DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of the characters from "Charmed". They belong to the WB. Enjoy!!


Protecting Her Family


Nine year old Phoebe Halliwell laid in bed, tossing and turning. She was having trouble sleeping and she had been trying to sleep for a few hours now, but
it wasn’t working.
Across the room, she watched her five year old sister, Paige, sleeping soundly.
Phoebe sighed and gritted her teeth. She enveed her sister’s sleep.
A few minutes later, Phoebe laid back down and in a matter of seconds, she was in dreamland.
It wasn’t until an hour later, that Phoebe woke up shaking and feeling very scared. She had just had anightmare/premonition and it had not been good. She
had dreamt that one of her sisters had been killed by a demon. It had only been three weeks since the girls had received their powers and Phoebe was still
trying to get used to the effect the premonitions had on her. Not to mention after affect.
As Phoebe sat there, shaking and almost crying, she jumped out of bed and tore out of the room. Not even bothering to close the door behind her as she ran.
When she reached her destination, Phoebe knocked on the door softly. It was Prue and Piper’s bedroom and Phoebe knew that Piper was a light sleeper, but
it wasn’t Piper she wanted, or needed for that matter. It was Prue.
As Phoebe gently opened the bedroom door, she crept over to the side of the room that Prue owned and gently climbed on the side of Prue’s bed.
“Prue?” Phoebe asked, her voice breaking as she tshook her older sister gently. “Prue? Prue, please wake up. I need your help. Prue!” By this time, Phoebe
was in tears.
Prue sat up about two seconds later to find Phoebe sobbing next to her.
Prue wiped the sleep from her eyes and was about to ask Piper what had happened, but thought better of it.
Almost instantly, Prue’s protective motherly instincts kicked in as she engulfed Phoebe in a hug and stroked her hair.
“Shh,” she soothed as she rocked her sister back and forth. “It’s okay, Phoebs. It’s okay. I’m here now. You’re safe. It’s all right, baby. I promise. You’re
okay.”
Phoebe just let it all out. All the fear and frustration she felt because of her lack of being able to sleep and the dream came spilling out.
After about fifteen minutes, Phoebe had calmed down enough to tell Prue what had happened.
“There ya go,” Prue said gently as she tucked Phoebe in beside her. “Now,” she said, putting her arm around Phoebe and beginning to stroke her hair again,
“tell your big sister what got you so upset? Hmmmm? Did you have a bad dream?” Then she said, trying not to sound too taunting, “Did the woogie man come
back?”
Phoebe shook her head and glared at Prue.
Prue ignored this and just held Phoebe closer.
“I-I had a… a premonition, but it was like a dream.” Phoebe began, a sob escaping her lips as she told Prue her story.
Prue nodded.
“A demon came after us and he… he…..” Her voice trailed off as more tears came.
“Shh,” Prue soothed again. “It’s okay, Phoebs. I promise. You’re okay. Everything’s going to be all right.”
Phoebe nodded, but there were still tears welling up in her eyes as she continued. “The demon came after us and Piper tried to freeze him, but it didn’t
work. Then he…. he….. he killed you.” The last word came out in a whisper as a river of tears streamed down Phoebe’s face as she buried her face in Prue’s
shoulder.
“Aw, honey,” Prue said gently, hugging Phoebe close, “it’s going to be okay, sweetie. I promise. Grams would never let anything happen to us. And you know
that if a demon did come in here and try to hurt you or Paige or Piper I’d protect you guys. You guys are my life.”
Phoebe nodded. She knew this, but she just couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.
“Can I sleep in here with you, please, Prue?” Phoebe asked, her voice shaky.
Prue nodded, but then looked at Phoebe for a moment.
“Well, don’t you think that Paige will be lonely if she wakes up and you’re not there?”
Phoebe thought for a moment. She nodded, but then her face crumbled again.
“I don’t want to leave you,” she said, more tears coming. “I wanna sleep in here with you. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Prue nodded.
“Okay, okay. It’s okay, sweetie. You can sleep in here for tonight.”
Phoebe nodded and gave Prue an appreciative hug.
“Thanks,” she said gratefully.
“You’re welcome,” Prue said, before giving Phoebe a kiss good-night. “Now try and get some sleep, okay? It’s late and tomorrow is a big day. Grams is going
to introduce us to her new boyfriend tomorrow.”
Phoebe nodded.
“I wonder what he’s like,” she said out loud.
“I guess we’ll find out tomorrow,” Prue told her.

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

The next morning, Phoebe awoke and subconsciously reached her hand out for Prue.
“Prue?” She asked, her voice still full of sleep, but unmistakeably still shaky.
“It’s okay, baby,” Prue said reassuringly, putting her hand on Phoebe’s shoulder. “I’m right here.”
Phoebe nodded and settled down as Prue took her into her arms and gave her a good morning hug.
“Where’s Piper?” Phoebe asked, looking across the room and seeing that Piper’s bed was empty and already made.
Prue shrugged.
“I guess she’s downstairs, making breakfast.”
Phoebe nodded and got off of Prue’s lap so that they both could get dressed and ready for the day.
“Prue, will you braid my hair?” Phoebe asked, her big brown eyes full of hope as she gazed up at Prue.

Prue thought for a moment, then grinned and said, “Sure thing, kiddo. Just let me get dressed and then I’ll braid it when we get downstairs.”
“Promise?” Phoebe asked.
Prue smiled and nodded.
“I promise.”
Phoebe sat on Prue’s bed, watching her older sister get ready.
After Phoebe had gotten dressed herself, the two sisters headed downstairs. They entered the kitchen to find Paige sitting at the kitchen table, coloring
in a “Sagwa” coloring book and Piper at the stove, making pancakes.
Phoebe smiled as the sweet aroma met her nose.
“Hmmm,” she said happily. “That sure smells good, Piper.”
Piper grinned.
“Thanks, Phoebs.” Then she turned to Prue and asked, “So Prue, are we still on for tonight?”
Prue nodded.
“Sure, sweet girl. Why wouldn’t we be?”
Piper shrugged.
“I don’t know. I guess I thought with Grams bringing her new boyfriend home and all. I don’t’ know. Maybe I just thought we wouldn’t have enough time.”
Prue laughed and gave Piper a gentle pat on the shoulder.
“You are so silly. Of course we will have time.”
Piper smiled as she began to put pancakes onto a plate for everyone.
When the pancakes were served and everyone had a drink of either milk or juice, Paige went to sit down next to Prue, but Phoebe got there first. She sat
down in the seat so fast, she nearly knocked Paige off.
“Hey!” Paige said, her lower lip quivering a little. “That wasn’t nice. I was there first! I wanna sit next to Prue.”
“No you weren’t,” Phoebe said, her tone firm and her eyes glaring. “I was. And besides, Prue said she would braid my hair so I have to sit here.”
Prue sighed. She knew that Phoebe was going through a difficult time and right now she really needed to be near her, but Prue also knew how important it
was for Paige to get her turn to sit next to her.
“Okay you guys,” Prue said, sensing an argument brewing, “Phoebs, why don’t you sit next to me-“
“that’s not fair!” Paige whined tearfully. She turned and looked to Piper for help.
“Can I finish what I was saying, please?” Prue asked Paige, her voice a little annoyed.
Paige nodded, but she still looked like she was going to cry.
“Like I was saying, Phoebe can sit next to me for breakfast and then at lunchtime, Paige, you can have your turn. Okay?”
Paige nodded, but she was still pouting.
“Come here, missy Paige,” Piper said, using Paige’s nickname and holding her arms out. “You can sit next to me.”
Paige nodded and ran over to Piper.
The rest of breakfast was a semi-peaceful event. No more fights broke out, but Paige didn’t want anything to do with Phoebe for the rest of the day. This
got Phoebe a little upset, but she knew that Paige would get over it quickly.
By lunch time, Paige was so attached to Piper that she didn’t even mind when Phoebe sat next to Prue again.
“Don’t you want to sit next to me?” Prue asked her little sister.
Paige shook her head.
“No. I wanna sit next to Piper.” She then went over and sat in Piper’s lap.
Prue just shrugged, but left well enough alone. She didn’t want to cause an unnecessary argument.
After lunch was over, Phoebe and Prue played a game of Candy Land and then they joined Piper and Paige for a game of Upword.
After the girls were done playing games, they watched a movie together. It was turning into a really fun day and when it was time for bed, niether Phoebe
nor Paige not Piper and Prue for that matter, wanted It to be over just yet.
*************

That night, Piper tucked Paige into bed but phoebe didn’t want to sleep in the same room with her.
“Can I sleep with you Prue?” Phoebe asked pulling a frightened face that says ‘i’m going to have another nightmare”.
Prue looked at Piper
“Sweet girl, do you mind?” Prue asked Piper.
Piper shook her head.
“No not really. Paige can sleep in my room tonight.”
Prue nodded as she watched her leave to get Paige.
Piper entered Paige and Phoebe’s room to find Paige getting her pj’s on and climbing into bed.
“Come on, missy Paige,” Piper said with a loving smile. “You’re sleeping in my room tonight.”
Paige smiled and followed Piper to her room, carrying Patch in her arms.
As Phoebe and Prue passed Piper and Paige in the hallway on their way to Piper’s room, Phoebe glared at Paige before going to her own room with Prue. Although
Phoebe had what she wanted, she still felt jealous. Ever since paige was born everyone had been so nice to her. She was the youngest but now Paige had
to take her place.
Phoebe tossed and turned again, even with Prue beside her she still couldn’t sleep. The nightmare was just too scary.
“Prue I’m scared” phoebe whispered.
“Shhh, honey, it’s okay, I’m here and nothing can get you. I promise. Try and sleep now. Okay, sweetie?” Prue gave Phoebe a kiss.
The rest of the night, Phoebe slept soundly.
In the morning, Phoebe was convinced that Paige was making her have the dreams.
“I want you to stay Prue” Phoebe said in the morning as Prue dressed herself.
“Why? You have to look after Paige, I’m not always home” prue said.
“but….i like you better than Paige”
Prue smiled. “now don’t be silly, paige is your sister and you shouldn’t dislike her”
Phoebe knew Prue was right, but she didn’t want to admit it.

**********

That night, Grams brought Tim home to meet her granddaughters.
“Girls,” Grams said proudly, gesturing to the tall man who was sitting on her left, “this is Tim. And Tim, these are my lovely granddaughters. Prudence,
Piper, Phoebe and Paige.”
Tim smiled at each of the girls in turn, but as he looked at Phoebe, she could tell something wasn’t right.
“It’s nice to meet you.” As he held out his hand for Paige to shake, Paige burst into tears and ran to Piper.
“Aw, it’s okay, sweetie,” Piper assured her scared sister as she picked paige up and hugged her close. Piper then turned to Tim and said, “Paige is just
a little shy.”
Tim nodded.
“I understand.” He said.

********

As Phoebe and Prue were getting ready for bed that night, Phoebe voiced her opinion of Tim very openly when Prue asked her what she thought of him.
“I don’t like him,” Phoebe told her. “Something about him just isn’t right.”
Prue had to laugh at this. Phoebe always had a sixth sense for sensing evil and people who weren’t exactly nice, but sometimes Prue thought she went a little too far.
“Phoebs,” Prue said, a small smile creeping across her face, “you haven’t even given the guy a chance.”
“Well, Paige cried and ran to Piper the moment that guy tried to say hi to her. That should tell you something right there.”
Prue nodded and sighed.
“Well, that’s just Paige.” Prue said. “She’s going through a stranger/shy stage. You went through it too. Remember?”
Phoebe nodded. She did remember.
“Still,” Phoebe continued as she climbed into bed and snuggled beneath the covers, “something about that guy totally shivers me out.”
“Okay, Zenon,” Prue said with a laugh.
Phoebe glared at Prue playfully.
The next morning, Grams suggested that the six of them go on a picnic in the park.
Phoebe tried to get out of it by saying she had homework, but Grams would hear none of it. Phoebe was going and that was final.
When they reached the park, the girls helped Grams and Tim set up the blanket and food.
As Paige looked out at the lake, she smiled.
“Let’s go feed the ducks!” She said excitedly, pulling on Piper’s arm. “Come on, Piper.”
Piper nodded and took some bread from the bag before Paige pulled her towards the lake.
“Come on, Prue!” Piper said. “It’ll be fun.”
“Nah,” Prue said, sitting down and letting Phoebe sit in her lap, while Prue re-did Phoebe’s braid. “I’m going to stay here and relax.”
“Are you sure?” Piper asked.
Prue nodded.
“Yup. I’m sure. Go on, sweet girl. Have fun>”
Piper nodded and left reluctantly.
As Prue finished braiding Phoebe’s hair, she spotted a bag of trash that was laying on the blanket.
“I’ll be right back,” she said, getting up and going to pick up the bag. “I’m just going to throw this bag of trash away. Will you be okay here for a sec?”
“I’ll stay with her,” Tim offered. “We can play some soccer.”
Phoebe felt a little uneasy, but then again, it would only be for two to five minutes. What could happen in that short amount of time?
Phoebe nodded and allowed Prue to set her back down and head for the trash can that was on the other side of the picnic area.
As soon as Prue was gone, Tim’s personality totally changed.
He glared at Phoebe as he dumped the rest of the picnic food on the ground and then ordered, “Now pick it up and don’t be all day about it.”
Phoebe nodded and tried her best to be quick, but it was hard. Her sandals made it hard for her to move quickly. They kept getting stuck on twigs and sticks.
“I SAID HURRY UP!!!” Tim said in a loud, dangerous whisper.
Phoebe quickened the pace, but not enough for Tim’s liking.
Before she knew what had happened, Tim had slapped her roughly across the cheek.
Phoebe fell to the ground and landed on her right knee.
As she burst into tears, Tim smiled and said, “Next time, you’ll be faster, won’t you, Phoebe?”
Phoebe nodded.
“And you better not tell anyone either. Or that little sister of yours, what’s her name? Piper?”
Phoebe shook her head.
“Paige.” She said quietly.
“Paige. Well, she’ll pay. If anyone asks, you fell while we were playing soccer and scratched your face on the swing post. Got it?”
Phoebe nodded. She was still crying and her cheek was bleeding.
Just then, she saw Prue coming back from the trashcans. Phoebe ran over to her and buried her face in Prue’s waist.
“Phoebs, what’s the matter? Baby? What’s wrong?” She picked Phoebe up and held her close. As she glanced down at her, she noticed her cut and semi-bruised
cheek.
“Honey, what happened? Did you fall while you and Tim were playing soccer?”
Phoebe was tempted to shake her head. She wanted to tell Prue what had really happened, but she caught Tim’s evil glare and just nodded.
On the way home, Phoebe laid in Prue’s lap and didn’t say a word.
When they reached the house and Grams announced that Tim would be watching the girls while she went out, Phoebe ran to find Prue. By the time she did find
her sister, Phoebe was in tears again.
“Phoebs, sweetie, what’s the matter?” Prue asked, picking Phoebe up and giving her a hug. “What’s got my baby girl so upset?”
“I… I don’t wanna….. s-stay with Tim while Grams goes out!!” Phoebe whimpered brathlessly. “Please don’t go to the mall with Piper tonight. Please!”
Prue didn’t know what to say. She and Piper had planned this mall trip for a couple of weeks now, but the way Phoebe was acting, Prue was beginning to have
second thoughts.
Prue then glanced down at Phoebe and noticed that her cheek was still bruised.
Prue sighed and sat down on her bed with Phoebe in her lap.
“Can you tell me why you don’t want me to go out tonight? Did something scare you?”
Phoebe nodded as she let out a frustrated sob.
“Tell your big sister what happened,” Prue said gently.
Phoebe was just about to say something when Piper appeared in the doorway.
“What’s up?” She asked, a concerned look crossing her face when she saw how upset Phoebe was.
Prue shrugged.
“I’m not sure. Phoebe was just about to tell me.”
Phoebe took a deep breath and was about to start again, but the sound of Paige calling Prue’s name, made Prue get up.
“I’ll go see what’s the matter,” Piper offered, seeing that Phoebe needed Prue.
“Thanks, honey,” Prue said appreciatively. “I’ll meet you downstairs in twenty-five minutes.”
Piper nodded and left the room.
After Piper was gone, Prue turned back to Phoebe.
“Okay, now that we’re alone again, what’s gotten you so upset?”
Phoebe took a deep breath.
“I-I just don’t want to stay with Tim. I’m scared of him.” She said truthfully.
Prue nodded.
“Can you tell me why?”
”He’s just really mean,” Phoebe answered, her sobs
subsiding a little.
“Well can you explain it a little bit better?” Prue asked, feeling as if she was getting nowhere fast.
Phoebe nodded.
“He yelled at me,” she told Prue. “He told me to pick up the trash that he dropped on the ground yesterday and then when I didn’t do it quick enough…..
He….. He…..” Her voice trailed off as more tears came.
“He what?” Prue asked softly. “Phoebe, tell me what he did. Please, baby girl, I have to know so that I can help you.”
Phoebe was crying all over again now. Her sobs breaking Prue’s heart.
“He…. He hit me. He slapped me across the face and then I fell and hurt my knee.” She then started crying harder as Prue hugged her close.
“Okay, it’s okay, sweetie. It’s okay.” Prue soothed as she began to rock Phoebe back and forth.
“Prue, please don’t leave. Please.” Phoebe begged, her words drowned out by her sobs.
Prue nodded.
“It’s okay, Phoebs, it’s okay. I’m not going anywhere.”
Phoebe nodded, feeling somewhat relieved to know that Prue wasn’t going to leave her.
“But what are you going to tell Piper?” Phoebe asked. “She’s going to be mad.”
Prue nodded.
“No she won’t, honey. I promise. Piper may be a little disappointed, but she won’t be mad.”
Phoebe nodded as she allowed Prue to pick her up so that they could go to Piper’s room.
After Prue had explained the situation to Piper, Piper was beside herself with shock. She didn’t understand why she hadn’t seen it happen or notice the
changes in Phoebe’s behavior.
“Don’t worry,” Piper promised Phoebe as she sat down on the bed beside Prue and began to rub Phoebe’s back. “We won’t let anything happen to you or Paige.”
Phoebe nodded. She felt safe with Prue and Piper, but she knew it wouldn’t last for long.
Late that night, Prue felt someone climb into bed beside her. As Prue rolled over, she heard someone call her name. The voice sounded scared.
“Prue? Prue? Pr-Prue!! Wake up, please.” It was Phoebe and she sounded like she was crying.
This got Prue awake in seconds. She sat up and quickly pulled Phoebe close to her.
“Shh, it’s okay, baby, it’s okay. What’s the mattter, huh? What has gotten you so scared?” She then glanced down at Phoebe’s cheek and realized that it
still looked pretty bad. “Does this have anything to do with what happened while I was out getting milk for Grams?”
Phoebe nodded as more tears came.
But just as Phoebe was about to tell Prue what had happened, they heard a soft knock at the door.
“Girls?” It was Grams. “What’s going on in here? Phoebe, dear, what are you doing in Prudence’s room at this hour of the night?”
Phoebe didn’t answer. She was too upset and she didn’t want Grams to find out why. At least not yet anyway.
“Phoebs had a bad dream,” Prue said, answering Grams’ question. “I was just trying to get her back to sleep.”
Grams nodded.
“Well maybe some warm milk will help.”” She turned to Phoebe and said, “Why don’t you go downstairs and Tim will get you some. Go on. Prue needs her sleep.
You’ll see her in the morning.”
Phoebe shook her head and started crying harder, clinging to Prue for dearlife.
“No. I don’t want warm milk!” She whimpered. “I wanna stay with Prue. I want Prue. I want my big sister! I want-“
“Shh,” Prue said gently. “There now. It’s okay, Phoebs. I promise. You can stay with me.” She then looked at Grams and said, “Can she? She’s really scared
and I was just about to sing her to sleep.”
Grams thought for a moment.
“Okay. But just one song and then it’s off to bed for both of you.”
Prue nodded and allowed Grams to kiss her good-night. Grams also stole a kiss on Phoebe’s head before Phoebe had a chance to notice.
“All right,” Prue said, gently tucking Phoebe into bed next to her and beginning to stroke her hair. “What song do you want to hear?”
Phoebe thought for a moment. Then she asked in a small voice, “Can you sing Mama’s song? Please?”
Prue took a deep breath and then nodded. She really didn’t sing the song her mother used to sing to her too often, but she knew now that Phoebe needed to
hear it more than ever.
After Prue was done singing, she glanced down to see that Phoebe was fast asleep.
“Sleep tight, my precious one,” Prue said, planting a soft kiss on Phoebe’s cheek. “See ya in the morning.” With that, Prue turned over and drifted back
to dreamland.
The next morning, Phoebe stuck to Prue like peanut butter to jelly. She didn’t leave her side for a moment. Even when Prue went to take her shower, Phoebe
insisted on being in the bathroom with her.
It wasn’t until Prue decided to go to Andy’s, that Phoebe was forced to stay behind. She was okay with that, until she found out that Tim would be watching
her and Paige while Piper went to the library.
As Prue got her car keys and headed for the door, Phoebe ran in and flung herself at Prue. Tears of fear and pain streaming down her face.
“Phoebs, sweetie, what’s the matter, baby girl? Come here.” She picked Phoebe up and gave her a hug. “It’s okay. Tell Prue what’s wrong.”
Phoebe tried, but it was hard. She was breathing very hard and the tears owuldn’t stop coming.
“Shh, okay now. It’s okay, Phoebs. It’s all right.” Prue continued to comfort Phoebe as she brought her sister over to the couch and sat down with Phoebe
still in her lap.
“I-I… I don’t want to stay home!” Phoebe wailed. “I want you to stay with me. Please Prue. I’m scared to stay here alone!”
Prue nodded and continued to stroke Phoebe’s hair.
“Can you tell me why you’re afraid to stay here?” Prue asked.
Phoebe nodded.
“Be-because Grams said she was going to leave Tim in charge of Paige and me.” She continued to cry as Prue hugged her close.
“Okay, Phoebs, hoeny, ti’s okay. You can come with me. Or I’ll just call Andy and tell him that today isn’t a good day.” She then picked Phoebe up and headed
for the kitchen.
After Prue ahd made the phone call, she took Phoebe upstairs to their room and the two sisters spent the next hour and a half playing games and just spending
time together.

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

At dinner that evening, Grams was called away to the phone, so Time was eccentially in charge.
As he gazed around the room, he glared when he saw that Phoebe hadn’t touched her dinner.
“Why aren’t you eating, Phoebe?” HE asked, his tone suspicious and his gaze harsh.
Phoebe didn’t answer at first. She didn’t exactly know what to say. She was beginning to get a stomachache and she didn’t want to eat anything for fear
she would start getting sick.
As a small wave of dizziness came over her, Tim kicked Phoebe hard in the shin from across the table. SHe winced, but showed no sign of pain.
“Why aren’t you eating?” He asked again. A little bit more firmly this time.
“I-I’m not hungry,” Phoebe answered truthfully.
Tim nodded and Phoebe could tell he was getting angrier by the minute.
“I don’t feel good.” She added softly.
Tim nodded.
“Well I have new for you, you little brat. You’re going to eat every bit of food on that plate or else,” he glanced over at Paige and lowered his voice
so that only Phoebe could hear him, “she’s going to get it.”
Phoebe nodded.
“Hey!” Piper spoke up in Phoebe’s defense. “She said she didn’t feel good. You can’t make her eat if she doesn’t want to.”
“You shut up!” Tim said, rounding on Piper.
Piper, who was the quiet, shy one, would have normally obeyed, but seeing that Phoebe was in danger, she didn’t back down.
“No. I won’t. And don’t you dare threaten my other sister either.” She turned towards Paige. “Or I’ll-“ Her words were interrupted when Tim suddenly threw his glass right at her!
Piper ducked and the glass hit the wall, shattering into a million pieces.
“Pick it up!” Tim ordered, turning to Phoebe.
Phoebe didn’t know what to do. She was sccared of Tim, but she also fetl a strange sense of security knowing that Prue and Piper were in the house.
“I SAID PICK UP THE DAMN GLASS NOW!” Tim exclaimed.
This got Phoebe moving.
Piper meanwhile, had gone over to comfort Paige who was now crying hysterically from fear.
As Phoebe went over to the sink, she started feeling really dizzy. As her hand touched the edge of the sink, she looked down to make sure that there weren’t
anymore dishes in the dish drain and without warning, started throwing up.
Piper saw this and immediately rushed to her aid, but Tim stopped her mid-run.
“Oh no you don’t!” He snarled. “Get back there. Phoebe can take care of herself.”
“Let go of me!” Piper protested, pushing back, but Tim was too strong. He threw Piper against the cabinet and she crumpled to the floor, clutching her right
arm.
At this point, Prue came in. She stopped when she saw Piper on the floor and Phoebe bent over the sink, still getting sick.
Without warning, blue lights appeared before Prue and Leo appeared.
“Take care of Phoebe,” he told Prue. “I’ll help Piper.” With that, he went over to where Piper was and ever so gently, esptite Piper’s cries of pain, picked
her up and orbed her to the living room couch.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Prue rushed over to Phoebe and put a hand to her forehead while putting her other arm around the younger girl to steady her.
“I feel awful!” Phoebe wailed as she gasped for breath and tried to find comfort in Prue’s loving care.
“Shh, it’s okay, Phoebs. You’re going to be all right. I’m gonna take care of you.” She then gently wiped Phoebe’s face and forehead with a washcloth, picked
her up and left the room without a word to Tim. She would deal with him later. First and formost she had to take care of her sisters.
When Prue entered the living room, she found Piper laying on the couch with Leo sitting beside her. He was trying to heal her cut lip and examine her right
arm, but she wouldn’t’ let him.
“It hurts too much!” She whimpered as she buried her face in his shoulder.
“I know it does, honey, I know,” Leo said soothingly. “But you’re going to be okay. I promise. Now just let me see. I promise, I won’t hurt you.”
Piper nodded and reluctantly gave Leo her injured arm.
Satisfied that Piper was being taken care of, Prue turend her attention to Phoebe, who was now shivering on the couch while trying her best not to throw
up again.
“It’s going to be okay,” Prue told her gently. “I promise. You’re going to be okay. Can you tell me what happened?”
Phoebe nodded, but she was still crying and her one hand was clutching Prue’s for dearlife. Phoebe explained to Prue everything that had happened after
Prue had left the dinner table in order to go tohe bathroom. After Phoebe was done explaining, she was in tears again and she had also thrown up twice.
Prue sighed as she put a hand to Phoebe’s forehead to see if she had a fever.
Sure enough, Phoebe was burning up.
“What does the thermometer say?” Phoebe whispered after Prue had taken it out of her mouth five minutes later.
Prue looked at it and replied, “Well according to this, Phoebs, you have a 101.4 degree fever.”
Phoebe nodded and closed her eyes once again.
As Prue began to stroke Phoebe’s hair, Phoebe started to fall asleep.
After Phoebe was sound asleep, Prue went over to check on Piper.
“She’s okay now,” Leo told Prue. “She just needed some comforting and reassureance not to mention a little healing.”
Prue nodded.
“Thanks Leo,” she said gratefully. “You came at the right time.”
Leo nodded.
“Well that’s what being a whitelighter is all about. Do you want me to stay tonight. Just in case that guy tries to hurt Paige?”
Prue shook her head.
“No. It’s okay. I got it from here. Grams is going to be home too.”
Leo nodded and then orbed Piper upstairs to Prue’s room.
After Piper was safely tucked in and Leo had promised her he would come back to check on her, all seemed quiet in the Halliwell household. At least for
a little while.
Paige had cried herself to sleep in Prue’s bed so that meant Prue had to sleep on the spare bed in the corner. She didn’t mind of course. As long as her
sisters were safe, that’s all the was important.
As for Tim, well she would take care of him tmorrow. She was also planning on talking to Grams too. Prue only hoped that Grams would listen to her and think
with her head instead of her heart. BR>Later that night, Phoebe woke up with a start. She put a hand out instinctively reaching for Prue.
“Prue?” She said softly, her voice a little scratchy from not feeling good.
“She went back to her room,” Piper told Phoebe from across the room. “Do you want me to get her?”
Phoebe nodded as a few tears rolled down her face.
“I’ll be right abck,” Piper promised as she left the room in search of her big sister.
As Piper approached Prue’s room, she heard voices coming from downstairs.
“Prudence you can’t be serious,” Grams was saying. “Tim would never hurt a fly. Let alone any of you.”
“Grams, I saw him do it. I saw him slap Phoebe and then tonight when I left the room to get extra napkins from the closet, he threatened to hurt Paige.”
Paige, who was sitting in Prue’s lap, spoke up.
“He hurt Piper too.” Her voice was soft and scared.
“I can’t believe you would accuse Tim of doing something like that.”
Piper couldn’t wait any longer. Not only did she want to prove Prue right, but she also knew that Phoebe nodded Prue’s help.
“Uh, Prue?” Piper said, coming down the stairs and heading straight for her sister. “Phoebs needs you. I think she had a nightmare and she said she felt
like she was going to throw up again.”
Prue nodded and got up.
“Can you put Paige back to bed?” Prue asked Piper, handing the youngest Halliwell gently over.
Piper nodded.
“Sure. Come on, squirt.” She said, using Paige’s nickname as a way of reassuring her that everything would be okay.
“Prudence, where do you think you’re going?” Grams asked. “I still want to talk.”
Prue shot Grams a glare.
“I’ll be back. I just have to check on Phoebe.” With that, she headed up the stairs, followed by Piper. Then she turned to Piper and said, “Thanks, sweet
girl.”
Piper smiled. She liked it whenever Prue used her nickname.
“You’re welcome,” Piper replied as the two sisters went their separate ways.
When Prue entered Phoebe’s bedroom, she found Phoebe laying on her side with her reyes closed. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and Prue could see
that the bucket had been used. Or at least, Phoebe ahd tried to use it without her help.
“it’s okay,” Prue assured her as she took Phoebe into her arms and gave her a comforting hug. “You’re going to be all right.”
After Phoebe’s stomach had calmed down, Prue sung her to sleep.
As she tucked Phoebe back in bed, Prue gave her a kiss and stayed, watching her for several hours into the night. She wasn’t going to leave Phoebe ever
again.
As Prue sat there, keeping watch, she made a silent promiset oherself and to her mother. “I will NEVER ever let anyone hurt any of my sisters again.” Prue
sighed and closed her eyes. She hope and prayed that that was a promise she could keep.

THE END