As some of you may know (or may not), I write this fic (ROADM) simultaneously with my D/G fic (IWNLYLM). This is how it works: as soon as I finish an IWNLYLM chapter, I write another ROADM chapter and when I finish with ROADM chapter, I write an IWNLYLM chapter. The reason for my total lack of update is actually two reasons - 1. IWNLYLM chapters are thrice as long as ROADM's. and 2. I suffered a physically painful writers' block regarding IWNLYLM and wasn't able to go on. But cause of my damn integrity and loyalty to all of my readers, I couldn't abandon IWNLYLM and had to push through it. And I succeeded, yay Moi!
Hopefully the next chapters will run smoothly, though I have to warn you that my exam-period starts, so I'll be busy. grumbles Who needs school anyway?
Leo sigh I hope you will enjoy this chapter and won't be too pissed off by me. See ya at the end!
Leo often heard mortals describe what they felt when they lost a beloved one. It was mostly characterized with tight construction in the chest area, as if the heart itself tautened mercilessly and refused to relax, a dull and unsuccessful attempt in denial and finally the sickening realization that dawned upon them. Shutting out the whole world leaving a sole selfish thought to course through their mind - "Now I am alone…"
Though Leo knew always to say the right thing to make the his charges feel better and stronger, he was unable to bring forth a single coherent thought when his eyes landed upon the familiar red-skinned body, lying unconscious on the cold asphalt. Blood oozed easily out of her open wound, staining the scorched seams of the fresh injury and her black clothes. The sight was revoltingly realistic and Leo couldn't tear his eyes away or focus on Paige's hysterical rambling.
"What happened?" he demanded briskly, kneeling beside the unmoving body. He felt lost suddenly, forgetting all experience with healing in that critical moment. How can I heal her? She's a demon! He thought desperately, dragging his trembling fingers through the ever-growing puddle of blood.
"What do you mean 'What'? I just told you!" Paige almost shrieked in fear and frustration, throwing her hands up exasperatedly. "Two demons were attacking her, but I didn't know it was her. So I tried to help her and she end up vanquishing both of the demons by herself and… and… oh, Leo, she took this energy ball for me!" Paige finally broke into soft sobbing, kneeling beside the bleeding body as well.
Don't just sit there! Do something! he brushed his fingers over her cheeks, suddenly noticing that the figure of the ruthless demon did not matter anymore. And just as the thought flickered through his mind, the red skin began to shift and distort, changing its color back into paling pink. Her eyes were fluttering suddenly and the little sign of life snapped him out of his incapable daze. He reached out his hands, positioning them just above her wound.
As his hands undertook the bright ethereal glow and the invisible tendrils of his healing power reached into the injured body to rebuilt the ruined tissues as much as possible, Piper's eyes suddenly flung open and with an unexpected gust of strength she pushed Leo's hands from her and scampered away frenziedly on her hands. Oh god, oh god, oh god, please no…
"Piper! What are you doing? Let me heal you!" Leo demanded with more agitation in his voice than he probably felt.
Hissing in pain as she was far enough from the kneeling pair, she grabbed onto her bag, digging into it and finally pulling out a small vial with brightly white substance. Blocking out voices from the worried witch and her whitelighter, Piper tipped the vial onto her wound, dripping a few droplets on the stinging flesh and watching it seal up almost immediately, not even leaving a scar. She placed a protective hand on her stomach and closed her eyes in seeming relief.
Within her, she could still sense the growing life, luckily unharmed by the stray energy ball. She glanced at Leo for the slightest moment, hoping with all her might that his powers did not allow him to see his child. My child. Mine. Releasing a slow breath and putting the stopper back onto the vial, Piper took a moment to steady her breath and stood up, followed by the other two.
Paige was looking at the small vial, but soon her eyes rested worriedly on Piper's face, where a smear of blood from Leo's fingers was still visible. "Are you alright?" She asked unsteadily, keeping a distance of almost four feet away from the demon.
Piper smirked at the clich?d question and sensing strange tingling on her cheek - residues from Leo's touch - she rubbed it fiercely, wiping the blood away. "I am now," she said, fingering the closed wound. "Not quite fond of open guts, if you know what I mean…"
Paige gave out a snort-like laugh and for a moment Piper had a strong sense of deja vu, as if they were still close friends and nothing bad has ever happened between them. She allowed herself to smile almost invisibly at her, trying to avoid with all cost Leo's gaze, that was boring into her ruthlessly.
"What had happened? Why were you attacked by those demons?" Paige asked, visibly evening the beating of her heart.
Piper frowned in confusion at the question. They don't know? Man, their intelligence sucks…
"The Source set out bounty on her head," Leo said suddenly, his expression as unreadable and at the same time as pleading as ever. "Quite a heavy one too. I just returned from the Elders…"
Piper had to hold herself together not to gasp when he narrowed his eyes slightly, scanning her almost suspiciously. She finally allowed herself to look into his eyes, thinking she'd be strong enough to control herself. She was almost wrong. "Thirty powers is no joke," Piper commented casually, mustering all her will not to give in to him.
"The Source wants you dead? But what…" Paige's voice silenced suddenly when realization appeared in her eyes. "You crossed him…"
"Not as much as refused an order," Piper replied, her eyes momentarily flickering onto Leo. You bastard! This is all your fault!
"What did you do? Umm, refused to do?" Paige asked again, almost timidly.
Piper relaxed her own posture, allowing her eyes to soften a bit, knowing full well Paige already had an idea as to what was her offense and a pretty close one too. "What do you think?"
"Oh, Piper!" Paige cried out with such relief, Piper was sure she would collapse now. But Paige didn't collapse and instead launched herself at Piper, embracing her in a tight hug. "I knew you weren't evil!"
Piper returned the hug with hidden gratitude. She wouldn't have been able to go through this if Paige didn't trust her. Some part in her - the demonic part - was smirking gleefully, prodding her to use this blind trust against the Charmed One to get onto Source's good side again. But the slightest glance into Leo's blue gaze, that revealed nothing but bleakness, quelled that thought completely. She wasn't going to return to the Source no matter what, for the sake of her daughter.
"Come on, Paige," she said after a while. "You're going to leave snot stains on my favorite coat."
Paige laughed again, releasing her grip on Piper. "What are you going to do now?" Paige asked matter-of-factly, though Piper noticed a strange tone to her inquiring voice.
Piper paused for a moment, considering whether to tell Paige the truth or not. Deciding lying at this point and on this matter was out of the question, she took a deep breath and looked at her, allowing her expression to reflect her feeling of loss. Paige knew her well enough to see that it was truly difficult for her to ask for help.
"This is actually the reason why I am in the city. I want -" Leave, so that neither the Source nor Leo can find me and I'll be able to raise my daughter in peace and quiet, far away from this madness. Those were her thoughts, but when she continued to speak, she decided to reshape it a little. "- out. I don't want to serve the Source any more and I… was told that the Charmed Ones are the only ones who could help me…"
She scanned Paige's features, wondering whether she caught onto her lie. Piper couldn't understand why all of a sudden lying to Paige became so horribly wrong and difficult that she was stuttering on every word. And it's not like it's a complete lie. I do want out… just not out-of-the-bad-guys and into-the-good-guys. Watching Paige's pink lips widen into a broad grin, Piper let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
"We will help you to get… out," Paige said with a smile. But the smile remained though Paige paused and suddenly Piper was overcome with a feeling that there was more to the witch's words. "Right after you help us vanquish the Source," was added with a confident sly smile.
Author's Notes:Those who didn't get it - Paige called for Leo when she saw Piper was injured, I just didn't write it.
So… what did you think? I know it's kind of lame and all, but the next chapter should be interesting. Hope it was good enough for you to review :D