Faith Kingsley: Faith, you're right, you know me too well. Lexie and Prue won't be talking any time soon; but I promise they will....eventually, lol. I hope you like the size of this chappie. T.F.R.
Peanut2lb: Hi there, happy clapper, glad you liked last chappie. I like writing a little bit of everything in my stories, but no one, I mean no one can beat you in writing Prue-Andy romance. You're my hero dude! Mike is definitely sticking for a while longer. Be prepared for theAngst countdown--- ...chapter six or seven will be the one you're waiting for. T.F.R.
AlyssaAs: Yup, there will definitely be another Prue-Lexie encounter. Watch your local listings for time and date...lol. T.F.R.
Princess Pinky: Hey there dude; You're right, Lexie is so much like Prue, that's why they crash most of the time. Don't worry about Micky, Lexie will fall for him..(I hope she does, 'cause she's so stubborn) About the big Earthquake, as I told Peanut, stay tuned for chappie six or seven, if I calculate right,....seven. I know about the major earthquake due for San Francisco... it's scary, ain't it? T.F.R.
PrUe AnD AnDy: Right again kiddo, Lexie needs a time out. Definitely a time out! Thanks for reading and also T.F.R.
Dorilys: Hello dude, nice to read you liked my storie. I appreciate your words. T.F.R.
C. McKenna
Earthquake
Chapter Four
Wednesday 3:25 A.M.
"Prue, I..."
"Save it, I don't even want to hear what you have to say" Prue crossed her arms and stared at her sister. She was fuming. "I don't know what's gotten in that head of yours…I don't know what else to do with you!"
"But, I just want to…"
"I said I didn't want to hear it!" Prue cut her sister's words again turning her back on her. "You definitely need help; you need a psychologist, yeah, that's exactly what you need"
"Fine" Lexie plunged herself on the sofa, "then you tell me when it's time to get these things off, cause my wrists are killing me."
Prue bit her lower lip, suddenly realizing her big mistake. Of course she was pissed off, but seeing her sister getting hurt was something else. She immediately went to Lexie's side and pulled her up to her feet. Lexie felt a sharp, cutting pain on her wrists but kept the hurting to herself.
"Oh my God, you're cut" Prue winced; holding her sister's hands between hers.
"I'm ok" Lexie tried to diminish her soreness. "But I really feel they should be removed like...now?"
"Of course they have to be removed! And you're not ok, let me see…." Prue sat on the sofa, and turned Lexie around to take a better look. "Don't move or… Andy!" Prue shouted.
"Don't move or Andy?" Lexie mocked, "That's new" she smiled, "Does it hurt?"
"Lexie, this is definitely not the time to be joking around!…Andy! Bring me the damn key to these…these things" Prue anxiously pulled back her hair and tightened her teeth. "What were those two thinking?!"
"As if you really cared," Lexie whispered while her sister held her still.
"I heard that" Prue scolded. "And I do care missy" She turned to the door and yelled for Andy again, and then she turned back to her sister. "Hang on Lex, he'll be here any minute now… he's outside, and… and…are you hurting baby?"
"No, I'm used to being tightly handcuffed" Lexie rolled her eyes. "It's been the story of my life ever since I arrived to San Francisco" .
"Sorry" Prue mumbled, gently holding her sister's hands between hers.
"Yeah, I bet you are"
"Sorry" Andy entered the living room. He seemed to be in a hurry.
"You too?" Lexie mocked again, earning a slight shove from her big sister.
Andy scowled. "I was giving some instructions to the two officers" He apologized, staring at both sisters with suspicion. "Did I miss something?"
"No, don't mind my little sister here, she's just being a smart ass… as always"
Prue shook her head. "The key…Andy"
"Right" Andy slid his hand inside his pocket but found nothing. "The key…right?…I …Oh yes, it's in my jacket, which I left in the kitchen…I'll be right back"
Prue, obviously upset, followed Andy in his search for the suddenly vital coat. While they were in the kitchen, the floor started shaking…some picture frames fell off abruptly from the wall and the chandelier frantically oscillated.
Lexie, still confused about what was going on, stood in the middle of the living room, looking at the ceiling, then shifting her eyes to the shaky floor. She was astounded, trying to figure out what the hell was going on and also trying to keep her balance; she shrugged, then frowned, then stared back at the falling frames, she was about to freak out until she heard her sister's frightened scream coming out from the kitchen.
"Quake!" Prue shouted loudly as she ran towards Lexie. "Quake!" She yelled louder before she lunged herself on top of her terrified sister, sinking her onto the floor. Alexia screamed in pain when she fell harshly on her back, hitting her head on the floor and hurting her already injured wrists. Prue hugged her sister and rolled until they reached the table, both sheltering underneath.
"Are you hurt Lex?" Prue whispered her question while lying still on top of her sister. "Are you ok? … Talk to me" She insisted, raising her voice, obviously concerned.
"I will be, once you get the hell off me!" Lexie sighed. "What the hell was that?"
"Welcome to California," Prue mumbled with relief while cautiously getting off her sister. "Andy!" She shouted louder before helping Lexie up from the floor, then locked eyes with the youngest again. "And that, sweetie, was an earthquake…fortunately for you, a very short one" Prue cleared the loose hair from her face and took a deep breath. "This one was a biggie…thank God Phoebe wasn't here or she would have screamed like crazy and pass out"
"Are you ok girls?" Andy quickly arrived to their side. "Prue…are you hurt?" He held her chin gently.
"Yes and no" Prue softly closed her eyes and settled her forehead on his chest. Andy wrapped his arms tightly around her and rested his chin on her head. "Thank God" He whispered. Prue looked up and waited for her boyfriend to find her lips, feeling Andy's warmth, she kissed him back, enjoying his gentleness. "Uhm…Andy…"
"Yeah?…
"About that key…"
"Yeah, sorry, I've got it, I've got it" Andy went around his sister in law and skillfully unlocked the handcuffs.
"Wow" Lexie slightly winced when Andy freed her hands but moved hastily towards a pile of broken glass. "I never thought…. I mean, like… that was so cool!" She grinned, slowly kneeling and picking up a couple of broken frames, completely ignoring her injured wrists. "The earthquake was so bloody cool" She looked at Prue, her face beamed just by mentioning the word earthquake.
"Lexie, there's nothing cool about an earthquake, in fact, they're quite dangerous, you should take it seriously and always be prepared for the next one".
"What!?… When is the next one coming?" Lexie asked with nervousness.
"I don't know…but one thing you have to be sure of, there's always an aftershock after an earthquake, and usually an even bigger one, so, there's definitely going to be a next one, that's why you should always have to be prepared"
"Mhmm" Lexie grabbed her wrists and softly rubbed them. "That should be interesting"
"Well, actually that 'should be dangerous'" Andy supplied. "We never know when the next one is going to follow, come on" He gently guided her little sister in law to the sofa. "I'll get the first-aid-kit" Andy whispered as he sat Lexie on the futon. "You're slightly bleeding"
Prue smiled. "Thanks baby…you know where it is, right?" She asked sweetly.
"Yeah, I do, you stay with Lex" Andy kissed Prue's temple and ran up the stairs.
"I love you Andy" Prue shouted. Andy stopped at the stairs landing and smiled.
"I love you more" He smiled.
Lexie rolled her eyes. "Would the two of you mind leaving all that silly smooching for later?" She shook her head. "You're making me sick and I want to go to bed...I'll stay in bed all day...I'm not going to classes until Thursday"
"Ok...ok", Prue sighed, "and as Piper would have said…you're a delight!"
"Whatever!" Lexie pulled her knees up to her chest. "Is it going to take forever for that boyfriend of yours to get here?"
Prue rolled her eyes.
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Thursday 6:06 AM
NCEDC
Northern California Earthquake Data Center
" Yesterday's quake had a magnitude of 4.7"
"I know Johnson; I made the report"
"Oh…right" Johnson smiled dropping the file on the desk. "Any news about a possible aftershock?"
"Not yet, but Peterson, from the University of California Berkley Seismological Laboratory is making some serious research; he'll contact us if he finds something unusual, and I'm going to be very alert"
"You do that Parker…you do that, and stick to that computer, don't get your eyes away from it, not even for a second."
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Thursday 6:09 A.M.
Absentmindedly, Prue stared at the coffee maker, waiting for the precious liquid to come out, she was resting her elbows on the counter, her eyes fixed on the brewer, but not really looking, she was thinking about her sister, trying to figure out a way to get through to her; when suddenly Lexie's soft footsteps brought her out of her thoughts.
"Morning" Lexie mumbled behind her sister; she hesitated, thinking about whether she should or shouldn't kiss her sister good morning; finally deciding to pull away.
"Lexie, about last night" Prue turned around and saw her sister's apathy. "Don't even think everything's forgotten…you're still grounded, and I'm still very pissed and very disappointed with that selfish and stupid attitude of yours, so we still have a serious conversation coming"
"Yeah, I love you too" Lexie smirked. "Get over that grounding complex of yours once and for all, sis" She pulled out a stool and sat by the counter. "Why don't we talk about last night's quake instead… it was cool, wasn't it? "
"No, of course it wasn't cool, and excuuuse me, young lady, but you are definitely grounded, and that's final" Prue glared at her sister. "Grounding complex!… my ass!" She snapped. "And this is not all; I'm going to be very busy tonight and I am going to need your help with the final arrangements for my exhibition, You didn't help me yesterday, so today you're working double" Prue placed two cups of coffee on the counter and a fruit plate for her sister
"I don't want any fruit Prue, you know I don't like it…"
"Sorry, but you're eating it whether you like it or not," Prue smirked. "you need it, it's good for your heart" She added with seriousness.
Lexie rolled her eyes, "Too late for that", she softly muttered.
"I'm sorry… what was that?" Prue cocked an eyebrow as she sipped some coffee.
"I said that I'd be glad… to help you,… that is"
"Good" Prue placed the cup on the table and stared at her sister. "Then I expect you to be here around 5:00 P.M., don't stay for soccer practice" She gently slid forward the plate to her sister; smiling. "And Lexie… for once, try to be here on time"
"Fine" Lexie wrinkled her nose, staring at the huge fruit plate in front of her.
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Thursday 10: 47 A.M.
Piper opened her eyes for a fraction of a second but the bright light immediately forced her to shut them back. She waited a few seconds, and then tried again, a single eye this time, but it lasted longer, at least long enough to focus on the naked figure sleeping beside her. Her eyes quickly burst wide open and she sprung up, covering her bare body with the soft pearl sheet from her bed.
"Oh my God! Oh… My… God!" She muttered, glancing down at her clumsily covered chest and swiftly, almost flying, jumped out of bed.
"What have I done? Oh God, this is so, so, so embarrassing" Piper wrapped the sheets tighter around her body and left the room, barefooted and awfully humiliated.
"Phoebe! Pho-ebe…" Piper headed towards her sister's room, softly whispering her name and being extra careful not to wake up the handsome, perfectly shaped creature she'd left in her room. She silently turned the doorknob of her sister's room and quickly stepped inside. She immediately became frozen stiff when she saw her sister in an extremely and compromising situation; but then again, it was Phoebe, for crying out loud, so how else could she be found?
"Eww… sorry" Piper muttered covering her eyes with the palm of her hand and immediately turning away, "I'm out of here…sorry…. sorry" She whispered, immediately leaving her sister's room.
"Piper!" Phoebe saw her sister's sudden disappearing act and interrupted her own frantic and wild behavior; she sighed and kissed David's chest, repeatedly. "I'll be right bb-back, wait for me" She jumped out of bed and headed towards the door, the sheets clumsily wrapped around her sweaty body, but before leaving, she turned to the bed; "Don't go anywhere" She smiled at David and blew him a kiss from the door. "I'm so going to kill you Piper Halliwell" She muttered under her breath.
"You better!" David gasped.
"What's wrong Piper?" Phoebe re-arranged the sheets, loosely, around her body. "Did Greg hurt you or something?" Phoebe narrowed her eyes and stared at her sister.
"NO!" …Well, I don't know…I mean… can you explain how in the world I ended up in bed with a total stranger?" Piper raised both eyebrows and slightly shook her head with annoyance.
Phoebe bit her lips to suppress her laughter. "Uhm, sweetie, you had a little too much to drink last night…again… and I guess you like him a lot, I mean, at least enough to invite him to your room and do whatever it is you did with him" She smiled mockingly. "Was he ….uhmm…good?"
"Phoebe!!" Piper smacked her sister's shoulder. "I don't want to talk about it!" Piper tightened the sheets around her naked body. "I couldn't have…this is so not me…this is so shameful and preposterous, and…and…yes…yes he was good! He was…" Piper covered her eyes with shame. "He was heavenly good, but I am so not going to forgive myself…EVER!"
"Honey" Phoebe gently placed her hands around her sister's face, trying to calm her down. "It's ok…you've done nothing wrong…in fact, I think that's the best thing you've done since Leo was absurdly taken away from your side, you need to be sure of that" Phoebe lovingly smiled at her embarrassed sister.
"Y-you… you really think so?" Piper asked shyly.
"Sweetie… I know so" Phoebe assured, pulling her sister tightly against her chest and tenderly kissing her forehead. "Now you know why I asked for a two bedroom suite" She mocked.
Piper slyly smiled.
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Thursday 4:39 P.M.
Classes were over; Lexie went to her coach and asked permission to leave, promising to stay for another two more hours next Saturday. It was still early; Lexie grabbed her tote bag and headed for her motorcycle with only one thing on her mind; her sister needed her and just for a change, this time she was going to be early for her. All of a sudden, Karen appeared out of nowhere, startling the young girl to a screaming point.
"Jesus Kary" Lexie placed her hand on her chest. "You scared me"
"Sorry kiddo…everything ok?" Karen squeezed her friend's shoulder.
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
"Well… Sam said You're not staying for practice, are you?"
"No, I've got to get home and help Prue with her exhibition photos, did you know that tomorrow is her big day?"
"Yes, I know, and wouldn't miss it for the world…I love her work" Karen nodded. "Your sister is so damn good with that camera"
Lexie smiled proudly. "She is, isn't she? But hey, I still don't know of anything she isn't good at" She smiled again and checked her wrist-watch. "I guess I better go before she kills me; she needs 'my help' did you hear me? She needs my help" Lexie smiled proudly. "See you at the exhibition…ok?". Lexie kissed her friend's cheek and left in a hurry, leaving Karen stunned for a few seconds; Lexie hardly ever showed any signs of love or affection for anyone; yet, she had just given her a spontaneous, sloppy kiss. Karen suddenly felt special.
As soon as Lexie jumped on her motorcycle, she heard to the 'breaking the habit' song. Lexie quickly snatched the cell from her front pocket and flipped it open, not bothering to check whom the caller was, after all, she already knew who it was.
"I'm coming Prue… geez…cut me some slack, will you?" Lexie hissed as she accelerated the motorcycle.
"No Bond, It's not Prue… it's me"
"Sophie?" Lexie quickly turned off the ignition. "Is it really you?"
"Yeah… it's me dude" Sophia laughed.
"But…but where are you? Did they cut you loose?" Lexie smiled widely. "Oh my God…they did, didn't they? I want to see you!"
"Ok" Sophia replied patting her friend's shoulder. Alexia screamed and nervously turned around, only to find her friend, Sophie, smiling wide.
"You're here!…you're bloody here!" Lexie jumped off her motorcycle and wrapped Sophia in a big, tight hug.
"Yeah…I'm here Bond; I'm here"
"But….but"
"I'm free, thanks to your sister…Prue" Sophie returned the hug, a lot tighter.
"Prue?" Lexie shrugged. "Prue did that for you? How come she never said anything about it?"
"Didn't she tell you?"
"No, I'm telling you I didn't know"
"She was the main witness in my trial; she spoke in my favor" Sophia smiled. "She told the judge how 'cool I was saving all four of you'" She chuckled. "And your brother in law helped too…a lot…so, here I am…free as a bird!"
"He's not my brother in law…not yet, anyway" Lexie snapped, "But… oh God, this is so bloody unbelievable," Lexie smiled broadly. "This definitely calls for a celebration!" She hugged her best friend again. "Come on, let's go have a blast…I'm buying!"
"Of course you are dude…I'm broke!" Sophie smiled and quickly jumped on the motorcycle. "Come on Bond, let's go" She waited for her friend to hop on the bike and quickly wrapped her arms around her waist.
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Thursday 10:38 P.M.
"Do you want me to take more picture frames into the Jeep?" Andy wiped his forehead and smiled at Prue. They had been working all evening, getting everything ready for Prue's photo exhibition.
"No thank you Andy, I'll take the rest tomorrow morning" Prue walked to her boyfriend and handed him a tissue. "You are all sweaty, I think you need a shower" She smiled suggestively, watching how Andy wiped the sweat away from his face.
"What?" Andy asked, almost blushing when he felt Prue's persisting gaze.
Prue softly bit her lower lip and then the upper one, never taking her eyes away from her boyfriend's body. "You look so sexy when you're all sweaty" She added, slowly unbuttoning her shirt.
"Well…in that case I guess we both need a shower 'cause you're all sweaty yourself" He pulled her close and gently bit her lips. He slowly slid down his lips, caressing her neck, and gently kissed her ear. Prue closed her eyes and allowed Andy to take her to the moon and back with a single kiss.
"Prue…Prue" Andy softly whispered in her ear.
"Oh Andy…" Prue's reply was a mere, paused whisper.
"You…you…" Andy went back to kissing her neck, enjoying the magical moment.
"Yess, w-what?"… Prue breathlessly whispered, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and softly pulling him closer.
"You… you taste salty" He whispered and hugged her tighter, anticipating his girlfriend's tantrum.
"Andrew!" Prue pulled back and playfully hit his chest with the bottom of her fists, suppressing a laugh and trying to look angry. Andy smiled and pulled her again into a passionate kiss, which she fought only for a couple of seconds, until she finally dropped her arms, relenting to his charm.
"I'm so proud of you" Andy broke the kiss and looked in his girlfriend's eyes. "You haven't said a word about Lexie not being here to help you"
Prue smiled. "That's only because I'm planning to kill that little weassel the moment she gets here!" She spoke calmly. "She was supposed to be here at 5:30....5:30 Andy! And it's past 10!"
"Prue..." Andy tried to calm her down. "Let's get back to what we were doing" He pulled her closer. "Forget I said anything…forget about Lex" He kissed Prue's lips and softly carried her in his arms, guiding her upstairs…directly to her room.
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Friday, 6:30 AM
"Bond…this is the ninth 'pub' we've been to and…aren't you tired? I mean, are you even thinking about going back home?"
"Are you crazy?" Lexie shuddered.
Sophia grinned, taking pleasure of her friend's spontaneous reaction. "It's 6:30 A.M. Bond, you must get home"
"I know…Prue must be really pissed off, and ready to kill me, and, besides, I'm drunk and she won't like it"
"Then what are you going to do?" Sophie scratched her head. "You're going to have to get back home…eventually"
"Yeah…I know…but let's just go to your place first to sober up a little and…wait, you still have that 'flat' don't you?"
"Flat?"
"Dude…" Lexie rolled her eyes. "'Apartment', She rubbed her temples. "Sophia, don't make me do some extra explaining here, my head is about to explode."
"Sorry, but see?, that's why I'm telling you we have to go home and have some sleep, but no, you never listen Lex, you're just as stubborn as your sister," Sophia snapped, "and yes, I still live in that 'flat'.
"Damn it Sophia, don't you start this again, why don't you just drop the big sister act and order me another beer"
"Lex…"
"A beer, Sophia, get me another beer, please"
"Listen dude" Sophia pushed the table and abruptly stood up. "I certainly don't have to put up with this stupid attitude of yours, either you drop the bossy act or…"
"Or what?!"
"Shit Lex, I hate your arrogance"
"Yeah? Well, I love your frankness" Lexie smirked and stood up beside her friend. "I always have" she wrapped her arm around her friend's neck.
Sophia sighed, grabbing Lexie's hand. "I still think you should at least call Prue and let her know you're ok and…"
"Shut up Sophia" Lexie grabbed the empty beer bottle and slammed it on the table. "Let's just fucking go to your place, I'm tired."
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