THREE

"Like I said," said Prue, "we'd like you to leave now."

"And I said I'm not going anywhere until I see Phoebe," said Snake insistently.

Just then Leo came out of the kitchen. He walked up and stood behind Piper and Prue. He stood looking at Snake as Snake eyed him suspiciously.

"Hi Prue, Piper," said Leo. "What's going on?"

"Not a whole lot," said Piper. "Snake here was just leaving."

"Hey," said Snake, looking Leo over. "Who are you?"

"I'm Leo," said Leo. "I'm Piper's fiancé.

"I see," said Snake. "She told me she was spoken for. Guess you're the one she was talking about."

"I guess so," said Leo. "Is there something we can do for you?"

"No, I guess not," said Snake, still eyeing Leo. "Just tell Phoebe I'll be back. She can tell you. I don't give up easily."

He glanced at Piper and Prue one last time and then turned and went back out to his motorcycle sitting at the curb. He looked back at the manor and smiled. Then he gunned the motorcycle and drove away.

"Okay, just what's going on here?" Leo asked. "And why are you using your powers on an innocent, Piper? You know that's not allowed."

"I know, honey," said Piper. "Prue, why don't you explain what's going on to Leo while I go up and see what's going on with Phoebe."

"Shouldn't you be explaining this to Leo?" Prue asked. "He is your fiancé. Besides, you know more about it than I do."

"True," said Piper, "but do you want to be the one to talk to Phoebe?"

"No, I guess not," said Prue. "She's never been much for confiding in me. I guess it would be better if you talked to her."

"Okay," said Piper. "Now let me see if I can find out what's going on with baby sister."

Piper knocked hesitantly on Phoebe's door. From inside the room she heard Phoebe tell her to come in. Piper opened the door and walked in. Phoebe was sitting on the edge of her bed ringing her hands. Piper cautiously walked over and sat on the bed next to her.

"Is he gone?" Phoebe asked.

"For now," said Piper. "He said he'd be back, though. He told us he doesn't give up easily."

"No, he doesn't," said Phoebe. "He can be very persistent. And very persuasive."

"Well, he's gone for the moment," said Piper. "Care to explain just what's going on with this Snake? Is that his real name?"

"No," said Phoebe. "His real name is Eric Vaux. And he's a real sleaze. He got the name Snake because he use to have a pet boa constrictor."

"Oh, nice," said Piper. "You dated a guy that keeps a reptile as a pet? He implied you guys were more than just friends."

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," said Phoebe. "After I moved to New York, I didn't really know anyone there. One of the girls I worked with introduced us. He was really sweet in the beginning. Always giving me little gifts and stopping by to see me or calling me for no reason. He seemed like the perfect gentleman."

"But that changed," said Piper.

"Yeah," said Phoebe. "After a couple of months of dating he asked me to move in with him and I agreed."

"After only two months?" questioned Piper. "That seems quick even for you."

"Well, it made things easier with the rent and all," said Phoebe. "Rent can be really expensive in New York."

"I understand that," said Piper. "But to move in with someone after only a couple of months. That doesn't sound like a good idea to me."

"It wasn't," said Phoebe. "He changed almost from the moment I moved in. At first it was minor. He stopped giving me the gifts and didn't call every day like he used to."

"At first?" questioned Piper. "Did it get worse?"

"Yeah," said Phoebe. "After a couple of months he became abusive. I still remember the first time he slapped me. He asked me to get him a beer and I told him I'd get it for him in a minute. He totally lost it. He slapped me so hard it hurt for an hour. He said that when he wanted a beer he wanted it now. That I wasn't supposed to wait a minute."

"I hope you let him have it," said Piper.

"That's just it," said Phoebe. "I didn't. I sort of agreed with him. I shouldn't have blown him off like I did."

"Are you serious?" questioned Piper. "That doesn't give him the right to slap you around."

"I know," said Phoebe. "I can't explain it, Piper. When Snake is around I just can't think straight. I just could never say no to Snake."

"Okay," said Piper. "You don't have to worry about him any more. Prue and I are here for you. And I know Leo will help all he can. You want to stay up here a little longer? Try to collect yourself?"

"Yeah, I think I would," said Phoebe. "Thanks for understanding."

"Don't be ridiculous," said Piper, hugging her. "That's what sisters are for."

Piper left the room and went downstairs. Phoebe sat on her bed thinking about the turn of events. She had no idea what she was going to do when Snake came back. And she knew he would come back. As he had told Piper, he didn't give up easily.