A/N: I'm so glad everyone's enjoying the fic so much. Everyone's wondering how this is going to work out. Hm, well, just so happens that you find out during this chapter! Sadly, this is the last real chapter. Chapter nine is an extremely short epilogue that's, like, not even a page. I'm sorry! I'm trying to come up with sequel ideas for it.
Angmalish, Yes, Poor Phoenix and Phoebe. Hehe. Glad you're enjoying it!
Barb6, Wow! Lots of questions. Where to start? A tough choice is right! And you don't know if Phoenix is telling the truth about Cole. It's up to you to decide if she is or not. But take into account what's happened, starting with the prologue. Then decide. To be honest, I never thought to put anything about Phoebe's empathy. But, she was under a lot of stress, which can screw with her power and since Phoenix is a Source, she could block Phoebe from sensing her emotions and such. As for Piper and Paige talking Phoebe out of it . . . she's a pretty stubborn girl. So I dunno! Lol. And Phoenix could vanquish Cole, but she's not going to. Glad you liked the Queen Bitch line. Lol.
svata2004, she could. But she wanted Cole with her forever, so her spell and ritual were set up for the other spell she made. So it was too late to change it. Or, well, that's just my excuse. Lol.
Iloveleo15, Don't worry, I will continue! I just wish this fic was longer.
Kay, enjoy! And don't forget, I still have the prologue coming, even if it's short!
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"Cole!" Phoebe said, amazed her spell had actually worked. "You're alive. It worked."
Cole smiled at her, walking to her. "Of course. Did you ever doubt yourself or your spell? You're an amazing witch, Phoebe."
"I can't believe you're back!" Phoebe exclaimed, hugging him. As she did, she snuck a glance at her watch and saw it was only a little after eight. She had many hours before she was supposed to conceive Phoenix. She bit her lip, smiling at Cole.
"Phoebe! Come down here a sec, we need you!" Piper voice called loudly from the bottom of the attic steps. She then walked down to the first floor again.
"I thought we had the house to ourselves?" Cole asked, frowning.
"I do. I mean, I will. We will. Piper and Paige had to stop home for a sec. I think they forgot something. That or they want to make sure I'm doing okay," Phoebe reassured him, smiling. She kissed him before pulling away. "I'll be back, okay? Just wait for me." She turned and left the attic, closing the door behind her.
Downstairs, Piper was pacing, Paige looked worried, and Phoenix was transparent.
Wait, what?!?!?
"We have a problem," Paige said upon seeing Phoebe. "Phoenix's conception time is in about five or so minutes!"
"Uh, what! That doesn't give me much time to, uhm, get the job done," Phoebe argued.
"I know I was opposed to bringing Cole back," Phoenix cut in. "But as long as you have, I'd appreciate it if you didn't let it go to waste. Go screw him before I fade away!"
Phoebe glared at her. "That's gross. And fine, fine. How long do I have?"
"Five minutes from the time you get into your room," Phoenix replied miserably. "I can't believe I had the time off so much!"
"I'm not thrilled about it either!" Phoebe argued, practically running back to the attic. She stopped and slowed to a walk as she opened the attic door and smiled at Cole. "Let's go to my room. It's more private."
Cole grinned. "All right." He hugged Phoebe tightly and led her down to the second floor and down the hall to her room where he closed and locked the door.
Phoebe didn't waste time. She pulled Cole close to her and began to kiss him, deeply and passionately. He didn't protest. Soon, they had fallen upon the bed.
Praying it had worked, Phoebe lay beside Cole, her head on his chest. She wondered if Phoenix was still downstairs or if she had been too late and her daughter didn't exist anymore. But she pushed these thoughts away, remembering what she had to do next.
"I love you, Phoebe," Cole murmured, his arm around Phoebe, his eyes closed. He looked so relaxed.
She sighed, inching her hand under her pillow. "I love you, too, Cole. So much. And don't ever forget that, okay?" She kissed him.
He laughed. "Don't worry. I won't. We're together again and I'm back to stay. Don't worry. Nothing will separate us now."
"Nothing," Phoebe agreed, clutching the cold handle of the knife.
"Not even death, as we both have come to see," Cole added, jokingly.
Phoebe nodded. "Not even death."
Then, quick motion, she brought the knife out and up and brought it down, straight through Cole's heart. His eyes widened in horror and he turned to stare at her, mouth moving wordlessly in complete shock.
"Phoebe . . ." he muttered before turning back to black mist. The black mist swirled around the room before disappearing altogether.
Tears in her eyes, Phoebe placed the knife in her garbage can and dressed, slowly. All she wanted to do was sob; Stay locked in her room and cry forever. But she had to dress and she had to go down and see if she had made it on time, if Phoenix was still alive.
After dressing, she left her room, not looking back as she slowly tromped downstairs, tears gliding down her face. She walked to the living room where Piper and Paige sat on the couch.
"Where's Cole?" Piper asked, seeing Phoebe's tears.
"Before I brought him back, I went into the kitchen and made a vanquishing potion. I coated one of the big butcher knives with it and hid it under my pillow. After we got it over with, I . . ." Phoebe chocked back a sob. "I stabbed him in the heart with it."
"Ew. Sounds like the female praying mantis. She kills her partner after they do it," Paige remarked.
Piper elbowed her in the ribs. "Not funny."
"Oowch!" Paige glared at her, then looked back at Phoebe.
"Wait though," Phoebe said, looking worried. "Where's Phoenix? Please tell me I wasn't too late!"
"No, you made it on time."
Phoebe turned. Phoenix stood in the doorway to the living room, half-smiling and half frowning.
"You saved me but at a great risk. The future will be a bad one now, with Cole-"
"He's dead," Phoebe interrupted Phoenix. "I vanquished him after I saved you."
Phoenix's eyes widened. "You - what?" She walked closer to Phoebe. "You made the right choice, then, I hope?"
Phoebe nodded. "I love Cole with all my heart and I want him to be with me. But the future with him around sounds horrible and I couldn't let my feelings affect the future that badly. But I didn't want to loose you. I couldn't. So, I made a vanquishing potion and placed it on a dagger and then I vanquished him after."
Phoenix frowned. "Thank you, mom. You've saved the future, although I don't know what future I will be going back to or if I'm even still the Source. You saved me, as well, and kept me from fading away."
Phoebe smiled at her. "I'm your mom. It's my job to protect you."
Tears glistened in both their eyes and they stepped closer to each other and hugged.
