Summary: In this story Prue never died, and Paige is not a long-lost sister—just a cute girl that Phoebe meets at college. This is a slash story, which means girl-on-girl action. If that's not your thing, then feel free not to read it. Part 1 will be PG, but that won't last long if Phoebe and Paige have anything to say about it…parts 2 and on will be R.
Phoebe came downstairs humming to herself, her long, sleek brown hair tied back in neat ponytail and her face clean and fresh but for a hint of tinted lip gloss. Backpack slung over one shoulder, she entered the kitchen where Piper was putting fresh cinnamon rolls on the table and Prue was reading the paper and stirring her coffee absently.
"Ohhhh, Piper, you are the best big sister a girl ever had," Phoebe moaned happily as she reached for one of the sticky treats.
"I'm sitting right here, Pheebs," Prue said dryly, still not looking up from her paper.
"Yes, and when you learn to bake cinnamon buns from scratch, I'll be here to worship you just as much," Phoebe said sweetly, leaning down to give her oldest sister a gooey kiss on the cheek.
"Phoebe!" Prue squealed as she jumped involuntarily at the odd tactile sensation. "That was gross! What on earth has gotten into you this morning?" Prue was glaring at her little sister, who continued to grin unrepentantly as Prue took a napkin and wiped her cheek. Piper, who had remained silent throughout the sisterly exchange, was now studying Phoebe with a knowing look.
"Ooooh, I know exactly what's gotten into her," Piper said gleefully. "You met someone, didn't you? I know this Phoebe, this is happy I-have-a-new-boy Phoebe. I knew you would forget about dumb ol' demony Cole and find a honey who deserved you!"
"I haven't met a boy, Piper," Phoebe said with a roll of her eyes.
"No no no, miss Phoebe Penelope Halliwell, you cannot lie to your sister and get away with it. I've known you way too long, and I have the sister radar. So spill."
"Piper, I swear." Phoebe abandoned her breakfast, looking desperately from one sister to the other as their eyes narrowed, just as they did when Phoebe tried to keep anything secret from them as a child. "Do not give me the big sister eyes! On Mom's grave, I swear to you there is no new guy in my life!"
"Whoa." Prue sat back slightly in her chair as if she'd been slapped. "Okay, Pheebs. No need to get so defensive, all right? Piper didn't mean to attack you. We're just interested in your life, that's all. You are our one and only baby sister, and we love you. Remember?" Prue cocked her head slightly as she said this, studying the now agitated face of the youngest Halliwell.
"I remember," Phoebe sighed. "I'm sorry guys. I didn't mean to jump down your throat, Piper."
"It's okay, sweetie," Piper said genuinely. "I shouldn't have been so presumptuous." Phoebe smiled weakly, as a wave of guilt washed over her. But she hadn't lied. Technically. And really there was nothing to tell…not yet. Her grin blossoming into a genuine, hundred-watt Halliwell smile, she glanced at the clock.
"Oh! I'm late for class." Hitching her backpack up on her shoulder, Phoebe hurriedly kissed both sisters on the cheek before bolting out the door. "Have a good day everybody!" She called over her shoulder as she scurried out. Prue and Piper looked at each other significantly as the front door slammed, both with one eyebrow raised in the trademark what-is-our-little-sister-up-to look.
"She forgot her cinnamon roll," Prue said unnecessarily.
"Mmmm," Piper agreed. "And I just can't help but wonder what…or WHO…is waiting for her at school that could be sweeter?"
Meanwhile, Phoebe was gazing out the window the of the MUNI with a faraway look in her big brown eyes. The familiar sights of the city passed her by unnoticed as the bus took her closer to her destination, the campus of SFU and in particular another pair of big brown eyes that she couldn't get out of her mind. Butterflies fluttered gently around her stomach as she remembered the smile that went with those eyes, so very playful and mischievous. As she played over in her mind the moment when that smile had first been directed at her, the butterflies kicked into overdrive. As the inner sunset rolled by outside and Phoebe's stop approached, the pleasant hum in her tummy began to twist into a painful knot. She wasn't used to feeling so uncertain about her attractions; the boys had found her much too early for that. She swallowed the insecurity rising up in her throat as she tried to assure herself again that the object of her affection had more than friendly feelings for her, too; that it wasn't all her in her head.
Today, she firmly told herself, I am going to ask Paige Matthews out.