Family Ties
(This is a continuation of the universe I started in Lineage and that is featured in the Dark Half. It begins two months after the end of The Dark Half.)
CHAPTER 1: Return to the Light
Michael sat on the edge of the bed, frustrated as hell.
He was frustrated that Phoebe had barely left their bedroom since she was raped.
He was frustrated that she had barely spoken a word to anyone since then.
He was frustrated that he'd been shot in the head two and a half years ago. He'd missed so much because of one damn psycho with a gun. Thanks to the coma, a perfectly good Whitelighter had gone insane with lust for Phoebe and raped her.
And Michael had let his dark side get the best of him.
He allowed Belthazor to come out. He should have known that in that state, he'd kill John, but he didn't care.
He wanted revenge.
What had that revenge done for Phoebe?
It had been two months and Phoebe still had yet to break out of her depression. Michael had tried everything he could think of to show her that their love was strong enough to bring her back, but he failed.
Now he was considering the forbidden, the last resort.
He went to his wife one last time and kissed her on the forehead. A small smile briefly touched her lips, only to be wiped away into a blank stare again.
Michael sighed and left the bedroom. Even as he walked down the stairs, he knew what the others would say...
****
"You're nuts," said Piper.
"Believe me, I've considered EVERYTHING in the realm of possibility with this," said Michael. "We're out of options."
"Do you even realize the potential for consequences with something like this?" exclaimed Leo. "What you're suggesting is NOTHING BUT personal gain!"
"Don't you think I know that Leo!" Michael snapped irritably. "And it's not just for me. This is for Phoebe. If I do this, she'll be happy again, and she won't even remember what happened. I'll be the only one who remembers."
"Do you even know if it will work?" asked Paige.
"In theory, yes," said Michael, "but I've never used my time manipulation on this scale before. I've only used it to slow down or speed up time. I've never tried to rewrite history with it." He sighed sadly. "It's our last shot at bringing her back."
Leo and Piper looked at each other knowingly. Piper remembered full well the consequences of the Awakening spell Phoebe and Prue had once used on her to cure her of a deadly virus, and the consequences had been unbelievable. In the end, they'd had to reverse the spell, and if Leo hadn't broken the rules and healed Piper, she'd be dead. Still, Michael hadn't come to this conclusion lightly, and they had run out of options, both conventional and magical.
"All right," said Piper, "but if you end up destroying the universe with this, I will be extremely pissed with you." She smiled wickedly at Michael.
"Thanks for the support," he replied. Giving each of them one last look, Michael closed his eyes and concentrated. Suddenly, time came to a stop. In the stillness, Michael began to glow with a bright blue-white hue. The light spread from him and engulfed reality...
****
Cole was bored as hell.
Who wouldn't be after spending almost three years in the Wasteland, with nothing to do but enjoy the scenery?
Cole chuckled. 'What scenery?' he thought.
Cole sighed. Of course, he'd known in his gut, even as Belthazor, his human half would again save him from death. And now he was back to square one.
He'd absorbed demonic powers from the Wasteland again, just as he did when he was vanquished as the Source. Only this time, he didn't go back. Why should he? Phoebe probably hated him and still wanted to kill him. 'Why would I EVER go back?' he thought.
And suddenly, he got an answer.
A ripple of temporal energy washed through him and throughout the Wasteland. It was amazing. Cole knew the being that had created the time disturbance would have had to be extremely powerful, probably an Avatar.
Curious, Cole stretched out and attempted to locate the one who had caused the temporal wave. As the presence started to clarify in his mind, Cole's blood nearly froze in his veins.
"Well, I'll be damned..."
****
The blinding wave of light receded back to Michael's body, and then faded from his form. A moment later, time restarted.
Michael found himself in the bedroom again, in the middle of putting on one of his sweaters. He gasped as his mind now held two sets of memories. The first set was the one in which the nutcase in the park had shot him. The other set was the one in which he reacted quickly enough to avoid getting shot.
Tears of joy rolled down his cheeks as he went through the new memories.
He'd been present in the hospital for Tom's birth.
Belthazor had never come to the surface thanks to Michael increasing his meditations.
Wiping away the tears, Michael finished putting on the sweater. He then noticed Tom in the crib, playing with his bears. "Hi, buddy," he said, lifting Tom into his arms for a brief kiss on the head. As he placed him back in the crib, Michael said, "Daddy just did something really good, and there were no consequences. Can you believe that?"
Tom just giggled at his daddy. He had no idea what he was talking about.
Michael left the bedroom and walked downstairs. He found the Manor to be empty. He almost panicked but then remembered that he, or rather, the Michael in this version of reality, had promised Phoebe to take care to Tom while she was at work since he didn't have to go into the office today.
Michael sat down on the couch. Suddenly, he felt exhausted; the last two months of "his" life had finally caught up with him. Checking the baby monitor, Michael fell into a peaceful sleep.
****
Michael woke up with a start as he heard the front door open and close. The sight he saw emerging from the hallway made him nearly faint with joyful disbelief.
Phoebe was smiling at him, looking VERY sexy wearing a short skirted and tight fitting red dress. 'She must have changed before leaving work,' he realized. And then it hit him like a wave.
It was their anniversary. The house had been empty because he and Phoebe had requested it, the only exception being Leo giving Tom his dinner and then orbing them both to P3, which Michael had slept through.
It hadn't meant as much before when Phoebe had been a virtual zombie, but now...
Phoebe sauntered over to him and sat in his lap. Her thick dark hair smelled of sweet fruit and Michael felt like his blood was on fire. "Good evening, Michael," she said seductively. Without warning, she kissed him with so much passion that Michael thought he had gone to heaven instead of altering reality.
Michael pulled her closer to him as the kiss deepened. She moaned deep in her throat in response. Phoebe reluctantly broke the kiss as she came up for air. She then laid her head down on Michael's chest and sighed in contentment. She shivered and said, "It's a little chilly in here. Would you mind lighting a fire?"
"Not at all," said Michael. He gestured at the fireplace and bright crackling flames leapt up at once.
"Cheater," said Phoebe, giggling. Then she said, "Did you miss me while I was at work?"
"I always miss you when I'm not with you, baby," he said, grinning.
"Mmmm, right answer," said Phoebe, giving her husband another passionate kiss.
"If you keep this up I might forget to give you your present tonight," he said in mock sternness. Phoebe pouted for a moment, but then smiled and moved off of Michael so he could get her present. Michael went into a drawer and got out a long rectangular jewelry box. Michael waited silently, holding in his excitement.
Phoebe opened the box and gasped. Inside was a gold necklace with a large single white crystal attached to it. "Oh, honey, it's beautiful," she said, leaning over to kiss him. "Where did you get it?"
"Heaven," he said, smiling at her.
"Huh?" she said, confused.
"The crystal is a piece of a star, magically cooled down so I could fashion the shape." The smile widened. "Do you think it's too much?"
Phoebe responded with another kiss. "It's perfect. I love you."
"And I love you, too," said Michael.
"Now, let me see, where did I leave your present?" said Phoebe. She walked over to the hallway and carried a guitar case into the room.
Michael shivered with excitement. If this was what he thought it was, Phoebe was two minutes away from being orbed up to their bedroom.
Michael reverently opened the case, and gasped in shock.
She'd actually found one.
Inside the case was a Gibson electric guitar autographed by Pink Floyd.
"How did you..."
"It took about fifteen hours of shopping and a great amount of haggling." Phoebe giggled again. "I take it you're pleased with your gift?"
Michael pulled Phoebe to him and kissed her again. "Very pleased," he answered. "Do you know what would please me more?" he asked playfully.
"Tell me," she said, licking her lips.
"Making love to you all night long." Without another word, Michael orbed them up to their bedroom.
****
Michael gasped and opened his eyes. He felt as though something had pulled him out of sleep. He glanced at the clock. 4:00 am.
He sat up carefully so he wouldn't wake Phoebe up. Suddenly, he felt the pull again. He realized it was another presence calling to him. Curious, he stretched out and concentrated.
As he connected with the mind at the other end, his eyes widened with shock.
It was impossible...it couldn't be...could it?
Michael gently eased himself out of bed and put on his clothes. He gave one last look to his beautiful wife and child, both of whom were sleeping peacefully. Then, not wanting to disturb them, he decided to shimmer rather than flame or orb in the direction of the presence.
Michael reappeared in a lavish penthouse. It was tastefully decorated, indicating that whoever lived here was rich or powerful, or both.
Without even turning around, he could sense the man, if he could still be called one, standing behind him. Michael smiled. The presence was very similar to his own, with subtle differences, yet unmistakable. That was the only reason why he could sense him without touching him first.
Michael sighed. "It's good to finally meet you, Cole." He turned around, locking his brown eyes onto Cole's blue ones.
Cole returned Michael's smile. "Likewise..." He fumbled momentarily due to lack of a name.
"My name is Michael Smith," the other replied. "I'm your cousin."
"I knew you had to be family," said Cole, "but how exactly are we related?"
"Our mothers were sisters," Michael explained.
"I see," said Cole, sitting down on one of the couches. "I'm assuming that's how you knew who I was?"
Michael fidgeted nervously. He had to tell Cole the truth, but he thought it would probably devastate him. Yet, when it all balanced out, the truth was more important. Besides, he'd probably find out sooner or later on his own. "I knew about you before my mother told me we were related. You see, Cole, I'm...Phoebe's husband."
Cole's eyes glittered with anger. "I'm confused...why would she marry you, a half demon, after she rejected me only about five thousand times!" he yelled.
Michael calmly sat down and related his family's history to Cole and how he knew Phoebe. "So, you see Cole, the difference is that Phoebe and I met under different pretenses than you and she did. While I was raised good and as a witch, you unfortunately were raised in the Underworld as a demon. I guess it's just a matter of trust when it comes down to it." Michael paused. "Personally, I don't think you're evil, Cole. I think that if you'd been raised up here, you'd probably have had two kids with her by now."
"I guess," Cole said. He sighed.
"I'm glad you came back, Cole," said Michael. "Right now, I think I need all the family I can get."
"We both lost our fathers to evil, so believe me, I know how you feel," said Cole, putting his hand on his cousin's shoulder.
"You know, if you wanted it, I could pull some strings for you and get you your job back at Jackman, Carter and Klein," said Michael. "I've actually been looking for someone to head my company's legal affairs, and I think you're uniquely qualified to represent it. What do you say, cousin?"
Cole smiled. He really liked Michael. He didn't judge him; he accepted him for who he was now, not who he'd been. "I'd really like that a lot. Thanks."
"It's nothing, really," said Michael. "By the way, I wouldn't come to the Manor just yet. I'll have to figure out a way to integrate you back into their lives without turning things upside down."
"Believe me, after trying to get back into Phoebe's life anyway possible, I'm all for the slow and gradual," said Cole with a slight chuckle. "I'll see you around, Michael."
"See you soon, Cole," said Michael. As he shimmered back to the Manor, he smiled and shook his head. Things were going to get very complicated. He just hoped the impending storm would pass quickly.
TO BE CONTINUED...
(This is a continuation of the universe I started in Lineage and that is featured in the Dark Half. It begins two months after the end of The Dark Half.)
CHAPTER 1: Return to the Light
Michael sat on the edge of the bed, frustrated as hell.
He was frustrated that Phoebe had barely left their bedroom since she was raped.
He was frustrated that she had barely spoken a word to anyone since then.
He was frustrated that he'd been shot in the head two and a half years ago. He'd missed so much because of one damn psycho with a gun. Thanks to the coma, a perfectly good Whitelighter had gone insane with lust for Phoebe and raped her.
And Michael had let his dark side get the best of him.
He allowed Belthazor to come out. He should have known that in that state, he'd kill John, but he didn't care.
He wanted revenge.
What had that revenge done for Phoebe?
It had been two months and Phoebe still had yet to break out of her depression. Michael had tried everything he could think of to show her that their love was strong enough to bring her back, but he failed.
Now he was considering the forbidden, the last resort.
He went to his wife one last time and kissed her on the forehead. A small smile briefly touched her lips, only to be wiped away into a blank stare again.
Michael sighed and left the bedroom. Even as he walked down the stairs, he knew what the others would say...
****
"You're nuts," said Piper.
"Believe me, I've considered EVERYTHING in the realm of possibility with this," said Michael. "We're out of options."
"Do you even realize the potential for consequences with something like this?" exclaimed Leo. "What you're suggesting is NOTHING BUT personal gain!"
"Don't you think I know that Leo!" Michael snapped irritably. "And it's not just for me. This is for Phoebe. If I do this, she'll be happy again, and she won't even remember what happened. I'll be the only one who remembers."
"Do you even know if it will work?" asked Paige.
"In theory, yes," said Michael, "but I've never used my time manipulation on this scale before. I've only used it to slow down or speed up time. I've never tried to rewrite history with it." He sighed sadly. "It's our last shot at bringing her back."
Leo and Piper looked at each other knowingly. Piper remembered full well the consequences of the Awakening spell Phoebe and Prue had once used on her to cure her of a deadly virus, and the consequences had been unbelievable. In the end, they'd had to reverse the spell, and if Leo hadn't broken the rules and healed Piper, she'd be dead. Still, Michael hadn't come to this conclusion lightly, and they had run out of options, both conventional and magical.
"All right," said Piper, "but if you end up destroying the universe with this, I will be extremely pissed with you." She smiled wickedly at Michael.
"Thanks for the support," he replied. Giving each of them one last look, Michael closed his eyes and concentrated. Suddenly, time came to a stop. In the stillness, Michael began to glow with a bright blue-white hue. The light spread from him and engulfed reality...
****
Cole was bored as hell.
Who wouldn't be after spending almost three years in the Wasteland, with nothing to do but enjoy the scenery?
Cole chuckled. 'What scenery?' he thought.
Cole sighed. Of course, he'd known in his gut, even as Belthazor, his human half would again save him from death. And now he was back to square one.
He'd absorbed demonic powers from the Wasteland again, just as he did when he was vanquished as the Source. Only this time, he didn't go back. Why should he? Phoebe probably hated him and still wanted to kill him. 'Why would I EVER go back?' he thought.
And suddenly, he got an answer.
A ripple of temporal energy washed through him and throughout the Wasteland. It was amazing. Cole knew the being that had created the time disturbance would have had to be extremely powerful, probably an Avatar.
Curious, Cole stretched out and attempted to locate the one who had caused the temporal wave. As the presence started to clarify in his mind, Cole's blood nearly froze in his veins.
"Well, I'll be damned..."
****
The blinding wave of light receded back to Michael's body, and then faded from his form. A moment later, time restarted.
Michael found himself in the bedroom again, in the middle of putting on one of his sweaters. He gasped as his mind now held two sets of memories. The first set was the one in which the nutcase in the park had shot him. The other set was the one in which he reacted quickly enough to avoid getting shot.
Tears of joy rolled down his cheeks as he went through the new memories.
He'd been present in the hospital for Tom's birth.
Belthazor had never come to the surface thanks to Michael increasing his meditations.
Wiping away the tears, Michael finished putting on the sweater. He then noticed Tom in the crib, playing with his bears. "Hi, buddy," he said, lifting Tom into his arms for a brief kiss on the head. As he placed him back in the crib, Michael said, "Daddy just did something really good, and there were no consequences. Can you believe that?"
Tom just giggled at his daddy. He had no idea what he was talking about.
Michael left the bedroom and walked downstairs. He found the Manor to be empty. He almost panicked but then remembered that he, or rather, the Michael in this version of reality, had promised Phoebe to take care to Tom while she was at work since he didn't have to go into the office today.
Michael sat down on the couch. Suddenly, he felt exhausted; the last two months of "his" life had finally caught up with him. Checking the baby monitor, Michael fell into a peaceful sleep.
****
Michael woke up with a start as he heard the front door open and close. The sight he saw emerging from the hallway made him nearly faint with joyful disbelief.
Phoebe was smiling at him, looking VERY sexy wearing a short skirted and tight fitting red dress. 'She must have changed before leaving work,' he realized. And then it hit him like a wave.
It was their anniversary. The house had been empty because he and Phoebe had requested it, the only exception being Leo giving Tom his dinner and then orbing them both to P3, which Michael had slept through.
It hadn't meant as much before when Phoebe had been a virtual zombie, but now...
Phoebe sauntered over to him and sat in his lap. Her thick dark hair smelled of sweet fruit and Michael felt like his blood was on fire. "Good evening, Michael," she said seductively. Without warning, she kissed him with so much passion that Michael thought he had gone to heaven instead of altering reality.
Michael pulled her closer to him as the kiss deepened. She moaned deep in her throat in response. Phoebe reluctantly broke the kiss as she came up for air. She then laid her head down on Michael's chest and sighed in contentment. She shivered and said, "It's a little chilly in here. Would you mind lighting a fire?"
"Not at all," said Michael. He gestured at the fireplace and bright crackling flames leapt up at once.
"Cheater," said Phoebe, giggling. Then she said, "Did you miss me while I was at work?"
"I always miss you when I'm not with you, baby," he said, grinning.
"Mmmm, right answer," said Phoebe, giving her husband another passionate kiss.
"If you keep this up I might forget to give you your present tonight," he said in mock sternness. Phoebe pouted for a moment, but then smiled and moved off of Michael so he could get her present. Michael went into a drawer and got out a long rectangular jewelry box. Michael waited silently, holding in his excitement.
Phoebe opened the box and gasped. Inside was a gold necklace with a large single white crystal attached to it. "Oh, honey, it's beautiful," she said, leaning over to kiss him. "Where did you get it?"
"Heaven," he said, smiling at her.
"Huh?" she said, confused.
"The crystal is a piece of a star, magically cooled down so I could fashion the shape." The smile widened. "Do you think it's too much?"
Phoebe responded with another kiss. "It's perfect. I love you."
"And I love you, too," said Michael.
"Now, let me see, where did I leave your present?" said Phoebe. She walked over to the hallway and carried a guitar case into the room.
Michael shivered with excitement. If this was what he thought it was, Phoebe was two minutes away from being orbed up to their bedroom.
Michael reverently opened the case, and gasped in shock.
She'd actually found one.
Inside the case was a Gibson electric guitar autographed by Pink Floyd.
"How did you..."
"It took about fifteen hours of shopping and a great amount of haggling." Phoebe giggled again. "I take it you're pleased with your gift?"
Michael pulled Phoebe to him and kissed her again. "Very pleased," he answered. "Do you know what would please me more?" he asked playfully.
"Tell me," she said, licking her lips.
"Making love to you all night long." Without another word, Michael orbed them up to their bedroom.
****
Michael gasped and opened his eyes. He felt as though something had pulled him out of sleep. He glanced at the clock. 4:00 am.
He sat up carefully so he wouldn't wake Phoebe up. Suddenly, he felt the pull again. He realized it was another presence calling to him. Curious, he stretched out and concentrated.
As he connected with the mind at the other end, his eyes widened with shock.
It was impossible...it couldn't be...could it?
Michael gently eased himself out of bed and put on his clothes. He gave one last look to his beautiful wife and child, both of whom were sleeping peacefully. Then, not wanting to disturb them, he decided to shimmer rather than flame or orb in the direction of the presence.
Michael reappeared in a lavish penthouse. It was tastefully decorated, indicating that whoever lived here was rich or powerful, or both.
Without even turning around, he could sense the man, if he could still be called one, standing behind him. Michael smiled. The presence was very similar to his own, with subtle differences, yet unmistakable. That was the only reason why he could sense him without touching him first.
Michael sighed. "It's good to finally meet you, Cole." He turned around, locking his brown eyes onto Cole's blue ones.
Cole returned Michael's smile. "Likewise..." He fumbled momentarily due to lack of a name.
"My name is Michael Smith," the other replied. "I'm your cousin."
"I knew you had to be family," said Cole, "but how exactly are we related?"
"Our mothers were sisters," Michael explained.
"I see," said Cole, sitting down on one of the couches. "I'm assuming that's how you knew who I was?"
Michael fidgeted nervously. He had to tell Cole the truth, but he thought it would probably devastate him. Yet, when it all balanced out, the truth was more important. Besides, he'd probably find out sooner or later on his own. "I knew about you before my mother told me we were related. You see, Cole, I'm...Phoebe's husband."
Cole's eyes glittered with anger. "I'm confused...why would she marry you, a half demon, after she rejected me only about five thousand times!" he yelled.
Michael calmly sat down and related his family's history to Cole and how he knew Phoebe. "So, you see Cole, the difference is that Phoebe and I met under different pretenses than you and she did. While I was raised good and as a witch, you unfortunately were raised in the Underworld as a demon. I guess it's just a matter of trust when it comes down to it." Michael paused. "Personally, I don't think you're evil, Cole. I think that if you'd been raised up here, you'd probably have had two kids with her by now."
"I guess," Cole said. He sighed.
"I'm glad you came back, Cole," said Michael. "Right now, I think I need all the family I can get."
"We both lost our fathers to evil, so believe me, I know how you feel," said Cole, putting his hand on his cousin's shoulder.
"You know, if you wanted it, I could pull some strings for you and get you your job back at Jackman, Carter and Klein," said Michael. "I've actually been looking for someone to head my company's legal affairs, and I think you're uniquely qualified to represent it. What do you say, cousin?"
Cole smiled. He really liked Michael. He didn't judge him; he accepted him for who he was now, not who he'd been. "I'd really like that a lot. Thanks."
"It's nothing, really," said Michael. "By the way, I wouldn't come to the Manor just yet. I'll have to figure out a way to integrate you back into their lives without turning things upside down."
"Believe me, after trying to get back into Phoebe's life anyway possible, I'm all for the slow and gradual," said Cole with a slight chuckle. "I'll see you around, Michael."
"See you soon, Cole," said Michael. As he shimmered back to the Manor, he smiled and shook his head. Things were going to get very complicated. He just hoped the impending storm would pass quickly.
TO BE CONTINUED...