TEN

Suddenly Phoebe brought her heel down on Snake's instep. He cried out in pain and the knife fell from his hand. As he bent over from the pain Phoebe brought her elbow up hard catching Snake in the forehead. The blow snapped Snake's head back sending him careening into the living room. He fell into the coffee table shattering it under his weight.

Snake started to stand up. Without hesitation Phoebe moved in and gave him a roundhouse kick to the stomach. Snake doubled over from the blow having the air forced from his lungs. Phoebe didn't wait. She moved up to Snake and gave him another roundhouse kick to the head sending him crashing into the fireplace.

Snake fell to the floor a cut bleeding over his right eye. He tried to rise but was disoriented and fell back to the floor. Phoebe picked up the switchblade and moved up to Snake. She grabbed him by the lapel of his jacket and jerked him roughly off the floor.

"Listen here, you scum bag," Phoebe said, nearly shaking from the rage she was feeling. "Maybe I am partially responsible for the way you've treated me. Maybe it is my fault that I let you bully me and mistreat me. When you do that to me that's one thing.

"But no one threatens my family. And no one pulls a knife on my sister. She let me come back when she really didn't have any reason to. I know she wasn't thrilled about me moving back in but she let me. I owe her more than I can repay. I owe Piper and Leo, too. And no one - not you, not anyone - is going to hurt them while I'm around."

Phoebe pushed the blade of the knife into small opening between two bricks in the fireplace. She pushed the knife to the side snapping the blade off. She pushed the broken handle of the knife into Snake's chest so hard he actually grunted.

Without missing a beat Phoebe dragged Snake through the living room. Staring in stunned amazement, Prue, Piper, and Leo moved out of her way. Phoebe dragged Snake to the front door, opened the door, and then literally threw Snake out onto the front porch. Snake fell onto the porch tumbling down the steps.

"You listen to me," said Phoebe, rage still evident in her voice. "You're nothing but a two-timing low life who does nothing but sponge off everyone else. Now get this through your thick Neanderthal head. We're finished. It's over. I want you out of here today, right now. And if I ever see you again I'm going to finish what I started here today. Now get on your motorcycle and get the hell out of here before I change my mind and finish it now."

Stunned, Snake got up and limped toward the motorcycle sitting at the curb in front of the manor. The look on his face suggested he was totally confused at the turn of events. He got on the motorcycle, kicked it started, and sped away from the manor as Phoebe and the others glared at him from the front door.

"Oh my God," gasped Phoebe, nearly collapsing. Leo caught her before she fell to the floor. "I don't know what happened.

"Well, I'd say you found your strength," said Leo, smiling and helping Phoebe to the sofa. "I think that would qualify for standing up to him."

"And then some," said Prue. "Pheebs, I never knew you had that in you."

"Neither did I," said Phoebe as she sat on the sofa shaking. "When I saw that knife at your throat I just lost it. All I could think of was that someone was threatening my sister. And I wasn't about to let that happen. I can't seem to stop shaking."

"That's the adrenalin," said Jack walking in from the kitchen. "I hope you don't mind. I've been keeping an eye on you since our chat. Just in case you needed to talk with me again."

"Of course we don't mind," said Piper. "We appreciate all the help."

"Like I said," said Jack, "that shaking is the adrenalin in your system. In times of stress the human body can produce large amounts of it. If it's not all used it will take a while before it gets out of your system. The shaking will subside soon, I promise."

"Phoebe," said Prue. She sighed slightly before she continued. "I can't believe what I'm about to say. I'm proud of you, sis. You stood up to him. I didn't think you would. You've always run from your problems and responsibilities. I figured this would be the same as every time before. Looks like I was wrong."

"Like I told Snake," said Phoebe, "I've changed. I'm not the same person I was when I went to New York. Or after I came back. I guess fighting demons for nearly three years has had a positive affect on me."

"It does cause people to become more responsible," said Jack. "I'm glad you won't need me any more. I think if Snake should come back you won't have the same problem you had before. The first step is always the hardest. If it happens again you'll probably find it easier to send him on his way."

"Thanks, Jack," said Phoebe. "You've been a big help."

"That's what White Lighters are for," said Jack smiling. "Leo, I'll see you up there at the next meeting."

"Sure thing," said Leo. "Thanks for everything."

Jack orbed out as Prue, Piper, and Leo continued to congratulate Phoebe on standing up to Snake. Unobserved in the bushes outside, Cole smiled to himself. He was glad now he hadn't intervened when Snake had pulled out the knife. He was proud of Phoebe for what she had done.

He also knew that Snake was not about to take no for an answer, even after the beating Phoebe had given him. In a short time he'd get his courage up and he'd be back. And he'd be ready for Phoebe the next time he showed up at the manor. Cole shimmered out of the bushes he was hiding in deciding that it was time he and Snake had a little chat.