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Several weeks had gone by since that eventful day at the cemetery and the Halliwells were resting from recently vanquishing an alchemist’s creation, which took over Piper’s body. Phoebe was shocked and frightened by almost loosing one of her sisters. She still can’t get the picture out of her mind of the action Prue took. It had to take a lot of courage and trust for Prue to stab Piper in the heart. Something she had to do it rid the entity entirely out of Piper’s body and have it enter Leo’s, when he came rushing into the room, to her side. It was that particular incident that something inside Phoebe clicked and changed her. ‘How could Prue stab Piper and kill her?’ ‘Prue’s plan wasn’t fool proof. She was risking Piper’s life! What would have happened if the entity didn’t leave?’ Phoebe thought. In a way, she felt that she was doing the same to her sisters, by risking their lives. Possibly endangering Prue and Piper’s life, as well as her own, if Cole ever wanted to get back in good graces with the “Source”. She would never forgive herself if anything should happened to them. Then, her thoughts turned to Cole.

                “Cole, where are you?” she asked, still starring out the window.

Part of the hurt she felt was the uneasiness of what the “Source” would do to Cole if his minions ever found him. She wanted to help him, but didn’t know how or even where to begin. She felt like she was on an island, trying to survive supernatural forces that were raging around her. She couldn’t run to her sisters for help, she couldn’t help Cole wherever he was, she couldn’t go to Leo for the fear she would loose his trust, and there was the fear of Leo’s bosses finding out what she had done. The betrayal and lies was wearing her emotions down to a nub.

Sure, she tried to tell Leo at P3 when he asked her how she was. He even tried to soothe her by saying it was something that had to be done and that her wounds will heal with time. Cole had to be vanquished. And that it was good he was out of their lives. She then told Leo “he was still alive for me” and left it at that, a half-truth. Just a cryptic message that left Leo with more questions and a bit confused. She wasn’t really in the mood that night to celebrate another vanquishing with her sisters, but Phoebe put on her party face, just to keep up appearances, and went back to rejoin her sisters.

    She was startled out of her dazed and foggy thoughts by the chiming of the hallway clock. Phoebe looked down at her watch to check the time. It was four, almost time for Prue to come home from work, and Piper from grocery shopping. She got up out of the wicker chair and gathered her books and backpack from the hallway table. Stopping by the phone she hurriedly scribbled a note for her sisters telling them she would be out. ‘I’m going to the Library to study. Be back home late. Don’t wait for me for dinner. Phoebe’ she wrote and slipped it partially under the phone. Phoebe didn’t have a car at her disposal so she had to use the next best thing, her bike. She went to the side of the manor to retrieve her bike, the only property she had brought back from New York, other than her clothes. She jumped on the bike and headed off to the library. No, she really didn’t need to go there but it was a quiet place for her to continue to ponder her thoughts and a great excuse to get out of the house. She felt really bad that she was avoiding her problems and her sisters but what else could she do right now?

Phoebe’s dilemma was nagging her for weeks now, and was starting to take its toll on her, physically as well as mentally. She couldn’t sleep restfully without waking up to nightmares. She kept looking for Cole at every corner, hoping he would reveal himself to her, and she kept picturing her sisters would find out at anytime and they would disown her or kick her out of the manor. Her eating habits had been sparse, even non-existent to a point where she would just grab something and go meal. ‘One good thing,’ she thought, looking down at her waistline, ‘at least I lost a few pounds.’ Phoebe did try to help Piper out with P3, but it wasn’t her exuberant self that tended the club-goers. She just went through the motions of serving drinks to customers, clean up after closing and take care of daily receipts before heading home to bed. Phoebe didn’t even bother to get to know any of the new guys that came to P3. Piper noticed the change and asked her about it, in her concerned sisterly way. At least Phoebe was comforted by the knowledge that Piper was concerned for her.

Phoebe rode her bike, not really paying attention to her surroundings, and found that she rode right past the library and into the park that was two blocks away. She looked around surprised that she was in such a daze that she ended up here instead of the library. How could she have been so out of it that she missed the library all together?

“Well, I guess I could stay here. I didn’t really need to go to the library.” She said to herself.

Phoebe walked her bike around the path looking for a nice secluded spot in the park. She found an empty bench that was off the beaten path, she sat there and reflected once again, numb to the cheerful activities in front of her. Her thoughts went back to the same questions and fears she had at the manor. Everything revolved around Cole and her sisters. Why couldn’t it be simpler just to turn back time? ‘Too bad I don’t have that power.’ She thought to herself. “I have to tell somebody. I don’t like keeping this secret to myself anymore. I want my life back to where it used to be. Vanquishing the occasional demon and going to school.” Phoebe sat there thinking of different scenarios for each person that she would have to tell. The only person she thought she could tell first without drastic repercussions would be Leo. He was supposed to guide and council them wasn’t he? Yes, he would be upset but then he is supposed to help her and her sisters by giving sound advice. Phoebe decided that this would be the best course of action. She would wait to see what he would say before confronting her sisters. She let out a little huff of air, as a little bit of the pressure was lifted off her. Ok, now her other problem. One that was nagging her as well…where was Cole? Cole just disappeared after that fake vanquishing act she did for her sisters’ sake. Phoebe was a little worried for his safety. She hoped that in some way he could get a message to her to let her know he was all right and still fighting off his own demons.

“God, I have to snap out of this mood.” She said outloud suddenly. If I keep this up then Prue will definitely know something’s not right and make it her business to find out!”

Phoebe looked up in time to see a young couple pausing in front of her, and smiled back at embarrassment of speaking aloud to herself. They starred at Phoebe as they walked past.

“I have to stop talking to myself like this. People will think I’m crazy and have me committed to loony bin.” She said in a hushed tone.

Phoebe glanced at her watch, and decided that she had spent long enough at the park. It was getting late and she needed to get home before her sisters really worried about her. She hopped on her bike heading for home, but still trying to think about the best time to tell her sisters separately about Cole. As she headed home she noticed that traffic was getting heavy. She would be home a little later than she thought she would. As she rode down the busy street, her thoughts came back to Cole, Leo, Piper, and Prue, while ignoring the traffic around her. Phoebe rode right across an intersection of a small side street. She didn’t even notice the blue Lexus that was headed from the opposite direction. The driver of the Lexus hadn’t even noticed her, and didn’t think that there was any opposing traffic so it headed forward without stopping. The collision between car and bike was like one of those old time slow motion movies. This movie would have a disastrous outcome though. Phoebe didn’t get the chance to swerve out of the way before being hit from the side. The bike was dragged under the car while Phoebe’s body was lifted up and over, onto the windshield. She struck the glass with such force that she shattered it, and then rolled off the hood, when the car came to an abrupt stop. Phoebe’s world went hazy and then dark as she gave into blackness. Phoebe just lay there in the street, not moving. The driver of the Lexus got out to check on her, while dialing up 911 on his cell phone. He did all he could to try to help the innocent girl laying in the street, hoping the ambulance would arrive soon before the girl died. He was afraid to move her so he covered her with his jacket to keep her warm until emergency came.

* * *

Piper walked thru the front door of the Halliwell Manor her arms loaded with grocery bags. She was having a hard time balancing her purse, the keys and the grocery bags. She kicked the door close with the back of her leg, which resulted in her keys dropping to the floor.

                                               “I could use some help here!!” She called out frustrated to anyone that was home.

When no one responded back to her call for help, she instantly knew that she was the only one home. She dumped the load in her arms on the kitchen counter top and started to put away the day’s purchases.

                    “Why is it that every time I need some help, no one’s here!” She said out loud.

Just then, the front door opened and Prue called out that she was home. Piper yelled back that she was in the kitchen. Prue grabbed the mail that was lying on the hallway table and headed off to the kitchen to see how her younger sister was doing. Entering the kitchen, Prue found Piper still putting away the groceries.

                                                      “Anything interesting in the mail?” Piper asked.

“No, just a few bills and advertisement for lawn care service. Hey have you seen Phoebe?” Prue asked back.

“She wasn’t here when I got home. Maybe she left a note somewhere.” Piper said with a twinge of worry.

Piper was worried for her little Sis because she was often missing when Prue was around. She tended to shy away recently, when both her and Prue were around. Phoebe still helped out at P3 for her, but it seemed her heart, or at least her mind wasn’t into it. Now, with Prue home, she knew Phoebe wasn’t home. Piper had asked Phoebe on several occasions, when they were alone, if there was something wrong, but Phoebe always put it off saying she was still trying to get over Cole. So, Piper left it at that and usually gave her a big hug or patted her head. She knew what it felt like to find out the guy you love was a demon trying to kill you and your sisters.

“Maybe she left a note by the phone.” Piper said as she continued putting away the last of the groceries.

Prue went off to the hallway table. There she found the note that Phoebe had left hours earlier. Prue took it back to the kitchen with her. Piper looked up and noticed the worried look on her face.

                                                    “What’s wrong?” Piper asked concerned that something happened.

“Phoebe left a note saying she’d be at the library late and not to wait for her for dinner.” Prue read.

“So why the look…like something bad happened?” Piper asked, coming around to take the note from Prue.

“Well, have you noticed lately that Phoebe has been avoiding us at every chance? I worry that she feels my disapproval in Cole was right and she can’t bear to face me. I don’t want her to think that I have a “I told you so” attitude towards her. I feel she is pulling away from me.” Sadly Prue said to Piper.

Piper wrapped her arm around Prue and laid her head on Prue’s shoulder. She knew that Prue was right about her feelings about Pheebs, but didn’t want to say anything. Phoebe didn’t avoid her, and on several occasions it looked like Phoebe was going to tell her what was nagging her, but pulled back at the last moment in silence.

“I know Prue, but Phoebe will get over this. She just needs sometime to think and work things out before coming to us. It will take time for her to get over Cole. Remember she really loved him and she had to vanquish him herself, when we found out he was Belthazor. That would be tuff for anyone to go through. We had our share of boyfriends turning into demons or warlocks, but with time we got over it.” She said smoothing over Prue’s emotions. “Give her time…..when she comes around we will be here for her.”

 

Since they didn’t expect Phoebe home for dinner, Piper cooked up a quick and simple meal just for the two of them. She made a light dinner of Chinese chicken stir-fry. After dinner was over and the dishes done, Piper headed off to bed. Prue hung around the living room reading the TV guide, trying to occupy her time until Phoebe came home.

“Goodnight Prue. I have to go to bed early since I have that meeting with Fuel’s band manager in the morning. I’m trying to set a date for them to play at P3 and its important for me to be wide-awake. Are you staying up til Phoebe comes home?” Piper asked her sister.

“Yeah. I just want to make sure she’s all right. I’ll be in the living room, watching some TV if you need me. Night Piper.” Prue responded back.

Piper headed up the stairs to her bedroom. Prue settled in on the couch and grabbed the remote for the TV and started flicking through the channels. She settled on an old black and white romance movie. Prue was startled a few minutes later, when Kit jumped onto her lap looking for some attention. So Kit and Prue relaxed on the couch keeping each other company, waiting for Phoebe to come home. Prue had an ulterior motive for staying up late. She wanted to have a heart to heart talk with Phoebe regarding Cole, and her avoidance issue. She loved her little Sis and she didn’t want to feel so distanced because of what she felt about Cole.

Prue was drifting in and out of wakefulness. She couldn’t stay awake any longer; her eyelids refused to stay open. Kit was already asleep on her lap, purring contentedly, and the extra warmth added to Prue’s tired body fighting to get some sleep. This is how Piper found them the next morning when she came down to breakfast. Prue fast asleep, head tilted to one side with Kit snuggled in a ball on her lap. Piper just stood in the doorway a few minutes to stare at the peaceful scene in front of her. She smiled and then headed off to the kitchen, letting her sister wake up on her own. Some infomercial was playing on TV as Piper turned it off, on her way towards the kitchen. Prue woke up minutes later, startled as she heard dishes banging in the kitchen. She looked around and noticed it was already light outside. Quickly looking at her watch, she saw that it was seven a.m. and that there was someone in the kitchen making noise. Prue had hoped it would be Phoebe, so that she still could have a chance to talk with her.

As she walked in Piper looked up and smiled.

“Hi sleepyhead! I hope you were comfortable on the couch last night.” Piper said cheerfully.

“Morning Piper.” She responded back heading directly for the coffeepot. “I feel asleep waiting for Phoebe to come home. I must have missed her coming in.”

“I didn’t hear her come in either. Did you check her bedroom?” Piper asked.

“No, I didn’t get a chance to. Let me check right now.” She said back.

 

Prue exited the kitchen to trudge up the stair, mug of coffee in her hand. Just outside Phoebe’s door she stopped and lightly knocked before entering. Hearing no answer, she opened the door only to find no one inside. Phoebe’s bed looked like no one had slept in it. Prue was a bit alarmed since Phoebe usually called if she was staying over a friend’s house or that she would be coming home early in the morning. This was not like her. Prue’s mind raced as she thought about what could have happened to Pheebs. She quickly headed back down the stair and to Piper to tell her what she found.

“We got a problem!” Prue said as she entered the kitchen where Piper was seated at the table.

Startled and worried, Piper looked at her older sister. “What’s wrong?”

Prue explained that she didn’t find Phoebe in her room or that her bed was slept in. It wasn’t like Phoebe not to leave a message for them, with all the demons lurking out there. Piper was frightened by this aspect and asked if Prue thought that maybe a demon had crossed Phoebe’s path and that she was injured…or possibly dead somewhere. Prue looked at her with glaring eyes.

                                                    “Piper! Don’t even think that!” Prue shot back. “We need to find her now and the
                                                     only way I know is either scrye for her or….”

Prue didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence before Piper called at loudly.

                                                    “Leo….Leo….LEO!”

It only took a few seconds for Leo to orb in right behind Piper. Leo stood there looking like he just woke up and yawned before looking around. He glanced at Prue and then to Piper with a concerned look on his face.

“What happened …what’s going on? Is there anything wrong?” Leo asked Piper as she turned towards him.

Piper grabbed him giving him a hug and then explain their situation with Phoebe. Telling Leo about the note Phoebe left and that she would be back late, but she didn’t even come home this morning. Both Prue and Piper were concerned that something happened or that she might have run into something demonic.

                                                    “Can you check your radar for her?” Prue asked Leo.

                                                    “I’ll try.” He responded back concerned too that something happened.

Leo tilted his head up and concentrated checking this plane of existence for Phoebe. It took him a few minutes before he gave them an answer. He told them that he felt she was still alive but that it was weak or faint. Piper was upset by this answer and asked what exactly he meant by a faint feeling. Leo explained that her presence was strong on this plane but that he couldn’t reach her mind, that Phoebe was weakly transmitting her presence to him.

                                                      “Well, can you at least track her?” Prue asked taking charge of the situation.

“We can bring out that city map and scrye with the crystal for her. At least her magic should show up on our radar.” Piper said nervously.

“Piper, I’ll go check with ‘Them” and see what they can tell me.” Leo said as he orbed out.

Prue when to the living room table and got out the crystal and the map of San Francisco to locate their missing sister. Piper stood next to her praying that their plan would work or that Leo will come back from his bosses with some good news.

*   *   *

        Phoebe weaved in and out of consciousness as the emergency techs loaded her into the ambulance. She had this blinding pain that made her take very short breaths. It was hard for her to concentrate or even remember anything other than the pain right now. There was nothing left of her bike but a tangled mess that was still stuck under the car that hit her. The force of the blow had thrown Phoebe’s backpack several feet away, which was retrieved by the police officers that arrived on the scene. The officer checked inside to find any identification but only found that it contained books and notebooks. The ambulance driver was in a rush to get moving so the officer handed him the backpack for later identification of the victim. Phoebe was then loaded into the ambulance with care. While the EMT technician took care of the patient, his partner climbed behind the wheel turning on the siren as he sped off to the nearest hospital. The EMT first checked if the neck brace was secure, then bandaged her head as best as he could, moving her head as little as possible. Then he started on his mental checklist. He first gave her an oxygen mask, Checked her pulse and blood pressure and the started on the IV. Once every vital sign was stable he could rest a bit easier. This was the first chance that he got to look at their emergency patient. ‘What a very beautiful lady she is. He wouldn’t mind going out with her disspite the bruising and all the blood on her face from a nasty gash on her head.’ he thought. This free moment also gave him time to look for any information on their Jane Doe for the doctors to contact family. He knew the police had looked through her backpack and found no purse or an ID. He suddenly had an idea. Maybe there was a name on the inside cover of the books. Usually people in school would write their names in the schoolbook or notebook so they would get back to their owners. There he found what he was looking for, Phoebe Halliwell.

The ambulance arrived at the hospital, and Phoebe was rushed to the emergency room. The doctor that was treating her was mostly worried about the gash and contusions to her head, which would only prove that she had an extreme impact to the head, possibly some head trauma. Also, that she still was unconscious was a bad sign. Once her vitals were stabilized the doctor ordered x-rays and CAT scan for her head and for her arm and ribs, which she also felt was broken. The ambulance technician had given the doctor a name for her patient, so she could get the nurse to track down her family. It took the doctor’s nurse awhile to find the right family; for San Francisco had a lot of Halliwells, and she was down to her last two listings in the white pages. By the time the nurse found the right Halliwell listing, it was a little after 7 am. The Halliwell on the other end of the phone proved to be Phoebe’s sister, Piper. Phoebe had been settled into the intensive care room and stable, when they finally told Piper Halliwell what had happened.

*   *   *

Prue was still working the crystal pendulum over the map when the phone rang. Both Prue and Piper jumped up startled. Piper, who was closest to the phone, answered it. Prue noticed that Piper’s face looked ashen and very serious.

“Yes, I have a sister, Phoebe.” Prue heard Piper tell the person on the phone. “Is she alright?” She asked anxiously.

“Piper, what’s wrong…where’s Phoebe?” Prue asked Piper, who was still on the phone getting details.

Prue was very impatient and kept asking Piper for details, while she was taking to the person on the phone. Piper kept pushing Prue off her, as she constantly pulled her arm trying to get information. Piper finished the phone call and placed the receiver down quickly, pulling Prue to come with her out of the house.

“I’ll explain on the way. Right now when have to get to the hospital quickly.” Piper told Prue as she put on her jacket and grabbed her purse.

Prue paused, shocked by the news that Phoebe was in the hospital. She snapped out of her little funk as Piper went out the door, leaving her still standing in the hallway. She snatched her coat off the peg and grabbed her purse, running after Piper, and slammed the door behind her.

As Piper sped off in her jeep, she started telling Prue her conversation with the hospital nurse regarding Phoebe. She told Prue that Phoebe was in an accident where a car hit her and that it was serious enough that Phoebe had to be placed in intensive care. Prue took everything Piper told her in, but was drifting in her own thoughts. ‘Why couldn’t I have been there for her. I knew there was something wrong but I waited too long to ask. I hope I don’t loose that chance now. No, I can’t think that. She’ll be all right.’ These were some of the thoughts that raced in Prue’s mind. Prue looked up and didn’t realize that they were pulling up into the hospital entrance already. Both Halliwell sisters raced through the entrance and up to the intensive care floor.

“Talk about déjà vu. It seems we end up here too often.” Piper said reliving a past experience.

 

The head nurse looked up as she saw two young women approach her desk. Prue introduced herself and Piper, then asked how their sister, Phoebe, was doing. The nurse explained that she would have to get the doctor in charge of her case and that they could wait in the waiting room until she was free.

“I don’t like this waiting. It’s my fault. I should have stayed awake.” Prue said, as she was pacing the floor back and forth driving and obviously driving Piper nuts.

“Prue it’s not your fault. There was really nothing you could have done. You still couldn’t stop this accident from happening. And stop pacing back and forth you’re giving me neck pains just watching you!” Piper shot back.

“I can’t help it! I’m nervous and scared.”

“So am I Prue. Phoebe will be all right. We have to keep thinking that.”

    It didn’t take the doctor long to come out and speak with them. She introduced herself as Doctor Montgomery, the trauma specialist for San Francisco General. As she started to explain Phoebe’s condition to them, Piper’s mind quickly thought how young looking this doctor was to be the trauma specialist for this hospital, then went back to concentrate on what she had to say. Doctor Montgomery went to explain that Phoebe was in a car accident that left her with a couple of cracked ribs, and bruising on her left side, as well as a broken left arm. All her injuries occurred on her left side the doctor deduced; that she impacted the car full force on that side which probably saved her if she had went headfirst. The doctor went on to explain that these injuries were minor compared to the head trauma she received. Phoebe received 8 stitches to close a gash to her left temple. The doctor also told them, that she feared that she also has some swelling of the brain, due to the significant head trauma she received, and that there was a possibility that she might slip into a coma. The staff would be monitoring her around the clock for any changes and they will be notified to any changes. Doctor Montgomery also assured them that there was no other injury to her spine, or any internal bleeding, as far as the tests have shown.

                            “At this point there’s nothing to do but wait and see”, the doctor told the
                           sisters.

“Would you like to go see her now? She’s in Intensive Care 4. But to forewarn you…you might be shocked by her appearance. Eventually the swelling will dissipate.” Doctor Montgomery told them.

“Thank you. Would it be all right if we stayed with her through the night?” Prue said in a quiet voice, shocked at what she just heard.

“It’s usually not allowed. We do have visiting hours, but I think it would be ok.” Doctor Montgomery answered.

“Come on Prue.” Piper said, anxious to see her little Sis. “I can’t wait…I have to see her.”

Piper and Prue entered Phoebe’s room quietly, afraid that any disturbance might be harmful to her recovery. The two older Halliwell sisters just stared down at their little sister. It all seemed like a bad dream to Prue and at any moment she would wake up to find herself at the manor, greeting her sisters over morning coffee, but this was real. Piper was right when she said it felt like déjà vu every time she entered the hospital, since it always seemed that one of them always ended up here eventually, one way or the other on the verge of dying. Phoebe was no where near or even close to dying, so the doctor assured both of them. There was that slim chance that Phoebe sustained some brain damage but they couldn’t tell until she woke up. This was something the Prue didn’t even want to think about. Prue reached out gently and held Phoebe’s right hand in hers, hoping that Phoebe would feel that they were both here to comfort her.

“Phoebe, we’re here for you. And we love you.” Piper said while softly stroking her cheek.

                                                    “Hey Sis, you have to come back to us.” Prue said lovingly.

“I hope this accident didn’t have anything to do with why Phoebe was so distant lately” Piper wondered out loud.

“I just wish she would have come to one of us with her problem. Every time I got close she pulled further away.” She replied back while still holding Phoebe’s hand in her own.

“So where do we go from here?” Piper said then had a thought. “Leo? Leo… Leo, Maybe he can help.”

A shimmering light started to fill the room as Leo orbed into the corner of Phoebe’s room. Leo first looked at Piper and then at Phoebe lying in the hospital bed. Prue was the first to speak to Leo, asking him if there was anything he could do to help Phoebe but not arousing the hospital’s suspicions about her speedy recovery.

“THEY” won’t let me. A Whitelighter is only to heal his charges if they were injured fighting evil. I really wish I could!” Leo sadly told the sisters.

                                                      “Leo, there was many times where you healed us.” Piper was the first to respond.

“Well, ‘THEY’ have been watching us closely since they gave their blessing for us to get married.” Leo tried to explain. “This is something that has to take its course without intervention. I’m sorry.”

 

    It was going to be the beginning of a long day for the older Halliwell sisters. Prue called 419 magazine and canceled all her photo shoots for the rest of the week. While, Piper got Phyllis to take over managing P3 for a couple of nights so that she could also be with Phoebe. Lucky she didn’t book any headliner bands for the week. Each sister took rotations that afternoon, watching Phoebe while the other one would go out and grab a bite to eat. Phoebe’s condition still hadn’t change that evening, so Piper and Prue sat in her room reading the newspaper or whatever else they could find that Phoebe would have been interested in. The nurses did interrupt several times, when they came in to check on any changes to her condition. After the nurse had left the room, Leo orbed in to check on Phoebe also, how Piper and Prue were holding up. He stayed on the couch with Piper, while Prue, who was seated next to Phoebe’s bed, read the latest in the world of fashion from a Cosmopolitan magazine. Piper had rested her head on Leo’s shoulder and was so comfortable in that position that she soon fell asleep. Leo too, felt relaxed snuggling next to Piper that he started dozing off as well, still trying to listen to Prue. A small knock on the door startled Prue, but didn’t wake Piper or Leo from their slumber. A young blond hair girl in a candy stripe uniform came into the room.

“I’m sorry for intruding but a few flowers were left at the nurses station for Ms. Halliwell. I hope you don’t mind if I bring them in?” She asked softly in a hushed tone, noticing as she came in, the two people asleep on the couch.

“Oh no, go ahead. It will cheer her up when she see them.” Prue answered back just as softly.

The young volunteer brought in two bouquets of flowers. The first one was a dozen long stem red roses that looked like they were just picked that morning and the second bouquet was an arrangement of yellow daisies and white carnations. After the girl left, Prue picked out the card that was in the daisy bouquet and read out loud to Phoebe.

‘Get well soon Phoebe. You are in my thoughts and prayers. And next time, don’t forget to look up. Love Darryl.’ Prue read. “That was sweet of him!”

Prue replaced the card back on the flower arrangement and went to the beautiful red roses. There she found the card stuck in the middle and opened the little envelope. Inside, it only read ‘Forever Yours’, with no signature as to whom it came from, or which florist sent it. “Curious” Prue thought, replacing the card back in the middle of the bouquet. Prue smelled the flowers before going back to Phoebe’s bedside. ‘She must have a secret admirer from school.’ Prue thought. As Prue sat there she thought more about the roses and the secret admirer. One question popped into her mind, ‘How did they find out so fast that Phoebe was in the hospital?’ Prue could understand that Darryl knew about the accident from police reports, since lately he had this habit of checking those reports to see if the name Halliwell appeared in any of them. It was his way of protecting the sisters and keeping out of the way if it was a demon situation. Running all the possibilities of the sender of the mysterious roses made Prue drowsy. She drifted in and out of sleep, finally giving in to the temptation of resting her eyes and body. Piper and Leo had already fallen into a deep slumber, and were happily snuggled together. Prue made herself comfortable on the edge of Phoebe’s bed, with her head cradled in her folded arms. Then, she too fell into a deep and peaceful slumber.

During the night, the nurse came in to check on the IV bag and any other changes. She didn’t make any noise to wake up the sleeping guests. There was one visitor, during the night that crept in making no noise whatsoever and hid in the shade of the room’s darkened corner. The dark figure just stood there, like a dark omniscience presence, watching Phoebe’s peaceful intake and ex-take of air. Then the dark presence looked at Prue, who slept beside her injured sister, and just glanced at Leo and Piper snuggled close, sleeping on the couch. The shadow just stood there, making no sound, or any violent action against the Halliwell family. The silence was only broken by a deep low voice.

                                                                “I love you Phoebe.”

After those words were said, a slight ripple illuminated the corner of the room, where the figure once stood. The figure disappeared as mysterious as it had appeared, leaving behind one sweet red rose, which fell to the floor as the figure completely disappeared from sight. The rest of the night was uneventful and the morning would bring new surprises for the Halliwell sisters.

    Piper was the first to wake that morning. She turned her head towards Leo giving him a sweet loving kiss before getting up off the couch. Leo peered through his waking eyes and smiled at his true love.

                                                       “Morning Love.” Leo said to Piper rising off the couch himself, to return her kiss.

                                                       “Ssshhhh, you’ll wake Prue.” She whispered back.

“Nope. Prue is already awake and heard you.” Prue said as she lifted her head off her crossed arms. “OUCH!”

                                                      “What’s wrong Prue?” Piper asked.

“Other than my arms being stiff and now feels like pins and needles and this crick in my neck? Oh nothing really…” Prue answered back with a little morning sarcasm. “I definitely need a cup of coffee too!”

Leo came over to give Prue a bit of his healing touch and messaged her neck, trying to relieve her pain. Prue closed her eyes to the deep soothing message.

“Ooooooh….aaahhhh. Leo your great.” Prue said while enjoying herself. “This is Heaven! Oops, sorry for the pun Leo.

“Hey..hey leave some for your girlfriend here. Remember… the one you love!” Piper said getting a little jealous that Prue was getting all the attention from Leo. “’This’ girl would like to have some of that loving touch too!”

“Sorry Piper. I didn’t mean to steal him away from you. You know I’m really jealous of you right now, for finding a man with such good hands.” Prue said smiling at her sister and sticking out her tongue at her.

“HEY! That’s not nice!” Piper responded back giggling.

“Ladies, heaven can be shared.” Leo said laughing at the sisters.

The door to Phoebe’s hospital room open and a nurse stepped through. She stopped slightly at the doorway feeling like she just stepped into an awkward moment. The girl at the bed was sticking her tongue out at the other girl in the room, while this good looking young guy was giving her a back massage. Prue quickly tucked in her tongue and gave the nurse a sheepish grin, a little embarrassed that she was caught acting like a little child. The nurse just smiled back at her and continued her routine checking Phoebe’s statistics. Prue, Piper and Leo silently watched the nurse checking Phoebe. Then the nurse looked up at the Halliwells and said.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go home and get some rest or get a bite to eat? We’ll notify you of any changes to your sister’s condition.”

                                                    “No.” Both Halliwells answered in unison.

With that the nurse turned and left the room. Piper noticed something by the door as the nurse exited the room. She crouched down and picked up a single red rose, still fresh and not yet wilted. She brought it up so that Prue could see.

                                                       “Did you drop one of the roses from the vase?” Piper asked her.

“No. I didn’t even remove any flowers, just the card.” Prue answered walking over to Piper. “See, there’s still twelve rose in the vase.”

                                                     “I wonder where that one came from.” Leo asked from across the room.

                                                      “No biggie, it probably fell out when the nurse delivered it.”

“Yeah but Piper that would mean there was thirteen roses delivered. An odd number for a bouquet of roses.” Prue said in her cautious voice.

“Prue, does everything have to be a mystery to you? I don’t think a demon left it behind to kill us.” Piper said laughingly, not realizing what she just said was partially true.

    Prue didn’t let go of the topic. Pointing out that there were still demons out there trying to kill them. Also pointing out the fact that the card was unsigned and that news about Phoebe’s accident wasn’t released yet. While Prue was talking, she wondered if Phoebe’s accident was really an accident or some sinister plot to get rid of The Charmed Ones. Piper just raised her hands in frustration. She knew that Prue could be a bulldog sometimes, never letting go until she gets things resolved. Piper told her to let it go and to go home and get some rest while she stayed here at the hospital. Prue came back protesting, and insisted that Piper and Leo should go home first to get some rest and something to eat and then come back to relieve her.

“Prue you don’t have to do that. Do you still feel guilty that Phoebe got hurt because of something you said, or didn’t say to her?” Piper asked her, getting annoyed with Prue’s attitude.

                                                      “Just because I want to stay with her!?” Prue shot back. “Piper…”

“No, because you feel that there is some kind of demon conspiracy with the flowers and accident.” Piper interrupted Prue before she got out her next sentence.

“Piper….Prue…” Leo started to say. “You’re both tired and on edge. Now is not the time to argue.”

Prue and Piper’s discussion and little argument was louder than what Leo expected. He tried to calm things down with little results. He knew that both their nerves were on edge, plus the lack of a comfortable and restful sleep took their tolls on them. Prue kept the argument going by stating Piper was too lax in her defenses when it came to evil and that she, the older sister, had to keep up the vigilance for everyone. Piper just stood by, open mouthed, by what she just heard. Prue definitely has goon too far with this, Piper thought to herself. Everyone’s nerves were on edge.

                                                       “Do you mind arguing somewhere else? You’re giving me a headache!”

Surprised, Prue, Piper and Leo suddenly turned towards the bed, to see Phoebe awake. Her eyes was slightly opened and looked from person to person in the room. Leo quickly left the room to get the doctor and nurse.

                                                       “Phoebe you’re all right!” Piper joyfully exclaimed.

Phoebe turned to the person who spoke and simply stared. She then turned to look at the lady that was standing next to her with curiosity. Nobody had a chance to say anything else, as the doctor rushed into the room, followed closely behind was the nurse and finally Leo. The doctor was very anxious to check her patient’s status and recovery.

Phoebe turned to the doctor and asked. “What am I doing here? And why do I feel like the football under a FortyNiner’s pileup?”

                                                      “Do you remember anything that happened yesterday?” The doctor asked.

                                                       Phoebe hesitated. “No...”

                                                      “ Do you remember being in a car accident?”

                                                      “No, not at all.”

“Ok, can you tell me your name and today’s date, and if you can remember…where you live?”

“I’m Phoebe Halliwell and I don’t know the exact date but the month is March 2001. And last I looked; I live on Prescott Street. Now, why do I feel like I just got rolled over by a steamroller? And it feels like the steam roller won.” She said with a grimace.

Prue was the first to speak up. “ You got broadsided by an oncoming car.”

Phoebe just stared at the person who spoke. “I’m sorry… who might you be?”

This announcement stunned everyone in the room. Prue’s jaw dropped in shock. ‘What could she say?’ Prue’s thoughts were all a jumble. Phoebe was just kidding or maybe she was still angry for some reason with her for some reason.

                                                    “Do you recognize any of the people in the room Phoebe?” The doctor asked her.

                                                    “No. Should I?”

“Do you remember having sisters or family?” The doctor asked, perplexed at the situation.

“No, I don’t have any family. They died a few years back and I live alone.” Phoebe answered confused by all the questions.

 

Piper grabbed Leo hand and squeezed it hard. She was upset by what Phoebe was saying about who and what she remembered. Prue just turned to Piper and gave her one of those ‘I can’t believe it’ looks. The doctor took the little flashlight from her pocket and checked Phoebe’s pupils, also the bandage around her head, before she spoke again.

                                                    “Ahmmm…can I see you outside.” She said looking at Prue and Piper.

                                                    “Sure doctor.” Prue said in a dazed.

    Phoebe’s visitors left the room almost immediately, leaving her alone with the doctor and nurse. Phoebe looked at the doctor, almost frightened and confused as to what was going to come next. The doctor sat down next to Phoebe’s bed and proceeded to ask more questions about Phoebe’s life and what she did remember. The doctor wrote down everything that Phoebe had told her in her notebook, so that she could add it to the patient’s folder later. Then she looked up and told Phoebe her prognosis.

“Phoebe, I have to tell you know that I feel you have what we call selective amnesia. There are many things that you can’t remember or have blocked out of your memory due to emotional trauma. This is sometimes common in sudden traumatic accidents and it might be possible to regain your memory of past things by a sight of an object or person, a sound, a smell or just the environment. I needed to explain this to you, so that you won’t be frightened with what is happening. I can’t tell you how long this will take so; I am going to release you tomorrow afternoon. Only if you’re up to it. The bruises and swelling around your face will go down with time. The broken arm and ribs can mend at home and since you have no other serious injuries, I think it might be best in familiar surroundings. I do want you to call me if there are any changes or problems.”

Phoebe took all this in quietly, then looked up to ask.

                                                    “So, I will get my memory back then?”

“It is quite possible, as I said before, something in your environment might trigger your memory, but I can’t tell you what or when. Your injuries will heal with time and it looks like the injuries sustained to your head has drastically reduced, and since you’re awake and cognitive, prospect look good for a full physical recovery. Now get some rest and I’ll go talk with your sisters.”

Phoebe smiled with a turned up grin; she was still trying to believe that she had sisters and that those girls, which left the room, was her family. As the doctor turned to leave the room, a thought popped into Phoebe’s head ‘Hmm, I wonder if they live with me or if I live with them? I guess I’ll find out one way or the other.’

    The older Halliwells looked up as the doctor came out of their little sisters room. The few minutes that they had to wait outside the room brought up an uneasy feeling, that there was something seriously wrong with Phoebe. Piper was acting hyper by constantly walking back and forth and babbling to Leo about Phoebe not recognizing her sisters. Prue was taking the news differently. She withdrew to a quiet section of the hallway and sat down in a chair that was against the wall. She held her head in her hands as she mulled over the fact that her little Sis didn’t even know who they were. The small things popped into Prue’s head, like the last time they all went out together to have fun, or the last time they all stood around the house and joked with each other. So, when the doctor came out of Phoebe’s room, Piper was the first to confront her. Piper’s sudden movement alerted Prue that the doctor must have come out of Phoebe’s room and quickly jumped up to join them.

“Doctor, what’s wrong with Phoebe? Why doesn’t she recognize us? Is she going to get better?” Piper bombarded the doctor with questions.

“Piper.” Leo said holding her back so that the doctor would have the chance to update them. “Give the doctor a chance to speak.”

Prue was slow to react, letting Piper do all the questioning. She herself was turning into an introvert because of her guilty feeling that everything Phoebe was going through the past few weeks had to do with her and the situation Cole put them in. She needed someone to comfort her too, yet she had no one. Prue was a bit jealous of Piper’s relationship with Leo. ‘Why did she always have to be the one in charge…the responsible one?’ She quickly put the thought out of her mind and resumed her concern for Phoebe by asking the doctor a few questions herself.

                                                    “Do you think if we take Phoebe home, she’ll remember?” Prue asked softly.

“First off, let me explain your sister’s condition. Her physical wounds will heal with time and there is no permanent damage to her head. As for the loss of memory, I believe she has a condition called traumatic stress amnesia, which can be caused by some emotional strain. This emotional strain has caused her to block those certain memories that she is trying to get away from. Blocking everything from the accident, to her memories of you. I can’t tell you why this happened, only that it was such as strain on her that she couldn’t confront you.” The doctor said, while turning from Piper then to Prue.

                                                    “But we’re her sisters! There is nothing that we wouldn’t do for each other!” Piper said.

“Be that as it may, she is running away from something in her life.” The doctor sadly said. “I think that if she improves by tomorrow I’ll release her into your care. That way she’ll have a better chance of remembering, in familiar surroundings. I do want to stress h that she is not to be overly excited or exert herself too much, and definitely nothing physical! Right now I just want her to get as much rest as possible. So, I think it best that you come back tomorrow afternoon.”

                                                    “Thank you doctor.” Is all Prue said, as the doctor turned to leave.

Nothing was said in the few minutes after the doctor left. Leo turned to Piper and told her that maybe it was best for Phoebe to get some rest, as well as her and Prue. He was concerned for their physical well being too, since they lost a day just staying by Phoebe’s bedside. Leo wanted to make sure that they stayed at their peak performance, not only for Phoebe, when they bring her home, but the possibility of a demon attack. The Charmed Ones were extremely vulnerable at this time. The power of three was now limited to the power of two. Piper nodded in agreement as she took Leo’s arm into hers, ready to leave. Prue on the other hand, was standing there with a blank look on her face. She heard what Leo said, but for her it went in one ear and out the other, since her thoughts was elsewhere. She only snapped out of it when Piper grabbed her hand as she and Leo started to leave. The ride home was spent in quiet contemplation and silent prayers for their little sister.

*  *  *

    The morning’s rays peaked through Piper’s window shade and struck her harshly in the eyes giving her a startling wake up call. She moaned and rolled over trying to avoid the blinding light, to no avail. So, Piper stumbled out of bed trying to find her way into the bathroom.

                                                    “AWWW!!!” Piper screamed out as she stubbed her toe on the dresser’s corner.

Just then a blinding light that wasn’t the sun’s rays shown in her bedroom.

                                                    “Piper! Are you alright?” Leo asked in a concerned tone.

In a half daze and half-asleep Piper answered him. “Yeah…just the dresser attacking my toe. I’ll be alright. Nice to know there’s someone to the rescue. How are you honey?” She asked as she gave him a loving kiss on his cheek.

Leo was confused. Usually Piper kissed him on the lips. Piper laughed when she saw Leo’s confused look, only making him more confused.

“Honey, I just woke up and have foul mouth. Let me fix myself up and I’ll meet you downstairs in the kitchen.” She said as she gave him another peck on the cheek and headed off to the bathroom.

Piper came down the stairs quietly, not wanting to disturb Prue, that is, if that scream didn’t already. As she entered the kitchen she found Leo and Prue chatting away over some article in the paper.

                                                    “Morning sleepyhead.” Prue said as she looked up and saw Piper enter the kitchen.

“Morning Prue. I see you got up early.” Piper said as she headed towards Leo and gave him a long passionate kiss. “Well, that makes up for the small kiss this morning.”

Prue just sat there smiling and trying to hide behind the paper until they were finished. Leo had a big grin like the Cheshire cat after Piper’s kiss. He stood there looking like a schoolboy that just got his first kiss from a girl.

                                                    “So, are we ready to go?” Piper asked, interrupting Leo’s moment.

* * *

        Later that afternoon, the elder Halliwell sisters arrived at the hospital to check on Phoebe’s status with doctor. They met Doctor Montgomery at the nurse’s station and asked her how their little sister was doing. The doctor looked up from her conversation with the nurse and gave the sisters a cheerful smile. The doctor had good news for the sisters. She told them that Phoebe’s physical condition improved slightly from yesterday, but still had problems remembering certain details in her life. She would be able to release her into the Halliwell’s care today. This was extremely good news to hear, Prue thought. Piper and Prue both thanked the doctor again and headed off to find their little sister. Prue and Piper met Phoebe at the door as the nurse was wheeling her out of the room. Prue was the first to reach Phoebe and she cheerfully greeted her.

                                                    “Hi Pheebs! Are you feeling a bit better today?” Prue asked

“Yes, I feel a little bit better though still sore on one side.” Phoebe responded in a detached tone. “I’m sorry, I forgot your name.” She quietly asked.

Piper who stood behind Prue all this time marked a note of concern on her face. She knew that there was a turbulent time ahead for all of them, but there was nothing that their sisterly bond couldn’t handle. They were closer now in the two and half years than they ever have been before. Phoebe had moved back to San Francisco from New York to live in the Manor, which Grams had left them, with her sisters. Then, finding the Book of Shadows and discovering that they were the Charmed Ones. The demons and other evils was the risk they all shared, and just one more obstacle in their way to find happiness.

“That’s ok sweetie. It will take time to get your memories back.” Piper said to Phoebe. “She’s Prue and I’m Piper. So…are you ready to go home?”

“Yeah, no worries. If there is anything that you need I’ll be your slave, though I don’t do windows.” Prue jokingly responded trying to relieve the tension.

“Are you sure? I can be demanding…. Or I think…I can be.” Phoebe answered in a quiet reserved voice.

 

 

    The ride back to the Manor from the hospital was uneventful. Phoebe sat quietly in the back seat of Prue’s SUV listening to all the things that Piper had in store for her when they got back home. Piper was listing off the different dishes that were Phoebe’s favorites, she was going to prepare this week. Prue gave a little chuckle behind the steering wheel. Phoebe didn’t even hear a word of what her supposed sister in the front seat was saying. She was off starring out the window as if in a trance. She was trying hard to remember the accident and her life before all this happened. She recognized the streets they passed heading home but all she could remember was that this was her home and she didn’t share it with anyone.

                                                    “Here we are! Home sweet home.” Prue announced as she pulled into the driveway.

Hoping for a miracle Piper asked. “Remember anything?”

“ I’m sorry, I remember the house but not you in my life.” She answered back hoping she didn’t offend her sisters. “Are you’re telling me that you guys live with me?”

“Well…we all share the manor.” Prue said. She would have laughed at this statement if it was the real Phoebe asking, but she thought that a response like that would just upset this Phoebe.

All seemed the same to Phoebe as she limped into the hallway, being helped by her sisters on both sides of her. Nothing in the downstairs rooms triggered any memory recollection for Phoebe. She relaxed a bit feeling safe in familiar surroundings even though she had these strangers with her. She knew that if these girls were her sisters, she didn’t have to fear and felt safe with them around. Piper headed off towards the kitchen asking if anyone was hungry or wanted something special.

“I could go for a cup of jasmine tea, before I go upstairs to get some rest…that is if you don’t mind? I just feel a little warn down.” Phoebe said.

                                                    “Oh no, go ahead sweetie. I’ll bring the tea up to you.” Piper called out.

Prue helped Phoebe traverse the stairs and into her little sister’s bedroom. The first thing that caught Prue’s eye was the single red rose lying on top of the pillows. She found this a bit odd but passed it off. Probably Piper wanted to make her feel more welcomed and left it there for her to enjoy. Phoebe thanked Prue for her help. Taking the subtle hint Prue turned to leave, and wished her pleasant dreams. Phoebe got ready for bed, carefully changing clothes so that she wouldn’t re-injure her left side. To late she thought as a surge of pain went through her, letting out a squeal of pain just as Piper opened the door carrying her tea.

“Phoebe, hold on. I’ll help. You don’t want to hurt yourself again.” Piper said putting down the tea on the dresser and proceeded to help her put on her PJs.

                                                    “Thanks, I thought I could do that on my own, but I guess I needed an extra hand.”

Piper helped Phoebe over to the bed, were they both noticed the red rose resting on the pillow. Piper was a little perplexed but past it off as Prue being thoughtful leaving a gift like that for Phoebe’s return. She knew how guilty Prue still felt. At least Prue is not acting like the last time she felt responsible for Phoebe’s accident, in which Grams blamed Prue for the car accident and sending Phoebe to the hospital, back when she was a teenager.

Phoebe picked up the rose when she was hit with this incredible painful flash. Piper recognized the look instantly. Phoebe was having one of her premonitions. Phoebe was frightened by what she saw in this flash. She was standing face to face with an incredibly handsome man as he bent down to give her a passionate kiss. The scene changed as she saw herself being thrown against the wall by this vile looking monster, though something in her memory was telling her it was a demon. She saw Prue flick her hand, which sent the demon flying. She saw that Piper ran over to her crying and then noticed the blood trailing the side of her head. The premonition lasted only a few seconds but felt like minutes had past. As Phoebe came out of the premonition she cried out with pain mixed with fear. Her mind was racing to keep a certain balance. That was a painful jolt of scenes in her head. ‘Was this because of her accident?’ It was frightening for Phoebe because as far as she knew this never happened to her before. A tear slowly slipped down her cheek and onto the bed.

                                                    Worried Piper asked, “Phoebe…what did you see?”

Phoebe was confused, upset and afraid all rolled up in one. ‘How could Piper know what she saw or that she even saw something?’ She thought. She was hesitating before answering back, trying to think of what she should or shouldn’t say. ‘God, I hope I’m not going crazy.’ She thought.

                                                    “I…uh…it was nothing…ummm, maybe I hit my head harder than I thought I did.” Phoebe
                                                    responded trying to come up with an excuse not to tell her anything. This was something that
                                                    she had to explain to herself before trying to explain it to anyone else.

Phoebe instantly dropped the rose to the floor as if it had burned in her hand. She just starred at it lay innocently on the floor. Piper was baffled by her little sister’s response. Normally Phoebe would share everything that her premonitions had shown her. It was the Halliwell’s best defense against impending evil.

                                                “Phoebe, you can tell me. Maybe we can help. Was it a bad premonition?”

‘Premonition?’ Phoebe thought to herself. She can’t remember ever having one of those before.

“No, I think it was just the long day catching up with me. I think the injury to my head is taxing on me.” She said quickly. “I just need to get some sleep.”

Piper just smiled at her, but was secretly thinking that it was odd she didn’t share her future sight and that could only mean that she didn’t remember having her powers or maybe that it was a particularly nasty premonition she didn’t want to share. Phoebe got into bed and pulled the comforter close to her chin, as a little girl would do afraid of the bogeyman in the closet. Piper tucked her in and told her if there is anything that she needed, just to shout out. As she turned to leave she bent over and picked up the rose and closed the bedroom door behind her.

    Downstairs Prue was busy making herself a ham sandwich and pouring herself a glass of milk. Just as she was ready to sit down at the table, a soft golden shimmer appeared in the middle of the kitchen, as Leo made an appearance.

                                                    “Hi Leo! You’re just in time for a sandwich. If you want one.” She grinned at him.

                                                    “Hi Prue. No thank you. I just came around to see how Phoebe was doing. Any change?”

“No. She remembers the manor and everything inside but she still doesn’t remember us or our lives together.” She said before taking a bit out of her sandwich.

It was then that Piper came rushing into the kitchen all upset and excited to the point of babbling something about Phoebe and the rose and a premonition and Phoebe not telling and that something was terribly wrong. Prue almost choked on the piece of sandwich she had in her mouth. She coughed out the piece that must have gone down the wrong way.

“Slow down Piper. Your babbling and we can’t understand you. Take a deep breath and start over. Tell us what happened.” Leo said.

“Piper, get a grip and tell us what happened and if Phoebe is all right.” Prue finally said clearing her throat.

Piper took a deep breath and started the whole story again starting with the rose on the pillow which she thought Prue had left, but before she went on with the rest of the story Prue interrupted her and said that she thought that Piper left that for Phoebe.

“Hey, who’s telling the story here!” Piper said giving Prue the “look” to silence her older sibling.

                                                    “You are…sorry. Go on.” Prue said shamefully.

Piper went through the rest of her story finally telling everyone that Phoebe just passed this off as her injury and keeping the premonition to herself. Piper also told them that Phoebe might not remember having powers, since she looked terrified after it happened. As Prue sat there contemplating what she heard and what they should do next, Leo broke the silence by offering a possible solution as to what happened.

“I think we might have a serious problem here. I think that Piper is right. Phoebe doesn’t remember she is a witch with powers, or that even you have any powers. Maybe her memory lapse has to do with being a Charmed One and she is repressing all the memories of fighting demons, which also explains why she doesn’t remember both of you. She is suppressing anything supernatural to have a normal life.” Leo explained.

So, she is blocking us out because it has to do with us and our powers. Maybe something she doesn’t want to face?” Prue surmised.

“Most likely.” Leo said. “Which leaves us to find out what and how we can get her to remember it fast. You realize this leaves the Charmed Ones vulnerable to demon attacks if Phoebe doesn’t acknowledge her powers. And there is nothing I can do to help her. This is a journey that she will have to make by herself, with the possible help of her sisters. There has to be something in your lives that will trigger her memories, and I think that rose, where ever it came from, is a start. For now I’ll have to check in with the “bosses” and see what they can tell me.” Leo explained.

Before orbing out to check with his bosses, Leo headed towards Piper, who just stood there silently contemplating, and planted a kiss on her cheek as he orbed out. She came out of her daze and sat down next to Prue with a sigh, dropping the rose on the kitchen table.

                                                    “Well, what do we do now?” Piper asked hopelessly.

“I don’t know. We just have to watch our backs and protect our asses as best we can. As for Phoebe, she’ll have to figure things out with a little help from us.” Prue said with defiance and determination. “If Phoebe won’t tell us her vision then we will have to wait and see what comes.”

She left it at that. Looking down at her sandwich she decided that she lost her appetite and pushed the plate away from her.

    Before going to bed themselves that night, they double-checked all the windows and doors, making sure everything was secure. Unbeknownst to Piper, Prue went to the attic to cast a little spell of protection over the house. So, if any evil did enter the house while they were sleeping it would warn both Prue and Piper. Prue slept a little easier that night but still concerned for her little sister. She tossed and turned in bed, in a restless attempt to sleep. When she finally did doze off it was late into the night. Piper on the other hand had no problems falling asleep. She knew that she had her handsome protector close by if she was in trouble. Phoebe’s dreams was filled with dark nightmares, as she kept reliving the premonition in her head. What she was really trying to remember was the dark handsome stranger. There was something about him that made her feel light as a feather and such a feeling of love, like falling into an abyss. All the frightening pictures and thoughts melted away when she thought of him.

Phoebe woke from her half slumber, the thought of the handsome stranger still on her mind. ‘There is just something about him that makes me want to remember.’ ‘I think that all the pieces of the puzzle will fit when I remember him.’ Phoebe mumbled to herself.

    Unbeknownst to Phoebe and the rest of the Halliwell manor, a dark sinister shadow was watching the house. He was silently tucked in the shadows of the row houses on Prescott Street, biding his time to strike at his quarry. He knew from sources that the youngest of the Halliwell witches was injured and amnesiac. This would be the best time to strike, when the Power of Three was just reduced to two witches. His arrogance lead him to believe those two witches would be easy to kill if they were divided. They would never suspect an attack so soon and when the house was quiet. The mistake his demon brothers made was confronting the Halliwell witches when they were fully alert and expecting an attack. His only problem now was slipping into the house unnoticed. Then, unexpectedly, a light in the downstairs hallway turned on, followed by another light in the rear of the house. Maybe this was the chance he was looking for.

    Upstairs, Phoebe was struggling to sleep with less than successful results. It wasn’t so much the bad dreams but the strain to remember her past life. She maybe it would be helpful if she made herself some soothing tea in the kitchen. So that was where she was headed. Soundlessly Phoebe headed down the stairs, only to turn the lights on in the hallway, so that she wouldn’t wake her sisters. ‘Sisters.’ Phoebe thought as she stepped into the hallway. ‘I still have to get used to saying that word.’ Once in the kitchen, Phoebe flicked on the lights and settled the kettle on the stove. She stood there waiting for the water to get hot, but grabbed the kettle before the whistling sound was heard when steam escaped it. Tea mug in hand, she then headed back towards the hallway and out the front door. It was a perfect spring night, not too cold and not too hot. Leaving the door behind her slightly opened, so that she could slip in again without waking the household, Phoebe settled herself on the porch steps. She sat there looking up at the stars thinking once again. ‘Why does life have to be so difficult at times. Why couldn’t it be like tonight, peaceful and still.’

Phoebe was startled but a warm fuzzy thing sliding across her arm. Kit had escaped the manor by slipping out the front door Phoebe had left opened.

“Kit, you scarred me. Hahaha…looks like you needed to come out too.” She said gently stroking Kit’s fur. “Well, you certainly picked a nice night, didn’t you.”

“Good evening.” The stranger said from the sidewalk. “Talking to yourself I see. Seems like a good time to do it. I mean…when there’s no one around.” He replied chuckling softly but there with a hint of sinister behind the laugh.

Phoebe quickly looked up to see, or what she could see, a man standing in the shadows at the bottoms of the steps that lead to the sidewalk. ‘Curious that he would be out so late.’ She thought to herself. ‘Maybe he could sleep as well and needed some air just like her.’ To be polite, Phoebe answered back to the stranger.

                                                    “Yep, a great night if you want to sit back and watch stars.”

“Well, it’s also good when you have trouble falling asleep…sitting outside by yourself, I mean.” The stranger replied, as he came a little closer to her. “ Nice cat you have there. What type or breed is she?” He said still coming a bit closer to Phoebe.

As the stranger came closer, Kit started to hiss and hunch her back. Kit was reacting to the presence of evil close to Phoebe.

                                                    “Kit! Don’t be rude.” Phoebe scolded the cat. “He’s just trying to be friendly.” Then she
                                                     turned to the stranger and said, “She’s a Siamese and not always this rude. And my name is
                                                     Phoebe.”

Phoebe felt a bit embarrassed by Kit’s reaction. She has never seen her do this before…or had she? Kit kept up the hissing and the defensive arch in her back. There was something familiar to the way Kit was reacting but she just couldn’t remember why. Phoebe noticed the surprise in the man’s face when he came closer to Kit. Almost like something he detested or disgusted. He seemed friendly enough. There was just something that was nagging at Phoebe’s mind. She was on the point of remembering when the stranger suddenly came up to her and grabbed hold of her arm and choked held her throat with the other arm. Phoebe didn’t have time to react. The mysterious stranger caught her totally off guard.

                                                    “What…are…you…*cough*…doing?” Phoebe hoarsely got out.

“Seizing the opportunity to kill one of the Halliwell witches and grab her sister’s powers as well.”

Phoebe couldn’t fight back since she was still injured from her car accident a few days earlier. Her assailant grabbed her good right arm and she could fight back with her injured left. Kit was no help either. She ran back into the house. The stranger pushed Phoebe back up the stairs and into the manor. Phoebe’s sisters were still asleep in their bedrooms unbeknownst to the dangerous situation happening on the porch. Phoebe didn’t have time to scream out for help before he shoved her into the manor.

                                                    “You’ll never get away with this.” Phoebe said angrily.

So many things were rushing through Phoebe’s brain. She saw glimpses of herself fighting demons and other supernatural beings. Slowly her memory was coming back to her, which was triggered by this attack. ‘She was a witch with powers.’ Phoebe thought. ‘But at the moment she was helpless.”

    What the demon didn’t realize as he stepped through the threshold of the manor, was that it triggered an alarm, caused by the protection spell Prue had cast before going to bed. It was a silent alarm for anyone except Prue, and regretfully, Piper. The high pitched sound was ringing shrilly through Prue and Piper’s mind. Prue awoke with a start, flinging her arm over to hit the alarm clock, which is what she thought it was. Then the sudden realization that it was the protection spell going off brought her quickly out of bed, racing downstairs to fight off the evil presence. Piper had a different reaction to the alarm. She too, woke suddenly, literally falling out of bed and hitting the floor. She was in a state of shock since she remembered she didn’t set the alarm in her room. She was hoping to sleep in late. Piper heard someone racing past her door and pound down the stairs, so she got up and hurriedly followed pursuit.

At the bottom of the stairs Piper collided with Prue who stopped short of the last step and was standing there mesmerized by the stranger holding their little sister, in the front hallway. Piper looked up to find that Phoebe was struggling unsuccessfully to get away from her captor.

                                                        “Prue!” Phoebe called out desperately.

Prue looked helplessly at her sister trying to decide the next course of action. The strange demon held Phoebe too close and tightly for her to use her power. She knew that if she did that Phoebe would be sent flying with the demon.

                                                        “Piper…” Prue said and Piper instantly knew what Prue was asking her to do.

Piper flicked her hands up at the demon hoping to stop time and save her sister. Somehow the demon knew what Piper was about to do and held up one hand just as she lifted hers. To fend off the witch’s time freeze power he drained power from Phoebe using his other hand which held her tightly. The demon smiled devilishly, as Piper’s power had no effect. The drain on Phoebe was felt instantaneously and she slumped further against the demon as he held her up.

“Stupid witch.” The demon snarled. “You cannot defeat me. You powers have no effect on your sister, and thus me. In a short while she will be dead and then I will kill you and get your powers too.”

                           “Over my dead body!” Prue challenged.

                           “That can be arranged.” He responded back laughing.

“Prue, we have to do something to help Phoebe. We need the power of three to vanquish him.” Piper said excitedly.

    The situation looked as if it was stalemate though Phoebe definitely wasn’t getting any better. Prue was trying to formulate a plan or solution to save her sister, but she had to do it fast or she would lose her sister. Prue figured out that the demon’s power must drain or absorb the power of a witch and to use it against them. Piper’s powers would never work on her sisters but Prue’s powers could work. She never used her powers against her sisters purposely and she was afraid to use them now. Either the demon kills their little sister or she uses her power against Phoebe to save her but injure her in the process.

                                                    “P…rue….Pip..er….love…you…” Phoebe softly said as she lost conciseness.

Prue reacted instantaneously before she lost Phoebe forever. ‘Forgive me Phoebe’ Prue said softly, and with a determined look on her face raised her hand and flicked it at Phoebe, sending her flying and crashing against the wall behind them.

                                                    “PRUE!!” Piper yelled, surprised to see Prue use her power against their sister.

Phoebe hit the wall with a large thump and slid to the floor. Blood trickled from her mouth as Piper checked to see if she was still alive. 'Thank god she was still alive' Piper thought, only unconscious. Prue didn’t take her eyes off the demon as she raised her hand again to throw the demon against the far-side wall. The demon landed hard on the small table in the hallway. Piper once again flicked her hands trying to stop time but it still didn’t have any effect on the demon.

Piper, it won’t work. He absorbed too much of Phoebe’s power to have any effect.” She said .

“Aaahh…so you figured out my power.” The demon said. “No matter, I can still kill you.” He said getting up.

The demon folded his hands as if in prayer and started to chant. The room started to feel like it was electrically being charged. Power was slowly building and the energies being drawn to the demon.

                                                    “Prue…”

                                                    “I know, I feel it too.” Interrupting Piper before she got the rest out.

Prue flicked her hands again against the demon trying to break his casting. It had little effect and only shoved him back a step. He continued on without hesitation.

                                                    “I don’t know what else to do!” Prue said hopelessly.

    For the first time in her life she couldn’t fix the problem or protect her sisters. She couldn’t face Piper because she had nothing else to give and didn’t want Piper to see her like this. The situation looked hopeless for the Halliwell sisters and looked like the beginning of the end, but unbeknownst to everyone in the manor a dark figure shimmered behind them in the conservatory. This new stranger quickly sized up the situation and threw a ball of power directly at the demon. The demon was thrown against the wall and slumped against the floor. Trying to get up he looked up at his new opponent and was surprised at what he saw.

“Why, Belth…” was all he got out before being hit with another power ball and knocked unconscious.

Prue and Piper turned to see their new foe or savior as the first power ball hit the demon. Both had a look of shock and surprise to see Cole standing there, smiling at them.

                                                    “I thought…we…Phoebe…vanquished…” Piper stammered.

                                                    “Apparently not. Now we have two demons to worry about.” Prue said angrily.

                                                    “I can feel the love in the room! Miss me?” Cole said the Phoebe’s older sisters. “Don’t worry
                                                     I’m not here to kill you. I’m here to help Phoebe.

“So you can kill us and get our powers then?” Prue said, ready to use her power against him.

“You hurt me Prue. I didn’t know you still cared. Don’t worry, I’m here because I still love Phoebe and don’t want anything to happen to her.” Cole calmly said as he went over to Phoebe.

Piper stood in Cole’s way before he got to Phoebe, trying to protect her against the new threat. Prue didn’t know what to do and stood there looking at Cole in disbelief.

“Send a girl some roses and this is the treatment you get from her sisters.” He said facing Piper.

                                                    “You sent THOSE roses!!?” Piper exclaimed.

“Yes. And don’t you think that you and Prue better vanquish that demon before he wakes up? We can do the chit chat later.” Cole said sarcastically pointing to the other threat.

    Piper let Cole past her, to kneel next to Phoebe. Piper looked to Prue for some kind of direction and their next course of action. Cole turned to Prue and told her that the demon they were fighting was called Tasso and he had the power to absorb other powers by physical contact, whether they be good or evil. Cole went on to explain that the demon was chanting or drawing other energies to him which would eventually include some of their power. Tasso’s main power came from drawing upon the energies that are found in any living object.

“You have to hurry if you wish to defeat him. He already has some of Phoebe’s power and because of that you won’t be able to freeze him.” Cole said turning to Piper. “He won’t stop until he has both your powers and then the Book.”

“Ok, say that we believe you for now…but we can’t vanquish him without Phoebe’s help and she’s out cold.” Prue said defiantly.

“Leave that to me.” He said smiling devilishly.

Piper finally let Cole past her to kneel next to Phoebe. He reached out his hand to feel her pulse and then wiped the little trickle of blood from the corner of Phoebe’s lips. Then he gingerly lifted her head and whispered something in her ear. Prue and Piper couldn’t make out what he said but was watching intently to his every move. He then took her into his strong arms, bent down, and gave her the most passionate kiss he could give to the one he truly and dearly loved. The kiss lasted only a few short seconds but it felt like hours had pasted by for Cole. Piper looked to Prue, amazed that Belthazor or Cole could have loved Phoebe this much to turn his demon side against evil for their little sister. ‘Maybe we were wrong about him.’ She thought to herself.

Phoebe was stirring out of her blackout and started to mumble something unrecognizable to her sisters but evidently Cole understood and smiled. ‘I love you too.’ Cole whispered back. As Phoebe opened her eyes and saw Cole’s face she asked ‘Tell me I’m not in hell, because this can’t be heaven.’ Cole just laughed out loud. Piper who stood close by also let out a little snicker.

“Phoebe your still alive, but you have to get up. Your sisters need you right now.” Cole said loudly.

                                                    “Right! The demon…. he tried to…” She started

“Yes, we know. He’s out for the moment so we need the power of three to vanquish his sorry ass!” Prue said interrupting her little sister.

“Wait! I just realized something…you remember us and what we are!?” Piper exclaimed.

“Yep, I do now!” Phoebe said cheerfully and started to get up slowly. “OWWWW!”

“What’s wrong Phoebe?” Piper asked first.

“I did forget one thing…. that I still have some injuries.” She said as she clutched her left arm. “Oh, and I know the perfect spell to vanquish our uninvited guest there. I remember seeing it in one of my premonitions.”

    Cole kept an eye on Tasso as the Halliwell sisters went to the kitchen to gather up the ingredients they needed for the vanquishing spell. It was a simple potion consisting of three elements combined with water. They entered the hallway once again carrying a small bottle of the potion and a slip of paper that Phoebe wrote the spell on. Cole slipped into the background so that he wouldn’t feel the effects of their spell, if there was one. Then the sisters started their chant, first Phoebe then her sisters joined in.

    In that instant after all three Halliwells said the incantation the demon Tasso was engulfed in fire and drawn to the opening that formed in the floor. Piper, Prue, and Phoebe stood there watching a few seconds after he was vanquished, making sure he was truly gone. The whole time the sisters were chanting the spell, Cole huddled himself in the corner of the first flight of stairs. He didn’t want to get entangled in the spell that vanquished demons to the great unknown, never to return. He got up after Tasso was vanquished and head over to Phoebe, took her into his arms, leaned her back a bit and gave her another hot passionate kiss. This moment he too his time, not caring that he had an audience of two. Piper and Prue looked at each other dazed. They now knew that Phoebe had lied to them about vanquishing Cole/Belthazor and kept his presence a secret from them. ‘I know she loves him but that doesn’t excuse her from lying to us and breaking a trust.’ Prue thought angrily while still watching the two embrace. Piper watched the couple’s romantic embraced and thought, ‘I’m glad Phoebe is back. She wasn’t the same, without remembering who she was and us. Boy, will Prue be pissed that Phoebe lied to us. I hate being the middle sister!’

Leo orbed in behind Piper and wrapped his arms around her waist watching the scene in front of them.

                                                    “Hi Honey.” Piper said softly.

“Hi Piper. So, Cole is alive! What are you and your sisters going to do now?” Leo whispered to Piper so that Cole and Phoebe couldn’t hear.

“Well, it looks like Prue is a bit upset and angry. She whispered back, glancing over to look at Prue.

Phoebe was the first to end the embrace from Cole. She caressed his face with her hand and then turned to notice that her sisters and now Leo watching them intently.

                                                    “I didn’t know we were the main attraction.” Cole said smugly, smiling to everyone.

                                                    “Cole….” Phoebe said stopping him from saying anything more.

    Piper and Leo withdrew to the living room. Phoebe and Cole followed behind with Phoebe pulling on Cole’s hand to follow her. Prue stood there for awhile. She was going through a range of emotions that she was trying to get a handle on. Foremost she felt betrayed. She trusted her sisters in everything and now Phoebe broke and damaged this trust. Prue felt angry at the fact that Cole, the demon that tried to destroy them, was still alive; angry at the fact her little Sis lied to her. Though she felt a little relieved that Phoebe regained her memory and came through in the end. Everyone was seated in the living room, except Cole and Phoebe who trailed behind. Phoebe knew what was coming. They were all waiting for an explanation and some remorse for not killing Cole/Belthazor when she should have. Phoebe took a deep breath as she entered the room. The room was quiet and all eyes were on Cole and Phoebe as they entered.

“I don’t know how to start or what I can say to you except that I’m sorry.” Phoebe said, looking from one sister to the next and then to Leo.

“Well, I’d like to know why and how long you were going to keep this from us?” Piper said.

                                                     “It’s hard…I couldn’t do it. I love him too much. Phoebe replied.

                                                    “What? You are supposed to love us too! Piper said.

“I DO!” Phoebe exclaimed before Piper had a chance to say more. “I love both of you with my life, but I also love Cole. I had to take the chance for love. I knew in my heart that Cole wouldn’t kill us.”

“But Phoebe”, Leo started, You needed to explain or at least tell someone he was still alive. I think it was a shock for all of us to see that Cole was still alive. It’s going to take us sometime to put our trust in him.” Leo glared at Cole.

Phoebe was at the point of tears. This was a most difficult time, but she knew she would get through it. During all this question and answering, Prue sat there unnaturally quiet on the couch. Phoebe kept glancing her way to see any expression, but Prue just sat there looking at her and then back at Cole, listening. It was Prue that Phoebe was most afraid of losing and right now she couldn’t gage her emotions. Prue on the other hand was boiling mad on the inside. She still loved her little sister but certain closeness…an intimate trust was lost. And that, for Prue, was the most difficult thing to comprehend.

        Phoebe explained the events of that night where they thought Cole was vanquished, and continued to make soulful apologies. Then nothing was said. After a few moments of dead silence Cole announced that he was leaving because he believed the Halliwell sisters needed to be alone to discuss this and then shimmered out. Leo too, understanding the situation made his exit as well. This left the two older Halliwell sisters still seated at the couch with Phoebe still standing in front of them, ready for some kind of punishment that wasn’t to come.

“I can’t deal with this tonight.” Prue said getting up off the couch and started to head towards the door. “I’m too shocked and angry right now to talk to you about this. I think it would be best if I wait until morning to say what I have to say or I will really regret what I will say at this moment.”

“Prue…” Phoebe started to say as Her older sister left the room.

Prue just held her hand up before Phoebe finished the sentence and trudged up the stair with a heavy heart.

“Well… I knew this was going to be difficult but I didn’t expect to be ignored.” Phoebe said sadly.

Piper got up and went over to comfort Phoebe. She gave her a big long hug while Phoebe suddenly broke out in tears.

“Honey…you know we both still love you. That will never change! For what it’s worth, I think I can understand why you did what you did and I can forgive you. But you have to realize that Prue depends on the trust we have for each other. She is just thinking about our lives. We have to trust each other to survive. I think that you and Prue need a heart to heart alone.” Piper said releasing her embrace.

                           “I know…. Do you think she will ever trust me again.” Phoebe said quietly.

“That is something only Prue can tell you. Phoebe, I think you have really grown from the immature rambunctious irresponsible teen that didn’t care about anyone else but herself.

                            “Oh geez thanks!” Phoebe said grinning.

“No. What I meant was, now you take responsibility for your actions and sometimes-even think of the consequences. We grow, we make mistakes and we learn. Isn’t that what we have done these past three years?”

                           “I guess your right.” Phoebe said.

                           “Oh, I know I’m right!” Piper giggled.

                           “When did you become an expert?” Phoebe said laughing trying to feel better.

“I’m the middle sister. I see the mistakes my other sisters do.” Piper said winking her eye. “Now I’m off to bed too. Can you turn off the lights and lock the doors before going to bed?”

                           “Sure. Goodnight Piper!”

                           “Goodnight Phoebe.”

        Piper headed up the stairs while Phoebe went to lock the doors and close the downstairs lights before heading up the stairs herself. Phoebe noticed the stream of light under Prue’s door. She stood in front of the door contemplating her next move. She didn’t want to go to bed just yet, it didn’t matter she wouldn’t be able to sleep with this unresolved. Also, from the fact that her side was still hurting and that big hug from Piper didn’t help. Piper must have forgotten her injuries but Phoebe didn’t care, she needed that closeness from her sister.

Phoebe lightly knocked on Prue’s door before she entered. She almost felt like she was a Christian being lead into the lion’s den. No matter what she had to talk to her protective older sister and make things right.

                           “Prue can we talk?” Phoebe asked.

Prue was already in bed with the covers drawn over her. She was reading a paperback, which she had put down when Phoebe came into the room. She didn’t say a word but lightly tapped her bed to motion Phoebe to sit down. It was a tense few seconds for Phoebe before she got the courage to tell Prue what was on her mind.

“Prue, I love you. I didn’t want to hurt you or Piper intentionally but my heart told me to trust Cole. I know that it’s hard for you to understand but I…didn’t choose Cole over you. “ Phoebe tearfully said. “You and Piper always come first and I would willingly give my life for yours. It’s that…” Phoebe started to say but broke down crying.

Prue still didn’t say a word to Phoebe but as she started to cry, Prue came up and gave Phoebe a long hug. Prue wasn’t about to give up on her sister, or let go of the hug, which she felt they both needed. Prue knew she had to tell Phoebe her feelings because she hadn’t said a word to her since Cole arrived.

“Phoebe.” Prue started as she let go of the hug. “I still love you and nothing in this world will change that, but the trust in you has. You broke something there that will take a long time to repair. It’s that trust in each other that keeps us alive. We have to rely on each other to keep us safe, and with you not even telling us, or making us believe that Cole was dead broke that trust. Love can make us fall over a cliff sometimes but it’s your head that stops you. I think you have to stop to think of the consequences or repercussions of your actions to others around you.”

Phoebe listened intently to Prue’s feelings and thoughts. She was relieved that Prue was talking to her and not quietly judging her like she did downstairs. She also understood that her sisters’ trust was something that she will have to earn over time but this was a start.

“Phoebe, I know that we have to trust your instincts and love for Cole, that’s what sisters do. Please the next time you do just let us know and don’t keep us in the dark. I hate to say it, but it’s the unexpected that might get one of us killed someday.” Prue explained in a motherly voice. “Eventually I will come to put my trust in you again but it will take time.”

“I know Prue. No matter what or how much it hurts, I will tell you and Piper any secrets, even the secret little demons.” Phoebe replied back uplifted by the thought that she had some wonderful sisters.

“Now get to bed! It’s late. Tomorrow is a new day. We’ll take the day off and go shopping. Just the three of us!” Prue said jokingly, while shoving Phoebe off her bed.

“Thanks Prue…. for everything.” Phoebe said as she headed towards the door. Just as she was about to close the door behind her Phoebe said, “So does this mean you will buy me that Versace dress?”

“Oooooh!” Prue cried out and threw the paperback book at Phoebe, but hit the door instead as Phoebe quickly closed it.

                           “Good night Prue. I love you.” Phoebe said as she opened the door slightly.

                           “Good night Pheebs. And I love you too!”

                           “Goodnight Phoebe and Prue.” Piper yelled out hearing her sisters.

                            “Night Piper!” Prue and Phoebe yelled out together, smiling .

All’s well and quiet in the Halliwell house as the day ends and a new beginning was just around the corner...