One week later:
Piper and Leo sat together on the couch, watching a romantic movie. Piper was happily leaning against her husband, enjoying the comfort she found in his arms. Piper had accepted the situation as much as she could. It angered her sometimes, she found herself in tears at others. But her husband and her sisters helped her through.

Phoebe was great, always there, not to mention she’d just started her new medication. But Phoebe just took it in her stride. She was so proud of her.

Prue was always there to give her a hug, and never pushed her. In some ways, it only made her feel guiltier…

And Leo was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

She reached up passionately kissing her husband. Somewhat surprised, Leo caught on pretty quickly.

Eventually they came up for air.

“Wow,”

“Yeah…”

“Upstairs?”

“Ye-ah!”

Leo picked her up impulsively.

“Le-o!” Piper shrieked.

“Want me to put you down honey?”

“Not at all.”

Prue picked that moment to walk in.

“Ah… we were just leaving…” said Leo, whilst Piper giggled, and they orbed out.

Prue sighed and head upstairs as well. She wasn’t going to be the only one not having fun.
***************************

Phoebe quietly slipped into the house after a long night at work. She slowly padded into the kitchen to get some coffee to get her through an hour or two of study.

She leant tiredly against the counter whilst waiting for the coffee machine to do its magic. She had a dull headache that hadn’t left her in days, and she was so tired. Every night found her locked in her room attempting to finish one of the numerous assignments required of her.

Attempting was always the operative word. Her concentration was absolutely shot. She couldn’t sit still, couldn’t keep one train of thought, and most certainly couldn’t co-ordinate typing.

The new pill she had to take was playing around with so many more of her hormones then the average run of the mill contraceptive pill. She knew it was going be tough… but… and this was just the beginning…

She hadn’t mentioned this to her sisters. Piper had plenty enough to deal with. She would ask Prue for some help, but that wasn’t an option. Every time they were in the same room lately, Prue ended up yelling and belittling her. So she suffered in silence.

Not to mention, it would be hard to relate this to Prue without mentioning the new medication that was causing her strange moods and probably her exhaustion. Prue would be bound to ask why she was taking the medication. And it was Piper’s thing to reveal, not hers.

She just wished she’d just do it. The longer she waited the harder it would get.

******
Unknown to her sisters, Prue was at P3 that night, determined to create her own fun. She’d probably had one too many to drink, but she wasn’t particularly worried. She was entitled to let her hair down every once and awhile wasn’t she?

Prue danced provocatively amongst the other clubbers. She felt someone grab her hand and she turned to see a tall dark and handsome type. He looked hot. Very hot. More Phoebe’s style, but she could dark and handsome too!

She slung her arms around his neck and they started dancing, their sweaty bodies swaying to the music.

So hypnotised by the booze and the music, Prue failed to notice the man in the suit standing in the corner, who nodded with satisfaction before shimmering out.

********
Phoebe awoke that morning, sitting at her desk with a serious cramp in her neck.

“Arrggggg!” she groaned. She’d fallen asleep, again.

She looked over the computer screen, realising she still hadn’t finished the essay due tomorrow.

“Arrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” she repeated.

She looked at her watch, it was 7:30. She was surprised that Prue hadn’t woken her up yet.

Getting up slowly, she headed straight to the bathroom, but was surprised to find Prue lying on the floor.

“Prue?” she called urgently, running across to her.

“Prue, can you hear me?” kneeling next to her, she reached for a pulse, and quickly moved away.

“Eww… Prue! Dude, you so not 17 anymore!” She slowly helped Prue up, who groaned a little, but followed her lead.

“Prue? Did you go out last night?”

No response.

“Okay then, come on lets get you to bed shall we?”

Dragging her back to bed, Phoebe was glad of the years of demon fighting. It had improved her stamina sufficiently to practically carry her sister to her room.

Opening her door, she almost dropped Prue in shock when she found a guy snoring in her bed.

“Prue brought a random guy home. Prue went out last night and brought a random guy home.”

She thought for a moment, before turning around and dragging her older sister into her own room.

“Prue went out last night, didn’t tell anyone, and brought a random guy home.”

After placing Prue on the bed, she turned around left to deal with the random guy.

Trying not to look at what was quite clearly displayed, she grabbed the sheet and pulled it up. Grabbing a pen she scribbled a quick note to the guy and went down stairs to grab the bucket.

“Prue went out last night, didn’t tell anyone, got so drunk she passed out, and brought a random guy home.”

Walking back into her room, she found Prue with her head off the side of her bed, throwing up.

“Prue went out last night, didn’t tell anyone, got so drunk she passed out, and brought a random guy home…and just threw up all over my favourite top!”

“I so can’t deal with this right now!” Walking downstairs, she turned the coffee pot on, and then quickly had a shower.

Returning to her room, ignoring her sister in one of her finer moments, she got dressed, and threw her books and uniform into a bag. She ran down stairs again, and met Piper at the coffee.

“What’s a girl like you, doing at a place like this?” she half heartedly joked to her sister.

“Wow Pheebs, your delivery is way off this morning!” Piper said glowing, and handing her a cup.

“Thanks,” she muttered, sitting down. Looking up, she noticed something about Piper. She was, well, glowing.

“You had sex last night!!” she exclaimed. “You had *good* sex last night!”

Piper nodded enthusiastically. That was all the answer Phoebe required.

“Apparently I’m the only one that missed out.”

Piper looked at her confused.

Sculling the rest of the precious liquid, she got up to leave. “Oh Piper, Prue is passed out on my bed, and has a random guy in her room. Have fun!” she giggled running out the door.

“Phoebe!!!” Piper called after her

“Love you!” and the door slammed.

Jumping into her friend’s car, she muttered to her self. “She deserves it. At least she got sex.”


That evening Phoebe got a call on her cell whilst at work. She quickly ran over to her bag, hoping it was nothing, because the she had been non-stop since she got here. There was a cheap movie night on at the nearby theatre, and everyone wanted coffee.

“What is it Pipe? I’m at work, and it’s chaos here!” she asked quickly praying it wasn’t going to be one of those emergencies that only her family got.

Piper was nervously pacing back and forth in the attic with Leo watching her from the couch.

“Leo just got word from the elders. Big scary demon has come out of the wood work. We have to go and get proactive.”

Phoebe sighed and looks around distractedly. She thought quickly over her evening and realised, that her assignment due tomorrow won’t get done.

“I know this sounds terrible Piper, but... is it possible for you and Prue to cover it until I can at least get off work. I’ll only be an hour or so...”

Piper instantly felt guilty, but replied, “I’m sorry Phoebes. Prue won’t answer her cell, I can’t contact her.”

“Okay, I’ll call in a minute for Leo to come and get me,” said Phoebe resigned to her fate.


Phoebe ran out to the owner quickly, and explained she had a ‘family emergency.’ He looked at her unhappy, but could see from looking at her this was important.

“Alright Phoebe, and I’ll cover you shift tomorrow. I’ll see you after the weekend.”

Phoebe thanked him, collected her things from the staff room, then called Leo, knowing everyone was too busy to notice she didn’t leave from the front.

*****
“Have you found Prue yet?” asked Phoebe as soon as she and Leo appeared.

“Sort of...” replied Piper evasively.

Phoebe looked at her sharply and Piper continued. “She’s at P3. With random guy from last night. I called and none of the staff can convince her to come home. She’s having too much fun apparently.”

Phoebe groaned, “great, what a time for Prue to release her inner rebel.”

She moved swiftly over to the book, and attempted to read the entry on the demon Gargon, but after a minute of absorbing nothing, she looked up at Piper.

“How about the cliff notes version?” she asked

Piper looked her sister with concern, but answered. “Big nasty, relatively high up in the scheme of things, but pissed of the wrong guy, and is now some kind of free agent. He’s like a gargoyle, is all stone during the day. He hasn’t been heard from in ages. He has a thing for hurting mortals.”

“Oh... fantastic. Sound like fun.”


They soon had potions and spells ready for the battle. They would need to weaken him enough, he would be forced to retreat, and turn to stone to re-energize. The plan was to then scry for him.

“And then we can shatter him into a gazillion pieces!” finished Phoebe, explaining the plan to Leo.

“You need Prue girls. This demon is too dangerous for you two alone. You need the power of three.”

Phoebe groaned, “I knew he would say that.”

Piper though for a moment, “why don’t you and Leo go down and try to convince her in person?”

“Ok, I’ll try. In the meantime, you scry.”

******
Phoebe marched over to her oldest sister, seeing her dancing luridly with random guy.

She quickly extracted her drunk sister and pulled her into Piper’s office, closing the door behind her.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Phoebe shouted, all the pent up anger and frustration that had built up recently spilling out.

“Excuse me? What are you doin’ here Phoebe? I’m out having a good time with my man!”

Phoebe looked shocked. “Your man! Random guy is your man! You met him last night!”

“So?! He’s is hot and he is mine!”

Phoebe tiredly rubbed her forehead, and looked up her, trying a different tact.
“There is a demon. He tortures innocents. We have to stop him before he hurts someone. Please Prue, we need you help,” her tone desperate now.

“You didn’t want it before. You didn’t need your big sister. You were all fine without me! Well, you know what Miss Phoebe, I don’t want to help you now. Go deal with it yourself!”

At that moment the random guy walked in. “Is everything alright here sugar?” he asked, wrapping a possessive arm around Prue.

“Yes babe, just my bratty little sister. But she was just leaving.” She looked pointedly at Phoebe.

Phoebe shuddered feeling very small and quite scared as the tall man stared at her.

She looked away, and tried one more time meekly, “I can’t believe you choosing him over us and the innocents.”

Prue stared angrily at her. “I have put you first my entire life. I’ve missed so much to look after you. And you know what you aren’t even worth it. Piss off Phoebe!”

Phoebe stared, eyes filled with tears. She tried to gather words, but her mind was reeling, and she just sounded desperate, “I don’t know what your problem is Prue but you have to see Leo... this... can’t be you... your possessed or something.... this is not the Prue I know.”

Prue marched up to her. “Yes it is, you’re a stupid brat, now piss off!” and to Phoebe’s surprise she slapped her across the face.

Phoebe ran from the room, tears streaming from her face, in search of Leo.
He didn’t ask, just hugged her, and orbed her to the attic.

Phoebe was thankful that Leo didn’t orb her into the attic, but at the stairs outside it.

“You alright?” he asked softly, unsure of what had gone on.

Phoebe rubbed desperately at her eyes, wiping away the last of her tears.
“Hmmm... Prue isn’t coming,”

She walked to her room and shut the door.

Leo watched her go, and then walked up the stairs.

“Piper honey, you have to...”

Piper looked up as the crystal settled on the map with a satisfying “clink”.

“Got him. PHEEBS!”

Phoebe walked in looking more composed. “Lets do it.”

****
When they appeared in the empty warehouse, the demon wasn’t surprised.

“Welcome.” His announced, his voice cold.
“Don’t worry, didn’t plan to stay long!” announced Phoebe lifting her hand, potion ready.

To her surprise, someone grabbed her hand. Turning she found herself face to face with another demon.
“Welcome,” he repeated, then back handed her, sending her across the room.

“Phoebe!” Piper called, her voice full of concern. She went to run to her, but the Gargon stood in her path.

“Not just yet,” he announced as he flung his arm, using telekinesis to fling her away so that she was on the opposite side of the room to her sister.

Piper found sanctuary behind a box and did her best to fight off the vanquish fodder that was surrounding her, by freezing them one at a time. She considered the potions in the pocket, but decided to keep them for Gargon. Feeling inadequate that her powers enabled her to do no more, and that her fighting skills were pretty much non-exsistent, she sighed, and froze another demon.

Phoebe didn’t share her sister’s fortune and found herself with no options for shelter. She had gotten up, a little shakily, and turned to face Gargon. They fought one on one, and found they were quite evenly matched. Punch for punch, kick for kick they danced around each other for what seemed like hours. Occasionally she’d get a lucky shot in, but it didn’t seem to effect him. He was, however, much luckier. He caught her face and she crumpled. He then extended a foot and caught her in the midsection, and she felt the intense pain as one of her ribs broke.

Leo had seen that Piper was facing a whole gang of demons, and assumed she would be worse off, attempted to orb to her. To his concern he found he could not. Running across he found himself pushing through the hoard of demons, ever advancing on Piper, only stopped when she managed to freeze one.

He was but metres from her, when a faceless demon managed to fireball her and she fell to the ground.

“PIPER!” he called in distress, as he bent down next to her. She looked at him, face white, and hands shaking. “I...I’m.. o...k...”

He reached into his pockets and threw all the potions she was saving for Gargon at them, and they all disappeared in a satisfying “kaboom!”

He gently helped Piper to her feet. He looked at her with concern, “can you freeze Gargon?”

She looked over at Phoebe still on the ground, and watched as Gargon kicked her mercilessly.

Without hesitation she ignored the pain, and brought up her hands and focused, freezing the demon. Leo helped her over to Phoebe.

As the rain of kicks suddenly stopped, Phoebe looked up to realise the demon was frozen. Ignoring all the pain that made it almost impossible to breathe, Phoebe tried to get up.

When Leo and Piper met her, she gasped in shock at the terrible wound on Pipers midsection that was bleeding profusely. The gasp sent another wave of pain through her.

“Heal her!” Phoebe ordered.

“I can’t” Leo said, the agony clear in his voice, “my powers aren’t working in here.”

“Then lets get out of here!”
Leo slowly lead the two girls out of the warehouse, and then tried orbing again, not wanting to wait for Gargon to come out of the freeze. Luckily he was successful.

*****
Upon coming out of the orb, he realised Piper had lost consciousness.

He picked up her up and placed her on the couch. He looked over at Phoebe, who was now crawling over to the arm chair.

“Her first,” she rasped, “she’s loosing blood.”

Leo concentrated and painfully slowly his healing power did their magic. It took a full three minutes, and all his energy.

Piper sat up suddenly, and realised what was going on. “Phoebe!” she breathed seeing her sister.

Leo raced over to her, and she wasn’t in a good way. Curled in a ball, hugging her chest, her breathing shallow and erratic.

Eventually, Phoebe relaxed, and breathing returned to normal. She attempted to sit up and Piper helped her. The two embraced, a hug that was full of fear, concern, and relief that they were both okay.

Looking up, Phoebe caught sight of Prue standing in the doorway staring wide eyed at both of her sisters.

“Prue....”

“Your...” Prue paused for a moment and tried again, “your eye? Leo didn’t heal it.”

Piper looked at Phoebe again, suddenly aware of what Prue was talking about.

Phoebe opened her mouth several times, before success the fifth time.

“He couldn’t. That wasn’t a demon,” her voice low and uncertain.

Prue dropped her handbag, and her eyes widened with realisation. She turned on her heel and bolted up the stairs.

Piper returned her gaze to Phoebe, “what is she talking about Phoebe?”

“She... ah...”

Leo sighed at Phoebe’s indecision. He’d put the pieces together. And he had a pretty good idea what was going on.
Leo wondered around the house, trying to work out which sister needed him the most.

Prue had hit Phoebe. That just doesn’t happen. There had to be a reason. A very serious one.

Piper had followed Prue in the hope of getting an answer. She wasn’t successful. She now sat at the top of the landing, staring into space. She wasn’t okay. She was worried because she couldn’t help. That was not what his wife needed in her present mind.

Phoebe, she seemed to be easier to understand, and explain. She appeared to be working hard at her desk. She must have some work due or something. She looked to be oblivious to the goings on.

He wasn’t convinced though. Something wasn’t right there either. In fact everything about the Manor was wrong. Everything. And he didn’t really know how to fix it.

But he thought he knew how to start.

*****
Prue sat in her room, her mind going in a frenzy, despite her catatonic body.

She’d hit Phoebe. Now that she was away from everything, it made so much more sense. Something was wrong with her. She’d never hit her before.

She’d thought about on numerous occasions, threatened it regularly, and certainly handled her with more force than was necessary… but never actually *hit* her.

What had she done? And more importantly why? The events of the evening were sort of hazy. She remembered yelling. A lot.

She didn’t remember why.

She remember Phoebe rushing out of the room.

And she remembered why she ran.

She’d hit Phoebe.

What had she done?

******
Piper had attempted to get Prue’s attention, but she was staring into space. She looked deep in thought, and nothing she had said had received the slightest bit of attention. Piper was certain her presence in the room went completely unnoticed.

She had gone back down the stairs, in search of Phoebe. She was sitting in the conservatory, apparently hard at work. But only to the untrained eye. She was staring at the book, but her eyes weren’t moving. Her glasses weren’t even on. They were sitting on the desk. No work was going on over there. She knew her sister, and had the added advantage of not being a boy. She was more observant than her husband.

Somehow, she didn’t think she was going to be able to do much there either. So she sat on the stairs. Feeling utterly useless.

Incapable.

Powerless.

Impotent.

Yes, impotent. That was definitely the right word.

Couldn’t even get pregnant.

Couldn’t give her husband the child he wanted.

She was impotent.

She didn’t notice as the single tear rolled down her cheek.

******
Phoebe sat attempting work. Social Psychology.

Social psychology is the….

… study of…
Social psychol….

Her brain wouldn’t work.

Again.

Then there was the words swimming around in her head.

‘…you’re a stupid brat, now piss off…’

‘… I’ve missed so much to look after you. And you know what you aren’t even worth it…’

‘… just my bratty little sister…’

The tears came again. But she rubbed at them furiously, trying to make it stop. She had an essay to write. She couldn’t.

Not to mention a hugely nasty demon who had almost succeeded in killing them.

“Pheebs…” she looked up, hoping it was one of her sisters. One of her sisters there to tell her, that everything is okay, that she was doing well, that they were proud of all her efforts.

That she wasn’t a disappointment, stupid, and useless.

Who couldn’t even write a stupid essay.

Who couldn’t even vanquish a bloody demon.


She was disappointed. It was Leo.

“Come on, lets go talk to Prue. I think something is wrong with her.”

“Something is wrong with Prue?”

Leo took her arm and lead her up the stairs to her sister.

******

Piper watched them walk past her, but couldn’t find the energy to get up. Couldn’t shake that feeling of… impotence.

****
Prue didn’t really register that her sister had walked in to her room.

Or that Leo had walked in.

Phoebe went over to her.

“Prue...” she started uncertainly.

Prue looked up, suddenly realising she had company.

Now facing the each other, Prue’s mind suddenly spun with their anger, resent, confusion and pain.

Prue felt desertion. She felt lost, without a role to play in her baby sister’s life. Phoebe was off doing her own thing, and never had time for her, nor needed her.

Their every conversation of late led to conflict.

Perhaps conflict was too neutral a word.

Fireworks.

Disaster.

World War 3.

The Big Bang.

She would show interest or concern, and Phoebe would snap back, or say something thoughtless.

Prue would fly off the handle. They would say things they didn’t mean. And never resolve them. Three days ago was a perfect example.

Prue had come down for breakfast to find Phoebe sculling her coffee, whilst reading over some notes. The bags under her eyes were obvious. She looked flat. She looked lifeless. Prue had resolved to forget about their argument the previous evening and make sure she was okay.

“Hey Pheebs? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just stressed. Test today.”

“But you worked last night. Why work the night before a test honey? You’re just gonna make yourself sick.”

“Cut the condescending tone alright Prue. I don’t need this okay? I’m fine, alright? When you were in college you worked at the same time. I can too. “

Prue sighed, trying to calm herself before she lost it, “I know I did, but I don’t mind helping you out. It’s my job, I’m your big sister.”

“I don’t need your help alright! Go give you pity to someone who wants it!”

“You ungrateful little brat! It is quite clearly you do need help, whether it’s mine or someone else’s. You look like shit. You’re not functioning. And I’m pretty sure that if you need to be studying for your test now, you’re not heading for brilliant marks. Top work Pheebs! Keep it up!”

They both eyed each other angrily, then turned and headed in different directions.

Prue cringed at the memory. What Phoebe had said had hurt. And it still did.

“What do you want Phoebe?” she asked, her angry tone fuelled by her pain.

Phoebe felt the anger, but suddenly she didn’t want to fight. She… couldn’t.

“Never mind Prue,” and she turned feeling numb.

“What’s wrong Phoebe? Don’t feel like going another round with me? Aren’t I even good enough for arguing with now?”

Phoebe looked at her, not really processing what she was being told.

“Www…what?” the confusion on her face obvious.

Suddenly Prue was off, everything she had left unsaid for so long.

“You don’t have for time for me. You don’t want me. And the way you’ve been looking at me recently, I’m pretty sure you don’t even like me.”

She paused and looked up at Phoebe hoping to get some kind of reaction, and was shocked that she got nothing. Phoebe’s face was blank, she was leaning against the wall, apparently unaffected.

“You don’t even care!” she accused. “My entire life, all I’ve know is how to look after you and Piper. It’s my job. I promised mum that I would look after you. And you won’t even let me.”

By this stage, the tears were streaming down her face. She was shaking, letting all the emotion out.

“What am I supposed to do now? Where do I fit in?”

Phoebe walked across, comprehending that she was quite upset, that something was seriously wrong and she needed help. Yet just couldn’t feel what she knew she should. She enveloped her sister in a hug.

“Where do I fit in Pheebs? I don’t know how to be a sister, a friend? What if I suck at it? Will you still love me then?”

“Honey. I love you, and sometimes I do need your help. But right now, I’m proud of what I’m doing and achieving. And all I want is for you to be proud of me.”

Prue continued to sob onto her shoulder, as they sat down on the bed.

“I’m sorry Pheebs. I… I… just… I can’t believe I hit you. I don’t even know why. I don’t even remember why!”

Phoebe silently processed the information, and thought for a moment.

“Prue? What happened to your… ah.. ‘man’?”

“He left just after you did. Got a page.”

“Thought so.”

“What do you mean?”

“Piper!”


Piper walked in, looking teary.

“Honey, do you remember random guy?” Phoebe asked tiredly.

She looked at her confused, “sort of… why?”

“Describe him.” Prue demanded, understanding what Phoebe was getting at.

“I can’t really… sort of tall and dark… nice...er...you know…” Piper blushed with embarrassment.

“Hmm… yes did notice that,” giggled Prue, “seen him anywhere before? Like tonight?”

“I don’t know… it happened to fast. Can’t really remember.”

“We need to find a way for you to remember. Coz I’ll bet that it was the same guy! He did something to me to get me extra angry at Phoebe. Act in ways I wouldn’t normally.”

“Well, I don’t think it was Gargon. Pretty sure I’d have noticed that, don’t you think Pheebs?”

Phoebe was sitting on the bed, her mind elsewhere.

“Hello, Phoebe?” Prue asked impatiently. Her prior pain all forgotten under the thrill of the demon hunt.

“Oh… ah…what?” Phoebe was in a daze. She’d been trying to listen, but then she couldn’t focus on what they were saying, and… she just felt… numb.

“Gargon, not random guy?”

“Er… no… I don’t think so.”

“Well it must have been one of the other… maybe Leo can remember… Leo!”

Prue opened the door of her bedroom, and Leo stumbled in.

He smiled sheepishly, “er… what’s up?”

Prue glared at him, and he thought better of playing innocent.

“Okay, I remember what the guys look like, those demons, but I’ve never seen random guy.”

“He does have a name you know.” Stated Prue indignantly.

Piper ignored her comment and continued, “that doesn’t help much. Could we try summon him?”

“Bad idea, very bad idea,” announced Prue.

“We don’t know anything about him. So if you somehow, through dumb luck managed to summon him, what then… he’d probably kill you straight away,” continued Leo.

“Then what do we do?” asked Prue.

“Assuming that random guy is a demon, so what? Prue slept with a demon. What’s that got to do with anything?”

Prue looked over at Phoebe, who was staring out the window, once again completely oblivious to the conversation. The angry bruise around her eye screaming at her.

“I hit Phoebe.”

“You WHAT?” screeched Piper.

Leo noticed that Phoebe then looked up at the noise, trying to work out what was going on in the conversation.

“I hit Phoebe, but I don’t remember why. I’ve never done that before, and I worried I was… sort of demonically influenced.”

“Oh…” Piper wondered over to Phoebe and gave her a reassuring hug, “are you okay honey?”

Phoebe looked at Piper, and smiled, “don’t worry about me, lets get onto this, does Leo remember him?”

Everyone stared at Phoebe in surprise,

“Phoebe, keep up, we’re past this. “

Piper glanced again worriedly, but continued, “so do we assume it was random guy that influenced you, and work out if you are still being influenced somehow?”

“I don’t think I am. I’m not trying to kill her now am I?”

“I don’t think it was the hitting Phoebe itself that random guy caused. I think it’s more that you are acting out of character around him. Getting drunk, sleeping with strangers, coming home so drunk that Phoebe has to drag you up off the bathroom floor, ignoring the innocents…”

Prue’s face blushed with embarrassment, “okay, okay, point taken. Now what?”

Phoebe, who had a look of intense concentration on her face spoke up for the first time in a while, “why don’t we… go back to P3, find him, and see what we can do from there?”

“Yeah, but not tonight, it’s like 3am, and it’s time we got some sleep.”

“3am?!” exclaimed Phoebe, “oh shit!!!”

With that she raced out of the room.

“What was that?” asked Prue.

“I have no idea,” answered Piper.

*******
Phoebe paced her room back and forth.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” she asked aloud.

She felt giddy with fear about the assignment due tomorrow. But she couldn’t concentrate. She couldn’t focus on one thing, even if the one thing was going to explain why Prue hit her.

The entire conversation in Prue’s room, she felt like she was behind the eight ball. She listened, and most of the time it sunk in, but her normal reactions weren’t there. She knew how she should react, but it never happened. It was like she couldn’t feel. She felt numb.

And once Piper was there to continue conversation for her… she felt lost. Couldn’t follow what was going on. She’d been caught out too, thankfully no one had thought that much of it.

She lay down on her bed, wondering why she felt like this. And more to the point, why she wasn’t crying hysterically.

It seemed that as this month went on, she was going from overwhelmed, to just plain numb.

She couldn’t talk to Piper, she was going through enough, she didn’t want to worry her.

Prue was out of the question, because she couldn’t possibly explain everything without Prue knowing about things. And she still didn’t know.

Maybe she should talk to Katrina.

But tomorrow, her assignment was due, and she couldn’t write it, because her stupid brain wouldn’t work.

All her hard work, and her sisters would never know, because she wouldn’t pull it off. She wouldn’t hand in this assignment on time, she’d get a shitty mark, her sisters would understand, because this was Phoebe. She never could pull anything off perfectly. She always screwed up in the end and needed help.

They would never be surprised, and proud of her efforts, because her dream of excellent marks, and pulling of being all grown up on her own was going to fall through.

Maybe, if she had a small nap, she’d get some focus. So she set her alarm for 20 minutes, and allowed herself to sleep.


Prue and Piper sat in an uncomfortable silence early the next morning attempting to solve the mystery of random guy and his connection to Gargon. Phoebe still hadn’t arisen, and they hadn’t really found much of use in the Book of Shadows.

“Do you remember your … ah…conversation with Phoebe at all?” asked Piper.

Prue looked up the guilt in her eyes obvious, “not really, just feeling angry… and hitting her.”

Piper sighed, “do we assume it’s him? And if so, then what? We confront him and say, ‘Dude you made me hit my sister. Not very nice!’ We need a plan of attack.”

Prue looked into her coffee cup, hoping the answers were there.

Leo orbed in suddenly, and they looked up with anticipation.

“I just spoke to the Elders.”

“Yeah… and?” asked Prue impatiently.

“Wait, we need…”

Phoebe came running into the kitchen, muttering to herself.

“I’m screwed. I’m so screwed. I’m screwed. I’m so screwed.”

The kitchens occupants looked at her in surprise.

She seemed oblivious to them, and went to grab a cup of coffee.


”Ah… Phoebe?” Leo waved at her, hoping to get her attention.

She looked up, but didn’t respond.

Deciding this was as good as he was going to get, Leo started.

“The Elders suggest that you keep Prue away from random guy.”

“Well duh!” exclaimed Piper in exasperation.

“He does have a name!” added Prue in indignation.

“They also suggest you try again with Gargon once you are better prepared. Equipped with the power of three this time.”

“So tonight?” asked Prue, looking at her sisters.

“Yeah, I’ll make sure P3 is covered, and spend the day on potions for Gargon’s faithful followers. Wanna help Pheebs?”

“Hmm… help… ah… maybe later.” Grabbing the phone, Phoebe wandered out of the kitchen.

“Hmmm… spaced out much!” exclaimed Prue.

“She’s got stuff going on at the moment Prue.” Spoke up Piper in her defence.

“Like what?” asked Prue.

“Ah…” Piper thought for a moment, that this was her chance. But then she thought of the impending demon hunt tonight, and decided now wasn’t the time.

Otherwise known as chickening out.

“You know, it’s near the end of semester.” Piper inwardly groaned at how lame she sounded.

“Whatever. I’ll go get some potion stuff.”

*******

Phoebe paced in her room for a while. Staring at the phone, in the hope it would do the hard work for her.

Kit meowed at her from the corner.

“Come on Kit. Think of all I’ve done for you! I like… feed you and stuff. Come on, you can call for me!”

Kit just blinked.

“Fine! I’ll do it myself.”

She slowly dialled the numbers, and took a deep breath, preparing herself.
“Hello, Dr. Palmer. I’m Phoebe Halliwell, I’m in your social psychology class. “

“Yes, I was wanting to ring to let you know, I’m… ah… going through some stuff at the moment. And I haven’t handed in my assignment. And won’t for a while yet.”

“Well, I’m taking some medication that is throwing me around.”

“Oh really, that’d be great.”

“No please, I deserve to be penalised…”

“Oh, thankyou so much Dr. Palmer. I’ll get it in as soon as I can.”

Phoebe hung up the phone, and sighed. Now one more call.

“Hi Katrina, it’s Phoebe Halliwell.”

“Oh, yeah, not so great. I little… flat.”
“Really? Well that’d explain it then.”

“Yeah, I’ve got my period.”

“Okay, that’d be great.”

“It will! Oh thank god!!”

“Great, I’ll be in next week for the scan.”

“Okay, see you then.”

Phoebe hung up, feeling considerably happier. Her contraceptive pill was particularly strong, and a lot of the hormones she normally had were not running around, causing her to feel numb. She would start the nasal spray Synarel tomorrow, that would start her ovaries working, and she’d get some hormones back in her body. She would… well feel again!

She went downstairs, and returned the phone. She went back to the kitchen in search of food.

“Hi honey. How are you?” asked Prue, who was sitting alone, taking notes from the BOS.

“Good actually. Very good,” she smiled, sifting through the cupboards, “where’s Piper?”

“Getting ingredients for some potions, down in Chinatown.”

“Oh, okay.” Phoebe went to sit down with her apple, when the phone rang.

“Hello Phoebe…”

“Oh no! I can’t get it from you guys?”

“What guy?”

“Okay, where will I find him?”

“Cool, thanks for that.” Hanging up, she went to her, and pulled out her purse.

Seeing no money, she sighed disappointed.

Looking over at Prue, she smiled sweetly.

“What do you want? And who was that?”

“Ah… no one important, can I borrow fifty bucks? I’ll pay you back tomorrow when I get payed I promise!”

Prue looked at her curiously, “what for?”

“It’s for…”Phoebe paused for a moment, attempting a good excuse, “a book for class.”

“Oh, okay, I haven’t got cash, so you can take my credit card.”

“Thanks Prue!” she chirped happily, and gave her a quick kiss, grabbed the card, and headed out the door.

*****

Jumping out of Prue’s car, Phoebe entered the small pharmacy.

She wandered up to the man behind the counter. He was a round, smiley man, who seemed to ooze good vibes.

“Hi, I’m Phoebe Halliwell, Katrina from Dr. Dalton’s office told me to come to get some Synarel. Apparently you’ve got my script already.”

“Ah, yes of course,” he reached under the counter, and pulled out a small bag.

“I’m going to need to see some photo ID. This is some pretty heavy meds. Gotta be careful.”

She pulled out her drivers licence, and then the credit card to pay for the medication.

Finalising the transaction, the pharmacist explained the medication.

“Alright lovely, take morning and night, preferably at the same time of the day. You can stop your pill tomorrow. Now, this has some side effects. You may feel nauseous, and tired. You may get a little weepy at times. Because this is a nasal spray, it’ll effect your nasal passages. So expect blood noses.”

He then looked up, handing her the brown paper bag.

“This part, is a little sensitive… so I’ll just come out and say it. I recommend you become celibate from here in. Certain horomonal responses that make comfortable sex possible for a female don’t work with this medication. If you get my meaning.”

Phoebe nodded, blushing. “Yeah… I gotcha ya. Thanks heaps.”

And with that, she got out of there as quickly as her legs would take her.

Next task. Gargon and the Random Guy.
That afternoon, the sisters sat in the attic, each emersed in their task.

Piper was carefully bottling the remaining potions, compulsively arranging the vials in colour order.

Prue sat on the stool in front of the pedestal, flicking through the BOS, ensuring they knew everything they had to know.

And Phoebe sat on the couch reading her psychology textbook. One paragraph, at a time. She’d ask herself a question, then read the paragraph. Then answer the question, writing her response. It was slow and tedious, but without the added pressure of a looming deadline, and an overwhelming feeling that things would be okay, everything was working a lot better.

There was a kind of silence in the room.

Well, as silent as the manor got.

Phoebe was muttering as she read, not quite loud enough for anyone to understand, but the sound was still there.

Piper’s vials were making that soft “clang” as they knocked together.

And Prue’s foot was tapping listlessly on the floor as she flicked through the pages.

Suddenly she jumped up, her heels clicking on the ground.
“Well I’m ready to go kick some Gargon arse? Ready sisters?”

Piper added a stopper to the last vial, and inserted it into her little line of potions.
“And waiting!” she smiled.

Phoebe sighed, and lifted herself up from the floor.

“You okay Pheebs?” asked Prue concerned.

Aware of Prue’s current issues, she thought better of brushing her off.

“Well, last time we met, he kinda kicked *my* arse. And broke lots of bones while he was at it.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah.”

Prue walked over, and drew her sister into a hug. Phoebe lay her head against her sisters chest, relishing in the comfort she found. It had been a long time since she had felt comfortable around her old sister, and she realised why the last little while had been so hard. Even if Prue had no idea what was going on, her comfort was reassuring.

Finally stepping back, Phoebe looked up at Prue, “thanks, I kinda needed that.”

“Glad to help.” And Prue smiled. A smile that reached her eyes.

There is always something healing about a smile.

Piper walked up to both sisters, and grabbed their hands.

“Lets do it.”

******
The sisters had managed to get separated again, but this time, they weren’t doing so badly.


Phoebe was keeping her own with Gargon, as they fought atop of several large cargo boxes. Having learnt from the last experience, she was fighting from a distance, moving in, taking a swipe, before clearing out very quickly.

Piper was freezing demon plebs all around, whilst Prue a little further over was sending them flying in the search for random guy.

Suddenly, Gargon got sick of playing and sent an energy ball at Phoebe. She dived out of the way, but her leap sent her over the edge of the box, and she fell to the ground.

“Prue!!” she squealed as she landed in a not so graceful heap on the ground.

“Phoebe!” Prue ran over, but suddenly her path was intercepted by random guy.

“You!” she raised her arm to send him flying, but as he smiled at her, she found her self lowering her arm.


Attempting to get up, Phoebe found that her ankle was definitely not in a good way, as she crumpled back to the ground.

“Guys! A little help!!”

Piper turned, expecting to see her older sister in mother bear mode, but to her surprise, Prue was frozen in place.

“Shit- Prue!” she squealed, running to her baby sister’s aid, freezing Gargon.

“Thanks,” said Phoebe gratefully, accepting Piper’s arm and standing gingerly, “hows about we freeze random guy and get Prue back, eh?”

Piper obliged, and called Prue over.

Looking particularly sheepish, Prue met her sisters, “I…ah…” she lowered her head with guilt, “I’m sorry guys.


“It’s all cool, we’ll rant soon as we get him out of the way. Piper, care to dispose of our random guy?”

Piper obliged, pulling out a potion and he disappeared with a poof.

“I feel like we should say a few words,” suggested Phoebe, “Random Guy. My life just won’t be the same, without his… unique randomness…”

But she was cut short as Prue slapped her arm.

“I was just saying…”

“Enough with him Pheebs,” interrupted Piper the peacemaker, “Lets just get Gargon. Don’t spose you are up to using him as slam man?”

Prue shook her head, “ I think potions will suffice. “ Prue pulled a few out of her pocket and hurled them his way.

“Leo!” called Piper, to ensure their ride was ready, whilst Phoebe pulled out the scrying tools.

Leo appeared, as the last of the potions were thrown, and Gargon came out of the freeze, screaming in pain and anger.

“Just in time I see,” Leo greeted them.

Gargon glared angrily at the Charmed Ones, then blurred out.

They all looked at Phoebe expectantly.

“Got him.”

*****

Not long after, the girls could be found celebrating a P3. Phoebe was behind the bar, insisting that Piper celebrate their victory. Prue was seated at a bar stool, enjoying an orange juice, certain her liver would not appreciate further alcohol following her little escapades with random guy. Piper and Leo were celebrating, dancing slowly on the dance floor, with an intimacy that spoke of their strong love and devotion.

“You know,” commented Prue from her stool, “after all the effort, once he blurred out, that was a lot easier than I’d imagined”

“I’ll say,” replied Phoebe, watching Piper and Leo with a soft smile, “an orb and a kick, and we’re here in time for happy hour!” Their eyes met, and they giggled.

Prue raised her glass, declaring, “And may every vanquish see us home for Happy Hour!”

Phoebe grinned, grabbing the beer she was pouring for a customer. “I’ll drink to that.”