Prue set the baby chair on the table and hung the changing bag over the chair, narrowing her eyes she let out a deep sigh, the kitchen was a tip, empty dishes where piled on the worktop, Phoebes school bag was over spilling in the corner and her books were scattered across the table.

Lifting the baby she took her upstairs and settled her down before seeking out her younger sisters.

“Hey!” Piper looked up as her older sister entered the living room, Phoebe was on her like a shot, arms wrapped around her neck as she gave her a kiss.

“Hi Prue!”

This was going to be hard but it had to be done, pulling gently away from her youngest sister she took a deep breath “Sit down I need to talk to you both …”

Phoebe bit on her bottom lip as she went to join Piper on the sofa.

“Sounds serious …” Piper half smiled trying to gauge Prue’s mood.

“It is …..look at this place ….” Prue swept her arm around indicating the dinner plates and glasses abandoned on the floor “Aunt Gail’s due home any time and the place is a pig-sty! You both know better than this!”

“It’s Phoebe …I told her to clear …”

“Is not! That’s your plate and …..” Phoebe sounded indignant as she was interrupted by her oldest sister.

“Stop it! Right now! You’re both to blame! Piper the age of you! You we’re in charge I’ve only been out for a few hours and look at the place!”

“She wouldn’t do as I said ….” Piper looked guilty as she studied her shoes.

“Then why didn’t you clear it up and tell me ….you shouldn’t have left it like this! Aunt Gail’s good enough to let us stay and this is how you repay her!” Prue sounded incredulous, “Phoebe clear up your mess starting with your bag and books in the kitchen then you can go to bed, I’ve had enough for one day, Piper start picking up in here while I clean the kitchen. I’m disgusted with the pair of you! I’ve been out with Nicole trying to sort our lives out and this is the result!”

“I’m not goin …..” Phoebe was interrupted full flow by her angry sister

“Either clear up that mess or get to bed right now! I’m in no mood Phoebe!”

“Neither am I! This sucks! You never listen you’re mean! I hate you! I wish they’d never let you out of jail!”

Piper held her breath waiting for the explosion, she could see the colour drain from her sisters face as Phoebes words sank in, Phoebe felt like her heart had stopped she hadn’t meant to say what she’d said – once again her mouth had engaged without the use of her brain.

Prue’s voice was low and calm as she looked at her youngest sibling “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll do as you’ve been told and get out of my sight right now …..”

Without another word Phoebe flew from the room and up the stairs as fast as her legs could carry her.

Seeing the mood her big sister was in Piper immediately began picking up the discarded remains of dinner, the sisters worked in silence until the kitchen was clean; deciding to try and break the ice Piper made some tea and placed a mug in front of her sister.

“I’m sorry Prue…. It’s just …” Piper faltered as she looked into the still angry eyes of her sister “I … I kinda got scared …”

“Why?” Prue’s tone was sharp as she glared at Piper.

“I didn’t know what to do …. I know I let you down and I should have been more mature but she just got me so mad ….. she wouldn’t listen to anything I said and we …..”

“Got into a childish argument and you wouldn’t back down?”

Piper nodded “Something like that….. its just after everything that happened, I’m kind of scared of telling her off ….and no matter what you say I know you are too…..”

“No I’m not, we did nothing wrong, there’s no need to change the way we’ve been bringing her up….”

“I still think you treat her different, before they took her away you would never have let her get away with half the stunts she’s pulled, you’ve let her away with murder …..”

“I’ve just sent her to bed …..”

“Exactly! She would never have got off with that – tell me honestly before all this trouble began what would you have done?”

Prue let out a deep sigh as her sisters words began to sink in, it was true Phoebe had been playing up and she had been easy on her “It’s only natural Pipe, she’s just a kid she’s been through so much, maybe she just needs a bit of time …..”

“She’s had four months ….”

“So what do you want me to do? Just what the hell do you expect from me?!” Prue sounded sharp as she turned on her sister “You can talk you just told me you backed down over the clearing up!”

“I didn’t ..I mean I don’t mean anything, I understand I’m just saying ….”

“What?! What exactly are you just saying?”

Piper felt the lone tear fall down her face “Nothing … forget it….I’m sorry …”

The tension was broken by the sound of Nicole’s high pitched crying; scraping the chair back Prue made her way upstairs her focus now on her crying daughter. Entering the room she was surprised to see Phoebe standing in the doorway staring at the distraught baby.

“Why are you just standing there? Why haven’t you tried to comfort her?”

Phoebe scowled as she watched Prue lift Nicole from her crib.

“Phoebe?”

Prue watched in surprise as Phoebe shrugged her shoulders and returned to the room she’d been sharing with Piper.

As she settled the infant Prue felt an overwhelming tiredness – she’d thought her troubles would be over once she got her family back, she was just beginning to realise just how wrong she had been …………………..


Little Phoebe Halliwell began to stir, it had become a nightly ritual, letting out a low groan she buried her head into her pillow and allowed the tears to fall.

Hearing the muffled sobs Piper groggily lifted her head and looked across the dark room, her eyes slowly adjusting she could just about make out the bundle hidden under the covers “Pheebes?” Piper frowned at the lack of response, the sobs had suddenly stopped it was as though the room had been frozen.

“Phoebe?” Piper tried again “Are you crying?” this time Piper heard the distinctive noise as the suppressed sobbing broke once again to the surface, “Hey baby….what’s wrong?” Piper’s voice was gentle as she tried to uncover her little sister “Let go of the duvet honey let me see.”

Phoebes grip was as tight as ever, not willing to give up Piper proceeded to pry Phoebe’s fingers away from her bedding, eventually succeeding in uncovering her dishevelled baby sister.

“Pheebes! What’s wrong? What’s happened? Why are you so upset?” Piper’s concern was quickly turning to worry “Phoebe … speak to me …tell me” Piper pulled the tiny body towards her, enveloping the little girl in a hug she brushed the tangled hair off her face and gently wiped the tears away “shhh….shhh it’s alright …. You’re alright …”

Phoebe could feel her hands shaking as she tried to hold on to her sister, unable to talk the sobs were coming thick and fast. Running a comforting hand over Phoebes back Piper suddenly stopped as realisation began to sink in.

“Phoebe? Pheebes …have you had an accident?”

Phoebe was distraught tears of shame and embarrassment continued to cascade down her face.

“Phoebe it’s alright ….don’t get upset …. Its ok ….its not important ….”

“It………… is” Phoebe finally managed to get some words out.

“No its not……Phoebe it really doesn’t matter these things happen”

“No!” Phoebe continued to cry as Piper gently rocked her back and too “No …I’m too old ….”

“It’s just an accident” Piper gently took hold of Phoebes chin and made her little sister look at her “there are more important things ….”

“I could … I could feel him ….it was like it was happening all over again …” Phoebe had begun to calm the tears continuing to fall as the sobs came under control.

“Oh honey! Was it a nightmare …?”

“It was real …. It was so real ….I …this…” Phoebe’s voice trailed off, unable to look into Pipers concerned eyes any longer she concentrated on the floor.

“What baby?”

“I…when he … you know” Phoebe wiped at her face as she battled to continue, she had bottled the details up for so long the dam had finally broken as she finally allowed herself to talk to her big sister.

“Go on….”

“I …was scared” Phoebes lip trembled as she tried to continue.

As much as it was breaking Pipers heart to see and hear her younger sister in such a state she knew this could be a turning point, if Phoebe was to put all this behind her she had to let it out.

“I’m not surprised … I know I would have been terrified ….. So would Prue…..”

“Yeah?”

Piper gave the little girl a half smile “Oh yeah ….”

“But you wouldn’t of … you wouldn’t have…..”

It finally dawned on Piper what Phoebe was trying to say “I don’t know baby ….but its perfectly possible … what happened to you was horrific …I think it’s a natural reaction, it can’t be helped … I think you were probably that frightened that you couldn’t think of anything else you just lost control that’s all ……”

“But it’s happened again!” Phoebe’s tears started anew.

“Well yes …it has ….but that doesn’t matter … how long have you been having nightmares?”

“Since … since we came to live here ….”

“And has this happened before?”

“No …I usually wake up before ………..before I”

“It’s ok, I understand ….sweetie, you’ve been through a lot, the trauma has got to come out some way, you haven’t really spoken about it have you?”

Phoebe shook her head as once again the tears slid down her face “its hard … you look so upset when anything’s mentioned … and Prue’s busy with Nicole and …..”

“Oh honey! I’m sorry …..I didn’t realise, look of course I get upset, I love you very much it hurts to think that someone hurt you so bad… but if you need to talk I’m here for you” Piper kissed her little sisters forehead and held her close “I’m here now aren’t I?”

“Yes…” Phoebe’s voice was almost inaudible

“Ok … well now that that’s clear lets get you cleaned up and back to bed …. You want to cuddle with me?”

Phoebe nodded her head as she returned her sisters kiss.

“Good girl …. And tomorrow we’ll have a word with that big sister of ours …. She’ll help, you’ll see.......he’ll be upset when she realises you’ve felt pushed out ….”

“I love you Pipe …” Phoebe sounded choked as she held tight to her sister.

“And I love you baby girl ….” Piper sounded equally emotional as she lifted the little girl and carried her towards the bathroom.

“Hey Honeybunch!”

“Mmmm” Phoebe groaned into her cereal ……….here it comes!

“So? You alright?”

“Fine”

“Ok …it’s just you’re up early” Prue’s eyes darted around the kitchen “Where’s Pipe?”

Phoebe felt a slight relief on realising her sisters hadn’t spoken “Bed ….”

Prue frowned at the youngster; something was definitely off Phoebe looked pale as she slumped over the kitchen table with her breakfast.

“I thought I’d take Nicole to the park she could do with some fresh air, do you want to come?”

“No ….”

“Oh!” Prue was surprised her youngest sister loved going to the park “There might be a game on, you could join in, let your niece see you in action ….”

“She’s a baby ….”

Prue’s eyebrows hiked up “Meaning?”

“She couldn’t care less ….”

“Phoebe” Prue sat next to her sister the baby on her knee “What’s wrong?”

“Nothings wrong I just don’t want to go to the dam park!” Phoebe shoved her breakfast away and glared at the table.

“Phoebe! There’s no need for that …I don’t know what’s got you in this funk but I suggest you go and get dressed and come back with a better attitude”

Phoebe bit on her lip, she knew that tone, she was sailing close to the wind and she knew it.

“Go on ….I’ll get the baby ready then we’ll go and feed the ducks ….”

“I’m too big to feed the ducks” Phoebe sounded annoyed “And I already said I don’t want to go to the d………. “ Phoebe managed to stop herself just in time, “the park”

“To bad … Pipers going out so you’re stuck with me …we’re going to meet her later for lunch”

“So why did you ask!” Phoebe took a deep breath as her mouth got the better of her “You already had this all planned so why did you even bother to ask! Nobody ever listens to me! Nobody ever asks me what I want to do! No! You just decide like you always do!”

“Phoebe! For heavens sake! I thought you’d want to spend some time with me and the baby! I thought you’d be pleased” Prue shook her head in disbelief.

“Huh! Yeah right! You do what you always do! Exactly what you want and I just have to tag along!”

“Phoebe … I’ve had enough of this. Just go and get dressed”

“Fine! There you go again!” Phoebes face was screwed up with temper “Bossing me about!”

“I’ll count to three!”

Phoebe stared at her fingers, suddenly not so sure of herself.

“One ……………………………………… Two …………………………….”

“Alright! Alright!” Phoebe jumped out of her seat and ran for the door she knew she’d be for it if her sister reached three.

Prue sat in bewilderment as the kitchen door slammed behind her youngest sister, Nicole chose that moment to poke her mum in the eye letting out a slight laugh Prue grabbed the tiny hand and kissed it “It’s alright! I’ve not forgotten you’re here!”

Nicole’s big brown eyes got even bigger as she smiled back at her Mum, Prue couldn’t resist tickling the baby causing her to giggle uncontrollably, Prue was laughing at her daughter as the giggles turned to hiccups.

“Oh dear!”

“HIC!”

“Oh dear me!”

“HIC!”

Prue was still laughing as she reached for the baby’s water bottle and held it to her mouth “There that’s better!”

Still staring at her mum Nicole widened her eyes as she sucked on the teat.

“See all better …” Prue gently stroked the baby’s face “Now lets go and find that Aunty of yours and lets hope she’s in a better mood!”


++++++++++++

“Do you want to push Nic?”

“No …………… she’s your baby not mine…”

“Right ….” Prue’s eyebrows hiked up at her younger sister “My mistake ….”

The sisters walked on in silence Prue was at a loss, she knew something was off but Piper wouldn’t tell her she just said to talk to Phoebe ….. easier said than done.

“Pheebes …. What’s wrong? What’s put you in such a bad mood?”

“Nothing” Phoebe studied the path ahead carefully avoiding her older sister’s gaze.

“Is it the baby?”

“No”

“You sure, coz if it is I’ll have a word with her …. Can’t have her upsetting my honeybunch now can I?” Prue put her arm around her youngest sister and gave her a rough hug, relieved that Phoebe hadn’t pulled away she continued “So what shall I do? Ground her? Or maybe I should take away her talking Barney or the dancing bear?”

Prue was rewarded by a slight giggle.

“So what do you think Pheebes? What’s it to be?”

“It’s not the baby …”

Prue felt like jumping for joy! At last she had an opening “So what is it?”

Phoebe once again stared at the path ahead.

“Oh Pheebes! Come on tell me! There’s obviously something bothering you …… I can’t help if you don’t tell me!”

“It’s not Nic ….”

“Is it me then?” Prue dreaded the answer

“No …”

“You don’t sound sure…. Come on over here, let’s sit down”

“Prue I don’t want to talk, can’t I just go and play with those kids or something”

“I think you might feel better if you talk …. Then play …” Prue put the brake on the stroller and made sure the sleeping baby was comfortable before sitting next to her kid sister for another attempt at breaking through the barrier Phoebe had erected.

“So is it me?”

“No … not really….”

“Mmm that sounds like a yes if ever I heard one….”

Phoebe gave her big sister a slight smile “No … it’s me….I just … oh Prue!” Phoebe was getting frustrated she was having a hard time putting her feelings into words, “It’s everything!”.

“Ok let’s start at the beginning” Prue recognised the signs and was doing her best to avoid the explosion “You really alright with the baby? Its just you have been a bit off with her lately …”

“No …” It suddenly got to much for the youngest sister, her eyes filled with tears as her sisters words sunk in “I don’t … want …I don’t want Nicole to think I don’t love her …. I do Prue …its just” the tears started to spill over “Its hard … she’s …. She’s his …”

“Oh honey! She’s a baby … look at her, it was you that said she was our baby not his, she can’t help who her father is any more than we can …. We’re not like our dad so why should she be like hers?”

“But … I mean you loved him” Phoebe gazed intently into Prue’s blue eyes.

“Not once I realised … not after” Prue was struggling just as much as her sister

Phoebe hated this she wanted nothing more than to run away from her sister and never stop.

“…. I have… I have nightmares … it all happens again … you know… but then at the end you’re there ….and……and…and”

Prue didn’t speak she knew Phoebe had to get it out.

“You’re with them …. You’re with Andy and Nic and you’re laughing at me” Phoebes tears streamed down her face, now that she’d started she couldn’t hold back “And I hate you! I hate you so much! If you hadn’t sent me to soccer if you hadn’t let Andy take me…..if you had LISTENED!!”

“PHOEBE!” Prue was shocked, she watched in horror as Phoebe let her instincts take over, she needed to get away, she needed space she jumped up and started running.

It only took Prue a second to realise what was happening, her own instincts kicked in and she was on her sisters tail in a shot. Prue was in a panic, she knew she had to get her sister but she couldn’t leave the baby, adrenalin kicked in as she leapt at her kid sister and brought her down.

Phoebe was furious, she wouldn’t listen as Prue tried to calm her, she kicked and punched at her oldest sister until Prue eventually pinned her, both sisters were out of breath. Prue’s temper now matching that of her sister.

“That was inexcusable!” Prue was referring to her sister running away “I’m going to let you up now and we’re going to get the baby! I don’t want to hear another word, and any more of this Phoebe and I’ll knock you into the middle of next week! GOT IT?!”

As Prue let go of Phoebes right arm she lashed out and caught her sister square on the nose, Prue could hardly breathe, quickly regaining her composure she smacked Phoebes legs as hard as she could, yanking her to her feet she pushed her roughly in the direction of Nicole.

When they reached the Manor Phoebe didn’t need telling, she shot up the stairs and went straight to her room, as the door banged Prue sank into the sofa, she felt as though she’d had the stuffing knocked out of her ….. her inner demons had been vocalised. This was how she’d felt all along and now Phoebe felt the same ……she was to blame ….. this was all her fault, her youngest sister had been brutally raped and subsequently snatched from her home all because she’d failed to protect her.

There was no going back from this. She’d tried to deny it, tell herself it was going to be alright but how could it? How could she ever expect her little sister to forgive her when she couldn’t forgive herself?

“You did WHAT?!” Piper’s eyes were wide as she listened to her sister recount the morning’s events “I don’t believe this! After all that’s happened! All that we’ve been through!”

“It wasn’t like that ….” Prue looked at the ground her face covered in guilt “I didn’t mean to pin her down …. I had to stop her, you weren’t there you didn’t see the state she was in”

“So pinning her down and smacking her helped?! Jeez Prue!”

“No … no of course not, I just didn’t know what else to do ….” Prue’s voice trailed off she knew there was no defence everything Piper had said was true.

“So where is she now?”

“In her room ….” Prue bit on her lip as the guilty look intensified even more “Crying ……….Pipe! I panicked! I just panicked she was running away from me, she was really upset I just wanted to stop her …. And the baby was in the pram ….I had to get back to the baby and I couldn’t let Phoebe run off and …”

Piper tried to calm her breathing this was so not what she had wanted to come home to, but as soon as she got the call cancelling lunch she knew something big had happened.

Prue stared hard at her sister willing her to understand.

“Don’t …. Don’t even go there! No way am I supporting you in this!”

“I don’t expect you too … I just want you to understand why I did what I did ….”

“Oh I know dam well why you did what you did! You couldn’t back off could you?!”

“What!”

“Once you got her why didn’t you just hold her?”

“She was fighting me! She was the one ….”

“Oh for gods sake Prue! She’s been traumatised! She was lashing out! It was the only thing she could do! It wasn’t personal …. She’s been bottling this in for so long, …………………….She had to hit out and you just happened to be the one that was there!”

“She blames me ….”

Piper groaned “Not again! She always blames you! If the sun doesn’t shine she blames you! Get over yourself Prue this isn’t about you this is about Phoebe!”

“But you didn’t hear her ….”

“I don’t have to ….. She’s angry, she’s twelve, what else can she do? If it makes you feel any better two days ago it was my fault ……..”

Prue sank down into the sofa, her sister’s words finally sinking in.

“Prue she’s in a terrible state …. She cry’s at the slightest thing, she doesn’t want to see her friends, she misses Grams, she’s scared that she might be taken away again and that’s just for starters”

“Oh god! Oh god! I’m so stupid! How could I not realise!”

“Well the baby …..”

“Its no excuse … having Nic doesn’t mean that Phoebe should suffer ….she’s still mine…. I’m still her guardian….”

“Prue …. What you doing?”

“I’m just going to check on her ….don’t worry”

Piper watched as her oldest sister made her way upstairs, she felt worn out as she picked up her tiny niece and gave her a cuddle “Not ideal timing little one … but we’re glad you’re here!”

Little Nicole gurgled in delight as she grabbed two fistfuls of her Aunts long hair and tugged with all her might.

“Ahhhhh! Ahhhh!” Piper managed to unfold the tiny hands “Did Aunt Phoebe teach you that?!”

Nicole blew bubbles out of the side of her mouth and let out a slight chuckle.

“I’ll take that as a yes!” Nicole waved her tiny fist in the air and chuckled even louder “You might well laugh!” Piper could feel herself relaxing as she played with her baby niece “Boo!” Nicole was getting louder and louder as her Aunty Piper gently tapped her on the nose with the tiny pink teddy bear, a present from Phoebe when she was born “A Boo!!”

“Hey …”

“Prue?”

“She’s asleep … look can you do me a favour? I need to get out for a while will you look after them for an hour or so?”

Nicole took advantage of the fact that her Aunty Piper had been distracted and grabbed the bear with both hands, Piper laughed as she pulled the soggy bear out of the baby’s mouth “You can’t eat that! ….. Yeah Prue no problem … just sort yourself out eh?”

“Yeah …and I’m sorry” Prue leaned down and kissed her sisters cheek as she did so Nicole let out a pleased chuckle as once again she managed to grab two fistfuls of hair, this time it was Prue’s.

“Ow!!! Ow! Ow! Ow!”

Little Nicole gave her best toothless grin and kicked out both legs at once, Prue let out a little laugh “Did your Aunty Phoebe teach you that?!”

Piper laughed “I said the same ….. “


++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Piper heard the slight shuffle coming from the direction of the stairs her heart almost broke at the pitiful sight before her, Phoebe looked dreadful, her face was red and tear stained her eyes little more than slits, she watched as Phoebes eyes quickly darted around the room.

“Prue’s out if that’s what you’re worried about …..”

Phoebe didn’t answer as she slowly made her way towards her big sister, she hesitated as she got closer, not really understanding what had happened or why she felt so sad.

“Come here babe …” Piper held her free arm out whilst holding Nicole in the crook of her other arm.

“It’s alright ….. you’ve got the baby ….”

“So …. I’ve got two arms haven’t I?”

Phoebe moved nearer to her sister and offered no resistance as she felt Piper pull her into a hug.

“You’re right …. Let me put Nic down then we can have a proper talk” Piper stood and settled Nicole into her bouncy seat, the baby squealed in delight as she kicked her legs and hit out at the rattle.

“She’s noisy ….” Phoebe couldn’t help but smile at the antics of her niece.

“She is that … dread to think what she’ll be like when she’s older!”

“Cute …. “ Phoebe knelt down in front of the baby and gently bounced the seat “You are … you are so cute!”

Piper smiled at the interaction it had been a while since she’d seen Phoebe give the baby any attention.

“She’s not the only one … “ Piper pulled her sister onto the seat next to her “Feel any better after your sleep?”

“No …” Phoebes eyes filled with tears as she remembered what had happened.

“Prue told me what happened …”

“Is she still mad at me?”

“No …” Piper gently pushed Phoebes hair from her face and gave her a kiss “No … she’s upset, she’s sorry about what happened …”

“She scared me …….”

“You scared her ……”

“Oh ….”

“Yes ….. OH!” Piper felt Phoebe wrap her arms tightly around her shoulders “Don’t ever try and run off again ok?”

“Ok ….”

“You do and Prue won’t be the only big sister you’ll have to deal with …… right?”

“Right …I didn’t mean to … I didn’t plan it ……I just ….”

“I know … but it was dangerous … Prue couldn’t let you go like that and then there was the baby ….”

“I know … I know I didn’t think ….I’m sorry ….” It was all too much Phoebe pushed her head into Pipers shoulders and let the tears once again fall.

“Oh Phoebe!” Piper gently stroked the back of her sister’s hair “What are we going to do with you?”

“I didn’t mean to put Nic in danger ….”

“It wasn’t just Nic ….”

“I know …. I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

“Ok, ok … calm down ….. It’s over now …..”

“You’re not the only one that’s sorry …..”

Phoebe jumped at the sound of her oldest sister’s voice; Prue had heard the last part of Phoebe’s apology.

“Don’t be scared …” Prue felt guilty as she watched the raw emotion flash across her youngest sister’s face “I’m sorry if I hurt you ….. I didn’t mean to do what I did…..”

Pipers eyebrows hiked up a slight smile evident “That makes two of you then ….”

Phoebe looked guilty as she eventually looked at Prue “I didn’t mean to punch you ….”

“Yeah … you pack quite a wallop” Prue rubbed gently at her nose.

“I am sorry Prue ….”

“Me to” Prue reached out and took Phoebe from Pipers knee “I’m sorry I pinned you down and I’m sorry I smacked your legs ….”

Phoebe held Prue as tight as she could; still crying the tears ran helplessly down her face.

“Shhh … shhhh it’s alright! You’re ok … I’ve got you ….”

“Pppp ….Prue! I didn’t mean ….I didn’t mean what I ssss said!” Phoebe had been distraught thinking about the things she had said to her sister, she knew she’d be hurt, she knew she was playing on her weakness but at the time she had wanted to hurt her so badly.

“It’s ok ….stop crying …it’s alright …”

“But …but … I know you did what you thought was best …I know it wasn’t your fault!” Phoebe was doing her best to get her sister to understand “I just …. I just wanted to ….I don’t know why … I just wanted to ….”

“To what?” Prue gently shifted her weight from one foot to the other rocking her little sister just as she had for as long as she could remember.

“hurt you ….” Phoebe’s voice trailed off in shame.

“I know … I know… and it’s alright … its ok …..”

“No its not! No its not!”

“Phoebe it is …. Stop working yourself up into such a state … we’re fine”

“But you … you … I hurt you! You won’t love me anymore!”

“Phoebe! I’ll never stop! Do you think a little fight could stop the huge ….” Prue gently pulled Phoebes face up so she could look into her eyes “And I mean HUGE!!! Amount of love I’ve got for you?”

Phoebe’s tears still refused to stop, it wasn’t just this it was everything, everything had hit her at once her feelings and emotions were in complete turmoil.

“Pheebes … you’ve been through a lot ….” Prue sat down and held her baby sister tight “But it’ll get better, I promise you ….. it will get better”

Phoebe was sobbing gently her face buried in Prue’s neck, Prue could feel her own tears brimming as she held her baby sister close …………

“Nice job sis …” Piper spoke quietly as she looked at the sleeping Phoebe; it hadn’t taken long for exhaustion to claim the youngest Halliwell.

“Thanks ............and thanks for setting me straight”

“Welcome ….”

“What do we do now?”

Piper shook her head “I don’t know… one step at a time eh?”

Prue nodded as she placed a gentle kiss on their baby sister’s forehead, she could still feel the guilt welling up in the pit of her stomach.

“Prue it’s not your fault!”

“What are you some kind of mind reader?!”

Piper let out a soft laugh “No …. Just years of practice ….” She hesitated before continuing “Prue bad things happen … that’s life…. The important thing is how we deal with them”

“I know …I know the important thing now is how we help Phoebe come to terms, help her feel safe and secure again ….”

“Yes ….and she’s not the only one that needs that assurance, we’ve all been through the mill one way or another”

Prue gave her sister a smile, standing up she easily lifted Phoebe with her, “I’m going to put her to bed … I might stay with her a while …is that ok? I mean will you watch the baby?”

“Yeah … but first”

Prue laughed out loud as she watched Piper pull her hair back and tie it in a pony tail.

Carrying Phoebe up the stairs Prue was overcome by an overwhelming sense of love, she could hear Piper chattering to Nicole and the excited baby’s gurgles. Her family might be in bits especially the one she was carrying in her arms, but they were her family and one way or another she’d fix it. She had to.

Di as promised kicked my muse and managed to squeeze this out for your birthday!


“No peeping!” Prue laughed as she placed herself behind her youngest sister and covered her eyes with her hands.

“Prue! I can’t see!”

“That’s the idea!” Prue smirked at Piper as she ushered the youngster into the next room.

“Ready?”

Prue felt Phoebe nod her head and quickly removed her hands.

“Erm?” Phoebe looked puzzled she looked from one sister to the next a slow smile spread across her face as realisation sank in “YES!” Phoebe brought her arm back only to stop at the sound of her big sisters voices.

“NO!”

Phoebe raised her eyebrows as once again she looked from one to the other “But that’s what it’s for!”

“Yes” Prue nodded her agreement as Piper held out a small package.

“But first you have to put these on or you’ll hurt your hand …..”

“Cool!” Phoebe had already discarded the bag.

“Here ………let me fasten them” Prue quickly wound the tapes around the tiny hands “Off you go then ….. Knock the stuffing out of Slam Man ….”

Phoebe needed no more encouragement, pulling her right arm back she put all her weight behind it as it slammed into the middle of the punch bag, following up with a left hook she was soon pounding away.

Prue and Piper looked on in astonishment, knowing their little sister had a lot of pent up anger was one thing but seeing her in action was another, Phoebe didn’t pause soon the punches were being followed by kicks, Slam Man was taking a real beating as he rolled from side to side the loud rings informed everyone that Phoebe was finding her mark.

“Prue?” Piper sounded concerned as she tugged on her older sister’s sleeve “Isn’t that enough?”

Prue swallowed hard she too was standing in amazement as she watched the aggression pouring out of the little girl “No ….. Leave her ….” Prue felt choked.

“But Prue ….”

“She’s ok …she needs to get it out.”

Phoebe was oblivious to all around her, the first punch had been the opening of the floodgate she couldn’t stop herself, she couldn’t hear or see anything other than the figure in front of her.

“But Prue …..”

“She can’t hurt herself ….”

“AGHHHHHHHHHHH!” Phoebe let out a blood curdling scream as her right fist slammed into the side of the dummy’s head, bringing up her left leg she kicked the stomach as hard as she could, following up with a volley of punches she let out another piercing scream as the dam really did break. Falling to the floor she curled into a ball as the sobs tore through her body, exhaustion finally kicking in.

“It’s ok ….. you’re ok ……that’s a girl ….. let it go ….let it all out”

Phoebe was vaguely aware that her sisters were talking to her, she could feel a hand rubbing her back, slowly uncurling she turned around and felt herself being picked up and rocked, gradually regaining her senses she realised it was Piper that was holding her, she felt the gentle hand brushing away her tears, the soft kiss land on her cheek.

“Shhhh …. That’s it baby ….. let it go …..”

Taking a gulp of air Phoebe gradually managed to get her breathing under control.

“Feel better honey?”

Phoebe looked into the concerned eyes of her oldest sister; Prue ran her hand over her little sister’s hair.

Unable to talk the youngster nodded her head.

“Good girl ….”

“That’s what I should have done to him!” The anger was still evident as the little girl found her voice.

Prue exchanged a look with Piper – this is what they’d been waiting for, for months their baby sister had held everything in they both knew this was the moment that could prove to be the turning point.

“Who?” Piper sat down her little sister held safely on her knee.

“ALL OF THEM!”

“Who?” Prue knew they had to push.

“WHO DO YOU THINK?!” Phoebe’s anger was now focussed on her sisters and as she thought their stupid questions.

“Tell us ….” Piper’s voice was gentle and calm.

“ALL OF THEM! DREW! ANDY! MR TRUDEAU! I HATE THEM!”

“Why?”

Phoebe’s eyes nearly popped out of her head “WHY!!!! WHY!!!” Suddenly filled with renewed energy Phoebe fought against her sister’s grip, managing to free herself she once again started to pummel at the punch bag, this time she was more controlled.

“He raped me!!! I did nothing wrong! I DID NOTHING WRONG! I DID NOTHING ……” Phoebe slammed her fist into the dummy’s face “WRONG!!!!!!!”

Prue watched as once again Phoebes fists were flying carefully picking her moment she grabbed her little sister from behind, pinning her arms to her side she pulled her close to her chest and held her tight “That’s right! That’s right! You did nothing wrong! You’ve got nothing to feel bad about! None of it was your fault!”

Phoebe struggled against her oldest sister’s tight grip the words barely making their way into her consciousness.

“PHOEBE!” Pries voice was firm “YOU …….DID ……NOTHING …..WRONG ….”

It took a while before Prue felt the tiny body weaken, as the fight left her body.

“Good girl …..Drew’s in jail now, he can’t hurt you….no one can hurt you now”

Piper knelt in front of her sisters and looked into the teary eyes of the youngest “Do you feel better?”

Phoebe nodded, swallowing hard she held back the tears that had been coursing down her face “Yes …..” she sounded exhausted. Once again she felt herself hauled into her big sisters arms, this time it was Prue that held her.

“Good …..anytime you feel angry you come in here and you kick the crap out of this beastie alright?”

Phoebe nodded “That will be a lot …..”

Prue continued “I’m thinking of enrolling you in kick-boxing what do you think? Would you like that?”

Piper held her breath; she had sat up with Prue into the early hours of the morning as they tried to think of ways to bring their sweet little sister back to some sense of normality. The mood swings and clinginess had escalated they hoped that the kick-boxing would give her a new hobby, something to take out her frustration but at the same time give her the opportunity to get back into the world and make new friends.

“I think so …..”

The older Halliwells couldn’t miss the fear so evident in the youngster’s eyes.

“But … well … will you come with me? Stay with me?”

Prue didn’t hesitate this was at least a start “Yes …. In fact maybe we should enrol as well …. Otherwise you might just kick our butts!”

Phoebe laughed, the sound music to her sisters ears, “Never thought of that, maybe you should just wait outside!”

Prue smiled at Piper, this was the breakthrough they’d been waiting for, the tension had left their little sisters face, the massive smile across her face was full of innocence and mischief. The moment was broken by a loud wail coming from upstairs, before either could react Phoebe was on her feet.

“I’ll get her …..”

Phoebe was already half way up the stairs as the pitiful sounds of her crying niece got louder and louder.

“Thank god it worked …..”

Prue grinned “Have faith little one ….”

“Hey! Less of the little one!”

“HEY!” Phoebe’s excited voice interrupted their banter “Watch this!”

The older Halliwells turned to see Phoebe carrying her niece on the crook of her arm.

“Give us a kiss!” Phoebe grinned widely at the baby in her arms.

The three sisters laughed as Nicole’s mouth widened into a gummy smile as Phoebe plucked the pacifier out of her mouth, the baby planted an open mouthed sloppy kiss on the side of her Aunts face.

“Give us a kiss!” Nicole kicked out both of her legs in excitement as the exercise was repeated.

Prue laughed as she held her arms out to take her daughter “What else has she been teaching you?!”

As if on cue Nicole slapped her tiny hand on Prue’s face and head butted her on the nose.

Phoebe was giggling loudly “I never! I never!”

“Just you wait!” Prue was laughing as she looked across at her youngest sister “That’s great that is! You teach her to give you kisses and head butt me! ME! Her mother!”

“I never!” Phoebe was still laughing “She learnt that all on her own!” leaning forward Phoebe tickled the gurgling baby under her chin “Clever girl! Yes you are! You are a clever girl!”

The Halliwell sisters couldn't help but laugh as little Nicole squealed in delight and clapped her hands.

+++++++
“She looks exhausted ….” Piper indicated a tired looking Phoebe slumped across the sofa.

“Come on Pheebes ……bed ….”

“But Prue!!!!”

“Stop whining you know its time ….”

“Oh but Prue! Ten more minutes?”

“No ….”

“Awwww”

Piper couldn’t help but grin, her sister was back!

“BED NOW!” Prue sounded firm as she pulled the youngster to her feet “Kiss Piper goodnight and I’ll follow you up”

Phoebe let out a deep sigh before leaning down to kiss the middle sister “Night Pipe …”

“Night honey sleep tight”

“Love you ….”

“Love you too ……”

“I love Prue as well but not when she makes me go to bed …..”

Piper let out a slight snort.

“Piper!” Prue glared but Piper could see the hidden smile, “You……bed………..now!”

Piper let out a giggle as they listened to their baby sister stomp up the stairs “Looks like she’s feeling better!”

Prue smiled good naturedly at her sister “I’ll say! I won’t be long….I’ll just go and tuck her in”

Making her way to her youngest sisters bed Prue wasn’t surprised to see that Phoebe was already half asleep. Sitting next to her she leant down and gave the little girl a kiss “Night babe”

“Mmmm, night Prue…”

Straightening the duvet Prue was just about to turn out the lamp when she felt Phoebe grab her hand.

“Prue ….can I ask you something?”

“I suppose it can’t possibly wait until Morning?” Prue was used to her sisters stalling tactics.

“No… I mean I’ve been wanting to ask you for ages ….”

The worry in her little sister’s voice made Prue sit down again “Go on”

“It’s just … well …it’s just I’ve been thinking …I’ve been thinking about Andy …well Nicole really”

“What about them?” Prue brushed the unruly hair back from her sister’s furrowed brow.

“Will she hate me? You know when she grows up…and….. and …..and”

“Pheebes I doubt very much if that little baby could ever hate you ….. you seem to be her favourite person!”

“Its just you know ….when she realises why ….why her Daddy killed himself ….you know because of me ….”

“Oh Phoebe! Andy didn’t do it because of you!” Prue pulled Phoebe up and onto her knee “Don’t think that! Don’t ever think that! Remember what he said in the note he left?”

“But …”

“No … no buts! He did what he did because he was in too deep, he couldn’t see a way out … he never expected Drew to do what he did to you…. When he realised what had happened he was in even deeper. He felt guilty Pheebes but he was weak, he panicked I really don’t believe he ever wanted to see you hurt but it happened babe and he did nothing to stop it. He was very mixed up, I don’t believe he was a truly bad man honey he made a few bad choices. I can’t ever forgive him for that.”

Prue looked into the deep brown eyes of her baby sister; once again she could see the pain and confusion.

“If you want to blame anyone blame Drew ….if he hadn’t done what he did then Andy would still be here ……so no way can this be down to you”

“But what if Nicole …..”

“Nicole already loves you ….I’m sure that will never change”

“I love her ….” Phoebe’s eyes filled with tears as she thought of the adorable baby girl that had come so unexpectedly into their lives “But I ….I hate that she’s like me …that she doesn’t have a Daddy….”

“No she doesn’t and that can’t be helped honey, but she’s got a doting mother and two Aunts that adore her that’s a lot more than some ever have”

“Do you hate Andy?”

“I hate what he did … or rather didn’t do … and I hate that he took his own life instead of facing up to it …. But no” Prue had to swallow hard to get rid of the lump that had formed in her throat “No … I don’t hate him, I did at first ……….. but not now” Prue looked worried as once again she looked into the deep brown eyes “Do you understand that?”

Phoebe slowly nodded “Yes …I think so ….and I think I’m glad, I’m glad that Nicole’s Mummy doesn’t hate her Daddy”

“Good” Prue couldn’t help but feel relieved.

“But I can’t help that her Aunty hates him” It was Phoebes turn to look worried “Can you understand that Prue?”

Prue hugged her little sister tight before replying “Totally”

+++++++++++++++++++

“I thought you said you wouldn’t be long” Pipers voice was low as she entered the darkened bedroom “Prue? … Prue?”

Reaching the bed she was greeted with the sight of her two sisters wrapped in each others arms fast asleep.

“Great! Looks like I’m in with the baby!” Leaning down Piper carefully pulled the duvet around their shoulders and kissed each of them “Night sisters …..”

“Mmm night Pipe” Prue’s voice was groggy she was still half asleep.

“Night Prue …. Everything alright?”

“It will be Pipe …. It will be …..”

With that Prue turned and snuggled even deeper under the covers the little girl that had once been so broken now healing in her arms.

THE END