Disclaimers: I don't own anything so don't sue me! The Charmed Ones, Leo, Cole, Darryl and all the characters who already appeared on the show belongs to Spelling. Bla, bla, bla.

A/N: I can't stand what they are doing to Cole. I had to write something else that doesn't involve destroying my favorite couple more (Phoebe and Cole of course!). This is my first story, so be kind. besides English isn't my first language.

A/N 2 : This story takes place right after Daddy Dearest. A little warning, it might contain spoilers (but very few) as well as a little language (rating PG)! *'s means a thought.*

A/N 3 (The last - cross my heart): The 3 sisters don't appear in this first chapter but they will.



                                                                      Another chance



Chapter 1: The Elders' decision



« If you can't vanquish me, nobody can. »

Those words rang again in Cole's ears as he faced this new day, the day he wasn't suppose to see. He didn't expect the power of three wouldn't be enough to kill him.

*Suicide*. That was the only solution for him, to end his pain and to prevent himself from hurting Phoebe and her sisters. Because as much as he wanted to be good, he could sense his grip over his evil powers slipping, they drove him to evil. He knew if he lost control for one second, he wouldn't be able to have command over his actions anymore. Now that Phoebe's love for him, the only thing that kept him fighting, has been removed, he didn't how much longer he could hold back his inner demon.

So he stood there, in his devastating penthouse, watching the sun rise above San Francisco bay. And he thought of what was to come, his sanity slowly fading away as the horrible truth stroke him.

He took another sip of the bottle of whiskey that was still in his hand. No. There wasn't enough alcohol on this damn planet to help him forget his life was a disaster.

What was all that supposed to mean? Was he supposed to live for eternity knowing his one true love didn't want him anymore? The thought drove him crazy; How could he ever live without her? Life was unbearable without someone to love.

Maybe it was his punishment for a hundred years of evil deeds. Now he was paying for Belthazor's actions, not to mention the Source's.

The honk of a car passing the avenue far below shut all the voices speaking in the back of his head, tempting, promising. The real world continues on his tracks, unknowing of the war between good and evil, the war he was fighting everyday.

How much he wanted to be one of them now. Last year he was disappointed over the loss of his powers, now he almost wished he never knew what was behind this façade, lurking in the shadow. Shutting the windows behind him, he went back inside. He needed to sleep, but the nightmares would come again. On his way to the couch, his feet hit an empty bottle that still laid on the ground. Destabilised, he dropped the remaining bottle in his hand on the ground, spattering his content on him.

*Oh shit! You can't continue like that Turner.*

He tottered to the couch and heavily sat on it. Then, he put his hands on his face and tried to concentrate a little while the last vapour of alcohol dissipated.

Today a decision was to be made. Today was going to be a turning point in his life.

***

There were an unusual agitation in the Elders' chamber. Tensions filled the air as the four of them were involved in a passionate debate.

"How can this be? How come the prophesied Charmed Ones weren't able to eliminate this evil brat?" exclaimed Aaron, utterly upset.

"Calm down Aaron," pleaded Erin, a beautiful young woman with blond hair and blue eyes. She always was the one who tried to smooth things whereas Aaron, an old man with white hair and blue eyes, was the most petulant of them all. His colourful language sometimes makes her blush with shame.

"No he is right on one point Erin", said Aramin, the wiser and the older of them all. His green eyes staring into space at no object in particular. Still deep in thought, he added: "We never faced such a situation before. We have to find a solution for Cole's situation."

"Then I say 'Kill him' and get it over with, Damn it!" Blurted out Aaron, his face red with rage.

"Do you realise our best witches, the Charmed Ones, failed?" stated Eramos, who was silent until then. The dark haired man stared at Aaron with his brown eyes and whispered as the realisation stroke him: "Despite our best effort to get rid of him and to break his relationship with Phoebe Halliwell, he kept coming back again and again. I disapproved the fact that we let the Source possess him, we could have told Leo's charges what was happening and we wouldn't be there now!"

"Don't regret it, Eramos" reassured Erin, "Even if you disagreed with this method, that was the only way to prevent Phoebe and him to conceive a child so powerful he would have been out of control! This demon wasn't meant for her. She is a charmed one and shouldn't be in love with a demon"

"Yeah maybe, I admit I was uncomfortable at the idea of a demon entering this family, it could've been a disaster for the Halliwell line but we shouldn't have played with this man's life! See where we pushed him! It's against all our principles." Added Eramos.

"Well, it's too late for regrets now", threw in Aaron, "and did you forget he was Belthazor! A demon who was a pain in the ass to us all for a hundred years!"

"Cole wasn't responsible for this and now he is paying for everything. He tried to make up for it. Did I need to remind you that everyone needs a second chance? Ever heard of forgiveness? And you pretend to be better than the others!" almost screamed Eramos.

"But this belief is only valuable for humans, not demons or half demons or whatever Cole is." Stated Erin.

"However, you are right on one point Eramos. We tried to crush this man and it was a mistake. Now I've finally admit it. We drove him over the edge and now we have to repair the damages." said Aramin, deadly serious, "we have to make sure he won't turn evil again, that's why we will apply your first idea. Cole isn't to be considered a demon anymore. We will assigned him a Whitelighter and see what happens. Maybe he or she, I've not decided who will be sent yet, will be able to reason him. Now we will proceed to the vote."

"You can't be serious!" Howled Aaron almost falling from his sit, as a heart attack shook him, "You are risking a Whitelighter's life to save this evil freak!! I won't agree with that! Neither will Erin, it's too dangerous!"

"Well" hesitated Erin, "I can make my own opinion, thank you! And if everything failed, I'm ready to give it a try. Plus, he could be a great ally. Our spies informed us of an unusual agitation in the Underworld lately. Besides, he was approached by the Avatars. Maybe we can use him to infiltrate that powerful organisation we know nothing about. If our Whitelighter succeed of course."

"Then it's 3 against 1, proposition agreed. The session is over"

"That's impossible! You've lost your mind!" fulminated Aaron as he stormed out of the chamber, slamming the doors shut. The 3 remaining Elders could hear him express his anger in all the upperworld for the rest of the day.

***

That's it for now. Please tell me what you think in your reviews and give my ideas! It takes you one minute and it brightens all my day! (**yes even flames.grrr**) Thanks Charming-Prue for your guidance!