First of all, I apologise for the length of time this chapter has taken me.
After the upload of my last chapter, my computer broke down. When it didn't
pop on as anticipated a few days later, we put it into the shop. After
almost a week, we got it back, and I wrote this. This is actually the
longest chapter I've written so far, so I hope you enjoy it. Things are
starting to come together....:)
Thank you.
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Humming softly to herself, Piper hefted a box of club supplies onto the counter. Her staff at P3, while a little confused at their their bosses boyant mood, were grateful that that at least some of the melancoly that had seemed to be bogging her down this last year, appeared to be gone. This usually only happened when either her husband or her older sister came to visit, but neither were here now. It didn't matter to them, though. They were just content to see that Piper seemed to be more like her old self.
Piper looked up as she heard someone calling her name. "Yes?"
It was Chris, the barman who had told her about Prue's agitated phone call the other day.
"Your sister's on the phone."
Okay, Piper thought. Deja Vu, much? Hoping that something hadn't upset Prue again, Piper thanked Chris and went to the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey, Piper, " came Prue's warm voice.
Piper felt her eyebrows raise, a little surprised at Prue's seemingly good mood. "Er....did something happen?"
"Um, nope," Prue answered, laughter in her voice. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, you just sound...." how could she put this ....."happy." Piper cringed as she realised how that sounded. "Not that you're not normally....you are, just not that often. And that doesn't make you a bad person to be around --"
"Piper?"
"Yeah?"
"Stop babbling."
"Okay," Piper agreed in a small voice.
"You're right, I'm not usually in this good of a mood. But I told you, I'm turning over a new leaf. No more wallowing. Plus, I just got *the* best assignment."
Piper felt her mouth stretch into a smile at the enthusiasm in Prue's voice. "Really? Congratulations.....what is it?"
"Ah, well, I can't tell you.....nothing's been confirmed, but from what I was told, it's going to be great! I'll tell you more when we get home."
"What, you can't tell me over the phone? It can't be that cloak and dagger, can it?"
"You'd be surprised.....let's just say, if word got out, it wouldn't be an exclusive.....we'd lose the coverage we need."
"It's okay, Prue. I was just kidding."
Prue relaxed on her end of the line. "Anyway, what I really called for, is to get your opinion on something."
"Okay, shoot."
The elder Halliwell grinned at her sisters choice of words. "Funny. Alright, I was thinking we could have a special dinner tonight. You know, celebrate *things,* and the fact I got a great assignment. What do you say?"
Unaware that her staff were watching her smiling face with something close to relief, Piper answered. "I say it's a great idea, Prue. What shall we have? I'll need to pick some things up."
"Uh, uh," Prue disagreed. "No, *I* will get what we need....I even have an idea as to what to have. I know cooking is your forte, though, so I'll probably need your help in making it."
"Oh, erm, okay," Piper fumbled. "Just.....let me know what time to be back for."
"Say about.....five? We should get it done in plenty of time, then."
"Okay," Piper laughed. "You know, I think I really like this new Prue."
She heard an intake of breath over the line, and then the same breath being expelled. "You know?" her sister asked. "So do I."
***** ****** *******
"When will he be here?"
"Soon," the demon replied. "But master....we have met once today, and Belthazor seemed......disturbed. He cut our conference short, and arranged this meeting. Is it possible that he knows of our intentions?"
The other considered. "Never underestimate those that you deal with.....for there is always the possibility that they have discovered something you did not wish them to be privy to. But in this instance, I think not. Unless......"
"Master?"
"Unless *you* have let something slip?"
"No, no master," the demon fervently denied.
"Good.....now remember. As soon as Belthazor arrives, give him the information, discover what he knows of me, and *then* attempt an attack on him. Be sure to douse the Athame in the poison. If he survives.....then he truly will be worthy for our cause."
"But...h-how do you know he will turn for the cause? Even the Source himself could not return Belthazor to his true ways."
Slowly, Xium turned on the other demon, watching in satisfaction as the whelp cowered on his knees, head bowed. "He will turn.....because I will see to it. I have my ways, ways lost for many centuries under the human plague that has swept the Earth. Ways that no demon -- especially a half breed weakling like Belthazor -- will be able to hold out against. He will turn.....and soon, so will others. For our cause is a just one."
The other demon risked a quick glance up, seeing his masters face for a brief second. "But....master, you know that I am no match for Belthazor. He may be a half breed as you have said, but.....b-but he is still one of the strongest there is. I will be killed."
Xium's expression did not change. "Yes," he confirmed. "That is a likely outcome. But by doing so, you not only die for the cause, but you die quickly. Because if you fail me.....your death would neither be quick or for the cause......but rather, for my own amusement." Crouching slowly, Dasmar brought his face close to the downturned one of the quivering demon. "And I do not bore easily."
The kneeling demons head hung even lower as his master laughed. "Just make sure Belthazor gets the location of my next victim's death.....and this one will die. I allowed the others to live, merely so that imbecile would think that he had the means to beat me. And if he survives his trial, he will attempt to save the witches. And when he gallops in on his trusty steed, to rescue the fair maiden....." Xium's eyes glowed. "He will be mine."
***** ****** *******
~~ "Ugh, it's staring at me!"
With a heart felt sigh, Piper assured her sister. "Phoebe, it's dead, okay? It's not staring at you."
Gingerly nudging the dead fish with a pair of salad tongs that she'd found on the counter, Phoebe grimaced again. "So....it's still got eyes."
"Not for long," Piper declared.
Further conversation was cut off as Prue breezed into the kitchen, sweeping over to the refridgerator, and opening the door. "Hey," she greeted, taking out a bottle of water, and moving to the counter to see what had occupied her sisters. "Ugh, is that thing staring at us?"
"Thank you!" Phoebe said loudly, giving Piper a dirty look that was returned.
"No, Prudence, it isn't. And don't tell me it's got eyes....I know it has eyes. But as I told our darling baby sister here, that won't be a permanent condition."
"Good, 'cause if there's one thing that freaks me out in our world of witches, Warlocks and Demons, it's being eyeballed by a dead fish."
Pursing her lips, Piper briskly reached out past Phoebe, snagging a wicked looking knife from the counter.
"Hey!" Phoebe protested as her sister brought her arm back, the blade on the knife catching the overhead light. Piper gave no reply, merely manuevering past the younger Halliwell and grabbing the much talked about fish. Slamming it none too gently down on the cutting board, she neatly chopped the head off.
"Eugh," Phoebe and Prue chorused, watching as Piper then picked up the decapitated fish part, and wrapped in some paper before binning it. "There, happy?"
Eyes focused on the knife still being weilded by their less that pleased sibling, both woman nodded their heads. "Uh huh," they said together. Satisfied, Piper promptly spun from them, trying to supress her smile as she carried on with her preparations.
~
Smiling fondly at the memories, Piper closed the front door of the manor behind her. Taking her coat off and hanging it up, she gave her head a little shake, trying to clear it of thoughts of past dinners prepared and shared under the Halliwell roof. "Prue!" she called instead. "I'm home."
"In the kitchen!" came the reply.
Locating her sister, Piper entered the kitchen, her eyebrows raising as she took in the boiling pots and pans, ingrediants strewn across the kitchen counter tops. "Wow.....I see you started without me?"
Prue grinned. "Yeah, I...I kinda wanted to do most of it myself, you know? You do most of the cooking as it is, so I kinda wanted to try. Is that okay?"
"Of course it is, Prue. But I have to at least help, so what can I do?"
Blowing out air through pursed lips, Prue surveyed the kitchen, hands on hips. "Oh, er....if you could chop that," she directed, pointing at the ingrediant, "that would be a big help."
"Sure." Piper moved to the sink, quickly washing and drying her hands before she began handling the food. Selecting a sharp knife, she began to expertly chop. They continued in silence, until Piper spoke.
"Prue? Can I ask you something?"
Prue nodded, scooping up a handful of diced vegable and dropping it into a simmering pot. "Of course."
"Well.....I was thinking --"
"Now Piper, you know that can be dangerous," Prue said, straight-faced, only smiling at her own joke when Piper swatted her arm with a peeved, "Hey!"
"Sorry," she apologised. "Now, you were saying?"
"I was saying.....I think we should do something for Phoebe's birthday."
As she waited for Prue's reaction, Piper absently wondered when things had changed....when she had become able to mention her sister's name and not feel the terrible pain that she had lived with for the last year. It seemed as if they really were finally moving past this.
"Huh?" Piper realised that as her thoughts had strayed, she hadn't heard Prue's answer.
"I said, I think that's a good idea."
Piper did another double-take. "You do?"
Prue continued, one hand stirring the bubbling pot. "Yeah. I - Idon't know, but.....lately I think I'm....coming to terms with loosing Phoebe. Don't get me wrong, if I had the chance to, I'd have her back in a heartbeat, but...."
"But it feels a little easier, now?" Piper suggested.
"Yeah." Prue gave a small smile. "And I know that Phoebe would be pleased that we've carried on." Looking down at the stove, she added, "we actually talked about it, once."
"What?"
"After Phoebe's brush with Anton and her evil past life.....we talked about the possibility of one of us dying. And we both agreed that, if either of us ever died, that we would want the others to go on."
Piper didn't know whether to be shocked at the news that such a conversation had taken place without her, or saddened that circumstances had led her sisters to even have to discuss such a thing. So she settled on a combination of the two. "Um, why wasn't I involved?"
"Well, you were already having trouble with the whole Leo and Dan love triangle thing, and we didn't want to upset you any more."
That didn't really make Piper feel any beter, but she decided to leave it at that for now.
"The point is, Piper....I think it would be a great idea. Maybe....we could say a few words, light a few candles.....or we could all just get together."
"All?"
"Yeah," Prue said. She saw Piper's expression, and realised what her sister was up to. "You just going to make me say it, aren't you?"
Piper's look didn't change much, except to get a little more smug. "Uh huh."
Prue heaved a sigh. "Fine," she elaborated. " I mean you, me, Leo, maybe Daryl if he's not busy, and.....and Cole."
Piper threw an arm around Prue, drawing her near. "There, was that so hard?"
"No, it wasn't. I've accepted that Cole is going to be a part of our life......for as long as he stays on the side of good."
"Of course," Piper agreed.
"Which had better be for a good, long time," came a voice from behind them. They turned as one, Prue smiling warmly at Leo, as Piper moved to her husband, greeting him enthusiastically.
"Mmmm, what was that for?" he asked.
"Nothing....just....in a good mood, I guess," his wife replied. Keeping the smile on her face, she swatted his chest....hard.
"Ow....hey, what was *that* for?" he asked, rubbing his chest theatrically.
"For leaving without telling me last night."
He had the sense to look apologetic. "But I didn't want to wake you."
She just gave him a knowing look, moving back to the counter next to Prue.
"So," Leo said, trying to steer the conversation away from the events and summons of last night.....and the slightly disturbing news he had been told. There was time for that later. "What are you doing?"
"We're cooking dinner, Leo," Prue deadpanned.
"Oh....I meant, any special occasion?"
The two sisters looked at each other, considering, before Prue spoke. "Just.....celebrating that we've exorsised some old ghosts......that now we can finally start to move on with our lives properly."
Leo smiled, glad to see them so content, though inside he prayed that the latest warning to come from the Elders wouldn't spoil it. "Well, we've exorsised our fair share of real ghosts.....it's about time we got to recieve the benifit of our own expertise."
The sisters didn't answer, both simply rolling their eyes and laughing at Leo's expression as Piper threw the dishcloth from the counter at him, hitting him square between the eyes.
"Hey!"
The Elders news could *definitely* wait 'til later, Leo decided.
***** ****** *******
Cautiously gliding forward, Cole Turner scanned his surroundings. He'd never been particularly fond of underground caves, ones dripping moisture and harbouring a potential attacker least of all. He'd already met with his demon imformant once today, but his nerves had been on edge from the nightmare he'd dreamt, so he'd cut the meeting short, knowing it would do no good if he were to kill the demon before he'd gotten to information out of him. So now here he was, getting dripped on, and trying hard to concentrate on being alert for any signs of threat.
There! A noise sounded up ahead, and Cole moved his pace up a little, an energy ball glowing weakly in his hand. Enough to light the way a little and ready to be launched at the first sign of attack, but not bright enough to alert anyone or *anything* that was behind that bend.
He thought he heard voices, but couldn't be sure, and as his head rounded the corner, he realised that he had been mistaken. Only his 'fellow' demon was there, kneeling on the floor, his head dropped low.
Determining that there was no real need for the energy ball *just* yet, Cole let it disapate in his hand, and slowly stepped forward. He watched as the demon jumped up, his own arm rising, flame burning in the palm of his hand. Knowing that even if the other demon had thrown the flame that he would be able to counteract it with his own energy ball, Cole simply stood there, his hands at his sides.
"Hello Dasmar," he said.
Dasmar relaxed slightly, the flame extinguishing. "Belthazor. Prompt, as always."
"I try," Cole said, his smile insincire. "Now that that's out of the way, how about we get down to the real reason we're both here?"
Dasmar frowned. "Exactly what I was willing to do this morning, Belthazor. If you'll remember, *you* were the one who cut our meeting short."
"I had other, more pressing matters to attend to. But I'm here now, so tell me.....were will he strike next?"
The other demon turned from Cole, busying his hands by nervously fidgiting with a candle holder that stood empty on the rocky alter in front of him. "One thing first, Belthazor. What do you know of the one you seek?"
It was Cole's turn to frown. "What does that matter?"
Dasmar spun towards him suddenly. "It matters a great deal! Now answer the question, Belthazor, or our business here is concluded."
Stepping forward menacingly, Cole towered over the shorter demon. "I don't respond well to threats, Dasmar."
Dasmar automatically stumbled back a pace, his hands raising as if to ward Cole off. "No, no threat, Belthazor! I merely.....I merely wish to compare my knowledge with yours, in order to make sure we have missed nothing. It wouldn't do for you to go off unprepared, and fall prey to the same fate as the witches that first allerted us to this demons existence."
Cole's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You know of the murdered witches?"
"Yes. What do you think my reason for dispatching off this one is? I know that if he continues in this manner, he will soon gain the Sources favour."
"And....you had hoped to procure it yourself?" Cole guessed.
Something a lot like relief entered Dasmar's expression, but it was soon gone. "But of course. Every demon aspires to it, for it brings with it power."
"Not every demon," Cole muttered under his breath, catching himself and hoping the other demon hadn't overheard him. Dasmar appeared not to have, his gaze and his restless fingers once more on the candle holder.
"And as for what I know of the demon responsible for the recent spate of witch killings.....my knowledge is very little. He strikes when it is dark, catching the witch alone and unawares. He uses an Athame to dispatch them, never any demonic powers. So far he has stuck to elimanating members of the same covern, but is also suspected of being behind the demise of several more such groups."
Again, something close to relief showed on Dasmar's face. "That is all?"
"That's it."
"My information is the same. I have nothing to add to yours."
"Very well. Now.....There are only four members of this covern surviving. I'm responsible for saving two of them, but there's nothing to say he won't make another attempt. Now, I could waste time learning their habits, their ways, dividing my energies between them......or you could tell me what you know."
Dasmar seemed to consider it, his beady grey eyes darting about the cave. "Very well. There is a small park, not far from where the covern's members *congragrated.*" He said the word as if it were distasteful, which Cole suposed to a demon, it would be. Again marvelling at how much he had been changed, he listened to the other demon to continue.
"Tomorrow, possibly the next day, they will be having a ceremony of sorts, for their fallen members, as well as to cast protection spells. It would be a simple thing for the one responsible to merely catch one unawares.....perhaps take them all out at once."
Clever, Cole thought. But he had to wonder where this demon was getting such detailed information from. But now was not the time to ask. He could only proceed cautiously, and hope that he didn't perish in the attempt. "Alright. Now, if you'll excuse me, I see to have an overwhelming urge to depart this place." And suiting his actions to his words, he turned to leave, until muffled words from behind him caused him to pause.
"For the cause."
Before Cole could react, there was a displacement of air behind him, making him spin. He was confonted with the sight of Dasmar, rushing towards him with an Athame drawn. Cole readied an energy ball, aiming at Dasmar, before throwing it. Seeing what he intended, Dasmar changed tactics, using the Athame as he would a fire ball, and launching it through the air at Cole. As Cole's energy ball found it's mark, blue energy igniting and crackling on and around Dasmar, so did the Athame, it's blade sinking deep into Cole's shoulder. He bit back his grunt of pain as Dasmar screamed, his body smoking before it finally seemed to explode in a hail of black sparks, disapearing.
Reaching for the knifes handle, Cole braced himself and pulled. The blade slid free, the damage inflicted by it leaving it, and Cole's hand, slick with blood. Pulling a face in distaste, Cole threw the weapon to the ground, thinking of it no more as he held a hand to his wound, shimmering out of the cavern.
He didn't notice it's unnatural glow as he left, nor did he notice the strange black liquid visible on spots not covered with his blood......the same black substance that his wound now held traces of.
***** ******
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*****
Humming softly to herself, Piper hefted a box of club supplies onto the counter. Her staff at P3, while a little confused at their their bosses boyant mood, were grateful that that at least some of the melancoly that had seemed to be bogging her down this last year, appeared to be gone. This usually only happened when either her husband or her older sister came to visit, but neither were here now. It didn't matter to them, though. They were just content to see that Piper seemed to be more like her old self.
Piper looked up as she heard someone calling her name. "Yes?"
It was Chris, the barman who had told her about Prue's agitated phone call the other day.
"Your sister's on the phone."
Okay, Piper thought. Deja Vu, much? Hoping that something hadn't upset Prue again, Piper thanked Chris and went to the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey, Piper, " came Prue's warm voice.
Piper felt her eyebrows raise, a little surprised at Prue's seemingly good mood. "Er....did something happen?"
"Um, nope," Prue answered, laughter in her voice. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, you just sound...." how could she put this ....."happy." Piper cringed as she realised how that sounded. "Not that you're not normally....you are, just not that often. And that doesn't make you a bad person to be around --"
"Piper?"
"Yeah?"
"Stop babbling."
"Okay," Piper agreed in a small voice.
"You're right, I'm not usually in this good of a mood. But I told you, I'm turning over a new leaf. No more wallowing. Plus, I just got *the* best assignment."
Piper felt her mouth stretch into a smile at the enthusiasm in Prue's voice. "Really? Congratulations.....what is it?"
"Ah, well, I can't tell you.....nothing's been confirmed, but from what I was told, it's going to be great! I'll tell you more when we get home."
"What, you can't tell me over the phone? It can't be that cloak and dagger, can it?"
"You'd be surprised.....let's just say, if word got out, it wouldn't be an exclusive.....we'd lose the coverage we need."
"It's okay, Prue. I was just kidding."
Prue relaxed on her end of the line. "Anyway, what I really called for, is to get your opinion on something."
"Okay, shoot."
The elder Halliwell grinned at her sisters choice of words. "Funny. Alright, I was thinking we could have a special dinner tonight. You know, celebrate *things,* and the fact I got a great assignment. What do you say?"
Unaware that her staff were watching her smiling face with something close to relief, Piper answered. "I say it's a great idea, Prue. What shall we have? I'll need to pick some things up."
"Uh, uh," Prue disagreed. "No, *I* will get what we need....I even have an idea as to what to have. I know cooking is your forte, though, so I'll probably need your help in making it."
"Oh, erm, okay," Piper fumbled. "Just.....let me know what time to be back for."
"Say about.....five? We should get it done in plenty of time, then."
"Okay," Piper laughed. "You know, I think I really like this new Prue."
She heard an intake of breath over the line, and then the same breath being expelled. "You know?" her sister asked. "So do I."
***** ****** *******
"When will he be here?"
"Soon," the demon replied. "But master....we have met once today, and Belthazor seemed......disturbed. He cut our conference short, and arranged this meeting. Is it possible that he knows of our intentions?"
The other considered. "Never underestimate those that you deal with.....for there is always the possibility that they have discovered something you did not wish them to be privy to. But in this instance, I think not. Unless......"
"Master?"
"Unless *you* have let something slip?"
"No, no master," the demon fervently denied.
"Good.....now remember. As soon as Belthazor arrives, give him the information, discover what he knows of me, and *then* attempt an attack on him. Be sure to douse the Athame in the poison. If he survives.....then he truly will be worthy for our cause."
"But...h-how do you know he will turn for the cause? Even the Source himself could not return Belthazor to his true ways."
Slowly, Xium turned on the other demon, watching in satisfaction as the whelp cowered on his knees, head bowed. "He will turn.....because I will see to it. I have my ways, ways lost for many centuries under the human plague that has swept the Earth. Ways that no demon -- especially a half breed weakling like Belthazor -- will be able to hold out against. He will turn.....and soon, so will others. For our cause is a just one."
The other demon risked a quick glance up, seeing his masters face for a brief second. "But....master, you know that I am no match for Belthazor. He may be a half breed as you have said, but.....b-but he is still one of the strongest there is. I will be killed."
Xium's expression did not change. "Yes," he confirmed. "That is a likely outcome. But by doing so, you not only die for the cause, but you die quickly. Because if you fail me.....your death would neither be quick or for the cause......but rather, for my own amusement." Crouching slowly, Dasmar brought his face close to the downturned one of the quivering demon. "And I do not bore easily."
The kneeling demons head hung even lower as his master laughed. "Just make sure Belthazor gets the location of my next victim's death.....and this one will die. I allowed the others to live, merely so that imbecile would think that he had the means to beat me. And if he survives his trial, he will attempt to save the witches. And when he gallops in on his trusty steed, to rescue the fair maiden....." Xium's eyes glowed. "He will be mine."
***** ****** *******
~~ "Ugh, it's staring at me!"
With a heart felt sigh, Piper assured her sister. "Phoebe, it's dead, okay? It's not staring at you."
Gingerly nudging the dead fish with a pair of salad tongs that she'd found on the counter, Phoebe grimaced again. "So....it's still got eyes."
"Not for long," Piper declared.
Further conversation was cut off as Prue breezed into the kitchen, sweeping over to the refridgerator, and opening the door. "Hey," she greeted, taking out a bottle of water, and moving to the counter to see what had occupied her sisters. "Ugh, is that thing staring at us?"
"Thank you!" Phoebe said loudly, giving Piper a dirty look that was returned.
"No, Prudence, it isn't. And don't tell me it's got eyes....I know it has eyes. But as I told our darling baby sister here, that won't be a permanent condition."
"Good, 'cause if there's one thing that freaks me out in our world of witches, Warlocks and Demons, it's being eyeballed by a dead fish."
Pursing her lips, Piper briskly reached out past Phoebe, snagging a wicked looking knife from the counter.
"Hey!" Phoebe protested as her sister brought her arm back, the blade on the knife catching the overhead light. Piper gave no reply, merely manuevering past the younger Halliwell and grabbing the much talked about fish. Slamming it none too gently down on the cutting board, she neatly chopped the head off.
"Eugh," Phoebe and Prue chorused, watching as Piper then picked up the decapitated fish part, and wrapped in some paper before binning it. "There, happy?"
Eyes focused on the knife still being weilded by their less that pleased sibling, both woman nodded their heads. "Uh huh," they said together. Satisfied, Piper promptly spun from them, trying to supress her smile as she carried on with her preparations.
~
Smiling fondly at the memories, Piper closed the front door of the manor behind her. Taking her coat off and hanging it up, she gave her head a little shake, trying to clear it of thoughts of past dinners prepared and shared under the Halliwell roof. "Prue!" she called instead. "I'm home."
"In the kitchen!" came the reply.
Locating her sister, Piper entered the kitchen, her eyebrows raising as she took in the boiling pots and pans, ingrediants strewn across the kitchen counter tops. "Wow.....I see you started without me?"
Prue grinned. "Yeah, I...I kinda wanted to do most of it myself, you know? You do most of the cooking as it is, so I kinda wanted to try. Is that okay?"
"Of course it is, Prue. But I have to at least help, so what can I do?"
Blowing out air through pursed lips, Prue surveyed the kitchen, hands on hips. "Oh, er....if you could chop that," she directed, pointing at the ingrediant, "that would be a big help."
"Sure." Piper moved to the sink, quickly washing and drying her hands before she began handling the food. Selecting a sharp knife, she began to expertly chop. They continued in silence, until Piper spoke.
"Prue? Can I ask you something?"
Prue nodded, scooping up a handful of diced vegable and dropping it into a simmering pot. "Of course."
"Well.....I was thinking --"
"Now Piper, you know that can be dangerous," Prue said, straight-faced, only smiling at her own joke when Piper swatted her arm with a peeved, "Hey!"
"Sorry," she apologised. "Now, you were saying?"
"I was saying.....I think we should do something for Phoebe's birthday."
As she waited for Prue's reaction, Piper absently wondered when things had changed....when she had become able to mention her sister's name and not feel the terrible pain that she had lived with for the last year. It seemed as if they really were finally moving past this.
"Huh?" Piper realised that as her thoughts had strayed, she hadn't heard Prue's answer.
"I said, I think that's a good idea."
Piper did another double-take. "You do?"
Prue continued, one hand stirring the bubbling pot. "Yeah. I - Idon't know, but.....lately I think I'm....coming to terms with loosing Phoebe. Don't get me wrong, if I had the chance to, I'd have her back in a heartbeat, but...."
"But it feels a little easier, now?" Piper suggested.
"Yeah." Prue gave a small smile. "And I know that Phoebe would be pleased that we've carried on." Looking down at the stove, she added, "we actually talked about it, once."
"What?"
"After Phoebe's brush with Anton and her evil past life.....we talked about the possibility of one of us dying. And we both agreed that, if either of us ever died, that we would want the others to go on."
Piper didn't know whether to be shocked at the news that such a conversation had taken place without her, or saddened that circumstances had led her sisters to even have to discuss such a thing. So she settled on a combination of the two. "Um, why wasn't I involved?"
"Well, you were already having trouble with the whole Leo and Dan love triangle thing, and we didn't want to upset you any more."
That didn't really make Piper feel any beter, but she decided to leave it at that for now.
"The point is, Piper....I think it would be a great idea. Maybe....we could say a few words, light a few candles.....or we could all just get together."
"All?"
"Yeah," Prue said. She saw Piper's expression, and realised what her sister was up to. "You just going to make me say it, aren't you?"
Piper's look didn't change much, except to get a little more smug. "Uh huh."
Prue heaved a sigh. "Fine," she elaborated. " I mean you, me, Leo, maybe Daryl if he's not busy, and.....and Cole."
Piper threw an arm around Prue, drawing her near. "There, was that so hard?"
"No, it wasn't. I've accepted that Cole is going to be a part of our life......for as long as he stays on the side of good."
"Of course," Piper agreed.
"Which had better be for a good, long time," came a voice from behind them. They turned as one, Prue smiling warmly at Leo, as Piper moved to her husband, greeting him enthusiastically.
"Mmmm, what was that for?" he asked.
"Nothing....just....in a good mood, I guess," his wife replied. Keeping the smile on her face, she swatted his chest....hard.
"Ow....hey, what was *that* for?" he asked, rubbing his chest theatrically.
"For leaving without telling me last night."
He had the sense to look apologetic. "But I didn't want to wake you."
She just gave him a knowing look, moving back to the counter next to Prue.
"So," Leo said, trying to steer the conversation away from the events and summons of last night.....and the slightly disturbing news he had been told. There was time for that later. "What are you doing?"
"We're cooking dinner, Leo," Prue deadpanned.
"Oh....I meant, any special occasion?"
The two sisters looked at each other, considering, before Prue spoke. "Just.....celebrating that we've exorsised some old ghosts......that now we can finally start to move on with our lives properly."
Leo smiled, glad to see them so content, though inside he prayed that the latest warning to come from the Elders wouldn't spoil it. "Well, we've exorsised our fair share of real ghosts.....it's about time we got to recieve the benifit of our own expertise."
The sisters didn't answer, both simply rolling their eyes and laughing at Leo's expression as Piper threw the dishcloth from the counter at him, hitting him square between the eyes.
"Hey!"
The Elders news could *definitely* wait 'til later, Leo decided.
***** ****** *******
Cautiously gliding forward, Cole Turner scanned his surroundings. He'd never been particularly fond of underground caves, ones dripping moisture and harbouring a potential attacker least of all. He'd already met with his demon imformant once today, but his nerves had been on edge from the nightmare he'd dreamt, so he'd cut the meeting short, knowing it would do no good if he were to kill the demon before he'd gotten to information out of him. So now here he was, getting dripped on, and trying hard to concentrate on being alert for any signs of threat.
There! A noise sounded up ahead, and Cole moved his pace up a little, an energy ball glowing weakly in his hand. Enough to light the way a little and ready to be launched at the first sign of attack, but not bright enough to alert anyone or *anything* that was behind that bend.
He thought he heard voices, but couldn't be sure, and as his head rounded the corner, he realised that he had been mistaken. Only his 'fellow' demon was there, kneeling on the floor, his head dropped low.
Determining that there was no real need for the energy ball *just* yet, Cole let it disapate in his hand, and slowly stepped forward. He watched as the demon jumped up, his own arm rising, flame burning in the palm of his hand. Knowing that even if the other demon had thrown the flame that he would be able to counteract it with his own energy ball, Cole simply stood there, his hands at his sides.
"Hello Dasmar," he said.
Dasmar relaxed slightly, the flame extinguishing. "Belthazor. Prompt, as always."
"I try," Cole said, his smile insincire. "Now that that's out of the way, how about we get down to the real reason we're both here?"
Dasmar frowned. "Exactly what I was willing to do this morning, Belthazor. If you'll remember, *you* were the one who cut our meeting short."
"I had other, more pressing matters to attend to. But I'm here now, so tell me.....were will he strike next?"
The other demon turned from Cole, busying his hands by nervously fidgiting with a candle holder that stood empty on the rocky alter in front of him. "One thing first, Belthazor. What do you know of the one you seek?"
It was Cole's turn to frown. "What does that matter?"
Dasmar spun towards him suddenly. "It matters a great deal! Now answer the question, Belthazor, or our business here is concluded."
Stepping forward menacingly, Cole towered over the shorter demon. "I don't respond well to threats, Dasmar."
Dasmar automatically stumbled back a pace, his hands raising as if to ward Cole off. "No, no threat, Belthazor! I merely.....I merely wish to compare my knowledge with yours, in order to make sure we have missed nothing. It wouldn't do for you to go off unprepared, and fall prey to the same fate as the witches that first allerted us to this demons existence."
Cole's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You know of the murdered witches?"
"Yes. What do you think my reason for dispatching off this one is? I know that if he continues in this manner, he will soon gain the Sources favour."
"And....you had hoped to procure it yourself?" Cole guessed.
Something a lot like relief entered Dasmar's expression, but it was soon gone. "But of course. Every demon aspires to it, for it brings with it power."
"Not every demon," Cole muttered under his breath, catching himself and hoping the other demon hadn't overheard him. Dasmar appeared not to have, his gaze and his restless fingers once more on the candle holder.
"And as for what I know of the demon responsible for the recent spate of witch killings.....my knowledge is very little. He strikes when it is dark, catching the witch alone and unawares. He uses an Athame to dispatch them, never any demonic powers. So far he has stuck to elimanating members of the same covern, but is also suspected of being behind the demise of several more such groups."
Again, something close to relief showed on Dasmar's face. "That is all?"
"That's it."
"My information is the same. I have nothing to add to yours."
"Very well. Now.....There are only four members of this covern surviving. I'm responsible for saving two of them, but there's nothing to say he won't make another attempt. Now, I could waste time learning their habits, their ways, dividing my energies between them......or you could tell me what you know."
Dasmar seemed to consider it, his beady grey eyes darting about the cave. "Very well. There is a small park, not far from where the covern's members *congragrated.*" He said the word as if it were distasteful, which Cole suposed to a demon, it would be. Again marvelling at how much he had been changed, he listened to the other demon to continue.
"Tomorrow, possibly the next day, they will be having a ceremony of sorts, for their fallen members, as well as to cast protection spells. It would be a simple thing for the one responsible to merely catch one unawares.....perhaps take them all out at once."
Clever, Cole thought. But he had to wonder where this demon was getting such detailed information from. But now was not the time to ask. He could only proceed cautiously, and hope that he didn't perish in the attempt. "Alright. Now, if you'll excuse me, I see to have an overwhelming urge to depart this place." And suiting his actions to his words, he turned to leave, until muffled words from behind him caused him to pause.
"For the cause."
Before Cole could react, there was a displacement of air behind him, making him spin. He was confonted with the sight of Dasmar, rushing towards him with an Athame drawn. Cole readied an energy ball, aiming at Dasmar, before throwing it. Seeing what he intended, Dasmar changed tactics, using the Athame as he would a fire ball, and launching it through the air at Cole. As Cole's energy ball found it's mark, blue energy igniting and crackling on and around Dasmar, so did the Athame, it's blade sinking deep into Cole's shoulder. He bit back his grunt of pain as Dasmar screamed, his body smoking before it finally seemed to explode in a hail of black sparks, disapearing.
Reaching for the knifes handle, Cole braced himself and pulled. The blade slid free, the damage inflicted by it leaving it, and Cole's hand, slick with blood. Pulling a face in distaste, Cole threw the weapon to the ground, thinking of it no more as he held a hand to his wound, shimmering out of the cavern.
He didn't notice it's unnatural glow as he left, nor did he notice the strange black liquid visible on spots not covered with his blood......the same black substance that his wound now held traces of.
***** ******
