Thank you to PrueAndyForever (you rock!) and littlemissbad for your reviews!

Just an FYI to all our loyal readers and reviewers: Due to my "slower than a speeding turtle" dial-up connection at home, the next update to this fic will be Monday, 02/04/2008.

And behind door number 3...today's update...enjoy!

PART TEN: "Don't think that way..."

All of this grief was much too much for Leo, who couldn't stand to see his two sisters-in-law and their respective loves crying over Piper when he still felt incredibly guilty about losing his wife. Sighing, he left the room and headed up the stairs towards his and Piper's room, the room that was now only his own.

Leo's exit didn't go unnoticed, however. Out of the corner of his eye, Andy spotted the despondent whitelighter climbing up the staircase. Aloud he gently told the others, "It's probably best that we leave him alone for a while." And holding a still-silently grieving Prue close, he tenderly stroked the top of her head.

Cole nodded as he also held a sobbing Phoebe closer, allowing her to cry on his shoulder, not quite sure what else to do. Phoebe looked up to watch Leo leave and managed a watery smile through her tears as she snuggled deeper into Cole's loving arms. Oh, I know what it's like to lose your love to evil! Thank God I got you back...I couldn't get through this without you. I won't put you ahead of the innocents or Prue ever again. I won't. But I'm, oh, so, glad that you're with me now!

Andy looked at all of them. "Just remember, you two, everything happens for a reason. Piper's with your mom and your Grams now. I'm sure she's fine and wouldn't like seeing the both of you grieving like this."

His words got to Prue. Leaning into his warm and comforting embrace, she finally allowed all the emotions she's been holding back for the past couple of days to come rushing out. I failed as a big sister...it's my job to protect Piper and Phoebe...and I couldn't! kept repeating itself over and over in her mind.

"Why did Kernus have to take her?" she sobbed into Andy's shoulder. "He should've taken me!"

Andy gently kissed her on the forehead, while rubbing soft comforting circles on her still-shaking shoulders. "No," he softly reminded her. "What happened was meant to happen."

His words bring a watery smile to Phoebe's face. "You even sound like a whitelighter." When her words fail to bring a smile to her big sister's face, Phoebe can't stand to see her normally stoic big sister finally letting it all out, so she hurried over and tightly hugged her. "Don't think that way, Prue! I couldn't stand to lose you, too. Who would take care of me if you weren't here?" Her soft brown eyes locked with her sister's red-rimmed ones to send an unspoken message of concern. As always when Prue was sad or depressed, her blue eyes had turned a light smoke-gray. Seeing that color just made Phoebe's tender heart ache more for her big sister, even as she also mourned the sister who was gone.

Prue slowly looked up from Andy's shoulder to her sister's warm brown eyes. Smiling at her baby sister's comforting gesture, she returned the hug, cementing their bond as sisters that had come so close to being broken.

Then she took a deep breath and slowly shook her head. "But it still doesn't make things any better. I mean -- first Mom, then Grams, and now Piper. When's it gonna stop?"

Andy smiled an understanding smile and whispered. "It's gonna be okay. You remember your battle with Death. It was just Piper's time to go," he reassured as both he and Phoebe held her close.

Prue snuggled in close to Andy, while laying her head on Phoebe's shoulder. Andy always had a way of making her feel better simply by being there. "Yeah I guess you're right...it probably was her time to go. But it still sucks," and now Andy, Phoebe and Cole all managed a small smile.

Prue quickly glanced at her watch and was more than a bit stunned. It was well past 11 pm and the funeral was scheduled to start near noon the next day while the family was supposed to be there by 11 in order to greet the other mourners. Wow. It's that late already? Better start calling it quits--and soon. "Oh geez! Guys, we'd better call it a night pretty soon."

Phoebe nodded in agreement as she wiped a few lingering tears away and gave her big sister one more hug. "You're right. Piper will never forgive us if we look bad at her funeral," and releasing the hug, she walked back over to Cole, took his hand, and they started their way up the stairs.

Andy watched as Phoebe and Cole made their way up the stairs and then returned his gaze to Prue. "I should probably get back to one of my charges, but they're all sleeping right now and I can sense if they need me. And I want to be here for you until They," and he looked up, "decide I can't. Do you mind if I sleep on the couch?" he inquired softly, looking deep into her beautiful still-gray eyes.

Prue smiled as her eyes turned back to blue. "I think I can think of a better place for you to sleep tonight. I need you. Please come with me," and when he nodded, she led him up the stairs.

Want some more? Please drop us a review!