TWO
Piper and Leo rushed into the hospital and hurriedly approached the nurse's desk in the emergency room.
"I'm looking for Phoebe Halliwell," said Piper. "She was admitted a little bit ago."
"Piper, Leo."
The two turned to see Prue and Victor standing outside one of the examination rooms. They hurried over to them.
"Is she okay?" Piper asked. "What happened?"
"She's okay, honey," said Victor. "We were talking and she started to go into the kitchen to get something to drink when she suddenly collapsed. After what she's been through I figured it was best if I got her to the hospital as fast as possible."
"Why didn't you call for Leo?" Piper asked, anger creeping into her voice. "Whatever is wrong with her his healing power could have fixed it."
"From what I know about White Lighters," said Victor, "it wouldn't have done any good. I'm not one of his charges and he wouldn't have heard me."
"He's right," said Leo. "What I don't understand is why I didn't sense she was in danger."
"Well, the doctor says she's basically okay," said Prue. "She was just badly dehydrated. That's why she passed out. He says with rest and plenty of fluids she should make a complete recovery."
"Then my healing power wouldn't have done any good anyway," said Leo. "Dehydration isn't technically an injury. It can't replace the fluids she's lost any more than it can replace strength you lose. It's probably a good thing that Victor got her here when he did."
"The doctor gave her a sedative to rest," said Victor. "She's asleep right now and he says that's the best thing for her. Well, that and the I.V. she has that's replacing her fluid loss. It's probably best is we just let her sleep and come back to see her tomorrow."
"You're sure she's okay?" Piper asked.
"Yes," said Prue. "Just dehydrated, as I said. If she rests she'll be fine in a couple of days."
"Okay," said Piper. "As long as you're sure she's okay I guess we can wait until tomorrow to see her."
"Sorry to scare you like that," said Victor. "My first thought was to get her here to the hospital. While the doctors were working on her I called you in case you were needed. Thankfully you weren't."
"Well, when she's better we're going to have a long talk about her taking better care of herself," Piper insisted.
"Don't be too hard on her," said Prue. "I'm sure this wasn't deliberate. And she has grown up quite a bit since she came home."
"Am I hearing right?" Piper asked in disbelief. "Is Prue Halliwell sticking up for her youngest sister?"
"Very funny," said Prue. "She is my sister. Just because we don't always get along doesn't mean I love her any less than you do."
"Okay, that's enough you two," Leo interjected. "I suggest we all go home and get some rest. I'm sure Phoebe will appreciate a visit from us in the morning."
"What about Cole?" Piper asked as they headed for the exit to the emergency room. "Any ideas how we let him know what's going on?"
"Not at the moment," said Leo. "He didn't say where he was going and I really have no way to find out where he is. We'll just have to wait until he shows up to fill him in."
As they started to head for the exit of the hospital the emergency doors suddenly burst open. Two paramedics wheeled in a gurney with a man, drenched in blood, lying on it. They had to step to the side to allow the gurney to pass.
"Pulse is weak and thready," said one of the paramedics as a doctor stepped up to the gurney. "Pupils are fixed and dilated. Blood pressure is 95 over 47 and falling."
"What are his injuries?" the doctor asked.
"Multiple contusions and compound fractures to both legs," said the other paramedic. "He apparently was struck by a car crossing the street. Frankly I'm surprised he's still alive. I'm sure he has internal injuries. No information on allergies or sensitivities to any medication."
"Get him into exam three," said the doctor to a nurse standing nearby. "Type and cross match blood type and let's get some x-rays. Then see if we can get a neurosurgeon down here. We may have to. . ."
Suddenly the man on the gurney gasped loudly and opened his eyes. He looked around the room and then sat up on the gurney.
"What the?" began the doctor.
The man just smiled and jumped down off the gurney. He seemed to be completely uninjured. He straightened his tie and smiled at the doctor. Then he turned and headed for the door.
"Hold on," said the doctor, taking the man's arm. "You're badly injured. We haven't even had a chance to examine you yet."
"I'm fine," said the man, glancing furtively around the room. "I don't have to accept any medical treatment I don't want. And I don't want any. Now if you'll excuse me, I really should be going."
"Piper," Prue whispered, "we can't just let him walk out of here. He could die."
"There's not much I can do," said Piper. "There are too many people around."
The man headed for the door and looked around. For a moment he stopped and stared at the group. A strange look crossed his face for just an instant. Then he continued out the door before anyone could stop him. The sisters just stared after his retreating form as he disappeared out the door.