DISCLAIMER: This story is based upon the series Charmed. All characters belong to Spelling Productions with the exceptions of Serena and any others that I create along the way.

Sequel to: PROTECTORS OF THE INNOCENT

Copyright: 2001

Rating: G

Almost Home

Serena was released from the hospital the day after she awakened from the coma, but the doctors still wanted to keep an eye on her and have her rest and taken care of. So Social Services allowed Serena to stay with the Halliwells for a little while longer before placing her in another orphanage or halfway house.

It is mid afternoon, Piper and Leo are at the Manor while Prue and Phoebe are on their way to the hospital to sign Serena out and bring her home. Piper stands on a ladder while trying to pin up a "Welcome Home" sign.

"Leo…" Piper struggles as she stretches to attach the corner of the sign to the corner of the living room entrance. "Leo, is it straight?"

Leo is finishing blowing up balloons and attaching them to the staircase. He turns around with a half blown up purple balloon in his mouth. His eyebrows widen. He muffles, "Hmmm?" as the balloon is still stuck in his mouth.

"Leo we have to hurry, they'll be home any minute!" Piper said as she stretched her arm out. All of a sudden her foot slips and the ladder starts to shake.

"Piper," he said muffled with the balloon in his mouth. Leo immediately let go of the balloon as it buzzed and flew all around the room. He ran over to Piper just in time to break her fall. The ladder collapsed to the ground.

Their eyes meet and Piper smiles longingly. She lets out a huff of nervous laughter and says, "Thanks!"

His gaze meets her beautiful eyes and he falls head over heals once again. Their lips meet engaging in an ever so soft kiss. Piper interrupts it after a few seconds trying to get out, "L..Leo, we have to finish before the get here."

He gives her a puppy-dog-face and sticks out his lower lip. She tilts her head a little and gives him this pleading look. "Oh, all right," he said reluctantly, yet kidding in a way. "I can't wait to see her face. How do the balloons look?"

"Wonderful! Just do one more for the stairs and then we'll be almost set."

Leo nods his head in one swoop. "Got it! Uh…Piper, where's that last balloon I had blown up. The one before the balloon that flew aw – ahh." Suddenly a giant POP was heard as he stepped on a blue balloon that was lying on the floor. Piper jumps startled by the popped balloon. "Ooo, I guess that's where it went."

Piper's lower lip angled to the left in sympathy. "Uhh…ok, ok here's the last of them. Finish blowing them up and put the last one on cause they're gonna be here in like…" All of a sudden they hear a car pull up in the driveway. It's the other two with Serena. "Ok, Leo, hurry that's them!"

Scene shifts to the driveway as the three of them get out of the car. Serena's voice is heard in the distance then becomes clearer:

"I still don't understand how come Piper and Leo couldn't come," Serena said kind of sadly.

Phoebe and Prue give each other this look, and then Prue walks over to Serena and takes her hand. She bends down to her level for a second and says, "Oh sweetie, they wanted to come, but something came up." She ruffled the girl's hair a little. Her eyes dart downward.

Phoebe's head angles to the side a little. "But they'll be here to see you back. Don't worry."

Serena's eyes blink a few times. A huge smile forms on her face. She takes a deep breath and says, "I'm so happy you're here!"

Phoebe and Prue smile at this comment. "Likewise!" Prue says.

Serena smiles again and then says, "And now that you're here, everything's going to be ok."

Prue gives a half smile and stands up. "So what are we waiting for? Let's go!" And the three of them make their way inside.

Piper and Leo hide as the front door opens. As they enter the house, everything is dark and still.

Phoebe and Prue enter guiding Serena inside. They all take off their jackets and Prue helps Serena.

"How come it's so dark in here?" Serena asked a little confused as Prue was helping her get her right arm out of her jacket. Prue glanced up at Phoebe with a huge grin.

"Well umm…hmm, I don't know," said Phoebe. "How bout we just turn on the light here and…" Phoebe reached over and the room became brighter.

All of a sudden they all shout, "Surprise!!" and Leo and Piper pop out from the corner with huge grins on their faces. Serena's mouth drops adorably. She turns her head upwards to Phoebe and Prue and gives a toothless grin as she giggles and hops excitedly. She notices the decorations and the signs as she stares in wonder.

"You did this all for me?" she asked excitedly, her shoulders lifting innocently as she still stood in the doorway with Prue and Phoebe.

Piper's hands, which were flatly placed together, rise up to her mouth as she smiles and her eyebrows rise. She nods repeatedly.

"So whadda ya think? You like it?" asked Leo tilting his head a little.

Serena giggles again and runs so quickly over to them with outstretched arms running right in between Piper and Leo as she gives them a great big hug.

"OOOF" Piper says cutely as she looks up to Prue and Phoebe. "I guess that's a yes!"

"Well in that case, I guess you know what that means Serena," said Prue after she hung up the coats. Serena turned her head around to see what was coming.

"GROUP HUG!!!" Phoebe yelled as they both ran over to join the crowd.

"Ahhh!" said Serena cutely as she giggled.

The mass of huggers was pushed to the couch as they all toppled over, with all of them laughing together. However, Prue was the only one who had slipped off the couch as the group unbound itself. She made funny noises as she slid down to the ground and Serena was left in the corner of the couch hysterically laughing an adorable "kid laugh." Prue's hair was all matted and some was in her face. Her bottom lip reached out as she tried to blow her hair out of her face. Serena continued to giggle as the others watched on in amusement.

"Oh, so you think this is funny huh?" Serena giggled again but covered her mouth with her tiny hands to try to hide it. But she still giggled away. "Well, I'm glad you find it so funny because your giggles just let out…the tickle monster!"

Serena's eyes widened. "Oh no! Not the tickle monster!"

"What do you think Phoebe? Has the tickle monster attacked Serena yet?"

"No Prue, ya know what, I don't believe he has," she replied with a smile.

"Oh, well in that case," Prue starts to get up, "here she comes!"

"No," Serena said in between her giggles as she scrambled up from the couch and started to dash around the living room giggling. Prue chased her around a little.

"Run Serena, run!" cried Piper as she laughed in between.

"Gotcha!" said Prue as she started to tickle Serena. The room became full of laughter once again.