Author's Note: I apologize for the day-late update, but I had to babysit
last night from 6 until 1 in the morning, so I was way too tired to finish
up this chapter when I got home.
Chapter 5: Deadly Warning
"What do you mean, Phoebe? What did you see?" Piper questioned her sister with a concerned look on her face. Though she had never doubted Phoebe's premonitions before, she couldn't help wondering if perhaps the stress of Cole's return had gotten to her. After all, they were talking about someone who, even at his weakest, had been more than a match for most Underworld demons. At his strongest, he had been invincible.
"I saw Cole walking down an alleyway, and then a demon shot him from behind. He said something about blood debts that needed to be paid; I think he was a bounty hunter." Phoebe looked shaken, though she tried to disguise it. It was hard for her to imagine Cole as a mortal; ever since she first met him, he had been the strong one in the relationship, until the end when he finally succumbed to madness. She had worried about him, but she had never really believed that he could be hurt. Even though it had been his demonic half that had broken them up, that part of him had been a comfort to Phoebe when he disappeared into the Underworld for days at a time. "He's vulnerable now, Piper. As a mortal he's- he's an innocent. It's our duty to save him."
Phoebe sounded as though she were trying to reason with herself instead of her sisters; perhaps trying to come up with a more legitimate reason as to why she knew that she couldn't let Cole die, even when she had killed him twice herself.
Paige spoke, sounding surprised and a bit confused. "Hold on, Phoebe. Last time I checked, he nearly killed all of us. I mean, I know I haven't been around him as long as you have, but from what I've seen the guy isn't right in the head; he's anything but innocent." Both Piper and Phoebe stared at Paige, silently. The newest Halliwell sister shifted uncomfortably in her chair for a few moments. Phoebe looked away as Piper broke the quiet.
"He's mortal now, Paige. That means he's an innocent, despite what he's done before. His demonic half, the half that committed most of the crimes, has been destroyed." Piper gently stroked Wyatt's head as she spoke, his slow and even breathing letting her know that he was asleep in her arms.
"I can't let him die, not like this." Phoebe's words were quiet, almost as though she didn't quite want to say them. But it was the truth, and she felt a small amount of the weight lift off of her heart, weight that had held her down ever since she first vanquished her husband.
As if sensing the tenseness in the air, Piper spoke in a business-like manner. "Okay, it's settled then. We're going to need a plan, and we need to know where Cole is going to be before he walks into that alleyway, so we can warn him. Leo!" A sparkle of blue orbs came into the kitchen moments later, revealing a rather out-of-breath Whitelighter.
"Piper, you called me. What's wrong?" Piper looked surprised at his fast response, but she only gave him an odd look before continuing.
"Phoebe just got a premonition that Cole's going to be kidnapped tonight. Did the Elders let you know what exactly he would be doing as a mortal? Or do they plan on just letting him wander the streets on his own?" Wyatt started to shift in his mother's arms, and with a tiny yawn his eyes blinked open a few times. Leo stepped forward, and Piper obligingly placed her son in her husband's arms. Due to his work, the Whitelighter wasn't able to be around as much as he would have wanted, and he didn't want Wyatt to grow up not knowing what it was like to have a father.
"Now that you mention it, they did say that they had fixed things so that everyone would think he was just on vacation. He should still have his job." Piper nodded in acknowledgement, hoping that they would all be able to come out of their own separate dazes now that they were doing something at least halfway familiar.
"All right, Pheebs, go get his work number. We can call him and warn him, and that should keep him alive for another day." Phoebe didn't move. Piper looked at her strangely, her expression changing to look concerned. "Honey, are you okay?"
Phoebe wordlessly took the phone and dialed in a number without pausing. "I had it memorized, when we were- well, before everything happened." Piper didn't push the issue, though she took the phone when Phoebe offered it to her. If her little sister wasn't up to talking to Cole yet, that was fine with her. Anyone who hurt her sisters was an enemy in Piper's book.
Meanwhile, Cole Turner had showered and put on a fresh pair of clothes, then headed off to work. He walked to his building, since it turned out to be a nice day out, determined to finally get this mortal-thing right. Without mind manipulation, or fireballs, Phoebe wouldn't be able to deny that he was doing work for the greater good when he handled cases against criminals and the like.
The boss didn't say much to Cole, only nodding a greeting, and telling him that he hoped he had enjoyed his time off as he handed the ex-demon a huge stack of papers. Cole suppressed a groan, aware that going through each case by hand, rather than magic, was going to be a major pain.
Settling down in his desk, Cole began to flip through the cases. One caught his eye, and he started reading it. It was about a woman who had filed for a restraining order against her ex; he had violated that order when it was approved, and she was looking for a lawyer to help her sue him in court. There were some snapshots included, drawing attention to the various bruises and scrapes the woman had on her face and neck, where she said her ex had grabbed her and tried to force her to call of the divorce.
What a jerk, thought Cole, until he read one of the statements the man had made when questioned by police: I never meant to hurt her; I just love her too much to let her go. Suddenly feeling himself shudder, Cole set down the paper. He remembered placing Phoebe's life on a balance, betting that Piper would choose her over Paige, when he had briefly joined forces with the mummy-man. Now, for the first time, he realized how Phoebe must have felt when he did it. More determined, Cole picked up the paper again and signed his name at the bottom, to show that he was interested in taking the case. With his demonic half gone, it was easier for him to see that many of his rash actions had added to the problem, not helped it. What better way to show Phoebe that he had changed than to help another woman who had been in the same position as his wife? Well, minus the magical element, anyways. Just then, his phone rang, and he picked it up. "Cole Turner speaking."
"This is Piper. Cole, you've got a problem." The Charmed One's voice surprised Cole; he hadn't expected a call from the Halliwells, and certainly not from Piper. Unaware of the situation, Cole spoke as calmly.
"Listen, Piper, if this is about Phoebe, you don't have to worry. I won't stalk her, and I won't try to kidnap her. I'm kind of busy with work right now, actually, so if you don't mind-"A new voice on the line interrupted him, one he would have recognized even if he had been half-drunk.
"Cole, it's not about that. It's about you; you're in danger." Phoebe's voice sounded unsure of herself; it had been a long time since she had had a civil conversation with him. "I had a premonition; a demon is going to try to kidnap you tonight, and I think he's going to kill you too."
Before she could say more, Cole broke in. "Phoebe, I've been doing some thinking lately, and I'm going to try to lead a good life. I don't want to hurt you any more; I don't need you putting yourself at risk at my expense. I'll take a taxi home, instead of walking, and that should solve the problem. Listen, I'm about to start a new case, and as you know I don't have my powers any more, so I really need to get on it. Gotta go."
There was a click, and Phoebe was left staring at the phone. For the first time in awhile, Cole had actually hung up on her, instead of the other way around. Frowning, she set it down. "Are we all clear for tonight, Pheebs?" Piper's question was in gentle tones.
Phoebe shook her head. "Yeah, I guess we are. He said that he'd take a taxi home instead of walking, so I guess that should alter the future enough that he's safe for tonight." However, the Charmed One still looked unsure. "I just feel like I'm forgetting something that's important about my premonition."
"Well, don't worry honey Cole will be fine for tonight. We can focus our attention on finding out who this demonic bounty hunter you saw was. Then we can Summon him, and find out who his employers are." There was a tiny hiccup, and Piper grimaced, looking down at Wyatt, who had just spit up all over her blouse. "But first, I think I need to take care of our little bundle of joy here."
The hours passed quickly, and before long it was time for Cole to head home from work. He felt pleased with himself, despite encountering many difficulties in the case, such as securing witnesses and so forth. Still, he hadn't threatened anybody, and he was doing things the mortal way. Phoebe wouldn't be able to push him away when she saw that he really was on the side of good this time.
The phone call had been nearly forgotten; thought Cole did realize that demonic bounty hunters were a very real danger for him, he had noticed that the tiniest of changes often gave different results than what Phoebe saw in her premonitions. As he signaled a taxi, Cole didn't think twice about the shiver that went down his spine.
After the uneventful ride, Cole got out of the vehicle, paid the driver (after wishing once more that he had mind manipulation; the fare was expensive) and started off down the darkened sidewalk. Rather than go all the way around a block to get to his office, he decided to take a short-cut through an alleyway. He was halfway through the passageway when he heard footsteps behind him.
Before he could turn or react, he heard a cold voice speak aloud. "Balthazar. You've got blood debts to pay, traitor." Cole gasped, going to his knees, as the bounty hunter's arrow buried itself in his back. "Pity it won't kill you; my employers wanted you alive, to have a bit of fun with." The ex-demon blacked out, and the hunter roughly lifted him, then Shimmered away.
At Halliwell Manor, Phoebe grabbed Piper's arm. "Piper, I just figured out what's been bothering me about my premonition. Cole wasn't just walking home, he was in a taxi when I saw him. And he told me that he'd take a taxi home from work, after I warned him. He's still in danger; we have to find him!"
In The Next Chapter: Major Cole and Phoebe moments and Cole manages to prove beyond doubt that he's good!
Chapter 5: Deadly Warning
"What do you mean, Phoebe? What did you see?" Piper questioned her sister with a concerned look on her face. Though she had never doubted Phoebe's premonitions before, she couldn't help wondering if perhaps the stress of Cole's return had gotten to her. After all, they were talking about someone who, even at his weakest, had been more than a match for most Underworld demons. At his strongest, he had been invincible.
"I saw Cole walking down an alleyway, and then a demon shot him from behind. He said something about blood debts that needed to be paid; I think he was a bounty hunter." Phoebe looked shaken, though she tried to disguise it. It was hard for her to imagine Cole as a mortal; ever since she first met him, he had been the strong one in the relationship, until the end when he finally succumbed to madness. She had worried about him, but she had never really believed that he could be hurt. Even though it had been his demonic half that had broken them up, that part of him had been a comfort to Phoebe when he disappeared into the Underworld for days at a time. "He's vulnerable now, Piper. As a mortal he's- he's an innocent. It's our duty to save him."
Phoebe sounded as though she were trying to reason with herself instead of her sisters; perhaps trying to come up with a more legitimate reason as to why she knew that she couldn't let Cole die, even when she had killed him twice herself.
Paige spoke, sounding surprised and a bit confused. "Hold on, Phoebe. Last time I checked, he nearly killed all of us. I mean, I know I haven't been around him as long as you have, but from what I've seen the guy isn't right in the head; he's anything but innocent." Both Piper and Phoebe stared at Paige, silently. The newest Halliwell sister shifted uncomfortably in her chair for a few moments. Phoebe looked away as Piper broke the quiet.
"He's mortal now, Paige. That means he's an innocent, despite what he's done before. His demonic half, the half that committed most of the crimes, has been destroyed." Piper gently stroked Wyatt's head as she spoke, his slow and even breathing letting her know that he was asleep in her arms.
"I can't let him die, not like this." Phoebe's words were quiet, almost as though she didn't quite want to say them. But it was the truth, and she felt a small amount of the weight lift off of her heart, weight that had held her down ever since she first vanquished her husband.
As if sensing the tenseness in the air, Piper spoke in a business-like manner. "Okay, it's settled then. We're going to need a plan, and we need to know where Cole is going to be before he walks into that alleyway, so we can warn him. Leo!" A sparkle of blue orbs came into the kitchen moments later, revealing a rather out-of-breath Whitelighter.
"Piper, you called me. What's wrong?" Piper looked surprised at his fast response, but she only gave him an odd look before continuing.
"Phoebe just got a premonition that Cole's going to be kidnapped tonight. Did the Elders let you know what exactly he would be doing as a mortal? Or do they plan on just letting him wander the streets on his own?" Wyatt started to shift in his mother's arms, and with a tiny yawn his eyes blinked open a few times. Leo stepped forward, and Piper obligingly placed her son in her husband's arms. Due to his work, the Whitelighter wasn't able to be around as much as he would have wanted, and he didn't want Wyatt to grow up not knowing what it was like to have a father.
"Now that you mention it, they did say that they had fixed things so that everyone would think he was just on vacation. He should still have his job." Piper nodded in acknowledgement, hoping that they would all be able to come out of their own separate dazes now that they were doing something at least halfway familiar.
"All right, Pheebs, go get his work number. We can call him and warn him, and that should keep him alive for another day." Phoebe didn't move. Piper looked at her strangely, her expression changing to look concerned. "Honey, are you okay?"
Phoebe wordlessly took the phone and dialed in a number without pausing. "I had it memorized, when we were- well, before everything happened." Piper didn't push the issue, though she took the phone when Phoebe offered it to her. If her little sister wasn't up to talking to Cole yet, that was fine with her. Anyone who hurt her sisters was an enemy in Piper's book.
Meanwhile, Cole Turner had showered and put on a fresh pair of clothes, then headed off to work. He walked to his building, since it turned out to be a nice day out, determined to finally get this mortal-thing right. Without mind manipulation, or fireballs, Phoebe wouldn't be able to deny that he was doing work for the greater good when he handled cases against criminals and the like.
The boss didn't say much to Cole, only nodding a greeting, and telling him that he hoped he had enjoyed his time off as he handed the ex-demon a huge stack of papers. Cole suppressed a groan, aware that going through each case by hand, rather than magic, was going to be a major pain.
Settling down in his desk, Cole began to flip through the cases. One caught his eye, and he started reading it. It was about a woman who had filed for a restraining order against her ex; he had violated that order when it was approved, and she was looking for a lawyer to help her sue him in court. There were some snapshots included, drawing attention to the various bruises and scrapes the woman had on her face and neck, where she said her ex had grabbed her and tried to force her to call of the divorce.
What a jerk, thought Cole, until he read one of the statements the man had made when questioned by police: I never meant to hurt her; I just love her too much to let her go. Suddenly feeling himself shudder, Cole set down the paper. He remembered placing Phoebe's life on a balance, betting that Piper would choose her over Paige, when he had briefly joined forces with the mummy-man. Now, for the first time, he realized how Phoebe must have felt when he did it. More determined, Cole picked up the paper again and signed his name at the bottom, to show that he was interested in taking the case. With his demonic half gone, it was easier for him to see that many of his rash actions had added to the problem, not helped it. What better way to show Phoebe that he had changed than to help another woman who had been in the same position as his wife? Well, minus the magical element, anyways. Just then, his phone rang, and he picked it up. "Cole Turner speaking."
"This is Piper. Cole, you've got a problem." The Charmed One's voice surprised Cole; he hadn't expected a call from the Halliwells, and certainly not from Piper. Unaware of the situation, Cole spoke as calmly.
"Listen, Piper, if this is about Phoebe, you don't have to worry. I won't stalk her, and I won't try to kidnap her. I'm kind of busy with work right now, actually, so if you don't mind-"A new voice on the line interrupted him, one he would have recognized even if he had been half-drunk.
"Cole, it's not about that. It's about you; you're in danger." Phoebe's voice sounded unsure of herself; it had been a long time since she had had a civil conversation with him. "I had a premonition; a demon is going to try to kidnap you tonight, and I think he's going to kill you too."
Before she could say more, Cole broke in. "Phoebe, I've been doing some thinking lately, and I'm going to try to lead a good life. I don't want to hurt you any more; I don't need you putting yourself at risk at my expense. I'll take a taxi home, instead of walking, and that should solve the problem. Listen, I'm about to start a new case, and as you know I don't have my powers any more, so I really need to get on it. Gotta go."
There was a click, and Phoebe was left staring at the phone. For the first time in awhile, Cole had actually hung up on her, instead of the other way around. Frowning, she set it down. "Are we all clear for tonight, Pheebs?" Piper's question was in gentle tones.
Phoebe shook her head. "Yeah, I guess we are. He said that he'd take a taxi home instead of walking, so I guess that should alter the future enough that he's safe for tonight." However, the Charmed One still looked unsure. "I just feel like I'm forgetting something that's important about my premonition."
"Well, don't worry honey Cole will be fine for tonight. We can focus our attention on finding out who this demonic bounty hunter you saw was. Then we can Summon him, and find out who his employers are." There was a tiny hiccup, and Piper grimaced, looking down at Wyatt, who had just spit up all over her blouse. "But first, I think I need to take care of our little bundle of joy here."
The hours passed quickly, and before long it was time for Cole to head home from work. He felt pleased with himself, despite encountering many difficulties in the case, such as securing witnesses and so forth. Still, he hadn't threatened anybody, and he was doing things the mortal way. Phoebe wouldn't be able to push him away when she saw that he really was on the side of good this time.
The phone call had been nearly forgotten; thought Cole did realize that demonic bounty hunters were a very real danger for him, he had noticed that the tiniest of changes often gave different results than what Phoebe saw in her premonitions. As he signaled a taxi, Cole didn't think twice about the shiver that went down his spine.
After the uneventful ride, Cole got out of the vehicle, paid the driver (after wishing once more that he had mind manipulation; the fare was expensive) and started off down the darkened sidewalk. Rather than go all the way around a block to get to his office, he decided to take a short-cut through an alleyway. He was halfway through the passageway when he heard footsteps behind him.
Before he could turn or react, he heard a cold voice speak aloud. "Balthazar. You've got blood debts to pay, traitor." Cole gasped, going to his knees, as the bounty hunter's arrow buried itself in his back. "Pity it won't kill you; my employers wanted you alive, to have a bit of fun with." The ex-demon blacked out, and the hunter roughly lifted him, then Shimmered away.
At Halliwell Manor, Phoebe grabbed Piper's arm. "Piper, I just figured out what's been bothering me about my premonition. Cole wasn't just walking home, he was in a taxi when I saw him. And he told me that he'd take a taxi home from work, after I warned him. He's still in danger; we have to find him!"
In The Next Chapter: Major Cole and Phoebe moments and Cole manages to prove beyond doubt that he's good!
