by Nat Faul <pruesdoux@charmedmail.com>
DISCLAIMER: (December 2001) This is not posted for any profit but to share creative ideas with other Charmed fans on this and other websites. The characters of Prue, Piper, and Phoebe Halliwell, Leo Wyatt, Darryl Morris, Andy Trudeau, and Mr Corso are property of Warner Brothers Television. Other characters were created by this author. Any similarities to real persons living or dead are purely coincidental. The following account is fiction. Its sole purpose is to entertain. Being conceived during the second season of the Charmed series, this series of stories is not parallel with those of the current season. (So Phoebe doesn't meet Cole, Piper and Phoebe don't have new powers, Piper and Leo aren't married yet, Phoebe hasn't graduated from college yet, Prue still lives, and there is no fourth sister.)
RATED PG: Some sexual discussion at the end.
*****
On the sofa, Prue, Piper, Leo, and Phoebe sat before the television set. They sat stunned and grieved by the bad news played out before them; fire, destruction, and screams. When they couldn't bear to watch any more, they switched off the set. They sat awhile in silence; just not knowing what words could express what they felt.
Piper simply managed to whisper, "Horrible!"
Phoebe wiped the tears from her eyes. "Isn't there anything we could have done? Anything at all?"
Leo shook his head. "No. There's nothing we could have done?"
Piper wondered, "What about the Elders? Couldn't they have told us or someone?"
"No. This was ... just meant to be."
"What can we do now?"
Prue stood up. "We'll know what to do when the time comes. But right now, we can say a blessing for the dead."
The sisters went upstairs to the attic; to the Book of Shadows, to conduct this Wiccan rite.
The day's events followed Prue to her sleep. In her dreams the horror and the tragedy were replayed, with some new scenes added. She saw the tall building burning. A jet aircraft plowed into the building next to it and burst into a great fireball.
A reverberating, distant voice uttered, "At sunrise a great fire will be seen...."
The twin skyscrapers burned under the morning sun. The smoke rose up over the whole city.
"...Noise and light extending towards the North."
The two buildings burned furiously for some time then collapsed with a great roar.
"Within the globe death and cries are heard...."
Around the world, on millions of televisions screens, many are watching the buildings burn, people falling to their deaths to escape the fire, the buildings collapsing into great clouds of dust, and onlookers screaming in horror and anguish.
"...Death awaiting them through weapons, fire, and famine."
Now a new procession of scenes: Jet airplanes fill the skies, dropping bombs onto a foreign land. Armed men with beards and turbans charge into clouds of explosions and a hail of bullets. Women in shawls wail over dead children. Prue shot up in bed in a cold sweat, breathing heavily, and her heart racing.
*****
In the regions below, a conference of demons was taking place. A high-ranking demon arose to speak. "Brothers! A blow has been struck to begin the sequence to victory! Great carnage and terror has been wrought! Now fear and hatred will run rampant! But it's only the beginning! Soon we will nudge events to strike another blow! Then mankind will arise to slaughter one another! Earth will be laid waste! EVIL WILL REIGN SUPREME!"
The entire conference arose to their feet and heartily cheered.
*****
Phoebe arrived at Derek's house and entered the livingroom. She caught him wrestling a little girl on the couch. She looked about seven or eight years old. He handled her roughly, causing her to squirm, squeal, and laugh. Derek was roaring, "Mash you like a potato! Goosh you like a little bug! Squash you like a grape! Smear you like jelly!"
Phoebe was amused. "What are you doing?"
"Beating up this little kid."
"Why?"
He shrugged. "It's a hobby."
"Whose child is this?"
"I don't know. I just snatched her from a nearby park. I'll just torture for a few hours then dump her out somewhere far out of town."
Phoebe wondered to herself, "Is he kidding or ...? OF COURSE HE'S KIDDING!!!" Not getting a serious answer from Derek, she decided to ask the girl. "Whose little girl are you?"
She pointed to Derek. "His!"
Phoebe was shocked. "He's your daddy?"
"No! He's my uncle!"
Derek explained, "I told you my brother was coming to visit and he'd bring his wife and two kids."
Phoebe was relieved. "Yes. I remember. But I didn't expect them here this soon. And with all that's been happening, I forgot about it."
"I know. The others are watching the whole thing in the TV room. We'll try to see what we can do to help, while at the same time try to enjoy their vacation. Anyway, this is Kermilla, or ‘Kermie', my brother's youngest. Kermie, this is Phoebe."
"Hello, Kermie."
"Hi," the little girl greeted. "Are you Uncle Derek's girlfriend?"
"Yes. I'm his girlfriend."
"You two smooch a lot?"
Phoebe laughed. Derek pushed his niece back onto the couch and resumed wrestling her. "Why you smart mouth! Yer gittin' mushed!"
Kermilla began kicking and screaming until a woman entered the room and screeched, "DEREK, WILL YOU STOP MAKING HER SCREEEEEEEAM?"
Kermilla laughed and then Phoebe. Derek introduced them. "Livie, this is Phoebe. Phoebe, this is Livie (short for Olivia), my sister-in-law."
Livie extended her hand. "So you're Phoebe! Derek's told me so much about you. I'm so glad to finally meet you."
Phoebe took her hand. "Thank you. I'm pleased to meet you too."
"It looks like we came at a terrible time, what with all happening in New York and Washington, DC."
"I know. My whole family is really down about this."
"Well, we will do what we can. We'll see how we can help; like donate money, blood, and whatever else is needed."
"Right! We're looking out for the same."
Derek added, "But yer here for a vacation an' yer gittin' one."
(Phoebe started to notice how heavy Derek's accent was when talking to his relatives.)
*****
When Prue arrived for work that day, she found her boss looking over some of her photographs. The way he was scrutinizing some of them, she feared some criticism coming.
She asked him, "They seem okay so far? I have more I'll be working on today."
"Yeah. ... I was just wondering who this guy is, with your sisters. He looks familiar."
"Oh, that's Phoebe's boyfriend."
"What's his name."
"Derek -- Derek McPhillips."
Mr. Corso thought for awhile. "McPhillip? ... McPhillips! Derek McPhillips, the millionaire?"
"Uh ... Yes. That's him."
"Your sister is dating a millionaire?"
"Well, ... Yes. ... It just started about a year ago. ... It hasn't been that long."
"How did they meet?"
"He came to the P3 and started talking with Piper. Then Piper introduced him to Phoebe."
"Wow! Just like that! Do you think he'd mind you doing an article on him?"
"Well, ... He's busy right now. ... And with the horrible tragedy in New York and ...."
"I know that! All the media will be swamped with that bad news. I want to put out something positive. I hear McPhillips donates to a lot of charities. So I want to focus on this millionaire, in our city, donating to a cause to help those people out east. I'm sure he'd want to do his part and encourage others to do the same. Would it hurt just to ask him?"
Although Prue loathed the idea of using family connections for business, she wanted to keep this job. Phoebe had given her Derek's phone number, in case she needed to contact her while she was at the "love nest". Reluctantly she used it.
*****
Phoebe sat in conversation with Derek's relatives. Devin, his oldest brother, is a larger version of Derek. He's a head taller, with broader shoulders, a wider face, and slightly higher pitched voice. He's a jovial sort, who usually speaks loudly, smiles much, and laughs often. Livie appears to be about Piper's age. With her straw yellow hair up in a bun, she looks like they typical farmer's wife. She acts like one too -- with strong self-assertion and a sense of humor to match her husband's. Kip is a typical boy of ten or eleven with a blonde buzzcut and freckled face. Kermilla also has freckles and the same blonde hair as her father and uncle. She also has Derek's inclination to mischief. This family and Phoebe were questioning each other to get acquainted.
Livie asked, "So, how did you two meet?"
"My sisters and I own a nightclub and my middle sister, Piper, runs it. Derek came in one night and started talking to her. Since they both own a nightclub, they have something of interest in common. I happened to be there that night and she introduced me to him."
"Did you keep on meeting at the club regularly?"
"Yes. But mostly at the American Psychic Society, where I'm now a junior officer."
"Oh! You're into that too?"
"Yes. When did this start with him?"
Devin answered, "It started with his treasure-huntin'. He dug up a lotta stuff dealing with magic, from ancient times when everybody believed in magic. Since then he's been into a lotta that spooky stuff; even puttin' a lotta his money into this Psychic Society."
Kip commented, "He brings back a lotta magic stuff!"
"Really? Like what?"
"Like charms; these pieces of metal with magic symbols all over them."
Kermilla added, "And he sells ‘em to museums an' makes lotsa money!"
"So that's why your uncle is so rich."
"Yeah, an' also ‘cause of his gold mine."
"What?!"
Livie explained, "He struck gold in Brazil a few years back. Didn't he tell you?"
"No! He told me about the emerald mine in India but not this!"
"Sounds like there's a lot he hasn't told you yet."
"I know! I've been realizing that a lot lately."
Then Derek re-entered the room looking pensive.
Phoebe asked him, "What's happening?"
"Prue just called. Her boss wants her to do an article on me."
"Are you going to let her?"
"Sure. I'm just thinking on how to fit this in with Devin's visit."
Devin wondered, "What's goin' on?"
"Phoebe's oldest sister, Prue, is a photographer for a magazine. Her boss wants her to follow me around and get pictures for their next issue. I've become sort of a new celebrity in this city."
"She gonna get us in them pictures too?"
"Sure! We're all gonna be a magazine!" The family was excited at that prospect.
*****
At home, Prue had packed everything she needed into her photography bag and prepared to leave. As Piper was seeing her off, Leo orbed in.
"Just to let you know, the demons are on the move."
Piper asked, "What they going to do?"
"We don't know yet. All we know is that something big is going to happen ... maybe like what happened in New York."
Prue asked, "Were they behind that?"
"We're not sure. But we're looking into that possibility very intently."
Piper wondered, "What are they trying to accomplish with acts like that?"
"World War III. Another global war could devastate the human race to such a small population they would find manageable."
"Easier to conquer." she paraphrased. Leo nodded.
Prue wondered out loud, "Maybe that's what my dream means."
Piper and Leo looked at her curiously. "What?!"
"I had a dream last night. I dreamt about what we saw on the news about what happened in New York. Then I saw our country going to war somewhere in the Middle East. And I heard this voice, saying something to me ... or just saying it out to anyone. ... It sounded like a prophecy of some kind."
Leo asked, "What did it say? Can you remember?"
"I'm trying to. ... Um ... It was something like ... uh ... ‘A great fire will be seen in the north', also ‘A fire will be seen at dawn'. ... Then ... uh ... ‘In the earth, death and cries will be heard'. Yes! I think that's it! Then ... um ... um ... ‘Death will come by weapons and fire ... and famine!' Yes! That's it! A fire in the north at dawn, death and cries heard in the earth, then death by weapons, fire, and famine. That seems to fit the attack on New York City and World War III."
Leo solemnly nodded. "That does sound significant. I'll ask around. Someone up there is sure to know what that means."
*****
That day the men and women separated. Derek was taking Devin and Kip out on some "men stuff", while Phoebe took Livie and Kermilla out shopping. Since Prue was assigned to follow Derek, she went with the men. They went out to a demolition range, outside of the city, for skeet shooting. She thought this would be a normal pastime for country boys. They went into a shelter with an opening on one side. Derek picked up something which did not look like a rifle. He aimed it out of the opened side of the shelter and yelled, "Pull!" A loud "Thump!" was heard behind them, then in the sky before them, went sailing a pick-up truck. Derek pressed something on the weapon and a missile went roaring out of it towards the flying vehicle. It struck the target in the middle, exploding loudly. Then the burning wreck went tumbling to the ground with a loud crash, spreading broken glass and metal all around. Devin and Kip whooped and hollered with excitement. Prue just stood there dumbfounded. She wondered if this were real or was she dreaming again.
Kip jumped up and down. "Can I be next, Uncle Derek? Can I be next?"
"Sure, Kipper." He handed him another rocket launcher and briefly coached him on how to hold, aim, and shoot. "Now, whenever yer ready, jus' holler ‘Pull!' as loud as ya can."
Kip took aim skyward and yelled, "Pull!"
A loud "Thump!" came from behind. Soon another pick-up was sailing overhead. Kip fired and the missile hit the truck on one of its taillights, which sent the heap somersaulting through the air until it smashed flat on the ground. Kip jumped up and down with excitement as his father and uncle showered him with compliments.
It took awhile for Prue to emerge from her initial shock and remembered to start taking photos. She would have to. No one would believe her otherwise.
Meanwhile, Phoebe was taking Livie and Kermilla to several of the shopping malls in San Francisco. After a few hours, they took a break at a cafe. Phoebe bought desserts and beverages for them all and they took a table near a window. Kermilla looked out the window while enjoying her cake and soda. Livie gloomily toyed with her pie.
"I would really enjoy this visit if it weren't for that horrible thing in New York."
"Me too. Like all disasters, it didn't come at a good time."
"We've got to do somethin'. I hear Red Cross is takin' donations. We can't forget to give to them."
"Right. My family certainly will. Piper runs a business. She could find a way to collect donations from her employees and customers. And, of course, Derek will make a huge contribution."
"Oh yes! That boy is generous to a fault."
Phoebe saw her chance to learn more about Derek. "How has his family been affected by his rise in wealth?"
"Not too much. He still treats everybody the same as he did before. And we don't see him any different from the boy who grew up on his father's farm. It's just that on birthdays and holidays, we all get exotic gifts from the far corners of the earth. He also helps out the family business financially."
"What was he like growing up on the farm?"
"Well, I didn't know him very long. I first met him while he was still in high school."
"What was he like then?"
"A real troublemaker."
"Really?!"
"Always gettin' into fights. His father was called to the principal's office and the police station so many times. He was just so rowdy and such a rough-an'-tumble character."
"Did you ever see him get violent."
"Never! At home, he's an angel. He's respectful to his parents and the farm hands and polite to all visitors. It's only when he's away from home, he gets so bad-tempered."
"Why is that? Do you know?"
"He says it's ‘cause there are people who just don't treat him right. But I think it's just that he didn't have much patience with different people -- people who treat him differently than he was treated at home. We all thought he'd grow out of it but we keep hearing police reports about his vigilante activities. His parents keep worryin' that he's gonna get himself killed carryin' on like that."
"Have his parents talked to him?"
"They've talked to him an' talked to him an' talked to him. But he keeps sayin' he can't just stand by and do nothin' while a big guy picks on a little guy."
"Did he always feel that way?"
"As far as I know."
"What's his other brothers name?"
"Dillon is the middle brother."
"So all three brothers' names start with a ‘D'."
"That's right."
"I was thinking of that similarity with my family. I'm the youngest of three sisters and all of our names start with a ‘P'."
"My goodness! That is a co-incidence!"
"How did their parents decide on their names?"
"It was recommended by a witchin' woman."
"A what?!"
"Many farm communities have a witchin' woman; one whom people hire to cast spells on their fields for a good harvest, or on their livestock for safe and healthy birthin', cure ailments, help mothers through pregnancy and childbirth, or help young women find husbands. In our county, we have one called Ally McCorkle-MaGee."
Kermilla piped in her two cents. "She's a magic lady!"
Phoebe asked her, "Have you ever seen her do any magic?"
"No. But everybody in the county says she is."
Livie went on, "When their mama was carryin' Devin, Ally came to her, sayin' if she gives all of her children names startin' with ‘D' (‘cause their father's name is Dalton), they will all grow up healthy and prosperous. So she named them Devin, Dillon, and Derek. And all three have been doin' well with their lives so far. And she also prophesied that ‘The youngest shall be the greatest', ‘cause he's the third son of the third son of the third son."
"Prophesied?! She has the power of prophesy?"
"Well, that's a matter of opinion. I'm not one to accept everything everyone says. All I know is what I've seen. And I've seen many people and animals relieved of their ills by her herbal concoctions. But whether she saw Derek gettin' rich, before his birth, or it's just a co-incidence, I can't tell for sure."
"You said people hire her. She charges people money for her spells and potions?"
"Not exactly. She will just go out and perform her spells or into her kitchen and brew up a potion. Then after the results; a good harvest, healthy livestock born or healthy baby born, family or livestock cured of disease, a woman finds a man and marries him; they come by and leave her gifts. The farmer, who has a successful corn harvest, brings by some ears of corn, corn cakes, and corn cookies. The farmer, who has all his calves born safe and healthy, brings by some milk, butter, and cheese. The farmer, who had a good fruit crop, brings by fruit pies, juices, and preserves. And so on."
"So she makes a living that way?"
"No really. She doesn't really need all that. Her husband, Mr. MaGee, does all right on their farm. And their sons help out. So people are just showing appreciation for her help."
"And what things have Derek's mother brought her?"
"Eggs, fried chicken, bacon, smoked ham, corn cakes, and other such things from their farm. So, how did you three girls get names startin' with ‘P'?"
"The same way."
"Really?!"
"Our grandmother was a ... witching woman ... of a sort."
"Oh heavenly days! What was that like?"
"We never knew this until after she passed away. While growing up, we never saw her do anything different from other grandmothers. So we had no idea she was into that sort of thing until just three years ago. Her name was Penny. She named our mother Patti and instructed her to give us all names starting with ‘P'."
"Good Lord! What a heritage you have! Notice anything magical in your lives?"
"Well, ... Three sisters, who fight so much and still manage to live together, is pretty magical to me."
Livie laughed "I suppose that's true for siblings in all families."
"And it seems like magic that I met Derek and he fell in love with me."
"Now how's that been going?"
"Wonderfully! I've been so happy with him."
"Any talk of marriage?"
"He says it's too early to talk about it. But I got him to promise we will talk about it in a year."
"Good for you! Don't let him get outta that promise! ‘Bout time that boy got married."
Phoebe found it curious that she kept referring to Derek as a boy, even though Derek is older than her. But she guessed that maybe, according to their custom, he won't be called a man until he gets married. After finishing their snack, they continued shopping.
*****
At lunchtime, the whole family got back together at a restaurant in Chinatown. The whole city was a-buzz with some new bad news.
Livie told Devin, "Did you hear the news on the radio? Another plane's been highjacked right here in San Francisco! They're gonna crash that thing down somewhere around here!"
Prue and Phoebe exchanged worried looks. Prue whispered to her, "I'll call Piper and see if I can talk to Leo."
She excused herself from the group after they were seated at a table. In an area of telephone booths, she called Piper. "Piper! Is Leo with you?"
"No. Why?"
"Have you heard the news?"
"What news?"
"Another plane has been highjacked, in our area. There target is somewhere in San Francisco. This could be the ‘something big' Leo said the demons were planning."
"Oh my God! ... Uh ... You want me to call Leo now?"
"No. I'll do it myself right here. It's better I talk to him face to face rather than over the phone. You just take care of yourself. I love you."
She hung up then looked around the area. When she was sure she was alone, she began calling out, "Leo! ... Leo!" She waited a minute before he orbed in.
She asked him, "Have you heard?"
"Yes."
"How could it have happened? All flights have been grounded!"
"A few armed men captured a few pilots and airline personnel, forced them onto a plane, and forced them to take off."
"Can't you do anything? Can't you orb on board and stop them?"
"I can't do that! I'm not allowed to interfere with such things!"
"You mean you're just going to stand by and let a lot of innocent people be killed?"
"We don't go around the world stopping all such actions! Some things are just suppose to happen! Beside, the Air Force has launched some fighters to shoot the plane down."
"Oh great! All those people on board will be killed! And when it's shot down, it has to come down somewhere, and it could be where there's a lot more people!"
"There's nothing I can do! Our duty is not go around changing human events!"
"All right! Fine!" She angrily stormed away.
When rejoining the group, Phoebe informed her, "You got a call from Mr. Corso."
So she went to another area of telephones, where the call awaited her.
"Prue! Why aren't you at your assignment?"
"I am, sir! I was just ... in the ladies' room."
"With what's just happening now, I want you with him at all times! Get all his reactions, opinions, and thoughts on this matter as they develop!"
"I was just about to do that!"
"Good! ‘Cause if you don't want this assignment, I can always give it to someone else!"
Now Prue's anger was compounded. She returned to the table in a huff and Phoebe could see it. "What now?"
"Oh, the usual! ‘Do this, do that, or be fired'!"
Derek offered, "Why don't you just quit your job? I can buy you your own business."
Prue could help laughing.
"No joke! It's what I do! I buy or build businesses and put qualified people in charge of them. They get to run it anyway they want. My people only monitor the financial aspects and give suggestions. But the decisions are entirely up to the one in charge. I've done it all over Chicago, New York, Boston, and even a few here."
Devin concurred, "He's right. He's backed a few farms in our county and they're doin' great."
Derek rummaged around in his shoulderbag, took out a booklet, and handed it to Prue. It was titled "Ends of the Earth Plan to Economic Independence". "Your own magazine, your own photography studio, whatever. And you have the opportunity, over time, to buy it from me. Your plan for a plush life. No boss to bully, threaten, or fire you. Set your own hours. Take a day off whenever you feel like it. And all your hard work will get the recognition you deserve."
Prue flipped through it briefly then put it in her purse. "Thanks ... but ... this is something I'd rather try to earn myself."
"All right. But it's there for ... whenever."
Phoebe was intrigued by Derek's offer but knows, that as a hard worker, Prue is wary of anything that comes easy. So she decided to say nothing about it.
So Prue pressed on with her assignment. "So, what is your reaction to all this?"
Derek, not even looking up from his menu, commented, "It's all politics. But dragging the common people into it is a big mistake. The terrorists are simply turning more against them than for them. Rather than gain sympathy for their cause, they'll turn the whole world against them."
"Do you think this latest act, added to yesterday's, could set off World War III? Could this all lead to ... say ... the end of the world?"
"Hmmm? ... Naw! Not even the Muslims believe that."
"Really?!"
"Yeah. I have a few friends who are Sufis; Muslim mystics; some even in this city. They all believe in the end of the world but all agree it's not going to be anytime soon."
"So, then any Muslim trying to bring about the end of the world would be violating the faith?"
"Right! They'd be going against the Quran; their primary doctrine."
This gave Prue an idea. "Who are these Sufis, whom you know? Where can I find them? ... They sound like they'd make an interesting article for our magazine."
"Oh certainly! They are Bashar Abd al Qadir, ... Lakshmana Omparkesh, ... and Feroz Ahura. They spend most of their time in the library of the Center for Islamic Studies, right here in town. They know me as Al Aqqrab -- ‘the Scorpion'. But then, everyone in the Middle East who knows me, knows me as such."
Prue wrote this all down and even had Derek correct the spelling and give the specific location of the Islamic Studies library. When the dim sum tray came around and family began choosing their meals, she went around the table taking pictures of this scene. At one point she loudly declared, "Oh my goodness! I'm out of film! And it looks like I grabbed the canisters of used film, instead of the new ones, when I left the house! I'll have to go back and get them!"
She quickly whispered to Phoebe, "If Mr. Corso calls again, tell him anything!"
Phoebe understood. "Right!"
Back at the telephones, Prue called Inspector Morris. "Darryl! You've got to stop the Air Force from shooting down that hijacked plane! I've got a better way, which will save everyone's life!"
"You're going to use magic on this?!"
"No! Not this time! I know some people who can possibly talk the hijackers into giving themselves up! You've got to stop the Air Force planes now!"
"Who are these people? Why would the hijackers listen to them?"
"They are Sufis; Muslim mystics. They could convince the hijackers that their acts can bring on World War III and, in turn, the end of the world, which would violate their faith."
"All right. I'll give this a try. I know who to call. I just hope I can convince them."
"Good! I'll be right over!"
When she arrived at the police station, Morris was waiting for her with the police captain, a few fellow officers, and a few men in black suits. (She could tell who these are.)
Morris introduced one of them to Prue. "Prue, this is Agent Convy of the FBI. Agent, this is Miss Halliwell, of whom I spoke."
Prue greeted, "Pleased to meet you, Agent Convy."
"Likewise, Miss Halliwell. Now can you tell me how you come by this information?"
"I work for 415 Magazine and was assigned to interview a subject. When asking him about the current events, he mentioned that a Muslim, who would threaten to bring events towards the end of the world, would be violating his faith. And he knows three Sufis in San Francisco who would back him up on that. With permission, I can bring these men to the airport control tower to talk to these hijacker and convince them what they're doing is against their faith."
"And who exactly are these Sufis?"
"He gave me their names and I copied them down." She took the notebook pad from her purse and handed it to Agent Convy.
He looked it over and handed it back to her. "Inspector, a word with you?"
The men retreated into an office. Before closing the door, Morris said to Prue, "Wait here. This will only be a minute."
She went to an obscure corner, where few would notice her, and went into a trance.
*****
Her astral self appeared in a library. Most men there were dark skinned, with beards. The women wore traditional Muslim covering.
Prue turned to the nearest man and asked, "Excuse me. Do you know Bashar Abd al Qadir?"
The man looked at her with surprise. "Uh ... Yes. ... He ... this way."
She followed him through the room, among the tables and chairs. All those around looked up from what they were doing. They were curious as what business this stranger, obviously an unbeliever, had here. The man went to another, sitting at a table over a large book, and murmured something to him. He stood up to meet Prue. Although he is not a tall man, he has a very commanding presence in his robe and turban. He has a beard and wears wire rimmed glasses, which reminds Prue of many other wise scholars she had met.
She went up to him. "Are you Bashar Abd al Qadir?"
"Yes. And who...?"
"I am Prue Halliwell. I'm a friend of Derek McPhillips. You know? Al Aqqrab."
"Oh yes! Yes! Good friend!"
"Well, some terrorists have hijacked a plane and they're going to crash it into a building in San Francisco. Derek says that this can set off a war that can end the world. But according to your knowledge, the end of the world is not suppose to happen yet. So could you come to the control tower at San Francisco Airport and convince these terrorists that this isn't right?"
"Al Aqqrab says I should do this?"
"You're his friend. You know how he would feel about something like this."
"Yes. You are right. But how do I get in there?"
"I have clearance. I'll get you in. Also bring Lakshmana Omparkash and Feroz Ahura."
"Of course."
Suddenly Prue felt an irresistible pull back to her body. She faded away before all onlookers. Startled they frantically murmured among themselves. Bashar raised his hands to calm the crowd.
"It is a sign to us! We are called upon to stop a terrible thing! We must act quickly!"
He rushed out of the room and everyone followed him.
*****
Prue found herself back at the police station. Morris was shaking her. "Prue! Prue! Are you all right?"
"Darryl! I was astral projecting and you interrupted me!"
"What?!"
"You know I can astral project! I was in contact with the Sufis when you brought me back!"
"How am I suppose to know when you're projecting or if something is wrong with you?"
"What did they have to say? What's being done now?"
"They called the Air Force and their fighter planes aborted their mission in time."
"Oh thank God!"
"And the FBI has decided to trust you. Now, you say you contacted these Sufis. What did they have to say?"
"They agree. They're on their way to the San Francisco Airport right now."
"Good! So are we."
Morris drove Prue within a convoy of police officers and FBI agents. With sirens wailing, the lunch hour traffic pulled aside for them, letting them get to the airport quickly.
Prue asked, "Was it you who convince them to trust me? Is that what that meeting in the captain's office was all about?"
"Um ... Yeah. But ... it wasn't ... very hard."
"Oh come on! A nobody comes out of nowhere, telling the FBI ‘I have the solution to your problem' when no on else does, and it's not very hard to convince them to trust me?"
"All I had to do what tell them why I trust you. I just told them that you came through for the police, your community, and this city many times. And you always have the lives of innocent people at heart. The captain backed me up on this and that was it."
Prue was pleased how Morris always comes through for her. She only hopes it will never be as far as Andy, so as to lose him too.
At the airport, more FBI agents, policemen, and armed National Guardsmen awaited them. The agents and officers murmured among themselves, leaving Prue to just nervously pace back and forth, waiting for the Sufis.
It seemed like hours when a small crowd marched onto the airport. They were all darkskinned, many in turbans and robes, men with beards, women with their faces covered. The Guardsmen didn't know what to make of this and raised their guns at them.
Prue jumped into the line of fire. "No! Wait! They're here to help!"
FBI agents came forward to meet this group. Prue stood between them.
Agent Convy asked, "Are these the people you told us about, Miss Halliwell?"
"Yes. Three of them are among them. I know one by sight." She turned to Bashar. "Thank you for coming."
"I must do what I can to fight evil. It is my duty. And we know this is true of you also. You are a miraculous sign to us. Here are Lakshmana Omparkash and Feroz Ahura."
Lakshmana is short, clean shaven, but dresses in a robe and cap commonly worn by Muslims in India. Feroz is tall, and although dressed in a pullover and jeans, his dark skin and beard shows his origin.
Agent Convy informed Prue, "We can't let them all in; only these three."
"All right." She turned to crowd who followed Bashar. "I'm sorry but the rest of you have to wait outside!"
Bashar turned and spoke to them in Arabic. They nodded. Then Prue and the three Sufis were conducted, by divisions of FBI agents and police detectives, to the control tower. Here the agents conducted the three men to the communications system and set them up to contact the hijacked airplane. The Sufis began taking turns speaking in Arabic into the speaker system. Feroz did much reading from his copy of the Quran, which he had brought with him. Prue couldn't hear any response to what they were say, so wondered if they were getting through to the hijackers at all.
Outside, the Muslims who accompanied the Sufis were kneeling on the ground, facing Mecca, and murmuring ferverant prayers.
It seemed like several more hours that the Sufis made their entreaties, reasoning, and readings to the hijackers with no response. Finally all speaking stopped. The Sufis looked at each other, not knowing what to say next. Airport personnel and FBI agents looked around, wondering what to expect or what to try next. For awhile Prue wondered if she had made the right choice. Finally a voice broke over the system. "San Francisco. This is flight 219. We have full control of the craft and are bringing her down safely at Oakland."
Airport personnel cheered. The Sufis muttered prayers of thanks. Morris congratulated Prue. Outside, the waiting Muslims also cheered and hugged one another.
After the FBI and police wrapped up the case, Prue saw Bashar off.
"You did just great! The whole world is in your debt."
"As they are in yours. You brought us all together for one cause."
"Well, ... We can say it was a co-operation of many different people for one cause."
"Yes. That is more the truth. Now I will work together with my people, for the defense of these misfortunate ones at their trial."
Prue was curious. "You don't see these as criminal who should be punished?"
"We see them as misguided ones who should be forgiven. Too often many devoted ones are misled by madmen. History bears this out. ... But they are not all bad."
Prue shook her head. "They're your people. They can't be all bad."
Bashar bowed and left with a smile.
*****
Prue rejoined Derek and his group at a Red Cross office downtown. (She contacted Derek by cell phone to get their location.)
Livie excitedly told her, "Did you hear? The crisis is over! The hijackers surrendered!"
"Yes, I .... Yes, I was just listening to it over the radio, on the way over." (She didn't want to draw attention to herself while on assignment.)
"Did you get plenty of film this time?"
"Film? ... Oh! Yes! I've got lots of film! ... Where is Phoebe?"
Derek explained, "She got a call from Piper and had to go home. She said she'll be back as soon as possible. But right now, we're waiting for you to take that picture of me handing a check to the Red Cross. You said your boss wanted that, didn't you? We're all ready for it."
"Great! All right, everybody! In your places!"
At the end of the day, they retired to Derek's place. As the others were resting, Prue had to bow out. "I've got to get these pictures back to the office. It was nice spending a day with all of you. Thank for putting up with me."
"Not at all!" said Livie. "We loved having you with us! We only wish we could stay longer and get to know you better."
"But there's plenty of time to ...."
"No. We've decided to leave tonight. With what our country is going through right now, we should be home to see best what we can do."
"I understand. But you will come back again. There's so much more we want to show you."
"Oh, we will! We will! And if you're ever in Illinois, ...."
"Right. I will."
Devin came forward. "It was nice meetin' ya. We look forward to seein' yer magazine."
"I'll send you a copy as soon as it's printed."
He put an arm around Derek's neck and began knocking on his head. "An' look after ol' ‘Chickenhaid' here. He gets into a lotta trouble."
"Old what?!"
"Chickenhead. It's what we call him at home."
Derek growled between his teeth, "She doesn't want to hear about it!"
Prue laughed. "Yes! I want to hear about this!"
Devin explained, "When he was a baby, he had pointed lips. The middle of his lips stuck out, so his mouth looked like a beak. One day Dillon put him in his high chair, rubbed grease in his hair, an' combed his hair up like a rooster comb. He went tellin' everybody, ‘Look! He got a chyickun haid!' So we've called him ‘Chickenhead' ever since."
Everyone laughed, except Derek, who looked at Prue with a sour smile. "I bet you can't wait to tell this to Phoebe."
Just then Phoebe entered. Prue said, "Well, ... I guess I can wait." She went up to her. "Where have you been?"
Phoebe whispered to her, "Leo told Piper that you were going to do something about that hijacked plane, so she got worried and called me. We got together to look for you and either help you or stop you, depending on the situation. What did you do?"
"I just got the right people together. I'll explain later. Meanwhile, I've got to get to work and Derek's relatives are leaving tonight. So you've got Derek all to yourself for the rest of the night."
*****
Prue returned to work that evening. Going through her purse for the notes on her article, she came across Derek's booklet. She took it over to a wastepaper basket and held it over it to discard it. But then she thought it over and put it back into her purse.
In her work area she found Mr. Corso and several workers laughing together over some of her photographs. She saw they found the pictures of that day's "skeet shoot" amusing.
Mr. Corso commented, “These are great shots, Prue! The rich rednecks’ sport!”
"Uh ... Yes. I ... thought so myself. I also got the shots you wanted -- Derek McPhillips giving a big check to the Red Cross. And I have notes of our interviews."
"Oh good! Good! All together this will make a great issue."
"I can have this all typed up in less than an hour and put this all together ...."
"No hurry. It can wait."
"But don't the presses roll tonight?"
"Yes, but your project will have to wait for the next issue."
"What?!"
"Another story is taking center stage and is going to press tonight."
Prue's heart sank. She had worked so hard to complete this project and get it in on time.
*****
Next day, Prue and Piper sat in the kitchen at their morning coffee.
Piper asked, "How did Mr. Corso like your article on Derek?"
"He thought it was great. But it will have to wait until next issue."
"Why?"
"More urgent news is taking center stage."
"Oh. The attack on New York and Washington, DC."
"No." Prue pulled out the new issue of 415 Magazine and excitedly held up in front of Piper's face. On the cover was Prue's portrait with the words "Hero of the Year".
Astonished, Piper snatched it from her and eagerly scanned through it. "You?! Why?!"
"For saving an American landmark from destruction by another terrorist attack. Those hijackers had planned to crash the plane into the Golden Gate Bridge. I know all credit goes to the Sufis, but Mr. Corso wanted to focus on me. I think it's just a plan to boost magazine sales -- setting up an employee of 415 as a hero. But I did insist that the real heroes be mentioned. And I made it a point that Muslims saved our city, so Muslims are not our enemies."
"Good point! I've been hearing about Muslims in our community being attacked. And even people who just look like they may be from the Middle East. It's just so stupid!"
"Hopefully enough will realize this is stupidity and it will stop."
"So, your job is secure?"
"As ‘Hero of the Year'? I'm set for life!"
"So no need for Derek's offer."
"Well, ... It's good to have a safety net. I feel secure just knowing his offer is always open ... just in case I really need it."
Just then, Leo orbed in. He and Piper greeted each other with a kiss. He told Prue, "I've just been up there. They're very impressed with what you've done."
"It wasn't really me. It was ...."
"It was you who put it all together and made it happen. They are pleased with how you've developed your problem-solving skills."
"I wish I could have used those skills earlier and saved those people in New York. And I just heard on the news that American troops will be sent to Afghanistan. So my dream is being fulfilled after all."
"But you kept it from getting worse. If it weren't for you, there would be a lot more troops being sent to a lot more countries and the loss of lives would be far greater."
"Have you found out if the demons were involved in all this?"
"No. We're still not sure. But all of us believe that it is highly likely. By the way, I checked out what you heard in your dream. It's an actual prophecy by Nostradamus."
Piper interjected, "Not ‘our' Nostradamus I hope!"
"This one is actually written in his prophesies; century two, quatrain 91. The letter you got from Nostradamus was also really written by him. We just don't know who copied it and mailed it to you." [Author's note: He's talking about the letter in episode 3: Deadlier Than The Mail.]
"Well, if we ever hear from him again, it'll be too soon."
Then Phoebe came home and joined them, carrying a box. "Pie anyone?"
"What's the occasion?" asked Prue.
"Nothing really. This is just leftover from what Derek made last night -- ‘apple pratie'; an Irish styled pie."
Piper was surprised. "Derek made it? Are you serious?"
"Yes. Derek made me dinner last night at his place, after seeing his brother off. He's traveled all over the world and learned cooking from many different cultures."
"You've got a man who can cook? I'm jealous!"
"Don't worry. I'll invite you over for dinner once in awhile."
"You better!"
Prue poured coffee for Leo and Phoebe. Soon they sat down to pie and coffee together.
Prue asked, "With all the airports shut down, how are Derek's relatives getting home?"
Phoebe answered, "By train. We saw them off at the Amtrak station."
Piper asked, "So what did Derek cook for you last night?"
"Chicken cacciatore with garlic bread and an Italian salad."
"Mmmm! Yummy! Was it good?"
"Fantastic! The right amount of herbs and spices made it very Italian. And he sprinkled rose petals in the salad."
"Oh! How romantic!"
"Uh-oh!" Leo uttered.
" ‘Uh-oh' what?"
Leo asked Phoebe, "Were they red rose petals?"
"Yes. Why?"
"In a vinegar based salad dressing?"
"Yes. Why?"
"How did you feel?"
"I feel all right."
"I mean how did you feel all through the night?"
These questions worried Prue. "Leo, what is it?"
"Well, ... the combination of red rose petals and vineger has a peculiar effect on witches."
"How?"
"As an aphrodisiac."
The sisters looked at each other in shock. Then Phoebe's face went down onto the table. "Oh my God! Oh no wonder!"
Prue asked, "Are you all right?"
"I thought I was just going through one of those ‘biological clock' things."
Piper asked, "What happened?"
"All I remember is saying in bed, ‘I've got to have more! I've got to have more!' "
Prue rephrased her question. "Is Derek all right?"
"I almost killed him!"
Piper laughed. "I'll bet you did!" Then she turned to Leo. "Wait a minute! How do you know this?"
"It's part of my duty as a whitelighter. I have to know how all substances can affect witches."
"How come you never tried this on me?"
"I never have to. You're always ...."
"HEY!"
That was one sentence she didn't want him to finish in front of her sisters. But too late. They understood enough and started giggling. Piper narrowed her eyes at them then turned and punched Leo in the shoulder.
TO THE VICTIMS OF THE SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS AND THEIR FAMILIES:
THE TEARS AND PRAYERS OF THE NATION GO OUT TO YOU.
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