Hope you guys enjoy this next chapter as things start to heat up. If you get the chance I'd love to hear what you all think. Thanks!!!!!
Chapter 4
P3 was a buzz of activity, normal for a Friday night. Lauren stepped off the last step and surveyed the crowd. Piper and Leo had often told her to stop by if she ever got the chance. Since she had been given tonight off, she thought she'd take advantage. Navigating her way through the masses, she observed a band playing up on stage. Quite of few people were swaying to the music, while others sat at the various tables or at the large oval bar. It really was an amazing place, especially to Lauren. The inside of a nightclub was not something she had a lot of experience with. She could see why a place like this took up so much of Piper's time.
"Hey you! Glad you could make it."
Lauren spun around as she realized someone was speaking to her. Piper stood there in a red sequenced top and black silk pants. Her long hair was pulled up off her face with jeweled combs. She looked every inch the successful business woman.
"This place is really amazing." Lauren complimented.
"Thanks. Listen, I've got to catch up on some stuff in the office, but Leo is helping tend bar. Grab a seat and he'll get you set up."
Lauren's heart gave a little leap when she heard Leo was here. She hadn't been sure he would be here or on Whitelighter business. Piper didn't wait for a reply, heading toward the back of the club. Cautiously making her way to the bar, Lauren located an open stool and sat down. Squeezing in between two sets of couples engaged in intimate conversations.
A man from behind the bar asked what she wanted to drink. "Is Leo here?" She asked instead.
"Oh sure, hold on." He answered and made his way to the other side of the bar. While she waited, she turned in her seat a little to take in the atmosphere. She swung back when she heard his voice.
"Lauren! Glad you came." He called out loudly to be heard over the noise.
She returned his smile with one of her own. "Me too. You all talk about P3 so much, it's nice to see what it's all about."
Wiping his hands on a white towel tucked into the waistband of his pants he asked, "What can I get you?"
"Just a soda please."
"You got it."
She watched as he bent down to retrieve a glass and filled it. Placing it in front, he leaned closer. "On the house."
Her eyes never leaving his, she said, "Thank you." And took a sip. "So is it always this busy?"
"Pretty much, especially on the weekends. We're short handed tonight, so I'm pulling bartending duty." Seeing he was needed farther down, he continued. "Enjoy your night off. I'll talk to you later."
Disappointed at his departure, she took another sip then decided to contend herself with sitting at the bar watching him. She had no desire to mingle with strangers. When she had been given the night off, she didn't want to spend it in her lonely apartment. So she came here in hopes that Leo would be here. Almost an hour later, Leo was still busy serving customers. Lauren shifted in her seat, whishing he could get a free minute to come talk. At least she could breathe better. One of the couples had vacated the seats next to her. Unfortunately it had not lasted long. A man in his late thirties and obviously quite intoxicated, stumbled over.
With effort, he hefted his large bulk onto the stool. "Barkeep! Another one!" He barked out, raising his empty glass.
Disgusted by his behavior, Lauren turned her head away. Suddenly she felt a hand on her arm.
"Hey sweetie." The offending man slurred his breath reeking of alcohol. "How's about I buy you a drink."
"No thank you." She returned firmly and pulled her arm from his grasp.
"Oh don't be that way honey. You and me could have a good time." This time he wrapped one of his beefy arms around her shoulder, dragging her closer.
Lauren began to panic as his advances became more intense. "Please." She pleaded as she tried to maneuver out from under his arm. Paying her little heed, he continued his mauling.
Leo had just come from the office, after checking on Piper, when he noticed the drunken man's behavior. Striding over with determined steps he tapped the man on the shoulder. "Hey buddy, I believe the lady is not interested." Lauren was never so happy to hear Leo's voice.
Turning slowly, the man squinted at Leo through blurry eyes. "Mind your own business mister." He slurred belligerently. "Me and the lady are getting better acquainted, aren't we honey."
Leo's gaze grew hard. "No, I don't think you are." He then yanked the man's arm off of Lauren.
Enraged at the action. The man swore and threw a large fist in the direction of Leo's face. Leo effortlessly dodged his attacker's assault. With a quicksilver motion, Leo caught the next swing and jerked the man's arm causing the man to turn around. With the other hand, Leo shoved the side of the man's cheek against the surface of the bar.
The scuffle caught the attention of one of the club's many bouncers who came to assist. "Ron, please escort this gentleman out. Make sure he gets in a cab and not his car."
"Sure thing Leo." Ron replaced Leo's hold with one of his own. The man began to struggle, but to no avail. Ron's heavily muscled arms were firmly in place. "We can do this easy, or we can do this hard." The bouncer offered. Realizing his precarious position, the man opted for the easy way.
Leo transferred his gaze to Lauren. "You okay?" He asked, concern coloring his eyes.
Lauren felt herself drowning in their green depths, but managed to reply, "Yes, fine."
"I'm so sorry this happened."
"It's not your fault. Thank you for saving me."
The way she was staring at him, made him feel just a bit uncomfortable. He was glad when Piper came up behind him.
"I just saw Ron escorting someone out. Everything alright?"
"Yeah. A guy had a little too much to drink and was bothering Lauren." Her husband filled in.
Instantly worried, Piper swung her gaze to the other woman. "He didn't hurt you did he?"
"No, no. Leo took care of it." Lauren assured her.
Relieved, Piper grinned and gazed up at her husband. "Aw. That's my angel." Putting her arms around his neck, she rose on her tiptoes for a kiss.
Jealousy consumed Lauren as she averted her eyes from the scene in front of her. She hated when she saw Leo kissing Piper. It didn't happen often, due to busy schedules and Piper and Leo being naturally private people. When it did happen, Lauren thought she would burst in anger at the unfairness of it all. Piper had it all. She was the owner of a popular nightclub and a super witch. She had two sisters who would do anything for her. A beautiful baby and most importantly she had Leo! What did Lauren have? Nothing! Life was just so unfair. Not wanting anyone to notice her turmoil, she gathered her raging emotions and pushed them deep down inside. Later she would try to sort through them. Once convinced she had everything under control she looked back up. Piper had moved out of her husband embrace, although his arm was now settled on her shoulder.
They were still engaged in conversation, when Lauren interrupted to tell them she was going home. Smiling, the two wished she'd stay longer but understood. Telling her to drive carefully and they would see her tomorrow.
The dream came again, however this time it was very different. She was in the formal dinning room of the manor. It was a party. The table was laden with food and gifts. Phoebe and Paige came over giving her a hug. "Happy Birthday sweetie."
Leo came up behind her, placing a simple gold chain around her neck. Leaning down, he placed a warm kiss on the side of her neck. "Happy Birthday honey. Why don't you see how it looks?" Turning her to the small mirror on the wall.
Lauren let out a small gasp, for the image looking back was not her own, but Piper Halliwell's."
The next day, Lauren tried to keep as busy as possible. Not wanting to dwell on her latest dream. Not wanting to decipher what it meant. She avoided Leo, which did not prove to be difficult, since he had been called out almost the moment she had gotten there. Thankfully, the time came for her to go home. As soon as she entered her apartment, she made for her bedroom and a small desk, which sat in the far corner of the room. Opening it, she snatched the brown leather book inside and began leafing through it. It contained many spells she had learned over the past. Sometimes she forgot she was half witch. When she got to a blank page, she stopped and stared unseeingly at it. Without thought her fingers reached for a pen and she began writing. A few moments later she was finished. Putting the pen down, she read what she had written. A satisfied smile slowly spread across her lips. Perfect.
Waiting outside the club, she waited for her prey, knowing it would be soon. Everything had been planned out perfectly. She had called in sick, thus forcing Piper to leave her club early. The knowledge that Leo would be away this night and Phoebe was working late, leaving Paige to care for Wyatt until his mother came home. She congratulated herself on her strategic attack. Hiding in the shadows, her careful planning paid off. Piper came out, heading for her vehicle. It was just after dusk and the parking lot dimly lit. She waited for her prey to unlock the car door, then made her move.
Piper sensed someone behind her. Quickly she swiveled on her heels, her hands out in front of her ready to defend. She was shocked when she saw who it was. "Lauren, you scared me to death. What are you doing here? I thought you were sick."
Sensing Piper lowering her defenses, now that the immediate danger was over, Lauren move swiftly. While Piper turned to throw her purse into the jeep, Lauren pulled out a white cloth doused heavily with chloroform. Shoving the rag in Piper's face, she held tight as the other woman struggled to escape. The drug was too potent and soon Piper's struggles lessened and then ceased. Giving the area a quick scan to make sure they were alone, Lauren shoved her victim into the jeep. Pushing, she got Piper into the passenger side and then jumped into the driver's seat. Retrieving the keys from where they fell, she started the engine. With her quarry in tow, she drove out of the lot and onto the road.
Thirty minutes later, she was on a narrow road surrounded by trees. The glow of headlights from the jeep, the only illumination during the dark trek. Abruptly the road came to a halt and a few yard ahead stood a small cement building. Getting out, Lauren went to the passenger side door and opened it. Grabbing the still unconscious Piper, she tugged. Once on the ground, Lauren clutched her victim under each arm, dragging her to the tiny structure. Entering, she maneuvered Piper over to one of the bare walls where a large metal chain and cuff were embedded.
Putting Piper down, she swiftly placed the heavy cuff around Piper's ankle, then yanking on it to make sure it was secure. Standing back she surveyed her handiwork with a satisfied look. She was lucky, for no sooner had she locked her prey up the other woman began to stir.
Head pounding, Piper tried to crawl up from the blackness. Her mouth felt like dry cotton and her eyes itched and burned. Slowly she blinked, wondering what the hell had happened. It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to her surroundings and her head to clear. Gradually her vision began to focus and she was able to make out a figure standing in front of her. Her brows furrowed in a confused from, she sat up. A metal clanking sound redirected her attention to her ankle. Lifting her head back up, she squinted.
"Lauren?" Her question coming out in a croak, her throat still dry from the chloroform.
"Hello Piper. I imagine this is all a shock to you."
Giving her head a slight shake, Piper tried to clear the last of the cobwebs from her mind. "What's going on? What are you doing?"
"Doing?" Echoed the other woman. "Why I'm going to have the life I should have had. The life denied me." When Piper just shook her head confused, Lauren explained further. "You have it all Piper and I want it. I want sisters. I want to be a powerful witch, not a little no body. I want a beautiful child and lastly I want Leo. It's not fair that you have so much and I have nothing!"
Piper let out a forced laugh. "You can envy me all you want, but it's my life, not yours. It will never be yours."
"Ah, but there is where you are wrong." Taking out a small piece of paper, Lauren smiled. "This will take care of it all."
Piper's heart skipped a beat. Lauren seemed so sure of herself. She knew the other woman held a spell in her hand; after all didn't Lauren tell them she was half witch.
"Please think about what you're doing."
"Oh, I have thought about it. In fact I've thought of little else."
She didn't allow Piper to say more. Putting the paper up close she began to read:
For all to know and all to see,
A new identity I wish to be.
Switch the body, but not the mind,
To have the life I wish to find.
An eerie gray cloud emerged from each woman. The clouds floated across the distance until it entered the opposite body.
Slowly Piper could feel herself change. Eyes darting over, she watched in horrified amazement as her own image formed on the woman in front of her.
Lauren pulled a small mirror from her coat pocket. A huge smile lit up her face as she gazed at the reflection looking back. It worked! She stood for a second, marveling at what she had accomplished. Turning her eyes to the woman chained to the wall, she observed her own pathetic appearance.
Piper couldn't believe what was happening. Looking down, she saw another person's body. Heart thundering, she had trouble breathing. She felt her face and hair which were all alien to her.
"Who's the super witch now?"
Piper jumped at the sound of her own voice emanating from someone else.
"You won't get away with this Lauren. All I have to do is call for Leo or Paige."
"You could try, but I placed a soundproofing spell over this whole building. No one can hear you. You're powers are now mine and you're chained to a wall. You're not going anywhere which is exactly what I planned."
Piper was growing desperate. "My sisters. They'll know you're a fraud as will Leo."
Still preening in front of the mirror, Lauren shrugged off the threats. "I don't think so. Your sisters will see precisely what they want to see. As for Leo," her voice dropped just a little. "I plan to keep him very busy and very happy, if you know what I mean."
Knowing what the woman meant and getting ticked off, Piper ground her teeth together. "You keep your filthy hands off my husband."
Tossing a feline smile, Lauren turned to leave. "You'll have plenty of time to dwell on what my hands will be doing. Once I'm settled in at the Manor, I'll be back to tie up all the loose ends. Goodbye Piper, or should I say Lauren." Laughing at her small joke, she exited the building, leaving Piper alone and panicked.