The Salvaged Angel

Chapter Two: The Engagement

By Callus Wyndry

Disclaimer: I still do not own any of these characters, short of the ones I made for this story. I am still not making any money from this. It just makes me happy, so please don't sue me.

Author's Note: I know I've skipped a lot of the affair, but this story is not about how Chris and Lei find each other or even how they fall in love. It is about what that love can do and how that love can survive. I also know this is a short chapter. I felt good, was on a roll and then poof it died. I decided to throw his up there as is because if I wait any longer to do so I may not finish it. Believe it or not re-reading the old ones and starting a new chapter is currently less daunting in my eyes than finishing this one. Hope to have more up soon.

Chris walked into P3 where Lei was standing behind the bar. He practically bounced up to the lithe young man; he swiped the long brown hair out of his lovers face and kissed him deeply. "Guess what." The smile that rested in Lei's amethyst eyes betrayed the frown on his face, "I don't know… you're gonna tell your family about me? Everything about me." Chris's smile fell. "Are you crazy, first off they'd never accept that I'm dating a guy, not to mention that I'm dating a half demon, especially one whose demonic heritage is known to be a demon of rape, mental and physical rape."

It was Lei's turn to frown. "You know damn well Mr. Perry that I am not ruled by being half demon like most others are. I'm not like that guy Cole you told me about. I'm all just me; I'm not split into two separate halves. Besides, I hate lying to your mother. She seems so happy to see us together." Chris interjected, "believe me, she wouldn't be if she knew you were a man. I know, from experience."

Lei quickly changed tact to avoid bringing up hurtful memories in the man he loved. "So what is the big surprise?" Chris smirked. 'I got us reservations at Chantal's." Lei didn't look all that impressed. "Wow! When are they for, next year?" Chris's smirk widened before he answered, "no, smart ass, they're for tonight."

Lei's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. "How the hell did you?" Chris waved his hand nonchalantly, "you just have to know when to name drop." Lei's eyes narrowed at the man before him, "how did you really?" Chris sighed, "I had to promise to book the manager's son's band." Lei laughed out loud. "Snot's Revolution Live at P3! I can see your mother's face already." Chris shook his head, "doesn't matter. Go home and get ready, Vicki's going to cover your shift. Meet me back here at 7:45." Lei looked taken aback, "where are you going? I thought we could both use a shower." Chris frowned, I have some things to take care of before I meet you here, just go." Lei frowned and disappeared in a small puff of black tendril-like smoke. Chris looked around the empty bar one last time before he orbed out.

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Lei and Chris sat across from one another at a small table in an uncomfortable posh restaurant. A half filled wine glass sat in front of Lei and Chris was rapidly downing the contents of his own. "Chris, I think you should go a bit easier on that stuff. It's you fourth glass." Chris smiled as he sat the glass down. "I'm aright sweetie, don't worry about me." Lei looked less than convinced. "What's going on here tonight Chris? First you practically commit suicide by promising that Snot's Revolution can play at the club just to get reservations at some restaurant that I don't even like. Then you down four glasses of wine before the main course is finished. And the final straw was calling me Sweetie; you know as well as I do we don't do pet names. I thought that after a year of being together, after moving in together, we'd be past all this impressing bull shit."

Chris frowned, things were not going as he had pictured them going. "Well," Chris began, "I really wanted tonight to be memorable. I wanted it to be perfect when I asked you to marry me." Lei opened his mouth to tell Chris that it was going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons when the bulk of what was said hit him. "You, what? Huh?" Lei's brain finally caught up with him. "Of course I'll marry you." Lei was out of his seat and in Chris's in a flash. Chris held out the ring, a solid gold band with four small jewels: a ruby; an emerald; a sapphire; and an amethyst. "I know you don't like diamonds." Lei was clearly happy as he tackled Chris's lips with his own. When they finally broke apart Lei spoke first as Chris put the ring onto his finger. "I love you so much Mr. Halliwell. I can't wait to be Mrs. Christopher Perry." Chris frowned, "I hope you can settle for being that in only the non-legal sense of it. It's not exactly legal for us to marry, so I was thinking we'd just have a hand fasting done." "Sure why not, you're mom can perform the ceremony." Chris started, "I um I don't know if that's such a good idea. I mean they don't know about you and all." "Nonsense Chris, I won't do it unless your mom or one of your aunts does it, and that's final." A waiter, quickly walked over and placed the check on the table disrupting the mood. He stalked away angrily and Lei giggled, "You don't suppose they heard me do you?"

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