Phoebe Halliwell inwardly groaned…she’d never liked airports. They were so busy, so full. She could never find her sisters in all this mess. She felt the little hand from beside her slip into her own, the hesitation and fear evident as she peered down into the tear stained face. Gently, Phoebe brushed a hand over the tiny girls cheek and wrapped her arms around her little shoulders.

“Hey now…none of that…come on honey. There’s no need to cry…”

Paige swallowed a sob as two big tears rolled down her face. She pushed herself into her big sisters side and held her arms up, silently waiting…Phoebe felt the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she lifted the tiny child into her arms. Instantly Paige’s legs went around her waist and her face buried into her neck - although five years old, Paige could have easily passed for 3. Phoebe shifted the weight of the youngest onto her hip and ran a gentle hand through her unruly hair.

“Ok baby….lets find our sisters and get you into bed. It’s been a long day, I know.”

Phoebe began searching the room, studying the families and friends, arrivals and departures, looking for someone she knew, someone she desperately wanted. Suddenly her eyes landed on a familiar face wading towards her through the sea of people. She felt the lump form in her throat, the tears in her eyes.

“Phoebe….”

Piper pulled the two girls into her arms and kissed them both on their temples. She felt her own tears start to fall as she relished in the fact that her babies were home…after all these years, they were finally home…

“Piper! Air, I need air!”

Piper was happier than she had been in ages. She’d missed these little girls so much. She took a step back, her breath catching in her chest. They had both grown so much…she hadn’t seen them since…oh god…since just after Paige was born. She wouldn’t have recognized them if she’d passed them on the street.

“Look baby…that’s your sister, that’s Piper.”

Paige lowered her head, resting it against her sisters shoulder and shoved her thumb into her mouth. She didn’t know this person. Phoebe had told her that Piper was her sister, Piper was family, Piper was safe – but in only her six short years of life she had already been hurt so much, she didn’t know who to trust.

“Take no notice…she’s just a bit tired is all…these last few weeks have been a bit overwhelming haven’t they?” Phoebe looked down and rested her chin on the youngsters head.

“It’s ok…I errm…I understand.” Piper swallowed. She didn’t understand. No one had told her where they’d been, what had happening. All she knew, was that after five years, her sisters were returning. “Shall we get your luggage?”

“This is it…….”

Phoebe looked at the small suitcase sitting on the floor beside her. Surely Piper knew…she couldn’t be that callous. Still, there was venom in her voice.

“Right…………………………………….let’s get you home then.”

Piper picked up the bag and lead the way into the car park. She watched as Phoebe climbed into the backseat with the little girl still in her arms and buckled them both into place. She was surprised to see the mothering role the teenager had taken on. She had always been the youngest, the baby of the family and now….this was a whole new side to Phoebe that Piper didn’t know she had.

“Take me home Pipe….home…”

Phoebe rested her head against the window, her arm wrapped protectively around Paige’s waist as her eyes fluttered shut. Piper stared at them in the rear view mirror for a moment before starting up the engine.

“I’m sorry baby….I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep you safe.”

Pipers voice was almost inaudible as she pulled her car out of it’s space. Her little sisters were already asleep.

Piper turned the corner into Prescot St and pulled into the drive. She turned around in her seat and watched her sisters sleep. Even then she could see the worry and fear etched into their foreheads.

“Pheebs…Phoebe…” Piper shook her sister gently, whispering so as not to wake the youngest up. “Come on honey, we’re here.”

Phoebe yawned and opened her eyes. She stared at the familiar surroundings, recognizing the place where she had grown up. It had been five years since she had shut the manor door and skidded out of the drive with her baby sister in tow.

“Looks exactly the same as when we left.”

Phoebe pulled her baby sister out from the back seat and felt her legs wrap tightly around her waist her arms winding slowly around her neck. Piper sighed. She’d not ever imagined this was how their life would turn out. She’d never expected it to be all peaches and cream – but this was not even close.

Piper walked up the stairs of the manor unlocking the door she made her way into the dark entrance and flicked on the lights. She put her sisters suitcase down on the floor and headed into the kitchen.

“You both must be starving. Will I make Paige something before you put her to bed?”

“Erm….we ate on the plane…….she should be alright for a while.”

Piper nodded and looked at the sleeping child. She was tiny – then again, all of the Halliwells had been at that age. The braids that Phoebe had done in her hair earlier were falling out, her little floral dress was smeared with what Piper assumed to be her lunch. She smirked as she noticed Phoebe picking at the little girls food stains – something Prue had always done to her. Oh god – Prue! In all this mess Piper had completely forgotten about the oldest.

“Prue’s on her way home from a photo shoot…………she should be home by tomorrow evening…………she’s sorry she couldn’t make it.”

“I’m sure…………” Phoebe whispered, disbelieving. The tension in the room could have been cut with a knife. She was anxious about the eldest reaction to her return. “I don’t expect your lives to stop turning just because of me…………I know it’s been a while………..I know things have changed………….I don’t expect her to welcome me with open arms Piper……”

Piper sighed. She was still for a moment, unsure of what to do or say. She offered a comforting squeeze to her sisters shoulder.

“Do you want to get her into bed? She looks exausghsted.”

“She is………where will I put her? Is my room………….”

The hesitation in Phoebe’s voice was evident as she left the sentence unfinished. She felt the fear creeping in. Maybe coming home wasn’t such a great idea.

“It’ll need some new sheets and bit of a dust, but it’s as you left it.”

Phoebe smiled and followed her sister up the stairs. She paused outside her mothers room and but didn’t dare look in. She was finally home after all these years, but right now she felt more alone than ever.

Piper pushed open the teenagers door and moved to one side letting her sisters pass. She watched Phoebe remove Paige’s shoes and socks, then pull her dress over her head. Just as Paige was settled under coveres, Phoebe’s door swung open………….

“Prue! You’re back early! How was your trip?” Piper was at her sisters side in a shot. She touched her arm gently, sensing the blanket of friction that had just entered the room.

“It was good thanks……..” Prue shifted her gaze to her younger sisters. It had been so long since she had seen them, she wasn’t sure what to expect.

“Hey Prue……………..Piper said we weren’t expecting you till tomorrow night…….. It’s erm…..It’s good to see you……………”

“Yeah. We finished up early…..the weather, you know…..when did you get in?”

“Only about an hour ago….not long.”

Phoebe smiled rigidly and indicated with her eyes that the three of them should leave the room. She pushed Paige’s hair out of her face and kissed her on the forehead making her way into the hallway.

Prue and Piper followed her shortly afterwards and the three of them went downstairs into the lounge room. They sat silently trying to gather what thoughts they could, trying to make sense of the situation.

“Look guys. I’m really tired. Do you mind if I go to bed?”

Prue stood up, blocking her little sisters way. She folded her arms over her chest.

“Phoebe….we need to talk….”

Phoebe sighed. She understood. There was so much she needed to say…But at the moment, she couldn’t focus on that. She could only focus on her sister, her baby, her life…She stopped dead in her tracks as she heard the blood curdling scream that rang from her bedroom upstairs. She didn’t stop to take a breath as she raced up towards the youngest.

Paige bolted up in her bed, her breathing rapid as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings and the new face in the room. She held her arms out for her big sister and immediately cuddled in.

“Shhhhhh, shhh baby it’s alright…………I’ve got you.”

Phoebe looked up in concern from the little form cradled in her arms and into the eyes of her oldest sister.

Prue watched Phoebe struggle with the small child in an attempt to calm her down. Paige was visibly shaking, her body rigid.

“It’s ok…..it’s just a dream….it’s over, you’re safe…..”

Piper moved closer to her younger sisters but was quickly pushed away.

“I’m tired…Please….please leave…”

Piper nodded and together, the eldest Halliwells left the room.

“Pipe….something’s going on….I can feel it…”

Piper sighed and set a mug of coffee onto the table in front of her sister. She slumped into the kitchen chair and rested her chin in her hands. She traced the wooden pattern with her eyes.

“I know…..I just……I just wish that everything wasn’t such a big secret….that everything hadn’t been kept from us…..we don’t even know why they’re back, let alone where they’ve been………Paige was so….so scared……….a little girl should never wake up like that.”

Prue raised her eye brows and sat up straight.

“Well maybe there’s a reason for that…….maybe they don’t want us to know…I mean, how do we know that Phoebe not back for money? Or that she caused whatever Paige was so terrified of? We’ve not seen her in five years! FIVE YEARS PIPER! We don’t know her anymore. She was only a kid when she left us! And Paige was no more than a baby!”

Piper sighed and sunk back into her chair. She knew her sister had a point, but there was something that just wouldn’t let her believe it.

“I know we’ve not seen them for a long time, but honestly, do you really think Phoebe would do anything to hurt her? She’s practically Paige’s mother….and just looking at them together – I’d say Phoebe was the one who saved her from what’s got her so frightened……..”
Phoebe Halliwell looked down into the sleeping form of her little sister. Her eyes were swollen and red, her face tear stained. She looked a wreck. Deciding for the moment that the youngest was settled, she slipped out from underneath her and into the hall. Downstairs she could hear the muffled voices of her two big sisters. She closed her eyes and made her way towards them.

She felt the lump in her throat, the stinging in her eyes.

“She’s a screw up Pipe……….look at her…….look at Paige. They’re a mess…..Phoebe can’t take care of a five year old! She’s practically one herself!”

Phoebe couldn’t believe it. The people she thought she could count on for support had already betrayed her. She backed away, not wanting to hear anymore. She didn’t think she could handle another rejection, another person breaking her trust.

Making her way back to her room, she was surprised to find Paige sitting huddled in a ball, with silent tears streaming down her face. She looked like a caged animal, her eyes wild, her hair untamed.

“Baby what’s wrong?”

Phoebe was at her side in a shot. She sat down on the side of the bed and felt the little girl immediately climbing onto her knee.

“I thought you’d goneeeee! I thought you’d left meeee! I woke up……and you…you weren’t therrreee!!”

Paige let the sobs come out thick and fast as she buried her face in her sisters neck. Phoebe rubbed the little girls back, hoping to bring comfort.

“Its ok….it’s ok I’m here…..I’m not leaving you…..I promise…………..I’ll never leave you.”

Paige frowned and rested in the crook of Phoebe’s arms.

“Don’t say that…..don’t make promises……..people can never keep them.”

Piper wasn’t sure what to do as she stood awkwardly outside her little sisters door. She tapped on it softly, then a little harder. The sun had been shining for hours – it was well past 11 o’clock. Eventually, she twisted the handle and peered her head inside.

She felt the corners of her mouth twitching as she saw the youngest Halliwells entwined in eachother, both looking so young an cute. Paige was curled into a tight ball, her head resting on the elders shoulder, her hair jutting out at all angles, one leg draped over Phoebe’s waist. Phoebe on the other hand was sprawled out all over the bed - thumb in mouth and big dark circles under her eyes only accentuated her innocence.

“Come on honey, time to get up.”

Piper bent down, gently kissing Phoebe’s forehead, surprised as she slammed upright and swooped Paige into her arms.

“Hey! It’s ok, its just me…”

Piper sat at the end of the bed looking puzzled and feeling no less than utterly confused. She watched both girls blink, trying to work out their surroundings, the realization hitting them as they slumped back under the covers.

“Sorry to scare you……..”

Phoebe shook her head and reached out for her sisters hand.

“It’s ok Pipe…….we are just….a little on edge.”

Piper nodded and smiled down at the little girl, who was practically one with Phoebe. She had pushed herself so far into her big sisters side that they had almost connected.

“Honey, look. It’s ok…..That’s Piper….remember? Your sister. Come out and say hello.”

Phoebe pulled Paige out and onto her lap, forcing her to look into Piper’s face.

“Hi…”

Paige gave her sister a half smile, her voice almost inaudible. It was the first time Piper had heard the little girl talk. She sounded so uncertain of herself, so shy.

“Hey Paige. My goodness you’ve grown up. I can remember when you were just this big!” Piper held her hands out a short distance between them. “You were so tiny. With so much hair! And you were bright red and all wrinkly! What do you say we go and get some breakfast? How does pancakes sound?”

Phoebe smirked as she watched her little sisters eyebrows hike up, her mood suddenly changing. Paige grinned and hung onto Phoebe’s neck, ready to be hoisted into the air. Gently, Phoebe placed Paige on her hip and slid out across the bed, her shorts riding up her legs.

Piper couldn’t help but miss it as she saw the scars trailing up the inside of her thighs. Two long angry red lines were staring out at her. Quickly, Phoebe tugged at her pants and carried the youngest out of the room.

Piper found herself smiling yet again as she watched the cuteness of her two little sisters. Phoebe had pulled Paige onto her lap, and was now cutting the pancake into small pieces. She fed Paige the first few bites, and then allowed the youngest to feed herself.

“Mmmm! I bet that tastes as good as it smells!”

Phoebe grinned as Paige nodded eagerly. It was nice to see her sister so happy. She ran her hands through the five year olds hair, gently combing out the knots with her fingers and pulled it back into a neat bun.

“That’s a bit better, isn’t it honey? We can see that pretty face of yours now……..so what’s the plan for today? What will we do? Shall we go shopping and get you a nice dress? A bit of retail therapy?”

Paige chewed on her pancake, not bothered to answer her big sister. She felt Phoebe wipe a smudge off her face with the napkin.

“I can come if you like….My shift at the Diner doesn’t start until late.” Piper sounded so unsure. She didn’t know if her sisters even wanted her there. “no pressure…”

Phoebe rolled her eyes. Sometimes Piper could be so silly!

“OF COURSE!!!”

“Right, well we better get moving…..the mall gets packed at this time of day. We want to find a park….”

Piper smiled and stood up, holding her hand out to the little girl.

Paige shrunk back her eyes so full of mistrust. She wound her legs around her sisters waist and her hands clinging tightly to her big sisters top. Immediately, she buried her face in Phoebe’s neck.

“It’s ok sweetie….I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Phoebe sighed and kissed the top of her baby sisters head.

“It’s a bit soon Pipe….don’t take it the wrong way…..she’s just…….” Phoebe paused. “………just a bit shy.” Phoebe inwardly groaned at the understatement. SHY? Not quite. The kid was scared of her own shadow!

“Would you mind if we had a quick shower? Don’t want my little one to be smelly now do we?”

Phoebe placed the youngest on the floor beside her and tickled her chin, hoping to change the sudden overcast mood. She was rewarded with a slight chuckled.

“Sure. The towels are in the cupboard next to the sink….and there might be some baby shampoo or something…anyways have a look and make yourself at home.” Piper could have kicked herself. Make yourself at home! Phoebe was at home! She smiled at her sisters and watched them make their way up the stairs hoping to god that someone would explain something to her sooner or later.

Phoebe closed the bathroom door behind her and began to strip her baby sister down. She turned on the warm water and ushered Paige inside. Gently she rinsed the little girls hair and smothered her with soap. She closed her eyes, looking down at the huge scars that engulfed the five year olds legs, similar to her own but they seemed so much bigger on her tiny body.

“There we go….nice and clean…..that feels better doesn’t it?”

Paige nodded and splashed around in the water closing her eyes as her sister shampooed her hair.

“Pheeebe…..when can we go home?”

Phoebe turned off the tap and wrapped a towel around Paige’s shoulders, pulling her onto her knee. She sighed softly and began to dry the youngest.

“We can’t honey. This is our home now.”

“What if he comes back?”

“Paige, we’ve talked about this. He’s not coming back….he’s gone. He’s dead baby. There’s no way he can get us.”

Paige rested her chin on her sisters chest and let out a small whimper. She was still unconvinced. It didn’t matter what her big sister said, there was nothing that could ease her mind. She didn’t want to be afraid – but he had hurt her so badly. She could never forget that.
“Come on honey. What about this dress?”

Phoebe was desperate as she held the pink polka dot material up. Her little sister had been in a funk all day. She’d not said a word since the moment she’d stepped into the store. The sixteen year old sighed and hauled the tiny girl into her arms.

“How about we take a break for a bit? Go have some lunch?”

Paige nodded slightly. She was overwhelmed. She hated all those people. They were so loud. There we so many. The plane trip had been bad enough, but this……

Phoebe cast a worried glance towards Piper. She was unusually quiet, just watching the situation take place. She followed her sisters over towards the food court and took a table. She was somewhat surprised when Phoebe thrust the youngest into her arms, relieved to find that Paige didn’t object.

“Ok honey bunch. Big Mac and a plate of salad ok for you?”

Phoebe looked flustered. She could feel the lump in her throat. She wanted to go and lock herself in the woman’s bathroom and sob uncontrollably in one of the cubicles. But she couldn’t. She had a responsibility. She had to look after her baby.

“……yes.” Paige cocked her head.

“Yes what?” The correction was automatic.

“Pease.”

“Good girl……….you want anything Pipe?”

“No thanks hun. I’m alright.”

Phoebe bent down and kissed her little sisters face, quickly darting off into the crowd in search of a McDonalds.

Piper shifted under the weight of the five year old and gently slipped her hand into Paige’s. She could feel her body tense up, but she didn’t let go.

“I guess you didn’t really like the dresses Phoeebs picked out huh? They were a bit tasteless. I mean what was she thinking – pink polka dots? You don’t look like much of a pink polka dot kind of girl…”

Paige smiled slightly, relaxing a little into her big sisters arms.

“What next? A too-too? What do you say we try some trousers and tee-shirts? Would that be better?”

“Okay…..”

Her voice was almost a whisper against the crowd, but Piper could just make it out. She looked up to see Phoebe returning, struggling to carry a tray of food and two cups of coffee. Had Paige not been sitting on her, she would have offered to help, but this was the first time she had ever really had a chance to hold her sister and didn’t want to release her quite so soon.

“Phoebe!”

Paige scrambled off Pipers knee and onto her protectors. She propped her elbows on the tray and began unwrapping her Big Mac.

“How was she? Not too much trouble I hope…”

Phoebe leaned over the table and handed her sister the coffee absently readjusting the youngster.

“She was fine. We think it might be a good idea if we try some shorts for her. What do you think?” Piper didn’t want to over step her boundaries.

“Well, if that’s what my little angel wants that’s what she’ll have.”

Phoebe cleaned up the rubbish and threw it into a nearby bin, her little sister was already securely attached hanging onto the material of her top.

“Ok….next shop.”

Piling a bunch of dresses, pants and tops into a basket, Phoebe carried them over to the dressing room and held the door open for her sisters.

“Alright you ready sweetheart? Will you be a good girl and try these on?”

Paige’s eyes went wild as she crossed her arms over her chest. She shook her head and backed up against the wall.

“But Piper….Piper will see.”

“It’s alright Paige. It’s not like I haven’t seen your other sisters naked before. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”

But Phoebe had already seen the prediciment. She bent down her little sister and ran a hand through Paige’s hair.

“Babe, we don’t need to hide it. Piper will understand. She’s your sister. She’s a good guy, remember?”

Piage still looked uncertain, but nodded.

“Good girl. I’m proud of you honey. Ok, hands up.”

Phoebe pulled the dress over the five yr olds head revealing the scars scattering her lower torso and thighs. She looked over to Piper waiting for a reaction. Piper’s hand went to her mouth as she let out a gasp. She couldn’t believe the damage that had been done. How the hell could something like this happen?

Paige wrapped her arms around herself self-consciously trying to shelter her skin.

“It’s alright…..its alright sweetheart. Try these on.”

Phoebe held out a pair of shorts and felt Paige’s hand on her shoulder as she stepped into them. She watched the silent tears trickle down her baby sisters face and pulled her into her arms.

“Shhhh, shhh honey. I’ve got you………..how about we buy these and we can try them on at home. If they don’t fit we can always take them back. Does that sound good?”

Paige simply nodded as Phoebe slipped the dress back on her and carried her to the counter. She paid for the clothes and rubbed circles on her sisters back. Piper didn’t hesitate when she was asked if she could carry the bags back to the car.

Strapping Paige into the backseat, Phoebe met her sister at the front of the car.

“What the hell was that Phoebe?”

Piper sounded incredulous as she stared at her little sister.

“That’s where we’ve been……..that’s what happened to us…..”

“What? For god’s sake, what?”

Phoebe looked at the floor, her hands were shaking. She licked her lips and opened her mouth.

“Please Piper….not here…...I…..I can’t….”

“No! No Phoebe! I’m your sister! I deserve to know what the hell has been going on! Jesus. Prue and I have been shut out long enough. We want to help you! You and Paige! But Phoebe… remember….YOU walked out on us! Don’t go making out like we’re the enemy.”

“I didn’t have a choice!!!! I never wanted her to grow up the way I had…I wanted to save her…I…..I could’t….” The teenager let out a heavy sigh. All the fight had left her body. “Just….just let me take you somewhere….if you’re sure you really want to know.”

Piper nodded and got in the car, pulling out of the space. It was only a few minutes before she found herself parked outside of the police station.

“Phoeebs…what are we doing here?”

She shook her head and undid her belt.

“Wait with Paige…..she’s asleep. I don’t want to wake her. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Phoebe slid out of her seat and crossed the street, heading towards the familiar white building. She pushed the door and made her way to the front desk. An officer with dark wavy hair and huge shoulders stood up. He dropped a pile of papers on his table and looked up.

“Can I help you?”

“Andy? It’s…………..it’s Phoebe…..”

He stared at the sixteen year old in shock and quickly enveloped her in a hug. He’d seen this little girl in the darkest of her days. She was more than a family friend – she was like a sister.

“Oh my god….Phoebe ….you’ve grown up so much.” She smiled, and gingerly returned the gesture. “What are you doing back? I thought you were in New York with the baby? What’s happened?” She cut him off gently, not ready to talk about what had happened quite so soon in detail.

“She’s not quite a baby anymore. But I need a favor. I need my files….I want to show them to my sister.”

Andy looked hesitant. He furrowed his eye brows.

“It’s against the law. I can’t……...I could loose my job….”

“Please……...please Andy…..I need this…….Please.”

He stared at her for a moment. She looked gaunt. He face was pale and sharp. He could see her eyes pooling up with unshed tears. He sighed and rested a firm hand on her shoulder.

“Be careful Pheebs……….look after yourself…..”

He skimmed through the file cabinet and passed her file over.

“Return it when you can.”

“Thankyou.” Her voice was horse as she whispered her final words to him and left the station. Quietly opening the car door, she shot a glance towards the back seat to check on her baby sister. Paige looked tinier and more pitiful than ever, squashed into the infants car seat with messy brown hair and a red and swollen face.

“Sorry……..It took longer than I thought.” Phoebe handed the folder to her big sister, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. “Read that…..it’ll answer all your questions.”

Piper took the folder and began to open it until she felt Phoebe lean over and snap it shut. She locked eyes with her sister and it was then that she really saw the raw pain that she had been holding all these years – there was something there that Piper couldn’t recognize, something forigne in the teenager’s face.

“Not here………….”

Phoebe turned to face the window pressing her nose up against the glass. In no more than an hour her life was going to change again, forever.
The sixteen year old moved silently into the backseat and un-strapped her little sister gently pulling her into her arms and carrying her up the stairs. She didn’t look back as she slammed the manor door shut. She hated Piper for that short moment. For making her tell, making her remember. She wished to god that she could push it all out of her mind, but so far it had been impossible.

“Feebeee…..” Paige slurred slightly in her sleep. She looked worried, her body suddenly stiff. “Owww…….”

“Shhh, shhh babe. It’s alright. I’ve got you. Let’s have a cuddle huh? You go back to sleep.”

Phoebe sat down on the couch and cradled her sister in her arms gently rocking the two bodies back and forwards. She fingered the material on the little girls dress and absently pulled Paige’s thumb out of her mouth.

Piper stared at the file leant up against the steering wheel. Her hands were shaking as she opened it to the front page of a news paper article sporting a picture of a small child in a hospital bed smack bang on the middle of the page. She swallowed hard and began to read.

“Two young children were found by social services this morning and have now been taken into protective custody, after the next door neighbors reported late last night that they could hear screaming from inside. The young girls – aged 14 and 3 – had been living in the family home with their father who had held them hostage there for the last two years. The children had been brutally raped and tourtured and when found they were essentially covered in faeces and dirt. Their bodies obtained numerous injuries and the oldest of the two had severe trauma to her genital area which later will need surgery to fix. The children’s father had apparently left the girls the night before they were found and police are still trying to track him.”

Piper closed her eyes. She couldn’t read anymore. She felt sick. She pushed open the car door and threw up the contensce of her stomach all over the driveway pavement. How could she have never known?

Phoebe could hear the faint sound of the key turning in the lock and it was only moments before she looked up into the devastated and shocked eyes of her big sister as she appeared in the doorway. The sixteen year old could see it on the pained expression on her face – she could see it in the slow, detached movement of her body as she moved to sit beside the two youngest Halliwells – she could see by the all too well known pitying look that she received as she sunk into the corner or the couch. Piper was the color of the living room wallpaper, a strange grayish tinge, her lips were white, eyes opened into huge two dark pools………….Phoebe then knew that Piper had read the file.

“It’s in the past. There’s nothing anyone can do to change what happened.”

“I……We……”

Piper faltered. She felt like she was choking. She couldn’t believe anyone could do anything so horrible, so morbidly wrong. She couldn’t believe that anyone could have possibly wanted to hurt her sisters. She couldn’t believe it was her father………of all the men in the world……it was her father. The man that used to hold her in his arms, protect her. Why would he want to hurt them?

“Dad?”

Piper looked into her sisters face, there were too many questions to ask, she couldn’t quite get her head around them all.

“Victor died. The police eventually found him and shot him. He was killed on impact. The stupid man came back for us…………..” She was silent for a minute, pausing, her heart was breaking “Piper, did you read it all?”

She shook her head slightly and traced a pattern on the floor. She felt hot tears spill down her face.

“I couldn’t……It was…..it….”

Phoebe sighed. She had hoped that she wouldn’t have had to explain. This part was the hardest to tell. It hurt more than anything. She felt the familiar pang in her chest and took a deep breath.

“There’s something else. Something you need to know………..I need to tell you……..I guess it was inevitable…….I just never thought……..” Phoebe stopped, her voice breaking as she shifted the weight of her youngest sister and reached into the cleavage of her top, gently pulling out a golden locket. She fiddled with it and opened it up to the center. Inside was a photo of a tiny new born baby wrapped in a fluffy pink blanket and a yellow beanie.

“This is your niece, Payton.”

Piper stared at the picture in disbelief. She couldn’t see very well but continued to run her eyes over the intricate details of the infants face. She had dark eyes like Phoebe, a button nose and a tiny hand with five tiny little fingers curled over the top of her blanket.

“Phoebe she’s………..”

“Beautiful…..”

Phoebe finished the sentence and swallowed hard. She felt her eyes well up but bit down hard on the inside of her mouth.

“And she’s……..”

“Yeah. She’s your dad’s………”

Phoebe watched the guilty expression cross her big sisters face. Piper couldn’t help but feel somewhat responsible, although she was not sure why. Gently, Phoebe patted her sisters arm and clipped the locket shut. She took a strained breath.

“Where is she now?”

Phoebe looked panic stricken. She blinked quickly as one tear slipped down her cheek. She looked more innocent and vulnerable than ever.

“She’s uh….She’s living with a foster family in New York………..They’re erm…..they’re hoping to adopt her come New Year. It’s a really lovely couple Pipe. I’m sure you’d like them……”

A think blanket of silence settled over the room until Piper suddenly broke it with another painful question. She had to know……she could never image her sister giving up her baby willingly.

“You put her up for adoption? Or…….”

Phoebe shook her head slowly.

“No….Social Services said that I was too messed up and too young to have the responsibilty of a child. It’s a miracle they let me keep Paige.”

Piper let out a heavy sob.

“Why would he……how…..” A fresh lot of tears started running down her face.

“They think it was because he was jealous……that he blamed us for him and Mum…..and that he…..Mum and Sam…….that he hurt…..”

“What? That the Car accident was…..”

“Yeah. They think that he might have…….” Phoebe didn’t want to get into detail. “…done something.”

“Why were we never told? About any of this? I mean…..my father is dead…..no one told me……my baby sisters were…..oh god……and my mother and step dad might have been……..”

“There was no proof Piper….And there are legalities about that kind of thing….just let it go…….”

Phoebe stared at her big sisters desolate expression. She could tell this was eating her up inside. Piper hated to see her little sisters so hurt. She was only a child….only a baby. Both of them. It was killing her to know what they went through, that they needed protection and care and she couldn’t give it to them. She couldn’t fix what had happened then and she couldn’t take the pain away now……

Phoebe clung to Paige’s small body, startled by the heavy thump of the front door slamming shut. The five year old began to whimper as Prue’s angry form appeared in the doorway. She had had a shoddy day at work and didn’t need anything else gone wrong at home.

“What the hell is going on in here?”

The eldest looked from one sister to another noticing the middle Halliwells faces were tear streaked and swollen.

“Prue! What are you doing.……..” Piper stopped mid sentence. “You should sit down.” Her voice was shaky as she looked pleadingly into her sisters eyes.

“What, is Phoebe throwing a little pity party? Telling you her deepest darkest most PAINFUL secrets?” Prue rolled her eyes and fixed her mouth in a straight line. “Spare me!”

She was about to go when she felt someone grab her arm. She turned around and was suddenly face to face with her little sister. Phoebe was still holding Paige but somehow managed to snake an arm around Prue’s waist. She kissed her cheek and handed her the folder.

“You want answers? I understand. Read this. What you can’t read in the file Piper will fill you in on later. I’m going to take Paige to bed. If you need me, I’ll be in my room.”
At that, Phoebe started up the stairs, her chest heaving from holding back the sobs. She pulled back the bed sheets back and wrapped them around her little sister’s shoulders. She felt Paige’s arms shoot around her neck and snuggle down beside her.

“Ok honey bunch. I think we’ve had enough excitement for one day. Let’s try sleep some of it off before dinner huh? I think there’s still a bit to come.”

She smiled at the little face, her eyelids twitching. She must have been having a dream. Phoebe hoped to god that for once it was a good dream, but only time would tell.


Prue shook her head in disbelief a huge lump forming in her throat .

“No….No Piper that can’t be right…..that’s….that can’t be them.”

Prue’s face was white. She couldn’t swallow. She could feel the perspiration dripping down her forehead. She didn’t want to see anymore but her eyes were glued to the page. She took in every detail, from the terrifying words of the article to the pictures of the traumatized children on the next page. She could hardly make out their bruised and battered faces. They were practically unrecognizable. The next stream of photo’s looked like mug shots. Close ups of the injuries that her father had caused. Bones poking out of each of the girls skin, scabs and scars and sores everywhere.

Prue Halliwell’s emotions were running rampage. She had skipped sorrow and gone straight to anger. But this time, her anger was directed towards the wrong person. She had promised her mother when each of the girls were born that she would look after them. That she would do anything to protect them, even if it meant risking her own life. But she had failed. Once again, Prue Halliwell had failed. She could have made it a profession. Not only had she allowed her sisters to leave the safety of her care, but she had also led them into the horrible hands of fate – and this time, fate had not dealt her a good card.

“Prue……..Prue say something….” Piper was at her side, holding her hand, rubbing small circles with her thumb.

“What? What can I say that will make this better? What can I say that will make what that sick bastard did to my baby sisters alright?!”

Piper chewed her lip. She could see Prue was in no mood to talk rationally so instead she watched as the eldest flicked through the folder. She had been stronger than Piper. She had wanted to read every last detail, see every last picture to make sure there was nothing she could have missed. She had to be sure. She had to know that this nightmare was in face a reality. Eventually, her eyes settled on a cream colored paper with a name printed in dark cursive writing and two tiny inked footprints at the bottom of the page.

“Payten Patricia Halliwell, born January 1st 2003 at 7:15pm, New York Memorial Hospital. 7 pounds, 3 ounces, 21 inches.”

Prue stared at the birth certificate her brow crumpled in confusion.

“Pipe……what’s this?”

Piper stared at her big sister and watched as the fog cleared. She ran her hand through her hair hey eyes clouding up with tears once again. Prue traced the letters of the baby’s name, her hands and voice shaking.

“That’s…..Phoebe had a……..Oh god.”

The oldest felt the paper slip out of her hands and both Halliwell sisters watched as it floated towards the ground. In an instant, the initial shock disappeared and now they both felt hollow.

“Where is she? Where’s my niece?”

Piper shrunk back into the seat. She detected a hint of anger in her sisters words.

“She’s living with a couple in New York. Social Services took her away. They didn’t think a 14 year old was fit to be a mother, especially one who had already been through so much trauma.”

“Shit! I can’t believe we didn’t know! How could I let something like this happen to my baby? Phoebe was practically mine! I raised her! I should have protected her! And I was too damn caught up in myself to give a shit. Too damn worried about my own feelings to stop her from leaving! Too damn stubborn! She was trying to escape from him! She was trying to get away from him! She wanted to protect Paige. And we didn’t even know…..we didn’t even know…..She was ELEVEN YEARS OLD Piper! ELEVEN!”

Piper stared at her sister. She didn’t know what else to do. Her heart was breaking. All the emotions she had held back over the years were now tumbling out. She had finally opened the floodgate and now it wouldn’t close.

Piper rubbed her sister’s arm, her head jerking up at the sound of the creek at the bottom of the stairs. Standing sullenly in the doorway was Phoebe Halliwell in her pink pajama’s, her hair swept back off her face, her eyes sunken and black with exhaustion.

“Phoebe………..”

Prue stared at the sixteen year old, surprised when she felt the dip in the couch and two arms wind around her waist. She leaned back, her head resting against her little sisters chest. She felt the youngest’s hand run through her hair. Her eyes automatically closed. It had been a long time since she had been comforted, and an even longer time since she had enjoyed her sisters touch.

“I couldn’t sleep with all that yelling going on down here! Now what’s going on?”

Piper smiled sadly.

“Nothing baby….nothing to worry about.”

Phoebe stared at her sister’s for a moment, unconvinced until she felt a third pair of eyes on her. She smiled slightly and held out her arm.

“Hey sweetheart. You alright?”

Paige put her hands on her ears and inched closer to her older sisters.

“Errybo’y beened talkin’ so loud.”

“Yeah babe. But not angry talk. Just sister talk. Come on. It’s safe.”

The youngest searched her sister’s faces and quickly made a dart for Phoebe’s lap. She almost choked as she felt two hands snake her around the hips.

“Hey little one. Do you remember me? I’m Prue. I’m your big sister.”

Paige looked panic-stricken. Her eyes were wide as she searched for an escape. God, she was trapped. There was no way out. Phoebe had said she was safe. But she wasn’t. She opened her mouth and let the scream ring out. She felt another pair of arms grab hold of her. She looked up, her breathing slowing at the familiar face. It was Piper. She knew Piper. Piper would protect. She was safe. But where the hell was Phoebe?

“Hey……hey. It’s alright. I’ve got you.”

Piper’s voice was soft as she cradled the small girl in her arms, her hand’s gently stroking her hair. She kissed her forehead gently and patted her leg.

“Will we get you back to Phoebe? Back to your sister?”

Paige nodded, but the words weren’t registering. She was clinging to Pipers top, her head nestled in her neck.

“Here we go. There……safe and sound.”

Phoebe ripped Paige out of her sisters arms, she had watched the scene unfold. Too shocked to react, she had let Piper take over. She kissed her face and thumbed at the little girl’s tears.

“It’s ok baby. You’re safe. No one wants to hurt you. You’re ok.”

Phoebe glared at Prue. She wasn’t sure why. She knew Prue had meant no harm, but still there was a part of her that just wanted to scream in her face. She hoisted Paige onto her hip and carried up the stairs, not letting go even when they got into bed. She just wanted to hold her baby for a while…
“You…..you shouldn’t have done that.”

Piper stared at her sister, incredulous at the domino effect she had caused.

“I…I didn’t know. I didn’t think. I….”

Prue looked helpless. Her face was red and blotchy, she looked physically sick. She felt Piper’s hand on her back but out of habit shrugged it off. For the moment, she wanted to be alone, get her head together. In only the short period of three hours, her whole life had turned upside down. Any rational thoughts had left out of her head. She was filled with poison. She hated her father, she hated the situation but most of all, she hated herself. She didn’t know where to turn.

“I…..I need to get out of here……..I need air……I’m going to be sick.”

Prue slid out of her seat, grabbed her car keys from the coffee table and slammed the door shut behind her. She stared the car and backed out of the family drive way. A drive way that she had sat in as a child and drawn chalk hopscotch’s on. A drive way that held so many memories. She sped down Prescot street, driving aimlessly. She didn’t have a destination, she just needed be away from home.

“Prue. I have to go! We can’t stay here. It’s not safe!”

Eleven year old Phoebe Halliwell stared up at her big sister, her eyes wide and tearful as she juggled the tiny baby in her arms.

“What the hell? You think it’s going to be safe going out into the world on your own? You’re 11 Phoebe! You think you can take care of a baby?”

Phoebe nodded and shifted the bundle over her shoulder.

“We won’t be alone. We’ve got relatives in New York. We’ll stay with them. We’ve got more chance of surviving if we’re there…..We’re not safe here….Please Prue….”

“This is ridiculous! You are perfectly safe here! I don’t know what the hell you’re even talking about. You’ll be sent back before you even step off the ...ing plane Phoebe! It’s against the law!”

Phoebe sighed and draped the baby bag over her arm.

“I know you don’t understand now, but I hope one day you will. One day I’ll be able to explain to you….when I come home I’ll tell you….”

“Yeah well you better have your story ready for me in a couple of days when they ship your ass back here!!”

Phoebe was at a loss. She rocked the infant in her arms and started towards the cab in the drive.

“I love you Prue. Please don’t forget that.”

And without turning around, she slipped into the yellow taxi and headed towards the airport into the sunset.

Prue pulled the car over to the curb and leaned against the steering wheel. She felt her whole body wrack with sobs. She could never forget that day. She could have saved her babies. Instead she was too proud and too stubborn to admit that she was wrong. Prue stared out her window at the huge white building, tears streaming down her face. The heat and the guilt were building up inside. She forced herself to stand, her feet almost giving way as she held onto the car for support.

“Prue? Is….Is that you?”

The eldest Halliwell looked towards the familiar voice.

“Andy?”

Her voice was almost inaudible. She felt two strong arms wrap around her body, her face instantly pushing into his neck. His hands caressed the small of her back. He had been with her through everything, think and thin. He had searched for the missing girls, even going out to New York to find them. But somehow through the whole ordeal….they had drifted apart.

“Phoebe?”

Prue nodded into his chest. He kissed the top of her head.

“I’m so sorry…….I wish I could have told you….but it was…..I was bound by law.”

“Wait…….” She paused slightly. “You knew?”

Still holding tight to his arms, she looked up angrily waiting for an answer.

“It’s not what you think.”

Pure pulled back, her sleeves still trapped in Andy’s hands. She could feel her whole world crumbling around her. First her sisters, now this……she couldn’t take any more. The shit had officially hit the fan.

“Let me go you fuc*ing bastard! I hate you! Do you know what those little girls went through, Jesus, what they’re still going through? I could have been there! I could have helped them! I could have done SOMETHING so they wouldn’t have had to go through it all on their own!”

“If I could have told you, I would have. I didn’t have a choice. I’m sorry! It was confidential information! I could have lost my job!”

“So you’re job is more important than my sisters? More important than me?”

Andy swallowed and ran his hand through her hair. He was shocked as he looked into the fiery eyes of his ex-girlfriend. They were raw with pain and confusion.

“I can’t make this better…….I can’t fix the past. But I can help you now……..and in the future.” He leaned in for a kiss, his eyes momentarily closing until he felt Prue Halliwell’s spit land on the left of his face and her hands shoving into his shoulders.

“What the hell was…………”

Prue stopped mid-sentence at the sound of her cell phone ringing from her car. She saw Pipers name flash across the screen and instantly flipped it open, her hands shaking as she held it to her ear.

“Pipe?”

Piper breathed heavily down the phone line. She couldn’t control herself. She couldn’t form the words.

“They’re gone….”

That was all it took for Prue Halliwell before she jumped into the drivers seat without casting a second glance to Andy. She checked her mirror and took off towards to Manor. Piper’s eyes were glued to the floor, she didn’t bother to look up as she heard the click of the front door.

“Piper….where are they? What do you mean they’re gone?”

Piper looked disheveled and distraught. She felt like she’d had the mat ripped out from underneath her. Prue was in her face, ready for a brief interrigation.

“They’ve gone. Their room is empty. They’ve taken all their stuff. They must have left when I was sleeping.”

She rubbed her face. She should have stayed awake. She should have checked on them. This was all her fault.

“Well do you know where they went?”

Piper shook her head and followed her sister up the stairs to the last room of the house. Prue flicked on the light and began slamming through the cupboards and draws, checking for some kind of clue. She ripped the sheets off the bed and threw the photo-frame containing a picture of her mother to the floor, finally stopping to watch it shatter into a thousand tiny pieces.

“Nothing….there’s nothing here……”

Piper looked down, her eyes settling on a glimpse of white poking out from the disarray of bed covers.

“Prue…………….”
She pulled out the envelope gently tracing their names with her fingertips. She slid the letter out of its hold and stared at the blur of words through her tears. She felt Prue lean up against her, one hand resting on her shoulder.

Dear Prue and Piper

I have no choice but to leave. It’s not working. Paige needs to be somewhere that she can feel safe and cared for. She needs somewhere stable, and right now it is not the Manor. It is my job to make sure that Paige is happy and healthy. She comes first, second and third - ALWAYS. She can’t be in a place where there is constant yelling and crying. I thought we’d be able to fix things but obviously we can’t. I thought knowing what happened to us would help you understand why I had to do what I did. Prue, I thought you’d be able to stop blaming yourself and shift all the hate you have towards Victor. This is one of the hardest decisions I’ll ever have to make. But we can’t stay, not unless we make some changes. Piper, I love you to death, but you’ve got to stop walking on eggshells! I’m a big girl. I’ve coped with a lot. I’m not going to break! I’m catching the Red Eye to New York at 12. Unless you can think of a very good reason for me to stay, please don’t follow me.
I love you both, always and forever.
Phoebe and Paige xxx

Prue gulped back her tears and checked her watch. Her heart pounded. They would never make it in time. 11:34pm

“Prue……” Piper had had the same thought. “We’ve got to at least try…..”

“Where we goin’?”

Paige looked up as she leant against Phoebe’s side, her arm wrapped around the teenagers’ thigh. She smiled down at her little sister and ran her hand through the dark curls of hair.

“New York….back home baby, remember? You wanted to go home. We can go back to Aunty Gail’s?”

“Why?”

Phoebe bent down to the Paige’s level and pulled her closer. She kissed her forehead.

“I want you to be happy honey. And I know you’re not happy here. Soon I’m going to have to start back at school and I need someone to help me take care of you. I don’t know if our sisters can do that. Prue scared you so bad tonight and I don’t want to see you scared.”

Paige looked thoughtful as her brow furrowed and her dark eyes filled with unshed tears. She bit the corner of her lip.

“Alweady am…”

Phoebe sighed.

“I know sweetheart and we’re going to get help. We’re going to find someone to make you feel less afraid.”

Paige nodded and looked up, her eyes setting on the identical dark pools of her sisters.

“Phoebe…….is I a bad girl? Dat why he hurt us?”

Phoebe felt her skin pale as she stared into the troubled face of her five year old sister. She rubbed the bridge of her nose and felt the warm tear trickle down her cheek. She smiled sadly as the tiny hand shot up to thumb it away.

Phoebe had dreaded this moment for two years. She had practiced it so many times in her head, but this time it was real. This time, there was no room for mistakes. She took a deep breath.

“Paige you’re not a bad girl…..I don’t know why he hurt us. The truth is, bad things happen to good people……it doesn’t matter what we do….sometimes’ there’s no reason at all….….what Victor did to us….it wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anybody’s fault except his….and if I could change it I would in a heartbeat….but I can’t. What we went through was terrible. It was worse than what most people go through in a life time….but we have to let go and we have to hold onto what we have.”

Paige let the tears fall freely down her face as she buried herself in her sisters neck. They never spoke about what happened. Victor and baby Payton were never mentioned. But it was always there….haunting them.

“Paige! Go to your room!”

Phoebe was pinned against the floor, her father’s body slamming against her own. She called out in desperation.

“Please honey! Go to your room!”

Paige was glued to the spot, her limbs unmoving, her eyes fixed to the scene before her. She watched her big sister struggle beneath him as he wrapped his hands around her throat and tugged at her pants, forcing himself inside.

“No! Get off me! PAIGE! GO TO YOUR ROOM NOW!”

Phoebe felt the hard slap against her face, fingers clawing at her teeth and lips pushing her head further into the ground. Paige couldn’t make out the words, only the volume in the terrified screech. She began to back away, her heart pounding inside her chest.

“Paige GO!!!!!”

The three year old raced down the hall and into her bedroom. She slid under her cot and huddled against the wall, her little hands covering her ears, her eyes squeezing shut. But no matter how hard she tried…she couldn’t block out the deafening screams of her big sister from outside.
“This is the final boarding for the Red Eye Flight to New York. I repeat….This is the final boarding for the Red Eye Flight to New York. Please make your way to gate number 21.”

Phoebe looked up the words from the speaker bringing her out of the memory. She set her sister on the floor and held out her hand.

“Ready to go then?”

Paige nodded and lifted her arms above her head. Phoebe was about to hoist her onto her hip when she spun around to see two dark haired women sprinting towards her.

“PHOEBE WAIT!”

She set her bag down and drew Paige closer.

“What do you want?”

Her voice was harder and colder than it had been that morning. Her words dripped with venom as her glare settled on the eldest.

“Thank God…….”

Piper took a step closer and quickly enveloped the teenager into a hug.

“Please Phoebe….Please come home with us. It’s where you belong….where both of you belong.”

Piper didn’t hesitate for a moment as she bent down as scooped the youngest into her arms. Phoebe watched on as Paige wrapped her legs around her big sisters waist, her head gently pressed against her chest and her thumb sliding into her mouth. She could feel the anger bubbling beneath the surface.

“Our ticket’s already booked! Jesus Piper…..You shouldn’t have come….”

“Well we couldn’t just let you go! Not this time! Not again!”

Prue looked rigid, her body stiff, fingers clenched. It was the first time she had spoken since she had arrived. Her face was blotchy and swollen. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days. Her cheeks were stained with trails of black, sodden make up.

“Please…..please don’t go. We need you…..I need you.…..Phoebe I’m so sorry!”

Prue let out a long sob, her legs crumbling beneath her. Her whole body wracked with guilt.

“I can’t deal with this! I can’t deal with you on top of everything else! I am just starting to get my life sorted and you go piling all this guilt shit on me! Haven’t I been through enough? Prue, what the hell do you want from me? What do you want me to say?”

Phoebe’s voice had softened as she bent down to her oldest sister. She looked up at the staring strangers that passed by, each watching on with curiosity at the scene before them.

“Say that you’ll come home….”

Phoebe took a deep breath and held her arms out to the littlest Halliwell who more than willfully climbing into them.

“I don’t think I can…”

She shuddered, her own voice sounder wiser and more pain filled than ever. She looked from one sister to the other before shifting Paige over her shoulder and gripping onto the small brown suitcase that she had arrived with earlier in the week.

Phoebe was silent as she held the gaze of both her sisters, a look of shock settled across their faces. She gathered her things and started towards the entry gate, quickly handing the steward her ticket not daring to look back. She could feel it in the pit of her stomach. This was the right thing to do. Paige was her priority.

Piper felt the hot tears roll down her dirty cheeks and a set of arms close around her shoulders.

“We’ll get her back Piper….I promise….whatever it takes……we’ll get her back.”

They watched out the window into the darkness as the two little girls boarded the plane. It only felt like seconds before the engine had started and the jet was shooting into the air. Piper leaned against her sister. She realized that although the worst of it was over….the nightmare had only just begun.

THE END