It had been a couple of days since they rescued Phoebe and Cole and vanquished his mother. Paige had spent a lot of time on the phone with Glenn trying to get him to understand that even though everything was ok, she didn't want him spending the night right now. She was afraid it would make Phoebe uncomfortable, but didn't want to tell Glenn everything. She would just have to make it up to him later.
For some reason, Paige couldn't sleep tonight. Maybe it was because they had all nearly slept the last two days away. Now she was feeling restless. Paige walked downstairs to raid the refrigerator. When she walked around the corner, she almost screamed as she turned on the lights. She took a deep breathe, and then smiled.
Paige: Does Phoebe know you're here?
Cole shook his head. "I've been debating going upstairs and talking with her. I'm sorry to be sulking around in here. I know I don't live here anymore, and I have no right to be here, but…"
Paige: Cole, it's ok. You've been through a lot. A little sulking in our kitchen isn't the worse thing you've ever done.
Cole frowned. "Paige, about the way I treated you….."
Paige waved her hand. "That doesn't matter. Besides, now that you're back to your original demon status, we have the potion to vanquish you if you get out of line again."
Cole: Is that supposed to make me feel better?
Paige: No, but it does make me feel a little more secure.
Paige walked to the refrigerator. "Want something to drink or snack on?" Cole shook his head no. Paige brought out some chocolate cake Piper had made the day before. "Ok, but you're really missing out," she said with a grin.
Paige poured herself a glass of milk and took the remaining part of the cake over to the table with a fork.
Cole: You're going to eat that whole thing?
Paige smiled: Unless you want to help save me from myself?
Cole looked at Paige and looked at the cake. "Get me a fork."
Paige took a bite of cake and got up to get Cole a fork. She pointed to the milk, and Cole nodded yes. Paige poured Cole a glass of milk and returned to the table with his fork.
With wide eyes and a big grin, Paige said teasingly, "Dig in, demon boy."
Cole made a half smile. He took a bite of cake while trying to figure his sister-in-law out. "Paige, can we talk?"
Paige: Sure. Cake puts me in a good mood, especially the chocolate kind.
Cole: I really do want to apologize to you.
Paige took another bite of cake and leaned back in her chair. "You know what? I needed to hear it when Phoebe apologized, but I don't need to hear you say you're sorry. What I do need to know if what you want now. What do you want from her? What do you want from us?"
Cole shrugged: What I want? I want to be her husband, and be part of your family, but that is probably asking too much.
Paige nodded. "It's asking a lot, at least right now."
Cole took another bite of cake. "Will it ever be possible?"
Paige: Maybe. You need to talk to Phoebe first, and you can't stay sealed in a dark marriage, but I'm getting ahead of myself. You need to find yourself so to speak. You need to discover the other side of you. If your father's side is truly a force of good, maybe that will be enough to balance out your demon.
Cole nodded. "I've tried to figure out what my father's powers were, but I haven't been able to yet."
Paige: I'm sure you'll get it in time.
Cole: What did you mean we can't stay sealed in a dark marriage? Do you mean we should get a divorce?
Paige: Sort of. Perhaps a spiritual divorce or maybe a renewal of your vows. I'm not really sure. Grams just said you could be resealed in a marriage of light if the time ever came.
Cole: Grams?
Paige: Yeah, I asked for some heavenly advice about you, and she had a little talk with me. She mentioned if you and Phoebe decided to give it another go, you could do so.
Paige and Cole both took a bite of cake at the same time. Cole took a drink of milk and then said, "You're talking like you might be ok with all this."
Paige smiled. "I might be. I've seen who you used to be, both in your past life and before the Source took you over. I liked you, and I probably could again. I just don't trust you, completely."
Cole smiled. "So, you trust me a little?"
Paige: A little.
Cole: It's a start, and I'll take what I can get.
Paige looked at the cake in front of her that was quickly diminishing. "Why don't you go talk to Phoebe now?" she said.
Cole laughed. "Tell me you're not saying that just because you want the rest of the cake to yourself."
Paige giggled. "No, I'm sure my sister needs to talk to you after the curse being lifted and meeting your father and all. The cake is just bonus for me."
Cole got up and started to leave, but before he did he turned around and hugged Paige. Paige was a bit caught off guard, but she hugged him in return. When he let her go, she smacked him on the butt, and said over her shoulder, "Tell her I said hi."
________________
Cole was walking up the stairs when he passed Piper on her way down. "Hi Cole," she said before she completely realized what was going on. "Um, Cole?" she said as she stopped on the stairs.
Cole smiled. "Paige told me to go talk to Phoebe. You better get to the kitchen fast if you want any of that chocolate cake."
Piper smiled and shook her head. She actually thought a talk between Phoebe and Cole was a couple of days overdue, but she understood why Cole needed to time to process everything that happened to him.
Piper walked into the kitchen to find Paige finishing up the last few bites of cake. She laughed. "Cole wasn't kidding about the cake."
Paige: It was wonderful sis.
Piper: I bet. Good thing I hid the brownies.
Paige: There are brownies?
Piper: Oh no you don't. You'll be up all night as is with that cake. The brownies are for me and baby.
Paige smiled and touched Piper's stomach. "I can sacrifice for the baby," she said as she kissed Piper's tummy.
Piper went to go find the hidden brownies. Paige got up to refill her glass and pour Piper one as well.
Piper: You sent Cole to talk to Phoebe?
Paige: It was about time, don't you think?
Piper: Yes. Are you ok with it though?
Paige: I'm not ready for him to move in tomorrow, but I think I can handle a slow healing process.
Piper nodded. "I think that sounds like a good idea."
Piper suddenly got a strange look on her face. "What's wrong?" Paige asked. "I think the baby kicked," Piper answered.
Paige ran over to her sister and put her hand on Piper's stomach just in time to feel another kick. "Oh cool, where's Leo?"
Piper frowned: On an assignment.
Paige: Too bad. Well, I'll enjoy this moment with my sister all to myself then.
Piper smiled, and they both giggled when the baby kicked again.
________________
Leo orbed in to find his friend hurt badly. He ran over to his fellow whitelighter to try to heal him. "Heal Rebecca first," Mark said through the pain.
Leo looked around the room and then he saw the hurt witch. He ran over and healed Rebecca. As soon as she was out of danger, he went back to Mark.
"It was a darklighter's arrow," Mark said. "I removed it, but I think the poison is too far."
Leo: No. I'm sure everything will be fine.
Leo was trying to heal Mark when he was knocked unconscious from behind. Rebecca got her wits about her just in time to see the darklighter vanish with Leo. She ran over to Mark to see if he was alright.
Rebecca: Mark, are you ok?
Mark: No, Leo tried to heal me but it was too late.
Rebecca: Leo? No, he was taken just now by the darklighter. Maybe you can still be healed. I'm going to check the spell book, and see if we can trade powers or something.
Mark grabbed Rebecca before she could get up. "Leo, the whitelighter who was taken, he's the husband of one of the Charmed Ones. You need to get to them and warn them."
Rebecca: Husband? I thought that wasn't allowed. What about you?
Mark: Too late. There was an exception made for Leo and Piper. Get to her and warn her. Don't worry about me.
Rebecca: Mark, please don't die.
Mark smiled a little: I'm already dead, remember? It's ok.
Rebecca placed her hand on her whitelighter's cheek. "I'll miss you."
Mark: Find the Charmed Ones. Hurry.
Mark closed his eyes. Rebecca whispered Goodbye. Then she watched as her friend disappeared. She got up and went to get a crystal and a map.
______________
Cole gently opened the door to Phoebe's room. He walked over to the bed and sat down beside her. She was sleeping so he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. He decided to lie beside her and watch her sleep. It wasn't long before she opened her eyes and smiled. "Are you really here or am I just dreaming?" she asked.
Cole: Does that mean you dream about me when I'm not here?
Phoebe moved closer to Cole so he could wrap his arms around her. "The last couple of days, you're all I've dreamt about."
Cole took a deep breathe. He could smell the shampoo she used in her hair, and the lavender of her body lotion. Even her smell was intoxicating. How had he managed to stay away from her for so long? He felt her cuddle up next to him and rest her head on his chest. How he had missed this. He regained his concentration before the tears that were forming in his eyes got loose.
Cole: Are they good dreams?
Phoebe: Yes, but they make me sad.
Phoebe rolled over to look into Cole's eyes. "Where do we go from here?" she asked.
Cole: Where do you want to go?
Phoebe: No fair answering a question with a question.
Cole: Ok then. I want to move forward, together. I love you, Phoebe. I want to be part of your life, and someday, part of your family.
Phoebe frowned: I don't know if that's possible.
Cole: It may be more possible than you think. Paige and Piper know I'm here now.
Phoebe: They do?
Cole nodded: Paige is the one who sent me to talk to you. She and I have been downstairs bonding over chocolate cake and milk.
Phoebe smiled: I don't think I believe you.
Cole laughed: Well, it's the most bonding we've ever done outside of hunting demons together.
Phoebe giggled now too. Then seriously, she asked, "Cole, are you ok with what happened to your mother?"
Cole: I didn't really know her Phoebe. She was just another demon to me.
Phoebe: What about meeting your father? How are you handling that?
Cole: I'm handling it. I still have figured out what my father's powers are, but I'm very glad he's finally where he belongs.
Phoebe: Me too.
Cole pulled Phoebe up closer to him. He reached up and touched her cheek. "I'd like to be back where I belong." Then he pulled her down and gave her the most loving kiss she had ever experienced in her whole life. When they stopped, he said, "The real question Phoebe is what do you want?"
Phoebe: I want you Cole, but I can't always have what I want.
Cole: What if we take it slow?
Phoebe nodded: Really slow?
Cole: Really slow. Want me to go now?
Phoebe: Can you just stay here and hold me?
Cole: I can do that.
Phoebe kissed Cole lightly on the lips and then laid back down beside him. She cuddled in his arms and just allowed herself to hope for a better future for the two of them. Cole just lied there enjoying the feel of his wife in his arms. He could wait as long as it took to be with her again wholly and completely.
_______________
Quotar looked at the unconscious whitelighter chained to the wall. He walked over and picked up a bag of bounty. He turned to face the darklighter who had delivered his prize. "Will she get the word of his kidnapping?" Quotar asked.
The darklighter nodded. "I left a witch alive, and her whitelighter wasn't dead yet. I'm sure he told her to warn the Charmed Ones."
Quotar handed the darklighter the bounty. Then he picked up a crystal with five points surrounding a center point. He pushed the center point down and the crystal starting glowing dark blue.
"When she comes, she and her sisters will be powerless thanks to this little device," Quotar said.
"Won't that affect the powers of anyone in the room?" the darklighter asked.
"Yes, but they won't be coming with knives and swords. We don't need magic to kill them," Quotar answered as he took a sword off the wall.
________________
The sun was barely up when Piper heard the doorbell through the house. She rolled over and noticed Leo wasn't in bed with her. Suddenly she had a bad feeling. Piper ran down the stairs to see Paige letting a blonde woman in the house.
The woman introduced herself as Rebecca. She quickly told them what happened earlier, and that Leo had been taken. Piper almost collapsed when she heard the news.
Paige caught her sister and yelled for Phoebe and Cole.
________________
Phoebe and Cole came running down the stairs as Paige was seeing Rebecca to the door.
Phoebe: Who was that?
Paige: A witch, her name is Rebecca. She came to tell us that in an attack last night, her whitelighter was killed and Leo was taken.
Phoebe: Oh crap, where's Piper?
________________
Piper walked out from the kitchen carrying potions. Piper looked up at Cole with tears in her eyes. "Can you take me to him?"
Cole: Of course, you ready to go now?
Phoebe: Hold it. Wait just a minute.
Piper: Phoebe, he's my husband! The father of my baby!
Phoebe walked over and put her arms on Piper. "I know honey. I know. But if Quotar is behind this, he did it to draw us out."
Paige: Phoebe's right. We can't just go play on his turf.
Piper: What choice do I have?
Paige: Maybe we can get the knights together?
Phoebe: No, Paige. I think you were right about that. What can four humans do against a demon? One of them is still a little girl.
Piper: I can't wait around for some warriors of light. I'm going to save Leo, and I'm going now. Cole?
Cole looked at Phoebe. Phoebe looked at Piper.
Phoebe: Ok, Cole and Paige will go with you. I'm going to look in the Book of Shadows one more time.
Paige: How will you get to us?
Phoebe: I'll use the spell you used to get to me and Cole. I won't be long, but I want to check on something first.
Piper nodded. "Don't be long."
Phoebe hugged her sister. "I won't be."
Phoebe turned to Cole, "Take care of them, ok?"
Cole nodded: With my life.
Cole shimmered out with Piper and Paige. Phoebe shook her head nervously and then ran upstairs to look at the Book.
________________
Cole, Piper and Paige looked at the guards at the door. "Are you sure you sensed him here?" Piper asked Paige. Paige nodded yes.
Cole whispered: Ok, I'll take one of them out with a fireball. Do you think you can blow the other one up Piper?
Piper nodded. "Remember your powers are weaker here, so be prepared to react," Cole added.
Piper: Ok, let's go.
Cole stood up and threw a fireball at one of the guards. Piper tried to explode the other one, but it only stunned him. Paige grabbed on of the potion bottles and threw it at the second guard. That caused him pain, but another guard ran out to help.
Cole went to throw a fireball at the second guard while Paige battled the third one with potions, but the second guard popped in behind Piper and used her as a shield. Cole then felt something strange happen inside him.
The battle kind of stopped for a minute as a transformation in Cole took place. He morphed into a tiger and lunged himself at the second guard. Shocked, the demon loosened his hold on Piper and she ducked out of the way. The tiger ripped the throat out of the demon guard and then backed off to let Piper try exploding him again. Weakened by the attack, this time the demon vanquished. The third guard was in pain, but started to attack the sisters as soon as he got his wits about him again.
However, as quickly as Cole had become the tiger, he became a man again and threw a fireball at the last guard.
Paige: Well, I guess we know what your father's power is now.
Cole smiled: Yeah, I guess we do.
Piper: Come on, let's go.
The three of them ran into the room to find Leo chained to a wall badly beaten and barely awake. "Come on Cole, get us out of here," Piper said.
Cole grabbed hold of Leo to shimmer him out, but found he couldn't.
Cole: Uh oh.
Piper's eyes widened: What's wrong?
Quotar walked into the room. "What's wrong is that I am missing a Charmed One."
_______________
Phoebe was paging through the Book of Shadows searching for something, she wasn't sure what. She passed a page, and then flipped back again.
Phoebe: Of course, that's it! How could we be so stupid?
______________
Quotar held the chin of Piper who was now chained to the wall next to her husband. "I really thought you would all come together," he said. Then he put his hand on her stomach. "Perhaps I shouldn't kill you just yet," he said with a grin.
Paige and Cole were tied to chairs on the other side of the room. They struggled against the ropes and Paige screamed, "Get your hands off her!"
Quotar turned to the witch. "My, my, the baby of the family has spunk."
Cole: I can't wait until you see just how much spunk she has.
Quotar then turned to Cole, "Killing you – traitor - will bring me much popularity." Cole spat in the demon's face.
Quotar raised the sword he was holding to kill Cole, but was interrupted.
_______________
Phoebe walked in with a grin on her face. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," she said.
Quotar: Ah the last witch. And who is going to stop me? You?
Phoebe: Yes, with a little help.
Quotar laughed. He put the sword back on the wall and pulled a knife down. Quotar walked over to Phoebe and put his hand around Phoebe's neck while holding a knife to her throat.
Cole: Don't touch her!
Quotar laughed again, "You have no powers here witch. How will you stop me? When are you going to get it? The Power of Three means nothing to me!"
Phoebe felt him chocking her, but with remarkable spite said, "Maybe not. But how do you feel about….."
"……the Power of Four," Prue finished for her as she walked around the corner.
Piper eyes widened as she understood what was going on. "Prue! The crystal!"
Prue took out her sword and smashed the crystal at once.
Paige called out for Piper and Leo's chains to fall to the floor. Leo slumped to the ground as Piper caught him. "Time to wake up sweetie," she said as she put him on the ground.
Quotar eyes filled with horror. "That's right," Phoebe said as Paige orbed out of the chair and over to Phoebe to free her from Quotar's grasp. "There are four Halliwell sisters," she said as she and Paige reappeared.
Prue sliced the ropes that were holding Cole. There were four demons in the room besides Quotar. Cole formed a fireball in his hand, "I'd get out of here if I were you," he said with a grin.
One of the demons threw an energy ball at Paige. She called for it and threw it back. Cole threw the fireball at one of the other demons. The remaining two took Cole's advice and ran.
Quotar: I don't understand. The prophesy said…..
Prue smiled: Prophesies are funny things. Sometimes, you don't understand them until you experience them.
Quotar screamed in exasperation. He threw and energy ball at the place where Leo was sitting as he was just starting to come around. Paige and Prue both started to react, but Piper had already formed a protective bubble around her husband. The energy ball simply bounced off it.
Paige: Baby power?
Piper: Baby power.
Phoebe: Go baby.
Prue turned back to face Quotar. She sent her sword flying threw the air with the power of her mind. Phoebe levitated and kicked Quotar into the sword. He went up in flames screaming.
Prue: Well done, sis.
Phoebe smiled: You too.
Piper helped Leo up and hugged him.
Paige: Let's go home.
Piper: Good idea.
The family was about to leave when they heard clapping coming around the corner. They stood their in shock at who they were facing.
________________
Lucy: Nice job guys. I should have figured out the fourth sister thing. I might be slipping a bit.
Phoebe: Um, Lucy? What are you doing here?
Lucy smiled: Getting ready to retake my throne.
Piper: Your what?
Lucy: My throne. Thanks for getting rid of my competition for me.
Cole: Are you trying to tell us that you are the original Source?
Lucy smiled again: One in the same.
Phoebe: Um, the original Source's name is Lucy?
Paige: I'm sure that's not her real name Phoebe.
Lucy: Oh no, it is. Well, it's a nickname.
Phoebe: Lucy, what could Lucy be short for?
Piper: Phoebe, think about it. Luci…
Phoebe: Oh. Oooohh. Wow. We kind of figured you for a guy.
Lucy: Yeah, well what can I say? Biblical writers – bet you don't hear much about the Arch Angel Michelle either.
Phoebe: Well, no.
The Source's servant walked in. "Master, the others will be here soon."
Lucy nodded: Right ok, well go ahead you guys. Get out of here.
Piper: Not that I'm ungrateful or anything, but if we are going to have to face you again, we might as well get it over with.
Lucy smiled: I'm not coming after you silly. I love you guys. Hell, you're practically family with Phoebe being married to my grandson and all.
Cole: What?
Lucy: Oh yeah, hi. I really am sorry about what my daughter did to you. I hope you two can work things out now, she said pointing to Phoebe.
Phoebe: Thanks, I think.
Lucy: Anyway, you all need to get going. I'm canceling the war on the Charmed Ones for good. You may face a few demons here or there who want to make a name for themselves, but they won't be coming from me. This place needs to get reorganized, and that doesn't leave much room for senseless battles. It's been missing a woman's touch I think. Now go on, get out of here.
The family looked around at each other and decided to let their questions go. They all orbed or shimmered to the safety of the manor.