After a week had passed Nancy was still having a hard time accepting the way her life was turning out. In one day she went from having no family to love and care for her, to having not one, but three people, hold her when she was scared or in pain. Kiss her goodnight, and share a smile with her first thing in the morning.
She refused to accept that all this was real. That wasn't to difficult for her to do. Still feeling sore and tired most of the time, she spent most of her time in bed asleep. She had several visits to a new doctor who she didn't really like, who kept her on even stronger pain killers then before. Although she hated the way they made her feel, they did help her cope with the pain she experienced, and made it possible for her to sleep through the night.
Nancy wasn't the only one trying to adjust to the changes going on. The older Halliwell's went from spending most of their time worrying about the demons and warlocks that plagued their lives, to caring for a young child, who they hardly knew, and who didn't seem to want them in her life. They were learning as they go.
Phoebe was the first of them to take the changes and make some serious decisions about her life. While watching the doctors and nurses take care of Nancy, Phoebe felt something awaken inside her. It wasn't necessarily a maternal feeling, but more of a care giving feeling. This feeling seemed new to Phoebe, although it took her sometime to figure out what it meant. She already loved helping people, it was half the reason why she loved being a witch so much, but this was different.
Being a Charmed One, she had to hide her identity from almost everyone, and she never really could feel the satisfaction of helping someone. When they returned home from L.A., Phoebe decided to spend less time helping at the convalescent home, and more time volunteering at a local Children's Hospital. At first she told herself that it was so she could learn to help Nancy recover from her physical injuries, but now things felt different.
Late on evening Phoebe returned home from the hospital. She was very tired, but happy at the same time. Shortly after entering the house she began to head upstairs, but stopped when she heard someone in the kitchen. Deciding to go and see who was still up, she headed for the kitchen.
"Piper? Your home early. What's the special occasion that you get to be home before 2am?"
"Well, since I hired a new guy to help run things at the club, I don't have to stay ever night till close. Even though he's still in college, he's going to close two nights a week, and Saturday, or Sunday. I'm finally going to get some time with my family. Plus, you know it would be nice if I could see my boyfriend once in while."
"I know what you mean. I go a little nuts if I don't see Owen at least three times a week. I would love to see him everyday, but dating a doctor, who's on call all the time, can put a cramp in that plan."
"Well as least you don't have to explain why you disappear so much. Dan always want to know. By the way why are you home so late, or is it early? I can't tell which."
"No I wasn't with Owen, if that's what you mean. I was working late at the Children's Hospital. They brought a little girl in today who was in an accident with her parents. They were sent to the Memorial Hospital, banged up pretty bad."
"Why didn't they put them in the same hospital?"
"She needs to be in traction for long time. Her back is messed up, and she broke her leg in three places. She was so scared and upset she could see her parents. It took some time, but I arranged to have them talk to each other on the phone."
"When will her parents be out?"
"A few days. After they talked she felt better, but she begged me to stay with her till she fell asleep."
"You really like it there don't you?"
"I can't explain it, but I do. The only problem is, taking care of other kids, makes me miss Nancy all day. Although helping out there is defiantly helping me to know what to do when Nancy is in pain and needs help. I'm pretty confident that I can help her with whatever she needs."
They continued their conversation as they headed upstairs to get some sleep. As they approached the top of the stairs they heard a strange, but familiar sound coming from the bathroom. Stopping dead in their tracks they listened closely. Quickly they realized it was the sound of someone getting sick, Piper turned and walked to Prue's room.
Opening the door as slowly and quietly as possible, she peaked her head inside, only to find Prue sound asleep in her bed. Quietly closing the door she headed back to Phoebe, who was now standing right outside the bathroom door.
"Prue's asleep, so it must be…"
"Nancy, are you alright?"
Phoebe asked cutting Piper off and knocking on the door. After waiting several seconds she got no response, and began to knock again.
"Nancy, I know your in there. Can you hear me? Open the door…"
"Phoebe I'm fine. I'll be out in a minute. Why don't you go back to bed, and I'll see you in the morning."
"Nancy, Piper and I aren't going anywhere until you open this door." Nancy knew Phoebe was telling the truth, everyone in this family was way to stubborn for their own good. Trying to pull herself together, and not look as weak as she felt, she made a move to get off the floor. Making her way to her knees, she stopped when the room began to spin. She tried to steady herself, with no success, she fell backwards in a daze. She opened her mouth to say something, but found that no words would come out. Her ears started to ring, and voices became muffled.
Phoebe had her ear pressed to the door, and after hearing a thud, and the sound of a groan, she knew they couldn't wait anymore. She once again tried the door handle, but of course it didn't budge.
"She's not alright. We better get Prue."
Without another word Piper turned around and headed to Prue's room. Once again Piper opened the door, and approached Prue's bedside as quietly as possible. Piper always hated having to be the one to wake Prue up. Prue was never happy being woke up, and usually barked at the first person she saw.
"Prue wake up!"
Piper lightly tapped on Prue's shoulder then took a step back. It was bad enough waking Prue up before they had powers, but now they ran the risk of startling her to the point of being thrown across the room. Prue slowly opened her eyes and tried to focus. Not having her contacts in, she grabbed her glasses off the night stand. Looking at the clock she let out a groan before looking up at her sister.
"Piper what is it?"
"Sorry to wake you Prue, but Nancy's locked herself in the bathroom. She doesn't sound so good, Phoebe and I could hear her throwing up. We need to get in there. NOW!"
Prue was up in a flash, grabbing her bathrobe from the end of the bed, she waked in the hall to find Phoebe still knocking on the bathroom door, pleading with Nancy.
"Nancy please let us in!"
Still not getting a response she turned to Prue and Piper.
"She's not even answering anymore. I think you better do you stuff Prue."
"Nancy, if your near the door, stand back. We're coming in, like it or not."
Stepping in front of Phoebe, Prue knocked on the door. She wanted to give Nancy one last chance to open the door on her own. After waiting for a second, and still not getting a response, Prue raised her hand, and with a flick of her wrist the door was open.