Big Thanks!: To HollyShadow, for always being there with a nice review for all of my fics. You're the best!!!
To: fourevercharmed, Again one of my regular readers who always takes the time to leave me a review, you don't know what your support means!!!
To: countertiger-x So glad you are enjoying the fic and to answer your question it will be Paige in this story. Not because I like Paige over Prue because I love them both but this is set in the beginning of the four season so Paige. I've written a fic with Prue in it thou so I don't play favs. LOL.
To: AgentAmber.SEU Angel Thanks for leaving a review and hope you continue to read the story and let me know your thoughts.
Piper gazed out the front window of the manor. When Leo did not follow she knew he had left to check out the latest call. It was sometime before she realized silent tears had made their way down her cheeks. She angrily wiped them away, but more just kept falling. It was in this spot, Phoebe had found her.
"Good morning, or I guess it's closer to afternoon isn't it." She joked. When her sister did not move, Phoebe drew closer. "Hey, what's up?"
Piper turned at the question, giving Phoebe first glance at her tear streaked face and misery filled eyes.
"Oh honey, what's the matter?"
Giving a loud sniff, Piper answered. "Leo and I had a fight. Again. It seems that's all we do lately."
Placing a comforting arm around her older sister's shoulders, Phoebe asked, "Was it about last night?"
"That was just part of it. Right or wrong Pheebs, I just feel like I am always playing second runner up to his job."
"Piper, you know how much Leo loves you. More than anything in the world."
"I know, I do, but I don't know, maybe we were wrong. Maybe we can't overcome all the magical stuff constantly in our lives. Interrupting them. Or at least maybe I can't. Just once I'd like to feel I come first."
Phoebe nodded her head in understanding. She often felt the same way in her relationship with Cole. There was always some outside influence messing with their lives. Funny, she thought to herself. There really wasn't much of a difference loving an angel or a demon.
"Have you tried talking to him about how you feel?"
Rubbing a tired hand across her face, Piper nodded her head. "Of course. That's what started the fight, then he gets jingled and...." She didn't need to finish the rest was self-explanatory.
"So what are you going to do?"
Piper shrugged her shoulder before answering. "I honestly don't know."
Any more of the discussion would be put on hold as the youngest Halliwell sister came bounding down the stairs. "Great everyone is finally up! I've been in the attic all morning trying to figure out our problem."
The other two sisters glance at each other in puzzlement. "Okay, I'll bite." Phoebe ventured. "What problem?"
Paige looked at her as if she had two heads. "Ah, how about the lack of demons, warlocks or other magical baddies of late."
Again the two looked at each other as Piper shook her head. "All right, my turn. Why exactly is this a problem?"
"Think about it! When was the last time things have been this quiet for this long?" Paige was starting to get a little annoyed at her sisters' lack of appreciation for the obvious.
"She does have a point." Phoebe responded reluctantly.
"Why? Why does she have a point? I, for one am thrilled that the near death experiences have slowed to a minimum. Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth."
"You know, I've never really understood that whole gift horse cliché." Phoebe commented thoughtfully.
Paige rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. "Excuse me people, could we please get back on track here."
"What track is that exactly?" Question the eldest Halliwell.
"Fine! It's more of a hunch than a track, but you have to admit things have been way too quiet for way too long. I've got a really bad feeling about it, and so far my instincts have usually been right."
Although Piper hated to admit it, her sister had a point. Every time they've followed one of Paige's hunches, it had turn out right. "Okay, I'll give you that. Low demon activity for us, however not for others."
"What do you mean?" Paige asked, thrilled she at least had their attention.
"Well, Leo has been busier than ever. All of his other charges are really busy along with 'Them' having some crisis or another lately."
Phoebe jumped onto the thought wagon. "So the question is, why is everyone else having demonic issues but not the famed Charmed Ones."
"Exactly!" Chimed in Paige. "Something is up, I know it. Maybe we should ask Leo."
Piper looked down at the floor. "No, I don't think that's such a good idea right at the moment."
Having no clue to the personal problems Piper was dealing with, Paige gave a confused look. When she went to speak, Phoebe waved her off and mouthed 'Later'. It finally dawned on Paige there was more going on and couldn't wait for Phoebe to fill her in. It would have to be put on hold for now, because Cole chose that moment to shimmer in. His hair a mess, sweat beaded his forehead and temples. A large black smudge mark covered the whole left side of him.
Instantly concerned, Phoebe rushed over. "Baby, what happened."
"Damn bounty hunters. It seems for every one I destroy, four more show up. It's getting kind of old."
"See! Even he's busier." Paige acknowledged with not a little triumph.
"Fine Paige, you're right something is up." Stated Piper, glad to get her mind off of personal problems and on to demonic ones.
Casting his eyes downward, Cole asked, "What is she right about?"
Phoebe filled him in as they all made their way to the attic and the Book of Shadows.
"So what exactly do you expect to find in the book. You've got nothing to go on." Cole observed as Piper and Paige began flipping the old- yellowed pages.
Since it was her idea, Paige answered. "Not really sure yet."
"I really think we need Leo to go check with the Elders, see if they have heard anything." Suggested Phoebe, knowing she risked her eldest sister's wrath.
Piper said nothing, but sent her a warning glare. "What? This could be serious Piper. You're going to have to put personal feelings aside for the moment."
Piper looked from one sister to the other. Deep down she knew they were right, however it didn't make it any easier. The last thing she wanted to do was ask Leo for help. As always though, the greater good came before her own desires. With quiet resignation she looked upward and called for him.
Everyone waited expectantly for the familiar blue lights to materialize. When several seconds ticked by without an appearance, Piper called again with more feeling. Again no response. Curling her hands into fists on her hips, she fumed. "He's ignoring me!"
"Now honey, he could be just really busy." Offered Phoebe hopefully.
"No! He's ignoring me because of our fight."
Paige jumped in to offer defense of her brother-in-law. "Piper you know how busy they've had him lately. I'm sure he'd come if he could."
Piper shook her head unconvinced. "He's never been to busy to take two seconds to pop in and see what we need. He's just being petty."
Her sisters silently disagreed. That was just not Leo's style. As the tension in the room grew, Cole faded into the background. Arching a brow he slowly moved his piercing blue eyes up to the ceiling hoping Leo would show up and defuse this potentially bad situation. Leo and he had basic differences, and Cole very seldom envied the Angel. However, in this instant he envied how Leo could come in and with a few well placed words in his calming voice would get the situation under control and the girls focused. It was truly an amazing thing to witness. If it were up to Cole, he tell them all to shut up, stop their sniping and figure this out themselves. Obviously the whitelighter was otherwise occupied. Like Phoebe and Paige, he didn't believe Leo was ignoring them. The man was above that and it rankled Cole just a bit. It was hard to compete with complete goodness. Even though Phoebe secretly enjoyed his darker side. Oh she'd never admit it, but he knew. Someone as pure and good as Leo would bore her. Secure in that feeling, Cole stood up as Piper's angry words brought him back to the present.
About over the squabbling, he was if nothing else, a man of action. Now he was not a stupid man either, so he was not about to voice his agreement with Phoebe and Paige on the whole Leo issue. In Piper's present state of mind she would likely just blow him to pieces. Not that it would kill him, but it sure as hell would hurt. He'd rather just fore go the whole painful evolution all together.
Scratching at his temple with a forefinger, he attempted to breakthrough the rising voices. When that was unsuccessful, he brought two fingers to his lips and let out a loud whistle.
The room became instantly silent. "Yes honey, is there something you wanted to say?" Phoebe asked with apparent sarcasm.
"Yeah I do. Why don't I shimmer down to the underworld and see what I can find out."
Her eyes grew wide at the suggestion. "No! No, no, no. It's too dangerous. You just said that the bounty hunters were getting worse. Now you want to give them an easy target?"
"I'll be careful Phoebe. I've had a lot of practice and if I can help, let me. You guys are at an impasse at the moment. The book has nothing, Leo's obviously busy." His eyes darted with just a bit of fear in Piper's direction, making sure her hands were idle. He did however receive an icy glare.
"I promise, I won't take any chances and right now I'm all you have."
The witch in Phoebe knew he was right, but the girlfriend in her was terrified for his safety.
Ever impulsive, Paige jumped into the conversation. "He's right, he might be able to give us a head's up on what's going on." She was rewarded with an irritated look from her sister. Giving a wan smile Paige went on, "I'm just saying."
Cole turned his bright blue eyes back to Phoebe. "I'll be careful, I promise."
She knew once he made up his mind, there was no changing it. On tiptoes, she reached up and gave him a hug and a quick peck on the cheek. "You better be." And then he was gone with a quick shimmer.
Once he was gone, Piper and Phoebe shared a look of understanding. No, it was not easy loving a supernatural being. Phoebe turned away lost in her concern for Cole as she began the agonizing wait for his safe return. Piper turned her eyes heavenward and silently called for Leo one last time.
A/N: Not a lot of P/L in this chapter but I need to set the whole problem up and get characters in their places. There will be P/L just bare with me please. Thanks!