Disclaimer: I lay no claim to any of the Charmed characters, quotes, or overt references that may appear in my stories. They are the sole property of Spelling Television. I write for my own satisfaction and for the enjoyment of those who choose to read them.

A/N: This story was my working canvas for examination. I used this tale to test my abilities in the challenge of descriptive writing, thus causing its length. You will find the story to show my novice nature, but hopefully also show my love for the characters and the bond of sisterhood.


Home Bittersweet Home

Chapter 1
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September 1998 ~ New York City

“Last call for flight 436 ~ New York to San Francisco.”

She had waited for the final boarding call, still unsure of her decision. Well, it’s now or never; she thought as she handed her pass to the attendant.

As she settled into her seat and prepared for take off, she stared out the window, allowing her mind to travel back in time. Back to a time where fiction was portrayed as reality, where loyalty was forced to choose and where sisterhood was ultimately sacrificed on the altar of pride.
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I cannot begin to tell you
How hurt and betrayed I feel.
All this must be a dream -
It's too painful to be real.

Who opened up your heartgate
And let this stranger in?
How did this all begin?
Can't you make those feelings
Go back out the way they came?
Send them back thru your heartgate
Before they cause more pain.

Then we can go back
To the way we were before
Pretend it was a bad dream
And stay together forever more.

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~ Flashback ~
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“ROGER I said LET GO!! GET OFF ME!!!”

All she was rewarded with was the back of his hand across her face.

“ROGER WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?!!?”

This only encouraged him as he slammed her to the floor knocking the wind out of her. He straddled her as he began to force his unwanted advances. Unable to say anymore, as she tried to refill her empty lungs with air. The compromising scene was set.

“Roger honey, I’m ho.... What the hell is going on here?!?!”

Her unexpected arrival caused Roger to jump back and allowed Phoebe the opportunity to break free from her assailant.

“Prue thank God, you came....”

“Why?? Did you think I would enjoy the show?”

Phoebe was shocked at her sister’s blind eye and automatic assumptions of her guilt.

“NO!! YOU don’t understand. He... HE attacked ME!! I didn’t DO anything!!!”

“Save it for someone who cares!! I SAW the look on your face you seemed to be enjoying yourself!”

“But Prue I couldn’t breathe ... I would NEVER...”

“If that IS true then what are you doing here... ALONE with him?”

“YOU asked me to come over REMEMBER? We were going to go look at wedding dresses.”

“Well it looks more to me like you were trying to sample the groom instead of waiting for the bride!!”

Roger stood there smiling at his good fortune. The sister’s already strained relationship was working to his full advantage. Playing the victim he went over to Prue and said.

“Honey, I GIVE YOU MY WORD, I tried to get her to back off but she just kept at it. I was afraid if I tried anything to subdue her she might get hurt. I mean she’s your sister ...”

“NOT ANYMORE!!! I want you to LEAVE!! I don’t want to EVER see you again. WE ARE NO LONGER SISTERS!! NOW GO!!!!!”

Tears beginning to fill her eyes; she attempted once more to convince Prue to see the truth, but mid sentence she knew it was futile. Once Prue’s mind was set, for the right or the wrong, she would never back down.

“I DIDN’T, I SWEAR HE... Oh never mind. You stopped really listening to me years ago, why should I think you’d start now.”

With one more glance at her sister she ran from the apartment. She ran and ran, trying to escape the events that would forever plague her mind. She spent hours wandering the streets attempting to forget, but how do you physically flee what haunts your every thought. Slowly she returned to the Manor, her mind made up, her broken heart set, all she needed now was to say goodbye to the only person who
made her decision difficult... Piper.

Piper heard the back door open and instinctively knew who it was, her baby sister. Curious as to if both her sisters had survived their outing, she put her book down and headed to the kitchen. She loved both of her sisters but they drove her insane with their incessant bickering. Hoping that forcing them together would cause them to face the issues that were always lying just below the surface, she goaded Phoebe into going and Prue into asking. What Piper didn’t count on was the disastrous outcome.

“So did you and Prue find a... Oh my... Phoebe what the hell happened?”

Piper made haste to her sister as she took in the tears running down her face mixing with the dried blood left by the cut lip that Roger had given her, her torn shirt and the most sorrowful eyes she had ever seen.

As Piper ministered to Phoebe’s injured lip her sister told her everything that had taken place. All the revolting details of the attack all the cruel words that could never be taken back and finally the only choice she felt that the situation had left her with.
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“Phoebe please don’t leave!! I’m sure she didn’t mean it. When she calms down she will see things more clearly.” Piper implored as she watched Phoebe haphazardly throw what little she owned into an overnight bag.

“Piper! Since when has Prue ever been calm when it comes to ME? And you know as well as I do that she ALWAYS says what she means!!”

Looking up for the first time since she began to pack, she took in the sadness in the eyes of her sister and best friend. Walking over and embracing her, Phoebe said “Oh Piper, I don’t want to leave you, you’re the only thing that I have left and you mean the world to me, but I can’t stay here when she thinks that of me and I WON’T subject you to having to choose between us. I will keep in touch and call when I get settled. O honey, I love you so much, please try and understand.”

She couldn’t go on as the anguish of reality chose that moment to make its full impact. So there they stood holding on to each other, knowing that the separation tomorrow would bring would be painful, but that their bond as sisters would forever connect them no matter how far circumstances and miles tried to distance them.

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~ Flashback ~
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The marriage hadn’t lasted a year when the proverbial handwriting on the wall proved Phoebe right. Ashamed, betrayed, and so very lost, she had to eat humble pie and ask if she could return to the comfort of the Manor. Piper welcomed her with open arms as only a sister would, knowing that Prue would be hardest on herself. Flogging herself with the whip of guilt that she had so skillfully mastered over the years. No Piper received her home without hesitation, thinking, ‘one sister down one more to go.’

“Just sign here Ms. Halliwell and your divorce will be final...”

As she took the offered pen and signed the paper that would free her from him forever, she began to reflect on what had brought her to this very moment. How had things gone so wrong. How had she allowed that bastard to deceive her into believing that he truly loved her let alone had the capacity to love. She gave up everything for him and what did he do? He took that trust and mocked it, making no effort to conceal his affairs or his pleasure in seeing the pain they caused her. Disrespecting her was distressing enough, but to repeatedly reminder her that it was her choice that night, she chose him over her own sister, one she had known since birth, one that she was now estranged from because of her own hand. No her own betrayal of sisterhood inflicted more anguish to her soul then any of his attempts at humiliation.

Prue sat in the driver’s seat and had yet to start the engine. Her thoughts taking her on a trip to the past.
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~ Further Flashback ~

Thinking she had waited long enough for Phoebe to leave for school, Prue entered the Manor wanting to fall into the comfort of her other sister. But she was shocked to see both her siblings in the hallway crying. They had not yet acknowledged her presence and continued to talk as if she were not there.

“When’s your flight?”

“Eleven thirty, the cab should be here in about a half-hour.”

“What about school?”

“I called the administration office and told them I would not be back next semester and to credit the bankcard. Seeing we are in winter break the cancellation fees will be minimal.” Phoebe didn’t know why she added the last part, except that it kept her from talking about what was really happening.

“Promise me you will call as soon as you get to the hotel? I want to be sure you arrive safely.”

“I Promise!”

Prue broke into their private conversation, irritated that Phoebe had obviously put her own spin on the events and had already won Piper’s confidence.

“I wouldn’t hold out much hope Pipe, Phoebe is not very trustworthy these days!”

She then looked at the luggage on the floor near the door.

“I see you are doing what you always do when the going gets tough. You bail. Run away before you would admit you’re wrong.”

“PRUE that’s enough!!” Piper warned.

“No I think she should hear it, the truth, that until she grows up and faces up to her mistakes she will always be on the run.”

“PRUE leave it alone. You don’t know what you are talking about!” Piper said as she once again tried to avoid what was inevitable.

“Piper, it’s ok. Let her get it out of her system. She won’t have me around much longer to use as her personal punching bag. Let her say what’s on her mind.”

Piper just shook her head and closed her eyes. Resigned to the fact that the last moments they would spend together would be swathed in verbal bloodshed.

“I have nothing more to say. I said everything last night!”

“Oh Prue you ALWAYS have something to say, why are you holding back, it’s not like we are sisters any more! You are no longer bound by family obligation so why show me any favors?!?”

But before Prue had time respond, Phoebe kept on.

“I just have one question. If you can’t believe me, why can’t you at least trust me? I mean what have I ever done that was SO bad that would break that trust?”

“That’s two questions and that in and of itself proves my point. You have never told the truth as far back as I can remember. Lies flow out of you mouth like honey. Trust is earned and you have never proved consistent in that department! And until you do, you are not worthy of anything from me except my skepticism!”

“I give up! You win! You’re right I’M NOT worthy of anything from you. I never claimed to be perfect, far from it actually. But I’ve NEVER let you down when it counted.

Who was the one who pumped you with 2 pots of coffee and got you into a cold shower to sober you up before Grams woke up? Who told her you had the flu and would be in your room all day! ~~~ LIE NUMBER ONE!

Who took the blame for the dent in Grams’ car? Huh!?! Yeah I knew Prue!! You did it and blamed me, but I took the heat! ~~~ LIE NUMBER TWO!!

Who was your wingman when you tricked Grams into believing you were going to a friend’s house for an overnight study session, when it was Andy’s house and it wasn’t for studying?” ~~~ LIE NUMBER THREE!!!

I won’t bore you with any more of my lies! You’re right Prue I don’t deserve anything. But Grams always said LOVE is not always deserved it just IS. A family principle you have apparently chosen to ignore.”

Both Prue and Piper stood silenced by the unexpected outburst. Phoebe was always passionate, but her passion had never been mixed with such a defeatist attitude.

The cab’s horn signaled that the time had come. Time to leave everything that was familiar to her and venture into the unknown. She refused to release her forming tears in front of an audience, so she hugged Piper saying, “I love you Pipe, I will come back some day, please wait for me!”

“Always, and I love you too!!”

She then turned to Prue and said.

“Prue I am sorry that it has come to this. I hope that there will come a day when circumstances will allow us to meet again but until that day comes, please know that I love you, I don’t like you very much right now, but nothing will ever destroy my love for you. I ask you only one kindness, please take care of Piper for me.”

No more was said. Phoebe bent down and picked up what was left of her life at the Manor and then silently closed the door.

“Well, I hope she finds what she’s looking for!” Prue said with an obvious lack of emotion, which belied her true feeling of regret.

“What she is looking for is what drove her away.” Piper said as irritation replaced her sorrow.

“Excuse Me?” Prue snipped back, as Piper hit the nerve that was attached to her conscious.

“Look I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Frankly, at the moment, I don’t like you very much either.”

“Whoa, I’M the victim, How DARE you lay this on me!!

“YOU? The victim? HAH!! It wasn’t you who came home with a split lip and a torn blouse. Did you even look past your anger? My God Prue SHE WAS HURT! Both physically and emotionally, the bruises will heal but the wound from that knife you shoved in her back, well that may never mend! Prue I love you with all my heart, but Roger has you so blinded that you are willing to renounce our baby sister because of your damn pride. And she is no better! Her pride is equal to yours if not greater. She has cried wolf enough to raise doubt and for that she is responsible for what scars inflict her as a result. And you must endure the stain of knowing that in this case she WAS telling the truth and you refused to listen.” Dramatically stepping down from her soapbox, Piper unceremoniously walked away leaving Prue to contemplate her words of truth.

“She’s right, I didn’t look past my anger.” Prue said to the now empty room as she recalled the blood tickling down Phoebe’s chin and her hand awkwardly attempting to draw together the tear in her top. “OH PHOEBE WHAT HAVE I DONE!?!”
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September 1998 ~ San Francisco

Coming Home ~ My arrival unannounced, serves to feed my fear of denial and rejection. My need to be whole again overcomes my apprehension of forever feeling this emptiness that has enveloped me since I left. Please let me back into your life!!

Making It Right ~ My mistake sent her away, it serves to feed my misery, feasting on a banquet of self-loathing. My need to regain what I don’t deserve overcomes my discomfort that my sin is beyond forgivable. Please give me a chance to make things right!!

Bridging The Gap ~ My sisters both absent. One by distance, one by remorse, they serve as my motivation to return things to normal, to right this terrible wrong. My desire to have my family together once again overcomes my lack of direction in how to bring it to fruition. Please help me reunite what has been destroyed by two sister’s unwillingness to release their hold on pride.

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How do I tell you I'm sorry -
With a gesture, a look, a touch?
How is it I never realized
I hurt you so very much?

I do not ask forgiveness,
A comfort I'll never deserve.
I merely want to let you know,
But I cannot find the nerve.

To finally confront you, face-to-face,
To look you in the eye,
To face your wrath, your apathy -
Too terrified to try.

You called me selfish, I turned away,
I festered and I fled;
Cutting and wounding and lashing out,
Just to see if you bled.

Betraying and deceiving you,
I surely had no right
To snatch away such a precious gem;
A dark thief in the night.

Three years and forever passed
To bring us to this day,
When I present these simple words
I never thought to say.

The time has come, it's long past due,
To put aside my fear;
Would this confession torture you,
Or have you longed to hear?

To hear those two forbidden words,
To vanquish all the pain,
To understand my dearest wish:
To know you once again.

The years aged me remarkably,
Though they have not made me wise;
I do know I erred irrevocably -
For that I apologize.
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Prue stood in her bedroom unconsciously tracing the image contained within the ornate frame. A frame that was so unsuited for the one whose portrait it held. No she was natural and unpretentious, nothing about her exhibited any pomp and circumstance.

“I always tried to make you something you weren’t, didn’t I? I tried to make you responsible when you were really relaxed in who you were, I tried to make you focus on the big picture when you would have rather painted the world by number, I judged and convicted you guilty when you, in truth, were the injured party. I am so sorry... Words that I can only say in solitude. I have all the letters I wrote but never sent, I have the speech memorized that fear prevented me from ever saying. Oh Phoebe my heart misses you, how I wish I could reverse time, make that day forever disappear. But I can’t, I must eternally bear the burden of knowing that it was me that sent you away. If we ever meet again I will do my damnedest to prove that time has changed me, and that I am not the same person I was when you walked out that door.”

Gently returning the picture of her sister back to the nightstand she silently made her way downstairs, Yearning to forget what was never far from her thoughts... Phoebe.
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The heavy rain ran down the cab window. She mindlessly watched as two droplets playfully chased each other until the wind propelled them into the crisp air. Was she too chasing after something that would just be blown away?

“Uh Miss? Hey Miss, you ok?”

“Huh, what?”

“You said 1329 Prescott Street, right?”

“Yes, yes of course. I sorry my mind was million miles away. Say look would you mind waiting? They’re not expecting me and I’m not sure if I’ll be staying.”

“Yeah sure. But I have another fare in 15 minutes and the meter’s still running!”

“Ok! I’ll be quick. Thanks!”

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Approaching the door
hesitantly, warily.
I reach for the bell
and push.

At the door now,
waiting for your reply.
The threshold of your heart
has never looked so frightening.

Regardless of my fear,
here I am,
at the door to your heart,
at the door to my home.
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She stood at the door... A door that she closed three years ago. Would the ones behind it welcome her or would the door be forever shut to their hearts? Her hands trembled as she reached for the doorbell. She could have used the hide-a-key, but felt it better not to intrude. Her arrival would be shock enough adding breaking and entering wouldn’t be wise. “Oh Piper! Please be the one to answer!”

“Who could that be? Are you expecting company?” Prue asked as stood on the ladder trying to fix the faulty chandelier that came with the Victorian Manor they all inherited since their grandmother’s death.

“No. Only someone out of their minds would attempt a visit in this downpour. But I guess there is only one way to find out.” Piper said as she went to see who that someone was.

She stood there as the crisp wind sent a shiver down her back, or was it the icy chill that her nerves were rewarding her with?

“I must be out of my mind! I can’t do this! Thank God I told the driver to wait.” Fear causing her to justify her retreat, she turned to leave, when she heard the door creak open.


“Can I help you?” Piper asked still not seeing who their late night guest was.

Phoebe knew that it must be fate... destiny for her to return, as the sweet voice she heard every night in her dreams floated to reach her soul. Phoebe then slowly turned to face her sister.

As she stared at who stood before her, she prayed that her eyes were not deceiving her heart.

“Phoebe? Phoebe is that you?”

“Hey Piper. I was just wondering if my bedroom was still available or have you rented it out?”

“Phoebe!!” Piper said as she grabbed her long lost sister into the foyer enveloping her into the arms that ached for the day this reunion would be something other than a dream.

“Piper, who is that at the...”

She just stood there. Speechless.

“Uh, hi Prue.”

“Did you know about this?” An unnerved Prue asked an ecstatic Piper.

“NO! She didn’t. I didn’t tell anyone I was coming. Is that going to be a problem?”

Prue totally forgetting the heart to heart she had with herself only an hour before, donned the suit of armor that she always placed around her heart, when her feelings were being threatened.

“So what brings you back?”

“Who CARES Prue, she’s here NOW and that’s all that matters!” Piper said annoyed that Prue was being so guarded.

Not taking her eyes off of her oldest sister, Phoebe asked her question again. “Is it all right if I stay, if not I can just get a hotel downtown?”

“YOU WILL NOT!! Of course it’s ok! ISN’T PRUE!?!” Piper’s glare sending a silent message... loud and clear.

Taken aback by the trepidation in the eyes of her little sister, eyes that usually held fire when they locked with hers. Softening, yet remaining unreadable said.

“Uh sure, I guess. I mean it’s her house too, Grams willed it to all of us.”

“Thanks.” Phoebe replied still not breaking eye contact with the reason she came back.

The uncomfortable silence was interrupted by the honking of the cab’s horn.

“Oh I forgot about the cab.”

Piper assuming Phoebe needed money to pay for it said “I’ll take care of it.” as she headed for the door.

“No Piper. I’ve got it, besides I have to get my luggage.” With those words she went to retrieve her things, settle up with the cabbie and attempt to re-gain her composure.

“Now Prue, I know this is a HUGE bombshell, but this is what you’ve been begging for, another chance. So pull it together and answer the door, because opportunity is knocking. It... She may not come again!” Piper said as she gave her sister a quick pep talk matched by an equally quick hug.

As Phoebe returned with the little overnight bag she had left with, Prue, still ill at ease, tried an attempt at conversation.

“Is that all you brought?”

“Uh, no actually, I’m having the airport hold the rest of my things in storage. I wasn’t sure where I would be staying. I’ll have them send the rest over here tomorrow, if that’s ok.” Phoebe’s voice answered strained and hesitant.

“What brings you back in San Francisco anyway, I thought you were in a New York state of mind? Prue asked, her voice relaxing only slightly but enough to reflect her genuine curiosity.

“Job transfer, actually.”

Prue now knew something else was really behind her baby sister’s return. Phoebe never held a job longer than a week, much less long enough to earn enough tenure that is required for a cross country relocation. She thinks to herself, ‘Time it ladies and gentlemen it took a whole sixty seconds before the lies begin to rear their ugly heads.’ The old habits resurfacing without her bidding she said.

“If you came back for Gram’s house, we are NOT selling!”

Phoebe was tired from the long flight, the three hour time difference and all the stress her body endured over the last few weeks as she contemplated her decision to come home again, having nothing more to give she simply walked over to her big sister and placed her hand gently on Prue’s shoulder and said.

“That is not why I came back, and you know it. Good night and thanks for letting me come home.”

She then walked over to Piper and gave her a hug, Good night Pipe, I love you.”

She left both sisters looking at the empty steps that had just taken her to the second floor and back into their lives.

“Welcome home baby, welcome home.” Surprisingly said by both sisters.
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She opened the door not making any effort to enter it’s threshold. She just stared into the place that chronicled the first twenty years of her life. She began to reacquaint herself with the past. The night light that chased the shadows away when night began to envelop the sun. The vanity where her big sister’s taught her the secret to the art of makeup was that, less was more. The window seat that offered her comfort when the pain of adolescence became too much. The closet that always held more of her sister’s clothes then her own. Then she saw it, the picture of her sister, it drew her into the room, she had no control as the photograph lured her to it’s side. The frame being asked to hold a image too big for it’s size. “I always asked more of you than was fair, didn’t I? I asked you to be the mother that you yourself were still mourning, I asked you to defend me when you were battling for you own independence, I asked you to understand and forgive, yet I didn’t give you that same benefit. I am so sorry... Words that took me three years to discover buried under my own selfishness. I have the memories of days when I betrayed your trust in little ways that proved the foundation to our undoing. I own the guilt that, while I didn’t lie to you that day, my reputation preceded me and cost me one of the most important things in my life, You. Oh Prue how my heart misses you! I wish I could rewind time, to make that day vanish into thin air. But I can’t I must forever endure the heaviness that it was my actions that drove me away. I have come back and I will do my damnedest to prove that time has changed me, I am not the same person that walked out that door.”

She was brought back to the present by the light tapping on the open door.

“Come in.”

“This was always the coldest room in the house.”

Turning to the voice, Phoebe took the offered blanket. “Thanks Piper.”

Piper still so happy at her sister’s return, couldn’t help but say. “Oh Pheebs, it is so good to see you again!” As she then crushed her sister into a death grip embrace.

“Piper, Air... I need air!”

“Oh sorry.”

Looking into the beautiful eyes that she had missed so much, Piper asked what Prue did earlier, knowing she would get the truth.

“Why did you come back?”

“I told you a job transfer.”

“No really? Spill it!”

Signing she slowly made her way over to the bed and lowered her weary body on to it softness.

“ I told you I’d come back someday. Remember?”

“AND?”

Knowing Piper was like a pit bull when it came to matters concerning her sisters, she just shook her head and allowed a much needed smile to grace her lips.

“Look Piper I’ve changed. Being alone in a one room flat, gave me lots of time for introspection. Prue may have pushed me into leaving, but I left her little choice, I mean lets face it my track record speaks for itself. Anyway I am determined to start over. Giving the new and improved Phoebe Halliwell an opportunity to redeem myself.”

“Do I sense your eternal youth being replaced by the age of maturity?”

“Yeah and it sucks!”

They both spent the next hour just falling into place as if three years and 3,000 mile had never separated them.

Prue stood just outside her door. Wishing she was a part of their reunion, knowing that she only need ask to be included. But that meant facing what she wasn’t ready to face. So letting the opportunity pass, she headed for the sanctuary of her room.

Prue lay in her bed wanting sleep to claim her consciousness, to take her away from the emotional tug of war besieging her mind. One minute feeling the need to run away while the next directing her straight to what she was running from, her sister’s arms. The passion of anger attempting to be tamed by the gentle hand of serenity, the bitter pill of pride being swallowed by the sweet taste of humility. What was once familiar and safe was now giving birth to the mysterious and risky; that would take her out of her comfort zone and straight into the thick of the unknown. The labor pains left her with an unfamiliar and scary sensation, a total lack of control. She HATED not being in control.
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Phoebe lay in her bed, too tired to sleep too awake to rest. Her mind doing battle between doubt and determination. Skirmishes fought with urgency between reservation and resolve, leaving it’s victim emotionally wounded and momentarily missing in action. The voices of enemy and comrade shouting war cries that were almost deafening.

“What have I gotten myself into? Retreat NOW!!”
“You’ve begun a journey of healing and restoration. March ON!!”

“What if that is not what she wants, what if she can’t forgive me? Concede defeat, HURRY!!”
“Let love lead your heart back to hers. Victory is YOURS!!”

What had made sense just days before she now found confusing and insurmountable. Her vacillation slowly eroding her confidence. She HATED feeling insecure.
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Piper lay in her bed wishing her mind would shut off. Shut off to the constant feelings of vulnerability and fright. Glad that her family was under the same roof once again, but panic chasing away her joy. Knowing that time would heal the wounds inflicted in the past, but perfectly aware that she must be the one to pull out the psychological first aid kit. A job she felt ill equipped to perform, yet knowing it was necessary. She wished for a magic wand to wave, an enchanted potion that would rid her of her feeling of helplessness. She HATED feeling helpless.
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Tomorrow was Monday, the beginning of a new week and the beginning of their journey home. That journey wouldn’t be easy or free from pain but the destination was secure.

She gave up on sleep at about 5:00 in the morning. Taking the soundless path that she discovered years before when she attempted to sneak back into the house past curfew, she made her way to the Manor door. Phoebe wrapped her arms around herself a little tighter as she sat on the steps and watched as the dawning sun ate up the night moon. It always amazed her how San Francisco’s weather could be so finicky, one day leaving you cold, soaked and miserable only to apologize the next with such warmth. She allowed that heat to warm her heart letting her believe that the important things were still worth fighting for. The sun offered HOPE.

After looking at her watch and seeing she had time for a quick run before she readied for her first day at the law office; she swiftly made her way down the street.
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She lay in her bed awake. She smiled as she heard her sister attempt a soundless pre-dawn retreat. “You never fooled anybody Pheebs, we always heard you coming in. Subtlety was something you were NOT born with.” Piper rolled over and looked at the tapestry of shapes that the sun was painting on her wall. Some large, some small, some twisted and deformed and some intricately beautiful. None any less or more important than the other, all were needed to weave it’s beauty, the sum of it’s parts greater than its whole. She allowed the early morning revelation to give her calm, letting her recognize that the beauty of her family would be made complete by the compilation of both the good, the bad, and the ugly. The sun offered PEACE.

After looking at her clock and seeing she had two more hours to sleep, she turned over and let sleep, peaceful sleep, claim her.
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She opened her sleepless eyes as the warm air, that floated through the opened window, caressed her cheek. Prue always left her window open, the evening sound of silence always soothed her into slumber. But last night it’s stillness couldn’t rescue her from the restlessness that her mind subjected her to. Her eyes were drawn to the drifting curtains as they freely danced to music that the breeze supplied. Free from anything that would hinder their happiness, uninhibited by the fact that they had no choice. Enslaved by the power the zephyr had over them, still they danced. Finding joy in their defeat, hope in their dependence and delight in their need. She let the simple analogy release her from her bond of fear. Allowing her too to find happiness in what imprisoned her, choosing to create her own contentment in spite of her circumstances. Realizing freedom is a state of mind not a lack of liberty. The sun offered FREEDOM.

After looking at the clock and seeing that she need to hurry if she wanted to get to a hot shower and be at work on time, she and her new found energy made haste to the bathroom.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Phoebe jogged the last block with ease. Having to catch the subway for the past few years had really increased her endurance.

She stepped inside the kitchen ready to grab a much needed bottle of water when she spotted her. Initially tensing merely from habit, but then she had to bite the inside of her lip, just to keep from laughing. Prue stood on the ready, to battle to the death with the helpless kitchen appliance, obviously pissed that it wasn’t doing what it should.

“Damn it Piper! Why couldn’t you just get a simple coffee maker, why does it have to do our taxes too?” She said as she debated on which button would reward her with the hot liquid she craved every morning.

Phoebe walked over to the source of her sister’s irritation and pressed the red button.

“Oh thank God! Thanks Piper.”

But as she turned around to grab a cup, she nearly ran into Phoebe.

“Sorry to disappoint you, wrong sister.” Phoebe said as the laugh she had resisted letting go of, forced its way out.

Trying to gain her composure and failing miserably continued on, “If it’s any consolation, I know you would have kicked its ass.”

Prue surprisingly feeling totally comfortable with her youngest sister, offered a genuine smile and a cocky. “Damn straight! NO one messes with my first cup of coffee.”

“No history lesson needed! I remember!” Phoebe said feeling equally at ease.

Both just stared at one another, each silently telling the other that it would take time, but that they would fix this. Prue and Phoebe knew that their love was surfacing, crashing into the walls that the past had erected and allowing a clear path for love to heal.

Prue first broke the voiceless moment, by saying. “So what are you doing up so early? I thought with all that jet lag, we wouldn’t be seeing you until next week sometime.”

“Oh I so wish I had the luxury, but I have to be at work at 9:00 am.”

Prue just stood there her mouth hanging open. She really hadn’t believed her sister when she said she returned because of a job transfer. But she now knew that Phoebe was serious. Pride and surprise mixed together as she continued on with her relaxing banter with the one that she had missed so much.

“I thought there was some unwritten grammatical rule that forbid the words work and Phoebe to be used in the same sentence.” Prue stated as she placed a cheeky grin on her face.

She feared that Prue was mocking her until, she heard the actual humor in her sister’s voice and saw that her face reflected no ridicule. She knew that her big sister was really trying to make things work. Happiness and hope mixed together as she sassily replied with her classic smile plastered on her face.

“Well you see, I have this whole Rule Breaker reputation to uphold and...”

They both laughed something that neither had done much of in a very long time.

Piper heard the music of her sister’s laughter floating from the kitchen. Joy and relief mixed together as she made her way to join her family.

“Ok, who are you people and what have you done with my sisters!”

“If we told you, then we’d have to kill you.”

“Yeah Piper, I think a don’t ask/don’t tell approach would be best.”

“Ok then, I suggest that you don’t ask me how stupid that just sounded, that way I won’t have to tell you!”

Glancing at her watch, Phoebe broke up the corny repartee, by saying.

“Do you still keep the yellow pages in the same place?” As she went in search for the phone directory.

“Yeah, but what do you need it for?” Piper asked.

“Cab, I need a cab. I have to be at work in an hour.” Phoebe said she turned the pages looking for the taxi service she used the night before.

“Where do you work anyway.” Prue asking what both she and Piper had yet to find out.

“Shearman & Sterling.”

“The Law Office?” Prue once again allowed her mouth to drop open, not expecting her sister’s answer.

Phoebe walked over to Prue and placed her hand on her sister chin and closed the still opened mouth.

“You really need to break that habit, it’s not very becoming.”

“Smart Ass!”

“One of my finer qualities. Now let me call this cab or I won’t have a job to go to.”

“It’s on California Street right?” Prue asked placing the huge building in her mind.

“Yeah, how did you know?”

“It is just one block south of Bucklands, If you can be ready in 15 minutes, I’ll drop you off.”

“Oh, Prue that would be great, I’ll make them New York minutes, you won’t have to wait long. I swear!” As soon as she said the last two words her heart began to race as she recalled what her oldest sister felt about her honesty. She became visibly paled by fear that she had just opened a still healing wound.

“No worries, Kiddo, that’s in the past. Now scoot!” As Prue swatted at her sisters butt. She knew exactly what caused Phoebe’s mood swing, and she wanted to reassure her that she didn’t feel that way anymore.

In record time Phoebe was downstairs. Prue just shook her head and said. “I see you made yourself at home in MY closet.”

“I’m sorry Prue but you know the rest of my things won’t becoming until this evening and...”

“It’s ok I was only joking.” Prue said as she once again saw Phoebe’s uneasiness.

“We better get going. See you tonight Piper.” They both said as they linked arms and headed to Prue’s car.

She watched them leave, happy knowing that both her loved ones were back. All would soon be right with their world.

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
He watched them leave. If our eyes are the window to our souls then his were very telling. Pure evil radiated from his being. Wickedly happy that his moment for revenge would be forthcoming. “Revenge is sweet my dear, and vengeance will soon be mine!!


Piper and Prue just stared in amazement at their little sister.

“Easy there Pheebs, this is not a speed eating contest, You CAN take your time!” Prue laughed as Phoebe just grunted her answer.

Once she finally finished the remains of her third helping, she sat back in complete satisfaction. “Piper, YOU have NO idea how much I missed your cooking!! After nearly giving myself food poisoning, I swore if it didn’t come out of a box or have microwave instructions, it stayed at the store. Thanks for reminding that food doesn’t have to taste like sh.., ooooh, is that your famous Daiquiri Cheesecake I see sitting there just waiting to be devoured?”

Piper just rolled her eyes as she got up to bring Phoebe’s favorite dessert back to the table. “I know that you haven’t been eating well, and you’ve lost weight, if that’s even possible, but you don’t have to make up for all three years in one sitting.”

“True, but I prefer on getting a head start. Pass me a fork, would ya?”

“Piper I think she must have been a bird in a former life!”

“I believe you’re right Prue, don’t they eat twice their body weight?”

“That is SO not funny, factual maybe, but not funny.” Phoebe said around a mouth full of Piper’s decadent delight.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Piper turned off the light in the kitchen that she had just finished cleaning and headed to the living room to join her sisters.

“Hey Piper, did my things arrive from the airport?” Phoebe asked as she looked around for her luggage.

“Yes, I asked them to take all your stuff to your room.”

“Thanks, you are SUCH a sweet sister!” Phoebe said as she pulled Piper down on the couch planting a slobbery kiss on her cheek and squished her into a bear hug.

“Enough already!” Piper said as she wiggled out of her baby sister’s grip and dramatically wiped at her face. “You have a promise to keep and some splainin’ to do.”

“What promise and splain what?” Prue asked as she laid down the mail that she had just retrieved from the mailbox.

“She promised me last night, that she would fill us in on this new job and why they transferred her to San Francisco.”

“Well?” Both big sisters said as they gave her the ‘don’t even think about trying to get out of it’ look.

“It is not very interesting, but if it will shut the two of you up and get you off my back, then I’ll talk.” After bringing her legs into an Indian style cross, she began.

“When I arrived in New York, I spent the first six months never leaving my flat, unless it was absolutely necessary. I went from hurt to numb to depressed, but then I soon found I was broke. I knew I had to pull myself together and find work if I was going to survive. So I ended up taking a job as a waitress at the Rainbow Room. The pay was lousy, but the tips were great. Then one day I had this really obnoxious male customer. Let’s just say he wanted to have me for an appetizer. When I dump his linguine in clam sauce all over him and his $2000 Armani suit, he made sure the whole restaurant knew his displeasure, including by boss. When Pablo, the manager, saw that he was a regular patron, he fired me on the spot. Well, as you can imagine I was upset, no, I quickly moved past upset and straight to pissed off. As I was making my R rated exit, I felt someone gently tap my shoulder. It was the lady at the table next to where all the drama had played out. She handed me her business card saying no one needs to be subjected to that kind of abuse, just to make a living. She said if I met her at the office at 9:00 Monday morning, that I would have a job waiting for me. I was shocked, most of the people that frequent the Rainbow Room are frankly arrogant and rude, but she took the time to help me. I then looked down at the card and saw that it read: Cassandra Shearman...”

“THE Cassandra Shearman? She is one of the 25 most influential women, according to Entrepreneur magazine.” Prue interrupted as she remembered the name from a recent article that she had read.

“Yep, the same one. Anyway, I went out that same afternoon and got myself the best power suit that $200 bucks would buy and...”

“Leave it to you to take full advantage of your termination to justify a trip to the mall.” Piper said as she ducked, just in time, to miss being hit by the pillow being hurled in her direction. “Ha Ha, you missed!” She said, only to have Prue nail her in the back of her unsuspecting head.

“HEY, NO FAIR!!”

“Thanks Sis!!” Phoebe said as she reached over to high five Prue’s outstretched hand.

“Ok intermission is over, back to the story.” Piper said as she feigned anger and injury with a scowl thrown, in the direction of both sisters, and a hand that rubbed the spot on her head that Prue made contact with.

“Ok Act I scene II. Cassy was very gracious, making feel as if I’d been working there for years. Anyway I started out in the file room, filing legal documents, draft pleadings and affidavits for all the closed cases. I thought I’d find the job boring but I didn’t. I became intrigued by the many good things that can come out of a law office. It really made be readjust my stereotypical view of lawyers. If a law firm, like Shearman & Sterling, is run with a high level of integrity and where the client is seen as a person rather than a means to the next tax bracket, then much can be accomplished.

Most of the cases I filed were related to family law, like child custody and protection litigation. The firm had been working on a high profile custody battle. Cassy had taken on the case personally. It involved a five-year-old girl who was being abused. While it appeared, blatantly obvious, that the mother was the abuser, Cassy felt that the father was the one behind the little girl’s mistreatment. However there was little admissible evidence that would prove her right. The mother always excused the bruises and broken bones as an ‘accident prone’ child. But Cassy feared that she too was being abused and saying what, she felt, would risk the least retaliation from her husband. Even six months into the case no medical records could be found linking the ‘mishaps’ to the father. The mother was always the one to take her to the hospital for treatment. And she was just one hearing away from losing her little girl forever. The case was not only important for the safety of the child, but it had fast become a media magnet and public opinion had already convicted the mother guilty. If the case was lost and the father gained custody of Amy, the little girl, she would be sentenced to a life of neglect and abuse, both physically and mentally. And if we won the case the firm would lose it’s reputation, albeit unwarranted.”

Phoebe had to pause as her recollection brought on tears that she had shed over the close call of the poor child. Once she composed herself, she continued.

“Whether you were directly involved in the case or not, everybody was aware of the importance of getting Amy into the right hands. One day Hamilton Reed, Cassy’s legal assistant brought down another closed case dossier to be filed. As I was separating the file I noticed an unrelated document, as I looked it over I noticed that it was a medical report on Amy. It was a doctor’s report that was supposed to be sent to social services, indicating that Amy’s father exhibited displaced aggression and other key indicators that were typically seen in a parent that would abuse a child. It clearly detailed the injuries that he had observed on Amy and that he was recommending an investigation be pursued immediately. I couldn’t believe that Cassy would be that incompetent as to let such a vital document slip into the wrong file. I could however, believe her Don Juan of an assistant dropping the ball, I mean he was never in his office. He preferred doing field research on a cute blonde secretary on the 8th floor. I didn’t want any trouble and I didn’t want to lose another job, but I couldn’t let that poor baby go back to that hellhole with the devil himself. So I took the report to Cassy’s office, and I explained that I found it in another file. I was going to leave it at that but being the lawyer she is, she gave me the third degree... Hey Prue she even gave you a run for your money.”

All she was rewarded with was a glare that held no provocation.

“When she broke me down, I told her that it was Hamilton that gave me the file. She thanked me and told me to come back and see her in a week. Thinking that was when I was going to receive my walking papers, I left believing I would be cozying up to the want ads very soon. The next week was full of surprises. It was discovered that Amy’s father was paying Hamilton off to suppress and hide crucial evidence that would have convicted him. Hamilton was fired and subsequently arrested. With the doctor’s testimony and the report brought before the jury, the father was convicted and full custody was given to Amy’s mother. The next day Cassy called me in her office, not to fire me but to offer me a business proposition. If I was willing to return to school and complete a paralegal program at NYU and maintain at least a B average, that the firm would pay for my education. In the interim I would be apprenticing with another paralegal to gain hands on experience. Once I completed the program, I would then be promoted to her legal assistant. I had been her assistant for the last year and a half. But my heart was leading me back to San Francisco, to my family, so I turned in my resignation. After much explaining, she finally understood and offered to personally ensure a transfer to their San Francisco office.”

Taking in a deep sigh she smiled and said. “There you have it. The whole boring tale of my New York experience.”

Both Prue and Piper were so astonished that they sat silent nearly the whole time Phoebe filled them in on the three year gap in their history. Prue was so proud of her sister’s accomplishments, yet very saddened that she was not there to celebrate and share them with her. Piper was shockingly surprised that she never mentioned any of this, the few times that they talked on the phone. But what she was not surprised at, was what Phoebe had achieved. She always believed that when her little sister sorted out her issues, that she would go on to do great things with her life.

“Let me be the first to say how proud I am of you! And to apologize for not giving you the encouragement you needed as well as always forcing my timetable on you instead of letting you go at your own pace. I’m sorry” Prue said as she went to her baby and gave her a heartfelt embrace.

Piper was still confused as to why she never told her and asked a question that was troubling her. “ What ever happened to what was his name again... Hamilton?”

Prue felt Phoebe instantly stiffen and then begin to shake as she was still encircling her youngest sister. Phoebe quickly pulled away and said.

“Uh I really don’t know... Look guys I have an early meeting tomorrow, it’s getting late and I still have to unpack. I heading up to bed. Good night.”

Piper’s uneasiness kept her from following, but Prue’s material instincts took over. Running up the stairs she caught up with her fleeing sister and said.

“Hey do you want a hand unpacking? I know I would greatly appreciate having my wardrobe back.”

Phoebe still edgy, but relaxing quickly as her big sister wrapped her arms around her, said.

“Sure, your clothes were way too big for me anyway.” She then darted away to avoid the harmless fury her sister would soon inflict on her. Hiding behind humor was something both her sisters knew was Phoebe’s way of dodging what was really bothering her.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Piper knew, that Prue would help to ease Phoebe of whatever had caused her anxiousness at the simple question she had asked. But she also knew that when Phoebe was determined not to share, she was harder to break into than Fort Knox.
Knowing she too had an early morning at Quake, got up and started for the stairs. As she walked passed the end table her leg brushed against the mail Prue had laid there earlier, knocking it to the floor. She bent down to pick it up when she noticed an envelope that looked to be important. Pulling it from the rest, she took it with her to give to her sister.

As Piper rounded the corner she could hear both youngest and oldest in a major argument.

“I told you I don’t know how it got in my bag. I never took it!”

“How the hell else would it have gotten there unless YOU put it there!?!?”

“I don’t know!!! All I know is that I WOULD NEVER TAKE ANYTHING THAT BELONGED TO THAT BASTARD!!!”

Piper slowly made her way to the room that contained the two combatants. As she reached the door she cringed at what Prue held in her hand, and the look of fear and anger that Phoebe’s face held.


Sensing Piper at the door, Prue reined in her anger and pain, hoping against hope that there was a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why Phoebe had in her possession the Rolex watch that she had given Roger at their engagement party.

“Phoebe, has ALL this been a charade? I WANT to believe you, but THIS is making it difficult!”

“I can’t explain why, because I don’t know. But I CAN tell you that I am telling the truth and it is YOUR CHOICE as to if you believe me or not. The ball is in your court!!” Phoebe said she broke down in uncontrollable sobs, as she felt the underpinning of her and Prue’s relationship begin to quickly give, under the unexplained, yet damning evidence.

Prue took in how distraught her sister was and knew that Phoebe was right, she had to choose. ‘Do I believe her or do I believe what looks to be blatantly obvious?’ She remembered the words ‘blatantly obvious’ in the story Phoebe told about the abused girl. All evidence pointed to the mother, yet in fact, the father was the perpetrator. Things aren’t always as they appear, don’t repeat history, by not believing her again. She heard her conscience plead. This time she would listen. She walked over to side of the bed that Phoebe had retreated to. She was still crying as hard if not harder. Sitting down next to her, pulling her into a comforting embrace she whispered.

“I choose to trust you Baby. I know that you would never hurt me intentionally. Despite what it looks like. I CHOOSE YOU!! I will NEVER make that same mistake again. I LOVE YOU and that IS enough! I am sorry I yelled, please forgive me!”

Prue was shocked when Phoebe started to cry even harder and clung to her as she did as a child, when the Woogyman would be on the prowl.

“What is it honey? I told you I believe you. Why are you still crying?”

“I - I - I- thought I was going to lose you all over again. I - I - I - couldn’t survive going through that again.”

“I promise you that I will trust you no matter what!! I too would die if I ever lost you. I love you Pheebs!”

“Really?” Phoebe lifted her head and looked hesitantly into the her sister’s deep blue eyes, wanting to see in them what Prue was saying with her voice... She did!

“ALWAYS!!”

“ME TOO!!”

“Now that I see you two Drama Queens are finished with your wonderful performance and are in no need of any medical attention, I think I will be going.” Piper barely finished her sentence before she was pulled, by both sisters, onto the bed for a well deserved group hug.

They stayed like that for hours, no words were needed, love was all that was necessary.

“I hate to break up this love in, but I need to get my beauty sleep. I’m pulling a double at the restaurant tomorrow, correction, today.”

Piper jumped off the bed and headed for the door when she remembered the letter, pulling it out of her pocket she said.

“Oh yeah I forgot, I found this in the mail. I thought it looked important.” Piper then handed it to her sister. Giving them both a quick kiss she left for her own room.

Prue exhausted from all the stress and a long day at the auction house, also got up to left her sister to prepare for bed. As she was about to close the door she heard Phoebe softly say.

“I love you, Prue. Thanks, I won’t make you regret your choice.”

“I know sweetie, I know. Sleep well.” Prue said as she completed closing the door.

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Prue lay in bed, knowing that she and her little sister’s bond was growing stronger, creating a connection that no circumstance or person would break.

Phoebe lay in bed, knowing that she and her big sister’s love would conqueror whatever life would make them face.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

She remembered the letter Piper had given her. Turning on the bed side lamp she tore open the envelope.

As she unfolded the correspondence, she was confused at first as to why anyone would send her such a cryptic note. But she was soon alarmed as she read the words pasted to the paper.


iT’s BEeN FAr ToO loNG MY dARLinG. SOon I wILL MaKE YoU FEeL aLL ThE PaIN & SHamE YoU PuT ME THRu!! UNTil TheN KnoW I wiLL be COunTINg ThE MinUTEs!!!!

WiTH REvenGE iN My HEaRT,

SoMeONe FrOM YoUR PaST
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
Her sense of alarm soon turned into a definite bone chilling fear. Her mind speeding to catch up with her racing pulse. She felt like reality was becoming a nightmare that she would not be able to wake from. Her past was being forced into her present.

Her trembling hands let the paper containing the threatening words, slip from her grasp. Freeing them to wrap themselves around her bent knees drawing her body into a fetal position; natural instinct that led her to revert to the universal position of safety. Her knuckles turned white as she fought to keep the earthquake of panic from spreading to the rest of her body, but is was too late.

Her body began to reject the noxious revelation that had just invade her system; causing her mouth to become as dry as the Mojave Desert, her equilibrium to lose its center, and her stomach to seek a release for the contents that were quickly making there way to her throat. Knowing she could not hold off any longer, she bolted from the bed and rushed into the bathroom slamming the door, making no effort to consider her sleeping sisters.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

She lay there just on the verge of slumber when the banging sound beckoned her back to consciousness. Once she became fully awake, she realized that one of her sisters was sick, as she heard the toilet flush for the third time. Quickly making her way into the hall, her suspicions were confirmed as she saw the light peeking out from the gap under the door.

Her other sister stumbled into the hallway. Her look saying ‘no jury in the world would convict me’ as she contemplated inflicting bodily harm on the one that had interrupted her from her silken repose.

“I got her. Go on back to bed.” She said to her, half asleep half pissed off sibling who obediently retreated back her room.

She then continued on to where her ill sister would be found. She didn’t even knock as she opened the door to the most pitiful sight. There lay her sister, trying to gain relief from her waves of nausea, by seeking comfort in the coldness contained within the tiled floor. Her pasty color indicated that the desired effect was not being achieved. She walked over to the basin letting the cold water run over the washcloth that she placed under the streaming tap.

“Honey, are you ok?” She asked already knowing the answer, but it’s what we all do when someone we love is sick; we ask questions that are obvious, in order to make ourselves feel useful in a helpless situation. She received no answer. She then bent down and gently pushed back her sister’s damp bangs and laid the cool cloth against her forehead.

“Thanks.” Was all she managed to get out.

Her sister just sat down next to her rubbing her hand up and down her back trying to take the edge off of her discomfort. She sat next to her prone sister for about an hour before she started to stirred.

“Could you help me up? I think the room has now come to a full and complete stop.”

She eased her sister into a sitting position, telling her to wait awhile before she made any effort to stand. As she looked over she saw a touch of color returning to her face, and asked.

“Feeling better?”

“Yeah thanks.” she answered as she leaned her head onto her caregiver’s shoulder.

“That will teach you not to binge eat again. Didn’t Piper warn you?” Prue said as she gently placed a kiss on the top of her sister’s bent head.

Phoebe was relieved that Prue had assumed that her condition was caused by her overindulgence at dinner.

“Yeah, yeah! Lesson learned! I am forever cured! I swear, I will take no more extra trips to Piper’s All You Can Eat Buffet!! Scout’s honor!” She said as she sarcastically crossed her heart and then held out her hand in the well known scouting position. Yet again she used humor in an attempt to conceal what was really troubling her.

“Thank you Caroline Rhea. Now Come on Missy, I think you and your stand up routine are ready to take it on the road.”

Prue stood up and reached out, offering her baby sister a helping hand. Phoebe weakly smiled and took hold of her sister. Wobbly at first, as the blood rushed to her head, however she managed to readjust quickly. Prue guided her sister passed Phoebe’s room and straight towards her own.

“I want you to stay in here with me for the rest of the night, just in case you get a relapse.”

“It’s ok I don’t want to bother you any more than I already have. I can go back to my own room.” Phoebe replied but was really hoping her big sister would insist. Truth was, she didn’t want to go back in there just yet.

“You are NO bother. Besides if I remember correctly, our roles were once reversed, back in the day when it was I that suffered from poor judgment and overindulgences. Consider it payment on a long overdue debt.”
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Phoebe lay in the darkness, she heard her sister’s even breathing and knew she had fallen asleep, but she knew that sleep would not come for her, not now anyway. After her initial shock threw her into a physical tailspin, she had not allowed her mind to concentrate on anything else accept getting her body to function normally again. But now that it was, she wasn’t so sure she wouldn’t rather be back in front of the porcelain throne, it seemed that it was less painful then the reality that sent her there in the first place.

Her rational left her no choice but to yield to it’s will, Logic and Emotions marched to their respective podiums on the stage of her conscious and began an intense and powerful debate.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Why now?

Because you’re back in town!

But after three years, wouldn’t he have gotten over it and moved on?

Pride is very acidic, eroding the most common of decencies, causing people to become obsessed; vengeance overpowering all reason, fixating all efforts in punishing the one who was responsible for wounding that pride.

What am I going to do?

Well, first off you WILL NOT involve your sisters. He is after you not them. The less they know the better. You don’t want to get them hurt because of you, right?

Agreed, but how am I going to resolve this in secrecy, I have to start somewhere?

The law office, use the resources that are available to you. Do some online investigating, run a background check, dig into his past and see what he has been up to for the past three years. Begin to gather information that will secure your suspicions and that will assist the police in nailing his sorry ass to the wall!

But I’m scared, What if I am NOT strong enough to fight him?

Don’t you dare let that jerk take from you, what has been a part of you since birth, don’t let him take away your FIGHTING SPIRIT!

Damn Skippy I won’t!! I WON’T let him take anything else from me. The last time he did it nearly killed me. NO! Roger you will NOT win!

I’m glad to see you have listened to me, I mean to yourself, I mean.. oh... oh you know what I mean.

Yeah, I know what you mean, and thanks! Now get OUT of my head!

Phew!! I gotta stop these mind debates, they’re giving me a killer headache.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Phoebe glanced over at the clock and saw the red digits relaying the time, 6:45 am. Surprised that after having no sleep in over 48 hours, she felt remarkably alert. A smile danced its way across her lips, as she carefully eased herself from the bed, in order not to wake her still sleeping sister as well as test her ability to stand solo. Finding herself steady and Prue still motionless, she whispered “Now’s my chance!!”, as she made her way to the exit that would lead her to the room that held all the makings of a nice HOT shower.

“I suggest you enjoy this one, cause it ain’t happening again.” Prue said to her now absent sister.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
Prue was such a dichotomy. Mixing sarcasm with seriousness creating a unique concoction of duality. One part triviality to one part intensity, although in Prue’s case intensity was the dominate partner.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Prue then became very serious, she rolled over and stared up at her ceiling. “What’s wrong Pheebs? What is it that has you so scared?”

Prue knew she would get little sleep, and didn’t, but not for the reasons she thought. She expected to spend the remainder of the early morning, body blocking impromptu kicks, fending off an unannounced elbow to her ribs and fighting to the death for even a small corner of the blanket. But there were no kicks, no elbow jabs and she actually had plenty of covers. Something was definitely not right, she could count on two fingers the only times that Phoebe ever laid that motionless, one was when she was in the hospital after their car accident and the other was when she came back home and was terrified to fall asleep alone. She spent the next six-month sleeping with Prue.

“Talk to me baby...” Prue had intended to say more as she openly dialoged with herself, but stopped as she heard Phoebe reenter the room.

“Well, good morning sleepy head! It’s about time you graced us with your presence! I’ve always wanted to say that... rather then having someone always say it to me.” Phoebe said as she continued to towel dry her hair. Making it appear that all was right in her world. Phoebe plopped down on the bed and stared into Prue’s eyes.
“Thanks, for making me all better!! Pwue you are one of my bestest sisters!!”

“Hey it comes with the job. I guess that’s what I get for not reading the fine print!”

Phoebe placed her hand over top of Prue’s and tried again. “I’m serious, thank you!”

Prue looked intently at her sister’s hand over her own before she responded. “You’re welcome. How are you feeling this morning?”

Phoebe she answered. “MUCH BETTER!! That hot shower really helped!”

Attempting to get her sister to talk about what, she thought, was worrying her baby sister Prue ventured to address the discovery of Roger’s watch in her luggage night prior. “Phoebe, I know that you didn’t take Roger’s engagement gift, but how do you think it got into your bag? I mean I haven’t seen him in over two years and I’m guessing you haven’t seen him since... well, since the incident.”

Phoebe bit at her lower lip, she wasn’t expecting the conversation to turn. Honestly not knowing what to say, she chose to ignore the question. “Ooh, I better get ready. You see, the girl I carpool with has got a real hang up about punctuality. She’ll leave my ass in the dust if I’m even a minute late!” With that she playfully threw the damp towel in Prue’s directions, she left the room.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

To the average observer her charade may very well have been successful, but not to her big sister. Prue knew the subtleties to look for, ones that would go unnoticed by most. She always started with her eyes. Phoebes eyes held a gleam that was rarely absent, but that luster was now missing, contradicting her effervescence. Then Prue moved on to observe her hands, hands which enjoyed such long and graceful fingers, but if you looked very closely you would see that those same hands were overcome with the slightest of tremors, negating the confidence that the rest of her presence demonstrated. Lastly, but most telling, was her mannerisms, ones that she only used when she was nervous, in trouble or scared. The biting of her lower lip that told of her inward struggle, the pacing that was only inherited by the two oldest Halliwell sisters, but one that Phoebe would ‘borrow’ when she was trying to walk away from what was troubling her, And finally the constant attempt to brush back an invisible strand of hair, as if she was trying to rid herself of some inward irritation. All the signs were there, pointing to a well orchestrated cover up. Did all this have to do with the watch that she found when she had offered to help Phoebe unpack? Was she trying to hide her real reason for returning to San Francisco? Were she and Roger... She shuttered even to think that that could be true. But something deep inside her soul, told Prue that whatever was happening, was not Phoebe’s doing. The fear she saw, mixed with genuine confusion in her sister’s eyes as Prue waved the watch in her face; that kind of fear could not be called upon at will. Just to maintain an affair with a man that Phoebe had despised from their very first meeting. Prue finally reached the conclusion that trust is not always seeing things in black and white but having faith in the one who is telling you to look through their eyes.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Prue! Prue!! PRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“WHAT!!!”

“DAMN IT Phoebe you don’t have to yell I’m right here!! If you wanted my attention all you had to do was ask!” Prue spoke sharply as she retaliated at being startled back from her reverie.

“I HAVE BEEN trying to get YOUR ATTENTION for the LAST 15 MINUTES!! Where the HELL did you go Timbuktu?” Phoebe said equally matching Prue’s sharpness.

“If you don’t get your ass in gear we’re BOTH gonna late!!” Phoebe added as she headed for the door.

“What are you talking about, you just got out of the shower and were drying your hair and...” Prue stopped herself once again mid sentence, as she saw the sister that just moments earlier was in her terry cloth robe and had her head buried under a fluffy towel, was now dressed to the nines as she stood before her wearing a sleek black silk business suit that pushed the envelope on the definition of conservative. Prue then jerked her head in the direction of the clock that now read 7:25 am. Knowing they both had to be at work by 8:00 am, Prue darted passed Phoebe, nearly knocking her over, as she hauled ass to pull herself together.

“This is going to be one hell of a day!” Phoebe shook her head and began to rub her temples, before shouting at the top of her voice.

“PIPER!! WHERE’S THE TYLENOL?”
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

She sat in the car waiting on her big sister. “Talk about role reversal!” She mused out loud, as she recalled that it was usually Prue who waited for her. But Phoebe knew the real reason behind her sister’s tardiness. Prue had wasted the morning trying to figure out what was bothering her kid sister. Since as far back as she could remember, she and Prue played this game of, she knows I’m hiding something and won’t tell and I know she knows but don’t let on that I do. The game would go on like that until either she found out, which she usually did, or she’d get so pissed off that she’d try and beat it out of me. “After nearly twenty years I thought I would have had it mastered.”

“Mastered what?” A perfectly quaffed Prue asked as she got into the driver’s seat of her sporty black coupé.

Phoebe just stared amazed. “How did you get to look that gorgeous in just 20 minutes?”

“It’s a gift.” Prue proudly stated as she threw the car into reverse and headed to the 280, knowing it would be the quickest route into town.

They were nearly to the desired exit when Prue glanced at the clock on the dash and said. “I hope you won’t get in any trouble if you’re a few minutes late.”

“Phoebe, did you hear me?”

Phoebe didn’t answer, she was too busy looking out the side view mirror at the car that was making it’s approach at break neck speed, it’s intentions obvious... CONTACT! It’s target unmistakable... THEM!

“PRUE!!!! LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!”

The next thing that was heard was the awful sound of metal being compacted, glass breaking, the constant blare of a horn and the slow drip of blood that steadily ran from the gash on her head.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

“Good Morning, thank you for calling Quake, Piper Halliwell speaking, how may I direct your call?”

The phone call you pray you’ll never have to answer. The nightmare you beg will never come true. The waiting room that you hope, under no circumstances, you’ll ever have to occupy. The nameless faces you wish would just go away as they offer their insincere words of kindness. The indescribable torment you ache to escape from, as you battle between the fear of the unknown and the fear of knowing. But the prayers aren’t answered, your pleadings go unheeded, the place you don’t want to be, you are, the artificial platitudes still remain and the inexpressible suffering still holds you hostage.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

“I DEMAND TO KNOW THE CONDITION OF MY SISTERS!!! WHY IS IT TAKING SO DAMN LONG FOR YOU PEOPLE TO GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION!?!”

Piper shouted at the long-suffering attending nurse. This was Piper’s fifth trip up to the nurse’s station since her arrival just two hours ago. Both her sisters would have been thunderstruck at Piper’s newfound aggression. She was, by nature, placid and reserved, it was rare for her to speak above a normal tone. But when she was in such a state, it could only mean one thing... PIPER WAS PISSED!!

The nurse came out from around the desk and led a still grumbling, Piper into a small room just outside the regular waiting area.

“Now honey, I KNOW that the waiting part is a real bitch, but I can’t tell you what I don’t know. So stay in here and TRY and pull yourself together. And if you come back over to that desk with that ‘damn the world attitude’ one more time, I will personally kick your ass right out of this hospital. GOT IT!?!”

Piper visibly settled down. Actually she was trying to contain the laughter that was threatening to spill out of her mouth. The vision of the rotund, gray haired, give ‘em hell, Buffy wannabe, kicking anything up, accept for maybe her feet, was just too hilarious.

“I got and thanks. Thanks for keeping it real. I mean, everyone else kept saying what they thought was PC, but YOU told me what I needed to hear, minus all the BS. I appreciate your honesty.”

“You are very welcome! Now I suggest you lay low for awhile, several of my nurses are on the warpath, and it’s your scalp they’re after.”

“I won’t leave this room until someone comes and takes me to my sisters.” Piper said as the relevance of the situation returned to her thoughts.

Without a word, the nurse made her way to door, giving Piper the privacy she needed to compose herself. On the other end of the door the clever middle aged woman, smiled and said with great satisfaction. “Works every time.”
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Her awareness began to return. She strained to try and recall where she was and exactly how she got there. Lights of red and blue that urgently flashed all around her, indicated that the situation was serious. Men and women rushed in and out of her field of vision, barking out orders, but the voice she was tuning in to hear was painfully silent. She attempted to turn her head to see if she could locate her sister, but found her efforts were futile, as she was unable to move her neck encumbered by something restricting her movement.

“Easy there Miss, don’t try and move. We have you in a neck brace just as a precaution. Try and relax, we’ll have you out of there real soon. Can you tell me what, if any thing is bothering you?” The paramedic assigned to her asked as he saw her starting to stir.

“My- My- sis...”

“They’re working on her as we speak, let’s just concentrate on you for now. Are you in any pain?” He responded trying to make his patient focus, she was his only concern at the moment.

“My - my- left leg, I - I- can’t move it.”

“Does it hurt?”

“WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK?”

Seeing, or rather hearing, her obvious irritation, was a good sign. “I see you’re a feisty little...” But her piercing glare prevented him from continuing. “Well, there is definitely nothing wrong with your hearing!! Look as soon as the fire truck arrives with the Jaws of Life, we will be able to get you out and stabilize you and your leg. Anything else troubling you?”

“My sister, find out how she is!! I need to know!!!! PLEASE!!!???!!!” She begged. The incessant hammering in her head and the excruciating pain in her leg were numbed as the antithetic of concern for her sibling, began to take effect.

Seeing the urgency in her eyes, as well as, assuming she was too stubborn to take no for answer, he responded by getting up and moving over to the ambulance that held the other occupant of the vehicle. As he pasted two police officers, he overheard part of their conversation.

“You better call CSI; there is another set of fresh tire tracks near the victim’s car, start taping off the area. Looks like those young ladies were purposely forced off the road.

The paramedic ran the direction of where the officer had just pointed, his original destination. But just as he neared the ambulance, the sirens started to wail and the tires screeched as it sped in the direction of the hospital. Knowing she would not be happy he dejectedly returned to his patient.

“I’m sorry, they left before I could get an update. I am really sorry.” He said as he saw the single tear run down her bruised face.

“Hey, I see the guys coming now! They will get you out and you can get the 411 on your sister for yourself, once we get to the hospital.” Hoping his words would reach past her pain.

“You’ve been very kind, thank you! Could I bother you for one more favor?”

“Sure sweetie, what is it?” He soothingly said, as the women trapped inside the twisted metal, reminded him of his own daughter. He hated jobs when they hit this close to his heart.

“Call- call - my other sister, let her know what’s going on.” Her voice cracked as she just wished to be with her sisters, no one and nothing else mattered.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

“Ms Halliwell?” The soft voice broke into Piper’s thoughts as the doctor stood just outside the open door.

“My name is Dr. Leo Wyatt, and I have been treating both of your sisters.” He said as he stretched out his hand.

Piper jumped up and met him midway into the room. Their handshake drawing them both into each other’s personal space, yet neither seeming to be aware of, or minding the intrusion.

Under any other circumstances, her obvious appreciation for his ruggedly handsome good looks would have encouraged him to pursue the attractive women. The lovely lady who sent jolts of electricity through his body, as her beautiful eyes met with his.

Stepping back slightly so as to maintain a professional distance. He awkwardly attempted to return them both to the situation at hand.

“Uh, your sisters...”

“Who?” She asked, as she was still enraptured by the presence of this stranger. The man, who made her heart feel like it would burst from all the energy that his hand produced while it firmly, yet gently held her own. Suddenly becoming embarrassed at her boldness, Piper pulled herself back to the reason she was there in the first place.

“Yes, yes, of course Prue and Phoebe. How are they? Will they be ok? When can I see them?” Piper asked as her full attention was back on her sisters.

“Well, both have been admitted. I’ll start with Prudence...”

“Uh I wouldn’t call her that if I were you, or you’ll find yourself the one in the hospital.” Piper cautioned as she recalled that the only person Prue would let get away with calling her by her full name was their Grams, and that was only out of respect. “She likes, no she demands, to be addressed as Prue!”

“I will be sure to note that in her chart.” He said with a very attractive, yet boyish grin. Well, she has sustained minor cuts and abrasions from the broken glass, her left leg is fractured, specifically her lower tibia, the Orthopedist said he would be able to place her in a soft cast, preventing her from having to use crutches. The reason I admitted her is mainly precautionary, she also has a very mild concussion and I would prefer that she be monitored here for the next 24 hours. If nothing develops overnight, I will release tomorrow afternoon.”

“Is she really ok, nothing you’re not telling me?” Piper asked as all the apprehension of not knowing was subsiding into relief.

“Yes, I’ve told you everything about Prue.” Leo said, yet his hesitancy gave away his concern for her youngest sister.

“What about Phoebe?” She said as her body stiffened with the rigidity of concern, she thought she just got rid of.

“Well, she received a 4” gash running from her hairline to the top of her right brow, we stitched it up, but the cut was pretty deep, I’m won’t know for sure if it will leave any scaring until I remove the stitches. She too, has a mild concussion, however hers is slightly more serious than Prue’s, but not dangerous.”

“And?” Piper said as she could see in his eyes that something else was wrong.

“Well, I’m puzzled and frankly a bit concerned, you see her injuries are really rather minor considering the circumstances. And according to the ER nurse she was doing quite well they were chit chatting back and forth when all of a sudden her blood pressure began to sky rocket, 210/130 was her last reading. I have put her on a high dose of Toprol, this should help to bring it down quickly and safely.” Dr. Wyatt paused allowing Piper to absorb what he had said. Seeing they were still on the same page, he continued.”

“Ms. Halliwell, does Phoebe have and history of heart, kidney or adrenal problems?”

“No! Phoebe is the healthiest person I know. And - and - call me Piper.” She said as emotions fluctuated between concern for Prue and Phoebe and this uncontrollable attraction to her sister’s physician.

“What about stress? Has she been under any stress or experienced any trauma that you know of?”

“I’m sorry I wish I could be of more help but, you see, my sister just returned to San Francisco two days ago. I have not been in direct contact with her for over three years.” Piper said saddened, that the loss of time had prevented her from offering any assistance to her sister now. “Will she be ok? I mean this is just temporary right?”

Seeing the pain, guilt and worry, Leo gently placed his hand over her and spoke in tones of genuine concern. “I can’t give you an answer until I get the test results. As soon as I get them you will be the first I consult. Would you like to go and see them? Prue’s been asking for you.”

“What about Phoebe?” She inquired feeling somewhat hurt that her sister wouldn’t be asking for her.

“No, but don’t feel bad, she’s a little out of it right now. And she has refused to say anything to anybody since just before her blood pressure increased. Now come on, I’ll take you to Prue first and then Phoebe.” He said taking the hand he was still holding and pulling her up to her feet.

“You mean they are in separate rooms?”

“Yes, they were admitted at different times and I’m assuming that there was not a room with two empty beds. Why, is that a problem?”

“Maybe. Ah say Dr. Wyatt, would you mind looking into seeing if there is a room that they both could be placed in? It’s kinda hard to explain; let’s just say it’s a sister thing.” She smilingly asked.

“Consider it looked into. And please call me Leo.” He smiled back. He would do anything for this beautiful goddess that had just stolen his heart.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Piper stepped into the room that Prue was in. She stood just inside the door, leaning against its frame and watched her big sister. Her eyes staring up at the ceiling, her hands clenched as they rested across her chest and her voice offering the empty room a piece of her mind.

“Where the hell is she? I asked, no I demanded, they bring her to me over 45 minutes ago. This is why I hate hospitals, total incompetence. Wait until I get my hands on....”

“What I can’t leave the two of you alone for just ONE morning without you both getting into trouble? I think that you both are conspiring to give me with a heart attack?” Piper asked as she made her way over to the bed that held her sister and placed a relieved kiss on her cheek.

“Now that would be just plain stupid, I mean if we knocked you off, who would we have to cook for us or referee our verbal bouts? We’d both be dead inside a week, me from her cooking and her from me kicking her ass.” Prue laughingly said. Relieved that her sister had finally arrived

“How are you feeling?” Piper asked as she began to run her hands through her sister’s hair.

“Like I just did the mambo with Mr. Pain.” she then turned more serious.

“Where’s Phoebe, flirting with some handsome doctor?” Prue quickly picking up on her little sisters trick of hiding her real feelings.

“No that uh would have uh been me...” Piper said mostly to herself.

“What?”

“Nothing. Actually Phoebe has been admitted in a different room. She...”

“WHAT!!??!! She’s been admitted? What’s wrong and why isn’t she in her with me? Prue rattled off, her voice raised in frustration.

“I working on getting he in here as we speak, but they will probably have to stabilize her before she can be moved.” Piper said knowing the last part of her sentence would get Prue’s attention.

“What do you mean stabilize? She’s ok right? What is happening? SPILL IT!”

“Calm down, she will not need this drama, when we get you both in the same room. Other than a cut on her forehead that required stitches and a minor concussion, Le..., I mean Dr. Wyatt said that her injuries were minimal.”

“AND!?!”

Not wanting to upset Prue anymore than she already was, but knowing what it is was like not to know, figured it was best to tell her everything. Piper started slowly and then began to pick up speed as all the emotions of the day had taken their toll. “Well, they are running some tests, it- it -it seems that for some unexplained reason, her blood pressure peaked and they are trying to regulate it with some medication. He asked me if she had been under any stress or experienced any trauma recently and I couldn’t tell him. I don’t know, I use to know everything about her but I couldn’t help. I - I - I wanted to help make her better, but I just didn’t know what to say!” She fell into the chair, that was at the end of the bed and just let it all out. All the tension, all the fear, all the helplessness, everything that had been bottled up came rushing out.

“Come here, Pipe.”

Three words that need not be repeated as she quickly made her way over to the comfort of her big sister’s open arms.

After what seemed like an appropriate amount of time Leo knocked on the door, and cleared his throat, making his presence known.

Piper lifted her head off of her sister’s shoulder and said, “Please, please come in.” Stepping forward to greet him.

“I am sorry to interrupt. Look it will be a while, but we have located a room that both your sisters will be able to share. In the mean time I thought you might want to see your other sister, she’s doing better, the meds have lowered her pressure quite a bit, although I am still not happy with the numbers. I’m hoping that seeing her sister will help lower them even more.”

Prue observed the instant connection between doctor and dutiful sister. Grinning at the uncharacteristic boldness of her middle sister, and the total unawareness of her presence. She mused to herself, ‘See something you like, sis?’

Clearing her own throat, Prue tried to draw the infatuated couple back to reality.

“Oh, I’m sorry Prude.., I mean Prue. How are you doing, did that painkiller I ordered help ease the throbbing in your head?”

Prue thought to herself, ‘Yeah, but the two of you are making me sick to my stomach.’ “It helped, the construction crew must have broken for lunch, as the jackhammers have stopped.”

“When can you get us into the same room?”

“In about an hour.”

“Then Piper you go on, I’ll meet you there, she is probably ready to be fit and tied.”

Giving Prue in understanding glance. Phoebe hated hospitals more than Prue and made everyone know of her displeasure. Heading to the door that Leo gallantly held open she disappeared into the hallway in search of her other sister.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

He stood just inside the door, all the hospital personnel creating a prefect shadow hiding his presence. His evil laugh was muted by the out of control patient.

“I SAID IF YOU DON’T GET ME OUT OF HERE AND TAKE ME TO MY SISTER, I WILL YANK THESE DAMN LINES OUT AGAIN!!!”

“Calm down, sweetie, we are only trying to help you!!” the kind yet frazzled nurse said, motioning for the two massive orderlies to help restrain the unruly patient.

With a man on each side of the bed, standing ready for instructions to place restraints on her, the nurse attempted once again to administer the sedative. “Ms. Halliwell, if you don’t settle down, your blood pressure is going to go back up. Let me give you this Valium, it will help you to relax.”

As the nurse approached, Phoebe flung out her hand sending the syringe across the room. The nurse seeing no other choice nodded to the two to proceed.

Hearing voices approaching the door, and wanting to ensure is anonymity he paused only long enough to say in hushed malevolence, “I hope you enjoyed the preview, the movie is a real killer!!!” With that he brushed past the man and woman who were entering as he made is exit.

“GET THEM AWAY FROM ME I TOLD YOU I DON’T WANT ANY MEDICATION!!!!!!!”

Hearing the panic and anger in her little sister’s voice, Piper barged in to the room and demanded an explanation.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO HER!!!”

“PIPER, OH THANK GOD, TELL THEM TO LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!”

But it was Leo that took over, Kathy, what is going on? I left not 10 minutes ago and she was fine.”

“I’m sorry Dr. Wyatt, but she insisted on getting up and going to her sister, I told her she was not allowed out of bed. She pulled out her IV line once already and threatened to do it again. She was not being rational. I did what I thought would be best.”

“I understand, BUT you should have called me FIRST!! I will discuss this with you later. Now I suggest you go back to the nurse’s station and take your two WWF wannabes with you!” Leo ordered.

“Honey, are you ok?” Piper said as her little sister just shook under her protective hand.

Leo hurried over and took a pressure reading, to his dismay he found it back to where it was at the onset.

“Phoebe, I need you to lay down I need to see what damage you did to yourself when you pulled you IV lines out as well as increase your Toprol.”

Phoebe didn’t move. “Pheebs, honey Dr. Wyatt needs to examine you, you have to let go now.”

Her sister’s gentle voice soothed her into submission, but she still insisted on holding her sister’s hand. A job Piper didn’t mind at all.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Piper finally felt it safe to exhale the breath that she had been holding since she received that early morning phone call at the restaurant. Leo was able to get Phoebe’s pressure back in check, allowing the relocation to proceed.
It was 5:00 in the afternoon, and they had just settled both her sisters into their shared room.

Phoebe just stared at her roommate lost in the events of the day.

Prue just stared back at her roommate lost in the events of the day.


Both held tears of relief and concern. Neither knowing until now what condition the other was in. Prue couldn’t take it any longer; she pushed the sheets off of herself and awkwardly hobbled over to her sister’s bed. Phoebe automatically scooted over allowing her big sister to climb up next to her. Gently wrapping her arms around the sister that was more like a daughter, she wept. Phoebe matched her tear for tear as they allowed the pain of the day to be washed away by the salty tears that came from their love for one another.

After a while, Phoebe motioned Piper to join them. All three piled into one bed, sleeping peacefully in the safety they only felt when their trio was complete.

Phoebe woke first as her aching head reminded her where she was. Piper feeling someone stir, was the next to awake and bringing up the rear was Prue. Piper broke the silence.

“What happened guys, What caused the accident?”

Prue started. “We were running late and I opted to take the 280 into town. When we had almost made it to our exit when we were hit. It gets a little fuzzy after that.”

“I think I can help fill in some of the gaps. I had noticed this red Corvette was following us since we merged on to the interstate. As we neared our exit I noticed it purposely gaining on us and showing no intentions of stopping. That’s when I yelled at Prue to look out. Then I felt the impact, it was sending us straight into the semi trailer just ahead of us.”

“That’s right I remember, that’s when you grabbed the steering wheel yanking it to the right sending us into the ravine.”

“Sorry, but I thought it would be better then riding shot gun with a beer bellied trucker named Bubba.”

“I didn’t mean it like...”

“I know, I know.” Phoebe said softening her sarcasm with a wink.

“Why would anyone want to run you off the road? Do you think it was road rage, or just an extremely incompetent driver?”

“I am not aware of doing anything that would piss somebody off, did you notice if I did Pheebs?”

“Pheebs, I said, do you recall if I did anything to tick someone off, you know cutting someone off, not letting someone in, that sort of thing?”

“He was behind us the whole time, you didn’t do anything. He did it on purpose.” Phoebe stated as she began to become very agitated.

Piper sensing her sister’s nervousness asked her what, she didn’t have an answer for earlier. “Phoebe? The doctor asked me if you were under any stress lately or if you had experienced any trauma that would cause your blood pressure to hit the roof. I couldn’t tell him anything, but I would like to know, have you?”

“Yeah Pheebs, Piper told me that you were fine, just chatting it up with a nurse when you started to crash.” Prue added, putting her hand on her sisters to encourage her to open up to them.

“Phoebe, what’s wrong, you don’t look so hot!” Piper shot up as she saw the pale face of her sister.

“Nothing , it’s nothing.” She lied, what had caused her to grow pale was the recollection of the conversation she was having with the nurse, just as she blacked out.

“Phoebe, NOTHING would not cause your face to turn as white as these sheets or cause you to shake the bed so badly that it feels like an aftershock. NOW tell us what is going on.” Prue said with a mixture of insistence and petition.

“No Piper I am not under any stress, what sent me into a state, was something that the nurse mentioned while we were talking.” Phoebe reluctantly gave in, as Prue’s stare became too much.

“What did she say that would get you so upset?” Piper asked ready to knock some heads together, for causing her baby sister such distress.

“She was looking through my chart and noted that I had been here before.” Phoebe said just above a whisper.

Prue being the first to pick up on the significance of what Phoebe said, tried to offer her sister comfort but was cut off.

“Phoebe, I am...”

“Do you know what today is?”

Both sisters were confused as to what that had to do with what they were talking about.

“It’s Tuesday!” Both sisters said at once.

“Yes, it’s, Tuesday, September 15, 1998.” Phoebe said as if her mind was no longer in her body.

“YEAH, SO?” Piper getting irritated at her sisters cryptic answers.

“Seven year anniversary.”

“Of what?” Piper asked still trying to figure out what Phoebe was rambling about.

“It was seven years ago today that...” Phoebe started

“That we were in our first accident.” Prue finished.

She lay paralyzed by her own subconscious, as she was involuntarily pulled into the depths of her psyche. Forcing her to recall an event that, over time, she had disciplined herself to forget. But now, all her efforts to gain control were for naught, as he insidiously weaved his way back, back into the part of her, that she couldn’t control, her dreams.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

She lay there haunted by the eerie sense of deja vu she was experiencing. The ironic twist of fate that the past hour had revealed; unwillingly it led her back to a place in time that she had forever buried. Now she stood in the graveyard of her entombed memories, forcing her to resurrect the painful images she had laid to rest so many years ago. All her attempts at concealment were unearthed by the one thing she could never control, her guilt.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

She sat unnerved as she watched both of her sisters, one attempting to sleep and the other pretending she was. The dimmed lights and the rhythmic beeping of the necessary monitors lulled her into retrospection. Taking her on a journey that only came full circle. The road was the same, littered with potholes of apprehension, the scenery was identical, still painting a canvas of colorless beauty and finally the destination still leading her to the same place. All her endeavors to procure an alternate route were being thwarted by the one thing she was unable to control, her love for her sisters.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Prue was brought back to the land of the living by the distraught yet muffled cries of her roommate. Reaching up and turning on the overhead light to better see her youngest sister, she looked to where the hushed sounds of fear and aguish were coming from. There she saw Phoebe thrashing wildly as she attempted to communicate; but incoherent sentences were all she could manage as her nightmare seized her ability to awake. Her increased panic was causing her voice to become louder and her words more disjointed.


“No.... Please... LEAVE... ME... STOP... HURTING... DON’T PLEASE... GET AWAY.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

Phoebe bolted up right, attempting to untangle herself from her covers, having every intention of physically trying to escape who was stalking her in her mind.

Prue, mindless of her own pain, rushed to the side of her sister’s bed. Grabbing hold of Phoebe’s arm as it began to reach for the IV lines that were hindering her retreat.

“Phoebe honey don’t... Stop it!! STOP PULLING AT YOUR LINES !! WAKE UP!! COME ON PHEEBS WAKE UP YOU’RE DREAMING!!!! DAMN IT PHOEBE SNAP OUT OF IT!!”

Prue’s soothing voice turned forceful, as fear crept in, when she saw that her attempts at calming her sister were failing. Knowing it wasn’t wise to wake a person from a night terror she grabbed her baby sister around her torso, securing both of her arms preventing her from doing either of them any harm.

Piper was returned from her round robin road trip of memories, by the commotion coming from the direction of Phoebe’s bed. Instantly on her feet and at her sister’s side taking in the scene. Seeing Prue was having little success and hearing the monitors begin to mirror the agitation of the person they were connected too, she darted out of the room in search of help, only to be met at the door by a borage of medical staff. In the sea of unfamiliar faces, one stood out, his.

Dr. Wyatt to the rescue.

Leo rushed to his patient, who was still trying to break out from her older sister’s grip. “Are you ok to still hold her? I think it will only make matters worse if we try and do a transfer. ” He asked the struggling Prue.

“Yeah, but I don’t know for how much longer. Damn she’s strong!!” Prue grunted as she shifted to get a better grip on her combatant sibling.

Feeling that too many people in the room would only aggravate her more, he motioned for all but one nurse to leave. Leo then began to question the sisters as to what led to Phoebe’s current state. Once they filled him in, he asked the nurse administer a sedative into her line. He waited a few minutes for the narcotic to take affect, once she started to relax, he began talking directly to his patient.

“Phoebe, it’s Dr. Wyatt, can you hear me?”

She nodded her answer, as she was still a bit disoriented.

“How are you feeling?” Leo asked as he slowly approached the bed.

“Ok I guess.” She answered as she tried to figure out what was going on.

“What, What happened?” She asked just now realizing Prue was holding her in a death grip.

“You had a little episode.” Leo answered as he motioned Prue to ease her hold so he could slip the blood pressure cuff around her arm.

Prue released her grip, but not her hold as she gently pulled her sister into a hug.

“You scared the HELL out of me!”

Phoebe shuddered, at her big sister’s raised voice, which she only used to emphasize her fright. Then Phoebe softly said with an insecurity her sisters had never seen before.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause any trouble, please don’t hurt me.”

Prue’s worry only increased when she went to touch her sister’s face and explain that she had nothing to be sorry about. As she raised her hand towards her sister’s cheek, Phoebe flinched as if Prue was about to hit her. That was something she would NEVER do, no matter how tempted she may be at times.

“It’s ok Baby. I am not going to hurt you .” Prue said as she cautiously lifted her Phoebe’s chin, forcing her to look directly into her eyes. Prue held her gaze long enough for Phoebe to realize that she meant what she said.

Phoebe stared back at Prue with mixed emotions. She was not reacting to her, it was the man in her dreams that she feared. The past two days had wreaked havoc on her both physically and mentally. The insecurity of returning home after so long an absence, the tension of trying to rebuild a strained relationship, the starting of a new job, the open ended threat, which held the promise of a painful closure, the car accident and now the horrific reality of her past that shrouded itself in the camouflage of a simple dream. Add on top of all this angst, the erosion that hidden secrets cause, it was a wonder she was functioning at all. Her condition would have psychiatrists chomping at the bit to analyze her stress/endurance ratio and the New England Journal of Medicine wishing to make her into the poster child for Traumatic Stress Disorders. Mixed emotions was an understatement!

Phoebe realized that her actions and reactions were quickly unveiling her web of deceit. She knew she had to pull herself together if she had any shot of keeping her sisters out of the danger that he was methodically warning her of. But for now all she wanted was her big sister’s protective arms around her, a shield that no villain dare attempt to breach. The sedative overtaking all her efforts at staying alert she just rested in the presence the one who, just like seven years ago, made her feel safe.

Piper watched as her sister began to calm, this allowing her to relax the muscles she had unknowingly tensed. The middle sister went and joined in the embrace, wanting to, in her effort to comfort be comforted herself. Phoebe instinctively reached for Piper’s hand something she had done all her life. It was Prue’s arms she ran to for refuge and her hand she would cling to for reassurance.

Leo sensed there was something more behind his patient’s episodes then just a biological imbalance. He needed to talk to Phoebe, see if he could get her to open up about what past trauma might be affecting her in the present. But now was not the time, it would have to wait until later. Looking at the lowered numbers indicating normalcy was returning, and that his charge was finally settled, finding no valid reason to stay in the room with the woman that held his heart captive, he reluctantly excused himself saying he would be back in the morning to check on both of them.

“Hey sleepyhead, I think we better let you get some rest.” Prue said as she saw her little sister fighting to keep her eyes open, a battle that she was obviously losing.

“Yeah Pheebs, no offense but you look like crap.” Piper said as she started to detangle her hands from the clench Phoebe had them in.

Not letting go of either sister Phoebe looked up at an equally haggard Piper and said, “Right back at ya Sis!”, stifling a yawn in mid insult. As her sister’s once again attempted to loose themselves, Phoebe stopped their efforts with one simple word.

“Stay.”

So there they stayed, the two elder sisters flanking the younger, creating a boarder of impenetrable devotion.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

She woke to find herself surrounded by what mattered to her most, her family. While both her sisters slept, Phoebe skillfully extricated herself from their shielding embrace. The affects of the accident causing her movements to be slow and guarded, she carefully eased herself into the visitor’s chair near the window. She watched as the sun groggily made its appearance, leisurely stretching across the horizon before it began it ascension into the sky. The brilliant ball of fire that steadily heaved it’s way into the stillness of the heavens, integrating it’s radiant shades of coral and sienna with the skies deep blue hue, the fusion creating the most beautiful skyline, one that a painter’s brush could never duplicate. Mesmerized by it’s splendor, she used the beauty of the sunrise as her focal point, creating the peaceful ‘eye of the storm’ that she would need as the hurricane of yesterday’s events methodically made their way into her thoughts.

She remembered back to when her suspicions began to be aroused. Prue had just merged onto the interstate as they made their way into town; the shiny red glint of the car’s finish pulled her vision to the side view mirror. At first she found herself admiring the candy apple red sports car, her mind wondering if the owner had any potential worthy of her attempts at a bit of harmless flirtation. As the car drew nearer and with it her opportunity to scope out the driver, she was surprised that he instantly made eye contact, but his eyes held no amorous sparkle, no their gaze was fixed on the object of his wrath, her. She could only see his eyes, as the shadows the sun cast, against the windshield, prevented her from identifying the pursuing aggressor. But something seemed familiar, had she seen him before? And if so where? How could you ID a person just by their eyes, that was impossible, wasn’t it? He left her no time to debate the relevance of her questions, as the Corvette accelerated it’s speed, firing the red bullet with flawless accurately in the direction of its target. The last thing she remembered was Prue’s car being catapulted straight toward the back end of the eighteen wheeler, her attempts to divert their deadly course by pulling the steering wheel and then her falling unconscious, ‘but wait I remember something else’ she said to herself, as a fresh memory chose that moment to reveal itself. ‘Just before I passed out I remember someone standing near the side of the car, he was shouting for someone to call 911 that both the driver and passenger were injured, but his words of concern were contradicted by the look of pure evil on his face and the genuine delight that shown in his eyes. His eyes, could they be the same?’ As the crowd began to gather and just before her world began to blacken, she recalled the menacing voice as he passed her shattered window, he spoke just six little words, but those words would haunt her forever. ‘This is only the beginning Phoebe’. He then walked over to his crimson lethal weapon and anonymously left the scene of the crime.

She woke as she felt her young sister break free from their physical bond, yet what troubled her, was the sisterly bond that she seemed to be distancing herself from. Subtle things really, nothing most people would identify as serious. But to Piper they were very telling. The vulnerability that she seldom revealed, the aversion to fully answer a simple question, the demand for physical nearness negating her insistence for inward privacy. Piper lay and watched the sun played across her pensive face. She is so beautiful she thought, as the rays danced with the sheen of her hair. Her face held all the innocence that she knew was still very much a part of her eternal youth, and the eyes that captured every emotion. Happiness sparkled there whenever she experienced joy, be it hers or someone else’s. Sadness dulled that spark whenever disappointment entered her life. Pain erased the twinkle whenever the sting of sorrow made it’s way into her path. Anger blinded the true color of her eyes whenever anyone infuriated her. Phoebe’s eyes were the window to her soul, a soul that was in turmoil. Piper continued to observe her sister who was so lost in thought. The facial expressions that would ebb and flow with each wave of thought that reached the shores of her mind. The creased brow that was carried to her forehead by the incoming tide of concern, the lost look that pulled her back into the ocean of distress only to be rescued by the undercurrent of unanswered questions.

Phoebe felt the comforting stare of her sister, yet she didn’t want to break away from the majestic beauty of the dawning of a new day. Finally she diverted her gaze and found the love that was always there.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself. Watcha doin’?” Piper asked trying to avoid any topic that might agitate her still healing sister.

“Watching the sunrise. I use to do it almost every morning in New York. My morning jog always ended in Battery Park, just in time to see the sunrise over the Hudson River. Each dawn brought sweet scents and loud singing as the flowers opened up and songbirds began to sing. It always soothed me for some reason.” Phoebe’s said with a slight smile.

“And the one in San Francisco doesn’t?” Piper asked as she hoped the topic of New York would unwittingly reveal a tidbit of information that Phoebe would otherwise keep hidden.

“Yes it does, even more than then, but different. You see I allowed that sunrise to carry me to you and Prue every morning. I was comforted by the fact that the same sun I was admiring, would be the same sun that would usher you both into a new day. I know it sounds stupid but I would close my eyes and my imagination would transport me back to the Manor. I could smell the wonderful aroma wafting from the kitchen, I could hear your voice fussing at me for taking the last waffle, I could see Prue rush past, heading straight for the coffee, inhaling the beautiful scent that was only hers. Wishing that the embrace I gave you both in my mind’s eye was able to be returned. It was that same sunrise that I stood in front of when I made my decision to come back home, hoping to make my daydreams real. Like I said it’s stupid and ....”

“It’s NOT stupid. It was a wonderful way to find solace, I only wished I had that same comfort when you were there and I was here. And as for that decision to come home, it’s the smartest move you’ve ever made.” Prue said in response to her sister’s attempts at justifying such a beautiful sentiment.

“Thanks Prue that means a lot.” Phoebe said relishing in her sister’s approval and praise.

“How are you both feeling?” Piper asked seeing both her sister’s on the verge of tears.

After Phoebe took a crack at standing on her own, she fell back into the chair and said “Tired and very weak. You think you could help me back to bed? That stuff they gave me must have really wiped me out.”

Once Piper had gotten Prue back to her bed and Phoebe into hers, she looked at Prue and asked again the question she didn’t have the chance to answer.

“Better. No headache, but this damn cast is driving me crazy.” Prue said.

“You’ll get use to it.” Phoebe said in response as she watched her sister’s pathetic attempts to gain relief from the nonstop itching that she knew would last the whole time her leg needed to be encased. “A coat hanger works the best.”

Prue was confused as she knew her sister never had broken any bones. “How would you know, you never had a broken...” But Prue was interrupt by the knocking on their door.

“Good morning Ladies!” Leo cheerily said, although his gaze was directed to only one Halliwell sister.

“Doesn’t it say somewhere in the Hippocratic Oath that the doctor will and I quote, ‘Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further from the seduction of females...’ Phoebe cheekily replied to the doctor who was so obviously smitten by her sister.

“PHOEBE!!” Prue said trying to carry her voice with some resonance of sternness, but she too saw the humor in their doctor’s infatuation with Piper. “Play nice Pheebs remember HE’S the one with the power to make you stay or sign your release.

“Oops, Sorry! I take it ALL back Dr. Wyatt. You have to consider my condition, head injury and all... remember.” Phoebe said half jokingly half seriously, as she really wanted to make sure she left with her sister’s.

“I have a feeling that smart ass attitude of yours, was around long before that bump on your head.” Leo bantered back without offense.

“You have NO idea, Doc.” Prue and Piper said at once.

“Well, I better check out the mouthy one first before she brings me before the Medical Board on some bogus charge. Leo grinned and headed towards Phoebe’s bed.

After looking over both Phoebe and Prue, he said. “Well Prue, it appears, that other than you leg everything is in working order. I’ll sign your release papers before I leave the floor, you’ll be going home today.”

Phoebe heard his words and read between the lines, that if he got his way, she would be staying. ‘Well We’ll see about that.’ she said to herself as she readied for his professional verdict.

“Phoebe, all the test results have come back negative. No heart, kidney or adrenal abnormalities, however I have no idea why your blood pressure has been so erratic. I didn’t do a complete exam when you were first admitted to the ER because you exhibited no symptoms that led me to believe it was necessary. But now that you are somewhat stabilized I would like to do a complete workup. What do you say?”

Both sisters cringed as they anticipated the weeping and gnashing of teeth that Phoebe would display. But to their surprise her voice was calm and even.

“Is it my choice?”

“Yes, yes of course. In your current state I would not feel uncomfortable in sending you home with Prue, but if you stayed it might help me better determine what the underlying problem is, it would be for your benefit.” Leo said knowing before he even asked that she would decline.

“Ok, that was just way too easy, What’s the catch?” Phoebe said as both her voice and face reflected her skepticism.

“No catch, I’m a ‘no strings attached’ kinda guy, besides I now the moment you get out of line one of your sisters will your kick ass back onto the straight and narrow.

“Don’t lose this one Pipe, he is definitely a keeper.” Prue said to Piper whose only response was a fast creeping blush coloring her cheeks.

“I would like to have you come back and see me in a week or sooner if your symptoms return. Perhaps you could have one of your sisters accompany you, just in case.” Leo slyly said.

“Gee, I hope I can remember to bring the RIGHT sister, you know I think this bump has given me a case of short-term memory loss.” Phoebe smirked back, liking the love interest of her middle sister more and more.

“Oh she won’t have any trouble remembering, WILL YOU PHEEBS?” Piper
sassily replied.

“Ok then. I will sign BOTH of you out of here.” Leo said as he headed for the door. Turning he asked one more question. “Phoebe, would you mind if I obtained copies of your medical records, it might help me establish if there are any patterns or any possible genetic links?”

“Let me think on it. Can I let you know when I see you next week?” Phoebe quickly answered, skillfully buying time.

“Sure, that will be fine. Until then I want you both resting, no work until next week.”

“But I just started a new job.”

“Yeah, and I well, I...”

“Are a workaholic, You CAN’T leave me locked up with her for the next week, I will not be held accountable for my actions if...”

But the pillow Prue threw in her directions cut Phoebe off from the rest of her ranting.

“SEE!!” Phoebe said.

“Oh shush, I think you’ll both survive, it’s ME who will be in need of medical attention by Monday.” Piper said as she walked Leo to the door.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

“Thanks for taking such good care of my sisters.” Piper said, saddened that their time together had been so brief.

“Sure, no problem, I mean it is my job. Uh, say, I was um wondering, well I was....
Oh hell, would you like to go out sometime? With me that is. Dinner maybe?” Leo hadn’t remembered being this nervous asking someone out since 7th grade.

“I’d love to. Give me a call.” Piper answered, acting totally out of character, but finding her new found confidence refreshing. Seductively she pulled a pen from his pocket and taking his hand she wrote the digits to both the Manor and her cell on his palm. Replacing the pen and giving him a quick peck on his cheek, said. “I’ll be waiting.” With that she turned and headed back to her sister’s room.

The hallway resounded with her melodious laugh as she heard him playfully call back “I’ll never wash that side of may face ever again.” Doing his best imitation of an awestruck, prepubescent teen whose voice was on the verge of changing.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

The week went better then all had expected. Both the auction house and law firm were very understanding allowing them all the time they needed to recoup. Both Phoebe and Prue had agreed that they would both go back on Tuesday, that is if Leo gave Phoebe a clean bill of health. They also felt that, at least initially, they would take a cab into work. Neither relishing going back into a moving vehicle, but feeling that this was the best compromise.

By Friday Piper had decided to officially rename the living room Camp Itchy Owweeeey. Prue was constantly whining about her itching leg, causing Phoebe to make some smart-ass remark, which then led to the naming of the other half of the camp’s moniker.

But Piper didn’t really mind playing camp counselor, she was walking on cloud nine. When they returned home from the hospital the answering machine held two messages. One from Dr. Love, wasting no time in wanting to coordinate their schedules, so that they could have dinner. The other from the SFPD saying they would be sending two inspectors over to take the statements from the victims and to call the station to set up a convenient time.

Both Phoebe and Prue didn’t look forward to rehashing the whole thing again, but if it got the dirtbag off the streets then they would gladly do their civic duty. Prue called and arranged that their statements be taken on Friday afternoon.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

She paced back and forth, glancing at her watch for the tenth time, 2:55 pm. Phoebe started to asked the same question she had already asked nine times before.

“When did....”

“Three o’clock, now would you sit down you’re making me dizzy. Prue said trying very hard not to lose her temper.

Just as she sat down the doorbell announced their guests’ arrival. Phoebe, just wanting to get this over with offered to get the door.

As she opened it she couldn’t believe who was standing in front of her.

“Andy... Andy Trudeau?” Phoebe said astounded that the man she always felt was the perfect match for her sister was standing at their door.

“Hey Junior. Long time no see.” Andy said calling her by her childhood nickname. He started calling her that almost from her birth. While he could never get either sister to admit it, the name was perfect, the similarities between his forever girlfriend and her baby sister were uncanny. Yep, the name worked for him and so therefore it stuck. Unbeknownst to him both sisters loved the pet name. One found it endearing while the other was honored to be compared to her big sister.

“Hey yourself. Come in please! This is GOING to be VERY interesting. I’m feeling a Kodak Moment about to happen, mind if I get my camera.” Phoebe half teased as she pulled her ‘adopted big brother’ into an hug.

Prue was just about to get up and see what was taking so long when Phoebe and the inspector entered the living room. “It’s about time....”

“Yeah, I guess six years is a little more than being fashionably late.” He said as her deep blue eyes locked with his. After all this time, the strong feelings flooded back into his heart with even greater urgency. Knowing he should have fought harder, the price he paid was the emptiness in his heart that only she could fill. But would she give him another chance? Does time really heal all wounds, does absence make the heart grow fonder? He found his answer in her eyes.

Her breath caught at the scent of his cologne, the same fragrance that she bought him all those years ago. Her pulse raced, as his eyes did that same thing they did so long ago, they melted her heart. Her passion was awakened as his lips wore the same lopsided grin that always drew her own to his like a magnet. She should have told him what was in her heart, but then she recalled a quote by Kent Nerburn that said ~ Love has its own time, its own season, and its own reasons from coming and going. You cannot bribe it or coerce it or reason it into staying. You can only embrace it when it arrives and give it away when it comes to you. ~ Would he accept the love that her heart was now able to give. She found the answer in his eyes.

Phoebe willing the tears of happiness to remain hidden, cleared her throat and asked Andy if he would like to sit down.

Trying to return the long lost couple back to the here and now Phoebe asked.

“I thought they were sending over two inspectors, or do you fly solo now?”

“I asked him to give me a few minutes. I mean I wasn’t sure how I would be received. Actually he should be coming in any minute...” Andy said just as his partner walked through the entryway leading into the living room.

“The door was opened and I gave ya ten, as he pointed to his watch.”

She was on her feet in a flash, sparks of fury shooting from her eyes as she stared him down.

“YOU!!!!!!”

“Andy why in the HELL did you bring HIM here? What’s he doing, performing community service?” Her voice dripped with both fury and sarcasm.

“He’s my partner...” Andy attempted an introduction, but was cut off by her slicing glare, one he knew from personal experience you DIDN’T cross.

“Oh, REALLY! I would have thought the only thing connecting HIM to a police department would be a pair of handcuffs.” She spat back.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

He stood there stunned, at first not knowing why this enraged stranger would be directing all this wrath towards him. But the fury her eyes were hurling at him, reawakened old memories. Could it be? Was this the same woman? He found his answer in her eyes. Yes, she was the one. Her hair is shorter now and her beautiful face looks worn and strained, but her eyes still hold their same merciless malevolence. Shooting fiery daggers from the arsenal of her infernal displeasure; hitting their mark with skilled accuracy. It amazed him now, as it did then, how so much passion could be contained within such a tiny frame. The woman was insufferable, yet oddly she intrigued him. His handsome, chiseled features always made the ladies unashamedly swoon. His attempts at flirtation were never rejected and most of the time it was standing room only whenever he was a guest at a social function. His silver spoon in the mouth reputation, invariably drew all the unattached women and even some that weren’t, to his side, like moths to a flame. But she was different, she showed no appreciation for his looks, she treated him no differently than anyone else and his obvious wealth seemed to repulse her. He saw in her, what lacked in all his many former conquests, a challenge. She was little Miss Independent and he found her VERY refreshing.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

“Think of me often?” He asked with a smug smile that only added fuel to her raging fire.

“ONLY when I’m lonely, but then I’m reminded of how content I am to be alone.” She snipped back.

“Touché my dear, touché. Perhaps I could help remedy this ‘alone problem’ you seem to be having. The frustration it’s causing, is most unbecoming .” Reveling in the fact that the pulsing vein in her neck was quickened by his words.

“MORRIS!!! KNOCK IT OFF YOU’RE WAY OUT OF LINE!!!!!!” Andy said, trying to dissuade his partner from unwittingly starting World War III, as he saw Prue’s eye’s matching the ferocity in her sisters. Prue was clueless as to why her sister was so incensed but that didn’t matter, it only mattered that she was, and that he seemed to the reason.

But Darryl turned a deaf ear to Andy’s warning and continued on, naive that he was heading straight into the mine field of not one but two very pissed off sisters. Andy just shook his head and sat down, knowing Morris was on his own.

“Yes an evening together would be nice, it would give us a chance to make arrangements regarding a certain debt.” He said drinking in the beauty that her flushed cheeks added to her already attractive cheekbones.

“WHAT DEBT!!!!!!”

He could see he was treading on thin ice but couldn’t resist.

“Dry cleaning bill, $75.00 to be exact.”

“THAT’S HIM????” Prue shouted as she looked to Phoebe for confirmation.

“UNFORTUNATELY!!” Shaking her head at what more could go wrong in her already screwed life.

Prue didn’t know whether to kick his ass or bust out laughing. All this drama over a couple of bad pickup lines. Even if it got her fired, it all worked out in the end. And under normal circumstances her sister would have calmed down by now and also found the humor in the situation. What made this different?

‘No she... she couldn’t be? Could she? But all the signs pointed to it. Her eyes held anger, but they also held his attention. Her voice drenched with loathing, but her body language spoke of an invasion of unwilling attraction. Her face, that grew red with ire also blushed from his obvious flirtation. Yeah, Phoebe was battling with her own knight in shining armor.’
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Wishing for just five minutes alone with him, so she could personally have the privilege of wiping that pompous smirk off his lusciously full lips. Phoebe couldn’t believe what she had just thought. ‘Where did that come from? I must have bumped my head harder than I thought. He is too in love with himself to even notice me, Damn it Pheebs, get a grip. He is the enemy, remember? Don’t let those dreamy eyes fool you into believing, that getting involved with him would be anything but a nightmare. Get involved, hell, I don’t even want to be in the same room with the overbearing, rude and self absorbed jerk.’ Yet there she stood, no one holding her back from leaving, she was free to leave IF she wanted to.

No matter how much she denied it, how much she attempted to justify her duality, she couldn’t explain away how his smooth, deep voice, that would quickened her temper, could lull her spirit at the same time, how his brooding eyes that would drive her to release that temper, could