CHARMED
"STONE COLD - PART 3 (FINALE)"
(5th Season)
Sthenno stood at the head of the table in the form of Cole once again. His form
was well known and maybe still feared by some. Besides, she wasn't quite ready for the
demon population to know she was not the real Cole. Not that it mattered since she had
all of his powers anyway. The pain came and went, but she was fairly confident she
could hold his form. She felt much better, the witches would be destroyed by her
personally after this meeting.
One by one demons shimmered, glowed, flamed, flashed and faded into the
chairs at the large table in the Underworld's conference room off the Source's
chambers. Sthenno, shortly after taking back the form of Cole, had summoned a
messenger and asked him to call upon the leaders of all of the primary demon factions
immediately.
"Thank you all for coming so quickly," she smirked. She looked over the different
men and women before her, not knowing there would be so many. The messenger had
given her a suggestion, that she place as many chairs as possible at the table - you
would never know who would show and who would not. All but two of sixteen chairs
were filled.
A man sitting next to the leader of the Grimlocks rolled his eyes. "I speak for
myself, of course," he glanced to the others around him, then back to who he believed
to be Cole, "when I say that I've only come to this meeting out of curiosity. You are not
the Source, no matter how powerful you may be."
"Not yet, perhaps," admitted Sthenno. "You see after tonight all of you will agree
that I am the best candidate to take the throne."
"And why is that?," a female demon asked.
Sthenno smiled. "Because tonight I defeat the Charmed Ones and take the
power of three."
Some stifled laughter, others raised their brows with curiosity, and one man
considered shimmering away from this nonsense.
"Think what you will," Sthenno said, slowly circling the table, looking over them
all. "Not that it will matter." They frowned and looked to her, and her eyes flashed. Nine
of them turned to stone in their seats. The five remaining leapt to their feet, quite
confused. Sthenno tilted her head, "Immune? Pity for you." She waved her hand and
two burst into flame, three did not. "Oh how these rules bore me."
The female demon quickly shimmered away, another flamed out and a third
began to glow. Sthenno threw out her hand, fire streaming through the air and at the
man.
When it was over, Sthenno's eyes went pure black and her body began to
tremble. She looked down at her hands, but not with fear, as she began to laugh. "I am
no longer a mere creature of this world," she hissed.
Her tongue flicked out, forked and blood red. Her clothes vanished and she
stood in the room nude for a moment as her fingernails turned black, then her skin took
on scales and shifted color to dark green and that of ash in some areas. The hair of
Cole disappeared from her head as her body changed back into a female form - her
original. And her legs came together as one, forming (from the waist down) the body of
a serpent. Huge tusks came from her head, which now doubled in size and small horns
riped through her flesh from the tip of her nose to the back of her head.
A hiss and monsterous roar like no other sound the Underworld had ever heard.
"I am a GOD!"
"Sthenno's attack will probably happen soon, we have to figure out what we're
going to do," said Piper. "Are you two still for the original plan?" When her sisters gave
her only unsure expressions in response, she growled and walked over to them,
grabbing their hands. "Well?"
Paige shook her head. "I'm scared!"
"So am I." She looked down.
"We'll stick to the original plan," Phoebe said. She looked to her younger sister.
Paige frowned, looking at a mirror on the wall in the den. She tilted her head,
looking at her own reflection for a few moments.
"Guys?," Paige turned back to them.
Piper and Phoebe looked to their younger sister.
"Mirror!"
"Sorry?"
"The mirror," smiled Paige.
"English, please?"
Rolling her eyes, Paige gestured to the mirror. "Can Sthenno turn herself into
stone? There's a chance she could be immune to her own powers but isn't it worth a
try?"
Phoebe looked to the mirror, then to Paige. "Even if she could turn herself to
stone, how are we going to get her to look into a mirror?"
"If Prue were here, she could just astral project," mumbled Piper. She had only
meant to think that, not say it, and quickly looked to Leo as if he could somehow
magically erase the mistake.
Leo frowned. "Maybe Paige does have a good idea with the mirror, though."
"I doubt Sthenno is stupid enough to fall for that kind of trick," Phoebe said.
"What if she couldn't avoid it?," asked Piper.
"How?"
Paige thought for a moment. "Well, we could grab every damn mirror in this
house and place them around the room and then use the summoning spell correctly
this time. She could appear and - -"
Piper interrupted, "And she'd be careful and not even use her power. Phoebe is
right."
"On with the original plan then," said Phoebe.
"Wait, I just thought of something," said Piper. "I need to make another potion."
Piper stood in the doorway of the dining room. Paige stood on the stairs. Phoebe
stood at the entrance of the den. The crystals were arranged in a circle in front of them
all and Leo was standing by behind Piper.
"Ready?," asked Piper. She didn't quite wait for a response as she began to read
the spell with her sisters:
"Magic forces black and white, reaching out through space and light, be he far or
be he near, bring us the one we seek here."
Electricity and wind swirled within the circle as colors flashed and the ground
shook. All three girls held their breath, making sure to focus on the form of Cole this
time.
A single figure appeared in the foyer - the statue of Cole?
Phoebe's eyes widened. "Cole." She looked to Piper. "Quick, get the potion to
restore him."
Piper hesitated. She would much rather blow him to pieces so they'd never have
to worry about him again.
"Piper!"
The oldest sister glanced at Leo and Paige before heading to the kitchen.
Laughter as Phoebe approached the statue.
The stone form of Cole suddenly shifted into that of the grotesque Gorgon
Sthenno. Phoebe screamed and ducked down as the creature swung her serpent's tail at
her. Missing, it crashed through the wall.
Paige blinked and leaped down, landing on the floor near one of the crystals and
tapped it. The crystals glowed and shot up a field of energy around the Gorgon. The
youngest sister screamed for Piper.
Sthenno's black eyes looked completely hollow as her face came up to the edge
of the field and looked into Paige's. "Little sssissster," the Gorgon hissed. "What do you
think thisss will do to me?" Her hand came through the field and grabbed Paige's hair,
pulling her toward the field.
Holding out her hand, Paige called for the athame and it came to her hand. She
threw it up and cut into the arm of the Gorgon, black blood and a chunk of flesh
pouring down over her. She dropped the knife and reached for the flesh, but Sthenno
pulled her up and into the field. Paige screamed as pain raced through her, Sthenno did
not let go.
"Paige!," cried Piper, coming back to the room with the restoring potion.
"Piper, Sthenno's flesh!," called Leo.
Piper looked down and quickly grabbed the black and green chunk, oozing with
blood. She turned and hurried back to the kitchen, moving to the potion the range was
keeping warm.
Phoebe ran to Paige and grabbed her hand, trying to pull her from the Gorgon's
grip with no success. She dropped down and hit the crystal closest to her, the field
dropped, as did Paige's unconscious form.
Sthenno hissed and a large glob shot past her forked tongue, landing on Paige's
stomach, beginning to burn into her as smoke and a strong acidic smell filled Phoebe's
nostrils.
"Leo!," shouted Phoebe, staring at the acid burning into her sister. The white
lighter orbed in and grabbed Paige, orbing out just in time to miss Sthenno's tail. He
appeared with Paige in the hall upstairs and quickly began to heal her.
"Piper! Hur - -" Phoebe's voice was cut off as the heavy tail of the beast before
her struck her stomach, knocking the wind out of her and sending her soaring up the
stairs.
"I'm coming!," Piper called back, running into the foyer with the potion in hand.
"Oh my you are ugly."
Sthenno spun around and hissed at Piper.
"Shut up," Piper frowned and threw out her free hand, causing Sthenno's head
to explode. "Time for a little mega restoration potion. . . if it works."
Piper threw out a potion before the Gorgon's head reformed, calling for her
sisters. Leo appeared with Paige and the Charmed Ones shouted at the Gorgon: "To
your victims past and present may our voices ring, restore their flesh may the powers
return and their taker feel their burn."
The sisters gathered at the foot of the stairs, crossing their fingers.
Fire shot out from Sthenno's body as she shrieked, her scream growing louder
as each exited her and quickly disapper. She fell to her side and rolled about, never
before having felt such great pain or. . . such weakness.
Her eyes widened and she threw herself back into an upright position. "YOU
FOOLS!" She swung her great tail, knocking them all off of their feet. The flames died
around her and she threw out her hands - nothing happening.
Piper narrowed her eyes: "Didn't expect that, huh?" She threw out her hands
and froze the Gorgon. "Bitch."
Phoebe looked to Piper. "Okay, so. . ."
"SO. . . all of her victims should be restored including her sisters."
Paige smiled, "Which will take away Medusa's power as well as Eury- whatever's
illusions. But wait, doesn't that mean they're alive again?"
"We'll. . . worry about that when we get to it. And hopefully that's never."
Sthenno disappeared.
"Now what?!," shouted Piper.
Sthenno flamed in suddenly. "You didn't think I'd allow your power to
ssssummon the real me, did you? Your sssspell failed, I projected an illusion here and
you just wassssted your potion on it."
"Dude, we're gonna make sure it really hurts when we finally kick your ass,"
growled Paige.
Piper looked around. "Okay, this plan is only going to work if he shows up."
"Cole!," the three sisters shouted.
Cole shimmered in suddenly, nearly on top of Phoebe. She backed up. He almost
smiled at her, but now was not the time. Turning, he looked to Sthenno and threw out
his hands, throwing energy ball after energy ball into her.
"Good. Now, now, now!," said Piper. She reached into her pocket and pulled out
a bottle, the potion she had made with Sthenno's flesh. "If this doesn't work. . ."
"It has to," said Phoebe as she pulled out a piece of paper.
Piper threw the potion at Sthenno, it shattered as it struck her hard, scaly skin.
The Charmed Ones shouted at Sthenno as Cole continued throwing energy balls:
"Spirits of air, fire and sea, set us of this Gorgon free. Beasts of hoof and beasts of
shell, drive this Gorgon back to hell."
Cole smirked for a moment, the spell being so familiar. He backed off from
Sthenno as her body flashed green and exploded, bits and pieces of Gorgon showering
the foyer.
"Eeeew, gooey Gorgon," Phoebe spit.
"Jeez the friggen Source wasn't that hard to kill!," growled Piper. She looked to
Cole and then quickly looked away, shaking her head.
"I need a vacation." Phoebe peeled gunk from the side of her face and threw it
to the floor. All three sisters were covered in green and black slime.
"Tell me about it," Piper shook her leg, slime splattering across the foyer. "Now
we have to clean up this mess. I'd wait until morning, but that damned thing might
reform like the Terminator or something."
Cole looked to Phoebe, she looked away.
A demon flamed into the room suddenly, Venehr.
Piper's screamed out of frustration, not fear. "What the hell do you want!?," she
shouted, along with a few obscenities through her teeth.
Leo frowned.
"Only to congratulate you," Venehr said softly. "What a threat she would have
been to me - was to me. But no more, thanks to the power of three." He smiled and
stepped toward them.
Piper pointed a finger at him. "If you attack us we won't vanquish you - I will
freeze you, bind you, tie you down and beat you to death with a monkey wrench. Do
you get me?"
Venehr tilted his head. "Shhhh. . . no need for hostility. . . this time." He flamed
away.
"And stay out, damn it!," Piper stomped her foot and looked to Phoebe and
Paige. "I don't even want to know. No Book of Shadows, no anything - only sleep!"
Paige frowned. "What about the. . uh. . goo?"
Piper didn't look back, only continued up the stairs, Leo hurried after her.
"I'll clean it up," said Paige. She walked to the kitchen and grabbed a pot, then
walked back. "Icky things," and the slime and blood throughout the room orbed itself
into the pot. She handed it over to Cole. "I'm sure you can dump this somewhere." With
a nod to Phoebe, she said goodnight and headed upstairs.
Cole looked to Phoebe.
"Get out, Cole."
"Phoebe, I - -"
"Now."
He lowered his head and turned, heading for the door.
"Shimmer. I want you out of here now. Walking isn't fast enough." She watched
him shimmer away without another word. Her eyes did not move away from where he
was standing.
Paige looked down from the top of the stairs. "Phoebe?"
No answer.
"Phoebe, are you all right? I was listening, I'm sorry, I didn't want to leave you
alone with him."
"Go to bed, Paige."
She frowned and turned, walking slowly back to her bedroom.
Phoebe folded her arms. "Its time for you to go now, Cole." She gave a nod, her
eyes remaining on the floor afterward. "Without another word. Just go." Her voice was
shaking, she wasn't sure if it was fear or. . . what?
"Why didn't you just destroy me when I was a statue? You had your chance." He
stepped toward her, she backed away but still did not look to him. "Why did you save
me?"
"Don't," she looked at his face now. "Just go."
"Phoebe. . ."
"Go, Cole. Damn it!"
His eyes found the spot on the floor she had been looking at. He parted his lips
to speak, but then changed his mind and he quickly flamed away.
She expected him to come back - but he did not. Good.
Piper and Paige were standing in the hall as Phoebe came up the stairs. The
middle sister looked to them both and with full confidence in her decision, she cleared
her throat and said simply, "Cole is next," before passing them and heading to her
bedroom, closing the door behind her. Piper heard the click and slide of the door's lock.
"What do you think that means?," asked Paige.
"I think that means we need to get some rest." Piper didn't look to the youngest
sister as she passed her, heading to her own room where Leo was waiting for her.
Paige looked after Piper, then turned toward Phoebe's room. She shook her head
and walked to her own room.
P3 was packed and filled with the sounds of one of America's hottest bands, as
well as some of San Francisco's hottest men and women. Waitresses pushed their way
through the crowd, as did Piper Halliwell.
"How are you doing?," she asked Phoebe as she took her place behind the bar.
Phoebe shrugged. She hadn't touched her drink. "Just thinking."
"About?"
"A spell that will not only vanquish a certain demon, but also torture him to no
end. . ."
Piper leaned forward, elbows on the bar top. "Honey, the only person you're
torturing right now is yourself. We will deal with Cole. We're all still getting over
Sthenno." She frowned. "And so is the manor. . ."
Phoebe sighed and decided to try and change the subject. "So, where is the red-
head?"
"She said something about business to take care of," Piper rolled her eyes. "I
wonder what he looks like."
"Maybe she and Glen. . ?"
Piper shrugged. "I just hope its not her first date with whoever she's with."
"Remember how you used to be so against sex on the first date? You never said
a thing to Paige but you did to me."
Glad to see her sister's mind on something else, Piper continued the
conversation but as they spoke, she couldn't help but wonder what would happen when
they finally went after Cole. She knew Phoebe wouldn't let this go. Cole would be dealt
with, and she and Paige would be there by her sister through it all.
Piper smiled. "I think I've loosened up quite a bit in the past five years."
Phoebe shrugged. "I think I've done just the opposite, haven't I?"
"Pheebs. . ."
She shook her head and forced a smile. "Its okay, Piper. I've made a lot of
mistakes. I made another one last night by telling you to restore Cole instead of blow
him up." She frowned. "Why didn't you?"
Shrugging, Piper shook her head. "We needed his help to vanquish Sthenno."
"Is that the only reason?"
"What do you mean?"
Phoebe looked confused and stood. "I don't know what I'm talking about
anymore. I need to go home and get some sleep or something."
"Umm. . . are you gonna be okay?"
"I don't know. Ask me in the morning."
Piper watched her sister go, suppressing a sigh. She turned and nearly collided
with a rushing waitress. Piper moved quickly to the side mid-turn and caught her elbow
on the corner of the metallic counter below the liquor bottles behind her. "Ouch!"
She frowned, looking down at a small cut. A tiny burst of lights came from the
cut suddenly and it quickly healed.
"Oh god, I'm so sorry. Are you all right?," the waitress was new, she was
speaking with a shaky voice.
Nodding, Piper waved a hand at her to continue on her way. "I'm fine, it was my
fault." She watched the waitress leave, the nlooked down. "Okay, uber baby," Piper's
brow raised as she smiled. "Go back to sleep before you get mommy in trouble." She
put her hands to her stomach.
"Ms. Halliwell," came a familiar voice.
Piper turned and gave a surprised look to Mr. Kennedy. "Oh. . . Mr. Kennedy."
She moved closer to the bar, almost afraid to make eye contact. "I didn't expect to see
you back here." She quickly began to add, "Listen, I'm really sorry about - -"
He held up a hand. "No need to apologize. Men may not have the same
problems as women but we all have a few mood swings now and then. If you're still
interested in my services. . ."
"Oh, of course."
"You still have my number? Good, then. I hope I hear from you soon." He
glanced around. "All right then, I'll be on my way. Clients to argue with, places to check
out."
She smiled. "Thank you."
"Anytime."
Phoebe held a glass of wine in one hand, a pen in the other, as she walked into
the den. She placed the glass down after taking a sip and picked up a note pad from the
table. On it she had begun a spell to vanquish Cole. Somehow, some way, she would
erase him from her life.
Forever.
"STONE COLD - PART 3 (FINALE)"
(5th Season)
Sthenno stood at the head of the table in the form of Cole once again. His form
was well known and maybe still feared by some. Besides, she wasn't quite ready for the
demon population to know she was not the real Cole. Not that it mattered since she had
all of his powers anyway. The pain came and went, but she was fairly confident she
could hold his form. She felt much better, the witches would be destroyed by her
personally after this meeting.
One by one demons shimmered, glowed, flamed, flashed and faded into the
chairs at the large table in the Underworld's conference room off the Source's
chambers. Sthenno, shortly after taking back the form of Cole, had summoned a
messenger and asked him to call upon the leaders of all of the primary demon factions
immediately.
"Thank you all for coming so quickly," she smirked. She looked over the different
men and women before her, not knowing there would be so many. The messenger had
given her a suggestion, that she place as many chairs as possible at the table - you
would never know who would show and who would not. All but two of sixteen chairs
were filled.
A man sitting next to the leader of the Grimlocks rolled his eyes. "I speak for
myself, of course," he glanced to the others around him, then back to who he believed
to be Cole, "when I say that I've only come to this meeting out of curiosity. You are not
the Source, no matter how powerful you may be."
"Not yet, perhaps," admitted Sthenno. "You see after tonight all of you will agree
that I am the best candidate to take the throne."
"And why is that?," a female demon asked.
Sthenno smiled. "Because tonight I defeat the Charmed Ones and take the
power of three."
Some stifled laughter, others raised their brows with curiosity, and one man
considered shimmering away from this nonsense.
"Think what you will," Sthenno said, slowly circling the table, looking over them
all. "Not that it will matter." They frowned and looked to her, and her eyes flashed. Nine
of them turned to stone in their seats. The five remaining leapt to their feet, quite
confused. Sthenno tilted her head, "Immune? Pity for you." She waved her hand and
two burst into flame, three did not. "Oh how these rules bore me."
The female demon quickly shimmered away, another flamed out and a third
began to glow. Sthenno threw out her hand, fire streaming through the air and at the
man.
When it was over, Sthenno's eyes went pure black and her body began to
tremble. She looked down at her hands, but not with fear, as she began to laugh. "I am
no longer a mere creature of this world," she hissed.
Her tongue flicked out, forked and blood red. Her clothes vanished and she
stood in the room nude for a moment as her fingernails turned black, then her skin took
on scales and shifted color to dark green and that of ash in some areas. The hair of
Cole disappeared from her head as her body changed back into a female form - her
original. And her legs came together as one, forming (from the waist down) the body of
a serpent. Huge tusks came from her head, which now doubled in size and small horns
riped through her flesh from the tip of her nose to the back of her head.
A hiss and monsterous roar like no other sound the Underworld had ever heard.
"I am a GOD!"
"Sthenno's attack will probably happen soon, we have to figure out what we're
going to do," said Piper. "Are you two still for the original plan?" When her sisters gave
her only unsure expressions in response, she growled and walked over to them,
grabbing their hands. "Well?"
Paige shook her head. "I'm scared!"
"So am I." She looked down.
"We'll stick to the original plan," Phoebe said. She looked to her younger sister.
Paige frowned, looking at a mirror on the wall in the den. She tilted her head,
looking at her own reflection for a few moments.
"Guys?," Paige turned back to them.
Piper and Phoebe looked to their younger sister.
"Mirror!"
"Sorry?"
"The mirror," smiled Paige.
"English, please?"
Rolling her eyes, Paige gestured to the mirror. "Can Sthenno turn herself into
stone? There's a chance she could be immune to her own powers but isn't it worth a
try?"
Phoebe looked to the mirror, then to Paige. "Even if she could turn herself to
stone, how are we going to get her to look into a mirror?"
"If Prue were here, she could just astral project," mumbled Piper. She had only
meant to think that, not say it, and quickly looked to Leo as if he could somehow
magically erase the mistake.
Leo frowned. "Maybe Paige does have a good idea with the mirror, though."
"I doubt Sthenno is stupid enough to fall for that kind of trick," Phoebe said.
"What if she couldn't avoid it?," asked Piper.
"How?"
Paige thought for a moment. "Well, we could grab every damn mirror in this
house and place them around the room and then use the summoning spell correctly
this time. She could appear and - -"
Piper interrupted, "And she'd be careful and not even use her power. Phoebe is
right."
"On with the original plan then," said Phoebe.
"Wait, I just thought of something," said Piper. "I need to make another potion."
Piper stood in the doorway of the dining room. Paige stood on the stairs. Phoebe
stood at the entrance of the den. The crystals were arranged in a circle in front of them
all and Leo was standing by behind Piper.
"Ready?," asked Piper. She didn't quite wait for a response as she began to read
the spell with her sisters:
"Magic forces black and white, reaching out through space and light, be he far or
be he near, bring us the one we seek here."
Electricity and wind swirled within the circle as colors flashed and the ground
shook. All three girls held their breath, making sure to focus on the form of Cole this
time.
A single figure appeared in the foyer - the statue of Cole?
Phoebe's eyes widened. "Cole." She looked to Piper. "Quick, get the potion to
restore him."
Piper hesitated. She would much rather blow him to pieces so they'd never have
to worry about him again.
"Piper!"
The oldest sister glanced at Leo and Paige before heading to the kitchen.
Laughter as Phoebe approached the statue.
The stone form of Cole suddenly shifted into that of the grotesque Gorgon
Sthenno. Phoebe screamed and ducked down as the creature swung her serpent's tail at
her. Missing, it crashed through the wall.
Paige blinked and leaped down, landing on the floor near one of the crystals and
tapped it. The crystals glowed and shot up a field of energy around the Gorgon. The
youngest sister screamed for Piper.
Sthenno's black eyes looked completely hollow as her face came up to the edge
of the field and looked into Paige's. "Little sssissster," the Gorgon hissed. "What do you
think thisss will do to me?" Her hand came through the field and grabbed Paige's hair,
pulling her toward the field.
Holding out her hand, Paige called for the athame and it came to her hand. She
threw it up and cut into the arm of the Gorgon, black blood and a chunk of flesh
pouring down over her. She dropped the knife and reached for the flesh, but Sthenno
pulled her up and into the field. Paige screamed as pain raced through her, Sthenno did
not let go.
"Paige!," cried Piper, coming back to the room with the restoring potion.
"Piper, Sthenno's flesh!," called Leo.
Piper looked down and quickly grabbed the black and green chunk, oozing with
blood. She turned and hurried back to the kitchen, moving to the potion the range was
keeping warm.
Phoebe ran to Paige and grabbed her hand, trying to pull her from the Gorgon's
grip with no success. She dropped down and hit the crystal closest to her, the field
dropped, as did Paige's unconscious form.
Sthenno hissed and a large glob shot past her forked tongue, landing on Paige's
stomach, beginning to burn into her as smoke and a strong acidic smell filled Phoebe's
nostrils.
"Leo!," shouted Phoebe, staring at the acid burning into her sister. The white
lighter orbed in and grabbed Paige, orbing out just in time to miss Sthenno's tail. He
appeared with Paige in the hall upstairs and quickly began to heal her.
"Piper! Hur - -" Phoebe's voice was cut off as the heavy tail of the beast before
her struck her stomach, knocking the wind out of her and sending her soaring up the
stairs.
"I'm coming!," Piper called back, running into the foyer with the potion in hand.
"Oh my you are ugly."
Sthenno spun around and hissed at Piper.
"Shut up," Piper frowned and threw out her free hand, causing Sthenno's head
to explode. "Time for a little mega restoration potion. . . if it works."
Piper threw out a potion before the Gorgon's head reformed, calling for her
sisters. Leo appeared with Paige and the Charmed Ones shouted at the Gorgon: "To
your victims past and present may our voices ring, restore their flesh may the powers
return and their taker feel their burn."
The sisters gathered at the foot of the stairs, crossing their fingers.
Fire shot out from Sthenno's body as she shrieked, her scream growing louder
as each exited her and quickly disapper. She fell to her side and rolled about, never
before having felt such great pain or. . . such weakness.
Her eyes widened and she threw herself back into an upright position. "YOU
FOOLS!" She swung her great tail, knocking them all off of their feet. The flames died
around her and she threw out her hands - nothing happening.
Piper narrowed her eyes: "Didn't expect that, huh?" She threw out her hands
and froze the Gorgon. "Bitch."
Phoebe looked to Piper. "Okay, so. . ."
"SO. . . all of her victims should be restored including her sisters."
Paige smiled, "Which will take away Medusa's power as well as Eury- whatever's
illusions. But wait, doesn't that mean they're alive again?"
"We'll. . . worry about that when we get to it. And hopefully that's never."
Sthenno disappeared.
"Now what?!," shouted Piper.
Sthenno flamed in suddenly. "You didn't think I'd allow your power to
ssssummon the real me, did you? Your sssspell failed, I projected an illusion here and
you just wassssted your potion on it."
"Dude, we're gonna make sure it really hurts when we finally kick your ass,"
growled Paige.
Piper looked around. "Okay, this plan is only going to work if he shows up."
"Cole!," the three sisters shouted.
Cole shimmered in suddenly, nearly on top of Phoebe. She backed up. He almost
smiled at her, but now was not the time. Turning, he looked to Sthenno and threw out
his hands, throwing energy ball after energy ball into her.
"Good. Now, now, now!," said Piper. She reached into her pocket and pulled out
a bottle, the potion she had made with Sthenno's flesh. "If this doesn't work. . ."
"It has to," said Phoebe as she pulled out a piece of paper.
Piper threw the potion at Sthenno, it shattered as it struck her hard, scaly skin.
The Charmed Ones shouted at Sthenno as Cole continued throwing energy balls:
"Spirits of air, fire and sea, set us of this Gorgon free. Beasts of hoof and beasts of
shell, drive this Gorgon back to hell."
Cole smirked for a moment, the spell being so familiar. He backed off from
Sthenno as her body flashed green and exploded, bits and pieces of Gorgon showering
the foyer.
"Eeeew, gooey Gorgon," Phoebe spit.
"Jeez the friggen Source wasn't that hard to kill!," growled Piper. She looked to
Cole and then quickly looked away, shaking her head.
"I need a vacation." Phoebe peeled gunk from the side of her face and threw it
to the floor. All three sisters were covered in green and black slime.
"Tell me about it," Piper shook her leg, slime splattering across the foyer. "Now
we have to clean up this mess. I'd wait until morning, but that damned thing might
reform like the Terminator or something."
Cole looked to Phoebe, she looked away.
A demon flamed into the room suddenly, Venehr.
Piper's screamed out of frustration, not fear. "What the hell do you want!?," she
shouted, along with a few obscenities through her teeth.
Leo frowned.
"Only to congratulate you," Venehr said softly. "What a threat she would have
been to me - was to me. But no more, thanks to the power of three." He smiled and
stepped toward them.
Piper pointed a finger at him. "If you attack us we won't vanquish you - I will
freeze you, bind you, tie you down and beat you to death with a monkey wrench. Do
you get me?"
Venehr tilted his head. "Shhhh. . . no need for hostility. . . this time." He flamed
away.
"And stay out, damn it!," Piper stomped her foot and looked to Phoebe and
Paige. "I don't even want to know. No Book of Shadows, no anything - only sleep!"
Paige frowned. "What about the. . uh. . goo?"
Piper didn't look back, only continued up the stairs, Leo hurried after her.
"I'll clean it up," said Paige. She walked to the kitchen and grabbed a pot, then
walked back. "Icky things," and the slime and blood throughout the room orbed itself
into the pot. She handed it over to Cole. "I'm sure you can dump this somewhere." With
a nod to Phoebe, she said goodnight and headed upstairs.
Cole looked to Phoebe.
"Get out, Cole."
"Phoebe, I - -"
"Now."
He lowered his head and turned, heading for the door.
"Shimmer. I want you out of here now. Walking isn't fast enough." She watched
him shimmer away without another word. Her eyes did not move away from where he
was standing.
Paige looked down from the top of the stairs. "Phoebe?"
No answer.
"Phoebe, are you all right? I was listening, I'm sorry, I didn't want to leave you
alone with him."
"Go to bed, Paige."
She frowned and turned, walking slowly back to her bedroom.
Phoebe folded her arms. "Its time for you to go now, Cole." She gave a nod, her
eyes remaining on the floor afterward. "Without another word. Just go." Her voice was
shaking, she wasn't sure if it was fear or. . . what?
"Why didn't you just destroy me when I was a statue? You had your chance." He
stepped toward her, she backed away but still did not look to him. "Why did you save
me?"
"Don't," she looked at his face now. "Just go."
"Phoebe. . ."
"Go, Cole. Damn it!"
His eyes found the spot on the floor she had been looking at. He parted his lips
to speak, but then changed his mind and he quickly flamed away.
She expected him to come back - but he did not. Good.
Piper and Paige were standing in the hall as Phoebe came up the stairs. The
middle sister looked to them both and with full confidence in her decision, she cleared
her throat and said simply, "Cole is next," before passing them and heading to her
bedroom, closing the door behind her. Piper heard the click and slide of the door's lock.
"What do you think that means?," asked Paige.
"I think that means we need to get some rest." Piper didn't look to the youngest
sister as she passed her, heading to her own room where Leo was waiting for her.
Paige looked after Piper, then turned toward Phoebe's room. She shook her head
and walked to her own room.
P3 was packed and filled with the sounds of one of America's hottest bands, as
well as some of San Francisco's hottest men and women. Waitresses pushed their way
through the crowd, as did Piper Halliwell.
"How are you doing?," she asked Phoebe as she took her place behind the bar.
Phoebe shrugged. She hadn't touched her drink. "Just thinking."
"About?"
"A spell that will not only vanquish a certain demon, but also torture him to no
end. . ."
Piper leaned forward, elbows on the bar top. "Honey, the only person you're
torturing right now is yourself. We will deal with Cole. We're all still getting over
Sthenno." She frowned. "And so is the manor. . ."
Phoebe sighed and decided to try and change the subject. "So, where is the red-
head?"
"She said something about business to take care of," Piper rolled her eyes. "I
wonder what he looks like."
"Maybe she and Glen. . ?"
Piper shrugged. "I just hope its not her first date with whoever she's with."
"Remember how you used to be so against sex on the first date? You never said
a thing to Paige but you did to me."
Glad to see her sister's mind on something else, Piper continued the
conversation but as they spoke, she couldn't help but wonder what would happen when
they finally went after Cole. She knew Phoebe wouldn't let this go. Cole would be dealt
with, and she and Paige would be there by her sister through it all.
Piper smiled. "I think I've loosened up quite a bit in the past five years."
Phoebe shrugged. "I think I've done just the opposite, haven't I?"
"Pheebs. . ."
She shook her head and forced a smile. "Its okay, Piper. I've made a lot of
mistakes. I made another one last night by telling you to restore Cole instead of blow
him up." She frowned. "Why didn't you?"
Shrugging, Piper shook her head. "We needed his help to vanquish Sthenno."
"Is that the only reason?"
"What do you mean?"
Phoebe looked confused and stood. "I don't know what I'm talking about
anymore. I need to go home and get some sleep or something."
"Umm. . . are you gonna be okay?"
"I don't know. Ask me in the morning."
Piper watched her sister go, suppressing a sigh. She turned and nearly collided
with a rushing waitress. Piper moved quickly to the side mid-turn and caught her elbow
on the corner of the metallic counter below the liquor bottles behind her. "Ouch!"
She frowned, looking down at a small cut. A tiny burst of lights came from the
cut suddenly and it quickly healed.
"Oh god, I'm so sorry. Are you all right?," the waitress was new, she was
speaking with a shaky voice.
Nodding, Piper waved a hand at her to continue on her way. "I'm fine, it was my
fault." She watched the waitress leave, the nlooked down. "Okay, uber baby," Piper's
brow raised as she smiled. "Go back to sleep before you get mommy in trouble." She
put her hands to her stomach.
"Ms. Halliwell," came a familiar voice.
Piper turned and gave a surprised look to Mr. Kennedy. "Oh. . . Mr. Kennedy."
She moved closer to the bar, almost afraid to make eye contact. "I didn't expect to see
you back here." She quickly began to add, "Listen, I'm really sorry about - -"
He held up a hand. "No need to apologize. Men may not have the same
problems as women but we all have a few mood swings now and then. If you're still
interested in my services. . ."
"Oh, of course."
"You still have my number? Good, then. I hope I hear from you soon." He
glanced around. "All right then, I'll be on my way. Clients to argue with, places to check
out."
She smiled. "Thank you."
"Anytime."
Phoebe held a glass of wine in one hand, a pen in the other, as she walked into
the den. She placed the glass down after taking a sip and picked up a note pad from the
table. On it she had begun a spell to vanquish Cole. Somehow, some way, she would
erase him from her life.
Forever.