Please Be Careful With My Heart
Disclaimer: 'Charmed' is not mine. I just love it so much so I did this. So, please don't sue me.
Alright, here it is! Your reviews are 'cute', that I'm mean and evil, yes I am! Ha! ha! ha! ha!
As the story continues…
Chapter 24
Dark Plans Unfolding
Leo's heart almost jumped out of his rib cage at the mention of her name. He raised down the stairs and was almost out of breath by the time he reached the phone with a smile on his face. "Hello, Piper?"
"Leo. Hi." She said. Piper's voice lightened Leo's heart.
"Leo, can we meet at 7 Eleven tomorrow night at 6."
"Sure! I'll be there. Tomorrow night, 6 at 7 Eleven. See? I got it! I'll be waiting for you there." Leo sounded so enthusiastic.
"Ok. Bye." Piper said softly, Leo could tell from her tone, she was sad. Piper was about to hang up when Leo blurted out…
"I love you!" Leo said loudly to the mouthpiece. He wasn't sure if Piper heard him.
Piper responded only after she put the phone down. She whispered softly while staring at the phone, "I love you, too."
Meanwhile, Leo felt like he wanted to jump so high and just scream. He knew he was overreacting because Piper didn't give him the answer he needed but still, she's going to meet with him to talk. And that clearly gave him a chance to reason and beg her to let him do what he wants. 'Thank you.' he sighed in relief.
- 000 -
Phoebe entered the kitchen and found Piper talking to someone on the phone, "Leo, can we meet at 7 Eleven tomorrow night at 6." She heard Piper said.
'Meeting, huh? Now what is she up to?' Phoebe thought. Then Phoebe stopped herself from being touched when Piper whispered, "I love you, too."
She just continued her walk towards the counter top and took an apple from the fruit basket. All the while, she knew Piper was watching her. But she ignored her as if she doesn't exist and just left the kitchen without a glance back.
- 000 -
Sunday, 7:00 AM
Phoebe entered Piper's room, Grams asked her to take out the trash. 'Good thing she's in the shower, I don't even wanna see her shadow right now.'
Phoebe bent down and reached for the trash bin. She was about to dump all of its contents to the bigger trash bag she was holding, when she noticed a green piece of paper sticking out from it, with Leo's name on it.
'Hmm… It's already in the trash so that's not invasion of privacy anymore. And what the hell, like I care about her. Duh?' Then without a second thought she read the letter. Only God knows what Phoebe was planning to do with that piece of paper.
- 000 -
Sunday, 4:30 PM
"Grams, can I go out to meet Missy at the Deli? We have to discuss some things about a program in school." Phoebe asked Grams.
"Ok, but you better be home before dinner, ok?" Grams answered.
"Ok, Bye Grams." Phoebe kissed her grandmother goodbye and left the manor.
- 000 -
Sunday, 4:50 PM
Leo's House
Leo was in his room, deciding on what to wear. He's never been vain in his entire life until now. He wanted to look good for Piper, he wanted to be the best boyfriend in the world to the best girlfriend in the world. He wanted all the people to know and see that he and Piper are compatible, that he is the one for her and she for him.
'Uh… Well, Blue is her favorite but she thinks I look good in Green. Hmmm…'
(Ding-dong)
'Uh! Who could that be? I'm busy!' Leo thought as he walked down the stairs to the front door.
"Hello, Leo." Phoebe greeted as soon as the door opened.
Phoebe was the last one Leo expected to see. "Uh… Phoebe… what are you doing here?"
"Can I come in?" Phoebe asked hopefully.
"Well, actually… I don't mean to be rude, but I'm actually meeting someone today so… can we do this some other time?" Leo asked. He couldn't cancel on Piper. He wouln't!
"Actually, it's about who you're meeting with." Phoebe revealed.
Leo was shocked that Phoebe knew about the meeting. But with seriousness on Phoebe's face, Leo couldn't help but get worried. "What about her? Did something happen to her?" He asked frantically.
Leo's worry almost made Phoebe just cut the crap and get out of there. But no, she continued. "Nothing happened. Look, can we do this inside? I can't really explain everything out here."
"Oh, sorry. Come in." Leo opened the door for her.
When they were settled in the living room…
"Truth is Piper sent me." Phoebe reached for her pocket and pulled out a letter and handed it to Leo. "She sent me to give this to you."
Leo was confused. "But we're supposed to meet today. I don't understand…" His voice faltered when he started to read the letter quietly.
Dear Leo,
Letting you go is the hardest thing to do. I'm sorry, but I just cannot hurt you. I don't know what to say… I love you. Don't ever doubt that. But I can't do it. I just can't. You don't deserve someone like me, and I don't deserve someone so perfect like you.
Wish I could be the one I hope someday you can
The one who could give you love
The kind of love you really need
Wish I could say to you
That I'll always stay with you
But baby that's not me
You need someone willing to give their heart and soul to you
Promise you forever, baby that's something I can't do
Oh I could say that I'll be all you need
But that would be a lie
I know I'd only hurt you
I know I'd only make you cry
I'm not the one you're needing
I love you, goodbye
Find some way to understand I'm only doing this for you Baby, its never gonna work out
I don't really wanna let you go
But deep in my heart I know this is the kindest thing to do
You'll find someone who'll be the one that I could never be
Who'll give you something better
Than the love you'll find with me
Oh I could say that I'll be all you need
But that would be a crime
I know I'd only hurt you
I know I'd only make you cry
I'm not the one you're needing
I love you, goodbye
I love you, goodbye
I'm sorry, I'm really, really sorry. I love you so much that I'm doing this.
Love you Always,
Piper
Right there and then, Leo's world came crashing down. 'No! This can't be! But it's in her handwriting. Phoebe couldn't just fake that.' Thoughts of despair and confusion ran through his mind. He looked up to see Phoebe watching him with sympathy.
Phoebe reached for Leo's hand and said, "I'm sorry."
Leo started to shake his head, "No, No! This is not true." Then he started to tear the letter to pieces, abruptly stood and walked back and forth in front of Phoebe.
"She's not for you, so just accept it! There's a lot of girls out there who are willing to give back everything to you, you need someone who will cherish you without questions and doubts. I will do it for you, if you'll just give me a chance." Phoebe burst desperately.
But Leo was hearing none of it. "Phoebe, I thought we talked about this…"
"NO, you talked!" Phoebe denied. "Can't you see, she doesn't want to be with you so why do you keep forcing yourself on her?"
"Because I know she needs me, and I need her." Leo said with much conviction. "I have to go to her. I can't just accept this, no." Leo moved to leave the room.
Phoebe stopped Leo with a fierce hug. "Leo, I need you! Please!" Phoebe begged.
Leo extricated himself from Phoebe's embrace. "Phoebe you don't love me. I'm too old for you, you should see someone your age." Leo thought of reasons to redirect Phoebe's attention. "There are a lot of guys out there who are dying to go out with you."
"No! I love you, I know I love you. I want you to be my husband someday. So what that you're older than me? I don't care about that." Phoebe insisted.
"Phoebe that is just 'puppy' love. Infatuation."
"I love you! Why can't you believe it?" Phoebe exclaimed. "I can love you more than she does. I can be her if you want, I can grow my hair long. I can…"
"Phoebe, stop!" Leo shouted.
Pause.
"Alright you love me. But I'm sorry to say, I don't love you. Not the way you want and expect me to do. I can be your big brother if you want but that's all I can offer you, I'm sorry." Leo didn't want to hurt Phoebe's feelings, but it was just the truth. Truth, plain and simple. It didn't need any explanation and justification, no Why's, just the truth.
Phoebe kept her head down. Leo couldn't see her angry tears, and pent-up up hate.
"Let's go, I'll take you home. I need to talk to your sister." Leo said softly, he went to get both their jackets and came back to see Phoebe with her back to him.
"We're not leaving." Phoebe said quietly but with venom.
"Phoebe, come on." Leo insisted. But when Phoebe turned around to face Leo, he was shocked. Phoebe was tightly holding a large cutter, positioned to cut her left wrist.
"You're not leaving, you'll never gonna leave me again. No one will ever leave me again!" Phoebe screamed with much angst, Leo was scared she would slit her wrist at any second.
"Phoebe give me that." Leo said cautiously.
She didn't say a word, just clutched the cutter tighter.
"Phoebe come on, you don't wanna do that. Come on, just give it to me." Leo slowly reached for the cutter, but Phoebe instantly pulled away, but Leo already got a hold of it. It was all happening very fast, they both fought for the cutter. Then…
"Ahhh!"
to be continued… again.
- 000 -
Oops, another cliff hanger, sorry, can't help it!
Truth is I haven't written the next one so feel free to make suggestions.
Don't worry, i'll update real soon.
Song excerpts in Chap. 23 and 24 are from
'Tell Me Where it Hurts' and 'I love You, Goodbye'