In my place (part two)

Halliwell Manor

Living room

Paige sighed in sadness, as she stared at the sheet over Sara's dead body. That poor woman had just sacrificed herself to protect Phoebe, a person she had never met before. The youngest Halliwell sister wondered how beautiful Sara's soul was. She also stared at Cole, who was kneeling next to her body, his eyes filled with tears. Paige had never seen him this way before and, for a moment, she felt sorry for him.

She leaned her back against a wall and moved her eyes to her sister. Phoebe was sitting on the couch, still holding the sword. She was looking intensively at Cole with teary eyes. Paige knew it was hard for her sister to see him grieving for another woman. Phoebe's empathy power was certainly allowing her to feel exactly what he was feeling, all his grief and sorrow.

And for sure it was breaking Phoebe's heart.

"I need to go the attic," Phoebe suddenly said, standing up.

"I'm going with you," Paige said softly. "We need to clean the sword," she said, pointing to the extensive bloodstains on the blade.

Phoebe looked up at Cole and nodded. She couldn't stand to be in same room with him anymore. His emotions were too much for her to handle right now.

Kitchen

"What are you saying?" Piper suddenly asked.

"I'm not an Elder anymore," Leo said. "Piper, I'm so sorry and…" he stopped and looked at Chris. "I won't be that Leo… I made my choice."

Chris cleared his throat. "You fell from grace," he let out in a whisper. Leo really did it, he fell from grace.

Leo nodded. "I told you… The future is always in motion. I'll do my best to be a good father," he said emotionally.

Gideon raised an eyebrow. Why was Leo talking to future boy that way? It was like they had some connection…

That boy.

Gideon didn't trust him. None of the Elders knew what kind of secrets the young man was hiding from them.

"Well," Piper said. "It explains why you didn't answer my call…"

"I'm sorry," Leo said truthfully. "Do you think I could help her if…"

"No," Piper waved her hands. "No… She was dead… But Cole was desperate and he wanted me to call you, but she was already dead when he brought her here."

"Selene killed her, because she wants that demon," Gideon remarked and Piper slightly shook her head.

"It's not that simple, she was protecting Phoebe," she explained.

Gideon shook his head. "You don't understand. Selene has this mad obsession with Endymion. She wants him, that's all. She is not a real threat," he said.

"She's not a real threat?" Chris frowned, not believing his ears. "She killed a woman, she could have killed Phoebe!"

"Only because she wants Endymion," Gideon explained. "And, for her, Cole is Endymion!"

"What are you insinuating?" Piper asked in concern.

Gideon shook his head. "Forget it," he said. "You should talk, I'll take care of that poor woman," the Elder explained and, as Piper shoot a glance at him, he added. "You can't have a corpse in your living room."

"I'll go with you," Chris volunteered himself.

"Chris," Leo said softly, resting his hand over the young man's shoulder. "We need to talk."

Gideon frowned in suspicion. Yes, definitely there was something happening. "Don't worry, I don't need help," he said. "Good luck, my friend. I really hope you never regret your decision," he said leaving the kitchen.

"Leo," Piper looked sadly at him. "Why did you do this?"

Leo looked up at Chris and let out a slight smile. "I almost forget the most important thing to me," he said sighing heavily. "I almost forgot my family."

"You're powerless now," Chris remarked.

"I don't care," Leo said softly. "If being an Elder means to be that kind of person you described to me, then I don't want it. Not anymore."

Chris stepped back, looking away. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't need to say anything, Chris," Leo said. "You just need to believe when I say to you that I'll do my best to be a good father."

Piper rested her hand on her belly. "We both will try to be good parents," Piper said.

"Piper..." Chris muttered.

"I was... am... a terrible mother. I obviously failed in your future," she said sobbing.

Chris shook his head. "Don't blame yourself."

"I am Wyatt's mother, Chris. I'm responsible for..."

"No, you're not," Chris quickly corrected her. "Piper, you... you were... are... a great mother. Don't think it's your fault."

Piper lowered her head. "You always called me Piper."

"What?" Chris frowned.

"I already heard you say 'Aunt Paige', but you never said 'Mum' to me," she explained. "You obviously hate me."

"Piper, I don't hate you," he said in frustration. Okay, he was still a little hurt by the way she treated him before, but he didn't hate her. "It's just..."

"What?" Piper asked in frustration.

"You don't understand, you're not her yet," he tried to explain.

"But I'll be... I'm your mother," she said.

"And I'll lose you," he quietly admitted.

Piper felt her blood turned into ice and reached for Leo's hand. "So... In you your future..."

"I can't talk about it," Chris said.

"Chris, please, you're too much secretive about the future," Leo argued. "You need to share some information with us."

"No, I can't," Chris insisted. "And... I don't wanna talk about it. It's just... Look, I'm here to save Wyatt, okay? I'll do my best, you don't need to worry about my future. Please, trust me..."

Piper nodded. "Fine..."

"Everything is gonna be okay, mum. I promise you," he said, hugging her.

Piper felt a warm feeling in her chest.

Mon, he just called me 'mum'.

Living room

Gideon walked to the living room and saw Cole alone next to Sara's body.

"It's your fault, you know," Gideon said, as he walked next to him.

Cole cleared his throat and looked up at him. He had the same sensation he got when he saw Gideon the first time. He saw that man before, but it was hard to remember. "What are you saying?"

"She only wants you," Gideon said in disgust. "Selene..."

Cole picked himself up. "Selene is..."

"A powerful goddess, who has the power to kill hundreds of people. It's almost impossible stop her. But..."

"But what?" Cole raised an eyebrow.

"She only wants you," Gideon explained. "It's simple like that. She only wants her Endymion."

Cole frowned, he knew where this conversation was going to lead. "And what's your suggestion?" he asked, crossing his arms.

Gideon smirked. "You know what you have to do. Give yourself to Selene. It's the only to stop her."

Cole laughed, a bitter and sad laugh. "You're insane..."

Cole shook his head. "And you are evil," he said, as lifted the sheet that had been placed over Sara's body. "This poor woman is dead. There's no way to save her, but Phoebe..."

"What about Phoebe?" Cole asked, his voice almost cracking.

"Selene will kill her, Cole. She will kill anyone to have what she wants. Can't you see? It's your choice, it's in your hands to put an end to this story."

Cole shook his head in confusion. "Sara..." he looked up at Sara's paled face. She died because of him, because Selene wanted him.

"The Charmed Ones believe in your love for Phoebe," Gideon continued. "I have my doubts..."

"I do love Phoebe," Cole assured him.

"So prove it, don't let Selene hurt her," Gideon said firmly. "You already inflicted too much pain to her. You need to stop it."

"It was never my intention to hurt her," Cole said ashamed.

"I want to believe you, Cole. Do the right thing, for Phoebe's safety," Gideon said.

Cole nodded. Gideon was right, he had no right to be selfish. Sara was already dead, he couldn't allow Phoebe to have the same fate. "What I need to do?"

Gideon smiled. At least, Cole wouldn't be a problem anymore. In the end, his love for Phoebe was genuine. "Just come with me," he said, extending his hand. "There's a cave where she used to be with Endymion. She will certainly hear your call from there. All you have to do is call for her and then we can seal the deal. Your soul for people's safety, Phoebe's safety."

Cole swallowed. He was not looking forward to giving himself to Selene, not after she killed Sara. But Gideon was right.

For Phoebe's safety.

He gave his hand to Gideon and they orbed away.

Phoebe's room

"I need to be alone, sweetie," Phoebe said, holding the sword. "Just for a few minutes."

Paige sighed. "Are you sure?"

Phoebe nodded. "Just give me a few minutes. I need to recompose myself, please."

"Fine," Paige said, trying to get the sword.

"No," Phoebe put the sword behind her. "Let the sword here."

Paige frowned. "But..."

"Maybe I can get a premonition," she argued. "Who knows..."

"You're right," Paige nodded in agreement.

Phoebe sighed in relief, as her sister left the room.

She looked attentively at the sword.

At least Sara's sacrifice wasn't in vain.

Thanks to Sara, she has Selene's weapon.

Phoebe turned to the drawer next to her bed and opened it. She pulled out the piece of paper she had placed there. The paper contained some instructions and a spell. Phoebe read it very carefully.

No mistakes, she thought.

I can't do anything wrong.

She took the sword and made a small cut in her hand. Her blood instantly stained the blade of the sword and Phoebe sighed.

It's the only way to vanquish her, she closed her eyes and breathed hard, before start to chant a spell.

A/N: Thank you for the lovely reviews. I hope you liked this chapter, I am a little curious about your opinions.

Ah... The Charmed Comics, I don't read them, but I do know what's happening. I didn't read the issue you're talking about, but I do know that Cole saved Coop's life, pushing him out of the way from the athame.

Here, Sara's sacrifice gave Phoebe the weapon she needs to vanquish Selene. You'll understand the spell she performed next chapter.