Okay, sorry it took so long....blame my piece of crap computer. The next
chapter may take even longer, since it keeps breaking down. I apologise in
advance.
Now, I have to mention this. 'The Good Fight,' actually was slightly inspired by a scene from 'The Demon Who Came In From The Cold.'
During the teaser [I think ] when Cole entered P3, he was greeted rather enthusiastically by Prue. Now, considering the events of the previous episodes [ ie: Prue not being able to stand him] I thought it was weird. Now, this could have been a result of the speculated off screen relationships, but I kinda like the idea of a Cole/ Prue friendship. Which is one of the reasons this story exists. I don't believe they'd just 'click.' They'd have to work at it....and so this story was born. Those worried about the relationship going further however, don't. I believe that Cole and Phoebe belong together. Even though I killed her off.....oops.
*****
****
~~~
"So," Phoebe said brightly, coming to a stop after fairly bouncing down the last few steps. Placing a hand on a hip, she smiled. "How do I look?"
Piper returned the grin, her own hands resting on her hips as she surveyed her little sister from head to toe. The black dress that Phoebe wore was tight at the bosom and torso, before flaring out into a mid-thigh skirt. It was set off perfectly by the sparkling jewelry that hung from her ears, and encircled her neck, as well as a wrist. Her short hair was allowed to fall freely, framing her face.
Piper pursed her lips. "Oh, I don't know.....fabulous? Gorgeous? Other words ending in 'ous'?"
From the living room doorway, Prue observed her sisters. Even though Phoebe had only been back from New York for a month, both she and Piper had fallen into their old, comfortable relationship. And while it made Prue a little sad that the same could not be said of her and Phoebe, she was glad for them. As if sensing her presence, Phoebe turned to her, once again striking a pose. "Prue? What do you think?"
"Well, it doesn't end in 'ous,' but......beautiful. You look beautiful, Pheebs."
Prue hadn't missed the barely hidden apprehension on her sister's face, and was glad to see it melt away at her compliment. Her dark eyes, so much the opposite of Prue's own blue orbs, glittered happily as her grin grew. "Thanks."
"Hot date?" Piper asked.
"Uh huh," Phoebe answered, moving over to the coat hooks where her jacket was hanging. "We're meeting at some local club.....hey, you guys wanna come?"
Piper gave a laugh, looking down at the red sweater and baggy jeans she was wearing and wiggling her bare toes. "I'm not really dressed for clubbing.....besides, I have a date with a hot bubble bath and a romance novel."
Phoebe nodded, turning to her other sister. "What about you, Prue?"
~~~~
"Phoebe," Prue whispered, tossing in her bed. Snapping from her dream state into the waking world, Prue's eyes shot open, scanning the room. Another dream, she thought wearily. Obviously, she hadn't dealt with the days events as well as she'd thought.
After staring at the ceiling in the dim light for what felt like an hour, Prue finally gave up getting any sleep here. The bad memories were only another nights sleep away, and she needed to prevent them from making their appearance. And what better way than by going to the place that had the best memories of all.....Phoebe's room.
***** At the same time as Prue had been woken, Piper was deeply asleep in her own room. The nights activities had left her pleasantly worn out.
Lying next to his sleeping wife, Leo propped his head up on a hand, and just stared down at her. God, she was beautiful. The years events had taken their toll, and the inside changes had reflected on the outside.....she had wondered in a daze for the longest time, pale and fragile, and losing weight at an alarming rate. But she had pulled herself together.....the irony being, that it was because of an attack by a demon. That had shook her up so badly that she had forced herself back on track, gaining back the weight and no longer walking around like a ghost.
There had been a bit of a scare when the two sisters had gone mildly vigilante. But they had seen that their actions were wrong, and had learned from it. And Leo had never been more proud. His one wish, was that Phoebe had been here. Not many people would have expected it from him as her brother in law, but he had loved Phoebe fiercely, just as he did her sisters. His love for Piper had evolved into something more, but he still missed Phoebe, and even knowing where she was now, felt her loss deeply.
Piper shifted in her sleep, giving a little sigh, and Leo laid a comforting hand on her brow. "Shhh, honey. It's okay."
She settled down, actually leaning into his touch. He smiled softly at her, but felt the smile fade as he heard the sound the Elders made to let him know he'd been summoned. "Damn," he whispered.
Climbing from the covers, he quickly donned some sweats, and slipped into the first pair of footwear he could get find.
He thought about waking Piper, but decided to let her rest. She would probably sleep through his orbing, anyway. Leaning over her slightly, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Goodbye, sweetheart."
She made no response, and with a final stroke of his wife's hair, Leo orbed 'up there,' to see what the Elders needed now.
*****
As the heavy door creaked open, Prue followed it's progress, her bare feet moving softly across the carpeted floor.
The room smelt a little dusty, despite Piper's efforts, as if it hadn't been used in a while. Which of course, it hadn't. Except for the occasional visit from the two remaining sisters, it remained empty.
Knowing her way well, even in the dark, Prue made her way to the bed and sat down.
What was it about this place that made her feel better? Was it Phoebe's things? Like the stuffed toy hidden in the closet that she had kept with her since childhood. Was it the fact that she knew this room had been Phoebe's favourite? Her sanctuary from boys and the usual teenage dramas. From Prue herself, sometimes. When their differences had exploded, igniting burning fights that first Grams, and later Piper had to try and douse. She didn't know.....it just was.
Prue found herself playing with the hem of the tank top she had worn to bed, in order to shy away from those particular thoughts. Phoebe wouldn't want her to dwell on the times when neither had understood the other, but had lashed out in proud defensiveness. No, better to remember the positive things.
It was too dark in here, she decided. Reaching to switch on the bedside lamp -- giving a sigh of relief that the thing still worked -- Prue felt a shiver run through her.
Whoa, she shuddered. What was that saying, about people walking over your grave? Okay, she decided with a grimace. Not the best imagery.
Feeling goose bumps break out, she rubbed her bare arms slightly, glancing around the room she was in, and pausing as she met another pair of blue eyes.
"Jesus!" she gasped, jumping up.
Cole held his hands up defensively, much as he had during his earlier visit, apparently concerned for his safety.
But for some reason she wasn't totally clear on, Prue's first thought *hadn't* been to throw him through a wall. But rather to wait for him to speak.
Piper must definitely be influencing me, she groaned.
"God, don't you know how to knock?"
Alright, she congratulated herself. Not too friendly, not too hostile.
Cole merely raised a dark eyebrow. "It's three in the morning......would you have preferred me to use the doorbell?"
He thought it was funny, she realised. *That* was irritating.
"Hey, don't be so smug....as you pointed out, it's three in the morning.....so what the hell are you doing here?"
A look fluttered over the half demon's face. Was that uncertainty?
"I come here....sometimes. I have since not long after Phoebe died, and.... and I didn't expect you -- "
"You -- you come *here?*" Prue repeated dumbly.
"Y- e - s....." he drew the word out, apparently a little confused that she hadn't exploded at him yet. His confusion increased when her expression softened to match her voice.
"I feel closer to her here.....that's why I come."
Once his surprise at her disclosure had faded, Cole found himself nodding. He had to be careful, he thought. Or all the thoughts and feelings he had bottled for a year would come flooding out. But even as he thought this, a voice seemed to whisper....."Would that be so wrong?"
"She shouldn't have died, you know," he burst out suddenly. Startled, Prue stayed silent, allowing him to work it through. "I mean, not yet. Phoebe should have died an old lady, with her children and grand kids around her......even if that wasn't what I could give her."
Prue realised that she must have looked either interested or confused -- probably both -- because Cole carried on, obviously needing to get this out of his system.
"We had talked a bit about it. If we had decided to have children, that child would have been half witch and one quarter demon.....perhaps one would have cancelled the other out, I don't know. But -- there would have been that risk. And Phoebe knew what a struggle it was for me. She'd have had to think long and hard about choosing that kind of life for her child. Not that we were actually thinking about *having* kids," he hurried to reassure her. "But you know what it's like........sitting up late at night, fantasizing about your future."
It was Prue's turn to nod. Thoughts of her young love with Andy -- of dreaming in a most un-Prue like fashion about her wedding.......*their* children. "Things seldom turn out as we'd like."
Cole gave a small smirk. "Who'd have thought, huh? Here we are, not only in close quarters without suffering serious injury.....but *agreeing* with each other."
Prue felt the corner of her mouth twitch, and she gave into the smile that was threatening. "I know. Phoebe -- " She stopped, feeling a small stab of remembered pain. "Phoebe would be shocked," she continued bravely.
Cole allowed the smirk to blossom into a small smile. "Yes.....but I think she would also be pleased."
He sobered quickly. "Look, there's something that I wanted to ask. Have you -- since she died.....have you seen her?" Without waiting for an answer, he rushed on. "It's just that, Phoebe said that you sometimes saw your mother and grandmother. I just thought -- "
"No," she interrupted quietly.
Seeing that she had his attention, she explained. "Grams came and -- she said that the Elders wouldn't let her come. Because she had to adjust to what had happened...and because *we* had to get used to it....we had to accept it, grieve for her and move on."
The half demons lips thinned to a mere line in anger. "Pompous, self righteous, arrogant bas --"
"Hey," Prue cut in. "That's my bosses you're talking about." She carefully hid her own views on the Elders. "Besides......if you meant what you said.....that you want to help....well, they're kind of *your* bosses now, too."
Both of Cole's eyebrows raised at this. It was obviously not something he had considered. "Maybe....maybe you're right." A devious look that Prue recognised spread across his dimly lit features. "Besides, I was a lawyer.....I know it's a human habit to despise those that you work for."
Prue let her head fall back, her gaze focused heavenward as if seeking help. Though he had a point.....she just had to remember Bucklands. Eugh.
"My," she said sarcastically. "How I've missed that razor sharp wit."
Cole frowned, the gesture playful as opposed to arrogant. "No more than I've missed that scathing mouth of yours. You know Halliwell, if you keep this up, we may, possibly, be in danger of becoming friends."
Prue bit her bottom lip slightly in nervousness. Phoebe, give me strength."Would that really be so bad?"
There. She'd said it. She had offered the olive branch. But would he take it.
"No," he said sincerely. "I don't think it would."
He gave a tentative smile, and Prue found herself returning it. Oh Phoebe, she thought to herself. If only you could have been here, to see this.
After a moment, he seemed to remember himself.
"Well, I'll go.....you need your beauty sleep, Halliwell."
Her mouth dropped open at the insult, until she caught the twinkle in his blue eyes, and flashed onto something Phoebe had said a long time ago.
~ "It's his eyes, you know? He could convince the devil himself that hell was cold, until]] you see that damn sparkle in his eyes. Then you know, it's all a joke."~
She decided to give as good as she got. "Ha! Well, that explains you......how long has it been since you had any sleep.....100 years?"
He gave a small chuckle. "Touche. Goodnight, Prue."
"'Night, Cole," she said quietly.
And as he shimmered away, Prue realised that she felt a little better.
"Wonders will never cease, eh, Pheebs?" she whispered. There was no answer, though she always found herself waiting. Sighing, Prue shuffled to the bed, laying down and snuggling under the covers.
"Goodnight, Pheebs," she murmured, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep. A rest that was sounder than slumber had been in a long time.
Now, I have to mention this. 'The Good Fight,' actually was slightly inspired by a scene from 'The Demon Who Came In From The Cold.'
During the teaser [I think ] when Cole entered P3, he was greeted rather enthusiastically by Prue. Now, considering the events of the previous episodes [ ie: Prue not being able to stand him] I thought it was weird. Now, this could have been a result of the speculated off screen relationships, but I kinda like the idea of a Cole/ Prue friendship. Which is one of the reasons this story exists. I don't believe they'd just 'click.' They'd have to work at it....and so this story was born. Those worried about the relationship going further however, don't. I believe that Cole and Phoebe belong together. Even though I killed her off.....oops.
*****
****
~~~
"So," Phoebe said brightly, coming to a stop after fairly bouncing down the last few steps. Placing a hand on a hip, she smiled. "How do I look?"
Piper returned the grin, her own hands resting on her hips as she surveyed her little sister from head to toe. The black dress that Phoebe wore was tight at the bosom and torso, before flaring out into a mid-thigh skirt. It was set off perfectly by the sparkling jewelry that hung from her ears, and encircled her neck, as well as a wrist. Her short hair was allowed to fall freely, framing her face.
Piper pursed her lips. "Oh, I don't know.....fabulous? Gorgeous? Other words ending in 'ous'?"
From the living room doorway, Prue observed her sisters. Even though Phoebe had only been back from New York for a month, both she and Piper had fallen into their old, comfortable relationship. And while it made Prue a little sad that the same could not be said of her and Phoebe, she was glad for them. As if sensing her presence, Phoebe turned to her, once again striking a pose. "Prue? What do you think?"
"Well, it doesn't end in 'ous,' but......beautiful. You look beautiful, Pheebs."
Prue hadn't missed the barely hidden apprehension on her sister's face, and was glad to see it melt away at her compliment. Her dark eyes, so much the opposite of Prue's own blue orbs, glittered happily as her grin grew. "Thanks."
"Hot date?" Piper asked.
"Uh huh," Phoebe answered, moving over to the coat hooks where her jacket was hanging. "We're meeting at some local club.....hey, you guys wanna come?"
Piper gave a laugh, looking down at the red sweater and baggy jeans she was wearing and wiggling her bare toes. "I'm not really dressed for clubbing.....besides, I have a date with a hot bubble bath and a romance novel."
Phoebe nodded, turning to her other sister. "What about you, Prue?"
~~~~
"Phoebe," Prue whispered, tossing in her bed. Snapping from her dream state into the waking world, Prue's eyes shot open, scanning the room. Another dream, she thought wearily. Obviously, she hadn't dealt with the days events as well as she'd thought.
After staring at the ceiling in the dim light for what felt like an hour, Prue finally gave up getting any sleep here. The bad memories were only another nights sleep away, and she needed to prevent them from making their appearance. And what better way than by going to the place that had the best memories of all.....Phoebe's room.
***** At the same time as Prue had been woken, Piper was deeply asleep in her own room. The nights activities had left her pleasantly worn out.
Lying next to his sleeping wife, Leo propped his head up on a hand, and just stared down at her. God, she was beautiful. The years events had taken their toll, and the inside changes had reflected on the outside.....she had wondered in a daze for the longest time, pale and fragile, and losing weight at an alarming rate. But she had pulled herself together.....the irony being, that it was because of an attack by a demon. That had shook her up so badly that she had forced herself back on track, gaining back the weight and no longer walking around like a ghost.
There had been a bit of a scare when the two sisters had gone mildly vigilante. But they had seen that their actions were wrong, and had learned from it. And Leo had never been more proud. His one wish, was that Phoebe had been here. Not many people would have expected it from him as her brother in law, but he had loved Phoebe fiercely, just as he did her sisters. His love for Piper had evolved into something more, but he still missed Phoebe, and even knowing where she was now, felt her loss deeply.
Piper shifted in her sleep, giving a little sigh, and Leo laid a comforting hand on her brow. "Shhh, honey. It's okay."
She settled down, actually leaning into his touch. He smiled softly at her, but felt the smile fade as he heard the sound the Elders made to let him know he'd been summoned. "Damn," he whispered.
Climbing from the covers, he quickly donned some sweats, and slipped into the first pair of footwear he could get find.
He thought about waking Piper, but decided to let her rest. She would probably sleep through his orbing, anyway. Leaning over her slightly, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Goodbye, sweetheart."
She made no response, and with a final stroke of his wife's hair, Leo orbed 'up there,' to see what the Elders needed now.
*****
As the heavy door creaked open, Prue followed it's progress, her bare feet moving softly across the carpeted floor.
The room smelt a little dusty, despite Piper's efforts, as if it hadn't been used in a while. Which of course, it hadn't. Except for the occasional visit from the two remaining sisters, it remained empty.
Knowing her way well, even in the dark, Prue made her way to the bed and sat down.
What was it about this place that made her feel better? Was it Phoebe's things? Like the stuffed toy hidden in the closet that she had kept with her since childhood. Was it the fact that she knew this room had been Phoebe's favourite? Her sanctuary from boys and the usual teenage dramas. From Prue herself, sometimes. When their differences had exploded, igniting burning fights that first Grams, and later Piper had to try and douse. She didn't know.....it just was.
Prue found herself playing with the hem of the tank top she had worn to bed, in order to shy away from those particular thoughts. Phoebe wouldn't want her to dwell on the times when neither had understood the other, but had lashed out in proud defensiveness. No, better to remember the positive things.
It was too dark in here, she decided. Reaching to switch on the bedside lamp -- giving a sigh of relief that the thing still worked -- Prue felt a shiver run through her.
Whoa, she shuddered. What was that saying, about people walking over your grave? Okay, she decided with a grimace. Not the best imagery.
Feeling goose bumps break out, she rubbed her bare arms slightly, glancing around the room she was in, and pausing as she met another pair of blue eyes.
"Jesus!" she gasped, jumping up.
Cole held his hands up defensively, much as he had during his earlier visit, apparently concerned for his safety.
But for some reason she wasn't totally clear on, Prue's first thought *hadn't* been to throw him through a wall. But rather to wait for him to speak.
Piper must definitely be influencing me, she groaned.
"God, don't you know how to knock?"
Alright, she congratulated herself. Not too friendly, not too hostile.
Cole merely raised a dark eyebrow. "It's three in the morning......would you have preferred me to use the doorbell?"
He thought it was funny, she realised. *That* was irritating.
"Hey, don't be so smug....as you pointed out, it's three in the morning.....so what the hell are you doing here?"
A look fluttered over the half demon's face. Was that uncertainty?
"I come here....sometimes. I have since not long after Phoebe died, and.... and I didn't expect you -- "
"You -- you come *here?*" Prue repeated dumbly.
"Y- e - s....." he drew the word out, apparently a little confused that she hadn't exploded at him yet. His confusion increased when her expression softened to match her voice.
"I feel closer to her here.....that's why I come."
Once his surprise at her disclosure had faded, Cole found himself nodding. He had to be careful, he thought. Or all the thoughts and feelings he had bottled for a year would come flooding out. But even as he thought this, a voice seemed to whisper....."Would that be so wrong?"
"She shouldn't have died, you know," he burst out suddenly. Startled, Prue stayed silent, allowing him to work it through. "I mean, not yet. Phoebe should have died an old lady, with her children and grand kids around her......even if that wasn't what I could give her."
Prue realised that she must have looked either interested or confused -- probably both -- because Cole carried on, obviously needing to get this out of his system.
"We had talked a bit about it. If we had decided to have children, that child would have been half witch and one quarter demon.....perhaps one would have cancelled the other out, I don't know. But -- there would have been that risk. And Phoebe knew what a struggle it was for me. She'd have had to think long and hard about choosing that kind of life for her child. Not that we were actually thinking about *having* kids," he hurried to reassure her. "But you know what it's like........sitting up late at night, fantasizing about your future."
It was Prue's turn to nod. Thoughts of her young love with Andy -- of dreaming in a most un-Prue like fashion about her wedding.......*their* children. "Things seldom turn out as we'd like."
Cole gave a small smirk. "Who'd have thought, huh? Here we are, not only in close quarters without suffering serious injury.....but *agreeing* with each other."
Prue felt the corner of her mouth twitch, and she gave into the smile that was threatening. "I know. Phoebe -- " She stopped, feeling a small stab of remembered pain. "Phoebe would be shocked," she continued bravely.
Cole allowed the smirk to blossom into a small smile. "Yes.....but I think she would also be pleased."
He sobered quickly. "Look, there's something that I wanted to ask. Have you -- since she died.....have you seen her?" Without waiting for an answer, he rushed on. "It's just that, Phoebe said that you sometimes saw your mother and grandmother. I just thought -- "
"No," she interrupted quietly.
Seeing that she had his attention, she explained. "Grams came and -- she said that the Elders wouldn't let her come. Because she had to adjust to what had happened...and because *we* had to get used to it....we had to accept it, grieve for her and move on."
The half demons lips thinned to a mere line in anger. "Pompous, self righteous, arrogant bas --"
"Hey," Prue cut in. "That's my bosses you're talking about." She carefully hid her own views on the Elders. "Besides......if you meant what you said.....that you want to help....well, they're kind of *your* bosses now, too."
Both of Cole's eyebrows raised at this. It was obviously not something he had considered. "Maybe....maybe you're right." A devious look that Prue recognised spread across his dimly lit features. "Besides, I was a lawyer.....I know it's a human habit to despise those that you work for."
Prue let her head fall back, her gaze focused heavenward as if seeking help. Though he had a point.....she just had to remember Bucklands. Eugh.
"My," she said sarcastically. "How I've missed that razor sharp wit."
Cole frowned, the gesture playful as opposed to arrogant. "No more than I've missed that scathing mouth of yours. You know Halliwell, if you keep this up, we may, possibly, be in danger of becoming friends."
Prue bit her bottom lip slightly in nervousness. Phoebe, give me strength."Would that really be so bad?"
There. She'd said it. She had offered the olive branch. But would he take it.
"No," he said sincerely. "I don't think it would."
He gave a tentative smile, and Prue found herself returning it. Oh Phoebe, she thought to herself. If only you could have been here, to see this.
After a moment, he seemed to remember himself.
"Well, I'll go.....you need your beauty sleep, Halliwell."
Her mouth dropped open at the insult, until she caught the twinkle in his blue eyes, and flashed onto something Phoebe had said a long time ago.
~ "It's his eyes, you know? He could convince the devil himself that hell was cold, until]] you see that damn sparkle in his eyes. Then you know, it's all a joke."~
She decided to give as good as she got. "Ha! Well, that explains you......how long has it been since you had any sleep.....100 years?"
He gave a small chuckle. "Touche. Goodnight, Prue."
"'Night, Cole," she said quietly.
And as he shimmered away, Prue realised that she felt a little better.
"Wonders will never cease, eh, Pheebs?" she whispered. There was no answer, though she always found herself waiting. Sighing, Prue shuffled to the bed, laying down and snuggling under the covers.
"Goodnight, Pheebs," she murmured, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep. A rest that was sounder than slumber had been in a long time.
