Lover's Leap
Chapter 1
"Phoebe, I really wish you'd stay home tonight," Prue said. She was leaning against the doorframe and watched her sister apply her make-up. "I have a bad feeling."
Phoebe put down her lipstick and turned around. "You have the power of premonition now?" she asked. "I thought that was my department. And all I predict is a fun night out on the town with the man I love." She studied her eldest sister for a moment. "Oh, come on, Prue! You don't still think that Cole is out to hurt us, do you?"
Prue shook her head and walked into the room. "It's not Cole I'm worried about. It's the other one that hides in there somewhere, Belthazor. He wouldn't think twice about killing you."
Phoebe rolled her eyes. She wasn't sure if she should be annoyed or pleased with her sister's concern. "Belthazor is no longer a threat to us," she assured Prue. "Cole is in charge. And he's very strong, very... human. He'll keep his demon half in check."
"I hope so," Prue muttered. Louder, she said, "Even so, there are other demons we should worry about. They are hunting him as well as us."
"I think we'll be safe for a while," Phoebe said. "We vanquished this Xeltar creature. It'll be some time before the Source sends another demon after us. Lighten up, Prue. Perhaps you should go out on a date also. You're too serious. Besides, we'll be in a club full of people. What could happen to us there?"
"Pheebs? Cole's here!" Piper's voice drifted up the stairs.
"Oops. Gotta go." Phoebe grinned at Prue. She gave her a hug, grabbed her purse, and darted out. In the door opening she stopped and turned back. "I'll be careful, okay? I promise." She batted her lashes.
Prue laughed. "Okay, okay. You go, can't keep your beau waiting. You have fun. Oh, and Phoebe?"
Phoebe turned around again.
"Give us a call if you... decide to stay out all night, 'kay?"
Phoebe grinned. "Okay, promise." She put her hands on her heart for a second, then rushed down the stairs.
* * *
Cole raised his hand to knock and announce himself when the door flew open and Phoebe almost collided with him.
"Oh, hi," she giggled.
"Hi..." he replied. For the moment it was all he could say. She was a vision. Sometimes, when they were apart, he forgot how beautiful she was. Then, when they met again, it struck him like a thunderbolt, like it had that first time he laid eyes on her. He remembered thinking what a shame it was that he had to kill such a wondrous creature; nowadays he couldn't imagine ever contemplating it. He'd rather kill himself than hurt her.
"What?" Phoebe asked. Her smile wavered. "Am I overdressed? Don't you like it?" The bright red color of the gown accentuated her dark eyes and flawless skin. Her shoulders were bare except for the spaghetti-thin straps that held the dress. It wrapped tight around her perfect body, both hiding and revealing every soft curve.
Cole found his voice again. "No, no, that's not it at all," he hastened to say. "It's perfect. I was just... struck dumb. You look gorgeous." He offered a sheepish grin.
Phoebe's eyes sparkled. "That was the plan," she confessed. "Score one for Phoebe."
Cole laughed. What a girl! He offered her his arm and escorted her down the stairs to his car. He held the door open like a true gentleman until she had positioned herself in the front seat. He crossed to the other side and got in behind the wheel. "You ready for a good time?"
"Oh yes, I am," Phoebe said. "Although Prue isn't too sure this is a good idea."
"She still doesn't trust me, does she," Cole said. His hand rested on the ignition key, ready to turn it. He gave Phoebe a sad look. Would he ever be able to gain her sister's trust? Although he had saved Prue's life, the best he could hope for was an uneasy truce.
"Not completely," Phoebe admitted. "She's worried about your demon half."
Cole gritted his teeth. He couldn't blame Prue. Belthazor had given the sisters enough grief to justify any distrust they bore. But that was all in the past. "There's no need," he told Phoebe. "I made my choice. I won't let Belthazor resurface. And the longer I keep him suppressed, the weaker he grows." It was weird to talk in the third person about a part of himself. A part that for decades had defined who he was, a part that had given him his identity in the underworld. Belthazor. Even the name made Cole uneasy.
"I know that," Phoebe said softly. She put her hand on his upper arm and gave a gentle squeeze. "I know."
TBC