A/N: Thanks for the review, Rose Madder! It was super nice of you to read my story! By the way I love the new chapter of Cursed Be. Anyhow... the power of three aren't going to come together yet (at least not to kill Bradley). I was going to gloss over the demise of Julie, but (for you) I'll describe it. :-))
Chapter 9: Visiting the Enemy
Bradley orbed away from his charge, his killer - Phoebe Halliwell - still haunting his thoughts. If there was anything that he wanted more in this world - and beyond it was the death of Phoebe Halliwell at his hands.
He had been watching the witch ever since she first received her powers. Bradley watched with disgust as she teetered on the line between good and evil, debating every moment which way to turn. He saw her blatantly lie to her sisters about vanquishing her demon boyfriend. Bradley was sure that there was nothing worse in the world than that Charmed One. The whitelighter was truly dismayed at what Phoebe had done to the Charmed Ones - graying the line between good and evil that should have been clear.
He cursed under his breath and wished that he could watch the witch now. He wanted to see her - utterly destroyed physically and emotionally. However, he couldn't. The Elders and the Charmed Ones' whitelighter, Leo, were keeping a close eye on the witch. They waited to see who it was behind the heinous plot to kill her. Bradley smiled to himself. The enemy was within and they would never catch him.
Bradley wanted everything to be perfect when he struck. For once he killed the witch he had to give up his orbing power. And he wanted it to be worth it.
Bradley had found out about Julie when taking a witch to the Underworld to save her innocent. He found about the seductress' ploy to pretend to be Phoebe and destroy the man who had scorned her - Cole Turner. That's when Bradley went to the Source.
The Source was the cloaked figure that worked with Bradley. Only Bradley knew it was the Source. The Source didn't tell Gazana or Julie because he was sure that, not being at his full power, they would kill him and take the throne. The Source made sure that Bradley was safe and receiving all the support to kill the witch in exchange for Bradley's power to orb. Once the Source had that he could wreck havoc over all good and perhaps decimate it. Then he would regain the throne and start the most glorious rule ever.
The whitelighter winced as he thought about good's utter destruction, but - he was sure - it'd all be worth it.
Leo's voice interrupted his thoughts. You're coming to lunch right?
Bradley smiled genially. To meet the woman who gave the Elders hell? Of course!
Leo laughed. Good. Noon, okay?
Bradley smiled as Leo orbed out.
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Piper straightened her skirt. Now what di I forget? she asked herself.
She went over the list in her head.
Paige? Check.
Wyatt? Check.
Leo? Check.
Sandwiches? Beverages? Check and check.
Table set? Check.
Flowers? Check.
Darryl and his wife? Double check.
Dad? Sam? Check. and check again.
Napkins folded? Check.
What did I forget? Piper almost shouted. The telephone rang, but she ignored it still thinking about what she could have forgotten.
Piper! Telephone! Phoebe! Paige called, coming into the kitchen with the cordless phone in hand.
Phoebe? Piper cursed inwardly. Will you tell her that I'll call her back? Piper asked her youngest sister, guiltily.
Paige replied with a shrug, obviously baffled. She put the phone to her ear. Can Piper call you back? She's getting ready for this lunch and all. A moment passed. Paige took a look at her older sister, who was wincing. Paige nodded. Sure. Uhuh. Love you too. Bye!
Paige clicked off the phone and put it on the table. Then she turned to glare at Piper, hands on her hips. You didn't tell her about the lunch? she exclaimed, outraged.
Piper turned beet red.
Paige threw her hands in the air, exasperated. How do you think she feels?
It's too late to invite her now? Piper tried to busy herself with the hors d'oeuvres
Well... yeah!
It's not like you reminded me! Piper turned to glare at her half-sister.
It was Paige's turn to be embarrassed. She blushed and quickly left the room.
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Lunch? Phoebe thought. She tried to shrug it off. If it was important Piper would have told me. Right?
Luckily she wasn't given time to drown in her insecurities because her husband shimmered in.
Cole had been thinking about Phoebe all day. The clarity of the details and lack of emotion that Phoebe had when she told of her incarceration worried Cole. Not worried, scared him. Deciding that he couldn't get anything done without talking to his wife and making sure that she was okay he shimmered home.
Phoebe ran and flung herself at him, hugging him tightly.
Cole laughed and wrapped his arms around her. I wanted to talk, he announced soberly.
Phoebe pulled herself away and looked at him, studying his face. Okay baby, Phoebe replied quietly.
They sat down, facing each other, on the couch.
Are you okay? Cole asked, concern washing over his face.
Surprise filled Phoebe's wide brown eyes. She soon recovered and lowered her stare, replying slowly. Yes? No? She sounded hopeful as she ventured,
Cole admonished. He wanted a straight answer. If Phoebe wasn't okay he wanted to know so that he could fix it.
Oh I don't know, Cole! Tears stung her eyes, she tried to blink them back. She had acted strong for months and now it was catching up with her. I don't even know who I am anymore! I'm not Phoebe Halliwell: the Charmed One! I'm not Ask Phoebe! I'm not soon-to-be-a-mother Phoebe! Cole tried to wince. That tragedy had struck them both though Phoebe helped him through it. Sobs choked Mrs. Turner as she finally admitted, I'm not even sure if I'm Phoebe Halliwell: sister.
Cole was relieved, and admittedly a tad smug, that Phoebe didn't question their marriage. He didn't have time to ponder that though as he embraced his crying wife. You're still Mrs. Turner, Cole said, running her fingers through her hair.
But I can't only be that! Phoebe protested, her voice muffled by Cole's shirt, which was now wet with her tears. She sat up suddenly, looked Cole straight in the eyes, her own gleaming with tears, and stated flatly, He's a bastard. Then, once again, she broke down into sobs.
I know, sweetie. I know, Cole kissed her forehead gently and hugged her fiercely. At that moment he just wanted to wring the neck of the person... no, thing that had done this to his once-strong wife.
He didn't know that the person in question was close by. At the house of his in-laws to be specific.
