As Piper let her eyes begin to close she messaged her temples trying to relieve the headache that had started coming earlier in the day. She thought about going upstairs and laying down in her bed, but couldn't find the energy to actually get up out of the chair. Pulling a blanket over her legs she closed her own eyes to take a nap.

Just as she felt her body begin to fall into a peaceful sleep, she jumped up when she heard Nancy scream. Her first thought was that Nancy was having a nightmare of some kind, but realized that wasn't the case when she got to Nancy's side and her eyes were wide open.

"What's the matter? Are you alright?"

Nancy could say nothing, she just kept screaming, Piper was trying to get Nancy to answer her questions but all Nancy could do was scream and cry. Piper ran into the kitchen at first picking up the phone, ready to call an ambulance. As she started to dial the phone her eye caught one of the kitchen cabinets. Walking over to it, she opened it and found Nancy's antibiotics and pain killers. Pulling out the pain medication she realized she didn't know if she could even give this to Nancy right now.

They hadn't had to use it on her in several months, Piper was a little out of practice, and she wasn't even sure if it would help. She couldn't call Phoebe, and Prue would still take at least a half an hour to get home. She picked up the phone and hit the number three on the speed dial, calling the only person who could give an answer right away.

"Doctor Campbell's office, how may I help you?"

"Yes my name is Piper Halliwell, my sister, I mean cousin, Nancy is one of Lucy's patients…."

"Of course we all know Nancy, how can we help?"

"I need to talk with Lucy. She said we could call if we had any questions and I need one answered right away."

"Alright, just hold on one minute while I find her."

While waiting for someone to come back to the phone, Piper decided to hope for the best answer and started to put on the rubber gloves. Pulling out a clean needle she placed it on the prepping tray they always had in the cabinet. By the time she had re-read the label several times Lucy finally arrived on the phone.

"Piper, how can I help….is that Nancy I hear screaming?"

"Yes it is. Long story short, she went on a workout with Phoebe this morning, and I think she pulled something in her arms. She was complaining about feeling sore, when she got back. I can't be sure, but she was holding her arm, and had a lot of trouble getting comfortable. She was asleep on the couch and woke up screaming, I can't get her to stop. Can I give her a pain shot, or what should I do?"

"Alright Piper just calm down, it sounds like muscle spasms, she will have them from time to time, and they can be pretty bad. You can give her a pain shot, but I want you to cut the regular dosage in half. Let's see based on her chart we had her receiving 4cc's, let's go with 2cc's. That should take care of the problem. If she's not better in a few hours I want you to bring her in."

"Thanks Lucy, I really appreciate it. Can I just run this over with you real fast, I'm a little out of practice."

"Sure go ahead."

"Alright, I already have on the gloves, and I took out a clean needle. I fill the syringe up to the number two and tap the needle to remove the bubbles. I then roll her on her side and clean a spot on her hip push the needle in eject the medication, then remove the needle and re-clean the area."

"You got it. If you have any trouble, don't hesitate, just call an ambulance and get her in here right away."

"I can handle it thanks."

Piper hung up the phone and picked up the tray taking a deep breath before heading back into the living room. She had never given Nancy a shot under these circumstances, at least not with out someone at her side. She didn't know if she would be able to hold Nancy still long enough to give her the shot.

"WHAT IS THAT? I DON'T WANT IT! GET IT AWAY!"

Nancy yelled as she saw Piper enter the room with the tray in her hands. Nancy never liked the needles and had been so happy when they didn't have to do them anymore. She was willing to deal with the pain if it meant she didn't have to have any needles.

Piper made no attempt to reply to Nancy, she simply placed the tray on the coffee table and knelt down beside the couch. Grabbing hold of Nancy she pushed with all her might to overpower Nancy's fighting and get her rolled on her side.

Finally succeeding Piper kept a firm hold of Nancy while picking up the cotton ball that already had the skin cleaner on it. Cleaning the spot Nancy almost slipped from her grasp but recovered quickly and picked up the needle stabbing it into Nancy's hip as fast as possible.

Putting the needle back on the tray she let go of Nancy to allow her to roll back over but Nancy never did, she was to drained of energy. Piper rolled her over and sat on the couch placing Nancy's head in her lap. Lightly stroking Nancy's hair she waited till the screaming had subsided before she made any attempt to communicate.

"I'm sorry sweetie I had to…"

"NO YOU DIDN'T! THE PAIN WOULD HAVE GONE AWAY! LEAVE ME ALONE, DON'T TOUCH ME ANYMORE."

Nancy pushed Piper off the couch and rolled over to face the back of the couch. Piper was going to try and say more but decided to try again later. Picking up the tray she headed back into the kitchen to safely dispose of the needle and put the supplies away. After removing the gloves she picked up the Advil bottle and popped two more pills to help fight off the headache she could feel was now in full force. She could feel that her own head was hot, but wasn't sure if it was from fighting Nancy, or from a honest to goodness fever. She stayed in the kitchen cleaning the counters and stove to kill sometime, she knew Nancy would fall back to sleep, but didn't want to return to the living room until she was out like a light.

After a half hour of silence from the living room Piper knew it was safe to return and went to check on Nancy. Piper could tell that Nancy was sleeping peacefully and simply pulled a blanket around her. She was going to head upstairs for a little while but knew her plans would be changed when the front door opened and Phoebe was pushed inside by Owen who was right behind her.

"Well what's the verdict?"

"No breaks or tears. It's still going to be pretty sore for a while and she does have some fluid in her knee. I'm going to get her some medication to help as soon as I get her upstairs."

"How's Nancy, I picked her up a magazine?"

"She's asleep finally."

"What do you mean finally?"

"She was in more pain then she was telling us. I called Lucy and had to give her a pain shot."

"On your own?"

"Had no choice, she was screaming so loud I almost called the paramedics. She went completely nuts when she saw the needle."

"You alright?"

"Sure, I handled it, but she told me to leave her alone, and not to touch her."

"Don't take it personally, you know what she's like when she's in pain."

"I know, I think the fact that she was in pain hurts me more then the words she said."

"You look exhausted."

"I am, I seriously need a nap."

"Well take one, Owen will get me upstairs then go and get my pain killer."

"I told Phoebe that the best way for her to improve is if we give her shots, she promises not to be a baby."

"I made no such promise, but I'll do my best."

Piper smiled as she headed back into the living room and quickly fell asleep in the oversized chair while Owen went upstairs with Phoebe. Placing her in the bed he grabbed some extra pillows from her closet and placing them under Phoebe's leg to keep it elevated.

"Now I don't want you to move until I get back. It shouldn't take me too long."

"Take my house keys, so you don't have to wake Piper when you get back."

Kissing Phoebe on the mouth Owen ran down the stairs. Taking a moment to cover Piper with a blanket, and peaking at Nancy to make sure she was alright, he grabbed Phoebe's keys off the table and headed out the door. He knew he wouldn't be gone long, and just hoped his pager wouldn't go off anytime soon.

He decided to try and save sometime and called the prescription into the pharmacy hoping it would be ready soon after his arrival. His strategy paid off and less then twenty minutes after he left the manor he was pulling back into the driveway. Unlocking the door he noticed that both Piper and Nancy were still sound asleep and quietly went up the stairs and into Phoebe's room.

"How you doing my sweet lady?"

"I'm alright."

"No your not, it hurts doesn't it?"

"Can't lie to you, it does, but is the needle absolutely necessary?"

"We talked about this. In about a week, if the fluid is still there, we'll tap the knee and remove it, until then we go this route."

"Alright, just make it fast."

"Needle phobia runs in your family doesn't it?"

"We Halliwell women share everything, including fear."

Owen prepped the needle and Phoebe closed her eyes tight. Grabbing one of her pillows she braced herself for impact, but before she knew it the shot was over.

"You're good. I hardly felt it."

"Well I've had lots of practice. Now you know that's going to make you a little sleepy."

"I know, would you mind staying until I do fall asleep."

"Sure, I'll only leave if my beeper goes off."

Phoebe moved over making room for Owen who slipped his sneakers off and laid in the bed putting his arm around Phoebe who placed her head in his shoulder closing her eyes in the process. She was waiting for the pain killer to take effect and was surprised when it didn't happen almost right away.

"How long before this stuff kicks in? Nancy's usually out less then ten minutes after we give her a shot."

"Nancy's pain killer is way stronger then yours, it will work soon enough just be patient and try to relax."

Closing her eyes she tried to wait patiently, but was getting annoyed when it didn't kick in. Just as she was about to complain again she felt her body begin to tingle, and before she could enjoy the feeling of no pain she was sound asleep in Owens protective embrace.

TBC----Tell me how's it going?