Chapter 8: Day Seven

"Please turn off all cell phones," the flight attendant said over the intercom. Paige shut hers off as instructed. The plane ride lasted another few hours until they were back in a San Francisco airport.

"Feels good to be home," Phoebe said, as they emerged into the sunlight.

"Speak for yourself," Paige said. She had enjoyed herself in New York, despite the whole Rindo incident.

"You really like David, don't you?" Phoebe asked.

"How could you tell?" Piper asked sarcastically. "I'm personally glad that's all behind us."

"That was rough," Phoebe agreed. "And that whole thing with Cole, I'm so confused about that."

"He can't come back," Paige said. "We vanquished him."

"Well, he was still talking to me in my coma," Piper said.

"Yes, but didn't you mention that he said himself that he could never come back?"

"I wouldn't put it past Cole to find a way back," Phoebe insisted.

"I don't think we should worry about it unless we actually see him again," Paige said.

"We've been through quite enough these past few days and I just want a break from demons of any sort."

"Agreed," Piper said. They had finally gotten to Piper's jeep where they had left it last week in the parking lot.

"Sure is getting cloudy pretty fast," Phoebe said, looking up at the sky. The sky was cloud-free and sunny. They got in the car and drove towards home. Piper pulled the car into the driveway a few minutes later. Leo came out and greeted them.

"How was your trip?" he asked, giving Piper a kiss.

"It was...eventful," Piper said. "How was your sitting at home time?"

"It was okay, I guess," Leo answered. Paige and Phoebe gave Leo their suitcases and ran into the house.

"Sorry, honey," Piper said. "I got the kids." She walked in, leaving Leo to carry in their stuff, but he really didn't mind. He was happy they were home.

"Sorry about that, Leo," Piper said. "I'll yell at Phoebe and Paige about it later." He smiled at her. "So, what all did you do while we were gone?"

"Just enjoyed the special time to myself." Leo said. "What happened with you guys?"

"We vanquished one of the most powerful demons we ever faced."

"A demon?" he asked surprised.

"Yeah, and we had help from four witches. They called themselves the Four Corners."

"You met them?" Leo asked.

"You know about them?"

"Of course," he said. "They are the equivalent of you guys, only in another part of the world. What demon was it?"

"Rindo," Piper answered.

"He's a lower-level demon," Leo said confused.

"Yeah, but apparently he made some pact with an upper-level demon, then killed him and got his powers, and continued getting other magical creature's powers until he became practically invincible. We needed Prue, plus the Four Corners, to take him out. But those damn Elders!" she exclaimed. "They made it so that we couldn't bring Prue back from the dead anymore."

"Wow," Leo said. "A lot happened in New York. I'm sure they had a reason for not letting Prue come back anymore."

"I guess so." Piper continued tidying up the house, even though it was pretty much spot free.

"Jeez," Paige said, walking into the room looking at her cell phone. "David has called 23 times. He must have missed me as much as I missed him." She dialed his number to talk to him.

Meanwhile, Phoebe was up in her room, lying on her bed. She could almost sense Cole there. Even though she still hated him, deep down inside, she knew she loved him and that she always would. She dreamt of his touch on her body. She knew how pissed her sisters would be if they knew what she truly felt, but she loved him.

"Phoebe," she heard him whisper. She sat up.

"Cole," she said to her empty room.

"Paige!" David was yelling. Paige had a strange feeling of déjà vu. "I've missed you." She smiled.

"I've missed you too," she answered.

"So, what have you guys been up to upon returning to your home?" David asked.

"Oh, nothing yet," Paige said as Piper vacuumed the room. David could hear the loud vacuum. "What about you? How's New York?"

"A little boring without you three, but we' re making it. Now that Rindo's gone, we have a lot more free time."

"What happened!" Rindo yelled. He was in his lair in the Underworld. "I had them! I almost killed them all!"

"What are you talking about?" Chinj asked.

"They must have used the time demon," Rindo thought out loud. "He'll pay for this."

"What? Who used the time demon?"

"Would you shut up and let me think?" Rindo asked. "Who would have been able to use the time demon when all three either dead or about to be killed?" He thought for a moment. "It must have been their ex-whitelighter."

"What are you talking about?"

"Leave me now!" Rindo yelled. Chinj left the demon to ponder his next move against the Charmed Ones.

Next fic in the series is The Disease. Summary: Piper is inflicted with a horrible sickness and as she slips through consciousness, she's accompanied by Cole.