A/N:

charmed-darkangel I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking to write my stories for the most part and I think it misunderstands me on occasion, lol. Thanks for catching that so I don't keep doing it. It looks like everyone abbreviates it, so I will do the same.

Thanks for all the reviews everyone you are awesome!

Chapter 25

Struggling for pleasure

Episode 5.08

It's only been a few hours since they came out of the portal home and into a dark house. There was no electricity or running water and all the food in the refrigerator made it very clear that it was not edible by its smell. Things that would have sent normal people into a frenzy was just a small inconvenience for them as they sat in the living room in silence, taking in all the smells and sites. Piper held her son as Leo sat next to her and she could not contain her tears as she rocked him while he drank what was left of her milk. Leo had his arm around her and his hand robbed the baby's head while he smiled brightly, they were home, they were physically and emotionally exhausted but somehow found a spark as they all listen to the sucking sound of the baby and the crying of its mother, this time not of despair but of happiness.

"Wow they really do shut off your electricity if you don't pay," Paige said as she tried to turn on a lap.

"And I'm guessing there's no running water," Phoebe added as she was stretched out on the love seat, her legs dangling over the side of one of the arms.

"We will take care of it in the morning," Prue chimed but her eyes were closed as Andy was squeezed in next to her on another chair.

"I can get us some food," Cole said but did not move from his spot on the couch next to Leo.

"Leo could you heal Piper," Prue asks noticing all the scars that still remain on all of them as well as their current injuries.

"Oh god I'm sorry I just got distracted," He replied and moved his hands over Piper. The familiar orange glow flowed through her body and all her injuries were gone except the emotional scars. Leo worked his way around the room and healed everyone that needed it.

"That is amazing, god I missed Magic," Phoebe said as she stretched and did not feel pain when she did so.

"I don't think I have the energy to orb," Paige's raspy voice said.

The room filled with white swirling balls of light and Grams materialize in front of them, "My darlings," She said as her eyes filled with water.

Prue's eyes opened from they closed an exhausted state and she got a burst of energy as she jumped from her seat to hug her. "Grams," She said through sobs.

"Prue oh look at you we were so worried," Grams replied and hugged her granddaughter tightly.

"Wait you told us she was up there with you?" Piper said as the baby made goodly noises.

"I know honey but I thought she was there because of the transition period when someone dies and we thought she was still in that. About a month before you guys were taken, the elders told us she was not with us. Patty and I were looking frantically for her soul and did not want to worry you until we knew more," Grams said and Prue just kept hugging her," Prue Honey I'm not going anywhere."

"Sorry it's just," Prue replied and relinquished her grasp.

"Its ok sweetie."

"Do you think you can do something about the electricity you know with that thing you do so well," Phoebe asks with a little laugh.

"I can do one better, go look out the window," Grams answered and all of them went to the large windows in the solarium. The house lit up as the electricity came back on and the smell of rotting food dissipated. They were surrounded by clouds and the warmth of the sun came through the windows.

"Where are we?" Paige asks.

"Heaven, the elders wanted you guys to get some rest without having to worry about demon attacks. It's only for about a week, so take advantage of it. Right now your emotions are a little subdued because of being here but that will change once you go back, and that does not mean you can't feel sadness or even depression it's just not as aggressive," Grams replied and looked at her grandson for the first time.

"You know at first I was a little upset that he was a boy, you know because of my experiences with men," She said and rolled her eyes. "But your mother put my head on straight, so to speak."

"Would you like to hold him?" Piper asks as she moved over to her grams.

"Oh please," She replied with her arms outstretched.

Grams delicately took her grandson into her arms and her face lit up as he gave a little half smile. "Oh he has your smile Piper and his father's eyes, he is beautiful."

Piper thought she didn't have any tears left but seeing her son being held by her grandmother made it hard to contain any. But she started to feel a little panicked and Leo could sense it. "Piper are you ok?" He asks while rubbing her back.

"Yeah just a little overwhelmed," Piper replied but kept her eye on her baby. Grams knew that her granddaughter was having separation anxiety and gently put her grandson back into its mother's arms. Piper exhaled deeply and her panic began to fade. Grams gave a look of worry to Leo as Piper walked back to the sofa. Leo nodded in understanding and he went to his wife as Cole was wide-eyed looking out the window and a tear fell down his face.

"Cole are you ok?" Phoebe asks concerned.

"I thought I would never see it, I thought I would never get here," He replied and looked into her eyes.

"I will start the potion tomorrow ok?" She said knowing what he meant just by his look.

"Thank you Phoebe," He replied and gazed out the window again.

Paige went around the house and turned on all the lights and then tested the sink to make sure water came out. She placed her hand under the warm running water and let it run over her hands. It was like seeing it for the first time and was in wonderment at how all the pipes, all the connections brought the fruit of life right onto her hands. She felt a rubbing sensation on her back and was pulled out of her utopia for a moment. "Paige you with us?" Prue asks her baby sister.

Paige did not look up and just kept her hands in the running water. "Yeah it's amazing that such a simple thing can be so wonderful," She replied and started to cry.

"I know sweetie we are all a little overwhelmed right now but we need rest, so go take a long hot shower and get ready for bed ok?" Prue suggested and Paige finally looked up at her. "What if I dream?" She asked like a child terrified to sleep.

"Don't worry we are here and nothing will happen to you I promise, and I need a place to sleep so would it be ok if I bunk with you tonight?" Prue asks.

"That would be great," She replied and dried off her hands after turning off the water.

Prue walked back into the living room where everyone was gathering. She stood there for a moment observing her family that she has not seen in a year. Although their physical injuries were gone she could see the emotional ones remained. Piper would not let go of her baby and held it close and sometimes she would stare into space. Phoebe played with her hands a lot but like she was trying to wipe off the blood that was not there any longer. Cole did not pull himself away from the window as he gazed upon Heaven. Leo would not leave Piper's side and his bright green eyes seemed dimmer then before as Andy looked back at her and she wondered what he was seeing. "I probably look like hell," She thought as she saw Paige go upstairs. She was more worried about her than anyone else as she entered the living room. Paige was on the verge of a breakdown but her will was strong and probably wouldn't let herself just let loose or show any kind of weakness, even though it's not weak to cry especially after what happened.

"Grams if our house is up here then what is done there?" Prue asks.

"A hologram for the most part," She answered.

"Does anyone have any idea who did this to us?" Piper asks as she played with her son.

"A man named Lousestone at least that's what Darryl and his wife found out," Grams replied.

"What?" Phoebe asks when Darryl's name came up.

"It's a long story but they thought they killed him but of course they're not magical, so it didn't work. Anyway Lousestone has the ability to see death's list, and he knows when someone is going to die. He then makes a duplicate without a soul and then pulls the one with the sole to ancient Rome to sell at the market. I know what you're thinking, none of you are on death's list, except," Grams stopped and looked at Prue and Andy uncomfortably.

"It's okay were over it," Andy chimed in with a forced smile.

"Wait does that mean he'll come back for her," Piper asks worriedly.

"No Piper everything has changed and her destiny has just changed a path that's all," Grams replied and could hear everyone relinquish their breath they were holding.

"Does that mean there are duplicates of us down there?" Phoebe asks.

"No that's the thing, technically he can only do it if you are meant to die," Grams replied and sat down on the love seat.

"So there's someone else involved?" Piper chimed in.

"Yes and someone with a lot of power but we have no idea who."

"Well it can wait until we are rested a bit, I am going to take a long hot shower and then try to get some sleep," Piper said and headed for the stairs.

"Paige is taking one right now could you check on her?" Prue asks as she and Andy sat down.

"Sure," Piper replied and continued up the steps with her son.

Phoebe finally pried Cole away from the window and held his hand as they headed for the staircase as well. "I will skip the shower tonight, hope you don't mind honey," She said to Cole.

"That's okay at least we stink together," Cole replied and kissed her on the cheek.

Piper and Leo made it to the bathroom door and could hear the water running, "Paige are you ok?" She asks and bit her lower lip while waiting for a response, "Paige."

"Yeah I'm almost done," Paige replied but her voice was choppy.

"Leo do you think she is ok, I just don't want her to do anything, you know?" Piper asks as her stomach tightened.

"Piper she has a lot to cope with right now and it is common for people after they are raped to take long showers for a while," He replied in a whisper.

His wife looked at the door anxiously; she wanted to hold her, wanted to tell her she was safe but knew that she just needed some time to herself. For the last nine months they have not been alone and always had someone around them. For Paige, she was tormented with her thoughts and fears while Piper and her other sisters were either around each other, or had gladiators near them.

"Come on honey let's go to bed," Leo said and moved his wife away from the door but she would keep her eyes firmly fixed as she looked over her shoulder, while he guided her to their bedroom.

The bathroom was filled with hot vapor as Paige was in the corner of the shower stall with her knees to her chest and just rocked back and forth as tears streamed down her face. "I can't get clean, why can't I get clean," She thought as the warm water hit her toes. "God please help me," She whimpered quietly as her emotions were too strong for even Heaven to contain. Even though they were in a place of bliss and happiness they were not technically dead, so they still had the attachments that come with the human body. After several minutes the sound of someone knocking on the door took her away from the personal hell she was and Phoebe's voice mixed with the sound of draining water.

"Paige are you ok sweetie?"

The baby sister gathered herself reluctantly and stepped out of the shower. "Yeah I'm done sorry, I think there is hot water left," Paige replied and dried herself off.

"Oh I'm not worried about that, I was worried about you," Phoebe said behind the door.

"No I'm okay," She answered and then opens the door after she got her pajamas on.

"Look normal clothes," Phoebe said when she emerged.

"Tell me about it at least I don't have to have a degree in tailoring to figure out how to put these on," Paige replied with a snort and went to her room.

"Goodnight honey and I love you," Phoebe said as Paige disappeared behind her bedroom door but heard her say I love you too. Phoebe was not sure how to help her but she was too exhausted to even help herself right now and knew they all needed a good night's rest. She went into her bedroom with Cole by her side as Piper and Leo shut their door after saying goodnight to everyone.

Prue kept her promise and went up to her baby sister's bedroom, while Andy would sleep on the couch downstairs. A man materialized into the living room carrying a little gold satchel.

"Good give them good dreams please especially Paige," Grams told the Sandman and he nodded in understanding and dematerialized as Andy falls asleep. The Sandman sprinkle Dream dust on every one of them and all of them fell into a restful and blissful sleep as good dreams filled their heads.

Piper and Leo had their son between them because she could not put him in the crib, for her it was too far away and Leo did not protest. Prue snuggled up next to Paige and put her arm around her side as Paige held her forearm close to her chest. Phoebe and Cole was snuggled up against each other as the lights went out with a flick of Grams wrist, "Goodnight my darlings and grandson, I love you all," She said through tears and materialized away. Even though the sun was bright the house was darkened so they could sleep peacefully as the Sandman finished up his task.

The coming days would put the all to the test as they would try to get back into normal life and find it difficult and for some impossible to just blend in. The club was in disarray because of Piper's absence and Paige lost her job for the most part. Prue would have to start all over again and reestablish herself as one of the living along with Andy. The world is a little messier than when they left because evil now has the upper hand and the once celebrating demons would find out that the charmed ones are not dead but alive and struggling. Leo was going to start his Whitelighter duties again but he is afraid of leaving his wife as she is afraid of leaving her son. Phoebe will also need to reestablish her column and hope she still has a job as well. How would they explain their absence for almost a year was just one of the many challenges they will all have to face in the coming weeks?

To be continued….