Thanks, Roxette, Beba Turner-Halliwell and Svata2004. Oh and sorry
Svata2004, I'm not gonna kill Jason but I do promise to make him obsolete.
**********************
"An Unholy Alliance"
Mark and Phoebe arrived at the address written down on Cole's calling card and stood in front of a condemned and empty office building.
"This can't be the right address," Phoebe said. The only thing that could possibly be residing here are mice. This building isn't even decent enough for crack lords to do business."
"What are you talking about, Phoebe, it's a beautiful office," Mark said and opened the door before Phoebe could stop him.
"Mark, it's not safe in there!" Phoebe yelled and then went in after him. Phoebe had to blink twice at the sight which greeted her inside. It was the most plush office she'd ever seen with plants, beautiful oil paintings and over a dozen nicely dressed workers sitting behind computer desks. "This wasn't what I saw in the window," Phoebe said to Mark who was standing beside her.
"I did," Mark replied.
"Then you are magical, Mark."
"No pretty girl's ever called me that before," Mark said blushing.
"I wouldn't take the remark seriously, Mr. Connor. Phoebe here is always calling everything magical -- like our first night together, remember Phoebe? -- but her sentiments don't have much staying power do they?"
Cole had shimmered in just behind Phoebe and startled her.
"Cole! Where did all of this come from?"
"The employees are reformed warlocks, ex-demons and the like. The rest came from my fertile imagination, Phoebe. You remember just how inventive I can be, don't you?"
Phoebe did remember and it was her turn to blush momentarily, but then the embarrassment quickly turned to anger. "You're using your demonic powers, aren't you?"
"Why, Phoebe, how perceptive you are," he answered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Of course I'm using my demonic powers, they're the only powers I've got. And how else would I create this Shangri-la you're standing in which begs the question, "Why are you standing in my Shangri-la, Phoebe?"
"Never mind that, Cole, I've got some of my own questions for you to answer."
"Fine, I'll give you ten minutes in my office."
"Mark, why don't you go on home and I'll see you back here on Tuesday as we agreed," Cole ordered.
Mark looked at Phoebe for direction. "You'd better do what he says, Mark. Cole can act downright psychotic when he doesn't get his way."
"You know you're a lot like Pru. I don't know why I never saw it before," Cole remarked.
"Thanks."
"It wasn't a compliment. Now if you'll follow me, Ms. Halliwell, Cole said forcing a smile.
Phoebe followed Cole inside a room that was as huge and inviting as their old penthouse.
"What is all of this for, Cole?"
"Take a seat on my Corinthian leather recliner and I'll answer your questions."
"I don't just want answers, I want honesty or so help me I'll get Paige over here with another one of her latest vanquishing potions."
"Well as much as I love family reunions, there's no need to fetch Paige. I'm not doing anything evil here. Of course, you probably won't believe that."
"That is why we're divorced, Cole."
"Exactly and frankly I'm glad of it now."
"You are?" Phoebe asked not knowing why she felt stung.
"Now I can finally be myself and not worry about your acceptance or rejection and I can give my new job, or shall I say calling, all the concentration it deserves."
"And just what is your job exactly?"
"I'm a detective and I help clients with their supernatural problems. So you see, I'm not being evil at all."
"Oh no? Just a second ago, you admitted you were using your demonic powers."
"Yes, but that doesn't necessarily make me evil. Evil is a part of everyone's genetic makeup and even the most holier than thou witches have it in them, whether they choose to acknowledge it or not," Cole said directing his barb personally at Phoebe. "I'm helping people with my demonic powers, not hurting them."
"I have no choice but to believe that you really think you are trying to do good. My new power won't let me do otherwise, but..."
"What new power?"
"I'm an Empath."
"Congratulations. I hope you and your feelings will be very happy together."
"And as an Empath, I know you didn't mean that."
"No, but what did you mean when you said I believe I'm doing good?"
"Just that you're trying to do good but it's only a matter of time before the demon in you will take over and turn all your good intentions to evil and that's what worries me."
"Why, Phoebe you still care. I'm deeply touched by your concern."
"No you're not, I can feel it, but it's not you I'm concerned about. It's my innocent."
"What innocent?"
"Mark of course."
"Mark is not your innocent, he's my client."
"No he isn't. I got a premonition about him tonight and that makes him my innocent."
"He came to see me this morning, so that makes him mine."
"How did he come to you anyway, Cole? I don't recall seeing your ad in the paper."
"My ad, as you put it, has been in the air several weeks, through a spell I cast. Anyone who's having trouble with any otherworldy beings, be they warlocks, demons, or even witches for that matter, is drawn subconsciously to my office as Mark was."
"What's Mark's problem?"
"He's got rather a nasty demon in his house, though he doesn't know it. It's attracted to his boyish innocence and wants to devour his essence. The demon is feeding off his fear and growing stronger every day and it's only a matter of weeks or perhaps even days before he'll succeed in killing Mark. I haven't been able to find a way to vanquish him yet, but I plan to by Tuesday night."
"The new moon?"
"Yes, if I don't vanquish it by then it will be regenerated and impossible to destroy."
"Then there's only one solution here that I can see, Cole. We'll have to work together."
"No we won't. Our story's over, babe. I only work solo now."
"Maybe our story is finished, but not today, Cole. Mark became my innocent for a reason and our ignoring that reason will only condemn Mark to death. You need me for this one case and after we saved Mark and vanquished the demon, you and I will go our separate ways and never again shall the twain meet? Deal?"
Cole sighed, acknowledging what was ultimately best for his client. "We work together under two conditions."
"What conditions?"
"The first is, it's just you and I on this, no "Charmed Ones." There's already enough discord between the two of us without adding two more Halliwells into the fray."
"I wasn't going to tell them anyway. They might get the wrong idea about it...and let me tell you how wrong they would be just in case you're entertaining any notions of trying to get me back."
"I'm not," Cole said too coolly for Phoebe's comfort. She could feel his icy indifference and it was very disturbing.
"Okay, what's the second condition?"
"Your trust. We'll only be hurting our client if you don't give me your complete trust in whatever ideas I come up with to save Mark."
"Considering our history together, that one's not going to be easy Cole because I don't trust you at all."
"Then forget your thoughts about me and promise me you'll listen to what the Empath in you has to say. That will guide you to the truth no matter how you feel about me."
"Agreed." Phoebe extended her hand to shake on what she thought of as an unholy alliance, but Cole ignored it and her, leaving Phoebe alone in Cole's office.
"God help me! I've just made a pact with the devil."
**********************
"An Unholy Alliance"
Mark and Phoebe arrived at the address written down on Cole's calling card and stood in front of a condemned and empty office building.
"This can't be the right address," Phoebe said. The only thing that could possibly be residing here are mice. This building isn't even decent enough for crack lords to do business."
"What are you talking about, Phoebe, it's a beautiful office," Mark said and opened the door before Phoebe could stop him.
"Mark, it's not safe in there!" Phoebe yelled and then went in after him. Phoebe had to blink twice at the sight which greeted her inside. It was the most plush office she'd ever seen with plants, beautiful oil paintings and over a dozen nicely dressed workers sitting behind computer desks. "This wasn't what I saw in the window," Phoebe said to Mark who was standing beside her.
"I did," Mark replied.
"Then you are magical, Mark."
"No pretty girl's ever called me that before," Mark said blushing.
"I wouldn't take the remark seriously, Mr. Connor. Phoebe here is always calling everything magical -- like our first night together, remember Phoebe? -- but her sentiments don't have much staying power do they?"
Cole had shimmered in just behind Phoebe and startled her.
"Cole! Where did all of this come from?"
"The employees are reformed warlocks, ex-demons and the like. The rest came from my fertile imagination, Phoebe. You remember just how inventive I can be, don't you?"
Phoebe did remember and it was her turn to blush momentarily, but then the embarrassment quickly turned to anger. "You're using your demonic powers, aren't you?"
"Why, Phoebe, how perceptive you are," he answered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Of course I'm using my demonic powers, they're the only powers I've got. And how else would I create this Shangri-la you're standing in which begs the question, "Why are you standing in my Shangri-la, Phoebe?"
"Never mind that, Cole, I've got some of my own questions for you to answer."
"Fine, I'll give you ten minutes in my office."
"Mark, why don't you go on home and I'll see you back here on Tuesday as we agreed," Cole ordered.
Mark looked at Phoebe for direction. "You'd better do what he says, Mark. Cole can act downright psychotic when he doesn't get his way."
"You know you're a lot like Pru. I don't know why I never saw it before," Cole remarked.
"Thanks."
"It wasn't a compliment. Now if you'll follow me, Ms. Halliwell, Cole said forcing a smile.
Phoebe followed Cole inside a room that was as huge and inviting as their old penthouse.
"What is all of this for, Cole?"
"Take a seat on my Corinthian leather recliner and I'll answer your questions."
"I don't just want answers, I want honesty or so help me I'll get Paige over here with another one of her latest vanquishing potions."
"Well as much as I love family reunions, there's no need to fetch Paige. I'm not doing anything evil here. Of course, you probably won't believe that."
"That is why we're divorced, Cole."
"Exactly and frankly I'm glad of it now."
"You are?" Phoebe asked not knowing why she felt stung.
"Now I can finally be myself and not worry about your acceptance or rejection and I can give my new job, or shall I say calling, all the concentration it deserves."
"And just what is your job exactly?"
"I'm a detective and I help clients with their supernatural problems. So you see, I'm not being evil at all."
"Oh no? Just a second ago, you admitted you were using your demonic powers."
"Yes, but that doesn't necessarily make me evil. Evil is a part of everyone's genetic makeup and even the most holier than thou witches have it in them, whether they choose to acknowledge it or not," Cole said directing his barb personally at Phoebe. "I'm helping people with my demonic powers, not hurting them."
"I have no choice but to believe that you really think you are trying to do good. My new power won't let me do otherwise, but..."
"What new power?"
"I'm an Empath."
"Congratulations. I hope you and your feelings will be very happy together."
"And as an Empath, I know you didn't mean that."
"No, but what did you mean when you said I believe I'm doing good?"
"Just that you're trying to do good but it's only a matter of time before the demon in you will take over and turn all your good intentions to evil and that's what worries me."
"Why, Phoebe you still care. I'm deeply touched by your concern."
"No you're not, I can feel it, but it's not you I'm concerned about. It's my innocent."
"What innocent?"
"Mark of course."
"Mark is not your innocent, he's my client."
"No he isn't. I got a premonition about him tonight and that makes him my innocent."
"He came to see me this morning, so that makes him mine."
"How did he come to you anyway, Cole? I don't recall seeing your ad in the paper."
"My ad, as you put it, has been in the air several weeks, through a spell I cast. Anyone who's having trouble with any otherworldy beings, be they warlocks, demons, or even witches for that matter, is drawn subconsciously to my office as Mark was."
"What's Mark's problem?"
"He's got rather a nasty demon in his house, though he doesn't know it. It's attracted to his boyish innocence and wants to devour his essence. The demon is feeding off his fear and growing stronger every day and it's only a matter of weeks or perhaps even days before he'll succeed in killing Mark. I haven't been able to find a way to vanquish him yet, but I plan to by Tuesday night."
"The new moon?"
"Yes, if I don't vanquish it by then it will be regenerated and impossible to destroy."
"Then there's only one solution here that I can see, Cole. We'll have to work together."
"No we won't. Our story's over, babe. I only work solo now."
"Maybe our story is finished, but not today, Cole. Mark became my innocent for a reason and our ignoring that reason will only condemn Mark to death. You need me for this one case and after we saved Mark and vanquished the demon, you and I will go our separate ways and never again shall the twain meet? Deal?"
Cole sighed, acknowledging what was ultimately best for his client. "We work together under two conditions."
"What conditions?"
"The first is, it's just you and I on this, no "Charmed Ones." There's already enough discord between the two of us without adding two more Halliwells into the fray."
"I wasn't going to tell them anyway. They might get the wrong idea about it...and let me tell you how wrong they would be just in case you're entertaining any notions of trying to get me back."
"I'm not," Cole said too coolly for Phoebe's comfort. She could feel his icy indifference and it was very disturbing.
"Okay, what's the second condition?"
"Your trust. We'll only be hurting our client if you don't give me your complete trust in whatever ideas I come up with to save Mark."
"Considering our history together, that one's not going to be easy Cole because I don't trust you at all."
"Then forget your thoughts about me and promise me you'll listen to what the Empath in you has to say. That will guide you to the truth no matter how you feel about me."
"Agreed." Phoebe extended her hand to shake on what she thought of as an unholy alliance, but Cole ignored it and her, leaving Phoebe alone in Cole's office.
"God help me! I've just made a pact with the devil."