Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters; I just like to write about them.


Phoebe almost collapsed through the doorway, she was unbelievably tired. Her exams had just finished, and now she had every intention of sleeping for eternity. Prue met her at the door, giving her little sister a congratulatory hug.

“Sweetie I’m so proud of you”
“Don’t be yet, I still have to wait for the results”
“Phoebe I don’t care about them, what matters is that you did it, you went back to college and you worked really hard” Phoebe let a yawn escape. She’d gotten very little sleep in the last two weeks. “Bed now missy”
Prue led her little sister up to her room, she stayed until the latter was sound asleep.

Piper arrived home about thirty minutes later. She was very panicked about something, “PRUE, PHOEBE” She roared
Prue came running down the stairs to shut her sister up.
“Piper, Phoebe’s sleeping can you be quiet”
‘Sorry, but we’ll have to wake her anyway”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“I just got attacked that’s what’s wrong” Piper took the supernatural threats more seriously than her siblings
“Ok, well did you blow it up?”
“I tried but my powers wouldn’t work on it”
“How could your powers not work, ok well come on lets get the book”
They took the book to Phoebe’s room, all three together incase there was an attack. Piper flicked through searching for the demon that attacked her. “Prue we have to wake Phoebe, she knows this book better then us”
“Not an option Pipe, you didn’t see how exhausted she was earlier”
“She can sleep later”
“Drop it Pipe, I think it may be more than tiredness so she sleeps ok?”
“What is she ill?” Piper was worried even more now
“I don’t know, she just seemed a bit miserable, maybe its nothing”
Eventually Piper found the demon in question
“Eww gross” Prue commented after reading his particulars. “That is so not nice”
Piper looked green, always the squeamish one.
The demon prided himself upon the mutilation of humans. Luckily for the sisters he wasn’t too taken by witches. This meant they had to protect the innocents.
“I don’t get it” Piper wondered out loud “he doesn’t go after witches, then why attack me?”
“I know, and why wouldn’t your powers work? It doesn’t say anything about him being immune” Prue and piper were baffled “Pipe maybe we should wake Phoebe, she could try call a premonition, maybe find his next victim then him,”
“I agree”
Prue gently woke a very cranky Phoebe
“Prue, leave me alone, I want to sleep” Phoebe moaned without even opening her eyes
“Phoebe, Piper got attacked a while ago”
“WHAT?” This got her attention just as Prue knew it would “Is she ok?”
“I’m fine Pheebs, I’m right here”
Phoebe hugged her sister; glad she was ok, then turned over to go back asleep
“Phoebe you need to stay awake a bit, we have to figure this out”
“Fine but don’t expect me to be happy about it” They filled the youngest in on the day’s events. They explained their plan of action. She didn’t like that she had to call a premonition, when she was this tired they totally drained her.
“Guy’s we don’t have anything belonging to it, how can I get a premonition?”
“Well, he attacked me, so maybe you could start with me?”
“Fine” Phoebe didn’t get a premonition of her sister so she tried his page in the book, still nothing. She was getting frustrated, all she wanted to do was sleep, and now her sisters were dragging her to the club where Piper had her run in with it.
Phoebe tried over and over but nothing happened except she grew more tired and crankier.
“Are you two happy now, I tried so now take me home, I want to go to bed” Prue was taken aback by this, Usually it was Phoebe who showed the most determination when it came to protecting innocents. “Phoebe do you feel sick?” Prue was gentle, knowing that her sister seldom would admit such things”
“I don’t know Prue, I just know how tired I feel, so please can you drive already”
The rest of the drive was made in silence. Phoebe was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow; Piper and Prue were still concentrating on the task at hand.
“Prue, its all too weird, my powers wouldn’t work, Phoebe couldn’t get a premonition at all, do you think there’s something up with our powers?”
“Maybe, that’d explain things, try freeze now” Prue threw a book up in the air; Piper’s couldn’t freeze it.
“Try yours” but Prue couldn’t project or move anything
“Uh Oh, looks like our powers are gone” Piper was once again entering panic mode
“LEO” Prue called, she needed answers, “LEO”
“SHUT UP” Phoebe yelled out, and then she was asleep again
“She really gets cranky when she’s tired, doesn’t she” Piper commented
Prue was momentarily distracted, she felt Phoebe’s forehead, not too surprised to find her running a fever, “She’s not cranky because she’s tired Pipe, she’s also sick”
“the poor thing, why is it always her who has to cope with natural problems aswell as our supernatural ones”
“I don’t know, I think sickness just knocks her down harder than it does us”

“Prue why hasn’t Leo answered”
“no idea, wait here I’ll call him from the attic so I don’t wake her”
Prue returned a while later with no Leo, “Piper you go try, he’s more likely to answer for his girlfriend”

“LEO” Piper called from the attic “GET YOUR WHITELIGHTER ASS DOWN HERE NOW” she was quickly losing patience

“Leo don’t you dare ignore me, I swear you’ll regret it if you do”

Piper had to return to her sisters alone, “I will kill him, he can’t just ignore us like that,”
“Piper lets concentrate on Pheebs for a bit, she’s burning up”
Piper noticed for the first time the cold cloth Prue was holding up to Phoebe’s head, trying to cool her down, She took over from Prue. The two of them were worrying about their sister when they heard a loud bang from downstairs, “Shit, Prue what do we do, we’re powerless,”
“I know Pipe, but we can’t ignore it”
“Prue we have to stay here with Phoebe”

The sisters remained where they were, they moved close, ready to protect the most vulnerable at all costs.
They heard something moving about the manor, and in due course the intruder turned the handle of Phoebe’s door.

They prepared for a powerless fight as the door slowly opened

Before they had a chance to see the intruder Prue pounced, fighting the best she could without her powers or Phoebe’s martial art skills. She was confidant she was doing some damage.
“PRUE” Pipers voice broke her concentration.
Prue looked up and quickly moved away. Leo stood there instead of the suspected demon, “Shit, Leo I’m so sorry are you ok?” Prue felt terrible
“Never mind is he ok, what the fuck are you playing at sneaking around here?” Piper was unmistakably pissed off
“Um I was looking for you three,”
“Now you come, what about when we called for you non stop, huh, what was the problem then Leo?” Piper wasn’t going to calm down or be forgiving
“Why is there some sort of problem” Leo was confused
“Answer my questions first”
“Ok well I never heard you calling”
“You really want us to believe that?”
“Piper seriously, I heard nothing the only reason I came was because I couldn’t sense you anywhere, I was worried. That’s why I was searching the manor, then I fell over Phoebe’s back pack in the hallway, and got beaten up by Prue”
Prue laughed, she was usually the one to trip over Phoebe’s mess.
“Leo our powers aren’t working” Piper told him,” She had relaxed after he’d explained himself not realising that him being unable to sense them was worse than him ignoring them. She relaxed into his hold, relishing in the comfort he brought her by just being there. Leo looked round, as if for the first time noticing Phoebe.
“What’s up with Pheebs?”
“She’s sick” Prue told him, and she went over to change the cloth on her sisters forehead
“Has she cooled down any?” Piper asked the concern evident in her voice
“No, I think maybe she’s worse”
“Then we’re taking her to the doctor” Piper needed reassurance.
“I agree, but for the record it was your idea” Prue knew Phoebe would hate that

“Girls, what about you powers?”
“Phoebe first, powers later” Prue told him, she had her priorities straight.
Piper tried to wake Phoebe up but she couldn’t, this worried her, she asked Leo to carry her to the car. Prue sat in the back with her, troubled by her baby sister’s high temperature. “Pipe skip the doctor’s, take her to the emergency room”
Piper nearly crashed the car when she heard this, knowing Prue doesn’t worry like that unnecessarily. “Piper hurry”
Phoebe’s breathing had become quite shallow; Prue was extremely worried about her sister. “It’s ok Phoebe, you’ll be ok, we’ll make sure you get better” Prue told herself more so than her unconscious sister.
“We’re almost there Prue, how is she doing”
as tempting as it was for Prue to lie to Piper and tell her it was ok, she just couldn’t “Not good Pipe, just please hurry” The stress and pain in her older sisters voice did not go unnoticed by Piper.

The second the car stopped, Prue struggling carried her little sister through the doors of the ER. She went straight to the desk demanding immediate attention. It was all a daze for them as Phoebe was taken from Prue’s hold and rushed through the doors out of their sight. The oldest two were stopped from following. A kind nurse took them to a quiet room where they’d have to wait on news of their baby girl. Piper just cried on Prue’s shoulder, the latter refusing to shed a tear, determined her sister would be fine. Prue concentrated her gaze on the door in front, expecting her young sister to stroll through any second. But Phoebe never did. Instead an hour later a Doctor with a solemn look on her face did.

“What’s wrong with my sister?” Prue was not one to waste time with formalities
“Calm down miss Halliwell”
“I’ll calm down the second my sister walks out of here, where is she?”
“She’s in intensive care at the moment”
“WHAT?” Piper was shocked; she really had thought Phoebe had a cold or the flu or something
“Why?, what’s wrong with her?” Prue was quickly losing patience with the doctor,
“We don’t know yet, her breathing was very ragged and her temperature dangerously high, We’re waiting on her blood work to come back.. She’s still unconscious; so we also want to do some scans, rule out anything internal. She’s hooked up to a respirator just as a precautionary”
This was information overload for Piper who broke down crying, Prue comforted her the best she could, as she continued to interrogate the doctor.
“Can we see her?” Piper asked
“Yes, but not for long, she needs her rest”
The doctor lead the sisters through corridors that held the unmistakable, stomach turning hospital smell that Piper and Prue despised. Eventually they saw Phoebe. She was hooked up to a respirator, which was helping her breathe; there was an oxygen mask on her face, and an IV in her arm. Prue was shocked at the pale complexion of her baby girl’s face. In no way did this resemble the sister Prue had greeted that afternoon after her last exam. She sat beside her, taking her hand gently in hers. Piper lingered, but at Prue’s insistence she took the other hand, feeling guilty for trying to get her exhausted sister to call a premonition earlier that day. Prue spoke softly to Phoebe, not even convinced that her words could be heard.
“Sweetie, it’s ok now, Piper and I are here, so you have to wake up, ok baby, we’re not leaving here without you” The tears finally fell, right on to Phoebe’s hand, which she was holding close to her lips.
‘Prue’s right baby, wake up and give out to us for worrying, please sweetie, wake up?” Piper was at a loss for words.
After a half hour the doctor returned, she told them it was time to leave. They knew their protests would fall on deaf ears.
Piper kissed her sister goodbye, then waited outside for Prue.
Prue lingered, relishing every second in her baby girl’s presence. “Phoebe, you need to listen, we have to leave for a little bit, I’ll be right outside that door. I know you’re tired sweetie, just rest, and I’ll be back the minute you wake” Prue spoke as though Phoebe could hear, she leaned in to kiss her, her warm tears flowing down her cheeks.
Then she left, found a seat outside the door, taking Piper on her knee, the two wept for their sister’s pain. They would remain there until either they found out what was wrong with their sister or until they could see her again.

Leo arrived the mortal way a short time later. His face looked very serious,
Piper went straight to him for some much needed TLC. “How’s Phoebe”
“We don’t know, she’s hooked up to machines as a precautionary, she’s still unconscious and they won’t let us stay with her” Piper let it all out.
“Leo, why are you here” Prue suspected there was more than his concern for Phoebe
“Well, remember I told you I couldn’t sense you”
“Yes”
“Well, neither can they” He turned his glance towards the ceiling
“What does that mean Leo?” Prue really didn’t even want to think about the supernatural right then
“Well basically, it means the power of three doesn’t exist”
“WHAT? That’s crazy, of course it exists”
“Prue I’m just repeating what I was told”
“But, Leo the only way to sever the power of three is if one of us dies” Piper trembled at the sound of her own words
“NO Piper, No, Phoebe is going to be fine, don’t even think like that, Leo you have to fix this, can you heal her?”
“Prue I wish I could, but for all intents and purposes Phoebe is a mortal, and one suffering from natural not demonic ailments.”
“Leo, screw the rules, if you love me fix my sister” Piper knew she was being unreasonable
“Piper that’s not fair, you know I love you, I love Prue and Phoebe too, but I can’t just go around breaking the rules”
“Rules are made to be broken”
“Piper, I would if I could, but too many people have seen Phoebe sick, just think logically about it Piper, if I heal her how would we explain her miraculous recovery?”
“What’s wrong Leo, don’t believe in miracles” Piper wanted to calm down, but for some reason Leo was the only one she could take her frustration out on, and she was doing just that.
“Piper, calm down sweetie, none of this is Leo’s fault”
“Prue, why won’t she wake up, I can’t lose her, Leo please do something, please”
Piper cried as Prue knelt beside her, holding her and rocking her back and forth until her tears subsided. Inside she was breaking down just as Piper was. Leo stood by helplessly.
“Leo, what do we do about the power situation?”
‘Prue I honestly have no idea, maybe you could all try the original spell see if that works”
“We will just as soon as Phoebe’s better”




Thankfully it wasn’t long after that before the doctor returned to talk to them
“Has your sister been sick for long?”
“Not that we know of, she’s very good at hiding things like this from us though”
“Has she been coughing at all?”
“Yes” Piper answered to Prue’s surprise “She was coughing some last night but she told me something had just gone against her breath”
“Well, we suspect that Phoebe may be suffering from Pneumonia”
“What I thought you have to be sick for ages to have that”
“Well from what Piper said there’s a good chance she may have been unwell for a few days. I want to run a few tests to get a definite diagnosis, in the meantime we’ll start her on IV antibiotics.”
“Why is she still unconscious?”
“it may just be that her body is too tired”
“That makes sense I suppose, she’s had very little sleep lately”

The diagnosis came back and the next morning a very confused Phoebe woke up in the strange place. Prue was quick to her bedside, just as she’d promised, glad that her sister was no longer in the ICU. At least this meant they could stay with her all the time.

“Prue”
“I’m here sweetie”
“Where...”
“Your in the hospital baby, its ok now”
“Why”
“You have Pneumonia”
“Piper?”
“She’s just gone to get me coffee, she won’t be long, and she’ll be so relieved to see you awake”
“Can I go home now?”
“Not yet”

Phoebe was getting tired; she started coughing so Prue gave her some water to help control it
“Pheebs how long have you had this cough?”
“A few days, but it hasn’t been too bad”
“How many is a few Pheebs?”
“Five” Phoebe knew Prue would eventually find out anyway so she told her.
“And have you been feeling sick all that time?”
“Kinda, just a bit but I took cough syrup and I did plan on resting straight after the exams, I just had to get them out of the way”
“Phoebe, you can’t just ignore these things because you’ve exams. You should know better” Prue would normally have been furious, but the sight of her little sisters face told her that the lecture wasn’t needed. Phoebe already knew it was wrong.

“O my god, Phoebe you’re awake” Piper noticed immediately, she tentatively hugged her sister, careful not to disturb the IV.

Phoebe was taking the mask away to talk but Piper stopped her, seeing the distress in her tired face “Its ok sweetie, we’ll talk later, you just get some rest” She turned to Prue “Did you tell the doctors she’s awake?”
“No she’s only after waking a few minutes ago”
“Well go on then, you tell them, I’ll stay here” Phoebe was grateful, she knew Prue was inwardly angry with her. “Pipe?”
“Yes baby”
“I’m sorry”
“What for?”
“I couldn’t help you today”
“Baby that was yesterday and it wasn’t your fault apparently our powers aren’t working” Phoebe couldn’t absorb this information; she was asleep again almost before Piper finished her sentence.

Prue sat and watched her two sisters sleeping, knowing that being powerless would leave them very vulnerable, especially with one Demon already on their hit list, and them on his no doubt.

Prue left a note for Piper in the hospital, then she went home to try figure out the problem with their powers. The first thing she did was check the book, sure enough the triquatra had separated. Prue couldn’t understand how they’d lost everything even though none of them had said a spell. While she was there, the book started flipping pages
“GRAMS, If you’re there you better show yourself” Prue knew she was responsible for turning the pages. A few minutes later Grams materialised beside the book
“Prue I’m not supposed to be here”
“O don’t worry Grams, I won’t keep you long, what the hell is up with our powers?”
“I don’t know Prudence” Prue could always tell when her Grams was lying
“Grams, come on I’m serious, we need our powers, especially with Phoebe so ill”
“Oh, all right, I did it”
“YOU WHAT?”
“Calm down Prudence, I binded your powers”
“WHY? How could you?”
“Well, I knew Phoebe was ill, they thought she was going to die, the only reason she didn’t was because you discovered her illness”
“I don’t get it, if you knew she was going to die, why didn’t you come and tell me, or why didn’t Leo tell us”
“Prudence you know it doesn’t operate like that, I’m not allowed to discuss future altering events with you, hell, I’m not even supposed to be here now”
“But why take our powers, that demon could have killed Piper, we’re in danger without them”
“The only reason I did it was because I knew with no powers, you would protect Phoebe and therefore figure out how sick she was” Grams looked very proud of herself, whereas Prue looked even more confused “Oh Prue, don’t look at me like that, we both know that if Piper could have blown up the demon, you wouldn’t have been in Phoebe’s room, you’d have left her alone to sleep.” Things were starting to make sense to Prue; she wouldn’t have disturbed her sister till the morning if they weren’t threatened, maybe by then it would have been to late.
“How can we get our powers back?”
“The three of you need to read the incantation again, why don’t you wait until you have Phoebe home, let her recover first”
“No, I’ll take the book to the hospital, its too risky for us without our powers”
“No Prue it isn’t, demon’s and warlocks can only find you through your powers, without them you can’t be found”
“What about the demon who attacked Piper?”
“He goes after mortals only” Prue was convinced, for now.


Prue gathered some of Phoebe’s belongings and returned to the hospital.

“Hi Pipe” Piper was sitting staring at the youngest, feeling guilty for not picking up on her sickness earlier.
“Oh hey”
“You ok?”
“Yeh I’m fine, you figure out the power situation?”
“Uh huh, it was Grams”
“What?, what was Grams?”
‘She binded our powers”
“Why?”
“Apparently, Phoebe was set to die, she did it so we could save her”
“Serious, why couldn’t she just tell us”
“Well according to her it doesn’t work like that”
“Did Leo know?”
“I don’t know sweetie, probably not,”
“Are you mad with Grams Prue?”
“At first I was pissed, but she made me understand so I’m ok now”
“Can we get them back?”
“Yes same way as we first got them, but all three of us have to read it together, we can wait until Phoebe is discharged, has she woken up at all?’
“Nope”

They sat in silence just watching their baby sister sleep, the rising and falling of her chest brought them comfort.

A few hours later Phoebe awoke to the sounds of her sisters voices, she was still very confused, she only vaguely remembered speaking to them earlier.

“Prue”
“I’m right here baby, so’s Piper”
“I feel sick” Prue couldn’t help but smile, trust Phoebe to admit how she felt a few days too late
‘I know sweetie, but the medicines will make you feel a lot better”
“Could I have a drink?” Phoebe’s cough was starting up again
Piper held the glass, while Phoebe sipped small amounts of water
“Pipe, did you say our powers aren’t working?’
“Yes sweetie, they aren’t, but at least now we know why”
“Why?” Prue explained the whole story once again, Phoebe just nodded, she was shocked that she’d let herself come so close to dying
“I’m sorry guys”
“Don’t be babes, you weren’t to know how sick you were”
“Prue I knew I was sick, I just needed to concentrate on exams, but I swear I had no idea it was this serious, I thought I had a cold”
“It’s ok Phoebe, thanks to Grams, we got to you in time, and you’ll be fine, I promise”
“Prue, will you hold me for a little while’ Phoebe hated asking, but the thought of coming so close to death had scared her, more than she wanted to admit
“Course I will sweetie” Prue gently hopped up beside Phoebe and carefully wrapped her arms around her, holding her close, comforting her.

Leo called by a while later and had to suffer an interrogation from Piper concerning how much he knew about Phoebe’s situation. He denied having any knowledge at all about it. Piper believed him after a lot of convincing.

“Guy’s you have to say the incantation as soon as possible”
“Leo, Phoebe needs to recover first”
“Prue, there’s innocents dying, you need to protect them, The underworld is having a field day, as far as they’re concerned the power of three is dead, without the threat you guy’s pose they’re getting braver”
“Prue, Leo’s right” Phoebe was tempted to take a break from being charmed, but she knew that wasn’t how it worked, they had to protect the innocent people.
“OK, fine, Piper, you and Leo orb to the manor, Get the book and bring it here, we’ll do this now”

Prue held Phoebe even closer, she knew how weak the youngest was and now they had a vanquish to worry about. When Piper returned Phoebe was already asleep.

Prue chose to wait until she woke naturally to read the incantation. Leo didn’t favour this decision. Piper felt her temper rising with him once again.

“Leo our little sister is seriously ill, and all you seem worried about is our magic”
“Piper, the longer you leave it the worse it’ll get”
“Leo Phoebe’s our main concern right now, ok, if anything happens to her there won’t be the power of three anymore anyway, so just let her sleep and as soon as she wakes we’ll say the damn thing”
“Look I don’t think you two understand….”
“Leo we understand just fine, as long as we’re powerless we’re safe, Phoebe’s safe, as soon as we get them back the demons can find us again”
“Prue is that what Grams told you?” Leo sighed, he couldn’t get through to them at all “Guys, that’s not how it works, yes they can’t track you, but they’ll figure it out soon and FYI they already know where to find you, and what easier way to kill the charmed ones than when they’re defenseless” His voice was getting louder, he had to make them understand the danger they could be in
“Leo, lower your voice ok, she’s staying asleep until I think things through” Prue whispered angrily, annoyed by the conflicting information from both Grams and Leo.

Leo went to talk to the elders. He was angry that Prue and Piper were taking their time to make a decision. He knew that Phoebe could sleep for hours and he was extremely worried about their vulnerable state. Piper and Prue never got to make a decision. Straight after Leo’s departure, the door was pushed open, Piper looked up, but then her world went black as she felt herself being slammed against the wall...

“PIPER” Prue called out to warn her sister, but it was too late, she watched in shock as Piper’s body was sent flying into the wall by an energy ball. She flinched as she heard her head make contact with the brick. The first thing she did was slip the book under Phoebe’s blanket, then without relinquishing her tight hold on Phoebe, she bent down to check Pipers pulse. Thankfully she still had one.

The demon was watching her, amused.
“Prue Prue Prue, will you ever learn, they’re both going to die anyway”
“Screw you, get out of here before I make you regret ever coming”
‘Big talk, for someone with no powers”
“Who are you?’
“Oh I’m sorry I never introduced myself, my name is Tate, well that’s the shortened version, no need for your intro’s I already know everything about the famous charmed one’s.”
“What do you want?”
“It amazes me that you don’t know already, I’m after your powers of course”
“We have none”
“For now, I know its only a matter of time until you get them back, I could kill you now, but I’d have an unfair advantage, what with Phoebe so sick”
“Leave her out of this”
“Fine, you leave me no option but to take Piper, best choice anyway, you two are way too feisty for my liking” He moved towards Piper’s lifeless body, Prue was not about to let this happen, She lunged at him, kicking and hitting, fighting the best she could.
Meanwhile he stood, smiling at her futile attempts. Suddenly they heard voices approaching the door, “Well I guess you stay together, for now” Tate shimmered out leaving a dumbfounded Prue to deal with the doctor and nurse.
“Piper, sweetie wake, up” Piper was slowly coming around, her head was throbbing. Prue told the doctor that Piper had fallen backwards over something and had hit her head. Thankfully they bought the story. They helped Piper into the chair, she had a concussion, so it was better for her not to lie down because then she’d probably fall asleep.
Phoebe had awoken suddenly, she’d had a bad nightmare, and she needed her sisters. She could almost smell the danger in the room, despite the demon’s absense. Sitting up, she tried to get out of bed, in the process ripping the IV from her arm. She screamed in pain and fear as the nurse rushed to her to fix it.
“Are you ok baby?’ Prue knew it was a stupid question, she could see that Phoebe was in pain. Phoebe just cried.
“I’m going to have to start another IV” The nurse informed them as she bandaged the original spot. Then she left to gather what she needed to redo the procedure.
“Phoebe, sweetie are you ok?”
“No, is Piper?”
“I’m fine sweetie, and I’ll be even better when Leo heals me”
“What happened?”
Before they could tell her the nurse entered again, she had to insert another IV into Phoebe’s other arm. Phoebe hated needles at the best of time, so she held Prue’s hand tightly. After the nurse finished she hooked up the drip and antibiotics again, and left the sisters alone.
‘Guy’s what happened?” Prue could hear the exhaustion in Phoebe’s voice as she spoke.
‘Baby just let yourself sleep, we’ll fill you in later”
“No, Prue, please I want to know”
Prue told her a shortened version of events.
“So where’s the book, now?”
Prue reached under the blankets at the end of the bed and took the book out
“We should do this now”
“Ok but are you sure your up to it?’
“Yeh, besides the sooner we do it, the sooner we can call Leo to heal Piper” Prue followed Phoebe’s gaze to Piper who was holding her head
“Pipe, you ok?” Prue asked gently
“I just feel really dizzy”

They wasted no more time; the three of them read the incantation. The second they uttered the last word, Prue called for Leo. He arrived immediately

“Great I’m glad you finally seen sense” they heard his voice even before he fully materialised. “What happened” He could instantly sense trouble
“Leo heal Piper”
He healed her, and then she rested in his arms. “Leo can you heal me?” Phoebe already knew the answer; she just felt terrible and wanted to be better
“Sorry Pheebs, you know the rules”
Phoebe just nodded. Prue just held her close, wanting to make her pain disappear.
‘Sweetie you should get some sleep”
“Who was the demon Prue?”
“Good question” Prue reached for the book, she flipped through it as Phoebe snuggled close to her, closing her eyes, but not sleeping. Prue couldn’t find anything in the book. “I don’t get it, he said his shortened name was Tate, but there is absolutely nothing in her that looks like him or that has that name”
“Prue, maybe we should start with the one from the club, he might have some answers, and we have to vanquish him anyway”
“Guess so Pipe, we can’t leave Phoebe alone though”
“I’ll stay with her” Leo offered
“I’m coming with you” The girls were surprised to hear Phoebe’s voice, they thought she was sleeping
“Are you crazy sweetie, you’re not going anywhere”
“You can’t go alone, the three of us are in this together remember”
“Phoebe, it’s a simple vanquish, the two of us can easily handle it”
“No, please, I don’t want you to go’ Phoebe wasn’t sure if she was worried about her sisters facing a demon alone, or her being on her own, or a mix of the two. She started to cry and cough at the same time. Prue gave her a drink but this time that didn’t stop the cough. Piper went to call the nurse. She gave Phoebe the oxygen mask again; meanwhile Prue rubbed Phoebe’s back trying to calm her down. Eventually the coughs subsided, as did the tears. The nurse left again, leaving Phoebe safe in the arms of her big sister.
“Prue, what if Leo and I went, that way you could stay here”
“Piper, its too dangerous”
“No, its not Prue, I’ll have Leo to orb me out, besides all I have to do is blow it up”
“Maybe, but how are you even going to find it?”
Phoebe pulled the mask away from her face, “guess we’re back to plan A”
“Uh uh no way baby,” Prue knew phoebe meant for her to get a premonition
“It’s the only way” Phoebe reached out and touched his page in the book before either sister could stop her. They saw the familiar signs of Phoebe been drawn into a vision. When she came out of it she was coughing so hard she was almost choking, Prue held the oxygen mask back up to her. Phoebe was visibly in distress; her cough seemed to be getting worse. She couldn’t control it at all anymore. About a half hour later Phoebe was calm enough to tell her sisters what she saw. “He’s near the club, in an alley”
‘Ugh, why do they always have to be somewhere creepy?” Piper hated alleys; they just screamed trouble to her. “Well lets go get this over with
“Piper please be careful” Phoebe held her sisters hand, not happy with the plan but she couldn’t come up with anything better
“I will, sweetie, besides I’ve my very own angel with me” Piper gently kissed her little sister on the forehead before Leo orbed them out.
“Prue, will she be ok?”
“She’ll be fine, now you really need to get some sleep”
“Not till they get back” Phoebe was exhausted but Prue knew it was pointless arguing, she just sat with her, both of them resting.

Piper shuddered as Leo orbed them into the dark alley, “Uh these places really freak me out’
“Piper over there” Piper saw what she had come for, she quickly froze the demon on front of her, “Piper blow him up”
“Leo, you know I can’t fully control that power yet, just give me a chance, the demon fought through the freeze and came towards them speedily. This gave Piper the desired emotion to trigger her power, as she panicked she blew up the demon, getting covered in what could only be described as slime.

“Ewww, get it of me, this is so gross!” Piper was moaning, Leo was laughing at the sight of her
“Hey, don’t laugh at me,” She threw herself on him, hugging him, rubbing the slimy substance all over him as she did.
“Piper, that’s not fair, this stuff stinks”
“Serves you right for laughing at me”
Leo orbed them both back to the manor so they could shower and change.

Back at the hospital the silence was broken by Prue’s mobile ringing. Phoebe could only hear one side of the conversation but she knew who was on the other end.
“Is Piper ok? Did they get it?”
“Yes and now you can get some sleep, they’re both fine, just covered in demon slime, they’re going to stay in the manor for a while”
“Ok” Phoebe had heard all she needed and let the sleep overcome her. Since it was already the middle of the night, Piper and Leo decided to stay home, get some sleep, and relieve Prue first thing in the morning. Prue couldn’t sleep, she was afraid that if she did, they’d get attacked again, She knew she wouldn’t be able to rest until they knew who attacked them that evening. Even with their powers back they weren’t safe. With one-charmed one weak, they were an easy target. Prue decided then, that until Phoebe was fully recovered she wasn’t going to let her out of her sight. His words “For now..” Scared her, she hadn’t told either sister about his plan to separate them by taking one.

Piper arrived early the next morning; it was obvious to her that her older sister hadn’t slept at all.
“Prue go home, get some sleep, I’ll stay right here with Phoebe”
“No, Piper, I’m not leaving her side, she’s way to vulnerable right now”
“I’ll be here Prue, I won’t let anyone hurt her,” How could Prue tell her sister that Phoebe wasn’t the only one in danger, what if Tate came back again for Piper,
“No ok Piper, I’m staying right here, and so are you, all of us together, its safer that way.”
“Ok, well you still need sleep, so either you hop up beside Pheebs or you sleep on that chair” Prue took the first option, gently so as not to disturb her little sister, she eased herself up beside Phoebe. Not long later she was asleep. Piper was happy just to watch her sisters resting. Phoebe woke a while later, coughing; Piper who had been flicking through magazines was quick to her side.
Piper just rubbed her back, and helped her drink some water and gradually the coughing subsided, not before it woke Prue though. She held Phoebe close to her.
“Pipe, her fevers up again”
“Should I get the nurse?”
“No” Phoebe only wanted her sisters with her.
“Do you feel sick babes?”
“Ye, a bit” Truthfully her whole body ached
Phoebe’s cough started up again, this time she coughed so much it caused her to be sick, Prue recognised these signs instantly so she was ready for it. Piper went to get a nurse. The nurse explained that the high temperature showed that Phoebe’s body was fighting the disease. After getting her patient settled, she left them alone.
“Prue, I really don’t feel well”
‘Oh, baby I know you don’t, but in a few days we’ll have you at home with us”
“Can I go today?”
“I wish, but no, the doctor told me you need a few days with the IV antibiotics to give them time to work, then when you’re a bit better, we can take you home”
“I can’t wait to go home”
“I can’t wait to take you home, but don’t think that means you can run around and go wild, strict bed rest for you baby” Piper laughed at the look on Phoebe’s face as Prue laid down the rules
“Ok well right now that doesn’t actually sound bad, but the second I feel better I’m up” Phoebe hated lying around, she was too active a person for that.

Three days later Prue and Piper helped an extremely weakened Phoebe up the steps of the manor, Phoebe was happy to be home but she still didn’t feel great and her cough seemed no better. However the medical staff were happy at her progress, this was enough to convince Piper and Prue to take her home. Prue stayed with Phoebe, she had explained to Leo about the demons threat to take Piper or Phoebe, so between the two of them, they made sure neither sister was left alone. Prue didn’t want to worry her sisters about this threat especially since they’d heard nothing else for a few days.
Prues thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Piper scream. She ran towards the sound without thinking, She found Leo and Piper in the kitchen, They were both laughing, “Piper what the hell was that scream about”
Piper just laughed, “Oh sorry did I wake you? That was Leo’s fault he put an ice cube down my back,”
“Hey you did say it was too warm in here” Leo defended himself while laughing, he stopped however when he saw the look he was getting from Prue
“Shit, I left Phoebe alone,” Prue realised in her worry for Piper she’d broken her vow not to leave the youngest alone. She ran up the stairs, Leo and Piper following, the latter confused as to why this was such a big deal, Prue threw the door open, to see Phoebe curled up in a ball, clearly terrified, Prue looked up to see what had scared her sister,
“Prue, so nice to see you again, I was just introducing my self to Phoebe, and this must be Piper” He held out his hand to shake Piper’s. Prue was disgusted; she threw him against the wall with her power.
“Now that’s not a very nice way to treat a guest”
“Get out now, before I vanquish your sorry ass”
Piper held her hands up and froze him, “Prue why are you on first name terms with a demon”
“Relax, Pipe, he knew our names, he’s the one who came to the hospital, try blow him up” Piper did try, but it didn’t work.
Tate unfroze, not realising any time had passed he kept talking, “Do you think I’d come here if I thought you could vanquish me, that’d be suicide”
Prue gave him an evil glare, she had moved closer to her terrified younger sister. She was also scared, this cocky and arrogant demon was pissing her off.
“Well I’m afraid I must insist one of you come with me, can’t risk leaving all three of you together to figure it out now can I?” Leo protectively held Piper close to him, as did Prue with Phoebe, “O come on now girls, how hard is it to make a decision”
“Piss of as if we’re going to voluntarily go with you”
“You leave me no choice,” He reached out for Piper but Leo orbed her out, then Tate made his way towards the remaining two, Prue pushed Phoebe behind her, not willing to let him take her. “Guess I’m stuck with you Prue, not my first choice, but I’m not fussy” Phoebe couldn’t sit back and watch, she jumped on front of Prue, summoning energy she didn’t know she had, she fought him, putting up a struggle. Tate seemed indestructible, Prue joined in. Leo orbed back in behind with Piper, she froze him. Phoebe collapsed to the ground, unable to fight any more. Prue picked her up the best she could and Leo orbed them all up to the attic, before Tate unfroze. When he did he just smiled, “Gotta admire their determination” He thought to himself, shimmering out.

Up in the attic, Piper and Prue were frantically scrolling through the book for any information about this demon. There was nothing. Phoebe had another coughing fit, and fell asleep in Prues arms.

“Ugh this damn demon isn’t in here” Prue was past frustrated, straight to pissed of “What’s the point in having this damn thing if it can’t help us”
“Prue, come on calm down, you’ll wake Pheebs” Prue gently passed her little sister to Piper, she paced the attic desperately trying to formulate a plan, knowing that next time he could succeed in separating them.
“Prue, did you know he wanted to take one of us?”
“Yes, but I thought that was so we couldn’t get our powers back”
“You still should have told us,”
“What and make you worry even more?”
“Prue, yes I worry, a lot, but that doesn’t mean you can keep things like that to yourself, there’s three of us in this witch thing”
“I know, I’m sorry, it’s just with Phoebe so ill, I wanted to protect you two” Prue unknowingly let a few tears escape.
“You can protect us better if there are no secrets, ok?”
‘Ok” the attic was silent, Leo had gone to ask the elders for information, so far Tate hadn’t returned and Piper and Prue held Phoebe as she slept.

“She sleeps a lot doesn’t she?” Piper’s voice broke through the silence.
‘Yeh, apparently that’s normal, plus I think it’s a good thing, the more she sleeps the less she coughs”

Leo orbed back in an hour later, he had no news for the sisters, they had no idea what this Tate character was capable of, they had no idea how to vanquish him and they had no idea how to protect themselves form him, he seemed to know everything about them, and Prue knew he was watching, after all the first time one of them was alone he attacked. This made her even more determined not to let her sisters out of her sight.


In the underworld, Tate was snickering to himself, he knew that even the famous charmed one’s couldn’t defeat him. He was enjoying the fight they were putting up, although ultimately he knew all the fighting would do nothing to help them
“Third time lucky,” he thought as he shimmered out….

In the attic, Prue and Piper were desperately trying to devise a plan, they knew Tate was strong. Phoebe on the other hand was still sound asleep, She had been since her struggle with the demon. Prue insisted on rechecking the book over and over. Piper put Phoebe down, and wrapped a blanket around her.

“Prue” Prue jumped as she felt her sisters hand on her shoulder, “Prue, its no good there’s nothing about him in there”
“Pipe, there has to be something somewhere about him,”
“I know, but its obviously not there,” Piper was also feeling frustrated
“Well where then?” Piper never got the chance to answer the question, Tate shimmered in behind them, too close to Phoebe for Prue’s comfort, she threw him across the room, but before she reached her sister, Tate shimmered out and reappeared next to the youngest, picking her up, he disappeared before The oldest two could even realise what was happening.

Prue sank to her knees, crying. Piper was staring at the spot where her sister had been, shocked beyond belief.
“P, P, Prue?”
“He got her Pipe, he got her” Prue was giving up, she knew they had nothing on this demon, and now he had her little sister, and they had no way of getting her back.
“Prue, come on” Piper finding inner strength pulled her sister up of the floor “We have to find her” In a complete role reversal Piper had taken over in the crisis, Prue was a whimpering mess.
“LEO, LEO” Piper called and called for him until finally, blue orbs appeared,
“Leo, he has Pheebs” Leo wrapped his arms around her, no words needed. “NO, Leo, don’t comfort me, just find my sister for us”
“Guy’s I can’t sense her” Prue felt her whole world falling apart
“Prue, don’t you dare give up on her, she’s not dead”
“But, but Leo can’t sense her, how else would you explain it?” She kept crying
“There has to be another reason, I know she’s alive, if she wasn’t I’d know”
“Piper’s right Prue, she isn’t necessarily dead”
This was what Prue needed to hear, she pulled herself together somewhat “Where is she then, and why can’t you sense her?”
“The only other reason I wouldn’t be able to sense her would be if she was in the….” His voice trailed of
“THE WHAT LEO” Prue’s patience was wearing thin
“The underworld”
“What? She’s in hell?” Now Prue was furious,
“Prue, don’t take it out on Leo, its not his fault”
“Who do you want me to take it out on Piper, our little sister is gone, taken by a demon. His all powerful elders won’t even help us, she’s sick Piper, she’ll need her medicines, she, she’ll need us” Prue started of angry, gradually her voice softened as she thought about her baby, the tears started, and Piper just held her, the two of them crying. Leo felt helpless.


In the underworld

Tate shimmered in with the still sleeping Phoebe in his arms, he smiled at his conquest. The figure hidden in the shadows emerged, “AHH so you finally brought me a charmed one”
“Yes master” Tate bowed before the figure “It’s the youngest, Phoebe”
“I don’t care which one, as long as she’s charmed”

Tate put Phoebe down on the cold ground; He and the other demon exited the room.

A short time later Phoebe woke shivering. She wasn’t aware of her surroundings; all’s she could see was darkness all around her. All she could feel was the coldness. Her cough started up again, she fought to control it but couldn’t. She called out for her sisters, they couldn’t hear her. Phoebe had never felt so alone, her tears and cries went unnoticed. She wasn’t sure whether it was the icy room or her fear that was causing her shaking. She could see nothing but heard voices enter the room. She recognised both of them although could only place one. “Tate” she thought to herself. It was all becoming clear.

“Shut up witch” She felt a sharp pain in her side as the demon kicked her, he did this repeatedly until her coughs subsided, and she passed out from the pain.

Tate watched his master hurt the witch, he was still new to the whole thing and his plan was to get the powers of the charmed one’s for his master, not to hurt the witches.

Prue was wearing a hole in the attic floor, just pacing up and down.
“Leo there has to be some way to find her”
“Piper we’ve tried summoning her, if that doesn’t work I don’t know what will.
“Leo” Prue suddenly spoke “If you were down there could you sense her?”
“I don’t know Prue, I’ve never been down there” He glanced at the floor as he spoke
“But it might work?”
“Maybe”
“Good, orb us down” Prue grabbed Piper’s hand, the latter scared at the prospect.
“Prue I can’t just go down there, and I definitely can’t take you with me”
“Why not? They come up to our world, so now we’re going down to theirs” To Prue this was the most logical thing
“Prue it doesn’t work that way, we have no idea what we might find down there”
“We’ll find my baby sister, If its not safe for two strong witches and a whitelighter, then its not safe for my sick little sister, so the sooner we get down there and find her, the sooner we can return”
Leo saw no other option, he was as worried about the youngest as they were. She’d only been gone three hours, but to her sisters it felt like three days.

Leo materialised in the depths of the underworld, Prue and Piper were slightly dizzy from the orbing. “Can you sense her?” Prue wasn’t about to waste time

“I think so”
“What do you mean you think so?”
“I can only get a very faint read on her” Piper crumbled, she understood what this meant. Her sister was dying
“Oh no you don’t Pipe, you wouldn’t let me think it, and I won’t let you”
They were surrounded by darkness, Prue didn’t want to worry Piper but she knew that the freezing temperature would be doing a lot of damage to the youngest. They moved silently through the winding corridors, making sure they weren’t noticed.

Meanwhile, Phoebe’s cough had become even worse, she was in a lot of pain and could barely keep her eyes open, Tate had left. She was alone with the demon she couldn’t see. The voice was so familiar to her, but she just couldn’t remember where she’d heard it before. His temper was rising, he didn’t want to hear her coughing, he just wanted to keep her quite. She was more trouble than she was worth as far as he was concerned. Phoebe’s breathing was shallow, slowly her coughs ceased, only because she no longer felt any energy, slowly her life was slipping away.

“This is where I can sense her” Leo whispered as he pointed to the door, “We have to hurry, I can’t even get a read on her now”
Prue wasted no more time, she threw the door open, stunned at the person she saw behind it.....

“WHAT THE FUCK….” Prue’s voice trailed of as Leo nudged her, indicating that finding Phoebe was the priority.

“Where’s my sister?” The light was almost inexistent, they couldn’t see further than the figure in front of them. He made no move to point out the youngest.
Piper and Leo were carefully walking through the room, desperately searching for Pheebs, Prue threw the traitor against the wall with more power than she ever used.

“Prue over here” Piper froze the evil being, Prue rushed to her side. The light of Leo’s healing power illuminating the room. The sisters were shocked to see their little sister’s battered body. Her lips held no colour, she wasn’t breathing.
“Leo, is, is it working?” Piper was almost too afraid to ask the question
“I think so, but it may not do any good”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, its because of the pneumonia that she’s like this”
“No Leo, its because that bastard beat the crap out of her” Prue was losing her temper again, “Less than four hours ago she was fine, exhausted but fine” She kept going letting her anger out by throwing the demon across the room repeatedly, not giving him the opportunity to get up “Then that asshole kidnapped her, and that asshole hurt her” She flung him with her power one last time, he was unconscious

Tate entered, only to receive the same treatment; Prue was however distracted by Phoebe, drawing in a breath. Leo had healed the damage caused to her ribs and her side, allowing her to breath without the pain.
Piper held her from behind, encouraging her to breath. The youngest was still only able to take short ragged breaths.
“Prue, we have to get her out of here, it’s so cold”
Leo reached out to envelop all three, so he could orb them back to the safety and warmth of their home, however Tate stopped him. “I’m afraid they can’t go anywhere”
“Like hell we can’t”
“My master created me to get your powers for him, and that’s what I’m going to do”
Prue realised the reason she hadn’t been able to find any information on this demon was because he had been created. “That’s your master” Prue practically spat the words out at him “He doesn’t look too powerful to me, he should have stuck to his day job” her voice was filled with sarcasm. “Leo get us out of here now”

This time Tate did nothing to stop them, instead he ran to his masters side to help him.

When they orbed in to the house, Piper rushed off to get her sister’s medicines and blankets to warm her up. Prue wrapped her arms around her baby sister, trying to get her temperate up, and reminding her to breath, Phoebe still had said nothing; she was conscious, which her sisters saw as a positive sign.

Piper returned, giving Phoebe something to drink, then her medicines, while Prue tucked the blankets around her frail body. When she was finally settled a bit, Leo carried her down to her bedroom, slowly her breathing had been regularised. Her sisters tucked her into bed, kissing her, and then settling in next to her.

“Don’t leave me” Phoebe’s voice was barely a whisper,
“It’s ok baby, we won’t go anywhere, now you get some sleep”
“Cold”
“I know, but if we wrap you up anymore you’ll suffocate” Piper knew that the worse thing for her baby sister had been the exposure to the cold. Phoebe eventually drifted of to sleep.

‘Prue was that who I thought it was?”
“Yes Pipe it was Darryl” Prue’s voice rose as she uttered his name, it was full of hate. She had trusted him, befriended him, something she rarely did with anyone other than her sisters and he had betrayed her.
“Is he a demon?” Piper was confused.
“Looks like it, but I’m guessing he’s half human, and now we need to figure out which demon he is so we can vanquish him”
“And Tate”
“Well I think if we kill Darryl then he’ll automatically die, because he was only created.”
“Ugh this whole witch thing really confuses me at times”
“Tell me bout it sweetie”

“I, I can’t believe Darryl’s a demon”
Prue didn’t answer, the more she heard that name the angrier she felt.

Phoebe awoke from nightmares constantly that night. Her abduction had really hit her hard. She trusted her sisters not to leave her, but she checked they were still with her every time she woke. Prue didn’t sleep, she knew her sister was feeling very insecure and wanted to be there for her, to reassure her.
After Phoebe awoke for the fifth time, Prue broke the silence
‘Pheebs, we’re still her sweetie, we’re not going anywhere” Prue told her gently, as she stroked her hair
“I’m scared”
“I know”
“His voice, I know his voice” Prue flinched, she didn’t want to tell Phoebe who the voice belonged to
“Shh it’s ok sweetie, just go back to sleep”
“I can’t, Prue, we need to figure out who it was, I know his voice, it has to be someone we know”
“It is someone we know, babes” She took a deep breath before she continued “It’s Darryl Pheebs”
Phoebe said nothing, she wasn’t shocked, this was the kind of thing she’d come to expect from people she trusted “Did you kill him?”
‘Not yet baby, but I will, just as soon as we figure it out”

“Pheebs are you ok?” Piper had woken to find her little sister clinging to the oldest
The only response she got was a slight nod
“You’re not are you?” Piper had tried to persuade Phoebe to go to the hospital after her little trip to the underworld, but Phoebe had adamantly refused.
“Pipe, I’m ok, just a little tired”
“And your cough”
“Its still pretty bad” Prue answered for her, she was the one who had listened to the youngest all night. Phoebe reached out for her other sister, pulling her closer.

Prue pulled herself free, careful not to wake her sleeping sisters, she went to the attic, took the book down to search for the demon. She wished she knew what she was looking for. The only thing she could come up with was to wait until Tate returned, which she knew he would, and set up the crystals. He was the only one with the answers they needed.

She arranged the crystals, holding the last one tightly. Piper and Phoebe had been awake, all three of them waiting, some more patiently than others.
“Prue, he knows when one of us is alone”
“No way Pheebs,” Prue immediately understood where her sister was going
‘I’ll do it” Piper knew the youngest couldn’t be left alone, and just incase they needed the oldest, the strongest to figure it out
“No way Piper, I’m not using my sister as bait”
“Prue, I can freeze him, I’ll be fine, besides, you two can wait outside the door”
Reluctantly her sisters agreed, Piper closed the door, nervous about the task ahead of her, but in her eyes there was no other option.

She gripped the last crystal tightly. Tate was predictable. Almost as soon as her sisters exited he entered, knowing she wouldn’t be alone for long.

Piper froze him and repositioned the crystals around him. Her sisters returned

Prue was finally relieved, now she would get the answers she craved.

Tate tried to release himself from the force of the crystals. After being knocked back numerous times he gave up, but he refused to answer the questions thrown at him by the oldest of the charmed one’s.

Prue decided to heat things up a bit, she got Piper to freeze him, then before he knew it, he found himself wounded by a knife Prue threw at him. Prue was taking pleasure in causing pain to her little sister’s kidnapper.
“What can you tell us about your ‘master’” her voice so full of venom
“Nothing,”
“Guess you want more of this,” Prue held up the knife in a threatening manner
When he made no attempts to share his knowledge. Prue once again hurled the knife in his direction. Piper froze it just centimeters away from his chest, she unfroze just him. Pointing out the proximity of the weapon to him, Prue offered him one final chance to talk. “Ok, Ok, my master’s an upper level demon”
“And…”
“And he knows everything about all three of you, you can’t defeat him, and you can’t defeat me, I’m made from his blood”
“Wanna bet?” Prue asked him, Piper unfroze the room, the knife hitting it’s intended target, Tate screamed in agony, before vanishing from their presence.

“How did you know that would work?” Phoebe asked
“I didn’t, I guessed, since Darryl is clearly half human, and he’s made from his blood then I guessed that killing him the human way might work”
“Ok…” Phoebe was getting more confused by the second
“Uh, Prue, I’m glad that creep’s gone and all that, but now how do we find the other one?” Piper couldn’t bring herself to say his name aloud. It seemed to her that every friend, boyfriend or whatever they made always turned out to be evil or Leo.
“Well, that my sweet girl is simple. We summon him”
“Prue, I hate to bring this up but we don’t even know his name”
“Pheebs you underestimate me, we have his blood” Prue held up the knife proudly.
“Ok great but we don’t know a vanquish for him”
“I have thought about that”
“And?” Piper asked, trying to understand where her older sister was going with this
‘And, we make a potion with his blood to use on him”
“Guy’s I’m really confused,” Prue laughed at the look on Phoebe’s face, she had been fighting sleep at the same time trying to absorb the information.
“Babes, don’t worry, I’ll explain it all to you when you’re feeling better, right now we get you your medicines then get you back into that bed’
“Prue I can’t sleep, lets just get him first”
“Pheebs you need rest more than anything, yesterday knocked you back a lot,’
‘Please, guy’s I want to help”
“Phoebe, knowing your ok is enough help for us, so why don’t we get you settled on the couch, I’ll make the potion, while Prue comes up with a plan B”
“Hey”
“What there’s no guarantee this will even work” Prue playfully slapped her older sister.

While Piper worked in the kitchen, Phoebe and Prue snuggled together in the living room. “Prue why does everyone we love turn bad?”
The innocence in Phoebe’s voice hit Prue hard
“Sweetie, not everyone turns bad”
“Well it seems that way”
“Honey, Darryl didn’t turn bad, he must have always been that way,”
“I thought he was good”
“so did I, but he was obviously getting close to us, so he could use it against us’
“I wish he was good”
“I wish he was dead” Prue spoke honestly, it was how she felt.

Phoebe cuddled closer to her sister. “he hurt me yesterday”
“I know baby”
“Do you think we could vanquish the demon in him and save his good side?’
Prue sighed, it was typical of Phoebe to try see the good in people, despite the fact he had already caused her so much pain. “Pheebs you know it doesn’t work that way, we don’t even know if there is any good in him,”
“I believe there is”
“I want to believe that our relationship with him wasn’t built entirely on lies, but after yesterday’s show I just can’t.” Phoebe reached out and brushed away the tears from Prue’s cheeks, Prue didn’t even know they’d escaped “Pheebs why do you want to save him so badly”
‘Because, we always lose everyone we care about, and this time we have control”
“No we don’t baby girl, if we don’t kill him, he’ll kill us”

No more words were exchanged, both sisters crying for the friend they had already lost, even if the friendship had been feigned.

Piper returned not long later with the potion that would hopefully rid them of their problem and allow their little sister to recover in peace.

‘Prue have you thought of a plan B?”
“Actually yeh, I have” Prue just thought of something “If the potion doesn’t work, then we keep him in the crystals and piss him of until he shows his demon form..”
“And then check it up in the book for a vanquish” Piper cut her sister of, immediately realising the meaning.
“And then we kill Darryl” Phoebe’s voice was sad.

Piper could see her little sister was upset, they had no other choice so she knew they’d just have to be there to pick up the pieces afterwards.
Prue arranged the crystals then together, all three of them read the summoning spell. Moments later he appeared before them, Prue quickly adding the final crystal before he had a chance to take in his surroundings.

“What the…” He tried to move but he too was forced to stay within the hold.
“Why? Darryl” Phoebe whispered, but it didn’t go unheard
“Why? Because no one else could vanquish you”
“but you were our friend”
‘I was never your friend, I just let you believe I was, my way works, I’ve come closer to getting your powers than anyone else before me”
“Too bad you won’t succeed”
“Never say never Prue” Prue held up the potion, she made an attempt to throw it, but saw a smile spread across his lips, as her youngest sister reached out and held her hand, preventing her from releasing her grip
“Phoebe, what are you doing?”
“Wait Prue,” She turned her glance towards the captive. “Did you ever care for us? Or was it all a big act?”
“I came close on occasions to becoming emotionally involved, but I overcame it, I will kill you or someone else will adapt my motives, you three will die, its just a matter of time....”
Prue watched as the flames engulfed him, she turned around to see who had thrown it
“I’d heard enough” Phoebe told her

For the first time the sisters felt no pride or relief after a vanquish, there was complete silence, as each one held the other all of them reliving precious memories. Precious memories that now held no meaning.

The End