Chapter 34 – Pain Resurfacing

Prue wandered into Piper's room one morning… she didn't know what compelled her to open the door and enter this room. This room had been a silent witness to her sister's painful moments. Since that night, she never dared to even touch the door knob… until now. As she was looking through Piper's things, books, trinkets, notes, stuffed toys, pictures, some pictures unconsciously made her smile. Her vision started to blur, she realized she's already crying, like a rushing river, it just struck her. As she sat on Piper's bed, she saw the paper bag on top of the study table. As she was taking out the things from the bag one by one, a memory from just a few days ago resurfaced…

FLASHBACK (A/N: scene from chapter 22)

Prue was so happy to see this Piper's side again, it's been so long since she had seen her sister so carefree and cheerful. Prue just laughed and smiled as Piper kept on ranting about every little thing she bought for them.

"They have the cutest stuff, Prue. Look!" Piper beamed as she showed her great finds. "Good thing, you guys have short names, haha! I had them customized for you each of you and Paige."

"Maybe we could go there again next weekend? There's this booth where they do henna tattoos, remember we've always wanted to try that? It's gonna be fun!" Piper continued, her cute voice and the sound of her lough tickled Prue's heart.

"Oh sure, baby sis! Let's do that! And maybe we can find a nice little dress for you to, you know… charm your way back to Leo's arms, huh?" Prue teased with a wiggling eyebrows and a knowing smile. Piper just looked at her with a cute pout and a squinting left eye. She just felt so amused by one of Piper's many cute facial expressions.

END OF FLASHBACK

Prue smiled tearfully while holding the charm bracelet with silver blocks of the letters of her name on it and a little camera dangling right next to her name. She put the bracelet on, reached for Piper's pillow and hugged it like her life depends on it, "Please Piper… come back to us. Please."

-0-0-0-0-

Piper had been in a coma for a week, still no signs of her waking up, but everyone remained hopeful as there was no sign of any complication either. Prue, Leo, Grams and even Paige have been taking turns watching over Piper. Phoebe tried so hard to stay distant and always finding excuses not to see Piper. Grams decided not to push her, the wounds are just too deep to heal. Someday, it will happen.

-0-0-0-0-

Hospital

Prue, and Leo were in Piper's room. It has been their second home since then. Leo's working on his homework, while Prue's brushing Piper's hair. She never missed a day, it's been more like a sweet habit for her.

A soft knock on the door interrupted them. Grams entered, followed by a familiar figure.

When Prue saw who was it, hatred and pain all came rushing back, so she concentrated on one thing… she went back to brushing her sister's hair.

Victor saw the fire in her eldest' eyes. But he could not blame her, he made a decision over a year ago, and it hurt his daughters. So he tried to divert his attention… "I tried to come here as soon as I could. How is she?"

"If you were here, you wouldn't need to ask." Prue muttered in a low whisper without taking her eyes off her sister.

Victor still heard it, the whisper reached his heart like a scream. Penny just looked at Victor, silently asking for understanding.

Leo felt out of place, "Uhmm, I'll be going out, get some snacks, anyone wants anything?"

Victor looked up at the boy for the first time with questioning eyes. Penny sensed the confusion.

"Oh this is Leo, he's Piper's… friend." Penny introduced. "Leo, this is Victor… their father."

"As if." Prue spoke again with rolling eyes and a sigh. This time, with the intention to let the object of her anger hear her.

"Uhm, nice to meet you Sir." Leo smiled awkwardly and offered his hand. This scene did not cross his mind ever. What if he finds out what happened between me and his daughter?

Awkward silence.

"Uh Leo that's nice of you, thank you, here…" Penny reached for her purse and gave Leo some money for food.

"I'll go with you Leo." Prue kissed her sister goodbye, and then her Grams. Not even acknowledging the presence of another person in the room.

Prue and Leo were almost at the door, "Prue, I was hoping we could talk?" Victor asked.

"When are you leaving again?" Prue asked casually but with sarcasm.

"Prue-" Victor begged.

"Come on, Leo." Prue went out first, ignoring the look of sadness from Victor.

Leo wanted to kiss the girl on the bed but stopped himself, he almost forgot about the dad, so he just went after Prue.

-0-0-0-0-

Prue and Leo came back to the hospital.

"Your father had to leave for a business meeting." Penny explained.

"Typical." Prue retorted.

"But he'll be back tomorrow and-"

"I couldn't care less." Prue interrupted and then went back to the chair right next to Piper's bed. "I miss you baby sis. We don't need him. You don't need him. We've been okay without him right?" Prue talked to Piper as if she's awake.

"Prudence, give him a chance." Penny started.

"He left us right when we were at the lowest point of our lives. When we needed him the most. Now, he'll just come back as if he's only gone for just one night? Tell me Grams, is that fair?" Prue demanded. Penny was speechless, she felt her granddaughter's pain. All she could do sit back down and sigh, opting not to argue with Prue.

A knock on the door broke the painful silence. It was the police inspector handling Piper's case.

"Good afternoon, Inspector." Penny greeted.

"I have good news. There's been a development on your granddaughter's case." Inspector Anderson was excited to finally be able to give hope to this family. "A witness has decided to come forward."

"Oh thank God! Thank you Inspector. " Grams exclaimed. Since the night Piper was admitted, there had been no lead on who might have done it to her, until now.

"He's actually here to talk to you." The inspector added, and as if on cue, a person walked into the room.

"Dan?!" Leo's eyes widened in surprise. "Wha-? Ho-" Leo was speechless.

"I'm sorry Mam, I'm sorry Leo. I can't keep quiet anymore, so so sorry I took so long. I'm so sorry." Dan looked so lost and wasted, he had been so depressed ever since that night, he could not remove the image of that unconscious girl from his head.

-0-0-0-0-

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Author's Note:

I think I've lost my touch. :( Anyway, I dunno how many chapters this whole story will take, I'm making it up as I go. But I make sure that every chapter is relevant and vital to the whole story. I'll try to update as fast as I can, while I have time. No more counting the months or years. :) Even I am intrigued how this story will turn out.

I want to say thanks to: smexyie222, Maystar, Wildlifer, mimitran, gabyhyatt, HollyShannenForever, swiftstar13, hey-torch, Angel Rose Potter and i-Linda

Thank you guys for making your presence felt, and taking your precious time to leave a message and show your support. I really appreciate it. :D