DISCLAMIER: I do not own the Charmed characters. This story is for entertainment purposes only, unless you don't like Piper with anyone other than Leo.

SET: Season Four. Piper & Leo are married, Phoebe & Cole are married. Cole's not evil (just sexy)

Piper somehow got her hands to work, and she reached into the box shaking. She pulled out a Phantom of the Opera mask. Wrapped around it was a gold necklace, with a diamond heart pendant. There was a small piece of paper tucked in the heart, which she pulled out to read.

Piper,

I love you. I know that is hard for you to hear, given what we are to each other. You are my wife's sister. I am your sister's husband. I couldn't stand to be around you anymore, and not tell you. I need to talk to you. Come home to me, Please.

Love Always,

Cole

Piper reread the note again. She felt her stomach flipping, and her heart fluttering. She looked at the I love you again, and her knees when weak.

Cole loved her? This wasn't a dream, was it? Piper felt a smile on her lips. Cole was in love with her. She had been lusting after Cole, but could it be she loved him?
Piper stopped. What was she thinking? She was married. No matter problem her and Leo were having, he would never betray her, and she wasn't about to betray him.

Piper sighed as she put the mask and necklace back in the box, along with the letter. She sat them in the passenger seat. This was going to be hard. She was going to have to tell Cole that she couldn't do this. But how?

Piper walked into the manor. It was quiet. She had the mask in one hand, the necklace in the other. The first thing she noticed was the two notes stuck to the fridge. The first was from Paige, letting them know she was staying with her boyfriend, and she wouldn't be home. The second one was from Phoebe, saying she was out with Mindy for the night.

"Great" Piper muttered out loud. Unless Leo came home tonight, it was going to be just her and Cole, which was going to make this worse. She wanted to run to him and tell him how she felt and taste him again, and instead she was going to tell him that she was sorry, but this could never happen.

Piper started upstairs. Phoebe's door was open and Cole was standing at the window, his back to Piper. He looked so handsome, wearing black pants, and a dark blue sweater. The light from the sun was accenting the black and brown colors in his hair.

"Cole" Piper said softly.

Cole turned around. There was Piper, standing at his door. Her eyes were red. She was holding his mask in one hand, and his necklace in the other.

"I'm sorry Piper. I shouldn't have said anything." Cole told her. "I know about Phoebe's affair. I'm going to leave her. I don't love her anymore, and I won't live like this anymore. I do love you. I have loved you for months. I needed to tell you. I couldn't leave without telling you."

Cole walked over to her and took the mask and necklace from her hands, laying them on his bed. He grabbed both of her hands in his, looking into her eyes. "I loved you before that night at P3. I loved you since the night you found me in the living room, and asked me to help make dinner. I think you are an incredible woman Piper. I know you are not happy with Leo. I can make you happy, if you let me."

Piper started to cry. "Cole, I don't know what to say. I am so sorry for what Phoebe has done to you. I won't lie to you either. I feel something for you. I don't know if it is love, but whatever it is, it's strong."

Cole felt his heart surge, maybe he would get his chance with Piper. He felt a smile form on his lips.

"But" she continued, "I am married to Leo. He would never betray me, and I can't betray him. Not matter how I feel about you, I can't break those vows I made. I'm not that kind of person. I can't" she choked out.

Cole drew her closer to him. Being this close made her head buzz, and she could feel her heart trembling. "Piper, I love you, and you might love me back." he whispered to her.

"I know Cole, but we are both married, and it's wrong." she said, hanging her head. She pulled out if his grasp and walked out of the bedroom. Cole slammed the door shut, letting his anger out. He looked at his bed, where the mask and necklace sat.

Piper may love him, but she told him they could never be together. He slumped against the door, letting his misery consume him.

Piper jumped when she heard the door slam shut. She leaned up against, wanting to open it up and run into his arms, telling him that she did love him.

She couldn't. She had to try and fix her marriage. She did love Cole, but she was Leo's wife, nothing could change that.

Piper walked into her room. There was a note on the dresser from Leo. All it said was I won't be home tonight. There was no I love you or anything. Piper felt like screaming.

She was throwing away her chance for happiness with Cole, for a marriage she wasn't sure she wanted anymore.

Piper had to escape. She had to get away from her thoughts and this house. She had to get away from Leo's note, from Cole, who was still down the hall. She changed her clothes quickly, grabbed her keys and left, heading back to P3.

Cole heard Piper leave. He hadn't meant to hurt her, but he had. He cursed himself as he grabbed his suitcase. He was going to leave. Leave his wife, let her have the boyfriends, and was going to leave his true love, let her have her husband. She deserves an angel anyways.