AN: Sorry, I forgot to tell you that I chose to go with the longer version... With so many reviewers there is no reason not to.

Chapter 17

OoO An Abrupt Murder OoO

Phoebe and Prue came at eight just like they said they would.

She let them in and went to the kitchen for some tea.

"Are you going to tell us where you were yesterday? I came over last night but you never came home." Phoebe said.

Piper sighed and set across from her sisters by the kitchen table.

"I slept over and Leo's."

"Oh..." They both said, and Phoebe smiled.

"Why didn't you just tell us? That's great!" Phoebe exclaimed.

"It's not what you think. We didn't sleep TOGETHER."

"Oh come on, we're your sisters... you're not goanna say that you slept in different beds..." Phoebe dismissed.

"We did."

"Who are you fooling?"

"Let her talk." Prue suddenly said.

Piper looked over and her older sister, and could tell that Prue was seeing that there is much more to it.

Phoebe looked taken aback for a second, but she stopped talking and waited for Piper to.

"Darryl is in town."

"Really? That's great! He didn't tell me he was coming when I talked to him last week..." Prue said.

"He didn't know he was, something came up and he had to come up here to talk with Leo."

"Wait, what has Leo got to do with it?" Phoebe asked.

"Apparently, he was investigating Luke's death with Darryl."

"Investigating? What is there to investigate? It was an accident." Prue said.

"It wasn't. It was a murder." Piper said, never looking up at her sisters' eyes, but she knew they were in shock.

"I don't understand." Prue mumbled.

"Darryl never told me, he kept it a secret all those years. Luke knew something that someone didn't want him to, so they sabotaged a damn accident to kill us both." She knew she was on verge of tears, but the coldness she felt was keeping it all inside.

She heard Phoebe gasp at her words, and Prue shift uncomfortably.

"Wh... why, I mean, who would want to kill him? And kill you? Who told you this??" Prue started asking.

"Leo did. Yeah, I know, I was in shock myself."

Phoebe opened her mouth to say something, but she never did.

The oldest and youngest sister stared wide-eyed at Piper, taking in the information.

It was only about a minute later that one of them finally spoke.

"They killed him because he knew something? What?" Prue asked.

"I can't tell you. Infect, I don't entirely know myself. I used to, but I don't remember." Piper explained.

"This isn't real. It's just too complicated... Are you sure it's true? I mean, you don't know Leo for that long to actually trust him..." Phoebe tried.

"But I think Darryl I can trust." Piper argued, even though in her heart she prayed it was just an accident like she believed it was all these years.

"Do they know who those people are? Did they catch them?" Prue asked, referring to the men who set up the accident.

"No. They are still on the loose. But wait, there is more."

"More?"

"Nathan. He is one of them. They had him keep an eye on me. They always had someone making sure I don't spill it; don't remember, I should say." Piper said, while resting her forehead in her hands against the table.

Seconds later, she felt her sisters' arms around her, pulling her into a firm and heartening hug.

"What are you going to do?" Phoebe asked.

"I don't know. Leo and Darryl seem to be on top of things."

"Is there still any danger to your life?" Prue asked, concerned.

"I doubt it. It's been three years.... But the fact that they had someone follow me gives me chills."

"I don't blame you. This is horrible. This is out of this world, things like that don't happen in real life." Phoebe said.

"Tell be about it. I feel like I'm in a bad selling thriller."

They sisters all got up and went to the living room where they all fitted themselves into the small peach couch with Piper in the middle.

"What made Darryl come here then? Did something happen?" Prue asked.

"Yes."

"What was it?"

"I can't tell you." Piper muttered.

"Why not?" Phoebe asked, sounding annoyed.

"It's confidential. Besides, it's the reason they killed Luke and wanted to kill me. I would never tell you anything." Piper said.

"This is all so sudden. Just a few days ago everything was so quiet and... normal." Prue announced. "How are you holding up?" She directed the question to Piper.

"I don't know. Ok I guess." She didn't feel ok, but she didn't want to whine to her sisters.

In fact, she didn't feel well at all. The situation was making her feel sick inside, and she wanted to close her eyes, then open them and find out it's all not real.

She had dreams about Taylor, her son, again. When she was at Leo's, his face just kept coming into her dreams. But the thing was, she never really saw his face, because he was never really born.

And how she had someone to blame it on.

"I'll stay here with you tonight." Phoebe suddenly said.

"You really don't have to do that, Pheebs. I'll be fine."

"No, my consciousness won't be clear if I would leave you here all by yourself."

"What about Jason?"

"He's out of town anyway, he wouldn't mind."

"It's a good idea." Prue encouraged.

"Guys, I don't need a body guard."

"Not a body guard. A sister, for moral support." Phoebe said.

Piper was about to protest, but realized she would love her sister to stay with her. She couldn't ask for more then that.

Finally, she smiled thankfully.

"Thanks sis. I owe you one."

"What are you talking about? How many times did I come here whining about Jason? I think we're just getting even." Phoebe said with enthusiasm which Piper appreciated.

Not long after, Prue left.

Piper was in bed by ten, while Phoebe stayed in the living room watching TV.

Ronald, as always, was in bed with Piper, making her feel loved. He was an angel.

She woke up with a start.

She had a nagging feeling in her stomach, but nothing seemed out of place.

It was just over seven, but Phoebe was already in the kitchen drinking coffee and reading a magazine.

"Morning!" She exclaimed cheerfully when Piper walked into the kitchen.

"Where did you sleep?" Piper asked.

"On your couch. It's very comfy. Coffee?"

"Sure."

It was nice to have Phoebe over. She was fun to talk to, and always knew what to say to make one feel like everything that might be wrong is very unimportant.

Half an hour later the phone rand and Phoebe jumped.

"I'll get it!"

"Hello?" Piper heard Phoebe say from the next room.

"Darryl! It's so good to here you. Piper told us you are in town..." Phoebe said, walking back into the kitchen.

Her expression suddenly became more serious.

"Is something wrong?... She's right here." Phoebe said, pointing the phone at Piper.

"He said he has to talk to you. Sounds serious."

Piper took the phone, not sure what to expect.

"Darryl?"

"Piper, hi. How are you?"

"Good. Did something happen?"

"Did you see the news this morning?" He asked.

"No. Why?"

"I hate to be the one telling you this... Nathan was murdered last night."

Piper's heart skipped a beat. Murdered? What the hell...

"What is it?" Phoebe asked, but Piper waved her off with her hand.

"They found his body in a dump not far from the BM offices."

Piper's stomach turned upside down.

"How was he killed?" She squeaked.

"He was shot in his head. They found no fingerprints or anything of the kind."

"But you know who did this..."

"Not exactly. I'm not even sure it is one of Big Man's stunts. He was supposed to work for him."

Piper felt a chill throughout her body.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm not sure. Leo is already over there looking for intimation or a clue. The only thing we know so far is that he was killed approximately at six last night by the condition of the body."

Darryl was being too formal, and it was hard to follow. The information was too much to contain in her head.

"Piper, I really hate to be saying this to you, but they want you down at the station ASAP."

"What? Why??"

"His sister told them that you two have been going out and he broke up with you about a month ago. He didn't date anyone since, and he seems to have no enemies in particular."

"This is madness! They can't possibly think I did it!"

"I tried to talk to them, but they have to do a proper investigation. Leo managed to convince them to give him the case, so they are just doing the basic stuff. With Leo of course you will have no trouble."

This was somewhat of a relief. But even the thought of being investigated about the death of that son of a bitch was making her breakfast want to come back out.

They scheduled for either Darryl or Leo to come by at noon to pick her up and take her to the station.

"Ok, I heard 'killed' and 'murder'. Spill it Piper." Phoebe said as soon as Piper put the phone down.

"Nathan was murdered last night."

"Wait... didn't you say he was working for whoever killed Luke?" Phoebe asked, puzzled.

"Yeah." Piper said. "What the hell is going on?"

AN: No fluff in this chapter either... Don't hate me! Please don't! And also, don't forget to review. I know you all are hungry for fluff, but for now this is what's going on. Next chapter I am planning for some good ol' fluff, but you know it won't be the fluff you are used to from other fics (just like the rest of the fluff in this story)... but I promise you I won't disappoint you!