Chapter Eleven

One Year Later

Phoebe sat cross-legged on her bed, hunched over her laptop, when she suddenly felt two strong arms wrap around her neck. She smiled but continued typing, "JasonI'm supposed to be working on my column"

"Forget your column," he murmured while he nibbled her earlobe. "As your boss, I say that I've been away for three weeks and I missed you."

"Missed you more," she teased but still continued typing.

"Where is everyone?" he asked while he took off his jacket and tossed it on her vanity's chair. He then sat behind her and trailed kisses along her neck.

Phoebe tried to ignore his affection by concentrating on her screen. "Piper's at the club, Paige has a date, and Wyatt's finally asleep."

Jason took matters into his own hands and, as he closed the laptop's lid, warned, "I hope you had that saved." He ignored her complaint and, instead, pushed her back against her pillows. Her hands wrapped themselves around his neck and he was pulled down on top of her. After a breathless kiss, he greeted her with a warm smile, "Hi, honey, I'm home"

"I'm glad," Phoebe smiled back. "Sorry I couldn't meet you at the airport but I'm babysitting tonight." She lightly rubbed away some of her lipstick from his lips and added, "You hungry? Piper cooked up a storm and we've got plenty left."

"Maybe later," he answered as he sat up and watched her for a moment. He lightly traced an imaginary line from her right temple, across her cheek, and down to her chin. "I can't see it."

She placed her hand on top of his and gave it a light squeeze. "You won't," she assured him. "That's part of a Whitelighter's ability. Injuries are completely healed as if they never happened."

He shook his head and pulled away. "I'm not sure I can get used to this," he confessed when he stood and turned away from her. "Especially now that you told me you suspect the increase in demonic activity of the past three months isn't a coincidence."

Phoebe frowned and stood behind him. "Is that why you're always going away on business?"

Confused, he turned around, "Of course not. Business is business. You knew I'd be away a lot. And weren't you the one who thought our relationship might work better because of it, because of the space we'd each have?"

"So what're you saying," she snapped, "I should stop helping people because you don't like me getting hurt?"

"Don't put words in my mouth," he retorted. "All I said was that I'm not sure I'll ever get used to the fact that you could be hurt so badly that you almost die but be instantaneously healed. From what you said, Garazan won't stop trying to get to you or your sisters and, Source or not, he can't always control what other demons do."

"So much for being honestMaybe I just won't tell you anymore when I'm attacked," she announced and turned from him. She caught a glimpse of Misty's mirror and stalked to it. She fluffed her hair in annoyance and gazed at his reflection before she suddenly turned back to him and apologized, "I don't know why I said all that. I know it's hard getting used to the world of magic and keeping our secret."

"Maybe you were a little scared," he suggested as he stepped close to her. He hugged her tightly and promised, "Just because I leave on business doesn't mean I'm leaving for good."

"I know," she mumbled but continued to press her face against his chest. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he patiently told her, "I know you're still afraid of being left behind. And I know how much strength and courage it took for you to trust in me enough to reveal your secret, much less admit you loved me. Don't you think I know how scared you are that I proposed? I know how much you loved him and how hurt you were the way it ended but I promise, Phoebe, I'm not going anywhere. I'm committed to this relationship."

"Cole and I were committed too," she sadly stated. "But love wasn't enough for us."

"Maybe so," he conceded as he kissed the top of her head, "but aren't we worth the risk?" She didn't answer and he kissed her again before he gently tilted her chin up. "Do you have any idea how much I love you? I even love the rest of your crazy family, ghosts and all."

Phoebe chuckled in spite of herself. "I do love you, Jason. I hope you know that. You make me feel safe and wanted and you let me be me, warts and all and --"

Jason interrupted her with a kiss, "No warts on my witch." He kissed her again and added, "But maybe I should have another look to make sure."

Phoebe giggled and led him back to her bed. "It's been so long since my last review, you may need extra time to be sure."

"Three weeks is a long time, isn't it?" he teased before he grabbed her laptop and put in on the vanity while Phoebe slid back against the pillows. He turned to her and grinned as he leapt on the bed. He began tickling her ribs and laughed when she giggled in response. "Say it," he demanded. "Say again that you missed me, that you love me."

"I did, I do," she insisted while she tried to get out from under him. "Stop," she begged as she tried to catch her breath from laughing. But Jason didn't let up and she had just started her bid for retaliation when she felt a strange pull. She froze but he didn't notice and continued to tickle her. "Stop," she insisted more strongly as she glanced around.

"What?" he asked, laughing. He looked at her and saw she was no longer in a playful mood. "What's wrong?" he asked again.

But she silently pushed him back, sat up, and looked around her bedroom. Something was definitely different but she couldn't place her finger on exactly what it was.

"What is it?" he asked again in concern. But she shrugged off his hand of comfort and stood. "Phoebe?"

"Oh my God," she whispered. Phoebe stepped up to the mirror and realized, "It's opening. Leo really did fix it."

"The mirror? When did it break? Can an Elder fix things like that?" Jason asked in confusion.

"Before he was an Elder," she answered distractedly as she gingerly touched the mirror's frame. She hadn't thought of her double or her sisters in months. "I forgot again, I'm not supposed to be here," she whispered.

"What do you mean? Where are you supposed to be? Are you going away? Did Leo or Chris give you some sort of task? Am I not going to like this?" he asked in quick succession.

Phoebe turned around and told him, "You should go home. You had a long flight and should rest. You probably have back-to-back appointments lined up tomorrow."

"I'm not going anywhere," he shook his head. "Certainly not until you tell me what's going on."

Phoebe stared at him and recognized the stubbornness of his stance. She sighed and admitted, "The mirror is a portal to another world. One very much like this one where almost everything and everyone is the same as it is here."

Stunned, he managed to say, "So you're telling me that, on the other side of that mirror, there's another meanother you? You've seen it?" She nodded uncomfortably and he laughed in disbelief, "This's right out of a bad sci-fi movie."

"It's the truth," she insisted.

"I don't doubt you," he told her, "I've seen enough to know for myself. But you have to admit it's a little mind-blowing to discover that there really are parallel worlds where you exist doing the same exact things you're doing here."

"Not necessarily exact," she murmured before she kissed him. "I know we agreed no secrets but I can't talk about this right now. Please understand."

"I don't," he sighed, "but I'll give you the space you seem to need." He kissed her on her forehead and turned to go, "I'll call you later." In the doorway, he faced her and added, "I love you."

"I love you, too," she declared. But, as soon as he closed the door behind him, she softly added, "Goodbye, Jason." When she turned back to the mirror, the glass was already shimmering.

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Phoebe sat cross-legged on her bed, hunched over her laptop, when she suddenly felt two strong arms wrap around her neck. She smiled when he kissed her cheek but continued typing. "ColeI'm working."

"You need a break," he decided while he nibbled her earlobe.

"If you want me to go to that convention with you," she warned as she nudged him away, "then I have to prepare some extra columns for Elise and if you keep distracting me I won't get them done."

"But I like distracting you," he insisted as he rested his chin on her shoulder, "and you like it too." But Phoebe continued typing and he complained as he tried to kiss her, "Come on, Phoebe, Wyatt's asleep and we've got the house to ourselves. It's our responsibility to take advantage of this rare opportunity or else we become part of the --"

"Hmmm," she interrupted as she tilted her head slightly to give him better access to her neck, "I love it when you start talking lawyer."

"Habeas Corpus," he whispered in her ear.

Phoebe giggled but pushed him back and returned to her typing. "I'm almost done," she announced.

But Cole wasn't satisfied and warned her, "Save it."

"What are you --" she began as she quickly followed his instruction. "Cole, I'm not done wi--"

"You are now," he informed her as he reached over and closed the laptop. He then silenced her protests with a firm kiss on her lips. He felt her fingers weave through his hair. "Much better," he breathlessly told her when he pulled back.

"I suppose you do deserve a reward for getting Wyatt to sleep," she considered while she lightly rubbed away some of her lipstick from his lips.

"He likes me," Cole stated with a grin, "and it drives them all crazy."

"And you love it," she grinned. But then she leaned back against her headboard and added thoughtfully, "Sometimes I think Wyatt's the only reason they started trusting you again. If he didn't have that ability to sense evil"

Cole held her hand and kissed her knuckles, "It's been a long road back, hasn't it?"

Phoebe nodded, "And sometimes I think we're still not there yet. Like when Paige starts up with you."

He shook his head, "That's just the way we are and I don't think it'll ever change. It doesn't mean she's still working on vanquishing potions." Phoebe shrugged and, as her shirt shifted, he noticed the pale green bruise on her collarbone. He frowned, "I thought you said Leo healed it yesterday after the attack."

She glanced down at the bruise and told him, "He was interrupted by another charge in trouble and I didn't think Paige needed to finish the job. I'm okayReally, I've barely felt it."

"I hate that I wasn't there when you were attacked," he quietly said as he lightly ran his fingers along her neck, "but I had to investigate some leads. Something's definitely stirring down there and we may be in for some trouble."

Phoebe placed her hand on top of his and gave it a light squeeze. "You can't always be there. Just like I can't always be there when you get involved insomething. You think I still don't worry when you go off to do some checking on your own? Especially when it involves going down there?"

Cole pulled his hand away and sat up straight, "After this year, I thought you trusted in me again."

She quickly leaned forward and caressed his cheek, "I do trust you, Cole. What I mean is that even with all your powers, you're still a target. Regardless of what Garazan might know, you're a traitor to that side again."

"I'll be fine," he promised.

She sniffled and tried not to cry as the words came pouring out. "They'll stop at nothing to figure out a way to destroy you. And those're just the demons. It doesn't include Garazan who's still trying to sway you back to his side. And what about all the witches who still don't believe or even know that you've turned for the last time? Who's to say one of them won't figure out a vanquish that'll work permanently?" She slid to the edge of the bed and paced to the other side of the room. She gazed at him via his reflection in Misty's mirror and stated, "There're so many variables, you can't prom--"

"I'll be fine," he interrupted as he stood up. "Besides, I've got you so no --"

"Dammit," she snapped and spun around to face him, "don't go there! I've told you not to say things like that! Do you have any idea how much it took for me to trust in you again?" He looked stung but she still added, "I don't wanna go through all that obsessive garbage again. I don't think I could stand it. I don't think we could survive it."

Cole looked down at the floor, "Phoebe, I don't mean that I can't be good on my own or that I wo--"

"I love you, Cole," she nervously interrupted as she took a step toward him. "That time apart we had in the beginning was good for us and I know we're both still trying to find our way. And I know it's been good again. And I know how understanding you've been when I still haven't answered your proposal. But I need you to accept that I was a witch, a Charmed One, before I met you and will be when you're gone."

"I'm not going anywhere," he quietly promised. He took a step toward her, "How did we go from me worrying about you getting hurt to me leaving you?"

She shrugged, "We know you're so powerful that you could protect us all so that we wouldn't even need to use our powers anymore. Maybe you'll start to resent us, me, for always relying on you to be there. Maybe you'll want out."

"You do have one valid point." Cole wrapped his arms around her and suggested, "With me around you wouldn't be targets for Garazan anymore. Maybe an occasional low-level demon but you might have a normal life."

She gave a half-laugh and kissed his chest before smoothing his shirt. "But it wouldn't be normal," she decided as she looked up at him. "Normal for the Halliwells means being witches with all the craziness that comes with it, even if it means being under constant attack."

"I love you, Phoebe," he declared, "and I even love your crazy family, dead ones and all."

Phoebe chuckled in spite of her efforts not to and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. "Even Paige?" she teased.

Cole grinned in relief at their aborted argument and assured her, "Even Paige."

Satisfied, she smiled and began to lead him back to the bed but stopped after she passed the mirror. She looked back at him in puzzlement.

"Something wrong?" he wondered. She didn't answer and his concern grew as he watched her glance around the room. "What is it?"

"Something's off," she answered distractedly. "Something"

Cole glanced around but told her, "I don't sense anything. Should you interrupt their night out and call Leo?"

"Maybe," she considered before her eyes focused on the mirror, "Oh my God." She stepped away from him and went back to it. She touched its frame and whispered, "Leo really did fix it."

Cole paled as the meaning of her words sank in and he rhetorically asked, "The portal's opening?"

She turned back to him and softly suggested, "Maybe you should go home."

"So you can leave without saying goodbye?" he replied in annoyance. "After everything we've been through, how can you just leave?"

"I don't belong here," she quietly reminded him. "We kept forgetting. Please," she requested, "don't make this any harder." Cole frowned and she added, "I do love you, Cole Turner, in this world or in any other." But he vanished without another word and she wiped away a tear before turning back to the mirror in time to see the glass stop shimmering. "Hi," she greeted her double with a sniffle.

"Hi," she responded in kind. After a few moments of awkward silence, she commented, "I never expected it to work again. Leo really was a miracle worker."

"Was? What do you mean was?" she asked in shock. "Does something happen to Leo? Does it have anything to do with yesterday's attack?"

She looked with confusion at her other self, "Yesterday's attack?" Then she recalled the three-month time difference between their worlds. "The Drelling? No, Leo couldn't have warned Chris any earlier about it."

Now she was confused, "Chris?"

"Chris, our Whitelighter?" she replied.

"What're you talking about? Leo's our Whitelighter." Suddenly, she was nervous, "Does Leo do something wrong? Is he replaced? Do they punish him? Oh God, what'll happen to Piper and Wyatt?"

"Wait a minute," she half-shouted to stop her double from becoming hysterical, "are you telling me Leo's still your Whitelighter?"

"Of course," she answered while she took a deep breath. "Why wouldn't he be?"

"But what about when he became an Elder?" she wondered.

Her eyes widened with surprise, "Leo became an Elder? When?"

"Just about a year ago," she replied. "Right after our battle with the Titans last May. They nearly wiped out all the Elders and Leo was called back to help lead them. And Chris was assigned to us as our new Whitelighter."

"No, Cole warned Leo and the Elders in time and helped us defeat the Titans," she informed her alternate self.

"So you didn't become goddesses?" she questioned.

She shook her head and clarified, "We had to, even with Cole, we still needed the extra power." She smiled to herself, "What a rush that wasWarrior Goddess"

"What Warrior Goddess?" she asked indignantly. "I was a very powerful Love Goddess."

"What?" she laughed. "That was Paige." She smiled to herself, "I suppose my powers are tied to emotions but given my fighting and Paige's social work backgrounds, I didn't think too much about it and it worked. Boy, did we work wellWell, except for Piper getting a little too caught up with her powers."

"She nearly destroyed the city," she commented.

"I wouldn't call a little rainstorm destroying the city," she countered.

"It was more than a little rainstorm," she thoughtfully said. "Cole's presence must've changed things," she realized with a murmur to herself.

"So it seems," she nodded, somewhat pleased that her faith in him was justified in this world. "So Leo's gone? What about Piper and Wyatt?"

With a sad shrug, she announced, "He was an Elder and his new responsibilities kept him away all the time, not just for a few days or weeks and you can't have a marriage like that."

"Separations sometimes help," she suggested. "Couldn't they work it out?"

She shook her head, "It wasn't like when he was a Whitelighter and it became too painful to pretend things were okay. They made it final a few months ago. Piper's strong. She's keeping it together even if she's still not ready to be there when he does visit Wyatt."

"Piper" she whispered sympathetically. "I should've been there"

"You were there," she retorted, feeling insulted.

"Sorry," she apologized. "So strange, it feels like a dream. This world, your world, I almost forgot I didn't belong."

"Me too," she quietly agreed. "I hadn't thought about it at all for months. It wasn't until Jason and I were arguing that --"

"Jason?" she asked, intrigued. "You're still seeing him?"

"More than that, actually," she smiled shyly. "It'll probably mess your plans but he's proposed and he's still committed even though I haven't been able to say yes yet. Oh," she nervously added, "he also knows the family secret."

She took a step back, "Whoa, you really have been busy. A year ago, all I wanted was to have lunch with him."

"Things change," she said simply. "I gave it time after the mirror shattered but"

"But the portal never opened," she acknowledged, "and days turned into weeksI understand. It's so strange"

"You mentioned Cole," she hesitated, "I guess you're stillwith him?"

"Sorry," she apologized, though she didn't quite mean it. "I know you wanted him gone but I couldn't let him go. It took months til we really started working things out but it's been pretty good ever since. He's good. Wyatt's sensed it and Cole's proved it and he's even proposed again. I wasn't able to say yes either but after yesterday's attack, I think I've made my decision. Y'see, Cole wasn't there and when he found me, even after I'd been healed, it, well, it made me think about our relationship and with his birthday coming up in just a few days, maybe I'll end up surprising him after all"

"His birthday?" she questioned. "Oh, right, January. I never even thought about it. Strange how time works. So what do we do?" she asked, unsure she wanted to hear the answer.

"We do what we have to, what we should've tried to do before," she sadly announced. "We need to return to our own worlds."

"I did try," she insisted. "After Leo fixed the mirror, I tried. I'd stare at it for hours but I never felt that pull."

"And I tried too," she confirmed, "after the mirror was fixed and even a few other times, like Prue's birthday or after the Titans attack while I was still a goddess. It never worked."

"We never found the key," she suggested.

"But now that the portal's open again," she continued, "we have to set it right. Before we destroy the mirror once and for all."

"It's too dangerous having the portal available," she quietly agreed. "Especially now with the increase in attacks. We can't let anyone find out about its existence."

"Increased attacks?" she fearfully asked. "The Drelling?"

"Was only the start," she somberly confirmed. "For three weeks, we averaged three attacks each. And the last couple of weeks have been pretty intense."

"Garazan's doing?" she wondered.

"Probably," she guessed, "but we haven't found any proof. The thing is he still wants me to switch sides." Her double nodded in understanding and she continued, "So he's probably not looking to break the Power of Three because I'd lose much of my power. But we haven't figured out what he's up to and it's starting to wear us down."

They were each silent for a few moments before Wyatt's cries suddenly filled the air. Before either had time to react, their bedroom doors suddenly flew open with a crash. Each Phoebe spun around to find a large green creature in the doorway that quickly fired energy balls from its four clawed arms. They each immediately levitated up to avoid the danger and landed on the cushions of the window seat. After jumping down to the floor, they quickly slid their right hands under the cushions and each pulled out an athame. Then, without thinking, they quickly recited,

"Magic, charm this blade of steel

and send this demon back to hell."

They each threw the weapon at each demon that then screamed in agony after being struck.

"That didn't rhyme," she muttered as she watched her demon twist within green smoke.

"As long as it worked," she muttered in return. "Look"

The creatures fired at the Phoebes one last time and both witches ducked and rolled to avoid the energy balls. At the sound of shattered glass, they glanced up to find the demons exploding in green sparks.

"At least this wasn't destroyed too," she commented as she picked up the athame from the pile of ash on her floor. "Y'know, we'll have to do something about these scorch marks," she added as she turned around to face her double. But she was shocked to find the mirror was shattered. "Oh my God," she whispered before she yelled, "Chris! I need you! Now!"

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