Guardian From Above
Part Five
By: Silverstar

Firstly, I want to say !SORRY ^o^! for not putting this out sooner. School is starting up and I don't have as much time as usual to write. Please be patient with the remaining chapters, because now that school is starting it may take me longer to finish them.
Secondly, I want to thank everyone for the reviews, especially fairy007-yes my finger is fully healed-thanks for the concern ^_^ Well, here it goes. I hope you all enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own the show Charmed or any of the characters. I am just borrowing them for my own amusement. Please don't sue.

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*(PHOEBE)*

As I shut the door quietly behind me I sighed with relief. Everything was going to be fine, and when this demon attack was over all would return to normal...Well, if I consider my type of life normal...*sigh* I turned around and found that Cole was still standing there, leaning against the wall quite comfortably. He was looking at me with those deep blue eyes...Searching my soul for answers. Smiling, I was drawn towards him and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, leaning up on my toes to reach him.

"It's all okay," I whispered to him after kissing him on the cheek. "She'll be fine...Although she felt terrible about exploding at you the other day. You should go in. I think she wants to apologize." I leaned back and saw him looking down at me with a thoughtful expression on his face. I tilted my head and looked up at him, wondering what was going on in that head of his...Suddenly he leaned down and I was enveloped in a passionate kiss. When Cole broke away I was gasping for air, but I still held onto him tight.

"I love you," he whispered, and with a smile on his face, he broke our embrace and walked towards Paige's room.

"I love you too," I whispered as he opened the door quietly and shut it behind him.
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*(PAIGE)*

Phoebe shut the door behind her and I sighed with satisfaction. Half of the apologizing was done, my heart felt lighter, and everything would be back to normal soon...I hoped. I just hope he forgives me as willingly a Phoebe did. She's family...but he's not, and I haven't known him as long as the others...He may not feel as comfortable with me as with my sisters. Well, the only way to find out if he's going to forgive me is if I apologize...Where was he anyway? Why wasn't he in here yet?...Maybe he won't forgive me...I'll never have as good of a relationship with Phoebe as I do with Piper if he doesn't forgive me...He has to! He has to!

I didn't realize when Cole came into the room because I was hyperventilating in my bed. After breathing frantically for a few minutes I started to feel dizzy and my eyelids...slowly....dropped...
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*(COLE)*

As I stepped into Paige's room, I prepared for the emotions that I knew would be running high. I didn't know her as well as Phoebe, and therefore didn't know how to calm her or read the expressions that would be relayed within her features. I started towards her to find her breathing rapidly and to see her eyes closing slowly...It looked like she was hyperventilating.

"Paige! Paige!" I said loudly as I ran up to her and put my hand on her shoulder. I knew that this only happened to people that were overly excited, or overly afraid...It could be her reaction to a demonic appearance, and I needed her to wake up to tell me. The household could be in danger! I sighed in relief when I saw her breathing slow down and her eyelids open gradually.
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*(PAIGE)*

By the time I realized that I was passing out, it was too late. All I could think about was not being able to be accepted back into the family by Cole. When I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard a voice calling my name I calmed down and noticed my erratic breathing. After it slowed the dizziness disappeared and I noticed that it was Cole calling my name...I had worried for nothing...He was right there beside me. I opened my eyes to see him sitting in a chair next to my bed with his hand on my shoulder. When I looked over at him he removed his hand, but continued to look at me a moment before speaking.

"Paige...Are you alright? What happened? Did you see a demon?" he asked, sounding worried and urgent. I blushed, knowing that I had caused myself to almost pass out and that I had overreacted to one of my thoughts about Cole. I quickly shook my head 'no' to sooth his nerves and assure him no demons had attacked.

"No Cole, there weren't any demons. I just got emotional over something and overreacted to one of my thoughts." He looked at me strangely for a second and then shook his head with a smile. A SMILE?! He had smiled! Did this mean he wasn't angry?

"You Halliwells are just too confusing for me," he stated while crossing his arms over his chest and shaking his head in a joking manner. I smiled, and then remembered why I had wanted to see him in the first place.

"Cole, I have to tell you that I was freaking out before because I was worrying if I would be accepted back into this family," I said seriously while looking into his eyes. He looked at me for a moment in confusion and was about to say something, but I continued. "You see Cole, you've been in this family longer than I have. Although you're not married to Phoebe yet, I know you will be someday and I consider you a part of the Halliwells just like I consider Leo. I want to tell you that I am _so_ sorry for being so cruel to you the other day. You did not deserve it and I'm sure you never will. I respect you for what you do for Phoebe and I was just really stressed out that day...I know there aren't any excuses for the way I treated you though, and I just want to say sorry." I bowed my head and took a deep breath, waiting for him to say something.

"Paige," he said in his insistent manner. I looked up at him and he continued. "I know it wasn't your fault you were unkind to me, and I do forgive you for it." I stared at him in confusion and tried to comprehend what he had said.

"Thanks...But what do you mean that you knew it wasn't my fault?" I asked.

"You said you were just stressed that day and that's why you acted like you did, but that's a lie." I stared at him, afraid at what he'd say next. "That day you looked shocked at what had come out of your mouth and from that point on I sensed a different aura coming from you."

"A...A different aura?" I asked, confused and wary about what he was saying, my face turning white.

"Yes Paige, a different aura. And guess whose aura I have sensed since that day?" I knew what was coming but I just shook my head, unbelieving what I was hearing from him. "I've sensed Prue's aura coming from you since that day. Today however, I sense more of yours then hers. The only guess I could make to why you're sick is that you have been communicating with her. Am I right?" I looked at Cole with shock and shook my head. This wasn't happening, no one was suppose to know.

"C-Cole," I stammered. "Please, don't tell anyone. No one is suppose to know. Prue came to me and I promised, please..." I felt the tears coming and I covered my face with my hands to hide them. The secret was out, and I'd probably never get to speak with my sister again.

"C'mon, stop that, I'm not going to tell." I looked up at him, surprised at what I had heard, and he continued. "If I was going to tell anyone don't you think I would have mentioned to Phoebe what I had sensed earlier? I know that Prue never liked or approved of me, and I could sense that grudge from you even though I had never sensed it in you before. That kind of thing isn't created over night. You have to have a reason, and it's not like I ever tried to kill you or anything." I looked at Cole with a new respect and smiled at him.

"So you're not angry with me?" I asked.

"No. Just tell Prue that I got her message and not to worry, I'm taking good care of Phoebe." I smiled and nodded my head. After a moment of silence Cole broke the tension.

"So you're like this because of your communication with Prue?" he asked. "I've never seen anything like this before." I nodded my head. The trust (small amount, but there) I had in him was coming back to me with every second he sat there.

"This kind of communication takes a lot of energy. To make it easier on me Prue gave me a part of her soul, to help me stay strong. I told her about the demon attacks and she insisted. But...there were backfires, such as her feelings being felt by me and mine being felt by her. That's why I'm so weak today. I communicated with her last night and she took most of her soul away, leaving only a sliver so we could communicate more easily and not have to wait till the full and half moons." He nodded his head and stood up, holding out his hand.

"Thanks for trusting in me Paige. You can be sure I won't tell the others. Prue may have not liked me very much, but I think we had somewhat of a mutual understanding - take care of Phoebe. I know she'd like to watch over Phoebes along with me, and that way is through you." I smiled and shook his hand.

"Thanks Cole," I replied as he turned to leave and I drifted into a content and happy sleep. Everything would be fine...Cole wouldn't tell...and I'd be part of the family again with no hard feelings from anyone.
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*(PHOEBE)*

I stood there and watched Cole go into Paige's room. Oh, I loved that man so much. What would I do without him? I stopped my thoughts there, not wanting to think about it, and turned to go downstairs and talk with Piper. When I entered the living room I saw Piper sitting on the couch with her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands.

"Piper," I said as I walked over to her and sat down. "What's wrong?" I put my hand softly on her shoulder and she finally looked up at me.

"I just feel bad about getting mad at Leo. He probably had a good reason for keeping quiet...Hey, did you get anything out of Paige?" I nodded my head and put my arm around her.

"I think she was getting sick of everyone asking her," I joked and Piper smiled. "She told me that she knows what happened to her and that nothing evil did it to her. She wouldn't say anything else and she wouldn't tell me what she told Leo, but she said she didn't tell him much more because no one's suppose to know about what happened." Piper looked at me and then rested her head on my shoulder.

"I was such a jerk to Leo," she whispered, her voice wavering. "Paige didn't even tell him much, and I bet he thought he might get it out of her later if he kept what she said a secret...*sigh* I just hope Paige gets well soon, and then we can put this behind us and forget it ever happened." I smiled at my big sister and playfully ruffled her hair.

"Hey," she said before doing the same to me.

"Don't worry about Paige," I said before Piper could start tickling me in revenge. "She told me she'd be fine as long as she rests today."

"That's good," Piper said, getting serious again. "Who knows when the next demon will attack." I nodded my agreement and gave Piper a hug. "So," she said, mid-hug. "Did you and Paige work everything out? It's been kind of tense between you two and you seem pretty happy now." I smiled and broke the hug, leaning back.

"Yeah, she apologized and explained. I think everything is going to work out...Anyway, Cole's up there now talking to her. I think she wanted to apologize to him." I saw Piper smile and matched hers with my own.

"It's been a rough morning," she stated and got up from the couch. "What do you say to brownies? I made some the other night when I couldn't sleep."

"Sound's great," I replied and got up as well. On our way to the kitchen Cole came down the steps and we stopped to wait for him.

"How did it go?" I asked, and to my surprise he leaned over and kissed me with as much love and passion as he possessed. When he broke away I was flushed and looking up into his gorgeous eyes. I had my answer...Paige and Cole had made up. When I turned around I found that Piper wasn't there, so I turned back to Cole and gave him a hug. "You scared Piper away," I teased and he laughed while looking down at me.

"I couldn't resist," he answered. "Anyway, you've been so tense lately with the attacks and all. This is the only way I can make you relax."

"Really?" I asked, amused. "I bet it's the only way you're willing to try too." He smiled and leaned in for another kiss.
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*(PIPER)*

When Cole leaned in towards Phoebe I got out of there. I didn't need her relationship with Cole to remind me of how I had acted towards Leo. I know Phoebe thinks its funny when I'm mad at him, but I always feel so bad afterwards...*sigh* As I reached into the cabinet for the brownies I sighed with grief. I hope Leo comes back soon. Upon this wish I heard the heavenly chimes behind me and gasped. Placing the brownie plate down on the counter, I slowly turned to see Leo standing there with a guilty look on his face. My guilt matched his, and I rushed to give him a hug. He did the same.

"I am SO sorry Leo," I whispered, taking in his scent. "I should have known that you were doing the best for everyone. Please forgive me."

"No Piper, I'm the one who should be sorry," he said as I looked up at him. "I should have tried to explain my motives for not telling you, and I shouldn't have pretended to hear the elders. It was wrong, and it was running away. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too," I whispered as he stroked my head. "Phoebe talked to Paige and she told her that nothing evil did that to her. She said that Paige knew what happened, but can't tell and that she'll be fine by tomorrow. I know she told you a little more, but I don't want to know. I just want to be near you."

"And I want to hold you," he said as he leaned down and kissed me. Warmth surrounded me, and I wanted no more at that moment than his lips on mine.
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*(PHOEBE)*
When I lead Cole into the kitchen I was surprised to find Piper and Leo together. They were standing together and Piper was telling him about the latest potion she made. Things were back to normal. Piper wasn't mad at Leo, Cole and I had things patched up with Paige, and there were brownies on the table.

"Hey," I said as Cole and I entered the room. Piper, Leo, and Cole all looked at me and I grinned widely. "Can we eat brownies now?" They all laughed and I rushed over to get out the milk while Piper got plates. Things were going to go back to normal soon...I hoped.

TO BE CONTINUED...

I hope everyone liked this part, and if you did please review. I had been writing this story for a few days, but when I got a review from Piper telling me to please hurry, I worked hard and got this part finished. Hopefully the next part will be out sometime next week...at least, that is my goal. I'm thinking the story may be finished in the next few parts as well, just to let everyone know. Thanx again for being patient with me. Believe me, I was dying this past week and a half when I couldn't get to a computer! ^_^'