"Nancy can I come in?"
"Sure Mom. What's up?"
"How was your day really?"
"It was fine. I aced my pop quiz in Algebra."
"I'm not surprised, but congrats."
"Thanks, the best part is that Jill got the second highest grade in the class. All that work she's been doing is really paying off. She's going to get off restriction soon."
"That's great. You two worked really hard to get her up to speed."
"Not that hard for me. Anyway I'm going to get changed now."
"Oh let me help you."
Nancy let out a sigh, lifted her arms into the air and allowed Prue to remove her shirt before pulling the nightgown over her head. Prue lifted Nancy out of her chair and placed her in the bed before helping to pull Nancy's pants off. Throwing the dirty cloths into the hamper Prue returned to sit on Nancy's bedside.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"Sure why?"
"Well you were pretty quiet at dinner tonight, and you didn't eat much."
"I'm just really tired. It's been a long day. I think I'll read my book a little bit, then get some shut eye."
"Alright, it your sure your alright."
"I'm sure. Goodnight Mom."
"Do you have to use the bathroom before I leave?"
"No I'm good, thanks."
"Goodnight honey."
Kissing Nancy on the top of her head, Prue turned off all the lights in the room, except the one right by Nancy's bed, before walking out of the room closing the door behind her.
A few hours after that Nancy was still reading her book when Prue popped her head in the door.
"I thought you were asleep already."
"Sorry, just really got into this book."
"Well it's almost 10:30, time for lights out. Why don't we take you to the bathroom before."
Before Nancy could answer Prue picked up Nancy, walked her into the bathroom, sitting her on the toilet. They were at least good about leaving her alone to do her business. Nancy forced herself to go, then flushed the toilet. Before she could yell she was done, Prue opened the bathroom door and carried Nancy back to bed. Tucking her in Prue shut off the light and walked out of the room this time leaving the door propped open just a creak.
Nancy rolled over and without even saying goodnight to Prue, she closed her eyes and fell into a restless sleep. All night she was tossing and turning. She couldn't shut her brain off, and after two and a half hours, she woke up screaming.
"NONONONONONONONO!"
Phoebe's room was right next to Nancy's, and she was the first to arrive. Clicking on the light she sat on the bed and grabbed Nancy by the shoulders giving her a gentle, but still forceful shake.
"Nancy, you're alright. Snap out of it, you are just having a bad dream."
"What's going on? Phoebe is she alright?"
"Yea, I think it was just a nightmare. Prue why don't you get her a glass of water. Nancy are you alright?"
"I think so. Sorry."
"It's alright, just take a few deep breaths. That must have been one hell of a nightmare. Can you tell us what it was about?"
Nancy stayed quiet until Prue returned with the water, then she knew she had to say something or they wouldn't leave her alone the rest of the night.
"Here Nancy, take a sip."
"Thanks."
"Now about the nightmare."
"I really don't remember it. It's kind of a blur. I'm alright now, I better get back to sleep, I have school tomorrow."
"If you're not up to going, you don't have to."
"NO! Um…I mean no thank you. I'll be alright, I swear. Goodnight guys, sorry if I scared you."
"No problem, if you need me I'm right next door."
Nancy just nodded her head and rolled over so her back was facing the door. She waited to hear her door close, but that didn't happen, this time they left her door completely open. She could hear them talking about her in the hallway, so she waited till she heard the hall light click off, and three bedroom doors close before she rolled on her back and stared up at the ceiling. She knew she wouldn't be able to get much more sleep tonight, her brain wouldn't shut up.
Around 3:00, she finally fell back to sleep, only to be awoken by the alarm at 6:00, so she could take a bath and get dressed. Prue had gotten into the habit of waking her up early so she could be dressed for school before Prue left for work at 7:00.
"Time to get up."
"I know, you don't have to tell me, I can hear the alarm thanks."
"Well isn't someone a Grumpy Gus this morning."
"I just hate waking up at 6:00 everyday. Let's just get this over with."
Prue scratched her head wondering what was bothering Nancy. She was going to ask, but could see that Nancy wasn't even fully awake to answer any questions. Throwing the covers off of Nancy, Prue placed one arm under Nancy's knees, and the other behind her shoulder blades easing her off the bed, carrying her into the bathroom. Placing her on the toilet she started the water in the tub, then helped Nancy to strip down.
Walking out of the bathroom, Prue gave Nancy some privacy so she could use the bathroom, and only re-entered when she heard the toilet flush. Placing Nancy in the warm tub, she helped Nancy to wash her hair then reached under the bathroom sink pulling out a empty pitcher. Filling it with some bath water she had Nancy tilt her head back before she poured the water over her head rinsing it clean.
Fully clean Prue pulled out one of the big beach towel's, wrapped Nancy up, and lifted her out of the tub carrying her back into her bedroom. Placing her on the bed, she helped her dry off, then helped put on the jeans and t-shirt that were set out the night before.
Nancy had remained silent throughout the whole half hour routine. Prue didn't think much about this, Nancy was never very talkative first thing in the morning. Finally tying Nancy shoe's she helped her downstairs, and waited for Piper to arrive to cook breakfast.
"Morning guys."
"Morning Piper. She's all set for breakfast. I've got to get to work. Nancy don't forget you have physical therapy today. Phoebe will pick you up at 11:00."
"Like I could forget."
"Piper walk me to the door?"
Prue kissed Nancy on the top of the head, then walked into the hallway, Piper hot on her heals.
"What's up?"
"Nancy is even more cranky then usual. I know you said not to push, and wait for her to come to us with her problems, but if she doesn't have a major attitude switch by the end of the day, we need to have a talk with her."
"Alright. I'll see if I can get anything out of her."
"Thanks. See you tonight."
Giving her sister a monster size hug, Prue walked out the front door relived that Piper was on the case. Piper let out a grown, took a deep breath and walked back into the kitchen where she found Nancy reading a book at the table.
"So what do you want for breakfast?"
"Doesn't matter."
"How about pancakes?"
"I'm not that hungry."
"Alright, then how about just some cereal and toast."
"Fine."
Nancy continued to read her book as Piper took out Nancy's favorite cereal and poured it into a bowl. Walking over to the refrigerator she took out the milk and poured it into the bowl before placing it in front of Nancy. Nancy placed her book on the side of the bowl, and continued to read in between taking bites of her cereal.
Piper took out Nancy antibiotic, handed it to Nancy, who took it right away. Now Piper was worried, Nancy usually had some kind of sarcastic comment to make when it came to taking her pills. Nancy was never quiet for this long. Piper sat down opposite Nancy with a coffee in hand.
"So do you want to tell me what's on your mind?"
"Nothing."
"Nancy, put your book down. I would like you to look at me when I talk to you."
"Fine."
Nancy closed her book, placed it in her lap then locked eyes with Piper.
"Nothing Is Wrong!"
Then she picked up her book again and started to read again.Piper wasn't going to take anymore of this. She had dealt with this kind of behavior when Phoebe was a teenager, she knew the only thing to do was to not back down. She ripped the book out of Nancy's hand and locked eyes with Nancy one more time.
"Well something has to be on your mind. You can tell me you know."
"Piper, things are just crazy at school, with mid-terms and all. I just finished taking all those test I missed, and now I have more to take. I just want to read my book and relax before school. Is that alright?"
"Yes, but I want you to listen to me. We all know how much work you've put into this school year trying to get caught up, that is no reason to treat us the way you have been. Now if you don't do some serious adjustment with your attitude we are going to have a serious discussion when you get home. Now I'll leave you alone, then I'll come get you when it's time to leave for school."
"Big surprise."
Nancy whispered as she heard Piper walk up the stairs to get dressed. Nancy re-picked up her book and started to read but knew that she couldn't concentrate after she read the same sentence three times and it still didn't make any sense. She just sat and thought about what Piper had said, she knew she wasn't treating the others the way she should, but she couldn't help how she felt. At the same time she didn't want to make them feel she was ungrateful. She loved the fact that they took care of her, and loved the fact that they loved her, but sometimes they could go to far.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Piper who came downstairs and shouted that it was time to leave for school, Nancy rolled herself into the hallway, loaded her bag onto her chair and then sat quiet while Piper took her out to the van and loaded her inside.