Scratching The Surface

Chapter 12

Jason woke up the next morning and called in sick without waking Piper. He went down, made coffee, and waited. He heard her wake up sometime later when he would usually be long gone to work. She came down soon after, entering the kitchen with her robe wrapped tightly around her. "Nico, what is your deal with-..."

"So his name is Nico," Jason greeted, frowning at her. "Want to tell me about who you're cheating with?"

"Jason..." Piper walked more into the room. "I am not cheating."

"Than who's Nico?" Jason shot back. "Where's he hiding? Because I swear, Piper, you've been talking to him too much. And the way you ran down here so excited to see him..."

"I didn't 'run down here'." Piper defended. "I walked. I smelled coffee and you shouldn't have been here."

"That would mean Nico brewed it?"

"Well yes, I mean no, I mean..."

Jason sighed heavily before turning to the sink, hitting the edge in anger. "I can't believe you, Piper. I can't believe you!"

"I'm not cheating!" Piper yelled back, her fists clenched at her sides. "I'm not cheating, Jason! How many times do I have to tell you?!"

"Then who's Nico? Why are you sneaking him around here?" Jason questioned, refusing to look at her. He kept his eyes on the sink, staring at the coffee cup still sitting in it from the night before. "Who is he, Piper?"

Piper stood there for a minute in silence, a tear making its way down her cheek. "Jason..."

"Tell me, Piper."

"I...I can't..."

~~~

Nico sat against the wall with Katie and Maddie on his lap, holding both little girls close as their parents fought downstairs. He wanted to go and help, provide emotional support for Piper, but all he could do was comfort those little girls that heard their parents fight for the first time. They clung to him as if he was their lifeline, not letting him go for even a second.

~~~

Jason looked over at Piper with a look of anguish. "Just tell me, Piper. Just tell me who it is. I want to know."

"Jason. Listen to me. If I explain, you'll think I'm crazy. That's why you think I'm cheating. You're too dense to see what's really happening here." Piper groaned. "Just believe me! I'm your wife!"

"And I'm your husband!" Jason gestured to where he had thrown the coffee cup. "Who was drinking out of that? Answer me that."

"...Nico..."

"And what was Nico doing while drinking out of that?" Jason questioned.

"We were talking." Piper insisted. "That's it. Only talking."

"Okay. We've agreed on the fact that Nico was here," Jason turned to face her, frowning at her tears. "Just tell me...who is Nico? Where does he live? Where did you guys meet? I didn't notice at the apartment. Is it new? Is it a fling? I know I work a lot, I know, and all the stress about moving. But I'm still always here for you, Piper. Say the word and I'll be there. You don't need this Nico who sneaks around and knows he's breaking up your family."

"Jason,..." Piper stepped forward and moved a hand to his cheek. "If...if I explain...will you keep an open mind? You know me, you know I would never make something like this up."

"...alright..."

"We should go sit down, it's a lot." she invited. "Let's go sit down, Jason."

"Alright."