Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed or any of the characters that I borrow from that show.
Summary: Piper Halliwell is a successful crime journalist who gets herself into a lot more trouble then she anticipated when she takes on to write a story on AD George Marshall, a powerful man in the FBI who is being accused of a major crime. Leo Wyatt is an FBI agent working for Marshall, who comes to the young journalist to protect his boss. The two unlikely characters might have to come together and cooperate to bring on justice.
This is a Non-Magical story, like most of mine, but it has some elements from the show. Like Piper's sisters, who will play a role in this fiction.
AN: Ok, so those of you who have read my stories, I know you are VERY angry at me right now, because I haven't updated two of my fictions in about 5 months, and I know you hate me for that. I stopped because I went to a month long vacation, and then when I came back I just didn't take the time to update, and now I'm just not sure what to do with them. I promise to try and finish both Bound by Law and Life is Inescapable.
But I just had this idea for this story, and I couldn't help myself. I hope you read it and like it…
Enjoy guys.
Chapter I
Monday Buzz at the Office.
She was late, again.
It has been raining for several days in a row, and the driveway was flooded. She pulled on the gate, over and over. On the fifth time if finally swung open.
"Shit."
Her shoes were wet, and she was hardly even out of the house.
She got in her car and turned the music on. Nothing good. It was already 8:30 am, and her article was due last night. She's agreed to cover the FBI story, but it turned out to be a lot more time consuming then she had anticipated.
Piper Halliwell was a crime reporter, a journalist working for the SF Daily Reporter magazine. She's been working there for over 5 years, and the busy live of infinite deadlines suited her.
As she stood in the traffic downtown, she looked down at her grey knee length skirt and examined the spot where she poured coffee over herself that morning.
On the radio, some Portuguese guy was mumbling music. Piper switched it to some news.
"The FBI reports that they will cooperate, but they ensure the public that AD Marshall is an innocent man. CIA is leading an investigation, but they haven't reported any conclusions so far. A court date for George Marshall will be decided on sometime next week…"
Piper already knew all this. She also knew that the FBI was keeping some secrets that didn't belong to them. The public had a right to know that AD George Marshall was a criminal.
Piper wasn't one of those journalists who play it safe. She put her nose where it didn't belong, and she dug out information. She had good contacts too. Her sisters always said that she was taking her work too seriously. "You're making it too personal", Prue always said. Piper didn't care. It's the way she liked it.
The traffic had finally eased up when her cell rang.
"Yeah?" She answered. She had a pretty good idea who was calling her.
"Halliwell! I swear on my wife's skinny ass, if you're not here in five minutes, I will fire you and make damn sure no one ever hires you again!" That was the boss, Robert Owls. His English accent spit in her ear right through the phone.
"Breath Owls, I'm on my way. Give me 10 minutes."
"This article was due yesterday! It's no fucking good for us now!"
"I'll edit it." Piper said. She's had this conversation a million times before.
"You don't have time; you were supposed to start on tomorrow's story at 7:30 this morning! Where in hell are you?"
"I'm late, Owls, but I'm on my way, I swear. And don't worry about tomorrow's story; I'm almost done with it."
"No you're not." Robert's voice changed course, he sounded skeptical. Piper smiled.
"Oh yes I am. I already sent the first part to Charlotte, you can go ask her."
"No you didn't." Piper's smile grew wider. She adored this man. He's been her boss for the whole time she worked for The SF Reporter, and it was rare that a day went by that he didn't threaten to fire her.
"I did, Owls, and I'll have John edit this story. So stop worrying so much…" Piper was mocking him.
There was a silence.
"I love you Piper. I'll die of a heart attack in 10 years because of you, but I-"
"Love me, I know. I love you too Owls, stop freaking out. I've got it all under control." She hung up.
She was at the office in 7 minutes time. The guard opened the doors to the building for her.
"Thanks, Benny." She flashed a quick smile, and walked briskly inside. She closed her umbrella and shook it, getting glanced from a few of the people who walked around her, but she continued forward. She took the elevator to the 8th floor. As soon as the doors opened and she took a step out, about 5 people jumped on her, papers seemed to fly everywhere.
Monday morning buzz. The usual.
"Piper, I don't understand what do you want me to do with all these papers, I need clear directions, I can't work like this!" John was the loudest of all, so he was the one to get her attention first.
"Forget that John, I need you to edit tomorrow's story for me, the one about Marshall's court date. Have it on Owls' desk by noon." She said, taking her coat off, still marching towards her office.
"Ms. Halliwell, I couldn't get the CIA guy on the phone, they won't take any questions." That was Marry.
"That's alright, we got time. Try again tomorrow." Piper said, and stopped by the coffee machine to make herself some.
With a coffee full mug, Piper walked across to her secretary's desk.
"Any massages for me Bridget?" She asked.
"Morning Ms. Halliwell. I have a few yes. The guy who tried to jump off a building agreed to be interviewed-"
"Cancel him, we don't have time anymore. I gotta put all efforts on the FBI." Piper cut off.
"Alright, it's done. Mr. Owls came by twice looking for you." Bridget continued.
"That's already taken care of. Anything else?"
"Yes, your sister called."
"Which one?"
"Phoebe. She asked to call back."
"I'll do that. I need around an hour to finish this article, so try to keep the phone calls to a minimal."
"Will do, Ms. Halliwell. But there was another massage for you. An FBI agent came by, wanted to talk."
That caught Piper's attention. "FBI wanted to talk to me? I'm the one that's usually chasing them, not the other way around. Anyone I know?"
"Special Agent Wyatt."
"Don't ring any bells."
"I think he is one of AD Marshall's people."
Piper's eyes widened. "Marshall's people? Well that's a surprise. Those people despise me for the story I wrote on him last weeks." She reasoned.
"He asked to call. Would you like me to set a meeting?"
"Sure. Anytime after 12. And before 6, I have to be at Prue's for dinner, it's my niece's birthday."
"It's done."
"Good." Piper said, and walked into her office, closing the door behind her.
She took a gulp of her coffee, and picked up her phone.
"Hello?" Phoebe's voice answered.
"Hey sis." Piper said while opening her laptop.
"Piper! How are you? Listen, can you buy some wine for tonight?"
"Phoebes, work is crazy, I was planning to go to Prue's place straight from the office."
"Oh come on, I promised Prue we'd help with everything, and you know how she wants this dinner to be perfect…" Phoebe pleaded.
"I know, I know, but I really won't have time…"
"What else is new? Look, your niece is turning four; everything has to be great tonight!"
"You just love making me feel guilty don't you…"
"Just get some wine, any kind will work. Not to talk about how you should be the one cooking, not me. But I guess you prefer to poison everyone…" Cooking was not Phoebe's thing. It was Piper's. But Piper never had time anymore.
"Alright, alright, I'll bring the wine. Anything else?"
"A man, maybe?" Phoebe tried.
"Don't even go there."
"Why not? You haven't had any real relationships in 4 years."
"Phoebes, really, no time for this conversation again. I have a million deadlines to miss. I'll see you guys tonight."
"I can't wait. Love you."
"You too."
The article was done in just over an hour.
"Bridget, give this to Owls, and tell him it's ready to fly."
"Done."
"Good. Do you have anything for me?"
"Yes. I talked to the FBI agent. He'll be here at noon."
"Great. Make sure he feels welcome, I want to get him to answer some questions and I need him in a good mood for that."
An hour later, at noon exactly, someone knocked on her office door.
Piper smoothed out her jacket, ran her fingers through her hair and crossed her legs.
"Come in!"
"Ms. Halliwell, Agent Wyatt is here."
"Let him in."
He was medium height, dark blond hair, broad cheekbones, and a confident walk. Good looking. She could tell by his well-fitted black suit that he wasn't just a rookie. His tie was expensive too.
Piper got up to shake his hand, and he flashed her a smile. Nice teeth. Strong shake. Not bad.
"Ms. Halliwell, nice to meet."
"My pleasure, Agent Wyatt."
She gestured him to take a seat across the table, and he did.
"Coffee?" She offered.
"No thanks, I don't drink."
Piper glanced at her three empty mugs of coffee on the table, then looked back up. He looked around 30, maybe just a bit older then herself.
"So, Agent Wyatt,-"
"Please, call me Leo."
Piper smiled. This was going to be fun.
AN: Well… there you have it. This chapter was pretty much just to introduce you to who Piper is, and a little of Leo. There is a lot more going on then it seems, and I think it can be very interesting. I have pretty good plans for this story, and I hope you guys are planning to stick around.
Please leave me a review and let me know if I've got something her and if I should continue. Thanks!