A/N: As always my heart filled thanks to you who are continuing to read this story and kind enough to leave a comment. I am hoping the P/L moments in this chapter will capture your heart and make you feel what they are feeling. Please let me know if I came even close. Thanks again!!!

Chapter 4

Exhausted, filthy and hungry, Leo orbed into the manor. He already knew Piper was going to be furious with him. He had ignored how many of her calls? Oh yeah, he was in the dog house big time. Well, there was no putting it off, he would have to face her. Considering how fried his brain was at this moment, it took a minute or two for him to realize how quiet the manor was. He wondered if Piper's calls had indeed turned into a demon hunt. Going to the kitchen he looked to see if she left a note. Nothing there. He proceeded to drag himself up the stairs and after a quick scan at the empty bedrooms he headed for the attic. The scrying tools were where the girls had left them in the middle of the room. Leo's heart gave a little lurch. They were obviously on the trail of something. Closing his eyes, he focused on his wife. It took no longer than a moment and his eyes pooped open. He located her and her sisters, and they were all afraid, especially Piper. He also sensed her wanting him to stay away, that's why she wasn't calling for him. Well she was getting his help whether she wanted it or not. Their personal differences would have to wait until everyone was safe. After that, then Piper could let him have it and he had no doubt she'd do exactly that.

Leo scratched the back of his neck. He thought longingly about a hot shower and one of Piper's tasty dinners as he orbed out.

Piper witnessed with growing dread as the sight of familiar blue and white lights materialized in the middle of the room. The soft lights cast a low glow on an otherwise gloomy atmosphere. The moment Leo appeared he spied the girls and Cole trapped inside their perspective prisons. Racing over to the girls, he tried to shatter the sphere. He was met with a bolt of electricity, which sent him hurling across the room, where he landed with a hard thud.

Hearty laughter sounded from within the shadows, as Leo carefully got to his feet, giving his head a shake attempting to clear the buzzing in his ears. He peered into the darkness trying to discover the origin of the laughter.

"Oh Leo, I knew you would come."

Leo knew that cultured tone. Knew who lurked just behind the light and a large lump formed in his throat. "It couldn't be." He thought to himself. Not after all these years, it was too unbelievable.

Piper watched the color drain from her husband's face and knew this was bad. It took a lot to shake his normally calm demeanor. She grabbed Phoebe's arm in a tight grip, silently relaying her fears.

A figure regally stepped out from the blackness. Head held high, he walked with a purposed stride, confidence oozed from every inch of him. He was dressed in a white ruffled shirt. The sleeves billowed out before coming together at his wrists. The garment was tucked into form fitting black trousers, which showed off well- muscled thighs. This was followed by shiny black, knee high boots. His long wavy ebony hair fell well past his shoulders. His face was long and narrow with high cheekbones and full lips. A well kept beard and mustache completed the elegant look.

Paige's eyes widened at the sight. Forgetting about the danger for a moment, she gave a look of appreciation. The man looked as if he stepped out of the pages of some romance novel. "Nice." She uttered without thinking.

"Paige." Piper chastised annoyed. Now was not the time to be admiring the enemy.

"Sorry."

The demon strolled past the girls and Cole without giving them a second thought. They were not his objective, the Whitelighter was. His dark eyes never waiver from his quarry. "It's been a long time, has it not my friend." The greeting sounded pleasant, but Leo was not fooled. Knowing nothing about this situation was going to be pleasant.

At first Leo couldn't form a response, so shocked at the figure standing there. His mind reeling from the vision, hoping it was just some horrid nightmare and he would wake up.

The demon chuckled again. "You seem surprised to see me. Did you really think you and you're little witch had vanquished me all those years ago." That was exactly what Leo had thought. "As you can see, I'm alive and well." Then his whole demeanor changed. His eyes hardened to twin black chips of ice, and his lips formed a hard line. "Unlike my darling Cassie."

Leo winced at the venomous tone. "We had no choice Sevecci." Leo defended quietly.

"No choice!" Sevecci spat out, his face flushed by his anger. "You killed the love of my life and sent me to spend eternity in oblivion."

"You had to be stopped. We couldn't let you continue."

"Silence!" The demon raged and with a hand sent a white wave of energy outward, sending Leo slamming against a wall.

Piper let out a cry as she watched her husband connect sharply with the hard granite of the cave wall. Frustrated that she was powerless to help him, and so afraid of what would come next.

Dazed, Leo rose unsteadily to his feet. Sevecci, getting his rage under control, stepped closer to his prey. "You and your witch destroyed the most precious thing in my life and you will pay." The last words coming out in short spurts.

At the threat, Leo's eyes darted to the sisters. His gaze settling on his wife. Heart racing at the thought of the danger she was in because of him.

Sevecci noted the exchange and an evil grin spread across his features. "Yes, you're lovely wife and her sisters. The notorious Charmed Ones. I set before you a choice Whitlelighter. The life of your wife and her sisters, or your precious calling."

Leo closed his eyes in pain. The demon knew just where to strike. He knew what was most important to him and exploited it to its fullest.

Piper continued to monitor the exchange and with each word uttered, her heart plummeted. What did the demon mean about Leo's calling? Did he have the power to clip Leo's wings? Piper knew he would be devastated if he was stripped of his powers. His calling was so much a part of him and she was scared of how it would affect him mentally. She also knew in her heart of hearts that he would never let anything happen to her or her sisters if he could prevent it. Thinking back to their earlier argument, when she accused him of putting his job before her. Deep down she knew that was not true, but she had been so frustrated by all the interruptions in their lives. Not only his job but hers as well. The frustration she was feeling now soon turned to ire. Ire at this Sevecci for forcing Leo into this position. Making him choose and at herself for doing the exact same thing many times before. She wanted nothing more than to go to him and tell him she was sorry, that she loved him so very much. Giving her head a mental shake, she brought herself back to the present.

The demon was now standing just a few feet away from Leo, and a knowing grin filled his face. "So, Whitelighter, what is your decision?"

Leo did not hesitate with his reply. "Let them go."

Piper closed her eyes at his answer, knowing what this had cost him. Little did she realize how steep the price would be. Leo's next question had her eyes snapping open.

"Can I have a few moments with them first?"

Rejoicing that his revenge was close at hand, Sevecci felt he could be generous. "I will grant you a few minutes, no more and no tricks or our bargain is void and they will die."

Nodding in understanding, Leo walked over to the girls. A wan smile on his lips, a sad glint in his eyes. "I want you to get out of here the moment you can and don't look back. Do you understand?" His tone was soft, but there was a hard edge to his words.

Piper was past worried and was now border lined panicked. If he was just loosing his wings why the dire mood? She understood loosing his wings was a major deal for him, but they would get through it together, they had done it before. There had to be more to it.

"Leo, what's going on?" Her voice shaking just a little bit.

Ignoring her question, he looked deep into her eyes. His own filled with pain, regret and resignation. "Piper." Her name coming out in a cracked whisper. "I know our life has not always been what you had wanted or even hoped for." When she made to protest, he cut her off. "No, it's all right. I understand, I really do. I'm so sorry you felt I put my job before you." Again she tried to interrupt, to let him know her life with him was exactly what she wanted, that she was sorry for their earlier argument, but he spoke again too quickly.

Leo knew he was running out of time, and Sevecci would not allow him much more. Once more he stared deep into her eyes willing her to see the truth reflecting in his own. "Piper, it was never a question. You always came first, never forget that." Switching his gaze to Phoebe and Paige, he continued on, "Promise me you will continue on with your destiny. You still have so much good to do."

Piper was now filled with overwhelming dread and terror at what he was saying. Something was so not right. "Leo."

He didn't respond, and instead swung his eyes to Cole. "You make sure to get them out of here when the time's right."

Cole had never heard the Angel speak so forcefully before. The hard glint in the other man's eyes left Cole with little doubt something big was going down and he needed to do exactly as he was instructed.

Cole did not respond to Leo's command, but the Whitelighter knew he had nothing to worry about and the half demon would do the right thing.

"Enough!" Sevecci boomed. "I've given you you're time. Now we seal the bargain."

Leo closed his eyes in quiet acceptance. When he re-opened them they glistened with unshed tears. Backing away, his gaze never left his wife's, burning her image in his mind as he mouthed "I'll love you. Always." Turning, he went to face his fate.

Piper wanted nothing more than to blast the damn bubble to smithereens and stop her husband from whatever course he was set on. But her powers were useless and tears of frustration ran unchecked down her cheeks. Helplessly she watched as the love of her life face the demon. With a wave of his hand, the demon produced a small glass vial. Intricate etchings covered the sides of it. Also a long flat stone appeared, in the form of a make shift altar and the demon placed the glass jar on the granite's surface creating a ceremony atmosphere.

Chin raised high, Leo stared unflinching at his adversary. "All right, let's do this. Remember this only works if I allow it to. So let them go first."

Nodding in agreement, Sevecci raised his hand and with a flick of his wrist, the twin glass bubbles dissolved into thin air. The girls and Cole stumbled out as they were released from their confinement. Sneering, Sevecci said, "I know you have the resources to leave this place. I grant you that power and that power only. Go!"

Then returning his attention to Leo, he raised his other hand. A ribbon of blue, orange and red energy streamed from his palm, connecting with Leo's chest with a violent pulse. The blast knocked the Whitelighter to his knees. Agony washed over his face as the stream of energy continued its assault on his body.

Piper instinctively threw her hands out to blow the demon up, but nothing happened. It seems their powers were still useless, even outside their cage. Without thought for her own safety, she made to go to her husband, but her sisters held her back. Tears were running freely down her face now as she struggled against the restraint. "What are you doing? We need to help him."

Phoebe held on with an iron grip, her own emotions rioting inside as she watched horrified at the display before them. "We can't help him right now Piper. Our powers are down. We need to get back to the manor and the book. We'll figure something out, I promise."

Not sure how much longer they could hold their older sister back, Phoebe and Paige's eyes met in complete understanding. Phoebe then turned to Cole. "Get us out of here."

Stepping behind the trio, he grabbed on and they shimmered out. The last sight Piper saw was Leo falling back as the demon relentlessly attacked him.