Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Charmed. I'm almost positive it's illegal to do what I'm going to do with these characters...ah well, don't sue. It's only fun and fiction!

AN: Thanks Chub, johnnydeppfanatic13, Revul Ylloh, Chikalita13, Tigerdrake, wAnNaBpIpEr, reader, and line100 for your reviews. Special thanks to my sisters Charmed Princess, Missy Paige, and Starring Piper(my twin and my twintastic muse) jsut 'cuz I love'em.

Chapter 6

Piper could not believe he had raped her, and yet the alarming reality kept invading her thoughts. Tears burned in her eyes, but she was too tired to cry. The sound of a shower running reached her ears. He was ridding himself of any uncleanness she had brought with her. She barely registered the realization before releasing an agonized sob. There were no tears to accompany it, only the soul-shattering cry of a ruined life. It was so very hard to breathe. She had the overwhelming desire to vomit, and she couldn't remember the last time she had felt so defiled, so used, so...dirty. It hurt to think of the terrible ways he had violated her, promising her that he was cleansing her from her past. She certainly did not feel cleansed.

The noise created by rushing water ceased, and Piper trembled violently, knowing he would be returning soon. Silence fell heavily around her. She could not handle silence. Her heart beat reverberated in her ears, keeping time with her ragged breathing. Finally, footsteps broke the quiet. That was much worse. She had to get away. Shrinking against the back of the beige couch she had been tossed on, Piper struggled to make herself as small as possible. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, repeating the same phrase. If I can't see him, maybe he will no longer be real. She knew she was kidding herself.

"Hello, angel," Matt greeted softly. Piper whimpered helplessly. What was he going to do to her? "Now, now, darling," he purred, approaching her huddled figure, "There is no need to be scared. My Lord assured me that all will be well, once your cleansing is complete."

Piper's mind raced, along with her heart. He wasn't finished with her? She nearly broke down, unable to bear the thought of being once again reduced to a mere speck, an object of lust. Matt smoothed her hair gently, intending it to be an act of comfort. Piper flinched away from his hand, emitting another whimper.

"Did I hurt you?," he asked regretfully, "Oh, Angel, I would never hurt you on purpose. You have to know that." He paused, gauging her reaction. A tear rolled down Piper's partially-hidden cheek. Matt refrained from wiping it away, unwilling to see her recoil from him again. "Please, Piper, don't fight me. We must do it this way, otherwise I would never have...I...please, don't be so upset," he pleaded, his tone pathetically thin.

Piper didn't react, couldn't react. It took all of her energy to force back the scream that was building in her throat. Mercifully, Matt backed away from her, never taking his eyes off of her stricken expression. He was unaccustomed to this feeling of...guilt. He was allowing himself to doubt God, and that was definitely unacceptable. Callously, he brushed aside the emotion, determined to complete his assigned task.

Piper opened her eyes jsut in time to see him advancing towards her. She noted that he seemed less apologetic and unconsciously began to prepare herself. She couldn't stop the fear from welling up, but she was determined to keep it from showing. His words resounded in her mind. Terror never fades, sweetheart. She had to prove him wrong. She knew she could fail even in that.

"Come on, Piper," he coaxed, leaning down to scoop her into his arms, "Let's finish this."

Piper concentrated on forcing back the tremors threatening to control her, ignoring the fact that his face with close enough to touch, to scratch, to disfigure. For probably the hundredth time, she felt a bitter anger at the bonds encircling her wrists. They had kept her from fighting the monster who carried her. She didn't twist her hands to try, once again, to free herself. The skin was much too tender. Piper was almost certain she had felt blood trickling slowly down her arm. He wasn't thoughtful enough to check, and she would never ask him.

"Alright, darling," he said cheerfully, setting her down. Piper glanced around, wondering silently why he had brought her into the bathroom. She noticed the tub, half-full, looked very inviting. "That's right, baby," he said soothingly, "Jsut a little bath."

Piper glared at him. "A little bath" could mean anything and, though she would never admit it to him, she was scared of the possibilities. Matt moved towards her, kneeling at her feet. "Now," he began, looking at her sternly, "If you try to kick me when I undo these knots, you'll be unconscious while we do this. I won't allow you to fight me, even though I love you." Piper jerked at those words. He loved her? Fine, he could pretend to love her all he wanted. She despised him and felt the urge to make that clear.

"So, you want me to be a lamb and cooperate?," she asked meekly. He wondered whether she was being acquiescent or only getting ready to tell him off. He didn't have to wait long for an answer. "Sorry, love, I can't do that for you. See, if I can do anything to make you miserable, I will. Payback's a bitch, and you'll be meeting that bitch quite often," she spat hatefully. Matt drew back, a cold smile on his face.

"Very well, love," he returned, mocking her, "Have it your way." He turned and walked out, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Dismayed, Piper berated herself for her slip-up. She should have kept her mouth shut. Now, he was going to make her atone for what she'd said.

Matt walked back, that same cold little smile twisting his features. Piper didn't glance up, only stared at her feet. Matt approached her, kneeling to get in her face. Piper met his eyes.

"Oh, now you want to be obedient?," he asked maliciously. Piper didn't blink or make a sound. "Good, you'll be more affected if you're conscious while I finish with you."

Viciously, Matt ripped the rumpled, soiled clothing from her, not bothering to untie the ropes binding her. He tossed her into the tub, letting the cold shock her. He smiled when she gasped, enjoying her suffering. "Too cold, darling?," he taunted. Piper immediately wiped any expression from her face. He didn't deserve a reaction, and he wasn't going to get one.

Matt grabbed a nearby sponge and dipped it into the water. "This is holy water," he informed her, "blessed by a priest nearby. God was merciful when He allowed it to touch you without burning. Thank Him for his graciousness."

Piper heard the commanding tone and knew he expected her to say it aloud. No chance, she thought defiantly. He began to run the sponge roughly over her forehead. She nearly winced at the harsh contrast between the two, but managed to hold back. He scraped at her furiously in one spot, watching intently for sign of blood. He moved along her face efficiently, working his way down. Piper felt sick. She knew his plan now, she knew what he would do. Pain tingled through her. The first trickle of blood reached her lip, and she shut her mouth tightly. He noticed the blood and immediately softened the pressure. He didn't intend to draw blood. Resignedly, she tried to think of ways to occupy her mind. She couldn't allow herself to dwell on what he was doing.

"You see now, don't you?," he asked excitedly, seeing her resignation, "You know that I must do this. Not for me, but for you. Even your body must be created again. The top layers of your skin are contaminated, filled with your old, sinful life. Once I remove those layers, you will be rejuvenated. A completely new person, physically at least. We'll work on your spirit, sweetheart. That comes with time." Piper's stomach turned. He sounded so gleeful. It was sickening.

He stopped at her shoulders, deciding this would be enough for now. Piper glanced up hopefully, praying he was finished, knowing that he wasn't. "Jsut a break," he told her, seeing the question in her eyes. Piper sighed and fought back tears. When was this going to end? When could she go back home? One glimpse of the fierce possessiveness radiating in his eyes and she knew the answer. It was never going to happen. Her sisters were as good as dead to her. Tears began to flow. That thought was unbearable.