A/N: I am so happy so many of you are enjoying the story and taking the time to leave me your thoughts. I know last chapter did not have a lot of Piper and Leo action but it was needed to move the story along. This chapter is the one! It is the climax of the story and we finally see what Nala has up her sleeve. Please, please let me know what you think as it is very important to me that I do this right. My thanks again to you all! Heather1021, foureverCharmed, Serena,Halli-halliwell,LeoPiper-forever,PiperLeoforever72 and Crazywomanlovesyou.

Chapter Five

As much as the girls would have preferred to gone home immediately after dispensing with Pytran, it was not to be. The Governor, so pleased with their performance, decreed a holiday to celebrate the defeat of the demon and the success of the famed Charmed Ones. The main hall was filled with people of all walks of life, each expressing their appreciation for the return of their freedom from evil.

For Prue, Piper and Phoebe, all the well wishing was a little overwhelming. Not that they minded the attention, it was just something they were not use to. To conclude the celebration there was a huge banquet. Long tables were so laden with food and drink that they threatened to bow under the weight. Native music filled the air and the girls watched in fascination as Nala and a few other young women stood up and preformed a traditional dance of the providence.

The dance was like nothing they had every seen before, or at least not in person. The women's arms waved gracefully as hips swayed seductively to the music. The room became mesmerized as the dancers moved faster and faster as did the beat. Some of the women motioned for the sisters to join them. Intrigued Prue and Phoebe did not hesitate and rose quickly to their feet. Laughing they tried to mimic the moves, letting the strain of the last few days drain away.

Piper elected to say put, content to watch the antics of her siblings. She clapped as Prue quickly picked up the rhythm and began to dance in earnest. Phoebe, not far behind, grinned from ear to ear as she finally picked up on the moves. Nala, her eyes on only one person, made her way over to Leo. Without a word, using only her body, she begged him to join her. Leo shook his head with a smile. Not to be denied, Nala grabbed his hands and pulled him to his feet. Embarrassed, he laughed as she attempted to get him to copy her movements. Taking full advantage of the moment, she moved in closer, putting her hands on his hips so he could follow her lead.

No matter how Piper tried to fight it, she could not keep her gaze from going to the twosome. Feel the anger at Nala's familiarity with Leo. The woman had no tact what so ever. Just look at the way she was touching him, the way her eyes slid up his body and that smile she gave him. It was an obvious invitation for more. And Leo, she continued to rant to herself. He doesn't even realize what the hussy was advertising. No he goes and gives her one of those killer smiles of his. What was wrong with him encouraging her like that? Even if he didn't know he was doing it, it was still wrong. She had a good mind to go out on that dance floor and pull the clinging female off him and give her a piece of her mind.

Instead she decided it was better just to call it a night. Tomorrow they would be back home, and back to their regular lives. She would see Dan again and everything would be back to the way it was. All these rioting emotions she was having for Leo would disappear and life would be good. Convinced she had it all worked out, she walked over to her sisters to let them know she was calling it a night after reassuring them she was fine, just tired. She hazard one more look in Leo's direction, but he was still focused on learning the dance moves and Nala to pay her any attention. It was just as well as she turned and left the festivities.

When the music ended, Leo was grateful. He was not much of a dancer and the way Nala was moving herself as well as him was making him uncomfortable. Going to the table, he searched for something to quench his dry throat before turning in for the night. As if anticipating his need, Nala held out a gold goblet filled with fruit juice. When he finished it, he wished everyone a good night and left for his room. Nala watched his retreating back, a sly smile played across her lips.

Leo struggled to stay on his feet as he made his way down the hallway to his room. He couldn't understand why he was so tired. Sure the past few days had been hectic with helping to vanquish Pytran but nothing out of the ordinary. Lack of food was not the issue either because he had eaten plenty at the banquet. Orbing burned a lot of calories so he always made sure to eat regularly.

He had also refrained from partaking of any of the alcoholic beverages, which had flowed freely at the celebration. Not that he hadn't been sorely tempted to do so to ease the ever-present pain in his heart. Knowing it was over between Piper and he and actually dealing with the fact were two different things. To be near her and unable to be close to her, touch her. Piper's attitude did not help matters either. She was so cold and distant and it tore deep at his soul. It was a good thing they had been successful. Not only saving innocents and defeating the demon, but Piper could now go back to Dan and her life with him. As for Leo, well he wasn't sure what he'd go back to. Hopefully 'They' had done as he asked and found a new guide for the sisters because he honestly could not continue in that capacity.

Finally he made it to his room. Stumbling to the bed, he managed to sit down and kick off his shoes. With fumbling fingers he discarded his shirt and pants before he fell back onto the soft mattress unconscious.

A half hour later, Nala quietly knocked on his door. When she received no response she slowly opened the door and peeked in. On silent feet she entered the room and immediately spied the slumbering Leo. A satisfied grin spread across her face. It had worked! Going over to him she gazed at his handsome face softened in sleep and her heart swelled with love. With a forefinger, she traced the side of his face, letting her eyes wander down his bare torso. She had never seen Leo without his shirt and was not disappointed by the view. His chest was smooth and broad. While her fingers traveled downward she enjoyed the hard planes and warm skin. They halted where the band of his navy boxers started. As curious as she was, she was also just a bit intimidated. She had never been with a man before and was completely with out experience. However once Leo and she were married she was confident Leo would be the perfect lover. He would be kind and gentle and her first time would be special because it was with him.

Pulling herself from her musings, she got to work setting the scene. Tugging the bed covers, with effort she managed to tuck Leo under them. Quickly, before her courage deserted her, she took off her own clothes and slipped under the bedding. Moving next to Leo she maneuvered herself so his arm was around her shoulders as her body molded itself to the side of his. Laying her head on his firm chest, she snuggled in for the night, a tiny smile on her lips as she drifted off to sleep.

Piper had tossed and turned all night, as she had done all the nights she had been here. Finally she had given up and went out to the balcony to sit in the early morning breeze. Maybe the wind would blow away the conflicting thoughts rambling around in her head. The past few days had been extremely stressful. Not just the demon hunting part, in fact that had been the least stressful. No, being around Leo had been the root of her sleepless nights.

She was so confused. On the one hand she had Dan, who was normal and a great guy and all was good with them. But then Leo would show up and he brought out all these other feelings. Feelings she thought she had gotten over. Making this worse was the situation with Nala. Piper was having a lot of difficultly watching another woman lavish so much attention on Leo. It didn't matter that he was oblivious to it. What matter was how much it bothered her. Every time she saw the other woman lean close to speak to him or place her hand on his arm, Piper wanted to scratch her eyes out.

The rational part of her knew she had no right to feel this way. After all she was the one seeing someone else. Had told Leo it was over between them. So if another woman was hitting on him it was none of her business. If she could just get her heart to be as rational as her head. A stronger breeze blew by and she rubbed her arms. Going back inside she scolded herself. She just needed to get away from this place. Once she was home with Dan all of these confusing feelings and doubts would disappear. The twinge she felt in her heart argued the point, but she chose to ignore it.

The dream came again. It was a dream Leo had often and he had no intention of waking up from it. The dream helped him get through the lonely days because in his dream he was in bed, a warm body lay next to him. He would look down at the woman sleeping beside him as he stroked her silky chestnut hair. Enjoy the feeling of her small form pressed close to his. She would slowly wake and lift her brown eyes to his and give a sleepy smile. 'Piper' his mind called out as he allowed himself to savor the dream.

He frowned in his sleep at how real it felt this time. As he slowly brought himself out of it he could still feel her warm body next to him. Feel soft hair on his chest. His confused and groggy mind struggled with the sensation. 'Could it be?' 'Could the dream turn into reality this time?' The lingering effects of his deep slumber prevented him from realizing how absurd that was. Torn between opening his eyes to find it was just a mental image or if it had actually come to be. Opening one eye then the other his fist reaction was pure joy at the fact that a head of soft hair was indeed pillowed on his chest. That joy turned swiftly when his brain registered the head of hair was not brown but ink black. Stunned he was unsure what to do next. The decision was taken out of his hands. The small body next to him began to stir and when the eyes looked up, it was not Piper's face he was met with, but Nala's!

Piper groaned as she heard a loud commotion coming from the hallway just outside her room. She had finally managed to fall back to sleep only to be rudely woken again. She was given very little time to dwell on the matter when her door was flung open and her sisters rushed in. Both dressed in their robes.

Piper sent them a frown and growled, "What the hell is going on?"

"Nala's missing." Prue stated with concern.

"What?"

"Nala's not in her room and from the looks of it hasn't been there all night. They are searching every inch of the place."

Phoebe entered the conversation. "Her father is frantic. He's afraid another demon is on the loose and took her. He's heading to get Leo. See if he can get a read on her."

Despite Piper's personal feelings about the girl, she realized this was not good. Jumping out of bed, she threw on her own robe and followed her siblings to Leo's room.

Leo was speechless as he continued to stare open mouthed at the naked woman lying next to him.

Nala smiled at him. "Good morning my love."

That got his mind functioning again, although he was still having trouble formulating words. "Na…Nala? What are you doing here?"

Placing her hands on his chest she pouted. "Don't tell me you don't remember last night. It was wonderful. You were wonderful."

As she continued to gaze lovingly into his eyes, Leo's confusion rapidly turned to blinding panic. What was Nala doing in his bed clearly indicating they had spent the night together. His still foggy brain attempted to process it all. The last thing he remembered was feeling tired and going to sleep. Struggling he tried to draw more out, but his mind was blank.

With effort he managed to form a sentence. "Nala what are you saying?" He asked as he tried to put some distance between them. This was no easy task for the bed was not large and he got tangled up in the bed covers.

Nala forced tears to her eyes. "My love, you can not tell me you do not remember last night. We made love and it was beautiful." Following him across the bed, she pressed herself to him.

His eyes widened as he felt her nude form make contact with his. "Nala stop! This couldn't have happened. This isn't right." Again he made to exit the bed, but she lunged toward him and held tight. Moving her lips close to his she attempted a kiss.

It was this moment the bedroom door bust open. "Leo my friend, I'm sorry for barging in but it is an emergency. Nala is….." The governor's words fell off as he took in the scene before him. His daughter, in a passionate embrace while in bed with the Whitelighter. The Charmed Ones, not far behind entered and stared with jaws hanging open at the sight.

For Piper it was if she had been punched in the stomach. Her eyes glued to the pair in bed and as much as it sickened her she was unable to look away. The place where her heart lay felt as if it had been savagely ripped out. This could not be happening, her eyes must surely be deceiving her, and however much she wished it not to be, the proof was undeniably before her. As she felt the room begin to dim and a low buzzing sounded in her ears, she was afraid she was going to pass out. Grasping Phoebe's arm she tried to steady herself. Her sister instantly responded by holding her up with a firm grip.

Phoebe was about to ask what she could do to help when Rhaid's booming voice distracted her. "What is the meaning of this?"

Leo could not believe what was happening. It was like some nightmare he could not wake from. " It's not what it looks like."

"Yes it is." Interjected Nala with heat. "I love him father and he loves me."

"What!" Leo squeaked out in total disbelief. "Rhaid, please, I can explain."

The governor was not interested in any of his protests. "I need no explanations, my eyes do not deceive me but obviously you my friend do. I never thought such a disgrace of you. Nala, you will go to your room immediately."

"But father."

"Now!" His tone booking no argument.

Gathering one of the blankets around her naked form, she left the room brushing past the Charmed Ones, a small smile evident on her face. Prue noted it and her brows dipped in a deep frown.

Rhaid spoke once again to Leo. "You will meet me in my office in one half hour to discuss the ramifications of your actions." Turning sharply on his heels, the governor quit the room leaving only Leo and the sisters.

For the first time Leo let his gaze fall on Piper. In all the chaos he had not noticed her presence. Taking in her pale, stricken features his heart broke in two. "Piper." He whispered.

Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at him then with the support of her younger sister she fled the room unable to bear another moment with him.

"Prue it isn't what it looks like." Leo pleaded when the eldest Halliwell hung back.

"That's pretty hard to buy Leo, considering what we just witnessed and right now my only concern is Piper."

He watched helplessly as she also left, leaving him alone, miserable, confused and fearful of what was yet to come.