Power Surge

Halliwell Manor Kitchen- Later That Afternoon

         "Shh, sweetie." Piper soothed, as she bounced Peyton gently in her arms. "Don't cry... you're gonna wake your Momma up; and trust me, we don't want to go through that mess again."

"Through what mess again?" Phoebe asked as her body formed from a trail of orbs. "Waking Paige," Piper informed her younger sister with an involuntary shudder. "Uh, yeah, avoid that at all costs." Phoebe replied with a grimace. "You're not the one who has to keep orbing her hangover-suffering ass to the bathroom."

"She brought it on herself," Piper stated matter-of-factly. "Sweetie, can you hand me Peyton's pacifier, please? It's on the table, there."

"Sure," Phoebe answered as she retrieved the pacifier and crossed the kitchen to her sister and niece. "Here you are, little princess," Phoebe cooed in a baby-voice as she offered it to Peyton.

Peyton accepted the pacifier from her aunt, and smiled around it as she began slurping. "All of my charges seem to be okay for now, if you want me to take her from you," Phoebe offered. "Thank you," Piper replied gratefully as she relinquished her niece. "You're welcome," Phoebe answered as she took a seat at the island counter and began to rock the baby gently.

Several minutes later, Piper let out a loud shriek as the kitten suddenly sank its tiny, razor sharp teeth into her bare ankle. She shot an ice-beam to the floor beside it, scaring it off of her. "Freeloading no good, hair shedding, pet dander flying, claw scratching, tail whipping, teeth biting, damn cat!" she ranted. "Piper!" Phoebe reprimanded. "The little bastard is lucky I don't have my own powers, alright?! It would have been a case of 'SCK'."

"'SCK'?" Phoebe echoed with a confused expression. "Yes, 'SCK'. It's a veterinary Peeper medical term that means 'Spontaneous Combustible Kitten," Piper explained.

"Piper; what happened to the days with Kit? You never disliked her," Phoebe reminded her sibling.

"No, I tolerated Kit...and you and Prue took care of her. When the animals trashed my club on Valentines Day and Shadow the cat tried to kill us nine times, I lost respect for the damn cat; alright? Actually," Piper cut her eyes in thought, "I think we just found a name."

"Ahh," Phoebe nodded. "Damn Cat, huh?" she continued as she shushed Peyton, who had begun to fuss at Piper's shriek and outburst. "Wait, that was the name of Paige's cat while she was growing up," she reminded Piper.

"Well, you have to admit, it fits, and no other thoughts on a name have been forthcoming," Piper stated. "I don't give a flying cat's ass...DC II then."

"Well, it's settled, then. Her name is DC II," Phoebe pronounced. After Piper's nod of approval, Phoebe suddenly looked at her sister, horror-struck, and said. "But shouldn't we let Paige name her? She did bring her home after all."

"I'll most likely end up caring for the little hairball launching beast, so her name remains Damn Cat II," Piper decreed, crossing her arms across her chest as if to challenge Phoebe to disagree with her. "Okay, okay... DC II it is," Phoebe replied hurriedly.

"Piper, what witch isn't noted for her familiar cat?" Phoebe asked suddenly. "The one that we called Grams. Remember Rasputin?" Piper answered. "How could I forget? That flea biting dog hated me. Grams made him so mean...the only ones he listened to were you and Grams."

"Just goes to prove Grams' theory of loyalty," Piper told her. "The cats turn on you without warning. I'll take my chances with a dog over the cat any day...as long as it stays off my furniture."

"Oh, you only liked that dog because it used to trip your sisters!" Phoebe accused. Piper laughed, "Wow does that bring back memories. My favorite time was when Grams brought her cake in, and you got a piece and started to carry it into the other room thinking Grams wouldn't catch you." Phoebe rolled her eyes, as Piper continued to relive the memory. "Then suddenly Grams screamed at you, you turned, around, still walking, and then tripped over your shoe laces and the cake went right into your face!" Piper sadistically giggled. "Laugh it up fuzz ball!" Phoebe told her. "Now you know why I never wore my shoes around, Rasputin," Piper stated.