The sun was shining brightly over San Francisco, its light being reflected by every available surface. Despite this, it was cool, a soft breeze wafting in from the sea... it smelled like morning.
Pyralis sat on a rock, watching the boats go by as she fiddled half-consciously with her bracelet, a thoughtful expression on her face. She had been there since dawn, had watched the sun come up and the city begin to come alive. Her mind was empty. She didn't want to think about anything right now... just enjoy the morning.
She knew she would have to think about it eventually, of course. But, quite frankly, she was tired of things flying around in head that she didn't fully understand. It wore her out.
"Hi."
Pyralis turned around, surprised to hear Piper's voice behind her. "Hi," she replied.
Piper smiled and came to sit down next to her. "Nice view."
"Yeah, I think so."
They sat in silence for a moment, watching the sun dance on the ripples in the water. Pyralis looked over at Piper, who paid this no attention.
"How's Prue?" Pyralis asked finally.
"She'll be okay." Piper nodded, still looking straight ahead.
"The others?"
"Them too. Leo's been great." She turned her head to Pyralis. "That was a wonderful poem that you read at the funeral."
"Oh." Pyralis shrugged. "Thanks." She looked at her feet for a second. "Are you okay?"
"Yes!" Piper laughed and put her arm around Pyralis. "We'll all be okay." She squeezed her. "What about you?"
Pyralis shook her head. "I dunno. I haven't really thought about it."
"Well," Piper moved a bit closer. "I'm sure you'll be fine."
"Oh yeah," Pyralis said suddenly, looking up. "I wanted to thank you."
"What for?"
"For being there. I realized when I was... talking to Phoebe..." she trailed off, suddenly getting an absent look in her eyes, but then blinking and shrugging it off. "I never had her to look out for me... but I had you instead. So, thank you. For being my mother."
Piper smiled. "Pyralis, I've hardly-"
"Yes." Pyralis cut her off, gazing at her intently. "You have." She looked down at her shoes again and kicked her feet against the rock a couple of times. "Why couldn't I help them?!" she cried, and kicked again more viciously.
"Sweetie... I don't think anyone could've done more than you did for them."
"I could've. I could've helped her, dammit! But then she had to go and kill herself. Why would she do that, Piper? And Cole! If Phoebe hadn't done that, and if he hadn't killed Phyre, then maybe-"
"Sweetie, sweetie, those are some big 'if's!"
"I know." Pyralis sighed. "I just can't help feeling that... it could've been different."
"Different doesn't necessarily mean better. I mean, what if they had managed to turn you evil, huh?"
Pyralis laughed and shook her head. "Not possible."
"There was a time when I would've said that about Phoebe."
Neither of them quite knew what to say after that.
"Piper?" Pyralis asked after a pause.
Piper looked up.
"How did you find me?"
"Kalinda did." Piper grinned. "And don't ask me how, I have absolutely no idea. I don't think she does, either." She shrugged. "I guess it was just... meant to be."
Pyralis raised her eyebrows. "Like everything else that's happened?"
"Maybe. Now come on." Piper stood up. "There's a cup of hot chocolate at home with your name on it."
So Pyralis smiled and got up too, Piper put her
arm around her shoulders, and they went home.