Chapter 4

"I don't believe you," Cole snapped angrily. "A wish would free me from this non-existence?" The mere hint that there could be an easy way out of here, had him shaking

with anger, because raising such hopes was nothing but foolish, wishful thinking, and nothing that would make this any easier.

"Not exactly," Erin clarified. "You wouldn't escape permanently. The power of Christmas will give you until midnight between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day."

"And if I save Christmas, then what?"

The elf gave him an apologetic look. "I'm afraid that regardless of what you do… Um, know what happened to Cinderella?"

"I see," he muttered, eyes narrowing. "So I get to save the day, and all I get out of it is… this?" He scoffed and turned back to staring out the window. "Been there, done that. Thanks, but I think I'll pass on honor and glory this time."

Erin regarded him quizzically. "And if that decision means Phoebe will die very soon?"

Unable to help himself, Cole swung around and the blue-green eyes flashed as they were trained on the elf. "What do you mean by that?"

"Unless you help save Christmas, all your efforts on her behalf have been for nothing. The Winter Queen will freeze her heart and use her for her own dark purposes. Your pretty little witch will be turned into an evil, cold-hearted being; a wraith serving the needs of the Winter Queen, until she grows tired of her and kill her for the fun of it."

Eyes screwed tightly shut, Cole felt his nails bite into the windowsill. If Phoebe died... Leaning heavily on both arms, he stared out into the glittering midwinter night. "You have no idea what you're asking me. Do you know what I went through before I came to accept my fate the first time? To go back… to be alive again… to see her, maybe even talk to her…only to return here…" He gestured vaguely at his surroundings. "I can't go through that again." Nevertheless, he couldn't let Phoebe die without at least trying to help her. "This wish-making," he said after some thought. "How does it work?"

Erin brightened a little. "You can make any wish that comes from your heart."

"And there will be no repercussions for personal gain?"

"None. You can wish for yourself, as long as it isn't a selfish wish, if you know what I mean." Erin winked at him. "Are you ready to make your wish?"

"Yes," he said slowly, still thinking it over. It would deprive him of a chance to get out of here, but it would be for the best of them all. "I wish for Phoebe to be safe."

Erin gazed silently at him. "Are you sure?" he finally asked, stroking his beard. "I should warn you to choose you wishes carefully. The manner in which your wish is granted may not always be what you expect."

Tiny warning bells were ringing that he was heading in the wrong direction, but he had made his decision. "That's my wish – straight from the heart. Take it or leave it!"

"Very well," Erin said and dipped his hand into his pocket. "Then wish it with all your heart, and speak the words."

Suddenly very apprehensive, Cole found himself in a spot he hadn't counted on, but it was too late to back down. Hands balling into fists again, he took a deep breath and concentrated. "I wish," he said, glaring defiantly at the elf. "I wish that Phoebe will be kept safe."

As he spoke, the elf tossed a handful of glittering snowflakes up in the air to rain down over him. It glittered and twinkled, like he was standing in a cloud of stars, swirling up and around him.

"What's happening?" he breathed as he felt himself being tugged away. "What did you do?"

"Your wish is coming true," the elf said, his voice oddly distorted and far away.

"It wasn't supposed to bring me back!"

"I warned you about choosing your wish with care," Erin's voice was almost inaudible. "You wanted Phoebe safe – well, apparently, you are the only one who can save her."

"No!" Cole yelled, trying to fight it, but the wish was whisking him away like a snowflake in the wind.

"Cole!" Tes leapt across the floor, into the swirling glitter and then they were both gone.

Alone in the disintegrating cabin, Erin thoughtfully stroked his beard. "Good luck, Cole," he muttered. "I hope you use your wish well and save Christmas for us."

A cold wind found its way through the rapidly disappearing walls, and blew out the fire. Quickly, before the entire place was gone, the elf scuttled into the fireplace, closed his eyes and disappeared up the chimney.

There was a palpable shift, and then he wasn't standing in his log cabin, but in the old attic of the Halliwell manor.

"What the hell have you done!?" he roared, but there was no elf to answer that, only Tes, cowering at his sudden outburst.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't want to be left behind."

"It's okay, Tes. I'm glad you're here. I'm just not happy to be here." Frustrated, he swung around to slap his hand against the wall – noting immediately that he felt the pain in his palm. Not much, just a lot more than he had become used to the past couple of years. Pulse quickening in time with his breath, Cole looked at his hands and swallowed back. "I'm alive," he whispered, not knowing if it was cause for cheer or fear.

Then he stiffened and inhaled sharply as he realized that he might not be alone in the house and if he was real he could be both seen and heard. Instinctively, he reached out with his senses, and while he didn't feel any one else's presence, he found that he apparently had some powers to go. Pursing his lips, he tried a short shimmer across the room, and had no problems at all. "Okay," he said, calculating his options. "I'm not entirely helpless then."

"So what are you going to do?" Tes asked. "Save Christmas or save Phoebe?"

"I don't know. Neither?" Heaving a sigh, he went to sit on the couch to try to figure things out. "Maybe it's the same thing?"

"And the Winter Queen?"

"Definitely not! Whatever happens, I am not going to seek out that cold bitch. Let the Charmed Ones deal with her." He glanced down at the wolf. "What are you looking at?"

"A fool?"

Cole scowled at her. "I was for listening to that meddling elf," he muttered, drumming his fingers on the armrest. His eyes fell on a shoebox, sitting on the couch, and grateful for any distraction he flipped off the lid, raising an eyebrow as he saw its content. Mildly curious and oddly intrigued, Cole reached down and picked up the photo in the top of the pile. It was one of him, smiling at the camera. He turned it over, but the other side was nothing but empty, white paper.

Shifting hands, he shuffled around until he found one of Phoebe. Judging by the blond hair, falling in soft curls around her heart shaped face, he deduced it must have been taken at least six years ago. It made him remember that first night he had set eyes on her. She had swung around and…. Putting the lid back on the box, Cole pocketed the pic of Phoebe.

"Damn it!" he muttered, leaning forward. "What am I supposed to do in 24 hours without any preparations whatsoever?"

If a wolf could look smug, Tes was doing it. "Improvise?"

Cole let go a sound somewhere between a scoff and a short laugh. "Well, since I'm here anyway, I guess I could take a look at what's going on." Pushing off from the couch, he stood back up and caught Tes' gaze... "But I'm not talking to Phoebe," he stated off her look.

Beckoning the wolf to follow, he started for the door, but hesitated in his step as he passed the Book of Shadows on its stand. Sucking in his upper lip, he slowly reached out toward it, but before he could touch it, he closed his fingers again and pulled his arm back. With no explanation for the wondering wolf, he left it and walked out the door.

The manor was empty, just as he had sensed it was. With a very peculiar feeling, he opened the doors to all the bedrooms on the second floor. In Phoebe's room he lingered just for a little while longer, before he quietly closed the door again and went downstairs.

There was an undecorated tree in the foyer and a bag of old toys. He picked up a worn teddy bear and turned it over. Stuffing fell out where one leg was dangling. Frowning, he put it back, and drifted into the kitchen. For a household of six, it was depressingly empty. Suddenly feeling hungry – for the first time since before he was vanquished – Cole gave in to the urge of tasting food again, and scavenged for something to eat.

Knowing Piper, there's bound to be lots of food this close to Christmas.

But he was gravely disappointed. The most he could find was some cookies and a frozen turkey. Settling for a handful of the Christmas cookies – tossing a couple Tes' way – he went back to the fridge for something to drink, and noted the three post-its on the door.

'Leo/dad, Aspen' one of them said, followed by a Colorado number. The second one said 'Billie, home' and the third 'Mondrian Hotel', each with a phone number; one to New York and the other to the L.A-area. Frowning, he studied them while drinking directly from the milk carton, munching down the last of the cookies. Because he hadn't been able to refrain from looking in on them from time to time, he knew who Billie was, so no mystery there. The others were more puzzling.

"This is odd," he said, tapping the first note. "Why would Leo leave his family to be with Victor in Aspen for the holidays? Why doesn't it say 'Leo/Piper'?"

"Maybe she's joining them later?" Tes suggested, sniffing out the crumbs he had dropped. "Maybe it's an old note."

"No, Piper never leaves old notes up. And why would she have a number to a five star hotel in L.A?"

"Why don't you ask her?" The wolf muttered, only marginally interested.

Cole gave that idea some thought. Making himself known only to Piper, was probably the best way to go about this anyway, since she already knew about him not being quite as dead as they would like him to be. "Good idea!" Putting back the milk carton, he grabbed Tes with his other hand and shimmered them just inside the backdoor of P3, chancing Piper would be there.

The club was empty and quiet. Disappointed that he wouldn't get to see Piper's look when he appeared again, Cole walked up to the door leading to her office, and tried it.

Unlocked, it swung open.

"Strange. As far as I can recall, Piper always kept it locked." He went inside, and flipped through the ledger. The club was booked for Christmas Day by a Mr. Cherrytree. Consternated, Cole glanced out the door. "Wouldn't a Christmas party warrant some Christmas decorations?" Closing the ledger, he walked back out of the office. "We're not finding anything else here. Let's go, Tes!" He looked around. "Tes?"

The wolf had been sniffing around the bar, and was now standing at the foot of the staircase, with bristling fur. "Blood!" she growled deep in her throat. "I smell fresh witch blood here."

Instantly, Cole was by her side, kneeling down to search the floor. "I can't see anything. Are you sure?"

The wolf glared at him.

"Okay, let's just do the demonic variety of a CSI then." Concentrating, he passed his hand over the part of the floor Tes was indicating. His palm glowed a little and when he removed it, a stain was clearly visible. Cole took a deep breath, and caught himself praying it wasn't Phoebe's, but as he gingerly touched it, senses told him it was Piper's. In search for her, he reached out further with his tracing senses, but wherever Piper was, she wasn't within his reach. "What else can you smell?" he asked, jaws clenching a little.

Tes trotted around the floor, nose to the ground. She went up the stairs, growled once at the door and came back down. "A witch was here, a couple of hours ago, and a…male whose smell I don't like. They walked around, behind the counter too. She let him in through the door up there, but when he left, he was accompanied by another strange smelling male, who must have let himself in. And this is strange; the witch followed them through the door, but her feet didn't touch the ground."

"How do you know that?"

"The strongest scent of her is in the air, fresher than that on the stairs, and there's a drop of blood on the landing at the top."

"They knocked her out and carried her away?" A knot of worry was beginning to form in his stomach.

"I don't think she was unconscious, but it's hard to tell."

"Go back to the strange smelling men; what do you think they were? Ordinary, bad guys or… demons?"

"Neither. Hard to say. They were male something. Not necessarily men."

Cole shook his head. "I can't sense any traces of magic being used. Whatever they did, they tricked her into trusting them, or took her by complete surprise." He sat in thought for a while, and then he got up and went back to her office to flip through the ledger one more time.

"Find anything?" Tes asked as he returned.

"Yes, she was expecting this Cherrytree guy to come here today to inspect before the party on Sunday. Since we can assume he was here, maybe we should call him and find out what happened." He waved the note where he had scribbled down a phone number and an address.

He placed the call from the bar, but the number had been disconnected, and cursing silently, he hung up again. "I don't like this. Come on!"

They left through the likewise unlocked main entrance door, which Cole, after some thought, carefully locked behind them by way of magic.

Nose to the ground, Tes tried to follow the trail, but it disappeared by the curb.

"They took her to a car," Cole said, a distant look on his face. "Somehow I doubt they went to a hospital."

The scent of the car was strong and special. Tes attempted to follow it, but after a few blocks it simply disappeared.

"You're worried," she said, glancing at Cole. "I can smell it."

"Yes, I am," he admitted. "Let's get back to the manor and see if we can't find some clues to where Paige and Phoebe might be."

Thrilled, Phoebe stepped off the plane at LAX and almost laughed out loud in sheer excitement over being in Los Angeles. Piper was right. This was her dream come true. "Did you know there really is a Santa Claus?" She smiled brightly at the flight attendant and almost danced all the way through the endless corridors to get to baggage claim.

Naturally, her baggage was the last to arrive. Nervous that whoever was picking her up had left without her, she rushed out with it into arrivals, colliding with a couple just outside the doors, and the baggage cars got totally entangled.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!" Phoebe was down on all four trying to pick up the contents of the suitcase that had come open. "Is this yours?" She held up what turned out to be a bra, and the irritated owner snatched it out of her hands.

"I'll sue you if anything is damaged," she hissed angrily. "Look at my suitcase! Look at my clothes! These are supposed to be shown at the next Victoria's Secret fashion show and now it is all over a dirty floor."

"I-I'm sorry," Phoebe stammered. "But if this is so valuable, why are you hauling it around in an old trunk?"

The woman gave her an ice-cold stare. "And your name is?"

"Ms. Halliwell?" a deep voice said above her.

Phoebe snatched up to see a well-built man in a dark suit, eyeing her without amusement or hostility. "Yes," she squeaked nervously.

The man reached down a hand and pulled her to her feet, removed the piece of underwear in her hand and handed it over to the other woman together with a piece of paper. "This is my employer's card. Your lawyers can contact ours, if you are interested in a lawsuit."

"I will…" With a haughty look, she glanced at the card; read it twice and paled a little. "…think about it," she finished lamely.

"Good." Dismissing her completely, the man turned back at Phoebe, who found herself clinging to the handle of her suitcase. "Then maybe you would care to come with us, Ms. Halliwell. I guess you want to go to your hotel before the welcoming party tonight."

"Eh… yes?" Phoebe felt her spirit rise like quicksilver on a hot day. The man had the most beautiful pair of brown eyes. "Yes, I do," she added, a little more boldly. "Will you be escorting me?"

Offering his arm, her protector took her suitcase in his other hand. "That is what I am here for, Ms. Halliwell."

Phoebe lounged leisurely in the backseat of the luxurious Rolls, zooming silently northeast toward Hollywood and Mondrian Hotel, feeling as bubbly as the Champagne in her glass.

She had learned that her charming guide / bodyguard came from Italy, his name was Enrico, and he was going to accompany her wherever she went the next couple of days, until she was back on the flight to San Francisco on Monday. Phoebe thought she could do a lot worse. "Paige is so going to regret going to New York instead," she sighed happily.

"Paige is one of your sisters that wouldn't come?" Enrico asked. He was sitting opposite her in the extended car, his back against the glass separating them from the driver.

"Yes. You knew about that?"

"Oh, yes. We had a reservation at the hotel for three suites for your party, but two were cancelled."

Phoebe's eyes opened wide in delight. "Suites?"

Enrico smiled his charming, bright Hollywood smile. "Wait and see!"

In the soft-skinned backseat, Phoebe sank back with a happy sigh. She could get used to this. In an effort to keep this in perspective, she had told herself it was just for a couple of days. As for the big show, she would probably be in a big panel, and be happy if she got to say anything at all on camera. Then again, why shouldn't she savor every drop of this adventure? Just to be in Hollywood was nothing short of fantastic.

The hotel was huge, and the moment they arrived, hotel staff, offering their help, surrounded the limo. They opened the big glass doors for her, and carried her suitcase, and Enrico took care of the signing in at the front desk, so all she really had to do was enjoy the treatment – which was lucky, because everything was so dizzying, she found it hard to concentrate.

The lobby of Mondrian was a stunning place, mainly built from light hardwood, and decorated with diaphanous curtains, glowing glass walls, and an enormous Christmas tree in the middle.

And the room… The room took her breath away.

Everything was in light colors; plainly furnished and decorated, but breathing of luxury all the same. The sitting area of the suite consisted of two white cushioned sofas, placed in front of a wall-covering, floor-to-ceiling window. Through a wide opening to the left, the biggest bed she had ever seen – save the one she and Cole had shared in his penthouse apartment – was placed. There was another floor-to-ceiling window here, and Phoebe could only stare breathlessly at the sight of the beautiful view of the neighborhood and all the lights, as the piccolo pulled away the curtains. Then he waited patiently for her to turn around so he could show her the bathroom.

"Oh, my god!" Phoebe breathed, admiring the beautiful tiling in pale gold, the oversized bathtub, and the whicker armchair. "It's as big as my bedroom at home."

"I hope everything is to your satisfaction?" Enrico said. He had paid the piccolo and they were alone in the suite.

"Like it?" Phoebe struck out her arms, made a twirl and landed on the bed. "I am in heaven! I'm in Hollywood in a luxury hotel. I love it!"

"Well, enjoy your stay. You have a couple of hours before we need to go. If you want any help with your hair or make-up, just call room-service. I will pick you up at ten sharp."

"Thank you. I am so excited about all this." The Champagne making her heady, she suddenly hugged him, and pushed away in embarrassment. "Okay, see you later!"

As soon as he had left, she dug up her cell phone to call Paige, but no one answered. Billie didn't pick up either and slightly disappointed, Phoebe disconnected without leaving a message on the answering machine. "I guess they're in some noisy place, having lots of fun," she muttered and flipped her cell open again to call Piper – with the same annoying result. "Piper, I'm at the Mondrian now, and it's fantastic," she told the answering machine. "Call me before 10 p.m.! I'm in room…suite 2316."

Phoebe sighed a little. It would be so much more fun if she had someone to share the experience with, she thought, and allowed herself a moment of envy of Paige and Leo, who would spend Christmas with people they knew and loved. Then she remembered that this was her big adventure, and thought no more about them. Instead, she did her best to take full advantage of the room on her own, testing the sofas, getting a short nap lying across the bed, and drawing a bubble-bath in the fantastic tub.

By the time Enrico knocked on the door, the room service had just left and she felt more beautiful than ever. "Come in!" she called, draping herself over the sofa for best effect. She was wearing a sleeveless, Christmassy red evening gown, with embroidery in gold running in an intricate pattern across the top and down over her waist. The glitter caught the highlights in her dark hair; gathered up and pinned into a beautiful hairdo around her heart-shaped face.

Enrico stepped inside, and by his look she could tell she had reached the desired effect. "Ms. Halliwell," he said, an amazed smile on his lips as he took her in. "You are going to be the most beautiful woman at that party tonight."

Phoebe couldn't hold back her pleased laughter. "Thank you. And please call me Phoebe since we are going to see a lot of each other for the next couple of days."

"That would be very unprofessional of me," he smiled. "How about a toast before we leave?" From behind his back, he brought forth a bottle of Champagne. "I found this bottle of Bollinger standing around, and thought it looked a little lonely."

"Bollinger? Like in James Bond's favorite brand?"

"Well, it's not a '56, but I think it will do." With little to no effort, he uncorked it with just a small pop and poured the amber liquid into two glasses, handing one to her.

Delighted, Phoebe took it, but hesitated. "Ooh, I'm not sure I should. I had a glass on the flight, and some in the limo. I do want to be able to stand straight at least when I enter the party."

Smiling, Enrico held his glass out in an invitation to toast. "I can assure you no one will notice if you stumble. Let's drink to your entrance into the world of Hollywood, Ms. Halliwell… Phoebe."

Flattered and tickled pink by the treatment she was receiving, Phoebe raised her glass and clinked it lightly against his. "To the world of Hollywood."

The moment she tasted the Champagne, she understood why it was Bond's favorite. Sweet and dry at the same time, it trickled down her throat and filled her stomach with a sensual warmth. Leaning back against the white cushions, Phoebe sipped some more of it and admired the spectacular view of the Christmas decorated Hollywood Strip. "This is so fantastic," she breathed. "It's like a wish come true. I just wish I could share it with my sisters."

"Have you tried calling them?"

"No answer." She sighed and put the glass down. "I had hoped Piper would call before we left, but I guess she's too occupied with her anti-Christmas party at P3."

A cell phone buzzed and she looked around, hoping it was hers, but to her disappointment it was Enrico's.

"'Scuse me," he said, and reached for it. "Yes? Okay… I see… I'll know what to do. Thank you." He flipped it close and put it away. "Adrian said a crowd has gathered outside. He will drive the car around, and when he comes up here, we will take you out the back door."

"Okay." Slightly consternated, Phoebe reached for her cell phone. "I'll try calling Piper one more time then." But all she got was the answering machine. "Damn it!" she muttered and disconnected.

Enrico reached over and filled her glass. "Have some more Champagne while we wait."

Without hesitating, Phoebe took the glass and drank. She was not about to let Piper ruin her mood.

There was a knock on the door and the chauffeur stepped inside. "Everything's ready," he said.

Enrico got up and offered a hand to Phoebe. "Are you ready?"

"Absolu-utely." She giggled a little at her slur. "I'm afraid you've made me a little tipsy, Enrico." Taking his hand, she rose, and stumbled as her head began to spin. "Uh…"

"Phoebe?" Concerned, Enrico grabbed her with both hands to steady her. "Are you alright?"

"I…I don't know." Her head was spinning faster and her legs were feeling very strange. "I didn't have that much Champagne," she objected weakly.

"Maybe if you lie down a little," Enrico suggested, gently escorting her over to the bed area and sat her down on the King size.

"But my dress…" Phoebe slurred.

"Don't worry about it."

Gently, he made her lie down. His hands were soft and strong, and she felt that she was safe doing as he said. She closed her eyes, hoping the spinning would stop, but opened them again as she felt something cold touch her arm. "What…?" Something pricked her skin and she tried to snatch back, but her arm was held firmly in place. Blinking, she realized a syringe was being pushed into her. "What are you doing?"

Enrico's calming smile entered her blurry vision. "It's just something to make you feel a little better," he assured her, gently shooting the content into her vein.

"But… I don't do drugs," she objected weakly.

"Welcome to Hollywood!" Enrico said, his smile all of a sudden less reassuring.

Alarm bells going off in her head, Phoebe tried to sit up, but the shot – whatever it was – was not making her feel any better. If anything, she was feeling worse than before. Her head was spinning like a mad merry-go-round, and all sorts of colors were dancing in front of her eyes, making the room look frighteningly odd. Vaguely panicking, she tried to get out of the bed, but her limbs wouldn't obey. "Why?" she said in a choked whisper. "What did you do to me?" Out of the corner of her eye, she noted that Enrico was getting out of his tux. "What are you…?"

She felt her body being roughly shoved over the bed and heard how her dress ripped as the skirt was torn from her body. "No!" She tried to shout, but it was just a weak moan. "Adrian, help me!"

"Enrico?" the chauffeur muttered. "Is this necessary?"

"This is my Christmas wish," Enrico grinned evilly, tearing the shirt off his chest. "And I am making it come true!"

"Hey, who's trying to stop you? But weren't we supposed to take her there without delay?"

"Didn't you just call to tell me the other two sister's are neutralized already? We can do what we like. There's no hurry anymore, and there was no clause saying the goods needed to be undamaged." Straddling Phoebe's unresisting body, he snarled at his partner. "Go watch the door! I can keep guard for you later."

Adrian gave them a disgusted look. "You always get them first," he muttered, but left the room all the same.

"Alone at last, my dear," Enrico whispered gleefully. "Let's make… magic."

"You're a… demon?" she whimpered, fear making her breath catch in her throat.

"Demon? Don't insult me! I'm a warlock."

"No! No!" Frantically fighting the drug, Phoebe tried to move away, to slap his hands from her body as they pressed up her stomach and grabbed her breasts, tearing the top down from them. "Don't!"

But her body was betraying her completely. She tried to scream as his hands wandered all over her body, but there were only gasps coming from her lips, her hands flapping uselessly in the air. "Paige!" she tried to scream, hoping her sister would hear. "Leo! Piper!"

"Scream all you like, witch." Enrico's mouth was just above hers, his eyes no longer kind, but glowing with a mix of triumphant hate and desire. He pressed his lips over her mouth and she almost gagged on his slobbering tongue. "No one can hear you. No one will come to your aid. Not even that traitor-demon husband of yours could save you now – had you been smart enough to keep him." Letting his tongue slide up her throat up to her ear, he forced his kiss on her again. "This is the ultimate victory; to take what he treasured the most."

"No!"

"You are mine!"

Her legs were pressed apart and, as the world reduced itself to a buzzing white noise in her ears, Phoebe screwed her eyes shut against the pain she knew would come.

'Cole!' she thought in sheer desperation. 'Cole! Help me!'