The Wings of Love
Chapter IX
Phoebe jumped at the loud voice. She looked up at Cole, and he seemed just as startled. The voice had come from the street, and the soldier, who had been too close for comfort, turned toward the newcomer.
"Werner was machst du hier? Ich habe jetzt gerade keine Zeit fuer dich, dass musst du doch sicherlich sehen.
(Werner, what are you doing here? I don't have time for you right now. Surely you must see that.)"
"Hallo, (Hey,)" said Werner, as he approached, "ich bin nicht hinter dir her. Ich bin hinter Franz her...
(I'm not really here for you. I'm after Franz here…)"
"Wer ist Franz?
(Who the hell is Franz?)"
A very big man came into view. He had a jovial, almost childlike expression, but his large size could still impose respect. As he came closer to the soldier called Hans, it was obvious that he stood at least a head over the already tall soldier, and he was twice as large around the chest. Both Phoebe and Cole watched this exchange with an uneasy sense of expectation and dread. For one, they had no idea what was being said. Cole kept the gun hidden and started looking around for a way to use this distraction. Unfortunately, by then the other soldiers had entered the alley as well. Defeated, he decided to wait until the two men's exchange ended before making his move, hoping that the situation would have changed by then, somehow. He could feel Phoebe trembling slightly against him and it only heightened the sinking feeling of helplessness. Meanwhile, the big man was continuing the conversation, but also indicating them excitedly.
"Das ist er, der Bastard. Er hat mein Maedchen direkt unter meiner Nase weggestolen. Ich muss mal ein Wort mit ihm haben...
(That's him, the bastard. He stole my girl right under my nose. I got to have a word with him…"
"Werner, dass muss warten. Siehst du nicht das wir beschaeftigt sind, wie ich dir eben schon gesagt habe. Ausserdem, falls das das Maedchen ist ueber das du redest solltest du dir eine Brille kaufen oder von deiner Groesse runtergucken.
(Werner, this'll have to wait. Don't you see that we're kind of busy as I told you before? Besides,)" the soldier added with a mocking smile, "Ich denke du hattst zu viele... Der merkwuerdige Typ kuesst einen Jungen, nicht ein Maedchen...
(if that's the girl you're talking about, you should buy some glasses or look down from your height. I think you've been had… That creep's kissing a boy, not a girl…)"
Werner frowned, then after looking intently at Cole and Phoebe, he exploded in loud laughter.
"Komm schon, ich denke du bist derjenige der eine Brille braucht. Doris hat vielleicht seltsame Ideen fuer ihre Kleidung, aber sie ist eine Frau
(Come on, I think you're the one who needs glasses. Doris may have eccentric ideas about her clothing, but she's still a woman.)"
Hans turned to them and looked closely.
"Hm, auch wenn ich eine schwere Zeit habe zu glauben das du dir eine Frau gefunden hast, ist das nicht der Punkt. Was immer fuer ein Geschaeft du mit ihm hast kann warten bis die Kriese vorbei ist.
(Hum, even if I've got trouble believing that you found yourself a girl, anyway, that's not the point. Whatever business you got with him can wait until the crisis is over.)"
Hans then made another move toward Cole and Phoebe, but Werner grabbed his arm.
"Oh komm schon. Lass es mich nur mit denen klaeren und ich verspreche dir das genug zum kaempfen an ihm uebrig bleibt was immer es ist gegen das du heute kaempfen willst.
(Oh come on. Let me just clear this out with them and I promise you that there'll be enough pieces left of Franz to go fight whatever it is you're fighting today.)"
Hans looked back and forth between Werner and the couple. Then, he made a decision.
"Einverstanden, aber es ist nur fuer dich. Und auch nur falls ein Maedchen in dich interessiert ist glaube ich das du einfach vorsuchen solltest an das dort zu halten…
(Alright, but it's just for you. And just because I figure that if a girl got interested in you, you might as well try to hold on to that one…)"
The obvious insinuation didn't seem to bother Werner at all, as a smile appeared on his lips.
"Danke Hans, du bist ein guter Bruder. (Thanks Hans, you're a good brother.)"
"Ich muss schon sagen, der Soldat sieht nicht sonderlich klug aus. Er und sie waeren vielleicht ganz gut zusammen gegangen.
(I'll say though, that soldier looks to me like he's not too bright anyway. He and she might have gone well together,)" Hans added, visibly amused.
This time, Werner reacted to the obvious insult.
"Hans, wenn du nicht mein Bruder waerst... (Hans, if you weren't my brother…)"
"Verbreite das bloss nicht
(Don't spread what I did around,)" Hans said, dismissing his brother's irritation and looking back at the group of soldiers with a hint of apprehension. However, these were obviously entertained by the exchange and didn't seem to mind what he'd done. Hans thought that they probably weren't in any hurry to get into the action.
Turning toward them, he still added for Werner:
"Bringe ihn bloss nicht um, okay? Auch wenn der Idiot Hitler dient. Und ausserdem waere Mutter traurig wenn du erwischt werden wuerdest.
(Just don't kill him, alright? Even an idiot can serve Hitler. And besides, mother would be upset if you were caught.)"
Hans chuckled as he thought that he was very funny.
As he left without waiting for an answer, Werner watched him going with what looked like contempt to Cole. Seeing the soldiers going caused mitigated relief to Cole and Phoebe, but Cole couldn't help wondering if the situation got better or worse. Tightening his hold on the gun, he waited tensely, even as Werner headed in their direction.
Indeed, Werner kept a very serious expression as he went. Stopping a few feet from them, he began in German:
"Was hast du in meinem Auto gemacht?
(What were you doing in my car?)"
The big man paused and eyed them threateningly. However, Phoebe got the feeling that he might not be the enemy they feared, and she put her hand firmly on Cole's arm. This one cast an annoyed look at her, but she ignored this, as she went on observing Werner. The big man was becoming increasingly impatient.
"Bist du taub? Was hast du mit Heinrich gemacht?
(Are you deaf? What did you do with Heinrich?)"
Werner finally realized that he wasn't being understood.
"Hm, entweder bist du so doof wie Hans sagt...
(Hum, either you're as stupid as Hans said…)"
Then, he tried in English:
"Are you the Americans Heinrich went to look for? And what did you do with the people that were with him?"
Cole hesitated still.
"Maybe I should've left you to my brother," Werner added then.
At this point, Phoebe plunged, to Cole's utter annoyance:
"We are friends with those people you're talking about, but who are you?"
"My name is Werner. First, I wanna know where Heinrich and the others are?"
Cole, seeing that this wasn't going so bad, questioned in turn:
"Is Heinrich the guy who helped my friends?"
"Yes, yes he is…Where is he? I was expecting him back…"
Cole still eyed the big man suspiciously:
"Why?"
Werner moved a little closer, while both Cole and Phoebe couldn't help feeling cornered, so imposing he was.
"He was supposed to ask you for a favour and then come back here…"
"Well," Cole answered slowly, "I think that he'll have asked this favour of my friends. We needed the car to rescue our companions who were taken…"
Again, Werner seemed to be getting upset at this.
"If you don't help us, they'll find them and kill them, or send them to a camp!"
"Who are you talking about," Phoebe asked.
"The family we wanted you to take away from here. That's what Heinrich went there to ask…"
Cole opened wide eyes at this.
"What? We've already got enough problems with our own group. We can't add a family of civilians to this…I'm sure that my friend will have explained this to Heinrich…"
Werner frowned:
"We helped your friends… And there are only four of them."
Cole pondered this for a while, under the German's scrutiny.
"Well, I don't know what Clay'll do, and I have no way to verify this right now. We've got a more pressing problem with our own friends…"
Werner kept silent for a moment longer, and then added:
"If your friend…Clay…? If he doesn't take them, you've got to promise me that you will. If yes, I'll help you get your people out."
Cole put the gun back in its holster and waited a beat before giving him an answer, as this didn't enter into his plan. Meanwhile, Phoebe was watching him and he got the feeling that she nevertheless expected him to agree. With an annoyed sigh, he finally told Werner:
"Ok, I'll give it a try. Do you know where the prisoners are kept?"
Werner smiled then, and simply motioned them to follow him back to the car.
"Thank you," Phoebe whispered only for Cole, as Werner was taking the lead.
Cole turned to her and stopped, asking mockingly:
"Is it my imagination, or were you just nice to me?"
Phoebe shrugged and kept on walking, while she uttered:
"Don't get used to it."
He watched her going uncertainly for a moment longer. Then, in spite of their predicament, a joyous smile spread his lips as he started back toward them.
Leo watched anxiously, as six of their numbers were returning among the pandemonium the city seemed to have become. Even from where he was, he could hear the detonations from the other side of town; even feel the earth shaking from some of them. However, that wasn't what worried him. Piper had not returned yet. The ones who had were of no help, as they had been separated from the other group. They'd heard a lot of clamours, but they couldn't tell whether it had anything to do with the others' failure to return, or simply with the spreading of the fire. Leo had just about made up his mind to go look for himself when the first truck came their way. In the dark, they couldn't be sure if it was one of them in the driver's seat, and at any rate, it passed them without stopping. Only when the second one came to a halt in front of them did they venture out of their hiding place. Leo recognized Paige in the cabin and sighed in relief, thinking that most probably Piper and her companion must be in this one or the first truck. He would've preferred seeing her, but the others pushed him toward the back of the truck. They soon were on their way.
The actual ride was short, as the rest of their group was waiting for them a few miles down the road. As soon as the second truck stopped, Leo jumped out, running toward the first one. He looked in the back and, not finding her, hurried toward the cabin. When he saw only Clay with a strange man, he got a sinking feeling. Ignoring the stranger, he immediately acted on his most pressing concern, questioning:
"Clay, where is Piper? And for that matter, where are Cole and that other nurse, Phoebe?"
He waited for an answer, but this one was not forthcoming, as Clay seemed preoccupied, as well as obviously angry.
"I should've stayed behind," he told himself. "Leave it to that idiot to endanger Phoebe…"
"Clay," Leo exclaimed then, his anxiety going through the roof, "where are the others."
Clay turned to him as if he'd just noticed Leo. This one barely needed to be told, as he could easily read Clay's troubled expression.
"Leo, I'm sorry…Piper and her companion were taken prisoners, and Cole…Cole went after them… and he brought Phoebe along," he added with renewed anger.
"What? How? What are we doing here? We've got to go back for them…"
Without waiting for an answer, Leo ran toward the first truck, going directly to the driver's side. He opened the door and was about to practically pull the driver out, when he felt strong hands grabbing him from behind.
"Wait a minute, Leo," Clay uttered firmly, "you can't go running off, and certainly not in one of those trucks. It was hard enough to get them out for us to risk them being retaken…"
Leo turned angrily toward Clay:
"If you think that I'll go anywhere without Piper and Cole, you've got another one coming." As he was saying it, he shook himself out of Clay's grip and tried again to climb into the truck.
"Leo," Clay screamed this time, grabbing him again, "you're not the only one who's worried, ok?"
Leo wouldn't hear it, however, as he pulled his arm back, preparing to punch Clay out of his way. Clay was faster however, and knocked him down with a punch of his own. Leo fell to the ground heavily, but was still trying to get back up, even as Clay tried reasoning with him.
"Leo, for a doctor, you're not very rational. Besides, for all we know, Cole may already be on his way back…"
Leo took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. However, even if he managed to relax somewhat, he was left with a terrible sense of foreboding. Swallowing hard, he stared at Clay:
"What are we supposed to do?"
"We've got to follow the plan, just as Cole suggested." Leo was about to protest, but Clay pursued hastily:
"I wanna go back just as much as you do, Leo. Problem is… we're responsible for everyone, not just them. We've got to get the ones we can out of here. Cole, and even the others, would expect no less of us…"
Leo let out a short, discouraged sigh, but couldn't find anything to counter Clay's arguments.
Piper looked around the small cell in panic. Her companion had been taken away quite a while prior, presumably for interrogation. She hoped that the others made it out, but still worried about what would happen to her. The door suddenly burst opened and a bright light blinded her, as she moved back nervously. So much so that she only guessed that the disturbing thudding noise she heard must have been her companion being thrown back in the cell. The door soon closed, to her relief, as she had expected to be next. As she was trying to adjust her sight to the returning darkness, she heard a moan coming from her companion.
"Robert? Are you ok?" She whispered, somewhat fearfully.
He didn't answer right away, and she blindly extended her hand toward him.
"Robert?" She insisted in a slightly steadier voice.
This one slurred painfully:
"It's ok, I'll live…I think…"
"What did they do to you?"
"It doesn't matter…they didn't get anything out of me… But I'm afraid they'll be back…"
As she finally could see a little better, she realized that he had been seriously beaten. His lips were swollen, and his eyes half closed and already turning black.
"Oh my god, Robert…"
"That's ok Piper…I'm more worried about you…"
Piper looked away.
"What are we gonna do?"
Robert didn't answer, and as she looked back, she realized that he'd passed out.
For a moment she thought that her fears would overwhelm her. She only kept the panic at bay by concentrating on her companion, as she tried to tend to his injuries the best she could. It didn't keep her from worrying however. Afraid that her end might be coming soon, a poignant regret occupied her thoughts…
"Leo," she said in a whisper…
Leo was watching the road fixedly, as the trucks made their way ever so further from the town they had just ransacked. He felt this like a betrayal, a torture that he felt deeply, which was slowly eating up at him. He resented Clay for his logic, even though he understood that the co-pilot wasn't feeling much better about their flight. The both of them hadn't said a single word since they had started down the road. Absently, he noticed a few cars coming toward them, but no one seemed to pay them much attention. They were probably used to see military vehicles at all hours in these parts. This fact did nothing to alleviate his remorse, as he felt even guiltier by not being in danger. More than once, he was tempted to jump off the truck and go back. How could he have left her like this?
"Piper," he whispered helplessly.
As he returned his attention to the road, the strange shimmering reoccurred.
"What is happening here," Leo asked Piper, as he was staring at the window apprehensively.
"You ask me? I was about to ask you the same thing, then I blacked out…"
Leo turned to her worriedly:
"You blacked out too? Are you ok? Do you want me to check you out?"
"I'm fine now, but I'd feel better if I knew what the heck's happening to us."
Through the window, they could see the raging electric storm. It was like nothing they had ever seen. Each lightning bolt were brightly coloured, and hit much too close to the plane for comfort.
"I'll find a quiet place and orb us up to the Elders," Leo said then, looking from the strange weather to Piper with a sense of foreboding.
"No, you go…I'll be fine. Just hurry back!"
"It doesn't feel right to leave you behind…I can't help thinking that it's a mistake…"
Piper looked up at him curiously.
"Do you remember something?"
"Not really, just impressions. Do you?"
"Well, I don't know. I just have a bad feeling about this blackout…"
"Come on," Leo firmly said then, "you're coming with me."
Piper was tempted to protest again, but didn't.
As they got up though, Leo saw for the first time the old couple sitting by Cole and Phoebe. The sight was a shock for both of them, as it took them only a second to recognize Phoebe in the old woman. Piper almost exclaimed at seeing Clay there as well. But it was nothing compared to the old couple's reaction to Leo.
Clay opened wide eyes as he saw him coming toward them.
"Leo Wyatt? How's that possible?"
"Pardon me?" Leo replied, more out of habit at hiding his true identity than actual worry.
"Are you Leo Wyatt, the same one I knew during the war," Clay asked hesitantly.
The young Phoebe and Cole didn't even react to this, as they seemed somewhat spaced out. He didn't have time to ponder this however, as the old Phoebe said somewhat nervously:
"Clay, this can't be! Leo died almost fifty years ago, you know that." Yet, even as she was saying this, she gave a closer look at Piper and her face turned ashen.
"Piper? That's impossible…"
"I just told you, didn't I," Clay uttered irritably. Still, he couldn't help the trembling in his voice, as this, along with the other strange events and visions, was just about too much for him.
"What on earth is happening here?"
Leo and Piper looked at each other more puzzled by the moment. The old couple was as much a surprise to them. However, Leo did the only thing he could think of:
"I'm sorry but I'm afraid you're mistaken. We're not who you're saying we are…"
Leo felt Piper reacting, but he squeezed her hand tight to try silencing her. Even without looking at her, he could imagine the face she was making. Yet, she kept quiet.
"But… but you look exactly like him and…that woman…"
Leo pulled Piper toward the back of the plane at this point, just as old Phoebe turned to Clay.
"She looks exactly like Piper did all those years ago. Clay, I'm scared…"
"There's got to be a logical explanation for all of this…"
"Yeah? Well, I'm waiting to hear it…"
That's all Leo and Piper got, as Leo hurried them along.
Once they were alone, he immediately tried orbing out, but nothing would do.
"What is it, Leo?"
This one turned to her with deepening concern.
"I don't have the faintest. I can't orb out of here…"
"Www..What? Why?"
"Told you, I don't know. What's the deal here? How could Phoebe be that woman, and most of all, why won't our Phoebe and Cole react?"
Piper had been so surprised by the old couple that she hadn't noticed this.
"What do you mean?"
Leo didn't answer, as he seemed to suddenly think of something, or that's what Piper surmised.
"Leo, do you have a clue what's happening here?"
"I don't know, it's just…I can't help but thinking that the blackouts, this old couple, and all the rest are connected somehow…"
"Well, the moment you're sure, let me know, because right now I'm freaking out…"
Leo was about to add something when he saw the shimmering light coming back. This time however, he seemed to be suspended in between the two realities for a moment, and knew almost for certain what it was about. He tried to tell Piper, as he could see her slipping away from him, then everything went black.
The trunk was cramped and Phoebe could feel Cole against her back with a mix of discomfort and something that she would've preferred wasn't there, excitement. They were constantly rocking back and forth, as they obviously were driving down an uneven road. Phoebe could almost see the smirk on his face, as she felt his warm breath against her neck.
"Not too uncomfortable, I hope?" His voice was somewhat suggestive along with trace of mockery.
She shrugged irritably, but in the confined environment, it only served at bringing her closer to him, as she felt herself rolling slightly toward him.
"Don't go getting any idea," she still said as firmly as she could in the circumstances. Nevertheless, she worried that he could hear the trembling in her voice.
"I wouldn't dream of it…Or maybe I would. I must admit that from where I…lie, this is rather pleasant…"
Utterly embarrassed and angry at the insinuation, she tried to move away from him, but ended up hitting her head hard on something that she couldn't see.
She let out a muffled scream of pain, and Cole pulled her back to him.
"What is it? Are you ok?"
His arms were now around her and that was almost all she could take. Her head still hurt, but the desire that ran through her then was overwhelming. She knew this was ridiculous in their situation, and also against all the resolves she had taken that very morning, yet she couldn't help wanting him.
"Are you ok," he questioned again, while pulling her even closer. She finally managed to reply weakly:
"I'm fine, let go of me."
He must have felt the hesitation in her voice, because he held on, even caressing her arm as he did so.
"Don't do this," she whispered, even if she truly didn't want him to stop.
Obviously, he understood the non verbal better because his hand slowly made its way toward her waist.
"I said don't do this," she tried to protest weakly again, but her voice sounded breathless.
His hand still stopped moving, but he didn't remove it.
"If you really mean it," he whispered then, his face only inches from her cheek.
Phoebe didn't have much experience in those matters, but it didn't take much to know how hard it was for him to resist the temptation to continue. This only exacerbated her need for him. So much so that in spite of her protests, she slowly inched her face toward him and then searched for his lips. This moment had been so intense that neither one had realized the car had stopped. As their now parted lips were about to meet, the trunk opened unceremoniously, and Werner exclaimed mockingly:
"Hey you two, save it for later…"
Phoebe melted from embarrassment again, and quickly pulled away from Cole. As she got out of the car, she was grateful for the relative darkness of night, because she knew how red her face must have been. Cole came out of the trunk in turn without responding to Werner's insinuation either. He watched her intensely for a moment, and Phoebe had to look away. Then, back to the business at hand, he asked Werner:
"Are we here?" This, he said as he looked around in puzzlement. He couldn't see the prisoner camp Werner told them about.
"It's just around this bush," Werner said, while once more taking the lead without waiting for an answer.
Cole gave one more look toward Phoebe, but this one was hurrying passed him to follow Werner, avoiding his eyes.
Cole watched her go, and then sighed before starting behind them.
In spite of her apprehension, Piper had dozed off while leaning against a wall. She woke up suddenly, thinking that she heard some commotion outside the cell, and she looked down toward Robert fearfully. This one had apparently not regained consciousness. She then watched the door, trembling uncontrollably. When it burst opened, she uttered an involuntary scream. Two men entered the cell and immediately walked toward them. In very accented English, one of them asked brusquely:
"So, is your friend ready to talk?"
Piper couldn't say a word however, her throat constricted by abject fear. The other man came closer and then he kicked Robert hard. This one didn't even react at this, and Piper realized painfully that he must be in some sort of coma.
"Well," the first one began, "it looks like he won't be of any use to us anymore…"
The second one pulled a gun from his belt and, leaning toward Robert, he shot him point blank in the head.
Piper found her voice then to utter an agonizing scream, as the first man was watching her with a cruel smirk.
"Well, let this serve as a lesson. That's how we treat spies who won't talk… We're gonna give you some time to think about it, but we'll be back…"
As soon as he had finished, both men turned around and left the cell, barking some orders to a guard nearby. Meanwhile, Piper was staring at her companion's lifeless form with tears of sorrow and fright in her eyes. She slowly pulled her legs up toward her chin, instinctively trying to make herself smaller, wishfully invisible, as the guard came in and dragged Robert's body out of the cell. The door slammed behind him, startling her. She then began sobbing hopelessly...
Chapter IX
Phoebe jumped at the loud voice. She looked up at Cole, and he seemed just as startled. The voice had come from the street, and the soldier, who had been too close for comfort, turned toward the newcomer.
"Werner was machst du hier? Ich habe jetzt gerade keine Zeit fuer dich, dass musst du doch sicherlich sehen.
(Werner, what are you doing here? I don't have time for you right now. Surely you must see that.)"
"Hallo, (Hey,)" said Werner, as he approached, "ich bin nicht hinter dir her. Ich bin hinter Franz her...
(I'm not really here for you. I'm after Franz here…)"
"Wer ist Franz?
(Who the hell is Franz?)"
A very big man came into view. He had a jovial, almost childlike expression, but his large size could still impose respect. As he came closer to the soldier called Hans, it was obvious that he stood at least a head over the already tall soldier, and he was twice as large around the chest. Both Phoebe and Cole watched this exchange with an uneasy sense of expectation and dread. For one, they had no idea what was being said. Cole kept the gun hidden and started looking around for a way to use this distraction. Unfortunately, by then the other soldiers had entered the alley as well. Defeated, he decided to wait until the two men's exchange ended before making his move, hoping that the situation would have changed by then, somehow. He could feel Phoebe trembling slightly against him and it only heightened the sinking feeling of helplessness. Meanwhile, the big man was continuing the conversation, but also indicating them excitedly.
"Das ist er, der Bastard. Er hat mein Maedchen direkt unter meiner Nase weggestolen. Ich muss mal ein Wort mit ihm haben...
(That's him, the bastard. He stole my girl right under my nose. I got to have a word with him…"
"Werner, dass muss warten. Siehst du nicht das wir beschaeftigt sind, wie ich dir eben schon gesagt habe. Ausserdem, falls das das Maedchen ist ueber das du redest solltest du dir eine Brille kaufen oder von deiner Groesse runtergucken.
(Werner, this'll have to wait. Don't you see that we're kind of busy as I told you before? Besides,)" the soldier added with a mocking smile, "Ich denke du hattst zu viele... Der merkwuerdige Typ kuesst einen Jungen, nicht ein Maedchen...
(if that's the girl you're talking about, you should buy some glasses or look down from your height. I think you've been had… That creep's kissing a boy, not a girl…)"
Werner frowned, then after looking intently at Cole and Phoebe, he exploded in loud laughter.
"Komm schon, ich denke du bist derjenige der eine Brille braucht. Doris hat vielleicht seltsame Ideen fuer ihre Kleidung, aber sie ist eine Frau
(Come on, I think you're the one who needs glasses. Doris may have eccentric ideas about her clothing, but she's still a woman.)"
Hans turned to them and looked closely.
"Hm, auch wenn ich eine schwere Zeit habe zu glauben das du dir eine Frau gefunden hast, ist das nicht der Punkt. Was immer fuer ein Geschaeft du mit ihm hast kann warten bis die Kriese vorbei ist.
(Hum, even if I've got trouble believing that you found yourself a girl, anyway, that's not the point. Whatever business you got with him can wait until the crisis is over.)"
Hans then made another move toward Cole and Phoebe, but Werner grabbed his arm.
"Oh komm schon. Lass es mich nur mit denen klaeren und ich verspreche dir das genug zum kaempfen an ihm uebrig bleibt was immer es ist gegen das du heute kaempfen willst.
(Oh come on. Let me just clear this out with them and I promise you that there'll be enough pieces left of Franz to go fight whatever it is you're fighting today.)"
Hans looked back and forth between Werner and the couple. Then, he made a decision.
"Einverstanden, aber es ist nur fuer dich. Und auch nur falls ein Maedchen in dich interessiert ist glaube ich das du einfach vorsuchen solltest an das dort zu halten…
(Alright, but it's just for you. And just because I figure that if a girl got interested in you, you might as well try to hold on to that one…)"
The obvious insinuation didn't seem to bother Werner at all, as a smile appeared on his lips.
"Danke Hans, du bist ein guter Bruder. (Thanks Hans, you're a good brother.)"
"Ich muss schon sagen, der Soldat sieht nicht sonderlich klug aus. Er und sie waeren vielleicht ganz gut zusammen gegangen.
(I'll say though, that soldier looks to me like he's not too bright anyway. He and she might have gone well together,)" Hans added, visibly amused.
This time, Werner reacted to the obvious insult.
"Hans, wenn du nicht mein Bruder waerst... (Hans, if you weren't my brother…)"
"Verbreite das bloss nicht
(Don't spread what I did around,)" Hans said, dismissing his brother's irritation and looking back at the group of soldiers with a hint of apprehension. However, these were obviously entertained by the exchange and didn't seem to mind what he'd done. Hans thought that they probably weren't in any hurry to get into the action.
Turning toward them, he still added for Werner:
"Bringe ihn bloss nicht um, okay? Auch wenn der Idiot Hitler dient. Und ausserdem waere Mutter traurig wenn du erwischt werden wuerdest.
(Just don't kill him, alright? Even an idiot can serve Hitler. And besides, mother would be upset if you were caught.)"
Hans chuckled as he thought that he was very funny.
As he left without waiting for an answer, Werner watched him going with what looked like contempt to Cole. Seeing the soldiers going caused mitigated relief to Cole and Phoebe, but Cole couldn't help wondering if the situation got better or worse. Tightening his hold on the gun, he waited tensely, even as Werner headed in their direction.
Indeed, Werner kept a very serious expression as he went. Stopping a few feet from them, he began in German:
"Was hast du in meinem Auto gemacht?
(What were you doing in my car?)"
The big man paused and eyed them threateningly. However, Phoebe got the feeling that he might not be the enemy they feared, and she put her hand firmly on Cole's arm. This one cast an annoyed look at her, but she ignored this, as she went on observing Werner. The big man was becoming increasingly impatient.
"Bist du taub? Was hast du mit Heinrich gemacht?
(Are you deaf? What did you do with Heinrich?)"
Werner finally realized that he wasn't being understood.
"Hm, entweder bist du so doof wie Hans sagt...
(Hum, either you're as stupid as Hans said…)"
Then, he tried in English:
"Are you the Americans Heinrich went to look for? And what did you do with the people that were with him?"
Cole hesitated still.
"Maybe I should've left you to my brother," Werner added then.
At this point, Phoebe plunged, to Cole's utter annoyance:
"We are friends with those people you're talking about, but who are you?"
"My name is Werner. First, I wanna know where Heinrich and the others are?"
Cole, seeing that this wasn't going so bad, questioned in turn:
"Is Heinrich the guy who helped my friends?"
"Yes, yes he is…Where is he? I was expecting him back…"
Cole still eyed the big man suspiciously:
"Why?"
Werner moved a little closer, while both Cole and Phoebe couldn't help feeling cornered, so imposing he was.
"He was supposed to ask you for a favour and then come back here…"
"Well," Cole answered slowly, "I think that he'll have asked this favour of my friends. We needed the car to rescue our companions who were taken…"
Again, Werner seemed to be getting upset at this.
"If you don't help us, they'll find them and kill them, or send them to a camp!"
"Who are you talking about," Phoebe asked.
"The family we wanted you to take away from here. That's what Heinrich went there to ask…"
Cole opened wide eyes at this.
"What? We've already got enough problems with our own group. We can't add a family of civilians to this…I'm sure that my friend will have explained this to Heinrich…"
Werner frowned:
"We helped your friends… And there are only four of them."
Cole pondered this for a while, under the German's scrutiny.
"Well, I don't know what Clay'll do, and I have no way to verify this right now. We've got a more pressing problem with our own friends…"
Werner kept silent for a moment longer, and then added:
"If your friend…Clay…? If he doesn't take them, you've got to promise me that you will. If yes, I'll help you get your people out."
Cole put the gun back in its holster and waited a beat before giving him an answer, as this didn't enter into his plan. Meanwhile, Phoebe was watching him and he got the feeling that she nevertheless expected him to agree. With an annoyed sigh, he finally told Werner:
"Ok, I'll give it a try. Do you know where the prisoners are kept?"
Werner smiled then, and simply motioned them to follow him back to the car.
"Thank you," Phoebe whispered only for Cole, as Werner was taking the lead.
Cole turned to her and stopped, asking mockingly:
"Is it my imagination, or were you just nice to me?"
Phoebe shrugged and kept on walking, while she uttered:
"Don't get used to it."
He watched her going uncertainly for a moment longer. Then, in spite of their predicament, a joyous smile spread his lips as he started back toward them.
Leo watched anxiously, as six of their numbers were returning among the pandemonium the city seemed to have become. Even from where he was, he could hear the detonations from the other side of town; even feel the earth shaking from some of them. However, that wasn't what worried him. Piper had not returned yet. The ones who had were of no help, as they had been separated from the other group. They'd heard a lot of clamours, but they couldn't tell whether it had anything to do with the others' failure to return, or simply with the spreading of the fire. Leo had just about made up his mind to go look for himself when the first truck came their way. In the dark, they couldn't be sure if it was one of them in the driver's seat, and at any rate, it passed them without stopping. Only when the second one came to a halt in front of them did they venture out of their hiding place. Leo recognized Paige in the cabin and sighed in relief, thinking that most probably Piper and her companion must be in this one or the first truck. He would've preferred seeing her, but the others pushed him toward the back of the truck. They soon were on their way.
The actual ride was short, as the rest of their group was waiting for them a few miles down the road. As soon as the second truck stopped, Leo jumped out, running toward the first one. He looked in the back and, not finding her, hurried toward the cabin. When he saw only Clay with a strange man, he got a sinking feeling. Ignoring the stranger, he immediately acted on his most pressing concern, questioning:
"Clay, where is Piper? And for that matter, where are Cole and that other nurse, Phoebe?"
He waited for an answer, but this one was not forthcoming, as Clay seemed preoccupied, as well as obviously angry.
"I should've stayed behind," he told himself. "Leave it to that idiot to endanger Phoebe…"
"Clay," Leo exclaimed then, his anxiety going through the roof, "where are the others."
Clay turned to him as if he'd just noticed Leo. This one barely needed to be told, as he could easily read Clay's troubled expression.
"Leo, I'm sorry…Piper and her companion were taken prisoners, and Cole…Cole went after them… and he brought Phoebe along," he added with renewed anger.
"What? How? What are we doing here? We've got to go back for them…"
Without waiting for an answer, Leo ran toward the first truck, going directly to the driver's side. He opened the door and was about to practically pull the driver out, when he felt strong hands grabbing him from behind.
"Wait a minute, Leo," Clay uttered firmly, "you can't go running off, and certainly not in one of those trucks. It was hard enough to get them out for us to risk them being retaken…"
Leo turned angrily toward Clay:
"If you think that I'll go anywhere without Piper and Cole, you've got another one coming." As he was saying it, he shook himself out of Clay's grip and tried again to climb into the truck.
"Leo," Clay screamed this time, grabbing him again, "you're not the only one who's worried, ok?"
Leo wouldn't hear it, however, as he pulled his arm back, preparing to punch Clay out of his way. Clay was faster however, and knocked him down with a punch of his own. Leo fell to the ground heavily, but was still trying to get back up, even as Clay tried reasoning with him.
"Leo, for a doctor, you're not very rational. Besides, for all we know, Cole may already be on his way back…"
Leo took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. However, even if he managed to relax somewhat, he was left with a terrible sense of foreboding. Swallowing hard, he stared at Clay:
"What are we supposed to do?"
"We've got to follow the plan, just as Cole suggested." Leo was about to protest, but Clay pursued hastily:
"I wanna go back just as much as you do, Leo. Problem is… we're responsible for everyone, not just them. We've got to get the ones we can out of here. Cole, and even the others, would expect no less of us…"
Leo let out a short, discouraged sigh, but couldn't find anything to counter Clay's arguments.
Piper looked around the small cell in panic. Her companion had been taken away quite a while prior, presumably for interrogation. She hoped that the others made it out, but still worried about what would happen to her. The door suddenly burst opened and a bright light blinded her, as she moved back nervously. So much so that she only guessed that the disturbing thudding noise she heard must have been her companion being thrown back in the cell. The door soon closed, to her relief, as she had expected to be next. As she was trying to adjust her sight to the returning darkness, she heard a moan coming from her companion.
"Robert? Are you ok?" She whispered, somewhat fearfully.
He didn't answer right away, and she blindly extended her hand toward him.
"Robert?" She insisted in a slightly steadier voice.
This one slurred painfully:
"It's ok, I'll live…I think…"
"What did they do to you?"
"It doesn't matter…they didn't get anything out of me… But I'm afraid they'll be back…"
As she finally could see a little better, she realized that he had been seriously beaten. His lips were swollen, and his eyes half closed and already turning black.
"Oh my god, Robert…"
"That's ok Piper…I'm more worried about you…"
Piper looked away.
"What are we gonna do?"
Robert didn't answer, and as she looked back, she realized that he'd passed out.
For a moment she thought that her fears would overwhelm her. She only kept the panic at bay by concentrating on her companion, as she tried to tend to his injuries the best she could. It didn't keep her from worrying however. Afraid that her end might be coming soon, a poignant regret occupied her thoughts…
"Leo," she said in a whisper…
Leo was watching the road fixedly, as the trucks made their way ever so further from the town they had just ransacked. He felt this like a betrayal, a torture that he felt deeply, which was slowly eating up at him. He resented Clay for his logic, even though he understood that the co-pilot wasn't feeling much better about their flight. The both of them hadn't said a single word since they had started down the road. Absently, he noticed a few cars coming toward them, but no one seemed to pay them much attention. They were probably used to see military vehicles at all hours in these parts. This fact did nothing to alleviate his remorse, as he felt even guiltier by not being in danger. More than once, he was tempted to jump off the truck and go back. How could he have left her like this?
"Piper," he whispered helplessly.
As he returned his attention to the road, the strange shimmering reoccurred.
"What is happening here," Leo asked Piper, as he was staring at the window apprehensively.
"You ask me? I was about to ask you the same thing, then I blacked out…"
Leo turned to her worriedly:
"You blacked out too? Are you ok? Do you want me to check you out?"
"I'm fine now, but I'd feel better if I knew what the heck's happening to us."
Through the window, they could see the raging electric storm. It was like nothing they had ever seen. Each lightning bolt were brightly coloured, and hit much too close to the plane for comfort.
"I'll find a quiet place and orb us up to the Elders," Leo said then, looking from the strange weather to Piper with a sense of foreboding.
"No, you go…I'll be fine. Just hurry back!"
"It doesn't feel right to leave you behind…I can't help thinking that it's a mistake…"
Piper looked up at him curiously.
"Do you remember something?"
"Not really, just impressions. Do you?"
"Well, I don't know. I just have a bad feeling about this blackout…"
"Come on," Leo firmly said then, "you're coming with me."
Piper was tempted to protest again, but didn't.
As they got up though, Leo saw for the first time the old couple sitting by Cole and Phoebe. The sight was a shock for both of them, as it took them only a second to recognize Phoebe in the old woman. Piper almost exclaimed at seeing Clay there as well. But it was nothing compared to the old couple's reaction to Leo.
Clay opened wide eyes as he saw him coming toward them.
"Leo Wyatt? How's that possible?"
"Pardon me?" Leo replied, more out of habit at hiding his true identity than actual worry.
"Are you Leo Wyatt, the same one I knew during the war," Clay asked hesitantly.
The young Phoebe and Cole didn't even react to this, as they seemed somewhat spaced out. He didn't have time to ponder this however, as the old Phoebe said somewhat nervously:
"Clay, this can't be! Leo died almost fifty years ago, you know that." Yet, even as she was saying this, she gave a closer look at Piper and her face turned ashen.
"Piper? That's impossible…"
"I just told you, didn't I," Clay uttered irritably. Still, he couldn't help the trembling in his voice, as this, along with the other strange events and visions, was just about too much for him.
"What on earth is happening here?"
Leo and Piper looked at each other more puzzled by the moment. The old couple was as much a surprise to them. However, Leo did the only thing he could think of:
"I'm sorry but I'm afraid you're mistaken. We're not who you're saying we are…"
Leo felt Piper reacting, but he squeezed her hand tight to try silencing her. Even without looking at her, he could imagine the face she was making. Yet, she kept quiet.
"But… but you look exactly like him and…that woman…"
Leo pulled Piper toward the back of the plane at this point, just as old Phoebe turned to Clay.
"She looks exactly like Piper did all those years ago. Clay, I'm scared…"
"There's got to be a logical explanation for all of this…"
"Yeah? Well, I'm waiting to hear it…"
That's all Leo and Piper got, as Leo hurried them along.
Once they were alone, he immediately tried orbing out, but nothing would do.
"What is it, Leo?"
This one turned to her with deepening concern.
"I don't have the faintest. I can't orb out of here…"
"Www..What? Why?"
"Told you, I don't know. What's the deal here? How could Phoebe be that woman, and most of all, why won't our Phoebe and Cole react?"
Piper had been so surprised by the old couple that she hadn't noticed this.
"What do you mean?"
Leo didn't answer, as he seemed to suddenly think of something, or that's what Piper surmised.
"Leo, do you have a clue what's happening here?"
"I don't know, it's just…I can't help but thinking that the blackouts, this old couple, and all the rest are connected somehow…"
"Well, the moment you're sure, let me know, because right now I'm freaking out…"
Leo was about to add something when he saw the shimmering light coming back. This time however, he seemed to be suspended in between the two realities for a moment, and knew almost for certain what it was about. He tried to tell Piper, as he could see her slipping away from him, then everything went black.
The trunk was cramped and Phoebe could feel Cole against her back with a mix of discomfort and something that she would've preferred wasn't there, excitement. They were constantly rocking back and forth, as they obviously were driving down an uneven road. Phoebe could almost see the smirk on his face, as she felt his warm breath against her neck.
"Not too uncomfortable, I hope?" His voice was somewhat suggestive along with trace of mockery.
She shrugged irritably, but in the confined environment, it only served at bringing her closer to him, as she felt herself rolling slightly toward him.
"Don't go getting any idea," she still said as firmly as she could in the circumstances. Nevertheless, she worried that he could hear the trembling in her voice.
"I wouldn't dream of it…Or maybe I would. I must admit that from where I…lie, this is rather pleasant…"
Utterly embarrassed and angry at the insinuation, she tried to move away from him, but ended up hitting her head hard on something that she couldn't see.
She let out a muffled scream of pain, and Cole pulled her back to him.
"What is it? Are you ok?"
His arms were now around her and that was almost all she could take. Her head still hurt, but the desire that ran through her then was overwhelming. She knew this was ridiculous in their situation, and also against all the resolves she had taken that very morning, yet she couldn't help wanting him.
"Are you ok," he questioned again, while pulling her even closer. She finally managed to reply weakly:
"I'm fine, let go of me."
He must have felt the hesitation in her voice, because he held on, even caressing her arm as he did so.
"Don't do this," she whispered, even if she truly didn't want him to stop.
Obviously, he understood the non verbal better because his hand slowly made its way toward her waist.
"I said don't do this," she tried to protest weakly again, but her voice sounded breathless.
His hand still stopped moving, but he didn't remove it.
"If you really mean it," he whispered then, his face only inches from her cheek.
Phoebe didn't have much experience in those matters, but it didn't take much to know how hard it was for him to resist the temptation to continue. This only exacerbated her need for him. So much so that in spite of her protests, she slowly inched her face toward him and then searched for his lips. This moment had been so intense that neither one had realized the car had stopped. As their now parted lips were about to meet, the trunk opened unceremoniously, and Werner exclaimed mockingly:
"Hey you two, save it for later…"
Phoebe melted from embarrassment again, and quickly pulled away from Cole. As she got out of the car, she was grateful for the relative darkness of night, because she knew how red her face must have been. Cole came out of the trunk in turn without responding to Werner's insinuation either. He watched her intensely for a moment, and Phoebe had to look away. Then, back to the business at hand, he asked Werner:
"Are we here?" This, he said as he looked around in puzzlement. He couldn't see the prisoner camp Werner told them about.
"It's just around this bush," Werner said, while once more taking the lead without waiting for an answer.
Cole gave one more look toward Phoebe, but this one was hurrying passed him to follow Werner, avoiding his eyes.
Cole watched her go, and then sighed before starting behind them.
In spite of her apprehension, Piper had dozed off while leaning against a wall. She woke up suddenly, thinking that she heard some commotion outside the cell, and she looked down toward Robert fearfully. This one had apparently not regained consciousness. She then watched the door, trembling uncontrollably. When it burst opened, she uttered an involuntary scream. Two men entered the cell and immediately walked toward them. In very accented English, one of them asked brusquely:
"So, is your friend ready to talk?"
Piper couldn't say a word however, her throat constricted by abject fear. The other man came closer and then he kicked Robert hard. This one didn't even react at this, and Piper realized painfully that he must be in some sort of coma.
"Well," the first one began, "it looks like he won't be of any use to us anymore…"
The second one pulled a gun from his belt and, leaning toward Robert, he shot him point blank in the head.
Piper found her voice then to utter an agonizing scream, as the first man was watching her with a cruel smirk.
"Well, let this serve as a lesson. That's how we treat spies who won't talk… We're gonna give you some time to think about it, but we'll be back…"
As soon as he had finished, both men turned around and left the cell, barking some orders to a guard nearby. Meanwhile, Piper was staring at her companion's lifeless form with tears of sorrow and fright in her eyes. She slowly pulled her legs up toward her chin, instinctively trying to make herself smaller, wishfully invisible, as the guard came in and dragged Robert's body out of the cell. The door slammed behind him, startling her. She then began sobbing hopelessly...