Chapter 2

~*~*~*~

Oh I'd rather be alone
Like I am tonight
Then settle for the kind of love
That fades before the morning light

~*~*~*~

She got made up and decided to go and visit P3.  She had left it in the hands of her co-workers while still retaining ownership.  It had been a very long time since she had seen it.  The line was long which was a good sign and she made her way to the front of the line.

"Piper is that you?" Jason, the bouncer asked.

"It's me Jason.  How are you doing?"

"Can't complain.  Are you coming back?"

Piper shook her head, "No, not today anyway.  I should be back in a few months."

"Well the place hasn't been the same without you.  It's great to see you."

Piper smiled, "Thanks Jason.  I miss this place too."

She went in and took a look around.  And smiled when she noticed that nothing had changed.  She went to the bar and saw Aviva, a girl she had taken under her wing nearly two years ago.  "Piper!" she yelled and came running toward her.  The girls hugged, "Why didn't you tell me you were back?" Aviva asked.  "I'm not back.  Just visiting for the weekend.  I didn't even think I was going to make it back here."

"That's cool.  Doug is gone for the evening.  You know that tomorrow is his anniversary."   "Actually I had forgotten, but I think that is wonderful.  So how is everything going?"  She was glad that she had decided to let Doug run her club.  She had thought she was done with restaurant's until Chef Thomas Jenkins came in and offered her the opportunity of a lifetime.  The chance to go to Paris and cook with some of the best chefs in the world.

"Piper, it's fine.  Really.  Everything is going just fine.  It will be great when you are back, but for right now things are fine."  Aviva assured her.

"Thanks."

"Look at this!" Aviva exclaimed as she held her hand out so that Piper could look at the ring, "Jason?" Piper guessed.  "Of course.  I can't thank-you enough for hiring him."  Piper rolled her eyes, "No problem.  Glad it worked out for you."  Aviva smiled dreamily, "Yeah.  Say have you seen Leo yet?"  "Leo?  No, I haven't why?"  "No reason.  Just thought you would have seen him by now."  Piper shook her head not wanting to go into the whole Leo/Her/Dan/Lily problem.  "Oh hey, I would love to catch up, but I've got customers over there.  I would hate to have the boss catch me slacking." she laughed and then left.

Piper needed a drink.  However she needed to go and see her office.  It was a compulsion she couldn't put off.  She entered into the locked room and sighed with relief.  Everything was normal.  Blissfully normal.  Even if everything else fell apart at least there were a few things that stayed normal.  With everything as it should be she left the office and locked it.

On her way to get her drink she ran into someone.  "Oh I'm sorry." Piper apologized.  "Oh it's no problem, I wasn't watching where I was going." the woman apologized.  "Lily?" Piper asked.  "Piper?" surprise written on both of their faces.  "Oh my.  I didn't expect you to be here.  I thought you were still in Paris."  "I just came back for a visit.  Wanted to make sure the club was still here." Piper explained.

Lily nodded her head with understanding.  "Well this is awkward."  "Uh Huh." Piper agreed.  They looked everywhere, but at one another, "Listen Piper.  I know that we left with bad blood between us, but if you ever would like to talk about it my number is still the same.  There are some things I think you need to know."  Piper realized that Lily really was offering up an olive branch, "If I have time while I'm here I will.  Otherwise I can call you?"  Lily nodded her head, "Of course.  Have a good night Piper.  And it is really nice to see you."  "You too."  Lily smiled and then waved as she left.

Now Piper really needed a drink.

~*~*~*~

Silence stared me in the face
And I finally heard its voice
It seemed to softly say
That in love you have a choice

~*~*~*~

She had just gotten in the house when her cell phone rang.  She pulled it out of her bag, clicking it open, and then taking her jacket off.

"Hello?"

"Piper?  Where are you?"

Dan.

"I'm back at the hotel.  What is going on?  Do you realize the time?"

"2 AM.  That is why I am calling."

Actually it was only 11:00 her time.

"You're checking up on me?"

"I wouldn't have to if you told me the truth."

"And what truth would that be?"

"That you aren't in New York.  You're back in San Francisco aren't you?"

"What if I were?"

"I KNEW it!  You went back to see Leo didn't you?"

"Dan I don't have time to discuss this right now.  I am tired and I would like to sleep."

"You go to sleep and think about what you're doing."

"And what is it that I am doing?"

"You're cheating on me."

"Dan I'm NOT cheating on you.  I haven't seen Leo and this is the end of the conversation!"

"Let me just say this Piper. You just keep telling yourself that it is a lie Piper and see if anyone ever believes it."

With that he hung up the phone.  And Piper wished that she was on a regular phone so she could slam it!

She went upstairs and decided to take a shower.  After that she would crawl into her bed and pretend this day never happened.

~*~

End of Chapter 2