A/N: HEY TO ALL! I really apologize for the horrid wait. I know it has been so long. Most probably have forgotten the story -- if not all. :( But I really am sorry. I was stuck with the awful 'Writer's Block' and I began high school this year. So, that also kept me busy. ANYWAY, here is a new chapter. Hope you all enjoy.

.ON LAST CHAPTER --->

Piper, once again, made everything motionless and ran to unfreeze Leo. As she made her way to him she tripped over a frozen Alex, but quickly got up and shook Leo who dropped the gun and grabbed Piper's hand. Both started running away from the hunters not noticing Alex picking up the gun that laid a few feet away from him and taking aim at the pair and firing. Leo suddenly stopped as he felt Piper become still next to him. He didn't understand why she stopped all of a sudden. They both needed to get out of there and fast. "Come on Piper, we have to hurry!" he coaxed tugging at her arm.

"L-Leo," she called his name faintly, her voice quivering.

A few seconds after she heard the shot fired she felt a keen pain shoot up from her back and had to stop running. She felt Leo tugging at her arm begging her to continue running but she couldn't. All she could do was to call his name. Everything around her was starting to go dim and breathing was starting to become harder to do. Leo was starting to become impatient, he walked in front of Piper and before he could do anything else, she fell limply into his arms.

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.THIS CHAPTER --->

Leo's face suddenly changed from one of confusion to one of horror and disbelieve. His breath stuck in his throat and he momentarily choked as Piper simply laid in his arms. Her head was supported by his strong chest and her arms hung loosely at his sides. His right arm slowly made its way to her back and as he brought it up, into clear view, he already knew what covered it. Crimson blood dripped from his fingers and Leo could do nothing but stare in utter disbelieve and shock. Abruptly, he knew he had to act fast because as he looked straight ahead he noticed Alexander scrambling to put in another bullet into the rifle he held in his shaking hands. Leo rapidly positioned Piper in his arms and began to run. He noticed a large tree a few yards away where they could hide behind and there he could orb to safety with Piper. Unexpectedly, a bullet grazed his upper right arm and he had to let out a scream. His wound stung but he paid no notice and continued to scurry toward the tree.

When he finally got to the tree his breath came in big gulps. He gently laid Piper in the ground and took a quick glance in the direction where Alexander stood. The boy's legs wobbled as he just remained in the same spot he had been before. His face was white and he looked terrified, as though he had no idea what to do next. Leo's face became full of anger.

"Get out of here! Leave before I shred you to pieces!" Leo screamed, fury dripped from every word.

The echo of his scream was the only thing remaining with him and Piper that wasn't frozen as Alexander took off running, too scared to do anything but, leaving his fellow hunters. Even though Leo was a complete pacifist something inside him erupted as he saw the man that had hurt Piper there. Anger boiled his blood but then as he turned back to Piper, concern and worry filled every part of him.

"Please be okay," he whispered silently as a tear escaped his eye and he took one of her hands into his, disappearing in sparkling blue and white orbs.

Both Leo and Piper appeared inside a small room. It was filled with pictures and arranged in a neat and organized manner. Leo, who now carried Piper in his arms, laid her down on the bed that was positioned across the room. He had noticed that her breathing had become even more ragged than before and a bit of blood had become a small rivulet that traveled down her cheek. Her wound had been giving out more blood than he thought and he suddenly took notice that his clothes where covered with her beautiful blood.

Piper heard Leo yell out in rage at the person who had shot her, but that brought little care to her. She was worried about him. She knew he had been wounded too and she was concerned about his own health. And even if he hadn't been hurt to a critical extent, what would happen to him when the others unfroze? She knew her power would wear off soon, she could feel it. Piper had been struggling to maintain the other hunters frozen to give Leo more time to escape. She knew she was slowing him down and keeping the enemy frozen for a few more minutes was the least she could do for him, even at the cost of her own life. All of a sudden, she knew she wasn't in the forest anymore. The hard ground in which she rested seconds before was replaced with what seemed to be a soft and warm bed. She felt Leo separate from her and she had to see if he was okay. Piper tried to open her eyes but it seemed like an impossible task. They felt as though they were glued shut. Finally, she was able to slightly open them and tried to make out the blurry surroundings. She could tell Leo was next to her and she had to make a small smile. He was still here.

"Leo?" Piper called out softly.

Her voice was barely above a whisper. She tried to lift her hand and touch his face but her arm felt as though it weigh fifty pounds. Piper knew she couldn't hold on any longer and said the only thing she could say to the man that had desperately tried to save her for so long. Opening her mouth and with her last breathe Piper managed to say the two words.

"Thank you."

Sorry it was totally short, but at least its something:P Oh, and I promise Piper will not die. I'm not that mean. Heheh.
Please R+R. HollyShadowxxx

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