Chapter 7

~*~*~*~

I'll Be There, But You Might Not See Me
It's Never Easy To Get Through
But When The Laughter Dies Away
I'll Take Care Of You

~*~*~*~

"This better..."

"I'm sorry I woke you."

"Leo?"

"Yeah it's me.  I heard about Phoebe and I wanted to make sure you were alright."

"I'm doing okay.  I'm flying out later this afternoon to see her."

"That's good.  Look I'm sorry I woke you.  I'll let you get back to sleep..."

"No!  It's fine.  Besides now I'm up."

"It's good to hear your voice."

"Does this mean you miss me?"

"Of course I miss you Piper.  There hasn't been a day I haven't."

They were both silent.

"I need to go Piper.  I'll call you later."

"Leo, I miss you too."

"When you get back we'll really talk."

"Thanks for everything Leo."

"I love you Piper.  Bye."

"Me too." she said to a dead phone.  He still loved her!

~*~

"Please put your tray in the upright position.  We will be landing momentarily.  S'il vous plaît mettre votre plateau dans la position debout. Nous atterrirons momentanément." 

The flight attendants voice was static-y over the radio, but Piper didn't hear her.  All she had thought about for the past three weeks was her sister.  Cole had been able to get her out on bail and the sister's pulled together and paid it.  

They had been investigating for a while, but it was almost a dead duck in the water and if they didn't find anything new Phoebe would be put away.

They landed and when Piper walked out to the terminal she saw Prue coming toward her.  "I'm so glad you are here."  Prue said and put her arms around her sister.  Prue was the oldest.  The responsible one.  The one who took care of everything, but it was so nice to have Piper there.  Ever since their mother had died Piper took over the role and when Grams had past away Piper was designated 'mother' by the other two sisters.

And right now Prue needed Piper's comfort.  As much as Piper needed hers.  "How is it going?" Piper asked as they got into a cab.

"Not good.  But Cole found something today so he went to go and check it out.  The trial starts tomorrow and if they don't find something soon...."

Prue didn't need to continue.  It had been a long and very tiring three weeks.  It took them a good while to get Phoebe out and then to figure out who had done this.  It was draining.  Not to mention that Andy and Piper weren't there.  But now that Piper was there perhaps she could get some sleep.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~
~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Piper was finally back in Paris and all was well.  Phoebe was no longer on trial for murder thanks to Cole.  Who knew that people could be so vindictive? And Piper had a huge feeling that she was going to be hearing a lot more about Cole as the time went on.  Which was fine because Cole seemed to be exactly what Phoebe needed.

Now if Piper could only get her own life on track.  She now had only a month and three weeks left.  It was coming down to the wire and soon she was going to have face reality.  Which made her think of her favorite cartoon from Calvin and Hobbs where Calvin said, "It's not denial. I'm just very selective about the reality I accept."

Because unfortunately that is how Piper sometimes approached life.  And that was not a good thing.

~*~

"Hello?"

"Hey Piper, it's me calling to confirm."

"Phoebe?  Is that really you?"

"What?  Can't I call you?"

"Yes, but you've never confirmed anything in your life."

"True, but I'm turning over a new leaf."

"Cole?"

"Of course."

"So you two will be here in three weeks?"

"We wouldn't miss it.  Cole has already booked the hotel for the four of us and we will come to your apartment and have dinner with you.  To see what you have learned so far."

"Gee, thanks."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Piper, this is me Phoebe.  Your sister.  The one who knows you too well."

"Phoebe I am fine."

"Piper, it will work itself out.  I'm sure Leo is counting the days until you come home the same as you've been counting down."

Piper sighed.

"I love you Piper and we will see you in three weeks."

"Love you too Phoebe.  See you soon."

~*~*~*~

End of Chapter 7

Author's Notes:  ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ As you can tell there was a huge break there.  That is there for a reason.  "Four O' Clock" is one story in the series.  And in the story "Five O' Clock" I will go into detail about what happened at the trial and with Cole.  But this is Piper/Leo focused and would have taken too much time to go into the Phoebe/Cole part.  So you'll just have to wait.

Sorry!