Unwell: Part I by Dylan Shelby

Part I

What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

3 Months Later

"Mr. Wyatt? Lillian Bennett on the phone for you." Aviva spoke into the phone. "Tell her I'll call her back." came his immediate reply. "You were saying?" Leo asked turning back to Darryl. "Why didn't you take the call?" Darryl asked. "I'm not avoiding her if that is what you are thinking." Leo snapped. Darryl gave him a pointed stare telling Leo in no uncertain terms he didn't deserve that. Leo sighed, "I'm sorry. I just don't want to talk to her at work. I am really trying to keep my social and business life private as far as she is concerned." he explained.

That wasn't the truth of course and both knew it, but Darryl let it slide. "I was telling you that Sheila has invited you to a housewarming at our place in two weeks on the nineteenth." Darryl re-stated. "Oh, well, tell her I will be there. How is she doing?" Leo asked. Darryl knew he was trying to change the subject and he decided to let him, "She's doing good. Her family is here and she is enjoying being back in the city." Darryl told him. Leo nodded his head, "I had forgotten that she was from San Francisco." The conversation dropped as Leo looked at an email that just came in from his sister.

"Well if that is all I guess we're done for today. I have a dinner tonight." Leo told Darryl before he started his email back to his sister. "Oh? A date?" Darryl asked. Leo shook his head, "No, it's a benefit. Lillian's father, Victor Bennett, is throwing it. I told her I would go and maybe do some networking." Darryl squinted his eyes, "Victor Bennett? Why does that name sound familiar?" he asked. Leo looked up from his computer, "Because he is Senator Bennett." he answered. "Dating a Senator's daughter? Impressive." Darryl commented with laughter surrounding his voice. "Yes well, I'm just hoping to get through this evening as soon as possible." Leo told him. Darryl nodded, "Well good luck tonight and I'll see you in the morning." he waved good-bye and left his friend.

Leo turned his attention to his email reading it, Hi Leo! It's your sister, Phoebe (in case you forgot you had one), I just wanted to let you know that Cole and I will be in the area at the end of April and were hoping that you would be your hospitable self and let us crash with you. Also I wanted to check on you and see how you were doing. I know it's only been three months, but I wanted you to know how very proud of you I am. Please email me back and let me know how things are going. Your Nosy Sister, Phoebe.

Leo didn't want her to know he was dating Lillian quite yet, but if she was coming at the end of April then hopefully he would have a better idea of his relationship with Lillian. After checking his calendar he wrote back, Hey Phoebe. April is perfect. Just let me know the exact date so I can make sure the maid cleans then. I look forward to seeing you. Also, I'm doing okay. Not wonderful, but I am doing okay. I love you sis. Say hi to Cole and make sure he treats you right! Your Big Brother, Leo.

He was about to call Lillian when she busted into his office. "Lillian?!?" he asked surprised. "Hello Leo! I really was in the neighborhood and wanted to know if you would like to have lunch with me?" she asked. Although somewhat peeved at the intrusion Leo couldn't help but admire the beauty in front of him. Lillian was beautiful. At twenty-five she was stunning. She stood at 5'7" and had hair that hung below her shoulders. It was a beautiful blonde almost the color of wheat, but with a splash of gold. In the short black skirt and satin green long-sleeve blouse she had on she did look like a goddess. Still, Leo didn't have the time to indulge her. "I would love to, but I can't. I have a meeting with Jason Dean in a little over an hour that I need to get prepared for." he let her down gently. In all honesty he probably could go to lunch with her, but he just wasn't up for it. She pouted which made her look adorable, but Leo wasn't biting. "Oh well. I wanted you to meet my brother before tonight so you could have someone to talk to, but it's alright. I understand." she pouted. She gave him a smile to know that she really did understand. "Thanks." he told her. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and left.

Leo leaned back in his chair and rubbed his weary eyes and thought. Three months ago he was still searching for his wife. Now, he was in San Francisco, a far cry from New York, dating someone new, and even more miserable than before. However, pity and blame were not going to help him and he did have a meeting to get to. He put his black suit jacket on, turned off the lights, and walked out of his office. Aviva was sitting outside of the office in her demure black suit and looking like the professional she was, "I'm sorry she just barged in there Mr. Wyatt." she started. He shook his head to stop her, "Don't worry Aviva. Can you call Jason Dean and tell him that I should be there in about twenty minutes?" he asked her. "Yes of course." she answered and started dialing the phone. He went around the corner and poked his head into Darryl's office.

"I'm going to see Jason Dean, is there anything you needed me to ask him?" Leo asked. Darryl looked up from his desk, "No. I think we got it covered earlier." he answered. "Okay, we'll I should be back by three at the latest." Leo told him and then closed the door and walked back to Aviva's desk. "He said he would be waiting for you with bells on." Aviva told him. Leo laughed a little and then walked to the elevators. Jason Dean's firm was suppose to be helping him with his advertising and hopefully it would all go well. He didn't need a bad meeting on top of what was going to be a boring evening.

Leo stood in his closet shuffling through his clothes trying to find his tux. He passed by a dozen black suits and then his arm brushed his dark blue suit and he stopped. He hadn't worn it since Piper's funeral. It has been her favorite of all of his suits. He stood there feeling as the memory pulled him in.

"I think it looks better on you." he told her. She was gloriously nude except for the blue jacket that she had wrapped around her. "Really? I would say the same thing about you." she teased. Her dark brown hair tumbled over her shoulders and he didn't think she could look anymore beautiful than she did right now. She was dancing around his office and he was enjoying watching her. These after hour trysts were always fun. It didn't matter that they had been together for four years, they were still his favorite. "You look beautiful." he confessed. She gave him a sultry smile and sauntered to him. His back was against his black couch and the coffee table had been pushed aside earlier. She came and stood over him placing her feet on either side of his legs. She let the suit jacket slip a little revealing all to him. Then she slowly dropped to her knees and came face to face with him.

He looked at her waiting for her to make a move, but when she didn't do anything for a minute he leaned up and caught her arms bringing her body fully onto his. He kissed her and reveled in her body and presence.

It was a most glorious night. Then the sadness struck him as he knew it had been their last night together. Her scent was still on the jacket. It was stronger when he wore it to her funeral, but now it had faded. He took a small breath to smell it once again. His tears had dried up months ago, but the sadness was still with him. He located the tux next to the suit and got it nearly running out of the closet to outrun his memory. The phone rang which he silently thanked whoever called to distract him.

"Hello?" he answered. "Hey there stranger." a woman's voice spoke. Leo smiled, "Hey Prue. How are you doing?" he asked. "I'm doing okay. I just wanted to see how you were." she answered. "Okay. Not too bad." he told her. They both shared a moment of silence for the remembrance of those they had lost, "Well I wanted to tell you that Sheila invited me to her housewarming and to spend the weekend with them and I was hoping I could crash at your place." Prue explained getting down to business. Leo loved that about her, "It's fine. I would love to have you." Leo replied honestly. "Yeah and maybe I'll get to meet Lillian." she teased. Leo stiffened up, "How did you hear about her?" he asked. "Don't worry. Sheila told me about her and Leo, I'm really glad that you are trying to move on." her voice was calm and clear, she was being honest. "Thanks I guess. How are you doing?" time for the tables to turn. "Well I'm not seeing anyone exclusively but I have been on a few dates. I miss New York a little, but Texas is really growing on me." she sighed. "I hear you. Well I better get going and I'll see you..." he trailed off for her to answer, "On the eighteenth. I'll email you my schedule and call you again." she told him. He nodded his head, "Good. It will be good to see you. Take care." "You too." she replied and they both hung up.

Leo finished getting ready and stepped out of his apartment building and into the cool air. He called for a cab and was soon ensconced in the vehicle his mind spinning. He knew Piper would have loved this place. He had tried hard not to think of her too much when he first got here, but it became impossible. It wouldn't matter if he did fall in love with another woman Piper would always be a part of him. Which he did have to give credit to Lillian, she was understanding about his situation. He thought back to how him and Lillian had met. He was just grabbing a sandwich from the deli near his office when he actually ran into her. They had good small talk which had led to a first date which had led to more. He didn't want to string her along, but this dating stuff was new to him. She really was lovely with hair the color of wheat and bright blue eyes. She was kind and had a good heart. Her big flaw was that she wasn't Piper and he was having a hard time getting past that one.

Before he knew it they had arrived. He walked up the stairs and then followed all of the other nicely dressed men and women into a huge ballroom. He was scanning for Lillian when she appeared next to him, "You look handsome Leo." she greeted. He smiled, "Thank-you Lillian. You look beautiful." he complimented. And she did. She was wearing a dark blue dress that clung to her body and continued all the way down into a split in the side that separated the garment. She beamed at the compliment, "Come with me, I have a few people I want you to meet." she told him and took his hand leading him deeper into the ballroom.

Three men made up the group that Lillian wanted Leo to meet, "Daddy." she said getting the attention of the oldest one. He looked up at her, "Lillian." he acknowledged. She smiled and brought Leo closer, "Leo I would like you to meet my father, Senator Victor Bennett. Daddy this is Leo Wyatt." she made the introduction with a smile and watched as the two shook hands. "So you're Leo Wyatt. I've heard of your company. Good job." Victor said. Leo knew that Victor's dislike was due to the fact he was dating his daughter, but he didn't need to make it obvious. "Thank-you sir." Leo replied instead of the dozen other things that came to mind. The other two men had turned to look at them and Lillian touched the next man, "Leo this is my older brother, Daniel Bennett, Dan this is Leo Wyatt." the two men shook hands and Leo wondered what Dan did, but he didn't have to wait long, "Dan runs Bennett Hospital." Lillian beamed with pride. Leo was a little shocked the man looked like he had seen more runways then patients. Still he kept that judgment to himself. Finally they were to the last man, "And finally, this is my youngest brother, Chris Bennett." The younger man was reserved and although the two politely shook hands Chris seemed only mildly interested.

"So you're the infamous Leo Wyatt of White Investments." Dan said breaking away from his brother and father. Leo nodded his head, "I don't know about infamous but I do run White Investments with my partner, Darryl Morris." he answered good naturedly. "My sister likes to talk about you. I'm sorry we missed you at lunch." Dan explained. Leo felt himself relax. Dan seemed to be a good guy and was really trying to make an effort. Leo felt he should do no less, "I'm sorry I missed it too, but I had an appointment with Dean Enterprises." Dan's eyes squinted like he was trying to remember something, "They do advertising." Leo supplied. Dan nodded his thanks, "That's right. Jason Dean correct?" Leo nodded. "They did some work for my father's law firm before he ran for Senator." Dan told him. "Small world." Leo laughed.

"So what does Bennett Hospital do?" Leo asked with interest. Dan perked up, "It's actually for mental patients. We take in patients who have mild cases of schizophrenia, amnesia, things like that and give them a place to stay and try to help them." Leo nodded his head, "That is interesting. Is it public or do you have private funding?" Although both men knew that this was Lillian's ploy all along neither could help but play into her plans. "Private. It's more of a life quest for me." Dan replied. "I understand those perfectly. Maybe we should get together some time and talk about the logistics of everything." Leo inquired. Dan smirked, "I think my sister and myself would be pleased with that." Dan responded. Both men laughed and then Dan noticed someone and Leo looked to where Dan was looking.

Time stopped. It couldn't be, but there she was. Her hair had grown much longer, but he could swear it was her. She was coming toward him and he had to wonder if it was a daydream he was experiencing. However, when the young woman came closer she kissed Dan's cheek and turned to him looking expectantly. Dan introduced her, "Leo Wyatt I would like you to meet my girlfriend, Heather Price." Leo couldn't stop staring and then she spoke, "It's nice to meet you Mr. Wyatt." she greeted. He quickly shook her hand, "I'm sorry Ms. Price. You just remind me of someone." he said quickly. Heather laughed, "You read my mind Mr. Wyatt I was going to say the same thing of you." It was her voice. God it was her, it was Piper, but it couldn't be could it? "Please, call me Leo." he replied. Her smile was the same and she was so enchanting. She had on a black dress that struck a 'V' right above her cleavage and her hair was in curls around her shoulders. "Then I insist you call me Heather."

Dan watched the exchange between the two trying to keep jealousy out of it. Heather was a goddess. His goddess. He knew that he shouldn't worry, after all Heather had been with him for six months, but something gave him a feeling that something wasn't right. He realized then that Leo and Heather were both looking at him, "I'm sorry I must have zoned out. It's been very busy at the Hospital." he explained. Leo chuckled, "I understand that. I too have had a busy day and week. Speaking of which I hate to leave such good company, but I have another meeting tomorrow." "It was good to meet you Leo Wyatt." Heather said. Leo nodded, "The feeling was mutual Heather Price." Heather patted Dan's arm and then walked off.

"I hope you have a nice evening." Leo told Dan. "You do the same." Dan replied and the men parted. Leo went in search of Lillian to tell her that he was leaving. He found her talking to the mayor of San Francisco, and waited patiently until she noticed him. "Excuse me for a second." he heard her say and then she walked to him, "Are you leaving?" she asked surprised. "It's getting late and I have meetings tomorrow. I did have a good evening though." he reassured her. She smiled, "I'm glad. Thank-you for coming. I'll call you tomorrow and we can have lunch." she said. "Of course." he told her and kissed her good-bye.

He was outside when he took his cell phone out, "I hope you have a pleasant evening Mr. Wyatt." he heard Heather say behind him. He twirled around to face her, "Are you leaving too Ms. Price?" he asked. He couldn't believe it. She looked and sounded like Piper, but she was different. Her mannerisms were different and she carried herself a little differently. It was playing havoc with his emotions, but he wouldn't give up this opportunity. He refused to. "Yes actually I am. I also have work as well." she told him. "Would you care to share a cab?" She laughed at the rhythmic melody of the question. "Yes, thank-you."

A cab pulled up right then and Leo held the door for Heather. Leo gave the cabbie his address and Heather gave hers, "1329 Prescott Street please." she asked and then sat back. "So what do you do Mr. Wyatt?" she was trying to make conversation and Leo was happy for it. "My partner, Darryl Morris, and I run White Investments." he told her. Light dawned on her face and he wanted to scream. It had to be her, but she had another life. She didn't know him from anyone and it was frustrating. He wanted to tell her that she was living a lie. She was Piper Halliwelll-Wyatt and she was his wife, but he refrained.

The cab stopped at his apartment building, "I hope you have a nice evening Ms. Price." he told her while handing the cabbie a fifty. "You do the same Mr. Wyatt. I hope to see you soon." He smiled at that statement and then got out of the cab. When he shut the door and walked to the steps the cab drove away. He pulled out his phone and dialed Cole's number. "This better be good." came the gravel voice. "Would I call you at this time if it wasn't?" Leo asked. "Leo? What's going on?" Cole asked more alert. "Shh. I don't want my sister to know we're talking." he commanded. "Well she's snoring so I think you're safe. What is going on?" he demanded. Leo heard him leaving the bed, "I need you to find out all you can about Heather Price." Leo told him. "Any particular reason why?" Cole asked.

Leo sighed and entered his building. "I don't want to talk about it now, but when you get the information I'll tell you everything." Leo told him. It was Cole's turn to sigh, "I'm not going to get in trouble from Phoebe am I?" Leo smiled, whatever reservations he may have about Cole he was extremely happy to know that Cole was scared of his baby sister. "If you do blame it on me I'll take the heat." Leo told him. "Easy for you to say you're across the country." Cole grumbled. After another long sigh and then a yawn Cole replied, "Okay I'll do it. I'll call you as soon as I have something." he told him. "Thank-you Cole." Leo said. "You're welcome and you owe me one." Cole said and then hung up.

Leo pressed the button to the elevator. If Cole could find any information Leo would happily pay him for the rest of his life.

End of Part I