For Disclaimer see part one. Well here is the next part and I am sorry for the delay in posting but there has been an issue with someone stealing from my story and you know who you are.
Anyway I want to thank everyone for the kind words and I hope that you all enjoy this next part g.
And a big Thank You for my friend Tia for the Naming Spells. Thanks Tiavbg.
Darryl stood quickly, apparently too quickly for the others as they all jumped up like someone had set fire to their backsides. He received a glare from each of them as he chuckled at their reactions. "Sorry but he seems calm enough now and we should be heading out soon. I want to get him home before the first backlash attack hits." It had been about forty-five minutes since they had sat down and Darryl needed to get his friend home. When he moved carefully around the corner he came to such an abrupt stop that the others ran into him. Before they could say anything though he simply pointed and smiled.
Down the hall Piper was still sitting on Cole's lap and as they watched Piper brought Cole's hands to her face allowing him to trace her features with his fingers thereby allowing him to 'see' her. They both had smiles on their faces and Darryl took this as a good sign. He knew Cole was doing okay for the moment but he didn't know how Piper was doing. When Cole looked over to him, having sensed his approached, Piper also looked over and when her eyes met his he could see the shame in them. The fact that she couldn't maintain direct eye contact with him spoke of her sincerity and he found himself relaxing a little.
"Okay guys, I really hate to break this up and I do mean that but Piper I have to get this guy home so he can eat and get to bed." Darryl didn't even have to look at Cole to know what his friend's reaction was going to be.
"Give me a break here Darryl, please? I just got out of bed and I'm not really hungry." Cole didn't want this to end. He was afraid that once Piper was gone he would find out that it was all a dream. He knew he sounded whiney but he just didn't care right now. Unfortunately his stomach decided to disagree with him and sounded off, much to Cole's disgruntlement. "Hey, just remember it's his food you will eating for the next few days." Immediately his stomach went silent.
"Hey I resent that implication. No one has ever died from my cooking." Darryl's put upon voice spoke up.
"Not yet anyway."
Cole's voice had been a whisper but Darryl had responded to the comment and as Piper watched the two men, matching smirks on their faces, lob insults back and forth she was struck by the connection the two men had. As she looked to the other people that were now standing around them she noticed the little smiles on each of their faces, She felt a stab of envy as she realized that she was the outsider here, they were the family, the secret smile told her that. As she returned her gaze to Cole her envy turned to guilt. Outsider she thought to herself this is how you have felt among us all this time. We never let you in did we? No we didn't. Aren't we even more proud of ourselves now. Her thoughts were interrupted by Cole's voice and his words brought her even more shame.
"Hey there. Now what did I say about feeling guilty, hm. If there is one thing Darryl and I learned a long time ago is wallowing in guilt will get you nowhere fast and uses up a lot of energy doing it. And before you even start that wasn't guilt that was a long overdue apology." Cole had sensed what she was thinking and he found himself happy that he could still read Piper. Maybe there is hope for us after all he thought to himself.
"How did you?" Piper had no idea how he had known what she was thinking.
"Because you only ever tilt your head like this," he explained as he used his hands to tilt her head back up straight, "when you are about to argue with something someone has just said or done." He laughed as he felt her jaw drop open.
Piper's shame returned full force as she realized how well he knew her and yet she knew nothing of him. Well that's about to change if he'll let me. As Cole's stomach sounded off again she quickly she decided on her course of action and just hoped that he and Darryl would let her.
"Okay, how about this. How about I make lunch for everyone?" she asked as she levered herself up and off of Cole's lap. She watched as Darryl quickly moved to Cole's side and helped him up, never letting go of him even after he was standing. As she watched her sister move to stand on the right side of Cole she couldn't help but notice the small smile still on her face. It was a smile she remembered from their childhood, the one that said she was up to something. She didn't have long to wait to find out what that something was either.
Cole had smiled immediately, it had been along time since he had tasted her cooking and as good as Anita was in the kitchen he found that he had missed Piper's culinary delights. His smile quickly turned to a look of disappointment though as his mind reminded him of one problem. "If she doesn't come home then they'll come looking for her and I… I… " His voice trailed off afraid he had hurt Piper again, but he just couldn't face the rest of them, not now. If there was one thing he had learned early on in his friendship with Darryl it was to know your limitations and he knew that a meeting like that right now was beyond his limit.
"Not a problem." Prue said coming to his rescue before he could get himself all upset. "If all went according to plan then she'll be free and clear till at least tomorrow evening." She smiled as her brother's mouth fell open at her words and she found she just couldn't resist. "Close your mouth my dear before you catch flies."
"And if all didn't go to plan?" Darryl hated being the wet blanket but he knew his charge was in no shape to face the rest of his ex-family.
"And if it didn't then I will simply take care of it myself so problem solved." Prue smiled, pleased with herself for having done a good deed for her brother.
Grams had watched her little one go from happy to sad and then happy again. He seemed at ease for the moment but she knew that that was due to his Guardian's close proximity. She knew that if Prue and Jenna had made their plan together then Andy was surly involved as well so he must be with Jenna making sure that Piper could stay with them for now and it looked like her little one liked that idea. Now all they had to do was get everyone home in one piece.
"All right then people, it's time to move out. I for one would very much like to partake in a meal made by… now how did he call you? Oh yes now I remember, the Culinary Goddess of the Kitchen." She snickered at her little ones put upon look.
"Grams. I shall remember this kindness." Cole could feel himself turning bright red and to add insult to injury, at least in his opinion anyway, Prue decides to join in the fun.
"Besides I refuse to leave my brother here at the mercy of a person who made food a four letter word." She ruffled his hair playfully as she spoke.
Darryl of course took immediate exception. "Hey, you have eaten my cooking and you lived. And would you stop with the fluffing please." Darryl slapped her hand away from his friend's curls.
"Oh you mean this fluffing?" Prue had brought her other hand up and simply continued to fluff away.
"Hey do you have any idea how long it takes to make those behave. I mean we are talking physics and gravity defying curls here so enough with the fluffing already." He continued to slap at here hands and she simply continued to fluff away. His friend's exasperated sigh only served to make him smile, a smile he saw reflected on Prue's face.
Dr. B watched as Darryl and Prue made her Grandson smile. Knowing that was their intention she simply let them continue playing for a few more minutes before turning to Piper. "They could keep this up for hours you know."
"You're kidding right?" Piper just continued to stare at the three people standing across from her. She watched her sister playfully ruffle Cole's hair again and again as her old childhood friend continued to try and slap her hands away. Cole simply stood there letting them have their fun; his only comment was a few exasperated sighs and a put upon look that was ruined by the smile on his lips. The ease with which the three fooled around, the closeness she was witnessing was making her feel even more ashamed. This was a man that she had helped kill, a man that she had, for all intense and purposes thrown to the wolves and he seemed closer to her own sister than she was. Yes Prue had been visiting her, talking to her about things and helping her with her nightmares but it wasn't the same as it had been before between them and she mourned the loss. It was as she watched them that she realized that it would probably never be the same again. Prue had found a kind of peace she hadn't and she was afraid she never would. The sound of Cole's stomach rumbling caused her to smile though.
"Okay guys I think that was our que to leave don't you?"
"Piper is right children, time to leave so enough with the malicious fluffing of the cute curls."
"Grams." Cole whined at her comment, a smile still on his lips.
"And they are cute curls Grams." Prue snickered as she raised herself up on tiptoes and kissed her brother's cheek.
"Et tu, Sis?" Cole said as he turned his head in the direction she was standing. The fact that his glance went right over her head was not lost on Piper who had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep the tears at bay.
"Cute curls my behind Dr. B. Misbehaving curls is more like it, just like the person they are attached to." Darryl smiled as he forced said curls back into place before taking his partner by the arm again. "Now we can leave. Simmons why don't you go get the car and we'll meet you at the door."
"See you out back." Simmons made it a point to look Piper in the eye one more time before he left. The warning was clear in his eyes and he could tell that she understood it. Hurt them and you will be sorry the look said and he could tell by the way she dropped her eyes that she understood him completely.
"Prue are you coming with or do you have plans?" Darryl knew that Cole would feel a bit better with Prue around but they still had to be careful about the side of good finding out about them so he wasn't too surprised by her answer.
"I would love to but I have a couple of errands to run but as soon as I'm finished I'll stop by the Manor. Okay?" She could see her brother tense a little at her words but she also knew that he was perfectly safe with Darryl. However, given his current condition she made it a point to let him know that she would be stopping by to see him again soon. "See ya soon." She said, giving him another kiss on the cheek before orbing out.
"Okay then people let's move out. Simmons is waiting and we all know how he feels about waiting." Darryl chuckled as he received a groan in stereo from Dr. B and Cole in response. "Come on partner." He made sure that Cole had a firm hold of his arm before he started leading him out of the hospital, as Dr. B and Piper fell in behind him.
When they reached the underground parking garage, Cole's safety being foremost in Simmons mind also, they quickly filed into the car. Piper got in the front seat with Simmons while Darryl helped Cole into the backseat while Dr. B got in on the other side. Simmons waited till Darryl had securely fastened Cole's seatbelt before taking off.
Piper still wasn't sure what to do or say so she simply remained quiet. Cole wasn't used to having anyone else around and with the safety he felt having Darryl on one side of him and his Grams on the other he soon found himself relaxing as the events of the past ten hours started to catch up with him. Soon his head was leaning on Darryl's shoulder as he began to doze off. He may have been asleep for seven hours but it wasn't a restful sleep and he was tired.
Darryl had scooted down in his seat like always and smiled when he felt Cole's head come to rest on his shoulder. Usually his friend would lay across the back seat with his head in his lap but with Dr. B in the back seat there wasn't enough space so Cole made do with his shoulder. He still couldn't rest himself but then again he hadn't gone through what his friend had either. Instead of resting his mind simply went from one scenario to another formulating different ways of protecting Cole publicly and catching Slater before he hurts anyone, especially Cole.
Darryl didn't know how long exactly Simmons had been driving when Cole's head suddenly shot up, his head moving from side to side as if he was listening for something. "Hey Partner, what is it?" Darryl didn't hear anything but he knew that Cole's heightened senses were even more acute when he lost his sight and the way he was angling his head, Darryl knew that he was trying to home in on a sound, one he couldn't hear. When he saw Dr. B's head begin moving in the same manner he knew that she too heard the mystery sound. "Dr. B what's wrong?"
"Grams?" Cole heard the heartbreaking whimpers but without his sight he couldn't tell Simmons which way to go.
"Don't worry little one I hear them too. Simmons turn left up ahead and step on it. We need to get to that little bridge and fast." She had taken a hold of her Grandson's hand as she gave the directions. The strength with which he was holding on to her told her that the sound of the whimpering was very upsetting for him, it was upsetting for her as well because it so reminded her of him. She glanced over at Darryl and found that he had taken his other hand, the look on his face telling her that he knew his charge was getting upset. "Turn here." She said as she turned back to the window.
The dirt road that they found themselves on led directly to the bridge and the man standing at the rail. She watched as the man picked up the first of two large sacks that were at his feet. They pulled up just as he was about to throw it over the railing. Without thinking she called to Piper.
"Piper, freeze him." She didn't know if it was the command tone in her voice or if it was the fact that the bag was moving that made Piper obey and frankly at the moment she didn't much care. "Darryl." She didn't need to say anymore.
"Don't worry I've got him on my side." Darryl quickly exited the car and then helped Cole out, being careful as always that he didn't hit his head as he got out. He had seen the bag move and he suddenly had a very good idea of what it was that his friend had heard. He carefully maneuvered the two of them over the rough terrain to where Simmons was.
By the time they reached him, Simmons had the bag out of the man's hands and was removing the second bag from by the man's feet. They all watched, all except Cole that is, as Simmons untied both bags. What jumped out of said bags simply made all present glare at the still frozen man.
The first puppy jumped out of the bag and made a beeline for Cole's feet. Cole may not have been able to see the puppy but he could hear it and feel it. He tried to bend down but his balance wouldn't allow it so Darryl helped him to kneel down on the ground. As soon as he was within reach the puppy jumped up and into Cole's arms, nearly knocking him over in the process. As the puppy proceeded to wash Cole's laughing face another puppy jumped out of the same bag and ran for Darryl and jumped right into his arms as Darryl was kneeling next to Cole. Soon his face was also being washed.
Before anyone else could move the second bag popped open and another puppy emerged. This one however was carrying a kitten in its mouth. The puppy looked up and around at them, then trotted over to Simmons and deposited the kitten on his shoes. As soon as the kitten was safely put down the puppy turned and made a beeline for Piper. Piper caught the puppy in mid-leap out of pure instinct. The puppy immediately started to wash her face once it was secure in her arms.
Simmons barely caught the puppy's leap as he had bent down to retrieve the ball of fluff that was sitting on his shoes. An electricity ball appeared in his free hand a moment later.
"Simmons." The warning call had come from Darryl, Dr. B, and Cole who may not have been able to see the ball but he could feel it. Simmons simply turned the kitten around to face them and never said a word.
"Bastard." The harshness of Darryl's voice made Cole tense. "The kitten is missing an eye." He didn't need to say anymore as he watched Cole clutch the puppy in his arms even tighter. Suddenly an evil smile spread across his friend's lips and he was very glad that the look wasn't meant for him.
"Simmons put it away and get the creeps wallet." Cole had wanted to fry the guy as well but he came up with a better idea, one he knew Darryl would appreciate. "Darryl, get the creeps address."
"Why do we want the creeps address?" Simmons had seen the look on his old friends face and shivered, as he looked to Darryl when he handed him the wallet he shivered again as the same look appeared on the Inspector's face. He wasn't fazed in the least when it was Darryl who answered his question; the boys had a habit of answering for each other.
"Because his idea is better than yours, and a lot more painful too." Darryl had easily read the plan his charge had through their link and he was finding immense satisfaction in just thinking about it. "Our creep here is going to get a little visit. Dr. B, do you think Uncle D is up for a little nocturnal stalking?" Darryl quickly handed the wallet back to Simmons so he could replace it before the freeze wore off.
Both Dr. B and Simmons suddenly smiled rather evilly themselves. Piper on the other hand was completely lost though she did find that she had to fight the urge to blow the creep up by accident. "Who is Uncle D?" she asked as she continued to stroke the puppy in her arms.
"He's something to discuss at a later time, like when we get home but right now we had better get moving." The words had barely left Dr. B's lips when the creep unfroze.
The creep, one Edgar Seymour Nettles, quickly looked around himself as he tried to figure out what had just happened. When he saw the puppies and kitten being held lovingly by the people around him he knew it was time to leave before someone called the cops on him. As he started walking he turned back and looked at Simmons. "What the hell are you looking at?" He had no idea that he was speaking to a police officer and a magical creature who could fry him in a heartbeat. When he turned back around he saw Darryl helping Cole to his feet and sneered at them. "Outta my way ya fairies." He had taken exception to Darryl helping Cole up and jumped to a conclusion that precipitated an action that was going to cost him very dearly in the near future. Instead of simply walking around the pair of men he walked through them, shoving each of them to the side as he plowed his way between them. He never saw the look on Darryl's face and he never knew how truly close to charcoal briquette he got.
Darryl had one hand holding the large chocolate black Newfoundland puppy that had jumped on him while he helped his partner up with the other. Cole, for his part, was keeping a firm hold on the somewhat large Bernese Mountain puppy that was still trying to wash his face while using Darryl for leverage and stability. When the creep pushed his way between them Darryl lost his hold on Cole who lost his balance and went down, hard. Darryl quickly picked himself up and moved to his friend's side. He had felt a sharp pain on the right side of his head and realized immediately that it had come through the link. When he knelt down next to Cole he realized that his friend hadn't even tried to break his fall, instead he had protected the puppy that was still firmly held within his grasp. He carefully rolled Cole onto his back, knowing even before he saw his face that he was unconscious. As he brushed the dirt from the side of his face his hand came away covered in blood and he froze, his mind returning to that horrible night almost a year ago.
"Darryl. Darryl." Dr. B had to say his name a few times to get his attention. "What is it?" She asked as she moved to her Grandson's side.
"He hit his head on a rock when he landed and before you ask he was protecting the puppy." Darryl knew what she was going to ask by the look on her face. His eyes were drawn back to his bloody hand as he waited for Dr. B to check his friend over. I should have been paying more attention. I'm supposed to be watching out for him. Damn it! Darryl admonished himself as he watched Dr. B kneel down next to them. He never actually saw the glow but all of a sudden Cole's unseeing eyes opened. "Dr. B?"
"Don't look at me. I didn't do a thing. You did." Dr. B was happy that the Bond was growing on schedule. Soon Darryl would be able to heal Cole consciously and this made her feel better. She laughed at the expression on his face. "The Bond Darryl, it's growing and you are starting to be able to heal your charge yourself."
Darryl wasn't quite sure what to make of her words but he couldn't help smiling down at his charge even though Cole couldn't actually see the smile he would still know that it was there.
"Thanks Darryl." Cole said as he carefully sat up with his friend's help. The first thing he did was check on the puppy in his arms, making sure that he was all right as well. "Hey there little fella are you all right? You didn't get hurt did you? Darryl?" Cole was a little frustrated that he couldn't see the puppy to make sure that he was all right himself. Suddenly he felt Darryl's hand rubbing gentle circles on his back and it helped him relax like always.
"He's just fine there partner, not a scratch on him." Darryl waited till he felt the last of the tension leave his friend before trying again. "Okay then let's try this again. Give me your hand this time though please." Darryl let Cole use his forearm as leverage and helped him to stand. The others had started forward to help but Darryl shook his head and they backed off. He could feel the tension just under the surface and he didn't want Cole any more upset than he already was.
"Thanks. Grams can you call Doc Oc when we get home please. I want him to come over so he can check out these little guys." Cole was looking in the general direction he thought he felt his Grams was as he continued to stroke the puppy that way lying contentedly in his arms.
"Not a problem little one but I think we had better be getting home don't you?" She knew that there was no way she was going to be able to get the puppy away from him, or from Darryl for that matter. As she watched Darryl guide him back to the car she realized that she didn't want to either. There was something about the little fellows that just simply got to her. As she was about to get back into the car she noticed Simmons still had a firm hold on the little kitten and Piper still held the other puppy, a Tibetan Mastiff if she wasn't mistaken. Deciding to lend a helping hand she tapped Simmons on the shoulder. "Here let me take the little guy. The last thing we need right now is to be in a car accident." She could tell the Simmons wasn't thrilled with having to hand the kitten over but he did before getting behind the wheel. As she slid in the backseat next to her Grandson she made a somewhat startling discovery. All four animals were magical in nature, she wasn't sure yet how they were magical but special they definitely were. Turning to check on her Grandson she found both boys stroking their puppies who were lying very contentedly in their arms. Glancing to the front seat she watched as Piper did the same with her puppy. Looking down at the one eyed kitten laying across her forearm she could almost swear that it was smiling up at her. As the car started to move she decided to simply wait and ask Uncle D if he knew anything about the new additions to their little family, after all he was the resident Prophecy expert so if anyone would know he would. I hope she thought as she mentally crossed her fingers.
It had been a quiet ride but Simmons finally pulled up in front of a large Victorian style two floor Manor. Raven Manor was almost four times the size of the Halliwell Manor but designed similarly. Dr. B watched as Piper got her first look at their home and smiled.
"You guys live here?" Piper wasn't sure what to make of the house she was looking at. It was definitely big but it still reminded her of her own family home. When her sister Prue had mentioned Raven manor to her she hadn't expected something like this.
"Yep. Home sweet home." Darryl couldn't help but smile at Piper's somewhat awed look. He didn't know that Piper already knew about the twins but he would soon find out. Quickly he turned his attention to his friend, undoing his seatbelt, he tugged a little on Cole's arm. "Come on partner, we're home so let's get you inside." As Darryl helped his partner out of the car he keep his eyes roaming around the immediate area. He knew that Slater probably wasn't even there yet but he just couldn't help himself. He smiled as he noticed that both puppies were also looking around as if they were looking for something, some threat. Shaking his own head he took Cole by the arm and began to lead him up the front steps. Simmons, Dr. B, and Piper fell in behind them.
Cole sensed his friend anxiety and could tell what he was doing and it made him smile. "Hey Sherlock, if you keep that up you are going to give yourself whiplash and eye strain." He knew that Slater wouldn't have had time to set anything up yet but that didn't mean his friend was going to stop either. Even Simmons' words didn't alleviate Darryl's anxiety. Cole knew that only getting into the Manor would.
"Darryl, this place is so well scoped that a fly would be taking its life into it hands flying into the zone. You may not be able to see all of them but they are there I guarantee it." Simmons had known that his words would probably not help but he felt the need to say them anyway, if only to make himself feel better. As the neared the door Simmons moved to the front to open the door for them. As he passed Dr. B the kitten reached out for him; surprised he looked to his boss who simply smiled at him before passing the little kitten back to him. The kitten quickly made himself at home in the new arms he found himself in and Simmons could only look at him in disbelief. Shaking his head one last time at this very strange turn of events he took his key off his belt to open the front door but before he even got the key into the keyhole the door swung open on him. Framed in the doorway were the twins. He quickly stepped to the side so that they could see their fiancés who were just stepping onto the porch. He knew better than to get in between the twins and their boys.
"Oh good grief." The twins spoke together as they saw what their boys were carrying. The boy's response only served to make them roll their eyes before stepping back into the Manor proper, making room for them to enter.
"Hi honey. Look what followed us home." The fact that both Cole and Darryl managed to keep straight faces as they spoke in stereo was a feat unto itself. The innocent faces they were wearing were, of course, not believed for one second.
Dr. B and Piper were snickering at the sight they made but Piper went silent as the twins brought their gazes to rest on her. She hugged the puppy in her arms a little tighter as her shame once again made itself known. Their gazes didn't linger however as they quickly returned all of their attention to their fiancés. Piper watched as Anita and Julianna, she already knew who was who, each grabbed their man and held on tightly, well as tightly as they could with the puppies still in their arms that is.
"Oh sweetie are you okay?" Julianna's fear tinged voice made Cole confused. Since he couldn't see he didn't see her find the blood on the puppy but he knew that she was referring to the puppy, he could feel her holding the puppy's head up so she could see him.
"Darryl I thought you said the puppy was fine?" He knew that Darryl wouldn't lie to him but he was still tired and his tired mind just couldn't think it through. If he had he never would have said anything.
Darryl looked over to his friend and noticed the blood on the puppy that Cole held. He knew what the blood was from, or rather whom it was from and he found that he had to avert his gaze from Julianna as he spoke. "It's not the puppy's blood."
"Then whose blood is it? Darryl?" She was getting a little nervous with his silence.
"Oh that must have been from…" Cole's voice trailed off as he realized what he was about to say. He didn't want to get his friend in trouble with Julianna but he also realized that it was too late to avoid. Deciding to take the heat off his friend he answered for him. "It's from me actually and don't look at Darryl like that, it wasn't his fault. You see these little guys here? Well they were in sacks that this creep was going to toss off of a bridge but Piper froze the creep and saved the little ones here. Unfortunately he took exception to Darryl helping me up as I was kneeling down playing with this little one here. We each had our hands full and weren't paying enough attention when the creep plowed into us and we both went down. I hit my head on a rock I guess and Darryl healed me, so the blood is mine." Cole's little speech was met with silence. "He healed me Julianna, the Bond is growing again." Cole smiled as he thought of the Bond growing, it had a calming effect on him.
"You healed him?" When she only received a small shake of Darryl's head in response, his eyes still cast down, she went reached over to him and drew him into a hug. "Thank you for healing him and taking care of him." She whispered in his ear. After giving him one last squeeze she stepped back and hugged her love once more as her twin took her place in Darryl's arms.
"I'm fine my love, as you can plainly see my Guardian took very good care of me as always. Now I think we need to take care of these little guys. By the way what is he?" Cole reassured Julianna once more before turning his attention once more to the little ones in their arms.
His Grams ushered everyone into the main living area where they all took seats on the sofas and chairs that ringed the main area, all save the one fold out sofa. This she began to open and prepare knowing that a backlash attack was imminent for her Grandson. As she worked she talked. "Well from what I can see this is what we have. Darryl, you seem to have a full-blooded Newfoundland puppy. Little one, you seem to have a full-blooded Bernese Mountain puppy. Piper, you seem to have a full-blooded Tibetan Mastiff. And Simmons, you seem to have your basic ball of fluff house kitten with stripes and of course only one eye."
"And how do we know so much about dogs there Dr. B?" Darryl smiled at her as she removed one of the loaded hypos that they kept in all of the various furniture drawers around the house and handed it to him as she moved to finish preparing the sofa bed for himself and Cole.
"From me actually."
Darryl jumped a little as he heard a voice coming from above him. "I really wish you wouldn't do that Uncle D and you," he said, looking to the man sitting next to him on the sofa, "you just shush." He rolled his eyes as Cole simply continued to snicker.
Piper didn't know what was going on so she simply sat quietly taking in all that she could. She had made a promise to herself that she would be a better friend, a better sister to Cole from now on. She could only hope that he would let her begin to make amends for all of the sins she had committed against him over the years, both the big and the little ones. She knew she didn't deserve another chance but if there was even a possibility that she would be able to atone for her past behavior then she was damn well going to try, no matter how much it hurt. For once she wasn't going to think of herself first, but someone much more deserving of her time and effort. I'll take on anything I have to to earn your trust, no matter how long it takes. She thought to herself, but she wasn't exactly prepared for a fire breathing purple dragon the size of a St. Bernard landing on the table in front of her, especially when it was talking and laughing. Now she truly was speechless.
"Hey be nice to the boy after all he knows a good snicker when he hears one. And I do it because it amuses me." Uncle D really had nothing against Darryl, as a matter of fact he liked him very much and he was proud to call him Guardian to his favorite little nephew but he was also just so damn much fun to annoy that Uncle D always found that he just couldn't help himself. As he looked around the group his eyes fell on Piper. "Well, well, well, what have we here? Smells like a Charmed One."
"Uncle D I'd like you to meet Piper Halliwell. Piper this is my Uncle Draco. Well actually he is my Great Great Great Uncle I think… anyway we just call him Uncle D." Cole made the introductions but was still very busy playing with his new puppy.
Darryl was playing with his new puppy as well but he was also just enjoying watching Cole relaxing at last. He relaxed himself a little as he leaned into Anita who was sitting beside him, just as Cole was leaning into Julianna. He knew that there wasn't much time left before the first of the three backlash attacks hit so he kept the hypo that Dr. B had given him in one hand while he played with the puppy with the other one. He looked up though as Uncle D spoke, they all did.
"Okay well I see that they have finally shown up even though they are late." The three puppies and the kitty all looked the Dragon as he spoke as well.
"Who has finally shown up?" Julianna asked as she continued to keep one eye on Cole. She had seen Grams give Darryl the hypo and she realized what was coming; she could also tell by her love's actions that he wasn't even thinking about it, he was too busy playing with his new little friend. A smile crossed her lips as she saw the little boy in him coming to the surface, her hand moving of it's own volition, ruffling his dark curls. When his unseeing eyes looked up at her she had to fight back her own tears. It pained her to see him this way, to know the pain that he had already suffered and was going to suffer again, but she would never let him know especially now. No, he had enough to worry about and she wasn't about to add to it, instead she took pleasure in watching a little boy play happily with his puppy. Her attention was drawn back to Uncle D, though she still kept one eye on her love.
"The last five of the Prophecy." Uncle D enjoyed moments like this. He wasn't cruel by nature per se but he had seen Piper Halliwell, had looked into her heart and soul as was his gift. What he had seen was pain and shame, anger at herself and grief for all of the suffering she had caused his nephew. He wanted to make her understand that she had a role to play in what was going to happen and that by embracing that role she would begin her journey towards redemption. He needed her to make peace with herself before the final transformation. The other Charmed Ones had no roles but this one did; the very fact that she was at the Manor proved that she wanted redemption now all he had to do was make sure that she didn't run.
"Uhm the last five Uncle D? Would you care to explain that one?" Raven knew her Uncle and she knew that he wasn't going to tell all, at least not yet anyway. She had read the look in his eyes as he turned his gaze on Piper and she suddenly had a very strong feeling that Piper was soon going to be entering into their little family in a whole new way, what that way was she had no clue but she trusted her Uncle in all things, including this. His response didn't surprise her.
"No." He smiled as he looked to his niece. He knew that she had seen something in his eyes but he also knew that she trusted him to take care of things where the Prophecy was concerned. She was a Protector and Warrior where as he was the Prophecy Keeper of the family, not that he couldn't kick butt or fry butt when called for but to each their own place in the family.
"Didn't think so. All right then care to share anything with the group?" She looked to her Uncle, making sure that he understood that they were on a tight timetable at the moment so if he had anything to say he had better say it fast. She got slightly more than she bargained for though as he started to speak an ancient naming spell, the results of which were interesting and amusing at the same time.
Magic forces old as time
Who know of all that is and all that will be Look now upon the one we bring before you Reveal the true identity, now known only to thee
As Uncle D's voice trailed off Darryl's voice spoke up.
"Bearlock Holmes." Darryl had no idea why he had even said a word much less those words. He was about to ask Uncle D what he had done when his puppy put his two front paws on his chest and raised himself so he was looking Darryl in the eyes.
"Me."
Darryl stopped breathing for a second as he heard the puppy speak to him. He also realized that Cole had heard him as well but when he looked around the rest of the rooms occupants he could see that they hadn't heard anything but a yap. Before he could say anything else Uncle D started to chant again.
Magic forces old as time
Who know of all that is and all that will be Look now upon the one we bring before you Reveal the true identity, now known only to thee
As Uncle D's voice trailed off Cole's voice spoke up.
"Snuggles." Cole froze. He didn't know why but the name made his heart beat faster and when he felt the two paws on his chest he felt a sense of dey ja vu that made him shiver. He felt Darryl's hand grab his and the physical contact with his friend helped as always. When he heard the puppy speak though he unconsciously tightened his grip on Darryl's hand.
"Me."
Cole felt warmth spread out over his body, warmth that started where the puppy's paws rested on him. As his tension ebbed away he found himself relaxing though he never relinquished his hold on his friend's hand. He looked up when he heard his Uncle's voice though.
Magic forces old as time
Who know of all that is and all that will be Look now upon the one we bring before you
Reveal the true identity, now known only to thee
As Uncle D's voice trailed off this time Piper's voice was heard.
"Pandora." Piper looked down at her puppy and just as the boy's puppies had done her puppy placed her front paws on her chest and spoke.
"Me."
Piper didn't know what to make of what was happening. Instead of hearing a puppy yap she heard the word 'me'. The puppy had spoken to her. As she looked over to the boys again she realized that their little friends had done the same thing but she simply hadn't heard it that way, from the look on Darryl's face she could tell that he knew what had happened but for him he heard only a puppy yap as she had with them. As she returned her gaze to the puppy eyes looking at her she couldn't help but smile at Pandora. It simply felt right. Her gaze was brought back to Uncle D as he once again began to speak.
Magic forces old as time
Who know of all that is and all that will be Look now upon the one we bring before you Reveal the true identity, now known only to thee
This time, as Uncle D's voice trailed off everyone else spoke up.
"Pee Wee." Simmons, Anita, Julianna, Dr. B, and Cam who had just shimmered in spoke this time. They all looked to each other and then to the kitten who was now, they would all swear, smiling at them.
"Feed me."
Silence. A pin could drop and be heard.
"Hello people. Do I have to repeat myself here?" Pee Wee looked to each of the people standing around and then to the puppies. "I think we were too much for them."
"Hey don't be so hard on them. They have had a very hard day." Bearlock said, sending the kitten a chastising look.
"Yes they have, especially mine so be nice please." Snuggles said as he nuzzled against Cole's neck.
"I'm always nice." Pee Wee's smile was smugly sweet as he looked from one puppy to the next. The puppies for their part simply rolled their eyes at him.
The people in the room still hadn't found their voices as they listened to bits and pieces of the apparent conversation that was happening. Each person could only hear the one that belonged to them but not the others, the only exception being Cole and Darryl who could understand Bearlock and Snuggles but not Pee Wee and Pandora. The only one who could understand all of them was Uncle D, not that anyone knew that of course.
"Okay, does anyone else feel like they have stepped down a rabbit hole?" Julianna asked the group as she ran her fingers through Cole's soft dark curls. In response she saw everyone raise his or her hands. "That's what I thought. Uncle D would you care to even try and explain this."
Before Uncle D had a chance to speak though Bearlock and Snuggles began to tug on Darryl and Cole's sleeves. After they were sure that they had the boys' attention they shimmered to the sofa bed that Dr. B had made up.
"What… did they just shimmer?" Cole couldn't see them but he could track Snuggles shimmer and was now looking towards the bed. What he couldn't see was the pair of puppies pulling down the covers with their teeth. Darryl could though and he knew what was about to happen. He had no idea how the puppies knew but somehow they knew what his Guardian sense was telling him, that his charge's first backlash attack was imminent.
"Yes they did and I think I know why. Come on." Darryl stood and pulled Cole up with one hand while the other grabbed the hypo.
"Why?" The word was barely out of his mouth when he cried out in pain, grabbing his head as his legs gave out. He barely felt it as Darryl's arm wrapped around his waist arresting his fall or the cold metal of the hypo as it was pressed into the back of his neck, all he really knew was pain at that moment. It seemed like forever but finally the pain began to wash away and that wouldn't be so bad but he always felt himself being washed away right along with it. Vaguely he felt an arm behind his knees and then someone lifting him up into their arms. He knew it was Darryl and his fear dissipated quickly. His friend was with him and that was all that mattered, Darryl was with him and would soon be on the Dreamscape with him; he wouldn't be alone for long. This was his last thought as the darkness washed him under.
Darryl made the connection between what the puppies were trying to do and what his Guardian senses were telling him what was about to happen. Of course he never got the chance to tell Cole before the backlash attack hit. As he grabbed his friend around the waist with his right arm to keep him from falling he brought his left hand to the back of his neck, quickly placed the hypo and pulled the trigger. Dropping the spent hypo on the couch he quickly reached down and swung his friend's now limp body up into his arms. He could feel the flash of fear from his charge as the medication took hold, but he also felt Cole let go of the fear as he flared up the link letting Cole know that he wasn't alone. Soon though the darkness took his friend away and it was his turn to feel the fear. Darryl never liked this part, as he had to wait to join Cole on the Dreamscape.
Piper had jumped when she heard Cole cry out in pain and begin to collapse. She didn't know what to expect but seeing Darryl carrying a drugged and unconscious Cole like a child in his arms was definitely not it. As they approached the sofa bed that Dr. B had finished making up a few minutes ago she watched as Darryl and the twins acted like a well-oiled team.
Anita and Julianna each pulled a pair of sweat pants out of the end tables on either side of the bed as Darryl gently placed Cole on the edge of the bed. The twins simply waited for Darryl to remove Cole's shirt that he handed to Anita who folded it up and placed in on the end table near her; then Darryl undid Cole's jeans and putting his friend's limp arms over his shoulders carefully stood up bringing Cole with him, his dark head coming to rest on his shoulder. Julianna moved behind her love and pulled his jeans down, making sure that his boxers didn't go with them. Once they were down around his ankles Darryl sat Cole back down on the bed and moved to the side, never letting go of his charge though. Julianna carefully removed the sneakers, socks, and then the jeans from around his ankles and handed those to Anita as well who folded the jeans up, placing them with the shirt and the sneakers went on the top of the pile. The socks stayed on the top of the end table though. Darryl then stood himself and his charge up again so Julianna could pull up the sweat pants. That done Darryl once again reached down and lifted his friend into his arms, this time though he laid him down carefully on the bed. He then moved to the opposite side of the bed and took the sweats that his love was holding out for him. He smiled at her as he went about quickly changing himself. He had just finished when Cole started to moan and whimper, his arms moving as if searching for something or someone.
"Thanks love." Darryl quickly kissed her and smiled to Julianna before sitting down on the bed and softly calling Cole's name. It only took once for Cole to roll towards him, his hands reaching out to him. As soon as Darryl put his left arm within reach of the searching hands Cole immediately wrapped himself around it, his whimpers now joined by his tears. Darryl wasted no time in lying down next to him, using the tight hold his charge had on his arm to pull him the rest of the way so he rested against his side. Lifting his right arm Darryl let his friend burrow in beside him, the dark head finally coming to rest on his chest as Cole began to settle down, though his hold on Darryl's hand never relented. As he too settled down their twins pulled the blanket up over them.
"Thanks." Darryl was already beginning to sync himself to his friend so the world around him was beginning to fade out. The last thing he saw and felt was Bearlock making himself at home next to his head, his wet little nose making itself at home on his right shoulder while at the same time Snuggles was making himself at home on his chest as he wrapped his furry little puppy body around Cole's head. As his eyes drifted closed he somehow knew that the puppies would be safe just as he and his charge would be and he smiled.
"Bearlock." "Snuggles." Anita and Julianna looked to each other and then to their boys and their puppies. Before they had a chance to really panic Uncle D spoke up again.
"Don't worry girls. Bearlock and Snuggles are perfectly safe. Ouch!" Uncle D glared back at the kitten that was climbing up his tail heading towards his back. His glare, one that had withered demons in their very tracks, received nothing more than a smirk from the ball of fluff with claws that was making himself to home on his back right between his wings. "Do you mind? I am trying to have a conversation here."
"I don't mind in the least just so long as someone around here feeds me. Soon. By all means please continue." Pee Wee said as he happily kneaded the, in his opinion anyway, smart-ass Dragon's back as he smirked back at him. He was hungry and he wanted to eat.
Uncle D continued to stare at the ball of fluff but soon realized that it was going to get him nowhere. Sighing he looked up. "You are having just way too much amusement at my expense lately." Shaking his head he turned to Simmons. "Simmy would you please go to the store and get this ball of fluff something to eat before I turn it into a fluffy roasted marshmallow?"
Simmons took one look at Uncle D and started to shimmer out but stopped when he heard Julianna call to him. "Did you need something Julianna?" Simmons kept his voice calm and even as he could see the barely held back tears glistening in her eyes. It pained her to see Cole like this and he could understand that. Cole was a very old and dear friend and watching him suffer was not an easy thing but he also knew that of all of them Julianna and his Boss had it the hardest. As he waited for her to answer him he watched Anita move to her side, offering her a form of comfort only she could.
"We're going to need some puppy food as well Simmons but I don't know what kind." Anita wrapped her arm around her sister's shoulders as they sat down on the love seat that sat next to the bed. She knew the pain her twin was feeling and she would do whatever she could to help her. Both sisters looked over to Piper as Pandora began to yap.
Piper thought it would take a long time to get used to a talking puppy but for some reason it seemed natural to her, like it was just supposed to be. She smiled as she listened to Pandora talk.
"I think it would be best if he were to either go to a pet store or speak to a vet before he buys anything. The last thing we need is for Bearlock and Snuggles to get sick. I don't think Cole or Darryl could handle that right now. Maybe this Doc Oc that Cole spoke of before would help." Pandora continued to wag her tail and smile as she spoke to Piper knowing that it would help Piper remain clam as she got used to having a talking puppy.
"Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea how long that will take, especially for this one here? I am hungry and I am hungry now." Pee Wee was not liking the idea of having to wait and he made it known.
"You are in no danger of starving to death Pee Wee so get a grip. He needs to speak to someone because he has no idea what he is doing and I for one do not want to die of food poisoning thank you very much." Pandora glared one final time at Pee Wee before returning her gaze to Piper. "Could you please just ask them to get this Doc Oc before Simmons tries to get us food?"
Piper turned to Dr. B. "How about Simmons talks to Doc Oc, whomever that may be, before he gets the food that way he gets the right stuff for our little guys here. Wait a minute." She said returning her eyes to her little Pandora, "How did you know about him? Were you able to understand us then?"
"Of course we could understand you but we couldn't make you understand us until it was time." She answered Piper. "We will explain just not right now. First we need Simmons to get food for us so that there will be food for Bearlock and Snuggles when they too get back."
"Bearlock and Snuggles get back… back from where exactly." Piper wasn't sure she was understanding correctly because as far as she could tell the other two puppies hadn't actually gone anywhere.
"They are on the Dreamscape with Cole and Darryl. Snuggles has a surprise for Cole and Bearlock thinks it would be better to tell him while they are alone together on the Dreamscape." Pandora explained to a startled Piper.
"It will be easier since Cole can see on the Dreamscape. Once he can see Snuggles the memories might surface and it will be easier for Darryl to deal with him there instead of here, especially considering the emotional pain these memories will bring to him. Once Snuggles tells Cole though he should be all right, of course Darryl and Bearlock will be there to help them as well." Pee Wee looked around himself and saw confusion written on their faces. Knowing that he was the only one that they could understand he suddenly realized where their confusion was coming from. "This could become annoying at some point you know that don't you." He said as he turned back to Pandora.
"Yes it could but it can't be helped and you know that." Pandora was making herself at home on Piper's lap not wanting to be away from her new charge.
"Let us just hope that it doesn't end up having fatal consequences down the road." Pee Wee could see the color drain from some of those around him and had the good grace to look ashamed, forgetting that they could only understand his words. "Sorry and relax there is nothing wrong at the moment. Pandora was just telling Piper that Snuggles and Bearlock are on the Dreamscape with Cole and Darryl. On the Dreamscape Cole can see and when he sees Snuggles it might bring up some bad memories for him but Snuggles has a surprise for him that should help."
"Oh my God."
Everyone turned to the sound of the new voice. Piper found herself staring at the new arrival who had orbed in with her big sister. He looked familiar but she just couldn't place him. He was of average height with dark sand blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. It was the eyes that she knew but she just couldn't make the connection. Fortunately her sister could read her like an open book.
"Piper relax he is a friend, actually more than a friend. This is Benjamin Turner, Cole's father. Benjamin, this is my sister Piper Halliwell." When Benjamin didn't say anything right away but just continued to stare at his son she became a little nervous. "Benjamin what's wrong?"
Benjamin couldn't believe what he was seeing. Lying on Darryl's chest and curled up around his son's head was a puppy, one that looked remarkably familiar. "Where did the puppy come from?"
"Son what's wrong?" Raven had moved to her son's side, his behavior making her nervous as well.
Benjamin jumped when he felt his mother's hand on his arm. "Sorry Mother, it's just that the puppy looks just like Snuggles."
"How did you know what Cole named his puppy?" Julianna asked as she swiped at her tears again. She was trying very hard not to cry but having spent the previous night away from her love had been hard, especially when she knew what he had been going through at the hospital. She wanted so much to be with him but she also knew that only Darryl could reach him so she had stayed home. Of course when it had become too much she and Anita had gone to watch the Halliwell Manor, both of them needing to feel useful in some way. She knew that Anita also suffered at these times as she had to step back and let Darryl focus solely on Cole, his charge. It wasn't that her sister held any malice towards Cole over the situation, it was just that it hurt Anita to see Darryl's worry and anxiety over Cole as he would sometimes question whether he was doing enough for his friend. She and Anita would both tell him that he was, that it was the little things he did for him that meant so much to Cole. There was unfortunately always a nagging little anger over what his friend had been through and was still being put through that would come through as over protectiveness, though neither she nor Anita ever mentioned to either of their boys. Her thoughts returned to the present as her soon to be father-in-law spoke again.
"That puppy looks just like the puppy that followed him home when he was a little boy. I can tell by the look on your face Mother that you remember the puppy now." Benjamin said as he watched his Mother's face.
"I didn't remember till you mentioned it. Oh no."
"Oh no Dr. B. What do you mean oh no?" Piper didn't like what she was hearing and Dr. B's oh no wasn't helping her in the least.
"Do you think his Grandfather left those memories Grams?" Anita asked the question that she knew was on her sister's mind but was afraid to voice.
Before anyone could say anything else all eyes turned to the boys on the bed. Everyone watched, transfixed, as Cole began to whimper. This in and of it's self wasn't unusual but what the puppies did was. Snuggles and Bearlock raised their heads and looked to each other as Darryl tightened his hold on Cole. Then Snuggles got up and pulled the blankets down some, just enough to uncover Cole and Darryl's joined hands. Once done he used his nose to push his way under Cole's wrist so that he was lying snuggled up to Cole's neck. Bearlock, meanwhile, had moved into the spot that Snuggles had vacated. Though when he lay down he laid down with his tail wrapped around the back of Cole's head and he forehead and nose resting against Darryl's neck. Cole's whimpers had faded as the puppies made themselves to home once more.
"I would say that it is almost a certainty that he did leave them." Raven watched her Grandson settle down once more. Somehow she had the distinct feeling that he just remembered the original Snuggles on the Dreamscape. As she looked back to her son she could see the tears beginning to form. Knowing that he needed to simply do something, anything to get his mind working so that it wasn't dwelling on the pain his son was feeling right now she decided that now would be a good time to finish the plan making for her little one's birthday party. "Prue why don't you call Jenna and Andy and we'll take this opportunity to finish our party plans."
Before Prue cold answer Cole whimpered again, snuggling down against Darryl and the puppies even further. They were all fascinated as they watched Pee Wee jump from Uncle D's back to the boys' bed. Once he was steady he carefully made his way to Darryl and climbed onto his stomach, as ticklish as Darryl was he never moved as Pee Wee proceeded to pull the covers back up over Cole and Snuggles. It took a couple of tugs from there and then he carefully walked around Cole's sleeping form and finished pulling the blanket up and over his bare shoulder. When he finished, instead of leaving he carefully walked up to Darryl's right ear and proceeded to lick it. After a few licks he moved to Cole and did the same thing to his ear. What he did next left everyone speechless. Being smaller than the puppies he was able to simply walk up Cole's shoulder to the side of his head and proceeded to curl up right on Cole's ear. Just before he laid his head down he leaned his head back and looked to Simmons.
"I expect there to be proper food here when we wake up. If there isn't, even if you learn to sleep with your eyes open I shall still have myself a weenie sandwich. Got it? Good because I shant repeat myself." With that dire threat to a sensitive part of Simmons' anatomy hanging in the air, Pee Wee laid his head down over Cole's forehead and promptly went to sleep.
Snickers rippled throughout the room. Said snickers erupted into full-blown laughter as Simmons was caught crossing his legs. It took a few minutes but the laughter finally died down enough for them to talk again.
"Okay Simmons, I strongly suggest that you get to Doc Oc and find out what is the best food for these guys and then get some. You know you only have three hours so I suggest that you hurry."
"Okay Boss. Do you think I should bring Doc Oc back with me or should we have him come the normal way? Oh for that matter do you know where he is at the moment?" Simmons asked as he finally realized that he didn't even know where Doc Oc was. He watched as she seemed to think something over before replying.
"Actually why don't you drive back to the hospital and pick up Tim. You know he usually comes over for dinner after this happens and he knows all about puppies and kitties and on the way back you can stop off at the store… the pet store that is and pick up whatever he thinks our newest family members might be needing." Dr. B caught Cam staring at Piper and decided to send her with him. "Cam go with Simmons. You know how men can be when left unattended in a store."
"You can say that again Grams." The twins snickered together in agreement.
Cam didn't look happy but she knew that when her Grams made up her mind it was next to impossible to change it, and she did have a point about Tim coming for dinner. Knowing that she wasn't going to win any argument she simply gave in, as usual. "Okay Grams. Simmons you take off and let me know when it's safe to shimmer to you. I can't leave out the front door since no one saw me come in now can I." She shook her head at her friend's puzzled look. "Boy that ball of fluff really got to you didn't he." Her smile was met by a glare and then a serious put upon look that only served to make her snicker even more.
"All right you two you had better move it because the boys aren't going to stay asleep forever you know." Dr. B snickered again as Simmons practically ran out of the house. "And you Cam, you be nice do you hear." She had kept a straight face but it was close.
"Don't I always?" The reply was innocent but met by dubious chuckles from around the room. She heard Simmons calling her for her and shimmered out. "See ya later and what do you mean I have to duck?" Her words faded as she did.
"Okay now that the question of food is settled, for the little ones anyway, why don't you explain to us what happened to the original Snuggles Father." Julianna wanted to know what was happening with Cole before he woke up. "He obviously has some memories of the puppy but I need to know what happened to make him block those memories if I am going to help him."
Benjamin looked to his soon to be daughter-in-law and couldn't help but smile at the fierce protectiveness he could see in her bright violet eyes. It made him happy that his son had found love at last. He knew that Cole would love Phoebe and her family no matter how much they hurt him but with Julianna his heart was safe. She loved all of him and Benjamin couldn't ask for any more than that. He had rejoiced the day his son had found his Heart-Mate and he would rejoice again on the day they were joined for eternity. His mother's voice interrupted and brought his thoughts back to the present.
"Why don't we do this. Prue you call Andy and Jenna that way we can finish the party planning after Benjamin finishes his explanation. We can sit at the kitchen table that way Piper can cook dinner for us at the same time." She looked to Prue who smiled and closed her eyes, calling for her own husband and Jenna. While Prue was calling she moved everyone to the kitchen to that Piper could start cooking, she knew that her little one wouldn't forget that Piper had promised to make dinner for them, even with the added distraction of Snuggles. As she showed Piper where everything was she noticed the question on her face. "What is it Piper?"
"What party are you planning?" Piper had figured out what she was going to make rather quickly, setting Pandora down on the counter without a second thought. Pandora simply smiled and curled up, watching her charge with interest while keeping her distance from the food. Piper though kept coming over to check on her as she moved about collecting what she was going to need.
"I'm not going anywhere you know so you calm down. I simply don't want to get to close to the food and make anyone sick, after all I am a dog." She smiled at the look on Piper's face.
"You are not just a dog." Piper had, for some reason taken exception to Pandora's remark and felt the need to comment. When the others simply looked at her she felt a little uncomfortable. "Sorry."
"That's all right Piper. I dare say that it is going to take a little time to get used to this new little situation. And as for what party we are planning." Benjamin never got to finish as and excited Prue jumped in as she joined them at the table.
"We are planning a birthday party. A special birthday party for Cole. Oh and Grams they can't come right now because it isn't safe for all three of us to be here at once."
"Something wrong?'
"No Anita just the usual. The Ding Dong Elders know something is up and they still don't know what it is and it's driving them crazy. The only problem is that they know something is going to happen soon so they are doubling their efforts in trying to locate big brother and Darryl. Don't worry Piper big brother isn't evil or anything. Sorry." Prue saw the hurt look on her sister's face when she spoke but she just couldn't help it. Her sisters' track record when it came to her big brother wasn't very good and she had no intention of letting them interfere with what was to come, the boys had worked too long and too hard for what was coming. Shaking her head she returned her attention to her sister.
Piper was hurt that her sister would make that assumption but then she quickly reminded herself that Prue had every right in the world, after all she had helped kill him a year ago without a second thought. Well I promised to be a better sister and I'll start right now. "Okay a birthday party. I'll make the cake if you think that would be all right." She wasn't sure where exactly she stood with everyone but she also wanted to do something nice for Cole.
"I think that would be a wonderful idea Piper. Thank you." Dr. B knew that it would mean a lot to her little one and it would only serve to help Piper understand him better too.
"It would be my pleasure. So what is his favorite kind?" Piper had no idea that her innocent question would have such a painful answer for her.
"Well, he hasn't celebrated a birthday since he was five and he doesn't have those memories now anyway."
"What do you mean he doesn't have those memories?" The question was out of Piper's mouth before she knew what she was saying. The answer simply made her feel even worse, if that were possible.
Benjamin looked to his mother before answering, with a nod from her he told Piper. "The Source took Cole's memories of his time in the human world. He left only a very few of me so that he could use me against him if necessary."
"You mean he doesn't remember… he has no …" Piper was having a problem getting her mind around the concept.
"That's right. His memories start when he is six years old, the rest are gone. The Source spent two years ripping them form his young mind and then destroying them." Julianna was already upset and this wasn't helping and her sister knew it.
"Okay let's not talk about that right now. Let's just say that he doesn't have a favorite." Anita scooted her chair closer to her sister and put her arm around her shoulders. Her sister was like Cole in their need for physical contact when they are upset or scared and right now her sister was both.
Piper understood and let the subject drop, she didn't see Dr. B looking at Pandora who was shaking her little furry head. Pandora knew that Piper was going to have to learn her lessons the hard and fast way but she also knew that now was not the right time to start.
Piper suggested her super secret chocolate surprise and Prue salivated at the mere thought.
"You mean the one that you won't let any of us in the kitchen while you make… the one that is so sinfully yummy that the mere thought of it can cause a …"
"Yes Prue that one." She knew what her sister was about to say and just the thought turned her bright red. The idea of hearing the word orgasm in front of Cole's father was just too much for her. "And no you may not help me make it and put away the puppy eyes because you know I am immune. Actually I thought I'd ask Mr. Turner if he would like to help me."
"I would be delighted child and the name is Benjamin." Benjamin wanted to make Piper feel welcome because he knew how much having her here meant to his son. Cole may not have spoken often about the Charmed Ones but when he did Piper's name was the only one he used. There was something about this Halliwell that made her different and he was going to find out what it was but for now it was time for him to tell the story of his son's first puppy.
No one knew the secret that Snuggles had for Cole on the Dreamscape because Pandora simply wasn't saying. She just sat there and smiled as she heard Cole's father relate the story of Snuggles… the only Snuggles and she smiled even more to herself.
Okay I hope you liked this part and please review… my Muse just loves to read reviews and it keeps her happy and writingg