A/N: I know it has been ages, and I mean ages since I've updated this story. Between moving, getting a new job, the holidays and just real life in general sadly my writing has taken a back seat. But for anyone who still remembers this story and still has an interest here is the next chapter. As always I appreciate any thoughts you have on it and my heartfelt thanks ahead of time for those of you who continue to read my fics, you are the best!
Chapter Seven
Leo could not spend another moment in the confides of his room. It felt as if the walls were closing in on him. Tomorrow he would be forced to marry a woman he didn't love. As much as he wanted to believe in the girls, he knew they could not perform miracles. Prue had come to him an hour ago to let him know they hadn't come up with anything yet, but for him not to give up hope, they were still determined to get him out of this. He wanted to ask her about Piper since he had not seen her since that fateful morning, but thought better of it. What was the point? In the long run this was probably a good thing for Piper. He would most definitely be out of her life now. Moving to the door he decided to head out to the gardens and clear his head. Try to deal with the turn his life was about to take.
Piper had just left a meeting with her siblings and was frustrated they were not able to come up with a plan to help Leo. She decided a walk outside might relieve the tension built up in her body. She had not wandered far when she spotted Leo standing off in the distance. His head lifted to the sky and his eyes on the stars. The sight of him brought her breath up short. He looked so lost, so forlorn and she wanted nothing more than to run into his arms and comfort him. But she didn't have that right any longer. By this time tomorrow he would be married to someone else and be lost to her forever.
It was also at this moment she came to the realization of how much she really loved him. Finally to pull down the shield around her heart and admit to herself he was everything to her. It was if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She loved Leo, always had, always would. Didn't matter that he wasn't normal, neither was she. What mattered was how he made her feel and feel he did. Course her timing could have been a whole hell of a lot better. Now was most certainly not the time to reveal her true feelings, to add that to his already chaotic life. He had enough to deal with and unless they got him out of this mess what was the point of spilling her guts.
Leo knew the moment she drew near. Of course he could sense all of his charges, but Piper was different. With her, his heart would beat just a little faster. He loved her more than life itself and always would. This admission only made this situation all the more painful. It didn't matter that she was with Dan, had chosen Dan over him. A small part of him had secretly hoped he and Piper would find their way back to each other. That hope was now dashed, swept away by a single event.
He did not turn around when she greeted him with a soft "Hey."
Still gazing up at the stars, he returned with a soft "Hey" of his own. Silence followed, neither sure what to say next.
Finally Piper spoke again, "How you doing?"
"Been better."
"Yeah." Another lengthy pause. "We're still not giving up Leo. Just because we haven't come up with anything yet doesn't mean we won't."
"I know." However his tone didn't sound too convinced.
When she moved closer his body immediately reacted to her nearness and when she placed a hand on his arm he closed his eyes and felt his pulse race. She needed to leave and quickly for his already strained emotions could not take much more. But she was not about to grant his wish instead she maneuvered to stand in front of him, forcing him to transfer his eyes from the sky to her.
As his gaze took in the sight, he was overwhelmed as always at her beauty. In the moonlight her hair glistened and her eyes were filled with compassion. Once again he marveled at the amount of love he felt for this woman. Along with that love also came the searing agony of knowing she would never be his again. How badly he wanted to reach out and stroke the side of her face, feel her petite form pressed against him and kiss those soft lips. It was never to be again and he felt such a sense of loss he thought he might pass out from it. Life was cruel to have given him a taste of perfection and then ruthlessly rip it from him.
Piper observed the varied emotions which flickered in his eyes. Those incredible green eyes which reflected everything. Eyes she had felt herself drowning in on more than one occasion and threatening to do so now. Desperately she wanted to wipe the sorrow from his handsome face and replace it with one of his famous smiles. Those smiles that had been meant for her and her alone. She wanted to tell him of her recent discovery. The truth which lay in her heart. But to tell him of her love now would serve no purpose and only cause him more distress. It wasn't as if they could celebrate her change of heart. No she first needed to free him from this bond with Nala. If they ever did that is. The truth would have to stay with her for now with the hope of revealing it in the near future. For now she could only act as a friend.
As they continued to stare at each other a sad smile formed on his face. "Well at least now you don't have to worry about me being around making things awkward for Dan and you."
"Leo." She wanted to stop him, tell him she wanted him around, but he started talking again, preventing her words.
"It's okay Piper. I know me showing up on business hasn't made things easy for you. After tomorrow things will be different. You'll go back home and go on with finding that normal life you want. Believe it or not Piper your happiness has always been what has mattered most to me and I know Dan does."
"Leo please." She tried again, but now that his words were spilling out he couldn't stop.
"He's a good guy Piper and you deserve the best." He just wished the best could have been him, he silently thought to himself. He could not seem to tear his gaze from her beautiful face. The agony of realizing this could in fact be the last time they would ever be together this way. Leo never considered himself a compulsive person but circumstances dictated the course of ones actions. Without thought, without over analyzing it he acted. Cupping the side of her face, he stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb and watched as she closed her eyes and leaned into it. Thankful she did not turn away, he continued to let his emotions lead his actions. Leaning down he brushed her lips with his own. The kiss was gentle but full of passion and warmth. And as much as he didn't want to end it, he knew he must. He would take the feel of her lips beneath his with him to help him get through the rest of his time on this earth.
Piper felt her knees go weak. It had been a long time since he had kissed her and it took her breath away. As abruptly as it began it ended, much to her dismay.
As he pulled away he looked deep into her eyes, his voice chocked with emotions. "Be happy and know I'll always love you. Good bye Piper." With that he turned swiftly on his heels and walked away.
Piper stood there stunned watching his retreating back fade into the distance and wanting nothing more than to call him back and tell him her heart. But she couldn't not until they could free him. If she and her sisters didn't find a way to stop this wedding then he would truly be lost to her forever. The last thought was like a knife plunged into her heart as a single tear escaped and slid down her cheek, followed by another until she was openly sobbing. Covering her mouth she fled the gardens needing the sanctuary of her room and more importantly her sisters.
Prue and Phoebe had spent the past few hours throwing idea after idea out only to discard each and every one. Now in the late evening hours the duo sat slumped against a mountain of pillows.
"This totally sucks." Phoebe pointed out miserably.
Prue's tone matched her sister's. "There has to be something we're overlooking."
"This is a bad enough situation for anyone but for Leo. It just isn't fair, he doesn't deserve this."
Prue would give her no argument. Leo was more than just there Whitelighter, he was their friend or more of a brother in some ways. It ticked her off that Nala would do something like this to someone as sweet and nice as Leo.
Phoebe continued to gripe. "I mean we're the Charmed Ones for goodness sake. We help people all the time, but we can't help Leo." Then all of a sudden it was if a light bulb had gone off. She sat straight up. "Wait a minute."
Taking in her sister's action Prue gave her a look. "What? What is it?"
"Of course." Phoebe exclaimed as she smacked the front of her head. "I can't believe we didn't think of this right off the bat."
"Think of what?"
"A spell."
Prue shook her head. "A spell, what spell?"
"A spell to make Nala spill her guts, to tell everyone what she did to Leo."
"Whoa Pheebs, the reason we didn't think of it is because that has personal gain written all over it.
Her sister eyed her with passion. "No it's not. We are sworn to use our powers to save innocents. Leo is our innocent."
Prue remained quiet while she considered Phoebe's reasoning. Maybe she had a point.
Like a dog with a bone Phoebe was not about to let the idea go. "All we have to do is come up with a spell to get Nala to tell us what really happened last night and make sure enough people hear it."
"A truth spell? That won't work Pheebs it will affect anyone in the same room which will open all kinds of problems."
"So we'll just come up with a new spell. One specific to Nala, so only she is affected by it. We cast it during the ceremony. There will be plenty of people to witness what she has to say."
Prue liked the idea, liked it a lot. Technically wasn't Leo an innocent? Okay maybe it was stretching it a bit, but at this point she was willing to risk it. "This could work." She finally admitted.
"Yep!" Phoebe grinned broadly quite pleased with herself.
Their discussion was put to a stop when a distraught Piper came into the room. Flopping down onto the pillows, her eyes still wet with fresh tears.
Prue rushed over. "Honey, what's wrong?"
Sniffing loudly Piper words came out in broken spurts and between deep sobbing breaths. "I…just…saw…Leo…and he ….kissed me….and told me goodbye. I finally realize how much I love him how much I want to be with him and it's too late."
Prue and Phoebe's eyes met over her head, small smiles on their faces. Even though the situation was dire they were thrilled Piper had finally come to her senses concerning Leo.
Stroking her sister's hair gently Prue spoke. "Oh sweetie that's great news."
Piper sent her a glare. "Great news? Prue didn't you hear what I said. I love Leo and it's too late."
"We did hear you but what you don't know is Phoebe has come up with a plan to save Leo."
Instantly Piper's demeanor changed. She sat up and wiped away the moisture on her face. "Plan? What plan?"
When the youngest sister had finished explaining, Piper's eyes sparkled with determination. This would work. They could save Leo.
Phoebe snatched a pad of paper from the floor and took pen in hand. "Okay, let's do this."
Leo took in his reflection the following afternoon. Standing in front of the full mirror he gazed at the figure looking back. Rhaid had insisted Leo wear the traditional wedding clothing of his people. This meant a white shirt with billowing sleeves and deep vee neck. It was tucked into matching white trousers which also bloused out at the bottom. This was also tucked into soft tan calf boots and finish off with a long sleeveless robe. The only color interrupting the ensemble was a wide gold embroidered sash tied snugly around his lean hips. The governor had also insisted on this for it represented Leo's high rank in the community once he married Rhaid's daughter.
Letting out a long sigh, Leo turned from the image. His mind turned to the events of last night. He wondered how upset Piper was with him. He had no right to kiss her like that. But as hard as he tried he wouldn't regret it either. It was all he had to get him through the next few hours as well as the rest of his life. His eyes checked the clock. Not much longer now. It seemed despite the Charmed One's best efforts he would have to through with this. He knew they had tried but some things just weren't meant to be. Fate was a fickle thing and unavoidable. Any more thoughts on the matter were put to an end when a knock sounded at his door. It was time. Squaring his shoulders he walked out of the room and on to his new future.