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Here's the latest piece of the puzzle--enjoy!

PART NINE: "They're never gonna believe this"

"She's alive," Prue told him, as she hugged her little sister again. "That's all that counts, Leo. That's all that counts." She then remembered that she had regained both a baby sister and someone else. They're never gonna believe this -- not in a million years! "Got a present for you, Phoebs. You'd never guess who I found," as she grinned and gestured with her left thumb over her shoulder to Andy, who was standing in the doorway, uncertain of his welcome.

"Andy!" Phoebe yelled as she basically leaped up from the couch and ran over to give him a huge hug. "It's so good to finally have you back!" she cried ecstatically as she wrapped her arms around him, a smile on her face. I hope Cole doesn't get jealous, but Andy's like the big brother I never had!

Cole watched her as she hugged this stranger tight. Jealousy began to fester in his soul and he could almost feel Belthazar wanting to appear and take care of this man whom Phoebe seemed to love so much.

Prue could see the look in Cole's eyes and figured she better do something to save her own love. "Don't worry about it, Cole. Andy grew up with us."

Cole thought about it. Andy. Andy. Why do I feel like I should know that name? Then the proverbial light bulb clicked on in his head. Oh! Right! Andy Trudeau-- that inspector who was killed by one of my demonic colleagues about two years ago. Phoebe told me all about him. He was like a big brother to them, although a lot closer than that to Prue. That's right. he died saving Prue's life. Apparently the Elders rewarded him for that by making him a whitelighter. Hmm. Might as well make his accquaintance.

And standing up, he walked over to shake Andy's hand. "Hey, Andy. Nice to meet ya, man. I'm Cole Turner."

Leo was the first to look up to see who Prue was pointing out. As predicted, he was very much taken aback and remained quiet as both Phoebe and Cole made the newcomer welcome. His consternation showed on not only his face but also in his tone as he finally spoke. "Andy! You know you shouldn't be here, but I'm so glad you are."

Then he turned and walked to the doorway and shook hands with his fellow whitelighter. "I have a huge favor to ask of you...and if you don't want to accept it, I'll fully understand." Taking a deep breath, he carefully went over in his mind what he was about to say next. Here goes nothing. "If your charges are okay, would you watch mine? I've done a dreadful job and I don't know if I can do it anymore." His normally-sparkling green eyes were clouded over with a mixture of sadness and doubt as he continued to torture himself for almost losing Phoebe so soon after losing Piper.

Andy set Phoebe aside and watched as Cole led her back to the couch. He then looked at Leo, all the while contemplating the question Leo just asked. Now he placed a reassuring hand on each of Leo's shoulders and looked him square in the eyes. "Don't talk like that, Leo. You're hurting, and it's completely understandable that you would feel like you do. But once you all get past this, you'll be okay. Everyone knows how well you've done in guiding The Charmed Ones -- I mean, you're a legend in whitelighter circles." I hope that helps cheer him up...the poor guy's an absolute emotional wreck.

Leo reflected upon the answer he received from his whitelighter colleague. He gave him a half-smile. "Andy, I'd still appreciate it if you could stick around for awhile. But you'd better lie low. Besides, these two have to be getting ready for the funeral tomorrow." His voice quivered as he said these last two words, and again tears came to his eyes as he thought about burying his beloved Piper. He desperately wished that whitelighters were able to be with the spirits who were in Heaven so he could be with Piper, but he knew he couldn't. He'd never be able to see his wife again until he decided to clip his wings and die. That was something else he was once more contemplating.

As excited as Prue was to have Andy back, Leo was right. There was still business that needed to be attended to --- like getting ready for Piper's funeral tomorrow. She leaned against a nearby wall, sighed sadly and shook her head...she still couldn't believe she was going to be burying one of her sisters, and the one who was also her best friend. It felt surreal, like how everything felt these past few days. How is this fair? Tears ran slowly down her face and dripped onto the floor. She made a half-hearted effort to wipe them away, but they wouldn't stop coming, so she just stared down at the floor and attempted to collect her thoughts.

As Andy turned away from his fellow whitelighter, he spots Prue leaning against the wall with tears silently running down her face. Quickly and quietly he walked over and closed his arms around the eldest sister -- holding her close in a sweet embrace. He silently used a single finger to gently wipe away the tears that kept running down her face.

Seeing Andy cross the room, the youngest Charmed One soon realized what her big sister was thinking, and tears of grief come to her eyes as well. "Piper!" she choked out as she leaned into Cole's arms and began to sob. This loss of one of her older sisters was one that she hoped she'd never have to face -- at least not so soon.

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