Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Charmed, Profiler, or Hercules
The Legendary Journeys. All copyrights belong to the creators and producers
of these series. This story is written for entertainment purposes only.
From All Sides
By Auralynn
Cole/John/Charmed/Profiler /HTLJ AU
Olympian Security Agency and Spiritual Center Series
Set four weeks after where Love Triumphant leaves off.
Chapter One
Practicing Magic
Cole, John, and Darryl were gathered in the exercise room of the Halliwell Mansion intent on perfecting their powers. Darryl had successfully learned how to levitate thanks to Phoebe's earlier coaching and was working out on the punching bag in an effort to keep his human muscles fit.
John and Cole had no troubles morphing into an eagle and a wolf. This was a talent that they had inherited from Morrigan. John, however, was having trouble conjuring another hawk from thin air to act as a decoy in case he ever needed it. Every time he tried to produce one he got a baby chick instead.
"I'm never going to get a handle on this magic stuff. I suck," he groaned. Cole patted him on the back. "It's all right brother, it's just going to take practice, patience, and a lot of fortitude. All things which I know you have or you wouldn't have survived your first encounter with Prue let alone marriage to her," Cole teased.
"Watch it! That is my wife you are talking about. I'll give you she may be a little difficult at times but she is the woman I love with all my heart. Besides it's not like I'm always easy to deal with myself," John admitted reluctantly.
"I'll say Amen to that," Darryl remarked. "You're a fine lawman and there is no one else I'd rather have watching my back but you sure are a high maintenance partner." "That's because I'm worth it." John gloated.
"Glad to see you don't lack confidence," Cole remarked. "Now let's see if you can channel it into pulling off the task at hand. John tried again but with no better results. "I don't see why I have to do this any way and besides that delicious smell emanating from upstairs is throwing off my concentration."
"You need to work on it because when you face the enemy it is good to have complete control over all the skills you possess even when there are distractions. It is that simple." "Yeah, well sorry Cole. I have to go with my partner on this one. Some things are just too hard to resist." As if to back up his statement, Darryl's stomach growled. "Let's go," he said to John. John nodded and then they both disappeared. Seeing he was outnumbered and reluctantly admitting to himself that he was equally as hungry, Cole orbed out after them.
He found them drooling over a huge kettle of soup that was cooking on the stove. John turned and headed for the cupboards. He grabbed three bowls. "Come on let's sneak some," he urged his companions. "Are you nuts?" Cole asked. "Oh come on, no one is around and besides don't you think you are carrying this whole reformation thing a little to far?" John asked. "I mean I know all about trying to become a better man but we still can be a little naughty on occasion. I think our wives not only expect it but they actually like it. Besides sneaking a bit of soup is hardly a cardinal sin."
"That may be true but for your information it is not our wives I'm worried about. This is no doubt one of Piper's creations and while she's been mellower as of late, I still wouldn't piss her off. I've seen her in action. She maybe the peace- maker between Prue and Phoebe and she maybe married to Leo, the pacifist, however, she can be quite fierce when she wants to be." Cole said in response to his brother.
"This is true," Darryl agreed, "but I so damned hungry, I'll risk it." He grabbed one of the bowls and started ladling soup into it. "I'll get the crackers and cheese," John volunteered.
A loud wail issued from behind them. "What was that?" Darryl asked. "I don't know," Cole answered. "It reminds me a little of how Phoebe sounded when she was a banshee." "A banshee?" John asked puzzled. "It's a long story," Cole said. "I'll tell you later. Right now I think we'd better be on our guard."
As the last word slipped out of Cole's mouth a dreadful beast launched itself at them. The guys ended up jumping on the counters as a snarling Kit let them know exactly what she thought of their unauthorized kitchen raid. A feminine chuckle sounded from the doorway.
"Okay you little monster," Piper said fondly to the cat. "That's enough. It's time to let these big, brave men, crawl down off the cupboards." Kit eyed the guys haughtily and then stalked off past her mistress, no doubt to torture some other poor unsuspecting man, Cole thought.
On a more positive front, Piper looked more amused than angry. "While I'm flattered that you guys are willing to risk life and limb for my cooking, all you had to do was ask. I am making the soup to serve at Mom and Dad's homecoming dinner but you can have some now. You can be my guinea pigs and after all I can't let you boys go hungry can I?"
"No Mam," John agreed enthusiastically with his sister-in-law. Piper took the ladle from Darryl and instructed him to get another bowl out for her. "I'll even join you myself. Leo's off to the Norse lands learning some more new skills from Baldar, Prue's at the University preparing her telekinesis lecture, Phoebe's somewhere with Rachel and Sam, working on their telepathic skills and I haven't had lunch yet either. It will actually be nice to have company. So to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure? I thought you guys would be at the office."
"Well I don't have to tell you Piper that since your Mom weakened the Source with her potion months ago he seems to be laying low, and it's my guess that the rest of the underworld is too busy developing plans to depose him, to worry about causing trouble for anyone else at the moment. That's why we've only had minor demon attacks on earth. Although I'm equally as sure that won't last for very much longer," Cole stated.
"In other words this is the calm before the storm, so we'd better take advantage of it while we can," Piper said with a sigh. "Exactly," Cole nodded. Piper then turned her attention to the other two men. "So what is your story?"
"Bailey is in one foul mood. I can't understand it. We've solved two formerly cold cases in as many weeks. He should be happy? It's like he's been waking up on the wrong side of the bed every morning," Darryl informed Piper.
"Or more on target waking up to an empty bed every morning," John commented. "That sure as hell can make a man grumpy. Thank heaven I don't have that problem anymore."
"Like you ever did," Darryl snickered. "George and Grace have been filling me in. You scored more home runs than all the Los Angeles Dodgers combined." "Those were the old days, partner. I am a very happily married man now and I intend to keep it that way," John said. "I just meant that I could understand if Bailey's sick of the long lonely nights. They were getting to me too before I met Prue."
"Yes. Marriage is definitely a wonderful state of being," Darryl agreed. "I still can't believe how supportive my wife and family were about coming here and how easily they've adapted. They were actually happy for me that I was quitting the force. They knew the stress was getting to me and that I just couldn't hold my nose any longer."
"Have you heard anything from your old precinct friends?" Cole asked. "Like have they started an investigation into your ex-new boss? It more than sounded like he was on the take to me. I mean closing down an investigation into allegations that a councilman's son was involved with drug dealing and murder doesn't exactly sound kosher."
"Nope and they are not going to dig into it either. You knew I was having trouble with the same issues earlier. That's one of the reasons why I was so eager to come here. I can't turn my back where corruption is concerned and my superiors weren't about to do anything about the problems. The only thing is part of me feels guilty because I didn't stay to fight the good fight, you know?"
Piper reached across the table and squeezed her friend's hand. "Darryl, you have no reason to feel guilty. You are a good man who was doing what was right not only for himself but for his family. Staying only would have left you frustrated and tilting at windmills."
"Besides who says you still can't fight the good fight. Say the word and we can start an investigation from here. I know it is out of our usual realm but I'm sure Bailey wouldn't object. He hates turn coats to the badge probably more than we do," John told his partner.
"Not to mention the fact that now I've been cleared by the D.A.'s office I could probably pull a few strings with my contacts there to get a little inside information," Cole volunteered. "At any rate think about it for awhile Darryl and let us know. In the mean time speaking of your boss, I think you two should be getting back to the office before Bailey nails your behinds to the wall. No sense tugging an already ticked off tiger's tale."
"All right already," John groaned. He and Darryl both stood up and walked over to give Piper kisses on the cheek and their thanks. Then John walked over to Cole and said, "you know I need to have a talk with Phoebe later, about loosing you up a bit more. Being a boss man is making you a tad bit stuffy." Before Cole could comment John orbed out. "Sorry Cole," Darryl apologized for his partner before following.
Cole put his hand over his eyes and shook his head. "You know now I understand what you were saying when you and Phoebe lost Prue and gained Paige. This changing roles is hard stuff." "Hmm-hmm," Piper acknowledged. "As I told you then, it was difficult for me to get used to being the eldest sister, and for Phoebe to become the middle sister. It has to be even more challenging for you to go from being completely sibling free to having a twin brother virtually over night. Plus you have the added burden of being born an hour ahead of John, which technically makes you the eldest and theoretically the one who is supposed to be the most responsible by nature."
"Don't I know it," Cole said with frustration echoing in his tone. "Well look at it this way," Piper said. "You also have several advantages working in your favor. For one thing John maybe more than a tad bull headed but his heart is as big as the ocean out there and so is his sense of right and wrong. He's one of the good guys for sure and unlike Paige that side of him isn't going to change."
You are also not alone. Prue is already starting to work her own particular brand of magic on John, Darryl is a calming influence, and so are the members of the VCTF family. You also have Phoebe and I as back up, and I even promise not to blow him up," Piper finished with a wink.
Cole winked back at her and said, "Thank you Piper, and not just for the soup. I don't know what I would do without you ladies." Well luckily you won't ever have to find that out. You're stuck with us." She stood up and gave Cole a huge hug. Now you know I love you dear brother but..." "Get the heck out of your hair so you and your food muse can work your magic in peace. Gotcha. I'm gone."
He gave her a peck on the cheek and started to leave. He turned back and asked, "Am I really becoming a stuffed shirt?" "Nah she said dismissing that notion with a wave of one of her spatulas, "A bit over protective maybe but a stuffed shirt, never, at least according to what I hear from Phoebe," Piper said with a giggle. Cole orbed out red faced but grinning.
From All Sides
By Auralynn
Cole/John/Charmed/Profiler /HTLJ AU
Olympian Security Agency and Spiritual Center Series
Set four weeks after where Love Triumphant leaves off.
Chapter One
Practicing Magic
Cole, John, and Darryl were gathered in the exercise room of the Halliwell Mansion intent on perfecting their powers. Darryl had successfully learned how to levitate thanks to Phoebe's earlier coaching and was working out on the punching bag in an effort to keep his human muscles fit.
John and Cole had no troubles morphing into an eagle and a wolf. This was a talent that they had inherited from Morrigan. John, however, was having trouble conjuring another hawk from thin air to act as a decoy in case he ever needed it. Every time he tried to produce one he got a baby chick instead.
"I'm never going to get a handle on this magic stuff. I suck," he groaned. Cole patted him on the back. "It's all right brother, it's just going to take practice, patience, and a lot of fortitude. All things which I know you have or you wouldn't have survived your first encounter with Prue let alone marriage to her," Cole teased.
"Watch it! That is my wife you are talking about. I'll give you she may be a little difficult at times but she is the woman I love with all my heart. Besides it's not like I'm always easy to deal with myself," John admitted reluctantly.
"I'll say Amen to that," Darryl remarked. "You're a fine lawman and there is no one else I'd rather have watching my back but you sure are a high maintenance partner." "That's because I'm worth it." John gloated.
"Glad to see you don't lack confidence," Cole remarked. "Now let's see if you can channel it into pulling off the task at hand. John tried again but with no better results. "I don't see why I have to do this any way and besides that delicious smell emanating from upstairs is throwing off my concentration."
"You need to work on it because when you face the enemy it is good to have complete control over all the skills you possess even when there are distractions. It is that simple." "Yeah, well sorry Cole. I have to go with my partner on this one. Some things are just too hard to resist." As if to back up his statement, Darryl's stomach growled. "Let's go," he said to John. John nodded and then they both disappeared. Seeing he was outnumbered and reluctantly admitting to himself that he was equally as hungry, Cole orbed out after them.
He found them drooling over a huge kettle of soup that was cooking on the stove. John turned and headed for the cupboards. He grabbed three bowls. "Come on let's sneak some," he urged his companions. "Are you nuts?" Cole asked. "Oh come on, no one is around and besides don't you think you are carrying this whole reformation thing a little to far?" John asked. "I mean I know all about trying to become a better man but we still can be a little naughty on occasion. I think our wives not only expect it but they actually like it. Besides sneaking a bit of soup is hardly a cardinal sin."
"That may be true but for your information it is not our wives I'm worried about. This is no doubt one of Piper's creations and while she's been mellower as of late, I still wouldn't piss her off. I've seen her in action. She maybe the peace- maker between Prue and Phoebe and she maybe married to Leo, the pacifist, however, she can be quite fierce when she wants to be." Cole said in response to his brother.
"This is true," Darryl agreed, "but I so damned hungry, I'll risk it." He grabbed one of the bowls and started ladling soup into it. "I'll get the crackers and cheese," John volunteered.
A loud wail issued from behind them. "What was that?" Darryl asked. "I don't know," Cole answered. "It reminds me a little of how Phoebe sounded when she was a banshee." "A banshee?" John asked puzzled. "It's a long story," Cole said. "I'll tell you later. Right now I think we'd better be on our guard."
As the last word slipped out of Cole's mouth a dreadful beast launched itself at them. The guys ended up jumping on the counters as a snarling Kit let them know exactly what she thought of their unauthorized kitchen raid. A feminine chuckle sounded from the doorway.
"Okay you little monster," Piper said fondly to the cat. "That's enough. It's time to let these big, brave men, crawl down off the cupboards." Kit eyed the guys haughtily and then stalked off past her mistress, no doubt to torture some other poor unsuspecting man, Cole thought.
On a more positive front, Piper looked more amused than angry. "While I'm flattered that you guys are willing to risk life and limb for my cooking, all you had to do was ask. I am making the soup to serve at Mom and Dad's homecoming dinner but you can have some now. You can be my guinea pigs and after all I can't let you boys go hungry can I?"
"No Mam," John agreed enthusiastically with his sister-in-law. Piper took the ladle from Darryl and instructed him to get another bowl out for her. "I'll even join you myself. Leo's off to the Norse lands learning some more new skills from Baldar, Prue's at the University preparing her telekinesis lecture, Phoebe's somewhere with Rachel and Sam, working on their telepathic skills and I haven't had lunch yet either. It will actually be nice to have company. So to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure? I thought you guys would be at the office."
"Well I don't have to tell you Piper that since your Mom weakened the Source with her potion months ago he seems to be laying low, and it's my guess that the rest of the underworld is too busy developing plans to depose him, to worry about causing trouble for anyone else at the moment. That's why we've only had minor demon attacks on earth. Although I'm equally as sure that won't last for very much longer," Cole stated.
"In other words this is the calm before the storm, so we'd better take advantage of it while we can," Piper said with a sigh. "Exactly," Cole nodded. Piper then turned her attention to the other two men. "So what is your story?"
"Bailey is in one foul mood. I can't understand it. We've solved two formerly cold cases in as many weeks. He should be happy? It's like he's been waking up on the wrong side of the bed every morning," Darryl informed Piper.
"Or more on target waking up to an empty bed every morning," John commented. "That sure as hell can make a man grumpy. Thank heaven I don't have that problem anymore."
"Like you ever did," Darryl snickered. "George and Grace have been filling me in. You scored more home runs than all the Los Angeles Dodgers combined." "Those were the old days, partner. I am a very happily married man now and I intend to keep it that way," John said. "I just meant that I could understand if Bailey's sick of the long lonely nights. They were getting to me too before I met Prue."
"Yes. Marriage is definitely a wonderful state of being," Darryl agreed. "I still can't believe how supportive my wife and family were about coming here and how easily they've adapted. They were actually happy for me that I was quitting the force. They knew the stress was getting to me and that I just couldn't hold my nose any longer."
"Have you heard anything from your old precinct friends?" Cole asked. "Like have they started an investigation into your ex-new boss? It more than sounded like he was on the take to me. I mean closing down an investigation into allegations that a councilman's son was involved with drug dealing and murder doesn't exactly sound kosher."
"Nope and they are not going to dig into it either. You knew I was having trouble with the same issues earlier. That's one of the reasons why I was so eager to come here. I can't turn my back where corruption is concerned and my superiors weren't about to do anything about the problems. The only thing is part of me feels guilty because I didn't stay to fight the good fight, you know?"
Piper reached across the table and squeezed her friend's hand. "Darryl, you have no reason to feel guilty. You are a good man who was doing what was right not only for himself but for his family. Staying only would have left you frustrated and tilting at windmills."
"Besides who says you still can't fight the good fight. Say the word and we can start an investigation from here. I know it is out of our usual realm but I'm sure Bailey wouldn't object. He hates turn coats to the badge probably more than we do," John told his partner.
"Not to mention the fact that now I've been cleared by the D.A.'s office I could probably pull a few strings with my contacts there to get a little inside information," Cole volunteered. "At any rate think about it for awhile Darryl and let us know. In the mean time speaking of your boss, I think you two should be getting back to the office before Bailey nails your behinds to the wall. No sense tugging an already ticked off tiger's tale."
"All right already," John groaned. He and Darryl both stood up and walked over to give Piper kisses on the cheek and their thanks. Then John walked over to Cole and said, "you know I need to have a talk with Phoebe later, about loosing you up a bit more. Being a boss man is making you a tad bit stuffy." Before Cole could comment John orbed out. "Sorry Cole," Darryl apologized for his partner before following.
Cole put his hand over his eyes and shook his head. "You know now I understand what you were saying when you and Phoebe lost Prue and gained Paige. This changing roles is hard stuff." "Hmm-hmm," Piper acknowledged. "As I told you then, it was difficult for me to get used to being the eldest sister, and for Phoebe to become the middle sister. It has to be even more challenging for you to go from being completely sibling free to having a twin brother virtually over night. Plus you have the added burden of being born an hour ahead of John, which technically makes you the eldest and theoretically the one who is supposed to be the most responsible by nature."
"Don't I know it," Cole said with frustration echoing in his tone. "Well look at it this way," Piper said. "You also have several advantages working in your favor. For one thing John maybe more than a tad bull headed but his heart is as big as the ocean out there and so is his sense of right and wrong. He's one of the good guys for sure and unlike Paige that side of him isn't going to change."
You are also not alone. Prue is already starting to work her own particular brand of magic on John, Darryl is a calming influence, and so are the members of the VCTF family. You also have Phoebe and I as back up, and I even promise not to blow him up," Piper finished with a wink.
Cole winked back at her and said, "Thank you Piper, and not just for the soup. I don't know what I would do without you ladies." Well luckily you won't ever have to find that out. You're stuck with us." She stood up and gave Cole a huge hug. Now you know I love you dear brother but..." "Get the heck out of your hair so you and your food muse can work your magic in peace. Gotcha. I'm gone."
He gave her a peck on the cheek and started to leave. He turned back and asked, "Am I really becoming a stuffed shirt?" "Nah she said dismissing that notion with a wave of one of her spatulas, "A bit over protective maybe but a stuffed shirt, never, at least according to what I hear from Phoebe," Piper said with a giggle. Cole orbed out red faced but grinning.