Disclaimer: The Charmed Characters are the property of Aaron Spelling and Constance Burge. I just borrow them for your enjoyment and my writing addiction.



April 24, 2005

Second Chances

She held the pillow close to her, squeezing the life out of it, if you could to a pillow. But as her head rested on the fringe of it, she hadn’t even really thought of the life and death of a pillow. She just wanted something to hug; something to love her back.

Prue made her way up the stairs with Patti in her arms. She was still in shock that she was able to enjoy the small infant in her arms. To feel the love of a mother. Sure she had with her sisters helping her Grams raise them but this was different. This was a product of the love she shared with Bane. Though now as she walked up the stairs she missed the part that bonded her baby sister and her baby. Missing out on what Piper had said was the joys of pregnancy.

Shifting the Crying Patti in her arms she knocked softly on the door before her and eased it open.

“Phoebs, some one wants something I can’t give her.”

Phoebe wiped away the tear that had fallen gently down her face and rolled over. “Well you can, you’re bottle is just empty.” She said sarcastically as she took Patti from Prue.
“Haha you’re a funny girl.” Prue laughed as she sat down beside Phoebe.
“I get it from my big sister.”
“And I’ll be sure to tell Piper you said that.” She laughed again as she looked at her sister. “You ok?”

Phoebe looked up from Patti and into her sisters ice blue eye, “Yeah, why?”
“You seem tired.”
“Maybe a bit, I was trying to get some rest.”
“I’m sorry sweetie. You know I’d feed her if I could.” Prue placed her arm around Phoebe and drew her towards her.
“I know its ok honest.” She sunk into the hug that was coming to her as her niece nursed.

Prue sat at the kitchen table when Piper walked in.

“Prue perfect. You can help me decide on a colour.” Piper dropped her bag on the counter, “I can’t decide on these two colours. I mean they both look the same to me.” Piper opened the cupboard and pulled out a glass and poured herself a glass of juice. “I mean this was Leos idea anyway. He should pick it. What’s wrong with the colours in Chris’ room?” Sitting across the table from her sister she noticed then Prue hadn’t moved or said anything since she arrived home. “Hello. Prue/” she waved her hand in front of Prue’s face.

“Geez Piper. You scared the scrap outta me.”
“Well I’ve only been in here talking to you for the last five minutes. Where were you?”
“Um I don’t know.”
“riiiight Prue this is me you’re talking to. Spill. What’s going on?”
“Phoebe. I think.”
“You think?” Piper raised her eyebrows not sure what Prue was talking about.
“Patti was hungry so I took her up stairs so Phoebe could feed her. Something is off Piper. She said she was just tired.”
“Well yeah Patti feeds like every two hours. Geesh even Chris wasn’t that bad. And every time she gets hungry Phoebe has to feed her, If you go anywhere Patti ahs to stay here, in case she gets hungry. Leaving Phoebe to take care of her.”
“So she is just tired.” Prue surmised.
“I’d say yes. You need to get Patti off Phoebes boobs and on to a bottle.”
“We’ve been trying Piper. I don’t want to keep waking her up in the middle of the night. And even now. She was trying to get some sleep and once again I had to interrupt her life to feed my baby.”
“Well between the two of you, you need to figure something out.” Piper got up and placed her glass in the sink. “I have to go to the club. I’ll see you later.”
“Sure.” Prue found herself falling back into the same thoughts she was having before. Deep inside she knew it wasn’t just her sister being tired, there was something bothering Phoebe.

Phoebe pulled her sweatshirt over her head as she made her way out of her room and down the hallway. She had to get out of the house away from everyone. Taking her keys in her hand she went quietly out the back door. Stepping quietly into the backyard and down the driveway.

She looked around the neighbourhood but suddenly felt the urge to run back inside. Run inside to the safety of what she knew. The Manor, her sisters, everything. Turning quickly she rushed up the front steps back inside. Closing the front door she pulled her sweatshirt off as she made her way up the stairs of the Manor.

Prue heard the front door open and close, and made her way through the Manor. She caught the glimpse of her baby sister running up the stairs. Wondering what was going on she followed after Phoebe.

Walking through the attic doorway Prue paused as she saw Phoebe sitting on the sofa seemingly lost ion her own thoughts.

“Phoebs? You ok sweetie?” Prue asked a she walked slowly into the attic.

She didn’t answer she just sat there starring at one page in the BOS.

Prue made her way towards her sister. She wasn’t sure what was going on. But she intended to find out.

“Phoebs?” Prue eased herself next to Phoebe and wrapped her arms tightly around her.

Before Prue could say anything Phoebes arms lashed out and pushed Prue away.

“Get away!”

Prue stood back and looked at her sister. “Phoebe/”
“Don’t Phoebe me. This is all your fault.”
“Phoebe.”
“NO! You left us. You felt it was ok to let Shax hurt you kill you kill your chance of children. You let this all happen!!”
“You were the one to go to the underworld to save Cole!” Prue yelled back as she felt her own emotions and weariness take control. You let Cole rule your heart and in doping so you cost me the one chance of children.”
“I cost you? I COST YOU? All you had to do was throw him. But NOOOOOO you had to play the hero and shove the Dr. out of the way. YOU were the one that caused this not me.”

Prue stood in stunned silence. Her sister was bring to her what she had felt al this time. She could have stopped it all. An now Phoebe was going through her lack of reaction. But she also knew now her sister was going through something else, and this was just a reaction to that.

She turned and walked from the attic. The verbal abuse she ignored as her sister went through something she never would.

“I can’t reach her. No one can.” Prue said as she twisted her fingers together.
“That is because you cant. She is going through a normal stage for a woman who has just given birth.”
“Tired moody depressed?”
“Exactly. And she may get worse. She may feel insecure at home or mostly outside of home. Its called ‘Baby Blues’ new mothers are prone to it. Though yes she isn’t a new mother but she did give Patti birth and she is up what, every two hours you said to feed her?”
Sometimes more. So what can we do?”
“Be there for her. Let her know how much you love her and for you for what she did for you and Bane.”

“What about you?” Prue smiled as she looked at the man before her.
“Me?”
“Yes you. What are you going to do to get her through this?” she smiled as the man before her squirmed slightly. “James its ok. I see how you have always looked at my baby sister. Trust me I think its a good thing. Get her out more. Get her mind off other things.”
“And people?” he said unsure of how Prue would react.
“Mostly about that.” She said. “Look James she has been hurt. And badly. I won’t deny that. I just want her happy. And right now I see how she looks at you toto. And I think you make her happy. SO what are you and I going to do about her right now?”

Phoebe looked down at Patti as she once again fed. She loved her niece more then anything and would protect her to the ends of the earth. But she felt inside she needed something.

“Hey you.”

Phoebe looked up and saw Cole looking back at her, “Always knew you would make a great Mum.”
“What. Get away from me.”

“Hey I wouldn’t hurt you Phoebe you know that. I just came to warn you.”
“Warn me. From what, yourself?”
“No. From the demon hat took our child. The one we made from our love.”

She held his eyes as he looked at her, “What?”
“He is still out there Phoebe. And he isn’t going away. You and your sisters need to stop him. Or he will become the next Source.”


He sat at the bar twisting the coloured bottle in his hand at the same time peeling off the label.

“You remember what they said if you can peel that label off in one piece?” Bane sat down on the stool beside his long time friend
“Well unlike you I never went home with a lady every night.” James laughed as he looked across at Bane.
“True. But come on buddy. You’re in your late twenties, successful career. Don’t tell me you can still peel it off in one?”
“No. But right now I seem to have only one lady on my mind.” He looked over at his friend. “And have for over a year now.”
“Then do something about it. I can tell you for a fact she is sitting at home waiting for you to call her.”
“She needs time to heal. And I was talking to Prue the other day. Seems she isn’t doing so great right now.”
“All the more reason for you to get her out of the Manor. Take her to the park I know she loves it.”
“Bane have you ever experienced what she is going through?”
“No. But I see her everyday. I know what she is like, who she is. And I know she loves the park. Call her James. You wont be sorry.” He patted his friend on the back before getting up and making his way to the back room.

James took one last swig from his beer before reaching in his pocket and placing the money on the bar.

“Can’t take it James. Pipers orders.:
“What are you talking about.”
“She put up a memo not that long ago. Your money is no good at P3. Beers on the house.”

James wanted to argue but he knew it wouldn’t do any good. “Then consider it your tip.”
“Nope. Not for what you did for Prue. I can’t take it.”
“Then put it in a college fund for Patti.” He said as she turned and walked away.
“That I can do.” Mark, the bartender replied taking the money from the top of the bar.

Phoebe sat at her window looking out at the sunny day before her. She replayed in her mind her memory of Cole. His words telling her of the demon that had killed their child. Her heart still loved him. Probably always would. She didn’t know if she was ready to face the demon again. He had taken her son and nearly taken Pipers life nearly a year ago when they found him again. But her memories of losing her on son were still painful.

She heard Patti crying down the hall and knew that once again she needed to be fed. She longed to hold her own child ion her arms. The son she never had a chance to love.

“Phoebs? Sorry honey.”
“It’s ok.” She said out of guilt more then anything. She reached up and took Patti from Prue and got her to nursing once again.

Prue sat beside Phoebe and watched her. Something was up. “Phoebs you ok?”
“Yeah. I was just thinking about Cole and our son.”
“Oh.”

Phoebe held her gaze to Patti as she fed. “He came to me the other day. Said something about the demon that took our son was still out there.”
“Phoebe…”
“I should have told you Prue I know. But seeing him again. It just brought back everything.”

Prue could see her sisters’ battle and reached over and drew her into a hug. Phoebe had lost everything in such a short time.

“We need to stop him Prue. We can’t let that demon become the next Source.”
“We will sweetie.” Prue held her sisters’ face in her hands. “But I think we also need to do something about you.”
“Me?”
“You. When was the last time you went out of the Manor Phoebe?”
“I…”
“Phoebe its ok. But you need to know that Piper and I are here for you. I hate it everytime I walk in here with Patti in the middle of the night because she needs fed.”
“Prue In knew what I was getting into.”
“Yes you did. But did you expect this. The sadness, the anger, the emotions running ravage?”

Phoebe looked at Patti and shifted her to burp her.

“Phoebe.”
“No.” she said quietly.
“No. Phoebe, Piper has been through this. And I am here for you. Talk to us. Please don’t keep it all inside.”

She felt the tear trickling down her face. She was aware of Patti no longer in her arms, as she felt Prue takes her into hers. Her soft words and cooing voice giving her the comfort she needed, as her tears fell freely down her face.

Piper leaned against the doorframe and just looked in on Prue and Phoebe. But she slowly made her way across the room and sat beside her sisters, embracing the two of them.

“Phoebs its ok to be scared and hurt and angry and sad. All of the things you are going through is natural.” Piper said running her hand over her sisters back.
“You never.”
“Sure I did sweetie. Just not as bad. I had says I wanted to lash out at someone any one. Mostly Leo got the brunt of it.”

Phoebe shifted and found herself in Pipers arms.

“I had the days when I was scared to go out. But with you and Prue and the guys. I was ok. And so will you.”

Prue lifted Patti up and held her in her arms. “Someone needs a nap. I’ll be right back.” She placed a kiss on Phoebs forehead and went across the hall to her room. Gently placing Patti in the crib.

“Hello witch.”

Prue barely had time to react as the fireball came right towards her and her daughter.

“PIPER! PHOEBE!” she flung the fireball against the wall and stood between him and Patti. Her screams now getting louder as the noise of the explosion wakes her.

Piper rushes across the hall with Phoebe right behind her. The second she enters Prue's room she throws up her hands and blew him up.

“What the hell was that?” Piper asked

Prue reached down and lifted Patti in her arms gently rocking the frightened child. “I have no idea but when they threaten my child I can guarantee you they haven’t got long to live.”

Piper quickly turned around and ran down the hall to he own room. Seeing Leo with Chris she breathed in a sigh of relief. “He ok?”
“Just scarred I think.” Leo gave her a weak smile before starting out of the room.

“Prue!” Bane came rushing around the corner and saw the scorch mark on the wall and heard the screaming of his daughter. “What happened?”
“Demon.” Was all she said as she took his hand in hers. As she placed his on the back of Patti

Walking out of her room she saw Leo with Chris in his arms and Piper beside them
“Piper. Where’s Phoebe?”
“Right…”Piper turned around to expect to find her sister but she was no where around. “She was right behind me.”

Prue took a few steps and looked in her sisters’ room, only to find it empty. “Attic?”
“Probably.” Piper agreed as she started up the stairs to the attic.

Prue handed Patti to Bane and followed after Piper.

Piper was the first one to see her. She sat curled up with her legs tight to her chest as she sat on the floor between the couch and the wall.

“Phoebe? Sweetie what are you doing?” she crouched down in front of her sister. “Phoebs?”

Phoebe flinched when she felt Pipers hands on her knees.

“Honey you don’t need to be scared. Its o. he’s gone.”
“No. He’ll be back. Or someone else will.” Her voice was quiet. A mere whisper.

Prue moved in beside Phoebe and drew her into a hug. “Sweetie he’s gone. Piper blew him up. He can’t hurt you.”
“He nearly killed you and Patti.”
“But he didn’t honey. I’m ok and so is Patti. A little scared right now but she’s ok.”

Phoebe crawled into Prue's arms and sat on her lap. It was like when she was little and got scared in a storm. She would move onto Prue's lap and snuggle into her sister. Burying her face on the crook of her neck.

Piper watched as Phoebe sat with Prue. It wasn’t long before Prue had Phoebe drifting off to sleep.

“What are we going to do?” Piper asked her worry showing
“Be here.”
“Prue she ran from a demon fight. Phoebe never runs from them. Hell she usually leading us to them.”
“I know Piper. But I think right now she just needs us. We’ll figure it out.”
“Will we? Before the next brave demon decided to walk through our front door. Prue face it. Until she gets through this baby blues or post natal whatever. She is useless as a witch. And if she is, then we can’t stop this demon Cole told her about. And if we can’t then we are all dead.”


Prue sat and waited to James to finished Patti’s check up.

“How’s Phoebe doing?”
“Better but still not great. Piper managed to get her out of the hose yesterday for a little while.”
“This is good right?”
“Yes I guess so. I mean your the doctor what do you think?”
“I think it’s a start. Some women take longer then others. If I recall you said Piper barely went through it at all.”
“No. Sure she had small break down a few weeks after Chris was born but nothing like this. It’s so weird. If anyone asked me who would be the one to get it this bad I would have said Piper. She has always been the emotional one of the three of us.”
“Well does she like the park? Or picnics. Anything outdoors?”
“She practically lives outside when she gets the chance. Loves the park especially the swings. And of course anything resembling an amusement park. But right now Piper could barely get her to a grocery store.” Prue explained. “ She is worried about Patti. And right now Patti won’t even look at a bottle. So Phoebe is the only one who can feed her.”
“Well we need to figure out something.”
“We?”
“I’ll pick her up after work tonight.”
“James I’m not sure….”
“It’s a great idea Prue trust me. After tonight she’ll be her old self again.

Prue looked at the man before her as he handed Patti off to her. There was something in his eyes that Prue believed. She already knew how he felt about Phoebe.

“Just don’t hurt her.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it. I don’t want to face Bane. Let alone you or Piper.” He gave her a trusting smile as she left his office.

He reached over and picked up the phone. “Doris I need a huge favour.” He began to explain his plan to his nurse before hanging up and making a few more calls.

Prue looked up as she saw Phoebe walking down the stairs and towards the kitchen. Jumping up from the couch she followed after her little sister,

“Hey you. Patti missed you when we got home.”
“I was taking a nap.” She reached in the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water., “How did her appointment go?”
“Perfect. She is a perfectly healthily baby girl.”
“Good to hear.” Phoebe moved past Prue and into the living room.

Prue turned her head after Phoebe before once again following after her, “So what do you have planned for tonight?”
“Not much. Not like I can go very far anyway.”
“Phoebe stop it.”
“What Prue. If Patti is hungry who is going to feed her.”
“Prue is.” Piper walked in the living room with a bottle in one hand and Chris in the other.
“Oh ok so what she miraculously grow milk in her boobs when she was out or what?” Phoebe shot back.
“Or what. We got Patti to fed from the bottle when you were sleeping.” Piper said as Chris took in what was in his own bottle.

Phoebe stood stunned at both her sisters, “What? You.. Really?”

Prue nodded, “Really. She wasn’t sure at first.”
“And then she wasn’t fooled.” Piper added in.
“But then she realized it was ok.”

Phoebe looked back and forth between her tow sisters, “Ok slow down. What did you two do to her?”

Prue moved towards Phoebe and placed an arm around her shoulder, “WE got her to think the bottle nipple was…”she turned to look at Piper.
“Prue boob.” Piper laughed. “We held the bottle close into Prue and with her holding Patti the same way and angle she would be if she was indeed taking from her. At first she took it. Then she screamed blue murder but then she took it again. And was fine ever since.” Piper explained as Phoebe sat on the couch.

“OK but what if this is a one shot deal/”
“Phoebe this is a good thing. You can finally get some decent sleep.” Prue said as she sat in beside her sister.

Phoebe gave Prue a weak smile. This was a good thing. But now it felt like she was gonna lose Patti and Prue all at once. Now Prue will be devoting all her time to Patti and not her. A sense of overwhelming sorrow washed over her and she suddenly got up from the couch and ran upstairs.

Prue looked up at Piper before quietly getting up and taking off after Phoebe.

“Phoebes? Honey what’s wrong. I thought you would be thrilled.” Prue made her way into Phoebes room and lay on the bed behind her sister, taking he in her arms.
“Nothing its stupid.”
“No it isn’t. Now we talked about his. Remember. No more keeping things inside. Now what’s wrong?” Prue squeezed Phoeb tight letting her know she wasn’t going anywhere.

“We’ll now.. Now you’ll spend all your time with her.”
“And you’ll get to be yourself again.”
“I…” Phoebe turned over and buried her face in Prue's chest.

Prue ran her hand over the top of Phoebes head. She had a pretty good idea where her sister was thinking, “Honey I’ll still be here for you. You’re my baby too remember. I would never let you out of my life. You did so much for me I could never even imagine how to pay you back. I know you keep telling me I don’t have to. But inside I do. An