Chapter 1

Leo orbed back to the Halliwell Manor. He rubbed his face, and it felt a little more rough and unshaven of when he last was there. It hadn't been that long, had it?

"Leo," Piper called out to him hoarsely. Leo turned to see Piper's swollen eyes pleading at him. "Phoebe's getting worse. Please tell me you've found a way."

Leo gave her a bit of a smile and gave her a hug. "Piper, baby, everything is going to be okay."

She let him embrace her though gathered and she and pushed him away.

"Tell me."

Leo motioned for her to sit down. She did.

"The spell Korgrat used was created by a demon that should be able to reverse it. When this demon created it, the key ingredient was hardly in good supply so the spell was supposed to be temporary.."

"But it's not anymore. Who's the demon?"

"Piper.."

"I'll hunt the son of a bitch down myself, damn it Leo, and stop looking at me like that."

"It's Cole."

Piper tried to suppress her tears but a sob escaped. "Cole's dead. Tell me someone else can reverse it."

Leo shook his head. He sat opposite her and held her hands. "I think only Cole can. Though, Piper, I found out a couple of hours ago.. he's not dead."

Piper felt mixed emotions. Some demons would just not die and Cole always came back for more. Though if he was the only one to save Phoebe..

"How ironic," she muttered.

Piper paused. "Where is he?"

Leo didn't know what exactly to reveal. "Apparently he's living in the past. A group of new demons claiming to be good nor evil gave me a potion that when taken would take you to him.."

"So I go find him and bring him back. Easy."

Paige had been standing at the door. She had heard most, if not all of the conversation.

"I know you all know Cole is not my favorite person," Paige said. Piper and Leo looked at her. "So let me voice what we're all thinking inside. "Why trust a potion a demon gives us? If we get there how do we get back? How do we convince Cole to come back? How insane is he, and will he kill us on first sight?"

Leo sighed. "Actually, it won't be 'us', just one person. I only have the one potion."

"I'm going, Paige, I don't care"

Piper's face was determined. Paige hated when she got like this, there was no reason trying to persuade her logic.

"Let's go over the slowly. We need to be sure."

Cole saw her before too many people were staring. He grabbed a garment off the table of one of the stalls and gave the man some money.

"Go somewhere else, whore, you are not welcome here," he heard a man shout. "This is a respectable village!"

"Lahar, I'll take it from here," he told the villager and grabbed Piper by her elbow. He shoved her into a nearby alley. He through the garment at her.

"A mini skirt is highly in appropriate, Piper,"

His eyes bore down into hers. She suddenly felt cold, chilled. She couldn't move.

"I have no idea why you're here," he said considerably calmly. "I don't care. Threaten me and I will kill you."

His thought instantly went to Melina and Jessica. He had sworn to himself when they were born not to ever expose them to magic. He wouldn't allow it, not at any cost.

"Stay away from me, witch," Cole said, his voice rising.

Piper hurriedly put on the rags Cole had given her. "Please, let me explain…"

Though he was gone. Piper stepped out and looked at the crowded town center and couldn't see him anywhere.

Cole watched Jessica ride her pony from his bedroom window. He always knew the magical world would someday come after him, but he didn't think it would be soon. And a Charmed One? His life was falling apart.

"Hi Daddy."

Cole turned and looked at Melina at the door.

"Melina, you know you have to knock when you enter someone's bedroom."

"Sorry," she said in a very sing-song type voice. "I forgot."

He nodded. Melina moved closer.

"Can you help me saddle up Tamaki?" Melina asked her father.

"Not today, honey. Greks can help you."

"Please Daddy."

Cole looked at her. "Don't try my patience, Mel, do as you're told."

"You helped Jessica earlier! Come on Dad!"

"I said no, Melina. Just leave me be."

Melina pouted. Cole was often as hot headed as she was, and nearly as stubborn.

"It's like you love her more then you love me.." she tried carefully. Sometimes he would have a look of guilt on his face when she said this, sometimes anger.

"Get out Melina, NOW!" he yelled at her. He instinctively raised his hand at her but stopped himself. She was frozen for a moment though started crying.

Guilt rushed all over Cole's body as he realized what he'd nearly done. He hugged her.

"I'm sorry, honey, I'm just in a foul mood this morning. Please, baby, don't cry."

Cole gathered Melina in his arms and sat on the bed.

"I'm sorry, Dad, I didn't mean to make you mad."

"I'm not mad sweetie, its okay."

"Cole," Emily said, entering the room. She paused for a beat.

"What happened?"

Emily put her hand behind Melina's head and guided her to her feet.

"Melina, set up the table, lunch is nearly ready," Emily said. Melina bundled off in a hurry.

Emily looked at Cole questionably.

"I just lost my temper, Emily, it was nothing."

"You've been drinking more, Cole, I'm worried."

"You shouldn't be."

"Strange women asking for you.."

"Who's been asking for me?"

"A woman. She says her name is Piper. She's at the front door. She's demanding to speak with you."

Cole sighed. "Tell Greks to send her up."

Emily studied Cole for a moment. "Sure. Lunch is ready soon, don't be too long."

Cole had just looked out the window for a moment when he heard her footsteps. He looked at her. "What ever you're here for spit it out."

"Phoebe's dying, Cole," Piper said, cutting to the chase. "You can save her."

"Right, the world is always in danger and no one but me can save it. I'll tell you I am sick and tired of sticking my neck out for you Halliwell's and getting absolutely nothing for it."

Cole almost felt sorry for Piper.

Almost.