Your Love Is My Drug Chapter 5: Without You, a covenant fanfic

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the characters Piper, Lily, Sophia, and Eden and various other characters you have not come into contact before, if you have then I wonder whether you enjoyed the confusion of my mind because as far as I know that's the only place they have existed. As for the other characters such as the hot Sons of Ipswich that you have come to know and love they are owned by the brilliant minds of J.S. Cardone, and Sony Pictures.

Key:

Regular text

Flashback

Thoughts

Phone Conversations

Chapter 4

Without You

I just want to be alone tonight
I just want to take a little breather
Cause lately all we do is fight
And every time it cuts me deeper
Cause something changed you've been acting so strange
And it's taking its toll on me
It's safe to say that I'm ready to let you leave

Without you I live it up a little more everyday
Without you I'm seeing myself so differently
I didn't wanna believe it then
But it all worked out in the end
When I watched you walk away
Well I never thought I'd say I'm fine without you

Called you up cause it's been long enough
And you said that you were so much better
We have done a lot of growing up
We were never meant to be together

Cause something changed you've been acting so strange
And it's taking it's toll on me
It's safe to say that I'm ready to let you leave

Without you
Without you
Without you

I just want to be alone tonight
I just want to take a little breather

Sophie awoke to sunshine in her eyes and sniggering coming from down the hall. It sounded a whole lot like Reid's. Sighing she rolled over to see if Edie was already up. To her surprise the bed across from her looked as if no one had slept in it at all that night. Sitting up she looked around for signs of where Edie might be. After finding nothing Sophie clambered out of bed and went to go look for Eden. However the minute she was in the hallway Sophie spied Reid with a camera in front of the Tyler's half opened door.

"Reid…What the hell are you doing?" She asked softly. Reid jumped slightly at her voice but instantly turned around and motioned for her to be quiet. Intrigued Sophie came closer to see what Reid was so interested in. Against Reid's protests Sophie peered into Tyler's room. What she saw nearly made her shout in surprise, Tyler and Edie lay tangled together still sound asleep. They looked so cute! His arm was wrapped snuggly around her and she held his hand amide slumber. Ecstatic Sophie turned to Reid only to witness him snap a picture.

"Reid! Stop it! You're ruining the moment!" Sophie whispered angrily. She attempted to steal the camera away from him. However Reid held it up high above his head where she couldn't reach, "No way! This is perfect blackmail for him! He'll be mortified they got caught together!" Reid hopped about trying to stay away from Sophie as she growled and lunged for him. The two of them were soon trying to be as quiet as possible while wrestling for the camera. Finally Reid ended up knocking into Sophie who fell through the doorway with a loud thump.

Unfortunately for Sophie and Reid, Eden and Tyler both stirred and sat up to find Reid and Sophie sprawled on the floor. Tyler looked quizzically down at his best friend, "If you guys wanted to be alone, Reid's room is right down the hall…"

Edie burst into laughter as Sophie screeched and shoved Reid off her, "EWWWW……Baby Boy that's gross! I don't know where that's been!"

Reid scoffed as the two of them stood up and faced the couple still in bed, "As if I ever wanted to have a relationship let alone a one-night-stand with you." He then added his famous comeback smirk, "Hey Baby Boy why are your boxers still on? Don't tell me you were in bed with her and still didn't get some."

The three other people in the room stared in shock at Reid's comment. But in a matter of seconds Tyler was out of bed and lunging for Reid, an angry snarl on his face. Sensing he'd gone too far Reid bolted down the hall yelling, "I didn't mean it! I swear Ty!" Tyler remained hot on his heels. Sophie and Edie looked shocked as they tried to comprehend what had just happened.

"It looks like you had a good night," Sophie said slyly. Edie blushed and giggled profusely as she slid out of bed.

"You could say that I guess…" she smiled broadly, "I think Tyler and I have had our souls attach…we just can't stand not being near each other, can't stop thinking about each other…I mean we both had feelings for one another before but never like this, I just feel so…ecstatic!"

Eden twirled about as the two of them began to follow where the boys had run off to down the hall then the stairs. Sophie gave her a squeeze on the shoulder, "I'm happy for you Edie, I always had a feeling this would happen."

"What would happen?" asked Lily as Sophie and Eden entered the kitchen. Lily and Caleb were sitting at the large kitchen table waiting for breakfast while Evelyn stood at the stove cooking. Evelyn turned to greet the girls, "Sophie, Edie! I've been waiting to see you all morning!" She enveloped each of them in a hug before shooing them to sit down to eat.

"You'll never guess where Edie was this morning," said Sophie, a mischievous tone in her voice. Eden began to try and shush her as the two of them sat down to eat but Sophie just continued excitedly, "Reid and I found her asleep in Tyler's bed all curled about and tucked about next to him!"

Just then Reid came flying into the kitchen to hide behind Evelyn. Tyler right behind him murder still in his eyes.

"Real cute Reid! Hiding behind Aunt Eve, You're such a pansy," Tyler taunted. A rare smirk appeared on his face. His temper now cooled, Tyler went and sat down next to Eden. Reid grumbled a bit under his breath but did nothing more to taunt Tyler. Instead the six of them waited for breakfast hungrily, chattering lightly and laughing with ease. Just as if they had never been apart.

As Caleb glanced up to watch his mother he wondered who was happier to see the girls back him and the guys or his mother. It had been years since she'd gotten up early enough to make breakfast for them, she was usually in bed until 1 and even then it was up to Caleb to find something to eat. But the look on her face when they had come in last night with the girls stayed imprinted on his mind. It had been a look of pure joy. One he hadn't seen since the golden years of the families…when Dad was still himself, Reid's parents weren't traveling everywhere all the time to avoid their troublemaker son, Pogue had a normal relationship with his parents, and Gram Carlisle had been like a grandmother to all of them. God he missed those days.

"Caleb! Earth to Caleb!" Caleb finally seemed to snap out of his little day dream as he realized Lily was snapping her fingers in his face. "We're you even listening? I asked if you guys would be willing to help us move our stuff into the dorms."

"Oh sure, Lil. That's fine." Everyone stared at him with weird looks, "What?"

"You okay man? You really spaced there for a minute." Reid said with a questionable look on his face.

"I'm fine, I was just thinking about something," Caleb answered everyone's looks, he attempted to make a joke, "It's early, don't always expect me to be coherent."

This made everyone laugh and they were all went back to chatting about plans for the day. A few minutes later Caleb's mom placed a platter full of eggs, bacon, and pancakes on the table only to have it nearly demolished within seconds. Suddenly the sound of the front door opening and closing made everyone freeze. But not a moment later Pogue and Piper appeared in the doorway both looking like they had just rolled out of bed and Piper wearing some of Pogue's clothing.

"Did you guys save us any?" Pogue asked with a smile, breaking the awkward silence that had followed them appearing at the doorway. Evelyn hurried over and swept Piper into a hug, "Piper! Darling! Look how much you've grown. It feels like an eternity since I've laid eyes on you."

"I've missed you too Aunt Eve, it's good to be home," Piper replied warmly, she looked over at the table piled high with food. Her eyes lit up with glee, "Are those your amazing blueberry pancakes?"

Before Evelyn had time to answer Piper was already at the table filling her plate. Pogue was right behind her filling his own plate. Piper was soon shoveling down pancakes like she hadn't eaten in weeks much to the surprise of everyone in the room. Her cousins and friends were staring at her as if she had three heads when she looked up from her plate, "What?"

"Looks like your appetite's back," muttered Sophie. She rolled her eyes at Piper's oblivion to the obvious change. However both Lily and Eden noticed the sarcasm and in turn kicked Sophie under the table and threw her a disapproving look respectively. Desperate for a change in subject Lily asked mischievously, "So you think Coach Saunders will be happy to see us?"

"Hell Yeah!" Reid exclaimed, a look of pure excitement spreading over his face. The guys all seemed to perk up at the question. It was after all, a well known fact that the Carlisle girls were basically the female version of the Sons when it came to swimming, best in their respective strokes and the best relay team in the state. Hence their nicknames the "Daughters of Ipswich" thanks to their similarities to the boys both historically and in the pool.

"Well if we have such a busy day today with moving our stuff and whatnot I'd better hit the shower first if I want anytime," joked Eden as she began to clear away her dirty dishes. She suddenly stopped and turned to Pogue for a minute, "Hey Pogue I could fix that for you. It'd take a few seconds and you'd be as good as new." She pointed to his leg. Pogue looked surprised he raised his eyebrows some, "Really Edie? That'd be great, I'm so sick of—oomph!" Before he could even finish his reply Edie had extended her hand, her eyes flashed pale green and a glow settled around Pogue's leg. When Edie pulled her hand away Pogue went to stand and found he was able to walk perfectly fine, as if his leg had never broken.

"Thanks Edie!" He hugged her enthusiastically, "Now I can ride again!"

She shrugged, "It's no problem Pogue, I meant to offer last night but it slipped my mind." She started for the stairs but first she nonchalantly bent down and kissed Tyler on the cheek before heading upstairs. Tyler was left to deal with the gawking looks from Pogue and Piper and the snickering of Reid and Sophie, his face growing increasingly redder by the minute.

"Tyler and Eden have um…gotten closer…" Lily explained tactfully as she helped Evelyn clear away more dishes. Both Piper and Pogue nodded almost knowingly. And Lily could have sworn she heard Pogue mumble "Saw that a mile away." But she ignored it and finished helping clean the kitchen with Caleb while everyone else chose to scamper off to get ready for the day.

"This is why you're my favorite, you stay to clean," teased Evelyn. She gave Lily a light squeeze once the kitchen was done, "So tell me sweetheart, what do you think of Caleb's girlfriend?"

"Mom…" Caleb started but Evelyn shushed him instantly.

"Seriously Lily…as one of Caleb's oldest friends it is only right that you give your opinion. Now c'mon what do you think?" Lily glanced over to Caleb momentarily. Just in time to see him scoff and roll his eyes at his mother.

"Well I barely met her…" Lily paused briefly, trying to choose her words as carefully as possible, "Sarah seems very nice, perfect even."

Evelyn shot her an "I know you are lying through your teeth" look but she merely smirked and waved them both off to change. Both Caleb and Lily hurried out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Neither spoke a word to each but it wasn't an awkward silence. It was calm one, one that helped sooth a person's mind.

"Your mom seems to have changed a bit," Lily's voice wasn't condescending or mocking or teasing, instead Caleb heard a distinct tone of understanding. And for once Caleb felt he could really come clean about how he was feeling, no forced obligation to inform someone, or masking his feelings for the good of others.

"Yes, after my dad started using heavily and aging quicker she took to drinking heavily and chain smoking. It was like she thought she needed to have her own addiction to help him through his. It didn't help though…it only made things worse. In the end we pretended my dad had died and I ended up moving back from the dorms so I could take care of her," he explained somberly. The two of them were sitting on the stairs clad in pajamas and desperately needed to get ready but for a moment it seemed like they had all the time in the world, "Ever since everything started happening this year with my ascension and all she seems to be doing a lot better. But truth be told I haven't seen her this happy in a very long time. When you guys walked in it was like she had a purpose again."

He trailed off and looked out the window. Lily remained quiet only giving him a look of sad understanding but suddenly she threw her arms around his neck and said, "I'm so sorry Cay! I wasn't there for you when I should've been. I feel like a terrible friend, I should have at least tried to call you or something." Her ramblings made Caleb smile. Leave it to Lily to put the blame of his unhappiness on her own shoulders. She was such a martyr sometimes.

"Is this it?" Reid whined aloud. He was entering Sophie and Eden's room carrying a large cardboard box filled to the brim with music books and tons of sheet music. He barely got into the room before Eden stole the box away, her eyes aglow with excitement. Sophie rolled her eyes at Reid, "Seriously? Do you really not know the meaning of the word work? You barely did anything!"

"At least I did more than you! All you did was stand there and boss me and Tyler around!" retorted Reid. That started they two of them into another heated argument while Tyler and Eden watched from a safe distance away, busying themselves with sorting through Eden's extensive collection of piano music.

"It's exciting to be back in the states," Eden said to Tyler quietly while Sophie and Reid argued in the background, "I can really finish the application process for Julliard. I might not even have to audition; they already contacted me about the possibility of having me come to visit for a day and check it out. But I don't think I even need to check it out, I've always wanted to go there."

Tyler knew there was no way Eden wouldn't be accepted at Julliard. She had been playing the piano since he had met her. In fact each of the Carlisle girls were unusually gifted in a different medium of art. With Sophie it was Dance, she had been dancing before she could walk practically. And Lily was the artist of the Family while Piper had a gift with words and behind a camera lens. Both Lily and Piper even had displays of their artwork hanging around the school from their early days.

"I know you'll get in, you are far too good not to," Tyler assured her. She smiled cheerfully at him her arms wrapping around his neck as she placed a quick kiss on his cheek, "Thanks Ty, it's nice to know I have someone in my corner, rooting for me."

"I'll always be," replied Tyler affectionately. He returned her kiss, placing a tender one of his own on her temple. Neither had noticed that their intimate exchange had been noticed by Piper who had just walked in to ask if they all wanted to go out for a quick bite to eat.

Piper stiffened when she saw Eden and Tyler's private moment. It hurt to see them so happy together when she knew it was over between her and Pogue. They couldn't go back to that blissfully happy first love stage; that cute puppy love that made her dizzy with joy and excitement. It was gone.

"Ahem," she cleared her throat to get their attention. Tyler and Eden both looked up with surprise but Reid and Sophie ignored her oblivious in their arguing, "We were thinking about heading out to grab a bite to eat, maybe at Nicky's, you guys in?"

"Yeah Definitely, I'm starving!" said Tyler as Eden nodded, "Let's just get tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum over there and we'll be right out."

Piper nodded, and then left the room in a daze. Her mind soon was over run with a million thoughts happening at once. She thought back to the time when she and Pogue had been just like Eden and Tyler, she thought about what she was going to do now, she thought about how she was going to move on, and she thought about why Pogue might choose a skank like Kate Tunney after dating her. Instead of heading back to the room with the others she changed directions and made her way down to her classic 1967 Chevy Impala which she had driven over from the house. An unusual car for an almost eighteen year old but hey it was just one of her many hobbies, classic cars, fast cars, and motorcycles; anything for the adrenaline junkie in her. But as she started up the ignition all she could think of was her hair whipping in her face, the roar of the engine and the thrill of the ride. She needed to get back on her bike.

The garage door opened slowly, increasing Piper's impacience. But when the door stopped moving, the lights flicked on, and she entered the dimly lit garage, Piper was hit with a sense of coming home. The smell of motor oil, gas, and sweat brought memories of spending summers at the local mechanic's where she learned about fixing cars and bikes after pleading and begging with the intimidating, tattooed mechanics. Who by the end of that first summer saw her as the little sister they never had. Tony, Greg, Derek, and Kyle had become the father, older brother figures in her life and no matter how long she was away she knew she could still show up at the shop and be welcomed with open arms.

Piper smiled at the thought, she considered stopping there first before going for her ride. Walking to the metal box in the back she opened it carefully and pulled out her helmet and leather motorcycle jacket. She breathed in the scent, relishing in the pleasure it brought. Then with determination in her eyes she turned to her abandoned Yamaha Ninja. It beckoned to her and as if in a daze she approached, running her fingers over its polished electric blue frame. The with excitement and anticipation running through her veins she threw on her jacket, carefully slid her helmet on and swung her leg over the worn leather seat. She turned the key in the ignition, bringing her baby to life. Letting out a gasp of joy at the engine's roar she maneuvered out of the garage and onto the open ride, heading straight for town.

It looked just as she remembered; the same green sign out front and clean open garage layout. You would think Tony would have spruced the place up a bit in two years but nope Malino Mechanics still had the same look to it. Grinning she hopped off her bike, her helmet still on Piper strolled inside. She could spot Derek and Greg hard at work on two different cars while Kyle was bent over a motorcycle and Tony was finishing with a customer. Kyle saw her looking around and immediately walked over to assist her, not knowing who she was.

"Can I help you with anything Ma'am?" He inquired politely. Behind her helmet mask Piper had to bit her tongue to keep from laughing. As the youngest of the mechanic's who worked at Malino's Kyle had been like her twin brother, she couldn't believe how much she had missed his shy tendencies and quirky nature.

"Well for starters, you can give me a hug." She pulled off her helmet letting her hair spill down her back. Kyle stood there gawking for a minute before letting out a loud whoop and without warning swept her off her feet in a bear hug.

"Pippa!" he yelled jubilantly. The others had looked over already at Kyle's loud antics and upon see who he was swinging about they all stopped what they were doing, rushing over to greet her.

"Good God, I never thought we'd see you again!" Tony exclaimed as he gave her his own bone crushing hug.

"You've been gone way too long Little Bits," added Greg gruffly. Derek threw her a disapproving look, "Greg's right, you'd better not skip out on us like that ever again, missy."

Piper held back a smile. She could tell that underneath their burliness and tattoos that the guys were getting all emotional. Despite their intimidating looks the four of them were all just big teddy bears who could only ever hurt someone who'd hurt someone they cared about. But knowing them, they'd probably be offended if she pointed out their lovable natures to anyone else. What could she say? She was like their little sister and deep down she knew they'd been hurt by her abrupt departure.

"I'm sorry guys, family rules. Gram wanted us to see the world with her before she passed on." Piper lied evenly. She didn't like doing it, but with her kind of background it was a necessity.

"Ah, so the old girl's moved on?" asked Tony with a sigh. Piper nodded, "Just a few months ago, she had a requirement in her will that my cousins and I return to Ipswich to finish our schooling."

"That makes for an interesting reunion, you must be excited," Kyle blurted out in a sarcastic tone. Derek elbowed him in the side but it was too late Piper had completely understood his meaning.

"You mean Pogue and Kate?" she asked with a small smile. Kyle nodded somewhat guiltily but Piper waved his guilt away, "its okay Kyle, I'm okay with it. I mean I did disappear on him for two years; I wasn't surprised he moved on. Now how's about I get my bike looked over so I can get outta here? I've got a date with the sunset." She casually patted the camera bag that swung at her side.

"Sure thing Bits, it'll only be a few minutes," Greg said as he took her motorcycle into the shop. Piper stayed where she was catching up with Kyle and Tony while Derek went back to work on the car he had been working on and Greg did a check up of her bike.

Before long Greg was completely done and he gave her a good report on her bike before saying goodbye and returning to his own work. Tony followed him claiming he had paperwork to do in the office.

"Well I better get going if I want to capture that sunset. I'll be sure to drop by soon," Piper said as she gave Kyle a hug goodbye. He smiled brightly, "You'd better," his voice dropped suddenly as he leaned in closer, "Piper, are you okay? I know the guys didn't say anything but you look like you've had a run through the mill."

"Yes Kyle I'm fine. I'm just…getting over the flu. I'll be as right as rain soon," she replied quickly. She hugged him again before swinging onto her bike and flashing him a smile, "Don't worry about me Ky. I'm not going anywhere." He laughed as she pulled on her helmet and started up the bike before waving goodbye on her way out to the cliffs.

"Snap."

With her camera bag slung over her shoulder Piper finished capturing the last rays of the late autumn sunlight through the lens of her Nixon. She was casually leaning on her bike with the winds from the sea whipping about her hair. These cliffs offered some of the best opportunities for sunsets in the entire county and she had often spent hours photographing in and around the area. It felt amazing to be back here again doing what she loved. She was able to think without other things clouding her mind.

"Kyle said you were here."

Jumping, Piper turned to find Pogue standing behind her. His easy grin lay plastered on his face as he strolled towards her, hands stuffed into his pockets.

"How…How did you know where to look?"

"Well when you didn't come back to the room to join us for lunch Lily kinda went nuts cuz you weren't answering your phone. I noticed your car was gone so I figured you went somewhere and I checked at the house first. Since your bike was gone I just connected the dots." Pogue explained. He joined her standing beside her bike, quietly watching the fading light. The silence between them continued, as if neither wanted to say what needed to be said.

"Pogue, I can't do this," Piper began quietly; "I can't keep pretending that everything is okay between us." Pogue tried to protest but Piper silenced him with her finger, "No, don't say anything. What I need is space…and time. I just need to move on from what we had." She turned without any hint of emotion on her face, packing up her camera and getting ready to head back.

"Don't be like that Piper, everything will work out. You and I will still be best friends and we'll be as close as ever," argued Pogue as he tried to stop her from leaving. But the look of utter anguish in Piper's eyes stopped him from continuing his feeble protests.

"No Pogue." She shook her head sadly, fighting back the tears that were threatening to fall, "Everything won't be the same, and it's all changed. For the time being I just need to rely on myself. Not you, not Lily, not anyone. I need to learn how to live life on my own…without you."

A/N: YAY!!!! Another chapter! And oh how the plot thickens ^_^ Please please please review guys, I've had some really great feedback from all my reviewers and everytime someone adds me to their story alert or favs it brings a smile to my face : ) But I'm REALLLLLY hoping for some more reviews! The more reviews I get the more I WILL UPDATE! Just saying...

When we come back.....more on Pogue and Piper's dilema....and more of Sophie and Reid bickering ^^

Catch yous laterz!