A/N: This is a play on the old saying, "here today, gone tomorrow". TheShadowWithin: Actually, your question will be answered in the following chapters. ;) Piper xox Leo: Well, I dunno, we are dealing with the Halliwells here. peanutlb: Well, Prue has her reasons (and her pride). As far as your question, no, I'm not part of a military family and no, Fallon is more useful than it seems. It's a really great place! I have a friend (my Mother's friend), who lives there, and she's got this amazing farm! I love riding her horses. (Well, the girls anyway, because the male horses are for advanced riders). P.S. Update soon! (I'm dyin' here!)rjf: Well, you'll see why Prue's so upset. ;) C. C. McKenna: You know, your reviews are always so fun and uplifiting (unless you're angered at an unjustice; i.e. Andy dying or something). lol I'm glad you like the whole Andy v.s. Prue thing. I have a feeling that you and Peanut are going to really like the end of this fic.
The Children Of Light
Chapter 26: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
"Now you've got your cell phone, right?" Piper asked, as she searched through her elder sister's belongings.
"Right." Prue said, holding up her purse.
Piper snatched the purse from Prue's hands and looked inside, spotting the brand new cell phone. "And it's charged?" She asked, pulling it out to make sure that it was indeed charged.
"Yes."
"And you've got the charger?"
"Yes." Andy supplied.
"Car and regular?" Piper asked.
"Yes." Prue answered.
"And a map?"
Andy held up a small map.
"Piper, you don't have to be such a worry witch." Prue said.
Piper sighed. "I'm sorry." She sighed. "It's just...I don't want something to happen to you guys, like me." She rolled her eyes. "Twice. I don't want another Wendigo incident or another snow storm." She said, recalling the time that she'd almost succumb to being a Wendigo herself, as well as the time that Edward Connery had used his magic to get Piper to come to his home, in hopes that she'd be able to lift a curse that had turned him into a monster.
Prue kissed her little sister's forehead. "We'll be fine."
"Changed your tune, huh?" Andy quipped, earning him heated looks from Prue.
Piper made a peace sign with her fingers, pointing a finger at both Prue and Andy. "Something going on that I should know about?"
"No." Prue said, quickly.
"Didn't tell her, huh?"
Prue pulled her thumb against her index and middle fingers, signaling for Andy to be quiet. "Everything's fine. We'll be back in a few days."
Piper nodded, understandingly.
"If you need me, don't hesitate to call, okay?"
Piper nodded. "Sure." She said, dryly. She grabbed a suitcase. "Why don't I help you carry these out?"
"Piper.."
"It's no trouble, really." Piper said, grabbing another suitcase and lumbering towards the open door, passed Prue.
Andy cupped his hands around his mouth. "Pandora!" He waited a moment, before seeing Pandora and Paige come to the top of the stairs. "There you are. I've been wondering about you." He pointed to his daughter. "Are you ready to see daddy's mommy and daddy?"
Pandora giggled and rushed down the stairs, right into her father's arms. "Okay!"
"Remember, take lots of pictures for your favorite aunt!" Paige called out, to her niece.
"I will!" Pandora giggled, holding up a pink Barbie camera that Paige had bought for her.
"What's this about a 'favorite aunt'?" Piper questioned, coming in behind Andy.
Pandora bit her lip, exchanging glances with her Aunt Paige.
Look at the time. Paige thought.
"Look at da time." Pandora said, glancing down at her wrist, which had no watch. "We gots to go!"
Piper eyed Paige. "I think this is your doing."
Paige smiled, as she made her way down the stairs and over to Andy. "Good luck, Andy." She ruffled Pandora's dark hair. "And I hope ya'll have fun."
"Ya'll?" Andy asked.
"Isn't that what they say on ranches?" Paige asked.
"Maybe on George Bush's ranch." Andy retorted harshly. He'd never liked that no good lying cheat and was happy that lost the 2004 election, despite the false victory claim that had lasted a few months, before anyone discovered that there was a series of votes from the over seas which had not been counted on time, due to mysterious circumstances.
Paige wrinkled her nose. "Sorry. I guess that is a nasty insult." She shook her head. "I'm so glad he never got to finish two terms. I swear, not even demons would have made it through that one."
"Well, we've got a long drive ahead of us, and I want to get going before it gets too much later."
"Right." Paige said, pointing to the camera. "Pictures."
"Yep!" Pandora said, wrapping her hands tightly around the camera, for safe keeping.
Andy waved goodbye to his Piper and Paige, as he and Prue walked to the car, with Pandora in his arms.
"Bye! Be safe!" Piper yelled.
"We will!" Pandora yelled, as her father buckled her safely in the backseat.
Andy and Prue got into the car, Andy in the driver's seat, and shut the doors. Andy started the car and back out, then reached for radio.
Prue slapped his hand away. "You don't need distractions while you're driving." She snipped.
"Oh wonderful." Andy sarcastically replied. "We get to be like this the entire trip." He sighed, turning the corner, off the Prescott Street. He glanced out the side window, noting that the sun was all ready trying to sink behind the moutains, forming pastels in the sky. He also noted that the moon appeared to be nearly full. I bet it'll be a full moon tomorrow. He thought.
-
As the car drove past a seemingly deserted Victorian house with an overgrown yard, the bushes rustled, and faint yowling noises could be heard in the distance. Then the bushes moved again and it was quiet; still and quiet, as a piece of grayhair slowly drifted off into the breeze.
TO BE CONTINUED...
