Chapter 2: Everything Changes
Leo's body materialized in an ally not far from P3. He
leaned on the wall steadying himself.
"Look what a year without orbing has done…. I need some practice." Leo stated.
After the feeling passed he headed off in the direction of P3. He sighed not
sure of himself. It felt like an eternity had gone by since he had been here.
After Leo and Piper had said their goodbyes Leo had moved to New York. An old
friend lived there and he knew he was welcome anytime. "What am I doing here?"
Leo questioned shaking his head. He was about to bring all the pain that he had
managed to stash away back. Did he really want to go back into this part of his
life? True the best part but also the worst. Leo stopped in front of the
building that had been P3. In its place was what appeared to be a cd store. Leo
sighed deeply once again opening the door to the store. Once inside he scanned
the place. It looked similar to what P3 had been but of course remolded. So
many memories lied in this building alone. Nevermind the whole city.
"Can I help you?" A young girl that looked to be in her twenties asked. Her
brown hair was whisked away into a messy bun. Leo took note to her violent eyes
which where most unusual.
"Yes I was wondering if a Piper Halliwell….. or Piper anything works here?" Leo
questioned realizing she might not have the same last name. He knew if she
didn't he would probably just die right on the spot. He had lived almost every
day thinking of her. If she had truly moved on than maybe they weren't meant to
be together. No matter how bad things got deep inside Leo tried to reassure
himself that things would get better.
"No I'm sorry no Piper works here." The girl replied bringing Leo out of his
thoughts. He sighed in relief what was he even suppose to say to her.
"Thanks anyways." Leo said leaving the store. He decided he wasn't ready to
face Piper yet. So he would work on her sisters first. They would probably
listen to him more anyways. Piper had a lot of anger in her he could still feel
it. Maybe it was his own fault for promising her the world. But Leo would try
and fix it now.
Leo closed his eyes and cleared his mind. A few seconds later his body again
materialized into orbs. He appeared in huge office.
"Oui, je vois, alors, je vais informe vous quand le travail arrive, alors,
jusqu'a demain. Au revoir." Prue placed the phone down and took a few
notes down. Leo stood there a bit dumbfounded for a few minutes.
"Leo?" Prue questioned. She stood up a bit shocked herself. After a few minutes
of silence Leo spoke up.
"Long time no see." He replied coming closer into the office.
"Yeah it it has been a while." Prue replied.
"You look good." Leo stated noting the differences in the time they hadn't seen
each other. Prue's hair was much longer than when he had left. Almost all the
way down to her waistline. The hair fell gracefully down in neat curls. He
noticed the shade was a bit lighter. Other than her hair she hadn't change too
much. Her fashion had though Leo noticed that she was wearing what appeared to
be expensive leather.
"Well thank you. You look good yourself." Prue replied sitting back down. "Have
a seat." She stated gesturing to the chair in front of her desk.
"Ummm actually do you think we could grab some coffee or something and talk."
Leo stated. They had a lot to catch up on and he didn't really want to do it at
her work. Prue looked down to her watch and sighed.
"Yeah sure let me just cancel a meeting. They won't die without me here for a
while." Prue replied picking up her phone. "Oui, annuler le rendezvous a midi,
je serai dehors pour quelque temps, si tu besoin de moi, contacte. Au
revoir." Leo stared at her not making any sense out of what she had just
said. "Ready?" She questioned pulling on her jacket. Leo nodded and they headed
out of the building.
Prue had decided to show Leo one of her favorite restaurants. The food was
great and it wasn't so classy that you had to dress up.
"So what brought you to Paris?" Leo questioned interested in her change of
surroundings.
"My job." Prue replied sipping her drink.
"I can't believe you know French that well."
"Well I took French in school I only needed to fresh up a bit on it." Prue
stated simply.
"So what ummm how did you get here?" Leo asked he was confused. Everything had
changed drastically for Prue. She wasn't even near Piper or Phoebe. Well maybe
she was he had no idea where they where.
"Well not long after you left I got fired. Some other photographer framed me
with false pictures. But of course I wouldn't let that get me down. I persuaded
bigger and better things and finally ended up here." Prue explained.
"Wow I can't believe all this happened in less than a year." Leo stated.
"Yeah…… a year is a long time though." Prue replied.
"So tell me what has become of your sisters?" Leo questioned. He really just
wanted to know about Piper. But he had a job to do.
"Hmmm you're probably asking the wrong person. I haven't heard from them in a
couple of months. Well last time I talked to them Phoebe was doing awesome in
medical school and even found a special someone. I believe she still lives in
the manor. As for Piper well she shut down P3 and was unemployed. I think she
moved in with Dan…… Oh ummmm sorry I know that's a touchy subject." Prue
explained their lifes.
"Its alright. That part of my life is over with now." He replied excepting her
apology. Why should I care if Dan was still with her? Leo thought to himself. I
should have figured that anyways since the elders had said Dan lost control.
"What about you? You've been gone for about a year with no word. And you show
up in my office asking all these questions?" Prue wondered out loud. "What has
become of your life?"
"Well after I left I moved to New York and worked here and there." Leo
explained.
"I see you got your wings back though." Prue noted remembering him orbing in.
"Yes they gave them back to me recently."
"I still don't understand why you're here though."
"Well that my friend is easy. I came back to see you guys." Leo replied
"I'm sorry Leo the charmed ones no longer exist. Piper gave it up and after
that it just didn't seem right."
"I know that….. But Prue if you don't take action there will be no Halliwell
sisters." Leo replied sadly. The elders had informed him a bit of their
position but not too much.
"What do you mean?" Prue questioned confused.
"Don't you see? You moved away from them. One of the strongest parts of the
Halliwell's is gone now. I mean why was witchcraft the only thing that brought
you guys together. No matter what you three should have a strong bond. If not
than you wouldn't have been picked to be the charmed ones. Prue there's no one
to look out for Piper and Phoebe anymore. They are falling apart. I don't know
the exact details but I was told that your existence is in trouble. The very
core of your souls might disappear…… Prue just think about it ok." Leo
explained what he knew the best he could.
"Leo I understand what your saying. I do….. But what about me? I know this
might sound selfish but…. I've been looking out for them since I was born. I
love them but I've never gotten a chance to do anything for myself. I've always
taken care of them…. I guess the reason I left was to do something for myself
for once. I just needed a life of my own I guess. I think its time for them to
walk on their own two feet." Prue replied almost teary eyed. Something inside
her urged her to go back to them. But something else told her she deserved this
and this is what she wanted. Leo nodded in response and stayed silent for a few
minutes.
"Is this what you really want though Prue? I mean yes you held them up but
didn't they hold you up two. That part of you is gone for the moment two. I
don't see anybody here to hold you when you're down. To comfort you when you're
upset. Prue your heading down the path that you saw when you where a witch. The
path where just a year ago you swore you would change. Now maybe mine and
Pipers future cant be fixed but yours can." Leo counteracted. The one thing
that made him the guy for this job was his knowledge about them. He knew what
buttons to push and what ones not to touch. "Look Prue you know I love you….
And I don't want you to do anything you don't want to. I'm just asking you to
think about it ok." Prue nodded not sure what else to say. He was right all
Prue had was her job right now. She remembered their trip to the future where
they couldn't save their sister. Her work assistances didn't even know her
sisters names. That future was coming into reality. "I've got to go…. Call me
if you need anything. I'll be in touch." With that Leo walked out of the
building and orbed out. Prue sighed she was struck with one very hard
decision…… To forgot what he said? Or to move back?
"What would it change?" Prue wondered to herself. She knew very well what Piper
was going threw with Dan. She knew that he was hurting her but was in denial.
But Prue had left when Piper hadn't listened to her. Prue pushed the thoughts
out of head for the time being. It was time to get back to work she would worry
about such things later.
"Leo I love you." Piper sighed wrapping her arms around him. She buried her
head in his chest. Content with his sweet embrace. His gentle hands ran up her
back. She shivered in delight.
"I love you two." He whispered his breath tickling her neck. He tucked a lock
of her hair out of her face. Piper traced the outline of his lips with her
finger. Closing her eyes she brought him down for a passionate kiss. They
locked lips and wrapped their arms around each other.
"Leo Please just leave." Piper said harshly trying to hide the pain. Trying to
stop the tears that wanted to fall so terrible.
"Is that what you really want?" Leo asked almost in tears. The hurt was evident
in his eyes. He knew he had lost her. He should have never given her up after
she had saved him. Now he was mortal but had no place in the world.
"Yes." She replied barely audible. This had to be done she was with Dan now….
Leo lost his chance. Leo didn't say another word. He had promised himself he
would leave Piper in peace if she wished. He took one last glance at her
soaking her image in and left.
Piper gasped waking up in a cold sweat. She ran her fingers threw her tangled
hair sighing. That day had been so long ago at least that's what it seemed. The
first part of her dream had been heaven when they where happy….. But then it
turned. Turned into the horrible nightmare that haunted her dreams every night.
Ever since she had told him to leave. Dreams of him just filled her head. Maybe
he never completely left her in the first place.
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE LEO! I DON'T NEED YOU…. OR OR OR PHOEBE OR PRUE!" Piper
cried out. "Just leave me alone." So much anger filled her. She hated the world
it was cruel to her. Maybe she wasn't exactly mad at them…. Or the world. Maybe
it was herself she was more angry at. For driving the people that truly loved
her out of her life. Now she was stuck, completely and utterly stuck.