Hide and Seek

Piper took up the spot Billy had been in as Prue sat on the other side. Each one taking Phoebes hands in theirs.

"God Prue. She looks terrible."
"I know." Prue hadn't wanted to say it. She thought if she didn't it wouldn't be real. But as she ran her hand over the top of her head the tears started again. She kept her eyes on Phoebes face seeing her as a child when she was sick, or just when she slept.

They were each pulled from their thoughts of happier times with Phoebe as the load screeching went off followed by alarms.

Medical staff rushed through the door moving them to one side as orders were once again yelled out.

"Get a crash cart in here stat." Someone yelled over the cried and everyone quickly went about their jobs.

Prue placed a protective arm around Piper who leaned in to her, not wanting to see what was going on. They couldn't have come all this way just to watch their sister die.

&-&-&

Prue leaned her head back against the wall as she absent-mindedly ran her fingers through Pipers hair. She had so many thoughts rushing through her mind ever since the doctors had once again rushed her baby sister down to the OR. And now: they waited.

Piper starred blankly at the door that stood before her. She felt Prue's loving hand running over her head. The motion helping ease her pain and worry as much as the action itself did to Prue. She couldn't help thinking of Phoebe. They had just found her. Now it looked like they would lose her forever.

"Halliwell?"

Piper almost jumped off the couch she had been lying on as she felt Prue just as quickly stand beside her.

"How is she? How is our sister?" Prue's voice was fast and wanted an answer now.
"She is in recovery right now and then we are going to wheel her up to ICU. She is one lucky girl I'll give her that. I thought we were going to lose her."
"Can we see her?" Piper voice filled the air with softness as her fear still mounted and would do so until she saw Phoebe.
"As soon as she is settled in ICU I'll have a nurse come and get you."

Hours had passed since a nurse had come to take them to Phoebes room. Each sister on either side of her bed, just holding her hand. The soft beeping of the medical equipment the only sound heard. Giving them comfort that their sister was still fighting and was with them.

Billy had come by and explained his connection to Phoebe and what had happened. And also that he knew Casey was a witch like them. Though like an good Whitelighter, failed to tell them who he really was.

"So what, you think a demon did this?" Prue wanted this to end now. If a demon was loose they had no way of getting back to the BOS to find a vanquish.
"I know Casey was a great witch and a better driver then that to get run off the road like that. So yes I think a demon did this. Though I don't know which one or where he is now."
Piper looked across at Prue and could see that her sister was thinking the same thing she was. "Prue."
"We'll worry about him later Piper. Right now our main concern in Phoebe." Her eyes spoke more then her words conveyed. She was worried that who ever this was, was actually after Phoebe and not Casey.

His rage filled the chamber as the fire on the torches rose with each emotion he felt.

"You IDIOT! How could you go behind my back like that?"
"I thought."
"You didn't think." His voice filled with anger. "I should send you back to them in gift wrap with a little note. The demon who tried to kill your sister. Here is what you need to vanquish him. Just make it painful."
"My Liege..." He tried to convey his apologize and an explanation as to why he had worked alone. And what information he had gathered but the flame ripped into his body causing pain beyond his belief, through him.
"No more excuses. The only good thing I got from all of this was a chance at three new demons. Ones that I am sure will fill your place in my loyal servants well." The last thrust as the demon burst to nothing but ashes.

His eyes cast towards the new evil that had arrived. Three willing souls that he knew one day would help him lead to the end of the Charmed Ones. Until then, he would teach them all they needed to know to survive.

Pain was really the first sensation she felt. Everything in her body ached. She wasn't sure if it was from the flu she had picked up in LA or the bullet wound in her arm. All she knew was she hurt everywhere. She heard the faint beep of machinery and felt the stiffness in the sheets around her. She knew the sounds and the tuoches, ones she hadn't experienced in a long time, but still knew them. Had Casey taken her to a hospital?

She pushed open her eyes and waited for the room to focus to her eyes. She felt the hands holding hers, a touch on the top of her head gently brushing through her hair. It was a touch she knew well. She closed her eyes again trying to bring the room into focus more.

Then she saw them. Each one at her side. Resting their heads beside her. Waiting for her to wake. Closing her eyes, she opened them up gathering her thoughts to her vocal cords.

"Marco." It came out quiet, but it was enough to make Prue look up at her.
Prue smiled down keeping her one hand on the top of Phoebes head, "Polo."

Piper looked up and saw Phoebe awake. "Polo from me too."
"What? Where?"
"Its ok Phoebs just rest now. We'll explain everything later. When you are well and we can take you home." Prue spoke as the tears ran down her cheeks.
"I won didn't I?" she smiled at her sisters.

Piper and Prue laughed slightly,

"Yes baby girl you did." Piper said as she leaned over and placed a kiss on Phoebes cheek. "You won."

Phoebe smiled weakly as she closed her eyes and felt herself drifting off to sleep.

The next few weeks were a blur to all of them Prue and Piper filled in Phoebe on what they knew of what happened as she filled them in what she had been through. Each time her sisters would apologize for what she had to contend with alone.

Eleanor looked in on the sisters one last time before she had to fly home.

"I wish you would stay." Piper asked as she took the older woman hands in hers.
"You gave us back our sister. Let us take you home." Prue put in.
"You three need some time together. I think the drive home is just what the doctor ordered. Call me when you get home. I'll come by and see you again." She leaned over and gave each one a warm hug before turning to the youngest. "You take care of yourself now Phoebe. No more running off playing games."
"I will. And thank you. For helping them find me." She reached up and embraced Eleanor not wanting her to go just yet.

&-&-&

Phoebe sat on the couch a few weeks after their return. Her mind thinking about everything that she had been through without her sisters.

Piper stood in the doorframe to the dining room and could see her baby sister was struggling with something. She made her way and sat in beside her, "Penny for your thoughts." She wasn't surprised when Phoebe leaned over and snuggled into her. It was something she had been doing a lot of since they had returned home.

"Just thinking about Casey. And things."
"Things being your trip to Canada?" Piper knew that her sister was still struggling with what had happened.
"I was so scared without you and Prue. I felt lost." A tear started down her face and Piper held her tight. Wanting to assure her everything would be fine.

"We wouldn't have stopped looking for you Phoebs." Prue's voice came from the stairs as she joined her sisters "And so you know, you weren't the only one scared." She shifted around and almost took Phoebe from Pipers arms. "Phoebe I'm so sorry. All of what happened was my fault. I let my big sister pride get in the way of really seeing you. You were right. We don't know you. But I want that to stop now. I want to know my baby sister. I want to know what is: The place that has many levels. Both young and old alike go there, and where Some go away happy and others sad. Since when did you get so cryptic?"

Phoebe let out a small chuckle as she realized what Prue was saying.

"And I want to know. What has Magic all around as the stars twinkle ahead. Gentle music to find the mode. Love and lost are both here in the hopes that good will come to past." Piper added in.

Phoebe had to laugh again as she thought back to the calls and clues she had given her sisters. "Ok. I'll show you." She got up from the couch and grabbed her jacket as her sisters followed.

Piper pulled up beside the bookstore where Phoebe had been when the demon attacked.
"Good one sis. A magic shop where we shop for supplies." Prue laughed as she looked back at Phoebe who had a mile smile on her face.
"Ok you know how Andy saw me a Bay General? Head over there Piper."

As the parked the car and started up the elevator Prue looked at her little sister. She could tell she was getting tired. Even after being home a few weeks she was still fighting what she had been through.

"Maybe we should leave you here to get some rest sweetie." She suggested as she placed an arm around her sister's shoulders.
"Nope. I'm going shopping with you two. So I can pick out my new outfit." Phoebe replied as she leaned against Prue. She was tired but she wanted to share this part of her life with her sisters.

"PHOEBE!" the voice cried out as all three sisters turned to the sound. Seeing the small boy wheeling towards them.
"Alex hi." She leaned down and gave him hug. "I missed you."
"Me too. These your sisters?" he looked up at Prue and Piper.
"Yeah. This is Prue and this is Piper."

Alex looked up at the two women before looking back at his friend.

"Do they race?" he asked hopefully.
"Not sure. But we can always see. Gives us an advantage." She smiled down at her friend as she pushed him through the hall to the main playroom.

"Ready. Set. GO!" Susan called out from her own wheelchair setting off the race between the sisters and Alex.

Phoebe led going around the first corner followed closely behind her was Piper and Prue. With Alex bringing up the rear. But Phoebe knew Alex and was not worried about him passing her sisters.

She could feel her own strength starting to weaken. She knew she was still fighting off her own injuries but was having too much fun to stop now. She had already raced Alex once and was now going again with all of them. She was still surprised that Prue was the first to agree with the race. She saw the look on her big sisters face, in her eyes. She was doing what she could to reach out to her.

Rounding the last corner she could hear Alex yelling at her from right behind her and knew what he was going to do. But as she taught him everything was fair in a Wheelchair war. Just as he was about to cut her off she pulled the arm of his chair so he couldn't pass her. But in doing so let Prue go by them both.

As Prue crossed the finish line followed by Piper, Phoebe let go of Alex's chair and followed her sisters. Leaving Alex to bring up the rear.

"Now who's cheating?" he laughed

Phoebe got up from her chair and bent down before him. "Sorry Alex. You can't beat sisters." She laughed as she gave him a big hug, before looking up at Prue and Piper with a smile.

He looked up at his friend and knew she was right. And that she and her sisters would be all right.

They all sat around playing games and singing. This was the first step they would all take in getting to know each other. A step that was missed a long time ago. Phoebe leaned in against Prue and rested her head on her shoulder.

"You tired sweetie?"
"A bit. But I'm enjoying this right now."
"Me too." Prue wrapped her arms around her sisters and looked over at Piper who reached in and took Phoebes hands in hers.
"I love you two." She said as she gave Piper's hands a little squeeze and snuggling closer into Prue.
"We love you too honey." Piper replied as the three of them sat and watched the kids play before breaking away and joining them.

Once again thwarting the evils of the underworld and strengthening their bond as sisters.

Game Over

That's all folks. There ain't no more. We both hope you enjoyed it. We both hope you enjoyed our tale or our game of Marco Polo!!

...Wings 6 Nucks 8
Game Over.. Its a hockey thing. I do believe at the time we wrote this Vancouver Canucks beat the Detroit Red Wings .. hence the score..

WingNucks