Messages to Reviews: Thanks so much for letting me know what you think! I will try to update as often as possible, and as for the spacing, it's fine on my Word document, for some reason Fanfiction.net isn't uploading it correctly. It won't transfer italicized or bold words, either. Keep reviewing, and I'll keep updating! (

SPOILER ALERT: If you do not wish to know what the baby's name will be, DO NOT READ! It's a minor spoiler, but I just thought I ought to warn you.

Chapter 1: Cole Drops In

It was roughly four in the morning, and the Halliwell mansion was silent. For once, the newest member of the family was slumbering rather than screaming, and it gave the Charmed Ones and Leo a much-needed break. Wyatt Halliwell was only a few days old, and the Charmed Ones had divided their time between caring for him, and vanquishing the demons that were springing out of the woodwork to try and kidnap or murder the infant. It was no wonder that not one of them stirred when Cole Turner seemed to fall from midair onto their couch downstairs with a grunt.

Cole looked better than when the Charmed Ones had last seen him; his scraggly beard had been shaved, he was wearing clean clothes, and the wild, crazed look was gone from his eyes. Looking up towards the ceiling, the man formerly known as Balthazar shook his fist, struggling to keep his voice quiet as he spoke. "Just how am I supposed to explain being in their living room at this hour? How do I know that Piper won't blow me up first, and ask questions later?!? For being regarded as the wisest beings of all time, you guys sure are a bunch of -"

His words were cut off when he heard a noise upstairs, a noise that made him freeze. A baby was crying, rather loudly. Cole was wondering where on earth the Charmed Ones had gotten a baby from, when he remembered that Piper had been pregnant the last time he saw her. Of course, back then he hadn't really cared about the appearance of a new Charmed One; he had been more concerned with getting Phoebe back at all costs.

But now, the playing field was different. For one thing, he no longer had his powers, something which relieved him and frightened him at the same time. He felt incredibly vulnerable, to have gone from having the infinite power of an Avatar, from being invincible, to being a mere mortal. But then, at least Phoebe couldn't bring out her "You'll always be a demon" argument.

Another sound brought Cole from his thoughts, the sound of people moving around upstairs. Slowly, he crept to the foot of the staircase and listened. The baby's crying was quieting down, and a soothing voice was crooning some sort of lullaby. He recognized the voice as Piper's, though she sounded half-asleep still. Suddenly curious to see this new child, Cole started up the stairs, slowly.

Meanwhile, in Piper's room, Wyatt Matthews Halliwell was sucking at a bottle his mother offered to him, while Piper sat in a rocking chair. Her hair was in disarray, and she wore a bathrobe over her pajamas. Leo dozed on the bed; they had agreed to take turns on getting up with the baby. Piper wasn't sure she could have handled it on her own; she figured she was going on roughly five hours of sleep for the past two days as it was.

Suddenly, the baby stopped his drinking, and removed his mouth from the bottle to let out a whimper. Piper heard something creak in the house, and instantly she was on guard. Though the demonic attacks had filtered down somewhat when she blew up the first dozen or so intruders, it wasn't uncommon to have up to three attacks a day. Piper whispered Leo's name, and he opened his eyes quickly. Without words, she gently handed him Wyatt, who snuggled into his father. Nodding to his wife, Leo indicated that he was ready to orb the child out of harms way if there was a need.

Piper exited her room slowly, wondering if she ought to wake up her sisters. The sound of another creak, closer this time, made her decide to take out the demon on her own. Unless he was particularly powerful, the Power of Three wouldn't be needed.

Unsuspecting Cole continued was now on the landing of the staircase; ready to round the corner into the hallway. As he did, he ran right into Piper, who screamed and gestured with her hands. Cole flinched, expecting to be blown up, but instead a potted plant next to him burst into pieces. Apparently, the Elders wanted him to live long enough to at least explain what he was doing there.

Piper stared at the demon in front of her, her mouth open, unable to believe her eyes. Her hands were still out in front of her, a warning for him not to come any closer, though she realized that something had deflected her attack the first time.

"Cole?!?"

-End Chapter 1.