CENTENNIAL CHARMED

Chapter 19

-Underworld-

The Source paced around in his lair angrily. He had enough on his minds about the Charmed Ones. He didn't need a traitor like Belthazor ruining his plans.

"When I get my hands on that traitor, I'll..."

"You'll what?" Cole asked.

"Eliminate you," the Source spat out.

"Go ahead and try," Cole taunted and shimmered.

Enraged, the Source flamed out after Belthazor.

-hospital-

Meanwhile, Paige was feeling guilty about lying to Piper. "I'll tell her when she wakes up," Paige thought aloud.

"Tell me what?"

-a while later-

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't know how."

Piper closed her eyes and tears began flowing out freely.

"This can't be happening... not again..."

Paige looked on with a sombre expression.

"We'll get through this, Piper, I promise. We'll just have to vanquish Cole."

"I can't do it! And I will not let you do such a stupid thing either! It's suicidal and you know it. You wouldn't want to continue the pattern of death that we Halliwells are cursed with now, would you?"

"But, Piper, vanquishing Cole could..."

"No, you listen. We are destined to die. Why are you giving death a helping hand?!? I might as well organize another funeral for both you and Phoebe. That'll be way more convenient for the guests anyways..." Piper sobbed out angrily.

"I... I'm sorry, Piper. Um, look, why don't you just rest, and I'll go grab something to eat."

"Paige! Don't leave me..." Piper whispered as she grabbed Paige's arm. "Please... don't leave me. Everyone's left me. Mom, Grams, Prue, Phoebe, dad, Leo..."

"Hey, it's alright, Piper. Don't worry. I won't leave you," Paige whispered soothingly while sitting back down beside Piper and gently grasping her hand. Paige remained by Piper's side until her older sister fell into an uneasy sleep - partly from pain, partly from grief. Long trails of tears, running down her eye.

"Hang in there, Piper. I'll end this once and for all," Paige whispered to Piper.

Suddenly, Cole appeared in the hospital, inside the ICU where Piper was located.

"Holy shit!" Paige cried as she bolted up from a sitting position. The chair clattered noisily on the floor. "Cole, get the hell out of here, now!"

"I need your help," he said calmly.

"You have got to be out of your mind! Have you forgotten that I am trying to vanquish you?"

"No, I have not, but the Source is coming."

"The Source? You idiot!" Paige screamed. "Don't bring him here! Piper's dying, and the Source could easily kill her now!"

"Which is why, you need to think of a plan to help me out of this," Cole stated as a matter of factly.

"You asshole. ARG. Fine, lure him to the manor," Paige said.

"Sure. Incoming!" He cried, as he noticed a flame appear.

The Source flamed in, and smiled when he noticed his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was Belthazor, then, Paige. Finally, his eyes rested on Piper's unconscious form, and his delight augmented tenfold.

"Haha! Well done, Belthazor, you have led to me to the Charmed Ones!"

"I have, but you know what?" Cole asked, "I'm not going to let you kill them."

"You are just digging a deeper grave for yourself Belthazor. I suggest you return to my side. The witches have poisoned your mind."

"Actually, my mind is just fine, thank you. I won't let you kill them because I want to be the one to do so."

"So arrogant, Belthazor. If I'm not in such a good mood today, I would destroy you instantly."

"You want to bet on that?" Cole taunted as he flung an energy ball at the Source.

The Source easily blocked the energy ball, and prepared to launch his own fireball at Belthazor when Belthazor shimmered out. In an extremely pissed off mood, the Source also noticed Paige to be missing. Taking one quick glance at Piper, he flamed out after the other two. Piper is easy target once he gets those two down.