Chapter 5: Lean On Me

Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed or any of the characters

Hospital

Leo stood in the hallway of the hospital and looked through the window to Paige's room. Why couldn't he heal her? It killed him to see Piper and Phoebe worrry about Paige. Especially Piper. She was always the strong one, but he knew this was killing her inside. Piper showed her emotions in a very different way. She was slow to say I love you because she was very slow to trust. It had taken him years to prove himself to her and sometimes he felt like he was still fighting to prove himself. But he knew Piper loved him and he knew she loved Paige, even if she had never said it aloud. If anything happened to Paige, Piper would be devastated.

Leo slowly walked into Paige's room which was filled with silence. The only noise he could hear was the breathing machine that was keeping Paige alive. Phoebe was the first to look up and see him there. She gave him an inviting smile and he joined the two sisters at Paige's bedside.

"She's going to make it," he said to the sisters and also to reassure himself.

"She's strong," Phoebe agreed. "She'll come back to us."

Piper just sat silent. She couldn't process everything that was happening. Leo, seeing this, went to her side. He kissed her on top of her head. Phoebe saw that the two of them needed a moment and she thought that Leo might be able to get through to Piper so she excused herself.

"I'm going to take a little walk and get some fresh air," she said. "Take care of her," she whispered to Leo and squeezed his hand. "Come and get me if there are any changes." With that she left the room with one last glance at Paige. Phoebe closed the door to Paige's room and walked to the waiting room. As soon as she sat down in the chair she began to cry. She couldn't hold it in any longer. How could this be happening? She couldn't lose Paige. As much as she tried to reassure Piper that Paige would be okay, she worried. It all became too much and she broke down, burrying her face in her hands. She was crying so hard that she didn't even hear someone else walk into the room until she heard her name.

"Phoebe, are you okay?"

She looked up and was stunned at who she saw. "Jason...what are you doing here?"

"I was in town and I stopped by the paper. Elise was there and she told me what happened with Paige. I knew you would be here and I just couldn't stand the thought of you trying to go through this on your own. I know we've had some issues, well I've had some issues with the whole magic thing, but I just wanted to be here. But if you want me to go I will," Jason rambled on. It had been months since he had seen or even spoken to Phoebe.

All Phoebe could do was hug Jason. She didn't care about their differences at that moment. All she cared about was that there was a shoulder to cry on. Something she desperately needed, and she knew Piper needed the same.

Paige's room

Leo sat next to Piper and held her hand. "It's okay to cry you know," he said. Piper was trying desperately to be strong and he wanted her to know she could break down in front of him. "I am here for you, I love you Piper."

Piper turned her head and looked Leo in the face. Her eyes seemed blank and somewhat cold. "I don't want to cry," she replied.

"It's okay Piper. Paige is your sister you are allowed to feel some emotions."

"It's just not fair," she said.

"It's never fair when someone we love gets hurt," Leo tried to explain.

"No, that's not what I mean," she said. Suddenly Piper began to get very upset. "It's just not fair. Why can I say a spell and vanquish any demon in the underworld, hell we even vanquished the source once, but when it comes to my own sister, I can't do a damn thing! If I can protect the world from evil, why can't I protect my baby sister?"

Leo wasn't really sure how to respond to her. He knew she was right. He had been feeling the same way earlier. He had always been able to heal, but why couldn't he now? "Piper we all have those questions and sometimes there just aren't any answeres."

"That's the problem Leo, there are never any answers. Where the hell are the Elders now? The all powerful Elders who would do anything to keep the Power of Three together are nowhere to be found now," Piper said.

"We have to believe Piper."

"Believe in what?" she asked.

"Believe in Paige and believe in love. Love is the most powerful tool. It brought us back together and it will bring Paige back as well." Leo placed his hand on Piper's cheek and for the first time in a long while she did not turn away from him. "I love you," he whispered as he pulled her into a hug.

"I love you too," she whispered through tears. It felt good to be back in Leo's arms again. As he held her she prayed that he wouldn't let go, and she also prayed that Paige would not let go.

A/N: I'm sorry for all of you who would rather see someone else with Phoebe, but I always liked Jason!