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.

The lyrics in this part are from Michael Jackson’s “Gone Too Soon”

Starting Over
by Freaky Fan

Part 1

Like A Comet
Blazing ‘Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon


Piper didn’t even bother to shop around for a spot as she pulled into the parking lot. The further away the better in her book. This wasn’t something she was looking forward to.

Hearing Vincent Nolan’s voice on the other end of the line had come as quite a shock to her that morning. Especially when he said he needed to see her and her sisters right away. She really wanted to tell him to go away and leave them alone but she couldn’t shake the feeling it was something important. So here they were.

She was relieved to see Prue’s car parked a couple of spots away. Her big sister had disappeared that morning, forcing her to leave a message on her cell phone. She was afraid Prue wouldn’t get it and wouldn’t be there. She had a feeling they were going to need each other.

She glanced over at Phoebe as she put the Jeep in park, her heart breaking at how pale her sister was. Right now she was staring blankly out the window, looking as if she had lost her best friend. The thought brought tears to Piper eyes, making her change the topic of discussion in her head before she broke down again. She was about to tell Phoebe they were there when she noticed her sister had already unbuckled her seat belt and was getting out. She scrambled to catch up.

Phoebe grabbed her hand as they started the seemingly endless walk to the office building.


Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon


Prue looked down at her watch and sighed. Where the hell were her sisters? What if something had happened to them? What if they were....

She told herself to stop it. They weren’t even late yet. As a matter of fact, if they walked up to her right now they would be ten minutes early. But she worried about them. They were in her thoughts all the time. Every second of every day.

She looked up when she heard the ding of the elevator, relieved beyond words to see them stepping off, hand in hand. She quickly went to join them.

Phoebe grabbed her hand too as Vincent motioned to them from outside a room up a nearby hallway. They moved toward him as one.


Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night


Vincent ushered them into a spacious conference room. “Please, have a seat.”

They laid claim to three chairs halfway up one side of the table, Phoebe sitting between her big sisters. Vincent sat across from them, his normal holier than thou attitude missing.

“First of all, let me say how sorry I am for your loss. Rion was....” He grinned halfheartedly. “Rion was Rion. She meant the world to Becca. And I’m sorry I didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to get to know her better.”

“Thank you.” Prue spoke in a monotone, wishing she had the nerve to tell him not to say her sister’s name over and over again. It brought a lump to her throat whenever she heard it.

“Now, I’m sure you’re all wondering why I asked you here today.” Vincent looked down at the file folder laying before him. “Rion made arrangements for her funeral.”


Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon


Piper put her hand over her mouth to keep from gasping. She had known this had something to do with Rion, but she assumed it was about her will. The idea of funeral arrangements made it all too real. Too final.


Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon


“She already paid for everything. Casket, plot, service, the flowers. I have to say, she was very thorough.”

Phoebe shut her eyes, willing him to shut up. This was too much. She knew they had to talk about all of this eventually, but now was too soon. WAY too soon. She wasn’t ready for this. She never would be.


Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon


“And she left you something.” Vincent picked up a remote control. “Something I would have preferred to share with you at the Manor, but Rion insisted I do it here. Something about none of you being able to run away from the truth.”

They weren’t ready for what they saw when he hit the ‘play’ button.


Born To Amuse, To Inspire
To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night


“Hey guys.”

Rion smiled at them from the huge screen that made up the majority of one wall.

“We all know what it means if you’re watching this. Hopefully we’re all old and gray and I died laughing at some stupid thing our great-great grandchildren did. But I have a feeling we’re not. It was probably a demon or warlock or some gnarly beast like the hell hounds. Whatever it was, I hope I went down fighting the good fight. Keeping you guys safe. As long as that’s true, I don’t think I’ll be too mad when I get to that big Manor in the sky.”

Rion’s voice cracked and she looked away for a minute, tears glistening in her eyes.

“But if it went down that way we probably didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. I know, I’ve never been a big one for goodbyes. But this is different. I need you guys to....”

The tears spilled down her cheeks.

“I need you to know how much I love you. How much I’ve always loved you. You three are my world. I couldn’t possibly imagine my life without you in it. And for that I want to say thank you. You gave me a purpose in life. A reason to get my butt out of bed each morning. But most of all....”

She choked on a sob.

“You loved me back. I can’t even begin to find the words to tell you what that means to me.”

She sniffled as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“Look at me, crying like a baby. I think it’s time to wrap this bad boy up.”

She looked into the camera intently.

“Prue, don’t shut Piper and Phoebe out. They love you and they want to be there for you. Let them. Going through life as a loner is no way to live. You taught me that.”

She licked her lips, trying not to start crying again.

“Phoebe, don’t you dare lose that light in your eyes. That ‘I’m never gonna grow up’ sparkle. Every family needs a Peter Pan to keep them young and you’re it.”

She wiped at her tears before they had a chance to spill from her eyes.

“And Piper, I know telling you not to worry is asking too much, so I’ll say don’t think you have to be a grown up all the time instead. Get out there and cut loose every once in while. Life’s too boring if you don’t.”

She drew in a shaky breath.

“And now comes the really hard part. I’m....”

She shut her eyes for a second.

“I’m sorry I left you. I know it will hurt you and I’d rather jump off a cliff than do that. But I also know we’ll all be together again someday. Until then watch each other’s backs and kick some evil ass. And remember that....”

Her voice cracked again.

“I love you more than life itself. I always will.”


Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon


They were clinging to one another, sobbing as their sister’s image faded. Vincent got up and silently left the room, knowing they needed some time. Tears glistened in his eyes as he shut the doors behind him and stood guard to make sure no one interrupted them.


Gone Too Soon


The Winter Here’s Cold, And Bitter
It’s Chilled Us To The Bone
We Haven’t Seen The Sun For Weeks
Too Long Too Far From Home


Prue stared at the piece of paper, her hand shaking ever so slightly. She didn’t have anyone to blame but herself. After all, it was her logic that convinced her sisters to let her open the envelope.

Thinking of the envelope made her think of Vincent. This was partially his fault. He gave them the damned thing after all. Like the video hadn’t been enough. And he had to do it right after he almost changed her opinion of him from jackass to semi-human. First he gave them nearly an hour alone in the conference room to deal with what they had seen. Then he got two clerks to help him get them and their vehicles back to the Manor because none of them were in any condition to drive. But then he slipped Phoebe the envelope.

Which brought her back to the paper in her hand. The one that Phoebe and Piper were staring at too. The one with Rion’s handwriting on it.


I Feel Just Like I’m Sinking
And I Claw For Solid Ground


“We can’t.” Phoebe shook her head, her voice little more than a whisper.

Piper looked at her with sad eyes. “We have to, sweetie.”

“No, Piper.” Phoebe stood up, pacing away from her sisters. “I don’t think you understand. I CAN’T.”

“Pheebs.” Prue was surprised by how gruff her voice sounded from crying. “We can do this.” She stood, pulling Piper up with her and went to their baby sister. “Together.”


I’m Pulled Down By The Undertow
I Never Thought I Could Feel So Low
Oh Darkness I Feel Like Letting Go


Phoebe huddled behind her sisters as they stood in front of the door. She still wasn’t sure who had shut it, but none of them were volunteering to open it.

“All right.” Piper took a deep breath and stepped closer to the door, never letting go of Prue’s hand. “I’ll do it.”

Phoebe watched as she stood there for another second before reaching out quickly and turning the knob, throwing the door open like she expected something to be waiting for them on the other side. Something was. Something that scared her more than any of the demons they had ever faced.

The memory of their sister.


If All Of The Strength And All Of The Courage
Come And Lift Me From This Place
I Know I Could Love You Much Better Than This
Full Of Grace
Full Of Grace
My Love


The whole Manor was one big reminder of Rion, but this room was the worst. The most personal. Prue gripped her sisters hands as they started across the threshold. She felt Phoebe holding back and looked over her shoulder at her. The poor kid was in tears again.

“Pheebs.”

“I can’t, Prue.” Phoebe shook her head. “I just can’t. I’m sorry.”

Prue stopped Piper from following her as she literally ran away. “Let her go, Piper. She needs some time.”

Piper looked at her. “But she should be here for this, Prue.” Tears filled her eyes. “Rion would have wanted us to stick together.”

“And we will.” Prue put her arm around Piper’s shoulders. “But you and I can handle this.” She felt Piper crying harder. “Right?”

Piper gave a barely audible, “Right” as they continued into the room.


So It’s Better This Way, I Said
Having Seen This Place Before
Where Everything We Say And Do
Hurts Us All A Little More


Prue swallowed hard as she looked around. The room was a mess. Just the way Rion liked it. Piper pulled away from her and picked a t-shirt up off the floor.

“I should wash this.” She held the shirt close, her tears still falling.

Prue felt herself tearing up and walked toward the closet, wondering if maybe this wasn’t a mistake. But then she asked herself what Rion would do if the tables were turned and she knew she had to do this. That didn’t mean they had to linger. The sooner they got this over with, the sooner they could get out of there.

“The, uh....” She cleared her throat, not wanting Piper to pick up on how upset she was. “The letter says her favorite jeans....”

“And her ‘Wiccans Do It Better’ shirt.” Piper gave a weak grin. “She loved that thing but never wore it.”

Prue nodded. “She was afraid it would give us away.” She pulled the shirt in question out of the closet with her free hand as she spoke. “Reveal our secret.”


It’s Just That We Stayed, Too Long
In The Same Old Sickly Skin


Phoebe crept a little closer to the door, listening to her sisters. She had come back, intending to apologize, but they were already inside. And she couldn’t go in there. Not yet.

She grinned at the same time as Piper, remembering the day Rion had bought the shirt while they were herb shopping. It was heather gray with black letters and some sort of intricate design on the back. A one of a kind according to the shop owner. That was all it took for Rion. Originality was practically her middle name.

She put her hand over her mouth to muffle her sob as she remembered her sister’s smile. She hurried away again, not wanting her sisters to hear her.


If All Of The Strength
And All Of The Courage
Come And Lift Me From This Place


Prue looked down at the piece of paper again, folding it carefully before slipping it into her back pocket. It was something she would want to read again someday. After the pain had faded and Rion became harder and harder to picture in her mind.

The thought brought her to her breaking point and she finally gave in to her emotions. She would never forget Rion. Ever. How could she? She saw her every time she looked in the mirror.

“Come on, sweetie.” Piper took her big sister by the hand, the clothes Rion had requested thrown over one arm. “Let’s get out of here.”

Prue let herself be pulled from the room, casting one last look over her shoulder before shutting the door.


I Know I Could Love You Much Better Than This
Full Of Grace
Full Of Grace
My Love
Who Can Say
Where The Road Goes
Where The Day Flows
Only Time


Phoebe tried to make it to her room but got as far as the living room before her legs refused to go any further. She sank down onto the couch, curling into a ball as the cushions cradled her body. Of course she was crying. That seemed to be all she did any more. All she felt like doing.

“Oh, baby.”

She squeezed her eyes shut when she heard the voice. Now she was imagining things too.

“I’m so sorry.”

She flinched as a hand made contact with her hair. Her first instinct was to pull away. To tell whoever it was to go away. But something told her to look up instead.

“Mom?”


And Who Can Say
If Your Love Grows
As Your Heart Chose
Only Time


Patty looked down at her with love in her eyes. “Yes, sweetie. It’s me.”

Phoebe sat up, drawing her mother into a hug. “It....” She struggled to breathe. “It hurts so bad.”

“I know, baby.” Patty held her daughter. “I know.”

“Phoebe, we....” Prue stopped in her tracks when she saw who was with her little sister. “Mom?”

“What?!” Piper came up behind her, just as shocked.

“Girls.” Patty stood, bringing Phoebe with her. “Come here.” She watched her other daughters walk toward her, their eyes red and puffy from crying. It broke her heart to see them so upset. “Oh, my girls.” She held them all close. “I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am. I....” She paused, trying to find the right words. “I loved her too.”


Who Can Say
Why Your Heart Sighs
As Your Love Flies
Only Time


“Piper?”

She looked up from the hug when she heard his voice. “Leo?” Her heart leapt when she saw him standing there. “Leo!” She practically flew to him, almost knocking him over as she threw her arms around him.

Leo closed his eyes as he held her, knowing the pain she was in.

Piper suddenly pulled away from him, smacking him on the chest. “Where have you been?”

“I....” Leo shared a look with Patty.

A look that wasn’t lost on Prue, who had glanced up to watch her sister. She pulled away from her mother and narrowed her eyes. “What was that?”

Patty opened her mouth, but no words would come out.

“All right.” Prue looked back and forth between them. “What’s going on? What aren’t you telling us?”


And Who Can Say
Why Your Heart Cries
When Your Love Lies
Only Time


Piper looked up at her husband. “Leo?”

“It’s nothing.”

“You’re lying.” She pushed herself away from him. “I know you, Leo. And you’re lying. Does this have something to do with why you’ve been gone for so long?”

“Yes.” Leo looked at the floor. “It does.”

Prue gave him a look. “And?”

“It has to do with Rion.” Patty jumped in, trying to help Leo. She realized her mistake when Phoebe pulled away from her and she felt all three of her girls staring at her.

“What about R....” Phoebe couldn’t bring herself to say the name. “What about her?”


Who Can Say
When The Roads Meet
That Love Might Be
In Your Heart


“We.... Uh....” Leo swallowed hard.

“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to say it.” Patty interrupted him again, drawing in a deep breath before she continued. “We can’t find Rion.”

Piper frowned. “What do you mean you can’t find her?”

“She means we can’t find her soul.”

Prue looked at Leo like he had sprouted a second head. “What?!”

“Prue, calm down.”

“No, Mom. I’m not going to calm down until one of you tells me what the hell you’re talking about!”

“All right.” Patty paced away from them. “I’ll tell you.”

And Who Can Say
When The Day Sleeps
If The Night Keeps
All Your Heart


“Normally when a Warren crosses over we know about it right away. Like with Prue. She didn’t want to admit she was dead and therefore couldn’t cross over completely, but we knew where her soul was the whole ti