Chapter Nine

"Garazan," Phoebe whispered when she recognized the handsome, dark-haired, demon standing before her.

"My Queen," he bowed respectfully.

"Hell," Paige muttered and glanced to Piper for suggestions.

"You have the Medallion," Cole stated and stepped closer to Phoebe's side.

"I do," Garazan politely responded. He unbuttoned the collar of his white dress shirt and displayed the heavy gold chain and disk. "I believe I might be as powerful as you, My Liege."

Cole shook his head. "The Underworld is yours, Garazan. I never wanted to rule."

"Surprising," Garazan commented, "as I've heard you've recently made another bid for leadership."

Cole ignored the outraged gasps from Piper and Paige and concentrated solely on Phoebe when he truthfully responded, "A means to an end you would know nothing of, Garazan. And a mistake." To his surprise, Phoebe reached for his hand and squeezed it tightly in hers. She said nothing but his heart skipped several hopeful beats.

"That," Garazan cautioned Piper who'd just raised her arms, "wouldn't be wise."

Cole and Phoebe both turned to her sister. "Remember the power of the Medallion," Cole reminded her.

"He's not leaving here with it," Piper defiantly stated.

"Medallion," Paige announced and held out her hands. She looked to Piper in surprise when nothing happened.

Garazan laughed, "Do you believe I would venture out with the Medallion unprotected? You cannot take it from me unless you use your powers and you cannot use your powers unless you wish the Medallion to capture them and leave you powerless."

"Powerless," Cole declared, "but not unprotected."

"The spell," Paige whispered to Piper. "It's not an actual power."

Piper followed her sister's train of thought, "If we can reword the spell we have, we can remove the protection so you can orb the Medallion from his neck. Then we go ahead with the original spell."

"You're welcome to try," Garazan said in amusement and widened his arms in welcome for them.

"You seem awfully sure of yourself," Phoebe quietly commented.

"I am," he smiled. "It will take a Power of Three spell to do what they wish." Piper and Paige stared back at him in shock. "Yes, I know about needing the Power of Three to accomplish certain deeds. I've done my homework."

Cole nodded in acknowledgement, "You always did. One of the things which made you one of the best, Garazan."

"I am honored," Garazan respectfully replied. "I have always considered you to be a role model of a true leader."

"I am honored," Cole responded in kind.

"That's it," Paige uttered with disgust. "In case you can't count," she snapped, "we have three witches here. That's what's called the Power of Three."

"Not exactly," Garazan grinned and indicated to Phoebe, "because without her, you do not have the Power of Three."

"But we do have her and you're about to go up in smoke. Phoebe" But Phoebe didn't move and Paige questioned her uncertainly, "Phoebe?"

Phoebe glanced from Cole to her sisters and looked down at the floor in defeat. "I can't."

"What do you mean you can't?" Piper asked in concern. She caught the looks exchanged between Cole and Phoebe and grew annoyed, "Phoebe, what the hell is going on?"

"It seems, Witches," Garazan announced in a pleased tone, "that we are at a standstill. You cannot defeat me while I wear the Medallion and you cannot retrieve the Medallion without the Power of Three. Perhaps I should simply wipe you out of existence now and save myself the trouble later." He saw Cole step forward and smiled, "I wonder who would be more powerful in the end."

"Do not underestimate me or my powers," Cole growled. "You need a Medallion, I do not. You will not harm herthem."

Garazan nodded, "Ever the protector. Another quality I admire in you. Unfortunate that we should no longer be on the same side, I had enjoyed working with you."

"Garazan," Phoebe quietly spoke, "I will let you go but then we are even. Our promise to you has been kept."

"What promise?" Paige asked her oldest sister but Piper merely shrugged in frustration and rubbed the spot her baby kept kicking.

The demon shook his head sympathetically and spoke to Cole and Phoebe. "It is a shame you both gave up the throne. You would have been the most powerful leaders the Underworld had seen in centuries. I saw it, you know. From a low-level Oracle in training who could not control her power enough to discern realities in her visions."

At the mention of other realities, Phoebe glanced to Cole but didn't say anything. Instead, she focused back on Garazan.

Garazan noticed her interest and informed her, "Yes, I've seen a number of your possible futures. Would you like to know?" He grinned and enjoyed watching her struggle to say no. "I could tell you that you wind up a bitter old woman, alone in the world. I could tell you that the two of you end up a powerful force for good. I could tell you that you lose another sister and your child and that your third husband leaves you when you turn to the bottle for comfort. I could tell you that the three of you will be defeated by the next Source. Or I co--"

"Enough!" Phoebe shouted. "You've gotten what you came for and announced your intention. Leave before I go back on my word."

"Very well," Garazan agreed, "I do have many plans to set in motion." He acknowledged the sisters, "In some ways, I look forward to seeing how you deal with what's in store." To Cole and Phoebe, he added, "However, I have not yet given up on the two of you. I have seen what you can accomplish together and want you both on my side."

"Save your energy," Cole politely suggested, "for other matters like dealing with continually rising factions, disloyal assistants, and incompetent servants." He squeezed Phoebe's hand reassuringly and confidently stated, "We will not be swayed."

Garazan gave a final nod and disappeared in a display of colorful sparks.

"For a quiet demon," Phoebe commented, "he was always too splashy in his farewells."

Cole chuckled but sobered quickly enough to assure her, "I meant what I said to him just now."

"I know," Phoebe sighed. She turned to her sisters, "Let's go home."

"Not until you tell me why we just let the demon who's about to become the Source-of-all-Evil go without a fight," Piper sharply rebuked her sister. "I get that you were hurt today and I'm sorry that Misty was hurt but, Phoebe, you can't expect us to overlook what you just did."

"She did what she had to do," Cole told them, "what she was honor-bound to do."

Paige shook her head and stood close to Piper. "There's no excuse, Phoebe. We had a chance now to stop him before he became the Source. There's no telling how many innocents will die now."

"I owed him my life. I couldn't do anything to harm him. I promised. Please, you have to understand, I had no choice," Phoebe tearfully implored them. She turned to Cole and couldn't stop the tears. Her legs were shaking and she still gripped his hand tightly.

Cole quickly pulled Phoebe into his arms and held her as she cried. He ignored both stunned sisters and allowed himself the moment to grieve with the woman he loved. "We did the right thing," he assured her in a husky voice. Phoebe didn't respond but her cries were quieting and he continued to hold her and rub her back. He looked to Paige and Piper and simply said, "She needs to rest. She's been through enough today and there'll be time for explanations later."

"Fine," Paige grudgingly agreed.

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"Garazan," Phoebe whispered when she recognized the handsome, dark-haired, demon standing before her.

"My Queen," he bowed respectfully.

"Hell," Paige muttered and glanced to Piper for suggestions.

Even though she knew the answer, Phoebe still said to him, "You have the Medallion."

"I do," Garazan politely responded. He unbuttoned the collar of his white dress shirt and displayed the heavy gold chain and disk. "I believe I now might be as powerful as your mate was. Any word from him of late?"

"Late being the operative word," Paige muttered to Piper who nudged her to shush.

Phoebe glared at Garazan, "Cole will no longer be an issue above or below ground."

"Surprising," Garazan commented, "as I've heard he made another bid for leadership."

"Months ago," Phoebe clarified, "and not to be concerned with any longer. Give us the Medallion."

He laughed, "Just like that?"

"Just like that," Piper repeated and raised her arms to blow him up.

"That," Garazan cautioned her, "wouldn't be wise."

Phoebe both turned to her sister, "Remember the power of the Medallion."

"He's not leaving here with it," Piper defiantly stated.

"Medallion," Paige announced and held out her hands. Her eyes widened in surprise when nothing happened.

Garazan laughed again. "Do you believe I would venture out with the Medallion unprotected? You cannot take it from me unless you use your powers and you cannot use your powers unless you wish the Medallion to capture them and leave you powerless."

"The spell," Paige whispered to Piper. "It's not an actual power."

Piper followed her sister's train of thought, "If we remove the protection of the Medallion by rewording the spell, you could orb it from his neck."

Paige nodded, "And then we go ahead with the original vanquish."

"You're welcome to try," Garazan said in amusement from their exchange. He bowed again as invitation, "Please."

"You're so sure of yourself," Phoebe quietly commented.

"I am," he smiled. "It will take a Power of Three spell to do what they wish." Piper and Paige stared back at him in shock. "Yes, I know about the necessity of the Power of Three. I've done my homework."

Phoebe nodded thoughtfully, "You always did. One of the reasons why Cole trusted you, Garazan."

"I am honored," Garazan respectfully replied.

"That's it," Paige uttered with disgust. "In case you can't count," she snapped, "there are three witches in front of you. The Power of Three, get it?"

Garazan grinned and indicated to Phoebe, "Without her, you do not have the Power of Three."

"But we do have her and you're about to go down in flames. Phoebe, come here." But Phoebe didn't move and Paige questioned her uncertainly, "Phoebe?"

Phoebe looked down at the floor in defeat and admitted, "I can't."

"What do you mean you can't?" Piper asked in concern. "Why not?"

"Because she gave her word," Garazan announced in a pleased tone. "I saved her life as well as her unborn child's and her mate's. If the time ever arose, I was promised a return of the favor."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Paige spat.

"She would never promise that," Piper shook her head and hoped he was lying.

"Oh," Garazan smiled, "but she did. And she is honor-bound to keep her promise."

"You're insane," Piper uttered. "Phoebe, get over here and say the damn spell."

Phoebe couldn't meet her sister's gaze and spoke quietly, "Garazan, you're free to go but then we are even. Our promise to you has been kept."

"He can't be serious," Paige murmured to her oldest sister in frustration.

"I don't think we have much choice," Piper shrugged. "We need the Power of Three for it to work."

"Why don't you come with me?" Garazan offered Phoebe. "You could have been a most powerful leader in spite of your heritage. I saw it, you know. From a low-level Oracle in training who could not control her power enough to discern realities in her visions."

Curious of his mention of other realities, Phoebe remained silent but kept her gaze on Garazan.

He saw her interest and continued, "Yes, I've seen a number of your possible futures. Would you like to know?" He grinned and enjoyed watching her struggle to say no. "I could tell you that you wind up a lonely, bitter, old hag. I could tell you that you lead the Charmed Ones to great victory or that you go on to become one of the greatest leaders the Underworld has seen in centuries while standing by my side. I could tell you that you lose another sister and your child and that your third husband leaves you when you turn to the bottle for comfort. I could tell you that your line will end at the hands of the next Source and that there will be no one left to mourn you. Or I co--"

"Enough!" Phoebe shouted. "You've gotten what you came for and announced your intention. Leave before I go back on my word."

"Very well," Garazan agreed, "I do have many plans to set in motion." He acknowledged the sisters, "In some ways, I look forward to seeing how you deal with what's in store." To Phoebe, he added, "However, I have not yet given up on you. I have seen what you have accomplished and what you might accomplish and I want you on my side."

"Save your energy," she politely suggested, "for other matters like dealing with factions and back-stabbing assistants." She gazed at her sisters and confidently declared, "I won't turn."

"Perhaps not," he considered, "but perhaps you would feel differently if it was to protect your sister."

"What?" Phoebe gasped. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, "One more of your many possible futures. Are you so sure you wouldn't turn in order to protect the ones you love most?"

"She wouldn't," Piper stated as she stepped close to Phoebe and grabbed her sister's hand. "Not even to protect us."

"We'll see," Garazan murmured before he gave them a final nod and disappeared in a display of colorful sparks.

"For a quiet demon," Phoebe softly commented, "he was always too splashy in his farewells."

Piper twisted her sister sideways to face her. "I meant what I said to him just now. I don't want you to ever consider going to the other side to save me."

"Or me," Paige added as she joined her sisters.

Phoebe couldn't look them in the eyes. "I can't let you be hurt. Not if there's something I can do to stop it."

"Listen to me, Phoebe, nothing is worth turning evil," Piper insisted. "And no one."

"Did we just save the new Source?" Paige suddenly asked.

"Oh my God," Piper whispered, "what have we done?"

"I'm sorry," Phoebe tearfully replied.

"Sorry?" Piper half-shrieked. "We just got over dealing with an invincible Cole and now we have the Source all over again? How many innocents have to die now?"

"We can still try to call for the Medallion," Paige suggested when she caught a glimpse of Phoebe's stricken demeanor, "and maybe even Eliza Wexler. She's the one who created the Medallion, maybe she can help us destroy it."

Piper realized she'd spoken too sharply and softened her tone. "Phoebe, just tell me why we let the demon who's about to become the Source-of-all-Evil go without a fight. Were you not thinking clearly because of your injury?"

"I owed him my life. I couldn't do anything to harm him. I promised. Please, you have to understand, I had no choice," Phoebe tearfully implored them. Her legs were shaking and she hugged herself as she began to cry.

Piper pulled Phoebe into her arms, "Oh, sweetie, what happened to you?"

Phoebe's voice was muffled in her sister's embrace and she tried to be comforted by her sister's touch when she recalled, "Cole was out for the evening doing business and a trio of demons came to the penthouse and attacked. I came out of the bathroom after a bout of morning sickness and found them attacking my guards. They took me by surprise and I instinctively fought them instead of escaping. I was so dizzy thoughI only got one before the other two grabbed me and II was so afraid of what they would do to the baby"

"Oh, Phoebe," Paige murmured as she stepped closer, rubbed Phoebe's back, and exchanged sympathetic glances with Piper.

Phoebe suddenly stepped back from her sisters and wiped her eyes as she tired to quickly control herself. "Garazan suddenly appeared, beaten and bruised, and took care of them. He made sure I was okay before he got Cole." She smiled sadly as she remembered, "Cole nearly freaked out when he saw me. Garazan informed us that he'd discovered a plot against the Source and apologized for not having arrived in time to stop the first attack."

"First attack?" Paige asked in a worried voice. Phoebe never talked about her time in the Underworld and she wasn't sure she wanted to hear more.

Phoebe nodded, "Cole may have made great strides in unification during the short time he'd officially been Source but there were still pockets of resistance. This particular group thought that, by getting to me first, they'd weaken Cole." She smiled to herself, "That was a mistake. They didn't realize that going after me was the worst thing they could've done."

Piper sighed, "Source or not, Cole loved you."

"And, with Garazan's information, he wiped out that pocket without a second thought," Phoebe stated. "Once Cole was sure we were okay, he sent Garazan to a healer and later offered Garazan an executive position. But Garazan turned down the offer. He promised loyalty but felt a higher profile would hinder his ability to blend in and do what he did best behind-the-scenes."

"And that's where the promise comes in," Paige realized. "Garazan saved your life a--"

"Our lives," Phoebe interrupted. She needed her sisters to understand, "The three of us. I'm not saying it was good I was a part of that world, I'm just saying that, at that time, Garazan did a good thing and we were very grateful. And even though things have changed, I couldn't go back on my word. Not even for a demon."

"Or the Source," Piper quietly said. She reached for Phoebe's hand and gave it a slight squeeze. "I never really asked what went on while you weren't with us, I'm not sure I've ever really wanted to know. But I'm glad you told us now."

"I never meant -- I'm sorry, Piper, I --" Phoebe began.

"It's okay," Piper assured her, "it'll just take some getting used to." She hugged Phoebe, "C'mon, you've been through enough today. We can talk more later."

"Let's go home," Paige agreed as she joined her sisters' hug.

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