shhh, what’s up?” Paige looked at her for a moment and then leaned forward and hugged her. “Shhh,” Prue soothed, “you’re okay now, you’re safe with me.” She felt Paige nod and then she released the hug. “Okay Missy, come on, we’re going for dinner soon.” Paige nodded, got out of bed, grabbed her toothbrush and ran to the bathroom. When she was gone, Prue smiled to herself. “Piper does that too,” she told the room. “But I am NOT psyching myself up for something that isn’t true, mini me or not!” Paige came back a little later with a smile on her face. “Hey there smiley,” Danielle grinned at her. “Hi,” Paige said softly. “So Prue what do you say?” she asked turning her attention back to Prue. Prue smiled and looked at Paige. “What do you think about a trip to the beach?” Paige grinned and nodded. “We’re in then,” Prue said as she glanced at the clock. “Work on your homework Missy, I need to go talk to Danielle about our term paper so I’ll just be next door if you need me okay?” Paige sighed, but nodded, she took her math book out and began working on the rest of her algebra homework.

“Okay what was all that about? You don’t need any kind of help with any papers,” Danielle said knowingly. “Yeah, yeah, you’re very smart listen. I took her for a check up,” Prue whispered. “What happened?” Danielle asked quietly. “Well she became all of about three years old, I never saw anyone so terrified before.” “What was she scared of?” “Having her blood pressure taken.” “What was it?” “Beth called me later said she was 210 over 120, it doesn’t take a genius to know how bad that is.” “No it doesn’t.” “She also said she has a 65% C curve in her spine, your taking A&P what does that mean?” “A&P is anatomy and physiology,” Danielle said smugly. “You know what you’re not cute.” “I’m teasing,” she said as she playfully smacked Prue’s arm, “here I’ll draw you a picture.” Danielle picked up a paper and pen and began to draw. “Okay your spine has twenty six bones in it. Do you know where the curve is?” “T7 – L2? But I don’t understand that either.” Danielle turned Prue around and stood on her side. She brought her arm up and grabbed Prue’s neck gently. Then she traced an area with her finger. “Cervical,” she said running her finger down Prue neck, “thoracic,” she said running a finger down to just below her ribs, “lumbar,” she said continuing on to the lower back. “Now, back to my picture, you have seven cervical, twelve thoracic, and five lumbar,” she said writing out the words. “See? C, T, L,” she said as she underlined the first letter of each word. Prue nodded but stopped Danielle. “That’s only twenty four.” “Well after your lumbar spine, it’s your sacrum and your coccyx but those aren’t what are affecting her you said.” Prue nodded and Danielle continued her little lesson. She was about to finish, when Nicole came home with Jessica and Ashley and Jessica was bawling.

~~ ~~ ~~

Nicole brought Jessica and Ashley to Danielle’s room. The minute Jessica saw Danielle she ran to her and continued bawling. “Hey, hey, hey, what happened baby?” she asked. Nicole kept her mouth shut, she wanted Jessica to say it on her own. Jessica on the other hand hugged Danielle tighter and Danielle had no choice but to pick her up. Jessica was thin and light and a little shorter than Danielle so she was easily carried. “What’s wrong baby?” she asked kindly. “She,” Ashley started, but Nicole cut her off. “Ash, don’t!” Nicole scolded. “Ash, Paige is next door, she’s been working really hard, go give her a break,” Prue said. Ashley nodded and left the room. “Jessie, honey, what happened?” Danielle asked as she sat down with Jessie on her lap. Jessica continued to cry but eventually it stopped and Danielle forced her to look at her. “I had an accident,” she sobbed. “What?” Danielle asked curiously. Jessica continued to sob and so Danielle just held her little sister and looked at Nicole. “What happened?” she asked. “I took her to the health clinic to get her check up,” Nicole said moving over to lean on the desk. She was very well behaved, accept when they pushed on her abdomen they were a little too close to her bladder, she ended up going right on the table.” With that Jessica burst back into tears.” Danielle tried not to laugh at Jessica so she smiled and talked to her gently. “Sweetheart, it’s perfectly okay, I promise baby,” Danielle said.

Prue left the room and dragged Nicole with her and left Danielle to cuddle with her sister. “Honey, it was an accident, don’t worry okay, no one blames you.” “I’m such a baby,” Jessica wailed. “Shhh, no you aren’t, you are fine, it was one little accident and you drank too much water before you had the exam, you’re fine,” Danielle pressed. “Big stupid baby,” Jessica cried. Danielle cuddled her close for twenty minutes and then glanced at the clock. “Okay time for dinner, you’re fine and no one knows about this. “Ashley does,” Jessica whined. “And Nicole, and Beth,” she continued. “Well, you don’t need to be concerned about anything okay. Nicole is MY sister, my TWIN sister, and I guarantee you that she will not let Ashley say anything to anyone okay?” Jessica nodded and Danielle helped her to stand. “Come on, let’s go eat, I’m starving.”

~~ ~~ ~~

Dinner was a quiet affair. No one complained about eating, no one complained about classes, no one was clinging to their big sister. It was just nice and calm. The younger girls talked about school and classes, and what professors they had. The topic began to shift to life before college and Erin quickly changed the subject. Every single one of those girls came from some kind of broken home. Paige had the worst case by far, but none of it was pleasant, and the last thing they needed was a floor full of eighteen year olds screaming because of a nightmare they’d had. Not that any of them would admit that’s why they were crying, but the older sisters knew better. Now they all sat in the community room watching HBO, O’ Brother Where Art Thou. As soon as the credits began rolling, all the older girls announced it was time for bed. “Now?” Ashley whined. “Yes now, get up,” Nicole said yanking her to her feet. “Why now, it’s early, and tomorrow is Saturday.” “Yes those are all valid points and tomorrow we are ALL going down to the beach for the weekend.” “REALLY?” six voices asked surprised. Paige already knew about it. “Yes really, now all of you to bed, everyone will be up at 7am tomorrow morning,” Nicole announced.

~~ ~~ ~~

“Paige…” Prue whispered. “Paige. Missy! Come on up you get we gotta go,” Prue insisted. “Mmmm,” Paige groaned. “Yeah, I know, come on, up!” Prue said pulling Paige up to sitting. An hour later, fourteen girls were piled in two mini vans and headed on the road for the three hour drive to the beach. Danielle and Nicole’s Aunt Kennedy had a beach house that was currently not in use and so Danielle and Nicole called to ask, if it was okay for the fourteen of them to go to the house for the weekend. Aunt Kennedy said that was fine as long as the house was not destroyed. Danielle assured her that it wouldn’t be and went to pick up the keys that night.

Riding in one mini van was Danielle, Erin, Beth, Ashley, Jessica, Amy, and Shaina, while the other van had Nicole, Prue, Madison, Jordan, Paige, Marissa, and Haylie. Danielle figured that she would be okay, even though she had her brat and her sister’s brat, but she figured wrong because the two of them did not get along at all, especially since Ashley was there when Jessica had her accident. “Hey BABY!” Ashley taunted. “SHUT UP!” Jessica hissed at her. “Why that’s what you are!” Ashley continued. “SHUT UP!” Jessica hissed again. “What the hell do you know about anything, you sleep with your baby blanket!” Jessica finally retorted. “My grandma gave me that before she died so you shut the ... up!” Ashley screamed at her. Danielle was driving and Beth was navigating. In the captain chairs behind them were Amy and Erin. In the back seat was where Ashley, Shaina, and Jessica were sitting. When Erin heard the girls swearing she turned around and slapped Ashley on her thigh since that was all she could reach. It stung for all of about five seconds. She glared at Ashley with fire in her eyes. “If you swear one more time, you won’t have to worry about what Nicole is going to do to you, cuz I’ll do it for her. We have three hours in this car together so you better straighten up right now!” Erin snapped.

Meanwhile in the other van, Paige was being a pill. Prue had never seen her like this before. “Paige, ENOUGH!” Prue snapped at her. “No, it’s my walkman, and I said she can’t have it!” “You aren’t listening to it, just let Mara borrow it.” Nicole was driving, Madison was helping navigate. Prue and Jordan sat in the captain’s chairs, and Paige, Marissa, Haylie and Paige in the back seat. Marissa was in the middle and she was giving Paige a hard time about her walkman. “Geez, just give it to me.” “It’s mine, I don’t want to give it to you!” “You’ll get it back stupid, just hand it over.” “Marissa!” Madison warned. The girls had only been at college for a week by now and even Marissa knew that hearing her full name was not a good sign. Madison had taken to calling her Mara from day one, and only used Marissa when she was in trouble.

~~ ~~ ~~

They had been on the road for two hours now and Nicole radioed Danielle to pull over at the next rest stop to take a stretch break. “Trust me we need it,” Nicole laughed. “Yeah, you aren’t the only ones,” Danielle laughed. Pulling into the rest area, all the girls got out of their vans and all went inside the little building. “Alright girls,” Erin announced. “You have ten minutes to go in and go to the bathroom. Madison and Jordan will be waiting for you, when you come out.” They all nodded and ran off to the restroom. The other five girls went to the little convenience store and bought a few large bottles of ice water. Prue saw a little sketch pad by the counter and picked that up as well. Prue needed something for Paige to do, to keep her occupied, she was already mad that she was starting to act up. “Busy work?” the voice behind her asked. Prue turned around to see Nicole looking at her. “Yes, because, I’m tired of the bickering,” Prue sighed. Nicole smiled, wrapped an arm around her friends neck and the two walked to the counter to pay.

Meanwhile, Madison and Jordan were standing around waiting for the girls to come out of the bathroom. Haylie and Amy were out in six minutes. “Thank you girls,” Jordan said hugging them both. “What’s going on in there?” Madison asked. Haylie shrugged her shoulders and then Madison looked to Amy. “They are all squabbling,” she said and then looked at the ground. “Hey Aim,” Madison said, pulling her face up. “You’re not in trouble sweetheart,” she assured her. “Why don’t you two go over to the convenience store and wait with everyone else,” she suggested as she guided Amy and Haylie toward the little store. Erin smiled and waved at the two girls as they came into the little store.

~~ ~~ ~~

Ashley and Paige were roughly shoved toward their big sisters and both Prue and Nicole frowned. “What happened?” Nicole asked crossing her arms over her chest. “She started it!” Ashley said. “I did not!” Paige yelled and then she and Ashley had a shoving match. It ended up in both girls falling onto the floor and bumping their heads. “In the car NOW!” Nicole shouted at both of them. She picked them both up off the floor and dragged them out to the car and put them in. “You two!” she growled at them. “I’ve never seen such horrible behavior!” she scolded them. They were both so angry at each other that neither one said anything to Nicole. Five minutes later, the rest of the girls came out and got to the vans. When Danielle got closer, Nicole smiled at her. “Separate her and Jessie!” she said. “Okay kiddo, you’re up front with me then,” Danielle said grabbing her hand. Ashley yanked it back and receive a swat from Nicole. Danielle took her hand again and led her back to the van.

~~ ~~ ~~

An hour and a half later, the girls arrived at a mansion of a beach house. Danielle and Nicole saw no problems with it, but the rest of the girls were amazed. When they walked into the house, they were awe struck. The living room was gigantic, and the kitchen was the same size. There were two sets of stairwells. One lead to the upper level with three furnished rooms, while the other lead to the basement that was finished. It had a pool table, a dart board, and a foosball table. “All little girls are to go upstairs and take a nap!” Danielle announced. “What?” asked a few of the girls. “You all acted like brats, everyone upstairs now!” she repeated. “I’m not going,” Ashley said stamping her foot. “Think again,” Nicole said dragging her upstairs. She literally picked up her little sister and carried her up the stairs. “Any other takers for the same treatment?” Danielle asked. The six little ones decided that they didn’t want that and went upstairs. Paige, Haylie and Marissa took the first room, while Jessica, Shaina, and Amy took the second room. Prue went into one room, and Erin went into the other. They were going to chaperone while the other girls unpacked the bags and brought in the clothes.

~~ ~~ ~~

Two hours later the girls woke up and Paige was in a grumpier mood than before she went to sleep. “Alright girls, downstairs,” Prue announced. Erin made the same announcement to her girls twenty minutes prior to Prue’s statement. “Come on girls, down stairs, grab your bags and change into your suits, we’re going to the beach as soon as lunch is done. Paige went racing down the stairs and pushed past everyone. She was angry and she didn’t know why, but whoever got in her way, was going to know about it. First she pushed past Haylie and nearly knocked her down the stairs. Then she went and grabbed herself a glass of water. When Jessie interrupted her by rushing past her and bumping her, she threw the glass of water at her, sending water and glass all over the kitchen. Jessie screamed in shock and that brought Prue and Danielle running to the kitchen. Prue checked over Jessica before she went over to her own sister. “What is your problem!” Prue yelled at her. Paige stared at Prue a moment, anger rising to it's boiling point. Finally the top blew off the volcano. "YOU!!! YOU'RE MY PROBLEM!!!!" Prue was shocked for half a second and then grabbed Paige and carried her upstairs. “LET GO OF ME!” Paige screamed. Paige stood on the steps looking towards the older girls. “We’ll meet you at the beach!” Prue said. With that she went up the rest of the stairs to deal with Paige.

“You go away, you are NOT my sister, I don’t HAVE any sisters, so get the ... out of my way!” she yelled. Prue did not want to hit Paige out of anger, but she was so mad at her for acting out right now, that she didn’t know what to do first. So she got out of the room. She locked the door and listened to Paige pound on it and yell and scream and throw what could have only been described as a temper tantrum. Prue sat on the floor and waited, till Paige screamed herself out.

An hour later, Prue went into the room. Paige was sitting on the floor and sobbing. Prue sighed, walked over and picked her up. She held her close and rocked back and forth. “You left me!” Paige cried. “Paige,” Prue warned her. “No you, left me, you said you wouldn’t leave!” Paige yelled and then dissolved into tears again. Prue sighed. This was not making any sense, and all Prue could do was just hold her and try to let her get out all her emotions. Having read the file, she knew that Paige had a lot of pent up pain, and anger, and frustration so she just did her best to help Paige through it.

~~ ~~ ~~

Getting to the beach, Prue looked at Nicole who was sitting on the beach with Jessica at her side. “Alright Jess, go on then.” Jessica got up and went back into the ocean. Getting close enough to Danielle, she was suddenly picked up and sitting on Danielle’s hip. “Let me down please,” she said. “No baby,” Danielle said, moving into deeper water. Prue looked quizzically at Nicole. “Time out,” she said simply. “For?” “I don’t know, Danielle called it, not me,” Nicole smiled. “Do you feel better little one?” Nicole asked. Paige nodded but stayed silent. “Come on, into the water with us, with all of us.” Getting closer to Danielle, Prue smiled at her. She was still holding Jessica, but in the water, no one weighed anything at all, so it didn’t matter. “So what happened?” Prue asked as she watched Paige go off with Haylie. “Well Shaina was put on time out, so to speak, for purposely dunking people against their will, Marissa was put on time out with Ashley for half an hour because they went off for a walk without telling anyone and didn’t know how to get back to us, and this little miss decided that it would be a good idea to piss off a life guard,” she said. Prue nodded and watched the girls in the water play around with each other. Paige actually looked like she was having a good time. “How’d your little episode go.” “Well, we’re still alive,” Prue said with a sigh. “You’ll do fine Prue, she’ll come around.” “I hope so.”

~~ ~~ ~~

The girls all splashed around in the water and had a good time and when high tide started to kick in, The older girls decided that it was time to go back to the house. Walking up the beach each older sister was behind her younger sister. The whole crowd of them looked like one big girl gang. The house literally sat off the boardwalk, so they left the beach, crossed the boardwalk, crossed the street and went into the mansion that they were staying at. There were three bathrooms, one on each floor. The younger girls took one first and then the older girls followed. While Marissa and Haylie were waiting for someone to tell them what was going on, they decided to play pool. Paige came downstairs brushing her hair and perched herself on a bar stool to watch the game. “Hey Paige, want in?” Marissa asked her. “Three people?” she questioned. “Well um, you play the winner,” Marissa suggested. “Sounds good to me,” Paige smiled. So she sat watching when Shaina and Jessica came downstairs to watch. “I think Danielle says there’s a dart board, wanna play?” Jessica asked Shaina. “Sure why not!”

Since Ashley and Amy were the last two downstairs so they hit the foosball table. They got really into the game and began screaming at each other quite loudly. “GO GO!” Amy screamed. “No MINE! SHIT! COME ON! GET IN THE HOLE!” Ashley screamed. That one statement caused Haylie to bust out laughing and miss her shot. She didn’t care though, she now had a case of the giggles and they didn’t look to be stopping anytime soon. “GOAL!” Amy screamed. “No you cheated!” Ashley said laughing. Amy gave her a look, but they were laughing at each other so it was good. “Come on one more game,” Amy smiled. Ashley agreed and the two girls went back to playing while Jessica and Shaina were playing darts. Jessie was just about to throw her dart when Amy swore again. “SHIT!” NO NO NO!” she screamed. She was yelling at the game, but the sudden shout caused Jessie to throw the dart into the wall. She sighed and looked at Shaina. “Don’t worry do over,” she told her. Jessie smiled retrieved her dart and was about to throw it again, when Madison came down the stairs. “What the hell is going on down here!” she demanded. She startled Jessie again with her own shouting and the dart landed in the wall again. Shaina laughed and went and pulled the dart out of the wall for her. “Here, throw again,” she giggled. “Sorry, we were playing the game.” Amy apologized. “As long as the two of you aren’t killing each other that’s fine. Mara, when you’re done upstairs for a second, you need to take your asthma medicine,” and with that Madison went upstairs.

~~ ~~ ~~

Dinner went off without a hitch, as did going to bed. The next morning, Ashley wiggled her way out of her sleeping bag and ran to the back door. She couldn’t wait to get to the beach again. She didn’t think she was going to have a good time but she did. So being the little monster that Nicole said she was, she woke up every other eighteen year old in the house and they all ran to the back door. “RAIN?” Ashley complained. “Bummer Ash,” Amy said putting her arm over Ashley’s shoulder. “Want me to kick your butt in foosball, would that help?” “You’re so not funny,” Ashley said as she tore down the stairs to the basement. The other five girls laughed at them and then decided that it was time to join them. They decided to be the cheering section and to make it fair they always rooted for the underdog until that person scored a goal and then they would root for the other girl. Prue went down to the basement and told the girls they could play, but they had to keep it down. She was met with a chorus of sorry and okay and then went back upstairs.

~~ ~~ ~~

The younger girls played in the basement all morning and every so often, one of the members of the crowd would go up and shower and change into real clothes before going back downstairs. Nicole and Danielle were thrilled that their idea of bonding had worked. “I’m glad it rained, it’s forcing them to stay together,” Nicole smiled. “Good, because those girls need to bond, I’m going on my psych seminar in a week, I don’t want to leave Haylie alone and not have her feel comfortable with at least one of them, or one of you.” “Jordan, she’ll be fine,” Prue laughed. Madison moved to the top of the stairs and called all the girls for lunch. “One minute!” was the reply. “NO NOW!” Madison yelled down to them.

They trudged up the stairs and ate lunch. The girls all sat down and ate the sandwiches that Madison and Jordan had made for them. Sitting at the counter Madison saw the biggest pout on Ashley’s face. “What’s the matter Ash?” she asked kindly. “Stupid weather!” she pouted. “Oh Ash, it’s fine,” Nicole smiled. “No I wanted to go get a tan on the beach!” she whined. “So I’ll buy you that fake and bake stuff and you can tell everyone that you got the tan in one day,” Nicole sighed. “No!” she pouted as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Ash, everyone was having a good day, do go and ruin it!” Nicole scolded. “She is kinda right though,” Haylie spoke up. “That hot guy that Jessie was chasing was cute, I’d love to see him again.” And so it continued. It took one comment and several glances out the window to have the good mood ruined in a matter of minutes. “You know what,” Jordan announced after everyone was done eating. “How about we all go to the mall and get pictures done.” After much debate, they all agreed They had one group photo of all the girls, one of the older girls, one of the younger girls and seven set photos. They ended up ordering so many pictures that the place gave them a break on the cost.

By the time they got back to the mansion it was time to pack up and drive back to school. This elicited many moans and groans from the younger girls, but they did pack up their things and got in the vans to go back to the campus. Getting back to the campus, Prue and Paige were the first two back to their room. It was 7:30 at night and the girls decided to go out for a late dinner. It was just the two of them, all the other little girls had fallen asleep. “Come on Missy, I’ll take you out to dinner,” Prue said. As they were out eating dinner, Prue’s cell phone went off. “P…p…prue,” came the stuttering voice. “Phoebe? Phoebe what’s wrong?” Prue said quickly. “Prue…it’s…it’s Grams,” Phoebe sobbed. “Pheebs, honey, take a deep breath what’s wrong?” Prue pushed. Phoebe stammered on and Prue got bits and pieces of the story. “Honey, honey listen to me, where’s Piper?” “She’s, she…I don’,” she stammered. “Shhh, shhh, okay honey, shhh,” Prue tried. “Baby, take a keep breath for me.” Phoebe finally listened to Prue and took a deep breath. “Good girl, is Piper home sweetheart?” she said gently. “Uh-huh,” Phoebe sobbed. “Okay baby, can I talk to Piper?” Prue asked gently. “Here,” Phoebe said softly and then Prue was talking to Piper. “Honey, what happened?” “Prue, it’s Grams,” Piper sobbed. “She didn’t make it!” Piper said as she quickly broke down crying.

~~ ~~ ~~

Prue sat on the plane next to Paige, who looked like she was ready to jump out of her skin. Prue lifted the arm between then and pulled Paige close. She played with her hair and kissed the tip of her head. “I’m sorry I pulled you out of school so fast sweetheart.” “Please don’t, it’s okay,” Paige said. “I’ll stay out of the way and you won’t even know I’m there, I’ll just do my homework.” Prue smiled and hugged Paige. “I’m not worried about you baby,” Prue said.

Landing in the airport, Piper and Phoebe met Prue and Paige at the gate. Paige was shocked, when Piper and Phoebe both gave her a hug. Prue held her sisters close for a moment and then the four girls went to baggage claim. They picked up their luggage and Prue and Piper watched as Phoebe tended to Paige’s every need. She helped her carry her luggage, she helped her carry it into the house, she told her that they could share a room for the night, if she liked, or if she felt more comfortable, she would bunk with Piper in her bed and Prue and Paige could take Phoebe’s bed.

Piper looked at Prue. “I’m looking at mom!” Piper hissed. “I know,” Prue said, “Don’t worry I did the blood work, we’ll know what’s up in about a week. Piper nodded and looked at Prue. “You think she is….?” “She could be,” Prue said knowing what Piper meant. “HEY PRUE!” Phoebe called out from the attic. “In a minute honey!” Prue said glancing at the clock. “Do me a favor?” Prue said softly. “Can you make a sandwich or something light for Paige, she hasn’t eaten.” “Sure,” Piper agreed. “Missy!” Prue called. “Come here please!” Paige showed up and looked at Prue. “Go with Piper, she’s going to make you something to eat, and I want it eaten understand.” Paige nodded and the girls left. Prue climbed up to the attic. “Yeah baby, what’s up?” Prue asked as she pulled Phoebe in for a hug. “Look!” Phoebe exclaimed.

~~ ~~ ~~

Prue eyed Phoebe. “Honey why are you up here?” Prue asked gently. “This is where Grams last was, just look at this please!” she said thrusting her hand forward and waving the paper in front of Prue. Prue sighed and took the paper. “Let light of love, be shown above, for only love condones the charmed ones,” Prue read. “Yeah and…” she said looking at Phoebe. “Well what does it mean?” Phoebe pressed. “How the hell should I know Pheebs?” “Well it has to mean something!” Phoebe pressed. “Pheebs, maybe Grams was scribbling,” Prue suggested, “Why don’t you come down for lunch with us.” Phoebe sighed and went with Prue and babbling on about the paper. “Come on Prue, it has to mean something. “Let light of love, be shown above, for only love condones the charmed ones,” Phoebe said. “Yes honey, I know, I read it for myself.” “Well what’s a charmed one and what is the light above?” “Sweetie,” Prue said rubbing at her face. “I don’t know, I read the same thing you did.”

~~ ~~ ~~

“Paige right?” Piper said. Paige nodded. “Okay well what would you like to eat?” “Anything at all, I don’t want to be trouble,” Paige said softly. “It’s not trouble Paige, don’t worry, I love to cook!” Piper pulled out the turkey from the fridge and a tomato. Then she pulled out a butcher’s knife and began to chop the tomato into thin slices. Paige’s eyes became fixated on the knife’s blade and when Piper cut the tomato, Paige kept grabbing at her thigh. Finally she could hold no more and screamed out in panic. Prue and Phoebe came rushing down the stairs and when Prue got there Paige attacked her. She attached herself to Prue and didn’t dare let go. “What happened?” Prue asked looking at Piper. “I cut a tomato,” Piper said defensively. Prue rolled her eyes and literally had to drag Paige into the other room.

“Shhh,” Prue soothed. Piper and Phoebe stood back and looked on as Prue tended to Paige. Poor Paige was so scared she was shaking and trying hard not to cry. “You’re okay Missy, breathe!” Prue said gently. When that didn’t work Prue tried a different technique. “Look at me!” Paige’s eyes were darting around the room. “Look sweetheart, look at me!” Prue said again. She forced Paige to look at her, to focus on something steady. “Good girl,” Prue finally cooed at her. “Paige,” Prue said softly after a moment. “Tell me what happened honey,” Prue pushed. “I…I saw…an’…you!” Paige babbled. Nothing made any sense so Prue did what she did best. She held her close and began to rock back and forth slowly. Finally Paige closed her eyes and Prue noticed Paige’s breathing slow to an even rhythm. She stayed with her for a few moments and then put her down on the couch for a nap, before dinner.

~~ ~~ ~~

“Pheebs, what are we doing up here?” Piper asked as the thunder boomed outside. “I’m showing you this trunk.” “Pheebs, honey, it’s a trunk!” “Well I want to know what a charmed one is, and I think this trunk will tell me.” “Well you can think that all you want, but this is silly!” Piper said. “Now I’m going downstairs to fix dinner, what do you want?” “Mac & Cheese,” Phoebe smiled at Piper. “And hotdogs?” Piper asked. “Yes please.” Piper nodded and began to walk out of the room. “Piper!” Phoebe called out to her. “Yeah babes?” “You think she’s the reason mom’s gone?” Phoebe asked. “Come again?” “Paige, do you think Paige is the hospital accident?” Piper bit her lower lip and looked at Phoebe. “Why would you think that?” “Because the time table fits, because she looks EXACTLY like Prue, because Prue was the one who got her as a little sister at college, because I think that one day we were bound to meet the reason mom died.” Phoebe said as she pulled out a big dusty book from the trunk. “Pheebs, none of us knows for sure what the real deal is, and we may never know.” “Well what do you and Prue think?” “Prue and I think that when the blood work comes back, we’ll know for sure.” Phoebe nodded, satisfied with that answer and then went back to reading the book.

~~ ~~ ~~

Piper called everyone for dinner and the girls ate quietly. “So Pheebs, what happened?” “With what?” “With that big book you were looking at when I left the attic.” “I read it,” Phoebe said simply. “Don’t be a brat, what did it SAY!” Prue said. “I read an incantation, I think we are witches,” Phoebe said, knowing no one would believe her. “Right,” Prue laughed. Phoebe laughed too, but it was a nervous laugh. “Prue, what’s that?” Paige asked looking dead ahead of her. “What’s what sweetheart?” Prue asked. “What’s that picture?” she said pointing to picture of three little girls in a frame.” As Paige pointed to the picture, it was surrounded by blue and white lights and landed in her hand. The four girls sat in shock for a moment and then all stood up and pushed back from the table and rose to their feet. “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!” Paige yelled. The for of them stood staring at each other all in shock. “The book!” Phoebe suddenly said. She went tearing out of the room and was quickly followed by Paige, Piper, and Prue. “WHAT WAS THAT!” Paige demanded again. “WAIT! I’m looking!” Phoebe snapped. Phoebe began racing through the book’s pages and then stopped. “But I don’t know what I’m looking for!” she sighed and suddenly the book’s pages started turning on their own. “WHOA!” Phoebe and Paige said together. “WHAT IS THAT!” Paige repeated. “Missy, we get it, enough,” Prue said walking over to her. “Just chill, we’ll figure it out.” “Yes actually you will, and I will be your guide,” a voice from behind them said softly.

~~ ~~ ~~

“Who are you and how did you get here?!?” Prue demanded. “You know who I am. It’s alright darling, don’t be afraid,” the woman continued. “Mom?” Prue asked in disbelief. “Yes darling, it’s me, it’s alright.” “No,” Prue said slowly. She backed up and gathered her sisters behind her. “You are not my mother, because my mother died eighteen years ago when she went to the hospital to have an operation.” “Actually it was a pregnancy,” Patti corrected. “WHAT?” Piper finally spoke up. She moved next to Prue and took Phoebe in her arms, as Prue held Paige. “Oh my poor girls,” Patti sighed. “Okay,” Prue said trying to rationalize this, “let’s say for arguments sake, you ARE our mother, how did you get here?” “And why are you glowing?” Piper spoke up. Patti let out a sigh. “You might as well all sit down, this is going to take a while.” The four girls stood frozen in place. Prue and Piper had looks of confusion mixed with anger on their faces and Patti could tell that they girls were not going to sit down like she had asked. Finally Paige spoke up. She looked at the gorgeous woman before her. “What the hell did I just do!” “PAIGE!” Prue snapped at her. “What!” she replied with an attitude. “MOUTH!” Prue warned her. Patti smiled. “You orbed darling, well YOU didn’t orb, but you can, and that is how you move things magically.”

~~ ~~ ~~

Three hours later, the girls were seated on the little love seat in the attic. They had learned of the abuse that Paige had suffered, and why they were never told about her. “She was guided to you for a reason my darling, and you will learn that everything happens for a reason.” “Why now, what’s going on?” Piper said. “Girls you are charmed,” Patti said. “Charmed?” Phoebe questioned. “Yes my darling, charmed. Our entire family line is and my littlest darling, you are doubly charmed.” “Because?” Prue said hugging Paige tighter. “Prue! Air!” Paige said squirming. “Because your father is a magical being, your sisters’ father, is mortal.” “Alright, I’m still lost, why now, why so fast, what is all this for?” Piper asked. “There is no for sweetie, it just is,” Patti tried to reason. After a while longer, Patti spoke up. “My darlings, I need to go, but remember I am always your guide, and I always will guide you. All you need to do is contact me. The spell is in the book.”

~~ ~~ ~~

The four girls sat in silence, each trying to work through what had just happened. Finally Phoebe stood and glared at Paige. “This is YOUR fault! If you hadn’t come along, she’d still be alive!” Phoebe yelled. “PHOEBE MARIE!” Prue yelled. “That is enough, you apologize!” “Why I lost my mother because of her!” “PHOEBE!” Prue yelled again. “No Prue, it’s okay,” Paige said. “You are lucky that’s all you lost,” Paige said glaring at her. “I lost my real mother and father, my sisters that I didn’t know about, my adoptive mother and father, my virginity at age thirteen, NOT by choice, and I was beaten everyday of my life from age seven till age eighteen. So before you open your mouth and accuse me of anything at all, you better think really hard about how good you had it! You lost your mother, but I lost everything!” With that Paige stood up and stomped down the stairs. Prue glared at Phoebe. “Why did you say that?” Prue hissed at her.

Phoebe glared back at Prue. “Oh come on Prue, you don’t blame her for mom dying?” Phoebe snapped. “No I don’t and I never will, because when I look at our sister, I see a little girl who has suffered what can only be described as torture, her entire life. So forgive me Phoebe if I feel like she needs love and comfort instead of criticism.

~~ ~~ ~~

Paige stood in her room and kept throwing clothes into a bag. “Paige, honey, what are you doing?” Prue asked walking into the room. “I’m leaving. I’m not loved, or wanted anywhere I go, so I’m packing up and I’m leaving.” “Paige!” Prue warned her. “What, you know it’s true, you’ve seen it all. No one gives a shit about me!” Paige yelled. Prue walked up behind her and hugged her so tight, Paige thought she was going to suffocate. “NO LET GO!” she screamed. “LET GO, LET GO!” she yelled. After five more minutes of screaming, Paige broke down and began crying. “Shhh, shhh,” Prue said softly. She looked to the door and saw Piper standing there. “Shhh,” Piper said as she approached her slowly. “Shhh, you’re okay honey, you’re alright,” Piper said gently. She took Paige into her arms and hugged her tight. “You’re okay sweetheart,” Piper said as she rubbed her back. “You’re okay now baby, you’re alrght,” Piper said. Piper kept up a steady banter of soothing words and she pushed Paige back onto the bed and laid down next to her. “You don’t know me,” Paige whined. “Shhh, yes I do sweetheart, you’re my sister,” Piper said. “No, but Prue and…” Paige babbled. “Shhh,” Piper said softly. She ran her hands over Paige’s forehead and through her hair and Paige finally closed her eyes.

~~ ~~ ~~

Phoebe came down into the room and Piper smiled at her. “She’s worse than Wyatt!” Piper said with a small smile. Phoebe smiled back and went over to Paige. She ran her hands through her hair just as Piper was and looked at Paige. “Come back to us baby,” she said softly. Paige sat up with a start and screamed. Piper and Phoebe grabbed her and began cooing at her. “Shhh, stop Paige!” Piper said quickly. “Come on lay down angel,” Phoebe pressed. Together they pushed her back onto the bed and she struggled against them. “Where’s Prue?” she asked with panic. “Prue?” Piper asked quickly. “Where is she?” Paige demanded. Phoebe and Piper shared a look. Paige was clearly distressed and neither sister knew what to say. “Honey,” Piper tred. “Honey listen to me,” she sad softly. “Why do you need Prue?” “Where is she!” Paige yelled. “Sweetheart stop!” Phoebe said. Finally Paige focused on Phoebe. “What happened to your hair?” she asked. Phoebe stared at her. “Honey I cut it months ago, remember?” Phoebe said softly.

“Where’s PRUE!” Paige cried. Piper sighed and gathered her into her arms. Paige was so distressed and unsure of her surroundings that she put her head on Piper’s shoulder. “Shhh, that’s my good girl,” Piper said softly. “Where is she?” Paige cried “Shhh, you’re okay baby,” Piper said. “Pheebs, go get the potion for me,” Piper said. “Shhh, you’re okay sweetheart, it’s alright now,” Piper said softly. Phoebe came back seconds later with the potion that Piper had requested. “Here Missy,” Piper said softly. “NO, PRUE!” Paige yelled as she felt Piper push her away. “Okay, okay,” Piper said as she pulled her back to her. “I’m going to get the book,” Phoebe said. “This is nuts,” Phoebe said to herself. She climbed the stairs and flipped through the book. “PIPER!” she called, once she found what she was looking for. She went with the book, back to Paige’s room. “Shhh,” Piper hissed at Phoebe. “It’s the demon’s spell, she was dreaming,” Phoebe whispered. “What?” Piper asked. “The demon, when he hit her, he tapped into any kind of memory of anything she ever had or whatever we told her.” “That explains why she’s asking for Prue,” Piper said. “You better get her to drink the potion though,” Phoebe said. “We’re gonna have to work this carefully though,” Piper said. Phoebe nodded and looked to Paige. “You hold her down, and I’ll get her to drink it.”

Piper got on the bed, and climbed on top of Paige. Phoebe grabbed the potion and went to Paige’s sighed. “Missy?” Phoebe said softly. “Prue?” Paige asked. Phoebe looked at Piper and she nodded. “Yeah Missy,” Phoebe whispered. “It’s me.” She ran her hands through Paige’s hair and talked to her softly. “You had a rough day huh baby?” she asked. “Ashley’s horrible,” Paige mumbled. “Well I’m sure Ashley will be taken care of,” Phoebe whispered. “I hope Nicole spanks her so hard,” Paige mumbled again. “Okay Missy, do me a favor you have to drink this for me.” “Did Mara have it?” Paige asked. Phoebe shrugged her shoulders but told Paige yes. “She did Missy, and now you have to drink it too.” “So we don’t get sick?” Paige asked, sounding like a little girl. “Yes sweetheart,” Phoebe said. Paige drank the potion and drifted back to sleep. “Nicely done sis,” Piper told her. “We both had a very good teacher.”

~~ ~~ ~~

Paige woke up and looked at Phoebe. “What time is it?” she asked sleepily. “It’s three a.m.” Phoebe said softly. “How long have I been asleep?” “Doesn’t matter, how do you feel.” “I feel fine. Is Piper okay? The demon hit her pretty hard.” “You remember the demon?” “Yes, we went after him, because he was after Wyatt,” Paige said. “Paige,” Phoebe sighed. “You were hit pretty hard too, so just humor me okay?” “How many people live in this house?” “Too many,” Paige smiled. “Okay, who lives in this house.” Page sghed. “You, Piper, Me, Wyatt, and Leo and Chris, when they decide to orb in and stay for a while.” “Good, what about the rest of our family?” Phoebe asked. “Pheebs, come on, what is this?” Paige asked. “Piper,” Phoebe called out. “Paige you’re up!” Piper smiled as she walked into the room.

“Honey, you were sleeping for a really long time, do you remember anything that you were dreaming?” Piper asked. Suddenly realization dawned on Paige. “Oh my God, PRUE!” Paige said as she covered her face with her hands. “What about Prue?” Phoebe pressed gently. “I dreamed about her, and all the people from college, and Mom. I remember mom. Pheebs, do you blame me for mom dying?” “No, NEVER, Mom was killed by a water demon, you remember don’t you?” Paige looked at Phoebe. “Now that you mention it, yeah I do. I dreamed that you blamed me for her death. And my leg, what happened to my leg?” Paige asked. “Leo took care of you already,” Piper said putting a hand on her shoulder. Paige nodded and leaned into Phoebe slightly. Piper smiled at her sisters. “Come on, Leo’s taken Wyatt for a while, the three of us, in my bed tonight, I think we all need it,” Piper smiled.

~~ ~~ ~~

That was how the morning found them. A beautiful sunny day found three sisters covered in Piper’s bed together. “I love you my darlings,” Patti whispered into the wind. She and Grams and Prue had been watching very closely since the demon attacked. “You did a good job my darling,” Penny said looking at Prue. “I did my best,” Prue smiled at her. “That’s true, but you did do a very good job protecting your sister.” “It was the least I could do,” Prue smiled. “Come on then, let’s leave them be,” Penny said. “Until the next time, my sisters,” Prue said softly. Piper, Phoebe, and Paige woke with a slght start and looked at each other. Piper was the frst to speak. “I felt it too,” she smiled.

~~ ~~ ~~

“Paige,” Phoebe said while eating her breakfast. “What kind of college did you go to?” “One that helped me figure out who I was I guess.” “Well, I’m glad you dd,” Phoebe said, and with that the girls went on about their days. “Bye ladies, love you,” Phoebe called as she went to work. “Love you too!” Paige and Piper called back And so began another day at the Halliwell Manor.