Disclaimer: I lay no claim to any of the Charmed characters, quotes, or overt references that may appear in my stories. They are the sole property of Spelling Television. I write for my own satisfaction and for the enjoyment of those who choose to read them.


Little Sister, Where Art Thou?


The overcast sky only added to the depressing scene in San Quentin’s exercise yard. Victor Cabezas leaned against the prison wall; his bright orange jumpsuit in direct contrast to the drab gray concrete that’s now his home.

Life on the inside of California’s oldest prison, was not much different for Victor, than when he lived outside the barbed wire fences and guard towers. In a place nicknamed by the inmates as ‘The Arena’, silence runs deep and money talks. Overworked and underpaid correctional officers are more than willing to look the other way, if the price is right. San Quentin has a bloody reputation, a culture where violence and boredom make up its daily environment - Vic fit right in.

So there V.C. stood, smoking a $100 Cuban cigar, talking on his cell phone, surrounded by an entourage of tatted up minions. He pulled out the photos from the manila envelope; his lips drawing back into a huge grin as the photographer on the other end and the snapshots confirmed he had found what Victor was looking for.

~:~:~:~

Prue and Piper sit on the sofa sipping sodas and watching their two pajama-clad sisters trying to teach Phoebe’s new kitten to roll over.

“Paige! Quit pulling on her tail, she don’t like it.”

“But I can’t see her face, you keep hoggin’ her.”

“Well, she is my kitty, not yours.” Phoebe countered, sticking her tongue out at her little, pestering sister.

“Phoebe, what did I tell you about that tongue of yours?” Piper sternly asked.

“But…”

“Phoebe!”

“Dat if I keep stickin’ it out you’ll put pepper on it…. Sorry Paige.” The apology not sounding all too sincere.

“S’kay. I forgiveded you alweady.” The youngest the proceeded to give her sister a big ole sloppy kiss.

“Ewww.” Phoebe was about ready to have at it again.

Trying to defuse the pre-bedtime brawl, Prue attempts to distract the two by asking Phoebe an explosive question.

“So Pheebs, have you decided on a name for that hank of hair with four legs…” Phoebe’s face went from irritated to plain pissed off.

Through the side of her mouth Piper annoyingly whispered, “You are supposed to be diverting not detonating.”

“Huh?” Piper’s sharp elbow jab prevented the eldest in making matters worse. “Ow, Piper, what the… Oh yeah, I mean have you decided on a name for your sweet, adorable, little kitten? ”

“Yep!” Her boiling tantrum simmered as she saw her big sister’s apologetic smile. Phoebe knew, that Prue, at times, also had a mouth that engaged before her mind did; well, according to Piper anyway.

“Well, care to share it with us?” Piper just had to grin. Phoebe was either a motor mouth or nearly claiming a vowing silence - never a happy medium with that one.

“Oh yeah, sure. Her name is Kit the cat. Get it? Kit Kat. Little play on words.” Her happy grin showing the gap where her newly missing tooth used to be; all fury now forgotten.

“It’s also the name of your favorite candy bar. I swear you think of nothing else but that stomach of yours.” Piper laughed, she was secretly so pleased that the girls were gaining some much needed weight and that they both boasted it was because of her ‘gweat cookin’.

Attempting to makeup for her earlier mistake, Prue chose to reward Phoebe’s clever choice. “Well, I think it is a wonderful name. You did good Pheebs, real good.” Prue’s eyes sparkled with love and pain as she watch the child relish in such simple praise.

After a few minutes more of allowing them to play with the newest addition to the family, Prue and Piper got up, the latter‘s turn for giving the bad news. “OK, loves, it’s time for bed.”

“AWWWWWW” Came the duet of voices.

“Juzz five mo’ minuzz, pwease.” Paige begged, but to no avail.

“Nope, sorry kiddo, but you are up a half an hour past your lights out, as it is. You’ll both be falling asleep in your cereal bowls if you stay up any longer.”

For some reason Piper’s last comment struck the girls as hilarious and they both burst into fits of giggles. Prue and Piper just shook their heads, each grabbing one of the tykes and heading for the stairs.

“Prue?”

“Yes, Pheebs.”

“Can Kit sleep with me? She’ll be real scared, I just know she will.”

“Well, she can sleep in your room, in the $49.99 overprice bed we just bought her, but NOT in your bed, got it?” Prue didn’t want a habit to start that would only lead to arguments later.

“Deal!” Phoebe said, stifling a yawn.

“Deal!”

OK, sweets, say your prayer and then we’ll come back and tuck you in, kapish?”

“Kapish.” Echoed the two little charmers.

Only minutes after leaving their room, Paige screams at the top of her lungs, causing Prue and Piper to collide at the doorway.

“What, what’s the matter?”


Paige looks up from her kneeling position beside her big girl‘s bed and speaks. “Phoebe’s pwayin’ sittin’ up, izat eagle?”

“Tattle-tale!” Phoebe said, her one open eye glaring at her big-mouthed little sister.

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“Am…”

“Enough!” Prue’s stern voice brought the bickering to a screeching halt.

“Paige, don’t yell like that unless it is an emergency. Do you understand?”

“yes.” came the small contrite voice.

“And Phoebe you stop calling your sister names…”

“But….”

“Is exactly where you’ll find my right hand if you keep it up, missy.”

“PRUE!” Piper admonished. Seeing the terror grow in both little girls eyes.

Taking a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, she sat down on Phoebe’s bed and drew Paige to her side as well. “Girls, I am so sorry. I let my anger speak words my heart would never be able to follow through with . I love you both so much, I would never spank either of and I am sorry that I threatened I would. Phoebe, you forgive me?”

“You promise?” She asked, her eyes wary, and her small frame trembling just a little.

“Promise!”

“Even, even when you are super mad and that big ole fat vein in your neck starts to bulge?”

Prue could hear Piper unsuccessfully stifling a laugh; her own lips loosing the war of turning upward.
“Yes, Pheebs, even then.”

Thinking on it for a moment, she finally answered, “OK, I forgive you. Don’t know about Mizzer God, though. He’s purdy strict on stuff like dat, even more stricter than you.”

“Man, dats IS ‘trict!” Paige said, causing the whole family to burst into fits of laughter and pulled into a group hug.

Once the tiny bundles were safely tucked into bed, again. The elder sisters turned the lights off and closed the door all but a crack.

As they did, the sisters heard the baby loudly whisper… “ ‘Til don’t tink, pwayin’ on da bed isn’t eagle.”

The short silence after her comment was interrupted by a somewhat louder, yet muffled “OUCH!” Which was immediately followed by a triumphant grunt by older of the two girls.

Piper smiled, “Pillow?”

“Yep, pillow.” Prue agreed, each sister remembering similar arguments when sharing a room.


A few hours later, before turning in for the night, they stopped to check on the girls. There was Phoebe all snuggled down, Alfie under one arm and Kit curled up into the other.

“Well, may just this once.” Prue said as she grinned and gently closed the door.

“I knew it! You really are an old softy.” Piper softly laughed. Giving her sister a goodnight hug, she then headed off to her room for a good nights sleep.

Prue paused just a little longer, her hand resting on the thick oak portal. She still couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling she was struck with at the park, earlier. Silently she prayed it was just her imagination. Little did she know her anxiousness would soon be replaced with raw fear.

~:~:~:~

The hissing florescent light dimly lit his cell. The mobile on his bunk began to vibrate - his contact on the outside.

“You get the money?”

“Yes, Mr. Cabezas. That is quite sufficient.”

“Good, then do it. No witnesses, no trail, got it?”

“Yes, Mr. Cabezas; consider it done.”

Piper looked out the kitchen window, watching Prue, Phoebe, Alfie, and Kit in the backyard. The eldest had promised she would take pictures of Phoebe and her two best friends. Today, she was making good on that promise.

“Pippy, I all finished ‘tirin’ da cookies.”

Chef Piper and lil chefette, Paige were going to surprise their sisters with a batch of her famous chocolate chip cookies. “Oh my missy, I think you have more dough on you, than in the bowl.” Piper teased, tweaking the tiny nose that had flour on its tip. Paige just giggled and basked in the personal attention. Piper hated to ruin the moment, but she had to ask the little one the question now, before her big sister came in from outside.

“Paige, can I ask you something?”

“Sure, whatcha wanna know?

“Well, its about Alfie. Does Phoebe ever let him out of her sight? You see, he really and I mean really needs a bath bad, but I can’t seem to get her to let me have it.”

Paige’s eyes turned sad, she climbed down from the chair and into Piper’s lap.

“No, she never even wets me ‘old him. Ya see, Mommy gaved it to her, it was the wast pressie she gotted from Mommy and she won’t wet ANYBODY touch him . If you wanna get her ’issed off, big time, twy and take it away. Don’t tell her I told you, but sometimes she even talks to it… I think she missed Mommy a whole bunches cuz she’s been cryin’ in her sweep, ’gin.”

“Thank you, baby, for helping me, and for being such a good sister to Phoebe.”

“Iz easy, I wove her, even if she is bossy.”

“That’s my Paigey! Now, how about we get these cookies in the oven.”

“Yeah, da fazzer we get em done, den da fazzer we get em in our tummies, wight?”

“Right. I like how you think.”

“Tank you!”




“Hold her a little closer to your face, Pheebs. Yeah, that’s it. Perfect!”

“Prue?”

“Yeah, Phoebe.”

“Umm, well, uhh, I was wonderin’ if we could, uhh, you know, talk… woman to woman?”

At first Prue had to grin at Phoebe’s choice of phrasing, but then panic ripped through her body. ‘Phoebe wasn’t old enough for ’the talk’ yet, was she?’ Soon, the anxiousness melted away, as the huge eyes so pleading and strong willed looked up at her. Somehow, the eldest new, that she was still innocent. ‘Whew!’

“Sure, how about we sit under the tree, and get some shade.”

“Kay.”

“So, Pug, what’s on your mind?”

“You think Mommy’s in Heaven?”

‘Whoa, talk about getting straight to the point.’ Prue hadn’t seen her Mom in over ten years. The mother of her youth wasn’t the mother of her later years. Still, she loved the woman who used to be.

“Yeah, Pheebs, I think she’s in Heaven.” Prue answered, mindlessly playing with the kittens ears.

“Does she still see us?”

“Yes, I suppose she does. I think God allows Mommy to still look out for us, and send her love back to our hearts in lots of different ways.”

Phoebe, clinging tight to Alfie, then climbed up into Prue’s lap and stared deep into her blue eyes. She longed for her biggest sister to be completely honest with her regarding her next question.

“Prue, you think Mizzer God would let me into Heaven when I die?”

A pain liken to a knife slicing open her heart was what Prue felt when she heard the six-year-old ask such a thing. But it was Phoebe’s eyes, the windows to her very soul, that caused Prue to physically shudder, as if a cold wind had blown across their path.

Prue could do nothing but hold the little one close, not wanting to think of such things, but Phoebe pulled back, wanting, no, needing an answer.

“Would He?”

“Yes, my precious, He would most definitely let you in.”

“Would I be able to see you, Piper and Paigey, like Mommy does?”

“Yes, sweetie, I am sure you would. But, love, you have a loooong way to go before you have to go to Heaven.”

“Why?”

“Cuz, God needs you here, with us. You have a special job here, on earth, to do.”

“What?”

“Well, you have to help us take care of Paige and you have to teach Piper and me how to be big sisters all over again, that alone will take years.” Prue managed a giggle to come from the overly serious little girl.

“Umm, sweets, what is with all these questions about Heaven, eh?”

“Juzz needed ta know, zall. Thanks Prue. You think we could do this again sometime, ya know, just talk, us two?”

“You are very welcome. And you bet, Pug, anytime.”

“I love you, Prue.”

This was the first time Phoebe had said this to her directly. The only time it was mentioned, was in general at the adoption signing. Tears were filling her eyes as she answered back, “I love you too, Pheebs.”

Again, completely rotating her emotions, Phoebe’s button nose started sniffing the air, a huge grin filling her face. “I smell Piper’s chocolate chippers, come on!” With that Phoebe got off Prue’s lap, pulling her all the way to the back door. Prue in one hand, Alfie in the other and Kit wobbling along side.

Six cookies and two glasses of milk later, all the Halliwells were content and happy. Little did they know that, that was about to radically change.

Pheebs, would you go in the back and get my camera bag. I think I’ll start working on those rolls tonight.”

“Really? Cool! Thank Prue, you’re the bestest! Come on, Paigey, I’ll swing you in the swing a few times, OK?”

Paige didn’t need to be asked twice. “Yay!” Paige hoped off the booster chair and started after Phoebe, but then ran back, leaving her big sister waiting at the door. “I amost forgetter, may I pwease be ’cused?”

“Oh my, what good manners you are getting. Wish I could teach the older one to do the same. Yes, you may be excused.” Piper then playfully patted the girls butt and sent her back towards the door.

“Only five minutes, Pheebs, cuz it’s getting near bath time.” Piper admonished.

“Yeah, yeah.” Came the sound of Phoebe’s impatient voice followed by the slamming of the screen door.

Piper smiled and started to gather the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. “Prue, you alright? You seem to be lost in thought. Care to share?”

“It’s Phoebe.”

“What’s she done now?”

“It’s nothing like that, it just she was asking me a lot of questions when we were outside and…”

“What kind of question?” Piper wondering what would make her sister so pensive.

“ About Heaven, Mom and…”

“And?” Piper prompted, knowing this was the part that was disturbing her eldest sibling.

“And if God would let her in.”

“Whoa, where’d that come from? I mean she’s kinda young to be asking things like that, isn‘t she?”

“Yeah, I agree, but I don’t know, Pipe, but I’ve got this funny feeling.”

“Oh for heaven’s sake, Prue, no pun intended, she’s six, and very inquisitive. I think you are blowing this a bit out of proportion.

“Maybe, but I believe this divine string of 20 questions has something to do with what she may have experienced under the custody of our drug lord, father… and, Pipe, that truly scares me.”

‘Whoa‘ Piper thought. For her sister to admit to any kind of emotion was rare, but to confess she was frightened was like, never. That in and of itself caused Piper’s own fear meter to soar. She didn’t have long to ponder this newest revelation, though, because of the loud scream that came from the back yard.


“What did I just tell them about yelling void of an emergency?” Prue’s rhetorical question was asked out definite aggravation.

“I know, but Pure, they’re just…” Piper’s explanatory reply was interrupted by the sound of tiny feet running into the kitchen.

The little girl stood their pure fear in her eyes, she was gasping for breath and trying to speak, but nothing understandable was coming out. She nearly climbed Piper’s leg to get into her arms.

“What, what is it?”

“ook…. Er.”

“Slow down, try and speak properly.” Prue said as she ran her hand over the small girl’s trembling hand.

“ too… he..”

“That’s better, sweetie, but you have to say all of the words. Can you do that for us?” Piper asked, her arms feeling the fear radiating off the child.

“too…k… took… her.”

“Who… what…….. where is she? She was just outside with you, what happened, where is she?” Prue panicked, looking frantically out the window.


Piper was engulfed in a shroud of dread, she now knew this crying sister was indeed yelling due to an emergency.

“Prue, call Andy… NOW!”

@:@:@:@:

Her ex took the Manor steps two at a time, the CSI team he called, had already arrived.

The youngster was sitting on Piper’s knee - her white knuckle grip, refusing to let go. Andy could see the raw terror in her eyes - fear of losing either of her remaining sisters. Andy was pulled from his inward pain, by one of the on-site investigators. “Inspector Trudeau?”

“Yes, what do we have?”

“Not much, I’m afraid. She won’t talk. Forensics are in the backyard now, and one of the neighbors said she saw an unfamiliar car - a dark blue, Lexus - in the neighborhood. She gave us a partial plate, we are running it now.”

“Thanks, Ken. I’ll see if I can fair better with the little one. Give me a half hour, OK.”

“Sure thing, Inspector.”

@:@:@:@:

The man looked through the small window as the cowering child in the corner. Anger bolted through him, like a flash of ferocious lightning. Clinching his massive fists, he slowly turned, hurling his rage at his incompetent henchmen.

“You bungling idiots!! You got the wrong one!!!”