Lost

Summary: Piper gets hurt in an accident and loses her memory.

Disclaimer: We don't own the Charmed characters, we're just borrowing them, for our story.

Rating: PG-13

Pair: Cole & Piper

Note: Charmed-Snow and I wrote this story. We hope you like it.

It's an AU.

Chpt. 4

New York

Piper was standing by the window, watching the people below. It was a sunny morning, but she felt cold. She would be discharged, in a few days, but nobody will be coming to bring her home, no one to welcome her back..

She was completely desolate. Where would she go? Piper hugged herself as tears ran down her cheeks.

Cole walked silently towards her when he noticed her shoulders shaking. It was oblivious that she was crying. His heart melted as he felt the need to comfort her, protect her, to be near her.

When Piper felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned around, Her teary eyes shinning, as she looked at him.

She was glad it was him. Cole was the only person who cared for her, the only person who wanted to be close to her, the only one she had in the world. Sadly, he was nothing to her. He wasn't her family and she was afraid he wouldn't care for her, forever.

"I'm all alone." She choked.

"You're not alone Angel, I'm here for you."

Cole looked deeply into her eyes, before he pulled her into his arms.

"Really?' she whispered.

"Really." He assured her as he gently kissed her hair.

Piper leaned her head on his chest and closed her eyes. She felt safe and warm in his embrace.

Sheila's jaw dropped, not believing what she was seeing. Cole was hugging a patient.

San Francisco

In the meantime, her sisters' fears were rising with each passing minute. Piper had never forgotten to call them when she was traveling. Family was the most important thing to her. The fact that Prue and Phoebe hadn't heard from her, since she left a week ago, was just not like Piper.

After they filed the report with the police, they tried contacting Piper's old friends, but all their efforts were in vain.

When the sister's returned to the manor, they were surprised to see Leo waiting for them. Lately he's been in a bad temper.

"has she called yet?" he frantically asked.

"No, she hasn't.' Prue answered.

"Well you two don't seem very upset about it!" He snapped.

Prue understood that Leo may love her sister, as much as she did, but she had enough of his condescending attitude. Everyone found it difficult to feel sympathy for him.

"Look Leo, you're the accused, she was running away from you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Before Prue could answer, the doorbell rang.

"Darryl! Have you heard anything about Piper?" Phoebe anxiously asked, when she opened the door.

"Sorry, but no, I haven't."

"Well, what are you going to do about it!" Leo demanded.

Darryl glared at Leo. He never really liked the man, much too bossy. Before Darryl could say a word, Phoebe placed her hand on his chest and slowly shook her head.

"Okay, no one fitting Piper's description was found in San Francisco. We're going to broaden our search."

"What does that mean?" Phoebe asked

Darryl took her hand and gently squeezed. "All that means is that we're sending out Piper's missing persons' report to Santa Barbara, San Diego and Los Angeles."

"She'd never go there." Leo stated.

"Even so, we're going to check anyway." Darryl answered uncomfortably, and then he turned to Phoebe and Prue "I'll get back to you as soon as I know something. We'll find her, I promise."

He stretched out his other hand and gave Prue a soft squeeze.

After he left, Phoebe sank to the couch and rocked. Prue saw that she was scared. She sat down, next to Phoebe, and took her hand.

"We'll find her." Prue assured her.

Phoebe leaned her head on her older sister's shoulder and sighed.

"Leo, it's late and we're tired. We'll call the minute we hear anything." Prue firmly said.

New York

Cole watched Piper sleep. He was very worried about her. He realized it's not only a concern a doctor has for his patients. She was going to be discharged soon and she'll need a place to stay. His Angel seemed so lost and alone.

"Baby, who are you?" he whispered.

Sheila appeared at the door. She hesitated, for a moment, before walking towards him.

"What is it Sheila?"

"I don't know how to say this so I'm just going to come right out and ask."

"Ask me what?"

"Are you in love with her?" Sheila asked, pointing her finger at Piper.

"That's none of your business." Cole whispered, hoping not to wake Piper up.

"Look honey, I know we had our problems but we were good together."

Cole took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He led Sheila out of the room, to talk.

"Sheila, we only went out for a short time, so please don't call me honey. There's nothing between us."

"But Cole, I do …" she started to say, before he stopped her.

"Sheila, you need a guy who's devoted to you, who loves only you and I'm not that guy." He softly said.

Even though she was very much in love with Cole, she couldn't understand why Cole didn't feel the same, for her. Shelia found his statement hard to take.

Piper was having visions in her sleep. She saw herself talking and joking with two women, but she didn't know who they were. Suddenly they faded away and she got very scared.

Piper must have cried out in her sleep, because she heard Cole whispering to her.

She slowly opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"Are you okay? Do you need something?"

Piper took his hand and said, "I saw things in my dream."

"What kind of things?" he asked, gently pushing the hair out of her eyes.

"I saw two women, but I don't know who they are."

Cole realized that she might know these women in the past. They might be family or close friends. Her dreams might lead to Piper remembering her past. He wanted to help her, but there wasn't much he can do.

"I want you to get some rest and we'll talk in the morning."

Cole knew that her dreams were useful to waken her memory, but the made her tired and worried, as well.

"You'll stay?" Piper asked, holding his hand to her chest.

Cole smiled. "I'll stay."