Fear
Chapter four
Halliwell Manor
"You're crazy," Piper threw up her arms in frustration. "He was not an innocent. He lied to us, he almost destroyed us…"
"Piper," Leo gently touched her arm.
Phoebe looked at Cole's face and cleared her throat. All this time she thought he wanted the power. He hated be powerless after all and take the Source's essence would make him more powerful than ever. In the end, the powers corrupted him and there was no other option for her and her sisters.
But…
If he was possessed, they failed him.
She… she failed him.
No…
It couldn't be true.
Cole was lying.
He had to be lying… Of course he wanted to fill the void inside of him. He was trying to play the victim, in order to get her back.
"Piper's right," Phoebe said shaking her head. "It's a lie!"
"I'm not lying!" Cole said to her. "You have no idea how much I tried to fight it…"
"So why? Why are you telling the truth after all this time? No! You…" She shouted angrily at him. "You always have someone to blame. You're not the victim!"
Paige looked at them uncomfortable. She didn't know why, but she trusted Cole. She felt sorry for him. "The truth spell," she said quietly.
"What?" Phoebe promptly asked.
Paige nodded. "You should use the truth spell on him."
"Go ahead!" Cole said, trying to hide the pain in his voice.
"You're right!" Phoebe said and chanted the spell: "Those who are now in this house, will hear the truth from the others mouths."
"Tell us the truth, Cole," Paige said softly, resting her hand over his shoulder. "Were you possessed by the Source?"
"Yes," Cole nodded. "I didn't know I would end up being possessed by the Source. The Seer tricked me into taking in the Hollow to vanquish the Source. When you vanquish him, his essence took possession of me…"
Phoebe cleared her throat. She was about to say something, but Paige asked another question. "Why didn't you ask for help? We could help you, Cole…"
Cole shook his head. "I tried, but he was too strong… I tried to warn you, but I failed."
Phoebe embraced herself. "And we vanquished you," she said. "When I went down to the demonic Westland you said to me that I did the right thing… But you were possessed."
Cole looked away. "You thought the worst of me…" he said, finally letting the truth coming out. A truth he was hiding from himself. "You should know me better…"
Phoebe stepped back.
He was damn right.
"O-kay," Piper said. "Cole, I… I don't know what to say…"
"But I do," Paige said, gently touching his arm. "I'm truly sorry."
Phoebe Looked at them and took a deep sigh. "You're right," she confessed. "I should know you better…"
"After everything we went through," he said, with a shaking of his head.
Phoebe lowered her head. "I thought I was doing the right thing… This is not an excuse, just an explanation. I can't change the past, but I can learn from it…"
Cole cleared his throat and nodded. "Are you done or do you have more questions?"
Phoebe pinched her eyes closed. "No, it's okay…"
"Guys," Leo interrupted them. "I'm happy the truth about Cole came out, but Barbas is out there…"
"And we need to vanquish him," Piper said.
"We'll find a way… Are you still willing to help us?" Paige asked, looking at Cole.
He nodded.
"Paige, this is not right!" Phoebe shook her head. "He's powerless…"
"Powerless, not helpless," Paige blinked to Cole and Phoebe rolled her eyes.
"Cole knows how his powers work," Leo remarked.
"We worked together in the past and it worked," Piper added.
"Are you sure?" Phoebe asked.
"I'm still under the truth spell, remember?" he crossed his arms over his chest. "Phoebe, I really want to help you…"
"I don't wanna see you getting hurt," she said truthfully.
"You talk like you care about me," he said.
"I'm under the spell as well," she breathed. "Oh, Cole… I do care about you… and I am so sorry I hurt you…"
"Everything will be okay," he assured her.
"Can you forgive me?" she asked, her voice trembling. "You're right, I was so blind…I really thought you wanted the powers…"
"You already know the answer… Of course I forgive you," Cole said. "And you? Can you forgive me?" he asked and Phoebe frowned in confusion. "I let the Seer trick me… I wasn't strong enough to overcome the Source's influence…"
"I think none of us would be able to overcome the Source's influence," Phoebe said, gently resting her hand over his arm. "I…" she stopped, as she felt herself being pulled into a premonition.
They were in the Underworld. Barbas threw an athame at Cole, but Paige put himself between them. Paige fell to his knees and a white light left her body.
"Stupid witch," Barbas said, as the light landed in his hand. "You made your choice. I'll destroy your soul!"
Phoebe shook her head.
"What happened?" Cole asked.
"I saw… Oh, God!" she pinched her eyes closed.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" Paige asked in concern.
"Barbas…" Phoebe muttered under her breath.
A/N: Thank you for the lovely reviews, follows and favorites.