Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters used in this story, those belong to the WB. I do however, own the story and it should not be recreated without my permission. Thanks.

Prue- 18
Piper- 16
Phoebe- 14
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This story takes place during the summer before Prue leaves for college. Starting in the fall Piper will be a junior and Phoebe will be a freshmen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So how does it feel to finally be a high schooler?" Piper teased once Phoebe had settled herself in the car after her last day of Junior High.

"Finally!" Phoebe agreed with an excited smile.

"This summer is going to be great. We're going to have so much fun, we have to do all sorts of stuff so we can remember Prue while she's gone. I can't believe this is our last summer together," Piper commented.

"What do you mean last summer together?" Phoebe asked confused.

"I mean...you know...like this," Piper tried to explain. Phoebe nodded, she understood.

This summer would be the last summer they spent together, under the same roof. Prue would be going to college the next fall and Phoebe to high school, they were growing up. Things were changing.

"So what do you think of this man Grams likes now. You said you met him?" Phoebe asked.

Grams had been begun dating a new man recently. Phoebe hadn't met him yet but they were all going out to dinner that night and Phoebe was interested in meeting him because he was considerably younger than Grams.

"He's nice but don't be surprised....he's young...38 I think," Piper replied as she pulled into the manor driveway.

"38!!" Phoebe exclaimed, practically jumping out of her seat. Piper laughed.

"Grams is only 57 Pheebs," Piper commented.

"That's a...19 year difference!" Phoebe exclaimed, she'd known this man was young, but not that young.

"Well I've never seen Grams as happy as she is now that she's with David. I think we only owe it to her to at least be CIVIL to the man," Piper warned, knowing Phoebe could be awfully rude if she didn't like you.

"I'll be fine," Phoebe defended, getting out of the car and running to the porch where Prue was standing.

Phoebe ran up to her and wrapped her arms around Prue's waist. This was the first time Phoebe and Piper had seen Prue for three weeks, because she'd been visiting the campus and making arrangements for college. Prue laughed as Phoebe practically tackled her.

"Hi to you too Pheebs," Prue smiled, hugging her little sister back.

Piper came up and also jumped in the hug. After they exchanged hellos the sisters entered the manor to find Grams in the foyer, dressed in a silky black dress with her hair up, smiling like a neive little teenager.

"Hello girls," Grams smiled, "Go on upstairs and get changed. Dave will be here in a half an hour," Grams informed them.

The girls rushed upstairs to change into their outfits. Prue put on a black skirt and white turtleneck. Piper decided to wear her plaid skirt and a blue sweater. Phoebe pulled on her khakis and blue dress shirt with a pale yellow sweater over it. They walked back downstairs and Grams beamed. Her grandaughters were so elegant and grown up, she couldn't believe how beautiful and unique they'd become over the years. But what she didn't know was how much they would have to rely on this intelligence and sophistication during the trying times they would soon face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Phoebe set her fork down and dropped her gaze to her plate. She was feeling uncomfortable but she'd couldn't place why. She just felt something was wrong. Althought it certainly didn't appear that way, Grams hadn't stopped laughing since David had picked them up. And Prue and Piper were noticably happy to see their Grams enjoying herself as she was.

But Phoebe was still weary of this David. He was certainly handsome, his brown hair streaked with grays that looked good against his glaring blue eyes. But Phoebe's instict told her he wasn't to be trusted. She didn't know why, he was certainly nice and very polite.

"So Phoebe, your Grams tells me you're very athletic?" David said, looking to include Phoebe in the converstaion. Phoebe nodded.

"What sports do you play?" he asked.

"I swim and play softball. I used to play soccer, but I gave it up to dedicate more time to swimming," Phoebe replied in stiff politeness.

"Ahhh, a swimmer. I should have known, you have that kind of build to your body," David commented. Phoebe felt a chill run up her spine at that comment, but she could tell nobody else at the table had thought anything of it. Phoebe couldn't figure it out, why was she so squirmy around him?

"Well, would you girls like desert?" David asked, seeing everyone had finished their main course.

"No thank you Dave, the girls should really be getting to bed if we're going to shop tomorrow," Grams politely declined.

"Shop?" Phoebe piped up.

"Yes dear, Piper and I are going to go shopping for some things to fix up the garden in the back. But I asked Dave to stay with you," Grams assured. Phoebe's heart jumped and she gulped.

"I'm 13, I can stay by myself just fine," Phoebe urged.

"I know you can dear, but we could be gone awhile and I want someone there with you at night," Grams said firmly.

"But what about Prue?" Phoebe pleaded.

"I have an interview, but I'll be back around 8:00. You'll be fine until then," Prue said poitedly. She couldn't see why Phoebe was making such a big deal about this. Phoebe sighed and gave up, she could see she wasn't getting anywhere.

"Don't worry Phoebe, I'll bring my glove and we can play a good old game of catch eh?" David suggested. Phoebe gave a vague smile and nodded.

The four girls waited outside as David paid the check. After he dropped them off at the manor they collapsed in the living room. Grams was smiling so big Phoebe thought her face would crack. Prue and Piper looked on with a knowing gladness.

"Isn't Dave just great girls?" Grams asked.

"I like him a lot Grams," Piper agreed.

"Good because you know I would drop him in a minute if you girls didn't like him," Grams said.

Phoebe was about to speak up, but she couldn't bear to break the happy smile on her Grams' face, so she kept silent. A move she would greatly pay for later.

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

"Okay Phoebe, we'll be back late so don't wait up. I want you to get some decent sleep," Grams instructed as she and Piper were about to leave. Prue had already left and Dave had just arrived, glove in hand as he promised, to watch Phoebe while they were gone.

"Okay but....are you sure I can't come?" Phoebe tried one last attempt. Piper smiled.

"I wish you could Pheebs, but we need to shop for your birthday, and you can't see what you get now can you?" Piper pointed out. Phoebe sighed and tried to face the fact that she would have to spend the day with Dave, whom she didn't at all trust.

"Go on, we'll be fine. We're going to have fun, I have lots of things planned," Dave said, shooing Grams and Piper out the door. They waved and got in the car. Once they were gone Dave shut the door. Phoebe gave a weak smile and spoke.

"Want to play catch?" she asked.

"Not now, I have work to do," Dave snapped.

Phoebe was taken aback by his strong tone and she clamped her mouth shut. Turning to the stairs she left for the safety of her room. It was going to be a long day.

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

"Phoebe!" Dave's demanding voice yelled from downstairs. Phoebe sighed and got up, his tone wasn't to be disobeyed so she went into the living room to see what he wanted.

"Make me a sandwich...turkey...no mayo," Dave ordered promptly upon seeing Phoebe in the doorway. Phoebe hesitated and Dave frowned.

"Well go you worthless brat!" he yelled. Phoebe jumped and scurried out of the room.

Phoebe shook as she put the sandwich together. She couldn't believe this was happening. She knew she hadn't trusted Dave from the beginning. Phoebe slowly returned with the sandwich. Dave looked at it and frowned again.

"I said NO mayo!" he shouted, standing up angrily. Phoebe instictively backed up.

"I'm...s...s...sorry," Phoebe stuttered as Dave approached.

All of a sudden Dave smacked Phoebe across the upper face, hitting her right against her eye. Phoebe gasped in pain and sunk to her knees, clutching her eye. Dave bent over close to her ear. His hot breath close to her neck Phoebe drew her breath in.

"You will tell NO one about this understand? Or you will pay dearly....get it?" Dave hissed. Phoebe nodded in fear and backed up some more. Dave flung his sandwich at her.

"Now make me a sandwich...NO mayo," he thundered.

Phoebe picked herself up and cleaned up the sandwich, returning to the kitchen Phoebe finally let her frightened tears fall. She drapped a cold cloth against her eye as she made another sandwich, carefull to leave off the mayo.

After she'd delivered the sandwich, Dave insisted she sit in the room where he could see her, as he watched TV. So Phoebe sat in the chair, curled up and praying he couldn't see her trembling. Phoebe stayed in that position without moving a inch until she heard Prue's car pull into the driveway. Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief and snuck a look at Dave. He stared at her with fire in his eyes.

"You tripped coming down the stairs and hit your eye against the railing understand?" Dave said fiercly. Phoebe nodded timedly and waited for Prue to come in.

Finally Prue opened the door and Phoebe jumped to her feet, running as fast as she could, and practically tackled Prue in a welcoming hug. Prue eyed her younger sister suspiciously as she pried Phoebe's arms from around her waist.

"Whoa...where's the fire?" Prue asked, looking at her sister.

"Hey, what happened to your eye?" Prue asked.

She became instantly concearned as she gently touched Phoebe's growing bruise. Phoebe winced and prepared to tell her fake story, but Dave entered the room and told it for her.

"She's been a ball of energy all day. She was running down the steps and tripped, I think she must've hit her head on the rail. I've been having her keep ice on it. The swelling should go down in a few days," Dave advised. Prue nodded.

"Well thanks a ton for taking care of her. See Pheebs, this is why we don't leave you alone," Prue lectured.

Phoebe sighed and wished desperatly she could tell her sister the truth. After Dave was gone Phoebe stayed no more than ten feet away from Prue at all times. Finally Prue got annoyed.

"Phoebe! What the hell is wrong with you, you're reminding me of a leech the way you're hanging so tight," Prue finally shouted, fed up.

Phoebe backed away, hurt. She'd just been so happy that she'd been saved from Dave she was almost too scared to be too far away. A part of her fully believed he'd come back and hurt her again. Prue noticed Phoebe's look and sighed.

"What's wrong Pheebs?" Prue asked as she sat down on the couch next to her little sister. Phoebe shook her head.

"Nothing," she replied firmly.

"Well did you have a good time with Dave today?" Prue asked. Phoebe gulped.

"Mmmm, hmmm," she responded hoarsly. Prue smiled.

"He sure is a great guy," Prue agreed as she smiled even bigger, "I'm so happy Grams found someone, she deserves it you know."

"I know," Phoebe responded tightly, she was getting uncomfortable.

She knew if the converstation went on much longer she'd be tempted to tell Prue the truth, but she didn't want to risk Dave hurting her again. Phoebe stood up and forced a yawn.

"Well I'm tired, I'm gonna go to bed," she said as she walked toward the steps.

"K, night Pheebs," Prue said.

"Night, love you," Phoebe responded as she climbed the stairs.

Phoebe was so physically broke down from the day's experience that she immedietly fell into a deep sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Pheebs...Phoebe...wake up," Piper gently shook her younger sister awake. Phoebe stirred and smiled when she opened her eyes to see Piper's smiling face looking down on her.

"How was shopping?" Phoebe asked, sitting up to face Piper.

"Fine, I heard about your eye. Poor thing...it looks painful," Piper commented, touching Phoebe's eye gently. Phoebe winced and Piper frowned.

"Ooops, sorry," she apologised, "so did you have a good time with Dave yesterday?" she asked hopefully.

Phoebe forced a smile, "Yeah...loads," she said with even less enthusiasm than she felt. Piper frowned and fiddled with the sheets.

"You don't like him...do you?" Piper questioned. Phoebe shrugged and turned away, so Piper couldn't read her face, which she knew would give her away.

"I got to get in the shower," Phoebe said, searching for a way out.

"Okay, and put on some decent clothes. We're going out to the park for a picnic today," Piper informed her younger sister. Phoebe immediety perked up.

"When?" she asked with excitment.

"As soon as Dave gets here...hurry up," Piper encouraged. Phoebe frowned at Dave's name and Piper seemed to get flustered, she couldn't see why Phoebe couldn't accept Dave.

"Look Pheebs, you better get used to it. Grams likes him a lot and he's going to be spending a good deal of time with us. So either you learn to like him, or pretend...for Grams' sake," Piper said as gently as she could, but firm enough to get her point across.

Phoebe sighed and silently got up, not looking at Piper and walked into the bathroom, closing the door with a thump. Piper sighed and got up slowly, she hated having to be stern with Phoebe, but her Grams' really liked this guy, and she diserved to be happy. But Piper would have never thought that if she'd have known where Phoebe really got that bruise.

Phoebe turned the hot water on in the shower and let it flow across her body and mix with the hot tears that were streaming down her face. She was smart enough to know that Dave would probably do this again. But she also knew she wanted Grams to be happy, and there was no way she wanted her sisters to get hurt. She had to protect them, even if it meant putting up with some torture. But Phoebe had no idea what she was in store for.

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

"It's such a beautiful day," Grams commented.

She and Dave were perched on a boulder, watching the bay. Piper and Prue were playing frisbee in the grass and Phoebe was near them, watching. She hadn't really spoke the whole day, and Dave had acted like nothing was wrong. Phoebe tried to convice herself that maybe that was just a one time occurance. He was being kind afterall, he'd even bought them all an ice cream cone on the way up to the park.

"Hey Grams, let's go for a walk," Piper suggested, collapsing on the ground, out of breath from all the chasing after the frisbee. Prue smiled in agreement.

"Good idea Piper, come on Grams," Pue pleaded.

"Someone has to stay here with the food," Grams reasoned.

"I'll stay," Dave volunteered. Grams smiled at his kindness.

"You shouldn't stay by yourself, Phoebe will stay with you. You two can play a good game of catch," Grams suggested, beaming at her clever idea.

Phoebe felt her heart jump and she sat up straight. Piper glanced at her sister and noticed her quick change. Phoebe locked eyes with Piper and silently pleaded for an escape, but Piper looked away. She couldn't understand what had gotten into Phoebe.

"Yeah, it'll be a good chance for you two to spend some time together," Prue agreed. Dave nodded.

"I think it's a wonderful idea...Phoebe?" he responded. Phoebe gulped hard, her throat tightening.

"That's ummm...fine with me," she managed to say. Grams smiled.

"It's settled then, we'll be back soon," Grams said as she, Prue and Piper stood to go.

Phoebe watched them leave with longing eyes. Once they'd disappeared into the brush Dave turned to Phoebe, with the same firy eyes she remembered from the day before. Phoebe shivered and gulped again, hard. Dave pointed to the picnic mess that was still littering their blanket.

"Clean up," he ordered gruffly, "you have five minutes."

Phoebe's eyes bulged at this outrageous task. Dave got furious at Phoebe's hesitation and swiftly pushed her toward the mess, Phoebe tripped on a rock and fell to the ground, twisting her ankle as she crumbled to the ground. Phoebe yelped in pain, tears rising in her eyes. Dave thundered toward her. Pulling her roughtly off the ground he threw her towards the picnic mess.

"You only have three minutes now," he hissed.

Phoebe hastily piled up all the waste and managed to stumble to the trash can. Phoebe heard Dave's booming laugh as she stepped too hard on her ankle and fell, spilling the trash all over. Phoebe laid on the ground, panting from the effort. Her ankle hurt so bad her head was spinning.

"Three minutes is up you peice of crap!" Dave yelled. He ran over to Phoebe and kneeled next to her.

"Get up you worthless bitch!" he hissed in her ear.

Phoebe felt her hot tears spill over her soft brown eyes and onto her pale cheeks. Phoebe tried to get up, but she crumpled to the ground again, her ankle was killing her. Dave's eyes were alight with rage.

"Get up!" he ordered.

"I...I...c...can't," Phoebe stuttered through her sobs.

Dave swiftly punched Phoebe in her stomach. Phoebe doubled over in pain and groaned. Dave laughed, an evil, terrifing laugh. Phoebe's tears were pouring down her face as she tried to squirm away from Dave. Dave grabbed her arm and jerked her up hard. He helped her balance and then, once she was steay he let her go.

"Now clean it UP!" he ordered.

Phoebe was too scared to disobey. She hobbled over and began picking up the spilled trash. Finally, after what felt like an eternity she finished. Just then she heard her sister's farmiliar voice coming closer. Dave swifly picked her up and set her down on the blanket. He sat down and set her ankle in his lap, taking off her shoe and putting a hand on either side of her ankle. Phoebe trembled in fear as her scared brown eyes locked with his wild blue ones.

"We were playing frisbee and you tripped over a rock and twisted your ankle. Don't let anybody see your stomach you hear?" Dave ordered quietly but in a intense tone. Phoebe nodded vigoursly.

"Good, and don't you breathe a word of this to nobody, or I'll make your sisters pay too. You wouldn't want me to hurt them too now would you?" Dave threatened, he knew Phoebe would do anything for her sisters, including sacrificing herself.

"I'll...do...w...whatever...you say," Phoebe agreed in a shaky tone. Dave smiled.

"That's a girl," he said.

All of a sudden Dave seemed to change. He put a smile on his face and the crazy look left his eyes.

"Now Phoebe, keep this still sweetheart," Dave spoke as Phoebe saw Grams, Piper and Prue emerge, laughing from the woods.

Piper saw Phoebe first and ran to her. Dropping to her knees she looked questionably at her baby sister. Prue and Grams followed close behind, concearn on their faces.

"Phoebe, angel, what happened?" Grams asked.

"Well I asked Dave to play frisbee and he said yeah. Anyway he told me to go long and I tripped over this rock and twisted my ankle. So he carried me over here to wait until you guys got back," Phoebe covered. Dave sent Phoebe a quick smile for her good coverup. Phoebe sighed in relief, she'd done well, he would leave her sisters alone.

"Poor child, do you think it's serious?" Grams asked, brushing Phoebe's hair from her face.

"Nah, I'll go ahead and wrap it when we get back and then I'd say she needs to take it easy for a week or so. But kids heal fast, she should be running like a deer again in no time," Dave said in a kind voice. Grams gazed at him lovingly as he scooped Phoebe up and started toward the car.

"We should really get this one home," he said.

"Of course," Grams agreed, starting after him.

Piper hung back for a minute, a worried look on her face. Prue noticed and frowned.

"What's wrong Pipe?" she asked.

"I don't know...don't you think it's weird that ever since Dave showed up Phoebe has been getting hurt," Piper commented.

"Piper, Phoebe is rowdy, she gets hurt all the time. And besides Dave is a great guy, he'd never hurt her intentionally," Prue assured. Piper shrugged.

"I guess you're right," she agreed and followed Prue towards the car.

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

"Can I come in?" Piper called later that night as she knocked on Phoebe's door.

"Yeah," her sister's voice called back.

Piper pushed open the door to find Phoebe laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her ankle was wrapped and propped up on a pillow. Piper went in and sat next to Phoebe. She gently pulled Phoebe into her lap. Phoebe looked surprised but soon settled comfortably, with her head against Piper's chest. All of a sudden Piper heard the soft sniffles of her baby sister crying, she looked down at Phoebe surprised. Tears glistened on Phoebe's cheek.

"Phoebe...what's wrong!" Piper asked, wrapping her arms tighter around her baby sister. Phoebe just continued to cry, the tears streaming down her face and onto Piper's shirt. Piper gently rocked her baby sister.

"Phoebe...you can tell me....please?" Piper begged.

"My ankle...hurts," Phoebe lied.

Really she was just so scared. She couldn't get the image of Dave's crazy blue eyes out of her mind. And what killed her was knowing that she'd have to live in this kind of pain until he and Grams broke up...if they broke up. Phoebe didn't know if she could do it, but she knew she'd die trying if it meant protecting her sisters. Even at the young age of 14 Phoebe felt a striking loyalty to her sisters that had loved her and raised her all these years, and to Grams for the same. But she was so scared. She trembled all the time, scared that at any moment Dave could stop by.

But at least for the moment Phoebe felt safe in Piper's arms. She let her tear filled eyes droop, refusing to answer Piper's pleas for an explanation to her cries. Finally Phoebe felt her body relax, sleep was coming.

Piper realised her younger sister had fallen asleep. Piper laid Phoebe carefully in her bed, pulling the covers up to her sister's chin. Piper gave her sister a gentle kiss on the head and gazed down at her. Wondering what Phoebe's sobs were about. She could tell her sister wasn't telling her something, but she didn't want to press too early, she didn't want Phoebe to freak and shut her out completely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Time passed and things inevitably got worse for Phoebe. As Dave spent more and more time with the family, Phoebe felt the sting of more and more abuse. Everytime she was alone with Dave he would find a reason to rein blow after blow on her small body. He'd even invented sick games, like seeing how many times he could hit her in the same spot before she screamed.

Phoebe went along with his fake stories and wore baggy clothes to hide her scarred and bruised body. If Grams or her sisters suspected anything they kept quiet. But all along they were getting more and more frustrated as they watched Phoebe change from her outgoing, rebelliant old self to a new obedient personality. Grams said that Phoebe was finally growning up, but Piper had the most suspicions. A month passed while Phoebe silently endured a kind of hell far too many children must bear. But what she didn't know was that it would finally come to a point....and soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A month and a week since Phoebe had felt her first hit from Dave she was along with him in the manor again. Grams was at work and her sisters were each with friends. She'd begged desperately for them to take her, but they wanted to be alone, and couldn't understand her terrified desperation to leave the house. So they made her stay, and Dave came over.

"Phoebe?...Get in here!" Dave yelled after Prue had pulled out of the driveway.

Phoebe slunk nervously into the room. She's learned a few things in the past month. If she was calm and obedient Dave would be more cooperative, but if she tried to rebel, she'd greatly pay. Phoebe entered the room and approached Dave. His eyes were glazed and his breath reeked of alcohol. Phoebe knew he was a drunk, he always had a beer in hand, although Grams never seemed to notice, or perhaps, didn't want to notice.

"Let's play catch okay Phoebe?" Dave asked with a wicked glare in his eyes.

Phoebe shuddered, she didn't know what this new game was, but she didn't like the sound of it. Phoebe walked over to the closet, to get her glove but Dave stopped her.

"Stop! Leave it...you won't need it for this game," he said with a laugh.

Now Phoebe was scared. Dave pulled his hand from his back, revealing a baseball. Before Phoebe knew what was happening Dave wound up and fired, pegging Phoebe right in the thigh. Phoebe screamed in pain and dropped instantly to the ground. Dave roared with drunken laughter.

"Stupid bitch, I thought you could catch...well catch it!" Dave said.

He picked up the ball he threw it again. Hitting Phoebe in the back. She groaned and curled up in a ball. She was really scared this time...for her life. Sobbing and shaking Phoebe dared not move, just wait. Then she felt it...the crashing sound of her ears, then when it felt like her head would explode, her world fell black.

Dave stopped laughing and ran to Phoebe, shaking her to get her up. But she couldn't, she was out cold. He'd hit her in the head. Afraid that he'd killed her Dave called 911 and hurried to hide the baseball.

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

"Dave! Where is she?" Grams questioned as she burst into the emergency room.

Piper and Prue were already there, sitting next to each other, hands intwined and tears on their faces. Grams could hardly keep her's in, but she knew she had to be strong now.

"We don't know, the doctor couldn't say. But he should be out soon," Dave answered.

"What HAPPENED?" Grams questioned. Dave took a deep breath, he'd spent the last hour devising a fool proof explanation.

"I...Um..." Dave started, his voice cracking, he'd planned this. "I heard a loud bang on the wall and...I went to see....and she was just throwing the ball...so hard...at the wall....and letting it hit her...then picking it up again and continuing....I tried to stop her...........I did," Dave insisted in teary face innocence. He knew it was working because Grams leaned down and pulled him close, shushing him soothingly,

"I'm sure you did your best," Grams assured.

"She just...kept going...then....it hit her head...I was so scared...I feel like it's my fault," Dave lied as he pretended to sob.

"Oh honey, it's not your fault at all. Phoebe has been going through some rough times, you couldn't have stopped her. You tried, don't blame yourself," Grams comforted.

The lie in progress was interupted when a doctor stepped out of the doors. Grams, Dave, Prue and Piper immedietly stood.

"How is she?" Grams questioned.

"Are you related to Phoebe Halliwell?" the doctor asked routinely.

"I'm her grandmother and these are her older sisters," Grams said impatiently.

"And he is......?" the doctor gestured toward Dave.

"He's my...boyfriend," Grams said, blushing a little. The doctor frowned and gestured toward the door.

"I'm sorry but this is strictly family only," the doctor said firmly. Grams frowned angrily and was about to argue when Dave held up a hand.

"No Penny, it's quite alright. I should go home and get my stuff anyway. I'll need to watch the manor while you're here," Dave insisted rationally. Grams nodded and kissed him goodbye. Finally the doctor would talk, after Dave had left the room.

"It appears Phoebe has sustained some serious internal as well as external injuries. She has a concussion, several bruised ribs, and lots of bruising. The good news is there seems to be no internal bleeding of any kind," the doctor paused and Grams took it to mean he was finished.

"May we see her?" Grams interjected.

"Actually, I was examining her body and she has a lot of bruises that are too old to be a result of this occurance. We'll have to ask you some mandatory questions before we can permit you to see her," the doctor explained. Grams gulped hard.

"You think...I....hit her?" Grams asked in disbelief.

Prue and Piper were staring, mouths open wide. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. They knew Grams didn't hit Phoebe, but then, who did?

"Dave," Piper mumbled under her breath.

"What?" Prue asked.

"Dave," Piper stated a little louder. Grams spun around.

"No way!" she exploded. She couldn't believe a man she'd loved and trusted would do such a thing to her grandaughter, whom she loved more than anything.

"Grams...it's the only explanation...I mean....who else could it be?" Piper said firmly.

All the times Phoebe had begged not to be left alone, all her unexplainable tears, and her change of mood came rushing back to Piper. She felt her knees buckle. Prue managed to catch Piper and lower her gently to the ground. Piper put her head in her hands and let guilty tears run down her face.

"I should...(sniff)...have known...all the times she...(sniff)...begged me to take her along," Piper sobbed. Prue wrapped her arms around her sister and joined in the tears.

"God, I can't believe this," Prue agreed. Grams stared down at them firmly.

"Get up! We don't know this is for certain. Doctor, can I please see my grandaughter, if I talk to her...maybe she'll tell us who did this to her," Grams pleaded.

The doctor frowned, but agreed. He could see that her family loved her too much to do such a thing. And he also knew that the force of the bruises suggested the strength beyond an elder woman or the younger girls.

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

"Phoebe!" Piper exclaimed.

She pushed open the door to find Phoebe lieing in her hospital bed. Hooked up to an IV. Phoebe smiled faintly when she saw them. Piper ran over and carefully wrapped her sister in a hug, careful not to disturb the tubes and machines. Prue also approached her sisters, and got in on the hug. Grams hung back a little. She was in disbelief that someone had been hurting her baby and she'd never even noticed.

"Grams?" Phoebe called in a small voice. Grams smiled and kissed her grandaughter on the cheek.

"Hi angel, how are you feeling?" Grams asked.

"Okay...when can I go home?" she asked. Grams laughed softly.

"Soon angel, soon," she replied. Then she frowned and turned her glance to her hands.

"Phoebe...there's something that the doctor said that I want to talk to you about. He said....there's some brusies....that look like somebody...hit you," Grams forced the words out.

Phoebe immedietly turned her eyes to the wall so they wouldn't see the tears that were welling up. But her small sniffles soon gave her away. She turned her head back to her family and they saw the hot tears glistening on her cheeks.

"It was Dave wasn't it?" Piper accused.

"No...no," Phoebe insisted in a scared voice. She remembered what Dave had said would happen if she told. To Phoebe's surprise Piper burst into tears.

"Why are you protecting him? Just tell us who's hurting you," Piper begged in a desperate whisper. Phoebe sighed, but fell silent. Gram sighed too and gently pulled Piper and Prue toward the door.

"I think we need to let Phoebe get some rest girls. Phoebe we'll be back to get you tomorrow," Grams said, leading them out. Phoebe didn't respond, she simply wiped the tears from her eyes and pulled her covers up to her chin.

Phoebe waited until her sisters and Grams were gone to let her cries out, and then she did. She let out all the confusion, the frustraion and hurt she'd been holding in, out in the form of hot tears and anguished sobs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Three weeks passed and Phoebe slowly but surely recovered fully. Her old bruises even began to fade. Nobody had mentioned Dave as an abuser since that night at the hospital. Grams refused to believe it, and Piper and Prue couldn't convince her without an explanation from Phoebe. However, they were careful that Phoebe and Dave were never in the house alone together.

But this day...that would change. Prue was at a friends house and Piper wanted to go out. She had Grams promise that she would stay home with Phoebe and not make her stay with Dave. Grams promised even though she still didn't believe any of this was Dave's fault.

However, once Piper was gone a friend of Grams' called and wanted to take Grams to lunch. Grams agreed and informed Phoebe she'd called Dave over to stay while she was to be gone.

"Grams...no...I want to stay with you!" Phoebe begged, her tone obviously scared. But Grams refused to see this, not wanting to believe that the man she was in love with could hurt anyone like that.

"It'll only be for an hour or so. And besides, you said yourself Dave has never hurt you," Grams pointed out. Phoebe sighed, she wasn't going to win.

Gram pulled out of the driveway twenty minutes later and Phoebe knew her second round of hell was about to begin. Dave found Phoebe hiding in her room and pulled her roughly into the hall.

"Well...Phoebe...long time no see," he laughed evily, his eyes wild and glazed. Phoebe gulped and prepared herself for the pain.

"Fill up the tub!" Dave ordered. Phoebe frowned at his request, infuriating him.

"Do it!" he screamed, punching her hard in her gut.

Phoebe felt the farmiliar bolt of pain rush through her and she felt her lungs gasp for air. Silently she straightened up. But she waited too long to regain posture and Dave hit her again, in the face. Phoebe bit her lip to hold back her tears and she tasted hot blood trickling down from her nose. Sobbing Phoebe crawled toward the bathroom.

Obediently filling the tub she returned to Dave. He smiled evily and took her by the hair, dragging her toward the tub,

"We're going to play a new game," he hissed.

Before Phoebe could react he thrust her head into the tub. Phoebe held her breath desperately. She struggled at first, but Dave just thrust her head under farther. Her lungs started to burn and Phoebe felt herself getting weak. Just as she was about to give up, Dave yanked her head up. Phoebe gasped uncontrollably for breath, while Dave laughed wildly.

"Fun, isn't it?" he roared.

Again he thrust her head into the water. Phoebe again held her breath. She didn't struggle, she'd learned he'd just hurt her more. She felt the farmiliar twinge of tingling lungs, but sooner than last time. Then, like last time she felt her head being yanked up as soon as she felt herself letting go.

"Third time's a charm," Dave said wickedly.

For the third time he submerged her head. Phoebe waited and her lungs tingled. She waited longer for him to pull her up. She began to panic, she needed breath but he wasn't taking her up. Phoebe saw dots dance across her eyes and she knew he was going to kill her this time. She wondered if it had been like this for her mother.

Phoebe felt herself slipping away, when suddenly..her head was pulled out again. Phoebe knew instantly something was different. The hand on her head was different...gentler. Phoebe crumpled in a heap next to the tub, gasping and sputtering.

All of a sudden Prue's angry voice rang out from close to her.

"You BASTARD!" Prue screamed.

Phoebe couldn't believe it, was she being saved? Phoebe mustered the strength to look up. Prue was there, facing Dave with a raging face. Dave stared squarly back at her. Phoebe took a quick breath as she remembered Dave's threat. She couldn't let him hurt her sisters.

"Prue...run...hurry....he'll hurt you," Phoebe pleaded, trying to get to her sister.

"Shut up!" Dave screamed, backhanding Phoebe.

Prue screamed in fury, "Get out!" she thundered, her face red and angry. Dave stood still defiantly. All of a sudden Prue pulled out a knife from her purse. She always kept it in case of emergencies. She pointed the tip at Dave and he stepped back.

"I said...GET OUT!" Prue threatened.

Dave may have been drunk but he wasn't stupid. He ran out of the house and Prue waited until she heard his car pull away until she dropped the knife and ran to Phoebe.

Prue dropped to her knees and pulled Phoebe into her lap. Phoebe curled up close, clutching Prue's arm and letting her tears fall in full force. She could barely catch her breath she was sobbing so hard. Prue rocked her baby sister gently as she cried.

"It's okay...I'm here. I won't ever let him hurt you again," Prue comforted.

"I was...so scared...I thought...he was going to...kill me," Phoebe sobbed, clutching Prue's shirt desperately. Prue continued to sooth her sister.

"It's okay...I'm not leaving...you're safe now," Prue comforted, rubbing Phoebe's back lightly.

"No...you have to go, he'll come back. He said...he said...." Phoebe trailed off, her trembling body shaking beyond control.

"What did he say sweetie?" Prue asked patiently. Prue could feel her sister's body shaking in her arms, Phoebe's wet hair soaking her shirt. Phoebe's chin was on Prue's shoulder and Phoebe was holding her sister with all her might, crying and whimpering like Dave would come back at any second and pull her away.

"He said if I ever told anyone, he'd...he'd hurt you and Piper," Phoebe was weeping openly now, her head in her hands as she snuggled closer to Prue, "I don't want him to hurt you."

Prue sighed, so that was why Phoebe had never told anyone Dave was the one beating her. She'd been afraid he'd come after her sisters next. Prue could barely contain her own anger toward Dave and how he had manipulated Phoebe into having to bear all that pain. She knew Phoebe could sense her feelings because Phoebe held tighter, burying her head in Prue's shoulder.

After a few minutes like this Prue knew she needed to get her sister and herself to safety before Dave decided to show up again. Prue managed to coax Phoebe to stand up, which she did with some help, she was so weak she could barely stand. Prue helped Phoebe downstairs and then picked up the phone. Prue called Piper and simply told her to go to Andy's and that she'd explain there. Prue left Grams a quick note explaining where they were and that she needed to stay away from Dave. Prue didn't have the energy to explain any more than that.

After that Prue loaded Phoebe carefully into her car. The whole time Phoebe refused to let go of Prue's hand. Prue didn't push it, she knew Phoebe needed her support now. She managed to drive one handed to Andy's house. Once she was there she managed to get Phoebe inside without much fuss. Prue was relieved to find Andy home alone. He didn't ask questions and took them in immedietly.

"Jeez, Phoebe...you look so pale. What happened?" Andy asked, noticing Phoebe's weak state and Prue's apparant fear in her pale face.

"I'll explain later...do you think we could stay here for awhile?" Prue asked.

"Of course," Andy agreed, he'd do anything for Prue, his best friend and ex girlfriend.

"I'm going to put Phoebe to sleep in your room, is that okay?" Prue asked as Phoebe laid her tired head against Prue's arm.

"That's fine," Andy assured. Prue nodded thankfully and went upstairs to Andy's room, Phoebe by her side.

Prue carefully laid Phoebe on Andy's bed. She heard the screetch of a kettle and knew Andy was preparing tea. Prue turned her attention to Phoebe, who was staring up at her with her tired brown eyes. Prue noticed how soft and innnocent they were, and she couldn't believe Phoebe had had to go through all that pain and she hadn't even noticed. Prue pushed her guilt out and reminded herself that helping Phoebe was the most important thing right now.

Prue gently pried Phoebe's hand off her own. Phoebe let go but stared urgently up at Prue.

"It's okay, I'm right here," Prue comforted, brushing some hair out of her baby sister's face.

"Are we safe now?" Phoebe asked, trying desperatley to keep her eyes open.

"Yes sweetie, Dave can't hurt us here," Prue assured.

"But what about Grams and Piper, he might hurt them," Phoebe said, trying to sit up.

"They're on their way here. It's okay...lay back down," Prue coaxed gently. Phoebe laid her head on the pillow and Prue smiled, "now get some rest. We'll figure out what to do. But first you need to get your rest," Prue advised.

Phoebe obediently nodded, "Will you stay with me?" Phoebe asked, kind of embarassed that she was being so childish.

"Of course," Prue said, picking up on her sister's embarrassment, "and don't worry. You're scared now and that's okay. And it's okay to cry and be confused, it's hard to see why this happened, but for now just get some rest. We'll work things out," Prue comforted. For the first time in weeks Phoebe smiled. She shut her eyes and was soon fast asleep.

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

Grams and Piper arrived at nearly the same time. Both barging in the door with worried faces. Prue went out in the foyer to greet them, Andy by her side.

"Where is she...is she okay?" Grams asked immedietly looking around for Phoebe.

"She's upstairs in Andy's room. She's sleeping," Prue answered calmly, leading her Grams and Piper into Andy's family room. They all sat down and looked at Prue expectantly.

"Is she hurt?" Piper finally asked, she couldn't take the silence.

"Well, I don't really know. He was um...drowning her when I got there," Prue choked on her words as she remembered how limp Phoebe's body had felt as she'd pulled her away from Dave and out of the tub.

"Oh my God," Grams whispered under her breath.

Piper stood up with anger in her eyes. She couldn't believe somebody had been hurting her sister for months and she hadn't even noticed it. Prue looked up at Piper and they shared a look. Prue knew what Piper was feeling, she felt it too. They were the older ones, the protectors, and they hadn't been able to detect a thing wrong with Dave.

"I want to see her," Piper said finally.

"Piper, she's sleeping," Prue tried to reason.

"I don't care, I just want to see her," Piper pleaded. Prue nodded reluctantly.

"She needs the rest though Piper, let her sleep," Prue advised.

Piper noticed how Prue had taken charge. How Grams hadn't said a word since she found out her lover had been brutally beating her youngest grandaughter. She couldn't believe it, wouldn't believe it. Piper shook her head and headed for Andy's room, to see Phoebe.

"There must be some other explanation. He wouldn't...hurt her," Grams said in unaccepting confusion.

Prue looked shocked, she couldn't believe Grams was doubting this, and had been ready to throw Victor out the moment he raised his voice. Prue knew Grams loved Dave, and that love was blind, but this was ridiculous.

"Grams, you have to. Remember when Phoebe went to the hospital a month ago, remember when the doctor thought a man caused those bruises. It has to be him Grams," Prue tried to explain.

"No, NO, I can't believe it," Grams said standing up suddenly, tears in her eyes.

"Grams...."

"No Prudence, this is not right," Grams said, and with that she briskly left. Prue heard her car start up and she went to follow her but Andy grabbed her arm.

"She needs to do this herself," Andy said. Prue nodded.

"I should go check on Phoebe," she said. Andy nodded as Prue turned and headed up the stairs.

Prue pushed open the door to Andy's room. Piper was on the bed, sitting next to Phoebe's sleeping body. Piper had her hand in Phoebe's and had tears running down her cheeks. Prue walked over and put a comforting hand on Piper's shoulder.

"She'll be okay. At least he won't hurt her anymore," Prue tried to comfort.

"But he's hurt her so much already, and not just physically. She's been so quiet lately, and so good, I should have noticed something was wrong Prue. I should have pried, got her to tell me," Piper said in guilt. Prue shushed her.

"Piper, this isn't anyone's fault but Dave's. HE hurt her like this," Prue explained.

Suddenly Phoebe stirred and opened her soft brown eyes. She squinted and glanced up at her sisters. Seeing them, a light smile played across her lips. She squeezed Piper's hand gently.

"Hi," she said in a hoarse voice lacking strength.

"Hey there angel, feeling any better?" Piper asked softly.

"A little...is Grams here?"

"She um...left a little while ago. She's trying to figure things out for herself too," Prue explained, not exactly knowing what to say.

"She doesn't believe you," Phoebe guessed.

She knew how hard-headed Grams could get when she loved someone. She'd been like that with their father. Not letting him explain himself before she decided she hated him.

"Phoebe it's just that...this is hard for her too," Piper tried to reason.

"Oh really, he hit her too? He tried to drown her in her own bathtub? He threw baseballs at her head too?" Phoebe replied sarcastically, then she continued, raising her voice, "that's bullshit!"

Piper and Prue sighed. They knew all Phoebe had known lately was pain and that she was angry and needed to let it all out. But anger at Grams wasn't going to help the situation at all. All of a sudden Phoebe burst into tears and collapsed into racking sobs on the bed.

"I'm...s.....sorry," she stumbled, "I'm...s....sorry...f...for...yelling."

Piper and Prue looked at each other confused as Phoebe seemed to go into a panic. But Piper acted fast, pulling Phoebe into her arms and holding tight against Phoebe's kicks and screams. Finally she seemed almost to melt into Piper's lap. The tears flowing and her body trembling in tears. She buried her head in Piper's hair and flung her arms tightly around Piper's neck. Prue sighed and sat down next to them, lightly scratching Phoebe's back.

"We're going to get through this Phoebe, we WILL!" Piper said firmly, holding her sister as tightly as she could, almost afraid that if she let go, Phoebe would fall apart completely.

"Hey, want some tea?" Andy asked, pushing open the door. Phoebe sat up and Prue was about to ask Andy to leave when Phoebe headed her off.

"Actually...that'd be great," she said.

Prue smiled as Andy brought in a tray with four mugs and the tea pot. He poured them each a cup which they drank greedily as they watched each other.

"So...you better?" Andy asked, he wasn't sure what was going on.

Only that someone named Dave had hurt Phoebe, and that was enough for Andy to know immedietly he hated this man. He loved Prue, so he loved her sisters too. He felt like a big brother to Phoebe and Piper and didn't want to let anything happen to them. The corners of Phoebe's mouth tugged at a smile and she nodded.

"Dave was Gram's boyfriend," Prue explained, knowing Andy was probably just about clueless. Andy nodded slowly in understanding.

"I see...that's why she was so upset?" Andy asked. Piper nodded.

"Yeah, she fell for him..hard," Piper said.

Phoebe shivered. Just talking about him gave her the chills. Prue noticed and decided to change the subject.

"So...whatda say Andy? Sleepover?" she asked. Andy smiled broadly.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said.

Andy left to get some extra bedding while Prue, Piper and Phoebe changed into some of Andy's old shirts. Andy made Prue and Piper a bed on the floor. Insisting he'd sleep on the couch so Phoebe could have the bed. Once they were settled Andy flicked off the light.

"Goodnight you three," he said.

"Night Andy," all three replied at once. Andy laughed as he shut the door.

"So do you think Grams is okay?" Phoebe asked into the darkness.

"I think she will be. She just needs some time to accept things," Prue said wisely.

After that the girls were silent. Prue waited until she heard each of her sister's quiet, sleeping breathing. Only then did she let sleep take over her tired body.

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

"No!" Phoebe woke up screaming as she sat bolt upright in bed, sweat pouring across her body.

Prue and Piper were up in an instant, going immedietly to Phoebe's side.

"Are you okay?" Piper asked.

"Yeah, just a nightmare. No big deal," Phoebe said, taking slow, deep breaths.

"It's okay, go back to sleep," Phoebe assured them.

"Are you sure?" Prue asked hesitantly.

"Positive, go on."

Phoebe laid back down as her sisters returned to their spots on the floor. But sleep took a long time in returning, but at least this time it was dreamless. Not exactly peacefull...but dreamless all the same.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phoebe woke up the next morning and rubbed her eyes groggily. She sat up and noticed her sisters were gone. She listened carefully and heard laughter from downstairs. She smiled to herself and flung off her covers. She went to the end of the bed and changed into her jeans, leaving on the shirt she'd slept in, because her other one was covered in dried blood from her nose. Phoebe gagged at the sight of it and turned away. She headed downstairs, toward the laughter.

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

Prue looked up and smiled when she saw Phoebe enter. Her brown hair was wild and tangled from the night's sleep, but her brown eyes had a faint tint of their old glow, which Prue took as a good sign.

"Come here Pheebs," Piper called, motioning to her lap.

Phoebe smiled and plunked herself down on Piper's lap. Andy was at the stove, cooking eggs and bacon. Phoebe sniffed hungrily.

"You cook?" she asked with a giggle.

"You betcha," he replied, attempting to flip a pancake, which rebelliously fell to the floor. The sisters erupted in an outburst of giggles while Andy blushed deep and picked up the pancake.

"I guess this one's mine," he teased.

At that moment the doorbell resounded throughout the house. Piper felt Phoebe's body tense in her lap. Prue looked at Andy who shrugged.

"Expecting someone?" she asked suspiciously. He shook his head.

"My parents are out of town until Monday. And Rebecca is at a friends," he said, referring to his younger sister, Rebecca.

"Hmmm," Prue wondered, "maybe it's Grams. You mind if I get it?" she asked.

"Go right ahead," Andy agreed.

Prue went to the door and pulled it open. Expecting to find her Grams standing there, but instead she found herself face to face with Dave. He looked raggity and tired. Prue's anger flared up immedietly and she started to slam the door, but he put his foot inbetween the door and the frame, blocking it from closing.

"Wait...I just want to talk to Penny," he said, he was obviously hung over.

"She doesn't want to talk to you," Prue hissed, trying to keep her voice down so Phoebe wouldn't realise who was at the door.

"Prue who is...." Piper started, coming into the room and stopping abruptly when she saw Dave, "...it," she finished softly. Piper walked up behind Prue, her face smoldering with anger.

"What is HE doing here?" she asked vehnimiously.

"I want to talk to Penny," Dave repeated.

"How did you find us here?" Prue asked.

"Is Penny even there?" he asked, trying to peek in.

"How did you find us here?" Prue asked again, her voice dripping with rage.

"You left a note for Piper and I found it when I went to the manor to talk to Penny," Dave explained quickly, "now is she HERE?" he asked stubbornly.

"Hey guys breakfast is re......" Phoebe couldn't finish because she spotted Dave at the door.

Phoebe took a step back and flushed immedietly. Her knees got shaky and she felt herself get dizzy. She grabbed onto the doorframe for support as she let out a low moan.

Andy ran in when he heard Phoebe moan. He was about to help her when he also saw who was at the door. Andy's eyes narrowed and he strided toward the door, standing next to Prue protectively.

Piper went to Phoebe, taking her little sister by the arm and leading her back into the kitchen, knowing Prue and Andy could handle it. Back in the foyer Andy was glaring at Dave who was still stubbornly wedged in the doorway.

"I think you need to leave," Andy said firmly.

"Look at the big man...look sonny...I'll leave whenever I damn well please...and that's going to be when I can talk to Penny," Dave said with arrogance. Andy was about to open his mouth to yell, but suddenly a small voice could be heard from behind Dave.

"Get out!"

Dave whirled around and found himself face to face with Penny. Prue stared at her Grams, her face was worn and tired looking and her eyes were red; she'd been crying. Dave instantly turned on a smile and took his foot out of the doorframe in order to take a step toward Penny.

"Stay away from me!" Grams said firmly, taking a step back. Dave looked shocked.

"But Penny...you can't honestly believe I would hurt Phoebe!" he exclaimed.

"I don't have much other choice do I? I didn't hurt her, and I know her sisters would never hurt her...so there's only you," Grams said, her voice wavering, but she stood firm. Dave was still staring with open mouth.

"But..Penny," was all he could say.

"No Dave. You need to leave," she said firmly.

Dave turned angry. Brushing coldly against Penny as he passed he returned to his car. Screeching down the street, he disappeared from their lives.

"Grams!" Prue said with a smile. Grams gave her a weak smile back.

"I just needed some time to think. I understand now," she explained. Prue nodded.

"Is Phoebe up?" Grams asked.

"Yeah, she's in the kitchen with Piper. But be careful...she's probably a little shaky after seeing Dave again like this," Prue warned.

Grams headed toward the kitchen. Prue started to follow but Andy gently grabbed her arm. She turned to him and found herself staring into his perceptive blue eyes. Her breath caught in her throat. He was so intense, Prue felt all her old feelings come rushing back to her.

"Prue, these last few months...without you....it's just been....well hell," Andy said, reflecting on the three months that followed Prue breaking up with him.

Prue sighed, "I know," she said softly, lowering her head.

"Then why did you do it?"

"I was scared Andy. I had all these feelings for you and I didn't know what to do with them. I mean, I have to leave for college in three weeks and I couldn't bear to leave you...so I figured I'd save myself the pain by breaking up with you," she admitted. Andy had always been the one person Prue could share everything with.

"The last thing I want to do is hurt you," Andy said gently. Prue lowered her head and leaned heavily against Andy, he instictively wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I know," she said, biting her lip, "but I can't take another broken heart," she admitted.

"So...I won't break it," he said with a cocky smile. Prue laughed.

"Okay....but let's take it slow....simple?" she asked.

"Of course," he replied, tilting her head up he stared into her eyes.

He wanted so badly to kiss her, to hold her in his arms and taste her lips again, but he knew she needed time. Time to heal and time to accept him again, and he was more than willing to wait. So he held his urge and just pulled her close. They hugged for a few minutes until she finally pulled away, gently.

"We should get back, breakfast is getting cold," she said with a smile. Andy grinned back, following her into the kitchen with the blue eyes of a lovesick puppy.

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

"Phoebe, are you ready to go?" Grams called up the stairs.

Phoebe appeared on the top of the stairs. She was holding a trashbag that held her bloody clothes. Piper was behind her and Prue was in the kitchen, saying goodbye to Andy.

"Yeah," she said with a small smile.

Grams stared at her youngest grandaughter as she descended the stairs. Phoebe was such an optomist Grams knew she would get through this. She also knew that Phoebe was weak now from the pain. But of all her sisters, Grams figured Phoebe was probably most capable of handling something like this.

Prue would bottle up her shame and guilt to the exploding point, and Piper would be so hurt and confused she'd break down. But Phoebe, she would talk about it, with time, and learn from it. Grams knew that Phoebe wouldn't be the same again overnight--but with time and love she would go back to the free spirited, light hearted girl she'd always been.

"Goodbye kiddo," Andy said, walking in the room with Prue behind him.

"Bye Andy, thanks for the place to stay...and the breakfast," Phoebe said with a laughing smile. Andy smiled back and gave her a hug.

"Alright girls, let's go," Grams said, taking the trashbag from Phoebe and walking it toward the car.

Phoebe looked at both her older sisters as they took each of her hands. Phoebe knew it would be hard to put all this pain past her, but if she had help she could do it. She knew she could always count on her sisters to be there with a listening ear and a comforting hug.

"Can we get ice cream?" Phoebe asked, taking advantage of the moment.

"For you? Anything," Prue said with a light smile as she took Phoebe and swooped her sister over her shoulder and onto her back. Phoebe laughed as Prue carried her to the car, piggyback style.

"But only if you get two scoops," Piper insisted with a teasing tone.

"Only two?" Phoebe teased back.

The sisters laughed and Grams smiled. Yes, she assured herself, things would definitely be okay.