How to Save a Life
The house was quiet when Phoebe and Cole shimmered in. The wall across from the stairs was destroyed completely and Prue was lying motionless on the ground. Phoebe could feel her knees buckling beneath her. It was then that she also saw Piper, blood starting to dry on her cheek. She was motionless as well. The youngest Halliwell could feel the tears coming to her eyes.
"This can't be happening," Phoebe whimpered, Cole wrapping his arms around her.
"Leo!" Phoebe shouted as loudly as she could. Her brother-in-law appeared in a flurry of blue and white lights.
"What…you're back from the Underworld," Leo commented just as Phoebe pointed to her lifeless sisters.
"No," Leo rasped, bending down between the two women. He turned to Piper and placed his hands above her chest. The golden glow of healing shone brightly and slowly Piper began to regain the color in her cheeks and lips. After what seemed like an eternity she coughed and slowly sat up.
"What….Leo what is going on?" Piper asked, her voice hoarse.
"Shax attacked," Phoebe answered through a sob. Piper looked over to see Prue.
"What are you waiting for? Heal her," Piper demanded of her husband. Leo was about to explain that he couldn't but placed his hands over the eldest Halliwell's chest. His hands glowed but nothing was happening. He focused, trying harder for Piper and Phoebe's sake but it wasn't working.
"Piper…I can't. She's dead and I can't heal the dead," Leo explained, pulling her to him. She beat is chest in protest.
"No…you have to save her," Piper sobbed. How could she lose her big sister. It wasn't fair. Phoebe turned and buried her face in Cole's chest. The two men looked at each other. As much as Leo hated to admit it, Phoebe really needed Cole right now.
High above them on a swing surrounded by clouds, Andy sat, rocking back and forth slightly. He looked content, as if there was no other place he would rather be. Suddenly Prue appeared, looking very confused.
"Andy," she said, seeing him sitting there, as if he was waiting.
"Prue," he greeted, patting the seat next to him. She moved towards him. This all felt familiar to her.
"I've been waiting for you," Andy told her, squeezing her hand.
"You have?" she asked, trying to hide a half smile.
"You don't have to be scared," he assured her. She looked down and saw her sisters crying, wrapped up in their respective mens' arms.
"No…no this isn't right. I…I can't be dead," Prue suddenly protested, jumping to her feet.
"Prue…it's ok. It's your time. You can't fight it," Andy called, grabbing her by the wrist.
"But…my sisters need me. What about the Power of Three?" she sniffed, trying to fight back tears.
"Everything will be alright, Prue. You can trust me. Your sisters will move on. You need to let go and accept it. There are some people who have been waiting for you too," he responded. Just then Grams and Patty appeared, both smiling at her.
"Mom…Grams?" Prue choked out. The two older women pulled her into a tight hug.
"I don't understand. Why me…why now. What about the Charmed Ones?" Prue repeated.
"Your sisters are strong, sweetie. And the Power of Three still lives on," Patty whispered.
"How?" Prue sniffled, looking up at her mother.
"You have a half sister, Paige. They will find her and the Charmed Ones will be born again," Patty answered, stroking Prue's cheek.
"I wish I could tell them that I love them. I never said it enough to them," Prue murmured.
"I think they know, Prudence dear," Grams assured her. Amidst her family and the love she had never fully let go of, Prue walked away from the bench, away from her grieving sisters. Being with them seemed to make it easier to let go and move on towards peace.