A/N: My sincere appreciation to my loyal readers (you know who you are) who continue to read this story and leave such nice reviews. You make it all worth it! Hope you enjoy this chapter. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I promise to update again soon! 

Chapter 9

With the aid of a locating spell, the girls materialized in a swirl of golden beads of lights. Swiftly they made for cover until they could get a line on where they were headed. Since they wrote the locating spell to find their men, they knew said men should be close by. When it appeared the coast was clear, they made for a passageway to their right. For whatever reason both felt this was the correct way to go.

With her hands out front at the ready just in case, Piper led the way. They had not traveled far when a small room opened up on their right. Peeking around the entranceway Phoebe's eyes widened as she spotted a cage containing her lover. Stretched out on his back, completely chained, Cole did not see them at first. Only when Phoebe whispered his name did he acknowledge them.

"Phoebe, you gotta get out of here. The Source's men will be back any moment."

Already working at the lock, Phoebe ignored his warning. "We're getting you out."

Piper nudged her aside. Raising her hand she went to blow the lock up. Her sister put out a restraining hand. "They'll hear us."

"I know, but you got a better idea?"

She didn't and removed her hand so Piper could continue. Trying to use as little power as possible, she exploded the lock on the first attempt.

Phoebe rushing in, fell to her knees next to Cole. Putting her hands on either side of his sweat grimed face, she kiss his lips. "Thank God you're okay."

"Yeah, just great."

Looking to her sister, Phoebe said, "You need to get these cuffs off him."

Piper sent her a doubtful look. "I don't think I can without blowing up his arms and legs."

"You have to try." Phoebe pleaded.

Cole eyed the eldest sister nervously. "Maybe you could use a rock or something to smash the locks."

"That'll take too long. You can do it Piper, I know you can, just concentrate."

Piper hated that word concentrate. That's all Leo ever seemed to say to her lately. Pushing the thought to the back of her mind, she took a steadying breath and let her eyes focus on the small lock on the cuffs. With just a tiny flick of her fingers, she blew one, then two and in no time all four bindings had been destroyed.

Being restrained for so long in that position, Cole could not get his legs to do as he asked, and continued to lie there. Eventually Phoebe managed to get him into a sitting position.

Now that Cole was released, Piper's concern returned to her husband. "Where's Leo?"

"She's got him." Cole informed her.

"Who's got him?"

"Jealousy. She's the one behind everything. The Source had her infect you with jealousy so you would be distracted and he could attack when you were weak. She put me in here to await the Source, which gives her big brownie points."

"What does she want with Leo?" Piper asked as an uneasy feeling washed over her.

"I don't know. Her lair is just down the hall. I'm pretty sure that's where she had Leo taken."

Piper immediately went into action. "Wait for us Piper!" Phoebe called out.

Her sister turned. "You can catch up once Cole's able. I'm not waiting, sorry." And she was gone.

"She's so stubborn!" Grumbled Phoebe.

"And if it were me, you'd not do the exact same thing?" Questioned Cole knowingly. He was rewarded with a dirty look.

Jealousy knew the instant the witches arrived in the underworld. Knew Belthazor's witch even now was attempting his rescue. That was no longer her concern. She had done her part and imprisoned the traitor. It was up to the Source's henchmen to see that he stayed there. No, she was anxiously waiting, the eldest sister. Rejoicing at the fact, the witch's demise was within her grasp.

The first part of the plan had already been planted. The seed of jealousy having taken root deep inside, just waiting to be brought forth. The husband, now her captive, would provide the perfect tool in her plot. In her hands she carried a small ceramic jar painted with ancient symbols. It would be the final ingredient in securing her success. Upon entering her lair, she observed the Whitelighter slumped over, the restraints the only thing keeping him on his feet. At first she thought he was asleep, but as she drew closer his head popped up, and eyes wary at her approach.

He really had the most expressive green eyes, her favorite color. Too bad he played for the other side. Not one to dwell on the impossible, she pulled the lid off the jar she was holding.

Leo's eyes went to the object, as a tinge of apprehension travel up his spine. "What is that?" He tried to keep his voice calm, but the tension seeped through all the same.

Smiling, she dipped two fingers into the contents of the jar. "You're wife and her sister have made an appearance. All is set into motion. This…." Lifting her fingers up, a clear oily substance covering them. "will aid in sealing her fate."

Leo's heart lurched at the knowledge Piper was here and in great danger. Coming to stand in front of him, she brought her oiled covered fingers to his forehead. Leo pressed himself harder against the unforgiving wall, turning his head away, his body going rigid. Whatever she was about to do was not good.

Jealousy let out a soft laugh. "Oh my sweet, you cannot fight this and soon you won't be capable of fighting anything." She traced her fingertips across his brow, from temple to temple. Dipping her fingers again, she dragged them from the top of his chest all the way down to the waistband of his trousers.

Rapidly he blinked his eyes as the woman before him began to blur. The room flipped upside down, then spun round and round. He tried to shake his mind clear to no avail. Feeling his conscious thought start to separate from his mind. It spiraled around until it became a small tight ball. The ball became smaller and smaller as it dove deeper into a black void, buried in the dark depths of his subconscious. At the same time, Leo's mind filled with a cloudy gray mist, until he recognized nothing, knew nothing.

Jealousy watched avidly as he tried to fend off the oil's effects, knowing it was fruitless for him to do so. After a few moments passed by, he became still, his eyes blindly staring out showing complete emptiness. He now would be putty in her hands, and reacting to whatever she told him to do.

She sensed the witch was close, so she needed to move quickly. Reaching up, she unlocked the bindings around his wrists. Once he was freed, she instructed him to put his arms around her waist. Without hesitation he did exactly that. Lifting her hands, she encircled his neck and buried her fingers in his hair. Any moment the witch would make an entrance, and witness the scene, which had been meticulously set. When it was over, the oldest Charmed one would be no more.

Leaning forward, she captured Leo's soft lips with her own. He responded to her action without thought, kissing her back. Jealousy still marveled again at the foreign feeling of warm lips on hers. So different from the coldness of the demon world. Using her tongue, she nudged his mouth open and plunged her tongue inside. As she deepened the kiss, she let herself explore the sweet recesses of his mouth and enjoyed.

Piper tentatively followed the pathway Cole said led to where Leo was being held. She hazard a quick glance back, making sure she was not being followed. Continuing her trek, she observed an archway coming into view. This had to be the place. Opting for a surprise attack versus a stealthy. Hands out in front, she was ready to blast the demon that held her husband.

Throwing herself into the room, her eyes widened at the sight in front of her. There stood Leo in a passionate embrace with a beautiful woman. The two seemingly oblivious to her dramatic entrance. The flicker of jealousy seeded deep inside her flared instantly into a burning inferno. Piper felt her body begin to grow warm. "Leo?" She managed to choke out. He gave no indication he had heard her plea as he continued in his present activities.

She was no longer warm, but now burning up as jealousy ran rapidly through her veins like white-hot venom. Her vision narrowed until it was if she were looking through a tunnel. And that tunnel was focused on Leo's lips engaged with another. Their mouths locked in a passion filled battle. Grabbing her stomach, Piper dropped to her knees, feeling as if something was eating her from the inside out.

Out of the corner of her eye Jealousy observed in triumph at the other woman's obvious pain. It was only a matter of time before the infection consumed the witch's body, mind and soul. The demon moved her lips from Leo's and let them travel up his neck. Lowering her arms, she let her hands play across his bare chest, as she pushed his shirt off his shoulders.

Piper could not tear her gaze from the horrible images. Could not save herself from the excruciating agony ripping away at her. Her breathing became shallow as the emotion continued its assault. The feeling was so intense it caused her throat to close up, making it impossible for her to swallow. With short pants, she slid to the ground while perspiration beaded her forehead. Soon she began to shake uncontrollably, and still she could not avert her eyes. It was if she no longer had control over her body and could not block the heart-wrenching scene from her mind. A red haze filled her eyes as a low buzzing sounded in her ears. She was dying and began to feel a blackness surround her brain as the pain continued to sear at her being. Desperately she attempted to draw a breath, tried to fight the emotion, but it was no use. The infection was too strong and finally Piper gave over to the void.