Phoebe wakes up early the next morning -- she is sitting on the floor, her back against the sofa in the parlor at Turner Manor. Cole is lying in her arms, his head resting on her chest, sound asleep. Phoebe gently runs her fingers through his hair. "Cole?" she whispers quietly. "Cole, wake up." she says, gently tapping his face. Cole moans a bit, shifting his weight slightly just as Mrs. Jensen enters the parlor.
"Oh, Miss Phoebe." Mrs. Jensen says, not knowing how to react.
"Can you bring me some coffee for him please?" Phoebe asks. Mrs. Jensen sighs sadly and leaves the room. A few minutes later she brings a pot of coffee and two coffee cups in and sets them down next to Phoebe.
"Is he --" Mrs. Jensen begins.
"It's okay -- he'll be fine. I'll take care of him." Phoebe says. Mrs. Jensen leaves the room. Phoebe pours some coffee into one of the cups. "Cole -- wake up Cole, please." Phoebe says, touching his face again, a little harder this time.
"No, don't." Cole mumbles.
"Come on -- take a drink, you'll be fine." Phoebe says, putting the cup to his lips. Barely awake, Cole takes a small sip of the coffee, then starts to cough. "Shhhh. You're alright, Cole. Take it easy." Phoebe says, setting the cup down.
"Phoebe -- what are you doing here?" Cole mumbles, sitting up a bit.
"You don't remember anything about last night, do you?" Phoebe asks. Cole looks around the room in a daze.
"We -- we didn't --" Cole begins.
"Hardly. You could barely stand up, let alone -- well, THAT." Phoebe says. "Come on -- lie back on the sofa, drink some coffee. After about ten or twelve cups you should be fine." Phoebe helps him up to the sofa, and gives him a cup of coffee. After he takes a few sips, he glances around the room again.
"Did I do this?" Cole asks.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure you did. It was pretty much like this when I got here last night." Phoebe says.
"I don't -- usually -- behave like that, I --" Cole begins.
"It's alright. We all deal with grief in our -- own way." Phoebe says. "How are you feeling?"
"Do you really need to ask?" Cole says.
"No, I think I can guess pretty well." Phoebe says.
"I should call -- Pamela. We'll need to plan the -- wake. If she'll even speak to me." Cole says.
"Why wouldn't Pamela speak to you?" Phoebe asks.
"Carl took pictures of you and I -- that night. He sent them to Pearl." Cole says.
"You know about that?" Phoebe asks.
"Yeah. How do you know about it?" Cole asks.
"Pearl. She confronted me about it. But we -- we talked and -- worked things through." Phoebe says.
"Well, Pamela doesn't know that. She found the photos in Pearl's room and -- she's furious. With both of us." Cole says.
"I'll -- try and speak with her." Phoebe says.
"I asked Carl to move out. That's one of the last things I remember doing yesterday." Cole says. "I told him to be gone in two weeks. That should give me enough time to -- get Virginia settled somewhere."
"What do you mean?" Phoebe asks.
"I know Carl. He'll go to the press, expose everything that happened with Virginia, just to get revenge on me. I have to protect her. Phoebe -- I'll find somewhere for her to stay. Somewhere -- safe. I want you to stay with her." Cole says.
"I'm not sure that I can do that Cole." Phoebe says. "I don't know if I can stay here any longer. I've already done enough damage."
"I don't understand. You said you wouldn't leave until Virginia was -- well. She's doing so much better, but -- she still has a long way to go. You can't abandon her now." Cole says. "You said you wouldn't, you promised."
"Cole -- I just have so many things to tell you, but you're in no condition to hear any of them right now. Let's get you through this hangover, get a bath, a shave -- then we'll talk -- about everything." Phoebe says.
"Pearl said I should trust everything you tell me. So I will -- I promised her I would, and I will." Cole says. "How is Virginia? Have you looked in on her?"
"No -- Mrs. Jensen has been taking care of her, I assume she's fine, I haven't heard otherwise." Phoebe says.
"I wish I had told Pearl about her. I so wish I had told Pearl about her." Cole says regretfully.
"We can't live in the past, Cole. Trust me -- I know this more than anyone." Phoebe tells him. "Here -- have another cup of coffee." Phoebe says, noticing he has finished his cup. "I'm going to make all of this right, Cole. I swear to you -- I WILL make this right." she says.
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Later that evening, Phoebe leads Cole to the attic at Molly's House. "Phoebe, where are you taking me?" Cole asks.
"To the truth." Phoebe replies. "Pearl asked me to tell you the truth -- so I will." she says. She goes to a hidden compartment in the wall, and takes out the Book of Shadows.
"What's that?" Cole asks.
"Part of the truth." Phoebe says -- she sits down in an old couch that is gathering dust, brushing the dust away. Cole sits down next to her.
"I've never seen that before, what's -- OW!" Cole shouts, as he touches the book and receives a shock. "What the hell?"
"You can't touch it." Phoebe says. "It won't let you."
"Phoebe -- it's a BOOK, it's not alive." Cole says.
"Yes it is." Phoebe replies. "Cole -- remember what Pearl said? That you have to believe that every single thing I tell you is the truth."
"I haven't forgotten." Cole replies.
"Alright then -- what you saw, in Phyllis' room. That wasn't your imagination -- it was real. Cole -- Pearl was a witch. An honest-to-goodness, spell casting, potion making witch. And so am I." Phoebe tells him. Cole stares at her in disbelief for a moment.
"Alright -- I'm not doing this. I expected you to be serious about this. My fiancee is DEAD, and if you think I'm going to play along with some silly -- Phoebe -- what's happening?" Cole says nervously as Phoebe takes his hand and levitates a bit with him.
"Pearl didn't have that power. I didn't always, either. I kind of -- stole it from a warlock. Long story." Phoebe says, sitting them back down.
"This is a dream, isn't it? I'm still passed out in the parlor from drinking too much, and this is all a dream. Okay, I'm -- ready to wake up now." Cole says, and he closes his eyes, and opens them again.
"It's not a dream, Cole. It's the truth." Phoebe says. "I'm a witch. Pearl was a witch. Phyllis and Pamela -- they're witches too."
"This is insane." Cole says, clearly a bit nervous.
"There's more." Phoebe says.
"Oh, good. There's more. Can't wait." Cole says.
"I'm -- not really supposed to be here. I'm not from this time, Cole. I'm from the future." Phoebe says.
"Oh -- the future. What year?" Cole asks, almost as if he's humoring her.
"2002." Phoebe replies.
"Wow. You're a long way from home then, aren't you?" Cole asks.
"Cole, I'm not making this up." Phoebe says.
"Phoebe -- do you realize how MAD you sound? If you told this to anyone else they would have you locked away forever!" Cole shouts, standing up and pacing.
"It's not like I'm advertising it, Cole. Please -- sit down. I'm not finished." Phoebe says.
"Well I am." Cole says, starting to leave. Phoebe gets up and grabs him.
"Cole, in the future you were my husband. We were MARRIED, Cole. We were married." Phoebe tells him.
"And this would be possible -- how? Did I travel to the future to meet you?" Cole asks.
"Cole -- you promised Pearl you'd believe me." Phoebe says.
"Yeah, well Pearl didn't tell me that you would be making up insane stories." Cole says.
"Did I make up the levitating, Cole? Pearl breathing ice breath, did I make THAT up?" Phoebe asks. "Please -- sit down and let me finish." Cole reluctantly sits back down. "Cole -- your mother -- Elizabeth -- she didn't run off and leave you when you were an infant. I killed her." Phoebe says. "I cast a spell to go back in time and -- I killed her. I had to kill her, Cole -- because she was evil. She was a -- demon."
"A demon. You're a witch, my mother was a demon -- I guess that makes me half-demon then, huh? Lucky me, where are MY powers?" Cole asks sarcastically.
"They're -- bound." Phoebe says. "I gave you a potion as an infant and -- bound your powers. In my reality Cole -- your mother killed your father and raised you in the underworld. You joined a demon gang and when not in your human form you went by the name of Belthazor. Demons can live for hundreds of years if they're not vanquished. You were very powerful -- you were sent to kill my sisters and I. The reason Phyllis and I look so much alike is because -- because I'm her reincarnation. I have a sister, Prue -- in the past, she was Pearl. And my sister Piper was Pamela. Pamela is my great-grandmother. I've tried to avoid interfering in her life as much as possible because if I do anything to screw up her path with Gordon -- well, there's a good chance I won't exist. So far I'm still here so -- obviously, that hasn't happened." Cole just stares at her, not saying a word. "When you and I met -- in my reality -- we connected almost -- immediately. You fell in love with me, Cole -- you were a demon, and you fell in love with me. Unfortunately, you -- well, things got a little out of control and -- you turned evil again, after you had renounced your powers. My sisters and I -- we vanquished you. I was pregnant -- I lost the child. All I wanted was to find a way to get you back, Cole. I thought if I came back for you, I could make it right for us. Because I just couldn't believe that you and I weren't meant to be. I didn't think about how many things I would change in that one action of vanquishing your mother and binding your powers. I know I can't stay here, Cole -- I don't belong here. And I'm so sorry for what I've done to you." Cole doesn't say a word -- he just stares blankly at her. "Cole -- are you alright?"
"Nanny Alice -- she never liked my mother." Cole says. "My -- real mother. She once told me that she never understood why my father married her. She said it was almost as if he were -- bewitched by her or something."
"More like be-demoned." Phoebe says.
"You say I have powers?" Cole asks. "What are they?"
"You can -- manipulate fire. All demons can. Some witches can too -- Phyllis can, but -- her powers intended for good." Phoebe tells him. "Demons can also -- shimmer -- that means vanish and go to other place unseen. They can also shapeshift -- turn into images of other people, other demons. And they can turn people into inanimate objects, animals -- anything they wish."
"Well -- I can think of a few occasions on which some of those things would have come in handy." Cole says.
"That's the thing, Cole. You can't use your powers for -- evil or -- personal gain or you'll -- BECOME evil." Phoebe says.
"Do you believe I'm evil, Phoebe?" Cole asks.
"Oh, no. Your human side is all good. That's why you were so conflicted all the time in my reality -- you had a constant battle between good and evil going on within you. It was a non-stop struggle for you, even when your demon side was vanquished and you became all human, that's why it was so easy for the source to possess you." Phoebe says.
"The source?" Cole asks.
"Of all evil. That's what possessed you." Phoebe says.
"Could that happen -- again?" Cole asks.
"I don't know." Phoebe replies. "You've never known your powers -- you've only known good. Because you only knew evil in my time -- I think that's why evil -- won. But now -- since you've only known good -- I don't think evil would have enough power over you this time."
"I don't want these powers, Phoebe. I don't want to have them." Cole says.
"You don't have to. They're bound -- and they can stay bound -- forever." Phoebe tells him.
"What about you? What will happen to you?" Cole asks.
"I -- I have to go back. To my own time." Phoebe says.
"That's what I was afraid you were going to say." Cole says. "Can you please just -- wait until I get Viriginia -- settled somewhere safe? Just another -- week or so?"
"Of course." Phoebe replies. "My plan was to bring you back -- as good to -- my time, but -- you have Virginia to look after. I know you can't leave your sister."
"A sister that wouldn't exist if you hadn't done what you did." Cole says. "Phoebe did Pearl know -- the truth about me before she died?"
"Yes." Phoebe tells him.
"I -- think I'd like to go home now." Cole says, trying to take in everything he has just learned.
"Okay -- I should probably go spend some time with Virginia anyway. Come on -- let's go." Phoebe says, taking his hand.
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Nearly two weeks later . . . . . .
"It is beautiful, isn't it." Virginia says, admiring the dress she is wearing that she made for herself in the mirror.
"It's very beautiful, Virginia." Phoebe says. Virginia sighs.
"I wish Michael could see it." Virginia says.
"Would you like me to get him?" Phoebe asks.
"No -- not that Michael. My fiancee. I wish he could see this dress. He said that I looked beautiful in lavendar." Virginia says. "May I light the candle you brought me?"
"Of course." Phoebe says. "Just be careful." Virginia carefully takes a match and lights the candle, then sets it on the window sill. "Virginia -- would you like to tell me about Michael?" Phoebe asks, this being the first time Virginia has mentioned him.
"He was so handsome. And so smart. I loved him so much. We would go on picnics and hold hands outside on the swing. He said I was the prettiest girl he knew." Virginia says, smiling happily. "But I know he's not coming back. I wish he could come back, but he can't." Virginia says, starting to cry.
"It's okay, Virginia. It's okay to be sad." Phoebe tells her, taking her hand.
"He said he would take me away. That he would protect me. He tried to protect me -- he did. He tried so hard." Virginia says.
"Virginia -- can you tell me what happened to Michael?" Phoebe asks.
"No -- no, I can't talk about that. I don't want to." Virginia says. "I think I'd like to take a nap now."
"Okay -- let's go to your bed." Phoebe says.
"May I keep the dress on?" Virginia asks.
"Of course." Phoebe says, helping Virginia lie down. "Go to sleep, Virginia. I'll be back later." Phoebe leaves. She goes into the kitchen to find Mrs. Jensen. "Mrs. Jensen -- where is Cole?"
"He's at City Hall at a press conference. He said he'd be there most of the day. Is something wrong with Miss Virginia?" Mrs. Jensen asks.
"I think she -- had a bit of a breakthrough today. She started talking about Michael -- her fiancee. It's the first time she's mentioned him." Phoebe says. "Mrs. Jensen, what was he like?"
"Well, I thought he was a very bright, very kind young man. I was completely shocked by what he did to Miss Virginia -- I consider myself a good judge of character, Miss Phoebe. I don't know how I could have been so wrong about him." Mrs. Jensen says. "Do you think Miss Virginia is remembering what happened to her?"
"I think she might be." Phoebe says. "She's fine though -- when it got too much for her, we stopped. She wanted to lie down and take a nap."
"Well that's good." Mrs. Jensen says, putting her jacket on and spotting Carl in the hallway. "YOU are supposed to be gone from this house."
"I still got till tomorrow." Carl says. "Don't worry -- I'll be outta here soon enough." he says, and he heads upstairs.
"Good riddance too." Mrs. Jensen says. "That boy is a menace. He always has been. I swear, he's had the devil in him since birth. I have to run to the market. I'll be back in a few hours."
"I'm leaving too -- I want to see if I can catch Cole at City Hall -- I really need to speak with him." Phoebe says, and they both leave.
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Cole is leaving the City Hall building just as Phoebe arrives. "Cole! Cole!" Phoebe shouts, rushing to catch up with him.
"Phoebe? What's going on?" Cole asks.
"We need to talk -- do you have time, it's important." Phoebe says.
"I'm on my lunch break -- come on, let's go get a bite to eat." Cole says, and he and Phoebe go into a restaurant and sit down.
"Cole I -- I think Virginia had a breakthrough today. She started talking about Michael -- she brought him up, not me." Phoebe says. "I think she's -- on the verge of remembering."
"That's wonderful." Cole says. "Phoebe -- I don't know how to thank you for all you've done for her. Did it -- upset her to talk about Michael?"
"No -- not at all. Actually, she seemed -- happy when she talked about him. Cole, that's something that's never made sense to me. Virginia calls the doll Michael. I've never quite made sense out of why she would want to name her 'child' after the man who raped her. Even if she doesn't remember, it is buried in her subconscious and -- that has just never made sense to me." Phoebe says. Suddenly she comes to a horrible realization. "Cole -- oh god -- Cole, I don't think that Michael raped Virginia."
"Phoebe -- she gave birth. I was there. Are you saying they -- had a physical relationship? I don't believe my sister would do that." Cole says.
"Cole -- I don't think the baby was Michael's." Phoebe says.
"What are you saying, Phoebe?" Cole asks.
"I'm saying -- I don't think the baby was Michael's." Phoebe says, horrified.
"Phoebe, the only other person in that attic was -- oh my god." Cole says, his eyes filling up with anger.
"Cole, Mrs. Jensen is at the market. And Carl had just come into the house when we left, he was in the hallway, he could have heard me telling Mrs. Jensen that Virginia is getting her memory back." Phoebe says, terrified.
"Let's go." Cole says, grabbing her hand and rushing out of the restaurant.
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Virginia is lying in her bed, asleep. When she awakens, she finds Carl sitting on the edge of the bed next to her. "Hello Virginia. I'm sorry I haven't been up to visit you in so long. But we're alone now -- have you missed me?" Carl says, running his fingers through her hair. Virigina sits up, trembling.
"Stay away from me." Virginia tells him. "I told Michael all about the things you've done to me. He says you're sick, and he's going to take me far, far away from here, and he's going to tell Cole, too."
"I've already told you, Virginia -- if you ever tell Cole about us, I WILL kill him. And now that you've told Michael -- I guess I'll have to kill him, too." Carl says. Virginia stares at Carl in shock, beginning to recall everything that happened in the attic that day . . . . . . .
"Stay away from me! I won't ever let you hurt me again, Carl!" Virginia shouts. Carl grabs her roughly.
"I told you -- you belong to ME, Virginia. No one else can EVER have you!" Carl shouts. He shoves her down on the ground, tears her dress, and forces himself on top of her. Virginia cries the entire time, begging him to stop.
"Leave her alone!" Michael shouts, coming up the stairs. "Let her go Carl, or so help me, I will KILL you!"
"Kill me? I don't think so." Carl says. He sits up and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a gun. He points it straight at Michael and fires, hitting him directly in the chest. Michael collapses to the ground as Virginia screams. Carl hears someone coming up the stairs -- he quickly zips up his pants and places the gun in Virginia's hands . . . . .
"No. No, you will never hurt me like that again." Virginia says. She gets out of bed and starts to run from Carl. He grabs her forcefully, shoving her against the wall.
"I told you, Virginia -- you're MINE!" he shouts. Carl pulls a gun out of his pocket and puts it up to Virginia's throat. "You will do what I ask, or I will kill Cole, and Nanny Alice, AND your new friend Phoebe." he threatens, just as Cole and Phoebe come up the stairs.
"Let her go!" Cole screams. "It's over, Carl -- let her go." Carl angrily throws Virginia against the wall, knocking her unconscious. "Ginny!" Cole shouts.
"It's not over, brother. It won't be over until I'm rid of YOU. The golden boy, the perfect son -- I could never live up to you. Nothing I ever did was good enough for father, OR for you." Carl says, pointing the gun directly at Cole.
"You're sick, Carl. You're a sick, twisted man -- and you will rot in prison for the rest of your life." Cole says.
"That's where you're wrong, brother. That's where you're dead wrong -- literally." Carl says, and he pulls back the trigger and fires. The bullet hits Cole in the stomach, and he collapses to the ground.
"Cole! NO!" Phoebe screams. She lunges toward Carl, and he fires the gun at her, but she levitates herself, causing the bullet to miss.
"What the hell?" Carl says, as Phoebe lands herself behind Carl, grabbing him. Carl struggles with her as she causes the gun to fire into the air several times until it is unloaded of bullets.
"Who's the tough guy now, Carl?" Phoebe says. They continue their physical struggle, and as they struggle Phoebe accidentally knocks over the candle in the window -- it quickly causes the curtains to catch on fire. Phoebe shoves Carl into one of the burning curtains as he lets out a loud scream, then falls to the ground, his entire body engulfed in flames. Phoebe rushes to Cole's side. "Cole? Oh god -- alright -- if I do this we can come back, we will come back and save Virginia, I promise." Phoebe says, taking Cole's unconscious body in her arms and holding him close. "A time for everything -- and everything its place. Return us now through time and space. A time for everything, and everything its place. Return us now through time and space." Phoebe chants, and then she and Cole vanish together . . . . .
