Soul Exchange

Halliwell Manor Laundry Room - Two Hours Later

         Piper looked up from folding clothes when she heard the back door opening. Phoebe entered, looking extremely pale. "Phoebe, what's wrong? You're home early... it's barely eleven o'clock. Oh my God! You didn't get fired, did you?" Piper queried worriedly as she dropped the towel she had been folding back into the basket. She approached her younger sister and cautiously draped an arm over her shoulders. "Relax. I still have my job. I'm just not feeling well, Piper. "Phoebe announced in a weak voice. "Come sit down." Piper ordered as she led Phoebe into the kitchen. "Uh, Piper, I think I'm going to head for the bathroom, instead." Phoebe informed her sister. "Are you okay? Do you need me?" Piper inquired anxiously. "I think I've got my first-ever migraine headache," Phoebe answered. "My head is pounding, I'm dizzy, and my stomach is killing me."

"Yeah, that's a migraine alright." Piper replied as she steered Phoebe quickly towards the downstairs bathroom.

"Piper," Phoebe moaned in a strange voice as they reached the doorway. "I'm right here, sweetie." Piper assured her sister as she helped her to kneel in front of the toilet bowl. "Don't fight it, Phoebs."

"Piper, I'm sor-"Phoebe broke off as a wave of nausea overcame her. "Shh, don't apologize." Piper murmured. "You're okay. Believe me; I know how badly migraines hurt, honey. "

When Phoebe felt better, Piper patted her shoulder and got to her feet. Retrieving a washcloth from the cabinet, she wet it with cool water and used it to bathe Phoebe's sweaty face. "Thank you." Phoebe whispered softly. "You're welcome, honey," Piper answered. "Think you can make it to your room to lie down, or would you rather lie on the couch?"

"Couch," Phoebe answered. "Okay...Then I can keep a closer eye on you, and you can call if you need me." Piper replied, as she pushed the handle on the toilet, and then helped Phoebe to her feet. "Here." Piper continued, as she pulled a new toothbrush from the cabinet and handed it to Phoebe. "To get rid of the horrible taste in your mouth." Phoebe nodded mutely and proceeded to brush her teeth.

"Come on, sis; let's get you settled on the couch." Piper suggested as she led Phoebe down the hall to the living room. "Thanks, Piper, sorry to be such a bother," Phoebe said softly as Piper covered her with a blanket and settled a pillow under Phoebe's head. "Phoebe, stop it." Piper chided gently. "You're not a bother... you're not feeling well, and I'm happy to take care of you. "

"But you've got so much to take care of al-"Phoebe began, before Piper cut her off, yelping. "Phoebs! For crying out loud! It's not like you planned to get sick, baby... it just happened. Now I want you to close your eyes and try to get some rest, okay? I'll be back in a minute with a bowl in case you have to throw up again."

"You're so good to me, Piper." Phoebe murmured as she rolled over so that she was facing the back of the couch, finally allowing her eyes to close.

Piper sighed and kissed Phoebe on the temple as she entered the living room a few minutes later, carrying the bowl, to find Phoebe deeply asleep already. After making sure that her little sister was fully covered, Piper left the room and went back to folding the laundry.

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"Piper?" came Paige's shout a short while later from the foyer. "We're home!"

"Shoosh!" Piper replied sharply as she came down the hall. "Sorry." Paige said quietly with a comical grimace.

"Come back into the kitchen and we can talk about it." Piper suggested, motioning to Paige and Glenn to follow her. "I'll meet you guys in a minute." Glenn replied as he pointed with his free hand to the infant seat in his other one. "Missy Peyton fell asleep in the car on the way home, so I'm going to lay her in her crib."