DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of the "Charmed" Ones. They belong to the WB. I do however own MEgan and Savannah who is Paige's daughter. Enjoy!!!



“A Long Road to Safety”



Paige was woken up by her four year old daughter, Savannah. This was a ritual now and Paige looked forward to it every morning, only today was different. Savannah usually greeted Paige by kissing her temples gently and then kissing her cheek followed by laying her head on Paige’s chest to listen to her heart beat and then whispering, “Mommy, time to wake up.” But this morning, Savannah just skipped to the heartbeat thing and whispered, “Mommy, Mommy! Mommy, please, wake up.”
Paige was awake instantly. She knew that tone in Savannah’s voice and she didn’t like it. It meant trouble.
Paige sat up and took her now crying daughter into her lap.
“Shh,” Paige said soothingly. “Shh, hush now, it’s okay, Sav. It’s all right. Mommy’s here. Mommy has you. It’s okay. Everything’s all right. Mommy’s here. Yeah, Mommy’s here. It’s okay. I have you. Shh, that’s my girl. It’s all right Sav. Can you tell Mommy what happened?”
Savannah let out a sob and then said, “Daddy hurt me again!”
Paige nodded and pulled away from Savannah so that she could see what damage Richard had done this time. She glared as she saw a fresh bruise on Savannah’s cheek and then she noticed that blood was dripping from a cut just below her right eye.
“All right, sweetie, it’s okay. Mommy’s going to make it better. I promise. Come on, up ya come.” She picked Savannah up and carried her to the bathroom. She then cleaned Savannah’s cut and put some ice on her bruise. As she was carrying Savannah back to her room, Richard came out of the hall closet. He glared when he saw Savannah in Paige’s arms.
“I told you not to run to your mother!” He growled. “You deserved it this time!” He made to grab Savannah from Paige, but Paige orbed out of the way, causing Richard to grab nothing but thin air. He cursed in frustration and tried again, this time succeeding. “I’ll show you what happens to little girls who don’t listen!” He slapped Savannah across the face and she started crying harder.
“Mommy! Mommy!! Help!! Please!! Mommy!!” Savannah cried desperately.
As Paige felt the anger and fear rise to the surface she did the only thing she could do. She took a deep breath and called, “Savannah!” In a matter of two seconds, Savannah was safely in Paige’s embrace. She was still crying, but she felt instantly safe again. “Shh,” Paige soothed. “It’s okay now. It’s all right, Sav. It’s okay. Mommy has you now. We’re going to see Aunt Piper and Aunt Megan and Shaianne. You can play with her and Melinda. How would you like that? Does that sound like fun?” as Paige was asking Savannah this, trying to soothe her, she orbed them to the Manor. They materialized in the kitchen where Piper was making breakfast. Melinda was coloring while Wyatt was pouting and staring into a bowl of cereal.
Piper looked up just in time to see Paige orb into the kitchen. She smiled on upon seeing her sister, but when she saw the look in her eyes and the state Savannah was in, her mood suddenly changed.
“Paige? Squirt, what happened, sweetie?”
“Richard,” was all Paige said before handing Savannah to Chris and collapsing in Piper’s arms in tears of worry and fear. She had no idea what she was going to do next, but she knew she couldn’t stay with this man. She had to get away, even if it meant doing it in secret. She had to keep Savannah and herself safe.
Chris, sensing that Piper needed some alone time with Paige, said, “Come on you guys. Let’s go play a game in the living room.”
Melinda happily followed her brother, but Savannah just clung to Chris for dear life. She felt almost as safe with him as her mother.
After Chris and the kids were gone, Piper gave Paige a much needed hug and promised her that she would do anything and everything she could to keep her and Savannah safe.
“Thanks, Pipe,” Paige said, using her nickname for Piper.
“Aw, you’re welcome, sweetie. I would do anything for my Missy Paige. You know that. And besides, Savannah is my favorite niece.” Piper smirked and Paige almost smiled. She knew Piper was just being cheaky. She loved Shaianne too.
“Where’s Megan?” Paige asked, her mind floating to her other sister.
“She took Shai to the doctor. She’ll be back soon.”
“And Prue?” Paige asked.
“Prue is on assignment with Andy. She should be back soon.”
Paige nodded as she rested her head on Piper’s shoulder.


Richard threw a potion bottle across the room in frustration. He couldn’t believe his wife had not only defied him, but she had taken their daughter, his daughter away from him. Well, she wasn’t going to get away with it, that was for sure. He was going to get revenge on her in the worst way. He knew she loved Savannah more than anything and she would do anything and everything to protect the little brat. He had to find a way to take Savannah from Paige and then he would finish the plan. But first, how was he going to succeed with the first part. As he gazed around the room, he spotted a phone book and got an idea. He knew exactly how he was going to initiate the first part of the plan. And the best part was, he wasn’t going to use any magic whatsoever, so that meant that Leo couldn’t cloak Savannah or help in anyway. It was brilliant. He only hoped that this person was home.
As he started dialing a phone number, he smiled to himself. This was going to work. It just had to work. He had to show Paige that he meant business. He was the master, not her. He had to teach her to obey him. He was brought out of his thoughts by a voice on the other end.
“Hello? US Embecy? How may I help you?”


“You can’t go back to him,” Piper said, looking Paige in the eye. “you can’t. You have to stay here. You have to keep Savannah and yourself safe. You can’t keep going through this or putting her through this. It’s not right.”
Paige nodded as she let the remaining tears fall.
“I know it’s not right,” Paige said. “That’s why I’ve decided to stay here for a little while. Just until he calms down. Then I’ll see about trying it again.”
Piper nodded. She wasn’t happy with Paige’s initial plan, but at least Paige was willing to stay at the Manor for some time. It would be nice to have the whole family back together again, even if it was for a little while.


That night, Paige called Richard to tell him that she and Sav weren’t coming home.
At first, Richard was furious, but then he remembered that in order for his plan to work, he had to stay calm and try to win her back with cunning and make it truly look like he was making an effort to get better.
“I don’t blame you,” he said, totally shocking Paige. “I was horrible to you and to Sav.”
“Don’t call her that,” Paige said, anger and protection for Savannah dripping in every word she spoke,
Richard ignored this and continued.
“That’s why I’ve decided to take anger management classes two times a week and go to a counselor.”
“I’m still not coming home for awhile,” Paige informed him boldly.
“I know. I-I know and I don’t’ expect you to. Not after what I did to our daughter. I’m really sorry and I want to prove myself to you. Please, give me another chance?” Richard asked, hoping his plea sounded genuine enough.
Paige was about to answer him, when she heard tiny footsteps in the doorway. She glanced up to see Savannah standing there. She looked like she could use some cuddle time. Paige gave Savannah a smile and held her arms out to her daughter.
Savannah came over and climbed into Paige’s lap, wrapping her arms around Paige’s neck, giving her a kiss and laying her head on Paige’s shoulder.
“I have to go,” Paige said shortly. “Piper just called us for dinner.”
“Can I say hi to Savannah?” Richard asked hopefully.
“No.” With that, Paige hung up the phone and turned her attention to her daughter.
Just then, Piper called up the stairs, “Paige, Savannah, dinner time!!”
Paige smiled and carried Savannah downstairs.
“Let’s go see what Aunt Piper made for dinner, shall we?”
Savannah nodded and smiled as she layed her head against Paige’s chest and listened to her heartbeat.


A month and a half had passed since Paige and Savannah had moved back into the Manor and things seemed to be going fine. Savannah was enjoying school and she had fun playing with Shaianne and Melinda and Wyatt. It wasn’t until one Saturday night that everything came crashing down.
Paige was watching Shaianne, Melinda and Wyatt along with Savannah while Megan and Prue and Chris went out when the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” Paige said as she got up from the couch. Piper was in the attic, reading the Book of Shadows so that she could write a new spell for the last demon they had just vanquished.
As Paige opened the door, she stepped back and frowned. Richard was standing there. He had a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He presented them to her with a smile.
“Thanks,” Paige said, taking the flowers and making a note to put them in a vase later. “What are you doing here?”
“Well, I thought since I was going to anger management classes now and counseling that you would consider moving back home and bringing Savannah with you. She is our daughter after all.”
Paige glared at Richard and shook her head.
“There is no way in heaven or ponyland that I would do that. You hurt her and she’s not going to forget it too easily. She doesn’t want to come home. She’s scared of you, Richard, don’t you get that? And frankly, I don’t think that she should be put through anymore violence in her life. She doesn’t deserve it. We don’t deserve it.”
Richard nodded and glared at Paige, but then he remembered what he needed to do.
“Okay, if you need some more time, I’m willing to give it to you, but I was wondering if you wanted to come to dinner with me. I’ll bring you right back to the Manor. I promise. In fact, I won’t even bring you back, you can orb yourself back if you want to.”
Paige thought about this long and hard and then shook her head.
“I’m baby-sitting the kids and I don’t think Piper would like it. Besides, I think you need a little more time to think about what you did to us and find a way to fix it. Maybe in a month or two.” With that, she closed the door in Richard’s face, leaving him both angry and a little disappointed. He left, without pursuing the issue further. He needed to give her time and then he would get his way. Sooner or later, Paige was going to forgive him and when she did, she was in for one hell of a ride. That was for sure.


About four months later, Paige had established her life at the Manor and things couldn’t be any better. Richard had called a few times, but Paige made it clear that she didn’t want to see him and neither did Sav.
After the sixth month had gone by however, Paige decided to take Richard up on his dinner plans. He had been going to anger management classes and counseling, so it had to be working. Right?
As Paige got ready for her dinner with Richard, Piper tried unsuccessfully to convince her not to go.
“It’s a trap,” Piper told Paige, worry written all over her face. “I know it is. You’re going to get burned. And I don’t want to see you get hurt anymore. You and Savannah have been doing great since you moved back here. Please, don’t ruin it now by making one stupid mistake.”
Paige nodded, but she was convinced that she was doing the right thing. After all, everyone deserved a second chance.
Piper sighed and turned to Megan.
“Talk to her.” She said. “She listens to you. Please?” With that, Piper left the room.
Megan sighed and motioned for Paige to sit in her lap.
Paige did so and felt Megan start to stroke her hair.

“I don’t think you should do this,” she said.
“But I-“ Paige started to say, but Megan cut her off.
“Let me finish, my precious peanut,” Megan said, using her nickname for Paige.
Paige nodded and smiled. She liked it when Megan called her that. She hadn’t used it in a little while.
“I don’t want you to do this, but it’s your decision. No matter what happens, I’m here for you. Okay?” Megan kissed Paige’s cheek and gave her a hug before letting her get up.
Paige nodded and returned Megan’s hug before finishing up her makeup.


Richard smiled to himself as he prepared for the date he was about to have with Paige. So far, everything was going according to plan. All he had to do was get Paige to drink the potion he had made and then he could put the next phase of the plan into action. But how was he going to get her to drink it? He knew Paige wouldn’t do it willingly. He had to slip it into her drink somehow. It seemed easier said than done. Richard shook it off for the time being. He would worry about it later. Right now ,the main part was to get Paige away from her sisters and into a restaurant. He knew he couldn’t hurt her right away and he wasn’t’ intending to. In fact, he was planning on being as calm and collected as he could. If he played his cards right, he would have his family back and then he would get his revenge. Patience was the main thing. Richard had to stay patient and calm. That was the only way this was going to work.


Paige was sitting on the couch, when the doorbell rang. She sighed and got up. She didn’t want to do this, but she knew she had to. It was the only way for her to find out if Richard was really being sincere about everything. If he was, she would give him two more weeks and then move back in. If not, she would stay where she was. Either way, she would have peace about it and that was what she wanted.
When Paige opened the door, Richared presented her with another bouquet of flowers, which she took and placed on the table.
“Shall we go?” Richard asked, holding out his hand to Paige.
Paige nodded and called to Piper that she was leaving.
“Okay!” Piper called back. “Love you!! Be careful, squirt!!”
“I will!” Paige called back as she left. “Love you too!!”


The drive to the restaurant was fairly silent. Niether one talked much. Each was in their own little world with their own thoughts. Paige was trying to stay calm and making sure she survived this date and Richard was still thinking about how he was going to get Paige to drink the potion. He knew he couldn’t stuff it down her throat, he had to be as suttle as possible.
As Richard parked the car, he got out and opened Paige’s door for her, This time, when Richard held his hand out to Paige, she took it. She didn’t want to, but she needed to be polite. It was the only way to keep Richard’s temper at bay and she didn’t want to cause an unnecessary scene in public.
Once they were seated, they ordered their drinks and then their food. The waitress took their orders and then left them to talk.
Richard sighed and then decided he should start a conversation.
“So, uh, how’s Savannah?”
“Good,” Paige said. “Better. She’s doing well in school and she likes playing with her cousins and spending time with her aunts.”
Richard nodded and smiled. He was happy that his daughter was enjoying herself, despite the fact that he wanted her and his wife home and in his control.
“So how’s work been? “ Paige asked, trying to make small talk.
“Fine,” Richard replied as he fumbled with the potion vile in his pocket. He was trying to think of the best time to bring it out. He couldn’t let Paige see it, but he couldn’t wait until dinner came either. This was a toughy.
Just as Richard was about to ask Paige another question, the waitress came back with their drinks. She set Paige’s apple juice in front of her and set Richard’s wine in front of him.
“Thank you< “ Paige said, while Richard nodded and mumbled a thanks.
The waitress nodded and left to check on their dinner.
After she was gone, Paige frowned and said, “Would you excuse me? I have to run to the ladies room.”
“Sure, sure. That’s fine. I’ll just look over the newspaper and see what team won last night.”
Paige nodded and got up, taking her purse with her. As she turned to leave, she put her purse back down and decided to leave it behind.
After Paige left, Richard smiled at his stroke of luck. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. Now was the time to do it. He didn’t have much time. Paige would be back at any time.
As Richard thought about the best way to do it, he slid Paige’s glass towards himself and dug the potion vile out of his shirt pocket. He looked around to make sure nobody was watching him and then tipped the vile over and let its contents fall into the cup. After Richard was sure that the whole potion was gone, he slid the cup back over to Paige’s side and prayed that she didn’t notice that it had been moved.
As Richard put the vile back into his pocket, he went to glance at the menu when all of a sudden, Paige announced her return.
“I’m back,” she said as she sat down. She then glanced at her cup of juice and asked, “Did you touch my drink?”
Richard shook his head.
“No.”
“Then why is it moved a little to the right?” Paige asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
Richard shrugged.
“The waitress must have moved it when she came to get the menus.”
Paige nodded and decided that that was a logical explaination. It seemed right for now. But as she sipped at her drink, she spit it out. Something about it tasted bitter.
Richard frowned, but then remembered that he had to act like he didn’t know anything.
“What’s wrong?” He asked, acting as nonchalant as possible.
Paige took a sip of water and then replied, “This apple juice is bitter. I’m gonna ask for another one. Maybe it was accidentally poured from the bar or something.” As Paige mused this, Richard’s mind raced. He couldn’t let Paige get another drink. He didn’t have anymore potion left. He had used it all on her apple juice. She had to drink it all or the plan wouldn’t work.
“Did you try putting water in it?” Richard asked. “My mother used to do that when she made our lemonmade too bitter. Try it. It might work.”
Paige nodded and did so. To her relief, it did work. The apple juice actually tasted normal again.
“Thanks,” Paige said, giving Richard a small smile. “You were right.”
Richarrd smiled too. He was glad his mother’s trick had worked. Now he didn’t have to worry about the potion being wasted. It would start taking affect soon and when it did, Paige was in for one hell of a night.
As the waitress put their food down in front of them, Paige felt a little dizzy. She shook it off and then tried to concentrate on eating. As she dug into her food however, she started feeling dizzy again. She shook it off again and tried to enjoy her dinner. But the dizziness kept coming back.
Finally, as Paige’s head started to hurt and she felt dizzy for the third time. She did the only thing she could think of. She looked up at Richard and said, “Richard, I’m sorry, but I have to go. I’m not feeling well.” She jumped up and went to the ladies room so that she could orb herself home without being seen.
Once Paige got there, she went straight to bed and crawled underneath the covers. Whatever she had come down with, it was hitting her fast.


“Do you think she’s going to be okay?” Megan asked as she put a hand to Paige’s forehead.
“I’m not sure,” Piper said. ‘I hope she is. For Richard’s sake anyway. If I find out he hurt her again, I’m going to do worse than blow him up.” She started stroking Paige’s hair gently as Megan took Paige’s temperature and got her a cup of Ginger Ale along with a sick bucket from the closet. After she had brought both things back,. She set the water by Paige’s bed and gave the bucket to Piper.
Just then, Paige started to stir. She felt someone stroking her hair and thinking it was Richard, she pushed them away.
“Paige, it’s okay, honey. You’re home. You’re okay. Everything’s going to be all right, squirt.”
“P….Pi….Piper?” Paige asked, feeling the dizziness lift, but her head still hurt like hell. “Piper?”
“Yes, sweetie, it’s okay. It’s Piper. And Megan’s here too. You’re going to be fine. I promise. Can you tell us what happened tonight? Did Richard hurt you?”
Megan started rubbing Paige’s shoulder in an effort to help her feel better. That always seemed to work when Paige was younger.
Paige thought for a moment and then said, “All I remember was sipping the apple juice that the waitress gave me and then everything went black.”
Megan nodded and Piper glared out the window.
“Richard spiked it,” she said. ‘I’m gonna kill him!”
“Wait a minute,” Megan said, trying to calm Piper before she accidentally blew up the lamp, “we don’t know that for a fact. Paige, did you see Richard put anything into your drink?”
Paige thought hard.
“No, but when I came back from the bathroom, my drink had been moved. I asked Richard if he had moved it and he said no.”
“He was lying!” Piper exclaimed. “That son of a-“
“Piper!” Both Megan and Paige said in unison.
“Calm down, girl,” Paige said. “I know it seems like Richard did something, and I wouldn’t put it passed him, but I honestly think that we should give him the benefit of the doubt here. After all, he has been going to anger management classes and counseling. He didn’t hit me once tonight.”
“So what?” Piper said incrediously. “It doesn’t matter. He’s still dangerous. Look, let’s get you better and then we’ll deal with Richard.”
Paige nodded as she rested her head in Megan’s lap and tried to sleep once again. It had been a long night and all Paige wanted to do was sleep.
Piper shook her head and put her hand on Paige’s shoulder gently.
“Honey, you can’t sleep just yet, sweetie. You have to drink some Ginger Ale first. It will help you feel better.”
Paige nodded and tried, but it didn’t stay down. She felt horrible and what made matters worse was her stomach was beginning to hurt now. What was going on with her?



Richared lay awake most of the night. He was waiting for the moment when he would be able to strike. He needed to wait for the potion to take its full affect before he made his next move. He had to be patient and patience wasn’t one of his strong suits.


The next day, Paige woke up feeling worse. She still felt nauseous and she was feeling really tired. As she sat up, she tried to orb herself to the bathroom, but nothing happened. She tried again, but still nothing happened. What was going on with her powers? Maybe the flu or whatever she had come down with was interfering with her magic. Whatever was going on, Paige wanted to get rid of it fast.
Paige forced herself to get up and made her way to the bathroom. She washed her face and then tried her best to brush her teeth without throwing up. the toothpaste was making her stomach feel queasy. Once she was done, she made her way downstairs to find Megan feeding Shaianne and Piper making breakfast. They both smiled when Paige came in, but then frowned when they saw her complexion.
“Still not feeling better, my precious peanut?” Megan asked sympathetically.
Paige shook her head and sighed.
“And now my powers are messed up.”
“What do you mean?” Piper asked.
“Well, I tried to orb myself to the bathroom just now, and it didn’t work. I tried twice and nothing happened. I don’t know what’s going on, but I would love to find out.”

“Did you say your powers aren’t working?” Chris asked his aunt as he looked up from the game he was playing with Melinda.
Paige nodded.
Chris frowned and then said, “Take your turn Min, I’ll be right back. I have to talk to Aunt Paige.” He came over to where Paige was sitting and sat next to her. He patted her shoulder lovingly and said, “I think I know what happened.”
Paige nodded and gave Chris a hopeful look.
“He didn’t hurt you did he?” Chris asked, worry in his eyes.
Paige shook her head.
“No, honey. Richard didn’t hurt me. I promise. Why?”
“Because he may have slipped a potion in your drink that made you feel sick and weakened your powers. Don’t ask me why he did it. We’re talking about Richard here. But whatever the reason is, we should have Dad check you out.”
Paige nodded and agreed to let Leo look her over. She knew that no harm could come from it and she wanted to feel better as soon as possible. Once more, she didn’t want Savannah seeing her like this. Not after everything else that had happened.
“LEO!!” Piper called after Melinda had gone to watch “My Little Pony” with Savannah and Shaianne. “LEO!!!”
In a matter of seconds, Leo had orbed into the room. He looked concerned.
“What’s wrong?” He asked as he sat down next to Paige and gave her a worried look.
“It’s Aunt Paige,” Chris told his father. “She’s sick and we don’t know what’s going on. She can’t orb either.”
Leo nodded and did a scan with his whitelighter powers. What he came up with wasn’t good news at all.
“I’m afraid whatever Richard gave Paige, it’s weakening her powers and it’s going to continue to do so until she can’t use them anymore. I’m sorry.”
Paige nodded as the realization of what Leo had just told everyone sank in.
“Can’t you do something to reverse it?” Paige asked hopefully.
Leo thought for a moment and then shook his head.
“I don’t even think healing you would work.”
“Try it!” Piper, Chris and Paige said in unison.
Leo let out a soft laugh as he put his hands over Paige’s forehead and tried to heal her. The pink glow eminated from his hands like always, but it didn’t stay there for long. In fact, it didn’t even get brighter as it usually did. It just faded.
“It’s not working,” Leo said as he took his hands from Paige and sighed heavily.
“We can see that,” Piper said as she sighed and gave Paige’s shoulder a pat. “The question is why?”
“That I can’t answer for you,” Leo replied. “I’m sorry, Piper. I wish I could, but I can’t.”
Piper nodded as she let Leo kiss her before orbing out.
“I’ll check with the other Elders and see what’s going on.”
“Thanks,” Paige mumbled as she laid her head on Megan’s shoulder as Megan put her arm around Paige comfortingly.
Leo nodded and gave Paige an encouraging smile before orbing back “up there”.
After Leo was gone, Paige decided to take a nap. As she made her way up to her room, she found Savannah crying on her bed. She was laying down and tears were streaming down her face. She was holding Baby Lofty close and she looked both scared and upset.
“Hey, sweetie,” Paige said, sitting down next to Savannah. “Come here, Sav. We need to talk.”
“Did Daddy hurt you last night?” Savannah asked, her brown eyes full of concern for her mother.
“No,” Paige said. “He didn’t hurt me.”
Savannah nodded and laid her head against Paige’s chest and listened to her heartbeat.


The next day, Savannah woke up and for some reason, she didn’t want to go to school.
Paige felt her forehead and even had Leo and Chris check her over, but nothing was wrong.
“You’re going and that’s that, my sweet girl,” Paige said, giving Savannah a hug and kiss on her cheek, which Savannah returned.
“But Mommy I-“
“No buts, missy.” Paige said, giving Savannah’s shoulder a pat. “No buts whatsoever.”
When Paige dropped Savannah off at school that day, Savannah burst into tears and didn’t want Paige to leave her. Paige tried to convince Savannah that she would be okay and that she, Paige, would be back to pick her up at the end of the day, but Savannah didn’t want to hear it. She was scared and she wanted her Mommy.
Paige sighed and asked Miss Elle if it was all right for her to stay.
“Sure,” Miss Elle said. “No problem.”
Paige nodded and Savannah calmed down. She didn’t know why she was feeling the need for her Mommy not to leave, but she just was.


Richard sat in his station wagon three blocks from Savannah’s school. The time was drawing nearer for him to make his move. The potion had taken its full affect and Paige was unable to use her powers at all. It was like she didn’t even have them anymore. She couldn’t even call Leo anymore for help, which was really strange. She didn’t try Chris yet, but hopefully he was out of her range too. If he wasn’t, Richard was going to be pissed.
Now he waited. Now there was only time left. He had exactly two hours left. As soon as Paige and Savannah came out of the school doors to go home, he would have them right where he wanted them. Trapped, with no way out and no way to call for help.


The day went okay for Savannah. She listened to Miss Elle and had fun with her best friend, Kate. As the day drew to a close, however, the same strange uneasy feeling crept into her tummy. She went over to Paige and climbed into her lap.
“Mommy?” She asked, while laying her head against Paige’s chest to listen to her heartbeat.
“Yeah, Sav?” Paige asked, stroking her daughter’s hair gently.
“Can we call Chris to pick us up?”
“No,” Paige said, laughing slightly. “We have our car. What has gotten into you today, sweetie?” Paige asked, tickling Savannah’s tummy, making her giggle. “Ya know what I think you need?”
Savannah shook her head.
“I think you need to spend some time with Firefly. How would you like to go to ponyland when we get home? Megan can go with you.”
This got Savannah’s eyes bright again.
“You too?” She asked.
“Sure. I could use some time with Fizzy.”
Savannah nodded and grinned. She liked going to ponyland and she especially liked spending time with Firefly.


As Paige walked out with Savannah fifteen minutes later, she too started to get a really weird feeling. It wasn’t just the grilled cheese she ate for lunch either. Something was wrong. Very wrong. She instinctively picked Savannah up and was about to call for Chris, when she felt someone grab her from the back of her shirt. Paige fell to the ground and managed to hold onto Savannah as the person dragged her to the car.
“What’s going on?” Paige demanded, a little more bravely than she felt. “Let go!”
“Not a chance, honey,” Richard said. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for about three months and now you’re going to get what’s coming to you.” He threw her in the back of the car and got into the front seat. He drove off down the road towards the express way. He knew where he was taking them and it was somewhere even Leo couldn’t’ find. He was going to give it to Paige, but he had to wait until Savannah was asleep. He wasn’t so nuts that he would think of hurting her in front of their child, even though he had done it before, but he had been drunk the other times. Now he was completely sober and his head was full of only one thought…. Revenge. He was going to get his revenge against Paige for taking Savannah away and breaking up their family if it was the last thing he did. He was proud that the potion he had given Paige had worked so quickly. Now he didn’t have to worry about Paige using her powers against him or finding a way out by orbing. She couldn’t orb anymore and that was one more stroke of luck for Richard.



“I can’t find her anywhere!” Chris shouted in frustration.
“Auntie Paige is in trouble!” Melinda whimpered as she tried her best to search for her beloved relative. “Savannah too.”
“I know that, Min,” Chris said, trying not to take his anger out on his little sister. She was only seven after all and she didn’t understandd what was going on. Not as good as Chris did. After all, he had been there before and if he was right, they needed to get to Paige in time, if not, she was likely to die.
“Where’s Mommy?” Melinda asked.
“She’s upstairs looking through the book,” Chris told his sister. “Why don’t you go upstairs and give her a hug, she needs it.”
Melinda nodded and gave Chris one before leaving.
After Melinda was gone, Chris orbed out. He needed to find Paige and unbeknownst to her, he was the only one she could “call” for help. He could hear her, but only him. Leo was out of range. Chris wasn’t sure about his Aunt Prue though. After all, she was a special case.



“Why are you doing this?” Paige asked, her voice cold and angry. “What did we do to you?”
Richard glared at her.
“You took my daughter away from me, that’s what. And now you’re going to pay.”
Paige glared at him, but stayed silent.
“Leo,” She thought. “if you can hear me, we could sure use some heavenly help right about now.” She sighed as she hugged Savannah close and prayed that her little angel stayed asleep for a little while longer. She didn’t want her to see what ever Richard was going to do to her. She didn’t deserve it.
Ten minutes later, Richard stopped at a McDonald’s. He left them alone, but took the car keys with him. He wasn’t stupid. Even though Paige was powerless so to speak, she was still very smart. Maybe smarter than him right now, but he didn’t think so.
As Paige watched him leave, she sighed. Maybe she could call for Prue. She took a deep breath and was about to say her name when a tiny voice stopped her.
“Mommy?” Savannah said sleepily.
“Shh,” Paige said, trying to get her back to sleep. “Hush now. It’s okay. Mommy has you. Go back to sleep. It’s okay.”
“I want to go home!” Savannah whimpered, pushing herself deeper into Paige.
“Shh, I know you do, sweetie, I do too, but it’s going to be okay. We’ll be there soon.” As Paige tried to calm her daughter down, she had a sudden thought. She tugged furiously at the neck of her shirt until she pulled out what she was looking for. She wasn’t totally out of ideas yet. She still had something Richard wasn’t aware of.
“The Rainbow of Light!” Savannah said, gazing at the necklace with something of longing on her face. “Can I wear it, Mommy, please?”
Paige shook her head.
“Later. Right now, I’m hoping it’s going to be our ticket out of here.” She opened it up, but at the same time, Richard came back.
“Nice try!” He said, snatching the necklace from her hands. “Not even your four legged freaks can save you.” He tossed the necklace in the back seat, unaware that Savannah had picked it up. She put it around her neck and tucked it underneath her shirt. It would come in handy soon.
“Here,” Richard said, handing Paige a cheeseburger, fries and a drink. “This is the only meal you’re getting for the next few hours. Don’t’ waste it.”
Paige nodded and started dividing the food up between her and Savannah.
“Don’t bother,” Richard said, producing a happy meal for Savannah. ‘I got her something.” He handed Savannah the box and she took it warily. “It’s okay, princess.” Richard said. He wasn’t out to hurt Savannah, unless she got in the way. He was trying to spare her. She was his only daughter after all. At least that’s what he thought.

Savannah looked to Paige for confirmation and Paige nodded.’
“Go on, honey. It’s okay. I’m sure it tastes yummy.”
Savannah nodded and began to eat slowly.
Richard then tgot into the front seat and they were off again. He wanted to get them out of San Francisco tonight and he knew in order to do that, he would have to drive the whole night and well into the day.



“Aunt Paige!!!” Chris called as he orbed all over creation it seemed. “Aunt Paige!!! Aunt Paige!!!”



“Huh?” Paige sleepily said as she sat up and rubbed at her eyes. She felt movement underneath of her and she remembered that she was in a car. Richard’s car. She started feeling scared again, but then she heard someone calling her name, or did she imagine it?
“Aunt Paige!! Aunt Paige!!”
“Chris?” Paige said, hoping against hope that he could hear her too. “Chris, honey, is that you? Please let it be you.”
“Yeah,” Chris said as he orbed in right next to her. “It’s me.”
“Thank god!” Paige said, wrapping her arms around her nephew. “Get us out of here!”
“I’m working on that,” Chris said.
“SHh,” Paige said, motioning to the front where Richard was voicing his anger towards a demented driver.
“Don’t worry,” Chris said, “he can’t see me. Only you and Savannah can. How is my little lady bug?”
“Okay,” Paige said. “Scared, but okay.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. Now, we have to get you out of here, but it’s going to be tricky.”
Paige nodded, but then she suddenly heard another familiar voice say, “No. Don’t’ go. Paige ,honey, if you can hear me, don’t’ go. Stay. You must stay for awhile.”
“Mom?” Paige questioned.
“Yes, darling, “ Patty Halliwell then orbed beside Chris. “It’s me. I know you’re scared and I know you-“ She was interrupted as Paige flung herself at her, wrapping her arms around Patty’s neck. “It’s okay,” Patty soothed, rubbing her back, “It’s all right, sweetie. Everything’s okay. Everything will be okay. But you need to stay and see what he’s up to. I promise you’ll be safe. Prue and I are watching over you and Savannah. And you have this handsome young man to watch out for you.” She looked towards Chris who blushed.
Paige nodded as she let go of her mother and Patty kissed her before orbing out.
“Well, I guess I have my orders,” Paige said, sighing slightly. “You’ll be around right?”
Chris nodded.
“Actually, I’m going to stick around for awhile so that I can hear what’s going on and then I have to report back to Mom and Dad, but then I’ll be back.”
“How’s Lin?”
“She’s okay.”
Just then, the car swerved a little.
“Damn idiot!” Richard said. “Nearly got us killed.”
Paige sighed. She didn’t understand why he was driving so far out here anyway. They were in the middle of nowhere. Nothing but trees and forests lined the road. It was actually kind of creepy.
About an hour later, Paige woke up to hear Richard talking on his cell phone. She decided to stay quiet so that she could listen in. Maybe he would give some indication as to what he was planning to do with her and Savannah. She leaned over just enough so that she could hear what he was saying.
“Yeah, I got them. It wasn’t too hard. No. We’ll be there in about two hours. Don’t worry, I’m not letting Paige out of my sight. She can’t call for her whitelighter to help her either and with her powers temporarily gone, she can’t orb out. My daughter’s too young to understand what’s going on. She’ll think we’re going on a trip. But it’s far from a trip. A trip that they will never come home from.”
Paige’s heart leapt into her chest and she almost fell backwards onto the seat from losing her balance. She couldn’t have heard Richard right. It had to be a mistake. He couldn’t’ have done it. It was a dream or a nightmare. Anything but the truth. But as Paige looked out the window, she knew all too well that it wasn’t a dream. Richard had obducted her and Savannah and if Chris didn’t help them, they would never see Piper or Megan or even Firefly again. As Paige listened further, something else Richard let slip, made her blood run cold.
“You don’t have to worry about Savannah using her magic, because I bound her powers a year ago. She won’t be able to do anything to help her mother.”
Paige didn’t believe it. Savannah had orbed just last week. How could her powers be bound?
Without thinking about the repercussions of her actions, Paige yelled, “Chris!!!!”
“What the hell?” Richard asked, turning around and looking Paige’s way. “Are you trying to get us killed?”
Paige shook her head.
“No, it seems like you’re doing that fine on your own.”
“Another word and you’ll be sorry you ever opened your mouth.”
Paige just glared at him. She wasn’t exactly frightened of what he was going to do to her, versus Savannah. She could talk her way out of the beatings, but Savannah couldn’t. She was the innocent in all of this.
“Chris!!” Paige said a little quieter. “Damn it, Chris!!”
“Sorry,” Chris said as he orbed in. “I know what’s going on and I’m sorry to say, I have to wait until you get to wherever you’re going to help you.”
“What?!” Paige asked, startling Richard and waking Savannah up.
“Shut up already!” Richard shouted, making Savannah burst into tears.
“Shh,” Paige soothed. “It’s okay, sweetie, Mommy has you. You’re all right. I promise. Everything’s okay.”
Savannah nodded, but buried her face in Paige’s shoulder anyway.
“As I was saying,” Chris said, “I have to wait until you’re actually in the house or whatever before I can get you out of here.”
“Why?!” Paige asked.
“Because, Richard has put protective Charms all over the car to protect himself from our magic. I’m lucky I could even orb in here.”
Paige nodded.
“Well, that makes sense. Can you at least get a message to Megan for me.”
“Sure.”
“Tell her to tell Firefly to get her butt over here now!”
Chris laughed and orbed out. He knew Megan would be able to get her friend to help, the question was, how long it would take.


They drove for four more days. During that time, Chris checked on Paige and Savanna and healed Paige’s injuries which were nothing more than bruises to her shoulder and face. He still said he couldn’t’ actually help them escape until they got to wherever they were going.
About ten minutes after Chris had left to ask Megan about Firefly for the fifth time, Prue orbed in.
“Someone said you needed some help,” she said, giving Paige a hug and picking Savannah up.
“Can you rescue us, Auntie Prue?” Savannah asked hopefully.
Prue shook her head.
“Not until you get to wherever you’re going.”
“So I’ve heard,” Paige said dryly. “The question is why.”
Prue shook her head.
About an hour later, Savannah fell asleep and Prue stayed to keep an eye on them. It wasn’t until around twelve-thirty, that Paige started feeling kind of sick. It came on suddenly and Prue didn’t need to watch “ER” to know what was wrong with her little sister. Vomiting and tiredness could only mean one thing. Paige was pregnant.
“But how?” Paige whined as she threw up for the second time into a bucket that Chris had brought. “Richard and I didn’t have…” Her voice trailed off as she remembered back to the night that Richard had been really pissed and had refused her pleas to stop. Her eyes filled with tears as the realization hit and Prue took her baby sister into her arms and rocked her.
“Shh,” Prue soothed. “Hush now, my sweet angel girl. It’s okay. It’s all right.”
“No it’s not!” Paige whimpered quietly, so that she wouldn’t wake up Savannah who was fast asleep in Chris’ arms. “I let him do that to me.”
Prue shook her head and pulled away from Paige just enough to see her face.
“You, Paige Lindsay Halliwell-Mathews, are not responsible for what he did. Do you hear me, young lady?” Prue had her no nonsense tone and Paige knew it well.
Paige nodded.
“Good.” Prue said. “Now you just rest and I’ll stay with you until it’s time to make a break for it.”
Paige nodded, but as she looked down at her stomach, more tears came. She couldn’t bring another baby into the world. Not right now and not by a man as mean as Richard. No child deserved it.
“Mommy!” Savannah cried in her sleep. “Mommy!!!”
Paige forced herself to wake up and help her daughter. Savannah was the innocent in all of this after all.
“Shh,” Paige soothed. “It’s okay, sweetie. It’s all right. You’re okay. Come here.”
“Can’t you shut her up?” Richard asked.
“Why don’t you shut up?” Paige asked, not realizing the helplessness of her situation.
Richard stopped the car and back handed her across the face, sending her sprawling onto the floor. Without a word, he drove off again.
“I’m sorry!” Savannah sobbed as she laid her head against Paige’s chest. “You got hurted because of me.”
“It’s hurt,” Paige corrected her, “and I didn’t get hurt because of you, Sav. Daddy is just mean, that’s all. It’s not your fault, honey. It isn’t. Believe me.”
Savannah nodded and then called, “Chris!”
Chris orbed in and gasped.
“Oh my god. What the hell happened?”
“ooh!!” Savannah said, giving Chris a look.
“Sorry,” Chris said, blushing. “What in the world happened?”
“Daddy got mad at Mommy and he hit her,” Savannah told Chris through her tears. “Can you make her better, Chris, please?”
Chris nodded and did so, but as he put his hand over Paige’s cheek, the car started to stall out.
“Damn it! Damn it!” Richard cursed, pulling out his cell phone. “I’m going to kill Harry!”
“Harry?” Chris asked.
Paige nodded and a giggle escaped her lips.
“Harry is his mechanic.”
Chris rolled his eyes.
“Okay. There ya go, all healed.”
“Thanks, sweetie.” Paige said, giving Chris a hug.
“No problem. Anything for my favorite aunt.”



“I can’t find her!” Megan said as she scried for the fifth time. “Wherever Richard took her, it has to be somewhere outside of San Francisco.”
“Damn it!!” Piper cursed. “Leo!!!”
Leo orbed in, but he looked annoyed.
“Piper, I told you I couldn’t help you find Paige, why do you keep calling me?”
Piper shrugged.
“Mel wants you to tuck her in.”
“I already did,” Leo said. He then gazed into Piper’s brown eyes and saw her crying for his comfort silently. He walked over to her and embraced his wife and cradled her close. “It’s going to be okay,” Leo said, feeling a little worried himself. “I’m sure Chris and Prue and your mother can help Paige.”
Piper nodded.
“I know someone else who can too,” Megan said, coming into the room. “If anyone can find Paige, Whizzer can. She’s the fastest pony there is.”
“I can find her in a flash. Yes I can!! Yes I can. Yes I can.” Whizzer said in her usual fast talking way.
Piper nodded and stroked Whizzer’s mane.
“Go for it.” Piper said.
Whizzer winked out as Megan climbed on Firefly’s back and followed.

By the time Richard, Paige and Savannah, not counting Prue and Chris had arrived at their destination, Paige had thrown up five times and was now very dehydrated. Prue needed to get some fluids into her fast and water wasn’t working.
Paige crawled underneath of the covers and fell asleep instantly.
Prue checked on her during the night and was horrified to find that she had spiked a fever around three o’ clock in the morning. She had to get Paige to the hospital and fast.
“Grams!” Prue called. “Grams!!”
“I heard you Prudence, you didn’t have to scream so loudly. My god, darling, the whole heavens heard you.” Grams said as she materialized in front of her granddaughters. “What seems to be the…… Oh my…. We need to get to Ava quickly. There’s no time to waste.”
Prue nodded and expertedly picked Paige up and cradled her in her arms.
“I’ll go to the hospital and you take Savannah up there with Mom.”
Grams nodded and did so, but as she picked Savannah up, the child started to wake up.
“SHh,” Grams soothed, “it’s all right, darling. You’re okay. We’re going to see Grandma Patty. It’s okay now. Everything’s all right.”
“I want Auntie Prue!” Savannah wailed as she tried to break free of Grams’ protective, but firm hold. “I want Auntie Prue!”
“Honey, it’s okay,” Prue said, “listen to Auntie Prue, listen to me, sweetheart. You have to go with Grams. She’s going to keep you-“ Prue was interrupted as Richard stirred and rolled over.
“We need to go now,” Grams said. She continued to soothe Savannah as she orbed “up there’ with her crying great granddaughter in her arms.
Meanwhile Prue had orbed Paige to the hospital, but unfortunately, Ava wasn’t there. She had the night off.
“Can’t you just call her?” Prue asked.
“I’m afraid you’re stuck with me,” Dr. Elizabeth Corday said, giving Prue a gentle smile. “We’ll take good care of your sister, I promise.”
Prue nodded and went to call Darryl. She needed to make sure that if Richard showed up, that he would be arrested straight away. After that was done, she called Piper and Megan to tell them that Paige was okay. She wasn’t going to tell them about Paige’s pregnancy. She figured that was something that Paige would have to tell them on her own. She knew about Paige being raped, but Piper and Megan didn’t know anything. At least not yet.
Prue was brought out of her thoughts by Dr. Corday.
“We’ve found some internal injuries that need to be repaired with surgery. Will you sign the consent?”
Prue nodded and did so. She knew it was for the best. After that was done, she went to comfort Paige until Dr. Corday took her to the OR.
Paige was scared out of her wits and she didn’t want to leave Prue’s arms, but she knew she had to. It was the only way for her to get better.
“You’re going to be okay,” Prue said, rubbing Paige’s back and stroking her hair. “I promise. You’re going to be fine.”
“I’m scared for Christina,” Paige said, realizing what she wanted to name her baby.
“I know you’re scared for…..” Prue said, and then stopped. “Christina?”
Paige nodded.
“That’s what I want to name the baby if she’s a girl.”
“Well, Chris will be happy,” Prue said, a smile spreading across her face.
“Christina Prudence.”
“Aw, thanks,” Prue said. “That’s sweet.”
Paige nodded as Dr. Corday came over and started to put the medicine into Paige’s IV. As the medicine went in, Paige felt her stomach lurch.
Prue had the basin in front of her within seconds.
“It’s okay,” Dr. Corday comforted. “You’re okay. That’s it. It’s all right. Good girl.”
Paige nodded and tried to fight back the tears of fear and pain that were threatening to fall.
As Dr. Corday prepared to roll the gurney towards the OR, Prue gave Paige a kiss and hug and promised her that she would be with her during the surgery.
“I love you,” Paige said as she tried to stop crying.
“Aw, same here, my angel girl. Same here.” Prue planted a kiss on Paige’s cheek as she turned to leave. She knew Paige would be in good hands.
As Prue rounded the corner, she found Darryl with a huge grin on his face.
“What’s going on?” Prue asked her long time friend.
“Your husband caught Paige and Savannah’s kidnapper.”
Prue beamed with pride for Andy.
“He did?” Prue asked.
“Yup.” Darryl said.


Paige was having a hard time falling asleep. Dr. Corday was right by her side and she felt Patty there as well, but she couldn’t drift off. She threw up two more times and Dr. Corday put some compazine into her IV, which worked. Then she gave her some versed and that finally put her out.


“I think someone’s waking up,” Paige heard Piper say as she came to three hours later. “Paige, can you hear me, honey? Missy Paige?”
“Piper?” Paige asked and then immediately coughed and got sick from the anesthesia.
Piper nodded as she put the bucket in front of Paige and helped her to sit up.
“It’s okay, squirt. It’s all right. You’re okay.”
“Where’s Prue?” Paige asked after her stomach had calmed down.
“What am I?” Megan asked. “Pony liver?”
Paige shook her head as Megan sat on the bed and started stroking Paige’s hair.
“I’m right here, angel girl,” Prue said, coming over and planting a kiss on Paige’s forehead. “Dr. Corday said you did a great job.”
Paige nodded.
“I’m just glad that you’re safe,” Piper said, kissing Paige’s cheek. “Thank God, you’re okay. Richard didn’t hurt you, did he?”
Paige nodded.
“I’m okay now, really. It was nothing that Chris couldn’t handle.”
“At least there were no lasting affects to his abuse,” Piper said.
“Funny you should say that,” Prue said, eyeing Paige.
“What are you talking about, sweetie?” Piper asked.
Paige took a deep breath and said, “Well, there was a lasting physical affect to Richard’s abuse.”
“Which is…..?” Piper said expectantly.
Paige sighed and averted her gaze as she said, “I’m pregnant.”


THE END