Part Sixteen
Twenty Minutes Later…
May 9, 2004
Paige nervously looked at her watch and then up at the kitchen ceiling. "Piper can come down any minute."
"I told you before, I brought them snacks and drinks so Piper has no reason to come back downstairs," Cole reminded her. "The kitchen passed inspection so it's safe to talk for a few more minutes. You do understand," he informed Chris as he took back the ice pack and emptied the water into the sink, "you have to stay in the club now. We can't risk Piper finding you in the house. Even if she has no reason to leave Phoebe's room, it would be a major mistake to underestimate a Halliwell."
"I was right," Paige smirked. "Admit it, Piper can come down any minute."
"Let's just go over the plan," Chris complained. "By now, Gideon's probably managed to get away without arousing suspicion and I've gotta start the tracking device Paige stuck in Wyatt's overalls." He rubbed his neck which was now feeling a bit sore. "I'll be up in the attic."
But Cole grabbed his arm, "No, Chris. You've done your part. You got into a fight with an insignificant demon and used the cover I gave you to convince Gideon that the demons of darkness had resurfaced."
"Speaking of which, don't y'think you were cutting it a little close there in the end, Uncle Cole?" Chris grumbled while he began rubbing his shoulder. "I think you enjoyed toying with the demon before you decided it was time to blow it away, never mind the fact that I was still in its way."
"It had to look real," Cole apologized.
"Letting off some steam?" Paige questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Cole ignored her and instructed, "Chris, go to the club and do your regular chores. If anyone asks, you got into it with some drunk in the alley. Paige, track down Darryl and offer your help on his latest case."
She stared quizzically at him. "I thought I was supposed to find Leo and keep him distracted so that he wouldn't inadvertently interrupt our plans."
He shook his head, "Plan changed when Piper called for him." And before Paige could ask, he answered, "She was worried about Phoebe's reaction to the nightmare and wanted him to check her out. Don't worry, he couldn't sense any problems either. Now, go see Darryl. The murder victim was a single mom with a five-year old girl. He's trying to locate the kid's grandmother. Might've been one of your old case files."
"Might've been," she asked in concern, "or definite?"
"Might've been," he replied. "Name seemed familiar, that's why I'm asking you to give him a hand. Besides, you have to start offering your help to him and let him see it's a two-way street, that you're not using him just because he conveniently knows your secret."
"We don't do that," Paige snapped. She was further insulted when Chris had the nerve to roll his eyes. "I'm not even gonna discuss this with you," she sniffed.
Getting back to the matter at hand, Cole said, "I'm not positive but I might've seen the victim's name in a file that day I worked for you."
"You remember from two years ago a name you might've come across?" Paige couldn't let the opportunity pass and added, "Besides, you mean that morning, don't you?" Chris looked on with interest and she grinned as she indicated to Cole, "Big bad demon here couldn't hack it past lunch. Something about needing air and a window, as if the Underworld was so accommodating."
Cole was about to retort when they heard approaching footsteps. "Go," he harshly whispered. "Now!"
They each orbed out of the room just as Piper entered. "Were you talking to someone?" she wondered as she scanned the room. "Coulda sworn I heard voices."
"Practicing my statements," he lied. He saw her notice the ice pack and he quickly explained, "My arm was a bit sore."
"Phoebe was right before, you did go to the Underworld," she accused, "and got hurt. How could you do that with everything going on? She's gonna kill you."
"Not if she doesn't find out…" he hinted. But her grin made him realize it was about to cost him for her silence so he sternly questioned, "What're you doing down here?"
"I'm not an invalid," she snapped before somberly admitting, "I'm worried about Phoebe. I know, I know Leo said they're both fine. But I can't stop thinking about this nightmare she's had. She's just not…"
"What?" he asked when her voice trailed off. "Has something happened?"
"Maybe it's nothing," Piper sighed as she shook her head, "I know I haven't been around her much these past few weeks so I'm not sure if it's normal for her or not."
"But…" Cole encouraged, trying not to grow more exasperated by her reluctance to get to the point.
"The baby seems to be pretty active," she finally said. "I mean Phoebe hasn't really stopped rubbing her side the entire time I've been here and it seems more than just the natural instinctive reaction."
"She's having contractions?" he asked as he rushed for the door.
But Piper reached it first, blocked the doorway, and assured him, "No. She's not in pain or even major discomfort but she still seems off. She says she's all right but…"
Cole wasn't sure if he felt relieved or not. "She needs to relax. She's probably still stressed out, not to mention scared that we're so close to the end."
"Of the pregnancy," she wondered, "or the premonition."
"Both," he quietly acknowledged. "I thought your visit and the presents would help."
"Oh, she's enjoying the presents," Piper smiled briefly, "and I'm sure she doesn't even realize what she's doing but I'm still worried."
Cole thought for a moment and suggested, "Maybe you can convince her to take a hot shower. I'm sure she'd much prefer one of her long soaks in a bubble bath but baths are out for her right now."
She grinned and teased, "I mention the word hot shower with her knowing you're in the house and --"
"That's out too," he quickly interrupted. "Look," he sighed, "just keep her company and make sure she's in there long enough that the steam helps relax her."
Piper turned to leave, "Maybe I'll convince her to eat some of those snacks."
"Piper," he called after her, "thanks for sharing your concerns with me. You could've gone straight to Paige."
She faced him again but didn't know how to respond. After two years, she still felt awkward whenever she found him being nice and considerate. Finally, she honestly told him, "I know you love her and are just as worried as we are."
Uncomfortable himself, Cole cleared his throat and mentioned, "I've got a couple of things to take care of. Would you mind staying here with Phoebe while I'm out? I think she needs to spend this time with you. She's missed you a lot."
"Thank you, Cole," she quietly said. But she couldn't maintain eye contact and, instead, adjusted her shirt. "I guess I feel a little left out at times, especially now when I'm not here. I mean you go into your protective mode where Phoebe's concerned and…and I guess I'm relieved you've included me in th--"
"You're her sister," he interrupted, "and that will never change. Six months ago, before a church full of family and friends, I promised her, I promised the three of you, that I would never deliberately step between your bonds as sisters and I meant it. You and Paige and I may not always see eye-to-eye and there are times we may threaten each other with bodily harm but I will never follow through. And, while I may not be invincible as Phoebe had foreseen, I will protect you and your family with everything I've got even if it means sacrificing myself to do it."
Piper wiped away a tear that trickled down her cheek and muttered, "Way to go, Cole, making the pregnant woman cry. Phoebe's gonna kill you for sure now." Sensing he was about to leave, the words somehow slipped out, "We'd do the same, you know." He stared at her in amazement and she stated, "We'll protect you to the best of our abilities. You're family…even if we do at times, sometimes anyway, still want to vanquish you."
"Wouldn't want it any other way," he realized. It would never be ideal being a part of the Halliwell family but it was an adventure he was satisfied being a part of. He nodded but, just before he blinked out, he cryptically cautioned her, "I'll be back as soon as I can. Don't leave her alone."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
