Lost Soul
Part 5
By: Silverstar
Sorry about the wait. There are lots of excuses for my absence, but I won't bore you all with them. I know you just want to read the next part...^^ So, here it is. I hope it meets all of your expectations. Oh, and please review. The more feedback I get, the more confidence I have, the better my writing is, and the more often I update. ^__^
PS- Thanks Falcon, your review made me realize how long it has been, and what I was doing to the fans of the story. This chapter is up because of you.
Disclaimer: I own nothing relating to Charmed except the ideas in this fic. So there. *sticks out tongue* ^__^
P.S. S. I did it again! I referred to Cole as Phoebe's husband in the last part of the fic. I guess I didn't read over that one very carefully. I'm sorry, but no, they're not married. I guess it's just wishful thinking or something, considering what just happened in the show to Cole...*sad face*
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*(PAIGE)*
So...Phoebe had gotten a visit from Prue. It was weird...but I missed talking with my oldest sister, even though we had only spoken limited times. She always made me feel calmer...more at peace, and I needed that now. I was surprised when Phoebe had told us that Prue had visited her during her premonition, but I was more ashamed then surprised...My troubled mind made Phoebe go through the whole scene...the blood, the tears, the death...She shouldn't have to go through that as well...it was my burden, not hers. The same with Prue. When Phoebe said that Prue had sensed that something was wrong... we must still be connected somehow...I guess as sisters. I smiled when Phoebe told me Prue had tried to come to me in my dreams again...it meant that she hadn't forgotten about me and that she still cared...but I don't want her mixed up in my problems like last time. Sometimes...I feel like such a burden.
"You alright Paige?" I looked up from my seat on the couch to see Cole standing in front of me. Phoebe, Piper, and Leo were setting up the attic for the spell.
"Oh...yeah. I was just thinking," I said, smiling at my probable future brother-in-law and watching as he sat down next to me.
"You know...If you need to talk...I know I'm probably not the first person to come to your mind, but I am always here. I've been through a lot in my long life and I understand the struggle you're going through...I'm still haunted by the images of my past in my dreams." I starred at Cole or a moment before smiling weakly and bowing my head to hide my sad and pathetic expression from him.
"But...how do you go through life...All those memories...all that pain...all the...guilt..." I felt my voice crack as I struggled to hold back my tears and jumped when I felt Cole's hand lifting up my chin.
"First of all little lady, there is _nothing_ and I mean _nothing_ for you to feel guilty about. Do you hear me? There was nothing you could do stop anything that happened to you." I saw the fierceness in Cole's eyes mixed with the gentleness and kindness that Phoebe always insisted she saw...Slowly, I nodded and Cole's hand left my chin. "Secondly...Well, it took a while, but now I have no trouble separating myself from my former life. Phoebe helps me escape from the guilt, the pain, and the memories. Sometimes, I'll drift off into the memories from my past and get caught up in them...but Phoebe always brings me back down to earth. You just need to find yourself an anchor." I looked up at Cole, feeling helpless and hopeless, but when he gave me that small half smile half grin that he always does, I felt a little better. At least I wasn't alone in these feelings. Still...I don't think that anything will keep me from drowning in these memories.
"Cole...I don't know...I don't think anyone could-" I stopped as he put his hand up to my mouth and shook his head.
"You have two sisters, Piper and Phoebe, and one brother-in-law, Leo. You also have an enormous amount of relatives, dead and alive, and you have me. I lean on Phoebe as my anchor because she was the only one there when I was down and out. You, on the other hand, have many people in your life. They all care for you and they don't want to see you suffer. Let them help you Paige, and let them drag you from that place in your head where you are drowning." I gasped as he used that word...drowning...It felt so...right. "Yes, I know how it feels. Like you're suffocating and sinking, and there's no one there to drag you back up to the surface. But there's more to life then the feelings you insist on keeping to yourself. They will only leave you when you get them out in the open and deal with them with someone else. Choose your anchor, or choose numerous anchors, and talk with them. Paige..." I realized that I had slowly lowered my eyes from Cole and I looked back up at him. "This ordeal...you shouldn't worry about it. It will be over and done with, and then everything relating to last month will be gone. It will only be alive in your mind. Use this experience to help you get over these built up anxieties and dark feelings. Help yourself to push the thoughts your mind dwells on to the back of your head so that it's just a far off memory, a glimpse of what happened that you can remember, but accept." I looked at Cole in a new light and with a new respect as he stood up and gave me a smile.
"Thanks Cole...I felt...so lost, not knowing what to do. You really helped me sort through my thoughts...Thanks." I smiled up at him as he nodded and turned towards the stairs.
"I'm going to go see how far your sisters are with the preparations. You stay here and rest." With that, I watched as Cole shimmered out and I was left alone. Alone to my thoughts, alone to my feelings, and alone to contemplate the information and advice Cole had just given me.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*(PIPER)*
As I set up the candles, took out the cord we'd be needing, and placed down the pillows I couldn't help thinking of Prue. She had come through for us again. It was still a mystery to me how Prue and Grams knew all of this info and spells, and how the Elders didn't tell any of it to us...but that was a conversation for another day with my husband. As I thought this I looked up to see Leo looking at me and I smiled at him. He smiled back, but I could tell that he knew I was thinking of him and that he would be in trouble later. Then I looked over at Phoebe. She was sitting on a chair in the corner writing a power of three spell and Cole had just shimmered in next to her. Seeing that she was busy, he looked around and started walking towards me.
"Hey," he said as he walked up and I stood from my position on the floor where I had been placing the candles in a circle.
"Hey, what's up?" I asked, getting up and brushing my hands off on my pants.
"How much longer?" he asked and I frowned.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Oh...nothing really. I was just talking with Paige and...well, I think the sooner this is over with the better. Don't you?" I nodded and looked over to see Phoebe talking with Leo. It looked like the spell was complete. "Okay Cole, from what I understand, if anything happens to us in either world, it happened to us in reality. You and Leo will have to stay here and protect us from any harm that might enter the scene. Darden could be sending some of his guys after Phoebe and I for all I know." I saw him nod and then we walked over to Leo and Phoebe.
"I have the spell," Phoebe said and she handed my copy over to me. "We'll all have to memorize it before we enter the Dream Reality." I nodded at Phoebe as I noticed that she had handed me Paige's copy as well. Giving Leo a look, I grabbed his hand and we walked downstairs to talk with Paige.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*(PHOEBE)*
I sighed as Piper and Leo left the room, leaving Cole and me alone. I couldn't help but smile as he wrapped his arms around me and I tilted my head up towards him.
"You talked to Paige...didn't you?" When I tilted my head up I saw my boyfriend smile and I smiled back.
"I think she really needed it," Cole replied and I nodded.
"She just hasn't been opening up to us at all...but you've been to that place where she is more than any of us Cole. I knew she could relate to you."
"And I wouldn't have been able to make it this far to talk to Paige without you," Cole whispered. I smiled at this and nodded. "We've helped each other...But where I'm going, you won't be able to help me. You'll have to stay here."
"I know, but that doesn't mean I won't help you. I'll be in your heart, and your soul. If things get rough, then think of me." I smiled at Cole and laughed as he pulled me as close as possible.
"Are you going to give me something to remember you by?" I asked and he smiled. Smiling at my boyfriend, I tilted my head towards him as he gently placed his lips on mine.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*(PIPER)*
I looked back once towards the attic, but Leo pulled me forward and before we got to the stairs I found myself in his arms.
"You were right, they needed some time together," he said kindly in the way only my husband could speak. "Then, why are you looking back now?" I sighed, and looked up at my angel.
"I don't know...I'm just worried I guess. You know, stressed out and-" I stopped as Leo leaned down to envelop me in a kiss. His lips were so gentle...so sweet... I smiled as I returned the kiss and we slowly broke apart. "Okay...you got me to stop...I wasn't telling the truth." Leo smiled at me and I wrapped my arms around his middle, laying my head on his shoulder. "I guess I'm...well, a little jealous-Which I know is very wrong! But..."
"It's Prue, isn't it?" Leo asked and I nodded. "I know there was no other way she could contact us...she had to do it through Phoebe's premonition, but...I don't know. Just knowing that my sisters get to talk to her, see her, hear her...It makes me sad, and then I think, why not me? And I want to go in there and demand an explanation from Phoebe...but she doesn't know, and it's not her choice. I know Prue can't help it either..."
"Piper...why don't you just try focusing on the present. You'll get your turn. Until then..." I smiled at Leo as he leaned down to kiss me and I threw my arms around his neck. "Let's go downstairs." I nodded and let my husband lead me downstairs and towards Paige.
"-be! Leo! Piper! Someone!" I heard Paige yelling as we began to descend the stairs and as I started to run Leo orbed us next to her. "Help!" When we got down next to Paige I saw that she was covering her head with her hands whimpering. Leo put his hands in front of her head and I watched as a glow emanated from them. Reaching up, I grabbed one of Paige's hands and was surprised when she squeezed mine full force.
"I can't heal her," Leo said, trying not to panic and I looked at him, fear in my eyes.
"Paige!" I said, gently but loud enough for her to hear. "Paige, what is it? What's wrong?"
"It's...it's Darden..." she managed to get out before pulling her hand out of mine to clutch at her head.
"I'll go see what the Elders know," Leo said quickly but I grabbed him before he orbed out.
"It could be too late by then," I said and forced him to sit back down next to Paige. "Cole! Phoebe!" I shouted and moments later Cole had shimmered in with Phoebe next to us.
"What's wrong?!" Phoebe gasped as she dropped down on her knees to be near Paige.
"Cole, do you know what's happening?" I asked and he looked closely at Paige. "She said it was Darden..." As soon as I said this Cole's eyes widened and nodded at me.
"I remember now. Once Darden makes contact with a witch he can do a spell and has the ability to go into the witch's mind to get her to fall asleep. If the witch fights the spell, then she'll experience great pain until she passes out." I looked down at my little sister and I felt the tears come to my eyes for her. Hadn't she been through enough?
"Phoebe," I said, and she looked up at me, a terribly worried expression on her face. She was probably mirroring my own countenance. "Let's do it." She nodded and I walked over to Leo. "Take her upstairs?" He nodded and Phoebe, Cole, and I ran upstairs to meet them. When we got up there we found that Leo had laid Paige down on the pillows and tied some of the cord around her wrist. "Phoebe...I haven't memorized the spell yet. Have you?" I asked, panic rising in my throat.
"Don't worry, I know it. You and Paige will just have to repeat it." I nodded and sat down next to Paige on the ground. Phoebe followed suit. As Leo tied part of the cord around my wrist he leaned down to kiss me.
"Be careful. If you need to be pulled out for any reason cut an L into your palm. I'll cut the cord."
"You know we can't leave without Paige..."
"I know, I know. Just in case..." He didn't finish the sentence and I didn't want him to. I quickly kissed him on the lips and then settled down, linking my hand in Paige's. She was struggling to not scream from the pain and pass out at the same time.
"You're being very brave Paige. Don't worry, just hang on another minute," I whispered into her ear and looked over at Phoebe. She was leaning back from a kiss with Cole and Leo was tying the cord around her wrist as she lay down next to me and linked her arm with mine.
"Ready?" I asked, and Phoebe nodded.
"In the dark, in the night,
Nightmares start, dreams are alive.
Bring us forth to this world,
All those covered in this cord.
Let us see and act upon,
The images that she has donned.
Send us forth with he who isn't seen,
Take our spirits, So let it be."
As Phoebe and I finished the spell I felt Paige go limp and everything started to go fuzzy. The last thing I saw was Leo leaning over me...His gentle and loving eyes...
TO BE CONTINUED...
I know this was short, but I liked this as an ending. I have to say that I wrote most of the story today because of Falcon's review. I know I make you guys wait for an update, and I'm sorry, but time is so scarce in my life. I should've been doing homework all morning, but I didn't. Instead, I worked on this fic. Hopefully I'll have some more time to write and they'll be an update in a few weeks or less. Until then, thanks for being patient and staying with me for this fan fic.
~Silverstar
Part 5
By: Silverstar
Sorry about the wait. There are lots of excuses for my absence, but I won't bore you all with them. I know you just want to read the next part...^^ So, here it is. I hope it meets all of your expectations. Oh, and please review. The more feedback I get, the more confidence I have, the better my writing is, and the more often I update. ^__^
PS- Thanks Falcon, your review made me realize how long it has been, and what I was doing to the fans of the story. This chapter is up because of you.
Disclaimer: I own nothing relating to Charmed except the ideas in this fic. So there. *sticks out tongue* ^__^
P.S. S. I did it again! I referred to Cole as Phoebe's husband in the last part of the fic. I guess I didn't read over that one very carefully. I'm sorry, but no, they're not married. I guess it's just wishful thinking or something, considering what just happened in the show to Cole...*sad face*
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*(PAIGE)*
So...Phoebe had gotten a visit from Prue. It was weird...but I missed talking with my oldest sister, even though we had only spoken limited times. She always made me feel calmer...more at peace, and I needed that now. I was surprised when Phoebe had told us that Prue had visited her during her premonition, but I was more ashamed then surprised...My troubled mind made Phoebe go through the whole scene...the blood, the tears, the death...She shouldn't have to go through that as well...it was my burden, not hers. The same with Prue. When Phoebe said that Prue had sensed that something was wrong... we must still be connected somehow...I guess as sisters. I smiled when Phoebe told me Prue had tried to come to me in my dreams again...it meant that she hadn't forgotten about me and that she still cared...but I don't want her mixed up in my problems like last time. Sometimes...I feel like such a burden.
"You alright Paige?" I looked up from my seat on the couch to see Cole standing in front of me. Phoebe, Piper, and Leo were setting up the attic for the spell.
"Oh...yeah. I was just thinking," I said, smiling at my probable future brother-in-law and watching as he sat down next to me.
"You know...If you need to talk...I know I'm probably not the first person to come to your mind, but I am always here. I've been through a lot in my long life and I understand the struggle you're going through...I'm still haunted by the images of my past in my dreams." I starred at Cole or a moment before smiling weakly and bowing my head to hide my sad and pathetic expression from him.
"But...how do you go through life...All those memories...all that pain...all the...guilt..." I felt my voice crack as I struggled to hold back my tears and jumped when I felt Cole's hand lifting up my chin.
"First of all little lady, there is _nothing_ and I mean _nothing_ for you to feel guilty about. Do you hear me? There was nothing you could do stop anything that happened to you." I saw the fierceness in Cole's eyes mixed with the gentleness and kindness that Phoebe always insisted she saw...Slowly, I nodded and Cole's hand left my chin. "Secondly...Well, it took a while, but now I have no trouble separating myself from my former life. Phoebe helps me escape from the guilt, the pain, and the memories. Sometimes, I'll drift off into the memories from my past and get caught up in them...but Phoebe always brings me back down to earth. You just need to find yourself an anchor." I looked up at Cole, feeling helpless and hopeless, but when he gave me that small half smile half grin that he always does, I felt a little better. At least I wasn't alone in these feelings. Still...I don't think that anything will keep me from drowning in these memories.
"Cole...I don't know...I don't think anyone could-" I stopped as he put his hand up to my mouth and shook his head.
"You have two sisters, Piper and Phoebe, and one brother-in-law, Leo. You also have an enormous amount of relatives, dead and alive, and you have me. I lean on Phoebe as my anchor because she was the only one there when I was down and out. You, on the other hand, have many people in your life. They all care for you and they don't want to see you suffer. Let them help you Paige, and let them drag you from that place in your head where you are drowning." I gasped as he used that word...drowning...It felt so...right. "Yes, I know how it feels. Like you're suffocating and sinking, and there's no one there to drag you back up to the surface. But there's more to life then the feelings you insist on keeping to yourself. They will only leave you when you get them out in the open and deal with them with someone else. Choose your anchor, or choose numerous anchors, and talk with them. Paige..." I realized that I had slowly lowered my eyes from Cole and I looked back up at him. "This ordeal...you shouldn't worry about it. It will be over and done with, and then everything relating to last month will be gone. It will only be alive in your mind. Use this experience to help you get over these built up anxieties and dark feelings. Help yourself to push the thoughts your mind dwells on to the back of your head so that it's just a far off memory, a glimpse of what happened that you can remember, but accept." I looked at Cole in a new light and with a new respect as he stood up and gave me a smile.
"Thanks Cole...I felt...so lost, not knowing what to do. You really helped me sort through my thoughts...Thanks." I smiled up at him as he nodded and turned towards the stairs.
"I'm going to go see how far your sisters are with the preparations. You stay here and rest." With that, I watched as Cole shimmered out and I was left alone. Alone to my thoughts, alone to my feelings, and alone to contemplate the information and advice Cole had just given me.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*(PIPER)*
As I set up the candles, took out the cord we'd be needing, and placed down the pillows I couldn't help thinking of Prue. She had come through for us again. It was still a mystery to me how Prue and Grams knew all of this info and spells, and how the Elders didn't tell any of it to us...but that was a conversation for another day with my husband. As I thought this I looked up to see Leo looking at me and I smiled at him. He smiled back, but I could tell that he knew I was thinking of him and that he would be in trouble later. Then I looked over at Phoebe. She was sitting on a chair in the corner writing a power of three spell and Cole had just shimmered in next to her. Seeing that she was busy, he looked around and started walking towards me.
"Hey," he said as he walked up and I stood from my position on the floor where I had been placing the candles in a circle.
"Hey, what's up?" I asked, getting up and brushing my hands off on my pants.
"How much longer?" he asked and I frowned.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Oh...nothing really. I was just talking with Paige and...well, I think the sooner this is over with the better. Don't you?" I nodded and looked over to see Phoebe talking with Leo. It looked like the spell was complete. "Okay Cole, from what I understand, if anything happens to us in either world, it happened to us in reality. You and Leo will have to stay here and protect us from any harm that might enter the scene. Darden could be sending some of his guys after Phoebe and I for all I know." I saw him nod and then we walked over to Leo and Phoebe.
"I have the spell," Phoebe said and she handed my copy over to me. "We'll all have to memorize it before we enter the Dream Reality." I nodded at Phoebe as I noticed that she had handed me Paige's copy as well. Giving Leo a look, I grabbed his hand and we walked downstairs to talk with Paige.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*(PHOEBE)*
I sighed as Piper and Leo left the room, leaving Cole and me alone. I couldn't help but smile as he wrapped his arms around me and I tilted my head up towards him.
"You talked to Paige...didn't you?" When I tilted my head up I saw my boyfriend smile and I smiled back.
"I think she really needed it," Cole replied and I nodded.
"She just hasn't been opening up to us at all...but you've been to that place where she is more than any of us Cole. I knew she could relate to you."
"And I wouldn't have been able to make it this far to talk to Paige without you," Cole whispered. I smiled at this and nodded. "We've helped each other...But where I'm going, you won't be able to help me. You'll have to stay here."
"I know, but that doesn't mean I won't help you. I'll be in your heart, and your soul. If things get rough, then think of me." I smiled at Cole and laughed as he pulled me as close as possible.
"Are you going to give me something to remember you by?" I asked and he smiled. Smiling at my boyfriend, I tilted my head towards him as he gently placed his lips on mine.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*(PIPER)*
I looked back once towards the attic, but Leo pulled me forward and before we got to the stairs I found myself in his arms.
"You were right, they needed some time together," he said kindly in the way only my husband could speak. "Then, why are you looking back now?" I sighed, and looked up at my angel.
"I don't know...I'm just worried I guess. You know, stressed out and-" I stopped as Leo leaned down to envelop me in a kiss. His lips were so gentle...so sweet... I smiled as I returned the kiss and we slowly broke apart. "Okay...you got me to stop...I wasn't telling the truth." Leo smiled at me and I wrapped my arms around his middle, laying my head on his shoulder. "I guess I'm...well, a little jealous-Which I know is very wrong! But..."
"It's Prue, isn't it?" Leo asked and I nodded. "I know there was no other way she could contact us...she had to do it through Phoebe's premonition, but...I don't know. Just knowing that my sisters get to talk to her, see her, hear her...It makes me sad, and then I think, why not me? And I want to go in there and demand an explanation from Phoebe...but she doesn't know, and it's not her choice. I know Prue can't help it either..."
"Piper...why don't you just try focusing on the present. You'll get your turn. Until then..." I smiled at Leo as he leaned down to kiss me and I threw my arms around his neck. "Let's go downstairs." I nodded and let my husband lead me downstairs and towards Paige.
"-be! Leo! Piper! Someone!" I heard Paige yelling as we began to descend the stairs and as I started to run Leo orbed us next to her. "Help!" When we got down next to Paige I saw that she was covering her head with her hands whimpering. Leo put his hands in front of her head and I watched as a glow emanated from them. Reaching up, I grabbed one of Paige's hands and was surprised when she squeezed mine full force.
"I can't heal her," Leo said, trying not to panic and I looked at him, fear in my eyes.
"Paige!" I said, gently but loud enough for her to hear. "Paige, what is it? What's wrong?"
"It's...it's Darden..." she managed to get out before pulling her hand out of mine to clutch at her head.
"I'll go see what the Elders know," Leo said quickly but I grabbed him before he orbed out.
"It could be too late by then," I said and forced him to sit back down next to Paige. "Cole! Phoebe!" I shouted and moments later Cole had shimmered in with Phoebe next to us.
"What's wrong?!" Phoebe gasped as she dropped down on her knees to be near Paige.
"Cole, do you know what's happening?" I asked and he looked closely at Paige. "She said it was Darden..." As soon as I said this Cole's eyes widened and nodded at me.
"I remember now. Once Darden makes contact with a witch he can do a spell and has the ability to go into the witch's mind to get her to fall asleep. If the witch fights the spell, then she'll experience great pain until she passes out." I looked down at my little sister and I felt the tears come to my eyes for her. Hadn't she been through enough?
"Phoebe," I said, and she looked up at me, a terribly worried expression on her face. She was probably mirroring my own countenance. "Let's do it." She nodded and I walked over to Leo. "Take her upstairs?" He nodded and Phoebe, Cole, and I ran upstairs to meet them. When we got up there we found that Leo had laid Paige down on the pillows and tied some of the cord around her wrist. "Phoebe...I haven't memorized the spell yet. Have you?" I asked, panic rising in my throat.
"Don't worry, I know it. You and Paige will just have to repeat it." I nodded and sat down next to Paige on the ground. Phoebe followed suit. As Leo tied part of the cord around my wrist he leaned down to kiss me.
"Be careful. If you need to be pulled out for any reason cut an L into your palm. I'll cut the cord."
"You know we can't leave without Paige..."
"I know, I know. Just in case..." He didn't finish the sentence and I didn't want him to. I quickly kissed him on the lips and then settled down, linking my hand in Paige's. She was struggling to not scream from the pain and pass out at the same time.
"You're being very brave Paige. Don't worry, just hang on another minute," I whispered into her ear and looked over at Phoebe. She was leaning back from a kiss with Cole and Leo was tying the cord around her wrist as she lay down next to me and linked her arm with mine.
"Ready?" I asked, and Phoebe nodded.
"In the dark, in the night,
Nightmares start, dreams are alive.
Bring us forth to this world,
All those covered in this cord.
Let us see and act upon,
The images that she has donned.
Send us forth with he who isn't seen,
Take our spirits, So let it be."
As Phoebe and I finished the spell I felt Paige go limp and everything started to go fuzzy. The last thing I saw was Leo leaning over me...His gentle and loving eyes...
TO BE CONTINUED...
I know this was short, but I liked this as an ending. I have to say that I wrote most of the story today because of Falcon's review. I know I make you guys wait for an update, and I'm sorry, but time is so scarce in my life. I should've been doing homework all morning, but I didn't. Instead, I worked on this fic. Hopefully I'll have some more time to write and they'll be an update in a few weeks or less. Until then, thanks for being patient and staying with me for this fan fic.
~Silverstar