Dropping Hints

The bell rang and students poured into the hallways, some heading for their next class while others crammed into the cafeteria. Piper grabbed a tray, making her way through the lunch line. After paying she sat down at a vacant table and began to pick at her food. High school had not been her favorite place the last five years. Certainly it wasn't horrible and she had Prue there until sophomore year and Phoebe was there now. But it just wasn't all that exciting. She didn't date; regardless of the fact that Victor's dating rule had come and passed two years ago. The only person she wanted to date told her she had to wait until she was eighteen. The doors opened and Phoebe walked in with a few of her friends. The fifteen-year-old spotted her older sister sitting alone and let out a groan. She's gotten her empath power under control years ago but it didn't mean she couldn't feel her sister's emotions.

"Guys….I'll be right back," she muttered and headed for Piper.

"I swear she never sits with us anymore," one of the girls said.

"She'll be back," Rick assured her. Phoebe sunk into the chair next to Piper.

"Spill sister," she ordered.

"There's nothing to spill, Phoebe. Go have lunch with your friends. They're waiting," Piper muttered into her mac and cheese. Phoebe rolled her eyes.

"Come on Piper. I could feel you misery all the way across the room," Phoebe pressed.

"I'm not miserable…just…" Piper began but Phoebe finished her sentence for her.

"Frustrated and disappointed," Phoebe finished. Piper gave her a dark look.

"I can finish my own sentences thank you," she snapped.

"Sorry…just trying to help," Phoebe replied.

"So what's bothering you?" Phoebe asked, settling in for a long talk. Her friends would still be there later. Her sister's problem needed addressing now. If the girls had learned one thing over the last ten years as witches, it was never bottle emotions up.

"It's Leo. He said we could date when I turned eighteen. Well I'm eighteen and he still hasn't asked me out," Piper finally admitted, pushing her food away. Phoebe grabbed it and pulled it towards her.

"Have you tried talking to him about it?" the younger of the two asked.

"Yeah…he just makes excuses not to talk about it," she muttered darkly.

"Maybe the Elders are freaking out again," Phoebe said with a shrug.

"It's none of their damn business," Piper spat.

"Well I don't know," Phoebe said, throwing her hands up. The pair fell into silence for the remainder of the lunch period. As the bell rang Phoebe ran to catch up up with her friends while Piper grabbed her bag and headed for her locker. She was just about to shut her locker when she felt a presence behind her. She turned around to see a guy just standing there, looking at her. It reminded her vaguely of when she first met Cole five years ago.

"Can I help you?" she asked, shifting her bag to her other shoulder.

"I'm Dan. We sit next to each other in chemistry," he said. Her brow furrowed for a second before it clicked.

"Oh…" she muttered.

"I was wondering if…you're busy this afternoon," Dan said. Piper's heart began to beat a little faster and she wished Prue were there to whisk her out of the situation like she'd been able to do so many times before. But she was there alone.

"I'm kind of busy today…" she muttered.

"Oh…ok…maybe tomorrow?" he pressed.

"Look…I have to go to class," she said, slamming her locker shut and starting to walk down the hall. He took two large strides to keep up with her.

"Hey…Piper I just wanted to tell you that I think you're a really cool girl and I'd like to hang out," Dan said, keeping stride with her, no matter how fast she walked. She stopped walking and presented him with a forced smile.

"Thanks. But uh…I really have to go," she said and walked into the classroom to her right, leaving Dan to watch her go.

Some time later, Piper trudged back to her locker to grab her coat. To her great displeasure Dan was waiting there for her. Didn't he get that she wasn't interested? He stepped back to let her open her locker.

"So I know you said you're busy today…but are you free for lunch tomorrow?" he pressed. What was with this guy?

"I don't know," she answered, pulling her jacket on. Just then Phoebe and her friends walked by.

"Pheebs!" Piper called. Phoebe stopped and slowly turned around.

"What?" the younger of the two asked.

"Where are you going?" Piper asked.

"To hang out with my friends," she answered, starting to turn around.

"No you're not," her sibling said.

"Piper…" Phoebe groaned.

"Hey…I'm not the one who got caught sneaking back in at two in the morning," Piper hissed.

"Please…just for a little while?" Phoebe begged. Piper grabbed her sister and pulled her away a little ways.

"Pheebs, I'm not going to lie for you. I can't exactly go out with Leo if I'm grounded," Piper grumbled.

"Well it's not like he's asked you," Phoebe muttered.

"That's not the point," Piper snapped.

"Piper please….I haven't hung out with them in like a week," Phoebe begged.

"I hate being the middle sister," Piper grumbled but waved her sister away. Phoebe gave her sister a hug and rushed after her friends. With that Piper did her best to walk past Dan without saying anything. She made it to her car before she had to stop and face him again.

"Little sisters can be a pain," he said. Piper tossed her bag into the passenger seat. What she wouldn't give for Leo to show up right now. Maybe then Dan would get it that she wasn't interested.

"Phoebe is just going through some stuff," Piper said and pulled the door shut. Dan stepped back and watched her pull out of the parking lot. She was never so happy to get home. She cut the ignition and grabbed the mail before heading inside. She walked into the kitchen to find Prue sitting there with a book in hand.

"Hey, how was school?" Prue asked.

"Fine," Piper answered.

"What are you doing here? I thought you had a study group today?" Piper asked, setting the mail down. Prue picked it up and resorted it.

"We cancelled. Besides, I haven't seen you guys in a little while," Prue answered.

"You were here two days ago," Piper snickered.

"So maybe I miss being home with you guys," Prue admitted.

"You're weird," Piper laughed.

"So where is Pheebs?" Prue muttered, tossing the bills on the counter.

"Out with her friends. I caved," Piper sighed, sinking into the chair opposite her older sister.

"It happens to the best of us," Prue laughed.

"Hey….what's bothering you?" she asked. Piper glared at her.

"Nothing," Piper answered.

"Oh come on. I'm your sister. I know when something is bothering you," Prue retorted.

"It's just…I'm eighteen now…and Leo still hasn't asked me out…he said he liked me…and then he keeps saying I have to wait. I'm tired of waiting," Piper ranted.

"So tell him that," Prue said.

"Piper…sometimes guys need to be smacked to get their heads in the right direction," Prue said, closing her book. Piper couldn't help but smile a little.

"I'll take that under consideration," Piper said and she headed upstairs.

"Go knock him dead!" Prue called.

"Not funny!" Piper called back. She tossed her bag on the floor and sat down on her bed. She took a minute to collect herself. When she was ready, she looked up at the ceiling.

"Leo," she called out. Orbs filled the room, depositing Leo. Before he had time to open his mind to speak, Piper was on her feet. She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips. He didn't fight it. In fact he pulled her closer, pressing his hands against her back. They finally pulled apart and Piper stared up at him.

"Is there something you needed?" he asked.

"Uh…not really," she replied with a small smile.

"I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately," he said, sitting down on her bed. She sat down too and faced him.

"I know you have other charges. And we've had a pretty quiet time lately on the demon front," Piper said.

"I meant about…us, Piper. I'm sorry I haven't kept up my promise," he expounded. She blushed a little.

"I'd say you're making up for it right now," she laughed as they leaned in again. Piper couldn't remember a time when she was happier than right in this moment, being in Leo's arms, knowing he wanted to be there. She had never made out before but it was proving to be a rather simple concept. They broke apart to get some air and Piper could feel herself blush again.

"Wow," she gasped.

"I've waited so long for that," Leo breathed. Piper laughed a little. It only creeped her out for a minute or so.

"I'm happy we finally did this," Piper whispered, curling up against his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and held her close.

"Me too," Leo agreed. Downstairs, Prue was about to start looking for something to eat when a sound in the sun room caught her attention. She slowly walked to the doorway and looked in. A rather disgusting looking demon stood in the sun room, looking confused. Prue ducked back into the kitchen and held her breath. Maybe it would just go away if it didn't see her? Unfortunately, that was not the case. A second and third had joined the first and they were now making their way into the front foyer and kitchen.

"Oh…not good," she groaned as one spotted her.

One demon opened its mouth; a stream of green vomit-looking goo hurdling towards her. She reacted just in time to send it flying back at the demon, vanquishing it, leaving a pool of the goo where it stood.

"Piper!" Prue yelled as loudly as she could, ducking into the next room. Upstairs, Leo was the first to hear Prue's call.

"Piper…it sounds like Prue needs help," he said just as a crash resounded below them. Piper got up and started for the door but Leo stopped her. He took her by the hand and orbed them downstairs. They nearly collided with Prue.

"What's going on?" Piper asked.

"Demons…nasty demons," Prue answered, trying to catch her breath. The remaining two demons rounded on them and Piper gave a shriek.

"Blast it," Prue said. Piper flicked her wrist and the demon on the right exploded. She made to vanquish the last one when it shimmered out. Piper looked down at her clothes. She was covered in goo.

"That is so gross," Piper groaned just as the front door opened and Victor walked in.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Demons…" Prue replied, going to get a towel to help Piper wipe the goo off.

"Where is Phoebe?" he pressed as Prue walked back in.

"Uh well…" Piper began just as a 'thump' resounded upstairs.

"She's upstairs," Prue said and rushed off. She took the stairs two at a time and walked into Phoebe's room without knocking.

"Ever hear of knocking?" Phoebe snapped.

"You are so busted. Not only did Dad just get home but you missed a vanquish," Prue hissed.

"What?" Phoebe gulped just as Piper and Victor came into view.

"I'm in trouble aren't I?" Phoebe asked and Victor nodded.

"I'm sorry I missed the vanquish," she tried apologize but didn't get far.

"Phoebe, you know when you're grounded you are to come home right after school," Victor scolded.

"I know…I'm really sorry Dad. I promise I won't do it again," Phoebe said, giving him the saddest eyes she could.

"I vote she has to clean up the sun room and kitchen," Piper said.

"Traitor," Phoebe hissed. Victor nodded his head in agreement with Piper's suggestion. They trudged downstairs and Phoebe made a gagging sound as she surveyed the kitchen.

"Have fun," Prue said, handing her sister a mop and bucket.