Treading Water-Part 1

The manor no longer looked like it once was. There were bits and bobs lying all over the place, smashed crockery, broken furniture, cracked photo frames containing memories of what once was. Of course the reason for it being in such as state was due to the fact that she was no longer around to tidy the place and more to the point because he saw no reason to take care of it.

Leo lay on the bed, on his right side facing away from the door. He was looking at her photograph, staring endlessly into her eyes, wishing he could see them light up once more. This was a part of his daily routine, he would fall in and out of the waking world then he'd lie staring at her picture, nothing more, nothing less.

He rolled over hearing the familiar call again; the familiar voice in his head, telling him his presence was required. Although he would not be answering them, he hadn't answered them in months, ever since he had left her at that place and given up on his calling. There was no point to it any more, the love of his life was gone, there was no worth in living anymore. The only reason he hadn't had his wings clipped and thrown himself off of the nearest bridge was because he had not avenged her death yet, but he would, it was only a matter of time.

Again the voice rang in his head; they would not let him be. Sitting up, he stared at the ceiling as if he could see through it, as if he could see them.

Taking in an angry breath he spoke, "Why wont you leave me alone?" Struggling, he pulled himself off of the bed to his feet. He stumbled a little and looked skyward again, "do you not get it? I don't answer to you anymore. I never will. Never again."

He glanced down for a moment and shook his head before looking up again, "I don't get you, you're meant to be all powerful yet you couldn't prevent it, you couldn't warn them!"

He walked unsteadily towards the window and stared out of it, a bemused smile crossed his face and he laughed a little, "Couldn't warn her. If you're meant to be powerful then why? She was right, she was right about you, you're useless, good for nothing!"

Shaking his head once more he turned, looking back at the bed he once shared with Piper, "I'm not looking after her anymore, she's safe where she is, safe from everything."

Leo then walked slowly back towards the bed and fell onto it; "All I want is to be left alone. Isn't it clear by now that I wont come, that I wont do your work anymore. Just leave me alone!"

Sighing once they had stopped calling he picked it back up. Manoeuvring onto his back he stared at the picture. "You had such a pretty smile." He murmured to himself. "So beautiful, so full of life." He took in a breath, "Then it was taken from you by..." He stopped short as he began to weep a little. The tears slowly making their way down his face, he took in a breath and let out a loud sob.

Leo put a hand to the picture, "Shhh don't cry, don't cry, "He whispered, stroking the photograph lightly, "I'll make everything right, don't worry, soon everything will be all right." At that he brought the photo down to meet his lips and kissed it lightly, before pulling it away slowly, staring at it.

~ ~ ~ ~

Laris took in a breath and let it out slowly, it was one of those prolonged, drawn out sighs. He didn't want to be here. Why did he have to be chosen for this assignment, Why him? He never wanted to be stuck babysitting her. As far as he was concerned she was a complete loony tune. Laris couldn't understand why he wanted her watched.

He raised his clipboard and took a pen from his pocket to make it look as if he was doing something. Turning to the door he peered in through the small window, observing. She was lying, curled up in a little ball. It looked as if she was sleeping but he guessed she was probably in that little world she had screamed about so often, wishing it was real.

This world she muttered of, interested him and he knew it would interest Cole. Yes it certainly would. He'd want to know all about his former lover's little escape. How although she was still suffering, she had found a temporary way to escape it. No, that definitely won't please him, Laris thought to himself.

Glancing around Laris saw that there was no one about. He looked through the glass one last time and smiled wickedly, "enjoy your dream world while you can girlie." He whispered viciously, staring at her slight form on the floor. With one last check for another presence he disappeared in a vale of crimson smoke.