Quick disclaimer because I realized after I had posted that I didn't have one.

If you think I own anything that you recognize in this story, let me call for the men in white coats. They'll help you out. Thanks for reading and all the reviews.

Part Five

Paige thought it over for a moment. She would do almost anything to stay away from a doctor. "Agreed."

"Then first things first. I'll go run a cool bath so we can start bringing that temperature down. Then we'll cover you in some of Grams' lotion after which you will rest. Well I'm off." And with that Piper left the room to complete her self assigned chore.

"Okay Paige. Let's go so you can take your bath." Said Phoebe once Piper had called out that the tub was ready. "I gotcha."

"You know Pheebs, I can walk without assistance."

"Yeah, well I'm not taking any chances."

"Between here and the bathroom? How much trouble can I get into?" asked Paige as she somewhat unsteadily got to her feet. "Whoa. Head rush. Way too much lying around."

"Now you know why I'm not taking any chances. Besides, you fall and Piper will have you in a doctor's office faster than you can say 'I'm okay.'"

"I heard that," yelled Piper from the bathroom. "Ignore her, Paige. She's exaggerating. It's more like faster than you can say 'Can you help me up?'"

"Riiiight," muttered Paige to herself as she and Phoebe made their way down the hallway to the bathroom. Once they had reached the door, Piper took charge. "Pheebs, can you help her sit on the side of the tub? Then we can help her out of her clothes."

Paige bristled at the thought that she couldn't undress herself. "Guys, I can undress myself. Last time I checked, I wasn't three years old."

"Uh-huh. And last time I checked you had two sisters who are willing to help you. You also agreed to a deal that said you would listen to us. Now are you going back on the deal, Paige?"

"No, I … I just …" she trailed off.

"Just what, Paige?" asked Phoebe softly.

"I guess I'm used to doing everything by myself. I mean I've looked after myself for the past twenty-three years with no issues."

"Okay," said Piper whose heart was breaking at the thought of everything Paige had gone through by herself. "I think, no I know that you are very independent Paige. We all are, but you need to learn to trust us to help you." She said sharing a glance with Phoebe before looking back at Paige. "We aren't trying to make you impotent, we're trying to help you. I know it's scary putting yourself in someone else's hands but you need to trust us. We aren't going to hurt you."

Paige thought about Piper's words. Was she ready to try trusting someone again after what had happened the last time she had trusted? Could she trust her family, her sisters? "Okay," she finally whispered after a period of silence deciding to go with her gut instincts. "You can do as you wish with me."

"Are you sure Paige?" Phoebe questioned. "We don't want to push you farther than you are willing to go."

"Yeah, I'm sure. What do you want me to do?" Paige replied in a stronger voice.

"Okay Paige," Piper said. "I … we will not break the trust you have just given us in taking care of you. If you would sit on the toilet, we'll help you take your shirt off."

Paige did as she was instructed and Phoebe helped her take her shirt off.

"Okay, now the hard part. I would like you to stand up and use Phoebe for support to step out of your pants and underwear once I bring them down to your ankles. Ready?"

Paige just nodded. She felt like she was going to fall asleep at any second. Leaning heavily on Phoebe to stand, she managed to complete the maneuver without any problems.

"Now Paige. Time to get into the bathtub. Can you step in or do want me and Pheebs to put you in?"

At this point, Paige wasn't even sure if she could lift her foot off the floor an inch much less the two feet it would take to get into the tub. Her entire body felt numb and unresponsive. "Could you help me in please?" she asked quietly.

"Sure. No problem." Piper went to Paige's left side and Phoebe went to Paige's right side. "Ok, on the count of three. One, two, three." On three, Piper lifted Paige's legs while Phoebe lifted her body. They then maneuvered her into the tub, setting her down gently. As soon as Paige was safely in the tub, Piper grabbed a plastic cup and started to pour the cool water over her head. "Okay, Paige. You need to stay in here for ten minutes. Then we'll take your temp again and see if you need to stay in longer. Sound good?"

"It's cold. But I don't think I get much choice in the matter." Paige said with a quick laugh as she had woken up from her semi slumber almost as soon as she was in the water. Piper was worried though when she saw that Paige wasn't shivering. "This water is freezing."

"I think that is a duh statement, honey. It's supposed to be cold otherwise we won't get your fever down."

"Yeah. You're not the one in the Arctic Ocean. All I need is some salt."

"Settle down. You only have like five minutes more. Honestly, I think you whine more than Pheebs."

"What?" said Phoebe pretending to be shocked by Piper's statement. "Me, whine, never."

"Sure," Paige said, knowing what a drama queen Phoebe could be at times.

"Hey, don't you get started on me too," Phoebe whined. Both Piper and Paige started laughing.

"Well, fine. Be like that. I'm going to leave before I provide any more entertainment for you two. Piper, do you want me to get some warm clothes for Paige?"

"Yeah. Some sweats for her would be great. Could you grab the thermometer for me before you go do that, please? I think I left it on the bed."

"Be right back." Phoebe left the room and returned about a minute later with the thermometer. She then left again to get the sweats for Paige. When Piper received the thermometer, she turned back around to look at Paige who was now shivering madly.

"Okay honey. I'm just going to take your temperature again. Then we can see if Grams' medicine and the bath have helped your fever any." With that said, Piper inserted the thermometer into Paige's ear until it beeped. She removed it and looked at the readout.

"So can I get out of here?" Paige asked with her teeth chattering when Piper didn't say anything for what felt like a minute.

"Slow down, Paige. Have a little patience. I was just thinking."

"And the verdict is …" prodded Paige who really wanted to get out of the tub ASAP.

"Yeah you can come out. Your fever is down to 102 which is good. Grams' medicine is as good as I remember it. Before you start moving, let me get Phoebe in here so she can help us." Piper yelled out "Phoebe," which had the effect of the desired sister running into the bathroom, sweats in hand.

"You rang," Phoebe said teasingly.

"Yeah. I did even though it was more of a yell. Can you help me take Paige out of the bathtub? Then we can get her dried off and into those sweats."

"Sure. Paige can you stand up by yourself or do you want some assistance?"

"I can stand up though I might need some help to remain standing."

"Okay use me for support then," Piper ordered when she saw Paige start to stand up which she was able to do. As soon as she was standing however, she had to use the offered support. "Okay now can you step out of the tub?"

"Yeah, one second. Let's see if the room will stop spinning for a moment."