The Miracle Child
Chapter III
However, during her pregnancy, there had been disturbing happenstances Piper never told anyone about. Fleeting moments where she had urges that were no where near the usual ones known for expecting mothers. Once, she even remembered distinctly an intense urge to hurt Paige. It had scared Piper so much that she had run out of the house, and later, incurred the inquisition from Phoebe and Paige. At the time, it had been easy to dismiss it as some random thought, maybe born from her former reticence toward her younger sister. To them, she simply answered that her hormones were acting up and they had accepted it. However, as she lay on the white sheet, eyes half-closed and thinking of all of this, she realized that she also felt lighter in her mind. Much more than this, until now, those random sensations had caused her very little remorse. Now, the simple memory of the event was enough to make her sick to her stomach.
How could it have happened? Even before she learned to appreciate Paige, Piper never hated her. Let alone wanted to hurt her. The disturbing thoughts had been keeping her awake as much as her waiting for the baby. However, Piper couldn't imagine what this was all about. Her precious child couldn't have been responsible for any of this. She shook her head dismissively. No…she knew so little about being pregnant first, and even less about a magical pregnancy. It had to be the reason for the problem. Piper had almost managed to convince herself and was somewhat relaxing when a discreet knock on the door caught her attention.
Before Piper could say a word, the nurse entered, carrying her precious burden.
"Are you ready to give it another try, Mrs Wyatt?" The young woman in uniform questioned.
Piper only hesitated a moment before she smiled at the nurse.
"Of course…"
The moment Piper had the baby in her arms all of her worries seemed to fly away. As she kissed his forehead tenderly, neither Piper, nor the nurse, noticed the brief flame that lit up Patrick's eyes.
Leo was resting in the waiting room. Earlier when he saw that Piper was willing to take some rest, he figured it might be better to leave her alone for a while. She needed it and Leo knew that if anything went wrong, he would sense it even if he wasn't with her. Indeed, as he was drifting off to sleep, a strange sensation shook him. He felt something dark coming from Piper. It was almost imperceptible; the same as he had felt once in a while during her pregnancy in fact. At the time, Leo had dismissed these instances as some conflicting emotions due to Piper's condition. Now though, she had given birth … Was it some post-partum reaction? Fully awake, Leo stood up and slowly headed for Piper's room. "No," he reflected, as everything seemed back to normal, "this joy won't be tarnished by anything evil. I know it won't," Leo pursued for himself as he accelerated his pace. When he opened the door discreetly, he saw the beautiful spectacle of his wife nursing their perfect little boy. All his worries were forgotten in that instant.
Paige found Phoebe staring with haunted eyes at the building that used to be Cole's place of work. Paige herself was still reeling from the new bombshell Phoebe dropped on her. This time, she couldn't make herself believe it, even though she couldn't explain Phoebe's attitude either.
"Phoebe," she questioned softly.
Phoebe continued staring ahead as if she hadn't heard her sister.
"Come on, Phoebe. I need to know more…"
"What more do you need," Phoebe asked without looking at her. "Once again, I've doomed my family…" Phoebe exclaimed bitterly. However, her voice soon dropped to a painful whisper as she pursued, "but I can't…" Phoebe stopped when she couldn't repress a muffled sob.
Paige moved closer, but hesitated at touching her sister. "Could it be?" She asked herself again with a deep frown. If that was true, what would become of their family indeed? The simple thought of what that could do to Piper was almost unbearable.
"I didn't mean that," Phoebe was now saying in a strangled voice. "But he's my son…"
"Phoebe that's crazy," Paige suddenly exclaimed. "As much as you'd like it to be true…and even then I wonder why, considering whom he would be…"
Phoebe flashed a look of quasi-rage toward her sister. However, Paige stared back steadily. If this was a delusion, Paige knew she should quash it now before it was too late.
"Look Phoebe…how can you be so sure? That baby only used good powers throughout the pregnancy. He's half-Whitelighter for Pete's sake!"
"No he's not," Phoebe replied with more assurance. "I saw him…I know he's my son…"
"Maybe there's a resemblance…"
"I told you I had a vision," Phoebe countered with mounting irritation. "I've got to find Cole." She then added, turning away from Paige.
Paige was about to protest further but she suddenly thought better of it. Cole might actually be the only one who could convince Phoebe that she was delusional. As much as she hated reopening this can of worms now that Cole was finally moving on, if Phoebe went to Piper and tried to convince her that Patrick was in fact her son, this could blow their relationship to hell. In any family, this would be a tragedy; in theirs, it would be a disaster of epic proportions.
"Yeah, let's try and find Cole," Paige replied calmly.
Phoebe turned a sad gaze toward her, but in her eyes, Paige thought she also saw a hint of gratitude. It was hard to tell if that had to do with her willingness to help Phoebe finding Cole, or if it was more because Paige had not insisted further about the baby. None the less, all that mattered now was to find out whether there was truth in what Phoebe said, or if it was the reopening of an old wound, which caused Phoebe this delusion. "Come on," Paige said before gently taking Phoebe's hand and, after checking around for any curious onlookers, she orbed them away.
Daryl finished unlocking Charles's manacles and immediately pushed him inside the cell, while a guard seemed in a hurry to close the barred door. Considering what Daryl knew of the former demon, he might have had a similar reaction. However, Charles wasn't a demon anymore. This made the way the guards and prisoners acted around Cole's brother somewhat of a mystery. Was it that they were mistaken and he did have some powers left? And if yes, what trouble could he still cause?
"Now, I could tell you to be good, but I'm guessing it'd be a waste of time," Daryl said out loud after the guard left.
Charles only grunted irritably. Daryl watched him for a few more seconds and couldn't resist another pique, even though he had some doubts about the inoffensiveness of the man. After all, he had done that with Cole quite a few times and still lived to tell the tale.
"You know, it's so refreshing to see a big bad ass like you at the mercy of mere humans… That must be so frustrating, hey?" Daryl added with a mocking grin.
This time, Charles stared back angrily and took a few steps toward the detective.
"When I get my powers back, you'll be the first one on my hit list…and then my…brother," Charles finished with all the spite he could muster on the last word.
"Well, according to Cole and Leo, that's not likely to happen… You might as well get used to being one of us and get over yourself," Daryl replied before turning his back to Charles.
This one watched the detective go with an arrogant stare and then he went to sit on the cot against the wall where his expression became less assured. He was about to begin brooding about his hopeless situation when a surprising visitor materialized in front of him.
"Priest," Charles exclaimed with a mix of interest and fear. "What are you doing here? Come to finish me?"
"Far from, Melchior," the dark priest answered solemnly. He wore a dark cloak with a hood halfway over his face. The priest pushed the hood further back and gave an evaluating once over to Charles.
"First off, "Melchior replied, "you're truly mistaken. Melchior is dead."
"What was Melchior may be dead," the Priest pursued, unimpressed by Charles's protest, "but deep down in your guts, you're still a demon. I can feel it."
"So?" Charles questioned insolently. He had no clue whether he should be worried or hopeful at this point and preferred to keep his conflicted feelings to himself. Besides, the Dark Priest expected no less. Any sign of weakness was a sure fire way to get killed among evil beings. Arguably, a Dark Priest was among those who commanded respect, but under the circumstances, Charles figured that in spite of his assurance to the contrary, the upper level demon might have come for his life or worse; and he wouldn't give him the satisfaction of showing his fear.
"Once again, the underworld is in turmoil thanks to those accursed Charmed Ones. They killed three Sources in a row…" The Dark Priest begun.
"I don't need the update, Priest. I've been the victim of those bitches myself."
"What if I told you I could make you the most powerful Source that ever lived?"
"I kind of like the sound of that, of course…but you're forgetting something Priest. I'm human now," Charles replied with obvious scorn against his human condition.
"What's more, if by some kind of miracle you had these powers to put at my disposal, why would you?"
"You're the only one who can take them…at least the only one who would be willing to do so," The Dark Priest added with a hint of hesitation. "Even if I told you the Charmed Ones killed three Sources, I recently found this not to be entirely accurate," The Priest pursued intently.
Charles looked up with obvious interest this time.
An hour later, the guard came to check up on Charles and immediately sounded the alarm when he found no one in the cell. Although they began the manhunt almost right away, no one could give a reasonable explanation for the prisoner's escape.
Paige and Phoebe orbed into Cole's apartment and it was immediately apparent that something had changed. On previous occasions, Phoebe had noticed the picture of them on the mantle, always with a pinch to her heart. However, the frame was gone now. As she looked around, she noticed that a few other memorabilia of their time together, which Cole cherished, above all, had been removed and it wasn't a good sign. Ignoring Paige's concerned stare, Phoebe slowly walked toward Cole's bedroom. Once there, she hesitated at length. It wasn't the place they had shared, but it was still where Cole had slept for the past few months. Even now, the scent of his after-shave lingered in the room and it immediately brought the memories of happier days to Phoebe. She got lost in contemplation for a while, and Paige had to snap her out of it as she entered the bedroom in turn.
"Found anything?" Paige asked while looking around herself.
"He's gone," Phoebe finally admitted, while the reality of what she just said only began to hit her. Until this very moment, Phoebe believed that it was all a mistake. She assumed that Cole was just trying a new trick in order to get her back. However, as she watched Paige opening and closing empty drawers, the finality of his decision struck her hard. If it hadn't been for the situation at hand, Phoebe knew that she might have crumbled right then and there. No matter what she believed to be true about Cole and the risk he represented, deep down, Phoebe had still been hoping that they would get past it one day.
In a little corner of her heart, she had deluded herself that the problem could be solved somehow. Every time the feeling threatened her resolve, she had to remind herself of the terrible consequences of her love for Cole. However, if it prevented her from doing something rash, it never killed this little flame of hope. Phoebe also realized that the reason why she kept hoping was that Cole had never given up on them, unlike her. Until now, she had known that he would wait for her forever if need be. Yet, it was becoming more obvious by the moment that she had been mistaken. Cole was gone…
Cole materialized in front of the Manor with an urge to curse. After the firm decision he had made of a clean break, he had not been able to resist one last look at Phoebe. In truth, he had to admit, it was one last ditch effort; maybe a lingering doubt inside of him that he wasn't doing the right thing. However, as soon as the thought came to him, he quashed it for what it was. More delusions… That didn't get him to leave right away though. He stood across the street, staring at the Manor as if he could make Phoebe come out by sheer will. He could have gone inside and tried to talk to her once more. However, the last few times, her reception had been so cold that he didn't want to face that again. Yes, it truly is over, Cole finally reiterated for himself. Painfully, he tore his eyes away from the Manor and flashed out.
Inside the Manor, Paige and Phoebe were just coming back and Paige immediately headed for the sunroom where she had left the paraphernalia they used to scry with.
"I still think it's too much of a long shot," Phoebe protested nervously. "How can we be sure it's possible to scry for Cole's powers?"
Paige looked up with a slightly embarrassed expression that unnerved Phoebe.
"I know because I did it before…"
"You did?" Phoebe asked with a trace of disbelief. However, she knew what it was about. Not long ago, Phoebe had been held in a secret cave by a powerful demon. At the time, she had not questioned how Paige managed to find her. Now it was made obvious. Cole had told her where the said demon's lair was.
Instead of answering Phoebe's question, Paige concentrated on the crystal, soon yielding a mild yet surprising result. The crystal seemed to indicate a spot near the house. However, as soon as she saw this, the pull became weaker as if Cole had left the area. She gave a quick glance toward Phoebe but her sister didn't seem to have noticed. Instead of telling Phoebe about it, Paige redoubled her efforts. It took her a while, but when she located Cole again, she was even more puzzled to find that he was near the airport. What Cole needed with a plane was a mystery, but she figured it might just have been a coincidence. No matter, he was still in town and they had no time to lose.
"Found him," Paige declared for Phoebe before grabbing her hand and again orbing them without waiting for a reply.
Cole seemed to be waiting for something on a corner street when they finally found him.
"Cole," Phoebe called uncertainly. She had expected this meeting to be hard, but even so, the cold look he gave her was worse than anything she'd feared.
"What do you want," he asked curtly.
"Cole, I…" Phoebe hesitated. How could she hurt him more now? Maybe Paige was right and it was selfish on her part to stop him from moving on. After all, she wasn't ready to change her mind about them as a couple.
"You want something from me or not? I'm guessing yes since you orbed here…" Cole added with obvious irritation in his voice.
Phoebe watched him with even more puzzlement. Where was the sadness that she had expected? Was Cole so over her that he didn't care anymore? That was the one thing she didn't believe could ever happen.
"Yes…yes I have a problem," She finally uttered aloud. "We have a problem…you and I have a problem..."
"If you're referring to me pursuing you, Phoebe…rest assured, that won't happen again."
Phoebe was taken aback by the harshness of his voice, but that prompted her to pursue with some scorn of her own.
"I can see that! And far from me to keep you from doing just that after you helped me one last time…to save our son," Phoebe added while her expression became very serious.
At first, Cole's lack of response troubled her. But then, he reacted almost violently.
"Our what!? Phoebe, have you lost your mind? I heard that your nephew was born…"
"Not my nephew, Cole," Phoebe insisted with a firm voice. "Our son…"
"You mean the son you were only too content to get rid of?" Cole exclaimed angrily.
Phoebe's heart sunk into her chest at the unveiled reproach. Cole had never accused her of killing their son on purpose. In fact, he had never even mentioned it before.
"Cole you know it wasn't like that." She defended herself weakly.
"Yeah right," Cole said before turning away from her. "Now Phoebe, I'm not willing to play into this delusion. Our son's dead along with the powers he carried within him. Live with it."
"Cole," Phoebe almost screamed then. "I said that our son is alive and that's the truth; not a delusion. Don't you care at all?"
"Phoebe," Paige tried to temper calmly although she was just as puzzled as Phoebe by Cole's attitude. Until this moment, Paige felt that Cole moving on was a good thing. However, his overall attitude was all wrong. She had never expected the coldness he demonstrated. In fact, the last time she'd seen him, which was only a few days ago, Cole had still tried to find out if Phoebe wavered in her resolve. However, even as she was questioning herself and observing Cole curiously, she saw his shoulders sagging noticeably as he slowly turned back toward them.
"Yeah, Phoebe…I do care…" he then admitted grudgingly. His eyes were still expressing anger but the words seemed to indicate he hadn't changed that much.
"Cole I need you to make sure I'm right first," Phoebe pursued, surprising Paige.
"Hey I thought you said you were certain?"
"I just mean this is too important for me not to make sure…"
"And how the hell am I supposed to do that?" Cole uttered impatiently.
Phoebe hesitated at length but his applied stare prompted her to continue.
"I thought that you could sense the evil powers in him…"
Cole shook his head dejectedly before he spoke bitterly.
"Of course, I'm evil right?"
"Cole…"
"Don't add anything to it," Cole pursued quickly. "I know what you think. But regardless of what you've been telling yourself about me all this time, I can't sense evil anymore Phoebe. Even less if the evil in question is able to shield himself from you and your sisters; not to mention Leo and the Elders. This makes me think that you're most certainly wrong about this. I don't even believe the Source himself could have maintained the illusion for so long."
"I saw him, Cole," Phoebe uttered decisively. "I saw him as a teenager and make no mistake, I know he was our son and he was also the new Source."
Cole flinched at this revelation.
"What do you mean?" He asked with more hesitation.
"I had a vision when I touched the baby. I just need you to confirm it for me before…"
Phoebe stopped herself as if she couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.
"Before?" Cole questioned, immediately echoed by Paige, who was now less and less convinced that Phoebe was delusional.
Phoebe took a deep breath and then she blurted it.
"Before we decide whether to vanquish him..."