Melinda took a particularly long time to slice into her fish, shivering under the heavy gaze of Jack. The pair had been locked in awkward quiet since he picked her up for their dinner downtown. Even small talk was difficult to make, usually ending in uncomfortable silence. Melinda averted his eyes and Jack nervously fiddled with his napkin. The anxiety of what she could possibly know or suspect drove him crazy and for Melinda deciding whether or not to confront him was just as difficult.
"Is your food okay?" Jack asked.
She nodded, still keeping her gaze away from his. "It's good," she confirmed.
Finishing off the last sip of merlot in his glass, Jack pulled in a breath of frustration. He patted his lips dry before speaking. "Is everything okay?"
"Why wouldn't they be?" Melinda asked a little too quickly to trust. It was a blurted line she had clearly prepared for the question.
Jack couldn't suppress the slight quirk of his mouth into a frown. "I don't know," he shook his head. "You've just been distant. I wish you would be honest with me…"
"I found something, Jack," she confessed shrilly. Melinda swallowed hard as she nervously tucked her hair behind her ear. "I didn't want you to think I was snooping but you were acting weird. And I – And I saw this plane tickets for halfway around the world and money…lots of money. I didn't know what to think."
He tensed as she shakily got out the last few words, still refusing to look into his eyes. "That must have looked awful," he nodded. "But you don't have anything to worry about Melinda."
"I don't? How do I know I can trust you?" she stammered. This time she dared to look into his eyes. They were a haunting, solid, dark sapphire. They held the same tenderness as always but something about their edge made her tremble. He seemed to fidget with anxiety and he chewed on his lower lip.
"I was helping a friend," he breathed. Melinda watched with the same tension. Jack nervously adjusted the tie around his neck. He hadn't expected to supply her with such honesty but suddenly it was spilling out. "I know, that's what everyone says, but it's legitimate. He needed to get out of the country."
"So it wasn't for you?" Melinda asked. "Why wouldn't you tell me?"
"It was a fragile situation," Jack said.
"I could have helped," Melinda replied. She immediately regretted doing so. Her status as a protector of innocent lives was still undisclosed and would have to stay that way.
"How?" Jack asked. He reached across the table, grabbing her hand into his. "I appreciate it. I'm sorry for not being honest with you. I want us to be comfortable with each other."
"It's okay," she said. The warmth of his hand made up for the previous coldness of his countenance. His tender touch sent shivers up her spine. "I've just been hurt before. I don't want this to end like all the others…"
"It won't," Jack assured. And yet inside he cringed. Surely there was no way for them to end peacefully. For now he would ignore the pangs that were to soon torment them. He kissed the back of her hand. "I love you."
"I love you too…"
Aliah lurked callously behind the couple, easily lounging at a table of her own. The menu hid her imploring face and the glare that narrowed her dark eyes. The thought of her son – her dear Delezar – taken by the very woman he was to destroy, the descendent of their greatest enemy, made her twist with rage. She exerted desperate self-control as she eavesdropped on the pair, finally giving up as she bolted up from her table and whisked behind a nearby pillar.
Killing Melinda Halliwell would be an ugly task. She didn't intend to carry it out so publicly but at this point in time she couldn't bear to know the girl was even breathing. Delezar would hate her forever but at least she could save her son from misery. She cursed herself for allowing him to turn out so soft and human. If anything killing Melinda would be a favor. He may disown Aliah for it but it would at least bring out the type of hatred and ruthlessness necessary to be a demon. In any case it seemed one fireball would solve all their problems.
With surprising elegance and poise, Aliah carefully produced a flame in her left palm. The restaurant was in such chaos that few took notice of her clandestine nature. She peeked out from behind her hiding spot, satisfied with her angle. Jack's back was toward her and she only had to hope that Melinda wouldn't catch sight of her and use her powers to complete the task. A twinge of delight made the dimples at her mouth deepen as she took stealth aim at her target.
"A public assassination?" a deep voice interrupted. "That's in poor taste Aliah."
She immediately glared as the dark suited man blocked her path, a cocky smirk streaking his familiar face. "You bastard," Aliah growled.
"You look beautiful," he smiled.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Making sure you don't kill the Halliwell girl," he answered. "Or ruin our son's date."
"Oh he's our son now?"
"Where else would he get his looks?" Cole Turner asked with a cheeky grin. Aliah punched his chest in fury but it did little to phase the legendary demon. He easily straightened his black satin tie and gave a sigh. "So are we going to have a drink or do I have to make a scene?"
"No, I'm going to kill you and then I'm going to kill that little witch…"
"I'd like to see you try," Cole cut her off. He forcefully took her arm into the crook of his elbow, nodding casually at one of the waiters and another couple who passed them as he led her back to their empty table. He leaned in close to her ear as he pulled out her chair. "You're going to have to get through me if you plan on killing her."
Aliah glared, keeping her small mouth in a tight line as Cole slipped into the chair across from her. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I already told you," he sighed as he opened up a menu, nonchalantly scanning the entrees. "Where's your husband? It is Valentine's Day isn't it?"
"He's busy. And last I checked it's a human holiday, not a celebration of demonic sorts," Aliah replied. She glared around the restaurant, holding up her empty wine glass with bitterness.
"You didn't seem to think so when I took you out for Valentine's Day," Cole said.
Aliah rolled her eyes. "Things change Belthazor," she said. "After all it's been how many years? Ten?"
"Sixteen," he said. The waiter quickly arrived, anxiously refilling Aliah's glass. From the looks of it, Aliah had already successfully instilled fear in the young man.
"Can I get you anything sir?" he stammered.
"Scotch and your house steak. Bloody," Cole answered. He smiled at Aliah. "And bring one for the lovely lady as well."
Aliah rolled her eyes as the waiter bolted off. She slowly nursed a drink before clearing her throat. "What are you really doing here Belthazor?"
"I love when you call me that," he sighed. "You really do bring out the demon in any man…"
"You didn't answer my question," she told him. Despite the interesting history of their relationship, Aliah could never shake the heat and desire Cole stirred up in her. She'd been with plenty of demons and men but he was like no other she ever conquered. It was perhaps why their son was her most precious possession – he was the one piece she had of him.
Cole seemed to shake with agony. He pulled in a calming breath. "I can't do it. I can't watch him make the same mistakes I did," he confessed.
"You're talking about Phoebe Halliwell aren't you?" Aliah rolled her eyes. She took another gulp of her wine. "You still can't get over her. Even when we were together all I'd hear was talk of this mystery woman."
"You know I loved you Aliah," Cole said.
"Not like you loved her," she told him. "Trust me, I don't take offense. But if you think you can pay penance by helping Delezar you're too late. He's already made a mistake. He loves her."
"Then he has to give up his position with the Brotherhood …"
"That is his birthright," Aliah glared.
"It doesn't mean he is saved from the choice. He can't have her and his place. I tried and it failed."
"Malum has sent him…"
"Malum is a disgrace," Cole grumbled.
"Oh really? From where I stand he's the Source and you're not."
"He's smart but not powerful enough to rule the Underworld."
"You sound jealous."
"Don't be ridiculous," Cole growled.
"He asks about you. He wants you to help him…"
"I've received his messengers."
"And killed all of them."
"Ah so then Malum did get my message?"
"I don't understand what you're trying to prove. We're all on the same team. You could have all the reign you like…"
"I don't want to work with Malum. I don't have any interest in taking down the Halliwells."
"Then what are you doing? Huh? You've certainly had a lot of time on your hands."
"It's not your business…"
"You're still searching for those stones, aren't you?"
"It's not your business," Cole answered. He glanced across the room, watching Jack and Melinda finish their dinner. They laughed over conversation. Yes, they were in love. He would have never thought it'd be his son and Piper Halliwell's daughter but it was love. And he couldn't take another century watching it fail. "They're happy together."
"Not for long," Aliah sighed. She ran a hand through her luscious brown curls. "I know you don't understand but I only want what's best for him."
"As do I," Cole replied.
"Are you sure it's not just about proving yourself to Phoebe?" she asked bitterly.
"I know that chance has long passed. But I can at least give Jack a happier ending," Cole muttered.
"Do what you want. I've never been able to stop you before. But good luck," Aliah said. "I'm sure the father who abandoned him is the last person Delezar will be willing to take advice from."
The wind sliding through Lucy's hair and grazing her face brought a feeling calm, only to be ruined by her anxiety and worry as she desperately ran to meet her sister. Carson's heavy footsteps echoed behind her, his breathing uneasy and tired. As they reached the apartment complex, he slowed his steps, hands on his hips. "Come on, let's go!" she told him.
"Not all of us are former cross country stars," Carson grumbled, wiping his brow as he huffed after her. In a scramble the pair clamored up the several sets of stairs, not stopping until they reached the door with roof access.
"Lila!" Lucy called out immediately as she scanned the area. Her heart sunk with terror as she examined the overturned table and chairs. Shattered glass and destroyed remnants of the once romantic dinner were tossed about. Carson appeared just as shaken as he slowly weaved through the mess.
"Gage?" Carson yelled, searching the roof. The table cloth and a few other shard of wood were on fire, smoldering with the breeze.
"Over here," a weak voice coughed from a short distance. Lucy and Carson scrambled to find him, hidden beneath the broken pieces of table.
"You okay?" Carson asked as he took a knee next to his brother, slowly helping him to sit up.
"Fine," Gage coughed. A gash spurted with blood at his forehead and bruises were becoming visible around his face. His suit jacket and shirt had been torn and a few other traces of trauma marked his body.
"Where's Lila?" Lucy asked. She picked up a nearby napkin that had survived the demon attack and pressed it to Gage's cut. He hissed in pain before answering.
"They took her," he answered. "They came out of nowhere. I tried to help but there were so many. I have to go find her…"
Gage rushed to his feet and Carson quickly steadied him. "Hold on, just take it easy," Carson advised.
"You're not going after them alone," Lucy nodded. She cleared her throat and with hands on her hips tilted her head to the sky. "Wyatt!"
Phoebe squirmed impatiently as her nephew held a few glowing fingers at her forehead. The warm healing sensation was soothing but not enough to evaporate her fear for Coop's safety. "I think they know he's related to the Halliwells," she explained for the third time.
"We got it mom, just relax," Laura sighed as she sat in the kitchen chair next to her. "We'll find out who did this."
"Have you called Lila?" Phoebe asked.
"Yeah, she's not answering though," Laura told her.
"I'm sure the proposal is a little distracting," Wyatt chuckled. "There you go, good as new…"
"Proposal?" Phoebe repeated. "What proposal?"
Laura smacked Wyatt's arm at his revelation. "You can keep your own secret but you can't keep anyone else's can you?" she said.
"What secret?" Phoebe asked in confusion.
"Laura," Wyatt hissed.
"Sorry," she apologized.
"Someone tell me what you're talking about. Who's proposing?"
"Gage to Lila. Tonight."
Wyatt and Laura both cringed at Phoebe's squeal of excitement. The previously worried mother now bounced with vigor. "You're sure? How do you know?"
"Gage told Lucy and Lucy told everyone else," Laura replied.
"Oh this is so exciting!" Phoebe grinned. "We're going to have a wedding! We have to start planning. Oh this spring would be just perfect…"
"Well, we'll have plenty of time for that later," Wyatt said, slightly amused by his aunt's enthusiasm.
"Yeah maybe we should focus on getting dad back?" Laura rolled her eyes.
"Right," Phoebe nodded, still unable to contain her smile. She refocused herself as they sat in the kitchen, quickly becoming somber as she saw the strewn pots and pans. "I don't think they wanted to kill him. They were about to and then they left…"
Laura slowly paced about the kitchen, stepping over the broken glass and ruined dessert. Each stride seemed to amplify the familiar tingle of adrenaline and power that frequently surged in the middle of demonic strategy and attack. This situation in particular stirred up her sense of urgency and drive. Someone had attacked her unsuspecting parents. Someone had hurt her mother and kidnapped her father. As a child the prospect would have only instilled fear. Now as a young, powerful, experienced woman the situation inspired focused rage and determination.
"I think I can sense him," Laura announced.
"What do you mean?" Wyatt asked.
"I can sense the trail the demon took to escape with dad. Maybe if I follow it we can find him," she suggested.
Wyatt chewed his lower lip and shook his head. "I think we should get Lila and Lucy first. Chris will want to know what's going on as well," he advised. Phoebe nodded in agreement. "In the meantime maybe you two can start scrying and …"
His words were cut off as the familiar cry of family in need rang through his ear. Phoebe and Laura didn't need any extra confirmation to know what the frown on his face meant. "Who is it?" Phoebe asked.
"Lucy," Wyatt replied. "I'll be right back, don't go anywhere…"
In a hurry Wyatt orbed out of Phoebe's condo, leaving the mother and daughter deep in concern. Phoebe sighed, shaking her head at the turmoil. "I can hardly stand just sitting on the sidelines anymore. You'll understand one day when you have children of your own who are getting attacked and in danger and you aren't in a position to protect them any longer…" Phoebe glanced over her shoulder to find no one in the kitchen other than herself. Her mouth dropped in disbelief. "Laura? Laura!"
As soon as Wyatt was out of sight Laura departed in a secretive pink flash, easily following the route her father recently travelled on, burning through her senses like fire. The miles and continents flew past her in a single breath and before she knew it the ride was over, landing her square in the Underworld.
Square in the Underworld and straight into a trap.
As soon as she opened her eyes, her stomach fell with anxiety and failure. She was surrounded by thick, rusted metal bars, deep in the darkness of a cave. "Shit," she cursed. A pair of demons grinned at her arrival in the cage and behind her the familiar voice that led her to such circumstances croaked in surprise.
"Laura?" Coop asked. He was seated in the corner of the locked chamber, brown eyes shiny with fatigue and astonishment.
"Hi dad," Laura sighed. She scolded her stupidity and unhappily plopped to a seat at his side. "Happy Valentine's Day."
"What do you mean it's boring? It couldn't be boring," Chris insisted sweetly. His jade eyes were taken by the brunette on the couch next to him. The gentle glow of lights in the apartment captured the pair in a tender golden hue, setting an atmosphere of closeness. After a romantic dinner in town Chris and Bianca retired to the pent house, opened a bottle of wine, and for a long awaited moment simply enjoyed each other's company.
For Chris it couldn't have been more perfect. There were no crazy family members, no demons, and no work. For Bianca there was no police force – no demons and assassinations – simply romance. The dimples at Chris' cheeks were becoming exhausted from a continuous exercise of smiling. He was completely taken by her. A single look at his adoring eyes gave away the passion that grew for her in his heart.
"It is boring. I became a cop because I knew I could be good at it," Bianca answered shyly. She rested her head on the cushions of the couch and smiled. "I know you want me to say something admirable like I did it because I wanted to make a difference and help people but that's not why I did it…"
"Then why did you do it?"
"It's stupid," she groaned. "I don't know why you make me tell you these things."
"Because I want to know everything about you," Chris replied gently.
"Oh no you don't," Bianca scoffed. "Besides, like you should talk. You're not exactly an open book."
Chris would have protested if it wasn't for the fact that if things continued as they were, he'd be forced to share his biggest secret – the one he'd never shared with anyone outside of his family. The secret every Halliwell loathed to reveal. "I suppose you're right," he nodded. "But you could at least answer my question…"
"Call me an adrenaline junkie," Bianca sighed. "The adventure, the action, the pursuit, those are the things that drove me to being a detective. The fact that I get to help people doing that isn't half bad either."
"Is it bad that I am so turned on by you right now?"
Bianca gave him a teasing shove and Chris grinned widely. In an instant their heads were close and they stole a kiss. He tangled his fingers into hers, holding her hand simply to feel it's softness and revel in their intimacy. As they pulled away from the kiss he pressed his lips to the palm of her hand, only to come up in surprise.
"Is that a tattoo?" he asked.
Betraying her effort to remain conspicuous, Bianca quickly pulled away her hand from his grip. She covered the mark of the Phoenix at her wrist, hiding it from Chris' imploring eyes. "It's nothing," she stammered.
"What do you mean it's nothing?" he asked in confusion. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about…"
Her reaction was surely only making the situation worse and Bianca swallowed hard. There was no coming out of this one and she knew it. "It's a birthmark," she told him. She slowly removed her hand.
"Why would you want to hide it?" Chris asked.
"I wasn't hiding it," Bianca insisted.
"You were too," he replied. He ran his hand over the orange colored mark. "It looks like something…"
"No it's doesn't," she spat quickly. Heat warmed her neck and cheeks. It was becoming impossible to not crack under the pressure. She scolded herself for not hiding the birthmark – a sure giveaway of her true lineage. She only prayed Chris would move on from the subject and forget about it. Unfortunately she got the feeling he wasn't going to let up.
Before Chris could delve into more details about her birthmark or secrecy, a thump on the door interrupted them. His jaw immediately locked. He'd asked Wyatt to give him until at least midnight at the pent house. And while he ignored the calls of the family, he knew that there were enough Halliwells on hand to avert crisis. As another impatient knock came however he grimaced at the idea of a ruined romantic evening.
"Shit," he murmured.
"Who's that?" Bianca asked.
Before Chris could rise and answer, Wyatt and Lucy came charging through the door. "Hey asshole, we've been calling you for the past…" Lucy's words came to a pause as she took sight of her cousin's guest. "I mean, sorry to interrupt."
Wyatt in the meantime was less understanding. His eyes widened. "Detective Lawrence?"
"Nice to see you again, Wyatt," Bianca said calmly.
"Wyatt, I thought you said I could have the pent house tonight," Chris hissed.
"I did but it seems we have an emergency and you weren't answering our calls," Wyatt said raising a warning eyebrow at his brother.
"Yeah and when were you going to tell us about her?" Lucy asked.
"Okay that's beside the point," Chris sighed, blushing in slight embarrassment at being caught with his secret girlfriend. He ran a hand through his hair. "Is this a serious emergency?"
"Is there any other kind of emergency?"
"Chris, don't worry. I had a nice evening," Bianca said, gathering her jacket and purse from the couch. She pecked a kiss onto his cheek and then nodded to Wyatt and Lucy. "This has been sufficiently awkward. I'll leave you to deal with the rest of your night. Good luck with your emergency…"
The trio watched as Bianca departed, waiting until the door closed behind her to release there withheld reactions. Chris immediately groaned in frustration while Wyatt and Lucy gasped. "Seriously?" Lucy gasped. "Please tell me you're sleeping with her to keep her off our backs?"
"It's more complicated than that," Chris said.
"And when were you planning on sharing with us that you're dating the detective investigating aunt Paige's murder? The one trying to pin her death on us? She could expose us Chris. This is so irresponsible," Wyatt told him in disgust.
"I don't need a lecture," Chris growled.
"Okay as Jerry Springer as tonight is becoming can we please focus up? Lila was kidnapped by a Demon of Hate and dad was too," Lucy said. "I'm sure we can save this drama for another time."
"You're right," Wyatt nodded. "Let's finish this fast so we can get Chris' head checked."
"Oh screw you," Chris rolled his eyes as the three orbed out.
Joey kept his hands deep in the pockets of his jeans as he wandered across the empty graveyard. Despite winter's chill still clenched around February, the San Francisco evening was tolerable beneath his jacket. A few dim lights made the tombstones visible, some shaped high above the grass and others simple plaques on the ground. Joey's shoes crunched the flakes of frost on the floor and a dreary San Francisco fog circled up to his knees.
Since the age of twelve the Joey had spent plenty of time at the graveyard. Since Henry Sr.'s death the family was accustom to visiting at least once a month. With Paige's passing, however, the twins and Joey found themselves wandering through the tombstones more often than not. It was a rather unconscious, natural route by now. In all the trips he'd memorized every divot and hill around the plot of land. He recognized nearly every name of every grave site, and only when he picked up his head did he realize someone was already at his spot.
She hardly glanced over her shoulder when she heard her brother. He slowed next to her and together they stared down at the matching granite tombstones. "Hey Sammy," Joey murmured with a sigh.
"Hey," she replied. Sam sniffled and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going to surprise Kate."
"I did. We got into a bit of a fight," he said. He shook his head. "I feel awful about it."
"She's fragile right now," Sam told him.
"I know," Joey nodded. He paced a few steps away, absently kicking at a tuff of grass. "We'll be able to patch things up. What about you? I thought you had a movie night."
"I did. Wyatt and Laura got called off for demon duty," she said. "I didn't feel like waiting for them."
"Yeah, it somehow feels extra depressing on Valentine's Day," Joey chuckled. "I thought of crashing Melinda's date with Jack but I realized it could wait…"
"You hear about Kate's suspicions?"
"About Jack? Yeah," Joey nodded. He quickly became serious, focusing on his sister with intrigue. "You know him. You think it could be Jack?"
"I wouldn't normally," Sam said. "Of course as of late I don't feel like a very good judge of character…"
"What makes you say that?"
"Too many things," she sighed. Sam slowly reached out, tracing a hand down Paige's grave. The granite was cool beneath her fingertips. It never failed that when in doubt or trouble she found herself here. Sure, Paige and Henry rarely spoke from the grave with answers, but something about being in their presence brought calmness.
Joey rubbed the back of his neck as he watched her. He chewed on his lower lip. "You've been trying to track mom's killer," he said.
Sam instantly looked up, brown eyes twinkling with surprise. "How'd you know?" she asked.
"I'm not an idiot. I notice you're gone all the time," Joey said. "I know everyone else is too busy to see but I'm your brother. I do."
"I should know I can't hide anything from you," Sam smirked sheepishly.
Joey nodded. "I know I can't stop you. But I hope you're being careful. Going after this alone is dangerous and…"
"I'm not alone, Joe," she revealed gently.
This time Joey's brow furrowed in surprise and he eyed her suspiciously. "So someone in the family is helping you? That's good though, right?"
"It's not someone in the family," Sam looked down, giving a deep sigh.
"Who is it?" he asked coldly.
"His name is Nicholas. Nick," she started. She nervously traced her fingers across the tombstone, examining the dimly lit cracks and lines. "We met before mom died. We were together I guess, until I found out – found out that he was a manticore."
"A demon," Joey corrected. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to maintain his composure. "You're still seeing him?"
"Not like you would think. He's only been helping me find clues about mom's case. He has connections in the Underworld obviously and he doesn't let anything happen to me and…"
"You have feelings for him," Joey cut her off.
The entire graveyard seemed to go silent. The two siblings stood frozen, staring at each other as if it could erase the question. Sam thought of denying him but quickly saw little point. Joey was more than just a brother, but her ally and confidant. There was no reason to hide from him what he already suspected. If anything the Halliwells couldn't afford anymore secrets.
"I don't want to," Sam whispered. She swallowed hard, glancing away from Joey's static brown eyes. "I know I shouldn't and I try not to. But no matter how much I deny it, it's there. And tonight's Valentine's Day and all I can think about is being with him…"
Joey kept his hands in his pockets. The fog continued to move in circles, covering the ground beneath his feet. A few sparse stars were visible in the distance. "Does he feel the same way?" he asked.
"I don't know," Sam muttered. "I mean that makes it even worse, doesn't it? I know I'm an idiot and I know what you're going to say. And I came out here tonight because I couldn't stand fighting myself on these feelings. We weren't even together that long and I don't even know if he's interested in . . ."
"You deserve to be happy Sam," Joey cut her off. He took a few steps away, pacing around the space until he stopped at his father's grave. The grave with the same name as his own. It was rather morbid in some ways. As a young teenager it scared him. It made his morality clear and death imminent. Even now, ten years later, he shivered at the prospect of his name on a tombstone. "Whenever I come out here, it's usually to try to figure out what mom or dad would have said."
"Me too," Sam frowned.
"But they don't always answer. Or at least, I never think they do," he sighed. He leaned against the tombstone, gazing off. "You know what I always come away with though?"
"What's that?"
"This never fails to remind me that someday we'll be here too," Joey said. "We face death constantly. Demons, fireballs, hell, daggers, magic. It's a wonder more of us aren't dead."
"I don't think it helps to think like that," Sam told her brother. It scared her to hear him so pessimistic.
"I know you don't but it's true. No one talks about it or thinks about it."
"Because if we did, we'd be paralyzed by fear."
"But it's not meant to scare us," Joey explained. He met her eyes, a palm still on his father's grave. "It's meant to remind us that we only get one chance. That we could die at any moment. And because of that we can't afford to pass up a chance at happiness…"
He drifted off and Sam's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you getting at?"
"I don't know. I mean, I've been thinking about Kate. And about Melinda and Jack…" Joey sighed. "And I have to think that things have to happen for a reason. The world would just be cruel and not make any sense if it was otherwise. I mean this – our parents being dead – that doesn't make any sense. Kate being in rehab and losing her powers doesn't make any sense. Melinda dating a possible demon and you being in love with one doesn't make sense. But it all happens anyway. And some good happens along the way too. And sometimes I think rather than fighting it, like we fight everything else, maybe it'd be better to just accept things as they are. To just follow the path of least resistance and see where we end up…"
"This is a new philosophy," Sam said at the end of his rant. "Where did all this come from?"
"I don't know. I guess I've been trying to figure things out lately. Figure myself out especially," Joey replied. He shook his head. "I think you should see how things work out with Nick."
"You're serious?" Sam choked. "You're giving me your blessing?"
"No," Joey said. "I just don't think you should hold back at a chance to be happy."
Lila blinked open her eyes with a groan, immediately flustered to find her arms restricted and pinned by her head. Messy brown hair covered her view and she quickly shook her head to gain a fuzzy view of her captors. The two demons watched her in intrigue, nudging one another as she came to. "She's awake," one of them growled.
She swallowed hard, growing concerned as she found her wrists in magic binding metal cuffs. She hadn't been terribly hurt – banged up, sure – but as far as she could tell they hadn't harmed her. Even now they stood posing little threat. "What do you want?" she asked.
"Cupids," Garthwar answered. He slowly moved toward her, his leather boots shuffling along the concrete floor. They were in a warehouse, far from the likes of the Underworld. It only amplified her confusion. The large, hairy man stopped in front of her. He slowly opened his fist, revealing a sparkling gem. "Is this yours?"
Lila examined the ring in his finger and gave a small nod. "Yes," she said.
"But you are not Coop Valentine," Garthwar grumbled. He took another step closer to her. Lila's nose scrunched at the smell of his body odor and breath. He glared in anger. "Did you steal this from him?"
"No. It's mine," she told him in confusion. "What do you want? Are you looking for Coop Valentine?"
"That's none of your business," Garthwar spat.
"What are we going to do?" the demon behind him, a skinny man silent until now, anxiously paced back and forth. "Can we kill her now?"
"No," he answered, his gaze still heavy on Lila. "We'll wait until he tells us what to do."
"Who?" Lila asked.
"You'd be smart to not ask questions," Garthwar growled. He held up the ring one more time. "Are you a cupid?"
"Yes," she replied.
"And is this your ring?"
"Yes," she answered again.
"You lie," he snapped.
"She tells the truth," a calm voice interrupted from the shadows. Garthwar quickly took a nervous step back, hiding the ring back in his fist. His companion instantly straightened up, listening to the set of heavy footsteps coming their direction. Lila kept her eyes on the darkness, watching as a tall, broad figure made his way toward them.
"We tried to do what you asked your excellency," Garthwar stammered. "We found the ring…"
"I'll take care of things from here," the man assured.
Lila's mouth dropped as he peeled out from the shadows. The dark hair, blue eyes, and countenance were unmistakable. She may have never met the man but the pictures and description were burned into her mind. She trembled in her shackles and in a whisper she managed his name. "Cole Turner…"
"How long have you been here?" Laura asked her father.
"Not long before you came," Coop answered. The two watched as their captors paced about the cave, murmuring to one another, passing the Coop's ring back and forth.
"It sure looks like they had their way with you," she frowned.
"I'm alright," he told her with a tired smile. Laura carefully examined the cut at his cheek and the bruises forming around his jaw.
"You might need stitches," Laura said. She leaned back against the bars of the cage, knees pulled to her chest. She swallowed hard. "So you were with mom when it happened?"
Coop gave a slow, guilty nod. "Yes."
"Are you two together now?" Laura asked with a sigh.
"It's complicated…"
"It always is, isn't it?" she rolled her eyes with a scoff.
Coop frowned. "You're not happy about this are you?"
"I really don't care, dad. Do what you want," Laura answered.
"You can talk to me. I mean, you used to talk to me. I really don't know what happened," Coop sighed. "I mean, I know what happened."
"I rather not talk about this. And besides, it doesn't seem like now is the time," she told him bitterly.
"From where I'm sitting now is the perfect time. We may be stuck together for a while. We might as well tackle this while you have to endure my company," Coop suggested. "Because believe it or not, I'm here to stay."
"You see, that's the problem. I don't care anymore if you're here to stay. I cared when I was fifteen years old and I wanted a dad to be around and not just on weekends. Now it's too late," Laura said. She shook her head. "You couldn't make it work when it counted. Now you expect me to be happy that you're seeing each other again?"
"I understand why you're angry…"
"No! No you don't," Laura hissed. "You don't get to say that to me. And you don't get to try like I'm the irrational one for being angry with you. I should be angry with you! And I don't care that it's been ten years because the hurt doesn't go away that easily."
"I'm sorry," Coop said sheepishly. "I know it's never meant anything to you when I've said it before but I'm sincerely sorry. I wish there was a way I could fix it but I know I can't. All I can try to do is make things better now."
Laura's jaw locked in place and she quickly looked away. She swallowed hard. "Well the best thing you can do now is just leave it alone. I don't want to talk about it. In fact, I don't want to talk to you at all."
Another update! Finally haha. I'm really trying to finish this episode up and as always move the series along. Like I said before, I have a lot of ideas, it's just a matter of time and inspiration. I'm sorry for such delays but I hope it's apparent that no matter how much time passes I want to come back to this story! Reviews really really help and I hope to continue to recieve more. I know there are quite a few followers out there so leave a note if you can! Thanks again to those who are still reading :) ~ Sammy
