Love Triumphant
Attic Chat
Chapter IX
Cole still couldn't get over how much the new attic actually looked like the old one at Halliwell manor. The only difference was this one was a bit more spacious, had better ventilation and lighting, and more comfortable seating.
Prue walked over to the Book of Shadows, picked it up, and started carrying it over to the table that he and Phoebe had taken seats at. Cole was flabbergasted when Prue set the treasured book in front of him and told him to start looking. It was an incredible gift his sister -in- law was giving him. Prue's action was showing him more clearly than any words could ever express that he had finally earned her trust and respect.
Cole took a deep breath and laid his hands upon the Book. No electrical shock ran through his body and the book stayed put. What a difference from the first time he had encountered it. He looked around at Phoebe and Prue and could see they knew how momentous this moment was for him. It was proof positive that he was finally free from the evil that inhabited his body. The cursed possession had finally ended. Phoebe leaned over, caressed his face, and they shared a tender kiss and Cole said a silent thank you in his head to all the powers that be for his liberation.
Prue cleared her throat delicately. "I sincerely hate to intrude but we should be getting back to business." Cole slowly drew his lips away from his wife's and said, "It's ok. Phoebe and I know that we need to find out what we are facing so we can help my brother. Lord it seems strange to say that word. So what am I looking for?"
"Anything about an evil dead creep that abducts the living, I suppose," Phoebe replied. Cole started flipping through the pages. "Still haven't got it fully indexed I see," Prue remarked. "Well Piper and I have kind of been busy chasing demons, dealing with a sister we never knew we had who turned out to be evil, job hunting for me, not to mention swooning with our sweeties. We will get to it eventually."
Cole was only half listening to their jibing but still good- natured sisterly chatter. A few pages in the book had caught his interest. Phoebe turned her attention back to him and when she was noticed what he was looking at her face flushed. "Honey you don't need to read those pages, I wrote them when you were under the effects of Rainor's spell and I was angry with you."
"Phoebe you don't have to apologize. I know what I put you through during that whole period. It was a wonder you were ever able to forgive me, I'm just glad you did." "It wasn't your fault Cole, none of it was," Phoebe said taking her hand in his and kissing it. You were as much a victim as anyone in that whole scenario."
"Still I feel the need to apologize to Prue, for all that occurred after. Prue, if Phoebe and Leo hadn't have had to come and rescue me in the underworld, then maybe you wouldn't have lost your earthly existence at the time. Phoebe winced at that one too.
"Have you both been blaming yourself for that the entire time I've been gone?" Prue asked incredulously. They both nodded. "Leo feels the same way too," Cole commented. Prue held up her hands in protest. "Cole as Phoebe said you couldn't help that Rainor brainwashed you and Phoebe we all pretty much thought the coast was clear when you left. If we hadn't thought it was all right for you to go, Piper and I would have never helped you to do it in the first place."
"You had every right to try and save the man you love and thank God you did. Besides Shax could have attacked at any time. It could have happened while you were at the grocery store or sleeping, or when Leo was helping one of his other charges. None of it was anyone's fault but the Source's and Shax's. Besides it was my destiny to come here first and nothing could have stood in the way of that so come back from the guilt trips you've been on, please. I want to talk to Leo later and tell him the same thing."
"Thank you for that Prue, it means a lot," Cole said to her. She told him he was welcome and pointedly motioned at the book. He took one last look at the image of Balthazor, and shivered. Then he glanced at the pictures of he and Phoebe mugging, hugging, and kissing right beside it. He drew strength from those and moved on.
Phoebe suddenly stood up. "You know what I just thought of something. I wonder if Morrigan has a picture of Dr. Waters in the file that security prepared? Maybe I can get a premonition from it. I think I will orb over there and be right back if you two don't mind." "That's a good idea," Prue said to her sister. Cole agreed and Phoebe leaned down and kissed him before orbing out. "Now I know how frustrating it was for her, every time I shimmered out in the middle of a kiss," he remarked. Prue laughed.
"You know what?" she asked him. "What?" "There's a real change in Phoebe. She's still loving, bright, and fun, but she also seems to have a clearer sense of direction responsibility and maturity. You've really been a positive force in her life. You deserve a lot of credit." "It's Phoebe who deserves the praise. She's always been stronger than any of us ever gave her credit for," Cole remarked. "Besides she has done even more for me but thank you Prue. I'm glad we can finally be friends. "Me too," Prue remarked and meant it.
They worked in companionable silence until Phoebe returned. Just as she orbed in Cole found what he'd been looking for. "It seems that when a human who is particularly vicious in life passes over the various factions of the underworld compete for his or her services. They offer the potential recruit a sampling of powers as an enticement to join their team up to and including the power to rematerialize in human form," Cole read to them from the book.
Piper and Leo joined the group as Cole was reading. "That's exactly what we just found out from Clyde. Who sends his regards by the way and grudging regrets about Frankie and Lulu almost getting you killed Cole."
"Hey, it was worth it. It got Phoebe to finally get past her fears about commitment and accept my proposal." He winked at his wife who slapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"Clyde, also told us that the ghost who has Dr. Waters is one of the most malevolent spirits he's ever seen," Piper picked up the briefing where Leo had left off. "The demonic world has launched one of the biggest bidding wars in their history for his spirit and he is taking full advantage of it. According to Clyde his one condition to all of them was that he be allowed to pursue his own agenda against Dr. Water's first. Apparently he is quite obsessed with her."
"Wow, it sounds as if your brother really is going to need our help big time," Prue said to Cole. "It doesn't seem like this ghost is going to be easy to defeat even with our new powers."
"It says in the book that a power of three spell should work but you are going to have to distract him long enough to be able to say it. He's obviously not going to roll over and play dead, excuse the pun. He's going to fight us with everything he's got," Cole told them. "Does he have a name by the way?"
"Yeah, he goes by the nickname "Jack of All Trades," and apparently he is one of the most vicious serial killers in history and his sickness involving Dr. Water's run's deep," Leo answered Cole. The only problem is Clyde had no idea where this Jack would have taken her.
Cole noted that Phoebe had been silent through this whole exchange. She was gripping the picture of Dr. Waters and suddenly she nearly fell over. He jumped to his feet and quickly caught her. She clutched at him gratefully. " All I know is we'd better find her quick because I just had a vision. He definitely has her and is tormenting her. I'm not sure how much more she will be able to take. I just wish I could have made out where he has her."
Just then Victor and Patty popped in. "We can't help you with their location but we found your brother Cole. He's in San Francisco on his way to file a missing person's report with your friend Darryl," Patty said. "Talk about a small world," Victor added.
Phoebe slapped her head with her hand. "Uh oh," she said. "What is it another vision?" Cole asked concerned. "No, I just remembered we never contacted Darryl to let him know we were okay after the explosion." "Well I guess we better get going or John will be dealing with our issues in addition to his own," Cole said. The five younger members of the family agreed and orbed out leaving Patty and Victor behind to keep an eagle eye from Olympus. Cole had a feeling before all this was through they were definitely going to need help from above.
Attic Chat
Chapter IX
Cole still couldn't get over how much the new attic actually looked like the old one at Halliwell manor. The only difference was this one was a bit more spacious, had better ventilation and lighting, and more comfortable seating.
Prue walked over to the Book of Shadows, picked it up, and started carrying it over to the table that he and Phoebe had taken seats at. Cole was flabbergasted when Prue set the treasured book in front of him and told him to start looking. It was an incredible gift his sister -in- law was giving him. Prue's action was showing him more clearly than any words could ever express that he had finally earned her trust and respect.
Cole took a deep breath and laid his hands upon the Book. No electrical shock ran through his body and the book stayed put. What a difference from the first time he had encountered it. He looked around at Phoebe and Prue and could see they knew how momentous this moment was for him. It was proof positive that he was finally free from the evil that inhabited his body. The cursed possession had finally ended. Phoebe leaned over, caressed his face, and they shared a tender kiss and Cole said a silent thank you in his head to all the powers that be for his liberation.
Prue cleared her throat delicately. "I sincerely hate to intrude but we should be getting back to business." Cole slowly drew his lips away from his wife's and said, "It's ok. Phoebe and I know that we need to find out what we are facing so we can help my brother. Lord it seems strange to say that word. So what am I looking for?"
"Anything about an evil dead creep that abducts the living, I suppose," Phoebe replied. Cole started flipping through the pages. "Still haven't got it fully indexed I see," Prue remarked. "Well Piper and I have kind of been busy chasing demons, dealing with a sister we never knew we had who turned out to be evil, job hunting for me, not to mention swooning with our sweeties. We will get to it eventually."
Cole was only half listening to their jibing but still good- natured sisterly chatter. A few pages in the book had caught his interest. Phoebe turned her attention back to him and when she was noticed what he was looking at her face flushed. "Honey you don't need to read those pages, I wrote them when you were under the effects of Rainor's spell and I was angry with you."
"Phoebe you don't have to apologize. I know what I put you through during that whole period. It was a wonder you were ever able to forgive me, I'm just glad you did." "It wasn't your fault Cole, none of it was," Phoebe said taking her hand in his and kissing it. You were as much a victim as anyone in that whole scenario."
"Still I feel the need to apologize to Prue, for all that occurred after. Prue, if Phoebe and Leo hadn't have had to come and rescue me in the underworld, then maybe you wouldn't have lost your earthly existence at the time. Phoebe winced at that one too.
"Have you both been blaming yourself for that the entire time I've been gone?" Prue asked incredulously. They both nodded. "Leo feels the same way too," Cole commented. Prue held up her hands in protest. "Cole as Phoebe said you couldn't help that Rainor brainwashed you and Phoebe we all pretty much thought the coast was clear when you left. If we hadn't thought it was all right for you to go, Piper and I would have never helped you to do it in the first place."
"You had every right to try and save the man you love and thank God you did. Besides Shax could have attacked at any time. It could have happened while you were at the grocery store or sleeping, or when Leo was helping one of his other charges. None of it was anyone's fault but the Source's and Shax's. Besides it was my destiny to come here first and nothing could have stood in the way of that so come back from the guilt trips you've been on, please. I want to talk to Leo later and tell him the same thing."
"Thank you for that Prue, it means a lot," Cole said to her. She told him he was welcome and pointedly motioned at the book. He took one last look at the image of Balthazor, and shivered. Then he glanced at the pictures of he and Phoebe mugging, hugging, and kissing right beside it. He drew strength from those and moved on.
Phoebe suddenly stood up. "You know what I just thought of something. I wonder if Morrigan has a picture of Dr. Waters in the file that security prepared? Maybe I can get a premonition from it. I think I will orb over there and be right back if you two don't mind." "That's a good idea," Prue said to her sister. Cole agreed and Phoebe leaned down and kissed him before orbing out. "Now I know how frustrating it was for her, every time I shimmered out in the middle of a kiss," he remarked. Prue laughed.
"You know what?" she asked him. "What?" "There's a real change in Phoebe. She's still loving, bright, and fun, but she also seems to have a clearer sense of direction responsibility and maturity. You've really been a positive force in her life. You deserve a lot of credit." "It's Phoebe who deserves the praise. She's always been stronger than any of us ever gave her credit for," Cole remarked. "Besides she has done even more for me but thank you Prue. I'm glad we can finally be friends. "Me too," Prue remarked and meant it.
They worked in companionable silence until Phoebe returned. Just as she orbed in Cole found what he'd been looking for. "It seems that when a human who is particularly vicious in life passes over the various factions of the underworld compete for his or her services. They offer the potential recruit a sampling of powers as an enticement to join their team up to and including the power to rematerialize in human form," Cole read to them from the book.
Piper and Leo joined the group as Cole was reading. "That's exactly what we just found out from Clyde. Who sends his regards by the way and grudging regrets about Frankie and Lulu almost getting you killed Cole."
"Hey, it was worth it. It got Phoebe to finally get past her fears about commitment and accept my proposal." He winked at his wife who slapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"Clyde, also told us that the ghost who has Dr. Waters is one of the most malevolent spirits he's ever seen," Piper picked up the briefing where Leo had left off. "The demonic world has launched one of the biggest bidding wars in their history for his spirit and he is taking full advantage of it. According to Clyde his one condition to all of them was that he be allowed to pursue his own agenda against Dr. Water's first. Apparently he is quite obsessed with her."
"Wow, it sounds as if your brother really is going to need our help big time," Prue said to Cole. "It doesn't seem like this ghost is going to be easy to defeat even with our new powers."
"It says in the book that a power of three spell should work but you are going to have to distract him long enough to be able to say it. He's obviously not going to roll over and play dead, excuse the pun. He's going to fight us with everything he's got," Cole told them. "Does he have a name by the way?"
"Yeah, he goes by the nickname "Jack of All Trades," and apparently he is one of the most vicious serial killers in history and his sickness involving Dr. Water's run's deep," Leo answered Cole. The only problem is Clyde had no idea where this Jack would have taken her.
Cole noted that Phoebe had been silent through this whole exchange. She was gripping the picture of Dr. Waters and suddenly she nearly fell over. He jumped to his feet and quickly caught her. She clutched at him gratefully. " All I know is we'd better find her quick because I just had a vision. He definitely has her and is tormenting her. I'm not sure how much more she will be able to take. I just wish I could have made out where he has her."
Just then Victor and Patty popped in. "We can't help you with their location but we found your brother Cole. He's in San Francisco on his way to file a missing person's report with your friend Darryl," Patty said. "Talk about a small world," Victor added.
Phoebe slapped her head with her hand. "Uh oh," she said. "What is it another vision?" Cole asked concerned. "No, I just remembered we never contacted Darryl to let him know we were okay after the explosion." "Well I guess we better get going or John will be dealing with our issues in addition to his own," Cole said. The five younger members of the family agreed and orbed out leaving Patty and Victor behind to keep an eagle eye from Olympus. Cole had a feeling before all this was through they were definitely going to need help from above.