The Hidden Page
Chapter Six
Cole's Concerned
Chapter VI
Cole came down the basement steps with a bag of oats. "Okay Leo we didn't have anything I'd thought you'd like in the kitchen. I mean I don't think donkey's eat vegetable lasagna or do they?" Cole shrugged his shoulders then set down the pail he was carrying and poured the bag of oats into it. So I went to one of the downtown markets and found this. It's amazing what you can find in San Francisco. The guy said he'd give me a discount if we need anymore." Leo made a mournful noise and stomped his front feet.
"Don't worry my friend, I don't think it will become a permanent diet as he sat down on the steps. At least I hope not. The girls need you. Speaking of which they are not up stairs you know. I checked the attic too. All three of them are missing. I hope they're all right. What if one of the Source's hit men is tracking them right now and attacks them? Damn it, I don't miss being a demon but I wish I could have my powers back then I could help protect the girls again."
Leo wined again and lowered his head. "Hey, I know. You wish you had your powers back too. Not to mention the fact that both Phoebe and Piper would have a fit at my use of the "P" word. I can just hear them screaming at me now: "we are not helpless bubble headed females and we are perfectly capable of protecting ourselves." Leo bobbed his head in agreement.
Cole continued: "And I know it is true. They are more capable than almost anyone I've ever met. It's just that I can't help worrying and feeling helpless. Lord knows I don't know what I'd ever do if I lost Phoebe. Listen to me, I sound like a love- sick schoolboy. She's turned my world inside out, and upside down. I have no clue of who or what I am anymore, or what my purpose is in this world. And you know the craziest thing about that Leo is I don't even think I really care. When I'm looking at her, or she's looking at me with those sweet soulful eyes of hers, or when we're kissing and loving one another, or even when she's bitching at me, none of that matters. All I can think about is how much I love her.
But then I don't have to tell you that buddy do I? I know you feel the same way about Piper. "We are both damn lucky men, you know that Leo?" Leo stomped his back heel and nickered."
"Then there is Paige. I'm really trying hard to get to know and like her but she's making that kind of hard to do. It's not the insults she's launching at me either. Heaven knows I've dealt with worse. Prue was the master at shooting daggers my way and I even admit, I quite enjoyed sparring with her.
It's just that Paige doesn't seem to recognize the magnitude of the responsibility she's been given. It's like she views her powers as a lark or toys and that scares me. She could end up getting us all killed. I've tried to explain to her how truly vicious and dangerous the "Source" is and she just seems to tune me out. You think after all that's happened since she's arrived that she would have figured that out for herself. Especially given the fact that she first came into our lives at Prue's funeral. But it's like Paige thinks it's all some sort of game."
Leo looked at Cole with sad eyes. "Again, I don't really have to inform you of that fact. I'm sorry you're the one who got caught in her screw up. It should have been me, at least Phoebe and Piper would have had back up. Without my powers I can't be of much use to anyone." Leo nudged Cole's foot with his front heel in a clear gesture of support, as if to say, "that's not true."
" Thanks!" Cole replied. Now, can I ask you a question about Paige? You can bob your head for yes, and kick the pail for no. When we first met her she seemed like she just was a bit overwhelmed by all that comes with being one of the "Charmed" ones and who could blame her. I got the sense, however, that she was very sweet, kind of shy, caring, and a basically good kid. I do understand why she's different towards me now. I mean after all she found out some of the horrific things I did when I was Belthazar and then I embarrassed her at her job by punching out that scum bag landlord. The only thing is I don't think I'm the only one she's changing towards. Over the past few weeks, I've noticed her shooting dirty looks Piper's way, and at Phoebe too, and sorry about this Leo even at you. Have you noticed it or is it just me?"
Leo bobbed his head. "Thanks for confirming it, buddy! I think I'm going to do a bit of investigating. Will you be okay?" Leo again gave the sign for yes.
Cole ran upstairs and searched the family Rolodex for Paige's boss's number. She'd really kill him if she knew he was about to call her boss on a Saturday but he just couldn't ignore the nagging suspicion that was growing stronger in him by the moment. Maybe Phoebe's sense of the future was rubbing off on him. At any rate he couldn't just dismiss his feelings. It wasn't in him to do nothing and the stakes were just far too high.
He grabbed the phone and quickly dialed. Cole tapped his foot impatiently as the phone rang. Paige's boss picked up after a few rings. "Hello!" "Hello sir, this is, ah, Leo Wyatt, Paige Matthew's brother-in-law. Cole winced at the lie and pinched the bridge of his nose. He really was trying hard to reform his less than stellar qualities but sometimes the world made subterfuge necessary. I'm wondering if you've heard from Paige today? We can't seem to find her and we were hoping maybe she contacted you about working some overtime at the office? "Overtime?" the man on the other line asked clearly baffled. Why would she be working overtime on a Saturday when she's been out sick for the past 7 normal working days?"
"Yes, she's been very sick," Cole replied, "and that's why we are trying to find her. She's been feeling very guilty about missing work, however, and we thought she might have attempted to come in. She really shouldn't be out of bed." "Well I haven't heard from her and while I'm sympathetic to the fact that she is sick, she's been missing far too much time at work. Her guilt is not what we are looking for. Her presence at the office is what we need. So tell her she'd better start following Doctor's orders so she can get back to the job. Otherwise I can't promise how long she will still have one. It is a shame too because she was such a promising social worker candidate to start. I just don't know what has gotten into her lately. I'd appreciate it if you'd inform her of the gravity of the situation, Mr. Wyatt." At first Cole didn't respond. "Mr. Wyatt? Paige's boss repeated again. This time Cole answered. "Yes, I'll make sure Paige gets the message. Thank you for your time and sorry to bother you on a Saturday.
I smell a rat, Cole said to himself after he'd hung up. A male voice behind him said, "So do I." Cole turned in a flash and raised his hand to throw an energy ball. Then he remembered he didn't have the ability to do that anymore. Besides it was lucky he couldn't. He didn't think the girls would have understood his taking out a policeman who was their friend even if it would have been by accident because he had fears a demon attack was imminent.
Inspector Darryl Morris picked himself up off the floor. "I don't know why I did that, I've heard that your throwing blanks these days, Turner." "Hah, hah, Darryl very funny." "I thought so," Darryl replied. "Just don't ever sneak up on me like that again," Cole, advised him. "Why we've just established you can't do anything to me anymore?" "Because I might have a heart attack and I have too great a reason to live these days. Besides would you really want to explain to Phoebe that you were responsible for giving me one? Darryl closed his eyes and Cole could tell the Inspector was picturing such a scenario in his head. "That would be a definite no, on that one. That one's tears can break your heart. She tries to act tough but it would basically be like kicking a puppy." "Tell me about it," Cole agreed.
"So Darryl what are you doing here?" A sudden awful thought crossed Cole's mind. He moved closer to Darryl and grabbed his coat lapels. Something hasn't happened to Phoebe and Piper has it?" "Do you think I'd be standing her trading quips with you, if something had?" was Darryl's response. "Why are the sisters in danger again?"
"Yes, no, I don't know. When aren't they in danger, Darryl? I swear this worrying is going to drive me insane and I have this gut awful feeling that something truly horrible is going to happen." "Well you know there's not much I can do about the whole warlock-demon crowd but if there's anything I can do just let me know. I'll be there."
"Thanks, Darryl. You've been a good friend to the girls and it means a lot to them and to Leo and I as well. Is there something you needed?"
" No, I just came over to return Piper's Pyrex dish. My wife is out of town visiting her mother this week and Piper sent over a bunch of meals. She said she didn't want me eating stale pizza and cold wings. "That's Piper for you," Cole smiled. He reached out for the dish and Darryl handed it to him.
"Now could you answer a question for me, Cole? Why were you just checking up on Paige and what are you doing posing as Leo? Didn't you land yourself in enough hot water posing as an Assistant D.A? I thought you were turning over a new leaf?
" You heard that whole conversation?" Cole queried. " Damn it not only have I lost my powers, I'm loosing my ability to be sneaky as well." "I don't think you'll ever truly have to worry about that," Darryl replied. "So, back to my question. "What were you doing?"
"Paige has been acting strangely lately and I'm not sure why. I decided to do a little searching and see if I could figure it out. I identified myself as Leo because I didn't think if I told him who I really was he'd tell me anything. After all I'm not legally a part of this family yet and besides I don't think his office thinks too highly of me after I broke the cretin landlord's nose. Apparently they frown on that sort of negotiating technique at Social Services."
"For what it's worth, Turner, I agreed with you on that one. That guy was a menace to the human race. I'd have had a hard time not punching his lights out either. So what did you find out about Paige?"
"She's lying, Darryl. I don't know precisely why yet but she's lying. She told us she was at work all week and she told work she's been at home sick. Maybe she's been practicing the craft in secret to surprise Piper and Phoebe with all she's learned," Darryl suggested helpfully. "If only that were the case, but if it were her magic would have shown some improvement but it hasn't. In fact Piper's been chiding her all week about not doing her exercises. No, something else is going on. Maybe the Source is brainwashing her or something like he did Piper."
"Uh? Piper was brainwashed? Darryl said in shock." "Yeah the Source created this whole alternate world thing where he tried to convince Piper she'd only imagined being a witch and having sisters. He had her believing she was a mental institution patient and almost got her to say an incantation that would have renounced her powers forever," Cole informed the inspector.
"Damn it why is it I always get a confusion headache when ever I walk through this door but I still come here anyway?" "Because no one with a truly human heart and soul can resist the very real and purely natural charm of the "Charmed ones," Cole answered.
" A Hee-haw" came up from the basement. Darryl jumped a mile. "What in blazes?" Darryl asked. "You don't want to know," Cole assured him. "Go home and take an Advil. I'll tell the ladies you were here. Darryl headed for the door then turned back again to face Cole, "I mean it you know, if this family ever needs me, I'm in." "We know that Darryl, and thanks again."
Cole shut the door behind Darryl and then he headed toward the upstairs staircase. He was about to do something he had never done in his entire life to his knowledge. Something he wasn't even sure he knew how to do.
Chapter Six
Cole's Concerned
Chapter VI
Cole came down the basement steps with a bag of oats. "Okay Leo we didn't have anything I'd thought you'd like in the kitchen. I mean I don't think donkey's eat vegetable lasagna or do they?" Cole shrugged his shoulders then set down the pail he was carrying and poured the bag of oats into it. So I went to one of the downtown markets and found this. It's amazing what you can find in San Francisco. The guy said he'd give me a discount if we need anymore." Leo made a mournful noise and stomped his front feet.
"Don't worry my friend, I don't think it will become a permanent diet as he sat down on the steps. At least I hope not. The girls need you. Speaking of which they are not up stairs you know. I checked the attic too. All three of them are missing. I hope they're all right. What if one of the Source's hit men is tracking them right now and attacks them? Damn it, I don't miss being a demon but I wish I could have my powers back then I could help protect the girls again."
Leo wined again and lowered his head. "Hey, I know. You wish you had your powers back too. Not to mention the fact that both Phoebe and Piper would have a fit at my use of the "P" word. I can just hear them screaming at me now: "we are not helpless bubble headed females and we are perfectly capable of protecting ourselves." Leo bobbed his head in agreement.
Cole continued: "And I know it is true. They are more capable than almost anyone I've ever met. It's just that I can't help worrying and feeling helpless. Lord knows I don't know what I'd ever do if I lost Phoebe. Listen to me, I sound like a love- sick schoolboy. She's turned my world inside out, and upside down. I have no clue of who or what I am anymore, or what my purpose is in this world. And you know the craziest thing about that Leo is I don't even think I really care. When I'm looking at her, or she's looking at me with those sweet soulful eyes of hers, or when we're kissing and loving one another, or even when she's bitching at me, none of that matters. All I can think about is how much I love her.
But then I don't have to tell you that buddy do I? I know you feel the same way about Piper. "We are both damn lucky men, you know that Leo?" Leo stomped his back heel and nickered."
"Then there is Paige. I'm really trying hard to get to know and like her but she's making that kind of hard to do. It's not the insults she's launching at me either. Heaven knows I've dealt with worse. Prue was the master at shooting daggers my way and I even admit, I quite enjoyed sparring with her.
It's just that Paige doesn't seem to recognize the magnitude of the responsibility she's been given. It's like she views her powers as a lark or toys and that scares me. She could end up getting us all killed. I've tried to explain to her how truly vicious and dangerous the "Source" is and she just seems to tune me out. You think after all that's happened since she's arrived that she would have figured that out for herself. Especially given the fact that she first came into our lives at Prue's funeral. But it's like Paige thinks it's all some sort of game."
Leo looked at Cole with sad eyes. "Again, I don't really have to inform you of that fact. I'm sorry you're the one who got caught in her screw up. It should have been me, at least Phoebe and Piper would have had back up. Without my powers I can't be of much use to anyone." Leo nudged Cole's foot with his front heel in a clear gesture of support, as if to say, "that's not true."
" Thanks!" Cole replied. Now, can I ask you a question about Paige? You can bob your head for yes, and kick the pail for no. When we first met her she seemed like she just was a bit overwhelmed by all that comes with being one of the "Charmed" ones and who could blame her. I got the sense, however, that she was very sweet, kind of shy, caring, and a basically good kid. I do understand why she's different towards me now. I mean after all she found out some of the horrific things I did when I was Belthazar and then I embarrassed her at her job by punching out that scum bag landlord. The only thing is I don't think I'm the only one she's changing towards. Over the past few weeks, I've noticed her shooting dirty looks Piper's way, and at Phoebe too, and sorry about this Leo even at you. Have you noticed it or is it just me?"
Leo bobbed his head. "Thanks for confirming it, buddy! I think I'm going to do a bit of investigating. Will you be okay?" Leo again gave the sign for yes.
Cole ran upstairs and searched the family Rolodex for Paige's boss's number. She'd really kill him if she knew he was about to call her boss on a Saturday but he just couldn't ignore the nagging suspicion that was growing stronger in him by the moment. Maybe Phoebe's sense of the future was rubbing off on him. At any rate he couldn't just dismiss his feelings. It wasn't in him to do nothing and the stakes were just far too high.
He grabbed the phone and quickly dialed. Cole tapped his foot impatiently as the phone rang. Paige's boss picked up after a few rings. "Hello!" "Hello sir, this is, ah, Leo Wyatt, Paige Matthew's brother-in-law. Cole winced at the lie and pinched the bridge of his nose. He really was trying hard to reform his less than stellar qualities but sometimes the world made subterfuge necessary. I'm wondering if you've heard from Paige today? We can't seem to find her and we were hoping maybe she contacted you about working some overtime at the office? "Overtime?" the man on the other line asked clearly baffled. Why would she be working overtime on a Saturday when she's been out sick for the past 7 normal working days?"
"Yes, she's been very sick," Cole replied, "and that's why we are trying to find her. She's been feeling very guilty about missing work, however, and we thought she might have attempted to come in. She really shouldn't be out of bed." "Well I haven't heard from her and while I'm sympathetic to the fact that she is sick, she's been missing far too much time at work. Her guilt is not what we are looking for. Her presence at the office is what we need. So tell her she'd better start following Doctor's orders so she can get back to the job. Otherwise I can't promise how long she will still have one. It is a shame too because she was such a promising social worker candidate to start. I just don't know what has gotten into her lately. I'd appreciate it if you'd inform her of the gravity of the situation, Mr. Wyatt." At first Cole didn't respond. "Mr. Wyatt? Paige's boss repeated again. This time Cole answered. "Yes, I'll make sure Paige gets the message. Thank you for your time and sorry to bother you on a Saturday.
I smell a rat, Cole said to himself after he'd hung up. A male voice behind him said, "So do I." Cole turned in a flash and raised his hand to throw an energy ball. Then he remembered he didn't have the ability to do that anymore. Besides it was lucky he couldn't. He didn't think the girls would have understood his taking out a policeman who was their friend even if it would have been by accident because he had fears a demon attack was imminent.
Inspector Darryl Morris picked himself up off the floor. "I don't know why I did that, I've heard that your throwing blanks these days, Turner." "Hah, hah, Darryl very funny." "I thought so," Darryl replied. "Just don't ever sneak up on me like that again," Cole, advised him. "Why we've just established you can't do anything to me anymore?" "Because I might have a heart attack and I have too great a reason to live these days. Besides would you really want to explain to Phoebe that you were responsible for giving me one? Darryl closed his eyes and Cole could tell the Inspector was picturing such a scenario in his head. "That would be a definite no, on that one. That one's tears can break your heart. She tries to act tough but it would basically be like kicking a puppy." "Tell me about it," Cole agreed.
"So Darryl what are you doing here?" A sudden awful thought crossed Cole's mind. He moved closer to Darryl and grabbed his coat lapels. Something hasn't happened to Phoebe and Piper has it?" "Do you think I'd be standing her trading quips with you, if something had?" was Darryl's response. "Why are the sisters in danger again?"
"Yes, no, I don't know. When aren't they in danger, Darryl? I swear this worrying is going to drive me insane and I have this gut awful feeling that something truly horrible is going to happen." "Well you know there's not much I can do about the whole warlock-demon crowd but if there's anything I can do just let me know. I'll be there."
"Thanks, Darryl. You've been a good friend to the girls and it means a lot to them and to Leo and I as well. Is there something you needed?"
" No, I just came over to return Piper's Pyrex dish. My wife is out of town visiting her mother this week and Piper sent over a bunch of meals. She said she didn't want me eating stale pizza and cold wings. "That's Piper for you," Cole smiled. He reached out for the dish and Darryl handed it to him.
"Now could you answer a question for me, Cole? Why were you just checking up on Paige and what are you doing posing as Leo? Didn't you land yourself in enough hot water posing as an Assistant D.A? I thought you were turning over a new leaf?
" You heard that whole conversation?" Cole queried. " Damn it not only have I lost my powers, I'm loosing my ability to be sneaky as well." "I don't think you'll ever truly have to worry about that," Darryl replied. "So, back to my question. "What were you doing?"
"Paige has been acting strangely lately and I'm not sure why. I decided to do a little searching and see if I could figure it out. I identified myself as Leo because I didn't think if I told him who I really was he'd tell me anything. After all I'm not legally a part of this family yet and besides I don't think his office thinks too highly of me after I broke the cretin landlord's nose. Apparently they frown on that sort of negotiating technique at Social Services."
"For what it's worth, Turner, I agreed with you on that one. That guy was a menace to the human race. I'd have had a hard time not punching his lights out either. So what did you find out about Paige?"
"She's lying, Darryl. I don't know precisely why yet but she's lying. She told us she was at work all week and she told work she's been at home sick. Maybe she's been practicing the craft in secret to surprise Piper and Phoebe with all she's learned," Darryl suggested helpfully. "If only that were the case, but if it were her magic would have shown some improvement but it hasn't. In fact Piper's been chiding her all week about not doing her exercises. No, something else is going on. Maybe the Source is brainwashing her or something like he did Piper."
"Uh? Piper was brainwashed? Darryl said in shock." "Yeah the Source created this whole alternate world thing where he tried to convince Piper she'd only imagined being a witch and having sisters. He had her believing she was a mental institution patient and almost got her to say an incantation that would have renounced her powers forever," Cole informed the inspector.
"Damn it why is it I always get a confusion headache when ever I walk through this door but I still come here anyway?" "Because no one with a truly human heart and soul can resist the very real and purely natural charm of the "Charmed ones," Cole answered.
" A Hee-haw" came up from the basement. Darryl jumped a mile. "What in blazes?" Darryl asked. "You don't want to know," Cole assured him. "Go home and take an Advil. I'll tell the ladies you were here. Darryl headed for the door then turned back again to face Cole, "I mean it you know, if this family ever needs me, I'm in." "We know that Darryl, and thanks again."
Cole shut the door behind Darryl and then he headed toward the upstairs staircase. He was about to do something he had never done in his entire life to his knowledge. Something he wasn't even sure he knew how to do.