It's Monday -- and you know what that means, don't you? It's update time!

Thank you to littlemissbad, lizardmomma, PrueAndyForever and Allen Pitt for your reviews -- you guys totally rock! And thank you also to riley cyrus for adding us to your alert list -- Primrose and I appreciate it.

Now, without further delay...here's your update.

PART ELEVEN: "You can lean on me"

Andy slowly woke up and a smile crossed his face as he became aware of Prue sound asleep beside him. He watched her face, so lovely, so relaxed in repose, for a minute. At least for a few hours she's been able to forget the nightmare her world has become, a world without her best friend who also happens to be her sister, one of the sisters she told me she promised Grams that she would protect. I hate having to bring her back into that reality, but...

Leaning over, he kissed her soft cheek. "Prue. Time to wake up."

Startled out of her dream by a voice and the gentle sensation of someone kissing her cheek, Prue quickly sat up and looking around wildly, prepared to send whoever it was flying into the nearest wall. Spotting Andy's smiling face, she relaxed and pulled back her hands.

A quick glance at her alarm clock told her exactly what she didn't want to know --- it was almost 10 am, and she was running late -- the family had to be at the church an hour before the noon start-time to greet the other mourners.

"Oh no. We're going to be late!" Turning to Andy, she returned his kiss with a peck on the cheek. "Good morning," she smiled with a loving look in her eyes, so happy that the Elders hadn't taken him away just yet. She then frantically gathered up the black outfit she laid out the night before, threw on her robe, trying not to remember that it was her birthday present from Piper, and dashed to the upstairs bathroom to take a quick shower and get ready.

As she hurried towards the shower, Andy threw on his own clothes and dashed down the stairs to wait for her, knowing exactly what she'll want when she gets there--a strong cup of coffee--and Piper wouldn't be there to make it. He knew he couldn't make as good of a pot as Piper would've, but for Prue, he'll give it his best shot.

About fifteen minutes later, Prue jogged down the stairs to grab a quick caffeine boost and read the paper. When she turned the corner into the kitchen, there was Andy, a gentle smile on his face as he handed her a steaming cup of coffee sweetened with a small peck on the cheek.

"Hey, you," she managed a small smile as she gives him a loving kiss. "Sorry about earlier, but you know how I hate running late." She pulled out a chair from the kitchen table, took a shaky breath and sipped nervously on her cup of coffee. She was not looking forward to the funeral...it just all seemed so final, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to accept the fact that one of her sisters (and her best friend) was truly gone. This is not gonna be easy. But I've gotta stay strong. If not for my sake, then for Phoebe's. We can't afford for both of us to fall apart.

Even without using his powers, he knew her so well that he was quite aware of the thoughts that were running through her head. He pulled out an adjacent chair, put a reassuring arm around her shoulders and hugged her. "You don't have to be strong if you don't want to. I'm here; you can lean on me. Just remember how much I love you and that I'm here just for you."

She slid his chair closer to him and leaned contentedly into his arms. "I love you, too," she whispered in his ear. "Thank you for being here."

Taking another sip from her cup, she glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall and sighed--it was drawing nearer to time to leave for the church. "I wonder what's keeping Phoebs and Cole. If they don't hurry it up, we're going to be late." Setting her cup down and scooting her chair back from the kitchen table, she looked over at him. "I'll be right back."

Swiftly making her way through the dining room, she stopped at the foot of the stairs, crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. "Phoebe! Are you guys almost ready? We've gotta leave soon, or else we're going to be late! You're the one who said it--Piper would never forgive us if we're late for her funeral!"

Unbeknownst to Prue, her younger sister was in a pure panic. She woke up almost the same time as Prue had, but Cole hadn't. Remembering her premonition from the day before, she'd been trying everything she could possibly think of but still he wouldn't wake or stir.

So at this point she was nearly hysterical. No! NO! I can't lose Cole the day we bury Piper! No, I won't put him in front of Prue, I won't, but I'll never be able to get through this day without him!

Hearing Prue's impatient voice, she screamed in terror for her big sister.

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