Disclaimer: The Charmed Characters are the property of Aaron Spelling and Constance Burge. I just borrow them for your enjoyment and my writing addiction.
How many demons had they fought? Stood side-by-side in a battle of good and evil? How many fights had they had themselves, over a Barbie or a stuffed toy? How many times had a curfew been set and then broken, only to start another type of fight? How many rules were laid out, only to be broken?
So many things swirled around in her mind as she ran her fingers lightly over the engraving on the cold stone. How long had it been now? How much time had they lost: then and now?
She placed the red rose on the top of the stone, before resting her hand softly. Letting her love flow through her and to the one she lost so long ago.
"I Love You." The lone tear came as it always did. Always one. "I'm sorry."
Ten Years before:
"Piper watch out!" Prue quickly used her power to divert the energy bolt that was about to strike her sister in the back.
Piper turned around and gave her sister a grateful look as she froze the demon that had just tried to kill her in the most cowardly ways.
"The back? He was going to kill me in the back?" she stood up, her adrenaline pumping as she brushed off the dirt from her black jacket. "Coward." She glared at him as she got closer. "Can I blow some of him up." She cast her eyes down at him as she felt the hand of her big sister strike her arm "What? He tried to kill me. Only seems fair to repay the favour."
"Piper just say the spell." Phoebe tried to hold in a laugh as she walked beside her sisters, also brushing off the dirt that was on her.
"Ok yuck. What did you fall into there, sis?" Prue turned away from Phoebe and notice Piper take a step back.
"I have no idea, but I am sure it has ruined my new jacket." Phoebe replied as she felt the sting in her eyes from the smell of what ever it was on her jacket.
--- ---- --- ----
Another vanquish another around of aches and pains from the battle.
"Can't they just once fight us in a pillow factory?" Phoebe said with sarcasm as she brought up the rear, as the three of them walked back into the safety of the Manor. The aches felt with each step. "I think I pulled something." She added as she eased herself into the couch.
Piper sat up slightly from her own chair and looked at Phoebe. "Phoebs. You ok sweetie?"
"I ache everywhere. I feel like I was hit by a gnarly beast."
Prue snickered trying not to laugh, "Honey. You were hit by a gnarly beast." She got up and helped her sister up, "Come on. I'll run you a hot bath."
Piper laughed as Prue helped Phoebe up the stairs. She hadn't seen Phoebe go flying or what she had hit, but she knew from the language her sister was spewing, it wasn't pleasant.
She got up and started for the one place she was comfortable in after a vanquish; the kitchen. Setting the pot on the element she then grabbed each of their favourite mugs, adding in just the right amount of chocolate. Hearing the kettle boil brought her out of her thought of the evenings battle.
"One of those for me?"
Piper turned around to the warm embrace of her husband, "Only if you want to fight with either Prue or Phoebe." She snickered at him knowing he wouldn't. Not when it came to her hot chocolate. "Although, I could probably make you one of your own.
"Might be a better idea." He laughed as he leaned down to kiss her.
--- ---- --- ----
Prue stuck her head in her sisters room, "Hot bath with lots of bubbles down the hall with your name on it sis."
"Oh, thank you." Phoebe moved with some effort to the door and it was then Prue noticed something.
"Phoebe. Is that blood on your shirt?"
Phoebe turned and cursed herself for not hiding the shirt she had been wearing better.
"Where is it? Let me see." Prue took her sisters arm carefully and waited for her to show her where she was hurt. "Phoebe. That looks really bad."
"Prue it fine honest. It isn't even that deep."
"Well from here it does. Ok. Soak then I am taking care of that."
Phoebe knew better then to argue with Prue when she was in mother mode, and lowly made her way to the bathroom and into the nice hot bath. .
Prue gave a quiet knock on teh bathroom door and eased it open. Seeing her sister with her eyes closed, submerged in bubbles, she walkeed in and sat on the small stool.
"Prue have I told you lately you are the bestest sister in the whole wide world?" Phoebe sid without even moving a muscle
"Hmm. No I don't think you have?"
"Well you are. This hits the spot."
Prue smiled at her sister "You gonna be ok?"
"I will now." She sat in silence, "Prue. I'm sorry I never said anything. I honestly didn't think it was that bad."
"Its ok sweetie. We'll get it taken care of. What did you hit anyway?"
"I have no idea. A crate maybe. What ever it was, it hurt like a bitch."
"Phoebe," Prue scolded her little sister
"What? It did." She gave her oldest sister her trademark cheek grin.
Preu squinted as her sister, "Well hurry up in there before you become a prune. I'll see you downstairs." She stood up and ruffled her sisters' hair.
--- ---- --- ----
He made his way quickly through the crowd of people. It was enough of a crowd that made him feel safe and yet in danger at the same time. To many witnesses for his safety, but at the same time, everyone was moving so fast someone could kill him and be lost in the crowd in seconds.
Exiting the building he looked all around him for anyone. He knew they would find him, he just hoped it wouldn't be here. He ran across the street and hailed a cab at the same time. It was something he had learned a long time ago. Why wait in a cab line when you can get them before they even got close.
"1329 Prescott street please." He called out to the cabby as he closed the door behind him.
Once again he found himself looking at a world of supernatural. A world he thought he was free from, Yet here it was again. How had they even known about him? He knew she could help him. No, she had to help him, his life depended on it. He was hesitant to go to her. He didn't want to drag her into this, but he had no choice. Once again her life would be turned upside down because of him.
--- ---- --- ----
Prue settled on the couch with the first aid kit on the coffee table.
"Prue I made…Ok what's that for?" Piper asked immediatly as she spotted the kit on the table.
"Phoebe who else." Prue looked ather sister like she didnt know.
Piper fought back a wave of panic as she set the tray on the table beside the first aid kit.
"Piper she's ok. It's just a gash to her side, I am sure we can take care of it." Prue tried to assure her sister. The one who was the first to set into panic mode when it involved a hurt Phoebe
"Care of what?" Leo casually walked in with his own mug in hand.
"Leo. Well guess we won't be needing this." Prue laughed as she closed the lid and set the kit off the table and on to the floor
Piper and Prue explained to Leo what had happened. As usual They had him off helping another charge, and hadn't even known what was going on till he came back home that evening.
--- ---- --- ----
He tossed the money to the front of the cab and exited just as fast as he entered it. He had to see her, he had to make sure she was ok. He knew they would know everything about his past and she was a very big part of his past. A past filled with love.
--- ---- --- ----
Phoebe held the gauze to her side as she pulled her pj's around it, so as not to get any stray blood on it.
"Ok Prue. This better not hurt." She whined as she made her way down the old staircase. She often wondered now, how it had survived all these year. The demon attacks from just her and her sisters were enough to take it down.Yet here it still held fast.
The doorbell rang, over and over as Piper went to answer it, "All right already. Geesh. Get some manners."
At the same time Leo got up and met Phoebe at the bottom landing, "Will I do?" he smiled as his hand stopped inches from her wound. The golden glow of his healing touch quickly taking away any pain she had before.
As Piper swung open the door the familiar face met her, and before she could say anything her sisters' voice was heard from behind her.
"Clay?"