After a long two weeks, Nancy was discharged. She was given strong pain killers for the physical pain that she would endure for some time. The doctor had suggested finding a suitable doctor for Nancy once they got home. He provided a list for them to choose from, and they were more then happy to accept his help.
Arriving at the airport they were greeted by Julie who was just stopping by to say goodbye. Julie took a second to Pull Prue and Piper off to the side, while Phoebe got a wheel chair for Nancy, she still had trouble getting around so good.
"I wanted to give you guys this. It's a list of child psychologist who I think might be able to help Nancy. It may not seem like it, but she really needs someone to talk to about what's going on in that mind of hers. She'll bottle everything inside, until she can't take it anymore. I don't want her to explode."
"Thanks, we'll look over this when we get home."
"Here are the really important papers. Nancy's a really special kid, you make sure to take really good care of her."
"We will."
Shaking Julie's hand Prue and Piper joined Phoebe and Nancy who were standing in line for the metal detector. Less then a half an hour later, with custody papers in hand they boarded the plane and headed home.
After a short flight, but still for them a long day, they arrived home and got Nancy settled in her new room for what they hoped would be a long stay. Several days later, they received a visit from Jamie, Nancy's new social worker, who gave them their official seal of approval. She would still have to observe them pretty closely for the next few months, she was hopeful that everything would work out.
The girls started to fall into a pretty regular routine. Nancy however while she was feeling very welcome, was still on edge. She knew the only reason she agreed to go with her cousins for a while, was to make Julie happy, but she knew it wouldn't last. She didn't want to become to attached, only to have to be hurt again.
The girls came into Nancy's room to kiss her goodnight. This was pretty regular, they always tucked Nancy in together, and said goodnight to her together. As they walked in the room they decided maybe tonight they would make some small talk.
"Well Nancy, Jamie's visit went very well, she thinks that this will be a good thing for all of us. We'll have to go to court to get permanent custody of you, but Jamie says that we have her full support."
Prue tucked Nancy under the covers, and handed her a pain pill, with a glass of water. The girls each held their breath as they waited for Nancy to comment on the situation. Nancy had yet to express how she felt about being with them, and they were on edge to find out, but didn't want to push. Nancy made no reply, she simply took the pill and laid back down with an odd look on her face. All three girls had different ideas about what was on her mind.
"Are you in pain?"
Piper was quick to think. Only to receive a shank of Nancy's head to say no.
"Are you sad?"
Prue decided to try, but again they got a shake of the head to say no.
"Nancy this is a good thing. What's on your mind?"
Phoebe decided that the direct approach would have to be used, despite the fact that they had decided to wait for Nancy to bring it up. Nancy looked into Phoebe's eyes and knew she couldn't lie to her. They had shared something very special, and in some ways Nancy thought to herself that she would someday have to apologize to Phoebe for putting her through that. For now she decided the truth would be the only answer. Taking a deep breath, she turned her look away from the girls for she didn't want to look into any of their eyes when she said what she had to say.
"You know I'm very grateful for everything you guys have done for me, but I'm still not sure that this is a good idea. I made a promise to Dad and Mom. I swore I would never go near you guys, at least not until we were totally safe. I've already broken that promise, I've never done that before."
"Nancy don't you think if you were going to be found, you would have by now."
"I'm not sure, that's yet to be seen. For now this feels like a nice place to be, but only time will tell if this is really permanent. No matter what, I'm glad I was finally able to meet you guys. You are everything I thought you would be."
The girls could say nothing because for the time being Nancy was with them, but Nancy was right. They only hoped that somehow, someway, they could prove to Nancy that they could protect her, and each to other from whatever dangers would come their way. They need to show her that the only way to do that, was to stick together.
They decided not to dwell on that for now, each kissing Nancy on the head, they walked out the room, closing the door behind them. Pulling each other into a group hug, each of them silently prayed that they wouldn't wake up tomorrow with all this being a dream. They hoped the old saying was true:
TIME HEALS ALL WOUNDS!