Kandie-Spirit-Dragon: Hey, thanks a lot for reviewing. And Yeah, I somehow tend to write sad dramas.
Peanut2lb: Sorry friend, no magical fixing this time. Yeah, Prue's kidney went totally KA-Boom! I just love to be mean to my fav witch; and you guessed right, Lexie can not be a donor, but no one told the doctors that shecouldn't, so wait and so, wait and read dude. Andy's cool. no need to worry. Thanks for reviewing pal. PS: I wonder where Leo is too...
Faith-Kingsley: Oh man, I love ice cream myself! Thanks for reviewing dude, and don't worry, Piper and Phoebe will be in SF pretty soon, after the surgery.
Princess Pinky: Hey there DUDE, thanks a lot for your nice review. Don't worry, Lexie will absolutely be a good donor, I made sure of that LOL, and I like Michael too, so him and Lex will definitelyhave something going, I just hope that Lex says yes, lol. About Darryl...I've alwyays thought that he's such a good friend to the sisters, I just love that guy.
PrUe AnD AnDy: Thanks a lot for reviewing kiddo, No need to worry, Andy's just fine, you'll see; and besides, he can't die, he has to marry Prue!...Ask Pinky and Peanut2lb!
Sarah: I'm so glad you like my story, and don't worry, Andy's ok. Thanks a lot for your nice words, I'm sure you'd write tooif you just gave it a try. (hint-hint) Yes, Lexie can be sweet sometimes, aint she?
Orion H.: Dude, I'm sorry about the not liking Andything. I think they do make a great couple though. Please, just bare with me here, grab a bucket andtry to like him, he's cool and I just can't seem to picture Prue with another guy. Thanks for reviewing mate.
AlyssaAs: Thanks a lot for your review kiddo. Why do I get the feeling that you don't like Lexie that much? LOL...Come on dude, give her a chance to show how much she loves her sisters. I hope this chappie answers most of your questions. Hey, I like your wacky posts... really, a lot!
Charming Rachel 2005: A quick oxygen mask coming your way! LOL thanks a lot dude, your words are very much appreciated. Of course I will continue with the story, I even Have a name for a sequel.
Ruthy: No need to fear, CC is here! Dude thanks a lot for reviewing. Here's your update.
Jenny Sherman: Jen, Jen, Jen... my dear friend, thanks a lot for always beeing on the look out for this friend of yours that happens to love you a lot. As you can see, I'm fine now. Thanks. Here's the next installment of the story you happen to like, which by the way, I'm honored. Take care matey. LOVE.
CC McKenna
Earthquake
Chapter Nine
"You can not keep me here forever, you know that, don't you?" Cole gripped his fingers tightly around the bars of the magic protected chamber he was kept in, and stared with evil eyes at his captor. "You know I'm going to kill you with my bare hands as soon as I break free"
"Oh, but I do not intent to keep you here forever; see…'forever' is a rather profound word, I just need you here so that your witch does not get the help she's going to be needing from you" He raised his hand and unexpectedly threw a powerful lightning bolt directly at Cole's chest, which immediately made him fall limply on his back. "I don't know, maybe I might even lure your witch down here; perhaps we could get a little cozy…"
"Y-you lay a hand on her a-and I swear t-there won't be a place f-for you to h-hide from me, I'll…"
"Belthazor…Belthazor…Belthazor; you were never a good looser, now, were you?"
"You're g-going to regret this Zinnlar" Cole gasped, "I promise you'll be begging me to k-kill you once…once I get to…" Cole closed his eyes tightly; the high voltage discharge he'd received from Zinnlar was starting to work wonders in his drained body. "I'll k-kill y-you" He whispered before fainting away.
"Yeah…ok, but perhaps some other day Belthazor, see… I'm kinda busy right now" Zinnlar smirked as he shimmered out; he was preparing his master plan to finally get the Charmed ones' powers once and for all, but this time he was sure he was going to get what he wanted, one way or another, he was going to be the new ruler of the underworld.
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Darryl watched absentmindedly the way Piper and Phoebe, obviously disturbed, descended the electric stairs in the overflowed Los Angeles airport. They looked lifeless, filled with sorrow, and that made him feel a lot worse thanwhat he was alreadyfeeling. The last time he checked his watch he noticed that he'd been there for more thanfour long and exasperating hours; and now that they were finally in front of him, he just wanted to disappear from the face of the earth; go anywhere or do anything but being the barer of such appalling and painful news.
"Darryl!" Piper dropped her leather handbag and ran towards his friend, leaving Phoebe slightly behind. She wrapped her arms around his neck, no more words were needed; Darryl enveloped one arm on Piper's neck, tightly, feeling her desperation and pain, and held out the other one, waiting for Phoebe to join them. As soon as Phoebe reached them, she buried her face on Darryl's shoulder, feeling his unconditional love. But where was Cole? She needed him by her side but he just wasn't there for her, he wasn't there to ease her pain, to tell her that everything was going to be ok, that her sisters were alive and well and waiting for them. Phoebe broke up the hug and wiped her tears with the back of her hand, she took a deep breath and went directly to the point, asking the question that Piper was obviously afraid to ask.
"How are they?" Phoebe stared at him, unblinking, folding her hands in a tight fist, sticking her fingernails in the palm of her hands "Darryl…how are my sisters?" She tried again, a little louder this time, and nervously holding her breath.
Darryl, heartbrokenly, closed his eyes; he just didn't know where to start. He gently pulled himself back and looked at Piper directly into her eyes; still, he didn't have the heart to end with whatever amount of hope the sisters…his sisters… might have had. "Come on" He kissed Piper's and Phoebe's foreheads while he lifted their respective handbags. "We still have to get to San Francisco, I'll tell you everything you need to know on our way there…ok?"
Piper just nodded, unable to trust the steadiness of her own voice; Phoebe, eyes closed, whispered a weak yes.
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"Thank God you are ok…I knew you were alive and I…I also knew t-that…" Karen paused for a moment to swallow her cry, "My heart just knew we were not going to lose you" She smiled weakly, lovingly holding the hand of her kid brother, Michael, who was sitting by the side of her bed. He had a bandage on his head and numerous bumps and bruises, but no major injuries.
Michael slowly leaned over and gently placed a soft kiss on his sister's forehead. "I don't know what happened Kary, I don't even know how did I get here; thank God they found me in time, the building is gone… thank God we're alive" He squeezed Karen's hand and smiled at her. "There must be a reason why the big guy upstairs decided to give us another chance" His voice broke in his throat and his tongue inadvertently licked the lone tear that found its way out, reaching the side of his mouth. "I swear I'm not going to disappoint him, or…or you…or Mom"
Karen smiled, releasing a few tears of her own. "But you've always been a great brother…you could never disappoint any of us" She reached out and held his chin. "You've always been loving and sweet, and you know mom and I love you very much, don't you" She whispered softly.
"I love you both too" He kissed Karen's forehead again, this time lingering his chin on top of her head for a few seconds, until Karen broke the special moment.
"Where's Mom?" She winced as she tried to sit up. "She's ok, right?"
"Yes, she is" Michael smiled. "She located us in this hospital, you know?" He shook his head with proud. "She's with the doctor right now and signing the insurance papers, you know how that is" Michael placed his hand on her sister's chest and pushed her back onto the white fluffy pillow. "You have to rest sis", He gently caressed her cheek, "Get some sleep, I'm not going anywhere".
Karen smiled and sighed with relief. Thanks Michey…but I don't think I will be able to rest, at least not until you tell me where Phoebe's sisters are… Prue…and Lex…How are they?" Karen held her breath. "They were rescued, weren't they?" She searched for her brother's eyes. "Michael, say something please"
"I…I'm sorry Kary, I don't know anything about them; I can't even remember what happened after the floor collapsed, I try and try to put my thoughts together but I can't, I just know that…I woke up in here and… and the rest is just a blur, I don't know where they are" Michael grasped his sister's hands in his. "I'm sorry"
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Michael" Karen softly squeezed his fingers. "But since I am not allowed to leave this bed…can you go and see if you can find out something about them?"
"Sure sis; mom will be here any minute, I'll go as soon as she gets here"
"I'm ok, you go ahead and leave me here, I promise I'll be fine"
"No sis, I won't leave you alone, don't insist please" Michael barely smiled.
"Ok" Karen sighed and closed her eyes tightly; she would have been up by now, helping her mother, if only she weren't in so much pain. "Poor mom" She sighed. "She always has to take care of everything…I…I just wish Dad…I just…"
"I know" Michael kissed his sister's hand. "I miss him too"
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His eyelids were heavy, almost glued to the skin; he struggled to keep them open, blinking desperately a few times, trying to focus his gaze on the white ceiling. For a moment, he wasn't sure where he was or what was he doing there. He carefully scanned the empty room until sudden flashes of a terrible nightmare flooded his mind.
"Prue!" He shouted, swiftly bolting upright, gasping out of control. "Prue" He repeated his girlfriend name after painfully founding himself in a sitting position. He thoroughly scanned the unfamiliar room "Where are you?" He whispered to himself. "Doctor, nurse…anybody!" He shouted again as loud as he could, unable to jump out of bed.
The door suddenly flipped open, revealing a young nurse advancing swiftly towards him.
"Mr. Trudeau, is everything ok? Are you in pain?" The nurse quickly checked the IV needle and gently tried to shove him back to bed, act that Andy obviously refused to do.
"Where's Prue? How is she? I want to see her!" Andy demanded. "Where's the Doctor? Get him here!"
"Calm down Mr. Trudeau, please, just lean back" The nurse insisted until she succeeded in making him relax a bit. "If you tell me who Prue is, maybe I could probably ask around" She said calmly, but only she knew how difficult it was going to be to find out about the girl's whereabouts. Hospitals were overflowed, and some of them even had some areas out of service, flattened, and completely destroyed, due to the strong force of the recent earthquake.
"She's my fiancé" Andy replied with welled up eyes, swallowing his pain and his own stupid incapacity to find her. "Her name is Halliwell…Prue Halliwell", He gasped, holding the nurse's hand. "Please…will you help me find her"
"Ok…ok…let me see what I can do" The nurse gently padded Andy's shoulder, then grabbed the sheets and pulled them up to cover him. "But you have to promise that you'll stay calmly in bed, for your own good" She smiled kindly and waited for Andy's nod, and as soon as she got what she wanted, she left the room, in search of Prue Halliwell.
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"I don't know" Darryl paused for a moment to moisten his dry throat. "When I left the hospital, a couple of doctors were talking to Lexie, they needed her consent to take Prue into the OR"
"OR? And you left them alone?" Phoebe asked with concern, obviously upset. She was nervously sitting on the back seat and Piper was riding in front, beside Darryl.
"Phoebe, I had no choice, somebody had to come to LA and pick you up" Darryl glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Believe me, I would have stayed if I could" He shook his head, and Andy is injured too so…"
"Oh my God, Andy…and Karen!" Phoebe lunged herself against the front seat; Piper just turned her gaze to the window, as if she were jealously keeping count of the passing trees outside. Her mind was in San Francisco, with the eldest and the youngest, she had no space in her head for anything else at that moment.
"How are they?" Phoebe asked with a shaky voice. "Please tell me they are ok" Her heart almost stopped, waiting for an answer.
"Well, Andy is also in the Hospital, with a broken leg and a broken arm, but he's going to be fine, the doctors told me that no serious damage had been done; and Karen is fine too, I was outside the fallen building when the paramedics got her out… I really don't know what her injuries are, but don't worry, she was wide awake and she seemed ok"
"Thank God" Phoebe leaned back to her seat, closing her eyes and exhaling noisily as a sign of relief, while her mind quickly traveled to her boyfriend, Cole; she knew he had to be safe, she knew that the minute he sensed danger, he just had to shimmer out, as simple as that, but where was he? Why hadn't he come to check up on her, to see if she was ok, or at least give her a call; She kept asking herself repeatedly.
"You wouldn't happen to know anything about Cole, would you?" Phoebe asked, keeping her eyes closed and her hopes high.
"No, sorry Phoebe" Darryl kept his eyes on the road, not wanting to see Phoebe's disappointed ones. "But I'm sure he's fine, don't worry" He added sweetly. "My wife and kid are safe too, they were visiting Sheila's parents when it happened, they're in Chicago right now"
"I'm so happy for you Darryl, I really am; thank God little Michael didn't have to go through all that" Phoebe gently squeezed her friend's shoulder and gave him a weak, but sincere smile. "He's too young for this kind of shock"
"Thanks Phoebe" Darryl returned the smile, somehow feeling guilty for his good fortune.
"Yeah…yeah, thank God everybody's ok" Piper added, suddenly cutting in the conversation. "But we want to know about our sisters; you said they were seriously injured, but you haven't been clear enough" She turned to face Darryl, slowly shifting to lean her back on the door. "I need you to be more specific about our sisters' condition, please Darryl, I need the truth"
"Ok" Darryl swallowed with difficulty; his dry throat making it a lot harder than the usual. "The doctor said…uhm…he said that"
"What?" Piper and Phoebe shouted at the same time.
"All right" Darryl slightly coughed. "The doctor said that Prue's kidneys were seriously damaged" He momentarily locked eyes with Piper and then with Phoebe.
"Seriously damaged?" Piper unconsciously fidgeted on her seat. "W-what, what do you mean seriously damaged?" She nervously bit her lower lip "Seriously damaged as in she's going to need lots and lots of care and medication? Or damaged as in…as … as" Piper just couldn't find the courage to say what she was thinking.
"She needs a kidney transplant" Darryl barely whispered, immediately returning his gaze to the road.
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"I'm telling you, there's something wrong with my head…it…it still hurts and I think I'm loosing movement… m-my right arm and leg …they…they…they are numb…I … I need a Doctor…" Sophie insisted, still without being able to get up from the hospital bed.
The nurse got closer and checked her vitals. "Ok, just hold on, I'm going to get the doctor in here, but to tell you the truth, you seem to be fine, maybe you just need something to calm you down, but any way, I'll get the doctor just to make you feel better"
"Don't! Please, don't leave me alone, I'm scared"
"Listen young lady, there are lots of people that need help right now, haven't you noticed?" The nurse replied, desperately wanting to keep her cool, but with no avail. "I suggest you stay calm and I'll be right back with a doctor
"I'm a 'people' too you know, and I also need attention, I'm telling you, there's something wrong with me"
"I can see that"
"Obviously you can't" Sophia retorted. "I need something for the pain" She raised her voice and rubbed her temples, looking straight in the eyes of the stubborn nurse. "Please" She added softly.
"Sweetie," The nurse softened her tone of voice, "of course your arm is numb, we've fixed it, it's broken; your reflexes are good and you're staying here for observation, that concussion in your head is real nasty, so, if you need an extra dosage for that pain I can give you something, as long as you stop screaming and arguing, that way I can go back to help and take care of people who 'really' need medical attention"
"Ok" Sophia exhaled noisily, "But be sure to get the doctor in here, I need to talk to him, it's urgent"
"Sure, I'll be right back" The nurse added with a sweet smile after she injected the painkiller into the IV catheter.
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"Andy, what are you doing out of bed?" Piper asked as she ran towards him; holding back her nervousness, she knelt beside him and clumsily wrapped her arms around his neck. Andy's eyes sparkled as he clamped his hand around Piper's elbow. He wanted to say something but his voice just wouldn't come out. He was on a wheelchair, outside the OR, waiting impatiently to hear any news about Prue and Lexie.
"They've been in there for more than…" Andy took a deep breath. "I don't know…I've lost track of time" He whispered, not taking his eyes away from the intimidating doors.
"it's ok…everything's going to turn out right…you'll see" Phoebe bent down and kissed her future brother in law's forehead, immediately followed by a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder from his good friend, Darryl. Andy just nodded; he wanted to be strong but his heart felt differently, he cried in silent, desperately waiting for those doors in front of him to swing open and to finally get a chance to see his girl, his love, his life.
Piper and Phoebe sat together, holding each other's hands; also waiting for the doctor to come out and tell them that everything had gone perfectly well and that their sisters were doing great; and, at the same time, silently watching the way Darryl tensely paced back and forth the hectic hallway.
The operation lasted eight and a half hours. All of them were tired but as much as they wanted to rest or sleep, they just couldn't, and besides, the chaotic hospital just wouldn't allow them. The doors suddenly swung open and a not too pleased doctor appeared in front of them. He pulled out his green, blood stained scrubs and threw them on the floor, immediately fixing his eyes on the couple of anxious girls who stood fused as one right before his eyes.
Piper and Phoebe remained still, nervously holding back their breaths, anxiously locking eyes with the doctor but afraid to ask what they needed to know.
The doctor cleared his throat. "It's a real good kidney, it worked as soon as it went in" He barely smiled and instinctively turned his gaze away from the sisters.
"Buuut?" Phoebe managed to ask, her heart fretfully pounding inside her chest, preparing herself for the dreadful news that she knew were inevitably coming their way.
"Compatibility between donors and recipients depend on their blood groups and tissue types, but suitability as a donor is much more complex to assess, there has to be a lot of tests done; stress test, a CT scan, blood tests; including a renal ultrasound an ECG and to make this short, a full medical examination" The doctor paused for split second, expecting an interruption, but the sisters just kept staring at him. "I ran most of them, and the youngest was the perfect match for your eldest sister…but… I made a big mistake" He added, swallowing hard. "I did not run the ECG…I thought …she being so young…a-and"
"What happened to my sister?" Piper asked, her brow creasing in confusion as she got nearer the stuttering doctor. "What did you do to her?"
"Her heart was too weak…she…uh…she couldn't resist the operation" The doctor lifted his eyes for a split second and immediately returned them to the floor, not being able to hold Piper's condemning gaze.
"NOOO!" Phoebe shouted, instantly crumbling to her knees and onto Andy's lap, immediately feeling the strong, comforting touch of her brother in law's hand on the back of her neck.
"But that just can't be" Piper staggered, "She was ok, I mean, she was doing a lot better, she was taking all her pills….a-and…her heart was…she can't"
"I'm sorry" The doctor whispered, staring at both sisters. His words were as cold as ice.
Darryl put his arms around Piper, silently making himself present.
TBC
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