The Wrong Kind of Hero

Disclaimer: I do not own the Charmed characters… this story is for entertainment only.

Chapter 5: Staying For Her

Cole shimmered Piper and himself on to the front porch of the manor. Piper was trembling and clutching at his shirt as he held her like a small child.

"Paige! Phoebe!" Cole yelled out loudly. The porch light came on, and Paige opened the front door, rubbing at her eyes. She had her Pjs on, and her red hair was standing up in all directions.

"COLE!" Paige yelled out as she saw who was at the door. The fear and hatred were shinning in her eyes.

"Help me Paige, It's Piper" Cole said, his voice strained. Paige noticed Cole was carrying her sister, and she opened the door. Cole ran to the living room, and laid Piper down on the couch.

Paige followed them in, noticing her sister's eye was bruised, and her face was cut up. Paige noticed that all Piper had on was Cole's jacket and a torn skirt.

"What did you do to her?" Paige asked, looking around for a weapon she could use against the demon.

"Paige, I found her this way. She was attacked at the new club on River Street. I don't care if you believe me or not, and we don't have time to argue. Piper is hurt, she needs Leo now, and she can't call out for him, she was drugged. You need to call him now!" Cole said.

Piper started moaning and flipping her arms around, tears streaming down her face. Cole sat down on the edge of the couch and took one of her hands. "Piper, your okay. Leo will be here in just a few minutes Piper. Paige is going to call him now. You are home with Paige," he paused for a minute. "And Phoebe, they will take care of you, your okay," Cole reassured her.

Piper wanted to tell Paige that Cole was telling the truth, she could tell Paige didn't know what to think or believe, but all she could do was moan. She couldn't even tell Cole that Leo couldn't come. The one time she needed him more than ever, to hold her, to kiss her, to tell her it was going to be okay, and he couldn't. His job was in the way. Leo didn't even know she was hurt. Tears started streaming at that though. She watched Cole come over and hold her hand to reassure her. He was being so kind and gentle with her. Not the demon Phoebe had made him out to be.

Paige watched as Cole went to Piper to comfort her. She noticed Piper didn't flinch or look scarred of Cole as she held her hand. In fact, Piper looked relieved. 'Cole must be telling the truth,' Paige thought.

"Ok Cole," she said. "I believe you. Piper doesn't seem to be scared of you." Paige walked over to her sister. Seeing Piper's face beat up broke her heart.

She rubbed Piper's hair. "Sweetie, I'm so sorry. I should have skipped my date and gone with you. I should have been there," Paige started to cry as she spoke.

Cole felt Piper's hand trembling. "Paige," he said gently. "Don't upset her anymore tonight. It's nobody fault this happened. Just call Leo, okay?"

Paige wiped at her eyes. Cole was right, she needed to be strong for Piper. "Leo can't come," she told him.

"What?" Cole asked.

"Leo is being secluded up there somewhere to train a new whitelighter for a month. They won't let him come to us, he can't even sense us," Paige explained.

"What if you need healed?" Cole asked, not believing this. Piper needed her healer, and more important, her husband, and he couldn't come to her?

"They promised to send us a healer if demons attack. I guess that doesn't include mortals," Paige said replied, waving her hand at Piper as she spoke.

"Then we need to get her to a hospital now," Cole stated, standing up again.

At the mention of hospital, Piper started moaning and shaking her head.

" I don't think she wants to go," Paige told Cole, watching her sister shake.

"Fine. She's too stubborn to argue with. Can you and Phoebe get her cleaned up for tonight? We can talk her into going to the doctor tomorrow," Cole asked Paige.

"Phoebe's out for…." Paige stopped and looked down, remembering Cole and Phoebe's disastrous relationship.

"Paige, I could care less about what Phoebe is doing. I stopped loving her a long time ago," Cole said, realizing he meant what he said.

"She's out for the night. But I can take care of Piper," Paige said, still rubbing her sister's hair.

"Piper, Paige is going to take care of you now. I think you need to go to a hospital though. I'll check on your tomorrow Piper, " Cole told her as he let go of her hand.

He realized he didn't want to leave her. He wanted to stay with her and protect her. She looked so hurt; he wanted to make it go away for her, like Leo could.

Piper watched Cole stand up to leave and she felt panic well in her chest. She didn't want him to leave her. She didn't want her and Paige to be alone if a demon attacked since her powers weren't working right. But most of all, Piper still felt uneasy and scared, and Cole had made her feel calm and safe for just a few moments.

"Cole, please don't leave yet," she said as her tears started falling again. She tried to grab at his hands as the words came out as moans.

" I don't think she wants you to leave," Paige said to Cole.

Cole felt a stir in stomach. Piper wanted him to say. If that waswhat she wanted, he would do it. He realized he would do anything for her right now. 'Its because she's an innocent whose been attacked,' he tried to tell himself.

Cole sat down and took Pipers hand again. "Alright Piper, I'll stay. But, tomorrow we will talk about the hospital."