CHARMED
"Return Of The Prodigal Father"
(Sequel to the story "Once A Brother")
By J. B. Tilton a.k.a. Centexmale and Teri Thibeault a.k.a. Tessalynne
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Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 5 episodes "Daddy Dearest" and "Tu Mummy Tambien".)
When Peter Coleson discovers that Cole has returned from the grave, he goes to confront his father and settle his feelings once and for all.
ONEPeter Coleson looked at the introduction form of the potential client sitting in the outer office. It contained all the information he would need to determine what kind of trouble the man was in. And what, if anything, he could do to help him.
The case looked like it was pretty straightforward. The man's name was Jacque Dumas. Apparently he was a French immigrant who had been in the United States for several years. He had been arrested several days earlier for breaking and entering and attempted sexual assault.
Peter sighed. He had defended these types of clients before. And he was very good at his job. Most, he knew, were guilty. But he was a criminal attorney and everyone deserved a fair trial. He sometimes had to protect the rights of the guilty so that the innocent were also guaranteed a fair trial.
He paged his secretary and had her show the man into his office. As Dumas took a seat, Peter noted his appearance. About thirty years old, he was casually dressed with a couple of days beard growth on his face. He didn't seem terribly concerned by his current predicament. That was often an indication of guilt. But not always. After the secretary left the office, closing the door behind her, Peter sat back in his chair.
"So, Mr. Dumas, I see you had a little run in with the law."
'Yeah," said Dumas, glancing around the office. "I heard you were the best so I came to see you. I need you to get me out of this. I can't go to prison."
"Well, I'll do my best. But I operate strictly by the law. Now, anything you tell me is privileged. I can't tell anyone else no matter what. But that doesn't apply if you tell me about a crime you're planning to commit. If you tell me anything like that I'm compelled to tell the police."
"Gotcha'," said Dumas, winking at Peter.
"Now," said Peter pulling out a notepad, "tell me everything you can about what happened. Don't leave out anything. You never know what little bit of information might be important."
"Well, I did break into that witch's place. But I wasn't there to rape her. I ain't interested in that with her type."
"What type is that?" Peter asked.
"Witches," said Dumas. "All that protecting the innocent stuff. It gives me the creeps."
"Wait a minute. When you called her a witch you meant a real witch? You weren't just being derogatory?"
"Sure. I thought you knew that? I got your name from Kolash. You defended him a few months ago and he said you did a good job so I figured you could help me out."
"You're a demon." It wasn't a question. Just a simple statement of fact. "Look, Dumas, or whatever your name is…"
"Krembor," said Dumas proudly. "Kolash is my first cousin."
"Krembor. Look, I don't do that any more. I represent humans exclusively. If you need legal representation, and apparently you do, you'll need to find someone else. I can refer you to some very competent attorneys."
"Hey, I want you." Krembor's temper was obvious in his tone. "I heard you're part demon. So you understand us. And I heard you're very good."
"Right on both counts. But I don't represent demons anymore. You'll just have to find someone else."
"You don't understand." Krembor seemed to be getting agitated. "I didn't kill the witch. The demon that hired me ain't going to be happy. If you don't get me off so I can go after the witch again he'll vanquish me. And it won't be pretty."
"I can sympathize," said Peter, not really caring if this demon were in trouble with his superiors. "But I don't represent demons. I don't know how to make it any clearer to you. You'll just have to find someone else to represent you."
"And you ain't understanding me," said Krembor getting more agitated. "This was ordered by my boss so he could get in good with the Source. If I don't finish this job he's not going to look good for the Source. And until I get out of these charges I can't go after her again. If I do the cops will be waiting for me the second I try."
"The Source?" Peter questioned. "I was under the impression he had been vanquished."
"He's back. He got back a while back. He ain't done nothing to take control of the underworld yet but it's only a matter of time before he does. Once he steps up and takes control again my boss wants to impress him by telling him how many witches he's taken out."
"I feel for you," said Peter, thinking maybe he should call Phoebe later and warn her about this. "But this doesn't have anything to do with me. I don't exactly move in the underworld circles. And if the Source has returned I don't really care. Like you said, I'm only part demon. The Source would probably look at me as less than acceptable because of my human heritage."
"I don't know. He might not be like that. After all, he's half human himself."
Peter's blood ran cold. In the entire history of the underworld there had only been one Source that was not a full demon. That had been his father, Cole Turner. But that was impossible. Phoebe had vanquished him. Several demons had told him that. It was common knowledge in the underworld.
"You're talking about Cole Turner," said Peter getting a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. "That's not possible. He was vanquished. The Charmed Ones vanquished him months ago."
"Well, he's back. I heard it was 'cause he's half human. Something about having a soul or something. He came back from the Wasteland. And like I said it's only a matter of time before he takes control again. When that happens I don't want to be one of the demons he's told can't perform."
This isn't possible. Peter didn't know much about the Wasteland. What he had been able to garner from others was that no demon ever came back from the wasteland. It was essentially the afterlife for demons.
"How can you be so sure it's Turner that's returned?" Peter asked. "Maybe it's another demon."
"Naw, it's Turner. I've talked to a couple of demons that have actually seen him. It's him all right. And like I said, when he takes back the throne of the Source I want to be sure to get in on his good side. I can't do that if I'm vanquished."
"Well, you'll just have to find another way," said Peter, thinking. "I don't represent demons. Go find yourself another attorney."
"That's it?" asked Krembor, rising to his full height, his anger in full force. "Who do you think you are, you little worm? I have half a mind to just kill you now."
Peter looked at Krembor with disdain. Slowly he stood up without saying a word. The demon glared at him. Without warning Peter suddenly changed form; standing in front of Krembor was the spitting image of the late Belthazor.
"You might want to reconsider that, I'm not exactly defenseless."
"Belthazor," Krembor gasped, fear evident in his voice.
"Actually, he's my father. You want to make a good impression on him? I'm thinking that threatening his only son isn't the best way to do that."
Krembor was physically trembling. He hurriedly apologized and turned, nearly running from the room. Peter was confident he had seen the last of that demon. He returned to his human form and sat back down at the desk. He was thoughtful. If Cole had returned, it opened up possibilities Peter had thought were long gone.