Disclaimer: Charmed and its characters do not belong to me.
AN: In case any of you who are reading have not read my profile and are wondering why this story has popped back up after so long, it is because I am re-writing the whole thing completely, along with several of the others in this story. I was not satisfied with the way they were, so I decided to alter them enough to be acceptable. I hope everyone enjoys the "new and improved" version. I would really love feedback, so please review!
Chapter 1
Piper Halliwell was in shock, still, after three days of breathing and being surrounded in horrible, torturous pain. She could not imagine how she would push through every day for the rest of her life knowing the one terrible truth she could not undo: Prue, her protector, was dead. It did not make any sense at all. Prue had always been the strong one, always been the one person she knew, for a fact, would never buckle under any amount of pressure. How did one continue life without a person so steady and dependable?
The question burned a permanent place into Piper's thoughts. It was exasperating not to have an answer, but even more, it was frightening. She felt alone, empty, lost. She had never realized just how much losing her big sister would tear her apart. She hated the fact that she had ignored the important position Prue had maintained in her world. How selfish she had been in the past was equal in amount to how much she regretted it now that Prue was gone. Piper felt her stomach turn sour, and she quickly stood up from her seat on the living room couch, heading towards the bathroom.
Kneeling, Piper stared into the bowl, her eyes tearing up as bile rose in her throat. She had not eaten anything since the day before, so there was hardly anything in her churning stomach to come up, but Piper could not stop gagging. Finally, the reaction slowed, then stopped altogether. The nausea faded into sorrow, and Piper began sobbing quietly. The tears that should have been healing burned a hot trail down her cheeks, leaving a trail of sadness behind them.
Phoebe had been searching the Manor for Piper when she heard a small whimper echo from the bathroom. Slowly, she approached the door and cracked it slightly. The scene in front of her twisted her heart, but she walked in, bending down to wrap her arms around Piper's frail frame. She ran a soothing hand down Piper's long, soft hair, rocking slightly.
"Listen to me," she said, softly but firmly, "Yo-WE are going to be alright. I know right this hurts like hell, but sweetie, you are going to get through this."
Piper jerked back and looked Phoebe straight in the eye. Phoebe was a little surprised to find venom when she returned the gaze. Piper opened her mouth, then closed it, appearing at a loss for words. When she opened her mouth again, Phoebe tensed, sensing that Piper was on the brink of break down. She also knew that when Piper did fall apart, it would be hell for anyone within a five mile radius. She was but a few centimeters away, perching inches from destruction.
"I. Cannot. Believe. You," Piper hissed, narrowing her eyes coldly, "What part of Prue being dead is alright? I know that you have a tendency to look on the bright side, Phoebe, but let's face it, shall we? There is nothing bright about death. It is black and consuming. I am being eaten alive, and all you can do is sit there, dry eyed, and insist that I will get through this? There IS no way out, Phoebe. Fate, Destiny...Whoever is in control right now is staring down at me, and do you know what they are whispering? DO YOU?" Piper paused, letting her words sink in, ignoring Phoebe's hurt expression. "I will tell you exactly what they are whispering. 'You lose. Game's over. And your punishment? A life without your sister...," Piper shrieked, then began to shake uncontrollably.
Phoebe could only watch her, her face blank of any emotion. Piper starting crying once more, but Phoebe could not bring herself to embrace her. Reality was making its debut, and its effects were devastating. Desperately holding back tears, Phoebe scrambled to her feet, retreating from the bathroom hastily. She had to hold it together, had to fill the gaping hole Prue had left when she had deserted both herself and Piper. The household would crumble without Prue's ever-present support, and Phoebe was trying as hard as she could to use her energy to keep her family from falling down like the London Bridge.
Shakily, she made her way into the living room, plopping down heavily on the sofa. She curled up on her side, closing her eyes in defense to her sorrow. It did nothing to assuage the hurt, but then, nothing ever had. Within moments, memories were playing through her mind like silent movies. The image of Prue in her mind was so sharply focused that Phoebe sucked in a painful breath, fighting another wave of tears.
A knock on the door interrupted the film, and Phoebe groaned inwardly. She was uncertain whether or not she could greet another mourner bringing condolensces with any kind of tact. Deciding against answering, Phoebe nevertheless sat up, pulling her knees to her chest, and clutched her knees. The doorbell sounded, followed by another rapping sound. Phoebe listened closely, and when nothing further persisted, she assumed the visitor had retreated. She was surprised to hear the door creak open, then shut quietly. Footsteps reverberated through the entryway.
A familiar figure hugged the doorway, and Phoebe managed a weak smile. Sighing in quiet relief, she waited for Paige to begin a conversation. Small talk was not something she enjoyed, especially recently. Paige smiled hesitantly, clutching at a small purse slung across her shoulder. Phoebe watched her fiddle with the strap for a few moments, then Paige looked up from the floor to meet her eyes.
"I-I'm sorry for just barging in on you here, but the door was unlocked, and cars were in the driveway...," she trailed off, her gaze once again wandering shyly. Phoebe knew how awkward this had to be for her, so she decided to ease the tension a little.
"Oh, hey, that's fine. You are welcome here any time you feel like stopping by," she said, trying to instill a little warmth into her tone. Paige smiled gratefully.
"Thanks. I was kind of worried about you both, actually. I can remember how hard it was to deal with, especially after the first few days, when my parents died. I wanted to check and see if there was anything either of you needed. So...is there?," she asked.
"No...not really. We have so much food right now, I cannot imagine actually eating all of it," she said, shaking her head, "It's amazing. Someone dies and everyone comes running over, equipped with a good meal." Phoebe had intended that statement to be humorous, but it came out high-pitched and tearful instead. Paige approached her, sitting next to her and squeezing her hand.
"I know that this is really hard on you. Are you sure there isn't anything I can do?," Paige inquired gently, feeling her throat constrict.
"I never imagined...how my life would be without her," Phoebe whispered, her eyes filling with tears. Paige hugged her tightly, unable to believe her own actions. "I guess I just figured we would live forever, you know? It's irrational...God, I know that now more than ever, but I really believed that she would always be here for me," Phoebe continued.
"She didn't leave you on purpose, honey. She loved you, and I-I know how cliche this sounds, but I really think she is still here for you...if in a different way," Paige told her, pulling back to look into Phoebe's eyes.
Phoebe wiped away a tear that had escaped and offered Paige a watery smile. It was a little strange to get emotional for her these days, especially in front of a stranger. Sister, Phoebe corrected herself firmly. Paige may be a stranger at the moment, but she was still family.
"You look exhausted," Paige said, sounding worried.
"That would probably have something to do with sleep deprivation for the past three nights, huh?," Phoebe joked, not really amused. Paige frowned slightly. "Oh, don't worry. I will eventually get some sleep. If not from being deeply medicated, then at least from sheer exhaustion." Paige didn't appreciate the humor.
"Lay down," she ordered, moving from the couch to the floor, "Close your eyes and try to get some sleep." Phoebe looked ready to protest, so Paige pushed her down gently. "Go on. I am going to watch you until you at least TRY, so you might as well do as I say."
Phoebe complied, rolling her eyes and smiling. She moved around for a few seconds, attempting to get comfortable on the space provided. She managed to find a position that she could be satisfied with. Amazingly, when she closed her eyes, she felt sleep tug at her. Murmuring a thank you to Paige, she allowed herself to drift off.
"What are you doing here?," an icy voice demanded moments later. Paige whirled around, startled. Piper was leaning against a wall nearby, her arms crossed defensively. Paige got to her feet, trying to smile.
"I came by to see if either of you needed anything," she answered hastily. Piper glared at her hatefully, apparently not happy with the response.
"Look...Paige is it?," Piper asked scornfully, knowing well that that was her name, "We have had several people traipse through here, offering their services as if we were incapable of fending for ourselves. Really, your saintly good deed isn't a new idea. What I would like more than anything would be for you to leave us alone."
Paige tried to reply gracefully, but only managed to stammer an apology. Piper nodded, her expression cold as a reply. Paige ran her hand across Phoebe's sleeping head, feeling an unexplainable tenderness towards her. Piper made an impatient sound, and Paige acknowledged it.
"I guess..well, if you DO decide you need anything, you have my number," she said quietly, backing out of the room. Piper sneered and waited until she heard the sound of the Manor door clicking shut before she relaxed her 'tough girl' attitude.
AN: In case any of you who are reading have not read my profile and are wondering why this story has popped back up after so long, it is because I am re-writing the whole thing completely, along with several of the others in this story. I was not satisfied with the way they were, so I decided to alter them enough to be acceptable. I hope everyone enjoys the "new and improved" version. I would really love feedback, so please review!
Chapter 1
Piper Halliwell was in shock, still, after three days of breathing and being surrounded in horrible, torturous pain. She could not imagine how she would push through every day for the rest of her life knowing the one terrible truth she could not undo: Prue, her protector, was dead. It did not make any sense at all. Prue had always been the strong one, always been the one person she knew, for a fact, would never buckle under any amount of pressure. How did one continue life without a person so steady and dependable?
The question burned a permanent place into Piper's thoughts. It was exasperating not to have an answer, but even more, it was frightening. She felt alone, empty, lost. She had never realized just how much losing her big sister would tear her apart. She hated the fact that she had ignored the important position Prue had maintained in her world. How selfish she had been in the past was equal in amount to how much she regretted it now that Prue was gone. Piper felt her stomach turn sour, and she quickly stood up from her seat on the living room couch, heading towards the bathroom.
Kneeling, Piper stared into the bowl, her eyes tearing up as bile rose in her throat. She had not eaten anything since the day before, so there was hardly anything in her churning stomach to come up, but Piper could not stop gagging. Finally, the reaction slowed, then stopped altogether. The nausea faded into sorrow, and Piper began sobbing quietly. The tears that should have been healing burned a hot trail down her cheeks, leaving a trail of sadness behind them.
Phoebe had been searching the Manor for Piper when she heard a small whimper echo from the bathroom. Slowly, she approached the door and cracked it slightly. The scene in front of her twisted her heart, but she walked in, bending down to wrap her arms around Piper's frail frame. She ran a soothing hand down Piper's long, soft hair, rocking slightly.
"Listen to me," she said, softly but firmly, "Yo-WE are going to be alright. I know right this hurts like hell, but sweetie, you are going to get through this."
Piper jerked back and looked Phoebe straight in the eye. Phoebe was a little surprised to find venom when she returned the gaze. Piper opened her mouth, then closed it, appearing at a loss for words. When she opened her mouth again, Phoebe tensed, sensing that Piper was on the brink of break down. She also knew that when Piper did fall apart, it would be hell for anyone within a five mile radius. She was but a few centimeters away, perching inches from destruction.
"I. Cannot. Believe. You," Piper hissed, narrowing her eyes coldly, "What part of Prue being dead is alright? I know that you have a tendency to look on the bright side, Phoebe, but let's face it, shall we? There is nothing bright about death. It is black and consuming. I am being eaten alive, and all you can do is sit there, dry eyed, and insist that I will get through this? There IS no way out, Phoebe. Fate, Destiny...Whoever is in control right now is staring down at me, and do you know what they are whispering? DO YOU?" Piper paused, letting her words sink in, ignoring Phoebe's hurt expression. "I will tell you exactly what they are whispering. 'You lose. Game's over. And your punishment? A life without your sister...," Piper shrieked, then began to shake uncontrollably.
Phoebe could only watch her, her face blank of any emotion. Piper starting crying once more, but Phoebe could not bring herself to embrace her. Reality was making its debut, and its effects were devastating. Desperately holding back tears, Phoebe scrambled to her feet, retreating from the bathroom hastily. She had to hold it together, had to fill the gaping hole Prue had left when she had deserted both herself and Piper. The household would crumble without Prue's ever-present support, and Phoebe was trying as hard as she could to use her energy to keep her family from falling down like the London Bridge.
Shakily, she made her way into the living room, plopping down heavily on the sofa. She curled up on her side, closing her eyes in defense to her sorrow. It did nothing to assuage the hurt, but then, nothing ever had. Within moments, memories were playing through her mind like silent movies. The image of Prue in her mind was so sharply focused that Phoebe sucked in a painful breath, fighting another wave of tears.
A knock on the door interrupted the film, and Phoebe groaned inwardly. She was uncertain whether or not she could greet another mourner bringing condolensces with any kind of tact. Deciding against answering, Phoebe nevertheless sat up, pulling her knees to her chest, and clutched her knees. The doorbell sounded, followed by another rapping sound. Phoebe listened closely, and when nothing further persisted, she assumed the visitor had retreated. She was surprised to hear the door creak open, then shut quietly. Footsteps reverberated through the entryway.
A familiar figure hugged the doorway, and Phoebe managed a weak smile. Sighing in quiet relief, she waited for Paige to begin a conversation. Small talk was not something she enjoyed, especially recently. Paige smiled hesitantly, clutching at a small purse slung across her shoulder. Phoebe watched her fiddle with the strap for a few moments, then Paige looked up from the floor to meet her eyes.
"I-I'm sorry for just barging in on you here, but the door was unlocked, and cars were in the driveway...," she trailed off, her gaze once again wandering shyly. Phoebe knew how awkward this had to be for her, so she decided to ease the tension a little.
"Oh, hey, that's fine. You are welcome here any time you feel like stopping by," she said, trying to instill a little warmth into her tone. Paige smiled gratefully.
"Thanks. I was kind of worried about you both, actually. I can remember how hard it was to deal with, especially after the first few days, when my parents died. I wanted to check and see if there was anything either of you needed. So...is there?," she asked.
"No...not really. We have so much food right now, I cannot imagine actually eating all of it," she said, shaking her head, "It's amazing. Someone dies and everyone comes running over, equipped with a good meal." Phoebe had intended that statement to be humorous, but it came out high-pitched and tearful instead. Paige approached her, sitting next to her and squeezing her hand.
"I know that this is really hard on you. Are you sure there isn't anything I can do?," Paige inquired gently, feeling her throat constrict.
"I never imagined...how my life would be without her," Phoebe whispered, her eyes filling with tears. Paige hugged her tightly, unable to believe her own actions. "I guess I just figured we would live forever, you know? It's irrational...God, I know that now more than ever, but I really believed that she would always be here for me," Phoebe continued.
"She didn't leave you on purpose, honey. She loved you, and I-I know how cliche this sounds, but I really think she is still here for you...if in a different way," Paige told her, pulling back to look into Phoebe's eyes.
Phoebe wiped away a tear that had escaped and offered Paige a watery smile. It was a little strange to get emotional for her these days, especially in front of a stranger. Sister, Phoebe corrected herself firmly. Paige may be a stranger at the moment, but she was still family.
"You look exhausted," Paige said, sounding worried.
"That would probably have something to do with sleep deprivation for the past three nights, huh?," Phoebe joked, not really amused. Paige frowned slightly. "Oh, don't worry. I will eventually get some sleep. If not from being deeply medicated, then at least from sheer exhaustion." Paige didn't appreciate the humor.
"Lay down," she ordered, moving from the couch to the floor, "Close your eyes and try to get some sleep." Phoebe looked ready to protest, so Paige pushed her down gently. "Go on. I am going to watch you until you at least TRY, so you might as well do as I say."
Phoebe complied, rolling her eyes and smiling. She moved around for a few seconds, attempting to get comfortable on the space provided. She managed to find a position that she could be satisfied with. Amazingly, when she closed her eyes, she felt sleep tug at her. Murmuring a thank you to Paige, she allowed herself to drift off.
"What are you doing here?," an icy voice demanded moments later. Paige whirled around, startled. Piper was leaning against a wall nearby, her arms crossed defensively. Paige got to her feet, trying to smile.
"I came by to see if either of you needed anything," she answered hastily. Piper glared at her hatefully, apparently not happy with the response.
"Look...Paige is it?," Piper asked scornfully, knowing well that that was her name, "We have had several people traipse through here, offering their services as if we were incapable of fending for ourselves. Really, your saintly good deed isn't a new idea. What I would like more than anything would be for you to leave us alone."
Paige tried to reply gracefully, but only managed to stammer an apology. Piper nodded, her expression cold as a reply. Paige ran her hand across Phoebe's sleeping head, feeling an unexplainable tenderness towards her. Piper made an impatient sound, and Paige acknowledged it.
"I guess..well, if you DO decide you need anything, you have my number," she said quietly, backing out of the room. Piper sneered and waited until she heard the sound of the Manor door clicking shut before she relaxed her 'tough girl' attitude.