A big thank you to HollyShadow and KK241289. For sticking with me on this story and leaving such nice reviews. It really means a lot!!!! Okay, Lauren I believe is going to get in way over her head here soon.

Chapter 6

After he had finished feeding Wyatt, Leo took the child upstairs to get him ready for bed. When he was home, he never gave up a chance to do these little things with his son. When he was sure his son was fast asleep, he got ready for his romantic night with Piper. It wasn't something that happened often and he was looking forward to it.

Lauren had checked on the status of the sauce simmering on the stove, then surveyed the table setting. Lighting the two taper candles, she stood back pleased. She knew the moment he entered the room. Looking up, her breath caught in her chest. He was wearing a light green sweater, which was just tight enough to accent every contour of his upper body. He had pulled the sleeves up, revealing strong forearms. As he drew closer, she noted how the color of the garment highlighted the color of his eyes. Eyes which were totally focused on her, causing her body to tingle all over. This was so much better than her dreams. Sliding his hand behind her neck, he bent down, his warm lips brushing hers in a feathered kiss. She returned his kiss with all the desire she had pent up inside her.

Leo was surprised by his wife's passionate response. Piper was not usually so aggressive, at least not until they were in the heat of things. There was something in the back of his head. A nagging sensation, something was not quite right. The thought did not have time to develop, because it was interrupted by the sight of Phoebe and Piage suddenly orbing in.

Turning at the intrusion, Leo's brows furrowed in concern. "What's wrong?"

"Demon!" The two answered in unison.

Phoebe explained, as she strode over to a mirror on the wall. "It attacked me in the newspaper parking garage. Look at my hair!"

"Aww honey, don't worry. I've got just the thing." Comforted Paige.

"Really? Cause I gotta tell you, I can't go out like this."

Paige took a closer look at the damaged area. "You'll be fine. I've got this great conditioner made from...."

Leo rolled his eyes exasperated, then interrupted. "Excuse me, could we focus for a moment on this demon and discuss proper hair products later."

Both sisters looked at him with perturbed expressions. "Pardon me Leo, but your hair is not the one in serious need of attention."

"Noted, but don't you think you should fill us in on who attacked you?"

Lauren could not believe this was happening. One night! That's all she was asking for. Hopefully they could solve this latest distraction quickly so she could salvage the rest of her evening.

"There's not much to tell." She heard Phoebe say. "It was a demon, but female this time. Threw fireballs. Nothing unusual about her appearance, although she didn't give me much of an opportunity to check her out."

Leo turned his eyes to Paige. "What about you? You notice anything odd?"

"No, I pretty much orbed in and orbed out."

Phoebe gave her sister a quick hug. "Thanks for the save by the way."

"No problem."

"Well, things are getting worse, it's not just you getting attacked at the manor." Worried Leo.

"There has to be some upper level demon behind all of these attacks." Observed Phoebe. "Someone wanting control of the underworld."

"And destroying us, is his ticket in." Paige stated with calm acceptance.

Leo glanced over to Piper. "What do you think?"

Lauren had been lost in her own thoughts, which had nothing to do with demons, so she started a bit at the question. "Ummm, I don't know, but I doubt anyone will attack again tonight. Maybe we should just forget about it for now and investigate more in the morning." When three sets of eyes looked at her oddly she made to explain. "I mean, we've checked the book. The Elders don't know anything, there's not much more we can do tonight."

Reluctantly they had to admit she was right. Paige and Phoebe decided to head upstairs and try to repair the damage to the latter one's hair. Lauren was determined to save dinner, although it was not going to be as romantic as she had envisioned.

Leo was quiet, lost in thought, concerned about their present demon situation. Afterward they cleaned up and headed for their room.

Leo went directly to check on Wyatt, assured he was sleeping soundly. Quietly he closed the door to the nursery. For her part, Lauren was hoping the rest of the night would go as she had planned. Wyatt was asleep, the rest of the house was silent and she had Leo all to herself.

Leo had gone over to the dresser and pulled out a t-shirt and a pair of flannel trousers. Grabbing the bottom of his sweater, he tugged it over his head. Lauren watched from a few feet away and licked her dry lips. She intercepted him before he could put on the t-shirt. Placing the palms of her hands at the base of his back, she slowly move them upward, relishing the feel of his warm, smooth skin beneath.

At her unexpected touch, Leo turned to face her and she transferred her hands to his chest. "Piper, maybe this isn't..."

Putting a finger to his lips, she stopped anything more he had to say. Rising on her tip- toes, she moved her finger away and brought her lips to his. A gentle kiss at first, waiting for him to respond, pressing her form to his. Leo instinctively wrapped his arms around her tiny waist, bringing her closer. Lauren's body instantly reacted. A wonderful feeling filled her, making her feel warm all over. Reaching down, with one arm, he caught her behind the knees and lifted her so she was cradled in his strong embrace. Striding over, he gently deposited her onto the softness of the bed. Without breaking contact, he stretched out next to her.

Lauren was on fire. The feel of her fingers on his bare chest, his warm lips caressing her own. She had imagined being with him, like this so often, but her imagination had not done the moment justice.

The nagging sensation had returned. Leo felt something wasn't right, however the answer was just out of reach. He felt Piper's lips move to the side of his neck, to the sensitive spot where the neck and shoulder met. Looking down, he saw passion gleaming in his wife's beautiful eyes. He pushed the uneasy feeling to the back of his mind and gave his complete attention to the woman he loved.

Lauren felt Leo pull back. Nothing noticeable, just a slight retreat. Swiftly she redoubled her efforts and rejoiced when he came back to her. With the palm of his hand, he moved to her shoulder, pushing the thin strap of her dress downward. Leaning across, he trailed heated kisses along her neck and to her now bared shoulder. Lauren threw her head back at the intense sensations engulfing her body. With his other hand his fingers traced the inside of her leg. With a delicate touch, he drew the hem of her dress upward. Reeling in the heat of the moment, Lauren knew this is what she had waited a lifetime for. The man of her dreams making complete and total love to her.

A loud crash sounded from downstairs, shattering the perfect moment. Leo pulled away immediately, while Lauren let out a small squeal at the loss of his closeness.

"What the hell was that?"

As if an answer to his question, he heard Paige call out. "Piper! Leo!"

Not bothering to pull on his shirt, Leo leapt off the bed and swung the door open. A very frustrated Lauren followed. Racing down the stairs, Leo stopped short at the picture before him. Paige and Phoebe had been backed into a corner, a man in a dark suit advancing on them. The man threw out his hand and a chair went flying toward the girls. They just managed to avoid the on coming object by falling to the floor.

Seeing Leo and Piper, Phoebe called out, "Piper, blow him up!"

Lauren froze at the command. Blow him up? How? She hadn't had a chance to figure out Piper's powers.

At Phoebe's words, the man in the dark suit looked in Lauren's direction, a knowing grin on his face. Lauren was stunned to see it was the same man who had come to her months ago. It was too much to process all at once.

"For God's sakes Piper, do something!" Screamed Paige from her position on the floor.

Coming out of her trance, Lauren threw out her hands like she had seen Piper do so often. The vase sitting on an end table nearby, exploded into a million pieces.

Shocked, the sisters and Leo looked at her, while the man laughed. Realizing they were in serious trouble, the girls glanced at each other then to Leo. "Leo, get Wyatt out of here!" Phoebe didn't have to tell him twice. Instantly he orbed upstairs, grabbed his sleeping son and orbed out.

Lauren inched her way closer to the sisters, her eyes never leaving the intruder while his never left hers. "What's the matter.....Piper, lost your touch?" He mocked smugly.

Paige caught a hint of something when he said Piper's name, but she couldn't put her finger on it. By now Phoebe was beginning to feel frantic. "Piper! Blow him up! Freeze him! Anything!"

Once again, she threw her hands out, but the only thing she managed to freeze was the clock on the wall, then in slow motion it began to break apart until it was nothing more than pieces of scrap.

Crawling closer to her middle sister, Paige whispered, "Okay, what the hell is wrong with Piper's powers?"

"I don't know, but we can't keep this up."

The man raised his arms again and mentally flung the two younger women against the wall. Their backs sounding with a thud as they connected with plaster. Lauren rushed to their sides, checking to make sure they were all right. Dazed and sore, but otherwise intact, Phoebe glared at her older sister. "What is wrong with your powers?

Lauren didn't have an answer, at least not one she was willing to share. They could hear footfalls as the man approached. "Okay, we need to get out of here and come up with a Power of 3 spell."

Close enough to hear the last part of Phoebe's statement, the demon smirked. "Ah, but you need the power of three to make a power of three spell, now don't you?"

Phoebe and Paige's eyes met in confusion. Seeing this, he transferred his gaze back to Lauren. "You didn't disappoint me, I knew I chose well." As he raised his hand, Paige instantly reacted. Latching on to both her sisters, the three disappeared in a swirl of bright lights. Frustrated at the delay, the man let out a curse, as he took in the spot the Charmed One's had just vacated. Bringing himself under control, he straightened his tie. "You only delayed the inevitable. I will kill you, thus securing my position as leader of the underworld."

This time of night, P3 was empty as the three materialized. Phoebe immediately found a bar stool and flopped onto it. Paige was too agitated to sit. Something was not right. She had felt it earlier and now she was even more convinced. Her eyes flew to Piper. Before she could ask anything, another flash of swirling lights beamed in, as Leo appeared. Seeing him as her lifeline, Lauren ran to him, wrapping her arms around his solid form.

"What happened?" He asked worried.

"I don't know. Maybe we should ask your wife." Demanded the youngest sister.

Leo looked down at the woman in his arms confused. "Huh?"

Drawing closer, Paige continued, her eyes narrowed, an edge to her tone. "Let's see. Blew a vase up instead of the demon. Froze the clock, then blew it up, once again instead of the demon. We almost got our butts tossed through a wall. So you tell me."

"And what was it the demon said?" Phoebe asked more to herself than to the others. "Something about not having the power of three."
Paige jumped on her sister's thought pattern, eyes glued on Piper. "Yeah, and why did he talk to you, like he knew you. Something's wrong, I can feel it."

Lauren's nerves were at their breaking point. She could see all her plotting and planning unraveling before her eyes. They were going to discover who she really was and she'd loose everything! Loose Leo and her eyes shot up at him, his features clouded in confusion. She couldn't let this happen, she loved him too much. She deserved to have someone like him in her life.

Leo wasn't sure what to think. He heard his sister-in-laws words, and didn't know what to make of them. "What are you two saying?"

Phoebe shook her head unsure. "I don't know Leo, but something odd is going on, something is not quite right."

Stepping slightly away, Leo's eyes found his wife's. "Piper? What's going on?"

His green eyes beseeching her to confide in him. She had to make them believe it wasn't her, that something else was at work.

Paige didn't give her the chance. "I don't think this is the real Piper."

"What!" Leo and Phoebe exclaimed together, their eyes wide at the outrageous statement.

At Paige's words, Lauren became desperate. "Leo, don't listen to her. I think she is still rattled from the attack. We need to concentrate on vanquishing the demon."

Leo wanted so badly to believe her, but there was a part of him that believed Paige. Paige's instincts were rarely wrong. It would explain the strange feelings he himself had been experiencing.

Phoebe stood up and went to Paige's side as a sign of support. "There's one way to find out if she's really our Piper?"

The two sisters looked to their brother-in-law. Lauren knew something was up, and it was not going to be good for her. She watched as Leo closed his eyes and concentrated it. A few agonizing moments went by and his eyes popped open. "I can't sense Piper anywhere." A hint of disbelief tainted his words.

Lauren began backing up, her eyes darting to each of them, then settling on Leo. "What do you mean? Look at me! I'm Piper!"

Leo just shook his head, his eyes going hard. "If you were, I would be able to sense you, and I can't."

"Where's our Piper!" Phoebe demanded as she and Paige advanced.

"I...I.." Lauren stuttered, incapable of stringing words together.

Having gotten his anger under control, Leo spoke in a quiet tone. "Please tell us. We don't want to hurt you, but we need to know." It was not easy, keeping his temper under control. Now convinced this was not the real Piper, all he could think about is where his Piper was. Was she hurt?

Paige was done being patient. "Leo, try again to sense her."

Closing his eyes, he did as she asked, but with the same results. "Nothing." He grounded out frustrated.

"What if you were touching her," Phoebe asked, pointing to the fake Piper, "could you sense her then?"

At this, Lauren tried to make a run for it, but Paige was quicker. Grabbing Lauren roughly by the arm, she dragged the protesting Lauren over to Leo. Again, he closed his eyes, while holding onto Lauren's arms. A minute later, his eyes opened. "I know where she is."