Woah it's been a while! But I have been on holiday and plus I had most of this chapter done but then my computer broke down and I lost a lot of it then I couldn't be bothered typing it out again but eventually I did.

Anyway here it is…

Chapter 3

The Search for Something More

"Hey," Phoebe began cautiously as she approached Piper, afraid she was going to blow up on her like yesterday at lunch.

Upon hearing the voice Piper looked up from the magazine she was reading as she sat on the step outside Cole and Leo's apartment drinking her morning coffee. "Hey," she replied quietly, "you weren't at the party last night."

"So you guys went?" Phoebe asked not hiding the surprise in her voice very well.

"Yes Phoebe we went," Piper said while gritting her teeth to remain calm.

Phoebe cringed when she realise her mistake, "right, sorry… So did you have a good time?" She asked with interest.

Piper smiled but it was fake and forced herself to nod enthusiastically. "Yeah, it was great. We partied… it was wild…"

Phoebe knew her sister too well to buy that lie, "that's great," but she decided to go along with her to avoid more conflict.

"Yep… great…" Piper mumbled then sighed heavily. She looked up at Phoebe and then shook her head, "actually I lied, we didn't have a great time, we went for an hour and were back here by nine o'clock."

"Why?" Phoebe asked not hiding the amusement and confusion on her voice.

Piper laughed slightly realising how lame that sounded, "well its like you said. It just wasn't our scene," she sighed again.

That reminded Phoebe of yesterday and she remembered she had an a apology to make, "hey listen about yesterday … I'm really sorry about what we all said about you and Leo."

Piper shook her head dismissing it, showing she was over it. "I'm sorry for snapping at you …its just I got worked up 'cause what you said kinda highlighted some feelings I've been having lately."

Phoebe sensing this was getting serious sat down on the step beside her sister and put her hand on her shoulder, "what feeling's sweetie?" she asked curiously.

Piper hesitated obviously struggling to find the exact words to describe how she was feeling, "I… I love Leo and I don't want to be with anyone else," she said firmly then paused, "but you know the spark you get at the start of the relationship… well that died a while ago."

Phoebe smiled a little, "that happens to lots of couples," she reassured her.

"It hasn't happened to you ands Cole. When you guys look at each other, there's a lust in your eyes and…"

"How's your sex life?" Phoebe cut in, inwardly shuddering at the direction of the conversation.

Piper stared at her, wide-eyed, "Phoebe!"

"That bad huh?" Phoebe asked with a grin.

Piper narrowed her eyes, "watch it you!" she warned but a slight grin had formed on her face.

"Hey I'm just trying to help," Phoebe defended herself.

Piper sighed, "I know, I know…" she paused, contemplating her next words. "Well you how we take it in turns for the bedroom here," she glanced at their apartment behind her almost paranoid Leo would overhear and then turned back to Phoebe lowering her voice, "me and Leo usually just… sleep."

"Really?" Phoebe was shocked, "'cause Cole and me…"

Piper quickly silenced her with a shudder, "no details please!"

Phoebe grinned and Piper did too but then she squirmed and cleared her throat uncomfortably, "so how do you… I mean what do you… infact you know what we're fine…" She waved her hand dismissively hoping the conversation was over. "Let's get going to school." She stood up, only to be pulled back down by Phoebe.

"The fact that you're coming to me shows you're not fine," she commented then paused in thought, "how about we go shopping after school?"

Piper looked at her puzzled, "and how exactly will that help?"

"Trust me all right?"

Trusting Phoebe, Piper realised landed her in the middle of the lingerie section of one of the larger shops in the mall.

She gazed around her, shaking her head at her sister as she stepped backwards accidentally knocking a hanger of the rack, she bent down to pick it up just as Phoebe came round the corner.

A grin formed on Phoebe's face, "wow Piper… very saucy…" she commented glancing at the underwear Piper had just picked up.

Piper rolled her eyes at her, "I just knocked it over and was picking it up," she explained.

Phoebe winked, "I'm sure you were…"

"What are you guys…." Paige rounded the corner with Prue behind her and paused when she saw what Piper was holding, she grinned at her.

"Piper don't you think that's a bit…" Prue began tilting her head to the side as she studied the underwear.

"Oh for God's sake, I wasn't looking at it, I was just picking it up!" Piper exclaimed with exasperation.

Paige grinned, "this is nice all of us bonding."

Piper raised an eyebrow, "in the middle of a lingerie section?"

"For you, might I remind you," Phoebe reminded her with a pointed look.

Piper sighed and smiled at them, "sorry… I really appreciate you guys taking time out your busy schedules for me."

"Hey I jumped at the chance to get out of the apartment!"

"And it's nice to get a break from Emma for a while."

"And I could do with some new underwear myself…" Phoebe added reaching for the underwear still in Piper's hand. Piper slapped her away.

"Oh no you don't missy… you so aren't buying that!"

"Why not?" Phoebe asked innocently.

"Because! Have you seen them?" Piper exclaimed thrusting them in her face.

Phoebe laughed, "okay I won't get them… they're not in my size…" she grinned.

The other three shook their heads at her, "what? I'm kidding I wouldn't buy them!" Phoebe defended herself.

Piper sighed, "I'm never going to find anything here…"

"Piper why don't you go and order us some ice cream from the café and by the time they arrive we'll be there with some fabulous stuff!" Phoebe suggested not really giving her say as she pushed her out of the shop.

"What did you get? Let me see…" Piper demanded as they all approached her ten minutes later but when she saw the grins on their faces changed her mind, "on second thought I don't think I want to look…"

"Oh you do!" Phoebe quickly told her, "but not just now, look when you get home."

"Why?"

"'Cause I'm not having you taking it back to the shop before you even get home!" Phoebe grinned grabbing the bag from Piper's grip.

"Its that bad?" Piper asked with a groan.

"No!" Prue assured her, "now what ice cream did you get?" she changed the subject.

"I haven't ordered," Piper answered, "I couldn't remember what flavours you all liked."

Phoebe gasped, the other three looked at her oddly, "what?"

"Well if that doesn't prove that we all haven't spend enough time together lately I don't know what does," she grinned while the others laughed at her.

Their ice creams arrived shortly after they had all reminded Piper what exactly were their favourite flavours and ordered.

"This is nice," Piper commented after a moment of silence where they all ate their ice creams.

"Mmn I know I love chocolate!" Phoebe agreed licking ice cream of her spoon.

"No," Piper laughed at her sister's actions and shook her head; "I mean all of us… just hanging out together."

"It is," Prue agreed while smiling at her sisters.

"You know its so stupid it shouldn't be so hard to find time to spent together at our age, this is supposed to happen when we're adults and have responsibilities," Phoebe pointed out while shaking her head.

"Well Pheebs, we kinda already do have responsibilities," Prue pointed out quietly, her eyes locking with Paige as she spoke.

Piper and Phoebe shared a look aswell. They didn't have the responsibility their sisters had and were secretly thankful, especially Phoebe who couldn't even imagine what it would be like to have a kid so young.

"We should probably get going soon," Paige broke the silence that had descended upon them, "Prue don't you have your housewarming party to organise?"

"Oh that's all taken care of, I've got the food prepared, the apartment cleaned completely, music set out… I even made a banner myself." She smiled clearly impressed with her work. "There's not much else to do, being in the apartment all day," she explained.

"Ever thought of getting a job?" Phoebe suggested.

Prue shrugged, "well yeah, I mean we could use the money but someone's got to look after Abbie."

"Grams isn't fit enough for work yet but I'm sure she could look after Abbie, besides she could use the company while we're all at school." Piper pointed out.

Prue looked thoughtful for a moment, "I'll think about it," she decided.

"Right well I should get going still, gotta get Emma from Glen's, apparently he has tennis practice to go to," Paige said in a tone that clearly told the others she wasn't thrilled by the fact that he went to play tennis three time a week.

"Okay well don't be late for my party!" Prue told her giving her a quick hug.

"I won't be."

"Okay I know I'm late but it's totally not my fault!" Was the first thing Paige said when she walked into Prue's apartment, out of breath, "and you know you should get a lift here," she panted.

Prue smiled at her; "we do have a lift."

Paige looked less than impressed and threw her head back in exasperation. "Well anyway I was waiting for Kyle at the manor for ages only to call him then and for him to tell me he couldn't come and he thought he had already told me… something about a family dinner… So anyway I wasn't exactly impressed and then Glen was late out of tennis…" she glared at Glen who was next to her and trailed off waving her hand and dismissing her rant, "anyway… happy housewarming!" She handed a very messily wrapped gift to Prue with a smile on her face.

Prue unravelled it and found salt and pepper shakers, which she clearly recognised from the ones that sat in the manor kitchen, she smiled in amusement at her sister.

"Thank you…"

"We'd like to thank everyone for coming tonight," Prue began as she glanced around the room at her guests. Darryl, Andy's best friend and his girlfriend Sheila who Prue used to hang around with a school quite a bit. Kayleigh and Chloe, her two best friends from school and her sisters. Glen, Cole and Leo were there too.

"I hate to break it to you Prue but this isn't a party… this is a gathering of people, who are bored might I add… no offence." Kayleigh commented a smirk on her face.

Prue rolled her eyes at her friend and laughed in amusement, "none taken. But what do you suggest we do then Kayles?" she humoured her.

Kayleigh tapped her chin thoughtfully and glanced around the room, considering the options. She suddenly brightened and smiled mischievously, "I say we play a game!"

"What kind of game?" Prue asked wearily, she knew what Kayleigh was like, after all she had been to lots of her parties and they were always known to be wild.

Kayleigh shrugged, "hmmm, 7 minutes in heaven?" she suggested with a flirtatious wiggle of her perfectly plucked eyebrows.

At her suggestion, Prue, Piper, Phoebe and Sheila all instantly moved closer to their men. Kayleigh and Chloe shared a look with each other and rolled their eyes simultaneously, each letting out a sigh of disappointment.

"Oh yeah I forgot like all the guys in this room were practically married," Kayleigh muttered to Chloe.

"Oh well I guess we can all go back to the fun we were having before," she said sarcastically but sent a smile Prue's way to show she was joking.

Prue rolled her eyes playfully, "thanks Kayles…"

Phoebe screamed when she felt someone sneak up behind her and slap her ass, she spun around instantly to see a grinning Cole standing there. She shot him an unimpressed glare.

"You up for our own private game of seven minutes in heaven?" he asked in a husky voice, flashing her a sly smirk.

She rested her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at him, "FYI," she began in a stern tone, "slapping my ass and scaring the crap outta me is not the most persuasive way."

He held up his hands in surrender and nodded his head in agreement with her, his smirk disappearing. "You're right." He paused, fighting with himself not to laugh but he couldn't quite help it and his grin returned. "I'm sorry but I can't promise it won't happen again though."

Despite her best efforts not to, she couldn't help but allow a slight grin to form on her face too. Damn him, she could never be mad at him, his cheeky grin would appear and she would forget everything.

"So anyway 'member the other day when you mentioned about doing our own thing?" he asked her, completely changing the subject.

"Oh yeah," she suddenly was reminded of the disastrous second piano lesson she had had earlier, "about that…"

"I found something!" He told her with excitement.

"You did?" she was genuinely surprised.

"You are now looking at the newest member of the school basketball team," he announced proudly.

It took her a moment to digest the information. Cole… basketball? Since when did he play? But before she could ask questions he had engulfed her in a hug, "isn't that great?"

"Yep, great…"

"It's so not great!" she complained to Piper minutes later.

A confused expression appeared on Piper's face, "but I thought that was what you wanted," she reminded her sister.

"Yeah but that was before I found out I suck at the piano and now Cole has something and I don't which is so stupid since it was my idea!" she explained while heaving a sigh.

Piper nodded her head trying to follow. She sighed, "Pheebs, Rome wasn't built in a day," she began wisely.

Phoebe wrinkled her nose, "Piper I know I'm rambling a bit but try to keep up, we're talking about me and Cole not Rome."

Piper rolled her eyes, "it's an expression Pheebs!"

It took a moment but then Phoebe laughed, "right… I knew that," she nodded her head as if to prove her point then continued to brush past her embarrassment, "so anyway you were saying?"

Piper grinned, "um… oh yeah well basically what I'm trying to say is that you can't expect to be good at the piano straight away, some things take practice but just because you're not great at it don't give up, "she encouraged giving Phoebe a gentle nudge.

Phoebe nudged her back giving her a smile and nodded.

"Hey Prue we're going to take off," Paige told Prue interrupting her conversation with Darryl and Sheila.

Prue excused herself from them and stood beside Paige, "really so soon?" she pouted.

"Yeah we have… something to do," she answered vaguely.

"Oh," Prue nodded, curious as to what it was but could tell her sister didn't want to get into it so didn't prod. "Okay see you tomorrow?"

Paige nodded and the glanced around, "hey have you seen Glen?"

Prue shook her head after a quick scan of the room, "not for a while anyway, he probably just decided to wait downstairs for you, its quite stuffy in here."

Paige nodded, "yeah I guess," she smiled at Prue and made for the door, she pulled it open and froze on the spot at the sight in front of her.

Glen making out with Kayleigh in the middle of the hallway.

It shouldn't have effected her. But inexplicably she felt a pang of jealousy. She cleared her throat after a moment and they sprang apart, flustered.

"Paige, hey," Glen scratched the back of his head uncomfortably and avoided her eye.

She smiled tightly at both of them and glanced behind her, realising that as she had opened the door everyone else in the room could see what happened aswell. They were all standing at the door staring.

"Kayles!" Chloe exclaimed in shock, "he's like a baby!"

"He's only two years younger," she defended, "okay two and bit years younger but still… besides he's the only guy here that's not attached at the hip to someone else." She looked at Glena and grinned, "plus he's cute."

Glen grinned back at her and why wouldn't he? An older gorgeous girl was saying he was cute! His grin instantly dropped when he saw the unimpressed look on Paige's face.

She turned on her heel and began walking down the stairs without a word. He looked at Kayleigh and smiled, "I'll see ya."

She nodded and smiled in return, "thanks for making this party much more enjoyable." She winked at him.

"It was my pleasure," he grinned before chasing after Paige.

Kayleigh sighed as she watched him go and turned to everyone else, who were still all staring at her.

She looked innocently at them all, "what?"

"Paige wait!" Glen called after her, jumping the stairs two at a time.

She stopped and turned to face him, her arms folded across her chest, an expectant look on her face.

"Are you mad?" he asked out of breath.

A look of disbelief crossed her face, "yes I'm mad!" she exclaimed.

He looked surprised at her answer, "really?"

"Really," she confirmed in an annoyed tone.

His attitude suddenly changed from apologetic to being annoyed instantly. "Well you have no right to be mad. We're not together anymore and if I remember correctly you were the one that didn't want to get back together so FYI that means I can kiss whoever I want!" he said in a raised voice.

She was silent for a moment, "that's not why I was mad," she told him quietly.

He exhaled and calmed down, "then why?"

"We are meant to be going to our first counselling meeting tonight and while I'm taking it seriously and getting organised to go to it, you're off making out with some cheerleader in the hallway not giving it a second thought!" she burst out, her anger returning.

"Oh," was all he could say, feeling embarrassed at jumping to conclusions.

They stood there awkwardly for a moment in silence. She sighed, "we have to go, we're going to be late," she told him making her way to the door. He just nodded and they both reached for the door handle at the same time, their hands brushing against each other. She tried to ignore the shiver that was sent down her spine but no matter how far she put it to the back of her mind, it was still there.

She quickly glanced at him and their eyes locked. She broke contact and stride ahead of him in attempt to clear her head.

She had no idea what was going on.

"Well we're going to have to love ya and leave ya I'm afraid," Chloe sighed dramatically.

"Whose party is it tonight?" Prue asked knowingly, her eyebrows raised.

Chloe feigned shock and put her hand on her heart, "you think we'd leave your party to go to another party?" Prue's eyebrows rose further. Chloe relented; "okay fine, its Tara Fray's," she cringed, "and we kinda promised we'd show…" she trailed off weakly.

"Guys its fine really, I don't mind," Prue assured them with a firm smile.

"You could always come," Kayleigh suggested brightly.

Prue smile a little wistfully, "I don't think so," she declined softly averting her eyes.

Kayleigh and Chloe smiled softly at her, both expecting that answer.

"Have I told you how much it sucks that you have a husband and a daughter?" Kayleigh whined with a pout on her face.

Prue laughed at her, "no."

"Well it does, "she said bluntly but she was grinning, "remember the days when we went to parties every night basically together. Not a care in the world…"

"We had some wild nights," Prue agreed, "but I bet you's still do."

Silence fell on them, which they were all reminiscing. Then they all locked eyes and smiled and at the same time went in for a group hug.

"We'll see you later okay?" Chloe said as they broke apart. She was suddenly feeling quite emotional. Prue obviously was too as she only nodded her head unable to find her voice.

"Great party," Chloe murmured and sniffed.

"Thanks for coming," Prue's said quietly, feeling her eyes well up then quickly cleared her throat and turned away to wipe her eyes.

"Prue we're heading out," Piper announced making her way with Leo towards the door too.

Prue smiled at them, "are you guys going to Tara's party too?" she asked.

Kayleigh and Chloe joined the conversation then having managed to compose themselves, "yeah you's should come, Tara's parties are always good."

Leo looked like he was about to agree when Piper answered, "sorry we can't. We have something else on."

"We do?" Leo asked confused.

She looked at him pointedly and in a firm tone said, "yes!"

"What?" he asked suspiciously.

"It's a surprise," she replied quietly looking at him directly in the eye. Then she grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out the door, shouting goodbye over her shoulder on the way out.

Kayleigh and Prue laughed while Chloe looked like she was thinking.

"She was talking about sex right?"

Paige walked towards the manor with Glen in tow. It was dark now and the streetlights were on casting their shadows out on the pavement. Paige could see Glen's behind her but she made no attempt to slow down nor did he to catch up with her. It was awkward to say the least since their argument earlier. Which she thought they had got over since the counselling meeting went okay but then she supposed that was because they had to talk about Emma but now they were alone, both were thinking about earlier so it was awkward again.

She stopped at the bottom of the steps leading up to the manor front door and sucked in a breath as she turned to face Glen, "so tonight was interesting," she said softly.

He looked at her wondering if she meant at Prue's apartment or the meeting. Maybe both. He settled for a simple nod of his head.

"Thanks for walking me home," she smiled at him gratefully.

"I wasn't going to let you walk home in the dark alone," he informed her protectively.

She nodded, feeling touched.

"Hey what are you two doing standing out here?" She was surprised to hear Kyle's voice. She turned the other way and saw him standing with a puzzled look on his face.

"Kyle what are you doing here?" she asked trying to sound normal and happy to see him.

"I juts came round to see you since I haven't seen you all day," he lowered his voice conscious Glen was there, "and I missed you." Her heart melted and she couldn't explain why she suddenly felt guilty. He leant in and kissed her; just quickly aware it would be awkward to do more in front of Glen. She smiled blissfully at her boyfriend after he kissed her then, their fingers intertwined and their eyes locked on each other.

The she remembered Glen was still there. She broke contact with Kyle and turned to Glen. Her heart beat a little faster when she thought of earlier, the feeling of guilt coming back. Quickly she tore her eyes from Glen and back to Kyle melting immediately again under his warm gaze. Then she couldn't help but glance back at Glen and when he smiled at her she suddenly felt the insatiable urge to be have her fingers intertwined with his. But when she looked back at Kyle she her hand felt warm and secure in his grasp.

Her heart began to race as she glanced back and forth between them. Then she gulped as she realised why she felt so guilty. She had feelings for both of them.

And that was bad for several reasons.

"Piper what exactly am I waiting for?" Leo called to her as he sat on the end of his bed impatiently waiting for her surprise.

She didn't answer; instead she opened the bedroom door and entered silently.

"Piper what…" he began to ask.

"Shh," she hushed him, pressing her finger against her lips and smiled mysteriously. She slowly began to unravel her baby pink silk dressing gown she had on. Her eyes on Leo the whole time until her new lingerie was fully exposed and her gown had fallen to the floor, she cast a quick glance down her body and then back up to see Leo's reaction.

Leo's jaw hit the floor, "wow," he breather in awe.

She smiled coyly at him and advanced towards him seductively. She paused when she reach him and then pushed him back so he was now lying back on the bed, staring at her in a daze.

"I'm so glad we didn't go to that party," he murmured.

She grinned, "oh we're having our own party," she informed him slyly.

He laughed and shook his head in disbelief, "you look…"

"I know."

"I love you."

"I know," she grinned again and pressed her lips against his with force. They kissed hungrily and only came apart gasping for air. She moaned in satisfaction. "I love my sisters."

"What?"

She grinned at him and shook her head, "nevermind…"

"But…"

"I'm on top of you half naked in your bed and you want to ask me questions?" She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Point taken," he grinned and this time he kissed her.