Disclaimers: I don't own Charmed or any of the characters that already appeared on the show…bla bla… but I wish I own Cole!

A/N: Thanks for your reviews everyone. I can't believe some of you are still trying to catch up with this story! Good luck! 37 chapters already, but the end is near…

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This story takes place after Daddy Dearest (Sam I Am)

Summary: As Cole is now invincible the Elders decide to send him a Whitelighter, Emily (much to Elder Aaron's displease) With her help, Cole recovers slowly his sanity. Piper is pregnant with Melinda. Paige met Prue's ghost and dates Steve. When, Lauren, Cole's secretary, who is also an empath, is attacked, the sisters accuse Cole and try to vanquish him only to find at the last minute that he is innocent of this crime. Emily nearly dies in the process. This event leads the girls to converse about last year and they realise they were mistaken about Cole. When the Avatars kidnap Piper, the remaining Halliwell family turns to the half demon who finally brings her back only to lose himself in the clutches of the Avatars. He is now the seventh Avatar and must help Arthus and Valeria to rule the Underworld while Baltus, Hector, Lemanis and Meneon, plot to assault Heaven and get their revenge on the Elders. When Cole is brainwashed by his new powers and the Avatars' spell, Emily decides to bring him back to Good and avows her love for him. What will be the Elders' reaction?

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Another Chance

Chapter 37:  Phoebe's freedom

Emily and Cole stared at the spot where tiny blue orbs whirled on themselves and soon, they could distinguish the three sister's shapes with astonishment.

*What the hell are they doing here?* thought Cole, he was about to lecture them on how to use the doors like they did with him not so long ago, but Emily, seeing the change on his face, squeezed his hands, preventing angry words to pour out of his mouth.

He calmed down and squeezed back with a smile, that smile that meant everything for her. With Phoebe here, Emily didn't know what would be his reaction. Would he push her away and act like nothing happened?

When Cole turned his attention back to the Charmed Ones, the expression of pure awe on Piper and Paige's faces didn't go unnoticed to Cole. He always loved to shock them. So right then, he greatly enjoyed their uneasiness when they finally realised that they had just barged in someone else's house early in the morning and that the said person wasn't alone or evil like they probably expected.

However, Cole couldn't bring himself to look at Phoebe. He didn't want to see the relief he imagined was written all over her face at seeing him with someone else and somehow, he felt guilty toward her. He knew that was stupid, she had moved on a long time ago already. They were divorced, on her own terms, and from what he knew, she had enjoyed her new found freedom a great deal already. Only everything wasn't forgotten on his part and he still had the decency not to expose his new relationship to his ex-wife and he slowly let go of Emily's hands. He looked straight ahead, avoiding Phoebe's eyes.

Phoebe was livid. Her face had lost all its color as she opened her eyes on the harsh possibility that Cole might have moved on with his life like she had urged him to, so many times before. After Cole became almost crazy with the pain, she never expected that day to come. Yet it had.

She felt like going insane with pain herself, she could feel her heart shatter. Somehow she never imagined Cole with somebody else. Cole would still be Cole, in love with her no matter how badly she treated him. She had persuaded herself that no matter how hard she pushed him away, he would still come back to her with puppy eyes begging for love. Only it seemed that when she was finally ready to pull him to her, he was the one clinging to somebody else.

She had expected to find him evil, preparing some demonic plans with the Avatars' minions - that she could deal with - but instead he looked pretty much Good…

Emily didn't look bad either for a dead person. The Happiness was evident on her face, her rosy cheeks speaking by themselves of her activities of the night before. She was wearing one of Cole's shirts as a night gown, just like she used to do not so long ago… during those lonely nights when only Cole's scent could soothe her fears away.

When Leo said she had disappeared, Phoebe never realised it could mean that she had clipped her wings for Cole. She felt like she was dying inside, like Cole had denied her his unconditional love and she only had herself to blame. She only began to realise how it must have been for Cole to see her with Miles.

Paige squeezed her hand tightly for support and Piper all but glared at Cole with suspicions.

"Hi, Emily!" said Paige, trying to ease the discomfort. "Leo was trying to find you this morning. He was worried 'cause he couldn't sense you."

"That might be because I'm not a Whitelighter anymore." Answered Emily, almost shyly.

"That we can see" murmured Piper through clenched teeth so that only Phoebe could hear. For her sister's sake, she was somehow glad that Cole had finally moved on, but sisters were sisters, and she just HAD to be overprotective with her little sister.

Cole spotted the crossbow Paige had difficulties trying to hide. He concluded quickly, raising an eyebrow:

"Came here to vanquish me, didn't you?"

"Well uh… Not exactly." offered Paige, glancing over her shoulder at the heavy weapon she was holding in her back, careful not to touch its poisoned arrow. "We thought you were evil again so… uh… we…"

Cole raised his eyebrows again, staring intently at Paige, well aware he was doing nothing more than increasing her uneasiness and enjoyed every seconds of it.

Piper took the relay:

"We thought you were evil. The Elders thought you were evil, Cole. Some things never change. We have been told you were reorganising the Underworld and turning it against us. It seemed every last demon was told of the Manor's address. Phoebe here wanted to save you but I don't think you need saving anymore."

His blue eyes locked on Piper's blazing ones, Cole replied sarcastically:

"Why did you need that crossbow then?"

"Insurance" replied Piper coldly, hands on her belly in a protective manner.

Emily intervened before Cole could reply with another of his sarcasm:

"Everything is OK now Piper, don't worry. Cole is good. Thanks for caring. I know I should have contacted you sooner… Cole? Piper and her sisters were the ones who discovered that you weren't responsible for that girl's death. They trusted you enough not to jump to conclusions. It's my fault, I should have intervened sooner."

Cole stared at her, only mildly surprised that she was taking the blame on herself for the sisters' intrusion. Then he turned back to Piper:

"Don't worry Piper. I'll do everything in my power to stop the Avatars. It seemed I was a little… lost for a time but I have settled my priorities again. I won't let them hurt any of you, but I need time and I need to have my back watched, you know? Tell Leo to pass a message to the Elders for me: tell them I'm not evil and that I'm still working for them. Tell them I will do everything possible to save us all, no matter the cost."

Piper nodded, truly relieved:

"I'm glad you're back Cole."

"Thanks Piper."

"Well I think we should go now" said Paige as she took Piper and Phoebe's hands.

"Wait!" called Cole, he turned to Emily "Please go with them, I don't want you to be in the line of fire for me, not now that you're… mortal."

Emily shook her head 'no' and glared at him for even proposing her to stick to his ex-wife and in-laws but she realised he was right. She didn't want to be a burden for him and even if his attitude freaked her out right now, the only way she could be useful was not alone at the Penthouse but near the Charmed Ones and Leo. So she finally agreed, and kissed him lightly on the lips as a goodbye:

"Promise me you will return safe and sound Cole. Promise me that you won't do something stupid."

Piper rolled her eyes and turned her look away of this display of affection when Paige all but stared at the new couple, opened-mouth… Phoebe couldn't even think straight anymore, and she stared blankly at them like it was just a nightmare she would soon wake up from.

"I promise" he said smiling and kissed Emily back to her intense relief. He wasn't pushing her away. He wasn't ashamed of what happened last night and for that moment on, she truly believed in his love.

So Emily nodded, picked her white gown still lying on the bedroom's floor and took Piper's hand.

In a second they had all disappeared in a whirlpool of little blue lights, leaving Cole alone, pondering.

He had only made one promise to Emily and he might not even keep his word.

***

 The foursome appeared at the Manor and an awkward silence fell on them all. Emily actually wondered if it wouldn't have been safer for her to orb right into the Source's lair instead of going at the Halliwell Manor. She asked uneasy:

"Thanks for helping me out…"

Paige was the only sister who looked friendly to her:

"No problem. We can help each other between Whitelighters…" then realising "well you know what I mean, half-Whitelighter, ex-Whitelighter all the same!" she corrected awkwardly.

Emily nodded, still a little pained by the recent loss of her wings.

Awkward silence again.

She couldn't bear the Halliwell's stares anymore. They looked at her like she was some kind of Martian. Was it so unbelievable for someone else than Phoebe to love Cole! She just had sex with him, so what? Was it outlawed? They have all tried to forget Cole ever existed for a time, they had no right to judge his actions… or hers for that matter. Especially Piper! *Damnit, where is Leo when we need him?* she fumed silently.

Piper decided she would at least play the good hostess and proposed:

"I saw you were having breakfast when we arrived, if you want I can fix you something…"

"No that's OK. Thanks. I'm just a little cold. Do you mind if I use your bathroom and take a hot bath?" Emily truly needed to be alone to think, she would lock herself up in the bathroom if needed to avoid such an embarrassing situation.

"or a cold shower…" mumbled Phoebe to herself.

"No problem Emily, I'll show you. By the way, what size are you? I'll lend you some clothes." Said Paige taking Emily by the shoulders and happily leading her upstairs to hers and Phoebe's bathroom. She didn't know if she should be glad that Cole had moved on with his life (and preferably away from Phoebe) or if she should be sad for her big sister. But after, all Phoebe never really admitted she still loved Cole and since Piper obviously took her side, she chose to at least be civil, and took care of her new innocent. The poor Emily didn't need three Halliwells on her back after the Elders all but deprived her of her powers. She remembered how it scared her that the Angel of Destiny could take her powers away and she felt sorry for the young (ex) Whitelighter.

When the pair was out of sight, Piper turned to Phoebe:

"Are you OK Sweety?"

Phoebe swallowed hard:

"Yes I am. Don't worry Piper." Then she turned away and went to the living room.

Piper figured she needed a little time alone to think. If she didn't know what was going on in Phoebe's head before, she was completely lost right now. She really didn't hold anything against Emily, she couldn't dream of a better way to keep Cole on the side of Good, but it was all so… weird. 

Last year, when Cole was human and everything was still wonderful between him and Phoebe, she had started to consider the ex-demon as a true member of the family, the brother she never had. Sure they weren't the best buddies but some kind of bond had developed between them. She had taken him under her wings, and she remembered with a smile the face he was making when she had come at the police station to free him because he didn't have a driving licence.

Then had come the Source, shaking her certitude and she had hated Cole for it. Not because she thought he was evil (well…not only) she had hated him because he had proven to be her weakness. She didn't want to see the change in him and her sister had suffered because she wasn't able to protect her family as Prue would have done. Then they had learned that Cole wasn't really that Evil bastard from Hell, in fact, he never let them down and fought the Source alone for his family… and she hated herself for being such a bitch with him.

On some level, she had started to believe in him again. She realised it now: no matter what, Cole would still own this very particular place in her family and she had somehow nurtured the hope that Phoebe would come back to him one day and everything would be like in the good all days again. However her sister couldn't make her mind and Emily came, turning the world upside down, and redistributed the cards.

She sighed, it scared herself to even realise how much faith she had truly placed in Cole. Paige would probably freak out if she could read her thoughts!

She turned to the kitchen and called for Leo, like Cole had instructed. He came five minutes later and seemed in a hurry to return to wherever he was.

"Leo, I'm sorry but this is really important…"

"Problems with Cole? What happened? Is anyone hurt?"

"No, at least not physically." Replied Piper with a sigh. A frown crossed Leo's angelic features and Piper continued. "The good news? Cole is Good, and he wants you to pass the message to the Elders. He is willing to help them against the Avatars. The bad news? Emily is there in the bathroom, she isn't a Whitelighter anymore."

"What? That's impossible! How did it happened?"

 "The Elders clipped her wings"

"Why would they do that? Especially now!"

Piper glared at him signifying the answer was evident. And realisation appeared on Leo's face:

"Oh! You mean… She and Cole? … Together? They…?"

Piper slapped him on the shoulder:

"Yes they did it! Emily is powerless and Cole asked us to protect her."

"Oh OK" said Leo still shocked "And is Phoebe OK with it? I mean…Uh…"

"Hardly. She says she is but you should have seen her, she looks like a zombie right now"

"You want me to talk to her?" proposed Leo but he suddenly lifted his eyes heavenward, as the Elders' silent call reached his ears. He looked sadly at Piper and she understood.

"Go honey! I'll deal with Phoebe… and Emily."

***

Cole appeared in the Source's throne room. He wanted to appear confident with Emily but the truth was… he hadn't a damn clue of what he should do or say right now. It all felt so awkward to be in this place. So many memories of last year came back to mind and he only wanted to destroy it all and send every last demon to Hell.

Yesterday he didn't even once thought about all that, he remembered his main priority was to organise the Underworld in order to serve the Avatars' purpose. And it came so naturally to him, it frightened him. Ruling the Underworld was a hard task for anyone but he didn't have a problem with it, he knew what to do and when and how to do it.

He sighed, the Avatars might have a little more trust in him now. . . Or at least that's what he thought before Arthus greeted him:

"Hey Belthazor! You take your time I see! You almost missed all the fun." He snickered as he sat heavily across the throne as if it had always been his. "Our prisoner is a damn strong head, he won't tell us anything. I hate waiting! Where were you?" he inquired suspiciously "Hector searched you for an hour"

"That's none of your concern. I don't give a damn about Hector!" Cole snickered back, his eyes cold "Why do you need me for this?"

"Well… I thought you would be happy to deal with this traitor yourself, seeing how you hunted down the demons who wanted to take the throne yesterday. That was fun by the way! But we need to make an example of this one, He works with the Elders."

Cole's heart skipped a bit. Steve. Steve had been caught.

"Where is he?" he asked coldly, looking at Arthus straight in the eyes.

"In the cells, a Kirskan demon keeps him company." he said sarcastically, examining Cole's face for any sign of disappointment that might confirm his doubts but found none.

"I'll take care of that. Anything else?"

"No, the demons are in place, waiting for new orders. They are spreading chaos among the witches. Our plans are working well" replied Arthus shortly, he didn't like to have the second role every time Belthazor was around. He was an Avatar for much longer than him and when he finally got what he had sought for a century, namely the throne, he hated the idea he had to share it with somebody else. Avatar or not.

Cole nodded and turned his back on Arthus, heading for the cells.

"Oh and… Belthazor? Make sure our 'friend' is well guarded. We wouldn't want him to escape, would we?"

Cole didn't even glance his way as he exited the throne room.

***

In his cell, Steve was fighting not to pass out. The pain was so intense he could barely think of anything else.

As the Kirskan demon removed the athame leaving yet another scar, Steve caught a sharp breath. He could hear the demon whistling with joy, feeding on his pain eagerly like a vulture on a rotten carcass.

If Steve had any saliva left, he would have spit in that bastard's disfigured face. His eyes radiating with rage and determination, he pulled on the ropes hard. He sensed his bloody wrist give out and could free one of his hand. Oblivious to this, the deaf and blind demon turned away to take another object of torture, whistling happily.

Steve pulled hard on the other ropes holding him against the rocky wall and with his other hand he finally untied the last rope.

He fell heavily on the ground, he couldn't stand on his feet anymore.

He was bleeding profusely and he was exhausted, he didn't even have the strength to use his powers anymore. He wondered how long he would have lasted at this rate. However, his relief faded away as the demon suddenly turned toward him, sensing something wasn't right with his prisoner.

He extended his long and claw-like hands toward the wall where Steve should stand and sensed nothing but thin air. An angry whistle escaped from his throat and he turned to the spot Steve had managed to drag himself along.

As he approached him slowly Steve tried to get away but to no avail, his body didn't answer his brain anymore, he couldn't blink away. His eyes fell on the athame the demon had used to torture him. It was on the ground not so far away. If he could just reach for it.

The Kirskan demon was only inches away from him when in a last and desperate effort, he caught the athame in his bloody hand, directing it at his keeper, only driven by the instinct of self-preservation.

However, the demon easily snapped it away of his shaking grip before Steve could throw it. The warlock could only face with horror what the Kirskan demon had planned for him next. As the claw-like hand took his throat and started strangling him, Steve didn't even had the strength to fight back.

When he thought he was done for, he sensed the steely hand let go of his throat. The demon doubled up in pain and exploded.  Steve put his hand in front of his face to protect him from the fire and when it was over, he could see with astonishment Cole heading hurriedly toward him:

"Are you OK?" he asked genuinely concerned.

Steve failed to respond. He couldn't find his voice and was about to pass out. Seeing this Cole waved his hand in front of him, healing most of his wounds like he had done for that Darklighter, hardly a month ago, when he was still eaten away from the inside by insanity. Useful power, too bad it couldn't be used on Good people.

Steve's ghostly white face found a semblance of life again and he grabbed forcefully Cole's hand.

"What are you here for? Finish me up?"

"Don't be ridiculous…" he sighed and helped Steve up. "I made a mistake, now GO!" he ordered sensing troubles.

Steve didn't think twice about it and blinked away.

Cole stared for a moment to the spot Steve had just vacated. How would he explain that?

"What the hell are you doing?" came a calm yet ominous voice from behind.

… TBC!

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A little cliff-hanger to keep you on edge…

So what do you think of this chapter? Do you think Phoebe should have ripped Emily's eyes? Or be happy with it?

Please review and feed my muse, she needs inspiration!