Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters that you recognize.
Song: No Excuses by Abreaction. I just changed ONE word.

Sequel/continuation of, "No Excuses." Reading it is necessary.



Mending.

Phoebe Halliwell stared at the white wall of her Los Angeles apartment. It never ceased to amaze her how no matter how many pictures or posters she puts on that wall, it would always be white to her. Or maybe it was her own emptiness she felt inside. Like her wall, she was covered with many "pictures" and "posters" but she would always be white and empty. She sighed and walked to her window. She had a great view of the city of Los Angeles. The lights on the skyscrapers illuminated the night sky. She stared up at the stars. They seemed dim to her. No matter how pretty L.A. was, it wasn’t home. Home was in San Francisco with her sister. Oh how she missed it. She missed her own bed and the familiar scent of the antiquated manor. But most of all, she missed Prue.

She left because she thought she needed to spread her wings. But she didn’t know that the person she left behind was the person who helped her spread those wings. Phoebe regretted leaving her sister, and abandoning her. How could I have been so selfish? She thought. So many times she thought of coming back, but her pride always got in the way. Plus she thought that Prue wouldn’t forgive her for leaving. She wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t. She picked up a picture of her and Prue that was on her desk. Phoebe traced the features of Prue with her finger.

Why did I leave? How could I have just left her? So many times she asked herself the same questions. Prue was just living her life and I was just complaining about mine. Maybe if I told her what I felt and that I needed to get out for a while. No, what did I do? I up and left. Damn the timing, it was never right. I was so weak, I could have stayed longer and at least explained to her what I was feeling, but no, I wrote her a fricking letter and left. That was it, she didn’t even see it coming. How was that fair to her? She probably blames herself. No, there I am again being selfish. She probably hates me.

Phoebe sighed again and closed the curtain to her window. She was sick of looking at L.A. She wanted to go home. She sat down on her couch and grabbed the remote to her radio and pushed the power button.

“All right now we have a dedication. This one goes out to Phoebe from her sister Prue.”

Phoebe’s ears perked up when she heard her name and Prue’s.

“What?” She asked no one in particular. She turned up the volume on her radio. She heard the music of a guitar as a somber song started playing over the radio waves.

I still have pictures Of when you would just stand by me There are no excuses For why I always wasn’t there You were my sister Sometimes you were my only friend I can’t believe you’ve gone away But the memories remain I still keep my door open For maybe one last time No one else would understand Everything you are I always felt it But not as much until you left There are no excuses For why I always wasn’t there And now the year has passed I never felt so cold With your traces gone I guess I’ll have to go my own way alone I hope you hear this It’s the only way I could reach you And all the things we did aren’t gone You inspired me all along I hope you are happy where you are And you gave me courage after all.

Phoebe hadn’t noticed that tears were streaming down her face as the song came to an end.

“I love you, Prue. I’m coming home.” She got up and started packing her things. “Please forgive me.”

Phoebe was pondering whether to go straight to the manor or lay low for a while once she arrived at San Francisco. She was in the city last week on a business trip but she didn’t dare to find Prue. She knew it would be bad. Unfortunetly she ran into one of Prue’s acquaintances when she was in the plaza. She hoped she wouldn’t tell Prue, but she knew she would tell Prue’s friend Denise. Phoebe took a deep breath and got into a cab.

“Where to miss?” The cab driver asked her. Phoebe thought for a moment before answering him.

“The nearest hotel.” She finally said. The cab driver nodded as he started to drive away. Phoebe looked outside the cab window as the city passed her. Everything still looked the same even after a year. They passed all the old places her and Prue used to go to, and Phoebe got very nostalgic. How am I ever going to face her? She thought. The cab driver stopped at the hotel and Phoebe got out. She knew she had go home and face her demons sooner or later, she saw no point in stalling. Phoebe paid her fare and made her way to the hotel.

She checked in and went to her room. She had a great view of the San Francisco. Seeing her city, made Phoebe realized just how much she missed being home. Should I call her? She asked herself. She sat down on the bed and picked up the phone. Phoebe’s finger lingered over the first digit of the manor’s telephone number. It took her about five minutes to press the first number. Before she knew it, she heard the dial tone.

Phoebe’s breathing became erratic as she heard the third ring. Then she heard her voice.

“Hello?” Phoebe froze, she didn’t know what to do. “Hello?” The voice said again. Phoebe got scared and hung up the phone.

“Oh my God.” She said to the room. That was one of the hardest things she’s ever done. Hearing Prue’s voice was so painful. Phoebe could hear the sadness in her sisters voice when she picked up the phone. She started having second thoughts. I don’t know if I can do this, she’d never forgive me.

Phoebe shook the thought out of her head and got up. No, I owe her, she at least needs an explanation on why I left. She picked up her things and made her way out of the room. It has to be today. I’m not waiting any longer. Phoebe checked out of the hotel and found another cab.

“1329 Prescott Street.” The cab made its way down the streets to her city and leading to her home.

It stopped right in front of the house. Phoebe looked out of the window and stared at the manor. “It’s now or never.” She paid the cab driver and got her things out of the cab. Phoebe made her way up the familiar steps that lead to her childhood home. She noticed there were many weeds that were growing on the side of the house. It seems like no one has tended them in a year. The grass was over grown and leaves were everywhere. Phoebe stopped at the door, and raised her hand to the doorbell. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the button. She heard the echo of the old sound of the doorbell from inside the manor. Then, Phoebe heard footsteps approaching the door. She felt like her heart was about to leap out onto the floor. She never felt so nervous in her life.

The door opened and then she saw her. Standing in front of Phoebe was her sister. The one she left a year ago. The blue eyes that were once filled with passion her life, were now dull and dark. Her features seemed older from last time she saw her. And she looked almost…small. Phoebe couldn’t see the strong person she knew so long ago. She saw almost a lost child. Phoebe finally managed to find her voice.

“Hi.”

Prue looked at the woman who was standing in front of her. Is it really her? No, it couldn’t be. So many times she had this dream when Phoebe returned home. Yes it’s only a dream, I’m going to wake up and she’s going to disappear. Making up her mind that it was a dream, Prue started to close the door.

“Prue wait.” Phoebe said as she held the door. God she’s pissed at me, she thought.

“You’re not real.”

“What?” Phoebe asked confused.

“You’re not real.” Prue said again. “I’m going to wake up and you’re going to be gone.”

Phoebe stepped in. “I’m real Prue.” She saw Prue take a step back.

“No you’re not, stop playing with me.” Phoebe took another step forward and took Prue’s hand. Phoebe heard Prue gasped as she took her hand.

“See I’m real and I’m here.” She took Prue’s hand and put it on her cheek. Prue broked down and cried. Phoebe had to catch her. She put her arms around her and hugged her. “I’m sorry, Prue.”

“I’m sorry, Phoebe.” They hadn’t noticed that they said it at the same time.

Prue composed herself and got up. She suddenly felt embarrased crying in front of Phoebe. “Um, here let’s get your stuff in.” Prue helped Phoebe take her things into the house. Once they got everything in, they stood in front of each other once again. It seemed awkard now. They weren’t two sisters anymore, they were merely two strangers trying to get to know each other. Both were standing with their hands in their pockets, slightly swaying back and forth. Phoebe laughed a little at the obsurdity of their tactics.

“What?” Prue asked.

“Nothing, it’s just… well look at the way we’re acting. It doesn’t even seem like we’re sisters.”

Something went off in Prue’s head when Phoebe said “sisters.”

“Right…sisters.” Prue said matter of factly. Phoebe heard the change in Prue’s voice and she remembered the reason why she was here. She started shifting her wait from one foot to the other. “Are you nervous?” Prue asked her.

“What?”

Prue pointed down to her feet. “That’s what you always do when you’re nervous. You shift your weight from one foot to the other.”

Phoebe looked down at her feet. “Oh, yeah I guess you can say I am.” She took a step towards Prue. “Um Prue, we need to talk.”

“Yeah Phoebe, we really do. Do you want to sit down and talk over a cup of coffee?”

“Sure.” Phoebe followed Prue to the kitchen. She glanced around the house to see what changed since she left. Her eyes widened with surprise as she realized that Prue hasn’t moved anything. She looked in the living room and found the same coffee mug she left there. All her mail was still in a messy pile on the table. Phoebe entered the kitchen and saw her box of cereal still on the table. The top opened like she left it. She felt so guilty as she sat down at the table. She watched Prue as she was getting mugs out of the cupboard and started to make coffee.

Prue was so confused. Her heart was racing, she felt every emotion in the world. Phoebe was back and she’s sitting in the kitchen. I’ve waited for this day forever. I want to apologize for not being here for her and for driving her away, but I’m also angry. Why am I angry? It was my fault. How long is she staying? Is she only going to be here for a day and tell me she never wants to see me ever again? Is she going to leave me again but this time for good? I have to convince her to stay. I need her to stay. She’s my sister.

Prue brought the two mugs over to the table and sat down across from Phoebe. They both took a sip at the same time. They looked at each other, both waiting for the other to make the first move.

“Prue.”

“Phoebe.” They said at the same time.

“You first.”

Prue tapped nervously her thumb on the kitchen table. Her foot was shaking under her and she was fidgeting in her chair. She looked up at Phoebe and bit her lip. “Phoebe.” She began. She struggled to find the words. It seemed like it wouldn’t leave her mouth. So many times Prue imagined this conversation in her head. She had it down, she knew what she wanted to say and she even anticipated the responses that Phoebe might say. But now, she was lost for words. She didn’t know what to say. Everything seemed to have left her mind when Phoebe walked back into that door. “Phoebe.” She said again. Prue took a deep breath. “I..I..I’m sorry.” She finally said.

“What?” To Prue it sounded harsh but Phoebe was just surprised. Prue looked down almost scared of what Phoebe might say. Phoebe noticed the change in her sister. “I mean, why are you sorry?”

“Because I drove you away. I was too busy with my ridiculous life that I was never there for you. You were always there for me and I let you down.”

“Prue, no, I’m sorry. My God, I was the selfish one. You were living your life and I was complaining about mine. I never even told you that I was having problems. You always came to me and confided in me and my pride always got in the way from coming to you.” She paused and looked into Prue’s eyes. “And I wasn’t always here for you. I left you.”

“I always thought it was me. That I was such a horrible person that I drove my own sister away. I never forgave myself for it.”

“But it was never you Prue. It was me, I couldn’t handle things. You always thought I was the strong one, but Prue you’re the strong one. You’re my rock. I’m sorry I left and I’ll understand if you don’t want me back living here.” Prue’s eyes widened.

“No, if you think I’m going to let you leave again. God Phoebe, I missed you so much.” She felt the tears coming. She hated crying, that’s all she’s been doing for the past year.

“I’ve missed you too, Prue. More than you’ll ever know but I’ve done something so unforgivable—,”

“Phoebe, we’re sisters. Sisters stick together. We’ll always have each other no matter what happens.” Phoebe looked at Prue and saw the change that took place. The blue in her eyes became vibrant again and she saw the old Prue returned. She suddenly felt like scum.

“But I left you Prue.” The dam she was holding finally broke and she started to cry. She put her hands over her face and cried in them. Prue got up and walked over to her sister. She knelt down to Phoebe.

“But you came back.” Her voice crack when she said that. Phoebe took her face out of her hands and looked at Prue. “You came back and I’m never going to let you go.” She put her arms Phoebe and wrapped her into a hug. Phoebe cried on Prue’s shoulder as she felt Prue’s tears on hers.

“And I’m never going to leave you ever again.”

“You better not.” Phoebe laughed through her tears.

“Don’t worry I won’t.” The pulled away from each other and wiped away each others tears.

“Ok enough with this crying, let’s get your stuff upstairs.” Prue got up and Phoebe followed her.

“Prue?” She turned around and looked at Phoebe.

“Yeah?”

“I’m really sorry for leaving.”

Prue nodded. “And I’m sorry for letting you leave.” She held her hand out. Phoebe took it. They made their way to the foyer and got Phoebe’s things.

They entered Phoebe’s room and Phoebe looked around. Like every thing else around the house, her room hasn’t changed either.

“Every thing is still the same.” Phoebe commented.

“Yeah, I was too scared to move anything.” Prue helped Phoebe unpack her things, but Phoebe wasn’t really doing anything. “Phoebe?”

“Let’s not do this now.” Phoebe took the bag from Prue, and took her hand. “Let’s go for a walk.”

“Where?”

“Anywhere, I just want to be with you. Plus we have a lot to catch up on.” Prue smiled as Phoebe lead her downstairs. “Let’s go to the park.” Prue stopped her just as she was opening the front door. “What’s wrong?” She asked worried.

“Nothing. I just want to make sure this is real.” She pulled Phoebe to her and hugged her.

“Convinced?”

“Very.” They both laughed and made their way outside.

For the first time for both of them, the sun seemed to shine. They didn’t see the clouds anymore. Prue and Phoebe were sisters again, they finally found each other again. But this time, they’ll never lose each other.


End.