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

After the Fight

The next few weeks were tough for Phoebe. She wanted everything to be the way they were. But they weren’t. Her back only bothered her a little now, but it was enough to make her frustrated. She had found that the best way to relieve any pain that she might get was to lie on her stomach. The pain wouldn’t last very long but sometimes it was very painful.

She had just returned from a walk from the park. She was still slow and steady, but her sisters’ were helping her all the way.
“Prue. Piper I’m back.” She called out to her sisters’ she knew they were home she just didn’t know where they were in their large Victorian Manor that they had inherited from the Grams.
“In the kitchen Pheebs.” Piper answered her.
“Hi Piper. Where’s Prue?”
“Backyard. How was your walk?”
“Not bad.” She replied as she picked up an apple from the bowl as she headed out to the backyard to see her oldest sister.
“Hey big sis, watcha doing?” Phoebe asked her sister as she sat on the ground beside her sister.
“Just going through some paper work. How was your walk?” Prue and Piper had only recently started to let Phoebe go out on her own. So whenever she did they were naturally concerned about her. Only they tried to hide it.
“It was ok.” Phoebe was getting a bit of a sharp pain in her back from her walk as she usually did so she flipped over on her stomach on to the blanket that Prue was working on. “Prue I need to ask you something.” Phoebe stated seriously.
Prue looked down at Phoebe. “Sure Pheebs anything.” Ever since the shooting Prue and Phoebe had been more open and honest with each other.
“Do you remember when I was going in for surgery on my back?”
“How could I ever forget that day Pheebs.” She stated more then asked
“Well do you remember when you said about just the two of us going away?”
Prue looked again at Phoebe, “Yeah. Why?”
Phoebe broke the gaze that they were holding to each other. And turned away from her sister. Prue picked up on something that she had learned along time ago from her baby sister. Putting down her paper she moved over closer to Phoebe. Gently rubbing her back. “Come on Pheebs, what is it?”
“Did you mean it?” she asked quietly.
“Oh Pheebs of course I did. And I’ll tell you honestly why I suggested that.”
“Why?”
“Well first of all I think that Piper and Leo could use some space to themselves.”
“Oh.” Phoebe said a little disappointed.
“And. I think it would be good for you and me to spend sometime together. After what happened Phoebe I realized that you and I have some issues that maybe we could just sit around a fire and work things out. It would also be a break for Piper. Not having to be a buffer between us. But do you want to know that best reason I had?”
Phoebe looked up at her sister.
“Because I love you Phoebe Halliwell. And after you scared the crap out of me like that I wanted to spend time with you. Just the two of us. Do you remember when Piper was away at camp and you were to little to go, and of course I thought I was to big to go?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you remember what we did that week?”
“We camped out in the backyard.” Phoebe remembered it as if it was yesterday.
“Yeah. I love that memory of the two of us. It’s one of my favorites. Just us.”
“It was probably the only week that we weren’t yelling at each other.” Phoebe laughed.
Prue laughed at that remark. “Yeah I think you’re right.”

They sat in silence for awhile. Just listening to the birds and the wind. Enjoying each others company. Prue thinking of a time not so long ago when she lost her baby sister. “How’s the back?” She finally asks Phoebe.

Receiving no answer Prue looked down on her sister and smiled at the site before her. Phoebe was fast asleep. “I guess your walk wore you out baby sister.” She continued to rub Phoebes back gently as she went back over her papers from work. She knew that when Phoebe lay on her stomach like that that her back was usually sore. So Prue did the best that she could to comfort her sleeping sister.

Piper was watching from the kitchen window at her two sisters in a seemingly deep conversation. The past few weeks had been amazing to her. If them becoming witches had brought Prue and Phoebe closer together, this shooting had sealed the job. It seemed to Piper that they were more open with each other about everything. They discussed thing more, rather then keeping it inside. She watched as Phoebe had rolled over to her stomach and felt a pang of fear. Realizing that she had probably over done her walk a bit and her back was a bit sore. She knew however that Prue would have her feeling better in no time.

After an hour Piper came out and sat down beside Phoebe who was still sleeping. In the warm May sun Phoebe was starting to get a sunburn on her arms and face.
“Should we wake her or cover her so she doesn’t get more burnt?” Piper asked Prue
Getting no response from her big sister she thought she would try a different approach
“You have to go feed the pet Iguana before dinner.”
Prue looked at her sister like she was crazy. “Piper what are you talking about?”
“Oh so you are listening to me?”
“Yeah now what are you talking about? Our pet what?”
“Nothing forget it. I was just worried about Pheebs sleeping out here. She’s starting to get burnt.”
“Not a problem.” Prue looked towards the shed and with her power made the large beach umbrella fly towards them. She then staked it into the ground and opened it up casting a shadow over her and her sisters. “That better?”
“Much thank you.”

They sat there a few minutes before Piper broke the silence. “So Prue, what was the serious discussion you two were having out here earlier?”
“Not much really. She was just wondering about the comment I had made in the hospital about the two of us going away together.”
“Oh.”
Prue looked up at Piper concerned. “Piper you’re still ok with that aren’t you?”
“Yes Prue I am. Besides I think it’s a great idea. And Leo and I will have the Manor to ourselves.”
“That you will.”
“So when are you thinking of taking this little road trip.” Piper asked
“I don’t know. I mean it’s to soon right now for her, as you can see.”
“Her back bothering her after her walk?”
“I think so. I mean she never said as much but you and I both know that the position she is in know is her most comfortable. And it usually is a bit sore after a walk.”
“Yeah but she’s trying to be tough about it.”
“We just have to get her to talk to us when something like that is bothering her.”
“Yeah well you two seemed to have come a long way in the last few weeks. Care to share?”

Prue and Phoebe had never told Piper about the premonition that Phoebe had before they fought the Dragon. It wasn’t that they didn’t want her to know; it just never seemed to come up. They held dealt with their problem together and shared in the thoughts that Phoebe had. They didn’t really see the need. What was done was done.
“I think it’s something that we should tell you together. Ok?”
“Ok.”

They stayed outside for a few more hours talking about everything and nothing. Most people would call it ‘girl talk’. The just called it sister stuff. Phoebe had woken up about an hour after Piper had come outside and joined in their laughter and talk. Her back was still a bit sore but with Prue having rubbed it while she slept it wasn’t to bad.

“Phoebe. Piper was asking me earlier about us. How we seemed to fix everything after you got home from the hospital.”
Phoebe looked from sister to sister wondering where this conversation was going.
“Phoebe, Piper has a right to know too.”

Phoebe knew what Prue was talking about. Her premonition. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to tell Piper. It still scared Phoebe a little that she could lose a sister so easily. She looked to Prue and then to Piper, and then back to Prue.

“Go ahead Phoebe. She deserves to know why you did what you did. Especially after the end consequences.” Prue explained to her baby sister.
“Ok.” Turning to Piper she began her tale. “Piper just after I had the first premonition that woke me that afternoon on the couch I had several more. It was them that kept me from sleeping every night. I could see everything that they had done. Similar to the Succubus we were connected. Then a few days before we fought him I saw what was going to happen. I couldn’t live with my self, knowing this and not doing anything about it. But I also knew that if I had said something that you two would have done something crazy.”

Piper sat and listened to her baby sister tell her tale. But now as she was almost done her curiosity got the better of her. “What happened Phoebe?”

Phoebe looked back between her two sisters’. Taking a deep breath she let it out. “I saw Prue get killed by the dragon.”
“And you never said anything? Phoebe!”
“Piper I know it was wrong. Stupid irresponsible all the things that are bad. But I had to do what I did. I couldn’t let Prue die. And I know that if I told you guys that you would have been thinking differently at the time.”
“Phoebe you can’t keep things like that from us.” Piper told her.
“I know that now Pipe. I’m sorry.” Phoebe looked down at the blanket. Not wanting to meet Piper gaze.
“Ok then. So now that’s out what do you guys say to a great Spaghetti dinner?” Piper asked.

Now that everything was out they would be fine. Or at least they thought they would be. There were still some unanswered questions that would soon reveal their dark heads.

“Prue where’s the after sun lotion?” Piper called out from the bathroom.
“Last time I saw it, it was in the medicine cabinet. Why?” Prue knew the answer but asked anyway.
“It’s for Phoebe. Looks like she got more burnt then we noticed.”

Prue came out of her room and headed into the bathroom with Piper.

“Last time I saw it, it was in here.” Prue searched through a cupboard in the bathroom. “Whoala.”
“Oh Phoebe is going to so thank you for finding that.” Piper said as she went to grab it from Prue.
“I got it Piper. You go to your angel boy.” Prue laughed at her sister
“That’s angel husband now.” Piper laughed back in defense.
“Ok whatever. Just go.”
Kissing Prue quickly on the cheek, “Thanx big Sis.” As she ran from the bathroom towards her room.

“Phoebe? Can I come in?”
“Sure Prue, but only if you have the lotion.”
“Well in that case I guess the coast is clear.” Prue came in Phoebes room carrying the bottle of after sun lotion.
“Oh thank god. I can’t believe that I fell asleep in the sun that long.”
“Yeah well I can’t believe I let you. Or that I didn’t notice how burnt you were getting.”
“Prue this is not your fault. Stop it.”
“Ok, here lets put this on you. Did you get burnt on your back at all?”
“Just in one little spot. Must have been the way my shirt was. Could you?”
“No need to ask.” Prue started to apply the lotion to Phoebes back gently. She knew that there were still some soft spots with her back and didn’t want to upset them any.
“Oww.”
“Oh, sorry Pheebs. Soft spot?”
“Yeah. It’s ok though Prue.”

Prue and Phoebe had applied the lotion to all the places that Phoebe had got her sunburn.
“That better Pheebs?”
“Yeah I think so. Thanx.”
“You’re welcome. Now get some sleep.”
“Prue?”
“Yeah sweetie?” Prue asked her, as she was about to get off the bed.
“Do you think Piper is mad at us for not telling her about my premonition?”
Prue looked down at Phoebe. “A little. But I think we both know Piper well enough that she will forgive us in time.”
“I hope so.”
“She will. Good night Pheebs.” Prue said as she bent down and kissed her baby sister on the forehead.

Piper was standing at the door and heard the whole conversation.
“I know that she will.” She told her sisters.
Prue and Phoebe looked up at her. “Piper.”
“Pheebs. You two have to promise me to never and I mean NEVER do that again. Especially you Phoebe. We are all in this super-natural thing together. So no matter who you see getting killed or hurt you have to share. Got it?”
Phoebe looked over at Piper and then to Prue who seemed to be agreeing with Piper.
“Ok. I won’t.” she answered softly.
“Good.” Piper came into Phoebes room and kissed her good night. “And the same applies to sore backs. Good night Phoebe.”
Phoebe didn’t say anything to Piper. How had she known? Finding her tongue, “Good night Piper.”

Phoebe was soon asleep but her world was about to fall to pieces.

Phoebe was seeing the whole thing over again and again. She saw Steve grab for her and call her name. But in each case she still could not see who the shooter was. It was like a record skipping, she would see the same thing over and over again and there was nothing she could do about it. It had been almost a month since the shooting and she had still not remembered who the shooter was. Darryl had told her that they too had still not found out who did it. And the doctors had told her it was still from the trauma of the whole accident. But that one day, she would remember and it would all come flooding back. That was what was happening that night. Suddenly she saw who was standing there holding the gun. It was all happening in slow motion. First he smashed the window then turning the gun inwards, he fired repeatedly until the barrel was empty. She had seen how Steve had tried to protect her and in doing so lost his life.
Phoebe tossed and turned but could not awaken from her nightmare. It was just repeating itself over and over. The perspiration was thick on her body, soaking through her clothes. Suddenly she broke free.

“AAAAUUUUUGGGHHHHHH.” Phoebe screamed out in pain and sorrow. She sat bolt upright on her bed screaming and then she quickly turned to cries. They were cries that she could not control. She held her face in her hands crying until she thought she could cry no more. Crying for the loss of her dear friend, and the pain that was ripping through her back as she sat up to fast.

Prue ran into her room with Piper and Leo close on her heels. Grabbing her sister Prue pulled her close to her trying to calm her down.
“It’s ok Pheebs I got you. Let it out baby.” Prue gently rubbed her sisters back as she rocked her back and forth.
Piper was also sitting there rubbing her sisters’ back and tucking her hair from her face. She handed Phoebe a glass of water.
“Pheebs drink this.”
Phoebe took the glass and shakily brought it to her mouth. With Pipers help she managed to drink it.
“Thanx Piper.”
“No problem.”
“You wanna talk about it Pheebs?” Prue asked

At First Phoebe didn’t say anything. She was to scared to. Then she knew as she looked in the eyes of her sisters’, and those of Leo’s, that she was ok. She was safe to talk about it.
“I saw it all happen again. At first it was fuzzy like the rest of my memory. But then it got clearer on what happened.”
“Phoebe did you see who it was?” Piper asked her as gently as she could
Phoebe just nodded.
“Who was it Pheebs?” Prue asked her
“It was the guy from the bar. The guy that wa...ting on Julie. The guy that I had stopped.”

Both Prue and Piper knew where Phoebe was going with her thoughts and knew that they had to stop it right then and there.
“Phoebe this is not your fault. This guy was wrong from the start.” Prue told her.
“I know Prue it’s just hard. If I had stayed out of it maybe he wouldn’t have come after us that night.”
“Phoebe. You have to stop this. He is the one that committed the crime here. He knew what he was doing as soon as he followed you two up to the hill. It is his fault that Steve is dead not yours you hear me.” Piper told her as lovingly as possible. She knew that this was hard for her sister but she wanted her to realize that this was NOT her fault.

Phoebe buried her head into Prue shoulder and continued to cry, Prue just pulled her up to her lap and just held her baby sister. Rubbing her back for comfort she slowly got Phoebe back to sleep.
“Go back to bed you two. I got her.”
“Are you sure Prue?”
“Yeah. Call Darryl. I think he told me he was working the late shift tonight. I think he should know about this as soon as possible.”
“Nice to see we’re on the same thought waves again Prue. Night.”
“Night.”

Prue crouched back down into the bed and pulled the covers over her and Phoebe. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you baby. Just rest. I got you now.”

Soon Prue followed her sister to the world of sleep.

Morning came with the sun shining through Phoebes window. Piper was the first up and had gone to Phoebe room and just sat there watching her sisters sleep. They were always so cute together whenever they bunked in like that. She remembered days when they were kids that she would go into Prue or Phoebes room after Phoebe had a bad dream and Prue would cuddle with her baby sister. She laughed quietly at the memory.

Prue stirred and noticed Piper watching them.
“Hey you. What are you looking at so seriously at this hour?”
“You two. You’re always so cute together like that.”
“Yeah whatever. I seem to recall a few memories of you with her too.”
“Yeah but right now it’s you isn’t it. How’d she sleep?”
“No more nightmares if that’s what you mean.”
“Well that’s good. I got a hold of Darryl last night. He said he had a feeling that that was who they were looking for but there was no proof. Until now.”
“So did they get him?”
“I don’t know. He said he would stop by this morning to talk to Phoebe.”
“Who’s talking to me and why?” Phoebes asked without moving from her hold on Prue.
“Morning sweetie. Darryl is coming by to talk to you. That ok?” Piper told her
Phoebe was quiet. She didn’t know if she could relive last night again. It was so horrible. Now as she lay there she could see more details that were not in her premonition.
“Pheebs?” Prue asked gently
“I’m scared Prue.”
“I know you are honey. But Piper and I will be right beside you.”

They were broken from their thought at the sound of the doorbell. Leo popped his head in at that second and turned to the sound
“I’ll get it.”
“Thanx Leo.” Piper knew who it was and wanted to be there for Phoebe.
“Pheebs that’s probably Darryl.”
“I know.”
“Phoebe honey I don’t want to push you to this right now. But you have to tell Darryl what happened. It’s the only way to stop this guy from doing this to someone else.” Prue told her gently as she tucked Phoebe hair behind her ear.
“You two will be right there right?”
“We wouldn’t dream of being anywhere else sweetie.” Piper answered for both of them
“Ok.” Phoebe said quietly. She got out of bed, grabbed her robe and started for the door.

Prue and Piper followed her and the three of them descended down the stairs in silence.

“Hey Darryl.” Prue greeted him
“Hi Prue. Piper, Phoebe.”
“Hey Darryl.” Piper answered

Phoebe didn’t say anything to him. She just looked up and gave him a weak smile. She made her way to the couch and sat in the middle so her sisters could sit on either side. Pulling her legs up under her she waited for Darryl to start.

“Phoebe. Piper called me last night and told me about you remembering the night you were shot.”
Phoebe just nodded. As Prue put her arm over her shoulders and Piper reached out and held on to her hands, that were shaking.
“Can you tell me about it?”
Phoebe told Darryl about her nightmare the night before. And then how she had also remember things that were not in her nightmare.

“Ok Phoebe that’s great. I came by this morning for two reasons. One was to get your statement and two was to tell you that we picked the guy up last night. Ironically at the same bar. This guy has rap sheet a mile long. Everything from armed robbery, assault with a weapon, assault without a weapon and a couple of attempted murders.”
“Well looks like he just graduated to murder.” Leo said
“Looks like it.” Darryl replied. “Look Phoebe this process could take a while, they usually do. But if you are absolutely positive that this is the guy it could go a lot quicker.”
“I’m positive Darryl.”
“Ok then. I’ll need you to come down and pick him out a line up.”

Phoebe got nervous and Prue just hugged her closer.

“It’s ok Phoebe. He won’t be able to see you. Can you come down around noon?”
Phoebe just nodded her head. She was scared of what might come out if she spoke.
“Ok then I’ll let myself out. I’ll see you guys at noon then.” Darryl got up and left the girls and Leo in the living room.

“You going to be ok Pheebs?”
“I will with you two with me.”

They had pulled in front of the police station and were about to walk in. Grabbing on to both her sisters Phoebe started in the front door. Darryl was waiting from them and quickly went to greet them.
“Hey Phoebe. Are you ready?”
“Yeah. I think so.”
“Ok then let’s go.”

The four of them started down the hall of the station until they came to the door.
“Phoebe. Prue and Piper can’t go in there with you. You have to do this part alone. But I’ll be right there with you ok?”

Phoebe panicked at first until Darryl had reassured her that he would be there for her. They had known Darryl for three years now and he was practically part of the family. Phoebe nodded her agreement and started for the door with Darryl. She turned back to look at Prue and Piper who were giving her a smile of reassurance.

“Ok Phoebe this is what will happen. This is a one way glass. They can’t see you, only you can see them ok?”
Phoebe nodded her understanding.
“Ok. Now we will bring in a group of people and you just tell us which one shot you and Steve. You can ask us for one to step closer if you like or to turn left or right. We’re not going to say anything, you just tell us who it was. Are you ready?”
“Yeah.” She said quietly.

Darryl turned to the other officer in the room. “Bring them in.”
Turning to a mike on the wall. “Bring them in.”
Eight guys entered the room on the other side of the glass. They were all pretty much the same to Phoebe. And all dressed the same as well. Then she saw him. There was no mistake to her. She watched him as he took his place in the line-up.

He was looking at the glass like he could see through it. They had told him last night when they picked him up that he was being arrested for Murder and attempted murder. He was just curious has to who had survived. There was no way that anyone could have survived that. I pumped a whole round into that car. Nobody could survive that.

“Number 6.” Phoebe said with no emotion.
“Are you sure Phoebe?”
“No doubt in my mind Darryl. That is the guy I saw outside the car. He just stood there smiling as he kept pulling the trigger.” Phoebe stumbled as more memories came back to her.

The officer behind Phoebe quickly reacted and sat her in the chair that was beside her. She sat forward with her head in her hands and cried. She didn’t think she had anymore tears left after last night. But here they were again.
“Ok Phoebe. It’s over, were done.” Darryl leaned forward and pulled her to him. Gently rubbing her back. Looking up to the other officer. “Send them back.”
“Ok Boys that’s it.”

The Lawyer and the DA left the room with the stenographer right behind them. Darryl looked up to the officer once again.
“Can you bring her sisters’ in here?”
“Yeah Darryl no problem.”

Stepping outside briefly he looked at the bench where Prue and Piper were waiting.
“Can you two step in here a minute please?”

They looked at each other confused but got up and headed to the door immediately for concern of their sister. Stepping inside they were crushed at the site before them.
“She broke down as soon as she ID him.” Darryl told them.
“Oh Pheebs we got you know it’s ok.” Prue spoke softly to Phoebe who was now in her lap clinging tightly to her sisters’ shirt. Once again with her head buried in her shoulder.
“I saw more. It was so violent. And all he did was smile as he stood there pulling the trigger again and again.”
“Ok honey. Come on let’s go home.”

They got up and slowly made there way out of the station. Darryl watched them as they walked out when the DA came up beside him and also watched them.
“I’m gonna nail this guy Morris. He’s going back to prison for good.”
“I hope so.”
“He’s out on parole. He’s going back anyway.”
“Unless his sleazy lawyer can get him a out.”
“And knowing who his lawyer is he just might. Look Morris we’ve done everything right. And she didn’t even hesitate to ID him. I watched her. The minute he walked through the door she knew it was him.”
“I just wi... wasn’t her.”
“Look Morris I know you’re pretty close to the family. Being partnered with Trudeau I know the history. Can I count on you to be objective here?”
Darryl looked over at the DA. “More then objective Jones. I want this bastard as much as you do.”
“Good. I’ll see you later then.”

Prue had finally gotten Phoebe to sleep on the couch. Her back was really sore and she just lay there on her stomach heaving. She was cried out. She had no more tears that day. Prue just rubbed her back until she had finally fallen to sleep.

“Prue?” Piper asked quietly bring her sister a cup of coffee. “She sleeping?”
“Yeah finally. Her back is pretty sore though.”
“You know I think that trip you were talking about is now even a better idea. Why don’t you two go camping next week? It’ll help her take her mind off of this.”
“I was just thinking the same thing actually. I was just going to check with Darryl. Make sure they don’t need her to testify to anything first.”
“Well if they do go right after this is all over with.”
“Yeah. Look I’ll go call Darryl. Can you sit here a bit. I don’t want her to wake up alone.”

Piper switched places with Prue as Prue got up and headed to the phone. She came back a few minutes later after having talked to Darryl.

“Well looks like we’ll have to go after. After what happened today they’ve bumped up the court date to Monday. And they will need Phoebe to testify.”
“Ok then. So as soon as they put the guy behind bars where he belongs. You two are out of here. And there will be no argument from either of you. “
“Who’s arguing now?” Phoebe asked
“Hey there you. Feeling better?” Prue asked as she leaned over and crouched in front of the couch.
“A bit thanx.”
“So who’s going to answer my question?” Phoebe asked as she slowly sat up giving a bit of a cringe.
“You sure you’re ok Pheebs?” Piper looked at her with worry.
“Yeah I’m just a bit stiff.”
“Ok. So to answer your question you and Prue could be arguing when I put my foot down about this camping trip you two keep talking about.”

Phoebe looked at Prue and back to Piper. “But Piper I want to go. It’ll be good for us: All of us. You can spend time with Leo, and Prue and I can spend time together. Like when we were kids in the backyard. Only it will be a larger yard.”
“Well I’m glad to hear you say that Pheebs, because that was what I was talking about. After this whole mess is over you two are gone.”
“What mess?”
“Phoebe Darryl and the DA need you to testify on Monday.”