AN: Since I got so many great reviews for the last chapter, I would like to thank you all personally;
syad yniar: That's so sweet! I don't think I ever had anyone tell me they are my fan before... I know that was a bit shocking, and that I am just making things more difficult for the two, but that's just how life is... lol
OTHCharmedFreak: I stayed up late for this chapter! Lol, thanks for reviewing, you will see why exactly did she react the way she did in this chapter.
TelekineticDarkness: Thanks for reviewing, I hope you will for this chapter too... Yea I know, I like stories where they are all sweet and together, but it seems like there is so much of them so I did something different... I'm glad you like it!
charmed-aussie: Here is another chapter! Just like you asked.
Muse-of-the-fairies: Lol, sorry, there will be some more jumping around this chapter... I'm not letting things go that smoothly... lol don't hate me!
versatilecutie: A movie? Wow, that's some credit you are giving me there... Thanx!
Pruedence.Halliwell: I made you cry? I feel like I've accomplished something now, its fun to know that my story has something emotional... Thank you!
Magical Princess: I'll try! Thanks for reviewing.
Psychokitty3: I hope your suspense will break in this chapter... Or will grow bigger! Lol
AsherSmasher: Sorry, cliffies is what I do... lol. Well, now is tomorrow, and here is my update... thanks for reviewing!
foureverCharmed: Does she love him? You'll have to wait and see... things are not so black and white here. And I'm glad you liked the fluff.
Nicole812us: Yeah, I can't help but feel sorry for both of them too, life seems hard at the moment. Thanx!
Ok, and now that I thanked you each, on with the story... (I think you'll like it, I know I liked writing it....)
Chapter 13
OoO Connecting the Dots OoO
Piper slid down the wall until she was safe on the cold floor.
Tears were still running down her face like they would never stop, and she felt emotionally dizzy.
That's how they do it;
They make you like them.
They say they love you.
They make you feel like they are the center of the universe, and that life is worthless without them.
Then they leave, and you stay miserable.
That's what Luke did, and she didn't want it to happen again, never.
Everyone thought she was strong, that she got over the pain she felt when she lost a husband and a future son, but they didn't really know her.
They thought she was an independent woman, one that knows where her life is going, even after such a lose.
THE DIDN'T KNOW HER.
Who would have thought, that the strong Halliwell sister would break down over an 'I love you'?
But there she was, naked on the stone cold floor of her gloomy room, all life drained away from her, and it felt like her own fault.
Slowly, she got to her feet, and walked back to her bed.
It was a little over three in the morning, but Piper couldn't sleep, not after that night.
She felt confused, like she was rushed somewhere, everyone was running with a purpose, but she couldn't follow, she was always behind.
She got up, put a long shirt on, and went to sit on her peach couch in the dark.
Maybe she should listen to Elvis.
She did, but he disappointed her this time. Even Elvis Costello with 'She' wasn't enough.
She put the Flaming Lips in the CD player, and listened as 'Do You Realize?' was filling the room.
"Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize - we're floating in space -
Do You Realize - that happiness makes you cry
Do You Realize - that everyone you know someday will die
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
Do You Realize - Oh - Oh - Oh
Do You Realize - that everyone you know
Someday will die -
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize......"
---OoO---
On Saturday, he found himself sitting on the couch in his huge expensive living room, feeling empty.
What has gone wrong?
Ok, so he never said 'I love you' to another woman unless you count the short high school fling he had with his ex wife for six months, but that wasn't real. He didn't expect the reaction he got from Piper.
She felt so right, there with him, and seconds later he was alone, she threw him out.
He was almost mad at her, but the confusion was greater.
He called her once in the later afternoon, but she didn't answer. He didn't leave a massage; he didn't know what to say.
It was just over ten in the evening when the phone rang, and Leo for a second hoped it was her, calling to apologize.
It was Darryl.
"Leo here."
"Leo, its Darryl." He said, sounding a bit frustrated.
"I've been meaning to call you... did something happen?" Leo asked his friend.
"I don't know where to start."
"Where are you? I can hardly hear you."
"On the road, on my way over to San Francisco."
"What happened?"
"There was a breakdown; they were trying to get to the files."
"The 'Big Man'." Leo thought aloud.
"Who else? I have the files with me."
"You are risking your life my friend." Leo said.
"Tell me about it."
"Where are you going to keep them?"
"The FBI is on the case now too, they volunteered to. I doubt the 'Man' will go that far to get them, it's too risky." Darryl told him.
"I agree."
"Did you get anywhere with the investigation?"
"I'm not sure. I think my secretary's ex boyfriend is in the deal, he works with the 'Big Man'." Leo decided to come clean with the subject, he was hoping that maybe Darryl can help, but he had no idea how much...
"You have a spy working for you?!" Was Darryl's surprised reaction.
"I don't think she is, although I know she has some connection with Luke's murder."
Luke was Darryl's partner when he used to live in San Francisco. He only met him a few times, but he knew well how close he and Darryl were.
"Who is she?" Darryl asked.
"I only hired her three weeks ago; Piper Halliwell." There was silence on the other end of the line.
"Darryl?"
"Leo... Do you seriously don't know who she is?" He asked.
What does he mean? Is there something about her he doesn't know, but should? Maybe she was a prime suspect or something, working for the 'Big Man' behind his back...
"I know she was somehow connected to Luke's murder. I just don't know how..."
"Well, I do. Piper is like family to me, we go way back."
"What?"
"You didn't do your homework my friend. Her name is Piper Halliwell MacMartin. Mrs. Luke MacMartin. She was his wife, Leo."
Now that was a shock. His wife? WIFE?
"She was in that car with Luke, I would guess they wanted her to die with him, so that they won't have to worry about anyone knowing what is in those files, and Luke knew. I was supposed to meet with him the next day, he said he figured it out, the case was solved. He never made it through the night. Piper did, just hardly."
How could he have been so stupid? He didn't even take time to make sure he knew exactly who she was; he didn't even notice her full name.
"I remember those days; it was hard for all of us. But Piper was suffering the most; she lost so much that night. Her husband, her son..."
"Son?? She had a son?"
"Almost. She was pregnant, due in two weeks. They weren't able to save him, he died with his father." Darryl continued, sounding like as though his voice was exploring the past.
"I had no idea..."
"Well, you should have known she was his wife, you couldn't expect her to just tell you."
"Actually, we go a little further then the Boss-Secretary relationship, if you know what I mean."
"I know what you mean. Listen, I'll talk to you in a few hours, I should be there soon, but I have to stop at the FBI office and then I'll drop by your place." He said.
"I'll see you soon." Leo said, and hung up.
It's wired how you feel you know a person, you understand him, but nothing counts until you know some of their past.
He never imagined that as Piper's past. He remembered all the times she avoided talking about her past relationships, and now he knew why.
Then he remembered one of the things Darryl said;
They wanted her dead.
That was why they somehow they had her work at Nathan's; they were probably trying to find out if she knew anything.
And that was why he was so set on getting her out of Wyatt Investigations... they feared she knew something, that she would tell him, and down goes the 'Big Man'.
It was all suddenly starting to make sense, everything was connecting.
Piper must have thought it was just an accident, she couldn't possibly have known that it was an arranged murder, could she?
He had to talk to her, he felt a need to tell her this, and she disserved to know, especially after what he just found out about her.
Was that why she was so cold sometimes? Could that be the reason to what happened the previous night?
He pushed those thoughts away, and picked up the phone.
He had to talk to her.
"Hello?" Came her voice. It sounded cold, they way it was before they got all 'cozy'.
"It's me." He said.
There was silence for a few long moments. Neither of them knew what to say.
"Can I see you?" He finally asked.
"We have to talk." He continued before she could respond.
"Leo..."
"There are things you need to know, things you need to tell me." He said.
"What are you talking about?" She asked.
"Luke MacMartin."
He heard her take a sharp breath.
"Why are you doing this?" He heard her whisper.
"I just want to talk. Be at the park, tomorrow at noon. Please."
"I don't know Leo..."
"I'll be there, waiting for you." He said, and put the phone down.
He will always be there, waiting.
AN: What do you think? No real cliffhanger in this chapter, and no fluff either (well, you can't expect fluff after the previous night...). Please review, I want to know what you think.