Unwell: Part VI by Dylan Shelby

Part VI

"It wouldn't make for sanity would it? Living with the Devil?" - Max de Winter in Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurie

It was nearly one week since Heather had kissed Leo. Nearly one week since he had last seen her. Nearly one week that his sleep had been deprived. He had spent so much time at North Pointe that Brother Shawn (as Leo referred to him) joked that he saw more of him than he did of his members. Leo had wanted to call Heather many, many times, but every time he went to he would think of Lillian and then lose his nerve. In the past week the only conclusion that Leo had come to was that he needed to break-up with Lillian. It just wasn't fair to her to keep dating her, knowing that he could never love her the way she deserved. However, that was difficult to do because she had called him on Saturday to tell him that her father had asked her to stay another week. He was also desperate to know what Heather was going through, but he wasn't sure how to approach her. Not to mention the fact that his sister, her sister-in-law, and Darryl would all be there to see Heather. He had been debating on whether he should tell Phoebe and Paige, but in the end he decided against it. Let them be shocked and silent until they left.

The phone rang. Usually no one called him on a Tuesday evening, so he was a little weary, "Hello?" he answered. "Leo, it's me Paige." He was getting worried now, "Richard called and he has to leave for Europe tomorrow. The problem is Jenny's mother is in Saudi Arabia. I wanted to run this by you first and make sure it's okay, but Phoebe could pick Jenny up and bring her here. And if you don't mind a fourteen year old hanging out for a couple of days then I can still make it." Paige said in a rush. "I don't have the third bedroom furnished, but if she wants to sleep on the couch or share a bed with you I have no problems." Leo answered. "Are you sure?" Leo nodded his head and answered, "Of course." Leo reaffirmed. "You're the best. Thanks." Paige told him. "You're more than welcome."

That had been Tuesday. Wednesday was full of getting everyone from the airport back to Leo's apartment. He had nearly missed both Phoebe and Jenny as Phoebe had cut her hair extremely short and Jenny didn't look like the twelve year old he remembered. Paige almost got past him with her short, red hair. Something she had done when she moved to San Diego. The girls had fun catching up and were doing so while Leo was in the kitchen finishing the cleaning of the take out they had decided on.

"Hey there." Phoebe said sliding into the kitchen area. "Hi." he replied and threw away two cartons. "This place is gorgeous." she commented. "Thanks. I had someone else decorate it." he told her. She nodded her head, "So how are you really doing?" Phoebe usually didn't beat around the bush and he liked that. "I'm doing good. For the moment." he replied honestly. "When will I get to meet Lillian?" she inquired. "I don't know. She's in DC with her father for the next week." Leo wasn't sure where Phoebe was going with this and he wished she would hurry up. "Prue said she was nice and pretty. I was just wondering. I hardly talk to you or see you anymore. I almost feel like a stranger." Phoebe confessed.

Leo stopped what he was doing and turned to his sister. "You're not a stranger. You know that. Besides you were the one that encouraged me to move out here." he reminded her. She shrugged, "I know, but it's been a little hard getting used to you not being there every day. I miss you." she explained with her face looking at her shoes. He smiled and took his sister into his arms. "I miss you too sis, but you're here now and you'll be back in a month." he declared. She laughed and he tickled her sides. She laughed even harder and tried to tickle him back to no avail. He picked her up over his shoulder and threw her on the couch. "Why did I miss you again?" she retorted when she had caught her breath from laughing.

Now with Thursday morning looking them in the face Leo wasn't so sure about anything. Darryl was meeting him and Paige at the office and Phoebe was going to take Jenny shopping. They were going to meet at six o'clock where Leo would treat everyone to Lion's. Phoebe and Jenny were ready to go by the time that Leo was coming out of his bedroom in one of his multiple black suits. Phoebe wanted to shake her head. Although Leo had acted like he used to when Piper was around there was still sadness surrounding him. It broke her heart to see it. She wouldn't know what she would do if Cole was ever gone like that. Which at times raised guilt inside of her. After all if it weren't for Piper's disappearance then she would have never met Cole. And the ironic thing was that if Piper was around she would tell her that everything happens for a reason. Phoebe shook her head to let the thoughts go, "Is everyone ready?" Leo asked.

Paige walked in the living room wearing a slick pin-stripped skirt suit. She looked all business with her hair pulled back. "I'm ready." She told Leo. She had her notebook with notes she had made from what Leo had given her about Bennett Hospital. Everyone went through the door with Leo trailing them and locking his door. They went to the elevator where Leo gave Phoebe a key, "This is in case you guys want to come back or something." he told her. "Thank-you." she said putting the key into her purse. Once outside a Limo and cab separated the four. The limo took Paige and Leo to White Investments where Leo and Paige waited on Darryl to make it out. "So what do you think about the hospital?" Leo asked while they were waiting on Darryl. "So far it looks good. There is a direct purpose, they have good doctors on staff, not to mention that Dan Bennett is highly regarded. I don't see any problems at the moment, but I do have some questions for when we get there." she responded. "Good." was Leo's reply when the door opened and Darryl got in.

Leo and Darryl sat with their backs to the limo driver facing Paige, "It's good to see you Paige how are you?" Darryl asked. Although he had only met Paige only a handful of times she was competent, warm, and funny. All qualities he liked. "I'm doing okay. Getting used to the weather is taking some time, but I really like San Diego." It was the truth. It was hard talking to Richard the other day. She still couldn't believe that she had left him. However, she couldn't stay in a relationship where she never got to grow. He never allowed her to truly be who she was and when he discouraged her from taking the director's position at the hospital it was the last straw. She left him. Of course it wasn't as simple as that because she had become very fond of Richard's daughter, Jenny. Jenny was a precocious young woman who had big dreams that Paige wanted to see fulfilled.

It had been hard to tell Jenny that she was leaving, but she had done it. She afraid that Jenny would resent her. However, last night had put to rest any fears that she might have had. Jenny confessed that her dad wasn't doing very well and he missed Paige. That he knew he had screwed up and even went to make a point to Jenny to tell her that it wasn't Paige's fault at all. Which tore at Paige's heart. She still loved Richard and the fact he knew he screwed up helped, but there were so many things that had to happen before she ever went back to him. Still, Jenny told her how much she had missed her and that she was glad that she got to come and see her.

By the time that Paige had come out of her reverie they had arrived at the hospital. Leo was right. It didn't look anything like a hospital on the outside. "Charming." Darryl commented. Leo nodded his head in agreement at Darryl's assessment. When they went in the doctor from Leo's first visit, Edwards, was behind the counter. "Good Morning Mr. Wyatt, Mr. Morris,..." she paused to hear Paige's name, "Dr. Matthews." Paige supplied, "Good morning Dr. Matthews. Dr. Bennett will be with you in a few moments." she informed them and then went through the glass door. Darryl looked around gathering everything he could. He wanted to see Heather. He wasn't going to lie to himself. He wanted to see how much this woman did look like Piper. Leo had confessed to him earlier that he had no intentions of telling his sister or Paige about it. Darryl wasn't sure if that was a good idea, but since he had no solution of his own he kept it to himself.

The glass doors behind the counter opened to allow Dr. Edwards and Dan through. No sight of Heather which made Leo a little suspicious and thankful at the same time. "Leo." Dan greeted and shook his hand. "Dan, I would like you to meet my partner, Darryl Morris." Leo introduced. The two men shook hands, "And this is Dr. Paige Matthews." Leo introduced. Dan smiled at her, "The Dr. Paige Matthews?" he inquired. Paige laughed, "I suppose although I didn't know I was a 'the'." Dan's smile broadened, "You use to work at Tarrant Children's Hospital correct?" he asked. Paige nodded his head, "I did." she confirmed. "Your work is very good. Very impressive." Dan commented. Paige's own smile broadened, "Thank-you. I have to say that I am an admirer of your work as well." Dan smiled at her, but turned his attention back to his investors. "Well if everyone would follow me we can start the tour." he told them. Darryl, Paige, and Leo filed behind Dan and went through the glass doors.

Leo stood back from the others and watched them. He studied Dan and his answers to the questions posed by Paige. When they got into the room reserved for the staff and the handing out of medication Paige gasped. "Glenn?" she asked. Glenn, or the orderly addressed as such, glanced up. He looked young, with tanned skin, and spiky brown hair. He looked like a surfer to Leo, but he refrained from comment. "Paige?" he responded. "What are you doing here?" she questioned. "I'd ask you the same thing." he responded. They hugged one another, "How are you Nookie?" he teased. Paige laughed. The other three men stopped to look at the reunion now that the tour had been interrupted.

"Don't tell anyone that!" she admonished, "I'm doing okay. Last time I saw you you were headed to Australia." Glenn released Paige and nodded, "I came back a few months ago, my wife, Jessica, is expecting..." and trailed off with the look of surprise on Paige's face. It was then that Paige noticed everyone else, "Um... well why don't you give me you're number and we can get together and you can tell me what's been happening." Paige suggested. Glenn nodded his head, "Sure. Just have Dr. Edwards come and get me when you're through with the tour." Glenn told her. Paige nodded her head and Glenn went back to the tray of pills and carried them out. Dan resumed the tour. As they were walking down the stairs Leo asked, "Nookie?" "Never mind." Paige brushed off and went to stand next to Dan.

It was when they got upstairs that Paige's questions became full blown. "Do you have any children patients?" she directed to Dan. "No. We don't allow anyone under the age of 18. Although we could, I would rather have a child psychologist on hand before I let anyone in. I have been thinking about opening a children's wing if I could get someone to run it." he answered. "Really?" she asked. She knew she shouldn't seem over eager, but this would be an opportunity to work with Dan Bennett and to head a hospital. "Yeah, if you want we can get together about that later and discuss it." Paige nodded her head and felt like she had just won the lottery. Not only had she been able to see a very old and dear friend, but now the opportunity to do what she loved best, working with children.

As the rest of the tour concluded Leo was getting a little anxious. He hadn't seen Heather once and would have asked, but he wasn't sure how Dan would take that. "So, you have three doctors working here, plus how many nurses?" Paige asked. "We have six nurses, but one of our volunteers, is studying to become a nurse, so we'll have seven by May." Paige nodded her head and made more notes in her notebook. They walked back to counter, finished with the tour. "Well thank-you for the tour Dan. We will discuss it and get back with you shortly." Leo informed him. Dan smiled, "Thank-you. I really do appreciate your time. And Paige, here is my number, call when you get the chance and we can talk." Paige smiled at him, "I will. Thank-you." she told him. The three left the area.

The limo was waiting for them and they got in. "So?" Leo asked. "I'm in." Darryl said. He was upset that he hadn't seen this Heather Price, but the hospital had potential. He also liked Dan. He was a lot like his sister, Lillian, and Darryl believed that he was true to his word. "It's good Leo. It has great potential and they have a cause. The nurses seem friendly as do the doctors. The environment is open and light which I believe is essential in cases like the ones we saw. There aren't too many patients, so they really get one on one time. I see no problems for you if you invest." Paige gave her professional opinion. "Yeah. What she said." Darryl laughed.

"That's what I thought too." Leo told them. "Well it's only one o'clock. If you would like to change and meet up with Jenny and Phoebe we can have the limo drop us off at the office, and you can go wherever you need to go." Leo directed at Paige. Paige smiled, "Thank-you. I think I will take you up on your offer." she told him.

Heather watched as the limo drove off. She had purposefully took the morning off. She had no desire to run into Leo Wyatt again. Her emotions had been all over the place and she didn't need to see him to confuse her anymore. Not to mention the dreams she was having. If she didn't know better she would swear that she had another life. It was hard enough to go to work every day and see Dan. She cared about him, but she didn't love. She had never felt that spark that she had when she kissed Leo. She just needed to find the right time to tell Dan. She shook her head and entered into the hospital. She was going to force herself to take her mind off of Leo Wyatt.

When Leo and Darryl got back to the office Jason Dean was waiting for them. "I say this makes up for the last dinner." he jested when they entered the conference room. Darryl and Leo laughed, "Even." "Okay. I believe I found the prime location not to mention an architect that can do exactly what we want." Jason said getting right down to business. "I believe that Fort Worth, Texas, is probably the best. There's a real sense of History there and the market is prime down there for the kind of opening that we want. I'm going down there tomorrow to look at the property. If I think it's good then you guys can come down there with me and check it out for yourselves."

"What about the architect? Can we check him out?" Darryl asked. "Yes you can. His name is, Curtis Williamson, he is ambitious, but he's good. He would be willing to go the extra mile especially if this turns out well." Jason informed them. "Good. We can look in on Mr. Williamson, and you go and look at the property. I want this done quickly because if no one knows we are doing it then no one can copy us before we get finished." Leo directed. The men nodded, "I will call you as soon as I can." Jason told them and left. "I'm excited about this." Darryl told Leo. "I am too. You're better with the visual stuff, could you look at the architect?" Darryl laughed, "Always trying to get out of your responsibility." he teased. Leo laughed, "Yes I am. Speaking of will Sheila be joining us for dinner?" Darryl shrugged his shoulders, "I'll call and see, but morning sickness has hit and well..." he trailed off. Leo laughed, "Well let me know and she can't tell her she will be very missed." "I will." Darryl promised and the two parted company.

Sheila hadn't been able to make it to dinner, which saddened Phoebe as she wanted to see her, but she decided she would visit her later. The girls had fun bonding and shopping. Paige and Jenny would be leaving on Saturday while Phoebe wouldn't be leaving until Monday. Cole had finally called to tell her that he was coming home on Tuesday. Leo who was also glad to hear as he wondered what else Cole could find out. This limbo state that he seemed to be permanently in was not helping him at all. He needed to know if Heather was Piper. He would confess everything to her, but he was terrified. This not knowing was safer. Because if she wasn't Piper then was going to have to deal with the pain all over again. Not to mention knowing that there was someone out there who looked a lot like his wife. He just wasn't sure what to do.

Later that night Paige really did feel like she was on Cloud Nine. She had set up an appointment to meet with Dan on Friday, but for right now Phoebe and Leo were with Jenny at the movies and she was on her way to meet Glenn. When she got there she saw him with a beautiful blonde. Once upon a time she would have been jealous of this woman, but after everything she had been through she was happy for Glenn. "Paige!" he called to her. She walked over to them. She was dressed in jeans and a satin blue shirt. Glenn got up and hugged her. "I didn't get to you earlier that I like the red." he complimented. She blushed, "Thank-you. I needed a change." she told him. "Paige I would like you to meet my wife, Jessica." The two women shook hands and sat down. Glenn told her what he had been doing. How he had met Jessica on his adventure in Australia and Paige told them about Richard. All in all it was a good night and Paige was starting to feel the sun shining for the first time in a while.

End of Part VI

*Author's Notes: This chapter would not have happened this well with out CharmedMummy's suggestions. THANK YOU! Your suggestions made me think and I came up with this idea. So, thank-you once again. I really enjoy your reviews and insight!