Chapter 19 - Night at the Station

When everything was taken care of, Piper and Leo went to the hospital in the squad car, with the lights and siren on the whole way. They got to the hospital and Adam and Rebecca, Cortez's wife, were already there in the waiting room on the fifth floor, awaiting a doctor to come out.

"How is he?" was the first thing out of Leo's mouth. Piper had taken the police car to park it, and Leo had jumped out and gone straight into the hospital.

"I don't know, no one's told us anything," Rebecca said, her voice choking. She was trying to stay strong but it wasn't really working out.

Piper came running, out of breath and panting. "The elevator line was too long so I took the stairs," she explained. "Is he okay?"

Adam shrugged. "He's in the OR."

"He was unconscious when they took him away," Piper said.

Rebecca turned to Piper. "What happened?"

Piper closed her eyes and relived the moments inside her head. "He was escorting me to watch for Dan. We'd just been out at the restaurant, taking inventory, and we were going back to my house for lunch. The front door was open and my dog came running from around the corner, down the street. He was scared…We knew something was wrong so Cortez went in first, and when he was checking the kitchen I looked in the living room…and…Dan was there. He said something and Cortez told him to drop the gun. Dan shot him, said he'd be back for me, and took off. I can't believe he didn't take me, too or…God, I can't believe he shot him…" She shook her head. "He saved my life. Dan would have either killed me on the spot or kidnapped me if Cortez wasn't there."

Rebecca nodded, and embraced Piper briefly.

Piper looked up at Leo. "I'm sure he'll be fine," she said, knowing how scared her husband was.

He only nodded so she took his hand.

A doctor came out ten minutes later. They were all sitting down and stood up quickly as soon as the doctor came out.

"How is he? Is he okay?" Rebecca asked immediately.

"The bullet missed his heart and lungs. There was some tissue damage and internal bleeding that we repaired. He's unconscious but he should be waking up in a few minutes. We've got him in recovery, but he'll be moved to a private room as soon as he wakes," the doctor informed them.

Rebecca nodded. "When can we see him?"

"We'll let you know."

The doctor left and Rebecca sat down. Adam sat beside her. Leo didn't sit down, and Piper stood beside him with her arm around him to keep his legs from giving out.

"See? He'll be fine," Piper said optimistically, speaking to no one in particular.

No response.

"Dan'll go to prison for life if Cortez dies."

"Oh, Leo…" Piper shook her head, rubbing her husband's back and shoulders. "He'll be fine," she repeated.

"We'll find Dan," he said, nodding to himself. "I'll find him, I swear."

"You know Dan, Leo. He'll go into hiding again. Then he'll pop out, strike, and go back under."

"Like a snake," Adam muttered.

Piper turned to him. "Yeah. Like a snake."

After seeing Cortez awake and talking to him a while, Adam left, with Piper and Leo leaving soon after. Piper couldn't stop apologizing and thanking Cortez, both because she felt guilty Cortez was there, and grateful at the same time. Rebecca stayed late, until she was forced to go home. It was confirmed that Cortez would be fine, and Dan would not.

Piper and Leo's house was a crime scene. They wouldn't be able to go home. They were, however, able to get some extra clothes and get Yukon. They put the dog in the car and went back to the police station. Yukon was put in a kennel where the five police dogs were kept.

"I don't get why you wouldn't rather stay at one of your sisters' houses…" Leo was saying as he and Piper sat in the lounge, downing coffees to stay awake.

"I'm afraid that Dan would find out and come after them," Piper said.

He nodded. "I know, but staying at the station all night is anything but fun."

"Since when was any of this fun?"

Leo was silent. For a moment neither of them spoke, then he said, "Lounge or office?" and took another drink.

"Huh?"

"Sleeping. Office or lounge? I recommend the lounge. Bigger couch."

Piper nodded. "Here's good."

They'd decided to stay at the station for the night, or at least until the house was cleaned. Detectives, including Ron and his partner Jenny, were checking the house for the way that Dan got in and out, and for any other evidence they could gather against him. There were also workers there cleaning Cortez's blood from the living room carpet.

"Good."

Soon after she finished her coffee, Piper decided to lay down. She wasn't sure if she could sleep, she was too scared and nervous. She lay down on the long leather couch and curled up with a blanket she'd found in the lounge closet. It was a wide couch, too, big enough for two, which made Piper wonder a little bit.

She settled down into the couch and put her head on a pillow she'd also found in the closet. Then she stared at Leo, who was reading a memo on the fridge. He soon turned and caught her eye.

"What?" he asked after a moment.

She smiled. "This is strange."

"I know. But a lot of the things we do are strange."

She nodded her agreement. He moved over to her and knelt in front of her beside the couch, stroking her hair with one hand and staring straight into her eyes. They were silent for a moment. Then she whispered, "You are so perfect."

He smiled. "We've never done it at the station."

She laughed out loud. "And you're crazy. No." She rolled over with her back to him. Very slowly, he turned her back over to face him. For a few seconds they just stared at each other. "I love you," she said.

He kissed her softly. When he pulled away he gave her a small smile. "I love you, too."

Piper did manage to sleep that night, even though she thought she wouldn't be able to. On the other hand, Leo couldn't even yawn. He watched Piper sleep for a long time and then got up and walked around the station. There were only a few night shift officers in the lobby, but other than that no one was around, and the halls and rooms were a little creepier at night.

He went back to the lounge and sat in a chair at one of the two tables. He couldn't take his eyes off of Piper. He felt that if he looked away she would be gone when he looked back. Watching her sleep was always something he liked to do, but now if felt like a job, but not one that he didn't enjoy.

She woke at six in the morning when some people were showing up for the day shift. Adam and Jamie and Leo's dad were there, along with a few other officers. She looked up at the table where Leo was sitting. He was awake. She smiled.

"I had a good dream," she told him. "One where none of this ever happened."

He stared at her and said nothing. He'd had that same dream many times.

"Did you sleep?" she asked.

"No."

"Leo…" Piper sat up and walked over to him, bringing the rather small blanket with her. She wrapped it around her shoulders and stood behind him. "You should sleep now, then." She leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder.

He shook his head. "No, I gotta work."

"No you don't."

"With Cortez in the hospital, I'll need to help pick up the slack."

She looked up. "Slack? Leo, I'm asking for you to take off work for one day, just one day."

"I can't. Mike and I have to take the double shift."

"Leo, please." She stood up and sat across from him.

"Piper, I can't."

They were in a stare down for a moment, one that Piper lost. She turned her head, knowing she'd only lost because Leo played the staring game with witnesses and stubborn criminals daily.

"Fine," she muttered, looking away.

"Piper…" He reached across the table. She wasn't looking at him, but let him take her hand in his. "You know if I could…"

She nodded. "I know…But you have to work. It's fine…I'll uh, go to Phoebe's house or something…"

"Okay."

"What, you're not going to try to stop me? Grab my hand and make me stay?"

He shook his head. "Nope."

She smiled. He stood up and started for the door. "Leo?"

He stopped in front of the door. His back was to hers.

"Why didn't Dan take me?" she asked quietly.

He took a deep breath before turning around. He moved up to kneel beside her. She was staring straight ahead, not daring to look at him just yet. "I don't know. Maybe he was scared."

She barely nodded. "Maybe not. Maybe he's got other plans. Maybe he'll be back. And maybe then he won't leave me behind."

"Don't talk like that."

"Why not?" She turned to look at him. "Why not talk like that, if it might be true?" Her voice was cold and scared.

"Because it's not true, and it won't happen."

"How do you know?"

He went to her and pulled her up to her feet. She looked down and didn't make eye contact with him. He locked his arms around her waist and stared down at her. She still didn't look up at him, so he used one hand to lift her chin up.

"I have a feeling," he whispered.

She almost smiled. He'd made her feel a lot better, so she let him kiss her.

"So now I don't know, Prue…I'm terrified beyond all reasoning…"

"And you have every right to be."

"…But then Leo comes in…and he tells me that everything is going to be okay…and I can't help but believe him."

"You should believe him. He's right, everything will be okay."

Piper smiled. "See, it's different coming from you. I don't believe you."

Prue smiled, too. "Whatever."

The sisters had hooked up for lunch and they were going to meet with Phoebe at her house later. Piper had wanted to avoid conversation about Dan, but it seemed inevitable. There was no way they weren't going to talk about him.

"When are you able to go back into the house?"

Piper shrugged. "Tomorrow, I think."

"Another night at the station then?"

Piper sighed. "Yeah, looks like it."

"How is it, sleeping there?"

Piper shrugged again and smiled a little bit. "It's…weird. I slept in the lounge, on the couch."

"And where did Leo sleep?" Prue teased.

"Oh God, you too? He already tried that with me, I said no."

"Why? It might be interesting to try it in the station. I swear, it's like you've never have sex anywhere but in the house, in the bedroom anymore," Prue teased, making a point on her last words. "I mean, we haven't heard any good stories lately."

Piper raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"

"Well if you've been a little crazy I hardly hear about it anymore."

"You should go into the station in the morning…Leo's in there bragging like crazy. Every man in that station is jealous of him and has fantasies with me in them."

"So?"

The sisters stared at each other for a moment, Piper looking confused and Prue smiling. "You are so strange."

"Thanks. But seriously, you should have some fun with staying at the station, no matter the circumstances. Be crazy."

"Already done that."

"Whatever." Prue looked away and took a sip of her coffee. They were sitting in an outdoor restaurant, watching the people go by.

"Besides," Piper said, leaning in, "I was married at seventeen. You think I haven't done anything crazy? We covered every place we could think of."

Prue's eyes were curious. "…School?"

Piper gave a smug smile. "You name it, we did it."

"…Locker room."

Piper nodded.

Prue started to have some fun with the new game. "Backstage in the gym?"

Another nod.

"Home Ec room."

"The upstairs one or downstairs?"

"Both."

"Upstairs one is gross, there're too many other people who did too many weird things there. But the downstairs one was nice."

Prue laughed out loud. "What about at home, when Dad was home?"

"Oh, God, Prue, now you're pushing it. Not when Dad was home…"

They both laughed. Phoebe ran up and slid into a seat at their outdoor table.

"Phoebe! Whatcha doin' here?"

Phoebe smiled and took a deep breath. "I saw you from across the street and figured I should stop by. Why didn't you call and say something? I could have gotten time off work."

"We didn't want to bother you, we just figured we'd meet you at your house later," Piper said.

Phoebe nodded. "Still…Whatcha talkin' about?"

"Piper's wild adventures."

"…Huh?" The two older Halliwell sisters laughed at Phoebe's confusion. "Okay, did I miss something here?"

"Never mind."

"Okay good, because I wanted you to know…"

"What?"

Phoebe sighed. "I'm scared."

Piper sat back in her chair and heaved a deep sigh. "You're talking about Dan," she guessed.

Phoebe nodded. "I am. I'm scared for you, Piper. I mean, Dan was in your house. He could have killed you right then and there. But he didn't. Now what makes you think he won't come again? Or maybe he'll go back for you? How do you know he won't come back?"

Piper was silent. Prue shot Phoebe a warning glance.

"Look, Piper, I know you don't want to hear any of this, but it's all true," Phoebe concluded, putting her hand on top of Piper's.

The middle Halliwell sister nodded. "I know," she started. "All of that is true and I have to learn to deal with it…But I'm not going to go into hiding to get away from him. I don't think he's dumb enough to come back to the house. Everyone's out looking for him. It's personal for the officers, they have more incentive."

"When wasn't it personal, Piper? He wants you dead."

"It—It was always personal…But now they have to find him. Legally, I mean. You know what I mean. Dan shot a cop, now he's going to be found."

Piper and Leo were let back into their house, not long after being told that Cortez would be out of the hospital in two weeks. The couple got their dog and extra clothes and went back home. Piper walked through the foyer into the kitchen and turned to stare into the living room. She couldn't make herself go in. It was the same as when Dan attacked a year ago. She couldn't go into her own bedroom for weeks. But she had to go through the living room to get to anywhere else in the house. She just couldn't make her legs work.

She looked down.

Her foot lifted seemingly on its own and her breath was caught in her throat. She was standing where Cortez fell. Suddenly her vision blurred and she was hearing shots in her mind, and she was reliving the past, not a memory from five days ago but a memory from five years ago.

She ran into the ER with her older sister, went straight up to the front desk, and grabbed the first nurse she saw. "Leo Wyatt. He's a police officer, he was brought in a few minutes ago. Where is he?" she demanded.

The stunned nurse blinked a few times. "He's been taken up to the OR."

"Where is that?"

The nurse pointed up. "Two floors up."

Piper ran off down the hall to an elevator with Prue. They waited impatiently for the doors to open. Then when they did open, ten people piled out and seven more shuffled in. "This is taking too long," Piper said, and she and her sister ran for the stairs.

They got to the OR and found the doctors operating on Leo. The doors were closed but Prue and Piper could see through the glass window. Tears were already creeping from Piper's eyes as Prue hugged her and helped her stand. They looked up when Phoebe and their dad came running down the hall. They hardly said any words to each other but looked straight through the window and watched the doctors.

Piper's eyes were glued to the machine that they could faintly hear beeping coming from. It was beeping out Leo's heart rate, and it was beeping fast. Too fast.

Then it stopped.

The line went flat. The doctors started moving faster, trying to revive him. They shocked him once, twice. Piper thought she was going to faint. Her legs were giving out from under her and the tears were flowing freely. Prue and Phoebe were holding her up and hugging her. Victor was standing against the wall, stone-faced, his eyes on his daughter.

Piper felt she was going to be sick. She felt she was going to faint. She felt she was going to die. She took a deep breath and found it hard to breathe. She started to black out, and reached for one of her sisters to hold her up.

Then the machine was beeping again. It was still a little irregular, but at least it was beeping.

Barely.

Piper struggled for breath as she came to, and groped the air for something to hold. She felt arms around her, pulling her back to the kitchen, away from the living room. She was leaning against the kitchen island now, crying and breathing heavily. She opened her eyes to see Leo's face level with hers. His hands were pushing her hair from her face and out of her eyes.

"Shh, Piper, it's okay," he was telling her, trying to calm her down.

She shook her head. "No! It's not okay, I—"

"Shh, it's okay. Going into a room that something traumatic happened in can trigger memories—"

Piper struggled away. "Don't treat me like another case, Leo! I don't need to hear it! I wasn't seeing Cortez getting shot! I was seeing you from five years ago, and you were laying on the operating table with no heartbeat and no pulse! That was what I was seeing!"

He was confused. He understood what she saw in her mind, but he wasn't quite sure why. "Why did you—"

"Because I'm scared, Leo! I'm terrified that that's going to happen again! Maybe to you, maybe to me, or to my sisters or—"

He took her hands in his. "Nothing is going to happen."

"You don't know that!" she yelled, backing away until she hit the island again.

"Yes I do. I know nothing is going to happen. Not to you, not to me, and not to your sisters."

She shook her head.

"We've been through this enough times. How can I convince you?"

She looked up slowly. "Get rid of Dan."

"That's what we're working on."

She shook her head again and took a deep breath in to calm herself. Her eyes met her husband's. There was no mistaking the seriousness in her voice, mixed with the ever-present fear.

"Kill him."