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.

Prologue
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Prue!" Piper started to shout.

She wanted to continue, so say everything on her mind. Like how pissed she was that her eldest sister had left her photography equipment lying all around the kitchen AGAIN, and how because of that she had practically sprained her ankle on a spare lens. But Piper just couldn't. Sometimes she just wished she didn't have to be the middle sister, she wished she could be angry and not feel bad about it, sometimes she even wished she had the strength to just...yell.

But that wasn't Piper. And as Prue walked in, a curious look on her face, Piper did what she did best. Suppressed her words, her anger. Little did she know that soon years of suppressed anger would come out on a very unsuspecting sister, and that all those years of suppressing anger would release in a usually timid, sweet Piper, a rage she didn't know she contained.

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

"What is it Piper?" Prue asked coming into the kitchen.

"Prue you left your equipment out again. I almost tripped, can't you remember to put it away after you use it?" Piper complained urgently.

"Sorry Pipe, I'll remember next time, I promise," Prue said, picking up her lens and some photos and heading off to the basement and her dark room. Piper sighed, trying to release some of the tension.

"What's wrong?" Phoebe asked, she'd heard Piper's sigh.

"Nothing," Piper snapped back a little too harshly. Phoebe looked hurt.

"Whoa, somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Phoebe said, throwing up her hands in innocence.

"Sorry!" Piper exclaimed, "I'm just tired."

"Late night with Mr. Angel?" Phoebe teased.

"No, he was didn't come by last night. I hope we aren't going to be getting demon trouble," Piper said.

"I don't think that's it," Phoebe said with a confidence Piper thought suspicious.

"And how would you know?" Piper asked, cocking an eyebrow at her kid sister.

"I just...figured...I would have gotten a premonition or something," Phoebe stumbly recovered, "I got to go to class, be back later."

"I thought you didn't have any classes until 2:00 today," Piper said, checking the schedule.

"I don't, it's a...um...study group," Phoebe lied, grabbing a shoebox from the counter and slipping out the door before Piper could question any further.

"Probably has a date...hope she remembers she's supposed to help at the club," Piper thought, grabbing a towel to wipe down the kitchen before heading to P3 to get ready for the karoki day that was to take place tomorrow night.

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

"Hi Leo, glad you're here. Thought you weren't coming," Phoebe smiled as Leo orbed into the room. He smiled back, sitting down in the chair next to her and looking at the items spread out before her on the table in the library.

"Sorry, I had some things I had to take care of," Leo apologized. Phoebe frowned.

"Nothing evil I hope?"

"No, nothing evil," Leo replied smiling.

"Good, cause I need all the help I can get and orbing, for clarification, is not help," Phoebe teased. Leo laughed.

"Looks like you've already got quite a start here," Leo complimented, studying the objects.

"I want to make this gift good you know? Piper deserves the best for her birthday," Phoebe said, collecting up the items and starting to put them back in the box.

"I agree," Leo nodded.

"Okay, ready to go out memory hunting?" he asked, taking her hand.

"Very," she smiled, and stood up, and they left the library, heading toward Quake.

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

Prue loaded her equipment in the trunk and headed for the club. She'd just gotten off work and was supposed to help Piper and Phoebe set up for tomorrow night. As she was nearing the club she noticed two familiar faces, walking down the street, side by side, laughing. Prue did a double take and slowed down.

"Phoebe?"

"Leo?"

Prue pulled the car over next to them and rolled down her window. Trying not to over react she gave a vague smile but got right to the point.

"What are you two up to?" she asked.

"We're working on my gift to Piper for her birthday," Phoebe explained, hopping into the passenger seat of her sister's car. Leo got in the back.

"And you needed...two people?" Prue questioned suspiciously.

"Leo is helping me, you can help too if you want. I'm making a memory book. I just needed Leo for today. Because one section of the book is going to be about him, ya know? So I needed him to give me some ideas for things to put in it. Like napkins from a restaurant they ate at, ya know," Phoebe explained. Prue smiled.

"That's a great idea Pheebs," she replied, a little jealous she hadn't thought of it herself.

"I know. I'll probably need your help too, digging out old pictures and explaining them and stuff....if you don't mind," Phoebe said.

"Not at all, I think your scrape book idea is wonderful," Prue said.

"Thanks," Phoebe smiled, she was happy she was getting some positive praise for a birthday gift.

"Just one question," Prue said.

"What's that?" Phoebe asked as they pulled into the club parking lot.

"How come I got a card three days late like usual?" Prue asked in a light tone. Phoebe smiled mischievously.

"Don't you worry Prue, I already got an idea cooked up for your next birthday," Phoebe teased, she knew her older sister hated waiting for surprises.

"Tell me," Prue whined. Phoebe laughed.

"Not a chance."

"Come on...just a hint?" Prue begged as they entered P3 to find Piper at the bar.

"Hint about wha...Leo!" Piper exclaimed, spotting her angel.

"Hey sweetie," he smiled, and kissed her.

"What are you doing here?" Piper asked.

"I picked them up on the way home," Prue replied, which got her a hard elbow from Phoebe. Piper looked suspicious.

"What were you two doing together?" Piper asked curiously.

"Working on a...um...project. Leo was helping me on a paper I have to write about ummm...the world war," Phoebe covered quickly. Prue gave Phoebe a is-that-the-best-you-could-do-look. Phoebe came back with a well-you're-the-one-who-almost-blew-it look and Prue shut her mouth.

Piper raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue. She trusted Leo, and she knew Phoebe would never hurt her like that. But she remembered the whole Prue and Roger fiasco and decided to keep a closer eye on her younger sister.

"So, you need a hand?" Phoebe asked, changing the subject quickly, noting to lecture Prue when she got home.

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

"What are you doing up so early Pheebs?" Piper asked as she entered the kitchen the next morning to find her baby sister dressed and finishing a bagel.

"Running," she replied.

"In that?" Piper asked, glancing at her sister's blue jeans and khaki sweater.

"No, I'm going to change at the gym," Phoebe explained.

"I thought you said you were running," Piper pointed out, confused.

"After the gym," Phoebe replied calmly.

Just then Leo walked downstairs. His hair was combed and he had on his clothes. Piper looked at him suspiciously. He kissed her and then smiled. She knew what that meant.

"They called you?" Piper complained, already knowing the answer.

"Sorry," Leo apologized, kissing Piper again. Then he smiled at Phoebe, who was inching toward the door while Piper was occupied, to avoid further questioning.

"Bye Pheebs," he said. She waved as she walked out the door.

"I'll be back up lunch Piper," she called as she shut the door.

"I really have to go. I'll make it up to you I promise," Leo said, kissing her again, savoring it, but was then orbed out, mid-kiss.

Leo reappeared in front of the manor where Phoebe was waiting.

"You should have been an actor," she complimented.

"Thank you. Where to today?" he asked.

"The club. Piper has the day off so I know she won't be in, and I need you to show me where you said you saw that card that you gave her for Valentines Day last year was," Phoebe explained. Leo nodded and took her hand. Checking that the coast was clear the duo disappeared in blue dots.

Piper had gone to the door to get the mail. As she opened it, she caught the last bit of two figures orbing out. She didn't have to be a genius to figure out who the second figure was. Piper felt her anger rise up, but she calmed herself.

"Don't jump to conclusions. Just ask Phoebe about it when she gets home," Piper tried to calm herself. And so she went into her familiar pattern. Suppressing her anger...all the while not knowing that it would soon explode, with heart breaking results.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Phoebe pushed open the manor door later that night. She walked softly, praying Piper wasn't mad that she'd missed dinner. At that moment Piper walked down the stairs, an annoyed expression on her face. She started to speak but Phoebe held her off.

"I know....I know. I'm sorry I missed dinner," Phoebe said, throwing up her hands in innocence.

"Where have you been?" Piper asked, trying to be calm.

"Um....studying, and then I went to the gym," Phoebe told a little white lie.

In truth she'd been working on Piper's memory book, and was almost done. She just needed Prue to get her some pictures and she would be finished. She was pretty proud of her work, she'd done a good job.

"Is Prue here?" Phoebe asked quickly, changing the subject so Piper wouldn't get suspicious about the book, she wanted it to be a surprise.

Piper noticed Phoebe change the subject and took it to mean her little sister was hiding something. Piper could feel her frustration and feelings of betrayal rise up in to her throat. She wanted to yell, but she decided to wait...she needed to talk to Leo first.

"She should be back from her shoot any minute," Piper replied coldly, "dinner is in the kitchen."

Phoebe noticed the tone, but figured Piper was upset that she'd been gone all day.

"Okay, I'll be right back," Phoebe said, heading to the kitchen to eat.

"Leo! Get your angel ass down here right now!" Piper called once Phoebe was out of the room. Leo orbed in, looking confused.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Where were you all day?" Piper asked suspiciously.

"I told you I got called, why?" Leo asked, trying to kiss Piper, she backed away.

"Are you sure about that?" Piper asked, raising an eyebrow. Now Leo looked confused. He put up his hands in innocence.

"Piper I swear. Why are you even asking me that?" he asked.

Just then Piper caught something on Leo's pinkie finger sparkle. She stepped forward and grabbed his hand. Staring at it, she sighed in defeat. Phoebe's ring was on his pinkie. Piper recognized it immediately because she'd given Prue and Phoebe both the same identical ring last year for Christmas with P3 inscribed on the inside for Power of Three. She knew Phoebe wore it everyday and the only way Leo would have it was if Phoebe gave it to him.

"What's this?" Piper asked, pulling the ring off his finger. Piper thought she noticed a flicker of embarrassment in Leo's eyes.

"It's...umm...Phoebe's ring," he answered honestly.

"And you have it because...?" Piper snapped.

"I found it on the steps this morning and thought I would give it back to her when I saw her next," Leo fibbed.

"Bullshit, tell me the truth Leo...you and Phoebe are having an affair aren't you?" she accused.

Piper expected saying these words to bring tears to her eyes, but surprisingly her eyes were dry, but her anger rose up in a bomb, ticking and waiting for the right moment to explode.

"Piper that's crazy...I just..." Leo started, trying to explain, but Phoebe interrupted them.

"What is going on in here?" she asked, looking grumpy, "I couldn't even eat with you two yelling."

"Oh, here comes the back stabber now," Piper mocked.

Grabbing Phoebe's wrist she yanked it forward, looking for something of Leo's. She was about to let go when a smell rose up. She recognized it immediately...Leo's cologne. Piper let go of Phoebe roughly and Phoebe noticed her sister's brown eyes were smoldering. Phoebe felt her breath quicken, was she afraid? Of Piper?

"Piper...what..." Phoebe started.

"Shut up!" Piper snapped. Phoebe was so surprised she clamped her mouth shut.

"I can't believe you two! My own sister...and you. I thought I could trust you Leo!" she yelled. Phoebe finally understood what was happening. Sighing, relieved, she started to explain to Piper.

"Piper if you think me and Leo...you're crazy. We were simply..." Phoebe started.

"You were simply what?....Going behind my back and stabbing the shit out of me. God Phoebe, I thought you had changed after that whole thing with Prue. I can't believe you!" Piper screamed.

Phoebe couldn't react, she couldn't believe this was happening. Did Piper honestly think that she would have an affair with Leo? Phoebe wanted to yell back, but her voice was caught as she felt the hurt tears rise up. She tried to hold them in, she would NOT cry now. At that moment Prue pushed open the door and ran into the room. A worried look plastered on the oldest Halliwell's face she glanced around.

"What's wrong? I heard yelling," Prue said, quite out of breath.

"Oh nothing besides my sister is a slut and my boyfriend is a jerk," Piper said sarcastically. She couldn't control her anger anymore.

"Piper..." Leo started.

"Get out," Piper ordered. Leo looked shocked.

"Piper...I," Leo started to explain but again Piper cut him off.

"I said get the hell OUT!" Piper screamed. Leo shook his head but obeyed, leaving in a mess of blue dots.

Prue stared in a shocked trance at Piper. She'd never seen her younger sister this angry. Prue turned her gaze to Phoebe, who was also staring at Piper, tears in her eyes. It didn’t' take a rocket scientist to figure out that Piper must think there was something going on between Phoebe and Leo.

"Piper...I'm sure Phoebe can explain this," Prue tried to reason.

"Stay out of this Prue," Piper snapped, "this is between Phoebe and I."

Piper took a step toward Phoebe, "I can't believe you. All these years I stood by you, I was there for you and this is my payment? You stab me in the fucking back?" Piper screamed, poking Phoebe hard in the chest. Phoebe backed up a little. The tears were pouring down her face now. But she couldn't speak to defend herself, she was too choked up.

"Don't you have anything to say? Huh Pheebs? No quick comeback?" Piper sneered, "Or did kissing Leo take your breath away?"

"Shut up Piper!" Phoebe finally managed to get out, "you don't know what you're talking about."

"I know damn well what I'm talking about. I saw your ring on Leo's finger, I saw you two orb out together this morning on the lawn, and I know you've been spending time together, which explains why Prue saw you two together the other night," Piper yelled. Phoebe sighed.

"Piper I can explain all that..." Phoebe started.

"You'll explain shit. No! You will listen to me," Piper yelled.

"Why don't you just hit me then," Phoebe challenged in an almost-whisper,

"What did you say?" Piper asked loudly.

"I said...why don't you just hit me then. If you hate me so much," Phoebe said, stepping toward her sister, she was getting her voice back. And her anger was rising at the fact that Piper wouldn't let her explain.

Piper swifly slapped Phoebe across the face. Prue gasped as Phoebe's head snapped to the side. Phoebe put a hand to her face and let a few tears slide down. Prue was about to intervene when it happened...............
something inside Piper snapped. Her time bomb of suppressed emotions had come to the end of it's nerve. Phoebe sensed the change and backed up against the wall in fear. Prue closed her eyes and took a deep breath, praying this wasn't happening.

~~~~~~~~~~

Something in Piper snapped...her eyes changed. They were still brown, but the regular Piper, their sister, wasn't there anymore. Instead it was anger...pure rage driving her. The time bomb of suppressed anger had gone off, and there wasn't anything left to do now, it would have to take it's toll.

Piper ran at Phoebe and tackled her to the ground. Phoebe was so surprised she landed with a thud, but she quickly recovered and used her martial arts knowledge to throw Piper off of her. But Piper wasn't deterred, she came back with that much more force, she managed to pin Phoebe's arms to the ground. Then she wrapped her hand around Phoebe's throat. Prue started to use her power to throw Piper off Phoebe but Phoebe spoke.

"Don't Prue! If you use your powers on her it'll break them. Remember last time?" Phoebe managed to squeak out before Piper tightened her hold on Phoebe's neck.

Prue stared at her hand, lowering it. She knew Phoebe was right, last time they'd almost been killed when they'd used their powers on each other and lost them, then were faced with a demon attack. (u guys remember Power Outage right?) Prue started to go toward Phoebe, to help her, but Piper spoke, stopping her.

"Don't step any closer. I'll snap her neck," Piper threatened. Prue's eyes widened, but she obediently stepped back.

Piper turned her gaze on Phoebe again. Phoebe looked up into the eyes staring out at her from Piper's face. She didn't see a trace of her old sister left in the brown eyes. They were filled with rage, rage from years of suppressed anger and unspoken screams. There was no love, no mercy in her eyes. For the first time Phoebe was terrified of her older sister, as Piper cut off her air. Phoebe gasped for breath and finally let a few scared tears slide down her face her thoughts settling on the fact that she'd never get to explain the truth to Piper, and that she wouldn't get to say she loved her sisters. The tears took on force, the only part of Phoebe that continued to work as Piper cut off her oxygen. They were streaming down her face now, glittering on her red cheeks.

All of a sudden Phoebe saw the old Piper tint come back into her brown eyes. Piper stared down at Phoebe, it seemed the tears had triggered the real Piper to come back. She slid off Phoebe and stood up, staring down at the figure of her younger sister, curled up and gasping for breath, tears trickling down her cheeks. Prue rushed over and pushed past Piper to get to Phoebe. She gently touched her sister's arm but Phoebe pulled back. Standing up shakily she turned to face Piper.

"I'm sorry that you feel you have to hate me for something I didn't do," Phoebe said quietly and then ran up the stairs. She came back down a few second later, carrying a box. Handing it roughly to Piper she sighed.

"That's what we were doing....making you a birthday gift," she explained and then she turned and ran up the steps again...her door slamming.

Piper sighed and crumpled to the ground, burying her head in her arms. Prue sat down next to her and waited. Finally Piper looked up at Prue, apology written on her face.

"What happened to me?" she asked shakily.

"You exploded. All those times of suppressing your anger, and stuff. It all came out and kind of possessed you," Prue explained, she had often expressed to her younger sister that Piper needed to let her anger out somehow, in a constructive way instead of bottling it up.

"I hit her," Piper whispered, shaking her head and sighing, "I can't believe I hit her."

Just then Leo orbed back in. Piper lowered her head, but to her surprise Leo walked over and wrapped his arms around her, thankful, she held him close.

"I'm so sorry," Piper sobbed.

"I know," Leo nodded, gently letting her go.

"I had Phoebe's ring because she told me to hold it for her when she was gluing your memory book together. She didn't want it to get messed up," Leo explained.

"Memory book?" Piper asked confused.

"That, or rather...what that will soon be," he nodded toward the box.

Piper opened the lid and gasped. In it were all sorts of artifacts from her life. A napkin from a restaurant she and Leo had gone to, ticket stubs from movies she'd seen, an article about P3 in the paper, and then Piper pulled out a pocket from one of Leo's shirts. It smelled heavily of Leo's cologne. Understanding hit.

"This is why Phoebe smelled like you?" she asked softly, Leo nodded.

"She wanted you to have a way to remember me, when I'm not here," he replied in a gentle tone. Piper sighed.

"She was doing all this for me, and I practically killed her for it," Piper sobbed, putting the items back in the box.

Prue put an arm around her confused sister and sighed too. Piper laid her head on Prue's shoulder.

"What am I supposed to do?" she asked.

"I think you need to go up there, and talk to her," Prue advised. Piper shook her head.

"She hates me. I can't believe I said those things to her," Piper said. Shivering as she remembered the pain in her younger sister's eyes when she shoved the box at Piper.

"We're talking about Phoebe here. The last thing she does is hate you," Prue reasoned. Piper sighed again. She knew Prue was right. Kissing Leo she stood up.

"I'll be back later, after things cool down," Leo said, orbing out.

Piper took a last glance at Prue, who gave her a reassuring nod and then she walked up the steps toward Phoebe's room, trying to think of something she could say. But her mind was blank, how would she make up for the terrible things she said, let alone the fact that her sister was probably petrified of her. A cold tingle ran up Piper's spine remembering how scared and helpless Phoebe had been as Piper slowly choked her. She knew Phoebe was forgiving, but she didn't know if this could ever be fixed.

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

"Phoebe?" Piper called, knocking on Phoebe's door, even though she knew she wouldn't get an answer. Just as she suspected...silence.

Piper knew that no matter what she said Phoebe wouldn't, by choice, get up and let her in. So Piper turned the handle and pushed the door open. Silently thanking the heavens that the lock to Phoebe's door had been broken for a month.

Piper felt guilty tears rush to her eyes when she set her eyes on her sister. Phoebe was curled up in a ball at the top of her bed, she was trembling slightly and tears were pouring down her face. Piper could see the red hand print where she herself had hit her baby sister. Piper thought she would be sick, but she gulped and took a step forward. Phoebe let out a little screech, that Piper knew was from pure fear. Phoebe looked up at Piper and her eyes turned cold.

"Get out," she hissed in a voice hoarse from crying.

"Phoebe, sweetie. I'm SO sorry. I don't know what came over me, but that wasn't me. You have to believe me, I would never hurt you like that," Piper urged. Phoebe shook her head.

"But you did, you didn't even believe me....you wouldn't even let me explain," she replied. Piper sighed.

"I know and I'm so sorry Phoebe. I just over reacted. You and Leo both mean the world to me, and just picturing...that....it killed me," Piper tried to explain.

"But why would you ever even picture something like that? What is it about me and the guy stealing reputation. Don't you remember the thing with Roger, when I got kicked out of the house. And now I practically get strangled by...you. I mean from Prue I would maybe suspect that....maybe, but never, EVER from you Piper," Phoebe said, and the thought of her sister's betrayal brought fresh, stinging tears to her eyes.

"I know I should have believed you Phoebe, and I would give anything to go back and change it, but I can't," Piper pleaded.

"You're right, you can't," Phoebe responded, wiping the tears from her eyes and sitting up. She could see Piper wasn't going to tackle her this time, and her fear was starting to dissipate.

"Phoebe, I just...snapped. I can't change it, and more than anything I wish I could, but I can't. All I can do is say that I am SO sorry," Piper concluded. Phoebe nodded.

"Look Piper...if you want me to forgive you right here and now you can save your breath. I need to sleep," Phoebe said harshly. Piper frowned, but she knew that at the least she deserved that tone.

"I understand, I love you Phoebe and I really am sorry. Sorrier than you'll ever know," Piper said, standing up and leaving the room.

Once she was outside Piper slid leaned heavily against the wall and slid down, sitting with her head in her hands. Prue walked up the steps and sat down next to Piper, brushing some hair out of her younger sister's eyes.

"How'd it go?" Prue asked.

"She was so scared Prue, she was practically shaking. I can't believe I let myself hurt her that bad," Piper mumbled. Prue sighed, pulling her sister up she helped Piper to her room.

"Get some sleep. I'll talk to her. Things will be better in the morning, I promise," Prue said, pulling the covers over Piper, who was already practically asleep. She was exhausted from the day's disturbing events.

Prue kissed her sister on the head, "I love you Piper," she whispered.

"Mmm, me too," Piper mumbled, sleep already taking over. Prue smiled.

Then she headed down the hall to a harder task, Phoebe. She knew Phoebe was probably very scared and confused right now. She knew that she had to be there for both of her sisters tonight. She'd never seen Piper and Phoebe fight like this before. Prue hated to admit it, but they'd never fought like this since Phoebe returned from New York. This was by far the closest they'd come to Prue and Phoebe's blowout fight over Roger.

Prue knew she that if she knocked Phoebe wouldn't answer so she just pushed the door open. Phoebe was in a similar position as when Piper had found her. Curled up on the bed, crying and shaking. Prue sighed, it was going to be a long night.

Phoebe looked up when Prue walked in, Prue noticed her sister's face turn from fright to relief. Prue walked over and sat down on the bed, holding her arms out. Phoebe didn't even hesitate, she immediately crawled into her sister's lap. But Prue felt her flinch slightly when Prue wrapped her arms around Phoebe. Prue sighed, Piper had scared Phoebe good, she'd never flinched from them before. Phoebe laid her head on Prue's shoulder, letting the tears fall while her sister rubbed her back gently. Neither spoke, there was nothing to say. Finally Phoebe's sobs subsided and she sat up, facing Prue, ready to talk.

"I want to forgive her Prue, I do. But...god...she hurt me so bad. And it's not the fact that she physically hit me, but, just the things she said. I don't know how she could suspect that about me. Jeez, what did I ever do to be so easily suspected of something like that?" Phoebe asked in nieve innocence. Prue sighed, her heart was breaking for her baby sister that had gone through so much.

"You have to understand that she was really upset when she said those things, and she didn't even mean half of them. She's still the Piper you've always known, and she's in her room right now, probably having nightmares about all the crummy things she just did to you. But you can't torture her forever. You have to let this go," Prue advised wisely, standing up and gesturing for Phoebe to lay down.

"How did you get so smart?" Phoebe asked, smiling as she slipped under her covers.

"It's called higher education," Prue teased lightly.

"Hey, I thought jokes in awkward situations were my specialty," Phoebe teased back. They both laughed, and it helped.

"Go to sleep and think about what I said. You and Piper need to work this out," Prue insisted. Phoebe smiled and nodded.

"I love you Prue," Phoebe offered hopefully. Prue smiled and bent down to kiss her little sister on the forehead.

"I love you too Pheebs," she replied, leaving the room and gently shutting off the light.

Heading to her own room Prue sighed and told herself she should have been a psychiatrist. She finally got to slip under her own covers. Prue made herself push the troubles of the day out of her mind, she needed sleep. Hopefully things would work out in the morning.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Pheebs...get up," Prue gently shook her younger sister.

Phoebe stirred and then sighed in relief. Had it all been a dream. Just then Prue touched Phoebe's cheek gently and Phoebe felt a wave of pain shoot through it at her touch. Reality hit and all last night's painful memories returned.

"You should really put some ice on that," Prue said, looking at the bruise. Phoebe got up huffily.

"It's fine."

"Well Piper is in the shower. She has the day off and she's making french toast if you want some," Prue informed her baby sister.

"Great a whole day filled with awkward silences," Phoebe said in mock cheerfulness. Prue frowned.

"Well Pheebs, I hate to be mean about this. But you better learn to deal with it, because I can't play mediator, my boss called and there's an emergency shoot today. Some other photographer lost some photos for an article that's going to print tomorrow and the editor wants me to take them," Prue explained firmly. Phoebe frowned.

"But Prue, you can't leave me here alone," Phoebe begged, her fear showing itself again. Prue sighed and sat down next to Phoebe, taking her little sister's hands.

"Phoebe, Piper isn't going to hurt you. Whatever was in her yesterday...well...I think she got it all out. You have nothing to be scared of," Prue assured.

"Easy for you to say, she didn't almost strangle you," Phoebe mumbled as she got up and headed to the shower.

"I'll be back by dinner," Prue said. Phoebe waved and shut the door...hard. Prue sighed, wishing she could stay home and fix things. But she knew her sisters needed to work things out for themselves this time.

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

Piper walked up the steps and knocked on Phoebe's door. She was kind of worried, Phoebe hadn't come down for breakfast and she hadn't heard a sound from upstairs since Prue left. After Phoebe didn't answer Piper pushed open the door. Phoebe was in sweats, lying on her bed watching TV. She looked up when Piper walked in, but didn't acknowledge her sister. Piper walked in and sat down in the chair across from Phoebe's bed. Phoebe continued to ignore Piper and watch the movie. After a few minutes of this Piper finally broke the silence.

Piper didn't know what to say to her sister to gain her forgiveness. So she did the only other thing she knew how, used someone else's words. A song came back to her, that she'd used to love. So she sang softly at first, unsure of her voice. She's never had exceptional musical talent, but all the Halliwells could sing decently. So she sang, while Phoebe pretended not to hear.

"It all came so easy
All the loving you gave me
The feelings we shared
And I still can remember
How your touch was so tender
It told me you cared."

Piper started off shaky, she wasn't used to singing except for in the shower, or to herself. Phoebe didn't move, she didn't even act like she heard.

"Come on Phoebe...talk to me," she pleaded. Phoebe didn't respond. Piper sighed and continued.

We had a once in a lifetime
But I just couldn't see
Until it was gone
A second once in a lifetime
May be too much to ask
But I swear from now on

Phoebe knew the song, but she'd never until then, listened so closely to the words. She knew Piper was sorry, but she didn't know if she should forgive her. Piper had hurt her bad, deeper than she ever had before and Phoebe was confused. Piper kept singing.

If ever you're in my arms again
This time I'll love you much better
If ever you're in my arms again
This time I'll hold you forever
This time we'll never end

Phoebe felt a wave of tears fill her eyes. She remembered all the times she'd found comfort in Piper's arms. She remembered all the times her sister had been there for her, listening and sheltering. Phoebe couldn't help it, a few silent tears slid down her face.

Now I'm seen clearly
How I still need you near me
I still love you so
There's something between us
That won't ever leave us
There's no letting go

Piper saw the tears slide down Phoebe's face and she was tempted to stop, she wanted to run and pull Phoebe into her arms. But she knew it wasn't time yet. She had to finish the song that she'd started, she didn't know why, but in her gut she felt it was what she should do.

We had a once in a lifetime
But I just didn't know it
Till my life fell apart
A second once in a lifetime
Isn't too much to ask
'Cause I swear from the heart

Piper prepared to start the chorus again. This time she let her pain out, her frustration at herself for hurting her sister. She let it all out in her last lines.

If ever you're in my arms again
This time I'll love you much better
If ever you're in my arms again
This time I'll hold you forever
This time we'll never end

Piper faded out softly and sighed. Phoebe finally looked up at her, tears still rolling down her face. Piper felt her heart jump as Phoebe got up, she walked over to Piper. Piper was frozen in surprise as Phoebe sat down on Piper's lap and laid her head on Piper's chest, her tears growing in strength and turning to light sobs. Piper sighed in relief and wrapped her arm around Phoebe, rocking her softly and rubbing her back soothingly.

"I forgive you Piper, and I'm sorry that you thought I was cheating on you with Leo," Phoebe whispered through her tears.

"Oh sweetie, you don't have to apologize, it was my fault. I TOTALLY over reacted...something just...came over me," Piper tried to explain. Phoebe nodded.

"I know," she replied.

She closed her eyes, and listened contently to the beating of Piper's heart against her ear. Phoebe remembered as a kid, how'd she'd loved to curl up in Piper's lap when she was sad, and let her big sister baby her. It'd been so long since she'd done that, and Phoebe realized, she missed it. But things were different now, they were adults. A little too big for cuddling, but Phoebe knew now, that that didn't mean they still weren't there for her...every step of the way...even the hard ones.

"I love you Piper," she whispered softly, not wanting to ruin the moment. Piper smiled, tears of joy running silently down her cheeks.

"I love you too Phoebe," she responded.

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

Prue got home late that night and set her camera equipment quietly in the entry hall. She headed for the kitchen, but stopped when she entered the living room. The scene put a relieved smile on her face. Piper and Phoebe were asleep on the couch, tangled up in each other's arms. A movie was playing on the TV and popcorn dotted the carpet. Prue laughed and quietly took out her camera. Focusing the lens and adjusting the lights so that a lamp on the table cast a soft glow on her sleeping sisters, Prue snapped about a dozen shots. Satisfied she set down her camera and spread a blanket across her younger sisters. She knew things were okay now. An old saying Grams used to say crossed her mind, "Everything is okay in the end. If it's not okay, then it's not the end."

"She always did have an easy explanation for everything," Prue smiled, remembering her Grams.

"Well of course I did. I was a smart girl in my day too you know," a stern, but familiar voice called from behind her. Prue whirled around and smiled, a glow in her eyes.

"Grams!" she smiled.

"Yes dear, I just came to check on Piper and Phoebe. I heard what happened," Grams said, noticing the girls on the couch she continued, "well I see they worked everything out."

"We always do," Prue replied as she turned back to her sisters and smiled.

When she turned back around to face Grams she was surprised to see that she'd disappeared. Prue shrugged and sunk down in a chair opposite the couch. Prue fell asleep watching her younger sisters, content that things had worked out....as they always did.

Epilogue
Forgiving
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Three Weeks Later....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Piper pushed open the door to the manor and headed to the kitchen. She grabbed a water bottle and gulped it down, Phoebe came in quickly after her. They were both dressed in gym clothes and sweating. A red-faced Prue soon followed, grabbing herself a glass of water.

"Pheebs, I thought I asked you to do the dishes," Piper scolded, seeing the pile of dirty dishes in the sink.

"Sorry, I forgot," Phoebe said.

Normally Piper would have been aggravated at this. And she would have resisted the urge to yell, adding to her time bomb of anger. But she'd been working out at the gym with her sisters lately. She'd found it was an easy way to let her tension out, before it exploded like last time. Piper had found that she'd even started reacting calmer to little irritating situations like that.

"Okay, just get them done before dinner please," Piper replied, running a cool washcloth across her sweaty forehead.

"I'll do them now," Phoebe bargained.

She was relieved that Piper had agreed to the gym. She'd been much less irritable lately, and she handled her frustration and panic with a lot more calmness now. Which made Phoebe that much more willing to cooperate. They couldn't have asked for a better compromise.

Just then Leo orbed in. He wrapped his arms around Piper from behind and kissed her. She kissed back, but pulled away after a few seconds.

"I'm all sweaty," she reminded.

"I don't care, you're still beautiful," he complimented. Piper smiled and kissed him again.

"Besides, did you forget what today is?" he asked, smiling mischievously. Piper smiled, with a slight blush to her cheeks.

"Happy Birthday!" Phoebe, Prue and Leo shouted at once. Prue ran out of the room and came back loaded down with gifts. Piper shook her head.

"You guys!" she exclaimed.

"Oh shhh, what did you expect us to let it go as another day? You're 27 for crying out loud! We have to celebrate!" Phoebe said with a smile as she pulled a cake out of the refrigerator and lit the candles. Prue shut off the lights and Piper smiled as she they sang Happy Birthday to her.

"Go on, blow out the candles," Prue said after they were done.

"Don't forget to make a wish," Leo reminded. Piper squinted her eyes shut for a few seconds then opened them.

"What'd ya wish for?" Phoebe asked.

"I can't tell...I want it to come true," she smiled, mischievously.

Phoebe laughed and handed Piper a gift, "Open," she ordered.

Piper opened the box and her face turned to awe as she pulled out a multi colored bound book. It said:

Piper Halliwell

A sister-
A girlfriend-
A daughter-
and....
A Friend

Piper let a tear of shock, happiness and awe roll down her cheek as she opened the book and found all the artifacts of her life on it's pages. Piper smiled at Phoebe, Leo and Prue, who were glowing in pride as they watched their sister/girlfriend flip through her memory book.

"You guys this is...wow," Piper said smiling from ear to ear.

"We all helped," Prue added.

"This is great you guys. This is way more than I could have wished for," Piper complimented.

"But everything you deserve," Phoebe replied sweetly.


**Music Disclaimer** I do not own any of the lyrics used in this song, those belong to their respective artists and writers.

The End