NINE
"Snake," said Phoebe a tinge of fear in her voice.
Prue and Piper came running out of the kitchen as soon as Phoebe mentioned Snakes' name. They moved up and stood on either side of their sister.
"I know the door was locked this time," said Prue, glaring at Snake. "That's called breaking and entering, bub."
"Hey, Pheebs," said Snake, standing up and ignoring Prue. "I figured that once your date was finished with your friend I'd come by. We got a lot of catching up to do."
"Put that out," said Prue deliberately. "We don't allow smoking in this house."
"Sure thing, sis," said Snake, flicking his cigarette into the fireplace. "Don't want to be an ungracious guest. Now, Pheebs, what say you and I get out of here? You been gone a while. We need to get reacquainted."
"I don't think so," said Phoebe weakly. She felt Piper reach over and gently squeeze her hand. "Snake, I left New York because I didn't want to be with you any more. I'm not the same person you knew there. I've changed."
"Hey, we've all changed, babe," said Snake moving over to Phoebe. "I'm sure it's for the better."
"I think you'd better leave," said Leo.
"Stay out of this," scowled Snake at Leo. "This doesn't concern you. It don't concern none of you. This is between Pheebs and me."
"Stop calling me that," said Phoebe. "And I want you to leave, Snake. It's over between us."
"I don't think so, babe," said Snake. "It ain't over 'till I say it's over."
Piper's hand came up and Snake froze in place.
"Piper," said Leo, "what are you doing? You know you can't use your powers against an innocent."
"Just a little freeze," said Piper, "until we figure out what to do about Snake. Phoebe, remember what Jack said. You have to stand up to him. You've got a good start asking him to leave. Don't give in now. We're all here for you."
"I'll try," said Phoebe weakly. "It's hard, though. Harder than I thought it would be. I'm not sure I can do this."
"Be strong, Pheebs," said Prue. "We won't let him do anything to you."
"Okay," said Phoebe taking a deep breath. "Piper, unfreeze him. I guess it's now or never."
Piper unfroze Snake and Phoebe turned to look at him. Inside she felt panic. She knew what Snake could be like. How angry and violent he could be when he didn't get his way. She couldn't count the number of times she had just acquiesced to him rather than risk his anger. She took a deep breath.
"Snake," said Phoebe, "it's over. For good. I left New York and came back here to get away from you. I don't want to be with you any more. You need to leave here now."
"Or what?" Snake questioned. "Come on, Pheebs, you know you can't say no to me. And if you think your two sisters and this 'hero' scare me then you forgot what I'm like. You know I get what I want. And I want you."
"Not this time, Snake," said Phoebe. "Like I said, it's over. You just need to go back to New York and forget about me. I've grown beyond you, Snake. I've grown up. You need to leave here and never come back."
"Ain't gonna happen, babe," said Snake. "I came out here to bring you back to New York and I ain't leaving without you. And let's face it, hon. You know you're gonna come back with me. You always do."
"Hey, pea brain," said Prue. "She said no. And she asked you to leave. You've overstayed your welcome here. I think it's time you hit the road."
"Not without my Pheebs," said Snake. "And I suggest you stay out of this, sweetheart. You may be cute but let's face it. You ain't no match for me. None of you are. Pheebs can tell you that. It won't do to underestimate me."
"You've been asked to leave," said Leo. "I suggest you do that before this gets ugly."
Snake reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a knife. He pushed a button on the knife and the blade sprang out. He put the knife to Prue's throat. For a second Piper considered freezing Snake but decided against it when she saw the blade against Prue's throat. She couldn't risk her sisters' life on the chance she could freeze Snake before he did something drastic.
"Okay, fun time's over," said Snake grabbing Phoebe by the wrist. "Come on, Pheebs. We're getting out of here. We're going back to New York and I suggest no one try to follow us. If you do someone's gonna' get hurt."
No one in the room moved. From the look in his eye, everyone knew that Snake wouldn't hesitate to hurt any of them if they tried to interfere. And Prue would be the first Snake injured.
