“What the hell?!” Seventeen year old Piper Halliwell took the steps two at a time and threw open the front door “PRUE! What the hell are you doing?!” rushing across the room she grabbed her older sister and pulled her away from the youngest. The twelve year old was curled in a ball, screaming as she tried to scramble away.

“Its not what you think!” Prue looked upset “I don’t know what’s wrong…I just….”

“Smacked her! You just smacked her! Don’t deny it I can see your hand mark on her leg!”

Prue was shaking her head as the youngster got more and more distraught “Once …. I mean I only smacked her once….she just…I…”

Piper dropped to her knees and held her arms open “Pheebes it’s alright, calm down….come here babe ….”

“Piper?” Prue sounded worried as she crouched down next to the middle sister “Honestly I never hit her that hard …. I mean we’ve had worse ….Phoebe come on, calm down, you’re my little sister we fight that’s what we do there’s no need for this ….”

Piper looked from one sister to the other Prue looked genuinely upset, Phoebe wasn’t calming down “What was it about?”

Prue took a deep breath her hands were shaking she looked almost as distraught as the youngest “She vandalised the community centre …”

“WHAT! Are you sure?” the increase in the volume of Pipers voice had caused Phoebe to scramble further away.

“Positive, Drew caught her himself, we’re just lucky that he’s not going to press charges, she had the can in her hand, there’s paint all over her”

“Phoebe calm down, just calm down, lets talk calmly….”

Prue shook her head “She’s been like this for ages she won’t let me near her and she just keeps rocking…I mean I was mad but she’s never reacted like this before …..”

“Phoebe what happened? Why did you do it?”

“No reason! No reason! Just let me go! Let me go!”

Prue took a deep breath and looked to Piper for help.

“Ok Pheebes go to your room…..go on I need to talk to Prue we’ll be up to see you later….go on” Piper spoke gently and pointed in the direction of the stairs.

“You shouldn’t have hit her!” As soon as Phoebe was out of sight Piper rounded on her sister “How many times have we talked about this? You’re way to strict with her no wonder she’s scared!”

“Get real! She was caught damaging public property just how the hell do you expect me to react? Nice one Pheebes! If it had been anyone else we’d be in big trouble now! …..If the police had got involved, they could have taken her away. Grams has only been dead six months! What if ……”

“Six months! Exactly six months! How do you think the poor kids feeling?”

“What? So you think I should have let her off? Face it Piper she’s out of control, everything I do for her she fights me……..I even had a job to get her to go on the weekend camp with Drew and the rest of the kids…..if you’d have suggested it she’d have gone in a shot but ….”

“You’re over sensitive …”

“Am I?” Just as Prue was about to continue the sisters were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Drew Hi!”

“Prue, Piper” Drew Carter entered the Manor.

“I am so sorry, Drew what can I say….I don’t know what’s got into her lately” Prue looked into the deep blue eyes of the young priest.

Drew smiled at the sisters he had grown so close to in their time of sorrow and loss “Prue don’t worry, look she’s young, she’s upset, she’s probably got a ton of emotions running through her its hard enough when your older but it must be twice as bad for a kid”

Prue nodded in agreement “Come through, Piper will you bring Phoebe down, she’s got some explaining to do …..”

As Prue led the way Drew continued “If it had been any other kid I wouldn’t have been so shocked but Phoebe ….she’s one of the good ones I just can’t understand….”

“You and me both, you’ve been so good to her it just doesn’t make sense” Prue frowned “Did something happen at the camp?”

Drew shifted uncomfortably “Well I wasn’t going to tell you, I thought things were under control, I didn’t want to worry you, but well yes, I had to take her out of the dorm some of the kids were picking on her”

Prue felt her colour drain, this on top of everything else, her little sister had been through enough pain the loss of their grandmother had hit the youngest hard, she still cried herself to sleep every night. Before Prue could delve any deeper Piper returned with the youngest in tow.

“Phoebe what do you have to say for yourself?” Prue was instantly in charge her sense of right and wrong the overriding emotion.

“Nothin…”

Piper pulled her little sister in front of her “Phoebe?” Piper’s voice had an edge to it “What did we just talk about?”

“I’m sorry …..”

“Don’t tell me tell Drew…” Prue took in the appearance of the youngster, always small she seemed to have shrunk even further into herself “Phoebe you know better now apologise properly….”

“I’m sorry …”

“I don’t think you’ll get much more out of her” Prue then turned her attention back to her sister “Phoebe you’ll clean off the mess you made and I expect you to help out at the next two fundraisers, you can also help Drew clean up after soccer practices for as long as he sees fit”

“You mean I still get to go!” Phoebe looked shocked “I mean I thought you’d ground me”

“No, you can go, I think it does you good to play sport and make new friends but any more nonsense and your feet won’t touch the ground ………….. understand?”

Phoebe’s eyes filled with unshed tears, “Can I go now?”

“Do you want to add anything Drew?”

“Only that I’m very, very disappointed in you Phoebe, I thought more of you than this, if you have problems I thought you could come and talk to me this is no way to behave. I half expect it from some of the others but I thought we were closer than that”

The tears silently fell down the twelve year olds face she sobbed as she once again tried to escape the disappointment she could see reflected in all of the faces around her “Please Prue, can I go?”

Prue took a deep breath and nodded “Go on, I’ll be up to see you later…”


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

“I just find it hard that she would do such a thing. Something must have happened to make her behave this way” Andy Trudeau looked concerned as his girlfriend updated him with the latest news.

“Yeah, her Grandmother and for all intense and purposes Mother died six months ago. Guess that would do it”

“Yeah ….” Andy gave Prue a weak smile “Just well, have you spoken to her? Has she told you anything?”

Prue shook her head “No, I mean yes I’ve spoken to her but she’s like a clam. Can’t get a thing out of her, the one time when I want her to open up!”

Andy leaned back into the sofa pulling his girlfriend with him “Enough of that, lets move on to more pleasurable things” his hand moved slowly over Prue’s back as he gently kissed her shifting her weight so that they would be more comfortable his hand snaked under her top.

“Andy!”

“What? Come on babe relax”

“No! Stop” Prue pulled back and nodded in the direction of the stairs moving quickly she slid off Andy’s knee and onto the seat next to him “I thought you were asleep?”

Prue watched as Phoebe stared back “What’s wrong? Come here”

“Great!” Andy rolled his eyes it was obvious Prue now had other things on her mind.

“Phoebe?” Prue eventually got up and made her way to her sister “Are you alright? Why have you been crying?”

Phoebe stood frozen on the bottom step, her face was tear stained, her thick brown curly hair wild, the fleece pyjamas only emphasising her age and innocence, reaching out with both arms Prue picked her little sister up. Immediately she felt Phoebes arms tighten round her neck, at the same time the twelve year olds legs wrapped around her big sisters waist.

“Hey! It’s ok! It’s ok! What’s got you all spooked?” Prue gently brushed the matted hair off her kid sisters face “Have you had a bad dream?”

Phoebe snuggled in even tighter and slowly nodded her head.

“Want me to take you back to bed?”

“Nooooo”

“Want to sit up with me for a bit then?”

“Please…”

“Ok, just for half an hour and then its back to bed ok?”

Prue carried the youngster over to the sofa, taking her seat next to Andy she felt Phoebe grab on to her even tighter her head buried against Prue’s chest.

“Sorry Andy, erm” Prue shifted Phoebe’s weight and looked at her irritated boyfriend “Look you know normally I’d send her back to bed but…..”

“Its fine, time I went anyway” Andy stood up and gave Prue a quick kiss, Prue couldn’t help but notice Phoebe stiffen as Andy leaned towards the youngster “Alright! Too big for kisses now are you?” Andy winked at Prue as he ruffled Phoebe’s hair “See you tomorrow honey”

Prue tightened her grip on her sister and held her close “What was all that about baby? I thought you liked Andy”

“I’m just tired…”

Prue nodded “Ok, why don’t I wrap us both in this throw and we can snuggle down and watch a bit of TV?”

Phoebe turned her tear filled eyes towards her sister “I’m sorry Prue …….”

“What for?”

“The paint ….”

“I know, look its happened we move on ok? I’ve had my say it’s done and dusted now alright?”

Phoebe nodded slowly “Are you still mad at me?”

“No”

“Do you still love me?”

“Oh Phoebe!” Prue kissed her sisters forehead, ever since the incident with Drew Phoebe had alternated from being a ball of anger to being clingy. She was forever following her sisters around requesting confirmation of their love “How many times?” Prue smiled as she blew a raspberry on the little girl’s neck “I love you, I loved you yesterday, I love you today and I’ll still love you tomorrow!”

“Even if I’m bad?”

“Pheebes what’s all this about? You know I love you, I’ll do anything for you.”

Phoebe nodded as Prue looked into the deep brown, sad eyes of her baby sister “And so would Piper”

“I know…..” two big tears fell slowly down the little girls face.

“Then why the tears?” Prue wrapped one arm tight around her sister and pulled her close with the other she gently wiped the tears away.

“I don’t know …..Guess I still miss Grams….”

“Me too baby, me too”

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

It was sometime later that the middle Halliwell arrived home from her date, she smiled at the sight before her “What’s this cuddle time without me?”

Prue wiped groggily at her face “What time is it?”

“Just gone midnight….”

“Oh! Must have dozed off”

“And Phoebe?”

“Yeah” Prue stretched as best she could while pinned down by her youngest sister “After ruining Andy’s plans for romance…”

Piper giggled “Grams would be so proud”

“Cute!”

Piper leaned down and picked her little sister up “I’ll put her to bed, night Prue”

“Night honey, oh and don’t forget to drop Phoebe off with Drew after school”

“No probs, do you think things have settled down now? You know after what he said about the kids picking on her at camp”

“Seems to have. To be honest she’s a bit mixed up at the minute I’ve never known her so clingy but I think that’s more to do with missing Grams than anything else.” Prue frowned at her sister “Anyway thought I was supposed to be the worrier!”

“You are, doesn’t give you exclusive rights though, she’s my baby sister too you know!”

“I know and you’re both mine…..”

Piper laughed “You always have to go one better don’t you?”

Prue nodded a smug expression on her face as she watched Piper carry their baby sister to bed.

If I can just make it to the changing rooms…..I’ll be alright if I can get to the changing rooms ……. Nearly there …..just a few more yards ……

“Aghhh!” Little Phoebe Halliwell was snapped out of her thoughts when a hand was clamped over her mouth, she felt herself pulled backwards into the small dark store room. Instinctively she kicked out causing her captor to yell in pain.

“Now! Now! Phoebe! We’ve been through this before!”

The little girl screamed as the open palm slammed into the side of her face. She couldn’t see her attacker but she knew without doubt who it was. The smell of lemon soap was almost enough to make her sick.

“Noooooo! Please noooooo don’t! Not again! Pleaseeeeee!”

Phoebes please fell on deaf ears, there was nothing she could do as the strong arms pinned her to the wall, she could feel the sharp blade of a knife on her throat as the other hand slowly roamed her body.

The twelve year old curled into a ball on the cold tiled floor, her body ached and throbbed her head was banging from the blow to her face, she had no idea how long she’d been in the room she only knew it felt like a lifetime “Clean yourself up honey, you’ll feel better! You’ve got half an hour to sort yourself out. Don’t forget what I said now ……. No one will believe you, it’s just your word against mine and who would listen to you? If you tell anyone you’ll be taken away from your sisters. Now we wouldn’t want that would we? So why not keep this our little secret?”

Phoebe sobbed as she adjusted her clothing she felt sick, she felt scared but most of all she felt despair. He was right no one would believe her, how could they she hardly believed it herself.


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

“So how did it go? Did you have a good time” Prue looked a little closer at her sister “Hey! What happened to your face?”

“Oh she had a hard tackle didn’t you Pheebes?” Without waiting for a reply Andy continued “Banged herself up pretty bad by the looks of things”

“Phoebe!” Prue’s voice was full of concern as she reached out to examine the bruise on her kid sister’s face.

“Prue! She’s fine! Stop worrying! She’s a kid these things happen, you can’t be with her twenty four, seven.”

“I realise that!” Prue sounded annoyed as she glared at her boyfriend “But I’m here now and she’s hurt!”

“She’ll be right as rain once she’s had a bath won’t you honey?” Andy turned his attention to the youngster.

Phoebe nodded as she tried to get away from Prue’s grasp.

“Why didn’t you shower at the Centre?”

“Sorry” Andy held his hand up “My fault I was in a rush to get back to my beautiful girlfriend”

Prue growled “Well you’ll just have to wait. Come on Pheebes lets get you sorted”

“Oh for gods sake! Prue! Let it go! She just had a bad tackle that’s all!”

“I’m fine honest, I’ll just get a bath I’m just a bit achy”

“I’ll help”

“Prue! I’m twelve not two!”

“Ok! Ok! But if you need me shout right?”

Phoebe nodded as she headed out the door.

“Andy was it those kids again?”

“What? Who?”

“From the camp …. Come on you were there you didn’t even say anything I had to learn from Drew!”

“Calm down! Geez Prue! It was nothing! There was a bit of commotion in Phoebes dorm after lights out, we decided it best if she slept in another room that’s all. You know what kids are like they were all friends again the next day”

“And that’s it?”

“Yes ……….. Look Prue the only reason I didn’t say anything is because I know how much you’ve had to cope with lately. I talked it over with Drew and we decided it best to let it blow over”

“And today?”

“A bad tackle ….”

Prue still looked worried as Andy wrapped her in his arms

“Prue she’s the smallest on the field she’s an easy target”

“I thought you could keep an eye on her ……”

“I do, when I can, but I’ve got the older group besides you heard what she said she’s fine, just a bit achy”

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

“What’s up now?”

“That obvious?”

Piper smirked at her sister “Never could hide your feelings”

“I’m just a bit worried, Phoebe got hurt at football practice”

“What! Is she alright?”

“Yeah…I think so, a bit quiet she looks sore, she’s walking really stiff and she’s got a bruise on her face ….”

“What have you done for her?”

“Nothing…..she wouldn’t let me near. Apparently once you reach twelve you don’t need mollycoddling”

“Doesn’t sound like our little sis; she normally milks these things for all she’s worth”

“Do me a favour…..she’s still in the tub, go up and see if she’ll let you help her, she’ll only kick off if I go……”

Piper didn’t need telling twice taking the stairs two at a time she was soon outside the bathroom door “Pheebes, it’s me….heard you’ve been in the wars; I’m coming in …..”

Piper tried the door only to find it locked “Phoebe! Why have you locked the door? You know the rules now let me in!”

Little Phoebe Halliwell eased herself out of the bath, she was desperately trying to compose herself, she’d been warned what would happen if she raised any suspicion, Nobody would believe her, she’d be thought a liar, a troublemaker, she’d be put into care kept away from her sisters.

“Sorry Pipe …..I didn’t realise” Phoebe quickly got into her robe before opening the door.

“Hey! That’s one hell of a bruise you’ve got!” Piper’s earlier annoyance was forgotten the instant she saw her sisters face.

“It’s alright….”

“Come here, sit down” Piper rifled through the medicine cabinet “Here let me put some arnica on …this stuff works wonders…”

The kindness of her sister was too much for the little girl two tears slowly rolled down her face.

“Hey! Hey come on! You’ve had worse!” Piper enveloped her sister in a hug and gently rocked her “Where else hurts? ….”

Phoebe took a deep breath before answering “No where …..”

She couldn’t tell her big sister that her entire body was a mass of pain, she couldn’t tell her that mentally and physically she hurt like she’d never hurt before.

It was a week later when Phoebe sought out her sister ….

“Prue?”

“What babe?”

“Do I have to play tonight?”

Prue grinned as she put her magazine down and looked at her kid sister “Hate to tell you this honey but it’s supposed to be fun….”

“But Prue I don’t feel so good and …..”

“And?”

“Well ….I haven’t seen much of you and Piper lately and well …” Phoebe let the words hang in the air hoping that Prue would feel guilty enough to let her stay home.

“Phoebe!” Prue shook her head “Come here” Opening her arms she pulled her kid sister onto the seat next to her “What’s all this about? Are the other kids giving you a hard time? Because if they are I’ll come down there and sort them out ………… you know that right? No one picks on my little honey bunch and gets away with it!”

“No!” Phoebe looked horrified “No I just wanted to spend some time with you ….”

Prue smiled as she looked at her kid sister “This is such a turnabout, wasn’t so long ago you couldn’t wait to get away from your over protective big sisters …..”

“Well?”

“Well what?”

“Prue!” Phoebe rolled her eyes in exasperation “Can I stay home? Please let me stay home!”

Prue hesitated Phoebes eyes were now wide pleading with her big sister to let her have her way “Mmm I’m not sure …..”

“Please Prue! Please!”

Prue was puzzled something just didn’t seem right, Phoebe loved sports she had practically begged her sisters to let her join the team ….”How about you play, but I come and watch and then we go out afterwards? We could grab a pizza or something?”

Phoebes face fell, Prue caught the chewing of the lip a sure sign that tears were near.

“Come on” Prue tried cajoling “Then I get to see what a star you are and we still spend time together?”

Prue watched as Phoebe considered her options …..

“You’ll take me down before the match right?”

“But you always get a ride with Andy ….”

“But if you’re coming anyway you could take me and help me get ready” Phoebe raised her eyebrows at her big sister “And then you could watch me from the stands then at half time you could come back to the dressing room, then we could go out straight from the Centre and grab that pizza……..”

Prue felt herself melt; it wasn’t that much to ask, after all the kid was only twelve …..

“Alright…you’re on, it’s a deal”

“YES! YES! Thank you!” Prue smiled as Phoebe gave her a kiss

“You’re welcome…..I think”

“OH! And Prue? ……” Phoebe was halfway out of the door ready to collect her kit “Just me and you …..”

“What?”

“For Pizza ….just me and you no one else”

“But Andy…”

“Just me and you” Phoebe sounded more urgent.

“Ok…just me and you”

“Oh…..and one more thing…………..”

Prue rolled her eyes waiting for the latest demand

“Stop calling me your little honey bunch!”

“Never! That I can’t do ….. coz that’s what you are!”

Prue smiled as she heard Phoebe chuckle it took a moment to realise that the sound of her kid sister laughing had now become a rarity, Prue was dragged out of her thoughts by the sound of Andy coming in from the kitchen.

“Hi! Is she ready? Big game tonight don’t want to mess up!”

“Erm, slight change of plan, I’m dropping her off, thought I’d watch twinkle toes in action then treat her to a pizza”.

“Oh!” Andy looked slightly miffed “But that’s why I came over, I’m supposed to give her a ride and I thought we were going out later to catch a movie…..”

“Sorry babe ….last minute change of plan, you don’t mind do you? I just feel like I should spend a bit of time with Pheebes she’s been pushed to one side lately what with Grams and then having to sort everything out….”

Andy took a deep breath “She’s not the only one…..you know seems to me you need to be a bit harder, you’re not her mother, she’s dam lucky she’s got you, she should let you lead your own life too you know?”

Prue was dumbfounded she had no idea her boyfriend had been feeling this way “Andy? First of all she’s my kid sister, she’s twelve years old she needs looking after you need to understand this is not a responsibility either I or Piper take lightly. I certainly don’t need you to give me lessons in parenting skills; it’s not a question of being harder it’s a question of making sure she feels loved and secure. That’s my priority and there’s nothing you can say to change that …….. got it?”

Andy let out a deep sigh he had soon realised he’d overstepped the mark “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded …it’s just I thought we had arrangements ….I’m sorry I guess I’m just disappointed….”

“We can go the movies another night. But as for tonight, I’ve no idea why, but she needs me and like it or not Andy she’s getting me ……”

“Prue! You ready?” Phoebe jumped down from the last three stairs she looked the happiest she had in ages “Oh …….”

“Its alright I’ve told Andy you’ll be riding with me……”

Phoebe lifted her gaze and looked at her big sisters boyfriend a slight look of triumph on her face “And Pizza?”

Prue nodded at her kid sister “Table for two …..”

Phoebes slight smirk turned to a full on smile her eyes bore into Andy’s until he was forced to look away.

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

“Guess you think you’re clever bringing your bodyguard along?”

“Noooooo” Phoebe felt like her chest was going to burst as she felt the all too familiar arms pulling her into a dark recess.

“Pull this little stunt again and you won’t find it so funny …..understand?”

“Yessss….let me go…..please…she’s waiting…please let me go!” Phoebe felt the grip around her waist loosen.

“We’ve still got a few minutes …..”

“No! No! pleasseeee!”

“Shhhhh! Come on baby!” The voice had softened “Come on….you know you like it……just like a big girl….that’s right…..”

Phoebe felt the panic sweep over her as she felt the rough hands groping her. Fortunately for Phoebe her attacker knew Prue would be on her way, anger once again overtook as he roughly pushed her away leaving her to re-join her team mates.

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

“Hey! What’s wrong you look upset….. “

“Nothing, nothing” Phoebe managed to pull herself together and smile at her big sister.

“Hi! Prue! I was just telling …”

“Drew! You scared me half to death! Were the hell did you spring from?”

Drew laughed as he pushed his hand through his hair “Sorry didn’t mean to sneak up on you; I was just giving the team a half time pep talk …. Phoebes doing great”

Prue smiled proudly as she pulled her little sister towards her “I was just about to tell her the same thing, keep up the good work honey and I’ll see you at full time…”

Phoebe quickly kissed her sister and ran off to join the rest of the team.

Prue was about to go back to her seat when she felt a gentle pull on her arm “Prue can I have a word?”

“Yeah sure …what about…”

“Phoebe, I hope you don’t think I’m overstepping the mark but I’m a little concerned about her, I’ve just been talking to Andy ….”

Prue rolled her eyes “And what did he have to say?”

“Look sorry forget it, you’re right it’s none of my business …”

“No …No I’m the one that’s sorry I shouldn’t have snapped I know you’re only looking out for her …”

“Well its just that …and I really hope you don’t mind me saying this, its just I think maybe you’re being just a tad over protective…..don’t get me wrong” Drew held the palm of his hand up “I mean its understandable after all you’ve gone through …its just maybe you should cut her some slack”

Prue was immediately on the defensive “Drew I can’t believe I’m getting this from you, you know what she’s been through you know how upset she was after Grams died, she’s only twelve she’ll find her feet and spread her wings in her own time …”

“Prue look you’re right it’s just that when we discussed Phoebe joining the team it was to give her a bit of independence now Andy tells me you’re bringing her, watching her then taking her home, she’s not going to get the chance to be herself not when you’re glued to her side”

“First of all Phoebe asked me its not me crowding her, secondly I take your point but I firmly believe she needs a little support right now the other kids have all got their families here I don’t see why she should be any different”

“Look I’m not criticising it’s just that Andy …”

“Andy what?”

“Andy said Phoebes been very clingy lately, it sounds out of character to me but in my experience the more you give in to that type of pressure the worse it becomes …”

Prue took a deep breath “Andy’s just feeling left out….I sometimes wonder who the child is in all this” Prue paused before she continued “Look I’ll think over what you’ve just said right now I’ve got a game to watch and a kid sister to cheer on …”

Making her way back to the stands Prue was deep in thought unaware of the middle aged woman watching her, she had just sat down when she realised someone was talking to her.

“Is that Drew Carter that you were just talking to?”

Prue looked at the well dressed woman, she’d never seen her before, she seemed to have an intense look about her.

“Yes, why?”

“No reason ….I just wasn’t sure if it was him I could only see the back of his head…”

Prue nodded “So does your daughter play on the team?”

“No…erm, I mean she used to ….I’m Natalie Simpson”

“Prue Halliwell…”

“So your daughter is out there?”

Prue laughed “No ....kid sister…That’s her over there, the little one covered in mud…”

“She’s good ….she might only be small but she’s got a natural talent …”

Prue nodded in agreement and went back to watching the game “YES! Go for it Phoebe! Yes! Yes! Great stuff!” Prue clapped and whistled as her sister turned triumphant from the goal, she watched as Phoebe waved back a big grin plastered across her face as she was engulfed by the rest of her team mates.

“Looks like she’s a popular kid ….”

“Yes….” Prue was starting to get irritated she wanted to watch the game in peace, but as she turned back to the game something began to niggle …. Natalie was right she was a popular kid …

“My daughter was around her age when she started playing … her names Ellie”

“Phoebes not mentioned her …”

“No .. she wouldn’t know her she stopped playing a while ago …”

“Shame”

“It was, she seemed to change after she got on to the team, she became withdrawn and a little clingy, have you noticed any change in your sister?”

Prue rubbed at her eyes …. “Yes, I suppose, similar but it’s understandable….she I mean we lost our Grandmother not so long ago, she brought us up it was a huge shock to Phoebe I guess she’s just scared that something will happen to me or our other sister”

“My husband died a few months before Ellie joined the team, Drew suggested it, he thought it would do her good to get out for a little while and make new friends ….”

Natalie now had Prue’s complete attention “And did it?”

“At first ….” Natalie looked away uncertain if she should continue ….

“Then what?”

“Like I said she began to withdraw, she had nightmares, kept pleading with me …”

“To not send her to the Centre?”

Natalie looked pale “Yes ….look I don’t know if I should be telling you this”

Prue suddenly felt a chill run down her spine “I think you should, maybe you could come back to our place, we’d be more comfortable there …”

“Yes…ok, but you must understand anything I tell you is entirely confidential, what you choose to do is entirely up to you….”

“Now you’ve got me worried” Prue stood up as soon as the final whistle blew and waved Phoebe over “Pheebes there’s been a slight change of plan, we need to go home before we go for pizza … this is Natalie Simpson her daughter used to play on the team …..”

Phoebe looked puzzled, what did this have to do with anything?

“Pheebes do me a favour honey, just grab your stuff and get a shower at home ok?”

Phoebe nodded “Come to the changing room with me?”

Casting a worried glance at Natalie Prue nodded “We won’t be long……”

“Fine, I was going to suggest you went with her anyway….”

Prue was feeling decidedly uneasy … instinctively she grasped Phoebe by the hand and led the way.

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

.
“It started after she went to camp….”

Prue could feel the blood drain from her face as she looked across the table at Piper.

“Ellie had always been a boisterous child, she loved sport and being the centre of attention, that was why it seemed so strange when she suddenly became withdrawn. I discussed it with Drew Carter and he made it all sound so normal, shock after her Dad …then he told me about other kids picking on her …..”

Piper felt sick, she didn’t know why but there was something about the way the woman was talking, it was like listening to someone describe her baby sister ….

“Then she went to the camp …I didn’t find out …I didn’t know …” Natalie was becoming increasingly upset, at the same time Prue was becoming increasingly impatient.

“Didn’t know what?!”

Piper glared at her sister as she handed a handkerchief to their guest.

“He told me some of the kids had been picking on her, he thought it best if Ellie slept in a different room ……….. she told me months later, she just broke down one night…… he … he raped her, told her no one would believe her, he was a priest ….someone to be trusted…..”

“No! No!” Prue shook her head “No! This can’t be happening! This can’t be true!”

“I confronted him, he denied it, same line, I couldn’t prove anything it was too long after and I didn’t want to put Ellie through that, the police the testifying” Natalie broke down into huge sobs “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry …he swore to me that he’d learnt his lesson, told me he was leaving the church …..it was only when I saw an article in the local paper …I had to come and then when I saw him …the way he was with Phoebe, his arm around her, I saw her face she looked terrified …..”

“No! Not Phoebe! Nothing has happened to Phoebe ….” Prue was panicking Piper couldn’t speak, she watched as Prue charged out of the room and up the stairs …. “Phoebe!”

“Prue! No! You can’t just come out with it …..”

Piper was too late Prue had already found their little sister “Pheebes….Phoebe I’m going to ask you something and I want you to tell me the truth……I need for you to tell me the truth, I promise you nothing bad will happen just tell me…..” Prue had tears in her eyes as she knelt in front of her little sister and held both her hands “Phoebe, has someone been hurting you? Has someone made you do things you don’t want to do?”

Phoebe shook her head, she was panicking, she’d been told she’d be put into care if she told the truth.

“Phoebe look at me….” Prue squeezed the little girls hands as Piper watched from the doorway, Piper felt sick, somehow like Prue she knew the truth, there was too much coincidence …. “Phoebe I promise you it’ll be ok….just tell me baby…”

Pheobe bit on her bottom lip as the tears began to slide down her face ….

“Phoebe? Where you told you’d be taken from your sisters?” Natalie had followed the girls upstairs.

“Phoebe is that true?” Prue was pleading with her sister desperate to uncover the truth.

Phoebe slightly nodded her head.

“What happened?” Piper came closer and knelt down next to Prue.

“He … when it was…I …”

“Phoebe baby its ok…its going to be ok, we’ve got you now…” Piper gently kissed the top of her kid sister’s head.

“There was a load of noise from the dorm…..he blamed me, took me outside and said I had to sleep in a room on my own ….I, I got scared ….he told me he’d look after me, I got in my sleeping bag and …and……”

Prue couldn’t take anymore she stood up and ran from the room; before anyone could react she had grabbed her car keys and a carving knife from the kitchen.

“Oh god! Prue! No!” Piper was hot on her sister’s heels she opened the front door to the sound of burning rubber and the screeching of the car engine.

“Phoebe quick! Come on we’ve got to stop her!”

Phoebe and Natalie had not been far behind Piper the three piled into Pipers car in hot pursuit of Prue.

“You son of a bitch!”

“Prue!” Drew Carter felt his stomach flip, he had to act quick it was obvious the young woman in front of him was beyond pissed.

“Don’t you dare! Don’t you dare even try it!” Prue was too quick for him; in one swift movement she had one arm around his neck the other held the sharp blade of the knife under his chin “How could you! How could you! We trusted you! We believed in you and this is what you did! How does it feel now Drew?” Prue’s eyes flashed with anger as the door burst open and her younger sisters fell through “How does it feel to be on the end of this? Do you think you’re as scared as my little sister must have been? DO YOU!” Prue prodded the blade of the knife into Carters throat.

“Prue don’t!!” Piper was desperate to bring her sister back to some form of normality; she had never seen her like this.

“LOOK AT HER!” Prue moved the knife from one side of Carters throat to the other “GO ON! LOOK AT MY BABY SISTER! TWELVE YEARS OLD! How the hell could you you sick bastard!”

“Prue he’s not worth it, drop the knife …..” Andy had heard the commotion and had entered the office …..

Phoebe immediately pushed herself against Pipers side.

“Come on Drew the games up …. Let’s get the police sort this out once and for all…..”

“The Police? Drew grimaced as Prue tightened her grip “I don’t think you want me to get the police involved do you Andy…..”

Natalie had been watching, frozen to the spot, she knew exactly how Prue was feeling the difference being she hadn’t acted on it.

Prue manovered her right hand and pushed the blade into the hollow of Drew’s throat.

“Go on then Prue do it ….” Drew Carter was smirking “Go on ….”

Prue felt the anger once again explode in her chest her hand was shaking with temper….

“Prue don’t …” It was Natalie “It’s not worth it......... ….”

“Ohhhh it’ll be worth it!”

“Prue don’t ….” Piper was pleading with her sister.

“She can’t …” Carter was still smirking “Not that easy is it Prue? Not that easy to hurt someone….”

“It was for you! It was for you you bastard!” Prue tightened the arm that was around his neck causing him to choke

“Prue he’s right ….. He’s an animal, you’re not……….. you’re so much better than that” Natalie was still doing her best to calm the oldest Halliwell down “I wanted to do what you’re doing but that would make us as bad as him ….”

“NEVER! No where near…..” Prue was breathing heavy as once again she pressed the sharp point of the knife against Carters throat.

“Prue! Please don’t Phoebe didn’t tell us because she was scared of losing us, and if you do this she’ll lose you anyway!” Piper was crying she had her arms wrapped around the youngest, Phoebes head buried in her stomach “Think of Phoebe, think of our little sister, look at her Prue …. Look at her … she needs you”

Prue looked at her little sisters, both of them heartbroken, both of them desperate, Using all her strength she let out a scream of raw pain as she brought her arm back and threw the knife across the room.

“You made the right decision Prue ….”

“Oh she doesn’t know the full story yet does she Andy? Devoted boyfriend, lifetime family friend ….I told you I go down so do you” Drew looked across the room and stared Andy in the eye ….

“What don’t I know?” the silence in the room was electric ….. “I’ll ask once more! What don’t I know?”

“He knew …..” Phoebe’s voice was barely audible

Prue felt like she’d had her feet swept from under her, she could feel the nausea building up in her stomach …. She felt so sick, she couldn’t have heard right…..

“Phoebe ….” Andy’s voice was controlled and calm “What did I tell you about making things up …..”

“Oh my god! You ……” Prue was at a loss for words but it was Piper that sprang into action, pushing Phoebe towards Prue Piper was on him like a shot.

Piper lifted her knee and brought it up as hard as she could between Andy’s legs, as he doubled over in agony she brought her foot up and using all her weight kicked him twice, she couldn’t talk; she didn’t know where to start her only release was to attack.

Prue pulled Piper back and picked up the baby of the family she held her tight, never wanting to let her go …with her free arm she pulled Piper close.

Natalie Simpson looked at Prue “Your call do you want me to call the Police?”

Prue nodded in Natalie’s direction “Yes ….. They’re going to pay for this …you you bastard … you’re just as bad as him! Why ….just tell me why … you owe me that much” Prue could once again feel her anger bubbling to the surface.

“I’m … I’m sorry …I never meant for things to go this far …I ….You can’t go the police, you can’t my job, my career …..”

“That was what got you into this little mess wasn’t it Andy?” Drew was sneering as he continued “Andy here was involved in a little supply and demand at the Police Academy …he roomed with my brother he told me”

“I had no choice … Prue I had no choice I didn’t want Phoebe to get hurt …I didn’t think he would go that far …..”

“So you saved your own neck?”

“I’d be kicked off the force, his brother had evidence!”

“You dumbass!” Prue was screaming at him “You deserve to be kicked off!”

“I couldn’t let it happen …. My folks were so proud ….third generation …..”

“You make me sick! You turn my stomach, you make my skin crawl …….. You sacrificed my little sister to save your own neck!”

“It wasn’t like that ….”

“It was exactly like that ….”

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


“Hey … how you doing?”

Prue quickly brushed at her eyes and turned to the middle sister “Fine and you”

“Well if you’re fine I must be too” Piper bit on her bottom lip as she tried to fight back the tears that were once again threatening to run down her face.

Not trusting herself to speak Prue slowly nodded as Piper settled on the sofa next to her, feeling Piper take her hand she gave her younger sibling a slight squeeze.

“I can’t believe it ….I mean” Prue paused as she tried to regain her composure “Dre .. god I don’t want to even say his name!”

Piper flinched as her sisters emotions suddenly switched to anger she knew there was nothing she could do as she watched her older sister jump up and pace the room.

“I …I UGHH!” Prue screamed in an effort to let out her rage “I could kill him! I could kill both of them!”

Piper swallowed hard it was difficult getting past the lump in her throat “I know … I mean you nearly did ….”

Prue’s hands were shaking as she thought back to the confrontation at the Centre, so much had happened in the few short hours that had since passed.

“Prue come on this isn’t doing you any good ….”

“No! I know! I know! But I can’t stop it! I can’t calm down I just want to …”

“Stick that knife in?”

“Yes! Yes I do! But I couldn’t! I couldn’t do it! When push came to shove I couldn’t do it!”

“What! And you think that’s a bad thing?”

“Yes … no .. I mean ….”

“Prue I feel the same, I feel exactly the same, I’ve got this big ball of anger sitting just there” Piper thumped her chest with the side of her fist “It feels like it’ll explode, but somehow when it reaches my head it all turns to mush…………..I think of Phoebe and I can’t stop crying……”

Prue stopped pacing and listened to her younger sister, she was right she did feel the same, running her hand through her dishevelled hair she took a deep breath “It just doesn’t make any sense! How could they? How could they do something so evil?”

Piper shook her head as the tears that had threatened finally rolled down her face, Prue continued to look at her sister, she felt numb, unable to help, unable to find the words of comfort they both desperately needed.

“How did I miss this?” Prue was searching for answers that would be impossible to find “How could I let this happen?”

“We … not you…WE, she’s got two big sisters….”

“But I’m responsible, I’m her guardian ….. it’s me…I should have known, I should have realised…instead of arguing with her and forcing her into things I should have DAM WELL LISTENED!” Once again Prue’s rage was at the fore this time directed at herself “I might as well of handed her over to that bastard myself! I did! Oh god! I did …. I ….”

“Prue! We’re both responsible for her! Not just you! But you’re looking in the wrong place….it’s them we should be mad at …we trusted them….” It was Pipers turn to get mad “WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DAM WELL TRUST PEOPLE!”

“Not anymore! No one! No one gets in! Just me, you and Phoebe…”

Piper nodded in agreement the pain still so raw reflected in her eyes “How is she?”

“Upset, traumatised ……… thankfully asleep..”

“She’ll be alright though won’t she?” Pipers voice was low her voice conveying the emotion.

Prue sat next to her sister and pulled her into a hug “Eventually …we shouldn’t expect too much, it’s ….. well she….”

Piper nodded as she felt Prue’s tears mingle with her own “I know” taking a deep breath Piper continued “She seems worse now… you know…now that we know … now that it’s out…”

“She’s been though a lot today, the medical examination really knocked her ….”

“But she’s alright .. I mean …” Unable to continue Piper looked into her big sisters eyes

“She will be, she’s bruised and battered but she’ll heal ….”

“I hoped we were wrong…I hoped she hadn’t been ….”

“Raped” Prue’s voice was hard and bitter

“Prue!”

“That’s what it was Piper, I …” Prue’s emotions once again switched this time from anger to tears.

“Prue don’t” Piper felt her own eyes once again filling up, Prue’s emotion so raw and open was hard to cope with “Please don’t ….”

“I’m sorry” Prue’s voice cracked she was no longer able to hold it together.

This time it was Piper that pulled her sister close, finding a strength she didn’t know she had she gently stroked her big sisters back “She’ll be alright ….we’ll make it alright…..she’s got us…..we’ll help her….she’ll be ok”

Piper felt the sobs take over Prue’s body there was nothing she could do other than wait until she was spent .

It was some time later that the two older Halliwells made their way upstairs, they stood in the doorway and looked at their little sister the covers had been kicked to the floor she lay diagonal across the bed.

“She looks tiny….” Piper bit on her lip successfully holding back the tears, she’d cried enough for one night.

“She is” Prue’s voice was raspy as she looked at the baby of the family, with little effort Prue picked the little girl up and planted a kiss on the top of her head, laying her back in the bed she picked the duvet up and lay down beside her, Piper gave her big sister a half smile as she took the other side.

“Thought you said you’d never sleep with her again because of the kicking….”

“She can kick me till I’m black and blue for all I care ….”

Phoebe shifted restlessly, as she reached out desperate for comfort. She soon found what she had been searching for, grasping her older sisters hands the frown etched into her sleeping brow gradually began to ease…. The Halliwell sisters had taken the first steps of what was bound to be a long and painful healing process.

It wasn’t as though she wanted to feel this way ………. Little Phoebe Halliwell curled into a ball and drew her legs to her chest. She could still see Prue. The little girl held her breath and tried to still her thoughts, it was Prue…………… she loved Prue, with all her heart she loved Prue, her big sister, her saviour, her hero of the hour. It never mattered to Phoebe what happened ….. If she did well Prue cheered her on, if she did bad well….Prue was there…. Prue was well ….. Prue was Prue, Prue would bawl her out soon as look at her, sometimes it caught her off guard, sometimes she ripped Phoebe to the core but even then … even then…….. Phoebe knew her sister, she knew she loved her, she knew it was Prue being clumsy but the image …. That horrible image, Phoebe could see Prue clear as day, the vein on her neck throbbing, something that only happened when Prue was really pissed, the hand shaking the eyes so full of anger and yet even more full of pain. She knew it was bad …….. she had known right from the start … Drew had made it painfully clear, no one would listen no one would care, and then Phoebe shuddered as the images once again came to life, Andy so sincere, so caring, so ….Phoebe felt the sorrow once again tear through her fragile frame ….

She loved him, Andy… Andy her big brother the guy who picked her up as a toddler and tossed her in the air, made her stomach flip till she thought she’d be sick, the guy who understood her need for danger, who understood her need for thrills. He would throw her into the air at the age of two and wait until the last possible second to catch her, as young as she had been she could still visualise Prue’s face, the look of panic then the spread of a smile as she listened to the baby gurgle in delight, even at that tender age Phoebe had it in her as did Prue ……….. One the urge for excitement the other the urge to protect.

Phoebe closed her eyes even tighter ………………. It didn’t help, it was like watching a film she could see the pain in Prue’s eyes as the realisation of what had happened hit her straight on the nose; she could feel Prue’s pain as she recalled the scream as her older sister gathered her strength and threw the knife across the room.

“Phoebe? Pheebes?.....”

Phoebe stiffened as she felt the bed dip.

“Phoebe? You awake?”

Phoebe tried to control her breathing ….

“I’m sorry …. “

Prue’s voice was soft and gentle .. Phoebe stiffened, she caused this, she had been the cause of this upset, the cause of her big sisters pain.

“Love you….”

The words were almost undecipherable the voice so low, Phoebe felt the tears roll down her face,, as much as she knew it she also knew Prue found it hard to say….

“I’m sorry baby … I’m so sorry…”

Phoebe clenched her eyes even tighter … she couldn’t speak now …. She couldn’t let her sister know she’d been listening …………

“I held you in my arms …” Prue’s voice was low, she was speaking to what she thought was her sleeping sister “And I felt this surge …. That’s the only way to describe it …. This surge went through me when you opened your eyes; you looked right at me and just locked on”

Little Phoebe felt her big sister shift, she felt the embrace tighten …”And I could see even then you were going to be a little shit…………………..”

Without looking Phoebe could feel the smile spreading across her big sisters face …

“And you where ……….”

Phoebe heard the slight chuckle

“But I loved you so much”

Phoebe felt the intake of breath

“I loved the way you could cause so much chaos; you didn’t even try …..and then you’d smile, that big soft, soppy, stupid grin just spread across your face …..I love you baby.”

Phoebe scrunched her face even tighter, she was spent ……. Emotionally and physically she was exhausted there was nothing else she could do, she felt Prue move slightly, and then she felt the slight kiss on her forehead. For the moment she was at peace, this was all she needed ….. …………..

“Prue, I know this can’t be easy but…..”

Prue Halliwell almost choked taking a deep breath she did her best to gather her thoughts … “Easy?! Easy! Oh my god!” Snatching a breath of air the young woman tried her best to calm herself down …….”easy…..?”

“Prue look … I know you’ve been through a lot …”

Once more Prue found herself taking the deepest breath possible

“But he’s sorry…”

“Sorry…oh of course he’s sorry!” unable to control her actions Prue picked up the nearest cushion and punched it as hard as she could “That’s ok then! As long as he’s sorry….” Taking a deep and ragged breath Prue held it for as long as she could before letting out a loud and painful scream.

“Prue, look I’m sorry I didn’t mean ….”

“What?” Prue couldn’t help herself her anger was all consuming “What didn’t you mean?”

Mike Trudeau shook his head, he was lost, the thought that his son, his pride and joy could do such a thing was totally beyond comprehension “nothing…I spoke to him … he did his best…he watched Drew he thought it was .. he was …”

“STOP! Stop right now! Right and wrong? Andy somehow the hero in all this? Don’t….” Prue choked “Don’t even go there….”

Mike shook his head “No I wasn’t I was just trying to help you understand…”

“UNDERSTAND! Oh my god! You think you can help me understand?.....Understand how my boyfriend …. No scratch that …. My friend of ….. Oh my god all my life …. Could use and hurt ….” Prue’s anger suddenly gave way to sorrow “My baby ….. my baby ….” Prue felt the hot tears roll slowly down her face …..”NO!” once again Prue’s anger was to the fore, bringing her right arm back she punched Andy’s dad between his nose as hard as she could “I HATE HIM….I HATE YOU…….I HATE ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIM!” Prue screamed as her fist landed time after time on her ex-boyfriends father’s face………..

“PRUE! For God’s sake NO!” Prue felt someone grab her right arm and pull her back “Pack it in! This won’t help!”

“It willllllll! Prue fought the restraining arms “It will! I have to fight this I have to do this I have to help her!! I have to help Phoebe!”

“Prue NO!” Piper’s tears trailed down her face “Stop that’s not what she wants” Piper held her big sister tight she could feel the raw emotion coursing though her body “look…. Go on look at her ….” Piper grabbed Prue’s chin and made her look in the direction of their baby sister “Look at her …. Is this what she wants?”

Prue felt herself choke … Phoebes big brown eyes stared back at her from across the room, her little sister looked so vulnerable, so young, so innocent so broken … “Phoebe ….”

Prue watched as her baby sister rocked back and forth “Phoebe babe…. It’s …it’s alright ‘’’it’s going to be alright ……”

“Prue you’ve got to believe me Andy watched him … he never wanted this to happen … it was al so quick …. At the camp … Andy left them for five … maybe ten minutes tops … he never wanted this … he did his best he …. Prue he … he loves her … like his own sister ….”

Prue once again felt her whole body surge with anger “NO! Not like his own SISTER! Oh my God! I can’t even believe I’m listening to this! GET OUT! GET OUT! If that’s all you've got to say! It’s still the same isn’t it? Saint Andrew? Saint F***ing Andrew! Even now ………….even now after all that’s happened you can’t see beyond the end of your nose!”

“Prue drop it!” Once again Piper pulled desperately at her sister’s sleeve.

“No! No! He might be the bastard that did this but you ……!” Prue’s body shuddered with anger “YOU! You’re the one that pushed him! The perfect son! Straight A student, captain of the football team … you asked you got!” ……… Prue could feel her whole body shake with temper “So perfect! So bloody perfect couldn’t let his Dad down now could he?!”

“I just came to say” Mike Trudeau looked unruffled “That Andy didn’t mean for this to happen” he held his hand up as Prue tried to interrupt …”Just think of the good times you’ve had … think about all the good things he’s done for this family ….”

Piper loosened her grip on her big sister and listened to the words that were meant to comfort the family in their time of sorrow … her anger almost matched that of her big sister, the difference being she had no one to hold her back in one fluid motion Piper brought her fist back and slammed it into Mike Trudeau’s face “SHUT IT! SHUT YOUR FACE!” Piper had lost her grip on her sister and now faced her next door neighbour and life time friend “Don’t want to hear it!!! I don’t want to hear it! Now get out!!!! GET OUT before I report you for harassment!”

Mike Trudeau scrambled backwards, any hopes of playing on the young girl’s emotions and life time friendship was quickly being diminished.

“Come near me … or either of my sisters and you’ll be sorry!” Piper was shaking with temper, unaware of anything that was going on around her her only concern to protect her family.

Prue felt her body drop to the ground, she watched as though detached as her younger sister let loose on the latest threat to the three sisters, she felt an arm weave round her neck the small body attach itself to her own “Prue?” The concern in the young voice was unmistakable “Prue? ……………………..Prue? You ok? Prue it’s ok … Pipe’s got it ….”


Mike Trudeau stood outside the Manor and rubbed his face, a slight smile evident as he reached for his phone within minutes two police cars drew up; wiping away all traces of triumph he extended his hand to his colleague and friend ….

“I’m just sorry it came to this ……” Mike Trudeau was far from sorry his plan had worked like a dream “But I don’t really have any choice ….. “

The officer in charge knocked hard on the front door, all too familiar with the ongoing feud between the Halliwells and Trudeaus ….

“I was just trying to make things easier, help them see sense … you all know Andy, he’s a good cop….ok so he made a few mistakes along the way…who hasn’t?”

Officer Stephens shifted uncomfortably as he waited for the door to open; he had read the case notes but felt torn, on one hand he was appalled by the treatment of the little girl in the centre of the case but on the other …. Mike was right Andy was a good cop; he’d backed him up on more than one occasion ….

Piper opened the door and stood motionless she felt she was in a living nightmare, a nightmare that just went from bad to worse, it took her a moment before she could find her voice ………

“PRUE! Prue!”

Sensing the urgency in her younger sisters tone Prue was at her side in seconds, Phoebe not far behind ….

“Prudence Halliwell? Piper Halliwell?”

Both girls nodded as the officer continued “A complaint has been filed … I am here to arrest you for an assault on a Police Officer …. You have the right to remain silent ……”

The sisters were stunned, their earlier anger diminished as the two dishevelled sisters stood in shock as their rights were explained to them …

“Prue? Prue?” Phoebe sounded scared she pulled on her big sisters arm “Prue what’s happening? Prue!”

“I …I ….” Prue instinctively pulled her baby sister closer

“Sorry ma’am …” Officer Stephens looked at the sisters “I have a temporary order to put your sister in the care of the state …..”

As he moved to one side two more officers grabbed the baby of the family pulling her away from her protectors …

“PRUE!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! PRUE!!..............PIPER!!!”

Prue Halliwell’s senses soon kicked in, moving swiftly she grabbed hold of her sister and held her tight; Phoebe hung on for dear life as she felt her whole world crumble around her. Piper followed Prue’s lead as she too held on to the baby of the family, almost immediately the sisters found themselves surrounded as a tug of war ensued. The sisters were outnumbered and soon found themselves on the losing side of the battle, the older two watched in horror as their baby sister was ripped from their arms, and carried kicking and screaming to the awaiting car.

Phoebes screams were heart breaking it took four officers to restrain the two sisters who were still fighting fiercely for the little girl who had already suffered so much there was nothing they could do other than watch in horror as their baby sister was bundled into a police car and driven away ……….

“I want to see my sisters …..” Prue Halliwell ran a hand through her dishevelled hair

“Not possible….”

“At least tell me where they are, what have you done with them?”

“Not possible…..”

In the six hours since her arrest Prue had been through the gauntlet of emotions, realising she wasn’t getting anywhere fast she felt emotionally drained and exhausted.

“Then at least let me see my lawyer …. I have rights ….”

Mike Trudeau let out a heavy sigh “Very well ….. but you know what you have to do…..drop the charges against Andy and I’ll drop the charges of assault against you and your sister…….”

“That’s blackmail! You honestly think you can get away with this?!”

Mike leaned forward until he was inches from Prue’s face “You’re word against mine …. My standing and record speak for themselves ……” letting out a sarcastic laugh he continued “Make it easier on yourself Prue ….come on just drop the charges you’ll be home within the hour reunited with your precious sisters …. Think of Phoebe hasn’t she been through enough?”

“You bastard!”

“Now! Now! Prudence your poor grandmother would turn in her grave at such language she brought you up to show respect ….”

“And if I don’t drop the charges ..?” Prue more or less knew the answer but she needed more she needed to know the full consequences

“You and Piper will be held in custody for a preliminary hearing …. These things can take time” Mike shook his head and smirked “assaulting an officer is a very serious charge … bail ….. especially for two would be extremely high … the risk of returning a juvenile to the family home …. Well of course now I’m just speculating but even if you did raise the money I very much doubt whether Phoebe would be returned to your care … at least until the case is over …. And well you did commit assault who knows what the sentence will be” Mike shook his head slowly as though deep in thought “No, best all round if the little one stays in the care of the state …. Then of course even when you’ve served your sentence you’d have to prove you could provide her with a secure and loving environment … these things can take years…..”

“Let me see Piper!”

“Oh! Prue! How many times must we go through this …….you know that just isn’t possible!” Mike Trudeau was thoroughly enjoying himself now… he had her and she knew it.

“Fine! I’ll drop the dam charges!”

“Good decision Prue!” Mike’s triumphant smile spread wide across his face “You know you’re doing the right thing….”

Too angry to speak Prue grabbed the clipper board and signed “Now get me my sisters!”

“Of course!” Mike laughed “You know you can trust me!” standing up he knocked for another officer to enter “Release Piper Halliwell”

“And Phoebe! I want Phoebe home too!”

“Consider her on her way ..”

Prue took a deep breath as she pushed past the man who she had considered a family friend, she had known him all her life, grown up with his son she couldn’t believe it had come to this…….

Making her way to the front desk Prue was relieved to see Piper waiting for her, Piper looked worn out, her face pale, eyes swollen, wrapping her arms around her younger sister she held her tight no words were necessary as she led her from the station.


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

“Prue! Piper!” the front door banged against the wall as the youngest Halliwell barged through the house “PIPER! PRUE!”

It was Piper that got to her first holding her tight she felt the tiny body tremble in her arms “It’s alright baby….it’s ok…you’re home now” Piper felt Prue’s arms embrace them as she too tried to comfort the distraught youngster.

“Pipers right honey, you’re fine, you’re home we’ve got you – it’s over…..”

“It was horrible ….I was so scared ……”

“Shhhhh” Piper pulled away slightly and managed to pick her baby sister up

“I didn’t know where you were! I was left alone … nobody told me anything ….” Phoebe was sobbing as she tried to describe her plight.

Prue watched as Piper carried the youngster to the sofa, she felt so angry, her sense of injustice was indescribable, she’d sworn to her grandmother as she lay dying that she would take care of her younger sisters never in a million years would she have thought things would come to this …..

“Earlier this evening the body of a young police officer was discovered …..It is believed that due to personal pressure Andrew Trudeau took his own life….”

“Oh my god! Prue!” Piper’s hand flew to her face in disbelief as a photograph of Andy Trudeau flashed onto the screen.

Prue was in a state of shock as she looked into the face of her one time love and best friend. Almost in the same instant there was the sound of splintering of wood and shattering glass, the front door caved in as a number of police officers ran into the house, within seconds the sisters were surrounded. Making an effort to stand Prue found herself pushed back into the sofa a police revolver aimed at her chest.

“Neither of you move …we have an order to remove Phoebe Halliwell and place her in the care of the state ….”

Prue could feel the colour drain from her face, she watched helplessly as three policemen stormed up the stairs and ripped the sleeping youngster from her bed …

“No! No!” Piper was as helpless as her sister “Leave her! Leave her alone god dam it! Hasn’t she been through enough?”

“Not again! You can’t do this you have no right!”

“We have every right ma’am ……”

“Phoebe!” Prue screamed as her baby sister as she came into sight – Phoebe had been asleep, she looked dazed her arms and legs had been restrained as she was forcefully removed from the only home she had ever known.

“Prue! Stop them! Stop them! Don’t let them take me! Don’t let them take me!”

“What the hell are you doing!” In spite of the threat of the situation she was in Prue needed answers and she intended to get them …..

“It is believed that your sister is in danger, she has been physically and sexually abused”

“We know that! We are the ones who brought the charges!”

“Well ma’am a counter charge has been placed … at this time we do not know how or who hurt your sister, as from this moment you are forbidden to see or talk to your sister …”

“NO! NO!” Piper was almost hysterical “This is not right! This is wrong! Prue would never harm her!”

“Ma’am we also have an order forbidding you to see or talk to your sister until we complete our investigations you are both under suspicion”

“I don’t believe this! I don’t freaking believe this!” Piper was furious.

“Ma’am I recommend that you calm down … or I’ll have no alternative but to arrest you”

“Calm down! Calm down!” Piper shook her head in disbelief as she turned to the eldest hoping she’d have an answer but knowing the situation was impossible.

“We’re upset … surely you can understand that” Prue was taking deep breaths; very much aware of the revolver still trained on the sofa “At least put the gun away ….”

Prue felt sick this nightmare was quickly spiralling out of control “Please just let us see her; please don’t take her away like this ….. she’s just a kid … she’ll be scared, please just two minutes … that’s all I ask ….”

“Sorry ma’am our orders are clear …”

“Screw the frigging orders!” Piper was still in a state of panic

“Piper!” Prue glared at her sister for once the roles reversed as she tried to do the calming “Please look, she’ll need her things….”

“At the moment that is not our concern … our orders are to remove your youngest sister to a place of safety ….”

“Where? Where are you taking her!” Piper was frantic; she could hear her baby sisters scream from outside …

“I’m not at liberty to divulge that information …”

“NO! NO!” It was Prue’s turn to be agitated “You can’t do this!”

“Sorry ma’am” the officer pushed a brown envelope into her hand, it was only then that Prue realised the majority of the police had already left ….

“Please! Just let us say goodbye!”

The officer slowly shook his head, the sisters could hear the cries of their distraught sister, Prue’s hands flew to her neck unhooking the St. Christopher her parents had bought her when she was born she thrust it into the police man’s hands “Give her this … please give her this ….see she gets it ….”

Hesitating slightly the officer reached out and took the necklace “anyone asks she was wearing it”

Prue nodded “Yes ..yes..thank you ..”

Officer Grady looked at the young women before him, he hated this kind of job but somebody had to do it, still there was something about them, the sister’s pain and anguish was raw ……

There was nothing they could do as they listened to the sound of the car reversing off the drive, the police had gone leaving a broken door in their wake along with two shell shocked sisters. Still in a state of shock it took a moment to realise the phone was ringing unable to speak Prue held it to her ear ….

“Payback” The voice was slurred and angry “You ruined my family, it’s my turn to get yours …….”

Alice Steadwell looked across at the young girl sitting in the window seat letting out a deep sigh she turned to her colleague Steve Yates “Another snatch and grab?”

Steve had a half smile on his face as he answered his friend “How did you guess?”

“Can spot the signs ..... Jeez aren’t these kids traumatised enough without being snatched from their homes in the middle of the night?”

“Mmmm … well she’s pretty shaken up but at least here she’s safe …”

“There’s got to be a better way! I mean what is she nine? Ten?”

“Twelve….just, but the medical report …..” Steve let the sentence hang before continuing “Let’s just say it wouldn’t make for a cosy bedtime read …..”

Alice took a deep breath “Carry on ….”

“Poor kids been sexually and physically abused … she’s covered in bruises … ”

“How come she’s a lock down case?”

“Charges or should I say the investigation has been brought by a police inspector, with over thirty years experience. Quite a shocker really seems he’s known the family all their life its only recently that he spotted the warning signs ………..Just to add to it the family are claiming a priest of all people committed the assaults” Steve let out a sarcastic laugh “Can you believe it?”

“I can believe anything but that does sound a bit far fetched …..”

“Anyway scanning through the file it looks as though the inspector would have enough evidence to bring charges – it’s just a matter of time”

“Good, these animals deserve all they get, chances are especially with a lock down and such compelling evidence they haven’t got a hope in hell of getting any decent lawyer to take the case. Sounds open and shut” Alice was already on her way to talk to the latest arrival at the safe house.

“Hey honey … how you doing?” Alice found herself looking into the big brown eyes of the youngest Halliwell, she looked teary and nervous as she fiddled with the necklace around her neck “It’s all a bit scary at first but don’t worry you’ll soon settle in ….”

Phoebe’s eyebrows hiked up “I won’t be here for long …. My sisters will come and get me …..”

“Ohhh sweetie! Is that what you’re watching out for?”

The little girl bit on her bottom lip and nodded her head.

This was tough but Alice knew it had to be done she couldn’t let the youngster live on false hope “I’m sorry Phoebe but that isn’t possible ….”

“They’ll come, Prue will find me, she’ll take me home ….”

“No honey …listen ….”

“She will! Prue will come for me and Piper will make us a nice dinner when we get back” in spite of her brave words Phoebes eyes were full of tears.

“No listen to me … you're what we call a lock down ….”

Even before Alice finished the sentence she could see the look of panic in the little girls’ eyes.

“That means your address is secret, no one will be able to find you …. You’re safe now”

“NO! No! My sisters! They won’t let me stay here! Prue! Prue! She’ll find me! She’ll be going mad she doesn’t like it when she doesn’t know where we are!” The tears that had been so bravely held back began to trickle down her face. Scared and upset the distraught youngster began to rock back and forth as the reality of her situation hit her full force “It’s not true … tell me its not true…I want to go home!”

“Shh! Honey! It’s alright! You’re safe now”

Phoebe rubbed frantically at her face trying to control her emotions, “Piper told me …. He’s been locked up ….I was already safe ….”

Alice felt sad; the poor child was obviously blanking a lot out.

“Let me ring them…please let me ring them they’ll be worried … they’ll be so worried”

“I’m sorry Phoebe no contact…..not until we sort this out…”

“Nooooooo! I want my sisters! I want my sisters!”

Alice nodded at Steve within seconds a sedative had been injected into the youngsters arm; moments later she was unconscious being carried to her room.

“You’ve got to be kidding!” Prue Halliwell found herself spun around and pushed against her car, within seconds she felt the cold metal bands tighten around her wrists, almost in the same instant she was pulled backwards before being shoved into the waiting police car.

After being searched and printed Prue found herself waiting in a holding cell, she’d been kept there for hours, cold, hungry and tired she was eventually taken to an interview room.

“What the hell is this about? Why have you brought me here? Am I under arrest?” Prue’s mind had been working overtime.

“We’ve brought you in to help us with our investigation, we have a number of questions that need answering, you are currently not under arrest”

“So I can leave any time I want?”

“If you don’t co-operate we will have no alternative but to arrest you ….”

Prue threw herself into the chair, “So in other words …”

“Just answer the questions then we will decide whether you and your sister can be released …”

“My sister? Piper? You mean you’ve got Piper here as well ….?”

The questions had been endless the police relentless Prue was getting more and more agitated as she answered the same question time and again.

“Have you ever hit your youngest sister?”

“Define hit…”

“Smacked, slapped..”

“Yes…”

“How?”

“What do you mean how?” Prue took a deep breath once again trying to regain control

“I see you have a problem with anger management Prue”

“Not usually ….only when I’m ‘arrested’ and asked the same inane questions over and over again!”

“That must be quite difficult for you, your youngest sister is how old?”

Another deep breath “You know how old my sister is …. Twelve!”

“Quite a handful I would have thought …. No one would blame you if you lost your temper once in a while ….” The officer paused as though deep in thought “That ever happen Prue? Ever lost your temper with your little sister?”

“Of course I have! What sister hasn’t? But if you’re asking if I ever injured or bruised her the answer is NO! Most definitely not!”

“Not even when you …..” Now the officer sat back and smiled “OF your own admission hit her?”

“A slap… a light smack to the back of her legs or her butt nothing more nothing less!”

“You’re honestly telling me you’ve never hit her in anger …. Maybe smacked her harder than you intended?”

“I have told you a million times! And I will tell you a million more! I have never ,,,, ever hurt my little sister, I’ve never caused her to bruise I’ve never done any damage! We’re sisters!”

“Sisters? Mmmm a minute a go you were explaining to us how you were more of a parent …”

“Now you’re twisting my words ….”

“Well one of us is Miss Halliwell…”

The Officers amusement and sarcasm was not lost on Prue she slumped back in her chair exhausted.

“So ….”

Prue inwardly groaned as it started again ….

“You hit Phoebe …. how?”

“I’ve already said! A slap …”

“Just one? You always stop at just one?”

“Yes ..no ..usually …”

“Except when you lose your temper?”

“No! For crying out loud! I’ve never hit her in temper! I send her to her room let things cool down!”

“So you yourself at times have been concerned for your sister’s safety?”

“No! Of course not! It’s ….it’s just common sense!”

“Ever used anything on her Prue?”

“NO!”

“Ever beat her with a belt? A slipper some sort of implement?”

“NEVER!”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive!” Prue took a deep breath and leaned forward “I do NOT beat my little sister, never have never will!”

“Somebody has Prue ….according to the Care Unit she’s in she’s covered in bruises”

“If she’s been hurt …” Prue’s tone was menacing now her concern for her sister overriding all other emotion

“You’ll what Prue?” The officer was smiling widely now clearly enjoying the interrogation.

“Has she been hurt? IS my sister alright?”

“She’s no more damaged than when we took her into safe custody …”

Prue shook her head “Safe custody …you make her sound like the deeds to a house! She’s a little girl for crying out loud!”

“Anyway back to matters at hand …. If you were angry with your sister what would you do? Is she scared of you?”

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

“So have you ever seen your older sister beat the younger one?”

“NO! For pity’s sake! How many more times! Prue would never hurt her!”

“But she does smack her?”

“Not often and not that hard …”

“Still …. “

“No! Prue would never harm Phoebe! She looks after her! She’s practically brought her up!”

“Oh yes!” the interrogating officer leaned back and smiled “Quite the hero our Prue isn’t she? Practically orphaned at the age of ten, then your Grams got ill and she was left to care for you and your sister …”

Piper scowled at the officer she was tired, exhausted from the never ending questions ….

“So must be quite difficult …. Young girl trying to raise her younger siblings …”

“She managed! She did fine!”

“I’m sure she did most of the time … but the best will in the world …. Even biological mothers’ and fathers lose their temper ……”

“Not like that! Not like you’re making out! I’ve told you just normal sister stuff!”

“But you just told me she was practically Phoebe’s mother…. In fact hasn’t she put in for guardianship?”

“Yes! But she never did any of those things you’re saying ….”

“So …. She’s never raised her hand in temper to your younger sister?”

Piper hesitated knowing that on occasion things did get out of hand with her sisters

“Think carefully Piper…. This interview may be used as evidence and if you lie…..it will look bad….like you’re covering for her” The Officer leaned back and took his time “So I’ll ask you again … has Prue ever raised her hand in temper to Phoebe?”

Piper’s voice stuck in her throat “Yes …”

“Has she ever used anything? A belt or a slipper maybe?”

“NEVER!”

“Ok Miss Halliwell let’s start again …..”

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

“Look” Prue was thoroughly exhausted “I’ve had enough …. Either charge me or let me go …”

The Officer look at his colleague as though trying to gauge the situation.

“If you’re not going to charge me I’m leaving … “ Prue stood up

“Interview suspended 4.05am Miss Halliwell you are free to go, however I will warn you that on review of the evidence we still may decide to bring you in and charge you …”

“Fine you do that! And next time maybe I’ll be allowed a lawyer! Now if you’ll excuse me … I assume you’ll also be releasing Piper?”

“For now ….”

“Prue what the hell is going on?”

“I’m not sure Pipe” Prue held her little sister close it was a question that had run through her own mind time and time again since the whole mess began “But I do know we are in deep trouble … first thing tomorrow we find ourselves a lawyer and start fighting this thing”

“But you heard what they said … no one will take the case ….”

“Someone will! Someone somewhere will! They have to …. Somebody has to believe us …somebody has to help us”

Prue heard Piper sniffle “We’ll get her back won’t we Prue?”

Prue nodded her head and pulled Piper so she could look her straight in the eyes “If it’s the last thing I do I promise you I’ll get her back …. We’re going to fight this we’re going to find our sister and we’re going to bring her home…..”

Piper nodded in agreement, soaking up her sister’s strength “Whatever it takes …?”

Prue hugged her remaining sister tight “Whatever it takes…..”





“Prue I don’t like the look of this place ….”

“Don’t start …what choice do we have? Nobody within a 20 mile radius will even speak to us…” Prue practically bit her sister’s head off, inside she was just as concerned they we’re backed into a corner and she knew it, stepping into the sparse office she held out her hand and shook hands with her newly appointed lawyer.

“Ok … so you were detained but not arrested … questions focussed mainly on your treatment of your youngest sister ……if I’m to believe what you say … this is all some huge conspiracy dreamt up by your ex-boyfriends father?” Doug Walters raised his eyebrow an incredulous expression on his face “A father with over 20…25 years experience in the force, well respected ….”

“look I know it sounds farfetched believe me there are times I find it hard to believe myself but that’s the truth … …but with all due respect my main concern is to find out where they’ve taken Phoebe I want to know what I need to do to get her back … we need to know that she’s ok that she knows we’re doing our best to put things right ….” Prue took a deep breath desperately trying to control her emotions in spite of her best efforts her eyes welled up with tears “We need to find our sister …..”

“Your main concern right now is to keep out of jail … from what you’ve told me it’s just a question of time …. Any minute now they could haul your ass in…”

“No …that’s not my main concern …the priority at the moment is to track down our baby sister ….we have to know she’s safe ….”

Doug Walters leaned back in his leather chair, his heavy frame still as he observed the two young girls before him, now into his late fifties he’d handled many cases now moving towards retirement he hand picked his cases tending to opt for the more difficult.

“If I am to act on your behalf I need to be confident that you will take my advice, I repeat the main and as far as I’m concerned only priority at the moment is to keep you out of jail ….”

“NO!” Prue slammed her fist on the dark oak desk “I am sick and tired of being pushed from pillar to post! Our twelve year old sister was raped, dragged from her home in the middle of the night; taken god knows where without any contact with anything or anyone that’s familiar to her! I can’t even bear to think how scared she must be! She is the priority! You find her! You fix it for us to see her then we take the necessary action to get her back! Anything else we deal with as and when ….” Prue’s hand was shaking her chest heaving as the desperation broke to the surface.

Doug peered over his silver rimmed half glasses and nodded his face broke into a wide smile as he tapped his fountain pen on the blotter ….”Seems to me you just got yourself a lawyer ….”

“I thought ….”

“That you already had one?” Doug laughed “No Miss …. All I agreed to was to hear your side … your little outburst just gave me all the evidence I need …”

“What? What do you mean …Evidence?” Piper broke her silence as she stared at the elderly lawyer.

“If you were guilty I reckon you’d be more concerned about saving your own ass than your kid sisters …..”

“So will you represent me?”

Doug nodded his head “Yes, but let’s get a few things clear …. Looks to me like you’ve upset quite a powerful man … he’s out for blood and he’s not going to stop until he gets it …. It’s not a question of if it’s a question of when you get arrested, that puts Piper in a very vulnerable position she could find herself in a similar position to Phoebe”

Prue felt the colour drain from her face “So what do we do?”

“Piper needs to move out before they move her out …. If she’s not living with you it should be easy enough to keep her out of the system, is there someone she could stay with?”

“Gail?” Prue looked at her sister “Aunt Gail, will you go and stay with her until we sort this out”

“No!” Piper shook her head in anger “I don’t want to leave you…I don’t want to leave while all this is going on you need me….” Piper choked “I need you …”

“Oh honey!” Prue pulled her sister to her “You’ve got me….you’ll always have me, but listen if we don’t sort this now they’ll take you like they took Phoebe, at least this way we can still see each other” Prue let out a sarcastic laugh “Doesn’t sound like it will be for long anyway … next time you see me I could be wearing a nice little suit with arrows on it …”

“Don’t …”

Prue held on tight to Pipers hand “She’ll move in with Gail later this afternoon …what else?”

“Nothing … we sit tight … next time they haul you in they’ll be much tougher … you don’t say a word until I get there ….”

“This can’t be happening!” Piper looked from one to the other “How can you sit there so calm talking about my sister getting sent to jail! She didn’t even do anything! She’s not the guilty one! Where’s Drew in all this? Is he still locked up?”

“That’s one of the things I intend to find out … look honey even if they arrest your sister, there will be a bail hearing … she’ll be out in no time …”

“For how long?” Piper was distraught first one sister taken from her and now the other.

“Depends if this goes the full distance it’ll be a Grand Jury … could take months…”

“Oh my god!”

“So all this time …Phoebe?”

“Look I’ll do my best I can’t promise but I should be able to track her down, maybe and it is only a maybe…” Doug could see the sisters were desperately trying to hang on to any sign of hope “I might be able to sort out visitation …but don’t get your hopes up, that could be a long way off ….”

“This is a nightmare Prue” Piper was sat on her bed as she watched her older sister throw some of her clothes into a holdall.

“You want these?” Prue held up a pair of Pipers jeans…

“Yes…Prue for god’s sake! Will you stop with the packing!”

Prue ignored her sister and continued to pack “Someone’s got to do it and its obvious it’s not going to be you….”

“Prue …” Piper could hold back no longer the tears slowly trickled down her face.

“Piper listen…” Prue knelt in front of her younger sister and held both her hands “You need to be strong …. I need you to be strong … I can’t cope with much more … I need to be able to rely on you honey … I know it’s a lot to ask, I know you feel like the world is caving in around you … but it’s the only way … it’s the only way we’ll ever get through this …”

“I know … “Piper was snivelling trying to hold back her tears “Prue I know … I’m sorry it’s just I ….we ..I’ve never really been away from you …I …”

“I know and I’ll miss you too … I can’t even describe how much … I love you Piper” Prue let go of Pipers hands and drew her into a hug “But we can still see each other just you’ll sleep over at Aunt Gail’s …. That’s not so bad now is it?”

Piper melted into her sister’s arms “Not compared to what Phoebe must be going through …”

“We’ll see her soon Pipe ….”

“You think?”

“We’d better! I’m paying that geriatric lawyer enough I’d better get some pay back!”

“Prue?” Piper pulled back slightly “The money?”

“It’s a lot … a lot more than I have in the checking account …”

“Prue?”

Prue looked down at the floor unwilling to look her sister in the eyes.

“Prue?”

“The house …. We’ll have to sell the house …”

Piper took in the trodden down appearance of her big sister, for the first time in days she saw behind the façade … it was at that moment the enormity of the fight in front of them hit her “It’s ok ……” It was Pipers turn to pull her sister into a hug “It’s ok … it’s only a house … …. Phoebes more important … and you … we can always get another house we can’t get another Phoebe …” Piper smiled into her sister’s hair “Or you …….”

Prue pulled away and smiled back “No we’re definitely one offs!”

“Love you ….”

“Love you too ….”

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

“Hey what’s that around your neck?”

Phoebe looked up to find a young girl of about five staring at her “It’s a St. Christopher ..”

“Oh!”

Phoebe couldn’t help but smile as the little girl peered at the small medallion around her neck “Look … that’s St Christopher he’s the Patron Saint of Travellers he helps people get on the right road ….he looks out for them …”

“Oh!” The five year old continued to stare “How does he do that then?”

“What’s your name?”

“Barbie…..”

Phoebe smiled wider she could always spot a kindred spirit “Like the doll?”

Barbie grinned back “Yes …”

“So what’s your real name?”

“Maddie …”

Phoebe made no objection when the youngster scrambled onto her knee and held on to the necklace to get a better look “How do you know he looks out for people?”

“My sister told me …got me into trouble once”

“What did?”

“St Christopher …. “ Phoebe grinned at her new friend “It’s Prue’s necklace .. my big sister, when I was about your age maybe a bit younger she used to tell me stories about St Christopher and how he helped different people … she told me he helped people find their way … “

“So how did that get you into trouble?”

“She took me to the mall and I wandered off … Prue couldn’t find me anywhere and I started to panic after a bit because I couldn’t find her so this lady who worked in a store stood me on the counter so I could see better … Prue was so mad when she spotted me ….”

“What happened?”

“I was crying and she pulled me off the counter I thought she was going to hit me she looked so upset ….”

“What did she do?”

“Hugged me … really really tight… then I explained to her that it was St Christopher’s fault because I had him in my pocket and he let me get lost …..”

“Then what happened?”

“Then she really did get mad …. See she never let me or Piper, my other sister, have the necklace because Mum and Dad had given it to her and it was her favourite thing …so she wasn’t very happy that I’d borrowed it….” Phoebe grinned at the wide eyed youngster.

“So why have you got it now?”

“She let me have it …. She must have wanted me to know that I’ll be put on the right path and brought back home ….”

“But he let you get lost …” Little Maddie was puzzled

“No … he let Prue find me ….” Phoebe felt the tears well as she remembered the feel of Prue’s arms when she’d found her “And he’ll help her find me again ….”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Ok … here we go … Piper! Piper!” Prue grabbed her sister by the shoulder and shook her “We’ve talked about this now …. GET A GRIP!” Prue could feel her heart beat faster as she listened to the screech of the police car “PIPE! Phone Doug!”

“Prue! Oh god Prue!” Although they’d spoken about it the reality of the situation was hitting Piper right between the eyes.

“PIPER! Doug! Phone!”

“Yes! Yes! I will! Prue oh god Prue!” Not knowing what else to do Piper through her arms around her big sisters shoulders “I love you! You’ll be home soon – promise however much it costs we’ll get you out!”

Prue heard the stampeding footsteps, the crash of the front door simultaneous with the breaking of the back “I love you! Piper ….!” Prue was cut off mid sentence as she was roughly pulled from her sister and pushed into the kitchen wall ……….

“Prue Halliwell … I have a warrant for your arrest ….”

“Fine” Prue sounded a lot stronger than she felt, her knees where weak, her heart pounding once again she heard the click of the metal as the steel band tightened around her wrist, closing her eyes she tried to blot out the image of her younger sister struggling against the hold of the police woman trying to keep her back.

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

Prue had been kept once again in a holding cell, the difference being this time she’d been strip searched, finger printed and photographed she knew it was just a matter of time before she was taken for questioning, her mind was reeling her body in panic mode, deep in thought she jumped as the heavy door clashed against the wall. No words of explanation where given as she was pulled from the bunk and pushed into the corridor once again she found herself facing a stony faced sergeant once again she found herself being hit by a barrage of questions.

“Have you ever hit your sister?”

“No comment”

“Have you ever touched your sister inappropriately?”

“WHAT!”

“Have you ever touched your sister inappropriately?”

Prue could feel her stomach turn, her palms were clammy …. Doug had warned her, but even so …..

“Have you ever touched your sister inappropriately?”

“No comment …”

“Ok … so you’ve decided to not co-operate ….” The officer in charge began to write in his pad ………..

“I’m saying nothing until my lawyer arrives …………………”

“Like I said ….”

“I’ve never touched my sister you son of a bi…” Prue managed to cut her tirade of in mid flow.

“Wait here ….”

Prue looked at the officer in disbelief … where exactly did he think she was going?!

Officer Daniels stepped outside and made his way to the Conference Room, stepping inside he eyed the people around the table…….

“Okay this is what we’ve got … definite evidence of both physical and sexual abuse of a twelve year old female. Charges brought against a priest ….. No record. Family interviewed after a statement from a Mike Trudeau … Officer with 25 years service, exemplarily record, lifelong friend of the family states that he has seen and heard the oldest sister, Prue, abuse the victim …………… Prue is no longer co-operating with our enquiries.”

“Anything else?”

“We have interviewed the family, the victim, accused and another sister none of the statements tally ………… youngest claims that neither of her sisters have ever hit her, oldest says she has but never in anger, middle sister, Piper has contradicted that”

“Is that it?”

“So far … compelling evidence is the statement from Chief Inspector Trudeau … that and the fact that the child has been abused – of that there is no doubt …”

“And the Priest ….?”

“In custody ….”

“Then it’s only fair we treat the other suspect the same …. Set a bail hearing for Prudence Halliwell, give me the papers we’ve wasted enough time let a judge and jury decide.”

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

Prue Halliwell lay on her bunk, reality yet to sink in, never in her worst nightmare could she have envisaged this ………. Doug had told her it could take a few days to sort out bail and raise the money in the meantime she was locked up. Lost in her thoughts she hadn’t heard the door slide open, she jumped as the reading lamp on the otherwise bare wooden shelf was tossed to the floor…..

“So you like kids?”

Prue could feel the blood drain from her body, quickly sitting up she eyed the three women that had entered her cell, the leader was clearly in charge, her wild curly hair snatched back in a pony tail, the orange uniform of the prison accentuating the menacing stance……

“I don’t like being ignored …..”

Prue swallowed hard she didn’t need to be told she was in deep trouble, the woman before her were hardened criminals the look in their eyes showed they meant business….

“It’s a mistake …” Even to her own ears Prue’s words sounded weak and meaningless …

“Of course it was … “The leader, Alice, stepped forward the sneer across her face unmistakable …. “You got caught …..”

“No…..” Prue scooted backwards trying to put some distance between them “I never did it… she’s my sister ….”

“You make me sick!” Alice closed the space and spat in Prue’s face, before Prue could react Alice brought her fist back and slammed it into Prue’s nose ………………..

“Miss Halliwell? … Miss Halliwell?”

“MMMMMmmm” Prue tried to reply but it was as though her jaw had been wired shut ….

“Don’t speak …. You’ve been brought to the infirmary …..”

“Hummmphhhh”

“Miss Halliwell” The nurse’s voice was cold and unfeeling “You’ll be fine ….. Looks like you had a bit of a misunderstanding with another inmate ….”

“I…….wh…..” Prue’s tongue felt swollen she was finding it impossible to form any words.

“Don’t worry … you’re lucky….” The nurse looked at her patient with disdain she had heard why she was in “The baby’s fine …..”

Prue felt as though the air had been pushed from her lungs ……’the baby’. Trying to breathe deeply she tried to compose herself … the baby? The baby! ……Andy’s baby! It had to be …………still she couldn’t believe it………….. it was a dream, surely she was having a nightmare ………..it was then the pieces started to click into place, the sickness, the dizzy spells, things she’d put down to the ongoing trauma that was her life since Phoebe had been snatched ……Prue felt the darkness once again consume her as realisation finally hit ….She was having a baby … Andy Trudeaus baby……



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

Doug Walters took a long hard look at his client, Prue’s face was badly swollen her eyes little more than slits “Hard way to go about it but this could help speed the application for bail ….. Should hear something tomorrow, in the meantime you’ll be relatively safe in the hospital wing …”

Prue nodded the beating had taken it out of her; she felt depressed her life no longer in control.

“Pipers outside she wants to see you …”

“No ….” The tears fell silently down the young woman’s face.

“Prue she’s sick with worry …. She’s not seen you since the arrest … she knows what happened to you I think it would do you both good”

Prue sucked on the inside of her mouth causing her to wince.

“Prue think how you’d feel if it was the other way around …. She also needs to know about the baby …. It’s only a matter of time before that becomes public knowledge”

Prue closed her eyes and tried to gather her thoughts, Doug was right, at least if Piper saw her it might stop her imagination running riot, slowly nodding her ascent, she looked across as Doug indicated to the guard to let the middle Halliwell in.

Piper stood frozen in the doorway, her sister was battered and bruised almost beyond recognition, numbly she made her way towards the oldest, words for the moment failing both. Gently taking Prue in her arms Piper held her trying her best to soothe the sister who normally did the soothing.

Doug turned away the raw emotion was almost too much leaving them to come to terms with the more recent events he finally cleared his throat ….

“I’ve got some news, I wanted you to be together to hear it ….”

Piper’s tear stained face peered at him, Prue still looked down, it was too much effort at the moment to face anything head on, holding tight to her sisters hand she silently searched for the love and support she so desperately needed.

“I’ve found Phoebe ….”

Piper’s eyes went wide and Prue let out an involuntary gasp.

“She’s in what they call a safe house the other side of the city …”

“Is she alright ….?” Prue’s words were thick and slurred her swollen mouth and the pain killers taking their toll

“Have you seen her? Can we see her? Does she know what’s happening?” In contrast to her sister Pipers questions came tumbling out …..

“Yes I have, she seems comfortable given the situation, and I’ve managed to get an order for Piper to visit ….I’m sorry Prue, but there’s no point even applying for you ….. At least at the moment, maybe in the not too distant future ….”

Prue gently wiped away the tears “No … it’s fine….its best news in ages ….”

“When? When can I see her? Today?”

Doug nodded “Yes, I’ve also made an application for regular visitation …..”

“Oh god! Thank god!” Piper’s tears fell freely as she wrapped her arms around Prue “Prue we’ve found her! We’ll get her back! You’ll see …”

Prue couldn’t answer still numb from the medication she felt as though her spirit had been knocked out of her “Tell her I love her ….”

“She knows … but I will…..”

“Doug …can I have a few minutes with Piper.. I need to tell her my news …”

“Prue?” Piper was becoming increasingly worried, as understandable as it was she had never seen her sister so down ….

“Pipe … I … there’s no easy way ….so ….”

“Prue take a deep breath, try and focus …..” Prue’s glazed expression had not gone unnoticed ..

“I’m pregnant ….”

Piper nearly fell off her chair … of all the thoughts that had raced through her head this was not something she had thought of …..

“How? I mean who?”

Prue nodded as once again the tears slid slowly down her face “Andy …”

“Oh my god!” … Piper jumped up and began pacing the room “Oh my god! Prue!”

Unable to do or say anything else Prue held her head in her hands.

“How could you be so stupid! Oh my god!” …. Piper shook her head in disbelief … “Does his father know?”

Prue gulped back the tears “No … not yet … but …”

“What are you going to do? I mean … Oh my god! You could still be in here! Andy’s baby! After all he did to Phoebe! Are you keeping it?!” Piper slumped back in her chair and stared at her older sister…

“I can’t … its mine….not just Andy’s ….”

“But what will happen? Will they let you keep it?”

“I …I don’t know…..” An overwhelming despair flooded through Prue’s body, her hands were clasped together in a desperate bid to stop the shaking.

“Prue …” Piper had become to calm a little, seeing the state of her sister cut through her heart “Prue … I’m sorry …” gathering her sister in her arms Piper gently ran a hand though Prue’s long hair “I’m sorry … it’ll be alright … we’ll make it alright ….”

“Piper, I know what Andy did was terrible but I can’t believe he is evil …. I can’t … I just keep thinking back to when we were kids …. The fun we had together, the way he was with Phoebe …I ….”

“He knew Prue …. As far as I’m concerned he’s just as bad as Drew Carter …”

Prue shook her head the tears falling thick and fast “No … no …he didn’t rape her … he didn’t …. He …. He made a terrible mistake … he got in deeper than he realised …he …”

“He let that bastard brutalise our baby sister! Don’t you dare tell me you can forgive him!”

“No! No! Never! Piper I could never do that … I just can’t ……”

“Cope with the father of your child being such a monster?”

Prue wiped at her face “I’m sorry … Piper…I’ve screwed up so bad ………….Do you think we should tell Phoebe?”

Piper closed her eyes and leaned back “I don’t know …. We’ve not seen her for months and then to hit her with this ….”

“But if you don’t and she finds out through the media …… they’ll have a field day with this …..”

“I’ll tell her …….”

Prue choked the sobs coming long and hard as she thought about her missing sister “Tell her I love her tell her I love her so much ….”

Piper felt her own eyes tearing as she listened to her broken sister …..

“Tell her she’s still my baby … that I’m desperate to see her ….. that I think about her all the time”

Unable to form the words Piper merely nodded her head, kissing her sisters cheek she held her close as she spoke the words her sister needed to hear ………“And we think about you ….. I know I can speak for Phoebe ………we love you Prue….” Pipers voice caught in her throat the emotions thick and heavy “More than you could ever know ………”

The ringing of a phone cut through Prue Halliwells consciousness, her body felt heavy and un-cooperative, opening her eyes she groaned as she reached in the general direction of the phone … “Ummmp”

“Prue? Prue? Are you alright its Piper …”

“Mmm”

“Prue? You sound drugged up …”

“No … bad night …tired …”

Piper closed her eyes, her sister sounded awful, as promised Doug had got her out on bail her first night at home had obviously been difficult.

“I’m sorry I can’t be with you ….”

“Ssssok”

“Prue try and focus! Are you on anything?”

“Bed …”

“No! I mean drugs …”

“Painkillers …”

“That all? You haven’t taken too many …”

Prue let out a frustrated sigh “No …. I’m just tired …”

“Sorry …I’m just worried ….. Prue I’m seeing Phoebe later, any message?”

“Usual …”

“I’ll come and see you later this afternoon … that ok?”

“Not like I’m going anywhere …” Prue pulled herself into a sitting position as she tried to wake up more fully.

“Prue don’t…. I mean …Prue?”

“I’m sorry I’ll be alright …. You know me a pot of coffee I’ll be as right as rain …”

“Stupid expression! What’s right with rain?”

Prue smiled down the phone “Exactly …”

“Prue ….Phoebe was pretty cut up …”

Prue let out a long sigh “Piper … look I know this sounds hard, but there’s not a lot I can do …they won’t even let me write to her! You’re going to have to handle this …”

“But you’re usually the one …”

“Well this time I’m not … step up Piper!”

“Prue!” Piper sounded hurt, she’d been doing her best.

“Look just reassure her … tell her what’s going on … she’s a sharp kid …she’s better knowing the truth ….”

“Ok …”

“And Pipe …..tell her I’m not going to give up ….”

“I will ….”

“Oh and tell her I love her ….”

“I will …..” It was Pipers turn to feel down, yesterdays visit had been brief but painful, the image of her little sister firmly burnt into her brain ….

“See you later then Hun …. Oh and don’t forget …..”

“What?”

“I love you too …”

Piper smiled as the tears stung her eyes “Thanks …right back at you …”

Hanging up Prue rubbed at her face, still badly swollen her jaw ached and her eyes felt heavy, reaching for her gown she slowly made her way to the kitchen in an attempt to start her day, glancing at the clock she was surprised to see how late it was. Sighing in frustration she tried to clear her mind, she needed to speak to Doug later, she was hoping he’d have some news about Phoebe.

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

Piper pulled into the Car park, gathering up some of Phoebes possessions she turned just in time to see her little sister racing towards her her arms outstretched.

“Piper! Piper!”

Piper dropped the parcels and held her arms open, gathering her little sister up she held her close “Hey! What a welcome!”

“I’ve been waiting all day!”

Piper let out a little laugh “Actually I’m a little early …”

“I was scared …..”

Piper caught the slight sob, setting the youngster down she knelt down to eye level “Why?”

“That they’d stop you … that they wouldn’t let you come back …. That they’d keep you away like Prue ….”

“Don’t be scared … at least not about that …. We’ve got the court order they have no reason to cancel it ….”

“They had no reason to take me away ….”

Piper nodded “I know … but work with me here hey kid?!”

Phoebe grinned “Suppose … what’s all that?”

“Some of your things …. Let’s get you out of those baggy jeans and scratchy sweatshirt …”

“At last!” Phoebe was doing her best to appear cheerful, she could see Piper was upset and didn’t want to add to her burden “It’s so hard being a fashion icon when this is all you have to work with …”

Piper smiled back “You pull it off kiddo … “ taking her little sisters hand the two made their way inside.

“How’s Prue? Have you seen Prue? Is she ok?”

Piper glanced around Alice Steadwell was sitting in the room, visits were to be supervised and Piper was uncertain as to her boundaries “She’s fine, they let her out yesterday … she misses you and sends you all her love and the biggest hug ever …”

Phoebe sat on her big sisters knee and held her tight “The type that hurts your ribs but you never want it to stop?”

“That would be the type …”

“Tell her I love her … I ..I” Phoebe’s voice cracked as her eyes filled with tears “I love her ….”

“I know baby…” Piper gently rocked her little sister and kissed her forehead, she had known it wouldn’t take long for the façade to come down.

“I miss her so much!” Phoebe’s tears were flowing freely now, Piper wasn’t faring much better.

“I know and she misses you ….”

“Is she ok Pipe? I mean there was something on the tele ….”

“You’re going to hear a lot of things baby …. Try not to take any notice, anything important we’ll tell you, ok?”

Phoebe pushed her head into Pipers shoulder and nodded “Why are they saying that Prue hurt me?”

“I …” Piper hesitated she could feel Alice’s eyes “It’s all a mix up …. They know you got hurt sweetie and they’re looking to punish the person that did it …”

“But I’ve told them!” Phoebe’s tears had dried and frustration was setting in “I told them Prue would never hurt me! Not like they’re saying ….”

“I know … and when we go to court we’ll get this mess all straightened out ….”

“Your time is up now …” For the first time Alice Steadwell interrupted the sisters “In fact you’ve gone over you need to leave now ….”

Piper nodded as she felt Phoebes hold tighten “Don’t go! Please don’t go!”

“I have to baby …. I can come back ….”

“NO! NO!” Phoebe’s voice was getting louder and louder she was upset and didn’t care who knew it “DON’T GO! PLEASE! PIPER! PLEASE!”

“I have to baby ….”

Alice walked over and physically pried the youngest Halliwell away from her sister.

“Phoebe! I’ll be back I’ll see you soon!”

“Noooooooo!” Phoebe was inconsolable her cries heart rendering

It was one of the hardest things Piper had ever had to do, blinded by her own tears she made her way outside her little sisters cries following her all the way to the car. Collapsing over the steering wheel she tried to steel herself for the drive over to her other sister, the whole situation was tearing them apart. Never in her worst nightmare could she ever have imagined this.
“So what the hell are we supposed to do? Just sit back and take it?” Prue thumped her pillow in frustration, she’d been drifting in and out of a fitful sleep all night, her mind was reeling as it played back the earlier conversation with Doug.

“Look you’ve already admitted you hit her, if you go on the stand they’ll make it look like you beat Phoebe to an inch of her life, they’ll make mincemeat of you.”

“And if I don’t? How will that look? Like I’m scared? I’ve done nothing wrong! How many more times! And neither has Phoebe! She’s the victim!”

“Trust me …. You hired me for a reason, you wanted my advice, that’s my advice, you said yourself there is no evidence against you, well that will be our defence”

“And Trudeau?”

“Hearsay …”

Prue threw the covers back and sat up, she felt like she was hitting her head against a brick wall, everyone wanted a piece of her, she could make out the shadows of the boxes against the early morning light, the following day was yet another hurdle to overcome. The house was gone, the girls’ belongings would be sent to store. Prue felt rundown and beaten, the swell of her belly a constant reminder of the mess she was in. The tears fell slowly down the young woman’s face, she was at a loss every direction she ran in she hit a brick wall, it took Prue a second to realise that the phone was ringing reaching out she automatically looked at the clock.

“Whoever this is it better be good! It’s 4am! Do you people ever rest?” Prue had been hounded by the media, under Doug’s instructions she had made no comment.

“Prue? It’s me ….”

Prue felt the air catch in her throat, her hand was shaking as she recognised the voice “Phoebe? ..” Disbelief suddenly turned to concern “Are you alright? Where are you? How did you ….”

“I’m fine … a bit of a cold, so they put me in the medical centre, I sneaked into the office all the nurses are asleep…”

“Oh my god! Phoebe! I miss you so much!”

“I …” Phoebe’s voice cracked “I love you Prue …. I want to see you …when can I see you?”

“I don’t know ….Phoebe I love you too”

“When can I come home?”

“I don’t know….I’m doing my best …” Prue had forgotten her earlier doubts the sound of her sisters voice had given her a wake up call.

“Why won’t they listen? I told them it wasn’t you I told them ….”

“Me too …”

“Then why?”

Prue felt the tears pouring down her face, Phoebe was asking the same questions that had been going around her own head for months.

“Prue?”

“What baby?”

“Will …will …”

Prue heard the slight sob as her baby sister tried to compose herself “Will I what honey?”

“Still ….will you still want me?”

Prue felt like a knife had been plunged through her heart “I’ll never stop….I meant what I said Pheebes, I’ll get you back …”

“But ..the baby …”

“What about the baby?”

“Once you have the baby will you still want me?”

“Oh god Phoebe! Don’t even think that! Stop it! I love you, having a baby won’t change that! It’s not a replacement!”

“But … it’ll be different …you’ll “

“Just have one more little person to look after, that won’t stop me wanting to smother you ..”

“Like with a pillow?”

Prue grinned through her tears as she heard her little sisters giggle, Prue’s grin quickly faded as once again the pain of the situation kicked in “I can’t wait to hug you ….”

“I can’t wait to be hugged ….”

“Phoebe ….” Prue had to ask the question, “How do you feel about the baby?”

“Don’t know …”

“How do you mean?”

“Well it doesn’t seem real … erm, how do you feel? ….”

Prue was taken aback she hadn’t expected the tables to turn “Truth?”

“Yeah …. You said we can’t help each other if we don’t tell the truth…”

Prue took a deep breath “I wish it wasn’t his …..”

“It’s not …..”

Prue raised an eyebrow as she waited for her little sister to continue

“It’s ours …..”

Prue couldn’t speak she was too chocked.

“Prue?”

“Thanks …..” Prue’s voice was almost inaudible

“I haven’t done anything …”

“Yes you have” Prue was nodding down the phone the simplicity and innocence of her baby sister had helped more than anyone would ever know “I love you baby …. Hang on in eh? It’s not too long until the trail then I’ll see you ….”

“I miss you so much … Prue it hurts!”

Prue felt helpless as she listened to her baby sister crying down the phone.

“Do what I do baby …. Close your eyes and pretend”

“I do …when I’m in bed I wrap my arms around my tummy and pretend it's you …”

“You do huh?”

“Yeah …. And if I try really hard sometimes I can hear your heat beat …”

Prue covered the mouthpiece of the phone as she suppressed the sob.

“Well never doubt for one moment that I’m not thinking about you … now if you’ve got a cold what are you doing out of bed?”

Prue grinned at the silence down the phone she could practically see Phoebe rolling her eyes…

“Oh Prue!”

“Well?”

“It’s only a little one!”

“Well we don’t want it turning into a big one do we?”

“No Prue …”

Prue smirked down the phone at her sister’s standard answer.

“But Prue …. Wouldn’t you rather have me talk to you and get a big cold than not talk to me?”

“I hate to admit it baby girl but yes ….. even so lets not push our luck someone might miss you …”

“Thought they already where …”

“More than you’ll ever know baby … goodnight honey bunch, get back into bed and I’ll see you soon ……”

“Night Prue ………………..oh and Prue?”

“Yes baby?”

“I don’t mind you calling me honey bunch anymore …..”

“Good, coz I ain’t never going to stop ….”

“Love you ….”

“Love you more, night baby and take care of that cold …”

“I will … night Prue”

Prue listened to the heavy drone as Phoebe hung up, slamming down the phone Prue got off the bed, the time for tears and self pity had passed, she had told Phoebe she would keep fighting and that was what she was dam well going to do!

“AGHHHH!!!”

“Breathe! Breathe! Keep breathing!”

“PIPER! So not helping! Ahhhhhhh!”

“With me! Breathe with me!”

“AH! Ah! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!”

“That’s it Prue! One more push! Breathe deep …that’s good now one big effort!”

Prue’s hair was plastered to her head her fists curled into tight balls.

“Come on Prue one big one and it’ll all be over” the young nurse looked sympathetically at her patient the young woman had been in labour for nearly 18 hours, tired and exhausted she could only begin to imagine the effort involved in the final stages of the long and painful delivery.

“AGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!”

“That’s it!”

“Oh my god! Oh my god! Prue! It’s beautiful!”

“What is! I mean boy or girl?”

The nurse smiled as she lifted the new born onto her mothers’ stomach “You’ve got yourself a beautiful baby girl …..”

Prue’s eyes filled with tears as she gazed at the tiny bundle, the eyes were scrunched shut as though trying to block out her entrance into the world.

“Prue! She’s gorgeous!”

Prue couldn’t speak she nodded in agreement as she lifted the baby girl to get a better look.

“Look at all her hair! My god I didn’t know babies could have so much hair!”

Prue nodded “Phoebe did ….”

“Oh god Phoebe! Shall I try and ring her now?”

Prue nodded “Yes! Go tell her she’s an aunt!”

As Piper left to make the call Prue took the time to get a proper look at her daughter, the scrunched up eyes had gradually relaxed and were now open Prue smiled as she gently ran her hand over the baby’s back “Welcome little one! Not quite how I imagined becoming a mother but I’m glad you’re here …. You are going to be so spoilt! You just wait until your Aunty Phoebe gets her hands on you!”

“Prue! You’ll never guess!” Piper burst back into the room excitement all over her face “I spoke to Anne Steadwell; she’s agreed to let Phoebe visit!”

“What? How?”

“Part of your allowance, she’s on her way now!”

“Thank god for Doug!”

“Taking my name in vain?”

Both Halliwell sisters smiled as their lawyer entered the room.

“Congratulations Prue! She looks as beautiful as her mother!”

Prue was beaming with pride she could never have imagined this feeling.

“What’s the latest?”

“Mmm, bit mixed …. You know it was quite a breakthrough getting the order agreed to let you see Phoebe….”

“I know … even so 12 hours a week is ….”

“I know, not very long …. But Prue the order could have been refused; they could have kept you away from her until the trial ….”

“I know! I know! Don’t get me wrong I’m grateful for whatever time I get with her it’s just so …..”

“Unjust?”

Prue nodded as she carefully moved her daughter into the crook of her arm “Anyway … you said you had some news ….is it about the baby?”

Doug let out a long breath “Yes …. They’re not willing to let you take her home …”

“NO! NO! NO WAY! They are not taking my baby!”

“Prue …” Doug held his hand up “Stop … that’s not what I’m saying …. Now that Pipers eighteen she can take on temporary guardianship … she just has to stay where she is with your Aunt Gail ……..”

Prue’s breathing was erratic her heart pounding loudly “So Trudeau can’t claim her?”

“No ….at least not until you’ve had your hearing …..”

“But he’s still trying?”

Doug looked grim as he nodded “Yes …. But under the circumstances his chances are next to none ….”

“Still too much! …. And what about us! I’m her mother! She needs me!”

“Twenty one hours a week Prue …..”

Prue felt the tears trickle down her face, as though detecting her mothers sorrow, the new born baby began to cry … almost on cue Phoebe came bursting through the door Anne Steadwell a few steps behind …..

“Hey!” Prue quickly wiped at her face as she looked at her youngest sister, Phoebe looked thin her face pale, she had come to a grinding halt as soon as she saw her sister holding her new baby ……

“Come here! Come on, come and meet your niece …..”

Phoebe still hesitated as her niece continued to bawl …”She’s noisy …..”

“Like her youngest aunty …” Piper grinned at her kid sister amused at her reaction.

“She’s a funny colour ….”

“She’s just a bit upset honey ….that’s why she looks so red ….” Prue frowned she’d expected Phoebe to be excited, eager to meet the new arrival, instead she seemed to be pulling back …. “Pheebes come and have a look ….. She looks a lot like you did when you were born ….”

Phoebe cautiously moved towards the bed, Prue made room for her and pulled her down, Phoebe stared at the small bundle for a few seconds before gently rubbing the back of her finger on her cheek “Hello little one …” Phoebe smiled as the tiny baby stopped crying and stared back “She likes me …..”

“Of course she does!”

“Can I hold her?” Phoebe was now oblivious to everything else in the room

“Lean back ….. that’s it …. Now careful …. Support her head … that’s it … just put your hand behind her neck ….”

Phoebe couldn’t speak, as she carefully held her new born niece, holding a tiny hand she examined the little fingers. Prue exchanged a smile with Piper as they watched the two become acquainted.

“She’s got the same shape eyes as me and Piper …. Cept they’re blue like yours ….”

“I know …. And have you noticed her nose?”

“It’s got a tiny bump in the middle like mine!” Phoebe looked at her big sister as a big grin spread across her face

“Yep! Looks like she’s going to be as pretty as her Aunty Phoebe ….”

Phoebe’s smile got even wider “Yes you are!” Phoebe gently ran a finger over the baby’s face “You are so lucky! You could have looked like your Mummy or Aunty Piper!”

Prue laughed as she listened to her little sister, she couldn’t remember the last time Phoebe had teased her ….

“We are going to have so much fun! Just you wait and see!” Phoebe grinned at Prue “I’ve got so much to teach her!”

“I bet you have!”

“What’s her name?!”

“Haven’t decided yet … I thought maybe you might help …”

Phoebe didn’t hesitate “Nicole ….”

“That’s pretty …” Piper raised her eyebrows at the eldest Halliwell

“Mmm Nicole …… Nicole …Nicole Halliwell … I like it ….”

“How about Nicole Patricia Halliwell?” Piper leaned over and had another look at her niece

“You read my mind ….”

“Yay!” Phoebe grinned at the tiny bundle in her arms “Hello Nicole! Such a pretty name for such a pretty baby!”

“Sorry to spoil the party but we really must head back ….” Anne Steadwell looked at the occupants of the hospital bed, Phoebe, Prue and Nicole all stared back at her “Look I’m sorry but I’m breaking the rules as it is ….” Anne had softened towards the sisters, the more she had spoken to Phoebe the more she realised how close they were, she was now firmly on their side not believing the allegations that had been made against the eldest.

“I know …” Prue indicated for Piper to take the baby while she held Phoebe close “I’m sorry honey bunch but we’ll see you soon ….” Prue felt her sister’s tears drop onto her neck “Don’t cry baby ….” Prue pulled back so she could see Phoebes face “Now I can definitely see the resemblance you look just like Nicole ……”

Phoebe gave her sister a half smile “Where will she live?”

“At Aunt Gails with Piper …….”

“Oh …” Phoebe sounded defeated

“Hey … come on … you’ll still get to see her Piper will make sure …..”

“I know …it’s just …” Phoebe dissolved into tears

Prue rocked the little girl helping her to calm down

“Prue … when will this be over? When can we all be together again?”

“The trial’s next month babe …. Hopefully after that ….”

“But you don’t know?”

Prue found herself shaking her head as she looked into the deep brown eyes of her youngest sister “Its hard for all of us baby …..”

“I know …. I’m sorry …..I didn’t mean to upset you … I know it’s hard for you …. Especially now …. Especially with the baby ……”

Phoebe felt her big sisters arms hold her even tighter “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for honey, nothing at all …. I promise you I’m going to do all I can to get you back where you belong …..”

“Why don’t you dry those tears and I’ll take a photo of you holding Nicole?” Doug stepped forward the young sisters had become like family to him.

Phoebe quickly wiped at her face and reached for the baby “Come here my little sweetie pie …..…..”

Prue managed to smile as she watched her little sister turn towards the camera the baby fast asleep in her proud Aunties’ arms, if anything her resolve was even stronger, somehow, someway she knew she had to find a way to bring her family together.

“But that’s not true!” the twelve year olds voice rang out loud and clear across the Courtroom.

“If you interrupt once more young lady you will have to leave the court …” the grey haired judge looked across as once again the public prosecutor was interrupted.

Phoebe fidgeted in her seat, her earlier fear had long ago been replaced with anger, she looked in the direction of her oldest sister and shook her head.

“We have evidence to suggest that Prudence Halliwell over the course of a number of years both physically and sexually assaulted her youngest sister Phoebe Halliwell. Phoebe has been thoroughly examined, her body was covered in bruises and there was evidence of sexual activity”

Phoebe took a deep breath and shook her head; she bit on the inside of her mouth to prevent the eruption she could feel deep in the pit of her stomach.

“We have a statement from a long serving police officer, who also happens to be a neighbour and lifelong friend of the family ….”

“Rubbish! How can he be a friend?!” Phoebe had sprung up out of her seat

“Young lady!”

“I don’t care! Why shouldn’t I speak!” Phoebe was on a roll “It’s me that’s been taken away! I’m the one who’s been kept from my family! I know what happened to me! WHY WON’T ANYONE LISTEN!”

As a court official moved towards Phoebe she quickly darted under the desk she had been sat behind and ran across to Prue.

Automatically holding her arms out Prue held the youngster tight as Phoebe continued her tirade “She loves me! I love her! She isn’t the one you should be punishing!”

“OBTJECTION!” the prosecutor was at a loss in all his years serving the bench he had never experienced anything like this.

The court official moved towards the sisters ready to pull Phoebe away from her big sister, Phoebe clung on tight “NO! NOT AGAIN! Listen to ME! Why won’t anyone listen to ME!”

Judge Hardy raised her gavel and banged it on the counter “SILENCE!”

Phoebe’s bravado was beginning to wane, she pushed herself further into Prue and flung her arms around her big sisters neck “I just want someone to listen …….”

Judge Hardy took a deep breath, at first she had thought the youngster was deliberately causing havoc but on closer inspection the little girls fear and desperation was painfully apparent “Court suspended …. I want to see you, you and the Halliwell sisters in my chambers now!” The judge pointed at the prosecutor and defender before sweeping out of the courtroom.

+++++++++

Standing in front of the formidable desk Phoebe’s courage was beginning to wane, holding each of her sisters hands she couldn’t stop the shaking.

Prue looked across Phoebes head and caught Pipers eye, her stomach was churning she felt as though she was going to be sick.

“Ok ….. Phoebe would you like to explain to me why you caused such a scene?”

“Nobody listens …..” Phoebe’s voice was shaking she felt intimated as she tried her best to answer the formidable judge’s questions.

“Well I’m listening …. Tell me your story …..”

“This is most irregular!” Dan McCarthy had never known anything like it “We have a procedure to follow … we have”

“Mr McCarthy! I am well aware of procedures! Now as far as I am concerned if we can cut through the red tape and resolve matters quickly and efficiently that is exactly what we shall do! Don’t worry you will get your say! Now Phoebe would you like to sit down and tell me why you felt it so necessary to cause so much disruption?”

Phoebe slowly nodded her head.

“Ok I suggest you all take a seat ….”

Phoebe hung back slightly and waited for Prue to sit, in an instant she was on her big sisters knee Prue put both arms around her and gave her a hug “Take it slow babe …. Tell the judge anything she needs to hear ok?”

Phoebe bit on her lip she was finding the whole experience scary.

“Nobody listens to me, I keep telling them that Prue didn’t hurt me but nobody seems to care …. They took me away and now I can’t live with my family and I miss them ….” Phoebe burst into tears and buried her face in Prue’s shoulder. Prue gently rubbed the little girls back and kissed the top of her head, she knew the months of frustration and injustice had finally caught up.

“Ok Phoebe, it’s alright … would you like to tell me from the beginning?”

“Grams died …..”

The judge looked puzzled but allowed the little girl to continue.

“And Prue was worried that I wasn’t going out …. I felt sad and didn’t want to do anything … but she spoke to ….to ….” Phoebe bit on her lip as she tried to stop the tears, she had managed to blank out her memories of Drew Carter, she had no desire to dredge up his name.

“Who?” Judge Hardy’s voice had softened she could see the internal battle raging inside the little girl.

“Th