She leaned against her pillows on her bed as she snuggled underneath the covers. She wanted to stay there forever, but she knew she couldn't. She looked up when she saw her door start to open slowly.
"Hey. You're awake."
"Usually when someone's eyes are open then yes that is as sign they are awake." Phoebe shot back at her sister. It had come out harsher then she wanted it to. "Sorry."
Piper sat on the edge of the bed and ran her hand over Phoebes back, "It's ok sweetie. We all have those days. So what you plan on doing today?"
Phoebe held Pipers eyes for a moment, "I was thinking of heading into work today."
Piper didn't say anything. As the news set in. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. It's been well over a week now. I need to get on with my life or he just keeps winning."
Piper knew how much Phoebe wanted to get back into her routine, she just didn't want her sister to over do it.
"Piper I know you are worried but I'll be fine. My stomach doesn't hurt as it used to and my fevers gone. Look if it'll make you feel better, why don't you and Prue come by and we'll have lunch. You can bring it." She added with her trade cheeky grin.
She looked down at her baby sister face and knew she couldn't say no. "Fine I'll bring a lunch for the three of us. But if you get tired or are sore at all, you go home. Got it?" Piper leaned over and tapped her finger on Phoebes nose.
"I got it." Phoebe waited till Piper was gone before she tossed back the covers and started to get out of bed. She had been coped up in the Manor ever since she had gotten home from Portland. She just wanted out. She twinged a bit as the tightness in her stomach twinged with a shot of slight pain. "Brush it off Phoebs. You got to get out of here." Making her way to her closet she found something to wear and then headed down for breakfast.
Prue watched as Piper walked into the kitchen and she knew instantly that something was up. "Spill. What's going on?"
"Phoebe, that's what's going on. She's going into work today." Piper explained as she started to fuss around the kitchen starting on the lunch for the three of them.
"Piper we can't let her stay coped up inside the rest of her life."
"I can't believe you are going along with this Prue. Our baby sister was stabbed and nearly died almost two weeks ago because some lunatic thought he loved her."
Prue could see the anguish in Pipers face. "I know that Piper, I was there too remember. But maybe this is her way of dealing with it now. We have to support her."
"Fine, then you won't have any trouble meeting us for lunch today at her office." Piper looked up almost challenging Prue to say no.
Prue met her gaze, "Actually I had a photoshoot right after lunch but yeah I can make that. Because I have a feeling that this is more for you then her. You have to let her do what she wants Piper. I know it's hard. Believe me I do. I don't want to see her get hurt again. But she also needs to get back her life."
Piper placed the knife on the counter. She knew Prue was right but she was so scared of losing Phoebe. She felt the arms wrap around her protecting her.
"She needs to do this sweetie. We just need to be there if and when she falls. Together we will get past this. Just like last time." Prue held Piper in her arms as she felt Piper reach up and wipe away a tear.
"I know. I'm sorry." She turned around and hugged Prue.
"Ok, how can the youngest get in on that sister moment. Or would you two like to be alone."
Prue and Piper both turned and looked at Phoebe in the doorway before they both reached out their arms for her to join them
"Look guys I know you are a bit worried about me going back so soon. But I just need to get out of here. I need to get my life back in order." She explained as she pulled away from the hug and headed for the coffee machine."
"We know Phoebs. And we will support you. We just don't want you over doing it. You only got your stitches out last week. But I hear I get one of Pipers great lunches." Prue added hoping to lighten the mode.
"Yup. All the favorites. We can sit up on the roof of the paper. Great view from up there."
"Ok, I have to run or I'll miss lunch. I'll meet you two at noon then." Prue grabbed her camera bag and kissed each sister on the forehead before heading out, "Love you two."
Piper watched as her oldest sister ran out the back door. She turned and saw Phoebe laughing slightly. Though her one hand on her stomach.
"She is a pain isn't she?" Piper smiled
Phoebe looked at her and realized that she had been caught, 'Yeah but she made me laugh."
"And that my sweet is all that matters. Now you better get going or you're gonna be late too. Did you call in to Elise let her know you are coming back into day?"
"No I thought I'd surprise her." Phoebe made her way to the front of the Manor, "What's that?" she asked pointing at the small package on the table.
"Don't know. Prue got the door when I went up to see you this morning."
They both picked up the package and noticed Phoebes name on it.
Just wanted to stop in to see if you were feeling better. John
Phoebe looked inside the box and smiled. "Who is John and how did he know that these were my favorite chocolates?"
Piper looked inside the box, "He was Billy's parole officer. He was the one that found you before the police did."
"Oh." Was all Phoebe said as she set the box inside her briefcase. "Ok I have to go. See you for lunch." She kissed Piper on the check before heading out the door, "Love you."
"You too." Piper called back as she watched her sister make her way down the steps.
--- ----
She looked at the pile on her desk and sighed. "I guess that's what I get for taking a few weeks off."
"You are darn straight it is. So get in there and start in that pile."
Phoebe turned around to see the look on Elise's face. Making her way to her seat she sat down and looked at the top letter.
"And Phoebe."
Phoebe looked up from behind the pile.
"It's good to see you back, and that you are ok."
"Thanks Elise." Phoebe smiled as her boss walked out of the office.
Prue had stopped by the office, not that long after they had gotten home, and explained to Elise what had happened to Phoebe and why she was going to be off a few days. The only thing that the staff knew was she was out with the flu.
All day the usual question and welcome backs were past to her as she sat in her office as people moved by her doorway.
"Welcome back"
"Glad to see you're feeling better."
"Missed you "
She looked up at the knock on her door. "Can I help you?"
"Um maybe. The name is John."
"John. As in the chocolates John?" she gave him a weak smile.
"I hope you like them. They're my mother's favorites. I just wanted to give you something as more of an apology then anything. And to see that you were all right."
"Apology?"
"He was my parolee. I should have paid more attention to what he was doing."
"Well it wasn't your fault. He was sick long before you met him. But now I can thank you ."
"Me?"
"I heard you were the one that found me before the police came."
"I was just following up on what I thought might be going on, after I was speaking with Lieutenant Morris."
"Well thank you. And I'm sure my sisters thank you."
"Well like I said I'm just glad you were ok."
"Thank you." She smiled, "And thanks again for the chocolates. They are my favorite too."
He started for her door, "Well I should get going. I have to head back to Portland soon. And I should let you get back to work. Take care of yourself Phoebe."
"I will." She watched him start to leave the then he stopped. Turning slowly. "Um. I know you don't really know me. But before I do go back to Portland. I would love to take you for lunch. Maybe dinner."
Phoebe was not really shocked by his request, but she just didn't know what to say. After everything she had been though. But he knew what she been through recently.
"UM. Wow. You know I'm flattered really. But I can't."
"Oh. Well ok. That's cool."
"Look I'm sorry." She could almost see the look of rejection on his face. "You are probably a really great guy. But with everything that I just went through and not to mention the messy divorce I just finished. I just want to take it easy for a while before I toss myself back into the dating game."
"I understand. Maybe another time then?" he added with hope.
"Yeah, maybe another time."
"Good bye Phoebe."
"Good bye John. And thank you again."
He smiled at her and left her office.
--- ---
She had met her sisters for lunch and was now once again trying to get through the pile on her desk. She had turned the wrong way once or twice as she felt the slight pain in her abdomen. Sitting at her chair with her hand on her still healing wound, she didn't even look up as someone approached her door.
"Well look at you Miss Billboard's all over the city."
Phoebe snapped her head up at the sound of the voice at her door, "Clay? What are you doing here?"
"Well I was in the city and was going to drop by the Manor. But I was a little hesitant on what Prue would do. And then I saw your beautiful face plastered all over the city. So I thought I'd come here instead. Safer. For me."
She got up and went around her desk and wrapped her arms around his neck. Embracing him in a warm hug and felt the same warm hug back. After everything she had been through this was the one man who she knew she still had a connection to.
They had visited briefly as Phoebe tried to hurry through her article. "Ok so what are you doing tonight?" she asked him as she printed off her copy.
"I was going to go check out this club that is suppose to one of the best in the city. Feel like joining me?"
"Depends. Where you going?" she smiled at him as she handed her print to her assistant before grabbing her coat and starting for the door.
"Place called P3."
Phoebe looked over at him and just smiled.
"I know that look Phoebe Halliwell. What are you hiding?" He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.
"I'll meet you there tonight." She reached up and kissed him softly on the lips. "Its good to see you again Clay." She got in her car and started out of the parking lot.
--- ----
He had watched her leave her office and immediately saw the man next to her. But when he watched her kiss him his blood boiled. "You turned me down saying you needed a break and here you are with him?" he watched as she pulled out of the parking lot. He watched has the man got in his own car. He knew what he wanted to do but he wanted to see how things played first. He followed her to the Manor and waited until that night when they all went out
--- ----
"Ok Phoebe who is this mystery man you keep saying you are meeting?" Piper teased as they headed for the Jeep.
"Not telling." She answered with a smile.
"After what you have just gone through, not to mention Cole, you would think you would be steering clear of men." Prue put in as she got in her own vehicle.
"Yeah well some men are worth it." She shot back as she got in Pipers jeep.
--- ----
The crowds started light, and then started to pick up as it usually did on a Friday night.
"So Phoebs." Prue looked over at her sister in their alcove.
"I will be right back. Maybe." She answered as she scrunched up her nose at her sisters and walked to the entrance of the club. She knew Clay should be showing up at any time. She wandered outside and scanned the parking lot.
"You looking for me?" He wrapped his arms around her, but felt her flinch slightly at first, till she realized who it was.
"You scarred the crap out of me Clay."
"Sorry. So what you say we check this place out?"
Phoebe took his hand and led him past the crowd.
"Um Phoebs. What are you doing?" he looked past the crowds and just shrugged his shoulders.
She walked past the bouncer at the door, still pulling him after her, as he waited for the bouncer to come after them, but he didn't even pay attention.
"Regular are you?" Clay asked as they made their way down to the dance floor level.
"Something like that." she smiled as she pulled him to the dance floor in time for a slow song to play out.
Prue and Piper had seen her from the moment she reappeared in the club.
"Is that who I think it is?" Prue looked on astonished as to who was with her baby sister.
"If it looks like and walks like Clay. Then yes it is who you think it is." Piper smiled at her baby sister, as they seemed to almost meld together as one on the dance floor.
He looked at them over the rim of his glass. Placing it on the table he fumed inside as they moved on the floor together like one body, one person. Even from there he could see that there was more going on then most people would see. But then the way they were acting everyone knew what they were both thinking. And it only enraged him more.
"You will pay for your betrayal Phoebe and so will he. You belong to me and no one else." He glared at the couple as the song ended and she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him for a long passionate kiss. It was just that one last kiss that pushed him over the edge. Over the edge that would cost someone their life.
