Chapter 4 Why
Pru watched as her little sister pulled out the paper and prepared to create the spell they'd need. In the last few months Piper had taken on a new confidence. Pru knew that more than anyone that as the elder she'd have to be strong. She was so proud of her. She then noted the frown line marring her sister's pretty face.
"You want to know what's going on don't you." Pru said and Piper just shrugged.
"I figured you'd tell me when I need to know."
"Ok, who are you and where's the Piper I know?" Pru asked and her sister just rolled her eyes. "Ok, here's the deal, the elders have been watching and after all that Phoebe's lost they felt it only right to give her some happiness."
"And Cole?" Piper asked frowning, "He's hurt her time and time again and…" Pru didn't reply, simply reached out a hand and in a touch Piper saw all that the ex-half demon had gone through. Tears came to Piper's eyes and Pru pulled her sister in for a hug.
"He fought so hard…" Piper sniffed.
"It's part of the territory. It's also why he's the only one who can reach her; their bond is stronger than even the one of the four of us. It kept him good for as long as he was and even kept him from killing her as the source." Pru told her little sister. "With out him Phoebe will die with in the month."
"But why give him our powers?"
"Our thoughts were that with out the power of three you'll al be sitting ducks and so we needed another to take up the gauntlet."
"But one of you…"
"No it was our time; the difference with Cole is he never really had a chance to have a normal or semi normal life. It's just the right thing to do all around."
Piper studied her big sister the emotions and images she'd gotten from her racing through her mind. She knew it was true, he'd lost out on so much and if they didn't' do this she'd lose her little sister too, she couldn't do that.
"Alright," Piper said pulling back slightly. "So what's this spell need exactly?"
***
Down in the kitchen the silence was absolute. Leo stood there knowing what had to be done and knew too that Cole still had to be a little disoriented. Well, Leo thought, He'd just have to adjust.
"You'll want to see Phoebe." Leo said and Cole nodded. Leo then led the other man up the stairs to her bedroom.
Cole stood there in the doorway for a long moment taking in the scene, the room was just as it had been the last time he'd seen it, right down to the comforter on the bed. The only difference was the form seated in front of the window. Her hair looked the same but it had lost its luster, her face unseen as she was facing the window was probably just as lackluster. Tears filled his blue eyes, how had this happened?
Moving slowly he prepared himself for whatever he'd see. There stood Phoebe, her face hers and yet not hers. There was a blank, unaware expression on her face and her eyes were blank.
"Phoebe, what did we do to you?" The words were so soft, almost as if he were afraid of disturbing her state. There had never been anything further from the truth, what he wouldn't give to have her smile at him, to have her eyes sparkle with the light of love or at least recognition.
"She loved you so much." Came Page's voice from the doorway. Cole didn't even bother to look up at her.
"I love her to."
"I know." The entity said and there was sadness in her tone. She'd seen a great deal in the time she'd known the man kneeling before her sister. She'd learned just what love was and how strong it could be. They had so much, maybe now they'd have a real chance…
Closing his eyes Cole knew that no mater what he'd never give up on Phoebe, she was his everything.
"Ok guys it's show time." Pru said coming into the room as well. Cole looked from her to Phoebe and then lifted her from her seat and followed the other witch from the bedroom.
Leo hung back though as he took his son from his mother in law. Patty smiled at him and he nodded and went down the hall to put Wyatt down for a nap.
As he walked he hoped that this was a good idea. Phoebe was like a little sister to him and if it brought her back to them it had to be worth it. he hoped it for her sake as much for his wife's. He knew this was tearing Piper apart. He hated to see her so upset, she was such a good person and all her pain hurt him. He just didn't know how much more Piper could take before it broke her. He's searched for someone like Piper for way to long to lose her now. That was his thought as he covered Whyat over and headed for the attic.
TBC