Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the characters seen in the television show CHARMED. They are the property of Spelling Television. I am simply using them for non-monetary entertainment purposes. Anything recognizable from the show is not owned by me.

WARNINGS: This story contains scenes of rape and violence, If this were the movies it would be deemed R-rated so please read at your own risk.

It had been three months since the night Tom Kirkland had been shot to death. Prue looked at the calendar. Three months to the day, she thought as she sat in the wicker chair surrounded by the normal and abnormal antiquities that filled the attic. She often sat alone in the attic thinking about the previous six months and the horrors her baby sister had incurred. She often thought about the horrors that Piper had incurred three years earlier. It was so much for Prue to take having seen those images of Phoebe’s nightmares and the screams that resonated through the manor every so often in the middle of the night. The nightmares had not stopped for Phoebe. Although they were growing fewer and far between they still hit her hard when they did come.

Prue looked at the shining object she held in her hand. Phoebe’s bracelet. Phoebe’s silver bracelet that she had lost when she was taken from the parking lot by Kirkland, the bracelet Prue had given to Phoebe for her birthday with the triquatra engraving. Prue had found it that night all those months ago. She had been too afraid to return it to Phoebe, afraid that it would disgust Phoebe to have a keepsake of that night. That’s what it had become in Prue’s mind. A terrible reminder. She put the bracelet back in the pocket of her jeans. She looked at the clock next to the calendar.

Oh God, I am going to be so late, she thought as she ran down the stairs to the second floor. She walked into her bedroom and shut her door. She was going to the police station to file a follow-up report about the incident at the manor with Kirkland.

She had been at the station for nearly two hours when she heard his voice. He was talking to the desk sergeant. He was calm and collected despite the abrupt manner the sergeant handled his questions. He was beautiful. It was the first word that came to her mind when she saw him. His smile was brilliant. His cupid’s bow lips were something she so wanted to kiss. He had a ruggedly handsome face and the body to match. She was attracted to him physically. But it was later, when he began to speak and explain what he did for a living that she fell in love. His voice had that gravel sound that most men do, but it was gentle. And when he said his name she wanted to imprint it on her soul for eternity…Colton…Colton Parker. Prue knew he was her destiny.

As Prue was leaving the building she literally collided with him.

“Oh, I am so sorry. I was just so distracted in there that I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

Prue listened to herself apologize and realized she sounded like a complete geek.

“That’s quite alright. Here let me get that for you.”

Prue was so entranced by him that she didn’t notice that she had dropped her copy of the report on the ground. He kneeled down and picked it up. She noticed that he glanced at it and that’s when she remembered that what had happened to Phoebe was on that report.

“Oh um…thank you, I have to go now.”

She wasn’t embarrassed but she also didn’t feel the need to let a complete stranger in on the most intimate part of her sister’s life. As she walked away he called to her.

“It’s okay. I understand completely.”

Prue was almost enraged at this beautiful man. How dare he say that he understood completely something that a man couldn’t possibly understand?

“Excuse me?”

“Please, have a coffee with me and I’ll explain.”

Prue was hesitant but she wanted so badly to get to know this stranger, this handsome, gentle stranger.

“Okay, but just coffee.”

They walked together to the nearest bench with their coffees gently warming their hands. They sat together and Prue waited for him to speak.

“I’m Colton, by the way, Colton Parker.”

“Prue Halliwell.”

“So you aren’t Phoebe then?”

“She’s my little sister.”

Prue began to wonder if he was a speed-reader.

“I’m sorry she went through what she did.”

“Did you read the whole report in that split second time frame?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m not making any sense here. Let me start from the beginning. I work for the Victim Services Division of the San Francisco PD. I see a lot of cases like Phoebe’s. As a matter of fact thanks to you three, our most elusive serial rapist is dead. You guys are heroes in our line of work.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah. It’s amazing to me how he managed to get to two women in your family. But by word of mouth I’ve heard you guys are incredibly strong and have made it through pretty well.”

Prue thought about the bracelet back at the manor in her jeans.

“Yeah well, we still have our bumps in the road, but we’re working on it. So, how did you get into Victim Services?”

Prue watched Colton take another sip of coffee. She noticed a faint scar to the right of his left eye.

“Well, since I know such intimate things about your family, I can tell you about mine. About two years ago my kid sister Jessica was walking from her dorm room to the library on her college campus. It was 4 o’clock in the afternoon. A man grabbed her took into some bushes and raped her. I was the one who helped her through it the most. My parents have long been dead and all we had was each other.”

“Had?”

“Yeah, the bastard that raped her came after her about two months later and killed her for going to the police. I knew then that I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. I had to help people who had been through that kind of thing. It’s hard being a man in this job, because a lot of women don’t really feel comfortable around men after going through a rape.”

“I’m sorry about your sister. I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost Phoebe. You know, my baby sister used to be the belle of the ball. Now she sits at home every weekend and reads, or watches TV. She’s so damn beautiful Colton and she thinks a man will see immediately that she is, what she calls, ‘damaged goods’. It’s as though she can no longer grasp her self-worth, although mind you she definitely does not blame herself for what was done to her.”

“It’s going to take the right kind of guy and the right amount of time.”

Prue and Colton Parker sat on the park bench and talked and talked. Prue knew she had found a friend and she hoped she had found so much more.

Meanwhile, at the manor, Prue’s sister was getting ready to wash a load of darks. She needed a few more things for a full load so she decided to search her sisters’ rooms. She found a few pairs of jeans in Prue’s room. She had a full load. As she loaded the clothes into the washer she checked the pockets to be sure nothing valuable would get ruined. She reached into Prue’s jean pocket and that’s when she found it. She held the silver bracelet in front of her eyes and tears began to fall. Why did Prue have it? Why hadn’t she given it back? Phoebe questioned the universe and began to wonder if she wasn’t worthy of her sister’s present anymore. What could Prue be thinking, Phoebe asked herself as she slipped the bracelet into her own pocket. Does she still love me as much as she did the day she gave me this bracelet?


Prue had talked to Colton Parker for one hour sitting on that park bench. She had learned that he was only one year older than she was. She also learned that he had a brother who was also living in the San Francisco area. Colton’s brother, Mason, was Phoebe’s age. Prue had been talking to Colton when she remembered that she had to get home. Piper was working at the club and Phoebe would be by herself. Prue tried to never leave Phoebe alone too long at a time so after she and Colton exchanged numbers she headed first to the mall and then to the manor. At the mall, she stopped into the jewelry store.

When she walked in the door and into the living room she saw Phoebe sitting on the sofa lost in thought.

“Phoebe. What’s on your mind sweetie?”

Phoebe didn’t want to look in her sister’s eyes. She was afraid Prue would see that she knew about the bracelet. So she continued to look ahead.

“The usual Prue. I’ll be fine.”

Prue didn’t noticed the silver shining from Phoebe clenched fist.

“Well, what are we going to do tonight? I thought maybe we could go to the movies, maybe hang out at the club.”

Phoebe stood and began to walk toward the opposite door from where Prue stood.

“That’s okay, Prue really, you don’t have to waste your weekend on me.”

“What? Waste my week…Phoebe, are you mad at me? Is there something I did wrong? You’re acting so contemptuous.”

“I’ll be in my room Prue if the house catches on fire or whatever.”

With that Phoebe ran out of the room. Prue, standing in shock, heard Phoebe’s bedroom door slam. Prue ascended the stairs and lingered outside of Phoebe’s room. Deciding to give Phoebe a little time to cool down, Prue returned to her room and noticed immediately that her jeans were no longer on the floor. Her mind was tumbling with the possibility that Phoebe had possibly found the bracelet. Prue rushed downstairs to the basement and looked in the dryer. Sure enough, her jeans she had been wearing earlier were there amongst the tumbling clothes. She checked the pockets and found nothing. Her heart stopped. Oh god, what must Phoebe be thinking. She must be thinking the worst for her to act the way she had acted. Prue came to the conclusion that Phoebe must hate her for keeping that damn bracelet.

Prue climbed the stairs once again and stopped outside her baby sister’s door. She knew she had to clear this up because they had grown so close in the last few months. She didn’t want to lose Phoebe now that things were looking up for all of them. She knocked gently on the door.

“Phoebe, please, may I come in and talk to you.”

“Come in.”

Prue turned the knob and gently pushed open the door. Phoebe sat huddled against the headboard of her bed and refused to meet Prue apologetic stare.

“Phoebe, I know you found it, the bracelet, and I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what Prue?” Phoebe’s voice was angry and yet very saddened. “Sorry that I can’t be the sister you used to have? Sorry that I am not really worthy of your love?”

The accusations sent Prue reeling. She had no idea this was the way Phoebe would react.

“You think I don’t think as much of you as I used to? You think that’s why I haven’t given you the bracelet back yet? You think that I think you’re not worthy of it.”

“Yes, that’s what I think.”

“Oh my God Phoebe. No. That’s not it at all. I was afraid to give it back to you. I was afraid it would only remind you of the parking lot and of Tom and of you being…”

“Raped. Prue you can say the word I’m not going to fall apart.”

“Right. Well, I didn’t want something that I gave to you in the greatest amount of love and admiration to only become some horrible reminder to you.”

“Oh. So you don’t think less of me?”

“No, Phoebe, of course not. If anything I’ve grown to love you more now than ever. And your strength and your belief in our bond as sisters. It amazes me on a daily basis. Phoebe, I love you more than you can possibly imagine, now, tomorrow and always, regardless of what happens.”

Prue sat next to Phoebe and Phoebe laid her head in Prue’s lap. She allowed the tears to fall as her big sister stroked her hair. Prue could hear Phoebe mutter that she loved Prue too. A few minutes passed until Prue spoke again.

“Phoebe, sit up honey. I got you something.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I stopped by the mall on the way home and got it for you.”

Prue pulled a small, square, purple velvet box from her front pocket. Phoebe eyes widened. Prue couldn’t suppress her smile when she looked at Phoebe. Phoebe had always loved presents especially presents in velvet boxes. Phoebe took the box slowly as Prue explained.

“I had this ordered a few weeks ago. It just came in today. I wanted to replace the bracelet. I wanted you to look at this,” she pointed to the box, “and see only us three. See only the good that we are, our strength, our bond, our magic, but mist of all our unconditional love.”

Phoebe opened the box and inside there was a silver ring. A triple band ring. Three bands intertwined with one another. Phoebe looked on with tears in her eyes. Inside each band was a sister’s name. And on the outside of each band was a line from the promise Prue had carved on their tree in the backyard. On the first band there was ‘A Bond Stronger Than A Tree’ On the second, ‘We Have In We Sisters Three, and on the third was ‘I Believe In You As You Do In Me.’

“Prue, it’s beautiful. I…um…I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything. I got one for me and Piper, too. You’ll always know that you’ll never be alone.”

“Yeah I’m definitely feeling that. And speaking of feelings…”

Phoebe sat up and looked Prue in the eyes.

“Why don’t you tell me about the guy you met today.”

Prue’s mouth dropped open. She wasn’t aware that she was beaming.

“How in the world did you know I met someone today?”

“You’re eyes. You don’t hide your feelings as well as you think you do.”

They heard the front door slam downstairs.

“Prue! Phoebe! Are you guys home? Get down here now.”

Prue and Phoebe flew down the stairs and looked at their frantic middle sister wide-eyed.

“Hey Piper, what’s going on?”

“We have some serious trouble. Serious demon trouble.”

Prue and Phoebe followed a frantic Piper up the attic stairs. They knew with the word demon she was heading to the book of shadows.

“Piper, calm down and explain to us what you’re talking about.”

“Okay, Prue, you wouldn’t calm down if you had seen what I had seen. Leo!”

“Piper, what did you see?”

“Phoebe, I…”

The familiar glow filled the room. Leo appeared looking worried.

“Piper, I heard you call me but I have to tell you guys something first. The elders were in council when I orbed out. They were talking about a new demon.”

“Huh? Are we talking about new just went through demon boot camp, or new as in we haven’t heard about him before?”

“The first choice Phoebe.”

Prue could hear the wariness in Leo’s voice. She knew he had something else to tell them, something they weren’t going to like. Prue looked at Piper whose face was rigid and pale. She then looked at Phoebe and saw that wrinkle in Phoebe’s forehead. It always meant that she was thinking hard and thinking fast. While looking at Phoebe she noticed a look of fear in her face. Phoebe spoke again.

“Piper what did you mean when you said we had demon trouble?”

“I mean I was walking from P3 to my car when I heard a woman screaming for help from the alley. I figured you got to save an innocent right? So I ran to the alley just in time to see the back of a man carrying some poor helpless girl into a void.”

“A void? What kind of void.”

“Well, Prue, if I knew that I wouldn’t have been racing the BOS to find out now would I?”

“Don’t get snippy Piper. I was just asking for a description of this void thingy.”

“I’m sorry. It was just a very stressful thing. The girl looked so much like…”

Piper pointed to Phoebe and closed her eyes. Prue knew what was running through Piper’s mind. Piper was experiencing Tom Kirkland all over again. Prue knew she had been dwelling on the details for months, but she wasn’t quite sure how to approach the subject with Piper. Phoebe had seen Piper pointing at her.

“You were panicked because the girl looked like me? Piper that’s silly, I’m fine, I am in no danger okay?”

“Phoebe, I realize that. It’s just that this girl had the same style you have, the same facial features and the same hair even.”

“That is a little freaky Phoebe, you might want to be a little more worried about whoever this demon is that Piper saw,” Phoebe nodded in agreement, “Okay Piper, tell us about this void.”

“Okay, Prue, the void was like a wind tunnel or something and when he dragged her into it they were sucked in and disappeared.”

“Okay, void got it. What did the demon look like?”

“It was hard to tell Pheebs, I only saw him from the back, but, I don’t know maybe I need therapy or something, maybe all the bad guys look like him now.”

“Like who Piper?” Prue knew the answer as the question rolled from her mouth.

“Like Kirkland.”

Phoebe drew in a deep sigh. Prue watched as Phoebe hugged Piper. Prue also watched a nervous Leo shift his weight from one foot to another. She knew something wasn’t right. Prue could tell Leo was trying to say something but wasn’t sure how to say it.

“Piper, what did the demon look like?”

“Phoebe I just told you. He looked like Kirkland, at least from the back anyway.”

“But, Piper, that’s not possible, he’s dead, Daryl shot and killed him. There’s no way he can hurt us now.”

Leo finally spoke, “That’s not exactly true, Phoebe.”


“Leo? What do you mean that’s not exactly true?”

“Well, Piper, that’s why I orbed down here so quickly. The demon you saw. There’s a possibility that it’s him.”

Prue stepped quickly behind Phoebe to give her physical as well as emotional support.

“What do you mean possibility?”

“Prue, the elders can’t be sure. They just got word from a whitelighter spy that a new demon, new as in fresh to the world of the dead, has been recruited to destroy you three.”

Prue was surprised when Phoebe laughed and then spoke.

“Wait, wait, wait…did you say whitelighter spy? Does that mean he’s like Tom Cruise/Mission Impossible but with a cloak?”

“Phoebe I don’t think now’s the time for jokes.”

“Oh come on Piper, you have to see the comedy in this.”

Prue and Piper looked at one another and spoke simultaneously.

“Denial…”

“No, no I’m not in denial. Okay I have been so not in denial since the day he crept his slimy way into my life. I’m tired of running even if it is in my dreams. I’m tired of being scared of the dark and I am so tired of you two thinking I’m about to fall apart. So now…if you two are with me…I’m going to put the ring Prue gave us on, this symbol of our bond and our power and I’m going to listen as Leo tells us how to vanquish Kirkland’s sorry ass.”

Prue had never felt prouder as she watched her baby sister put the ring on her finger and stand hands on hip with the look of determination that only Phoebe Halliwell had. Prue took her ring out of her pocket and placed it on her hand as well. Prue handed Piper her ring and, taking her cue, Piper placed it on her finger.

“The power of three will set us free.” Prue whispered the words that had started it all and looked to Leo for answers.

“Okay, so I’ll orb back up and see what the Elders have found out. You guys stay put and I’ll be back.”

Leo orbed out and Phoebe went to the BOS.

“Phoebe what are you doing?” Piper asked looking worried.

“Well, I’m not sure but I think we can, I don’t know, bless these rings or something, giving them some kind of power to help us.”

“Yeah, but Pheebs, if we do that and somewhere down the line evil gets a hold of one of the rings won’t that give him our power?”

“I don’t know Prue. It’s just that I’m feeling a little helpless, I’m sure after today Piper is feeling much the same way.”

Prue watched Piper sigh and hang her head low. She spoke with the sound of sadness in her voice.

“She’s right Prue. When I saw that girl and I thought it was Kirkland…I don’t know, I felt so frozen, like someone had used my power against me you know? The fact is that girl looked a lot like Phoebe. It’s psychology 101. He’s obviously taking girls that remind him of the object of his obsession.”

“You guys we have to slow down a minute here, I mean casting spells on jewelry? We don’t even know who this demon is yet. It may not be Kirkland.”

“Yeah, but Prue let’s face it. Who knows better than the three of us how evil he was as a human? If he was recruited, so-to-speak, by the Triad to kill us then he’s one hell of a monster now.”

Prue nodded her head in agreement and started flipping the pages of the Book of Shadows. She knew her younger sisters were right. The demon was most likely Kirkland and if he was coming after her baby sister she sure as hell wasn’t about to stand by and let him have her.

“Okay, let’s start this fight right. Here’s the perfect spell.”

Prue pointed to the book where a picture of a ring was beautifully drawn. IT was much different than the ones she had bought for them but the spell would work.

“What does it say Prue?”

“Okay, with this spell as long as we have the rings we’ll be able to find each other anywhere.”

“What if there’s a demon shield up or something?”

“Well in that case Piper we use the Connection. Between the Connection and the Rings he’ll never be able to get any of us without first dealing with the others.”

Phoebe had been silent too long. Prue spoke again.

“Phoebe, what are you thinking?”

“I was imagining us vanquishing him and watching him burn. I can’t wait to see him go to Hell, literally.”

“And that my little sisters is what we call the power of positive thinking.”

They busied themselves with the setting up of the altar. Making sure everything had its place, and was indeed in its place. They were getting anxious for Leo’s return when they heard the doorbell ring.

“Since when does Leo ring the door Piper?”

“Since, never, Prue.”

Phoebe was the last out of the attic afraid that the person at the front door could be her biggest nightmare.

At the front door he waited patiently as he so often did. He couldn’t wait to see her again and he knew she would be surprised to see him. He could hear someone behind the door, whispering. He knew the three of them must be on the other side. What was it with girls and group trips? It was her ashen face he saw first when the door opened. He saw what he believed was fear on her face, possibly even anger, but definitely apprehension. He was afraid at that moment that they most already know. There goes my surprise he thought to himself.


Prue couldn’t believe he was standing in their doorway. Colton Parker was as handsome as he was when she had first seen him earlier in the afternoon. She was speechless until she felt an elbow to her side and turned to look at Piper who looked as though she was about to use her power on him.

“Oh, uh, hi, Colton. What are you doing here?”

“Well, I was looking at your business card you gave me earlier today and I thought I might stop by and see if you want to get some dinner, maybe a movie.”

“Right, Colton, my address isn’t on my business card.”

“Okay, you caught me. I had some of my police buddies look up your address for me.”

Prue forgot momentarily about the mission she and her sisters were on and smiled at Colton’s sweet stare.

“Okay,” Phoebe interrupted, saving Prue from a potentially embarrassing moment of silence, “Prue, sweetie, would you like to introduce us or is this going to be a big mystery for Piper and I?”

“Huh? Oh! Oh I’m sorry, Colton Parker, these are my sisters, Piper and Phoebe.”

“Hi. It’s very nice to meet you. You guys look a little busy. So shall we put off out date until tomorrow maybe?”

“Mmmmm, that sounds good, definitely. Call me in the morning and we’ll talk?”

“You better believe I will.”

Colton leaned over and kissed Prue gently on the cheek. She felt her cheeks blush. She hadn’t felt such infatuation in a very long time. She watched Colton leave and when she had waved good bye she shut the door and turned around in the foyer to come face to face with her sisters.

“Okay, Prue, we are so going to talk about this look on your face, but first, you Phoebe and I have to get busy.”

Piper and Phoebe rushed up the stairs and quickly realized that Prue wasn’t following.

Together they yelled at her, “Prue!”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m coming.”

She passed her two little sisters, who watched her in complete awe.

“Well, are you guys coming or not? This is some serious stuff we have to take care of.”

Phoebe shook her head and tried not to laugh. They joined Prue in the attic and they sat around the altar they had created for the blessing of the rings.

The spell took only minutes to cast and they were ready for a trial run.

“Okay, any ideas on how we should test them? Piper?”

“Well, Prue I don’t know, why don’t you go hide somewhere.”

“I’ll hide.”

“Good idea. Okay Phoebe go hide. We’ll give you five minutes but make it good okay.”

“No problem.”

Phoebe left the room and Piper and Prue talked while they waited the five minutes.

“So, Prue, tell me about this guy.”

“I don’t think now is the time Piper. But if you must know, I met him today at the police station.”

“While you were helping them finish the report? So he’s a cop?”

“Sort of. He actually works for the Victim Services Department of the SFPD.”

“Really? So he helps people that have been, hurt, like Phoebe…”

“And you Piper. Yeah, his sister was raped on her college campus and later killed by the guy who did it. He swore he’d never let anyone he knew go through that alone. It’s very cathartic for him. He’s very easy to talk to. He’s a lot like Leo.”

“His sister was killed by the man that attacked her?”

Prue nodded yes. Suddenly sending her baby sister to hide somewhere alone in the house didn’t seem like such a good idea.

“The void Prue. What if it can open anywhere, anytime?”

“Yeah, time’s up. Let’s find her.”

They concentrated on their rings and felt nothing.

Phoebe sat patiently under the stairs of the basement. Although the basement terrified her she her sisters wouldn’t think to look for her there. She concentrated on the ring and sending her location to her sisters. She heard footsteps coming down the stairs slowly. These things really do work, she thought to herself, as she was about to reveal her whereabouts. She moved from beneath the stairs and saw who had found her.

“Okay, Piper, just concentrate on Phoebe and her location.”

“I am Prue, I think these things are broken. Wait, did you feel that?”

“Yeah it was like a weird tingle in my heart.”

“Then you felt it too. Uh…the basement?”

“That’s what I’m getting to.”

“Oh that’s so weird. Let’s go get her.”

Phoebe stepped back slowly as the man revealed himself to her.

“Didn’t expect me huh Phoebe?”

“Please, just leave me alone, please.”

She was staring into the coldest, bluest eyes imaginable. His black hair was a contrast to his pale skin. He stepped the distance she had retreated.

“Now Phoebe, it’s been months, haven’t you missed me at all? Of course you have. I bet you dream about me a lot, don’t you? I kept a memento of our special afternoon together. Would you like to see it?”

Phoebe felt the pull of something behind her. She quickly glanced over her shoulder and saw the void Piper had explained earlier. Phoebe knew she had to make a dash for the stairs even if that did mean having to push past Kirkland. The idea of touching him repulsed Phoebe, but the idea of him taking her to some demon place to do God knows what was much worse. Phoebe bolted toward the stairs but Kirkland was much too fast for her, he grabbed her and began dragging her toward the void. Phoebe heard her name being called above.

Prue listened after she called Phoebe’s name. She and Piper were headed for the basement when she heard Phoebe scream for Prue. It sent chills throughout both of the older sisters leaving them with no choice but to sprint down the stairs of the basement. They reached the bottom quickly, but not fast enough. They saw Phoebe reaching toward them as the void closed.

Prue’s hand touched the wall where Phoebe disappeared. Her breath was slow and rhythmic. She could barely hear Piper weeping on the floor next to her. The blood pounded through her brain. She felt as though she was enclosed in a water-filled chamber. Darkness surrounded her peripheral vision and she fought back the urge to submit to it. She knew they had to act fast and they had to think faster. Prue pulled herself together and managed to pick Piper up from the ground.

“Okay, Piper, we have time to get to her. Are you listening? We have to get Leo down here now and we have to get to Phoebe. We will not cry for her, because we have not lost her. Do you understand me?”
Piper nodded her head and followed Prue to the attic. Prue felt as though she couldn’t move fast enough. She and Piper yelled for Leo as they ran the length of the stairs and burst through the attic door. Leo orbed in to find the pale, frightened faces of the oldest Halliwell sisters. He saw the tears on Piper’s face.

“Where is she? Piper, Prue, where’s Phoebe?”

“Leo, Kirkland came and he took her.”

“How? What about the rings, Prue, do they work?”

Prue concentrated on her ring she felt the tingle in her heart and the answer came to her although it wasn’t clear to her.

“I don’t know Leo, she’s concentrating too. I can feel her sending us a message, a location. All I can understand is water.”

“Jesus, Prue that could be anywhere, we live near the bay for goodness sake.”

“I know this Piper, what are you feeling?”

Piper concentrated as well and felt the words come to her heart.

“There’s a lot of darkness. Rocks. A cave, I feel a cave.”

“Could she be in a cove somewhere along the bay?”

“Yeah, that’s definitely possible Leo, but where? How are we supposed to track her when there’s no way even she knows exactly where she is?”

“Track her? That’s a great idea Prue?”

“What is?”

“Use the rings to track her. Like a metal detector. The closer you get to her the stronger that feeling in your heart will get.”

Piper headed for the door of the attic.

“Piper, where are you going?”

“Leo, I’m getting in the car and I’m going to drive until my heart explodes.”

“First I have to tell you what you’re up against. Kirkland is indeed the new demon the Elders had heard about. He is extremely powerful. The Triad thought he did a good job hurting the three of you while he was mortal. They now believe he will destroy you. He has the power to jump in and out of places using the void. He also has the power to control dreams and to render the powerful, powerless. The elders have assigned you an additional whitelighter for the time being. His name is Max.”

As if on cue, a very handsome man orbed in next to Leo. He looked to be about Phoebe’s age and had a beautiful smile. Prue thought about Colton Parker.

“Hi. I’m Max. Leo, are we ready to go?”

“Yes, this is Piper and this is Prue.”

“Where’s Phoebe?”

“That’s where we’re going. Come on.”

Piper and Prue led Max and Leo down to the Jeep where they buckled up and drove toward the bay.

He watched from behind the house as they drove away. He knew that Piper and Prue were well protected at the moment, but when they finally found the cove they’d be in a serious danger. He disappeared from the spot in which he stood leaving only a remnant of cloud behind him.

Phoebe let her eyes adjust to the light and continued to stare at the ring. She knew she was somewhere on the bay, deep in a cave or a cove and there was water coming in. She knew high tide would be there soon. She only hoped that the water would get her before Kirkland came back. She heard the void open and looked to see him standing there. His vicious smile biting into Phoebe’s soul. She hated him. She hated him more than anyone had ever hated another being. She hated him for what he had done to her and she hated him for what he had done to Piper. She hated him for what he was going to do to Prue and most of all she hated him for taking away her peace of mind.

“You bastard. Let me go now or else.”

“Or else what my darling Phoebe. You’ll cry?”

Phoebe spit in his face as he leaned close to her. He merely laughed and wiped it away.

“How could I ever forget how incredibly feisty you are. I thought I broke you of that though. Guess I’ll have to try harder this time.”

Phoebe didn’t even see the strike coming when she felt the blow to the side of her face. She felt dizzy and nauseous and she succumbed to the blackness that crept toward her.

He laughed knowing that the games had just begun. He would use his new dream control power on her to get the party started. He loved being in control. He knew Phoebe would break easily this time around.

He didn’t know that he was being watched. He watched from further back in the cave. The tunnels ran long and dark in the bay area. But so few knew about them. He watched Kirkland strike the girl and he knew he couldn’t come out of hiding just yet. He didn’t want the girl to suffer anymore, but he didn’t want to ruin the chance to lead the remaining Charmed Ones and the two whitelighters to their little sister. He was going to her savior; he was going to be Prue Halliwell’s hero. He knew, from the first time he watched over her, that he loved her. The elders had granted Leo special privileges when it came to Piper, perhaps they too would grant him the right to love Prue Halliwell with all his heart. He was to be her personal whitelighter, after all. He, Colton Parker, whitelighter in love.

Colton looked once more at the baby Halliwell and let one tear escape for her pain. The things that he had told Prue earlier in the day were all true. He did have a sister that had died in a violent brutal way; he did have a brother, Mason Maxwell Parker. Max, Phoebe’s new whitelighter. The Elders had met earlier in the month to discuss the Halliwell assignment and decided that each Halliwell needed her own whitelighter. And so it was assigned, Colton for Prue, Max for Phoebe, and Leo would remain for Piper. The girls had not yet been informed of the decision and it wasn’t supposed to be revealed to them until Colton and Max could be brought to full speed on the assignment. But with this new development, Colton knew that they would find out a lot sooner, and Prue would know what he really was.

Prue’s heart fluttered with the intensity of a million butterflies. She knew they had to be close. Piper removed her hand from the steering wheel and held Prue’s. Prue squeezed Piper’s hand. She knew she felt it too. They were close to their baby sister. And the closer they got to the waves pounding against the sand the harder and faster their hearts beat.

“Piper, Prue? Do you feel her near.”

“Yeah, we do. Park over there, Piper.”

Piper pulled onto the side of the highway and turned off the engine. She stepped from the driver’s side and surveyed the beach. It was empty. Prue stood close to her and together, hand in hand, they walked toward the rocks that loomed above the ocean.

“They are close aren’t they?”

“They are Max, extremely close. Wait until you meet Phoebe. You’re going to love her as much as I love Piper. As sisters their bond is phenomenal. It’s what their power is rooted in.”

“I have watched Phoebe, remember. I only wish I could have been there the day this horrible man hurt her. He would never have had the chance. Of course it did give my brother the opportunity to speak to Prue earlier today. He’s in love with her you know?”

“Yeah, I know. THEY told me. They are wary of the immediate love Prue felt in return. Her heart has been closed so long it was amazing to them how much they could feel from her from one chance meeting.”

“Ahh, but it wasn’t chance, Leo. Colton meant to be there at that time, to meet and speak with Prue.”

“We know that too. You know Prue isn’t going to be too happy that he didn’t tell her the truth at the beginning.”

“She’ll understand.”

“Where is Colton now?”

“He’s watching Kirkland.”

“You mean he knows where Phoebe is?”

“They told him not to blow his cover.”

“Blow his cov…are you telling me Colton Parker is the whitelighter spy?”

Max merely nodded his head in the affirmative and he and Leo continued walking behind the girls. Before too long they stood at the front of a cave entrance.

“She’s in here.”

Piper began to shake, as the feeling in her heart grew stronger. She tried to feel the connection. For the first time that evening she felt Phoebe’s fear.

“She’s afraid, Prue. I can feel it. Nothing has happened to her yet, but she knows he will hurt her soon, she’s feeling fear.”

Phoebe could tell someone was watching her from the darkness of the cave. She could feel his eyes and it frightened her. She wished he would stop watching and confront her so at least she’d know what she was dealing with. She heard the footsteps first and as her eyes adjusted she saw him. She was afraid at first and then she saw the familiar blue light encasing his body. He was a whitelighter.

“Who are you?”

“Phoebe please don’t be afraid. I am Max, Max Parker, you’re new whitelighter.”

“My new what?”

“There’s no time to explain now, I’ll fill you in when we get back to your sisters.”

“Then the rings worked?”

“Yes they are just outside. Come on.”

At just that moment, Colton stepped from his hiding place. Phoebe gasped at seeing Prue’s new friend.

“You aren’t taking her anywhere, Maxwell.”

“Yes, I am taking her to safety and to her sisters.”

“I can’t let you take Kirkland’s bride-to-be.”

“Kirkland’s what? Max, who is he really?”

He hated telling her, “That is Kirkland’s new assistant if you will. And he’s y brother.”

“Your brother? But how are you a whitelighter and he’s, well he’s evil?”

“It’s a long story Phoebe.”

“And…Assistant? For what?”

“I am going to assist Kirkland in bringing down the Charmed Ones.”

“Oh my sister is so not going to like this, when Prue finds out what you really are she’s going to kick you’re a…”

“Phoebe, lets orb now please.”

“You can’t orb out of here Maxwell, Kirkland made it so you can come in, but you just can’t leave.”

Max could feel Phoebe’s grasp tighten around his hand and he could read the apology in his brother’s eyes. He new Phoebe was in no immediate danger, at least not from Colton, she just wished he could tell her that. Phoebe looked from Max her new whitelighter, to Colton, Prue’s new guy, the evil demon’s protégé.

“Is he right, Max, are we trapped here?”

“I am but you can run.”

Phoebe’s heart nearly shattered when Kirkland stepped from behind Colton leering at Phoebe. She closed her eyes and tried to wish him away but when her lids fluttered open again

“You can run not my beautiful Phoebe. Good work my protégé. You have succeeded in preventing them from leaving. How loyal of you, and standing up against your own younger brother. I love it. Evil at it’s best.”

At that moment Max took a leap at Kirkland. Phoebe stayed long enough to see Colton join the fight, seemingly against Kirkland. She was extremely confused by the exchange that had taken place in the cave. She realized it was her chance to run.

Phoebe ran faster than she ever had before. She didn’t want to leave Max behind, but she had to get to her sisters and to Leo to tell them about her new whitelighter. She could see the ever-brightening light come closer. She was nearing the entrance to the cave, mere yards from Prue and Piper. And suddenly, without warning she felt a hand grab hers from the darkness. She screamed loudly in hopes that her sisters could hear her.

Phoebe’s hand felt ice cold as Prue wrapped her own hand around it pulling her into the hiding place they had taken after hearing the footsteps pounding through the cave. Phoebe was screaming and Prue put her hand on Phoebe’s mouth. She knew Phoebe would panic from that but she also knew that if Phoebe didn’t stop screaming they would quickly be seen.

“Phoebe, please baby, stop screaming, it’s me, Prue. We’re here. Me and Piper and Leo.”

Phoebe stopped screaming and fighting and shook Prue off of her.

“Jeez Prue are you trying to kill me with a heart attack here? There are quicker ways.”

“I’m sorry but I didn’t want Kirkland to find you. How did you get away?”

“You guys are not going to believe this. I have a new whitelighter. His name is…”

“Max. Yeah we know already.”

“What? Why am I always the last to find these things out? I get a new whitelighter and no one bothers to tell me?”

“Sorry Phoebe, but Prue and Piper only found out after you had been taken again.”

“Oh, no speaking of finding out. Prue…”

“Whatever it is Phoebe, it’ll have to wait. Where is Max?”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. He was there when Kirkland and Kirkland’s assistant…”

“Assistant?”

“I know it sounds funny Piper, doesn’t it, like it’s some kind of demon corporation or something.”

“Continue Phoebe please.”

“Sorry. Anyway, Max was there and somehow he couldn’t orb out so he distracted Kirkland and his friend so that I could make a run for it.”

“Thank God you’re safe.”

“Thanks Prue. But I want to help Max. He saved my life.”

“Okay then let’s go.”

“Wait. Prue, there’s something I have to tell you.”

“It’ll have to wait Phoebe. Max’s life is at stake.”

Phoebe ran after Prue, Piper and Leo who were running further into the cave. She wasn’t exactly intent on seeing Kirkland yet again, but Max was worth it. Somehow she knew that.

Prue could hear the scuffle as they got closer. She saw two bodies fighting and realized that one was Kirkland and the other was Max.

“Hey! Boys! Quit fighting now or else.”

Max and Kirkland stopped their fight and stood to see who had spoken to them.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the only Halliwell sister I haven’t had.”

Piper rolled her eyes in disgust and Phoebe inched closer to Prue whispering in her ear.

“Prue. We need to be careful. I don’t see the assistant anywhere.”

At that moment Colton stepped out of the shadows. Phoebe pointed at him and whispered to Prue again that he was Kirkland’s assistant. She heard Prue sigh.

“Figures, I meet a guy that I could possible fall in love with after one meeting and he turns out to be a demon.”

Colton inched closer to Kirkland and Max holding a dagger. It was Leo’s turn to whisper.

“That’s the athame the Triad gave Kirkland, it is the only thing that will kill him.”

“Are you sure Leo?”

“Of course I’m sure Piper. THEY told me.”

“Oh and THEY’ve never been wrong before?”

“Okay, you two, now is not the time to discuss THEM.”

Prue’s voice was filled with the edginess that slowly crept across her mind. She watched every move Colton made. He was indeed the same guy she had met earlier that day. He was that man that told her his story about his sister. Now he stood before her on the side of their enemy. She saw his eyes burning into hers. He was trying to communicate with her by just a look. She felt the goodness seep from him and relief visibly swept across her face.

“Okay, Prue, what’s going on here? Why do you look like you’re backing down? You aren’t supposed to back down.”

“It’s okay Piper, Colton is on our side.”

Kirkland looked from the girls to Colton who stood behind Max with the dagger.

“On the contrary girls. As you can see he’s about to kill his own brother, and then you girls will be one whitelighter short.”

“Actually Kirkland,” Colton said, “They are two whitelighters up.”

With that he plunged the dagger deep into the heart of Kirkland. Kirkland released an enormous scream and fire consumed him.

“And that’s what I meant by burn in hell.” Phoebe screamed at his ashes.

“Phoebe, Piper let’s go home.”

“Amen Prue, amen. But um…don’t you think you should probably talk to Colton first?”

“Right.”

Phoebe and Piper supported one another as they slowly walked in front of Leo and Max. Prue and Colton brought up the rear as they discussed their meeting earlier in the day.

“So it wasn’t just fate that led you to me today at the police station?”

“Oh I’d say fate and destiny both had a huge part in it. But accidentally? No. It was no accident.”

“How long have you been on this assignment?”

“Months. I’m the whitelighter spy you guys were discussing earlier today?”

“That’s you? How long will you be assigned to us?”

“Well, actually I’m just assigned to you, and it’s for as long as you want me or THEY let me.”

“Then I’ll just have to let THEM no that you aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.”

Colton smiled at Prue as they caught up to Leo and Max and as she ran ahead to catch up with her baby sisters. The three whitelighters watched their charges hold hands as they walked up the long path to the beach. Phoebe smiled to herself feeling safer than she had in months, feeling safer than she ever had in her life.

TWO DAYS LATER:

Piper had just turned the stove off and sat with Prue at the kitchen table while they waited for Phoebe to come downstairs to eat. They had planned a night out but had so much fun talking about good memories and what the future held that they decided to make it a night in. Leo, Max and Colton were having a meeting with the Elders and then were off to some sort of whitelighter group boot camp.

Phoebe bounded down the stairs wearing her favorite Old Navy pajamas and looking as vibrant as she had the day all their lives changed six months earlier. Her smile had slowly grown back in the 48 hours that followed the vanquishing of Kirkland and her eyes seemed to regained some of it’s sparkle.

Prue smiled at her youngest sister and knew that life was as it should be. Not quite perfect yet but definitely building its way in that direction. They finished their dinner and moved to the couch. The three of them sitting side by side with Prue in the middle. She was their protector, their rock. Piper was their voice of reason, their conscience and Phoebe was their soul, their heart. Prue looked at Piper and then to Phoebe as the movie began. The lights were off and the only light they had was the faint blue glow from the screen. Prue noticed something sparkle on Phoebe’s arm. She looked closely and realized Phoebe was wearing the bracelet Prue had given her. The triquetra symbol barely visible in the blue glow. Phoebe looked at Prue and saw she was staring at the bracelet. She simply took Prue’s hand and smiled.

“I love you, Prue.”

Phoebe said it so softly that Prue had to wait for the words to touch her thoughts. She squeezed Phoebe’s hand and then took Piper’s. Prue knew that they were whole again. The three of them were individuals yes, but together they were an incredible unconditionally loving entity. And that’s when Prue saw the silver linings after the storm.

THE END