Disclaimer: No, I don't own Charmed. Hey, it disappoints me as much as it does you. lol. Seriously though, I would have done some things a lot differently if I'd owned the show...anyways. That's my disclaimer and I'm stickin' to it! (In case you were wondering, no I don't do drugs, yes I really am THAT weird!!!:P)
AN: I want to apologize for any confusion that chapter/AN 12 caused. Here's your update!
Lara-Beth: You are a sweetheart. Thank you sooooo much!!!!!! You and I would get along perfectly, you know, because I have this friend...This friend would love to meet the moon, but she's very shy. She's a star, and her name is...what else? Star. So...thanks for everything! Tell the moon me and Star said hey! :)
Kristen's Paige: I'm glad you 'absolutely loved it'! Keep reading!
HalliwellGirls: I knew you'd like the bonding thing!!!! Btw, that story was completely awesome....thought you should know...again. lol. It was soo much fun writing what I did for Paige...lol, Prue definitely has something to think about!
Starring Piper: YAY, it's working!!!! :) I know, sister bonding is the bestest! *grins*
wAnNaBpIpEr: Welcome back!!!!! I misseded you! :) lol, thanks for reviewing!
Rea: you DO care!!! *smiles* WOO-HOO!!!! lol, don't worry I am insane as well!
"OK, Paige, truth or dare?," Phoebe demanded, taking a sip of the Dr. Pepper in her hand (Disclaimer: I don't own Dr. Pepper! I know, a sad fact, but a true one, nonetheless.). Paige sighed dramatically, stalling as she grabbed a handful of chips and stuffed them in her mouth.
"Truth," she answered sullenly after swallowing the last of the chips. Phoebe grinned. She had known that would be the answer, and had the perfect question.
"Who's your favorite sister?," she asked, leaning in, very interested. Piper mirrored Phoebe's actions, leaning in and putting her hands on the floor in front of her to keep her balance.
"No fair," Paige complained, "I can't answer that." Phoebe laughed, and sat back.
"You have to," she challenged. Paige frowned, prolonging her sisters' agony.
"Fine. Then all of you, because I love you all the best," she answered finally, dodging the hand flying at her shoulder.
"That is NOT a good answer," Phoebe whined, "But I guess I'll accept it." Laughing, Paige threw a chip at her. Phoebe skillfully caught it with her mouth, crunching down loudly.
"My turn," Paige said triumphantly, cracking her knuckles, "Let's see. Who will I pick for my victim?" Phoebe playfully hid behind Piper, who reached back and hit her on the head.
"No hiding, Phoebe," Piper scolded as Phoebe moved from behind her.
"Piper," Paige called out, "Truth or Dare?" Piper groaned. Why her?
"Truth," she answered firmly, steeling herself for the upcoming question.
"What are you guys doing?," came the question, but not from Paige. The three looked up into the angry face of their older sister.
"What does it look like?," Paige countered, motioning towards her sisters and the junk food.
"It looks like a mess," Prue answered hotly, crossing her arms. Paige rolled her eyes.
"Come on, Prue, I know you want to join us," Piper teased, trying to lighten the mood and forgetting her earlier annoyance with Prue.
"No, not really, but I would like to know why you are all sitting around in your pajamas doing nothing when there are a million things that need to be done," Prue said. irritation heavy in her tone and attitude. Paige jumped up, ready for a fight. What had gotten into Prue lately? She was acting like a spoiled child.
"We are having fun," Paige shot back, narrowing her eyes, "You know, fun, as in NOT dull and boring." Prue glared at her, making her anger very well-known.
"Prue," Phoebe interrupted, stopping any insults from coming out of Prue's mouth, "What is your problem?"
"My problem, Phoebe, is that Paige is turning you all into lazy, irresponsible children," Prue accused, then realized how ridiculous she sounded. Laughing, she dropped out of the aggressive stance she'd been in.
"There that's better," Phoebe praised, laughing, "Now, would you care to tell us what is really wrong?"
"No," Prue answered simply, whirling around and walking away. She didn't want her sisters to see her fallen expression or the guilt in her eyes. How could she tell them that she blamed Paige for what was happening to Phoebe? In her mind, she knew it wasn't rational or fair, but her heart screamed against the newest sister, throwing accusations that she couldn't tell any of them about. This was her problem, she wasn't about to make it theirs too.
"Prue, wait," Paige called from the bottom of the stairs. Prue stopped, midway up, and turned to face her. Paige looked up at her, sympathy and concern written all over her face.
"I don't want to talk about this, Paige," Prue said, answering the unspoken questions. Paige shrugged as Prue began walking up the stairs and followed determinedly. She could be just as stubborn, if not more, than Prue.
"What is it? Is it that you are upset about Phoebe? We all are, it's OK to talk about it," Paige told her, trailing after her, before getting a door slammed in her face.
"Prue," she yelled, making sure it was loud enough to get through the barrier, "You have to tell me eventually, and until you do I'm going to stand out here and guess." Music blasted through the door. Paige smiled, Prue was as stubborn as she'd thought, but she was worse. Much worse.
"OK, fine, if that's how you want it," Paige said, half to herself, then started beating on the door. Finally, just when Paige was ready to admit defeat, the music stopped and Prue's door flew open.
"You really want to know what's wrong with me?," Prue screamed, pushing Paige into the far wall, "YOU ARE. You, with your stupid way of getting what you want." Paige stared, shocked as Prue continued. "You wanted to live. So bad that you manipulated my baby sister into switching your disease into her body," Prue accused coldly, with a look so fierce Paige subconsciously shrunk away from her. Paige felt tears build. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Betrayal and hurt battled for control over her emotions, but finally, when she could see no other way to handle it, anger took over completely. Rage poured into her as thick as blood, coursing through her veins with a savage speed.
"That's sick, Prue. What, you can't find anything better to do than to blame me for something that is so obviously your fault. Or can't you hear? Remember, she said she wanted to be like you, that's why she did it. It had nothing to do with me at all! Don't you see, you set such a high 'example' that she felt she had to be like you. My God, it's hero worship here, and it makes me sick," Paige spat, her voice getting louder with every word. Prue slapped her, putting all of her anger and guilt into it. Paige's head hit the wall with a thud, then she turned her gaze back on Prue, anger leaping like flames in her eyes. Paige nearly hit her back. She even raised her hand up, fist clenched tightly, but something stopped her. She saw underneath the rage and accusations into Prue's real feelings. She saw fear. Such a deep-rooted fear that it cooled Paige's anger instantly.
"What are you so afraid of?," Paige asked softly, reaching up to touch Prue's cheek. Prue was undone by that gentle, sweet action. Tears streaked her cheeks, and she closed her eyes against the emotions hitting her. She choked back a sob, her body crumpling under the weight of grief. Paige caught her carefully as Prue fell to the floor. Gently, she embraced her, feeling tears soak into her shirt, and drip onto her skin.
"That you're right," Prue answered. Paige was confused for a second, then remembered her earlier question. Guilt turned her blood ice cold and strangled the air out of her lungs. What had she just done? Tightening her grip on Prue, she turned over the hateful words both had said in her mind. Why were they both blaming each other for this? They should be pulling together, not apart.
"OK, if you guys are going to keep fighting, at least keep it to a dull roar," Piper said, walking up the stairs. She stopped short at the scene in front of her. Phoebe ran into her, unaware that she was going to stop.
"Piper," Phoebe reprimanded, then stepped around her and stopped talking. The sight of seeing Prue so devastated shocked them both speechless. Paige glanced at them with tears in her eyes. No one spoke, just moved closer to wrap their arms around Prue, who just sobbed, releasing all of the emotions that had been building in her for weeks. The argument had only been the last straw, toppling the tower of events that had slammed into them all. Her sisters hugged her, feeling helpless, and felt their hearts breaking along with Prue's. After everything they had been through, they were losing one of their closest companions, and it was killing each of them in different ways. With Phoebe it was physical, with Prue it was her spirit, with Piper it was her heart, and with Paige it was a mixture of heart and soul. Regardless, none were sure how or if they would survive this crushing grief. It came down to one question, could they live without a sister?
AN: I want to apologize for any confusion that chapter/AN 12 caused. Here's your update!
Lara-Beth: You are a sweetheart. Thank you sooooo much!!!!!! You and I would get along perfectly, you know, because I have this friend...This friend would love to meet the moon, but she's very shy. She's a star, and her name is...what else? Star. So...thanks for everything! Tell the moon me and Star said hey! :)
Kristen's Paige: I'm glad you 'absolutely loved it'! Keep reading!
HalliwellGirls: I knew you'd like the bonding thing!!!! Btw, that story was completely awesome....thought you should know...again. lol. It was soo much fun writing what I did for Paige...lol, Prue definitely has something to think about!
Starring Piper: YAY, it's working!!!! :) I know, sister bonding is the bestest! *grins*
wAnNaBpIpEr: Welcome back!!!!! I misseded you! :) lol, thanks for reviewing!
Rea: you DO care!!! *smiles* WOO-HOO!!!! lol, don't worry I am insane as well!
"OK, Paige, truth or dare?," Phoebe demanded, taking a sip of the Dr. Pepper in her hand (Disclaimer: I don't own Dr. Pepper! I know, a sad fact, but a true one, nonetheless.). Paige sighed dramatically, stalling as she grabbed a handful of chips and stuffed them in her mouth.
"Truth," she answered sullenly after swallowing the last of the chips. Phoebe grinned. She had known that would be the answer, and had the perfect question.
"Who's your favorite sister?," she asked, leaning in, very interested. Piper mirrored Phoebe's actions, leaning in and putting her hands on the floor in front of her to keep her balance.
"No fair," Paige complained, "I can't answer that." Phoebe laughed, and sat back.
"You have to," she challenged. Paige frowned, prolonging her sisters' agony.
"Fine. Then all of you, because I love you all the best," she answered finally, dodging the hand flying at her shoulder.
"That is NOT a good answer," Phoebe whined, "But I guess I'll accept it." Laughing, Paige threw a chip at her. Phoebe skillfully caught it with her mouth, crunching down loudly.
"My turn," Paige said triumphantly, cracking her knuckles, "Let's see. Who will I pick for my victim?" Phoebe playfully hid behind Piper, who reached back and hit her on the head.
"No hiding, Phoebe," Piper scolded as Phoebe moved from behind her.
"Piper," Paige called out, "Truth or Dare?" Piper groaned. Why her?
"Truth," she answered firmly, steeling herself for the upcoming question.
"What are you guys doing?," came the question, but not from Paige. The three looked up into the angry face of their older sister.
"What does it look like?," Paige countered, motioning towards her sisters and the junk food.
"It looks like a mess," Prue answered hotly, crossing her arms. Paige rolled her eyes.
"Come on, Prue, I know you want to join us," Piper teased, trying to lighten the mood and forgetting her earlier annoyance with Prue.
"No, not really, but I would like to know why you are all sitting around in your pajamas doing nothing when there are a million things that need to be done," Prue said. irritation heavy in her tone and attitude. Paige jumped up, ready for a fight. What had gotten into Prue lately? She was acting like a spoiled child.
"We are having fun," Paige shot back, narrowing her eyes, "You know, fun, as in NOT dull and boring." Prue glared at her, making her anger very well-known.
"Prue," Phoebe interrupted, stopping any insults from coming out of Prue's mouth, "What is your problem?"
"My problem, Phoebe, is that Paige is turning you all into lazy, irresponsible children," Prue accused, then realized how ridiculous she sounded. Laughing, she dropped out of the aggressive stance she'd been in.
"There that's better," Phoebe praised, laughing, "Now, would you care to tell us what is really wrong?"
"No," Prue answered simply, whirling around and walking away. She didn't want her sisters to see her fallen expression or the guilt in her eyes. How could she tell them that she blamed Paige for what was happening to Phoebe? In her mind, she knew it wasn't rational or fair, but her heart screamed against the newest sister, throwing accusations that she couldn't tell any of them about. This was her problem, she wasn't about to make it theirs too.
"Prue, wait," Paige called from the bottom of the stairs. Prue stopped, midway up, and turned to face her. Paige looked up at her, sympathy and concern written all over her face.
"I don't want to talk about this, Paige," Prue said, answering the unspoken questions. Paige shrugged as Prue began walking up the stairs and followed determinedly. She could be just as stubborn, if not more, than Prue.
"What is it? Is it that you are upset about Phoebe? We all are, it's OK to talk about it," Paige told her, trailing after her, before getting a door slammed in her face.
"Prue," she yelled, making sure it was loud enough to get through the barrier, "You have to tell me eventually, and until you do I'm going to stand out here and guess." Music blasted through the door. Paige smiled, Prue was as stubborn as she'd thought, but she was worse. Much worse.
"OK, fine, if that's how you want it," Paige said, half to herself, then started beating on the door. Finally, just when Paige was ready to admit defeat, the music stopped and Prue's door flew open.
"You really want to know what's wrong with me?," Prue screamed, pushing Paige into the far wall, "YOU ARE. You, with your stupid way of getting what you want." Paige stared, shocked as Prue continued. "You wanted to live. So bad that you manipulated my baby sister into switching your disease into her body," Prue accused coldly, with a look so fierce Paige subconsciously shrunk away from her. Paige felt tears build. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Betrayal and hurt battled for control over her emotions, but finally, when she could see no other way to handle it, anger took over completely. Rage poured into her as thick as blood, coursing through her veins with a savage speed.
"That's sick, Prue. What, you can't find anything better to do than to blame me for something that is so obviously your fault. Or can't you hear? Remember, she said she wanted to be like you, that's why she did it. It had nothing to do with me at all! Don't you see, you set such a high 'example' that she felt she had to be like you. My God, it's hero worship here, and it makes me sick," Paige spat, her voice getting louder with every word. Prue slapped her, putting all of her anger and guilt into it. Paige's head hit the wall with a thud, then she turned her gaze back on Prue, anger leaping like flames in her eyes. Paige nearly hit her back. She even raised her hand up, fist clenched tightly, but something stopped her. She saw underneath the rage and accusations into Prue's real feelings. She saw fear. Such a deep-rooted fear that it cooled Paige's anger instantly.
"What are you so afraid of?," Paige asked softly, reaching up to touch Prue's cheek. Prue was undone by that gentle, sweet action. Tears streaked her cheeks, and she closed her eyes against the emotions hitting her. She choked back a sob, her body crumpling under the weight of grief. Paige caught her carefully as Prue fell to the floor. Gently, she embraced her, feeling tears soak into her shirt, and drip onto her skin.
"That you're right," Prue answered. Paige was confused for a second, then remembered her earlier question. Guilt turned her blood ice cold and strangled the air out of her lungs. What had she just done? Tightening her grip on Prue, she turned over the hateful words both had said in her mind. Why were they both blaming each other for this? They should be pulling together, not apart.
"OK, if you guys are going to keep fighting, at least keep it to a dull roar," Piper said, walking up the stairs. She stopped short at the scene in front of her. Phoebe ran into her, unaware that she was going to stop.
"Piper," Phoebe reprimanded, then stepped around her and stopped talking. The sight of seeing Prue so devastated shocked them both speechless. Paige glanced at them with tears in her eyes. No one spoke, just moved closer to wrap their arms around Prue, who just sobbed, releasing all of the emotions that had been building in her for weeks. The argument had only been the last straw, toppling the tower of events that had slammed into them all. Her sisters hugged her, feeling helpless, and felt their hearts breaking along with Prue's. After everything they had been through, they were losing one of their closest companions, and it was killing each of them in different ways. With Phoebe it was physical, with Prue it was her spirit, with Piper it was her heart, and with Paige it was a mixture of heart and soul. Regardless, none were sure how or if they would survive this crushing grief. It came down to one question, could they live without a sister?