Phoebe bit her lip to keep from crying out as another contraction hit her. She knew she wouldn't be able to hide the fact she was in labor much longer, but she had enough awareness to know she had to get out of here, get somewhere to safety, or her baby was doomed.

Cole had eventually returned to their chamber after entertaining himself with the demoness. He'd forced her to drink more of the tonic. She'd feigned calm acceptance of her fate and his behavior, dreamily discussing the upcoming birth, but at her first opportunity, she'd vomited up the tonic. Even then everything seemed dream-like. She couldn't quite understand how she had come to be in this situation because she couldn't let herself think about it, lest the horror overwhelm her. Instead, she focused on escape. She was on her own. Cole was beyond her reach, and her desperate cries for her sisters and Leo had gone unanswered.

The Seer and Cole had been in and out of the chamber over the past two days, checking on her and making sure she was firmly under control. Fortunately, her acting fooled them. Unfortunately, her water had broken a few hours ago, and while she may not have paid much attention in health class, she knew the black viscous liquid that puddled at her feet was not normal. Frantically, sobbing, she tried to clean up the evidence before Cole returned. By the time he did, the Seer at his side, she had put on a placid mask and cheerfully lied that she was not in labor yet but that she couldn't wait until she was.

Now as the Seer and Cole spoke, she edged toward the entrance of the chamber. It was guarded, but if she acted confident enough, maybe she could bluff her way past them. She had no plan or destination, just anywhere but here.

Another contraction started as she neared the door, and she could not suppress her cry of pain. Cole and the Seer were instantly at her side, blocking her hope of escape. "My liege, she is in labor," the Seer noted. "She has been hiding it."

"Won't let you take him," she gasped. "Get away from me!"

"Get back into bed," Cole ordered.

"No!" Phoebe rushed for the door. The guards moved to block her path; she held up her hand instinctively, and to her shock, an invisible force tossed them aside. But Cole was behind her before she could go further, picking her up and carrying her to the bed. She struggled feebly, but didn't have the strength to fight him.

As he set Phoebe down on the bed, Cole snapped at the Seer. "What the hell was that?"

"The baby's power," the Seer said. "She tapped into it."

"The baby is the Source," Cole said. "It would not be helping her escape."

"Not yet, my liege," the Seer said. "But it will be. It is time."

"Watch her," Cole ordered. "I will get her sisters out of the manor. The moment I do, bring Phoebe there and prepare the spells. Timing is crucial."

The Seer nodded. "I will not fail you, my liege."


Piper scribbled in a notebook as she flipped through the Book of Shadows. She felt a presence and looked up to see Cole shimmering in to the attic. "What do you want?" she said warily, her hands up and ready to defend herself.

"I'm looking for something that belongs to me," he said. "Maybe you've seen it? Dagger, black hilt, green blade, has my soul in it."

She made a noise of derision. "What do you want with it?"

"To destroy it," he said. "I don't want to run the risk of you trying to stuff my soul back into me. I don't want it back. I'm finally free. Being a half-breed held me back for years – I had to work three times as hard to prove myself."

"Sorry, can't help you," Piper said.

"You're right about that, Piper," he said. "You can't help me. Or your sister. You should see her now. So pathetic, simpering and crying for her sisters."

Her hands twitched. "You bastard," and while the thought of Phoebe's desperation chilled her heart, it gave her hope as well. Phoebe must have somehow fought off the power of the Source.

"Oh, she'll calm down after the baby is born," Cole said. "The Seer will see to it she becomes more docile. Then again, her resistance now is a big turn on. Even now I still want her, but I must admit it's a hard choice between killing her and ending the Power of Three forever, and keeping her at my side. If nothing else, I'll enjoy getting her pregnant again. Two magical children are better than one. On the other hand, what's to say a different Charmed One might work out just as well?" He looked at Piper pointedly.

"You're sick," Piper said, disgusted.

"C'mon, Piper," he said, circling her. "I know you like the thrill of forbidden love...sneaking around...defying the Elders. Don't you miss that now that you've settled into a boring marriage with Leo? I promise you wouldn't have to freeze me like you did him. I can make sure you're completely satisfied."

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "You're crazy, too."

He moved behind her, lowering his mouth to her ear. "I shimmered into the bathroom once...I thought it was Phoebe in the shower, but it was you. I stayed anyway and watched you. All that hot water running over your naked body..." His hands touched her hips, and he slowly slid them up her body and back down again. "I wondered how you would've reacted if I joined you then, pushed you up against the wall and made love to you, praying Phoebe and Leo didn't hear us..."

Despite herself, Piper found her breathing quickening. She kept her eyes squeezed shut – dangerous, but she was afraid to look at him. "Stop it," she whispered.

He kissed the side of her neck. "Take a walk on the wild side, Piper," he said huskily. "No one has to know. You like to be in control, but we both know you're yearning for someone else to take over for a change." He skimmed one hand over her stomach. "And I have access to certain spells and potions. That baby you want so much...I can give it to you."

Piper swayed unsteadily. Cole had to be using a spell or something to lower her resistance. She found him attractive, but his words and touch were compelling her more than they should. As he turned her around in his embrace, she opened her eyes and looked up at his face. She'd always wondered what it would be like to kiss those sensuous lips, and she drew in a quick uncertain breath and made a half-hearted whimper of protest as he brought them down on hers.

"No one has to know, Piper," he whispered again, his hand moving to start unbuttoning her shirt. "Just you and me. Aren't you tired of being the good girl? Let your hair down and be bad. You won't regret it, I promise you..."

She put her hands on his chest, shakily gazing into his eyes, struggling to summon her inner strength in the face of temptation. Then she laughed. "Oh, please," she said. "Do you honestly think for one minute if you had tried to get into the shower with me, I wouldn't have blown your ass up?"

Realizing his hold was broken, Cole grabbed Piper by the throat, slamming her against the wall. "Fine," he snarled. "We'll do it the hard way. Give me the dagger. Now."

"How about...a lamp!" Paige called from behind them, and said object smashed into his back. He released Piper, whirling around to find her younger sister in the doorway to the attic. Piper sagged against the wall in relief.

Cole conjured an energy ball, glaring at Paige. "You're home early," he said.

"Yeah, not a moment too soon," Paige said. "Piper, you okay?"

She nodded, hastily rebuttoning her shirt. "Think I need a shower, though." Cole smirked at her, and she regretted those particular words.

Cole sighed and the energy ball vanished. "So how about a trade then? A loved one for the dagger?"

"Phoebe?" Paige said.

"No, she's mine, and I'm not giving her up," Cole said. "You'll have to guess." He shimmered out of the attic.

Piper quickly pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. "Loved one? Darryl...wait, no."

She dialed a number and heard her father's voice answer. "Hi, honey, what's up?" he said.

"Dad, where are you?" Piper said anxiously.

"Home, why?" Then she heard the sound of an energy ball, followed by a cry and the thud of a body hitting the floor.

After a moment, Cole's voice came on the line. "Hi, honey," he said mockingly.

"If you hurt him..." Piper threatened helplessly.

"Not yet, but I will," he said. "The dagger for your father. Now." The line went dead.