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: HUGE thanks to sci fi fan, line100, piperperson, versatilecutie, Lulusa, Timeless Deception, and Pipery03! Y'all are awesome, and I love you all!
Starring Piper: Back one day (not on tonight) and already I can update again. Everyone should worship you as my wonderful muse. Well, if they won't, I will! Love you and miss you!
Chapter 14
Phoebe gripped Paige's hand, barely aware that her sister was shaking. Leo had gone, to give the girls some time with their sister, but he had disguised his thoughtfulness as a call from the Elders. Phoebe had asked for the room number, and now she was on the way to seeing Piper after a month of searching. As she took another terrified step toward the hospital room that held Piper, Phoebe tried to clear her mind. If she could get through these first few moments, then everything would be OK. But facing her oldest sister in a hospital bed was something she had had nightmares about. As many times as the Halliwells had faced death, only a hospital could bring into focus how frightening, how final death could be.
Phoebe halted in front of the door, Paige still at her side. The whimper was faint, almost inaudible, but Phoebe turned and caught Paige's fear-filled glance. Heart breaking, Phoebe tugged Paige into a tight embrace. Paige clung to her, drawing strength from their bond. Piper's disappearance had woven them together, until neither felt like an individual. The link was what helped them survive the shock, the turmoil, the grief. And it was what would give them the strength to handle whatever lay beyond that door. With a deep breath, Phoebe pulled out of the hug, gripping Paige's hand, and with the other, she opened the door.
Phoebe's initial thought was one of horror and a sick relief. That couldn't be Piper. Piper was vibrant, strong. The figure in front of her was fragile. Broken. Realization sunk in soon after. It was Piper, but she was changed. Almost....incomplete. He had done this to her sister. He had turned her into the broken heap before her. Piper's face was so swollen, it was barely recognizable. Bruises everywhere. And the tubes and machines gave her an artificial look, as though she were plastic, made to look helpless and hurt for the benefit of curious onlookers. Phoebe assessed Piper's condition methodically, trying to distance herself from the initial pain.
Choking back a sob, Phoebe forced herself to step forward. Piper needed her sisters, even if the doctors said she might never open her eyes. Phoebe knew that no matter how cruel Death was, he wouldn't take Piper from them now, not after everything that had happened. Using that knowledge, Phoebe was able to approach her big sister, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Piper?," she whispered, but her voice didn't sound like her own, "Sweetie, it's me. God...I... I'm so sorry I let this happen to you."
Paige stepped in behind her, resting her forehead on Phoebe's back. Phoebe felt tears soak through her throat, and silently, she reached back to stroke Paige's hair. Her other hand reached out tentatively, grasping Piper's hand. Gentle. She had to be gentle. Piper didn't move, didn't respond, but Phoebe felt compelled to talk to her, to bring her back.
"Paige is here, two. We have been waiting for you to come home for so long," she told her, closing her eyes against the fresh wave of anguish, "We knew you would come back to us, Piper. The police...They all said it was next to impossible that you would be alive, but we knew, we felt you."
Paige moved beside Phoebe, clutching her hand, searching for the strength to continue where Phoebe had left off. " Hey sis," she said softly, "We tried so hard to find you. Darryl said we had the best chance, with magic on our side, but he kept the police searching for you longer than usual. He fought for you, two. He was nearly as heartbroken as we were."
"Today was your funeral, Piper," Phoebe broke in, her voice shaking, "We were supposed to say goodbye. Everyone thought it would be best... But here you are. You proved them wrong, and you can prove the doctors wrong. All you have to do is open your eyes. Please, for us. Because we've been waiting so long to see those worried brown eyes of yours."
Silence dropped heavily upon them as they waited for a sign of response from their sister. The seconds ticked by, and Phoebe held her breath. Thirty seconds, a minute. Two minutes. Piper never moved. Letting out an angry breath, Phoebe turned and fled from the room, tears burning in her eyes.
Paige hesitated at Piper's bedside, unsure of whether to keep on with Piper or go after Phoebe. Unable to pull herself away from her oldest sister, and thinking that Phoebe needed some time, Paige climbed gingerly onto the hospital bed, curling against Piper, careful not to upset any of the wires or tubes. Paige soaked in the contact, tears coursing down her cheeks.
"I love you," Paige said abruptly, her voice raw with emotion, "I'm sorry I never told you before, but I didn't think you wanted to hear it from me. Mostly because of Prue, but also because we've fought each other, over everything. At least, I fought you. And every day that you were gone, I regretted not telling you how much you mean to me. I hope you can hear me, because I want you to know that you and Phoebe are my entire world. Jsut like you made us yours. I know I was selfish, and I know I treated you horribly. I don't deserve a sister like you, but... Could you please jsut wake up and be my sister anyway?"
The whir of machines and occasional beeping was her only reply. Paige pushed herself up, looking down at Piper's battered face. The sight broke her heart. Kissing her sister's cheek, Paige slid off the bed, instantly missing the closeness. She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering, not from cold, but sorrow. With one last look at her sleeping sister, Paige retreated from the room.
