Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters; I just really enjoy writing about them.

This story takes place just after Rainy Days.

Andy didn’t know what to say to Prue, just 12 short hours ago, they’d all been enjoying themselves, and now he had to break the mood and tell his girlfriend that her sister’s attacker was out on bail. He wasn’t looking forward to the fireworks.

He took in the scene around him. Pipe and Leo were in the kitchen, Phoebe was resting with Darryl on the couch, and Prue was coming towards him, looking delighted to see him. She paused briefly as she noticed his pained expression. Andy had already decided to tell Prue, and then she could tell her sisters.
“Prue, he’s out”
“What are you talking about?”
“The guy who attacked Piper, he made bail” Prue melted into Andy’s embrace, she hadn’t even considered the possibility, and now her sisters, who had been getting their lives back on track after an emotional fortnight would once again be knocked back.
She looked first to her youngest sister who was sound asleep in the arms of her boyfriend, then to her other sister, Piper looked happy, she and Leo were teasing each other, how could she do it, how could she tell them knowing it would once again break the spirit of the youngest and the heart of the other, how?
Prue looked to Andy for the answers she knew he couldn’t provide.

Later as they all were gathered in the living room, Prue and Andy broke the news as gently as they could. They watched as Piper cried on her husbands shoulder and as Phoebe stormed out of the room, as fast as she could with her broken leg. Darryl rose to follow her but Prue stopped him, “Darryl let me ok?” She knew Piper had Leo and she wanted to be there for the youngest
Phoebe was sitting in the window staring out, no tears, but the distant stare in her sisters eyes scared Prue. “Pheebs?”
Phoebe didn’t even acknowledge her sister, “Phoebe come on, don’t do this, I need you to stay strong, Piper needs you to stay strong”
Phoebe looked up, just staring her sister straight in the eye, “Phoebe you’re scaring me, please just snap out of it” Prue reached out to touch her sister, but Phoebe moved away before she had the chance, “Don’t touch me”
“Phoebe no one will hurt you”
“It’s not who’ll hurt me, it’s who I’ll hurt, god Prue you don’t get it do you?”
“No Phoebe I clearly don’t so you may want to explain it”
“Don’t you see? If I hadn’t had that first premonition, that prick would never have gone near Piper, he wouldn’t have hurt her”
“Phoebe you had those visions so you could warn Piper”
“No Prue, the first one had nothing to do with her, can’t you see? If I hadn’t have been so selfish asking you to stay with me that night, Piper wouldn’t have been there alone, he wouldn’t have seen her,” Phoebe took a deep breath before continuing “he wouldn’t have wanted to find her and hurt her” all the anger disappeared from her voice, she’d finally let out her pent up frustration, finally expressed her true feelings.
Prue had no idea her sister had been feeling this way, “Pheebs, baby none of this is your fault, everything happens for a reason”
“Yeh, and the reason is that I am stupid and selfish”
“Your none of those things sweetie”
“No? then why did I not tell you about my vision straight away, why did I go see Darryl when I should have been concentrating on the innocent, why did I crash your car? BECAUSE I WAS THINKING OF ME THAT’S WHY!!!”
Prue was further taken aback at her sisters outburst, “you had a lot on your mind that day sweetie”
“Stop making excuses for me Prue, if I’d have put the innocent first, this whole thing could have been prevented.”
“I can’t believe you’ve been thinking these things, you listen to me Phoebe Halliwell, None of this is your fault, none of it. You did good Phoebe, because of you Piper wasn’t raped, it’s because of you she’s still alive.”
“It’s because of me she was attacked in the first place”
“What does it take to get through to you?? Phoebe you get those visions for a reason, to protect the innocents in them, this time the innocent happened to be your sister, Phoebe you get the premonitions, you don’t cause the event” Prue was desperate to get through to her guilt ridden sibling.
“I hate this power, I hate this whole witch thing” Phoebe curled up on her bed, wanting to block out the world around her, “Baby, I hate it sometimes too, but just think of all the good things we’ve done, you especially baby, it just sucks because this time it was personal”
“Prue, I can handle demons and warlocks, but I can’t handle the human evil, I just can’t” Prue pulled her baby sister gently onto her lap, “I’m sorry”
“You’ve nothing to apologise for” eventually Phoebe had cried herself to sleep, Prue carefully eased herself away, she needed to check her other sister. When she went downstairs she found Piper curled up on Leo’s lap, Andy and Darryl were gone.
“Pipe I’m sorry”
“How’s Pheebs”
“Not good, you?”
“I’m ok,” Piper wasn’t really ok, but knowing her husband would be by her side for at least two weeks was comforting. Leo and Piper went to bed early, Prue just sat on the couch racking her brain for a way to lighten the loads on her sisters’ minds. Seeing Phoebe like that was breaking her heart. She was taking it so personally, Prue kicked herself, she couldn’t believe that she hadn’t even noticed how badly her sister was blaming herself. When Prue was ready for bed she went to check on her youngest sister, but the bed was empty so Prue checked the next obvious location, the bathroom. She heard the familiar sounds of vomiting coming from it.
“Phoebe let me in”
“I’m ok”
“Open the door Pheebs” Phoebe knew better than to ignore Prue’s tone, she reached out and twisted the key, not having the energy to get up from her spot against the tub. Prue immediately checked her for a fever, but there was no clear sign of one. “Baby what’s wrong?” Phoebe couldn’t answer, she leaned forward, once again losing the contents of her stomach to the toilet. Prue tied Phoebe’s hair back, then just rubbed her back. “Prue”
“Yes sweetie”
“I want to go to bed” Prue could hear pure exhaustion in her sisters voice. She gave her some water to rinse with then picked up Phoebe’s crutches and helped her up. Prue practically carried Phoebe into her room, after getting her into her PJ’s she tucked the blankets around her. “Do you want me to stay?” Phoebe just nodded, a few silent tears escaping. As Phoebe slept, Prue lay awake, she had an idea, but she needed to run it by Andy and Darryl. She wanted to take her sisters away for a couple of weeks, they all needed the break. Prue knew Piper would go for it, especially with Leo free to come, and she knew she’d be happier if Andy came, but Phoebe was worrying her, she wasn’t sure if she would want to spend two whole weeks with Darryl, since it was very early in the relationship, but she figured she’d run it by her and decide in the morning.

The morning came too quickly, Prue was shattered, she hadn’t slept a wink, out of worry for her sisters, Phoebe opened her eyes looking straight into Prue’s. Prue felt like crying as she saw the sadness in her little sisters eyes.
“Pheebs” Prue ran her hand down Phoebe’s cheek “How would you feel about a vacation” the usual spark Phoebe had always shown at the mention of a holiday was absent, “What are you thinking about baby?”
“Nothing, everything… I don’t know” Phoebe’s mind was everywhere
“What do you think about a holiday?”
“When?”
“Tomorrow”
“Who’s going?”
“You, me, Pipe, Leo and I was thinking maybe we could ask Andy and Darryl, but that’s your call babes” Phoebe really liked Darryl but she wasn’t sure it was a good idea to spend so much time with him so soon, but she also knew that if she didn’t ask Darryl that Prue wouldn’t ask Andy.
“Will they be able to get the time off?”
“I think so, I know they’re due holiday’s but they may not be able to get them so soon, but they can always follow us” Phoebe just nodded and cuddled up close to her sister. “Pheebs what made you sick last night?” Phoebe flinched; she’d hoped to avoid that question. “Pheebs” Prue pushed her to tell
“I had a premonition” Phoebe glanced at her sister who urged her to elaborate, “umm, it was him, he was here”
“Did he hurt anyone?”
“I, I don’t know, I just saw him, I don’t understand, but it was the look on his face, the evil in his eyes, I can’t take it Prue” Prue knew then and there that the break was the best idea, she didn’t like that he knew where they lived, where Piper lived.
She held her sister closer, realising that she’d somehow drifted apart from her, Prue had always been able to read Phoebe like a book, but now when she was needed more than ever Prue was clueless as to how her sister was feeling, and to get Phoebe to open up was like extracting blood from a stone. Prue made up her mind that on this vacation she would insist on quality time with her sisters, to find what had somehow gone astray.

Andy and Darryl both loved the idea of a trip, but unfortunately, they weren’t able to get time off till the following week. They decided to meet up then. Piper was thrilled, she loved the idea of spending time with Leo and her sisters. They all agreed to leave early the next morning. Prue and Piper had already packed, Phoebe had barely left her room all day, but when she heard the guy’s arrive she made her way down. Prue and Andy headed to the kitchen to plan a route and where to meet the next week. Phoebe and Darryl went to the sunroom. Piper came downstairs a while later, she was on a cleaning buzz, claiming that she’d rather do it now than the day she came home but Prue and Andy kept getting in her way.
“Piper would you relax”
“I am relaxed Prue and if certain people would just get out of my way I’d be even more so”
“We’re trying to plan a route Pipe”
Piper moved to where Prue stood, Andy had backed away from the counter not wanting to piss Piper off, but Prue wasn’t moving. “Prue move your ass”
Prue was leaning on the counter not budging
“Prue come on just move for a sec, there’s a time to lean and a time to clean” Prue and Andy laughed at her, “Yep, Piper and this is a time to lean”
“Piper playfully slapped her across the back of the legs, Prue eventually moved away.

It was late when the guy’s left, Prue was a bit upset than Andy couldn’t join them straight away but she intended to take full advantage of the opportunity to spend time with her youngest sister. She went up to say goodnight and found that Piper was already there with her. “Hi guys” she noticed that Phoebe was already half asleep
“Pheebs, babe, have you packed yet?” Phoebe shook her head
“Want me to do it for you?” Piper offered. Once again Phoebe just shook her head
“Sweetie either Pipe or I will have to do it, you’re obviously exhausted, and we really want to get away as early as possible.
“Will you do it Prue? Cause Piper’s way too sensible, she’d probably only pack one or two pairs of shoes for me”
“Hey, not fair” Piper defended herself
“The kid has a point, Pipe you do travel light” Prue teased her
“Well at least my bag’s not going to topple the whole car over”
“Neither will Phoebe’s, ok sweetie” she turned her attention back to the youngest “anything specific you want to take?” Phoebe was back to shaking her head
“Well, why don’t you go take a bath, that way you can sleep a bit longer in the morning” Phoebe nodded, and Piper went to run one for her. Piper helped Phoebe into the tub, and then left her alone. She watched amused as Prue packed.
“Oh Prue she doesn’t need six pairs of shoes”
“Piper trust me she’ll need them”
“Ok, well why are you taking the right one’s?” Prue looked confused
“Eh Prue incase you didn’t notice, she’s got a cast on her right leg and foot, it’s not like the shoes will go over it!”
“Oh Yeh, I never thought of that”
“While we’re on the subject, you might want to leave the heels behind, she’s already lethal on those crutches, I do not need the added stress of her hopping around with one high heel” Prue laughed, realising that she hadn’t even thought of any of these things.
She moved onto pack Phoebe’s clothes. Piper had a funny look on her face
“WHAT NOW?”
“Nothing, I never said a thing”
“Then take that smug look of your face” Piper couldn’t hide her amusement
“WHAT, Pipe, tell me what’s so funny”
“Umm you just packed three tight pairs of jeans”
“Yeh, they’re Phoebe’s favourites”
“Prue you’re so dense, need I remind you yet again of the cast?”
“Shit” Prue pulled the jeans back out
“Piper if you’re going to sit there criticising you might as well help”
Between the two of them they managed to pack, Prue kept adding things whenever Piper turned away.

The next morning at half six, Prue woke an extremely cranky Phoebe. When she was satisfied Phoebe wasn’t going to fall back asleep she left her to get ready.
“Is she up?” Piper took Prue by surprise
“Well she’s awake, but I’m not so sure she’ll stay that way”
“Knowing Phoebe I’d say she’s already dead to the world again”
“I feel so guilty waking her, she’s been really tired lately”
“Yeh what’s that about?”
“oh I don’t know, but I’m going to have to wake her again, she can sleep in the car”
“Prue, I’ll do it, you go get ready and help Leo load the jeep”
“Thanks” Prue kissed Piper on the forehead, grateful that for once she didn’t have to be the mean older sister.

“Pheebs, wake up” Piper just couldn’t wake Phoebe, she’d tried shaking her, tickling her, pretty much everything she could think of
“WAKE UP NOW PHOEBE”
“Ugh” Phoebe moaned at the sudden noise, she looked up expecting to see Prue, but instead her gentle middle sister stood there smiling “Piper, that was so mean”
“Yeh but the look on your face made it all worth while” Piper tousled Phoebe’s hair, earning her another moan
“Pipe leave me alone, please” there was something in Phoebe’s voice that told piper to stop the teasing
“You want a hand getting ready?” Phoebe didn’t acknowledge her “Hello, earth to Pheebs, wake up”
“Sorry, um could you hand me over my clothes?” Piper brought her over about the only clothes Phoebe owned that Prue hadn’t packed, “Thanks”
“Need any help?”
“No, I’m ok”

Fifteen minutes later, Phoebe arrived downstairs, still looking half asleep
Leo and Prue were just finished squeezing everything into the car,
“Good Morning Pheebs” Leo greeted as she descended the final step,
“Really, what’s good about it?’
“Ok, you really aren’t a morning person are you?”
“You’re quick” Leo went on out to the car with Piper, not wanting to provoke Phoebe any further.
Prue nearly had to drag Phoebe out to the car, and then finally they were on their way. Leo drove, with Piper in the passenger seat and Prue and Phoebe in the back, with some blankets and pillows between them. Phoebe just stared out the window.
After three hours driving and still not a peek from the youngest, Prue was beginning to regret her decision especially since Leo and Piper were fighting over what CD to listen to in the front.
“OK” The volume of Prue’s voice shut everyone up, and got Phoebe’s attention
“You two in the front stop fighting, this is a holiday, it’s supposed to be fun, if you keep this up I’ll swap places with Piper, and you” Prue looked at Phoebe but her tone softened “Pheebs what’s wrong?”
“Nothing”
“Well it’ll take more than that to convince me, but I’ll drop it for now” Phoebe gave Prue a grateful look.
Piper and Leo agreed on something to listen to. Phoebe turned to stare out of the window again; she turned as she felt the soft touch of Prue’s hand wiping away the tears that were slowly falling. Prue undid her seat belt and moved everything out of the way, moving closer to her little sister, she wrapped her arms around her, holding Phoebe as she cried.

Piper noticed them in the mirror, but she knew better than to interrupt.

“Phoebe, do you want to get some sleep?”
“It’s too uncomfortable”
“No it’s not, you can lie down and use me as your pillow. Somehow Phoebe managed to get comfortable in the confined space; she had her head on a pillow in Prue’s lap. Her eyes looking straight into the caring one’s of her older sister. “Phoebe, I wish you’d tell me”
“Tell you what?”
“What’s on your mind?”
“It’s nothing major Prue, just little things”
“They don’t look so little to me” Phoebe just shrugged, “We can talk later, you try sleep”
“Seriously, Prue there’s nothing to talk about, but thanks anyway” Prue asked Piper to lower the music, which she did obligingly.

They pulled over at lunchtime, but since Phoebe still hadn’t woken, just Piper and Leo went. Prue just watched the youngest sleeping.
As soon as Leo and Piper returned, they took of, this time with Piper driving. You could cut the atmosphere with a knife, No one was in a good mood, and it just didn’t feel like a holiday. They drove for a few more hours before stopping at a hotel. Leo carried Phoebe in; she was awake, but only just. Prue and Piper struggled with the bags. They took two double rooms, and Prue decided to order room service for herself and Phoebe while Piper and Leo went downstairs for a meal and a few drinks.

Prue watched as phoebe picked at the food, eating it slowly. “Phoebe are you feeling sick?”
“Not really”
“Do you want to tell me what’s on your mind?”
“I already did Prue, nothing”
“Ok, if you aren’t going to talk to me, will you talk to Piper?” Prue knew that Piper was usually the one Phoebe would go to, and at this point it didn’t bother her as long as her little sister had someone to talk to.
“Prue, it’s no big deal, I’ve just been thinking a lot the last few days, that’s all”
“Anything in particular?”
“Try everything”
“ Phoebe why don’t you just try talking about ‘everything’ then?”
“I’m not sure I want to, it’s all stupid anyway”
“Well I want to hear about it, because anything that’s been getting you down this much is not stupid”
Phoebe pushed her plate away from her, “Prue I’m going to have a bath ok?”
So close but yet so far, Prue thought, “Ok” Prue watched Phoebe leave the room. She knew better than to push her sister too hard.

Phoebe took her time in the bathroom, not really wanting to face her sister. Eventually she had to go back in there, Prue was sitting on the bed, flicking through a magazine, she looked up and smiled as Phoebe came back.
“Prue”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry about earlier”
“you didn’t do anything wrong”
“I made you worry”
“Honey why can’t you tell me?”
“Because its kinda stupid, and I’m not even sure you’ll understand, you’ll probably just think I’m crazy”
“I’d never think that” Phoebe smiled
“You’ve always thought I was crazy”
“Ok point taken” Phoebe sat beside Prue, letting the crutches fall to the floor. “Do you want any of your painkillers?”
“no, it doesn’t really hurt too much any more, don’t even get why I still have to wear it”
“Uh cause you leg is broken” Prue mocked her
“I bet they mixed my x ray’s up with someone else’s, and some poor sod is walking round out there with a broken leg, and I’m stuck with this”
“Yeh, Pheebs cause that’d happen” Prue just rolled her eyes.
Phoebe moved closer to Prue, settling in next to her. “Prue, it’s Cole”
“What’s Cole baby” Prue always felt awkward when Phoebe talked about him, because she’d never made her disliking and mistrust of him a secret
“I’ve been thinking about him a lot, um sometimes I think I can hear him, I don’t know, it’s probably because I feel so guilty for moving on”
“You had to move on at some stage babes, Cole’s not coming back and I know that it’s hard for you, but I think he’d understand”
“I’m not sure he would”
“Why do you think that?”
“because, he always said that I was the one true love of his life, and he believed that everyone only ever could have one”
“That’s not true sweetie, I think you can love a lot of people in your life, you’ve got a big heart Pheebs and you don’t have to stop loving Cole just because you love Darryl”
“Wow, slow down Prue, who said anything about love?”
“Sorry, but it’s sort of obvious” Prue watched the expression on Phoebe’s face change, she was starting to close up again “I’m sorry sweetie, maybe I’m wrong”
“You are wrong Prue, I’m not in love with Darryl, I do really like him, but we’ve only been together a couple of weeks”
“Time’s irrelevant”
“No it’s not, God Prue, Cole isn’t even dead a year,”
“You feel guilty don’t you?”
“Yes, but not so much for moving on, but for forgetting” Phoebe had no control over the tears she shed. Prue rocked her on her lap, lost for words. It took ages for Phoebe to calm down enough to talk again, “I forgot him Prue, I, I forgot”
“Ssh, Baby, it’s ok, shh” all Prue could do was rock her little sister back and forth and rub her back, how do you console your heartbroken sister, after she’d lost someone she loved so much, For Phoebe, forgetting Cole, no matter how momentarily, was like losing him all over again. It felt like an eternity before Phoebe cried herself to sleep.
Prue was awake before Phoebe the next morning, she called Piper to tell her and Leo to go on down for breakfast, she didn’t think Phoebe would want to so she once again ordered room service. Piper was worried about her little sister, but at Prue’s reassurance she went with Leo.

Phoebe awoke to the aroma of breakfast filling the air. She had to admit that she was starving. The two women ate in silence; it was only after breakfast that Prue brought up the previous evening’s events.
“What did you mean when you said you forgot Phoebe?” the youngest brow creased
“I don’t want to talk about it”
“That’s your call, but know I’m here Phoebe, 24/7, anytime of the day or night I’m right here ok?”
“Ok”
“Are you ready for another day on the road?”
“Yeh, I actually feel a lot better”
“Nothing like a good cry huh?” Phoebe smiled.

All four of them were ready to leave within the hour, Prue and Phoebe linked as they made their way to the car, Piper and Leo followed at a slower pace
“SHOTGUN” Phoebe yelled as soon as the jeep came into view, Prue jumped at the sudden sound
“Jeez, Phoebe calm down” Phoebe was already standing defensively at the passenger’s door, not willing to relinquish her position for anyone. Piper laughed, happy for the old Phoebe to be making an appearance.
Prue took her turn to drive and soon they were on their way.

Phoebe claimed that because she had shotgun, she was also the DJ, so she played CD after CD never letting any one whole song play through much to the frustrations of the other passengers.
“Leo” Phoebe’s voice made it obvious she wanted something, Leo raised an eyebrow, always suspicious of his sister in law’s tone
“Could you pleeease do me a little favour?”
“How little?”
“Well” Phoebe fidgeted a bit, “um, see I sort of forgot to take any of my CD’s and I really really want to listen to them, and I was, umm, thinking that, umm, maybe you could, well go get them for me?” Phoebe looked at him hopefully, Leo rolled his eyes.
“Phoebe can’t you just go without” Phoebe shook her head, pretending to be hurt
“Oh, fine, but I can’t just orb out of a moving car, Prue pull over at the next gas station”
“Thank you Leo” Phoebe flashed him an appreciative smile.

Piper giggled and hugged her husband, “She has you wrapped round her little finger”
“She hasn’t, you have” Leo whispered back, “When she’s upset you are too”

When Leo orbed back into the manor, he grabbed every CD he could find. Phoebe was ecstatic when she seen him return, she hugged him the best she could from her seat in the front.
“Thank you, Thank you, Thank you” Phoebe kissed him on the cheek, Piper couldn’t contain her laughter as Leo blushed.
“Phoebe will you do me a favour”
“Sure Piper, anything”
“Will you please let one song play through, I’ll even settle for half way, you’re driving me crazy with playing ten seconds of every song”
“Sorry Pipe, but I bore real easy”
“That much, I’m aware of,”
“Ooh, this is one of my favourites” Phoebe turned up the volume as Greenday’s ‘Time of your life” started, Prue chuckled
“What’s so funny?”
“Phoebe you say that about nearly every song that comes on”
“Do not”
“Do too”
“Do Not”
“Kid’s stop fighting, don’t make me pull over,” Piper mocked her sisters, who really did sound like two bickering children, imitating Grams predictable phrase and threatening ‘don’t mess with me’ tone, used every time they ever took a drive longer than twenty minutes. Everyone laughed except Leo, who didn’t get the relevance of Piper’s words.

Two hours, and a lot of arguments later, they parked outside a zoo. Prue had chose to stop here especially for the youngest, she knew she needed to be cheered up, and hoped this would do the trick.

Phoebe had barely been talking to Prue the last hour because she kept lowering the volume. When she got out of the car and realised where they were, she was thrilled
“Oh Prue, thanks, now come on” Phoebe hugged her sister, then hobbled of on her crutches, motioning for the oldest to follow. Leo wanted for him and Piper to go of alone, but Piper argued that no visit to the zoo was ever complete without Phoebe and her infectious enthusiasm, so the two followed behind, hand in hand. They ate lunch and walked around, looking at all the animals.
Phoebe didn’t want to leave, but understood that they still had a fair distance to go before stopping for the night. She didn’t even try to sit up front, she held onto Piper’s arm, and asked her to sit in the back with her. This left Leo in charge of the music and Prue driving. Phoebe snuggled up with Piper in the back.
“You tired baby?” Piper got a nod of the head in reply, She manoeuvred herself so Phoebe could lie down a bit. It wasn’t long before she was sleeping.
“Prue, could you pull over a sec” Piper whispered so she didn’t wake her sister
“Why?”
“The blankets are in the back, and I think she’s a bit cold”
Prue pulled over and got the blankets, then after wrapping them around both sisters she took of again. They watched, as the sky grew dark.
Prue drove another hour before pulling into a hotel. Both sisters were sleeping in the back, so she and Leo organised the rooms, and carried all the bags up before waking them.
Phoebe woke first, she leaned heavily on Prue as they took the lift up to the sixth floor, and Leo carried a half sleeping Piper.

Prue wasted no time showering and changing, she wanted all of four of them to have dinner together before bed, but when she came out of the shower Phoebe was sound asleep on the bed.

She knocked on Leo’s door and found that Piper was also asleep, so they left notes for the girl’s and the two of them went down to the restaurant for dinner.

Piper woke before they returned, and read the note. She went into Phoebe’s room, to check on her. Sitting down on the bed beside her, she stroked her little sisters hair, “What’s going on in that little head of yours lately baby?” She asked out loud, but no one heard.
Knowing Phoebe was out for the night, Piper carefully got her changed into her PJ’s, something both sisters were used to doing.
Piper lay down beside her and Phoebe subconsciously cuddled up next to her. Prue found them fast asleep a while later. She told Leo and then got into the bed on the other side of the youngest.


Prue reluctantly awoke the next morning, her nose was itching so she scratched it, then she felt something else on it, she looked up and saw the amused look on Phoebe’s face. “Phoebe piss of” Phoebe tickled her sister’s nose again, this time Prue grabbed her hand.
“Ooh someone got out the wrong side of the bed this morning” Phoebe taunted
“I’m still in the bed, and some of us have been getting less sleep than others”
Phoebe stopped teasing her “I have been sleeping a lot huh?”
“Yes you have, but at least it keeps you quite, plus you could use all the beauty sleep you can get” Prue didn’t wait for a reaction, she was up and in the bathroom before Phoebe could even digest her mockery.
Phoebe turned and woke Piper in the same fashion she did Prue. “Phoebe why did you wake me, I was having a really nice dream”
Phoebe decided to take advantage of Piper being half asleep to tease her
“Pipe, that’s the thing, when you were dreaming I think you thought I was Leo”
Piper’s eyes shot open; she blushed a deep shade of red
“Oh relax, I was kidding, but I have a good idea what you were dreaming about now”
“Phoebe, you little…” Piper tickled her little sister.
Prue had heard Phoebe’s latest method of winding up Piper, she laughed “Guy’s next place we stop we’re getting two single beds, between her incessant kicking, which by the way while we’re on the subject, thanks for the bruise” Prue pointed to a tiny mark on her knee “and your R rated dreams, I’d feel a lot safer sleeping alone”
Prue ducked back into the bathroom before the pillows could hit her.
“Phoebe”
“Yep?”
“Are you sick?”
“No, why do you think I would be?”
“You’ve just been so quite lately, and you seem to be sleeping a lot and I’m worried about you”
“Piper I promise you, I’m not sick” Phoebe relaxed in Piper’s arms “I have been thinking a lot about Cole” Piper nodded
“Piper?”
“uh huh?”
“Last week, for a couple of day’s I didn’t think about him at all”
“Sweetie, that doesn’t mean anything”
“Yes it does, it means I forgot”
“Honey last week was just crazy for all of us, you didn’t forget, you just had so many other things on your mind, no one could blame you for that”
“Piper what if I do forget him?”
“Baby you’ll never forget him, but as time passes you’ll probably think about him less, but that doesn’t mean you care any less about him”
“I miss him”
“I know you do, and you always will, but time heals all wounds”
“You know what?”
“What?”
“I love you” Phoebe hugged Piper tighter, grateful for her presence and comforting words, “Without you and Prue I’d be lost, I love both of you so much”
“Love you too baby, more than you can imagine”
Prue had emerged cautiously from the bathroom, and joined in the hug, “Pheebs”
“Yes Prue?”
“Love you” All three sisters stayed that way, until the youngest was ready to get up.
Phoebe eventually released herself from her sister’s embrace. She was looking forward to their next destination, and didn’t want to hold things up any further.

Once again she insisted on sitting up front, and slapped Piper when she moaned at the prospect of listening to her music choices. They drove all day, stopping of in different towns along the way. Everyone was in pretty good spirits when they arrived at the latest hotel. They planned to stay here until the others joined them a few days later. Phoebe insisted on looking around the whole place before going to bed, so a tired Prue was following behind her as she excitedly rushed from one area to the next.
Eventually they were all settled.

The following morning at breakfast an excited Phoebe told Piper and Leo about everything there was to do and see in the hotel and the surrounding area.
“There’s a really great swimming pool, a gym, a salon everything”
“Phoebe” Prue interrupted “You do realise you can’t use the gym or the pool”
Phoebe’s face dropped, she hadn’t even thought about that “Aww this sucks, I want this damn thing of” She looked down at the name filled cast.
“I’m sorry babe, but how about we go shopping today instead?” Phoebe smiled, still disappointed.

Piper and Leo chose to remain in the hotel for the day and take advantage of the peaceful surroundings, compared to their world of demon and warlock fighting, this was heaven.

Prue and Phoebe spent the day tackling crowds in the city, going from shop to shop. The oldest insisted on spoiling her little sister, mostly in an attempt to cheer her up. When they got back to the hotel, Phoebe was shattered. Prue took the opportunity with Phoebe asleep to call Andy. She spent an hour on the phone with him. She hadn’t realised just how much she’d miss him and was eagerly anticipating their arrival so she could spend time with him.

The next few days were uneventful. Phoebe had talked a lot with her sisters, especially Prue, and was feeling better about everything. Now she was sitting on the steps at the front of the hotel, waiting impatiently for Andy and Darryl, who had called an hour ago to say they were nearly there. When she saw the familiar car approaching, she jumped up, hurting her leg a bit, but not enough to stop her. She threw her arms around Darryl as soon as he stepped out. Prue came out of the hotel in time to see this, and smiled to herself, relieved her sister was a lot more emotionally stable now than she was a week earlier. Andy walked over to Prue, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her passionately.

Phoebe went with Darryl to leave his stuff in his room; she was sitting on the bed while he showered. When he emerged wearing only a towel, Phoebe couldn’t help herself. They kissed and one thing led to another.

At dinner that evening, Phoebe couldn’t wipe the smile of her face. She was finally moving on, and was feeling positive about it now. Prue was wearing a similar grin after her afternoon with Andy. Piper couldn’t help but feel like an old married woman around her sisters, who were still in the fun stages of the relationship. She smiled suggestively at Leo, and they excused themselves.

The next morning, they had to decide who’d be travelling with who? None of the couples wanted to be separated, so eventually it was decided that Piper and Leo would travel in the jeep with most of the luggage, while both other couples took Andy’s car.
Apparently it was Darryl’s turn to drive, which did not go down well with Phoebe who had been looking forward to snuggling up with him in the back, instead Prue and Andy got to. Phoebe shot her sister a cold glare, pretending to be spiteful, but her glare soon melted.

After lunch, Phoebe and Darryl took a long walk, without realising, they’d wandered a good distance from the car and Phoebe’s arms were beginning to ache, so they had to call the others to collect them. This time it was Phoebe and Darryl’s turn to relax in the back. They were kissing so much in the back, that Prue pulled over and threatened to separate them if they didn’t give it a rest, she was only half joking because she wished it was she and Andy back there instead. But there was only so much she could take. Darryl got embarrassed but Phoebe ignored her sister.

“That’s it kiddo” Piper and Leo who had been following behind also pulled over to see what the problem was. “Out” Prue practically dragged her sister out of the car
“Prue, what are you doing?” Piper was a bit angry, thinking her sisters were fighting
“She” Prue pointed her finger at the youngest “Just will not stop kissing him, and …”
“Prue, leave her alone”
“Piper, Andy and I do not want to see that non stop”
“Only because you’re finding it impossible to keep your hands of him” Prue was shocked that Piper would come out with something like that and embarrassed at her accuracy.
“Pheebs, why don’t you two come to the jeep, and we’ll let all the guys drive together for a while. Reluctantly everyone agreed to this, Phoebe and Prue made their way to the jeep, with Piper driving and Phoebe in the back, squashed in amongst all the luggage. She was being very quite, not even complaining about her sister’s bad taste in music. When Prue did look back she found Phoebe sleeping, in what could only be described as the most uncomfortable position imaginable. Phoebe’s head was rested against one of the hard suitcases; she was awkwardly turned on her side, with her legs stuck between more cases.
“Piper pull over”
“Now what” Prue motioned for her to look in the back “Oh my god, how the hell can she sleep like that?”
They pulled over and Prue tried to rearrange some of the luggage to make it more comfortable. She managed to clear a space and gently put a pillow under Phoebe’s head, and another under the cast on Phoebe’s leg, she knew it had been bothering her that day, finally she wrapped a blanket around her little sister, before they took off again.

Phoebe awoke when it was already dark; she heard the quite voices of her sisters in the front. Her leg was hurting her and she was stiff from the awkward position. “Piper?” both sisters turned around, finding Phoebe looking exhausted and pained
“You ok baby?”
“My leg hurts” Prue pulled out her bag which held Phoebe’s pain meds and a bottle of water. Phoebe immediately took them.
“Want to sit up front for a while?” Prue offered
“No, that’s ok, will we be stopping soon?”
“We have about an hour and a half to the nearest hotel”
“I’m sick of travelling all the time”
“Well if it’s any consolation, we’re planning to stay put at the next place, and there’s a theme park’ Phoebe’s eyes lit up
“You will let me go on everything won’t you?”
Prue smiled “you can go on everything that’s suitable for someone with a broken leg, remember you’re meant to be taking it easy”
“I have been”
“Not last night you weren’t” Phoebe’s face reddened considerably.
“Phoebe did you and Darryl…” piper already knew the answer but needed to hear it from the horse’s mouth, so to speak
“Yes” Phoebe cut her off before she finished her sentence “And believe me, I now have another reason to complain about this damn cast”
Piper laughed then turned her attention to Prue “And how was your night?”
“Perfect, actually even better than perfect”
“So looks like we all had a good night then” Piper smiled at her sisters.

The rest of the drive was silent, with each sister lost in her own thoughts.

In the hotel, Phoebe was lying next to Darryl, absent mindly playing with the buttons on his shirt while they talked. Darryl couldn’t help but notice the tiredness in her eyes.
“Phoebe do you want to get some sleep”
“Not yet, Darryl, will you come with me to the theme park tomorrow?”
“Sure, but just so you know, I am not getting on a roller coaster”
“Don’t you like them?”
“No, not a bit, but everything else’s is ok” Darryl was slightly embarrassed admitting his fear of roller coasters.
“Well that’s ok, cause there’s no way Prue’s going to let me on one anyway”
“Darryl, umm, did anything else happen with that guy while we’ve been away?” Phoebe knew the subject would eventually come up anyway
“I thought Andy might have told you, they have linked him to other murders in the city and they’re appealing for witnesses, but unless they get them he’ll probably walk” Darryl sighed, he wanted so badly to put that bastard away.

The next morning, Phoebe woke up early, and didn’t have the heart to wake Darryl, but when he was still sleeping after she was showered and dressed, she deliberately made a lot of noise. She didn’t want to lose any time. He woke when she ‘accidentally’ dropped a hardcover book on the floor. He jumped at the loud sudden sound. Phoebe grinned; “Oh I’m sorry baby, I didn’t mean to wake you” She sat beside him, leaning in to kiss him.

The day was a great success; everyone had a lot of fun, even Phoebe who was barely able to go on any rides. Darryl won a giant polar bear teddy for her, which she was ecstatic about. They ate dinner back in the hotel that evening. Phoebe convinced everyone that it was a really good idea for them to go out to a nightclub that night. Despite everyone’s tiredness, they agreed.

The guy’s decided to go for a few drinks early while the girls got ready.
“Phoebe, want me to do your hair for you?” Piper kindly offered
“That’d be great, I’ll go get my stuff and come up to your room”
“No, you go rest for a half hour while I get ready, then I’ll be down to you ok?”
“Sounds good” Phoebe handed Piper a key for her room, incase she was in the shower when she arrived. Piper found her sister asleep when she got there. “Phoebe” Piper knew there’d be war if she didn’t wake her for the night out. Phoebe yawned. “Maybe you should stay in bed,”
“No way, I’m grand, I can’t wait for tonight, it’s going to be sooo much fun”
“Ok well sit up so I can do your hair, do you want it straight?”
“Yep,” Phoebe sat still while Piper straightened her hair, both of them sipping a glass of wine from the mini bar. Prue joined them as Phoebe was doing her make up,

Half-hour later, the three sister’s joined the men at the bar, all looking fabulous.
They danced the night away, and by the end of it, Phoebe was the only one who had energy left. It was a mystery to her sister’s how she could go from being exhausted to energetic in the space of a few hours.

The rest of the holiday went really well, everyone enjoyed themselves. A few day’s later they were nearing the end of the long drive home, there was a bit of an anti climax, no one minded the journey on the way, but knowing they were going home to face work and demons was depressing. Phoebe got a bit upset when a song that reminded her of Cole came on the radio. So for the last length of the journey, the three sisters travelled together. Leo had already returned, having used up his two weeks. Phoebe and Prue kissed their boyfriends goodbye, leaving the Halliwell’s alone. All the sisters were content to sleep in their own beds that night, well two out of three. Phoebe climbed into Prue’s bed and cuddled with her. Prue reached out to turn of the light, memories of the past two weeks filling her dreams.


The End