Chapter 4 - Fostered
Piper and Ashlee talked a little on the way to the teenager's house, she had explained what Whitelighters were, what Paige meant by charmed and a little bit of background on each sister as they would be seeing more of Ashlee, hopefully. Piper pulled up outside of a small house but it looked up kept and clean so she didn't have to worry about Ashlee's hygiene. Ashlee was tense about approaching the house because she knew Bianca wouldn't care if Piper was still in sight she would strike her. When the car stopped she grabbed her bag and looked at Piper as she opened the car door, "thanks a lot Piper I appreciate it and tell your family thanks for me too" Piper nodded but didn't say anything because Ashlee's words seemed like goodbye, the sisters seemed to have bonded with the witch like they had Billie and had no intentions of saying goodbye. Piper watched Ashlee walk towards the house; she was surprised when a woman flung the door open angrily, Ashlee stopped in front of her and Bianca looked her over before back handing her across the face. Piper had to stop herself from getting out of the car because she knew she would make it worse for Ashlee. Bianca grabbed Ashlee and literally threw her inside. Piper watched the door close and drove off with the events in her mind, she was going to tell her sisters what she had just seen and they would try to figure out a way to get Ashlee out of there.
It had been two weeks since any of them had heard from Ashlee and Paige was starting to worry. Piper had come home instead of going to the club to inform them what she had seen; Piper and Leo had applied for a licence to become a foster parent as they planned on getting Ashlee out of there. Phoebe and Paige backed them up; Billie thought it was a great idea too. On Christmas day they got the news that their applicant had been accepted and they could foster a child when they were ready now all they needed to do was get proof and Ashlee's cooperation. Paige tried to call Ashlee but she didn't pick up and the tingling in the back of her neck was almost painful on Christmas day, she didn't tell the sisters until the boys were out of sight and they suspected that she was getting her present from Bianca in the form of fists.
Phoebe was out on a date with Coop, Piper was at P3 with Leo, the boys were with Viktor, and Billie was over at some friends and Henry was at work. Paige was pacing the living room, she couldn't get the sensation in her neck to go away and she couldn't sense the teenager which was cause for more concern. Paige was pulled from her worrying by her phone; she looked at the screen and saw Ashlee's name "Oh thank god," she answered the phone quickly "Ashlee are you okay!" she practically screamed down the phone clearly the worry was overriding her sense of volume.
The wind blew through Ashlee's hair and she had to pull the phone away from her ear as Paige answered, she hadn't heard her whitelighter's voice in two weeks and admittedly she missed her, which was strange for her as she was used to depending on only herself. Ashlee chuckled at Paige's reaction "nice to speak to you too Paige."
The whitelighter couldn't believe her charge had laughed "What are you laughing at? Why didn't you answer my question? Where are you? Has Bianca hurt you?" the questions kept coming and she didn't know which ones to do first.
Ashlee had to stop the witch before she spewed anymore questions, "Piper told you what she saw then" Paige hmm'd down the phone but made no further comment, "I'm not laughing at you just laughing at the fact I feel like I've become dependent on people and I can assume you know how hard that is for me, I didn't answer your question because I know you won't like the answer."
The teen's words did nothing to pacify Paige's worry, if she wouldn't like the answer that meant that she was injured and Bianca had been the one to do it. Different scenarios were playing in her head; she had to shake them away until she saw how bad the teen was and she needed to see her quickly. "Ashe just tell me where you are so I can come and get you" Paige waited for the teen to reply but all she could hear was the tell tale signs of crying, she knew Ashlee was injured and she wanted to help her charge which meant she would do anything to know where she was even if she had to beg, "Ashe please."
Ashlee chocked back a sob that was working up out of her throat, "get your sisters and I'll tell you" she quickly hung up the phone so she could cry, she was in so much pain and she couldn't even go to the hospital because they would just call Bianca and she'd come and get her.
Paige looked at her phone in disbelief she swore she had heard her cry as the phone was hung up. She hung up on me were Paige's first thoughts, then she realised what the teen said, she quickly dialled P3. Piper answered on the first few rings, "P3 Piper Halliwell Speaking."
Piper was sat in her office working out the stock for the week, she could hear the music in the background and she had left Leo and her staff ordering drinks so she could get the stock out of the way. The ringing of the phone made her jump and she answered as soon as she could find the phone and automatically used her greeting down the phone, "Piper thank god you're still there."
The eldest Halliwell leant back against her chair in confusion, her youngest sister sounded worried which worried her too, "Hey Squirt what's wrong?" Piper tried to remain calm for Paige's sake seeing as her youngest sister seemed to be having a problem.
Paige was once again pacing the living room of the manor, "Bianca's hurt Ashlee and she won't tell me where she is unless all of us are together," Paige was so worked up that she ended up orbing into Piper's office without noticing, Piper noticed though so she put down the phone. Paige stopped moving and looked at the phone offended, "why is everyone hanging up on me today?" she questioned the air not expecting a response.
Piper smiled at her sister's question and answered for her "Paige I hung up because you're in my office, you orbed here" Paige must not have noticed because she jumped at her sister's voice and spun to see her sat in her chair.
Paige rushed over to Piper and pulled her up from the chair, "we gotta go find Phoebe; Ashlee won't see us unless we are all together." Piper dug her heels into the floor at Ashlee's name, she had mentioned her twice now and if they went out of the office she wouldn't be able to hear what she was saying, Paige looked back at her and when Piper motioned for her to continue she realised she had told her everything, "I was worried about Ashe because the sensation was becoming painful again and I couldn't sense her, I got a phone call and it was Ashlee when I asked her how she was she wouldn't reply only said I wouldn't like the answer and she will only tell me where she is if we are all together" Paige rushed out, Piper nodded and ran into the club leaving the whitelighter highly confused.
Piper had seen Phoebe in the club earlier talking with Leo, so she knew that her sister was here. She quickly made her way through the crowd until she saw Phoebe; without saying anything she snatched her sisters hand and dragged her back into the office, "Piper what the hell?" Phoebe said annoyed she had been dragged away from good music and her drink.
Paige quickly dialled Ashlee's number but she didn't get an answer, "Piper she's not answering her phone what do I do!" the whitelighter panicked, Piper put her hands on Paige's shoulders to keep her still.
"Paige I don't know what to do either but if Ashlee is injured as you suspected the she could have feinted, try and sense her" she turned and put her hands on Phoebe's shoulders next, "I'm sorry I dragged you in her but as you heard Ashlee could be injured, she called Paige and wouldn't tell her where she was but she insinuated that she was injured and she wanted all of us together."
Phoebe looked between her sisters and her dread was quickly reaching their level, she had been worried about the teen the moment she walked out of the front door those few weeks ago, "oh god do you think she's okay?" Piper just shrugged, none of them could possibly know if the teen was alright.
Ashlee opened her eyes; she knew she must have feinted. She looked down at her phone and saw Paige had tried calling her back about 10 minutes ago; she pressed dial and Paige's phone rang, the whitelighter quickly answered, "Ashe where are you? I've got Phoebe and Piper with me and we are at P3" Paige sounded desperate so Ashlee gave in; she needed some medical attention for the pain anyways.
Ashlee sat up slowly careful to keep pressure off of her right wrist, "I'm on the roof of P3," she turned her head when she saw a blue light and knew Paige had orbed them there, so quickly turned her head to look forward but hung up the phone, "when was the last time I phoned you Paige, I kinda fell asleep?" she asked knowing the sisters were looking at her
Paige put her phone back into her pocket as she looked around; Phoebe nudged her and pointed over to the furthest part of the roof where Ashlee sat, she heard Ashlee ask her a question, "you phoned me about 20 minutes ago...Ashlee are you okay?"
Ashlee looked at the sisters and they gasped at what they saw. Ashlee's face was covered in bruising, her lip was cut open and so was her eyebrow, which was the only damage they could see but they suspected she had more. Ashlee tried to stand up but it didn't work so she turned to face them more being careful of her wrist which the sisters took note of, "No I'm not okay" Piper was the first to move and as she approached the teen she noticed she was slumping more to her left which meant her right side was injured.
Piper knelt beside Ashlee and reached out her hand to life the teen's top, as Piper's hand came up Ashlee involuntary flinched which upset Piper slightly. "I'm not going to hit you Sweetie" Piper stroked the teens hair soothingly and then pulled the teen's top up and she almost cried at what she saw, Ashlee's whole right side was covered in a malicious bruise "Bianca did this didn't she" it wasn't a question but a statement. Piper motioned for Paige to come and heal her charge and Phoebe came to sit behind the teen, who instinctively leant against her, and started to run her fingers through the teen's ash blonde hair.
Ashlee held onto the hand Piper had used to lift up her top, and was rewarded with a tiny smile "yeah this was my Christmas present from Bianca and I don't think Paige will be able to heal it."
Paige pulled her hands away from Ashlee when her healing did nothing for the teen what so ever; Piper and Phoebe shot her a worried look "I can't heal her at all...Ashe how did you know I couldn't heal you?"
Ashlee looked uncomfortable with the question but she was in no condition to run away from them so she had to tell them Bianca's secret. Ashlee tried to shift herself into a more comfortable position but she only caused herself more pain which resulted in her squeezing Piper's hand. Phoebe felt it and helped her to get comfortable "Bianca dabbles in the dark arts, she made it so only dark healers or doctors could help me" Ashlee looked down feeling ashamed by her foster mother.
The empath shot Piper a worried look; the older sister met her sister's gaze and nodded in understanding. Piper used her free hand to life Ashlee's chin up so the teen's different coloured eyes looked into her brown eyes "Ashe you have nothing to feel ashamed about okay?" the teen nodded gladly taking the life line Piper had thrown her, Piper saw Paige gesture to go on in the corner of her eyes "just please tell me you haven't dabbled in the dark arts."
Ashlee saw the desperation in Pipers eyes and knew it was mirrored in the sisters too; she shook her head as best as she could with Piper holding her chin, "NO after what it did to her I stayed away from that stuff she almost killed me because of it" the Charmed one's eyes widened at the news, "key word there guys is almost" she decided to put emphasis on almost.
Paige spoke up "well if I can't heal you I guess we need to get you to the hospital because I'm no doctor but I can safely bet your ribs are broken" she got nods from all the witches, she stood up and allowed Piper and Phoebe to help her up "do we drive or orb?" she really hadn't needed to go to the hospital like this in awhile so she was just being cautious.
Phoebe secured her arm around Ashlee's waist with her hand resting on the girl's hip; she couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu but she hadn't held the teen like this before so she was utterly confused, "I think it's best if we take the car, who knows what Bianca can do" Ashlee tensed. Paige rubbed her shoulder slightly and Piper turned and led the way to her car. As her sisters got Ashlee situated into her car she went and told Leo, she asked him to close up early because she knew she wouldn't be coming back for the night.
The doctors had seen to Ashlee quickly but when they tried to phone Bianca to inform her that her foster daughter was in hospital but they couldn't get an answer. The social workers had descended on them quickly once the sisters informed them that Bianca was the reason Ashlee needed medical attention and they had tried to take Ashlee away, who was unwilling to go. Piper had stepped forward and told the social worker she was happy to take Ashlee in seeing as she was the reason her and her husband had gotten the licence in the first place. To say Ashlee was shocked was an understatement because she just stared at the brunette whilst the doctors were working on her. Ashlee had broken most of her ribs on her right side; her right wrist was seriously sprained and her cuts were treated, "looks like your coming home with us now" Paige commented as she elbowed the teen on the arm, they waited for her to say something but the teen was still shocked into silence.
Ashlee looked at Piper and her eyebrows knitted in confusion, she got up and approached the eldest Halliwell to stand in front of her. Piper didn't move as Ashlee approached her, she could see the confusion and admiration in her eyes and before she could talk Ashlee flung herself at the female who caught her easily and the youngest female started to sob in relief. Piper just wrapped her arms around her careful not to injure her ribs, she started to shush her quietly. Her sisters watched the tender scene happily; they were glad that the girl was coming home with them because they each had become attached to the young witch but they couldn't explain how or why, she just seemed familiar and fit into their lives. Ashlee sheepishly pulled away from Piper "sorry" she whispered.
Phoebe came over and wiped the tears from Ashlee's cheeks whilst gently cradling her face, vigilantly she dropped a kiss to the teen's forehead, "Ashe don't apologise for having feelings it natural to have them" Ashlee smiled and nodded at the Empath.
Paige came over to join in the moment, Piper had her arms loosely around Ashlee, Phoebe had a hand on the teens head, stroking her hair and so Paige wrapped and arm around the teen's shoulder, "how about we go home?" She got nods from everyone and they made their way to the sign out desk.
Ashlee was led into a spare room by the sisters, who seemed very excited about it. Ashlee was once again stunned but this time by what she saw; the room was a light blue and had a few posters of animals, mythical creatures and bands up on the wall. The wall closet to the door had a chest of drawers, there was a double bed up against the next wall and had dark bedding, the next wall had a large window on it then there was a built in wardrobe and next to it was a desk and a bookcase. The teen was in awe at the room. Phoebe made herself comfortable on the bed as Ashlee took in her new room "we kind of did the room up two days after Christmas" when Ashlee looked confused she explained "Piper told us how Bianca treated you and we all agreed that it was best to get you out so Piper and Leo applied to become foster parents and when they were approved, Billie and Henry started on the room whilst Piper and I picked out posters and Paige and Leo did the furniture. We did pick some clothes for you as well but it was mostly guess work," Paige opened the wardrobe and Ashlee peered in and smiled they were mostly long sleeve t-shirts and shirts, there was a hooded jacket, a coat and a few pull over's in there too.
Ashlee turned and faced the sisters; she smiled widely and rushed to hug them which they gladly accepted. After the thanks and hugs were out of the way they all made themselves comfortable on Ashlee's bed. Paige, Piper and Ashlee were leant against the headboard whilst Phoebe led at the foot of the bed. Ashlee was feeling tired thanks to the pain medication but she had wanted to ask the sisters some questions; "Where's Billie and Leo and your boys?" she asked Piper, her head lulling to the side slightly.
Piper brushed some hair out of the teen's face, "Billie is away for new years; Leo is closing the Club so he should be home soon and the boys are at my fathers," Ashlee nodded but didn't verbally reply. The now tired teenager might be more open to discuss Bianca so she decided to ask a few questions "how long were you with Bianca?"
Ashlee closed her eyes but answered "I was in a few homes before Bianca but she got me when I was 9, she wasn't abusive then but after her husband left 3 months later she started to abuse me...I think she was already abusing her daughter but she was smart enough to book it out of there when she was 15 that was about 3 years ago." She mumbled slightly, the pain medicine obviously made her a little more loosely lipped, "she always protected me when Bianca drank and took the blows even if I begged her not too, I had her number but Bianca took it from me...she'd be 19 now."
The sisters were intrigued by this older female Ashlee was talking about, they might have to track her down when all of this mess was sorted out. Phoebe asked the next question "Where is Bianca now?" Ashlee was getting more fatigued by the minute but she wanted to be able to answer the sister's questions.
Ashlee forced her eyes open to look at Phoebe knowing it was rude not to make eye contact, "to be honest Phoebe I couldn't care, I'm not in her care anymore...plus she tried to burn me alive," Phoebe shot up into a sitting position and the other two tensed, "huh guess I should of said earlier."
Paige looked the teen over slyly and gladly she didn't find any burns that they hadn't noticed earlier, "Well you got out alright so that's good" the teen nodded tiredly, "guess it's someone's bedtime" again the teen nodded which got a laugh from the others, "make sure you get changed out of these dirty cloths." Paige tugged playfully at the teens top and got a friendly swipe for her troubles. Phoebe ruffled Ashlee's hair as she got up from the bed; Piper looked at her briefly before placing a small kiss on the teen's forehead.
\Silver-Eternal-Dragon/