Charmed Drabble

ANNOUNCEMENT.

juanitadark — Sun, 14 Aug 2005 05:34:36 GMT

I'm officially closing this community. It will remain undeleted but membership is now closed, and no further posts will be accepted. If you wish to post fic, charmedextended is still open and accepting posts.

Challenge # 28

storydivagirl — Thu, 28 Apr 2005 16:53:41 GMT

Um...

::prods members::

::prods self::

Is it that the challenges are no good or are we all suffering through a writing drought?

Anyway, let's give it another shot.

Challenge # 28 - Ani Difranco Lyrics

Use any of the following lyrics to create a story (Note: Not song fic, more based on the meaning)

“She came to and her whole life was how she remembered it” – “Swing”

“what kind of paradise am i looking for?...I’ve got everything I want and still i want more…maybe some tiny shiny key...will wash up on the shore...” – “Grey”

“I make such a good statistic…someone should study me now…somebody's got to be interested in how I feel...just 'cause I’m here and I’m real...” – “Fire Door”

“If you're not angry, you're just stupid...or you don't care...how else can you react when you know something's so unfair...” – “Out of Range”

“When I say you sucked my brain out, the English translation is I am in love with you...and it is no fun...but I don't use words like love...'cuz words like that don't matter, but don't look so offended, you know, you should be flattered...” – “Dilate”

challenge # 27

storydivagirl — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 13:36:53 GMT

I feel so bad because I haven't even done any of the prompts that I posted. Eep...I'm a guilty, guilty prompt poster!

But let's give this another try. What must I do to get everyone's Charmed muses flowing?

Challenge # 27 - Time Travel

This can make use of those trips to the past that have already occurred on the show or it can be a new one...to the past, to the future...whatever and whoever.

Challenge # 26

storydivagirl — Tue, 22 Mar 2005 23:14:45 GMT

Okay, so uh...the past three haven't inspired anything, so let's see...

Challenge # 26 - vices

Write about a character with an addiction to something - shopping, coffee, alcohol, magic - and trying to break the habit.

Challenge # 25

storydivagirl — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 15:58:14 GMT

Challenge # 25 - What If

What if Prue hadn't died, but Paige still showed up? What if Chris was the one to turn evil and Wyatt came back to save him? What if Phoebe married Leo instead?

Take something from canon and change it.

challenge # 24

storydivagirl — Fri, 18 Feb 2005 21:05:39 GMT

Challenge # 24 is the power switch

Write a drabble about one of the characters having a different character's power. Suddenly Chris is the great evil power...suddenly Piper can orb...suddenly Phoebe can heal like Leo...you get the idea.

Challenge # 23

storydivagirl — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 18:11:18 GMT

Hey everyone! I'm storydivagirl and I'll be taking over challenges here for awhile. It might be a bit bumpy while I get my bearings so let me know what works and what doesn't.

Here we go...

Challenge # 23 - Resurrection

Bring back a favorite character of yours from Charmed! This character returns from the dead and the charmed ones have to deal with it. Not as a ghost or whitelighter, but as a human! They can remember or not remember. It's up to you.

Have fun!

Challenges.

juanitadark — Tue, 25 Jan 2005 15:15:25 GMT

Is anyone interested in taking up the challenges for this community?

Announcement.

juanitadark — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 17:37:39 GMT

This community will be on hiatus indefinitely. There seems have been a deline in posts to most of the Charmed communities I'm aware of, this one included, so there won't be much difference between that and putting it on pause for the time being.

If anyone wishes to post drabbles from previous challenges, however, feel free.

Wall of Pride (1/1)

dragonsinger — Wed, 29 Dec 2004 03:11:09 GMT

No chocolates as I don't think this fits any challenge. Hope it's okay to post.

Title: Wall of Pride
Author: Amy
Fandom: Charmed/The Sentinel
Summary: Chris misses Lorelai.
Disclaimer: Chris and the concept of Charmed aren’t mine. They belong to Constance M. Burge, Brad Kern, and Spelling Entertainment. The concept of The Sentinel belongs to Paramount. Lorelai is mine.

He stopped at the door, taking in the sights and sounds of the large hotel ballroom. Tables covered in white cloths circled a square dance area filled with people. A stage stood at the other end of the room, a band playing the latest hits. The boom, boom of the bass reverberated throughout the room. He straightened his jacket and handed his invitation to the attendant.

Chris Halliwell hadn’t intended to come to the San Francisco Ballet’s annual New Year’s Eve gala. Suits and ties were not his thing, and he didn’t work for the Ballet. He only came because he knew Lorelai would be there.

He carefully maneuvered his way through the crowd, stopping briefly to smile and greet familiar faces. His green eyes scanned the dance floor, looking for a flash of red curls. He stopped at the edge of the floor and watched the dancers. Anybody could tell they were professionals by the way they gracefully moved across the floor. Unfortunately, none of them was the woman he seeked.

Turning away, he prepared to forget about his quest and leave. That’s when he saw her across the room. There was no mistaking her red hair or the smile on her face. She spotted him, and her smile vanished.

~~~~

Lorelai Sandburg couldn’t believe it. What was her ex-boyfriend doing at the gala? Maybe if she ignored him, he would go away. She turned her attention back to her date, a nice, normal lawyer named Tristan. He was deeply engaged in conversation with another man, animatedly talking about stocks and bonds.

“Lorelai.” Chris’s soft voice caused her to jump. She turned her blue eyes towards the handsome dark-haired man in front of her.

“Chris,” she acknowledged.

Tristan stopped talking and focused his attention on the young man who had joined them. He held out his hand. “Hello. Can we help you?”

Chris didn’t take the offered hand. He kept his eyes on Lorelai. “I only want to talk to you for a few minutes, Lore.”

Lorelai sighed and set her drink on the table behind her. She crossed her arms and glared at him. “What do you want?”

He held out his hand. “In private?”

The petite redhead hesitated for a few minutes before she took his hand. She grinned up at her date. “I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

~~~

Chris led her out into the uncrowded hallway and towards the balcony that overlooked the lobby. Only a few people populated the area, but that didn’t bother Chris. He leaned against the balcony and regarded the woman before him. Neither one of them spoke for a long time. He watched her try to avoid his eyes, her arms still crossed over her chest.

Finally, the silence was so thick it could be cut with a knife. “What do you want, Chris?” Lorelai questioned softly, breaking it.

“You,” he answered simply.

She chuckled, rolling her eyes. “Come on, you’ve never been one for sentimental declarations of love. Seriously, why are you here?”

Chris smiled. “I am being serious. I came here for you.”

She met his eyes and her expression turned serious. “It’s been two months since we were together. I told you why I couldn’t be with you. I told you I couldn’t handle the idea that a demon or a warlock could kill you.”

“I know. I just…I can’t stop thinking about you, okay? You were my world for nine months. When you were kidnapped, and I thought I’d lost you, I couldn’t handle it.” Chris rubbed a thumb across her knuckles.

“So, we both don’t want to lose the other? I think we’ve established this before.”

“Look, I want to try again. I can’t let you go without a fight.” He straightened up, moving closer to her. He reached out to touch her face and was relieved when she didn’t jerk away or flinch.

Sadness crept into her eyes, and Lorelai ducked to hide it. “But the demons? The magic?” She regained her composure and met his eyes again.

“You’re not exactly normal, you know,” Chris offered.

Lorelai turned away from him and looked down at the nearly-empty lobby below. “I know, but the Sentinel-Guide thing is about the only magic I can deal with. At least it doesn’t come with demons and warlocks.”

“But from what McKenna’s told me, the Sandburg genes come with more than just Guide abilities. I believe there’s a healthy dose of attracting trouble in there, too.”

Lorelai chuckled and looked back at Chris. “Well, yeah, but not counting two months ago, I’ve managed to stay out of it. Besides, that could even attract more unwanted evil to your doorstep.”

Chris wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He pressed his forehead to hers. “It’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

“I’m not,” she whispered.
Chris stepped back. “All right, then. I can’t force you; it wouldn’t be right. But you know where to find me if you need me.” He offered her one last smile and headed for the staircase. He said what he had come to say, and that was all he could expect.

~~~

Lorelai stood by the balcony, watching Chris’s back retreat. Her vision clouded with tears, and her hand reached up to brush them away. God, she loved him. Even with the magic and the danger that come with it, she loved him.

She glanced back at the ballroom and thought about Tristan. He was safe and normal. No danger or demons hunting him. But he could be so boring. If Chris hadn’t have shown up, she probably would have gone crazy from all the stocks and bonds talk.

Turning her attention back to the stairs, she realized Chris was halfway down to the lobby. Damn it, she thought. If she chose the route behind her, she would have a normal, safe, boring life. If she chose the way in front of her, her life would be chaos, wondering if and when Chris would die.

She remembered something her mother always told her. “Follow your heart, dear. Even though I knew once your father became a detective, there would be a chance he wouldn’t come home one day,” she had said.

“Five minutes until the New Year!” Someone called out from the ballroom.

Chris had already made it down to the lobby and was almost to the door. A few more steps, and her chance would be gone forever. Throwing caution to the wind, she leaned over the balcony.

“Chris!”

He stopped and looked up at her. She left the balcony, racing at full speed down the stairs. His green eyes followed her every step.

As she grew nearer, she could hear the countdown to the new year echo out of the ballroom. She circled her arms around Chris’s neck when she reached him.

“Lorelai?”

“Maybe I should take a chance for once in my life.” Her mouth met his the second the crowd called out, “Happy New Year’s!”

She didn’t hear it, though. She was swept away by the taste of his full lips. Emotion washed over her, and she knew this was the right choice. It was a new year, after all.

Challenge #22: School Dance

dragonsinger — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 04:36:51 GMT

Title: School Dance
Author: Amy
Character: Teen Wyatt
Site: Part of my Brothers Halliwell series, Charmed Drabble, and anyone else who would like to host it
Summary: Trouble finds Wyatt at a Christmas dance.
Disclaimer: Wyatt, DJ, and the concept of Charmed belong to Constance M. Burge, Brad Kern, and Spelling Entertainment. Everyone else is mine.
Author's Note: Thank you so much to storydivagirl for beta reading this. You're fantastic, darling!

No chocolates as the word count is 879.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The music pounded, vibrating off the floor and walls and shaking the small windows that lined the top of the room. A few teenagers moved and bounced across the dance floor; the rest lined the gym, too cool to dance with the others. On one end of the large room sat a DJ with his table and giant speakers on either side. Everything was decorated in matching red and green paper with wreaths on every door and there was a Christmas tree situated in the corner.

Wyatt Halliwell felt Tessa Connors squeeze his hand as they entered the annual Christmas dance. He turned his brown eyes to her and smiled. He hadn’t wanted to come in the first place, but Tessa’s hopeful plea had changed his mind.

“Look! There’s DJ!” she called, pointing to a spot near the food table. Without waiting for a response, she led him across the gym.

He caught DJ Morris’s eye and waved as they came closer. DJ had his arm draped around his girlfriend Zoey Bryant’s shoulders and was deep in conversation with a fellow football teammate that Wyatt didn’t know. Once they reached him, DJ immediately welcomed them into the conversation.

“Wyatt, Jonathan here was just telling me about Mr. Spivey and his toupee. Did you know he had a toupee?”

Wyatt chuckled. “Yeah, it kind of fell off the last time I was in his office.”

DJ raised an eyebrow. “Did you have a hand in that, buddy?”

“Who? Me?” Wyatt’s eyes widened innocently.

“Hey, Wyatt, they’re playing a slow song. Wanna dance?” Tessa asked, her blue eyes bright.

Wyatt shrugged, running a hand through his blond hair. “Sure.” He had never been the best dancer, but there wasn’t much to slow dancing.

He allowed his small, redheaded date to lead him onto the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she wrapped hers around his neck. Awkwardly, they swayed to the song.

Inwardly, Wyatt sighed to himself. At fifteen, this was his first real school dance, and he hadn’t been sure how to act. His parents assured him that he would be fine. His aunts then proceeded to regale him with stories about the various school dances they had attended, leaving him red-faced and embarrassed. In truth, he was just grateful for a night where he could be a normal teenager.

As he was getting comfortable, a girl with dark hair brushed by him, bumping into his arm. The vision hit him so fast that he nearly tripped over Tessa’s feet. The dark-haired girl was outside the gym, her youth being drained away from her by a pair of hands. As quickly as it had come, the vision vanished, and Wyatt found himself looking down at Tessa.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“I’ll be right back,” he answered. He then ducked into the crowd to find the dark-haired girl.

“Wyatt!” Tessa yelled behind him.

He found the girl as she was heading out the side door of the gym with a guy Wyatt didn’t recognize. Picking up his pace, he caught the door as it closed. He heard the scream the minute he stepped outside.

“Hey!” he yelled.

The boy whipped his head around in Wyatt’s direction, his eyes the equivalent of black holes. He moved one of his hands from the girl’s face, throwing a fireball in Wyatt’s direction.

Unfazed, Wyatt threw up his hands, freezing the ball, the demon, and the girl in place. He reached his destination and examined the situation. He couldn’t just blow up the demon; he was too closely connected to the girl. Cautiously, he grabbed the hand that was latched onto her face, moving it away from her cheek.

That’s when the demon unfroze. Seeing his arm in Wyatt’s hand, he pushed against the hold. He knocked the other boy to the ground, diving for his face. Wyatt threw up his hands again, intending to destroy the demon. Only his left arm burst into tiny particles.

“Great,” Wyatt muttered.

A scream behind the demon let Wyatt know that the girl had unfrozen as well.

Using all his strength, he threw the demon off him and scrambled to his feet. He reached the girl and tossed up his deflecting shield.

“What the hell did you do to me?” the girl demanded.

“I’ll explain later,” he supplied. Concentrating all of his energy, he threw out his other hand. The demon exploded, leaving nothing behind him.

Lowering his shield, Wyatt turned to the girl. When he started high school, his father had given him a bag of Whitelighter dust. “In case you have to fight something at school,” he had explained. Wyatt dug the bag out of his pocket. Opening it, he sprinkled some on the girl before she said anything else.

“None of this ever happened,” he said softly, meeting her eyes.

She absently nodded, and he gently led her back into the gym. Leaving her on the nearest set of bleachers, he made his way back to Tessa. She wasn’t the least bit happy to see him.

“What was that all about?” she questioned.

Wyatt just grinned. “I had to go to the bathroom really badly.”

She rolled her eyes. “Boys! They can be so selfish!”

New Challenge: #22

juanitadark — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 11:45:35 GMT

Use all or three of the words:

supply -- hopeful -- equivalent -- bright

in your next fic.

Challenge ends: 11th December.

Best of luck!

Extension to Challenge #21

juanitadark — Tue, 26 Oct 2004 09:42:56 GMT

I'm extending this challenge by another two weeks (yes, I'm a masochist).

Any difficulties, let me know.

Argh!

cieux — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 00:48:52 GMT

This would have been a response to the 'sentences' challenge, but it grew too long. I'm not going to be able to edit 500 words out of it in order to be able to post it here, but I figured I'd post a link in case anyone did want to read it. Sort of future fic'ish, told from an anonymous Elder's perspective; mentions most of the main characters. I'll try and come up with something else that I can submit for this challenge tomorrow :)

( watching; 1'500 words. )

New Challenge: #21

juanitadark — Sat, 16 Oct 2004 17:34:57 GMT

Okay people, you did good.

Now for the next phase.

Challenge 21 is now open. It's a sentence challenge. That means you pick any one of the given sentences and use it as inspiration for your piece. I don't mind if it inspires something surreal and not very like the sentence itself, just let me know what your motivation is in the Authors Notes, if it's that vague or out there.

The sentences are in the previous post here.

If necessary, I'll add/give more.

Challenge Ends: 23rd October, i.e. in one week

So yes, you have to write something, no matter how short.

A Prelude To The Next Challenge

juanitadark — Wed, 13 Oct 2004 08:37:44 GMT

The next challenge (after 16th) will be a bit different, and because it's so different we'll do it for a week to see how it settles in with everyone (or doesn't). It's a sentence challenge. I'll be picking various sentences from a book of my choosing and you'll choose the ones that inspire your Charmed-related muses and write a fic accordingly.

Your fic does not have to include the sentence or be directly about the sentence, just inspired by - so to speak.

And seeing as I'm in the mood I'll give you some of the sentences now so that they can perculate for a week in advance:

1. For years now, I've wanted to fall asleep. The sort of slipping off, the giving up, the falling of sleep. Now sleeping is the last thing I want to do.

2. And I fly slowly out the door and into the night with the stars overhead and the cold air, and I settle to the parking lot concrete.

3. Mister angel just stands his toes against the front door, just looks straight ahead into the splintering wood with his hands at his sides, wearing black shoes, black shirt, black pair of trousers.

4. He thought I was dead. Yeah, I say, me too.

5. The problem is, I sort of liked my boss.

6. Nothing was solved when the fight was over, but nothing mattered.

7. These people were already dead and on the other side, and at night they called on the telephone.

8. The giants, they'll send something back to the kitchen for no reason at all. They just want to see you run around for their money.

9. "Without their death, their pain, without their sacrifice... we would have nothing."

10. A tiger can smile / A snake will say it loves you / Lies make us evil

11. Maybe we would become a legend, maybe not.

12. "Those birthday candles," he says, "they're the kind that never go out." In the starlight, my eyes adjust enough to see smoke braiding up from little fires all around us in the carpet.

The name of the book and author will be revealed at the end of the challenge. For those of you that might be able to guess, keep it to yourselves for the duration please. (And if you think you know the name of the book and want to pick your own sentences, email me (juanita.dark [at] gmail.com) and if you're correct in your guess then your free to pick and choose.

Edited to add: I'm declaring Halloween Charmed community feedback day. So everyone, me included, has to at least attempt to go back and read stuff and give authors feedback on their stuff. M'kay.

Archiving Begins.

juanitadark — Tue, 12 Oct 2004 09:12:12 GMT

Hullo,

I'm archiving again (yes, I was on hiaitus - a very, very long one) and I need everyone who posts here to give me their email address for fanfic feedback, you lj name and the name you would like to be archived under.

Some people have changed their LJ names and others share the same name as other posters so try to make your fic name as original as possible please or give a second initial. Or something. Otherwise I'll have to make your archive name the same as your LJ name.

Please check the website if you're not sure who you're down under.

Thanks

x-posted to charmedextended and charmed_100.

Challenge #20 - Smashing Pumpkins Titles

awaking — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 16:30:53 GMT

Author: Krista - awaking
Title: Where the Boys Fear to Tread
Challenge: Smashing Pumpkins song titles
Spoilers: Season 6 (don't know where up to, haven't seen the eppys yet.)
Characters: Chris
Word Count: 200
Chocolates: Chris

Chris paced back and forth, his heart beating at an unhealthy rate. He had never experienced a feeling like this before, as he was usually capable of suppressing his fear and anxiety.

Chris was always strong and will-minded, even as a young child. He always thought of others before himself. Sure, sometimes is got him in trouble, but it was always because of his kind heart. But, the thought of having to carry this…burden on his shoulders terrified him. He always disliked turning down opportunities though.

Yet, it was a situation where so many things could go wrong. He doubted he would succeed and wondered if it was really worth the risk. He tried to assure himself that playing a mysterious whitelighter from the future was a convincing alibi.

If there was anything for sure it was that he couldn't let his brother continue with his evil deeds. He wouldn't let it happen. It was all Chris needed to think about to make his decision.

Chris sat down and attempted to calm down. He said to himself firmly,
"I'm ready to go where the boys fear to tread. I'm going to fix this mess. I'm going back to the past."

Challenge #20 - Age of Innocence

tinylegacies — Tue, 05 Oct 2004 13:42:39 GMT

Author: Jen - ladybug218
Title: Age of Innocence
Challenge: Smashing Pumpkins song titles
Characters: Piper/Leo
Spoilers: up through and including Charrrmed (I don't know the real episode title)
Word Count: 500
Chocolates: Chris (cause he's not really dead, you know)
Author's Note: This sort of veered off of the age of innocence theme... but... you know... it's there.

Piper stood in the doorway to the nursery and watched her boys sleep. She heard soft footsteps behind her, but did not have to turn to see who was there. She felt the hand on her shoulder and sighed.

“What are you doing up?” Leo whispered softly, his lips brushing her ear, sending chills down her spine.

“I like to watch them sleep.”

“You need to get your rest, too, don’t forget.”

Piper smiled to hear Leo’s concern. “I know, but watching them sleep reminds me of how vulnerable and innocent they are. I don’t ever want to forget that. Their safety is my main concern.”

“Our main concern,” he corrected her gently.

Piper turned to face Leo. She looked deep into his eyes and saw that they were the same eyes she had gazed into so many times over the years. “But we can’t let it consume us.”

Leo smiled. “I know. Believe me, I know.”

“We also can’t let what Chris told us effect how we raise them. Yes, we need to be vigilant about keeping them safe, but we cannot let our fear of Wyatt turning evil be what ultimately turns him evil.”

“I know. I learned my lesson about that the hard way.” Leo’s face fell a little, remembering the pain he felt when he realized his son had projected his image into a demon that was attacking the toddler.

Piper took Leo’s hand in hers. “Leo, you can’t blame yourself for what happened. Wyatt hasn’t had night terrors for the last two weeks, ever since you started living here again. And we have no reason to suspect that Chris will turn out any way but than good. We have to have faith in ourselves.”

Leo looked at their joined hands. “So we need to enjoy these few years of innocence before we train our boys to be demon vanquishers.”

Piper chuckled softly. “Yeah, pretty much, though Wyatt’s already shown a certain knack for the family business.”

“What about us, Piper?”

“What about us?”

“Is there any hope that we can make this work again?”
“Well, that’s up to you, Leo. I understand that your commitment is to serve the greater good.”

Leo stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.

“I want to be here for you, Piper.”

“And what about your obligation to the Elders? They seem to be trusting you again.”

“I didn’t want to say anything until I knew for sure, but I met with the Council this afternoon. They are going to re-instate me as a full Elder, but they’ve decided that my talents are best used down here.”

Piper was silent.

“So if you’ll have me back, I’ll be here to stay.”

Piper was silent for so long that Leo started to worry that he had overstepped his bounds. He tried to read her eyes, but was unable to determine what she was thinking.

Silently, she took his hand and led him to the bedroom they used to share.

"Waiting" & "Once in a While" (G)

cieux — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 21:50:53 GMT

Title: Waiting.
Challenge: Smashing Pumpkins song titles.
Characters: Grams, Patty, Victor, Paige and Phoebe.
Chocolate(s): Prue.
MsWord Count: 400.
Spoilers: Season seven, episode three.
Author Note: Slightly tenuous connection, but it’s there. I’ve been slacking here lately – I’m sorry!

---

“But we’re their parents.”

It was a direct hit to her heart and Penny felt pain blossoming, bringing unwilling tears to her eyes. Patty had said it as though it should be obvious and Victor was all too ready to agree. Coming on top of the two of them siding together, when she’d expected Patty to be reasonable and see her point of view as the – obviously – correct one, it was just too much. She’d never been particularly good at losing; she hadn’t had to be because she rarely lost. Unwilling to let her daughter see just how badly her carelessly thrown out words had hurt her, she tried to blank her expression.

“Oh… well… I can see that I’m not wanted here, so…”

“Oh. Oh—well… then, fine.” Fine, she thought, just fine. They could deal with situation themselves if they thought they were capable of it, two people who’d never really had to deal with the intricacies involved in raising their often-troublesome children. Fine. She’d merely go and wait in the wings, ready to be called upon to float down and fix things when the two of them realised how out of their depth they really were.

“Oh no.”

Penny was gratified to see Patty’s expression change as she realised what was coming, felt a jolt of pleasure as a faint look of panic entered her eyes. It was perhaps a little mean of her to walk away now but it satisfied the faint sadistic streak she tried to keep buried.

“Mom…!”

She didn’t let Patty’s plea stop her; absolutely refusing to give her daughter another moment of her time until Patty started to appreciate everything that she – Penny – did for her, and while they were on the subject, for her granddaughters too. Watching over the Charmed Ones was a difficult job, one made even more difficult by the problem of death. The girls had never learnt to listen, though she was constantly ready to offer her expert advice.

She shimmered into the heavens, mildly annoyed to find that her party had already ended. There were so few decent ones at the moment and she’d been catching up with a few old friends when Paige and Phoebe summoned her to be Grams, instead of just Penny. Shaking her head over their bad timing, she settled down to wait and watch over them, ready for when they needed her.

Title: Once in a while.
Challenge: Smashing Pumpkins song titles.
Characters: Grams POV, mentions the others.
Chocolate: Prue.
Spoilers: Season seven, episode three.
MsWord Count: 100.
Author Note: Follow up to ‘Waiting’, it’s just a little drabble.

---

Penny had watched everything from above, proud of the way they handled everything and as surprised as everyone else at seeing where evil-Leo had sprung forth from. She remembers Piper’s night terrors all too well and she only hopes that Piper and Leo can prevent this from happening again.

She’s glad that Patty and Victor got the chance to have a taste of the life they’d missed. They would have made good parents and she’s glad that they could experience this. They should be able to make up those lost times and memories; at least, every once in a while.

Extension: Challenge #20

juanitadark — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 07:35:10 GMT

Ha, you may have thought yourself safe from Smashing Pumpkins song titles but no, I'm extending the latest challenge until October 16th.

Try to get in gear everyone.

New Challenge: #20

juanitadark — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 20:19:30 GMT

Latest Challenge:

Smashing Pumpkins Song Title Challenge

Make any song title the title of your piece.

Challenge ends: 30th September.

The winner for Challenge #18 was Prue with 20 chocolates!!

80s Music Challenge

irenak — Sun, 22 Aug 2004 05:59:51 GMT

Oy. It's late. But since no one's been writing much lately:

Title: King of Wishful Thinking
Author: Irena K.
Word count: 100
Chocolate: For Cole
Spoilers: Season 5
Rating: G
Summary: He tried. He really did.

KING OF WISHFUL THINKING

He pretends to be her for just a moment, catching a glimpse of the future.

Love, life, death. The usual.

And the two of them, growing old together, gnarled hands touching with fondness as they bid farewell to...

To what? To each other? The world?

Even he knows what a lie that is.

He keeps trying to look ahead but it never works and he must admit defeat to the imaginary girl in his head, giving her the only thing he has left.

Cole Turner releases the last of his sanity, laughing as he watches the tattered remains float away.

FIN

#19 | Piper, Prue | PG

cieux — Sat, 14 Aug 2004 14:48:04 GMT

Title: Message.
Challenge: charmeddrabbles 80’s song titles.
Characters: Piper, Prue.
Chocolate(s): Prue.
MsWord Count: 1000.
Author Note: Non-slashy this time. Set after the last series finale. This also doubles as an answer to firstlines1000’s #23.

---

Prue sits down next to me. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly.

All I can do is look at her in disbelief. Am I okay, what kind of question is that? I’ve been through hell in the last few years.

I’m not saying I’m the only one but I’ve had to adjust to a new sister, while at the same time adjusting to losing Prue and finding myself the eldest. I’ve had to adjust to the idea that my first son – my precious, beautiful son – grows up into pure evil while adjusting to having my second son growing inside me, and standing in front of me, at the same time.

There’s been so many times I needed to see Prue, so many times I needed her advice, so many times I spoke to her in the hope that she’d visit and she didn’t, not even once. I’m sidetracked for a moment wondering what she’s been doing and what life is really like after death. Has she seen Andy since she crossed? Are they together again? Was she allowed to see him after Mom and Grams had helped her adjust to the fact that she’d died in their battle against Shacks?

I’d felt so alone at first, even though Phoebe was hurting too and Leo was always there for me, it wasn’t the same. I’d had a big sister my entire life and then, all of a sudden, she wasn’t there. I’d always had Prue to turn towards when I needed someone to talk to, or when I was having problems. I’d done it since my teenage years; if I had a problem I couldn’t handle alone, I’d hunt down my big sister and tell it all to her and then, somehow, Prue would just make it right. It was a talent I'd assumed came from being the eldest child.

She was always there when I needed her and then, when I really needed her, I couldn’t have her. I wonder how she managed to make it look so easy – being the eldest, being the one who had to lead and figure everything out when no one else could. I kept trying my best and everyone said I was doing a good job … I was the only one with doubts it seemed. So I hid them away and pretended that they didn’t exist and eventually, even I believed I was doing okay.

And now that I’ve gotten used to being the eldest, now that it really feels like Paige belongs with us as the third Charmed One in what had been Prue’s place, Prue’s standing in front of me acting as though she’s been gone five minutes instead of years. Today has been one of the happiest days I can remember; I brought Chris home from the hospital and we celebrated – each silently praying that in the new future, an adult Chris would be doing the same thing. Then I put both of my children to bed and, when I fell into my own and closed my eyes, she was suddenly standing in front of my eyes, solid and real.

I’ve resolved not to cry until I’ve found out why she’s here but it’s hard to hold back the tears when my big sister, long absent and deeply missed, is sitting right next to me. It’s getting harder by the minute.

“Why did you bring me here?” I beg her quietly, unable to not-ask any longer. “Why now, Prue, why now after so long?” It’s bringing everything back again, all the feelings that rose up and overwhelmed me when she first left us; the pain and the sadness and the childish urge to throw myself into her arms and hang on tight, as though I can bring her back with me that way even though logic tells me it isn’t true.

“I had something I wanted to tell you.” Prue shrugs her shoulders, brushing strands of dark hair out of her eyes and tucking it behind her ear. She looks exactly the same as I remember her – the same dark hair and flawless skin – but she’s looking down and it bothers me that I can’t see her eyes. “Something that I wanted to tell you in person. They finally said that I could, but just this once.”

“What ‘something’, Prue?”

I want to know, but I’m suddenly terrified of what she could say. What message could she want to give me that would make the Elders grant her permission to do this now, when they’ve always refused before? I wouldn’t say they’re known for their fairness and it usually takes the extreme to make them agree to something they don’t want to agree too. Prue’s always been good at arguing her point though, and she rarely gives in, so maybe I shouldn’t be this surprised that she eventually wore them down.

My panic levels rise, despite my best intentions and I open my mouth to say … well, probably to babble until she stops me. Only she’s looking up now and there are tears gathering in the corners of her eyes, a slight sheen blanketing the blue, and her smile is the one I always strived to be rewarded with in my younger days.

I know suddenly, with a little sister’s instinct, what she’s going to say and I’m already sniffling when she whispers the words.

“That… I’m so proud of you, Piper.”

It means more coming from her than from Grams or even Mom. She’s proud of me, she thinks I’ve done a good job taking over as the eldest sister, a job only she truly understands with me. Phoebe can’t and neither can Paige. All those nights I screamed silently for Prue to come back and take the job away from me, because I believed with my entire heart and soul I couldn’t do it anymore, were worth it. She just made it worth it.

Prue’s proud of me, and it shatters the last of my resolve not to cry.

#19 (Prue/Phoebe, slashy, PG13+)

cieux — Sat, 14 Aug 2004 04:52:19 GMT

Title: It Started with a Kiss.
Challenge: charmeddrabbles' 80’s song titles.
Characters: Prue/Phoebe.
Chocolate(s): Prue.
MsWord Count: 1000.
Warnings: Slashy. They kiss, obviously, heh.
Author Note: I have a real thing for Prue/Phoebe at the moment. I was playing with a slightly different writing style in this one; it may or may not work, but hopefully it won’t annoy anyone too much :)

---

Prue remembers everything about their first kiss with crystal clarity.

It was a warm summer’s day and they were both wearing jeans. She was wearing a blue t-shirt that she’d stolen off Piper and Phoebe, a hideous lime-green shirt with large, multi-coloured flowers stamped all over the front. She’d mocked the shirt (she couldn’t help it) and they’d started arguing, bitching back and forth about anything that came to mind. Piper wasn’t with them and so, without their buffer, the sniping had lasted for a full three blocks.

She’d finally said something (what exactly, is the only thing she doesn’t remember) that pushed Phoebe from annoyed to furious and, as they reached their house, they’d started screaming. Grams had warned them against screaming in the street (again), so they’d taken their fight inside, into the silent house (Grams had taken Piper to the dentist) to continue it in relative peace.

They’d always rubbed each other up the wrong way, acting on each other like gasoline on a raging fire, and summer vacations were the worst, without even school to keep them separated. Prue had stamped up the first few stairs, determined to ignore her most irritating sibling, but Phoebe had followed her, grabbing her arm to stop her walking away.

She’d turned, throwing off Phoebe’s arm and fixing her own now-furious expression on her sister. Phoebe had recovered her balance and stepped on to the step Prue was standing on, facing her with equal fury.

(Phoebe had never known how to quit.)

They’d stared at each other, angry beyond words. There hadn’t been anything different about this fight (maybe it was just the final straw) but the anger between them was different; it wasn’t just that Phoebe had been bugging her and vice versa, it was nearing the end of summer and they were sick of each other.

Phoebe finally broke the stand off with a small shake of her head, the shake accompanied by her best scornful expression.

“God, Prue. You’re such a uptight bitch.”

(Up till then, Prue would have just walked away.)

“I’m a bitch?” The words exploded forth, Phoebe’s words triggering the anger she’d kept control over until then. “You should take a look in the mirror, you immature, selfish, moronic…”

(Then, time stopped.)

Okay… time didn’t really stop, but for a moment it had felt that way. Her words had ended, cut off by Phoebe who’d pushed her back against the banister and kissed her. It was a hard, demanding kiss, driven by a spur of the moment passion and fuelled by anger, and it ended their fight faster than anything else could have. There had been sparks between them their entire life, but never this kind of spark.

Her own, soul-deep shock had been the only thing she felt for a moment (she was kissing her own sister) and then she’d become aware of other things (like how soft Phoebe’s lips were against hers, even though the kiss itself wasn’t, and the way the pressure of Phoebe’s fingertips on her shoulder were sending sparks through the whole of her body) before she pulled away, her eyes wide with surprise and dark with emotion.

Phoebe met her gaze without hesitation, her lips slightly swollen, her own eyes issuing a silent challenge. Prue had initiated the next kiss (a softer kiss) and they’d stayed there together, lost in some strange kind of idyllic bliss until they heard Gram’s key turn in the door-lock. It sent them skittering away from each other, identical horrified expressions on their faces. For once in agreement, they’d escaped upstairs and into their separate rooms.

When Grams called up the stairs, checking that they were back, Prue let Phoebe take over (for once) and answer for both of them. After all, Phoebe had started this so the least she could do (she remembers thinking it clearly, later on it would amuse her) was cover for her while she recovered her senses. Kissing her sister had never even been a thought before this.

(She’d done it again though.)

She can recall so many nights of sneaking into each other’s room once Piper and Grams were asleep (the danger element had only made it seem more exciting, as if their biological relationship didn’t add enough spice into the relationship), nights of losing themselves in each other. There had been no set pattern and they’d argued just as often, they were opposites – night and day, fire and ice. Phoebe always liked to take risks and she’d found it fun, teasing Prue into taking risks too.

It had lasted for five years, intermittently, until Roger asked her to marry him and she’d said yes. That had changed everything and they’d finally closed the door on their not-quite-normal relationship. She’d backed into denial, withdrawing from her feelings towards Phoebe, and Phoebe had slipped firmly into the role of ‘difficult child’, growing wilder and more sullen by the day. There had been no more midnight visits, no more kisses on the stairs.

Prue sighs as she pulls herself back into the present. Phoebe stirred up her memories (she’s still the mischievous one, still the trouble maker) earlier, catching her on the stairs while Piper was making coffee in the kitchen. She’d been coming downstairs as Phoebe was heading upstairs and they’d stopped (coincidentally) on the same step that had been witness to the start of their relationship all those years ago.

With a grin, Phoebe had leant in and kissed her. Her lips had been as soft as Prue remembered, her touch just as electric. When they’d parted and she’d opened her mouth to say … something, Phoebe had covered her lips with gentle fingers.

“I just wanted to know,” she’d whispered, eyes sparkling softly.

Prue had raised an eyebrow in question.

“If it still felt the same,” she clarified. “It did.”

Even though she’s alone now, she can still feel Phoebe’s lips on hers. She’s never understood what’s between them, but she’s glad it’s still there too.