Third Time Charmed

A Fight to Remember (Part 2)

When Paige greeted her oldest friend and occasional... Well, they didn't like to put a label on their relationship. But when she embraced Glen Belland, who was in town on a pit stop before his latest international excursion, she didn't need the rather graphic Premonition she received to know where they would end up that evening.

Months since their last meet-up, Paige took in Glen's slim build, naturally tanned skin, and full lips with interest. She also noted that he was experimenting with a new spiky hairstyle that made him look taller than his already impressive six-three. As soon as their eyes met, she knew. The old spark, or flame, or whatever was still there.

Blissfully content following their afternoon of passion, Paige lay back against the pillows of her bed, staring out at the constellations framed by her apartment window. Next to her, Glen leaned on one elbow, his arm brushing lightly against hers. Half-melted candles and a covered lamp bathed them in warm amber light.

Paige exhaled slowly, a dreamy lilt in her voice as she whispered, "Once upon a time, there lived a handsome prince, who was about to marry a beautiful maiden. But an evil enchantress with dark powers wanted the prince for herself, so she could become queen and rule the entire kingdom."

The corners of Glen's mouth curled upward. "I hate her," he said playfully.

A soft laugh escaped Paige, "Really? I always kind of related to her."

"Like I said, I love her," Glen corrected. "Then what happened?"

Paige turned to him, her brown eyes catching the lamplight. There was something distant about her as she recounted, "Well, in order to pull off that kind of magic, the Evil Enchantress had to wait for a sign that her powers were at their darkest."

"A sign?" Glen echoed with interest.

Paige lifted one hand and pointed toward the window, tracing invisible lines across the night sky. "Mm-hmm. See, in the stars? See the prince, his sword, and the three stars that form his crown? Well, once the Evil Enchantress saw the sign, she locked away the beautiful maiden and cast a spell on the unsuspecting prince. Bring together my prince and me, let him fall on bended knee. I summon... I summon..." her voice faltered. "I can never remember the end of it."

Glen chuckled, "Let me guess. The prince defeated the Evil Enchantress, he married the beautiful maiden, and they lived happily ever after, right?"

She smiled, but there was something crooked in it, "Nah-mm. Actually, the Evil Enchantress bore an heir, killed the prince, and ruled the kingdom forever."

Glen gave her a look, somewhere between amusement and horror. "Well, what kind of fairy tale is that?" he questioned.

"It's just one that kinda stayed with me for as long as I can remember," Paige murmured with a shrug. "I told you I was a weird kid."

"I need to get you out more, Paige."

"It'd be easier if you were around more, Glen," Paige rebuked in reply. She regretted it the moment the words fell out of her mouth, hearing the note of bitterness in her joke. Glen's lack of availability wasn't a new topic for them, but it was one she had moved past...in theory. In truth, each time he departed on another of his adventures, leaving her behind, it hurt more than she cared to admit.

"I'm around now," he reminded her, looking into her eyes with sincerity.

Paige smiled softly in reply, scolding herself internally. He was around now, and she should make the best of the time they had. She leaned in, and they shared a deep kiss.

***

Prue entered the kitchen to find her sister scooping instant coffee into a mug of hot water she had boiled on the gas stovetop. She clapped her hands over her eyes in apparent disgust, "Alright, I give up!"