Candy Corns and Pumpkin Shells
Disclaimer: I just own the fanfiction. The characters all belong to Spelling and Co. This is a rather short Halloween themed piece. It takes place well after 4th season, and somewhat into the future. After all, season 5 never really happened, right?
"There comes a time in every woman's life when she has to make a choice for herself....to be bold, daring...to try and take back what's hers. To face the challenges that await her at every corner...to conquer her every fear...to laugh in the face of madness and escape without a scratch. To...apply this new shade of lipstick without breaking into a sweat." Phoebe Halliwell turned around, easily snapping the cap onto the cosmetic with a tired sense of embarrassment, glancing hopefully at her sister.
"Are we going to a circus, or to a party?" Paige Matthews retorted, regarding her with a rather perplexed expression, her hand reaching for a smaller tube perched directly across from her. "Here. Try this one. It won't make you look like you're reliving the 80's. Plus...it also doesn't come off when you make with the wild smooches on a random date."
Phoebe scoffed, as she quickly pulled it from her grasp, her reflection gazing back at her in the mirror, her long brown locks brought back into countless heaps of curls, her wrinkled gown rumpling slightly from the brief sense of movement. "There aren't going to be any smooches tonight, Paige. I have scruples."
Paige wrinkled her nose, as she mindlessly shrugged, helping herself to a faded shade of eyeliner upon the dresser. "Yeah, and the scruples certainly aren't helping you deal with the obvious, are they?"
"The obvious?" Phoebe repeated strangely.
"Here you are, it's Halloween night, you're all dressed up, you've got your fancy little costume..."
"But..."
"But no date," she observed fondly, raising an eyebrow. "For someone your age, that's mighty....odd."
"And I told you, it's been over for awhile now. Which means...I don't want to talk about it. Ever again."
"Aren't you being just a little judgmental?"
"Coming from you, I would say that's an understatement."
"Phoebe, you have to get back out there! You can't keep punishing yourself for this. It happened...okay? It happened, and for a minute there, you were actually happy. You can't allow yourself to feel so...."
"So...?"
"Bleh! It's unhealthy."
"And so is nagging your sister when she was starting to feel a little more positive about tonight. Breaking up doesn't mean the end of the world. It just means I couldn't deal with the complexity of the relationship."
Paige sighed, as she hung her head in her heads, quietly pursing her lips, her eyes falling vacant to the carpet below. She hesitated a moment, as she finally rose to her feet, offering a short exhausted pat to her knees. "Is Elise actually charging the people who don't work for her, or is that just a rumor?"
Phoebe smiled. "When you're all painted up, I'm sure she won't even know the difference."
"He is still your husband, you know. Remember that, would you?"
The Charmed One carefully planted a hand upon her hair, checking once more to make sure the long curls had continued to stay in their proper places. Attempting to slip into the heels she'd recently purchased for the event, she immediately groaned a bit louder than she'd expected, when she finally realized what she'd done. "Dammit."
"Well. I guess Cinderella really can't go to the ball, after all," Paige commented, smirking slightly, as she eyed up her sister with a newfound sense of curiosity. "I mean, not unless she expects to become a pumpkin before midnight."
"So I picked up the wrong size. It's not entirely uncommon to make that kind of blunder in the world of fashion these days."
"It is when you're more than a little distracted," Paige filled in.
"Phoebe blushed a bright shade of crimson, as she struggled to fit the shoe onto her foot for a second time, despite the recent hindrance on her part, her hands turning a faded white from the forced effort.
"You can borrow a pair of mine, okay?"
"Paige-"
"I don't want you hurting yourself. It's hard work being the belle of the ball."
She laughed then, in spite of the situation, randomly tossing the shoes aside. Picking up her dress, she began to make her way over to the closet, uncomfortably bending down to the very bottom of the compact room, her hands feeling their way through the dark. "I guess I just wish I could finally live the fantasy. I mean, all my life I depended on that one single fairy tale to make it the only reality I knew how. But...it's always just been wishful thinking on my part, because no matter how real I try and make it, it can't ever happen. Girls don't find their true loves at parties, and glass slippers don't prolong the romance. In fact, I don't even think I've ever owned any glass slippers."
Paige's expression melted, as she took a step closer to her, her arms finding their place across her chest. "But you look beautiful. If it's any consolation, the dress could be the real deal."
"Yeah, well, you can thank Grams for that," Phoebe mumbled, her speech barely audible, as she dove her head back into the closet.
"But what if you could make it come true?"
Swerving being buried alive beneath the long skirt that suddenly clouded her line of vision, she pulled herself out, meeting her sister's gaze rather seriously. "What?"
"Not permanently- but only for a few minutes? What if you could live your life like her?"
Phoebe bit her lower lip, as she felt the corners of her mouth twitch rather faintly, her hands absentmindedly shaking without her knowledge as she recovered a pair of weather-beaten sandals, scrunching up her nose. "These will have to do."
"But I already told you-"
"No. I'd rather wear something that still symbolizes who I am. Because lately, I really do think I've started to lose sight of that particular somebody."
"Hmm?"
"My identity."
"Do you still love him?"
"I don't know."
"Well, separation is only one step away from divorce," Paige reminded her. "It never lasts, and...truth be told, you're already more than halfway there."
"Maybe it's because I'm just not being honest with myself," she mused quietly.
"What's honesty, when you have all of that rage still built up inside of you?"
"And Cole never did anything but love me," she pointed out.
"Which is exactly why you owe him a better explanation."
"Since when did you become his-"
"Hey, I'm on your side, don't worry."
"Then why-"
"But the way it happened, kind of tells a different story," she added, shrugging.
"He's a man with stolen powers...a former demon half. I'm not over the risks, and he's still willing to take them. I'm not about to lose him to evil again. End of story."
"Yes, but he's been careful. I know you know that, and someday you'll realize his interests were better spent looking out for you."
"Okay. Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?"
"I'm just saying..."
"And as a lawyer, he's proved his worth more than most."
"Yeah, and while they may let a few lies loose to preserve the business, he never, ever lied about being in love with you," she concluded. "I mean, I'm no saint either. But that hasn't stopped me from making a fool of myself before."
"And with that said, you and I are going to make fools of ourselves at this party."
"I can hardly wait," Paige drawled tiredly.
"Um...aren't you two gonna be late?" another voice echoed in the hallway, as Piper Halliwell emerged from the stairwell, her figure donning a fairly thin apron, as she struggled to free herself from the oven mitts enclosing the palms of her hands. "You've been up here for what- almost two hours already?"
"Perfection takes time," Phoebe insisted, as she ran out to greet her, twirling around in her long gown, as she offered her older sister a low curtsy, her curls bobbing to and fro about her head. "Sure you don't want to come?"
"Actually, I'm still thanking my magical butt that I do not work for Elise," she deadpanned, throwing Phoebe a short smile. Her eyes slowly wandered over the finished product of the costume before her, as she raised her eyebrows in awe. "You're a vision. Really."
"You like it?"
"Who are you going as again?"
"Oh, just a princess. It's not masked, so I thought I'd improvise through creativity instead."
"I told her she didn't need that many sequins on the dress," Paige observed, grinning. "But does she ever listen?"
"They're tiny," Phoebe told her. "Practically going in unnoticeable."
"Oh. Wearing a dress like that? You're going to get noticed, believe me."
"Well, they're just going to have to wait in the wings for me then. Because this single gal is not ready to start giving out her phone number again just yet. I meant what I said."
"Oh, honey, guys are people too. You can't just exclude them because you suffered through a bad relationship," Piper suggested, throwing her baby sister a look. "You have to forgive and allow yourself to move on with your life."
"And if Leo did the same, wouldn't you have at least a few regrets?"
"Do I really have to answer that?"
"The point is, I'm destined to be miserable. I only ask that you let me be miserable in peace."
"In that case, can you make me a promise that you'll do the best you can to enjoy yourself on Halloween?"
"Trick or treat," Phoebe mumbled carelessly.
twenty minutes later "Playing with what?"
"You're fidgeting because you're still nervous, aren't you?"
"Who, me?"
"Paige, you look fine. Trust me, you don't need to worry."
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one who had to make yourself even more deathly pale than you already are."
"The black boots were a nice touch," she added. "They really complete the whole...Goth-like appearance, you know?"
"Then maybe we'll be good sisters and trade costumes next Halloween," she muttered. Examining herself briefly in the review mirror, she cautiously smoothed out the equally black shade that lay clothed across her lips. She absentmindedly inspected her teeth then, as her short matching wig toppled helplessly to the floor of the car, her hand immediately outstretched and reaching for its fallen location. "Ugh! It is not my night. I am such a mess!"
"Would you rather be at a party for your job tonight?"
"Phoebe, I quit my job. Remember? I turned in my weekly salary to help with the demonic brewings in the area?"
"Brewings?" her sister sounded out, slightly rolling her eyes.
"Troubles, problems...nevermind. Bottom line, I am only doing this because I love you. If it were anyone besides the immediate family, forget about it."
"And I'll love you right back for that," she lightly joked, giving her a quick pat on the back, her other hand once again checking her hair. "Do you think we'll get towed over here?"
"I guess it depends on whether or not Elise has it in for you," Paige concluded, taking out a tube of mascara.
"I thought you told me you only had to apply some finishing touches?"
"And I did. I have the top and the skirt, don't I? A little too vintage for my tastes, but..."
"What about your coat?"
"I appreciate the concern, but I think the weather will let me manage." She sighed heavily. "Just don't let it slip your mind that you dragged me along, and how I will forever remain in your debt. I could have just as easily crawled up on the couch with my little niece and caught a few late night comedies."
"Paige, Melinda is less than a year old. She doesn't even understand that television exists yet. And when you think about it, it's honestly better for her in the long run."
"Whatever. The fact of it is, I couldn't get a date either, and God help me, I'm actually feeling pretty bummed about it."
"Well, wonders never cease," her sister commented, yanking the key from the ignition. "What about that guy at the grocery store the other day? You said he was cute."
Paige glared at her. "Yeah. Cute. And also married- with five kids."
"Ouch."
"That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it? I never have the luck..."
"There'll be plenty of-"
"Which means you have to try and leave with someone too. If you're not planning on forgiveness, you really should be exploring other options."
"And if I finally admit that I'm still sitting on that one, would you maybe consider leaving me alone about it?"
"See, I knew it."
"Paige, if you breathe a word of this to-"
"Hey, my lips are forever sealed. Besides, love takes time. You above anybody should know that. Just don't be surprised if I don't come back for a ride. It can only mean that I've quite possibly found that special-"
"Prince Charming you dream about in storybooks," the old woman confessed, as she gently toasted her glass with her companion's, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she adjusted the pointed black hat atop her head, smirking briefly at the thought. Her graying hair hung in rather limp tatters that she carefully patted with her free hand, a roughly manicured shade of bright purple nail polish covering each individual nail. "Can you imagine? I mean, for starters, does she really actually think all men are too good to be true nowadays? Because, sweetie, I'll tell you right now. I don't think I've ever met one I have appreciated for all he was worth." She took a sip from her wine glass, as she gestured with a thin arm. "No offense, of course. It's just that I'm still stuck on the whole movie idol persona of the decade....if you know what I mean. Mr. James Bond, 007. Now that was a man."
"I'm afraid I wouldn't know," Cole Turner commented as he took an equal graze from his coffee mug, his eyes wincing at her speech, as he nonchalantly pursed his lips. "James Bond always struck me as a kind of ladies man, to be rather blunt, Mrs. Davis. All may be fair in love and war, but if I remember right, he never, ever stayed with the same girl."
"Why, that's what I meant."
"Excuse me?"
"I was simply....surely you don't actually believe there is a man out there who still carries traditional values. That ended when chivalry ceased to exist and no longer began to impress me."
"Chivalry isn't dead," he offered. "And some men could just surprise you. Now, if you'll pardon me, I really do have to attend to some important business. It was awfully nice running into you like this, and with hope, maybe we'll do it again sometime."
"Your ring," she surmised then. "Is that a wedding band?"
He nodded, his eyes abruptly averting her prolonged stare, as he quickly pulled it out of view. "Yeah. Yes, I guess it is."
"Well, that's funny, isn't it? Because in all the time you helped settle my case, I just assumed you were going home to an empty house."
"I was," he whispered, as a slight tinge of pain covered his brow, his gorgeous visage threatening to crumble. Forcing the bravest smile he could muster, he glanced uneasily down at his worn sneakers, declaring a slight chuckle. "I've just got to prove to myself that she'll find her way back to me someday."
"She ran off?" Mrs. Davis stated rather shockingly, a hand going across her chest. "My, how dreadful."
"No. No...it was probably my fault. I was trying to crack this big case, and I- well...she thought my being a lawyer was just an excuse for making our relationship a lot more difficult than it needed to be. That I would bring the lies home to her in more ways than one."
"My Marvin was very skeptical too," she uttered, her eyes growing big from the memories. "Didn't trust me worth a damn."
"And...Marvin's...now deceased?"
"The old dope died in his sleep. Can you believe that? It was the silliest thing you'd ever heard of. But one day he was just gone."
"My condolences. I'm sure he was a great man."
"Not in the least. But I'll tell you, there's only one thing I still regret...one thing I didn't get to say to him before he died. I forgot to tell him a lot, as it was common practice where we could go days without speaking to each other, strangely enough."
"I'm sorry?"
"Love," she managed. "I was never able to tell him that I loved him." She regarded him more closely, as she took a firm hold on his hand rather unexpectedly. "And maybe that's why I'm so bitter. Why I can't bear to contend with the thought that I might find it again. If you have found it, if you know you've found it, treasure it with all you have." She released him then, her mind suddenly vanishing into a trance of preoccupation. "I should find Elise. I came because I was supposed to mention that awful young woman's new article in that pointless column of hers. We'll catch up later, hmm?"
"As I was trying to say before," he mumbled, as he watched her go off, the muscles in his face finally relaxing, as he gently shook his head, readjusting the sleeves of his gray sweatshirt upon his elbows. The music continued its loud invitation around him, droning in and out of tune. He briefly cleared his throat, half wondering why he'd even showed, if only to receive a puzzling heart to heart from an unrelenting old widow whose viewpoint failed to share an origin identical to his.
Then he saw her. His composure immediately brightening tremendously by her overwhelming appearance, he chose to get a better look, as his blues curiously ran over the sight of her. Clothed in a long, elaborate silver gown, the edges fighting a hopeless battle with the floor, the tail ends swept continuously to and fro, anonymously picking up pointless speckles of dust. Her pretty face was a vibrant shade of happiness, a deep smile deepening the color in her cheeks. Her hair was even longer now, carefully swept behind her in a swarm of loose curls. He felt his fingers losing their grip on his mug then, as he fought to bring it back into the comfort of his own hands, his consciousness starting to fail him. There she was....right in front of him. And yet he couldn't do a damned thing to get his legs moving.
"Would you stop playing with that? You'll get it all over the place."