"Alright, now that I'm not hooked up to machines, tell me what happened to Nancy. Why did you have to give her a shot? Why didn't you call me if she got hurt?"
"Alright, she wanted to go on a workout with Phoebe this morning. They did, but some kid ran into Phoebe and banged her leg up pretty bad. Phoebe being the typical stubborn Halliwell, wouldn't let Nancy come and get me, so instead Nancy basically carried Phoebe home on her wheel chair."
"I'm going to kill Phoebe!"
"No your not, she feels bad enough. Nancy got some pretty bad muscle spasms and was in so much pain. I had to call Lucy, since Owen came and got Phoebe to have her knee x-rayed. I gave her the shot, she went to sleep, and that was that. Nothing I couldn't handle."
"Alright, let me get this straight. A painting fell on me, a kid ran into Phoebe, and Nancy is having muscle spasms. If I didn't know any better I would say that there is something fishy going on."
"Prue, accidents happen…"
"To all of us, on the same day…"
"I'm not hurt, I'm alright."
"I guess, but we still better watch our backs."
"Demons don't hurt people, demons kill people. If they had wanted you dead, you would be dead. They would have thrown more then a painting at you, and done more then cause Nancy a few hours of pain."
"Alright. So is Phoebe's leg broken?"
"No Owen says she has some fluid in the knee, but with a few shots, and taking it easy for a while, she'll be good as new."
"Making Phoebe take it easy is like…"
"Making you take it easy. Face it Prue, Phoebe and I learned our stubbornness from the best. YOU!"
"Very funny, just get me home. I have a strong feeling Nancy needs me right now."
"Is she connecting?"
"No just call it mothers instinct, something I never thought I would ever have."
"Give me a break, you've always had it. You always seemed to know when Phoebe or I needed you."
"That's sisters instinct, it's different, trust me, just drive."
Piper clamed up, but knew that the difference between the two for Prue was not that much. Prue had always mothered the girls, and would often overrule even Grams, at least when she wasn't around.
Arriving at the manor Piper hopped out of the car and walked around to help Prue. Prue was moving really slow, she opened the car door and just sat in the seat for a moment allowing her head to clear. She had an absolute splitting headache.
"Alright sis just take it slow."
"I'm fine, just a little, I don't know…."
"I understand, just take it easy your way off balance. I'm going to open the front door, stay put alright…"
"Piper I'm not an invalid, I can walk all by myself."
"Not right now you can't. STAY!"
Piper ran up the front walk and up the stairs to the front door. Pulling out her keys she fought the lock while trying to keep one eye on Prue to make sure she was still staying put. She was trying to force herself not to think about how she was feeling right now. Her own head was pounding, and she now knew she no doubt had a fever, she was getting sick, and couldn't stop it.
With two sisters down, plus Nancy, Piper knew she couldn't afford to be sick right now, she needed to protect her family. Although she told Prue that accidents happen, when they happen to the entire family that's usually when demons will take advantage of them.
Without warning the door popped open and Piper almost lost her balance falling head first into Owen.
"Piper you alright?"
"Fine, just trying to watch Prue while opening this dam door. My key was stuck."
"What some help with Prue?"
"Please, thank you so…"
"Stop thanking me, you've done that enough today."
Owen went outside and before Prue could protest he picked her up and carried inside.
"Owen, I can walk."
"I know but how could I resist a damsel in distress. Where to, your room?"
"Depends, where's Nancy?"
"I think she's in her room. I went upstairs to help Phoebe, and when I came back down, the chair lift was upstairs. Not to mention her bedroom door is closed."
"Then take me to her if you won't let me walk."
Walking upstairs Owen almost dropped Prue when his pager began to vibrate on his hip. Prue could feel it tickling her leg and knew why he lost his balance for it caught her by surprise as well.
"Put me down, you need to answer that."
"I can at least put you in your room."
"No I want to check on Nancy. Piper will help me."
Placing Prue down only when Piper was standing right next to them he made sure she was balanced and clear from the stairs before he unclipped his pager and walked over to the hallway phone. Piper walked Prue over to Nancy's door where they both began to knock on the door.
"Nancy, sweetie, we're home."
They waited patiently for an answer that never came. Knocking again they tried the door knob only to find it wouldn't budge. Prue looked over her shoulder to see Owen walking into Phoebe's room. Focusing on the door she was ready to force the door open with her power, only to receive a wave of dizziness overcome her.
"Easy Prue. You alright?"
"This is crazy, I can't even open a little door."
"Your weak, and tired. Your concussion is throwing off your concentration. She's probably sleeping, or studying, you can see her later. You're going to bed."
"But Piper…"
"No buts, now let's move, don't make me have to carry you."
Prue puffed out her lower lip and pouted as they walked into Prue's room and over to the bed. Piper immediately got out a pair of Prue's pajamas asking if she needed help changing her cloths.
"Thanks I think I can handle it. I could use some aspirin though."
"Be back in a few minutes."
Walking into the hallway Piper once again checked Nancy's door, but it was still locked tight, and Nancy was not answering. Walking into the bathroom Piper took a moment for herself. She ran a cool cloth over her face, popped a few more Advil then got Prue's aspirin and a fresh wash cloth as well.
She returned to the hallway when she heard a door open, hoping it was Nancy, but was a little disappointed when she found Owen closing Phoebe's bedroom door.
"I have to go down to the hospital. Phoebe seems to be resting comfortably. She's awake for the most part, just a little out of it."
"Will she need another shot tonight?"
"No, she only needs it once a day, some time in the afternoon should be fine. Just make sure she keeps ice on it, and keep it elevated. She has crutches, but shouldn't try to use them alone. I'm a little worried she'll take a header down the stairs."
"Well I'll watch her, but Phoebe has been on crutches more then most people. She played baseball and soccer when she was a kid, and got hurt a lot. You'd be amazed what she can do even with one good leg."
"I was thinking about coming back tonight, to keep an eye on her, but I don't know what time that'll be."
"I can handle it don't worry, just call her in the morning. If I need help, I can always call Dan, he's right next door."
"If your sure, then I'll stop in tomorrow and check on both the patients. Goodnight Piper."
"Owen, I know you said not to thank you anymore, but I really want you to know how much I appreciate everything you've done for us. I think that we Halliwell women really lucked out with the men who have come into our lives. You guys really take care of us, and we appreciate it."
"We do it because we love you guys. I'm in love with Phoebe, but even when we started dating Phoebe made it real clear that you guys are a package deal. It's a package that comes with a huge discount. I am lucky enough to have Phoebe in my life, but with you and Prue, plus Nancy, I've gained a whole new family, it's worth it."
"Thanks for saying that."
"Now if you don't mind a little more advice, you look exhausted, and I know you have a temperature, so try and get some rest tonight."
"You didn't tell Phoebe did you?"
"No I'm not crazy, just try to sleep some."
"Sorry can't do that, got to wake Prue up a lot tonight, but I'll sleep in between. Now get going, you're needed elsewhere."
Owen walked down the stairs with Piper right behind him. He waited until her heard the lock click on the other side before he ran to his car and headed off to the hospital. Inside Piper smiled to herself, she really loved her extended family, and knew that they loved her, it was a great feeling that almost trumped the headache she was experiencing.
Moments after Piper started walking up the stairs the two demons shimmered into view. They stayed back and well out of Piper's sight only speaking once she was out of their earshot.
"Can you sense it? She's sick."
"Good, we haven't been able to get her alone all day. She is not going to be a problem, we attack first thing in the morning, before the others wake up."
"Even if they do wake, they will not be any trouble. The one with the martial arts skills can't even stand. The oldest can't even open a door, let alone harm another being, and that one couldn't focus her power no matter how had she tries. Let's get out of here."
They shimmered out of sight as quickly as they had appeared.
