Here is the final part, hope you enjoy...

Without Piper's Presence – PART 3 - FINAL

Prue was the first to wake. She looked down at the sleeping sister's form. Phoebe was still frighteningly pale, but her breathing was shallow and regular, so much different than the sharp painful noises her sister was making the previous night. She tightened her hold on her sister; so thankful she still had her. Prue sighed deeply. Why was everything so hard?

Her mind began to wander as her fingers ran ever so gently through her sister's hair. She remembered the days before, the days that seemed a lifetime ago. Before they had their cursed powers. Her relationship with Phoebe had been so difficult. Her baby sister had developed the rebellious side to her personality; a side that people would not believe could ever exist if they had seen the small, cute, innocent child Phoebe had been. Every time anyone would try to tell Phoebe what to do, or even give her advise, she would push them further and further away, until that painful distance became the width of the country. She remembered how close her and Piper were then, when Phoebe left. Piper was, and always would be, the best friend Prue ever had. Phoebe was her baby, but Piper was her friend. She recalled all the times she was too stubborn to release her tears if fear of falling apart. Piper would come into her room and just sit with her until she would break, then hold Prue in her arms as she wept mercilessly. Piper had always been there for her. But she wasn't here now. Where was Piper now? When Prue was facing the hardest time of her life, who would be there to hold her as she cried?

It was then she felt it. Looking down her eyes connected with the soft, warm brown eyes of her subdued baby sister. Phoebe silently reached out, and so delicately wiped away her sisters tears. "I'm sorry." She croaked quietly before shuffling her gaze to the bed sheets. Phoebe didn't want to see Prue's reaction.

Prue gave a gentle sigh before leaning in and kissing her. "You have NOTHING to be sorry for baby, I thought we sorted this last night."

"But it's my fault, Prue." Phoebe cried. "I shouldn't have gone there. I shouldn't have thought i…I could do it alone. If I hadn't been s…such a s…screw up, maybe Piper would still be a…alive." Prue just pulled her sister closer and held her tight.

"Phoebe. I want you to listen to me, okay?" She felt her sister nod hesitantly. "What Piper did, she did because she loved you. I would have done it one thousand times if I knew it would have kept you or Piper safe. And I know in your heart Phoebe, you would do it too, just as Piper did. I love you Phoebe and so does Piper." Prue took a deep breath. "Phoebe, you are not responsible in anyway for Piper's death…"

"But…"

"No! Phoebe, it was not your fault. You can't keep blaming yourself! Do you think that's what Piper would want? Do you think she'd want you here? In the hospital?"

"Nooooooooo." Phoebe sobbed. She was so sure that she was responsible it seemed impossible what Prue was saying. Finally giving into all her confusion and mixed emotions; she once again turned to the one comfort she knew she could always rely on; Prue, and let out her pain in the form of heart wrenching sobs.

"Shh baby. Shh. I got you. It's okay. We're going to be okay. I promise." Prue whispered gently as she stared out of the window, at the once again peeping sun.

The sun was shining. Shining so brightly that even looking at the darkest shadow seemed blinding. Despite the sun, people still wore warm clothing, for there was a chill in the air. A breeze that swept through the land, forcing a frowned expression onto those it passed. Two young women stood fighting its fierce power, staring at a cold stone grave in front of them.

"Prue, do…do you think she can hear us?" The youngest asked uncertainly.

The elder woman wrapped her arms around the younger, and pulled her close. "I know she can baby."

They lowered themselves to the ground, each taking comfort in their company.

Piper looked on from above. She remembered the days when she'd be sitting in the middle. Always stepping in between the two to stop them killing each other. That was until one year ago today. The day she died. It had been a busy morning, she recalled. Phoebe had had a vision and was beyond determined to stop it. It was strange how badly Phoebe wanted to stop it, but Piper never questioned her. She just let her sister drag her to an old warehouse in the worst part of town. Phoebe had gone charging in, full on a bizarre rage that Piper couldn't explain.

But the enemy was just too strong. Phoebe had been thrown out of the warehouse. Piper was left alone. All she could remember was a screaming, agonizing pain, and then…nothing. She was just standing over, watching, just as she was now.

The ambulance came. As did Prue. Her body was taken away, the solemnly bowed heads telling the worst of the tragedy. And Phoebe. Piper remembered Phoebe so clearly. Her face as she watched them take the body away. The desperation it held as she tried desperately to struggle free and run to her fallen sister. Phoebe had screamed for her. She had called on her, and Piper was unable to hold her in her arms. Phoebe cries then turned to Prue, and Prue…she turned away. 'She turned away from our baby' Piper thought.

That day haunted Piper. 'Funny' she thought 'I'm a spirit and I'm being haunted'.

She wished with all her heart that she could be with her sisters. Watching them sitting there, Phoebe curled in Prue's arms, it completely broke her. To the point of complete roar emotion. And it hurt. It hurt so much. She wanted to be with them. She belonged with them, not on this stupid hell road they called the afterlife. They wouldn't let her move on. Neither Prue nor Phoebe had been able to let her go. They fought through the pain and anguish of the loss, but never let her spirit move on. And Piper was sure that this was what today was about.

"Prue. I miss her." A soft voice croaked.

"I know, me too."

Piper stepped closer. She could almost touch…touch what she so desperately needed to. She silently knelt on the grass in front of her sisters. She looked deep into their eyes, yet received nothing in return. The sisters' eyes were transfixed on the stone behind. The stone that confirmed everything. She was gone from their vision. Yet she had to say goodbye, one last time. Slowly, Piper reached out her arm. Her death white fingers uncoiled themselves from their useless slumber and reached.

The frustrated tears rolled softly down her cheeks as her hand passed through her baby sister's cold skin. At that moment in time, there was nothing Piper wanted more than to reach out and wipe away her baby sister's tears. She prepared herself for disappointment and tried again. The second she touched her sister she knew Phoebe felt it. Her eyes widened as she pulled out of Prue's grasp, thrusting her arms forward.

"Piper!" She cried out.

"Pheebs, honey…" A concerned voice asked.

"She's here Prue! I know it! Piper!" Her arms waved frantically searching for her sister.

Tears once again strode down Piper's cheeks, only this time they were tears of sadness and realization. For the very last time she reached her hand forward. She cupped Phoebe's cheek. "I love you baby."

Phoebe froze suddenly, "Piper" she whispered softly as her tears flowed. "I…I love you too. Don't go."

"Let me go baby." Piper urged softly.

"No!" Phoebe shook her head. "Don't go."

"I have to go."

"But I miss you!" She cried.

"I love you, baby." Piper shut her eyes tight as she heard Phoebe cry.

Piper looked at her big sister. Looked her straight in the eyes. "I love you, Prue."

She saw the tears in Prue's eyes. "Me too." Was all her big sis said.

The sun was shining. Shining so brightly that even looking at the darkest shadow seemed blinding. All was calm. All was still. A single rose was all that remained. She had been released. To the heavens. Her sisters cried. The end had come. The world would have to survive alone…Without Piper's Presence.

END

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