DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT: This story may not be sold or used to make profit in any ways what so ever. Copies may be made of the story only for fan fiction sites or for private use but all disclaimers and such must be included. For permission to use this publicly, please contact me at CharmedFreak8898@aol.com. Thank you.

DISCLAIMER: Phoebe, Piper, and Prue Halliwell along with Leo Wyatt, and all other characters who have appeared in the series "Charmed" together with the names, titles and background are the copyright property of Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent, and the Warner Brothers Television Network. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. Everything else in this story is the property of the author and if you want to use it, you must follow the distribution statement above.

Phoebe was walking on the sidewalk in a rush. She had to go all the way across campus to get to her next class. "Damn it, I am gonna be late!" She mumbled to her self. She had a test coming up in her next class and she was very nervous. She took out her notes and studied them while she was walking. All of a sudden, she bumped into a boy sending both of them to the ground and both of their books scattered around them.
"Oh my God! I am so sorry! I am late for my class and I was studying for this big test I have and......" Phoebe started.

"Its ok, really, just calm down." The boy she walked into said. He had black hair, blue eyes, and was about 6 foot 2 inches. He got up and put out his hand to pull Phoebe up, and he did.
"Thanks." Phoebe said as she smiled at him.
"My name is Bret, Bret Maxell."
"Hi Bret, my name is Phoebe Haliwell." Phoebe replied. She started to pick up her books as Bret picked up his.
"So, you have a test coming up? What class?"
"Physiology, Mr. Sketsi." Phoebe replied.
"Really? That's where I am going too. His tests are really hard."
"Yea, really hard. I never saw you in class before." Phoebe said.
"I get there about 3 minutes after class starts all the time, so I sit in the last row."
"Oh, I see. Well, we better get going." They walked off to class, wished each other luck, then went in to take the test. They both finished about 2 hours later.
"Man, that was hard!" Bret said as he held the door open for Phoebe.
"Yea, especially that essay." Phoebe replied as the two walked down the hallway.
"So, do you wanna go get a cup of coffee?" Bret asked.
"Um, yea, sure, that was my last class for today." Phoebe replied.
The two walked off to the coffee house. They sat there and they talked for hours. They found out that they had a lot in common.
"Oh my gosh, look at the time, we have been sitting here for like 3 hours talking!" Phoebe said.
"Really? It doesn't seem like it's been that long." Bret said.
"Oh, I really gotta get home." Phoebe said.
"Oh, ok, do you have a car?" Bret asked.
"No, I don't. I can just call one of my sisters and..." Phoebe said.
"Non-sense, I can drive you home." Bret said.
"Really, ok, that would be great." Phoebe replied.
"Ok, let me go pay the bill then we can leave."
"Here let me give you the money...." Phoebe started.
"No, its ok, I got it, really." Bret said.
"Really? Are you sure, because...."
"Really, I am sure."
"Ok." Phoebe replied. Bret paid the bill and then they went out and got in his car. They drove off. He pulled up in front of the manor.
"Ok, thank you very much for the ride home." Phoebe said.
"No problem. Would you like to go out tomorrow night?" Bret asked her.
"Sure. "
"How 'bout I pick you up at about 7:00, ok?" Bret said.
"Sure, that would be great." Phoebe replied.
"Thanks again." Phoebe said as she got out of the car. She went up to the manor door, waved to Bret, then went inside. She walked towards the kitchen where she found Piper cooking.
"Hey." Piper said, without looking up.
"Hey." Phoebe said in a dreamy sort of voice.
"Alright, who is it?" Piper asked. Phoebe didn't reply.
"Hello, Earth to Phoebe!" Piper said as she waved her hand in front of Phoebe's face.
"Huh? Oh, what were you saying Piper?" Phoebe asked.
"Who is it?" Piper said.
"Who is who?" Phoebe asked.
"Please Phoebe, you have the look in your eyes, the sound in your voice, the...." Piper continued.
"Ok, ok, geez. His name is Bret. I knocked into him on my way to my Physiology class where I was having a test. He was going to the same place. So we went and it took us about 2 hours, very hard test, and afterwards, we went out for coffee, about 3 hours worth. Then I came back here."
"I see. Sounds like you had a good day." Piper said as she smiled at Phoebe. She was happy for her sister.
"Yea, and the best part is that we have a date tomorrow night." Phoebe said.
"Really? That's great Pheebs!" Piper said.
"Yea, I know. So, where's Prue? I wanna tell her about my day." Phoebe said.
"She called and said she had to work late at the office working on some layout that is due tomorrow." Piper said.
"Oh, darn." Phoebe said.
"Dinner's almost ready." Piper said as she went over to the stove.
"What are we having?" Phoebe asked.
"Shrimp." Piper replied.
"Yum, I am starving!" Phoebe said.
"Well good, because I made a lot." Piper said as she point to 10, empty, 1 pound bags that had shrimp on the front.
"You cooked 10 pounds of Shrimp?" Phoebe asked.
"Well, I found the recipe in the drawer and I forgot that Grams used to make the recipe for the neighborhood cook outs." Piper said.
"Oh well, at least we have dinner for a few nights." Phoebe said.
"Yea, not to mention the 10 pounds of corn, and the huge bowl of salad I made to go with them." Piper said as she smiled.
"Geez Piper." Phoebe said. They both sat down to dinner and talked.

THE NEXT NIGHT

"I am so glad I got that layout finished." Prue said to Piper as she sat on the couch watching TV.
"Yea. By the way, if you get hungry, we have some shrimp and corn in the fridge."
"Oh, ok, thanks. So, Phoebe told me about Bret. What do you think?" Prue asked.
"Sounds like a nice boy." Piper replied.
"Yea, he does." Pure said.
"So, how do I look?" Phoebe asked as she came into the living room. She had on a black strapless dress.
"Wow Pheebs, you look great." Prue said.
"Very great." Piper said.
There was a knock at the door. Phoebe said bye and went to door where Bret greeted her with a bouquet of flowers.
"Aww, they're beautiful." Phoebe said when Bret handed them to her.
"Ready to go?" Bret asked.
"Yup, lets go." Phoebe replied. They went out the door, got in to car, and rode off. They drove to a small, but very fancy restaurant that was on a cliff over looking the ocean. They went in and Bret had reserved a table next to the window that over looked the ocean for them.
"Wow, Bret, this is beautiful."
"Yea, I thought you would like it here." Bret replied. They ate, then they drove for about 2 hours, just talking. Then Bret took Phoebe home.
When the pulled up in front on the manor, Phoebe said," Thank you so much Bret, tonight had been wonderful." Phoebe said. Then they both leaned in for a long passionate kiss.
"See you later." Phoebe said to Bret, who was still smiling from the kiss.
Phoebe went inside. Prue and Piper were sitting on the couch. Phoebe plopped down on the couch in between them and sighed with a huge smile on her face.
"That great, huh?" Prue asked.
"Oh, definitely." Phoebe replied.

A WEEK LATER

Phoebe went out with Bret every night since the first. They were very close.
Prue, Piper and Phoebe were in the kitchen eating breakfast and reading the newspaper.
"Ok, so who is coming to help me set up for the critic that is coming to the club tonight?" Piper asked.
"Ah, sorry, Piper, I can't I have another assignment." Prue said.
"I can come, I don't have any classes today."
"Ok, good, we have a lot to do though, so we gotta get going."
"Ok, lets go, I' ready." Phoebe said. Everyone said goodbye and left.

AT THE CLUB

Ok, Phoebe, I need you to set up the chairs and tables like they are in this diagram, that over there goes......" Piper started but stopped when she heard the door open and saw a man come in.
"Oh, sorry, we're not......" Piper started.
"Bret!" Phoebe said as she walked over.
"Hey Phoebe." Bret said. Phoebe greeted him with a kiss.
"Do you wanna go out tonight for our one-week anniversary?" Bret asked.
"Oh, I am sorry, I am can't, my sister needs me here....." Phoebe started.
"So you're saying no?" Bret said in a cold, mean, voice.
"Yea, I am sorry, but I can't go." Phoebe said.
"So you are putting your sister before me?" Bret asked, almost yelling.
"Bret, I already told her I would be here." Phoebe said, a little scared by Bret's attitude. He had acted a little like this before, but not yelling.
"You know what, fine!" Bret yelled as he stormed out.
"Bret, wait.." Phoebe said, but he was already gone.
"Whoa, somebody had a short temper." Piper said.
"Piper, just lay off him, ok?" Phoebe said, as she went back to work on the table settings. Piper just stood there, a little surprised and a little worried for Phoebe.

Later that Night

"2 o'clock and we are finally finished cleaning up." Piper said as she sat down.
"Yea, finally finished." Phoebe said as she yawned.
"Ready to go home?" Prue asked. Prue came late because of her layout, but she still helped out.
"Yes, lets go home." Piper said. They all got up, went home, and went straight to bed. The next morning, Piper and Prue were the first ones up.

"Hey Piper." Prue said as she walked in and went over to the coffee pot.
"Hey Prue, Phoebe up yet?" Piper asked.
"No, not yet."
"Good. I need to talk to you." Piper said.
"Ok, what's up?" Prue asked as she walked over to the table. The paper wasn't yet.
"Its about Bret. I met him yesterday, sorta."
"And....."
"Well, he came in and he wanted Phoebe to go out with him last night. But
she said she had to help me and he started yelling at her." Piper said.
"Really? Maybe he was just having a bad day. If Phoebe had a problem, I am sure she would come talk to us." Pure said, trying to reassure Piper.
"Would she?" Piper asked.
"Of course." Prue said reassuringly to Piper but she was actually a little worried.
"Hey guys, I have the paper." Phoebe said as she came in with the paper in her hand.
"O, o, o lemme see!" Piper said excitedly. She grabbed the paper from Phoebe.
"Oh, here it is, it says, 'If you looking for a good time with a lot of people and good music, P3 is where you should be. The ambiance is great along with the food. The perfect place for partying.'" Piper read.
"All right, go Piper!" Phoebe said.
"Yea, go me!" Piper said smiling.
"Hey Piper, can I borrow that red dress that you never wear? I am going out with Bret tonight." Phoebe said.
"Yea, sure its in my closet near the back." Piper said.
"Ok, cool, thanks."
"So, how is Bret?" Pure asked causally.
"Fine, why?" Phoebe asked.
"No reason, just wonderin'." Pure said.
"Yea, right. Well, I gotta get going to class. I only have 2 classes today, one right after the other." Phoebe said.
"Oh, really? Well, you wanna come to the club and help me with the inventory?" Piper asked.
"Ah, sorry, I can't. I am going on a picnic with Bret." Phoebe said.
"I thought you were going out with him tonight." Prue said.
"I am. We are going on a picnic. Then he has classes then he is picking me up tonight for dinner."
"Oh, I see." Prue said.
"What, do you have a problem with Bret?"
"No, not at all. I am happy for you." Prue said.
"Ok, well, bye." Phoebe said as she walked out the door. She went to her classes but she had to stay after about 20 minutes in her second one to talk to her teacher about an extra credit assignment she needed to do to raise her grade to an A. She hurried to get to the place where she was going to meet Bret. She saw him by his car, looking kind of mad.

'Hey honey, sorry I'm late but...." Phoebe started but Bret cut her off.
"I don't care what your excuse is! You left me standing her for 20 minutes looking like an idiot!" Bret screamed. He hit Phoebe in the eye, hard. She reached up and she felt blood where his ring cut into her skin.
"Now, get in this car right now!" He screamed in a harsh tone.
"No, Bret, you, you, you're going to hurt me!" Phoebe said scared to death.
"Shut up and get in the damn car!" Bret screamed and he pushed Phoebe into the car roughly. He slammed the door and went over to the other side, got in, and drove off.

***************************

While he was driving he looked over at Phoebe who was scared and holding her eye. He drove for a little while then stopped.

"Look, I'm sorry I hit you. I, don't know what came over me. I love you Phoebe, I didn't mean to hurt you, I swear." Bret said is a sweet voice.
"But you did hurt me." Phoebe replied.
"I know, and I will never forgive myself for it. Please forgive me Phoebe, I love you so much, just please forgive me." Bret said.
"Ok, I forgive you" Phoebe said. She was still a little scared but Bret seemed so sincere. They got out and had their lunch on Bret's yacht. He drove Phoebe home. In front of the manor, still in the car, he said, " Ok, I'll see you tonight, I am still so sorry about what happened."

"I know you are, it's ok. I'll see you tonight." Phoebe said. She kissed Bret then got out of the car. She looked in the driveway and both of her sisters were home. She thought to herself, Oh great, how am I going to explain this to them. I am a terrible liar and they know when I lie. She walked in quietly; hoping to go in so quietly that no one would know she was home.

"Hey Phoebe, how'd did your picnic go?" Prue asked from the couch, not turning around.
"Fine, it was great." Phoebe responded.
"Good." Prue replied.
Phoebe walked up stairs quickly and was about to enter her room when Piper saw her.
"What the hell happened to you?" Piper asked with a look of concern.
"Huh? Oh, nothing. Didn't you have to do inventory at the club?" Phoebe asked trying to change the subject.
"No, Marc is doing it for me, I am paying him extra. Now, stop changing the subject and tell me what happened. Piper went over to get a closer look.
"Nothing happened. I am fine, really." Phoebe said.
"No, you're not, your eye is black and there is a cut on your head that is bleeding." Piper said.
Oh crap, I thought it stopped bleeding.
"Nothing happened. I am fine, really Piper."
"No, you are coming with me so you can tell Prue and I what happened." Piper said as she dragged Phoebe downstairs to where Prue was sitting before Phoebe could get a word in edgewise.
"What in the hell..." Prue started as soon as she saw Phoebe. She got up and went over to her.
"Exactly, do tell us Phoebe." Piper said.
"Nothing happened, I am fine, just leave me alone." Phoebe said.
"No, not until you tell us what happened. Who did this to you?" Prue asked.
Phoebe knew they wouldn't leave her alone until she told them so she did. "Bret." Phoebe said.
"What!?" Prue and Piper said in unison.
"I am going to........" Prue started.
"Do nothing. That's what you are going to do, both of you. I was 20 minutes late meeting him and he just got a little mad. It was my fault, really."
"Don't you dare blame your self Phoebe. You were only 20 minutes late, he had no right to do this to you." Prue said, now enraged with anger.
"Look, just let it alone ok? I am going to go rest up before my date tonight." Phoebe said.
"Wait a minute, you are not going out with him tonight, not after this." Piper said.
"Yea, there is no way in hell we are going to let you go." Prue said.
"I am old enough to make my own decision, and you can't stop me."
Phoebe went up stairs and took a nap. At 6:00 she came down the stairs in the red dress she borrowed from Piper. She used makeup on her eye so it wasn't as noticeable.
"So, how do I look?" Phoebe asked her sisters who were standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"You look great. Are you sure you want to go Phoebe?" Prue asked, worried about her sister.
"Yes, I am, he is sorry." Phoebe said. She heard a horn honk.
"Oh, that's Bret, bye guys." Phoebe said and she rushed out to his car. That night, Bret was as sweet as can be.
It has been 6 months since the incident with Bret. Phoebe is getting better, but slowly. She is finally getting her life back on track although she still has trouble walking sometimes when her stress is up and she is having trouble dealing with the rape. A month after the incident, she remembered some parts of it and she hasn't been able to get over that.

"Phoebe! Breakfast!" Piper yelled up to Phoebe who was in her room. Piper and Prue were already in the kitchen, Prue always being the first one up and the last one down.
"I'm coming!" Phoebe replied back as she was walking down the stairs. She went into the kitchen.
"Morning." Prue said.
"Morning." Phoebe replied back.
"Ok, Pheebs, do you want waffles with sausage or pancakes with bacon?" Piper asked.
"Can I have waffles with bacon?" Phoebe asked and smile.
"Comin' right up." Piper replied as she put the batter in the waffle maker and the bacon in the skillet.
"So, what are you up to today?" Prue asked Phoebe.
"I thought I would hang out around the house." Phoebe relied before she took a drink of her coffee.
"Why don't you go out and do something or come with me to the club?" Piper asked Phoebe.
"Yea, or you could come with me to my photo shoot I have today." prue said.
"Nah, I am just gunna stay around the house today. Thanks any ways though." Phoebe said.
"Come on Phoebe, you have to get out of this house, you hardly ever leave anymore and when you do it is only because we drag you out." Piper said.
"Whats wrong with the house?" Phoebe asked.
"Nothing Phoebe its just.." Piper started.
"Piper, don't even try, you and I both know its usless." Prue said, cutting her off. So, Piper stopped trying to convince Phoebe and went back to cooking.
"Look, I don't know what the big deal is. I just don't wanna go out, ok?" Phoebe said.
"Yea, ok Phoebe. Now, here's your favorite breakfast, eat up." piper said
"Mmm, looks good, thanks Pipe." Phoebe said. Just then the phone rang.
"I'll get it!" Phoebe yelled as she ran for the phone.
"Hello?" Phoebe said.
"I'm baaaaaaack. Heh, heh, heh." The person on the other end of the phone said and then hung up. Phoebe walked back into the kitchen.
"Who was it Phoebe?" Prue asked.
"I don't know, he said....." But before she could finish, she saw something on the TV screen that made her face turn white in horror.
*******************

Both her sisters looked at the screen and Piper turned the volume up.

"Bret Maxell seen on your screen has escaped from the state penitetuary today early this morning. Authorities are still trying to figure out exactly what happened. Maxell was sentenced for a year, he had 2 months left until parole. He was charged with harassment and rape 6 months ago."

"Oh no. no, no, no, no." Phoebe said as she started to loose her balance in fear.
"Phoebe!" Piper said as she noticed her white-faced sister almost falling over. She ran to her side and took her over to a chair so she could sit down. Prue went over too.

"Calm down Phoebe, it will be fine, I promise I won't let anything happen to you." Prue said as she hugged her sister.

"He, he , he was the one that was on the phone. He told me he was back and then, then, he hung up." Phoebe said as she began to cry. Piper comforted her.
"I am going to call Darry and see if he knows anything." Prue said as she headed for the phone. Then Leo came in and saw Phoebe.
"Whats wrong?" Leo asked Piper.
'It's Bret, he escaped from jail and he called and said he is back." Piper said as she held Phoebe which is about the best thing she could do right now. Prue came back in.

"Darryl isn't in today and it isn't even his case." Prue said.
"Oh." Piper said.
"Come on Phoebe, let us take you up to your room, ok?" Prue said.
Phoebe nodded. She got up, but couldn't walk well at all because of all the fear she had inside of her. Prue and Piper were each on one side of her and helped her up to her room.
"Will, will you stay with me, please?" Phoebe asked.
"Of course, we will both stay here with you as long as you want us to." Prue said as she tucked Phoebe into bed and laid down beside her and Piper on the other side.
"Good, because I can't be alone right now." Phoebe said.
"Don't worry Pheebs, don't worry." Prue said. Phoebe fell asleep and Prue and Piper just sat there, communicating with looks and worrying about their grief-stricken sister. An hour later Phoebe woke up. She looked on both sides of her and her sisters were gone.
"Piper! Prue!" Phoebe yelled as she got out of bed and nearly toppled over. Just then her sisters cane running into the room to stop her from falling.
"What? What is it Phoebe?" Prue asked.
"I, I , I woke up and you guys weren't here and I thought he took you or or you left me or, or....." Phoebe couldn't continue any longer because she was crying too hard.
"Shhhhh, Its ok honey, we're here, its ok." Piper said as she held Phoebe and gave Prue a 'What in the hell do we do now' look and Prue responded with an 'I have no idea' look. Phoebe calmed down soon and agreed to eat something only because she hadn't eaten since yesterday. Phoebe had went to the bathroom while Piper was making lunch and was on her way back down to the kitchen for lunch when the phone rang.
"I'll get it!" Phoebe said since she was right there.
"Hello?" Phoebe asked. 2 minutes larter, Phoebe walked into the kitchen very pale
"It was him, that bastard! What did he say?" Prue said, enraged.
"He, he, he " Phoebe tried to tell them but she couldn't say it through her sobs. She fell to the ground and cried. Piper went over to her and held her and comforted her. Prue went over to and just sat there with her.

Prue, Phoebe, and Piper were on the couch now. Phoebe had calmed down now, but hadn't said anything yet. She cried for about10 minutes straight just lying there on the floor but Pure and Piper took her over to the couch. They were watching tv to see if there was anything new on Bret.

"He said he missed me and he is coming back for me and he is going to finish the job he started and he is will do anything to get to me." Phoebe said.
***************************


"No he's not, Phoebe. I am not going to let that son-of-a-bitch near you."Prue said. Phoebe didn't reply. At that time, the phone rang again and prue went over and answered it, there was no no one there. As she was going back over to sit down it rang again, again no answer. She was frusturated and went back over to sit down when it rang again. She went over picked up the phone and said, "Listen you son-of-a-bitch! If you don't..... Oh, hello inspector, I am sorry about that I thought it was Bret again...yea, uh huh, ok, well, thankyou...yea, ok, bye."

"Smooth Prue, real smooth. Cussing out the inspector is really going to make him work harder to catch Bret." Piper said.

"Piper, I thought it was Bret. Anyway, the inspector said he has the most amount of men out that he can searching for Bret." Prue said.

"Good." Piper replied. There was silence and everyone just sat still. Then Piper broke the silence by saying, "How bout I go and make us something to eat. Phoebe you haven't eaten all day."

"I'm not hungry." Phoebe said.

"Ok, I'll make some food incase you get hungry later, ok?" Piper asked. Phoebe nodded her head.

The phone rang constantly for 3 hours. Then it stopped.

"Ok, I have to go the the store to pick some things up. Will you two be ok while I am gone?" Piper asked.

"Yea, we'll be fine." Prue said. Phoebe nodded in agreement.

"Ok, I'll get back as soon as I can." Piper said and she left for the store. Right after that, Prue fell asleep on the couch and Phoebe was watching TV. Then, the phone rang. Phoebe looked to Prue, still sleeping, and decided to answer it in case it was an emergency.

"Hello?" Phoebe said.
"Hello my darling. I won't take up too much of your time. I have a proposition for you. If you start going out with me again, I won't come to your house and give your sisters a slow and painful death right before your eyes. Meet me a week from today, next Tuesday, at The Golden Swan at 8:00 pm. Don't tell your sisters, the police, or anyone that you are meeting me. I will know if you tell anyone. If you don't show, I'll assume that you don't want to take me up on this and I will kill your sisters. After a while, you can tell them about me, but you must tell them you forgive me and love me. Understood?"

"Ye, ye, yes." Phoebe said.

"Good. Until Tuesday, my love." Bret said, then he hung up the phone.

"Who was that?" Prue said sleeply as she was just waking up.

"No one. Wrong number." Phoebe said as she walked away and went up stairs to her room. No mention of the call came up between Prue and Phoebe and Prue didn't tell Piper about it because she believed Phoebe. Bret didn't call the rest of that week. On Monday, the girls were sitting on the couch looking through the newspaper for a movie thats out.

"So, what do you guys want to see?" Prue asked.
"I dunno whats out Prue, you are hogging the paper." Piper said.
"Ok, ok, hold on." Prue said. She looked at the paper for one minute then handed it to Piper.
"So, how bout you Pheebs?" Prue asked. Phoebe was staring out the window and didn't respond.
"Phoebe?" Prue said again.
"Huh? Oh, um, it doesn't matter to me." Phoebe said.
"Ok. I'll be right back, going to get a drink." Prue said. She motioned Piper to follow her.
"Yea, I am a little thirsty too." Piper said. Phoebe just nodded.
In the kitchen, "We have to do something about her, Piper. Look at her, she is just sitting in there starring out the window."Prue said as she rang her fingers through her hair.
"Yea, I know, but what can we do?" Piper responded.
"I don't know, I just, i just don't know." Prue said. They both walked back into living room.
"Ok, so is everyone ready to go?" Prue asked.
"Yup." Piper said. Phoebe nodded her head and tried to put on a fake smile. Piper went over to her and put an arm around her. They walked out following Prue to the car. In the car; "Hey, why don't we go shopping instead, it is such a beautiful day, we can check out that new shopping center they put up." Piper said.
"You know what, you're right, shopping is better than the movies." Prue said. She looked in the rear view mirror and noticed a small smile on Phoebe's face, Phoebe couldn't not be happy about shopping. She did enjoy her day out with her sisters actually. She bought some new clothes and a beautiful dress she found on clearance, only $15. The next day was Tuesday. Phoebe didn't sleep at all that night and she went down stairs very early, for her at least. She was the first one up and put on a pot of coffee, which was the rule, first one up makes the coffee. About an hour later, Prue came down.

"Morning Pheebs." Prue said.
"Morning." Phoebe replied in a not-so-cheery voice.
"You're up early." Prue said as she poured a cup of coffee.
"No, I am just up really late." Phoebe said.
"You mean you didn't sleep at all last night?" Prue asked as she went over to the table to sit down. Phoebe shook her head.
"Aww, honey, are you still thinking about Bret?" Prue asked.
"Yea, but I'll be fine." Phoebe said trying to reassure Prue.
"I know this must be hard on you. But the good thing is that he hasn't called since Last Tuesday."Prue said. Just then Piper came down.
"Talking about Bret?" Piper asked, she already knew the answer though.
"Yea, Phoebe didn't get any sleep last night." Prue said.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Piper asked.
"No, I will be fine, really." Phoebe said and smiled slightly.
"Ok, but we are here if you need us." Piper said. They ate breakfast, then Prue went to work and Piper and Phoebe were at home. They still had someone stay with Phoebe just incase, even to her classes. Evening came much faster than Phoebe wanted it to. She left at 7:30 so her 25 minute drive would make her 5 minutes early, because if she came at 8:00 pm, directly, she knew Bret would get mad which is the last thing she needs.

"Bye guys." Phoebe said as she walked toward the door, hoping her sisters wouldn't ask questions.

"Hey, wait Pheebs, where ya going?" Piper asked as she and Prue walked out of the kitchen to Phoebe.

"I am going to meet a friend for dinner to talk about a school project." Phoebe lied.

"In that?"Prue asked, refering to the red, short, glittery dress that Phoebe had on.

"Yea.." Phoebe said.

"Have a good time." Piper said.

"Ok, bye." Phoebe said, and she walked out the door. She drove for 25 minutes, thinking the whole time about what to say to Bret. She finally arrived and saw him standing outside waiting for her.

"Hello, my love." He said. He kissed her right away, but she didn't kiss him back.

"What? You didn't like that?" Bret asked.

"No, no, its not that. Its just I haven't kissed anyone in a long time, since you." Phoebe said.

"Oh, ok. Lets go in." Bret said as he put his arm around Phoebe.

"May I take your order?" The waiter asked.

"Yes, I would like the Chicken Pollo and my girlfriend will have a small garden salad. I would also like a bottle of 1956 wine."

"Right away, sir." The waiter said, then left.

"Ok, before anything is said, I need you to know how sorry I am about what I did to you. I would do anything to take that pain away from you if I could, I would even give my own life. But it is in the past, and I need you to look tot the future, the good future we can have. Please, Phoebe, forgive me." Bret said.

"I need some time to think about it...." Phoebe said.

"What do you mean, you don't forgive me, you don't think I am sincere?" Bret asked.

"No, its not you, its me, it was a lot to go through." Phoebe said.

"Yea, right, ok." Bret said. When the waiter came out with the wine, he was pouring it for Bret and Brets chair hit his arm. The wine spilled all over Bret.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" Bret asked.

"I, I, I am so sorry sir, really I am. Please, let your meal be on me." The waiter said.

"No, damn your apology! This is a $500 suit!" Bret screamed.

"Bret, please, calm down, it was kind of your fault, you know." Phoebe said.

"Shut up and stay out of this, bitch." Bret said. He stood there for a minute trying to clean his suit the best he could.

"Come on, lets go, we are leaving, now!" Bret screamed at Phoebe. He pulled her up and they walked outside to the parking lot.

"I know a different place, not so fancy, not fancy at all really, but it has food, want to go there?" Bret asked in the parking lot.

"If thats where you want to go." Phoebe said.

"OK, follow me." He said. So, of course, Phoebe followed him. She was going to do whatever he wanted her to so he didn't hurt her sisters. About 15 minutes down the road, they came across a small restaurant overlooking a lake. They went in and got a table on the deck.

"This lake is beautiful." Phoebe said.

"Yea, it is." Bret said.

"May I take your order?" The waiter asked.

"Yes, I would like the steak dinner and my girlfriend will a garden salad." He said.

"Thankyou, sir." the waiter replied.

"Why is it that you order me only a salad at both places?" Phoebe asked.

"Well, I noticed you gained some wait. That dress you are wearing is the one I gave you and it is very tight on you. I want you to lose weight, fast, ok?" Bret asked.

"Of course, if thats what you want." Phoebe said, then smiled. The ate their dinner in mostly silence.

"Ok, The total comes to $30. I will leave him a $.25 tip." Bret said, then he smiled and started to walk away.

"Thats all your giving him? The man has to make a living somehow, Bret, I mean...." Phoebe said as she took out her money and was going to put some on the table.

"What, are you saying I am cheap?" Bret asked in a somewhat raised voice.

"No, no, of course not. Lets go... honey." Phoebe said, it was very hard for her to say, too. The went out to the parking lot, kissed goodbye, and went their separate ways. Phoebe thought about the night the whole drive home, and how Bret hadn't changed at all, not that she thought he

"I'm home." Phoebe said as she walked into the manor.

"How'd it go?" Prue asked form the couch.

"Fine, just fine." Phoebe said.

"Night Prue." Phoebe said.

"Going to bed already?" Piper asked, who was sitting next to Prue.

"Yea, goodnight Piper." Phoebe said then she walked up to her room and fell fast asleep. The next, she had a late class, so she slept in. At about 10, when only Phoebe was left in the manor, the phone rang. Phoebe had just gotten up and went to the phone.

"Hello?" Phoebe asked.

"Hello, Phoebe. Last night went very well, dont you think? Anyway, I want you to meet me at the same restaurant by the lake in 1 week, at 7:00. If you remember, I will know you love me and if not, I will kill your sisters. Plus a week will give you time to lose some weight. Ok, goodbye." Phoebe hung up the phone. She got dressed and went to her classes as usual. That night:

"Dinner is ready!" Piper yelled from the kitchen.
"Yumm, smells good, what did ya make?" Prue asked, with Phoebe following behind her.
"Spaghetti, one of Phoebe's favorite meals." Piper said. Everyone sat down at the table.

"You know what guys, I am not really hungry, I am just gonna pass on dinner." Phoebe said.

"But you didn't eat breakfast, because it is still in the fridge, and you don't usually eat lunch." Piper said.

"I am just not hungry, ok? I gotta go study." Phoebe said as she got up and went up stairs. She didn't study though, she thought about things. Her life, Bret, and how everything is screwed up. She fell asleep on her bed with a tear stained face. The next morning she walked downstairs to the smell of blue berry pancakes. She poured herself some coffee and sat down at the table where Prue was.

"How many you want, Phoebe?" Piper asked.

"None for me." Phoebe said.

"Ok, Phoebe what's the deal?" Prue asked.

"What do you mean?" Phoebe asked.

"You didn't eat dinner, you aren't eating breakfast..." Piper started.

"I am just, not hungry.." Phoebe said which she knew was a lie because she was starving terribly.

"Ok, if you say so. "Piper said.

"Ok, so what is everyone doing today?" Prue asked.

"I am staying home. Everything at the club is done and ready for tonight." Piper said.
"I am doing the usual." Phoebe said.
"Well, I haven't got anything to do, either. Why don't we all do something together." Prue said.
"Like what?" Piper asked.
"We could go to that park we used to go to with Grams." Prue said.
"Yea, ok. I can make a picnic lunch." Piper said. Phoebe just nodded in agreement.
At the park:

"Ok, this looks like a good table." Piper said.
"Yea." Prue said.
"Ok, lets eat. Phoebe, I made you your favorite, egg salad and Prue, I made your favorite, peaut butter and cheese." Piper said handing out sandwiches.

"Yum, Piper this is great." Phoebe said as she ate her sandwich. They all finished quickly.

"Ok, now for dessert. A triple layer chocolate cake." Piper said as she pulled it out of the basket they brought.

"Wow, looks good." Prue said. They all ate a piece of cake, then cleaned up their trash.

"I am gonna go to the bathroom, be right back." Phoebe said.

"Ok." Piper said to Phoebe who was already walking off. 2 minutes later, Prue said, "I am gonna go to the bathroom too." She got up and walked to the bathroom. When she went in, she heard someone vomitting. She looked under the stall and she could see Phoebe's shoes.

"Phoebe? You ok?" Prue asked.

"Uh, yea, I am fine." Phoebe said, trying to sound OK.

"No, you're not, you're getting sick, Open the door." Prue said.

"No, I am fine, really. I'll be out in a few minutes." Phoebe said.

"Phoebe. Open this door right now or I will crawl under." Prue said.

"Fine. Go ahead and crawl under." Phoebe said, not thinking Prue would crawl under, but she did.

"Prue!" Phoebe said.

"I told you I would crawl under." Prue said. She stood up and looked at he sister.

"Prue, I told you I am fine." Phoebe said and smiled weakly.

"Yea, right, and you think I believe you?" Prue asked.

"Well, that would be normal for a person to believe her sister." Phoebe said as she tried to get out of the stall.

"You're not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on." Prue said.

"Nothing, OK. Nothing is going on." Phoebe said then she left the bathroom.

"Phoebe, don't you walk away from me!" Prue said as she ran after Phoebe who was already halfway back to Piper.

"What is going on now?" Piper asked when both her sisters were back.

"I went into the bathroom and Phoebe was puking, but she won't tell me whats wrong." Prue said.

"Phoebe?" Piper asked.

"Nothing is wrong, OK. I swear, Can we just go home?" Phoebe asked.

"Yea, sure, come on." Piper said as she gathered their stuff.

"But Piper, she didn't even..." Prue started but Piper gave her a 'we'll talk about it later' look, so she shutup. When they got home,

"I am just going to go to bed, I am really tired." Phoebe said.

"Ok, call us if you need us." Piper said. Phoebe went up stairs and Prue and Piper went into the living room.

"Something is wrong with her and she isn't telling us." Prue said.

"Maybe she is just sick. If there is something really wrong that she can't handle, she will come to us." Piper said.

"Yea, well I hope so." Prue said.

That night at the dinner table:

"I am only going to eat a salad because I feel really sick to my stomach." Phoebe said.

"Ok, as long as you eat something." Piper said. Phoebe ate her salad, then went back to her room to study.

The next day:

Prue was walking down the hall, upstairs, and peeked into Phoebe's room. She saw Phoebe excercising. Push-ups, crunches, everything. She didn;t say anything though. For the next 2 days, Phoebe excercised 5 hours a day, and eat 3 small salads.

3days later(from the picnic), in the morning:

"Morning Phoebe." Prue said.

"Morning." Phoebe replied.

"Hey Phoebe, what do you want for breakfast?" Piper asked.

"Uh, nothing for me, I am just going to get some coffee." Phoebe said.

"Come on, you gotta eat something." Piper said. She went over to the table where Phoebe was now sitting and handed her a piece of toast.

"At least eat this, for me, please?" Piper asked.

"Fine." Phoebe said. She took the toast and ate it quickly. She drank the last of her coffee and then stood up.

"Now, I am going to go take a bath." Phoebe said. She went up stairs and went into the bathroom.She reached for the nozzle to turn on the water, but she got very dizzy.

**************************

Piper and Prue heard a thump above them.

"Phoebe?" Piper yelled. No response.
"I am going to make sure she is OK." Prue said.
"I am going too." Piper said. They went upstairs to the bathroom and looked in. They saw their sister sitting on the floor.
"You ok?" Prue asked. Phoebe looks up towards them to reveal a big gash on her forehead..
"Oh my God, what happened?" Piper asked as she and Prue rushed to Phoebe.
"I, I was turning on the water and I got really dizzy and I hit my head on the nozzle." Phoebe said.
"There is blood everywhere." Piper said,
"I know, I am sorry Piper. I will clean it up." Phoebe said.
"Don't worry about it. Come on, lets get you cleaned up." Piper said. Her and Prue both lifted Phoebe up.
"Whoa, still dizzy." Phoebe said, trying to balance.
"Come on, we got you." Prue said. They took her back to her room and laid her on her bed.
"I'll go get the first aid kit." Prue said.
"I have to go turn off the stove." Piper said. Once outside her room, Prue said, "I think we should call the doctor, just to be safe."
"Yea, we should. I'll call him, you go see what you can do for now." Piper said. She went downstairs and turned off the stove and called the doctor while Prue found the first aid kit and wnet back to Phoebe. Piper went back upstairs to Phoebe's room where Prue was cleaning her wound and trying to get all the blood off of Phoebe's arms and face but the wound kept bleeding.
"How is she?" Piper asked.
"Not too good. It is worse than it looks."Prue said.
"I am really tired, I am just going to go to sleep for a little while." Phoebe said as she closed her eyes.
"No! You can't you might have a concussion!" Piper said as she went over to help Prue.Soon the doctor came and took care of her.
"Now, that should due, you'll have th change the bandage every 5 hours for 2 days." The doctor said.
"Ok, thankyou." Phoebe said.
"Can I see you two in the hall for a minute?" The doctor asked, refering to Prue and Piper.
"Suure." Piper said. They followed the doctor into the hall.
"What's wrong?" Prue asked.
"Have you noticed any changes in your sister lately?" The doctor asked.
"She hasn't been eating as much, she is alot more tired than usual, and she seems depressed." Piper said.
"And she has been excersing alot lately." Pure added.
"Thats what I thought. I think your sister might be anorexic." The doctor said.
"Really?" Prue added.
"Yes, she is showing all the signs. I don't want to confrim it yet though." The doctor said.
"Ok, well, what should we do?" Piper asked.
"Make sure she eats 3 nutritous meals a day. Here are some brochures on the disorder, they may help. Call me in a week and let me know how she is doing." The doctor said then left.

After they helped Phoebe change clothes and get comfortable, they went downstairs to look at the brochures.
"It says in this one that anorexia can be caused by presure from someone else or if the person feels self-consciencious about theirselves." Prue said.
"Well, we know she can't feel fat." Piper said.
"Who can't?" A new voice asked.
"Um, no one." Prue said.
"Yea, right. Tell me." Phoebe said.
"You." Piper said and Prue gave her a 'bad move' look.
"Me?" Phoebe asked.
"Yes, you." Piper said.
"You're crazy!" Phoebe said.
"No, we're not, think about it Pheebs..." Prue said.
"No, I don't need to because it isn't true!" Phoebe said.
"Phoebe, the doctor said that...." Piper started.
"Screw the doctor!" Phoebe yelled than ran out of the house.
She walked for about 2 miles and then she saw someone in a car that she recognzied start slowing down, it was Bret.
**************************

Bret slowed down as he recognized Phoebe on the side of the road. He pulled the car up next to her as she kept walking, keeping up with her.

"Hey baby, what ya doin' out here all alone? Come with me back to my place." He said.

"Um, no thanks Bret, I need the fresh air. Thank you anyway." Phoebe said.

"So you're saying no?" Bret asked, raising his voice.

"Yea, I am. I just had a fight with my sisters and I don't need a ride." Phoebe said. At that, Bret stopped his car and got out. He went over to Phoebe and grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her.

"Listen you bitch, if you don't get in this car right n I am going to go and kill your sisters, just like I promised."

"Like hell you will." Prue said from behind him.

"What the..." But before he could get the rest out, he doubled over in pain from Phoebe kneeing him in the croch. He suddenly grabbed Phoebe's foot, and tried to pull her down, but she kicked him in the stomach, then the face before he could. At this time, Piper and Prue came over and kicked him over and over again as did Phoebe. He finally rolled over onto his back at which time he fell right over the edge of the very steep hill his was on and rollled all the way down, a tree stopping his fall.

"Your never going to scare me again, Bret Maxell," Phoebe screamed down to him "nor will any other man in this world." Phoebe said.

"Are you OK?" Prue asked.

"I am now." Phoebe said as she and her sister's embraced.

"You should have told us...." Piper began.

"He said if I told anyone before he told me to.. he would kill you and I would rather suffer by him than have you two put in danger for my mistakes." Phoebe said, tears coming from her eyes.

"Honey, it's not your fault Bret is the way he is. Don't blame yourself."Piper said.

"Yea, Phoebs, don't blame yourself." Prue said as the three embraced again.

"OK, I am going to call the police, you two watch him and make sure he doesn't move." Prue said.

Soon, the cops came, took their reports, and made a promise to Phoebe that Bret would never be in prison for a long time and Phoebe explained to her sisters everything that happened.


THE END