Reflections

by Nightcrawler8

An AU on my first series. What if Michael had returned several months earlier...while Cole was still the Source? (Michael's POV)

4. Surprises

CHAPTER 4:  Surprises

            For a week after Phoebe and I got back together, I felt like I was in Heaven...well, not the Elders' Heaven, anyway.  It felt just like old times, when we were dating back in New York.  It was the happiest I'd been in five years.  Because I felt that way, I decided to plan a little surprise for Phoebe.

            I came to the Manor on Saturday night to find her alone reading a book.  Of course, I'd specifically asked for Piper and Paige to be down at the club.

            "Hey, baby," she said happily, tossing down the book and pulling me into a kiss.

            "Hey yourself," I said with a grin as I pulled back.  "Want to go out?"

            "Absolutely," she said.  "Where are we going?"

            "Ah, that's a surprise," I said, grinning again.  I placed my hands over her eyes.

            "Can I have a hint?" Phoebe asked in her baby voice.

            "No, miss, you may not, because that would spoil it," I said.  "Are you ready to go?"

            "Yeah, I'm ready," Phoebe said with a giggle.

            "Ok," I said, and flamed us out.  When we materialized, I slowly led her forward, and said, "No peeking."

            "I won't," Phoebe said.  I could feel her grin, even if I could see it.

            "One second, one more," I said as I led her slowly forward.  When I had her in position, I said, "Look...now."

            Phoebe opened her eyes, and gasped.  We were in P3, and it was full of people.  Piper was on stage, and she shouted, "And here's the lead band member, Michael Smith.  Ladies and gentlemen, back by popular demand, DARK SIDE!!!!"

            "Surprise," I whispered in her ear.

            "What...why didn't you tell me?" Phoebe demanded, whirling around to look at me.

            "It was a secret," I said.  "Forgive me?"  I couldn't bite back the grin that came out.

            Phoebe gave me a mock-scowl before she pulled me down for a kiss.  "Get up there and show me what you've got," she said.

            I ran up on stage.  "Thank you, Piper, for the introduction.  How's everyone doing tonight?"  I received an enthusiastic response.  "Ok, well, for those of you who are familiar with the band, we used to tour the clubs in New York.  I decided to do this show because I wanted to remind somebody of that period in my life."  Off to my left, I could see Phoebe fighting to keep back the tears.  "I'd like to dedicate this first song to that special someone.  Phoebe, baby, you are my pride and joy."  On that note, I began playing the opening bars of Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Pride and Joy."

            Well you've heard about lovin' giving sight to the blind
            My baby's lovin' cause the sun to shine
            She's my sweet little thing...she's my pride and joy
            She's my sweet little baby...I'm her little lover boy

            As I played the song, I could see Phoebe smiling happily, tears of joy streaming down her face...which was exactly the reaction I'd been hoping for.

            Our set lasted for about forty-five minutes.  When it came time for the encore, I had a sly grin on my face.  I had two surprises, which none except for me and the band knew about.  "Well, it's time to wrap up our set.  By way of a thank you to Piper for letting me and the band play here tonight, I have another little surprise.  Actually," I added, stepping over to the grand piano that had been hidden in the shadows, "two surprises...but, first, I need Phoebe and Piper to come up here."  I indicated two chairs that were on the stage.

            Phoebe had a look of utter shock on her face as she sat down.  "When did you learn how to play the piano?" she asked.

            "Oh, I always knew how, baby," I said, whispering right in her ear.  "I was just saving it for the right time."  Moving back, I caught the big grin she gave me as I sat down at the bench.  "Ok, now, this last song is very special to me, for a couple of reasons.  It was one of the first songs I learned how to play on the piano.  In addition, it has personal significance, as it's been a vivid reminder to me of the most special time in my life, and I can only hope that it can be the same for you," I said, directing the last of my comments to Phoebe.  I began to play, and I heard Phoebe gasp.  I grinned, knowing that she'd recognized the opening bars of Billy Joel's immortal "New York State of Mind."

            Some folks like to get away
            Take a holiday
            From the neighborhood
            Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood

            But I'm taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River Line
            I'm in a New York state of mind

            Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the tears welling up in Phoebe's eyes even as she was smiling brightly.  I knew she was remembering the happy times we'd had together.

            I've seen all the movie stars
            In their fancy cars
            And their limousines
            Been high in the Rockies, under the evergreens

            But I know what I'm needing, and I don't want to waste more time
            I'm in a New York state of mind

            On cue, a spotlight lit up on the side of the stage, and I grinned as I heard the second gasp.  This time, it came from Piper, as she now saw Leo up on the stage, playing the saxophone.

            It was so easy living day by day
            Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
            But now I need a little give and take
            The New York Times, the Daily News

            It comes down to reality
            And it's fine with me
            'Cause I've let it slide
            I don't care if it's Chinatown, or on riverside

            I don't have any reasons...left them all behind
            I'm in a New York state of mind

            As Leo began to play the big solo, I glanced over at the girls.  Piper only had eyes for Leo, while Phoebe was giving me a look that said I had something coming to me later.  I swallowed, and Phoebe grinned, knowing she'd won.

            It was so easy living day by day
            Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
            But now I need a little give and take
            The New York Times, the Daily News

            It comes down to reality
            And it's fine with me
            'Cause I've let it slide
            I don't care if it's Chinatown, or on riverside

            I don't have any reasons...left them all behind
            I'm in a New York state of mind

            I'm just taking a Greyhound, on the Hudson River Line

            My fingers deftly danced up the keys, moving with an air of familiarity.

            'Cause I'm in a...

            I heard a burst from the sax, and Piper responded with a giddy shriek.  I followed up with another section of fancy finger work.

            I'm in a New York...

            Leo played another burst from the sax.

            ...state of...mind...yeah, yeah

            As we played the big finish, everybody got to their feet and started cheering.  I got up from the bench and walked over to Leo, giving him a big high-five.  "Thank you very much!" I yelled above the din.

            A little while later, after most of the crowd had cleared out, Leo and I were chatting when we saw Piper and Phoebe approach us.

            "Nice job up there, boys," Phoebe said, standing right in front of me.

            "Um, thanks," I said with another hoarse swallow.

            "Leo, why didn't you tell me you could play like that?" Piper said sweetly.

            "Well, I just never had the right occasion," Leo said, just as nervous.  I'll tell you:  those Halliwell women are downright scary when they're seductive.

            "Well, how about a private performance?" Piper said, her tone becoming more seductive.  Leo gulped, knowing he had no choice.  As Piper led Leo to her office, I couldn't help but chuckle.

            "What are you laughing about?" Phoebe said, echoing Piper's tone.

            "I..." I started, but gulped when Phoebe slipped her arms around my neck.

            Pressing her body against mine, she whispered in my ear, "Do you have any idea how many brownie points you just earned?"

            "Uh, not really," I said quickly.  The feeling of her warm body against mine was eliciting a reaction I hadn't fully felt in five years, and I was struggling to breathe properly.

            "Well," Phoebe continued, "why don't you take me home so you can redeem them?"  As she finished speaking, she arched against me, and I couldn't help the moan that escaped my lips.

            "I thought you wanted to take it slow," I said.

            "I did...but I don't want to wait any longer," Phoebe said, pulling back so she could look into my eyes.  "I need you, Michael...please."

            I managed to gather enough breath to whisper, "You have me, baby," before pulling her to me and kissing her senseless.  Phoebe responded with equal passion, moaning as my tongue took possession of hers.

            I barely remembered taking Phoebe back into the darkened area where we'd entered before and flaming back to the Manor.  The next thing I knew, Phoebe was lying on top of me in her bed.

            "I missed you so much," I whispered.  "It's been so long..."

            "I know, baby, I know," Phoebe said.  "But we're together now.  That's all that matters."  Suddenly, I saw tears appear in her eyes.

            "What's wrong?" I asked.

            "Thank you for earlier, Michael, for reminding me of what it was like five years ago," Phoebe said, wiping her tears away.  "It was one of the best times of my life."

            "Mine, too," I replied.  Looking up into her big brown eyes, I whispered, "I love you."

            "Love you, too," Phoebe replied as she leaned down to kiss me.

            There was no more talking that night, as Phoebe and I gave ourselves completely to one another.  For the first time in five years, I felt whole.

            I woke up the next morning feeling better than I had in a long time.  I found that Phoebe was already up, so I grabbed my clothes and went downstairs.

            As I walked into the kitchen, I found Phoebe engaged in conversation with Leo, Paige and Piper.  They stopped talking as they noticed my presence.  Phoebe gave me a big grin, and I came to stand behind her.  I wrapped my arms around her waist, and she leaned back, resting her head on my shoulder.

            "Good morning," she whispered.

            "And a good morning to you, too," I replied, giving her a kiss on her forehead.

            "You're here awfully early...or awfully late," Paige commented with a knowing smile.

            "Have fun last night?" Piper chimed in.

            "Cut us some slack," Phoebe said with a slight whine.

            "Alright, alright...we were just teasing," Piper said with a sisterly grin.

            "Yeah...so, nice job last night with the concert," Paige congratulated.

            "Thanks," I replied.  "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

            "We're not the only ones, right Phoebe...Phoebe?" Piper asked, but Phoebe's gaze was held by the front page of the newspaper.

            "Son of a bitch," Phoebe whispered.  We looked down and saw the title, "Unknown man slays robbers, burns them alive."

            "What is it?" Piper asked.

            "We have a demon to vanquish," Phoebe said tightly.  "Paige, what did you do with that vanquishing potion you made for Cole?"

            "I tossed it," Paige said quickly.

            "You tossed it?" Phoebe stated incredulously.

            "Well, yeah, it wasn't strong enough," Paige explained.  "I tried it on that letter opener that had Cole's blood on it but it barely even dented it."

            "Ok, well, you have to figure out a way to make another one that's strong enough, and fast," Phoebe said.

            "Hang on a second, lady," Piper interrupted.  "What are you talking about?"

            "Last night, two guys held up a bar and a vigilante killed them," Phoebe said, pointing at the story.

            "Sounds more like you need an arrest warrant, not a potion," Paige commented.

            "Not when the vigilante is tall, dark, and handsome and can send people flying with the wave of a hand...no offense, baby," she said, glancing at me with a slight smile.

            "None taken," I replied.

            "Well, that doesn't mean it was Cole," Piper pointed out.

            "Did I forget to mention scorch marks?" Phoebe said sarcastically.

            "That means it was Cole," Piper replied.

            "What are you going to do?" I asked.

            "Deal with it," Phoebe said firmly.

            I squirmed for a moment before saying, "I have a confession to make."  Phoebe turned in my arms to look at me.  "Cole has been spying on you...on us," I finished.

            "What!" Phoebe demanded, pushing herself angrily away from me.  I quickly filled her in on what I'd felt when I'd left the Manor.  "How could you not tell me Cole had been spying on me?" Phoebe snapped when I'd finished.

            "I wasn't sure how to tell you," I said lamely.  "I didn't want you to overreact."

            "Overreact?  That bastard has been spying on me, and you didn't want to overreact?!" Phoebe shrieked, and I winced.  This was Phoebe at her angriest.  "From now on, I'd suggest you not try and think for me.  You obviously can't do it," Phoebe concluded icily.

            "Look, baby, I'm..." I started.

            "We can talk about this after we get back from Cole's," Phoebe said, cutting me off.  Grabbing my arm, she led me to the door.

            In the car, Phoebe said, "When we're in there, let me do most of the talking.  I know how to deal with him."

            "If you're sure," I said.

            Soon enough, we arrived at Cole's penthouse.  "You evil son of a bitch," Phoebe hissed as we walked out of the elevator.

            Upon seeing us, Cole sighed, "What do you want now?"

            "Did you kill those men?" Phoebe snapped.

            "What do you want from me?  I can't be good, and I won't be evil," Cole quipped.

            "She wants the truth, and so do I," I stated.

            Cole sneered at me.  "You stay out of it.  Being the fuck toy of the week doesn't mean you know anything."  As I felt fury grow in me, Cole continued, "Did she ever tell you about all the others?  She's spread her legs for so many men I've lost count."

            "You son of a bitch...!" Phoebe shouted as she slapped him.

            "We're not married, so take your boy-toy and get out," Cole said firmly.

            "Not until I know the truth," Phoebe said firmly.

            "Yes, I killed those criminals," Cole said simply.

            "You just don't understand," Phoebe said sadly.

            "Your fault I'm sure," Cole replied coldly.

            "They were human beings," I protested.

            "I thought I told you to shut up," Cole snapped.

            That was the last straw.  I started to move forward, but Phoebe stopped me, placing a hand on my arm and shaking her head.  Turning to Cole, she said, "I just came to warn you.  Touch another person and my sisters and I will vanquish you."

            As we began to leave, Cole asked, "Do you think you can really vanquish me?"

            "If she doesn't, I will," I promised firmly.

            On the way back to the Manor, I asked Phoebe what she and the others had been talking about before I came down that morning.  Phoebe said that the Elders had assigned Paige her first charge and she was very enthusiastic about it.  I smiled, thinking that this would be a valuable experience for her.

            After we got back, I went into the living room and turned on the TV.  However, Phoebe grabbed the remote and turned it off.  "We need to talk," she said quietly.

            "About what?" I asked.

            "Why didn't you tell me about Cole?" Phoebe snapped.

            "Oh...that," I said uncomfortably.

            "Yes, that," Phoebe said firmly.

            "I swear, I would have told you," I began.  "It's just that I...I didn't want you to jump to conclusions."

            "Like I said before, your trying to think for me is not a good idea," Phoebe said.

            "I know, I know," I sighed.  "It's just...I used to be just like him.  I know what it's like to want to be with someone, and to...have it seem like the person doesn't want me back."

            "Michael, you're not like Cole," Phoebe said simply.

            "We are very similar.  You said so yourself," I reminded her.

            "Except that Cole was evil, and still is," Phoebe pointed out.  Taking my hands, she continued, "Michael, you're not evil, and that's the difference.  Cole has always been evil, and evil can't love.  They can only pretend to love...and that's something that took me a long time to learn."

            I was about to comment, when we suddenly heard Paige yell, "Darklighter, incoming!"

            Phoebe and I quickly stood up.  As we made to run to the conservatory, we heard a scream.  We rushed in to see Paige kneeling over an older man with an arrow in his shoulder, presumably her new charge, and a Darklighter whose arm had just been blown off by an irate Piper.

            "What..." Phoebe started as the Darklighter vanished.

            I noticed the female elf in the room for the first time.  "Consider my application withdrawn," she said just before vanishing.

            "Damn it!" Piper yelled.

            Paige made to pull the arrow out of Samuel's shoulder, but Leo warned, "Don't touch it.  It's poisonous to you too."

            Piper moved closer to Phoebe.  Piper whispered, "Is that who I think it is?"

            "Mom's Whitelighter," Phoebe confirmed.

            "And Paige's father," Piper added.

            A few minutes later, Phoebe had successfully extracted the arrow from Sam's shoulder.  "Paige, go get the Book of Shadows," Piper requested.

            "Why?" Paige asked.  "We know it was a Darklighter."

            "No, there was something different about that guy," Piper remarked.  "You just go get the Book."

            "Fine," Paige sighed as she left.

            "You alright?" Leo asked Sam.

            "I'm still alive, aren't I?" Sam quipped.

            "Long time no see," Piper greeted him.

            Turning to look at the girls, Sam said, "Piper, Phoebe, how've you been?"

            "Michael, would you mind excusing us?" Phoebe asked.

            "Sure," I said.  "I really don't know much about this, and I've got some things I need to prepare for the board."  Giving her a smile, I said, "I'll call you later."

            "Ok," she said, leaning in to give me a kiss.  "I love you."

            "Love you too, baby," I said as I flamed back to the mansion.

            Not long after I got back, the phone rang.  "Hello?"

            "Michael, this is Cole," the all-too-familiar voice greeted.

            "What do you want?" I asked.

            Cole sighed.  "I'd like to talk to you, in private," Cole said.

            "I see," I said.  "Where do you want to meet?"

            "Somewhere where no one will bother us," Cole said.  "How about the Neutral Plane?"

            "That sounds fine," I said, reluctantly.  The Neutral Plane did not allow sensing abilities in or out, providing a private atmosphere.

            After waiting there for about an hour, Cole finally blurred in.  I sighed.  "You could at least be on time...what?" I said, noticing the sadistic look on Cole's face.

            "You know, for one of the most powerful beings of the realm, you're an idiot," Cole snarled.

            "What are you talking about?" I snapped.

            "Did you really think I'd let you have her?" Cole sneered.  "No, the only thing I'm going to give you is the opportunity to watch her die."

            "What have you done?!" I yelled, picking Cole up by his jacket.

            "Ah, ah, ah, you're wasting precious time," Cole said evilly.  I flamed out without another word.

            As I appeared in the Manor, I saw Sam about to heal Phoebe, and my danger sense flared.  "No!" I yelled, stopping him.

            "What is it?" he asked.

            "I don't know," I said.  I gaped as I saw the large wound on Phoebe's abdomen.

            "Michael," Phoebe gasped as she saw me.

            "What happened?" I demanded.

            "Cole," Piper said grimly.  "He and that Darklighter attacked us.  The Darklighter tried to shoot me too, but the baby protected me."  She swallowed hoarsely.  "Cole...he...he took a sword, and said to Phoebe, 'I've had enough of your leg-spreading slutty ways,' and then...and then..."  Piper broke off in tears.

            "That mother fucking son of a bitch," I cursed.  "I'll kill him..."

            "Kill later, heal now," Piper snapped.

            I did a passive scan of the wound, and shook my head sadly.  "We can't," I said in a choked voice.  "He used some damn poison on the sword, stronger than anything I've ever seen.  If anyone tries to heal her, she dies."

            "No..." Piper said in disbelief.  She turned and collapsed into Leo's arms.

            I took Phoebe's hand and squeezed it.  I prayed that she didn't notice that I was shaking with rage, but I could never hide my moods from her.

            "This wasn't your fault," Phoebe said softly.

            "How could I have been so blind?" I said, shaking my head.  "I should have known..."

            "It's ok, baby," Phoebe said, weakly reaching up to caress my cheek.  I placed that hand against my lips, tenderly kissing it.

            "Don't you dare die on me," I said firmly.

            Phoebe's lip quivered, tears pooling in her eyes.  "I love you so much," she whispered.  "Michael, take care of my sisters for me...please..."

            "Phoebe, baby, no, don't do this..." I begged.

            "I...love...y...you..." Phoebe exhaled.  Her eyes closed, and her hand went limp.  I felt her lifeforce diminish, and then vanish.  She was dead.

            I dropped her hand and stood up.  My fists were clenched tightly.

            "Oh, God, no!" Paige wailed.

            "I'm going to fucking kill him," I said, shaking with rage.  Before anyone could stop me, I flamed to Cole's penthouse.

            I found him facing the balcony.  "Turn around," I growled.

            "Come to vanquish me, have you?" Cole said as he did so.

            "You bastard," I hissed.  "You killed the only woman I've ever loved."

            "Hardly a loss," Cole said disdainfully.  "She was just a pathetic whore anyway."

            My anger flared out of control...and that's when it happened.  I could feel the power rising in me, stronger and stronger.  Suddenly, there was a burst of light around me.  When it faded, I could feel my link to Life more strongly than ever before.  The raw power at my fingertips was incredible.  I turned, and gasped at my reflection in the mirror.  My hair had turned white, and my eyes had gone from their usual deep brown to the purest blue.  My shirt and pants had been replaced by flowing white robes.  Turning to Cole, I said in a deep voice, "I am the Guardian of Life.  For your transgression, you must die." 

            I raised my hand, and a concentrated column of white flames shot from my hand and slammed into Cole.  He began to scream and the flames rose around him.  I kept the flame going until Cole appeared to have been consumed, and then I let my arm drop...

            ...and nearly fainted upon sensing Phoebe standing right behind me.

            I whirled around, and it was true.  Phoebe was standing there, along with Paige and Piper.

            "Phoebe..." I breathed, as I felt myself returning to my normal form.  "What...how..."  I couldn't form a coherent sentence.

            Phoebe was about to respond when she looked behind me, and her eyes widened.  "Oh my God..." she gasped.

            I turned around.  "No..." I said in disbelief.  It was impossible.

            Cole was not only still standing, he was unharmed.

            "What the hell...I destroyed you," I insisted.

            "They knew it wouldn't work," Cole sighed.

            "What the fuck are you talking about?" I demanded.

            "You can't vanquish me," Cole said.  "No one can."

            From the looks the others had on their faces, they probably thought the look in Cole's eyes was cold detachment.  However, I recognized it for what it was: utter horror.  I could feel something similar within myself, as I realized what we'd just discovered.

            Cole was invincible.

            After we arrived back at the Manor, Phoebe and the others filled me in on what had happened.  Apparently, only seconds after I left, Phoebe had suddenly wakened, and her wound healed on its own.  She showed me an apparent suicide note from Cole that had suddenly appeared next to her after that, and I realized that the poison Cole had used was a fake.  It was only meant to make Phoebe appear dead so that I would go and kill him.

            Later on, while Paige and Sam were talking, Phoebe and I excused ourselves and went to the conservatory.  Rather than turning to face her, I stared out the window in contemplation.

            "Baby, talk to me," Phoebe said, breaking my thousand-yard stare.  "What's wrong?"

            "Where do I start...?" I mused as I turned to face her.  "Cole's invincible, and probably wants to kill you, and..."

            Phoebe put a finger to my lips, cutting me off.  "Tell me what's really bothering you."

            I sighed.  "I felt you die, Phoebe.  I felt the life drain out of you, and then...nothing.  I've never been more hurt in my life.  I...I couldn't go through that again.  I'd never survive it."

            Phoebe pulled me into a fierce embrace.  "You never will," she said firmly.  "Michael Smith, I love you, and I'm sticking close to you."

            Phoebe and I held each other for several minutes, and I found myself relaxing in her arms.  Suddenly, Phoebe pulled back and said, "So, I'm alive again.  Maybe we should celebrate?"

            I could see the seductive glint in her eyes, and I grinned.  "What did you have in mind?"

            Phoebe ran her hand lingeringly along my chest, and then said seductively, "Follow me."

TO BE CONTINUED...