A/N: Hey guys, how are you all?

Sorry for the delay to the this chap, it wasn't a funk again, promise...it was just time or lack of it. Anyway it's here...

10. Answers Never Come To Those Who Wait

"This is useless Phoebe." Paige whined, as once again her sister began to flick through the ancient book for a second time. The youngest just wanted to kick some Elder butt, not spend wasted energy searching a book, which was no help. "We're not gonna get Andy back this way."

Phoebe turned sharply at Paige, while resting her hand calmly on the opened page. "I know that Paige, but until Prue gets back from wherever the hell she has disappeared to, I am going to continue looking. Is that okay with you?" she spat in sarcastic tone.

"Hey! Don't start on me. I didn't want to come up here in the first place." the youngest shot back, moving away from both Phoebe and the book.

"Then go. It's not like I told you, you had to stay." Phoebe retaliated.

Paige whirled around, her eyes instantly in a glare. "Actually you did. Downstairs, remember?...and in the hour we have spent searching, we have found nothing. Nothing!"

"Well at least it's better than the stupid ideas you've came up with!"

"Stupid? At least I've had ideas. You just keep flicking through a book, looking for something to jump out and smack you on the face. Well guess what, Pheebs. It's not gonna happen!" Paige argued back.

Phoebe slammed the book shut loudly, causing her sister to flinch very slightly. "I'm trying Paige! Don't you get that? I'm trying to do something before our whole screwed up family falls apart."

Paige sighed heavily and gazed at Phoebe more in sympathy than anger. "Look, I'm sorry okay. I just hate…."

"…sitting around doing nothing." Phoebe finished with a soft smile. "Impatience; a Halliwell trait."

Paige smiled a little at the comment, but it soon faded again. "Why do They do this to us, Pheebs? We bust our guts for Them and our reward each and every time is to be kicked in the teeth."

"I don't know, Paige…but I'm scared…" Phoebe sentence was never finished as she spotted someone at the door to the attic. "Hi." she greeted.

"Hey." Cole replied and glanced between both sisters. "What's going on?"

Paige looked from Cole to Phoebe. "I'm going to go find Prue." she announced.

"Is that wise?" the original youngest responded, knowing how her big sister reacts to being interrupted.

The half-whitelighter shrugged. "She needs someone, Pheebs. I'm going to go tell Piper." she turned and walked past Cole, offering a short nod to the demon.

Cole looked back to Phoebe, an expression of bewilderment covering his features. "What's going on?" he asked again.

Phoebe walked over to him, then pulled him gently over to the couch. "I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier. It's just with everything…"

"Phoebe, that's not what's wrong." Cole smiled softly.

"I know. I just wanted you to know I was sorry." she replied.

"Well.." he grinned. "..I'm sorry too, but what's been going on?"

Phoebe paused for a while, beginning to fiddle with Cole's hand. "Um…The Elders have decided to keep Andy from Prue. They won't let him return."

"Is that what you and Paige were arguing about?" he questioned.

"Kind of. It was more of us both feeling useless. I mean we were there the first time Prue lost him and to have him returned, to only be taking away again…I just…we don't know what will happen." Phoebe answered, still playing with his hand.

"Everything will be fine, I promise." Cole replied, lifting her chin up to look at him more directly.

She smiled gently in response. "As sweet as that is Cole, we can't be sure."

----------

Paige materialised out of the mass of blue and white orbs, automatically placing her arms around herself against the chill, which welcomed her. She gazed around her, feeling a shiver run up her spin, this however had nothing to do with the weather.

She avoided this place. It held something for her sister, but for herself….she would rather be anywhere else.

Paige removed her eyes from the dock and allowed them to travel over to car that sat alone. Slowly she walked towards the vehicle, moving to the driver's side. Gently, she pulled the door open to find Prue leaning back against the chair, with her eyes closed.

The eldest Halliwell opened her eyes and glanced to her sister, not even attempting to smile or pretend she was okay. Not even having the energy to wipe the tears that ran down her cheeks.

"Hey." Paige barely whispered, her heart breaking at the site of her sister.

Prue's only reply was to close her eyes again. That was the moment the youngest Halliwell heard a small choke and watched as Prue buried her head in her hands, sobbing.

"Prue, please don't cry." Paige whispered, pulling her sister in to her arms. It was a massive role reversal for the youngest Halliwell. She barely saw Prue in this state and she selfishly wanted her typical sister back. "We'll get him back. We will." she continued in a hushed tone.

However her encouraging words only caused a heavier sob and more tears.

Paige felt a part of herself crumble. How was she to be the strong one, when from day one it had always been Prue?

-----

A knock resounded on the door and Paige's head shot up in panic. I've paid my rent, she thought. Haven't I?

Ignoring the overwhelming urge to hide, Paige approached the door cautiously. After sighing heavily, she opened the door, while biting down on her lip.

On the other side of the door stood a woman dressed in a business suite, with short dark hair and piercing eyes, which caught Paige off guard.

"Hi." the woman smiled, when nothing was said for a short time.

Her voice caused Paige to suddenly realise she had been staring blankly at the stranger. Turning a slight shade of pink, she quickly diverted her eyes and cleared her throat.

"Um…hi." Paige stuttered a little. "..uh, how can I help?"

"Are you, by any chance, Paige Matthews?"

For some reason the question seemed more of a plea and Paige couldn't help but turn mildly defensive. "Why do you want to know?"

The woman smiled softly, taking Paige again by surprise. "I take that as a yes. I'm Prue, Prue Halliwell." she replied offering her hand out.

A part of Paige wanted to grab hold of the hand and pull the stranger into the emptiness of her life. However, she extended her own and briefly shook hands with the woman.

"So, you know who I am, but why are you here?" Paige asked.

"Would you mind if I spoke to you inside rather than out here?" Prue responded with her own question.

Paige considered this for a moment before stepping back and allowing Prue to walk in. "Sorry about the mess.." Paige apologised, somewhat embarrassed by her living conditions. "..wasn't expecting visitors."

"It's nice." Prue replied politely with a smile, while Paige began to collect things together and straighten them up.

"Yeah, well the roaches might agree with you." she laughed, a little stunned when she heard Prue laugh softly. However Paige detected a hint of nervousness and wondered if the woman would suddenly bolt for the door, screaming.

"So…" she continued, gaining Prue's full attention by the one word. "..would you tell me why you're here?"

Prue's smile fell and Paige could now see the nervousness emanate from her, although the stranger seemed to try hard to hide any sign that she was.

"Um…yeah." Prue barely said.

"Did you want to sit down?" Paige asked respectfully.

Prue nodded slightly and they both took a seat, while Paige gazed at her intensely.

"Can I ask about your parents?" Prue questioned in a small voice.

"They died." Paige responded in much the same way Prue had asked the questioned, however there was a thick layer of sadness and somewhat bitterness. She watched as Prue's face showed her surprise but also understanding.

Paige at that moment realised that Prue's understanding wasn't the usual type of sympathetic understanding. In the strange woman's eyes held a spark, as if she was reliving a moment. A similar moment Paige often found herself remembering.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Prue solemnly replied.

"It was a while ago now, things are okay." Paige smiled warmly, her eyes giving her lie away. However Prue, if she noticed, never mentioned it, something Paige was grateful for. "Anyway, they were my adoptive parents. Not that that should matter, I couldn't have asked for better ones."

"Do you know of your biological family?" Prue questioned.

"No." the younger woman answered, unable to deny that she wouldn't mind spilling her guts out to Prue.

"Would you ever want to?"

Suddenly Paige's defences shot up again, realising she was talking to someone she had only met minutes ago. "Why do you want to know so much? And why are you here?"

"Well…um…" Prue stuttered somewhat.

"Look, this may sound rude but if you can't tell me, I would rather you leave." was Paige's blunt reply.

Prue looked up at her, locking their eyes on each other. It was then that Paige realised the woman, that appeared strong and determined, would not be leaving anytime soon. Something Paige found oddly comforting.

"Paige, I'm your sister."

-----

Coming out of her daze, Paige began to pull her older sister out of the car and into the passenger side.

"Come on Prue, let's get you home." the youngest sister soothed quietly.

Once Prue was safely in the car, Paige took one final look around and then jumped in the driver's seat, glad to be finally leaving the place.

----------

The surrounding area was bright but Krolan had little time to admire it. He was on a mission to clear his name and bring Andy back to Prue, no matter how much it pained him to do so.

He pushed open the heavy doors with force that caught everyone's attention.

"Krolan, to what do we owe your rude entrance to?" an Elder sneered.

"Where is he?" Krolan yelled back, not wanting to show how much he had been hurt by Prue's words. Last thing he needed was the other Elder's speculating between themselves.

"And what is it of your concern?" another spoke up.

"When you use me as the scapegoat, it is of my concern!" Krolan retaliated.

"Who said you were the scapegoat? Krolan." the first Elder sneered again. "You are the cause of this."

A/N: Hope you liked it. Thanks for the reviews again, love them loads.

I'll let you all go now, 'cause I owe loads of people reviews, so catch you all later.

Bye.