Disclaimer : My name’s not Aaron Spelling, so I don’t own them. But I really, really, really like to write about them.

This is a follow-up story to several others I‘ve written. Reading them first isn’t necessary, but you may not understand Rion’s connection to the Charmed Ones.

Dream A Little Dream
by Freaky Fan

Prologue

Sabian looked at the man kneeling before him. “So, you think you’re worthy of working for me?”

The man kept his head bowed. “I would never claim to be worthy. All I ask for is a chance.”

“A chance.” Sabian nodded as he left the stone shelf he used as a seat and slowly made his way around the chamber. “Chance. Now there is an interesting word. I went to the Source and Shalaman both trying to get my chance at the Charmed Ones and they laughed in my face. But here I am, finally finding my own way, getting a little of the respect I deserve, and someone like you comes to me. A human turned demon who wants the chance to prove himself.”

The man nodded. “Yes.”

“See, I respect your honesty. But there’s one small problem. You fail on your own and it’s no big deal. You WERE a human after all. But you fail when you’re working for me and I become a laughing stock again. Imagine sending a wannabe to do a real demon’s job.”

“So you want me to prove myself?”

A grin spread across Sabian’s face. “Yes. That’s exactly what I want.”

The man looked up at him. “Should I pick the victim?”

“No.” Sabian offered him a hand up. “I have just the person in mind.”

*************

They were on a picnic. The girls were a little old for picnics in her opinion, but she had seen them leave with their huge basket in hand before. Besides, it seemed like a fitting celebration for them accepting her into their lives. A quite afternoon in the park with plenty of sunshine and a gentle breeze. They laughed and talked and finally got to know one another.

“Excuse me, but you realize this is all just a dream, right?”

She looked up when she heard the unfamiliar voice to find a nice looking young man watching her from a few feet away. “Who are you?”

The young man shrugged. “Call me a concerned bystander. It’s not normal for a mature woman like you to have such fantasies.”

“Sure it is when a mature woman like me is all alone. When you’re this close,” she held her thumb and forefinger less than an inch apart, “to having everything you’ve ever wanted.”

“Ah.” The man walked toward her. “But is this really all you’ve ever wanted? A day in the park with them? Wouldn’t being there their whole lives be more like it?”

She looked stunned. “How did you....”

“I know a lot. And I can make it happen for you.” He held out his hand. “All you have to do is come with me.”

“But....”

“We can stay here and talk or I can take you to your new life.”

She looked at the girls. The grown girls. The ones who grew up never even knowing she existed. Then she looked at the young man. The polite, soft spoken, clean cut young man who seemed to want nothing more than to help her. It didn’t take her long to decide. She knew it would all disappear in the morning as dreams tended to do, but for tonight she was willing to let herself go. To leave behind the reality she knew for a little slice of the life she should have had the chance to live.

“All right.” She took his hand, feeling disoriented for a moment before finding herself standing at the front door of their house.

“Gamma!!”

She jumped as the door flew open and four little girls came flying at her, wrapping themselves around her legs in an attempt to hug her.

“We’ve been waitin fow you AW day!”

“Yep. All day.”

Her heart melted as she looked at the two youngest.

“Come on, Gamma. I wanna beat ya at Chutes and Ladders.”

The next oldest took her by the hand.

“And you can help me with a problem I got. A BOY problem.”

The oldest rolled her eyes dramatically.

She knew, in that instant, that she was where she belonged. Margaret Bennett let herself be pulled into the house, hoping the cruel reality of morning would never come.

“This just isn’t fair.”

Piper looked up from the rack of tiny dresses she was admiring. “Oh, come on, Pheebs. Prue promised our next stop would be the bridal shop. Cole is probably having too much fun playing basketball with the boys to even think about you.”

“Not true. He thinks about me all the time. But that’s not what I’m talking about. THAT,” Phoebe pointed toward a group of giggling children, “is what I’m talking about.”

“You’re upset because those kids are having fun?”

“Of course not!” Phoebe rolled her eyes. “I’m talking about who’s been playing hide and seek with them for the last twenty minutes.”

Piper frowned. “Who’s...?” Her frown disappeared when she saw Rion spring up from behind a diaper display, sending the kids into a fit of laughter. She smiled as she watched her sister make a show of running away from the kids, pretending to try and find another hiding spot. “Could she be any cuter?”

“No. And that’s exactly my point!” Phoebe threw her hands in the air. “Isn’t it sickening? I mean, I always thought I had a way with children. But she’s like some kind of frigging magnet!”

“Are you going somewhere with this or are you just ranting and raving for the heck of it?”

“You mean you don’t get it?”

Piper raised her eyebrows. “Obviously not.”

“She’s going to be this kid’s favorite aunt.”

“What?”

Phoebe nodded. “Think about it.”

“Aw, honey.” Piper put her arm around her sister’s shoulders, trying not to laugh. Ever since Prue had actually started to show and the baby started kicking, Phoebe had become a lot more receptive to the idea of a new addition at the Manor. Actually, she was borderline obsessive.

“I know it’s kind of stupid, but I....” Phoebe shrugged. “I want to be the cool aunt.”

“And you will be. Just like I’ll be give me some advice Aunt Piper and she’ll be make me laugh Aunt Rion. We’re all going to play a very important, very different, very special part in this baby’s life, Pheebs. There will be plenty of niecely love to go around.”

Phoebe leaned against her. “You really think so?”

“Yes.” Piper gave her a squeeze.

“I overheard the manager saying he should give her a job.”

They both jumped when they heard Prue’s voice behind them. Phoebe mumbled, “Sure. Rub it in,” after she recovered.

Prue furrowed her brow. “What?”

“Nothing.” Piper elbowed her little sister. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah.” Prue held up the plastic bag in her hand. “The quest for more cute clothes was a success.”

“The kid’s gonna have a wardrobe that puts Broadway to shame at this rate.” Rion smiled as she walked over to join them, much to the disappointment of her young fan club. She bent down to talk to Prue’s slightly bulging stomach. “Huh, Little One.”

“Oh!” Prue put her free hand on her stomach. “There she goes again. I swear, all you have to do is say boo and she starts kicking, Rion.”

Rion waggled her eyebrows. “It’s a gift.”

Prue linked arms with her and started out of the store.

“Can you do that, advice giving Aunt Piper?”

“Shut up!” Piper grabbed Phoebe’s hand and followed their sisters.

*************

“Hey, Morris! You got a phone call! Sounds like Simmons!”

Darryl sighed as he gripped the basketball in his hands. “Damn! I swear that guy can’t take a dump without calling me.”

Seth grinned. “Who’s Simmons?”

“My new partner. Fresh out of inspector’s school. Can’t make a decision on his own to save his life.” Darryl threw the ball to Cole. “I better take it. Be back in a sec.”

Seth looked at Cole and Leo. “Is his new partner really that bad?”

Leo nodded. “Yep. He interrupted Darryl’s first romantic dinner with Rion to ask him where the pencil sharpener went off of their desk.”

Cole chuckled. “That was nothing compared to the time the guy showed up at the Manor to ask Darryl how to spell something on a report.”

Seth shook his head. “And that’s why I work alone.”

Darryl came back across the gym, a serious look on his face. “We need to cut this short, guys.”

Seth was instantly concerned. “Why? Is it one of the girl?”

Cole shook his head. “Nah. Leo would sense it if something happened to one of them.”

“No, it’s not the girls. But we do need to get back to the Manor before them.”

Leo frowned. “Why?”

“Because they just found Margaret Bennett dead in her bed.”

“What?” Leo was shocked. “What happened?”

Darryl shrugged. “Who knows? Simmons says it looks like natural causes, but.... He called me because she was Rion’s grandma.”

Cole looked confused. “Simmons is there?”

“Yeah.” Darryl rolled his eyes. “He was stopping by to see if I was at the Manor and saw the squad cars next door.”

Seth headed toward the locker room. “Then we’d better get going. The girls might not be close to her, but they’ll still be upset.”

Cole grunted. “You can say that again.”

Leo suddenly looked upward. “They’re calling. I’ve got to find somewhere to orb out.”

Darryl followed Cole and Seth across the gym floor. So much for a relaxing game of b-ball with the boys. He just hoped Simmons was right. The girls would be out for blood if the supernatural was involved.

Cole sat in the living room half listening to the hushed conversation coming from the dining room and half watching Seth as he leaned against the doorframe between the two rooms, obviously uncomfortable. Darryl had gone next door to see if he could get any more information for the girls and Leo still wasn’t back from being called away. The girls were gathered around the table, all signs of the good mood they had been in when they came home gone.

“Why don’t you go sit with them for a little while, big guy.” Rion patted Seth on the shoulder as she passed him. She fell onto the couch next to Cole. “Poor guy. He always looks kinda lost without Prue.”

“How are you doing?”

“Me?” Rion pointed at herself. “I’m fine.”

Cole gave her a look. “Right.”

“What? I am.” She squirmed as he raised his eyebrows. “Fine. So I’m a little bummed. I mean, I finally get the chance to have a normal grandmother and I blow it by being stubborn and pigheaded. Was that what you were looking for?”

Cole couldn’t help but grin, thinking she was kidding. “The stubborn part, maybe. But the being pigheaded part....” He shook his hand back and forth. “I don’t know about that.” He saw her lean her head against the back of the couch. “You were being serious, weren’t you?”

Rion sighed. “Kinda.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s not like it’s your fault. I’m the one with the major guilt about not giving her more of a chance. But that’s something I have to work through.”

Cole watched her for a second. “Can I ask you something.”

Rion met his eyes. “Do you really need to ask?”

He played with the leg of his pants. “I was wondering how you thought Phoebe will react to this whole thing. To losing Margaret.”

“Well....” Rion turned to face him. “I think it’s a little too soon to tell right now. We didn’t really know her that well. And Phoebe didn’t like her much. But you know how Pheebs is. Family is family. I think eventually it’ll catch up with her.”

“That’s what I’m talking about. How do I help her when it does?”

“Just be there for her.” Rion patted him on the leg. “Whether you realize it or not, you’re good at the whole husband thing, Cole. Phoebe will let you know what she needs, when she needs it.” She waggled her eyebrows. “And I mean that in more ways than one.”

“Hey guys.”

They both jumped when they heard Leo behind them. Rion shot Cole a mischievous grin.

“You must be losing your touch, Cole. He’s never been able to sneak up on you before.”

Leo seemed to look past them. “Where is everyone else?”

Rion turned serious. “They’re in the dining room, Leo.”

Cole frowned. “What’s going on?”

“The dark prophecy.” Leo’s words seemed to hang over the room.

Rion furrowed her brow. “Would either of you care to explain what the hell that is?”

Cole was looking at Leo in disbelief. “It can’t be.”

Leo clinched his jaw. “It is.”

“But....”

Leo nodded. “I know.”

Rion looked back and forth between the two of them. “Phoebe, Piper, Prue! Leo’s back, and I think you need to get in here!”

The girls came rushing into the room. Piper took one look at her husband and knew something wasn’t right.

“Leo?”

“Sit down, Piper. I have a lot to tell you and very little time to do it.”

Piper frowned. “What’s....”

Prue took her by the arm. “I think we should save our questions for later.”

Cole got up, letting the girls have the couch. They always seemed more comfortable when they were within hand holding distance. He went to stand next to Seth, who, once again, was leaning on the doorframe.

“Another prophecy is coming to pass. But it’s not one of ours.” Leo cast a glance at Cole. “It’s a dark prophecy.”

“Dark prophecy?” Phoebe swallowed hard. “Why don’t I like the sound of that?”

“A long time ago I told you that there is a balance between good and evil. One of our prophecies came true when Rion came back.” Leo held up his hand to stop Phoebe from interrupting him. “I know it might seem like the balance of power changing in hell was a dark prophecy, but it wasn’t. It was all part of Rion coming back. Shalaman and the Source struggling has given you four time to get reacquainted. To strengthen your bond for what is about to happen.”

Prue narrowed her eyes. “Which is?”

“It’s evil’s turn. They have a prophecy that says a demon will arise. One who will challenge Shalaman and the Source for control of the underworld by trying to do what they can’t achieve.”

“Destroying the Charmed Ones.”

Leo nodded in response to Rion’s comment. “Yes. By trying to destroy the most powerful source of good we have to offer.”

“I feel a ‘but’ coming on.” Piper looked at her husband. “Is there a ‘but?’”

“More like an ‘and’, honey.” Leo sighed. “The Elders can’t interfere in any way. This is one challenge you four have to face alone. Which means....” He looked uncomfortable in his own skin. “I won’t be here.”

“What?!” Piper was up off the couch like a shot. “What do you mean you won’t be here?”

Leo went to her, pulling her into a hug. “No interference from the Elders means no help from your Whitelighter.”

“So you’re just going to drop a bomb shell like this and abandon us?” Piper pulled away from him. “How is that fair?”

“It’s not. But there’s nothing I can do about it, Piper.” Leo looked upward. “It’s time for me to go.”

Piper didn’t even turn to look at him. “Fine.”

Rion stood, giving her brother-in-law an ‘I’ve got her’ look.

Leo locked eyes with her. “Watch out for them, Rion. And please, be careful.”

Rion put her arm around Piper, whose shoulders were shaking with sobs as Leo orbed out. She quickly put her between Phoebe and Prue on the couch and went to Cole, pulling him away from Seth so they wouldn’t be overheard.

“What do you know about this?”

Cole shook his head. “Not much. Just that whoever this demon is, he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. And....”

Rion cocked her eyebrow. “And?”

“The prophecy says one of them,” he looked at Prue, Piper and Phoebe, “will die. This demon will succeed in killing one of the Charmed Ones.”

Rion followed his gaze, her voice little more than a whisper. “Over my dead body.”

Rion stared at the picture on her bedside stand. It was one Leo had orbed into the living room to take during one of their infamous girls only movie nights. She and Phoebe were sprawled side-by-side on the floor, elbows leaning on pillows as they watched the screen in awe. Prue and Piper were sharing a blanket on the couch. Prue had a look of complete and utter disgust on her face and Piper had one hand over her eyes, peering at the screen through her fingers. It was hard to believe how much had changed since then. They weren’t just cousins anymore. They were sisters. Phoebe as an old married woman. Prue was an expectant mother and bride to be. Piper’s baby, P3, was finally turning a halfway decent profit instead of just breaking even. They had a dark prophecy hanging over their heads.

She sighed as she looked away from the picture. The whole point in staring at it in the first place was to get her mind off of what was going on. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t keep her mind from going back to it.

First it was Leo telling them about the prophecy and how good wasn’t allowed to interfere as it unfolded. The Elders hardly topped her list of favorite people, but They were a quick reference when it came to anything evil. Almost as reliable as the Book of Shadows. But what was up with taking Leo away? So their Whitelighter couldn’t help either. Fine, clip his wings and make him a mortal until the whole thing was over. At least that way Piper wouldn’t be so upset.

Then there was Cole and his doom and gloom declaration that this demon would stop at nothing to kill one of the Charmed Ones. Normally the prospect of a demon coming after them didn’t even phase her. After all, how many demons had she and her sisters taken out since she became their protector? But all of those demons had been working for the big guns. They had never actually faced the Source or Shalaman one on one. And this demon had to rival them in power, otherwise he wouldn’t stand a chance of becoming the new ruler of the underworld. What if Cole was right? What if this particular demon was too much for them? What if one of her sisters was killed?

“Rion?”

She jumped when she heard the voice outside her door. “Piper?”

“Yeah. I saw your light was still on. Can I come....”

Rion was off the bed and had the door open before Piper could finish.

“....in?” Piper held up the mugs in her hands. “I come bearing chamomile tea.”

“Thanks.” Rion took one of the mugs from her. “And you know you can come in here any time you want. You don’t have to ask.” She spoke as she went back to the bed. She looked up to find Piper still standing just inside the door. “Well come on, silly.” She patted the bed next to her. “There’s plenty of room.”

Piper didn’t need any more prompting. She climbed in next to Rion. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

Piper shrugged. “Opening the door. Sharing the tea.” She looked up sheepishly. “Letting me vent?”

Rion grinned as she set her tea on the bedside stand. “I wondered how long it would take you.” She leaned back against the headboard. “Bring it on.”

“All right.” Piper reached across her sister to put her tea on the stand too. “I’m so mad I could hit something!” She slammed her fist into her open hand.

Rion looked confused. “Mad? I thought you were.... Well, you know. Upset. About Leo.”

“I am! That’s why I’m so mad!” Piper stood up, speaking through clenched teeth as she paced around the room. “I am SO sick of other people and beings and.... whatevers deciding when Leo and I can be together that I can’t see straight. I mean, we’re adults, right? We’re married for crying out loud! Shouldn’t we have some say in what goes on in our lives?!” She directed her last question toward the ceiling.

“I know it’s frustrating, Piper. But look at it this way, at least you know he’s safe.” Rion surprised herself. Hadn’t she herself just been bashing the Elders for taking Leo away?

“You’re right.” Piper sighed as she sat down, leaning against the headboard too. “But I still miss him.”

Rion chuckled. “You’re allowed.”

“So, I know why I’m up before the butt crack of dawn.” Piper sat up and reached across Rion again to get her tea. “What’s your excuse?”

“The usual.” Rion shrugged. “Extra protector energy.”

“Liar.”

“What did you say?”

Piper peaked over the edge of her mug as she took a sip of tea. “You heard me.”

Rion looked at her in disbelief. “But why would you call me a liar?”

“Cause that’s what you call someone who’s not telling the truth.” Piper leaned back against the headboard again, wrapping her hands around her mug. “You haven’t had trouble sleeping since....” She hesitated, not wanting to say what she was thinking. “Since just after you met Becca. I think you were up worrying.”

“Oh really?”

“Yep.” Piper took another sip of tea. “Tell me I’m wrong and I’ll take the whole liar thing back.”

Rion rolled her eyes. “I can’t.”

Piper put her hand on her sister’s shoulder. “We’re going to be all right, Rion. Because we’re in this thing together. The four of us will find a way through this.”

Rion leaned her head against her sister’s shoulder. “I hope you’re right.”

“I am.” Piper put her arm around her, giving her a squeeze. “And then we can tell the Elders to go fly a kite.”

“Or take a long walk off a short pier.”

“Or to not let the door hit them where the good Lord split them.”

“Or if we don’t hear from them before it rains, piss on them.”

Piper giggled. “Let’s go with that last one.” She kissed Rion on top of the head. “Now stop worrying.”

“I’ll try.”

“That’s all I can ask for.” Piper leaned her cheek against her sister’s hair. “Uh oh.”

Rion looked up at her. “What?”

“I think all your worrying has caused you to get....” Piper paused dramatically, making her eyes big. “Premature gray hair.”

“It has not!”

Piper used her free hand to pluck at Rion’s hair. “Oh yes it has.”

“Now who’s the liar?!” Rion started to tickle her.

“Hey! I’ve got hot tea in my hand!”

Rion grabbed the mug and put it back on the stand. “Now what will you use as an excuse?”

Prue watched them from the darkness of the hallway as they romped on the bed. Piper knocking on Rion’s door had woken her up and she had come to check on the two of them. It made her feel good to know they could go to one another when they needed to. It would make it easier in the future when she was busy with the baby.

She put her hand on her stomach and smiled. “Come on, little one. Let’s get back to bed before you hear your aunt Rion and start doing your imitation of a soccer player again.”

*************

Sabian looked at the man-demon as he knelt before him again. “I must say, I am most impressed. The way you strung the old lady along just long enough before....” He snapped his fingers. “I like your style.”

“Does that mean I get my chance?”

“Yes....” Sabian frowned. “I have no idea what to call you.”

“Berman.” The man smiled. “You can call me Berman.”

“All right, Berman. You get your chance.” Sabian started to walk away. “You can choose which of the Charmed Ones you go after. It really doesn’t make a difference to me. Just don’t rush it. I hate when demons get in a hurry.”

Berman nodded as Sabian disappeared from view. He had waited this long to get his ultimate revenge against the woman who had put him in hell. He could wait a little more. And when the time came, Prue Halliwell would never know what hit her.

It was dark. Dark and cold. Dark, cold and barren.

Prue shivered as she sensed the nothingness around her. She may not have been able to see, but she knew there was nothing there. Not a figurative nothing either. Absolute nothingness. She had never felt so alone before in her entire life. The thought sent another chill down her spine. Where was she? How had she gotten there? Where was Seth? More importantly, where were her sisters? They would never willingly leave her?

“Piper?! Phoebe?! Rion?!” Her voice echoed around her.

“Oh, don’t worry about them, Prue. They’re safely tucked away. Not that they would be able to help you if they were here. No one can do that now.”

Her right hand instinctively went to the swell of her belly as the voice seemed to come at her from all sides. Relief washed over her when she felt the baby move. At least she wasn’t completely alone. She looked out into the darkness angrily.

“Who are you?”

“You mean you don’t recognize my voice? I’m hurt, Prue. I really am. Especially after all the fun we had together.”

Male. The voice definitely belonged to a man. She searched her memory, trying to remember where she had heard it before but couldn’t come up with anything. She told herself to calm down when she felt panic setting in. She had been in worse spots than this before. Freaking out over it wasn’t going to help anything.

“No, but it would be fun to watch.”

“So you can hear my thoughts, can you? Well hear this!!” She mentally sent out every profanity and colorful phrase she had ever heard.

“Why, Prue. Is that any way to treat the one person who can help you get out of here? The one person who can take you back to your precious sisters?”

She growled. “What have you done with them?!”

“As if I would make it that easy for....”

“Prue?”

Another voice interrupted him.

“Come on you little Mama to be. It’s time to rise and shine.”

The new voice was like music to her ears. “Rion?”

“Go on, Prue.”

A pinpoint of light suddenly appeared off in the distance.

“Just remember, I’ll be here again next time.”

The voice rang in her ears as the light hurtled toward her, blinding her as it engulfed her.

*************

“Whoa!” Rion barely managed to get out of the way as Prue bolted upright. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Prue looked at her for a moment. “Rion?”

“Yeah. Last time I checked.”

“Oh!” Prue threw her arms around her little sister. “I’m so glad to see you!”

“OK.” Rion returned the hug awkwardly. “Are you feeling all right this morning, Prue?”

“Hey, you two better get a move on if you want any hot water for your showers.” Phoebe spoke as she walked into the room, concentrating on a string hanging off of her sweatpants. “Piper is about to get in and we all know what that means. No....”

“Pheebs!” Prue grabbed her little sister, pulling her into the hug.

Phoebe winced as she was crushed against Rion. “What’s going on?”

Rion tried to shrug. “I have no idea.”

“Is there something going on in here I should know about?” Piper stopped in the doorway. “Prue, why are you strangling our little sisters?”

“Yeah.” Phoebe tried to get in a more comfortable position.

Rion squirmed. “I bet it’s some weird pregnancy thing. I read about mood swings in one of those parenting magazines she’s been bringing home. Any minute now she’ll knock our heads together and tell us to get the hell out of her room.”

Prue let go of them. “No I won’t. Can’t I just be glad to see you?”

“That went way beyond glad to see us.” Phoebe rotated her neck, looking satisfied when it gave a loud crack. “More like trying to put us in full body casts.”

“You don’t look so hot this morning, sweetie.” Piper frowned as she walked over to the bed, putting her hand on her sister’s forehead. “Are you feeling all right?”

Prue swatted her hand away. “I’m fine.” She left it at the, hoping her sisters would drop it. But in true Halliwell fashion they all three stared at her, knowing there was something more. She sighed. “I was having a nightmare when Rion woke me up, all right? Just a stupid old nightmare. I got kind of freaked out.”

Phoebe looked at her. “Are you sure it was a nightmare?”

“Yeah.” Piper joined them on the bed. “There is a demon after us.”

“No.” Prue tried to sound confident. “It was just a nightmare.”

Rion shared a look with Piper. “You’re positive?”

“Yes.” Prue gave them a half smile. “I’m positive. Now stop worrying about me and go get dressed or showered or whatever it is you’ve got to do. We have a funeral to get to.”

“Maybe we should....”

“No, Pheebs.” Prue interrupted her. “We’re going.”

“Prue....”

“Don’t you start too, Piper. She was our grandmother. We’re going and that’s final. Now get out of here before I do start knocking heads together.”

They did as they were told. Rion stopped in the doorway. “You’re sure you’re all right?”

Prue nodded. “Yeah. I’m sure.”

“Wanna share a bagel? I’ll smother it in cream cheese just the way you like it.”

Prue grinned. “Maybe tomorrow, squirt.”

“All right.” Rion started to walk away but turned around again. “You’d tell me if something was up, right?”

“Yes!” Prue chucked a pillow at her. “Now get out of here!”

Rion chuckled as she ducked the pillow and started downstairs.

Prue made sure she was gone before leaning back against the headboard. She had managed to halfway convince them that everything was all right, now all she had to do was convince herself. It wasn’t just a nightmare. That much she knew. She closed her eyes, hoping some answers would magically appear.

“Remember, Prue. I’m waiting for you.”

Her eyes snapped open as the voice filled her senses. She was up off the bed in record time.

“Rion! Wait up! I changed my mind!”

Piper growled as she drove the Jeep around the block for the fifth time. “We’re going to be late.”

“Yes, we are. And for once it’s not my fault.” Phoebe raised her eyebrows. “We can blame this one on the bagel eaters.”

“Hey. Prue’s eating for two.”

Phoebe nodded. “True enough. When she’s the one eating. From what I saw, you were the only one chowing down this morning.”

“Hey Pheebs....” Rion stuck her tongue out as her sister turned to look at her.

Piper, who was watching Rion in the rearview mirror, failed miserably at keeping the laughter out of her voice. “Knock if off you two.”

“At least I know one person in this vehicle who will stick up for me, right Prue?” Rion looked over at her when she didn’t respond. “Prue?”

“Huh?” The eldest Halliwell finally looked up when she felt someone nudging her. She had been lost in thought, trying to figure out who the voice in her dream.... vision.... whatever it was belonged to.

“Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”

Prue tried to avoid her little sister’s eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine. I was just thinking.”

Rion frowned. “Maybe you should go see Seth later today. Let him check you out. Make sure you’re not coming down with something.”

“Or maybe you should just listen to me when I say I’m fine and stop pestering me.” Prue could hardly believe the words had left her mouth. Especially when she saw the shock and pain flash through Rion’s eyes. “I....”

“Forget it.” Rion turned to look out the window.

“Rion, you know I didn’t....”

“Yes you did or you wouldn’t have said it.”

“Rion....”

“I think you’ve said enough already, Prue.”

Piper frowned when she caught a snippet of Rion’s angry tone. “What’s going on back there?”

“Nothing.” Rion pointed ahead. “There’s a spot.”

“Finally!” Piper forgot about anything but claiming the coveted parking place as her own.

Rion barely waited for the Jeep to stop to open her door. “I’m gonna go get us seats.”

“Hey!” Phoebe jumped out after her. “Wait for me!”

Prue sighed as she watched her little sisters walk away. It took a hell of a lot to hurt Rion’s feelings, yet she had managed to do it in record time. What was wrong with her?

“Prue?”

She looked up, shocked to find Piper holding her door open for her. “Oh, sorry.” She climbed out of the Jeep.

Piper linked arms with her as they made their way toward the small chapel. “Care to tell me what happened with you and Rion?”

Prue shrugged, surprised to find herself on the verge of tears. Maybe Rion had been right earlier. Maybe this was all some strange pregnancy thing. “You know me. Always saying the wrong thing.”

Piper looked at her sideways. “Was she worrying about you again?”

Prue nodded.

“And you said something along the lines of ‘leave me alone?’”

Prue nodded again. “I believe the exact wording was ‘stop pestering me.’”

“Ew.” Piper made a pained face. “Definitely not good. But she’ll get over it.”

“You really think so?”

Piper gave her a look. “This is Rion we’re talking about.”

Prue sighed again. “Maybe you’re right.”

“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.” Piper gave her sister’s arm a squeeze. “Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”

“Come on you two.” Phoebe motioned to them from the top of the chapel stairs. “We seem to have made it just in time.”

They followed Phoebe into the chapel. The only other person there besides Rion, was Victor. Prue could feel him watching them as they walked to the pew Rion was saving for them. Maybe it was the fact she was convinced he hadn’t made any sort of effort to get to know Margaret. Or maybe it was because she was still bitter over his keeping the truth about Rion from them. Whatever it was, she couldn’t bring herself to feel sorry for him.

She hoped Rion would at least look at her as she sat down next to Piper but she knew from the firm set of her sister’s jaw that she wasn’t quite over their tiff yet. She told herself Piper was right. Rion would get over it and go back to being her overprotective self. She just hoped it happened sooner rather than later. The thought of something she did upsetting one of her sisters was almost more than she could take. Especially when it came to Rion. But Prue wouldn’t blame her if she stayed mad forever. Where did she get off talking to her like that?

“It’s nice of you girls to show up. I’m sure she would have appreciated it.”

Piper, sensing that Prue wasn’t in the mood to play spokeswoman, looked up at their father. “Yes, I’m sure she would have.”

Victor stayed where he was, looking extremely uncomfortable. “I’d ask what the four of you have been up to lately, but I’m sure I already know. You give a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘the usual.’” He swallowed hard when he didn’t get a response. “Well, at least I can see that you’re all healthy. Especially you, Prue. It’s about time you put on some weight.”