Unwell:  Part XII

--

For those who understand, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not understand, no explanation is possible." -- Unknown

--

Piper groaned with the pain that was pounding through her brain. She tried to open her eyes , but that was much to painful and she fell back asleep. When she woke up the second time the pain wasn't as intense, but there was dull thumping in her temples. She tried to remember what was going on, but it was to hard. She tried to swallow, but found it difficult and she whimpered against the pain.

"Here." a deep voice stated. Piper didn't what that meant, but she felt a straw against her lips and took small sips. The water burned, but it did make her feel better. She felt the sun on her face and finally opened her eyes. Well as open as she would allow because of the burning sun. Still it was progress.

Her mind turned to what was responsible for this and as she thought hard it all came crashing back. Leo had been taken, she had been reunited with her son, and she had fainted. Again. That didn't sit well with her and she tried to sit up. 

"Easy." the same voice cautioned. Piper opened her eyes further and looked to her left where the voice was coming from. She had seen this man before. He was tall with black hair and a slim build. She racked her brain until he came closer to help her up, it was Cole.

"Thanks." she murmured as she sat up and looked around at her room. Something was missing... Wyatt! "Where's Wyatt?" she asked in a panicked tone. 

Cole answered in a calm soothing voice, "He's downstairs in the cafeteria with your sister."

"Bianca?" she asked. She was confused, Bianca wasn't her sister, but Prue was in Texas. She looked to Cole.

He shook his head, "Prue." he answered. He opened his mouth to speak again, but was taken aback when Piper exploded.

"Prue? What the HELL is Prue doing here? She's suppose to be safe! You guys are suppose to keep her safe! What is going on?!?" She almost leapt out of bed until she realized she was in a hospital gown, and then crossed her arms over her chest glaring at Cole.

In all the memories that Phoebe and Leo had shared with him Piper's temper was never mentioned. 

"Well?" Piper snapped. She was running low on patience and with her head still pounding she was about ready to explode.

Cole's anger flashed in his eyes, "Look, we didn't have a choice. Agent Seer doesn't know your sister and we needed someone to look after Wyatt."

His anger didn't dissuade Piper at all, "What about Paige, or Darryl? Why bring Prue all the way from Texas?"

Cole shook his head while he answered, "They would have been put in more danger. No one knows Prue is here which keeps both her and Wyatt safe."

Piper didn't answer, but silently fumed. She looked out the windows at the bright morning light. "I guess this means you still haven't found Leo."

Cole calmed down and looked down at his hands, "No, we haven't. The agents are out looking and have sent me to stay here and watch out for you, Prue, and Wyatt."

She shook her head. She couldn't stay here. Not while Leo was missing and her son was in danger. She had to help and told Cole so. He shook his head at her suggestion, but was met with stony determination and a command to leave so that she could change.

Cole walked out of the room and quietly shut the door. He needed to get a hold of the other agents, but without the ability to use his cell phone there wasn't much he could do. He looked down the hall and then the other side and then sat down.

Prue picked up Wyatt in his carrier groaning at his weight. She made a quick check glad to see that he was still asleep. He hadn't been happy when Bianca left and had continued his displeasure throughout the night. She understood that he had been left with a stranger, but as a single woman this was proving to be very difficult. 

She started down the hall and noticed that Cole was sitting in a chair with his head in his hands. "What's going on?" she asked when she got closer.

Cole snapped his head up, "Your sister is awake and is getting dressed." 

"What? She's awake?" her voice contained the excitement she felt. With a small movement of his head Cole pointed Prue to the door and took Wyatt from her.

Piper was just putting on her boots when she saw the door open, "Piper?" the voice called. Piper stood up and watched with rapt attention as Prue walked in. "Prue?" she asked in a whisper.

The girls smiled at one another and then there was a rush. They were in constant hugs, tears, and laughter. "I just I can't believe... I just." Prue stuttered. 

Piper patted Prue's back, "I know it's a lot, and we can talk about it later, but I have to save Leo."

Prue jerked back, "Piper, you're in danger. Let Bianca and those guys find him. I just got you back..." Prue trailed off at Piper's shaking head.

"No. I did not loose two years of my life to loose him. I HAVE to find him. Leo HAS to meet his son and I want my family back."

"Piper." Prue said sternly in a voice that had always made Piper think twice, but not this time. 

Piper shook her head, "I'm sorry Prue, but I have to do this. I'm going to take you and Wyatt to my old apartment. No one should find you there and then I'm going with Cole to find my husband."

Prue shook her head, but knew she didn't have a choice. This was a side she had rarely seen in her sister, but she had a feeling that due to the situation Piper had faced that this was more likely her personality now.

Piper saw her sister slip into resignation and gave her a hug. "I haven't come this far to loose it all. Trust me." Prue nodded and watched as Piper slipped out the door. Her sister was different. Even in the white t-shirt and jeans she wore there was something in her that Prue had never seen. Except once. When her relationship with Leo was starting to falter. Piper was determined to make her marriage work and it did. Prue hoped only for the best.

--

Piper walked out to the car where Cole waited. "I just got off the phone with my partner, Brody. I've called the others. They're going to meet us at the office."

Piper walked around the black Lincoln to the passenger seat. "Why what is going on?" She watched him as he got into the car and Piper followed his example.

"He wouldn't tell me over the phone, but if the Assistant Director sent him then it must be big." Cole said while starting the car and driving away.

"Skinner?" Piper asked with a hint of nostalgia.

"You know Skinner? Is that how you knew who I was?"

"Yes, I met Skinner once. He seemed like a nice guy. Besides I saw you on the news and I did have my memory for the first nine months." Piper explained. Those first few months were the toughest. Her disappearance had been big news and to watch the anguish on her family's face was hard, but she would do it all again if it meant keeping them safe.

Cole didn't say anything. It shouldn't surprise him that she knew who he was or Skinner, but to a degree it felt like a betrayal. One he understood, but never the less felt.

--

They arrived to find a man who looked slightly like Cole except he was shorter and younger. Cole acknowledged him, "Brody."

"Turner." Brody said with a nod of his head. He looked to the woman in front of him. She was in jeans, a white t-shirt, and a camel colored leather jacket. She was short too, but in her eyes he saw the determination and knew she was spitfire. "I'm Agent Kyle Brody." he introduced.

Piper took his hand, "Piper Halliwell. Where are the others?"

Brody answered, "They're not here yet." He cocked his head to the door to prove his point. "Do one of you have a key?" he asked Cole and Piper.

Piper shook her head and so did Cole. "Well then I guess we'll have to wait for them." Brody stated.

"In the meantime you can tell me what Skinner told you." Cole told Brody.

"It seems that Agent Seer has a relative, or at least an in-law. Seer's husband had a young half sister when he died. Her name was Kiera Seer Travis. Apparently Agent Seer had taken care of the sister after her husband died..." Brody trailed off at the sound of a car heading toward them. 

Piper, Cole, and Brody watched as Lawson and Bennett pulled up and got out of the car. "Who's he?" Bennett asked.

Brody stuck out his hand, "I'm Agent Kyle Brody. I'm Turner's partner. Assistant Director Skinner sent me." 

Bennett gave a short nod in acknowledgement, but Bianca shook his hand, "I'm Agent Bianca Lawson, and this is my partner Chris Bennett."

"Nice to meet you both. I was just explaining to Turner and Piper what the AD sent me out here for."

"Well you can tell us when we get in." Bennett told him and went to open the door. He led them to the conference room flipping on lights as he went. While Bianca grilled Piper about being out of the hospital which only got Piper's anger for having Prue there. They drew a slight truce when they got into the conference room.

"So what do you have?" Bennett asked as he sat in on the conference chairs.

"Agent Seer's sister-in-law, Kiera Seer Travis, seems to be engaged to Anton Jessup." Brody explained.

"What?" Bianca asked.

Brody then gave the same explanation he had given Piper and Cole. "If Skinner hadn't skimmed the paper his wife was holding he never would have known. Since her name is Travis it never registered with those watching that she was Agent Seer's former sister-in-law. They really would have no reason to know or be alarmed." Brody finished explaining.

"Well that could explain why Bane was taken." Bennett said. The only thing that they had found at Bane's apartment was that he was seen with a woman and a tall dark haired man.

"Guys." Cade called out.

"In here." Bennett yelled back.

Cade appeared in the doorway, "Who's he?" he asked pointing to Brody.

"Agent Kyle Brody, Turner's partner. AD Skinner sent me."

Cade nodded and then walked in, "Piper? What are you doing here..." he trailed off with Bianca's shaking head. "Never mind. I met with an informant. Guess who's back in town?" HE looked at their faces for a moment, "Anton."

Bennett filled in Cade on what Brody had told them and what him and Lawson had seen at Bane's apartment. 

"Well that explains that, but why take Trudeau?" Cade asked.

"Maybe Trudeau would have known about the sister? He's originally from New York. Out of everyone here he would have been the one to figure it out?" Cole theorized.

"Okay, that's as good as anything but why Leo? Leo didn't have anything to do with this. Hell he had no idea about Jessup or anything else." Bianca spoke up.

"How are they going to escape?" Brody asked. All of the eyes turned to him. In all this time they hadn't thought about it. They had called the local authorities, but hadn't put out an APB because they didn't want Seer to hear it.

"The safest way and most undetectable would be by boat." Cade answered.

"Leo has a yacht." Piper piped up.

"And he had it moved here a month ago." Cole supplied.

Everyone drew the same conclusion. "Alright we will go and search the yacht. See if they've left yet..." Cade started

Cole shook his head, "No, I mean, you can go search, but that is too many people to be taken on a yacht. Especially one like Leo's, but she has to be keeping them somewhere else. Perhaps somewhere near the water..."

"Dan's cabin!" Bennett yelled. "Sonofabitch! I bet that's where they're at." he swore. All of the eyes looked to him for explanation and he supplied it. "My father use to have a cabin near the water. When Dan graduated from Medical School my father gave it to him as a gift."

"So they didn't just take your brother and father for revenge." Lawson summed up.

"What? Dan and Victor were taken?" Piper asked. 

Lawson turned to her, "You've missed a few things since you fainted."

Piper rolled her eyes, "Okay, so what do we do? How do we find my husband?"

"We'll split into two groups. I, Bennett, and Lawson will go to Dan's cabin. Turner and Brody can find out about the yacht." Cade said.

"What about me?" Piper asked. Cade opened his mouth to say something, but Piper shook her head, "I'll go with Cole. You can't keep me here. I didn't risk my life and my family to site idly by and do nothing."

"Fine. You can go with Turner and Brody, but stay out of danger. This is all useless if you're dead." Cade told her. Piper nodded and then stood up with the rest of the group. 

--

The yacht had been useless. There wasn't any sign of anyone being on it or preparing to take it anywhere. They asked a few of the men who were working around the ships, but none of them had seen anyone. Which didn't mean anything, but it did make their hands empty. "Let's go to the cabin." Brody suggested as they walked back to the Lincoln. 

"I don't know where it is." Cole answered.

"I do." Piper stated. Brody looked to Cole, but Cole gave the keys over to Piper. 

--

"Shit! We're going to have to call for back up." Bennett swore. Both Cade and Lawson nodded in agreement. The cabin was the hot spot. They could see three people in the main area of the cabin. There was a small metal shed a few feet from the house. There was no telling who might be in that and what was taking place in the living room. If the agents expected anyone to get out alive they were going to have to get some help.

"Lawson, go back to the car, call for back up." Cade said.

Lawson almost shook her head, but knew she couldn't disobey and that Chris would agree with Cade. She moved as quickly and undetectable as possible. The area of the cabin was open. Woods surrounded the back of the cabin which was where support would have to come from, but the front and sides were open facing the ocean. The main road led up to the side of the cabin which was where they had parked a ways back.

She got to the car to see Cade and Bennett slip around to where the tin shed was. She opened the car door and radioed for help. She then looked around her and started walking toward the cabin. It was then that shots rang out, and Lawson started running.

--

When Piper, Cole, and Brody showed up they knew instantly that the other agents had found Mrs. Seer. The place was crawling with officers and various other agents. She saw two people in handcuffs and looked for anyone she recognized. "Stay back." Cole and Brody told her as they walked toward the chaos. Piper started walking toward them, but a huge officer stopped her," It's not safe to go past this point."

She shook her head at him, but he wouldn't budge. Piper almost growled with contempt but held her gaze on the cabin and those streaming by. She heard shots and soon everyone was ducking including herself. There was eruption of noise and the officer tried to move her back to the car, "You need to get behind the vehicle." he shouted at her. She was about to comply with his wishes when she saw the tin shed open up. She watched as Cade started to bring someone out around his shoulders.

The person had light hair and was wearing what was a long sleeved shirt. Piper then noticed as the person lifted their head. Piper let out a scream and started running. The officer was too slow to catch her and she was already half way to where Leo was being taken to some ambulance by the time the officer caught up to her. He almost stopped her too, but Piper quickened her pace and made it to Cade and Leo before he could lay a hand on her.

"Leo!" she cried. Leo was suffering from dehydration and a concussion, but he knew that voice and he looked up. She was holding him in her arms before anyone could say something. "Oh God." Piper sobbed. She couldn't believe what was going on. Piper felt someone tugging at her arm, "Miss, he needs to be taken to the hospital." the voice said.

Piper let Leo go, but followed closely behind. "I have to come with." The EMT nodded his head and Piper followed behind as they wheeled Leo into the truck. She heard commotion behind her, but it was the yell that made her turn around only to see who must be Agent Seer take a gun from one of the agents and point it widely. Then the bullet had been released and everyone watched in horror at the direction. Piper had finally seen the end. Just then she was pushed to the ground.

--

Piper would be glad when she no longer had to be in a hospital. The smell was terrible and it made her uncomfortable to be in the facility. Still, she would have to be here for a few more days. She pushed the door open. "Morning Sunshine." she greeted. "dunhi." Wyatt repeated after her. She smiled at him and Leo laughed. "

Good morning Wyatt." Leo greeted and both father and son waited impatiently as the woman they loved picked Wyatt up to hand him over to his father. Sunshine was Wyatt's third word. Not only was it how Leo and Piper greeted one another it was also how Andy greeted everyone at the office including Wyatt himself.

Leo gave Piper a kiss as she put their son in his lap. "So how's my little guy today?" he asked Wyatt who shook his head and patted Leo's cheeks. Piper sat in the chair and watched with loving thoughts of her son and husband together. This what she had fought so hard to have. This what she had believed she would get eventually and here it was. 

"So what's on the agenda for today?" Leo asked.

"Well in about an hour Wyatt and I are going to visit Chris. He gets released tomorrow and I wanted to stop in and see him again." Piper explained. The bullet that had been meant for her was taken by Chris. Thanks to God above it had entered his shoulder leaving him out for the past three days. Piper felt a twinge of guilt that Chris had taken the bullet for her, but the fact that he was okay and would recover without problems put her to ease.

"That's good. I can't wait until I get out of here." Piper gave him a small smile, "You'll be out by the end of the week. I promise."

Leo gave her a smile and winced as once again Wyatt "patted" his cheek. Piper laughed and walked over to the other side and slid in between the rail and Leo's body. Wyatt laughed with gaiety at the sounds his parents made.

Almost an hour later with Wyatt sleeping softly on Leo's chest and quiet chats with Piper a knock sounded on the door. 

"Can I come in?" the voice asked. 

Leo and Piper both smiled as Phoebe came into the room. She had arrived two days ago and had been up to the hospital about as much as Piper had been. 

"I'm sorry. I'm not interrupting am I?" she asked with hesitation in her movements.

Piper shook her head, "No, of course not. Come on in. I need to go visit Agent Bennett anyway." The two women hugged and Piper left with Wyatt still sleeping in his father's arms.

"He is so precious Leo." Phoebe cooed. "I know." Leo stated with fatherly pride. Phoebe smiled and went sat in the chair next to the bed.

"So." Leo stated.

"Sew Buttons?" Phoebe asked and Leo smiled again. Phoebe's heart clenched at the site. She had seen her brother smile more in the past three days than in the entire two years that Piper was missing. She was so happy that not only was Piper back, but that Leo was back. She had missed her brother terribly.

"Well Cole says their almost finished with the paper work." It was a joke of course, as far as any of the agents knew they would be doing paper work for the rest of their lives, but Cole's part was almost finished and then him and Phoebe would be on their way back to New York.

"So, Cole is getting out of the Bureau?" Leo asked her. He knew that this both delighted and worried his sister.

"He says that he's ready for a change and with the way this case has gone he doesn't want something like that again. As long as he's happy I'll be supportive."

"I wouldn't worry too much Phoebe. He wouldn't quit if he didn't want to." Leo assured her.

"I know, this is all just so much that I haven't processed it yet."

Leo laughed, "I know the feeling."

--

Three days later Leo was released. His wife and son greeted him at the entrance as they wheeled him out to the limo. When they got in Leo gave his wife a questioning look, "The limo?"

Piper smiled, "For two years I've driven beat up vehicles, lived in some of the most unsavory of places, and walked everywhere. I think it's only fair." she told him. Leo laughed and kissed her.

When they got to the apartment Leo was thinking about taking a shower and then a nap, but that was quickly pushed aside when he opened the door to see everyone in his living room. Cole, Phoebe, Darryl, Sheila, Paige, Prue, and a few others. Piper smiled at him as he went to meet with everyone.

His guests allowed him to take a shower and change.  He felt much better after his shower and the chance to wear actual clothing.  Just for Piper he decided against his jeans and plaid and went instead for dark gray slacks with stormy blue shirt.  When he got back out he found his son in his dark denim overalls and white t-shirt in Prue's arms who was talking to Andy Trudeau, he had been released two days before Leo.  Of course Leo believed that Andy had signed the waiver and left before he was suppose to, but he couldn't prove it. Piper who was wearing a pair of black pants and a lighter storm blue blouse was over talking with Paige and Sheila. He had missed the sight of her.  Darryl was talking to Phoebe, Cole, and Matthew Cade. Jason was even there, but he was now talking to the newly arrived Lillian, Dan, Chris and Bianca. It was complete.

He walked over to Piper and slipped his arms around her feeling the acute awareness that it had been over two years since he had done that particular action before. "I love you." he whispered into her ear. Piper moved her head back to lay on his shoulder, "I love you too." she whispered back giving him a kiss.

--

The End.

Epilogue follows >>