News of the strike being over traveled fast. By nightfall Piper had most of her things packed. Just in case Skittery had changed his mind. That's what she hoped he would do.

David sat by the window as Piper talked to Jack. The two had formed an unlikely bond. They were civil, and Piper hadn't stomped away yet. So things were looking good.

He knew Piper still hoped that Skittery would come to get her. She would be crushed when she found out that he had already found a place to stay in Brooklyn. He wished that he had the same childlike hopefulness that Piper and Les still had. He hoped that they would never grow out of it. The two had become best friends in the short time they had known each other.

XXXX

Blink stood outside the Jacobs apartment with Skittery. He was going to need all the help he could get when he talked to Piper. David opened the door and the two of them walked in. Piper was walking out of the bedroom when they came in. Her eyes lit up before she turned to go back into the room.

Skittery went after her with Blink following him. He held up a hand stopping Blink just before shutting the door. Piper had a bag in each hand giving him a questioning look as he sat on the edge of the boys' bed.

"Put your stuff down."

"But I'm ready to go."

"I've already told you you're staying here."

"But the strikes over."

"You'll be better off staying here."

Piper dropped her bags before walking out of the room. Everyone tried not to watch as she stepped onto the fire escape then shut the window.

Jack put a hand on Les' shoulder to keep him from going after her. He shook his head no at Blink when he turned to go into the bedroom. Blink sat at the table as Les looked up at Jack.

"They need to be alone right now." Jack said squeezing Les' shoulder.

The room was silent as everyone sat at the table. Skittery came back into the room a few minutes later wiping his eyes. He quietly thanked Esther and Mayer before walking out of the apartment.

It was clear that tears had been shed while he was alone. Jack and Blink had never him cry. He was tough and he was stubborn. He was Skittery. Neither of them were used to the way he had been acting lately.

XXXX

The streets below were quiet as Piper sat on the fire escape. She had watched her brother leave half an hour earlier. Jack, Blink, and David sat on the stoop talking when the window opened.

She didn't need to look to know who it was. Les sat next her looking out over the skyline. Bits and pieces of the conversation floated up but they didn't hear much. They didn't have to to know that the three friends were talking about Skittery.

"Are you okay?" Les asked breaking the silence.

"I'm fine." Piper said keeping her focus on what was in front of her.

"You don't have to lie."

Piper slower turned her head to look at him. She knew she could trust him. He was one of the few people she felt really knew her.

"It just hurts that we can't be together anymore."

"You'll still see him."

"I know."

"Can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"What's your real name?"

She was hesitant to tell him. No one had called her by it in over two years.

"Andrea."

"That's nice."

"It was my mother's middle name."

Silence fell between them again as she lay her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her waist holding as tight as he could. He wanted to protect her from everything that was happening to her. He knew she could take care of herself, but it helped to know that he was the one she leaned on.

AN: I wanted to explain how to pronounce Piper's real name. Three people that read the rough draft asked how to say it. So I thought it would help if I did it for all of you. It's On-Dre-A or Drea as Skittery will sometimes call her.