AN: Sorry guys that it's taking me so long to update lately… I didn't like how this chapter came out the first time I wrote it so I've rewritten it, and I like it a lot better now! I think you will too, especially the ending (wink). But don't cheat and read the ending first……… lol
BTW; I have my new fiction up ("Life Is Inescapable"), so any of you who haven't read it yet interested (and thanks to all who did!!); it's a Piper centered one, and along with Piper comes Leo… well, you know how it goes. It's VERY different from any other fiction I've posted here, but I think I like it, so I'll be continuing it.
Enjoy this chapter!!
Chapter 5
OoO Breaking Down in His Embrace OoO
Neither of the other men in the room seemed to take notice of this, but Leo saw Piper's lip tremble just a bit after she pronounced her ex husband's name.
Her face stayed cool, unmoved.
She was panicking, he could tell.
"Mr. Granolas," Leo started, turning to Tony. "I assume you have the papers we'll be signing today?"
"Yes indeed. Would you three just excuse me for a moment while I get it from the secretary down the hall." Tony said, staring about five extra seconds at Piper before heading out.
Mr. Ronaldy looked irritated by the whole situation. All right, one problem at a time…
"Mr. Ronaldy, if you'll excuse us for a moment, I just want to have a word with my partner." Leo requested. Ronaldy waved his hand, and Leo took it as a yes.
He placed his hand on her back and led her to another end of the room, out of Ronaldy's earshot.
"Are you ok?" Leo asked quietly.
Piper shook her head no.
Leo frowned. He felt like a complete idiot. A selfish, egoistic idiot.
"I'm so sorry Piper; I shouldn't have pulled you into this… You can still back out; you don't have to take on the case…"
She cut him off.
"No, I'll be fine." She said, but he could see a layer of water in her eyes.
God, he was such a fucking idiot…
"Piper…"
"Just give me a few minutes, I'll be fine." She said. "I'll be back in a moment." She mumbled, and left out to the hall, probably going to the lady's.
Leo sighed, cursing himself again, and turned back to observe the man at the other end of the room.
He made his way towards Ronaldy, and took a seat next to him on one of the chairs.
Now that he took a closer look at him, he started building his character; a short man, wearing cream colored suit with a black buttoned shirt underneath, a black tie to go with, and light brown hair. 'Money' was written all over the guy.
"Well, Mr. Wyatt, I'll admit that I was very much looking forward to meeting you today." Ronaldy said with a slight Dutch accent.
Leo wasn't buying the act.
"Is that so?"
"Indeed. I've heard much of you and Mrs. Halliwell, and I couldn't wait to meet the two who are brave –or should I say foolish- enough to try and take that crook out of jail." Ronaldy said.
Leo chuckled. It was obvious that Ronaldy wasn't going to keep up with the niceness for long.
"Well, we do fully believe in his pureness." Leo said, with an intonation to annoy Ronaldy.
But then Tony came back with the papers.
"Found them." He said, holding the file up and giving a smile that only a bastard can master.
Tony then looked around, confused.
"Where is Piper?"
"Ms. Halliwell, will be back in no time." Leo said.
And soon, she was.
Leo was expecting to see a pale and red eyed woman, but instead she came in, looking like she's just come back from a spa. No trace of sadness or stress could be seen on her face, but Leo knew that is was there. It was there somewhere; deep inside.
"Shall we?" Piper said brightly, taking a seat by the other three men around the table and flashing a beautiful smile. She wasn't fooling Leo.
Piper kept up with her brightness for the rest of the meeting, and Leo could see that Tony was a bit shocked. He probably expected her to start bawling at some point, but as they were leaving the office at 10 pm that night, Piper closed by saying;
"It was good to see you again Tony, I look forward to this whole procedure."
And with that, they left.
They were staying in a hotel about twenty minutes away, so Leo stuffed two gums in his mouth while he was driving so that he wouldn't fall asleep.
Piper didn't say a word on the way back; she just fell asleep after the first five minutes.
"Piper? We're here." Leo said, placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Here… Oh, the hotel. Right." She said, getting out of the car.
The Medici hotel was packed so they had to share a number, but it was big enough for each to have their privacy.
They both dragged themselves up the stairs, and flopped in unison on the couch.
"That was long." Leo noted, referring to the last 24 hours.
"Too long." Piper agreed. "I'm starving." She added.
"Good call. I'll order something."
Leo called and asked for a dinner for two to be brought up to their number, and while waiting they both headed to take showers.
Dinner was brought as soon as Leo came out, but Piper took about fifteen minutes more then him, so he had time to set it nicely on the table.
She came out wearing loose sweatpants and a black tank top, her hair loose on her bare shoulders.
It touched her skin with beautiful chocolate waves. She looked exhausted. Just about how he felt.
"Dinner, is served." Leo said, exaggerating an English accent.
Piper smiled and dropped herself down on one of the chairs.
That was when they heard the knock on the door.
"Room service?" Piper offered.
"At midnight? I doubt it." Leo said, heading towards the door. He turned the lock and opened it.
Tony.
"Tony. Can I help you?" Leo asked. What in hell was that man doing here?
Tony's eyes were already searching for something –or someone- behind Leo.
"Yes actually. Is Piper here?" He asked, anxious to get in.
"Who is it?" Piper asked, coming up to the door.
Leo turned around to look at her, and her eyes landed right on her ex, widening as they did.
"Piper, hi. Sorry I'm here this late. Can we talk?" He asked, eyeing Leo.
Leo turned again to look at her. She was hesitating, but quickly put a brave face on.
"I'll be out in the hall." Leo announced, grabbing his unfinished beer and walking outside with it.
He couldn't make out what they were saying, but after a few minutes of calmness he was starting to hear their voices rising…
--OoO--
"Look, just explain me why you are here Tony; I think I've seen your face enough for one day." Piper snapped after about ten minutes of useless conversation, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Piper, what you are doing is too fucking ridiculous! You need to move on; coming all the way to Milan won't bring me back." He said.
Piper felt her blood boiling. How she wanted to scream…
"Please Tony, don't be pathetic. You need to understand that you are not the center of the world, moreover; not the center of my world."
Tony sighed. He looked down for a few moments, tapped his foot, then looked back at her.
"So you just came here and left our daughter back in San Francisco?" Tony asked.
Piper wanted to run up to him and hit him as hard as she could. She wanted to hurt him like she never wanted to hurt anyone before. She wanted to make him hurt like he did her.
"You have no right to question me about how I choose to care for MY daughter!!" She yelled.
"Now, Piper, calm down, you don't want to get one of your panic attacks…"
"Screw you Tony. Get the fuck out of here, all we share now is business." Piper hissed. She so desperately wanted him to leave.
"At least… Just tell me what her name is." He said, almost pleading. He was referring to Brianna. He made it seem as if he was the victim, as if she was keeping him away from his daughter… He was the one who left. He was the one who said he didn't want the child growing in her. Fuck him.
"As far as you are concerned… 'She' doesn't exist. Have a good night, Mr. Granolas."
"Piper…"
"I said; have a good night!" Piper yelled, and turned away as he headed out of the room.
She heard the door open, and then his movement stopped.
"You are making a mistake Piper. Don't do this. This case is not meant for you." He said, and the door closed behind him.
Piper took a deep breath, telling herself it went good, but before she knew it she dropped down to the floor and started sobbing. How she hated that man…
--OoO--
About fifteen minutes passed before the door to their number opened again, and an angry Tony came out.
He snored aloud as he passed Leo down the hall, but before he could go any further Leo grabbed his arm and pulled him closer so that his mouth was very close to Tony's ear.
"It's over, Tony; you're out of her life. Start playing the role."
Tony chuckled.
"Keep your nose in your own shit, Wyatt." He said, and freed himself from Leo's grip.
Leo let him go; for now.
He headed back to the room, and the slightly shaking figure on the floor overwhelmed him.
Piper, Piper Halliwell, was sitting on the ground with a tear stroked face, her fingers dug deep into her hair line.
Understanding, Leo came to kneel down next to her and pulled her up with one arm around her shoulders, leading her to a couch near by.
"I h-hate him Leo, I swear I d-do. And I don't care if Martini is a f-fucking crook. We're going to win this case. I swear we will." She rambled.
Leo, feeling for the dear to him woman, leaned closer to give her a comforting hug, but Piper apparently had other plans.
As soon as leaned over to wrap her with his arms, she lunched to his mouth and kissed him, bringing her arms around his neck.
Leo, overwhelmed at first, placed his hands on her waist and held her numbly for a moment, before he himself pulled her closer.
When they pulled away from the wet kiss, she threw her arms around him and cried into his shoulder, while he stroked her hair with one hand, and held her close with the other.
AN: Finally, ha? Well, you guys knew that the PiperLeoness (a new word!) will be aboard soon. I liked this chapter; let me know if you did.
Review! Please!!