Chapter 16: Promise

Disclaimer: Yeah, I own Charmed. And Ch Rose's blood red lipstick accents her pale skin very nicely.

A/N: All I have to say is please review.

Prue woke slowly in the morning bearing a very painful headache from the pervious night's events. She rose, realizing that she was sleeping on a bare mattress with only a sheet over her, as her bed hadn't been put in yet. She looked next to her to see Andy, sleeping on the floor using his jacket as a pillow. She smiled at how cute he looked all balled up on the floor.

She began to get off the mattress and Andy started to stir. He woke with a smile on his face.

"Good morning," he said happily.

"Hey," Prue said, happy as well. A mock frown played across her face as she spoke again.

"Why are you sleeping on the floor?" Prue asked, almost laughing. "This is a king-sized mattress Andy, there's plenty of space."

"I didn't know if you wanted me to," Andy said bluntly, sounding like he was still hurting.

Prue furrowed her brow, knowing Andy still hadn't forgiven her completely. She went over to him and hugged him tightly.

"I'll always want you," she said honestly, "no one else. I promise."

Although Andy didn't fully believe Prue, he kissed her and then took her hands as they rose from the floor. Prue leaned on Andy's shoulder as they made their way down to the kitchen.

They passed through the living room on their way and saw Bane on the couch.

"He slept here?" Prue said, slightly puzzled.

"Uh, yeah," Andy said uncomfortably, "Leo made the couch up for him."

Prue saw how much pain was evident on Andy's face and began to pull him away from the room.

The two entered the kitchen and saw Leo sitting at the island counter in the middle of the kitchen. Leo watched while Piper pulled muffins out of the oven. He greeted the two as they joined him at the marble counter.

"How're you feeling?" Leo said in a concerned manner as Prue sat down next to him.

"Good," she said assuredly, "in fact," she added, "I'm wonderful."

Leo looked happy that Prue was happy and Prue smirked before she spoke again.

"Now if I'm not mistaken," Prue continued as Piper sat down on the other side of Leo, "last night someone mentioned something about…what was it," Prue grinned as she pretended to search for the right word, "a baby."

Leo gave a wide smile as Piper tried and failed to suppress a wicked grin.

"Yes," Piper started, "I did. And I meant it. Last night made me realize that we all take things for granted. I could've died. We all could've. I don't want to leave this earth without having had brought someone into this world," Piper finished, taking Leo's hand.

Just then Bane entered the kitchen, still sporting wounds from his fight the night before. He kept his head down as to not make eye contact with Prue or Andy. He didn't raise his head until he came to Piper and Leo.

"Thanks," he said almost vaguely, like he wasn't talking to someone right in front of him, "I appreciate you letting me stay here. I'll, uh, be leaving now. Once I walk out that door none of you will have to see me ever again."

Piper looked for a second as if her motherly nature was going to come out, but the facts of what Prue had done with him clouded her better judgment as she simply sat there.

At Bane's last words Pam came into the kitchen.

"You're not going anywhere," she said firmly.

Everyone turned and looked at Pam with surprised expressions.

"You've risked your life to be here. You fought to save us. To save me. We can't just let you walk out of here with no real place to go. I know the situation is a bit strained," Pam said as she looked quickly at Prue and Andy as they moved a bit uncomfortably in their chairs, "but we all made promises a long time ago to protect the innocent under all costs. I don't care how we work it out, but he stays," she said, final.

She left the room as the remaining five people in it seemed frozen as they had no idea what to say.

After a long silence, Piper was the first to speak.

"So…." She started. "What does everyone want for breakfast?"

Phoebe began to wake as the sun shone brightly on her eyes. She felt next to her for Cole, creasing her forehead when she realized no one was there.

She opened eyes completely and looked around the room for him. She saw him in a chair off in the corner. He was holding his head with both hands and seemed like he was mumbling something angrily.

"What are you doing Cole?" Phoebe asked quizzically.

He looked up, startled that Phoebe was talking to him.

"What? Oh, nothing, I, uh, was just um….having a bad dream," he said in a muffled tone, "I'm gonna go get some breakfast," he added, walking out of the room, still in the clothes he had worn to bed.

Phoebe knew Cole was obviously lying to her based on the fact that he hadn't even been sleeping in the chair. But she sat there, not wanting to accuse him of anything before she knew more of what was happening.

Cole left Phoebe sitting there on her mattress and mumbled something under his breathe while walking down the hall.

"No mommy, don't get mad. I'll get her. I promise."

A/N: Didn't except that from Pam, huh? Well it's my job to keep you on your toes. Please review.