A/N: Okay everyone, now this really is the end. It's all so sad... *Sob*
Ernie: We. Will. Miss. You. All.
Talia: We sure will Ernie...
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Important Notice: I have good news. Talia will have a sequel. I repeat, this story will have a sequel!!!
But before you all start jumping up and down for joy (or slumping down in disappointment) I have to warn you that while it will be Talia and Wyatt based, it will not necessarily be 'Charmed' based. It will hopefully be the merger of two different magical worlds, and if you've read some of my other stories, then you know what I'm talking about. The only bad news are that the sequel will have to wait until after my exams (end of May). If you want me to send you an email when I start posting this other story then please leave your email address in a review or leave a signed review.
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Meow14: You are almost too kind! I can't tell you what it means to me that you like all my original characters so much. I hope you've read the above notice and that it's made you happy. What can I say? You were very convincing!
Mickis: I made you cry? This is going to sound terrible, but I can't tell you how happy it made me to hear that! If I can evoke that much feeling with my writing, then I can really be proud of this story and myself. For this, I'm dedicating the epilogue to you!
The last chapter was terribly hard to write. I don't cry. I haven't cried in years to be exact, but I was sorely tempted when I was writing it, I'll tell you that! Read the notice above. Your wish is my command...
Lauren: Does the notice above answer your question? Glad you like it!
Svata2004: Read on and find out! You have been wonderful! One of my most devoted readers and reviewers and for that I'm really grateful. I hope you like the final chapter!
Frances: Frances! *squeals scandalised* Now that's not very nice! I think Valdis added a very nice touch to the story. Oh well, each to his own and I'm glad you liked the story!
Bob-the-bear: Sorry to have upset you, but really all your answers should be answered here, so read on. Thanks for all your support and good luck with your own writing.
TanyaM: I'm always impressed with your poignant observations! I agree 100% with what you say. I liked Valdis, but after what he's done, I really did think it was the only way he could have redeemed himself. Talia will never be one sided. Her charm (pun intended) rests with her multi-faceted personality. And I do like my Wyatt. I happen to think that Wyatt and Talia make a great team. Please read the above notice for information on the sequel.
Mixer: *Grins sheepishly* I guess it was rather rotten of me and I hated killing Valdis, but if you read what I told Tanya above, I kina-sorta thought that that was the way it should all be. I'm really happy to hear you say that you thought it was 'brilliantly done'! I do hope that 'threatening fist' doesn't accidentally swing my way...
Phoebe-Cole-foreve: I know what you mean. Don't tell anyone but, I was kinda rooting for him too. As for Talia copes... read on and find out.
Paige: I really am rather terrible, aren't I? You can't imagine how much I hated myself for doing that. But please don't kill me. I promised a sequel, and how am I ever to write it if you kill me?
Chantedly: Rather sadistic and pessimistic of you, but I happen to agree. I'm glad you've enjoyed the story! Oh and regards to your personal demon, still dating him?
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A couple more things before I let you get on with the story.
I've been revising some of the earlier chapters. I'm particularly proud of the revised chapter three and an additional scene featuring Cole! Go check it out!
Had it not been for Nightcrawler the epilogue would have been a lot shorter than it is. He absolutely insisted I put in the second part, even though I thought ending it after the first part was more appropriate. But, who am I to deny him anything when he's done so much for me already? Tell me what you think!
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Epilogue
Her bare feet dug deeper into the golden sand and she jumped out of the way of the icy waves barely in time. She hugged her coat tighter around her body. A weak smile appeared on her face as she gazed at the horizon, the formerly grey clouds blushing with the rising sun, over the grey, restless sea. Salty tears made their way down her cheeks.
"I knew I'd find you here," said a deep voice from somewhere behind her.
There was no need for her to turn to face the speaker. She knew that voice as well as she knew her own.
"Hello, Father."
"Beautiful isn't it?" he said as he came to stand next to her. "A bright new day, a new beginning, light and colour in the midst of a cold, winter morning!"
Talia attempted a weak smile, but it came out as more of a grimace than anything else.
"The silver lining of a cloud, a shaft of light in the darkness, hope in Pandora's box..." she listed, obviously unimpressed by Cole's attempt to lift her spirits.
"I'm sorry Talia."
Talia sighed.
"So am I, Father." She turned to face him. "You said that you had nothing to do with the contract on Josh and I should have believed you. You've never lied to me before. I should have taken your word for it."
Cole shrugged.
"Don't apologise Talia. They knew exactly how I work. The whole operation was set up exactly as I would have set it up. Yes, I've never lied to you before, but we were never on different sides in the war before. You had every reason to doubt me. Seeing me with your own eyes give the order..." he sighed, "what else would you believe?"
"About that..."
"It was Valdis. He was a demon of illusion. Did you know that?"
She nodded.
"I looked him up in the Book of Shadows when I discovered he was a demon. I just never made the connection."
Father and daughter stayed silent for a while.
"Josh?"
She had been afraid to ask sooner.
"He's fine. Phoebe told me that it was touch and go there for a while, but Wyatt healed him. Leo arrived after you left. He helped."
"He must really hate me."
Cole said nothing for some time. What was there to say to something like that when there was a very real possibility that it was true?
"He doesn't hate you. He's probably terrified of you, but..."
Cole took one look at his daughter and fell silent again. He really wasn't very good at this sort of thing.
"Talia, you did save his life, twice, and if he doesn't recognise that, well then he's not really worth being upset about."
Talia sighed softly. She still felt guilty about Josh. He would have never been in danger if it wasn't for her in the first place.
"Your cousin Wyatt said that Josh has agreed to keep everything he knows to himself. You'll be able to return to school whenever you feel like it. Like none of it ever happened."
Like none of it ever happened...
The sentence hang in the air between them and both of them recognised its untruthfulness.
Talia slowly lowered herself on the sand and sat down resting her chin on her upraised knees. Cole sat next to her. Father and daughter simply stared out to sea, each lost in their own thoughts. They watched the sunrise in silence.
"I met Wyatt. He's a remarkable young man. I understand you two are close."
She said nothing.
"He's worried about you and so is your mother. All of them are, really. You left without saying goodbye," he chastised gently, "just flamed out without the slightest explanation and after what happened..."
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The tears fell down her face like rain and she hugged him to her, rocking him gently. Through the heavy mist of her sorrow, she felt her father's heavy hand rest comfortingly on her shoulder.
Wyatt kneeled down next to her.
"He's dead Tal," spoke Wyatt's soft voice.
She turned her dead, expressionless eyes towards him. Wyatt fought off the urge to shudder at the endless pain he saw there. Talia gently pushed Valdis' lifeless body off her and laid it gently on the wet grass.
"Perdicus?" she asked of her father.
Cole moved to show a still-smouldering pile of ashes on the ground.
"He died screaming. I made sure of that."
Talia simply nodded.
"Take care of Valdis' body, will you?"
And with that, she flamed out.
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"Tell my mother I'm sorry. I...I need some time. Time to think, time to mourn..."
"For Valdis...?"
"For Valdis...and for Nicholas; for who I once was..."
"It's a good thing the Christmas holidays are coming up. At least you won't be missing any school..." he joked, then grew serious again. "Take as much time as you need Talia. These past few months, you've dealt with more things than anyone should have to deal with in a lifetime."
She smiled in gratitude.
"Do you have a key for the house?" he asked.
Cole's eyes were drawn to the white house that stood proudly further down the beach.
"Yes."
Talia pulled a leather chord out of her black t-shirt. Hanging from it, were two gold keys. One was for the cabin just outside San Francisco and the other was for the little villa on the Greek island of Pontikonissi, on whose sandy beach they were currently sitting on.
Cole smiled.
"You've always loved this place."
Talia smiled back.
"It's the one place where I can be me. I loved it when you brought me here as a child. It was the only time we did the type of normal things that parents and children do. Go swimming, have barbeques, relax..."
Cole's face darkened and he looked down.
"I've taken that away from you, haven't I, Talia?
"What man asks his six-year-old daughter to commit murder? What kind of man puts a price on his child's head? I'm afraid I haven't been a very good father."
Talia looked at him and her eyes softened.
"You've done the best you could and I understand that."
She placed a small hand on his arm and smiled up at him.
"Most people would find this hard to believe, coming from the Source's daughter, but I've always felt loved. Growing up, I always felt like I could tell you anything! My childhood wasn't ideal, but it wasn't too bad. I was a bloody Princess! I had Uncle Xander, and I had you. It was rather fun to think that the three of us stood against the world... You both treated me as an equal member of our team and I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes, I've done some bad things in the past, but you never forced me to do any of it. It was my choice. And part of me couldn't help feeling proud that you trusted me with all those missions..."
Cole raised his head and his eyes met his daughter's.
"You can come back you know.
"We'll make up some sort of story and convince the Council that you never joined the other side; that we had a simple fight between us instead, and you ran away from home and only just decided to come back. Dacremont, Cremon, Perdicus, they're all gone now. No one would question us.
"You can even have a position in the Council if you want, the first woman to ever do so. Even the Seer never managed that!"
Talia smiled softly and shook her head.
"I've chosen my path."
Cole seemed disappointed, but in all honesty he didn't really think she would agree. Talia rested her head on his shoulder and he wrapped an arm around her.
"Could you take a holiday?" she asked. "Spend a few days with me here?"
She could feel him hesitate.
"We're on different sides now Talia. Things aren't the way they used to be."
She sighed.
"I know. But only uncle Xander, you and I, know about this place. No one from either side could ever find us here. You're the one who put up all the protections, remember?"
She needed her father more than ever, but she didn't tell him. She wouldn't beg, and if he decided that he couldn't stay, then she would have to manage without him, she decided. Talia waited patiently for his answer.
"Give me three to four days to tie up some loose ends, appoint new Council members... I can probably steal away about a week."
She smiled at him.
"It won't be a regular thing, Talia," he warned. "You are a witch now and I'm still the Source."
"I know."
He sighed. From the moment she had decided to ask him, he hadn't stood a chance. He never could deny her anything...
The sun rose higher and Talia's gaze wandered over the winter landscape that was the beach. In all honesty, she much preferred a stormy sea than a balmy one. There was just something wild and unrestrained about it that she loved. When she had told her father this, one evening, he had laughed and told her that the stormy sea was a bit like her. Wild, unrestrained and beautiful, he had said. She had laughed with pleasure and swatted his arm gently. Now she couldn't help but wonder if the similarities between her and the sea ended there. After all, how many ships and sailors had the frothing waters brought to their humid graves?
"It didn't even occur to me until I came here, but...I cried for him, Father. Aren't the Phoenix's tears supposed to heal all wounds?"
Cole saw the pain in his daughter's big, brown eyes and his arm, almost unconsciously, tightened around her. He brought her closer towards him and rested his own head on her soft hair.
"Almost all wounds, Talia...almost all wounds. I've thought about this too and here's what I've come up with. Magic is tied to emotions. There was a lot of hate and anger in that fireball Perdicus aimed at you, and Valdis took it at full force. It was just too powerful and the damage too great to counteract, even with Phoenix tears. Pure, unmitigated hatred cannot be healed by any magic in the world. There was nothing that you, or anyone else for that matter, could have done to save him."
She turned her face to his chest and he felt her tremble in his arms. A hoarse sound escaped her throat. She was crying. He had watched her cry last night, but now she was crying in his arms and he felt her pain sharper than he ever thought possible. He felt helpless as sobs racked her small body and she cried on the front of his cloak. Before last night, it had been years since he had seen her cry. Not since she was six, he thought with a pang...when she had sacrificed her innocence at his request. He had no idea if she had cried on her own since then, but she had never cried in front of him.
He understood her need to cry. He was glad to see that she still could. He had lost that ability, years ago... All he could do was hold her, and hope that it was enough.
Talia would get through this eventually. She had the Halliwells and her cousin Wyatt, who, Cole realised, all adored her. And she had him.
But most of all, Talia had inner strength that bent steel and more courage and bravery than anyone he'd ever met. He felt one more strangled sob against his chest and he turned to envelop her in his embrace and allow her to cry properly on his shoulder. He used his large hand to gently pat her hair.
Yes, it would take time, but Talia would be alright after all.
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"Cole...!" shouted Phoebe, immediately rising from the couch.
"Have you found her, sir?" asked Wyatt anxiously.
"I have," Cole answered. "She's fine. Understandably upset of course, but fine."
Everyone's faces relaxed with relief.
"Why couldn't I feel her?" asked Leo. "She's half-witch and under my protection, I should have been able to feel her. Where was she?"
Cole turned to look coldly at the man that, at one time, he felt was the closest thing to a friend he had ever had.
"Talia is safe. She's at the one place where she is safe from both your world and mine. That's all you need to know," he answered curtly.
"When will she be back?" asked Wyatt.
"When she's good and ready!" Cole snapped at him.
He had had a trying couple of hours with Talia and he knew he had an even more trying next few days at the Underworld waiting for him. Replacing Council members was always a messy affair. Bloodthirsty demons took out their opponents in order to ensure the appointment of their position. It was literally a case of last man standing, walking off with all the spoils. The last thing he needed was the Haliwells giving him the third degree about Talia.
Leo scowled at Cole for snapping at his son. Piper noticed.
"Alright everyone," she said prodding Leo and Wyatt in the general direction of the kitchen, "in the kitchen you go. I'll make us all some breakfast."
"But mum..."
"Now, Wyatt! You too, Paige!"
Paige grimaced with displeasure. She could see what Piper was doing, but she was very reluctant to leave Phoebe alone with Cole. There was nothing she could do about it however. One look at Piper showed that the eldest Haliwell would take no argument.
"We'll be in the kitchen, Phoebe. Just call if you need us," she said, throwing Cole a dirty look, before Piper managed to shove her out of the room.
Cole was looking everywhere but Phoebe.
"How is she really, Cole?" she asked softly.
He sighed.
"She's hurting, Phoebe. I don't think you have any idea what these past few months were like for her."
Phoebe stiffened, then nodded slowly.
As much as she hated Cole's comment, she recognised how true it was. Talia was a very private person. Her own mother knew about her only what Talia herself had wanted her to know.
"Could you take me to her?"
Slowly, Cole shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Phoebe. I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?" Phoebe demanded getting angry.
"Don't do this, Phoebe, please. She'll come back to you, I promise, but only when she's ready!"
Phoebe looked him in the eye and saw that he was telling the truth. She sighed.
"It's just so hard! I wish there was something I could do!"
Cole smiled softly.
"It's strange how quickly it comes, isn't it?"
She turned to look at him.
"What does?"
"Caring. Worrying."
Phoebe nodded studying the carpet.
"I wish she'd trusted me with what was going on."
"Talia's very independent, and very stubborn. Like someone else I know..."
She lifted her eyes to see the amused look on his face.
"I'm not stubborn!"
Cole raised an eyebrow at her.
"Ok, maybe little," she said, throwing her hands in the air.
He chuckled softly.
"Ah, Phoebe! You haven't changed a bit, have you?"
"You have."
He shrugged.
"You made your position on us clear enough, years ago. I had to move on. For Talia's sake. It doesn't mean that I've stopped thinking of you."
"Cole-"
"No Phoebe, hear me out. You were the love of my life, just like I was yours. We both know it, so why deny it? I'd give all this up in a second if I thought we could be together again," he said sadly.
She took one look at him and it broke her heart. She still loved him. She still wished things could have been different.
"We both know that's not going to happen, Cole," she said softly.
Cole closed his tired eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Yes, we do. And so, I'm stuck in my world, you're stuck in yours, and Talia's dangling somewhere in the middle. What a family we make!"
The bitterness in his voice, echoed the bitterness in her heart. He was right of course. Phoebe stayed silent.
"I have to go, Phoebe," he said straightening up.
"Back to the Underworld?"
"Yes."
They avoided looking at each other for a while.
"If you see Talia... tell her I love her."
Cole nodded and flamed out of the manor.
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FINIS.
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