Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed.
Kidnapping
Cole was crouched behind several jagged rocks in the Underworld. He made sure he was out of view from any demons that could unintentionally lead him to Keilphorte's lair or that might mention something about the ancient demon that was currently after Cole's family. He was so focused on watching those in front of him that he didn't notice the shimmer behind him. He was only alerted to the other being's presence by the hand on his shoulder.
He spun around, ready to fight, only to come face to face with his wife. "Phoebe, what are you doing here?" Cole hissed.
"I don't know," Phoebe explained. I was just wishing I was with you and here I was. I, I think I shimmered."
"You what?"
Phoebe's eyes traveled down to her stomach, "I guess she did get that power."
"Well, get her to shimmer you back. It's way too dangerous for you here," Cole said, taking in her six month pregnant frame.
"Why?" Phoebe took in her surroundings for the first time. "We're in the Underworld! Cole, what are you doing here?"
"The same thing I always do here these days, trying to find out Keilphorte's plan."
"You haven't found anything out in the past two months. What makes you think you will now?"
Cole pulled her down beside him, hiding her from sight, and his arms went around her. "You're not saying I should stop looking?"
"I'm saying you should stop risking yourself. We'll stop Keilphorte when the time comes. But, in the meanwhile, I want to make sure you are there for Prue's birth."
"I will be. But, we have to take care of this threat. He's dangerous, Phoebe. And he must want something more than just the death of the Charmed Ones. Otherwise, he would've already attacked."
"Maybe our powers?" Phoebe volunteered. "Lots of demons want our powers."
"And lots of demons have failed. He's probably studied you since he was released. He must know that."
"What if he's got a different way to steal them?"
"Then, he'll kill you and no demon will cross him again."
"Cole!"
"What? That could be what's he's going to do. Which is all the more reason for me to snoop around down here. Now, get Prue to take you back."
"Fine," Phoebe said. "But, you better be careful."
Cole brought her lips to his in a gentle kiss, his fingers playing with her hair. "I will," he promised. He placed his hand on her rounded belly for a second and then Phoebe shimmered away.
"Paige, have you seen Phoebe?" Piper asked.
Paige was sitting on the couch, a twin in each arm. The TV was on in the back of the room, its sound barely loud enough to be heard. "Not since breakfast. She said she was tired and went up to her room."
"But, she's not there. And, I can't find her anywhere else in the house."
The air before between Piper and Paige started to ripple, the beginnings of a shimmer showing.
Paige hurriedly placed her children in their playpen, while Piper told Wyatt to put his force field around him and the rest of the kids.
"Guys, it's me," Phoebe exclaimed as Piper's hands began the motion that activated her power of exploding things.
Paige's eyes narrowed. She questioned Piper, "Shape shifter?"
"No," Phoebe said, "It's really me. Prue can shimmer now."
Piper flicked her wrists, but Phoebe didn't freeze. Only very powerful demons, unlike the shape shifting breed, and good witches didn't freeze. "It's her."
"I told you," Phoebe pouted as Wyatt's shield lowered. She sat on an easy chair.
"Sorry, Sis. But, it wouldn't be the first time," Paige apologized.
"Yeah, yeah."
"When did Prue get that power?"
"A little while ago," Phoebe told Piper. "I wanted to see Cole and then I was in the Underworld with him."
"He's looking for Keilphorte again?"
Phoebe nodded.
"He find anything?"
"Unfortunately, no."
"Well, we have those all- purpose vanquishing potions," Piper said, "but according to Cole, they won't kill him. We need to think of a spell or something for when he finally shows up."
"That's probably a good idea. I told Cole that it might be our powers he's after."
"I'll make some potions to replicate each of our powers in case he gets them."
"Does Cole think that might be it? Why he hasn't attacked yet, I mean. Because he wants our powers before he kills us," asked Paige.
"He doesn't know. It would have to be an original tactic of doing so, though. Cole thinks he's probably studied us and knows how others have failed with the power stripping potions and stuff."
"You don't think he wants the kid's powers, do you?" Piper questioned worriedly.
"If we fight the demons that steal our powers and win against them, what would make Keilphorte think we wouldn't do so for our kids? That can't be it. Besides, their powers aren't completely developed yet," Phoebe said. "Though I don't doubt he wants to destroy them along with us." She placed a protective hand on little Prue.
From her playpen, Grace cried. It seemed to be contagious, because soon after her sister too began whining. Then, Wyatt and Chris started complaining of hunger.
Piper glanced at her watch, "It's lunch time. We better get them fed."
"I'm feeling a little sleepy," Phoebe announced. "I think I'm just gonna go lay down."
"Just don't shimmer off anywhere," Paige directed.
"And check on Melinda, would you?" Piper requested. "I put her down for a nap about twenty minutes ago."
Upstairs, Phoebe laid on her side in her and Cole's bed. She rubbed her round stomach lovingly, "It'll be OK, Baby. Daddy and me and your Auntie Piper and Paige will keep you and your cousins safe. Keilphorte's a bad, bad boy, but we'll take care of him, so don't you worry. I love you, Prue, my little Ladybug."
Phoebe giggled, rolling over onto her back and closing her eyes. It still made her giddy every time she thought of herself as a wife and a mother. She'd waited so long, doubtful that either would ever happen. Yet, now she was in the middle of a fairy tale with her soul mate by her side. Phoebe couldn't believe she and Cole were finally getting their happily ever after. And, in three more months they'd have their perfect baby.
She never noticed the demon that appeared beside her bed in a swirl of bright flames. She never had a chance to scream, as the clawed hand covered her mouth. She barely had a chance to notice, stunned, as an energy ball formed in her hand. She threw it at the demon, but, he dodged and it hit the wall. Phoebe and her captor disappeared in a matter of seconds, Piper and Paige lounging unaware downstairs.
"Where's Phoebe?" Cole demanded when he shimmered into Halliwell manor.
Piper glanced up from her coffee and Leo stopped feeding the boys.
"Upstairs, sleeping," Piper answered. "What's wrong?"
"Are you sure she's upstairs?" he asked, already heading to the stairwell.
"I saw her go up just a few minutes ago," Piper stood up and followed Cole out of the room. "Leo, stay with the kids," she called over her shoulder. She turned her attention back to her brother-in-law. "Cole, what's going on?"
They'd made it through the kitchen and encountered Paige right outside the dining room. "Hey, what's going on?" she asked, placing her palm over the phone's receiver. Charlotte and Grace slept nearby.
Piper shrugged, getting worried. Cole continued in the direction of the stairs.
"I'll call you later, Honey. Something's happening," Paige told Henry and ended her call. She raced after Piper and Cole, who were already at the landing in the middle of the stairs.
"Cole!" Piper said again. "Answer me!"
"I overheard one of Keilphorte's few minions," he explained, beginning to take the stairs two at a time. "He does want to kill the Charmed Ones, the kids, and me. But, to do it he plans to take Phoebe and Prue. He thinks Prue's power will put him over the top, and then he'll go after the rest of us."
"What?" Paige had caught up in time to hear the explanation.
"Phoebe?" Cole called, heading down the hallway to their bedroom. He threw open the door, revealing an empty bedroom.
"I'm too late." Cole punched the wall in frustration, not caring about the hole that formed in the sheetrock.
Piper and Paige peered around him. Aside from the scorch mark on the wall, the room lacked any evidence of a struggle.
"Oh, god," Piper gasped.