AN: Thanks for all the great comments. Hope you keep them coming.

Part 3

Piper and Jessi trailed behind Paige and Prue, who practically tried to sprint away from them.

"We're gonna go upstairs and check out the book."

Paige then added, "You two just stay down here. Talk... you know. We'll shout if anything comes up."

Prue grabbed Paige's hand and dragged her upstairs.

Piper sighed and hung up both their coats. "I'm sorry. They're..."

"Peppy?"

Piper smiled geuinely, "I was thinking unbearable."

They took a seat on the sofa, each trembling inside.

"So, how have things been?" Jessi asked.

Piper was unsure of how to answer, should she go into detail? "Things have been fine. Lots of demons keeping us busy." Piper paused, "What about you? Have you been... Ok?"

Jessi fiddled nervously with his shirt. "I've been coping. I've been vanquishing a lot of evil. Got my apartment a bit more livable."

Piper cringed at the thought of his dank apartment. "Did you knock it down and rebuild it?"

Jessi couldn't help but laugh, "basically. Lots of cleaning and rat traps."

Piper smiled briefly before her sombre expression took over. "Have you had much contact with Kristoph?"

Jessi felt the panic rise in him. "No."

Piper could see how tense Jessi was. "So, he's just letting you go?"

Jessi sighed and his hand over his head. "Please don't hate me any more than you do for what I'm about to tell you."

Piper frowned. "Jessi, I don't hate you... I wanted to but I can't."

Jessi edged closer to Piper. "You should hate me, Piper. I killed him. Right after you left me, he came to my apartment. He wasn't anything to me anymore. The way he spoke to me... He threatened you. Told me he'd never let me be good. I couldn't let him ruin my chance of being a true witch. And what if he had hurt you? It would have been my fault and I couldn't take that" Jessi ranted getting more and more worked up.

Piper hated to see Jessi so upset, she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Jessi gratefully accepted the embrace and kept his arms tight around her back.

"I think you done the only thing you could." She said quietly. "Killing demons is different."

Jessi lifted his head from her shoulder, "It always felt the same... it always felt just as bad. I only ever killed some humans or good beings but it was mostly demons. Evil doesn't trust anyone or anything, so they kill each other."

Piper slowly pulled away but stayed close. "You're not a demon. Maybe we should stop taking that for granted and try trusting in each other."

Jessi didn't believe his ears at first but as he took in the sincere look on the charmed one's face he realised his dreams had come true. Word were irrelevant at this point, they'd serve no use or meaning.

Jessi ran his hand through Piper's soft hair as they began to melt into one another, the wait to feel each others lips near unbearable but worth the wait. The moment of perfection was quickly cut off before the kiss could deepen when Paige bounded down stairs.

"Pi -" She yelled then stopped when she saw the passionate couple break away, "...per" She finished quietly. "I'm so sorry, I-I'll go away. You can come up whenever your ready, no rush, continue with the affection." She babbled before turning to run upstairs again.

"Wait." Piper sighed. "We're coming." She took Jessi's hand and felt all disappointment fade away when he smiled at her and walked upstairs.