The Show Must Go On

Disclaimer: Still don't own them...but it is my birthday in three days.

AN: Okay, I've had a lot of positive response for this story and I want to thank everyone who reviewed.

MollyBall – Thanks for your review. I totally agree about Dan, lol.

scullymulder1324 – I'm glad you liked it, hmm, you're giving me some good ideas!

Charmboy4 – I hope you like this chapter.

charmedangel429 – It doesn't sound mean at all, I totally agree, but remember this is very AU and it's supposed to be a comedy. I was planning on answering all the questions you asked in this chapter anyway, lol.

Em – Thanks, glad you liked it, more coming! I have quite a few ideas.

Charmed Lassie – This may not have been the last we've seen of Dan, well I know for a fact that it's not, sorry, but don't worry, he's only here so I can do horrible things to him, lol.

kk241289 - Wow, seriously, wow, you have no idea how much it means to me that you like my story, you're one of my fave authors, I LOVE your latest fic (I've been reviewing it as Karen) Hope you update soon!

Thank you to everyone who reviewed cause you really made my day!!! Thanks

Chapter 2

Getting to Know you

Leo sat down at the table and handed a steaming cup of coffee to Piper. He had persuaded her to come and get some coffee with him because he really would not have felt right leaving her alone in an alley crying her eyes out. She smiled gratefully and took a sip of the warm liquid. Immediately feeling better, she remembered that she wanted to ask Leo something.

"So," she started running a hand through her now messed up hair. "Sparkle?"

Leo laughed and looked away and Piper thought that he might be blushing. He looked back at her and gave her an award-winning smile that took her breath away.

"Uh, it's the name the other guys gave me," he admitted, causing Piper to laugh hysterically.

Soon Leo was laughing with her. It took a good few minutes for Piper to regain her ability to breath and she noticed that she was crying again, but this time she was crying with laughter. She couldn't remember the last time she had been this happy.

"I mean when you're in Vegas you gotta have another name," he joked, putting on a gilrie voice, or at least attempting to.

"Oh yeah? What would mine be?"

Leo pretended to look lost in thought for a minute before finally talking.

"Well, I'd have to know your real name first," he laughed.

"Oh, it's Piper," she replied.

"Well it's nice to meet you Piper, I'm Leo," he leaned over and shook her hand jokingly.

"Oh and here was I just getting used to calling you Sparkle."

"You're hilarious, you know that?" he deadpanned.

"Yeah, well I am a clown in my spare time," she said flatly.

"Really?" He raised his eyebrows and looked back up at Piper who snorted.

"No, I just date one." She didn't look up from the cooling cup of coffee in her hands but Leo decided to ask anyway.

"Yeah, what's with that guy? I'm sure there are far better guys out there just dieing to go out with you," he said sincerely. "Why did you choose him?"

"Dan, he's just...he's," Piper paused and looked up at Leo, she had never really admitted this to herself let alone anyone else. "He's a rebound gone too far, I guess."

Leo laughed and shook his head. She sure had wit, too bad she was taken. Wanting to change the subject Piper quickly said the first thing that came to her.

"So when did you realise you were gay?" she asked and Leo nearly choked on his coffee.

"Excuse me?" he spluttered.

"When did you first realise that you, you know, like other men," Piper felt quite embarrassed about asking this but she was curious.

"Um, I'm not...I'm not gay!" Leo said with conviction.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Piper turned bright red and hid behind her hands. "I just assumed, oh God, I'm so sorry!"

"Piper, it's ok, really." Leo put a hand on her shoulder to show that he didn't really mind. "I was just a little surprised that's all, caught me off guard there."

Once again they both began to laugh, Leo nervously and Piper at her own stupidity.

After finishing their coffee Leo offered to walk Piper home. They walked in a comfortable silence for a while just watching the twinkle of the lights as they walked down the strip.

"So if you're not gay, why are you a drag queen?" Piper asked suddenly.

"Well, I'm in a band or at least I used to be. We split up because the drummer was sleeping with my ex and then I needed a job, just till I can get my big break. What I really wanna be is a singer, and wanna write my own songs."

"You write songs?" Piper was clearly impressed.

"Yeah, I have done since I was in my teens, it started out as something to do and turned into a full blown obsession." He grinned but he didn't know why, something about Piper just made him want to smile.

"No offence but why did you care if the drummer was sleeping with your ex?" Piper enquired.

"She wasn't my ex at the time," Leo said simply.

"Oh, sorry." They continued to walk, once again in silence, for a few minutes.

"What do you do Piper?" Leo asked.

"Excuse me?" She looked over at Leo who was grinning back at her.

"For a living, what do you do? You know what I do, now I wanna know about you," he explained.

"Oh right," she smiled shyly, secretly she always loved it when someone asked her about her work but Dan never had the time, or he attention span to listen. "Well, I'm head chef at this restaurant called Quake, it's in San Francisco. That's where I'm from, San Francisco. One day I really want to open my own restaurant but I don't see that happening any time soon."

"Why not?" Piper looked back at Leo surprised. He sounded as if he really wanted to know about her, about her life.

"Well, to open up a restaurant you need money and lots of it, I don't have that kind of capital," she explained.

"I'm sorry," Leo said softly and Piper could tell that he really meant it.

"Hey, maybe one day, when you're a famous rock star you could lend me the money," she suggested jokingly.

"Sure, give me your number and I'll call you in a few years." Piper laughed and shook her head.

"Why not, here," Piper pulled a small pad of paper and a pen out of her bag. She scribbled something on it before tearing off the top page and handing it to Leo. "there, that's my cell. Call me if you want to do something in the next, oh I dunno, twelve days."

This time it was Leo's turn to laugh. He slipped the piece of paper into his pocket and thought about what Piper had said.

They arrived at Piper's hotel too soon and had to part ways.

"Remember what said about calling me," she said before turning to walk into the hotel.

"I wont," he called after her. "Have a good night."

"You too," she called back over her shoulder and then she was gone.

Leo smiled and doubled back; he had walked past his hotel a few minutes ago but did not want to let Piper walk back to her hotel alone. Ah Piper, he smiled even more at the thought of her name, she was just so amazing.