A/N:

Sorry for how long this took to get out. I had to go to Texas for my niece's graduation and I am in the process of moving, so it's been a little hectic.

I also took down the website for now but it will be back up soon as I went to a free one.

Thank you for your patience and I should be back on track and hopefully can do an update once a day.

Chapter 10

Going home

Piper was standing by the window that has been her only connection to the outside since this happened as Phoebe packed her bags while Prue helped. The nest that held a family of squirrels was empty except for one that still remained alone and was very thin and sick looking from lack of food and water. She doesn't know why she even cared about the little disease with far but she understood its plight as spring was giving away to winter. The nest was falling apart as the little squirrel put itself into a ball as rain came down on it and Piper put her hand on the cold window as a tear rolled down her face. It was going to die because it had no one to help it, no one to keep it warm or feed it. Its siblings left a few weeks ago and so did its mother and now it was truly alone in its big world. As she looked away she got a look of herself in the window, she too was very thin and pale from months of being in the hospital.

"Piper are you ready?" Phoebe said as she put her hand on Piper's shoulder.

The middle sister nodded and wiped her face with the sleeve of her sweater that was far too big on her. Prue brought the walker over to her and at first Piper pushed it out of the way and tried to walk but almost fell flat on her face as Prue grabbed her.

"Piper you need this right now ok," Prue said and placed it in front of her again. Piper put both her hands on the bars and reluctantly walked forward as her sisters walked next to her. It was slow and exhausting just to take steps but she forced herself to make them, "I won't be like that squirrel," she thought while moving slowly forward.

"Do your exercises Piper and call me if you need anything," Ann said as she stood by the door while they walked past her.

"Anks An," Piper tried to say thanks but her speech was still not working very well.

"Take care sweetie," Ann replied as Piper made her way out the door.

"Leo is bringing the car around and Paige is getting things ready at home honey," Phoebe said as Piper's face was intensely focused on the ground and trying to move her feet one in front of the other. It took over a half an hour to reach the front desk and she was sweating and breathing heavy as her arms shook while trying to keep her self-standing. All she wanted to do was lay down and sleep in her bed but she had to get home first.

"I got it," Prue said as she signed her out.

"I am so glad you're coming home Piper," Phoebe said as she gave her a kiss on her sisters flushed cheek. Piper gave a sideways smile but it was short as she struggled to stay standing.

Leo walked in and gave her a gleaming smile as he entered the two big doors, "Hay baby you ready?" he said as he kissed her on the lips.

"Yes," she replied and started her slow walk again. All of them walked besides her as Leo took off his jacket and placed it around her to keep her warm from the cold wind. Leo opened the passenger side of the door but Piper stopped and looked around confused as her eyes dotted around.

"Did you forget something?" Prue asks but she did not reply and just kept looking around as her breathing increased.

Leo could tell she was confused about what was going on," You're going home today honey," he said as he took the walker out of her shaking hands. She nodded and the confused expression changed to understanding and happiness as she let him guide her into the car. The news they got earlier that day was not good as Phoebe remembered the conversation from the doctor. He said that because of the extensive damage in her brain from the rupture and the fact that she has shown very little improvement for at least three weeks that this was probably more permanent then temporary. Her motor functions should get better but she will still have issues walking and holding things. Her speech will also not improve much and even after speech therapy she will still have trouble with normal conversation. Her short term memory will not come back as they hoped. Piper would need 24/7 care and someone will need to be with her most of the time as she gets confused very easily and could hurt herself or wander off. None of them wanted to accept this and just kept telling themselves that she would get better but the reality was too hard to ignore. After Leo helped Piper into the seat and put her seat belt on, he rushed over to the driver side as Prue and Phoebe got in. The elders still could not help in healing her, not because they didn't want too, it was because they couldn't.

"Do you remember the address Piper?" Prue asks as she closed her door and Piper nodded but Prue would not allow it. "Piper you need to talk ok."

"1331 Pres eet?" Piper replied and started biting her lower lip as she tried to remember.

"1329 Prescott Street," Prue correct it her, "But you were close."

Piper looked out the window as they pulled away from the hospital and felt embarrassed about getting the address wrong, "How could I forget where I live?" she thought as they pulled away. Leo wanted to orb her home but Prue was afraid she would get sick because of it and she needed fresh air. The drive was mostly silent on the way home as most of them were to exhausted or slightly uncomfortable to carry on a conversation. They were afraid of hurting her feelings or making her confused, even Prue was going back to her old habits when it came to talking to her. After 10 minutes of driving, they arrived home and Leo helped Piper out as Prue got the walker from the back of the jeep. Paige opened the door and waved as they approached.

"Hi Piper, I am so glad your home," Paige said as she stood to the side to let them through.

"Hi," Piper replied as she paused for a moment at the step to gather enough strength to step up.

"I think the couch would be the best stop for now, you need to eat and then you can go to bed if you want?" Phoebe asks as she walked past her and put the bag of Piper's medicines and other things she will need on the Fourier table.

"How was the drive?" Paige asks as she helped Piper sit down.

"Long," Piper replied as she leaned her head back onto the soft couch. It's been three months since she has stepped foot into her home and she took in all the smells and sounds as she closed her eyes.

Paige smiled and sat next to her and put her hand on Piper's. She was wearing the cap because of the cold outside and Leo's jacket was still around her. "How about some Jell-O?" Paige said and tried to not smirk as Piper opened her eyes and gave her a look of disgust at the thought of eating that again.

"No ollo," Piper replied and then tried to say it correctly but it just kept coming out wrong. She sighed heavily and lowered her head.

"How about steak?" Paige said quickly as she could see Piper was getting embarrassed and frustrated. The older sister smiled and nodded.

"I will start it," Phoebe said and took off to the kitchen with Prue in tow.

"Phoebe you can't cook," Prue said as she took the steak out of the freezer.

"Neither can you so maybe if we both do it we won't kill her," Phoebe said as she took out a pan.

"When Piper goes to bed I need to talk to you and Paige ok?"

"Prue what is going on?"

"I don't want to talk about it right now so let's try to make this a good tasting steak."

"How about we just reach for edible," Phoebe replied as she turned on the stove.

Leo sat next to Piper and took his jacket off and put a blanket around her as she snuggled in close. She placed her head on his shoulder while he rubbed her arm. Now it felt like home and she loved every minute of it while Paige snuggled in as well. After dinner that took over an hour for Piper to eat her hard steak that was just edible, but it was the best steak she has had in three months, Leo picked her up and took her to their bedroom.

"Ok that was horrible," Phoebe said as she put her fork down.

"What do you mean?" Prue asks as she looked angry at what Phoebe said.

"The steak."

"Oh," Prue said and her expression softened.

"What did you think I meant?"

"I thought you were making fun of Piper for how long it took her to eat," Prue replied and stood up from the dining room table with her plate.

"Prue I would never do that," Phoebe said as she stood up as well.

"I know Phoebe I'm just a little overprotective of her right now," Prue said as she headed for the kitchen.

"Phoebe said you needed to talk to us when Piper went to sleep," Paige chimed in and hoped it would change the subject.

Prue put her dish in the sink and turned around to face them. "It's about the club, we can't keep it going and we need to sale it."

"Piper loves that club," Phoebe said as her hart broke at the thought of telling Piper.

"I know but it is losing too much money and her hospital bills are extensive, we could sale it and that should take care of the bills and give her some extra for therapy," Prue replied.

"Are you sure there isn't a way?" Paige asks hopefully.

"No Paige, I will tell her sometime next week. Right now I want to her to settle in and get comfortable again."

"Hay there is a spell in the book that lets you hear internal thoughts," Paige said as Prue cut her off.

"Paige I know you want to help but it will just piss her off and we may accidentally think something we don't want her to hear."

"So we just be careful."

"Prue is right honey, Piper needs to learn how to speak again and that is just an easy way out."

"Fine but the doctor said that she will not get any better," Paige said as she folded her arms.

"Yes she will Paige we just need to be patient and force her to practice," Prue replied.

"Listen we are all tired, so we will talk about this in the morning ok?" Phoebe said as she walked out and headed for the stairs.

Prue and Paige looked at each other silently for a moment until Paige went to her new room that was in the attic as Prue went to hers.

Leo helped Piper undress and for the first time in a while he got a good look at her. He could see her rib cage and her pale body as she looked down to the floor while sitting on the edge of the bed. His lower lip quivered as he held back tears and helped her put on her pajamas. She looked up into his shining eyes as he adjusted her shirt.

"I ory," she said as her eyes watered. They were supposed to get married and now she was not sure if that would even happen let alone if he still wanted too.

"For what honey?" Leo asks confused as he looked into her eyes.

She tried to speak but found it too difficult and instead rubbed Leo's ring finger with hers hoping he would understand. Leo squinted his eyes as he tried to make sense of what she was telling him and after a few moments he got the hint. "Piper this doesn't change how I feel about you, I love you and I will marry you," he said and kissed her on the forehead. Piper smiled but felt guilt rush through her, he is such a good man and he deserves better than this was all she could think about as he helped her lay down on the bed. He wanted to make love to her but was afraid that she was not ready or it would hurt her somehow. Piper could see the want in his eyes and even though she was exhausted she wanted him too.

"It ok," she said as she rubbed his forearm and Leo smiled as he kissed her lips. He went slow and gentle as he reconnected to his lover once more.

To be continued…