0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Chapter 5: Close Quarters

Piper laid Laurie down on her bed. She pulled the covers up to the little girl's chine. She gently kissed her forehead and snuck out of the room.

When she went downstairs, she bumped into Leo. "Sorry," she mumbled.

"It's okay. How's Laurie?"

"Tired. Confused. But so am I."

"Why don't you go lay down?"

"I won't fall asleep."

"Insomnia?"

"No. Every time I close my eyes I see that guy, Scott McGunther, shoot that man. Why would he do that? Why would any human kill another like that?"

"Human beings are weird. They do the strangest things for the weirdest reasons."

Piper leaned her head back on the couch. She was exhausted, too tired to sleep. The murder kept replaying over and over again in her head. She wondered if she would ever be able to close her eyes and not see all the blood, red blood, spilling from the man's body.

And Leo. Being near him sent memories rushing back. Good memories and not so good memories. But most of all, it was his green eyes. Those are what she remembered the most.

She must have dozed because Leo was shaking her wake. "Come on, Piper. Wake up. You need to go to bed."

Piper groggily stood up and headed up the stairs. She didn't even change into her pajamas. She just laid on top of the covers and fell into blissful sleep.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Leo watched as Piper began to fall asleep on the couch. She was beautiful. Her dark brown hair and deep eyes. Leo remembered when they were dating. He loved coming home from work to find her there, to hold her, to be held by her.

She climbed the stairs and he followed her. Piper just laid on the bed, fully clothed. Leo went through out the house, checking locks and windows to make sure the house was secure. Afterwards, he climbed back up the stairs. On the way to his room he passed Piper's room. She was still lying on top of the covers.

Not wanting her to get cold, he gently maneuvered her body until he was able to get the covers over her body. With one last look at her, he left the room and went into his own. He got in bed and began to drift off to sleep, wondering what this new living arrangement would bring him.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

When Piper awoke in the morning, she felt a small form pressed against her. She looked and saw Laurie, sucking her thumb, lying next to her. Golden sunlight poured through the window, lighting up the room. The room made Laurie's skin glow and Piper was reminded of how much Laurie looked like her father.

She noiselessly snuck out of bed and went downstairs. Leo was already up and eating breakfast as he read the newspaper.

"You're up early," he commented.

Piper didn't reply. She just reached into the cabinet and grabbed a box of cereal. She poured herself a bowl and sat down at the table next to Leo. On the table top was a manila folder.

"What's that?" she asked with a mouthful of cornflakes.

Leo looked in the direction she indicated with her spoon. "That? It's the file on Scott McGunther. You can read it if you like."

Piper picked up the file and looked at it.

Name: Scott McGunther

DOB: September 27, 1974

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Hair: dark blonde

Eyes: green

It gave a detailed account of the rapes and murders he was accused of committing. Piper shuddered, thinking of what that man could do to Laurie if he got his hands on her.

Unable to read the file any longer, Piper pushed it aside. "Leo, how longer are we going to be here?"

Leo was silent for a moment before answering, "Probably until they catch the guy."

"You're kidding, right?"

"No."

"You mean I won't be able to see my sisters until this guy is caught?"

"That's right."

Piper put her head on the table. "This sucks."

"You're not kidding."

"You're allowed to leave if another officer comes in your place. Laurie and I can't leave." She and Laurie were not allowed to leave the house unless granted permission by a commanding officer and a police escort.

Life sucked just about now. People on house arrest had more freedom than she did.

"They'll catch him soon."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I am."

"That is not even remotely comforting."

"Oh, thanks," he said sarcastically.

Piper held her breath. She didn't want to argue with him. Living in close quarters like this, she didn't want to start any tension. She looked at him and was instantly brought back to time when they were dating. With a sigh she turned back to her breakfast, but she could only concentrate on how close Leo was.