A/N: You guys are as always, just the best! To HollyShadow, Geller Bing, foureverCharmed, leopiper4ever-SV-GG,PunkPokPixie, halli-halliwell and Heather1021. Thank you for leaving your glowing reviews, what inspiration you all are.

Chapter 9

The girls alternated from pacing the small confines of the waiting room to nervously sitting on the well worn couch the room provided. Their baby sister had been in surgery for the better part of two hours. The doctors had informed them, the surgery could take several. The wait thus far was already becoming excruciating. Finally Prue said she was going in search of coffee. Not that the caffeine would soothe her, rather it would give her something to do and get her out of the tiny room. Piper just nodded and looked back up at the clock, willing it to read later than what it did.

Leo found the first empty parking spot, jumped out and hurried to the main desk of the hospital. They directed him to the nurse's deck on the fourth floor. Prue had just left the vending area with a cup of coffee in hand.

When she turned the corner she heard a familiar voice frantically asking, "Please, can you tell me if you've admitted anyone with the last name Halliwell?"

"Leo?" She called out in disbelief.

Leo swung his head around, his eyes filled with worry. "Oh God Prue, you're all right. Piper? Is Piper okay?"

Taking his arm, she attempted to calm his agitated state. "She's fine Leo. It's Phoebe."

He closed his eyes before saying, "I knew something was wrong, I felt it. What happened?"

Leading him down the hallway to where Piper waited, she filled him in on everything. Upon entering the waiting room his eyes went straight to an anxious Piper. "Piper."

At the sound of her name, she swiveled on her heels and looked at him stunned. "Leo?" It was the last straw on her already ravaged emotional state. Her eyes filled with tears and when he simply opened his arms there was no hesitation. She flew into them as if he were a lifeline, which would keep her from drowning in despair.

"It's going to be all right." He soothed as he brushed her back with a gentle hand while her body shook uncontrollably.

When she was able to bring herself back together, she reluctantly stepped out of his embrace. Wiping the moisture from her face, she asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Yeah, I was kinda wondering the same thing." Added a confused Prue.

Taking a seat on one of the chairs, while the girls sat perched on the couch, he explained. "I don't know, it was the weirdest thing. I just got a really uneasy feeling something was wrong. The more I tried to ignore it, the more intense it became. I tried calling you, but no answer. All I knew was I needed to see you guys and make sure everything was okay. Obviously it's not."

"Unfortunately." Agreed Prue. "She's been in there a really long time now."

He could hear the underlying terror in her words. Prue, always confident, always strong would never admit her fear, but Leo knew.

He wanted to ease her mind if only a little. "Prue you have to keep telling yourself she is in the best place right now. She's in a good hospital with good doctors who can perform miracles now days. She's going to pull through. You just have to have faith."

His gentle reassurance was like a balm to their tattered emotions. They forgot how much they had come to rely on Leo's comforting words. It was a gift.

Prue sent him a smile of appreciation. "Thanks."

"No problem. I'm here, whatever you need you got it."

After the initial greeting, which he knew was emotionally motivated; he had avoided Piper's eyes. Now he hazard a glance in her direction. She looked so pale and there were dark circles under her red rimmed eyes. The urge to envelop her in his arms was so great, but he couldn't. Things were different now. He couldn't just hold her anytime he wanted and he had felt her draw away as he spoke with Prue. Well, he may not be able to give her physical support, however he could provide lots of mental and emotional.

Minutes turned into hours and after five grueling ones, the doctor emerged from the operating room. The three occupants in the room quickly rose to their feet. "How is she?" Prue asked without preamble.

"She made it through the surgery, which is the first step."

"Okay?" Prompted Prue, wanting him to be more specific.

The doctor sent her an understanding smile. "We were able to repair all the internal injuries she suffered. Now we have to wait and see. The next twelve to twenty- four hours are crucial. If she gets passed that, then her outlook is very promising."

"So we have to wait and see what happens in the coming hours?" Piper questioned again, just to make sure she completely understood the situation.

"Exactly. She's young and I believe a fighter. We'll constantly be monitoring her progress through the rest of the day and night."

Prue held out her hand. "Thank you Doctor Kean, we appreciate all you've done. Can we see her?"

"She's still in recovery, but when she's back in her room, you may. I would prefer only one of you at a time for now. We don't want to over stimulate her."

Piper nodded her head. "We understand." Wanting to do whatever the doctor requested so as not to impede Phoebe's recovery.

"I'll keep you posted on any new developments. And may I suggest you go home, get some rest. We'll call if there are any changes in your sister's condition."

"Thanks for the suggestion, but we'll be staying." Prue returned in a tone that would book no argument.

After the doctor left, Leo looked at both sisters. "This is good news. She made it through the surgery and I know Phoebe, she'd not going to let this beat her."

The girls sent him wan smiles and again were thankful for his calming tone and encouraging words. "Is there anything I can get you? Food, something to drink?"

Both of them shook their heads. All they could think about was Phoebe and her recovery.

By later that night the doctors determined Phoebe was doing well enough to be moved back into her room in intensive care. The others were heartened by the news. Once the youngest Halliwell was settled in, it was decided Prue would be the first to sit with her. Piper and Leo, standing side by side watched through the window as Prue brushed the hair off her sister's forehead and placed a gentle kiss.

At her sister's actions, Piper hugged herself tightly, trying to keep from falling apart. Leo felt the troubling emotions of the woman standing next to him and was conflicted on what to do. His fist instinct was to comfort her, but considering the present status of their relationship he held back. This was until he observed the white knuckled grip she had on her arms.

The least he could do was offer more comforting words. "She's going to make it Piper, you have to believe that."

His soft tone caused her emotions to erupt into a flood tears. This time he didn't think, and simply acted. Reaching out, he pulled her to him. He felt her body stiffen, then relax as she let her emotions have full reign. For several minutes they stood there, while he allowed her to draw from his strength.

When she was spent, she retreated from his embrace and wiped away her tears. "I'm sorry." She apologized in a soggy voice.

"Don't be. I'm here for you Piper. Let me help."

Stepping away, thus putting some distance between them she said, "Thanks, but I need to be strong, for Phoebe. I can't keep breaking down, that's not going to help anyone."

"You're being too hard on yourself Piper. This is a rough time for all of you. You just need to stay positive."

Nodding her head she stared at her two sisters behind the glass. "You're right."

Around two in the morning Prue decided to run home and get a few toiletries for Piper and herself. They could clean up a little in the hospital bathroom. When she got back to the waiting room she was met with a touching scene causing a small smile to form on her lips. There, on the couch, were a sleeping Piper and Leo. Her sister's head nestled on Leo's chest, while his arm was slung loosely around her shoulders. In all the misery which had been so much a part of their lives the past couple of days, it was nice to see something good. Prue was not naïve enough to think this meant Piper and Leo had resumed their relationship, but she was grateful her sister had someone to lean on and help her stay strong. Prue envied them just a little.

Two days later, Phoebe was awake and responding well to treatment. The doctors were optimistic the young woman would make a full recovery. She was moved into a regular hospital room and could have more visitors. Propped slightly up on her pillow, Phoebe grinned when she spotted Leo mixed in with her sisters. "Leo?"

Going over to her, he sat by her bed. "Hey there. Glad you're doing better. You gave us all quite a scare."

"Sorry about that. Not that I'm not really glad to see you, but why are you here?" She asked confused.

"It's kind of a long story and I think I'll just let one of your sisters fill you in. Now that I know you're going to be fine, I'll be heading out of here." Bending foreword, he brushed his lips across her cheek. "No more scares like this, promise?"

Reaching over, she grabbed his hand and squeezed tight. "I promise. Thanks Leo, for being here. Means a lot. Are you sure you can't stay?" She questioned hopefully.

Sending her a knowing look, he none the less said, "I can't. I need to get back, but I'll keep in touch."

"You better." She warned with an impish grin.

Piper watched the exchange with a sinking heart. Deep down she knew Leo would most likely be leaving again, but a small part of her had hoped maybe after everything that had happened he might stay. His conversation with Phoebe had put an end to that.

A/N: I plan to post the last chapter this weekend. Didn't want to leave you all hanging for too long.