Disclaimer: Nothing's changed. I still don't own Charmed.

AN: Thanks to those who reviewed Time and Time Again. I'd suggest you read that first if you haven't done so already, as the rest of this story might not make much sense if you don't. The beginning of this is set about 10 years before Cole met Phoebe.

Child of Darkness

The demon cackled wickedly as he toyed with his victim, energy ball in hand. A little girl, no more than four years old, cowered in fright as the demon slowly advanced. Suddenly, the air beside the girl shimmered and a young man appeared. The demon hesitated slightly when he saw who it was.

"Get out of here, Belthazor," he snarled. "This is none of your business."

"Oh, but I think it is," the man called Belthazor answered.

The demon ignored him and threw the energy ball at the girl. Belthazor stepped into the path of the deadly sphere, absorbing it. He stumbled a little, but quickly regained his composure. A dark shadow passed across his face and his eyes flashed angrily. An even more deadly energy ball shot from his hands and the other demon was at once vanquished in a blaze of fire.

Belthazor sighed and ran a hand through his coal-black hair. A whimper behind him reminded him of the little girl. Turning, he knelt on one knee so as to be on the same level with her.

"Hey," he said gently, extending his hand. The little girl backed away from him, blue eyes wide open with fright.

"My name is Cole," he tried again, thinking that using his human name might scare the kid less than his demonic one. "It's all right, I won't hurt you." The girl took a tentative step towards him. Cole smiled encouragingly at her. Curse that demon for making this so much more troublesome than it needs to be! He thought. But his face betrayed none of his rage as he pulled the little girl into a comforting hug. She buried her face in his shoulder, starting to sob uncontrollably. Cole stood up with her in his arms and shimmered them away to the underworld.

He materialized several feet away from the entrance to the Source's lair, just far away enough to avoid being seen by the guards. The little girl had stopped crying by now, but Cole had to gently unwind her arms from around his neck so he could breathe better.

"There, there, it's ok," he patted her on the back soothingly." This had to be one of the strangest assignments he'd ever received. But his gaze immediately softened as he looked at the girl. Cole had always had a soft spot for kids. He never liked seeing them get hurt at the hands of a demon. Being a demon himself, however, this could cause quite a few problems. He shouldn't be having any sentiments. Demons should only feel rage, a thirst to kill, and pleasure in killing. Must be the human half in him, he supposed. He's been forever trying to suppress any emotions stemming from that side of him, but you can't just throw away half of your soul. Cole sighed. He didn't want to think about that now because he had to finish his assignment. Putting the girl down, he took her hand and led her toward what was sure to be her doom. He could hardly take pleasure in this, after all he'd just done to save her, but orders were orders.

Reluctantly, he approached the guards. They nodded to him and let them past. Cole was almost pulling the girl now. She tugged at his arm, clearly scared and not wanting to go any further. Cole picked her up once more and tried to calm her, hating himself a little for having to deceive such an innocent thing. With slow steps he walked up to the Source's throne and set the girl down, bowing his head.

"My liege," he said respectfully.

"So you have brought her," the Source answered, reaching toward the little girl with a clawed hand. She instinctively shied away from him, grabbing wildly at Cole. The Source chuckled, amused, and drew away his hand as she hid behind Cole.

"Yes, she'll take some work to bring around, that one. You understand what you are to do, and the consequences if you fail?" the Source asked him. Cole nodded.

"Very well." He left the throne and walked into the shadows. "You better be right," Cole heard him say.

"Aren't I always?" the Oracle's misty voice answered.

To Be Continued

AN: I know it doesn't seem to have anything to do with Time and Time Again, but just bear with me. Oh, and review, please :D