Michael appeared at the Halliwell manor the next day. He had deliberately not mentioned anything to Leo or the girls about coming. He wanted the chance to catch Cole off guard. With the Source possessing Cole, he would be a very real threat not only to Michael, but them as well. If there was a confrontation, Michael felt it best if the Charmed Ones were present.
"Michael, what are you doing here?" Piper asked as he walked into the kitchen where she had just finished preparing breakfast. "Come to invite yourself to breakfast?"
"I wish I could," said Michael. "It all looks great. No, I just stopped by to see Leo for a moment."
"He's in Australia or somewhere," said Piper. "One of his other charges called for him and he orbed out a bit ago. He said he'd be back soon."
"The hazards of being a White Lighter," said Michael, smiling at Piper. "Where's everyone else?"
"Let's see," said Piper. "Paige left for work early to catch up on some paperwork. Phoebe and Cole are still upstairs. They should be down right away. Sure you don't want to stay for breakfast? There's plenty. And you're more than welcome."
"Well," said Michael, "I do have to wait for Leo to get back. If you're sure it's not an imposition."
"You're never an imposition," said Piper. "You're practically one of the family."
"Hey, Michael," said Phoebe, coming into the kitchen. Cole was close behind. "What brings you here?"
"White Lighter business," said Michael. "Only the White Lighter I need to see isn't here at the moment. Hello, Cole. It's good to see you again."
Cole was taken aback when he saw Michael in the kitchen. He had deliberately avoided any contact with Michael for fear that his dual nature as the Source might be compromised. Now, that was impossible. If he did anything but act cordial they'd all know something was up.
"Good to see you again, too, Michael," said Cole. "Uh, sorry I missed you the other night."
"No problem," said Michael. "Man has to earn a living. Phoebe says you're adjusting well to life without your powers."
"Yeah, I guess so," said Cole. "It's hard sometimes. Some of the things I never gave a second thought to now seem so complicated."
"I can imagine," said Michael. "Shimmering across town is much easier than calling a cab."
"Yeah," said Cole. "But I'm adjusting. It will just take a little time, that's all."
"I'm sure it will," said Michael. "And you seem to be doing so quite well. Even have a job and everything I understand."
"Yes," said Cole. "I am still an attorney. At least I have that to fall back on."
"That's good," said Michael. "Piper, I'm afraid I'll have to take a rain check on breakfast. It appears the Elders want to see me right now. Probably nothing serious. With the Source gone demonic activity is down."
"Any time, Michael," said Piper.
"Phoebe," said Michael, "good to see you again. I'll try to stop by again soon. And tell Paige I said hello."
"I'll do that," said Phoebe.
"Take good care of her, Cole," said Michael. "She's very special."
"Oh, I will," said Cole.
Michael orbed out of the manor and Cole relaxed. If Michael had sensed anything unusual about him he would have done something. Michael, like his brother, Malevant, had some abilities unique to just them. Not even Cole knew what all of them were. If anyone would be able to sense the Source in Cole it would have been Michael. Fortunately that hadn't happened. Cole was satisfied his secret was safe at least for the moment.
"And you have no doubt whatsoever?" the Elder asked Michael.
"None," said Michael. "The Source has definitely possessed Turner. I could sense it immediately. And the possession is growing stronger. Soon I don't think Turner will be able to resist him any longer."
"Then we have no choice," said the Elder. "Turner must be vanquished. He's too great a threat to the Charmed Ones and to us."
"That may be a problem," said Michael.
"Why?" the Elder asked. "If the Source is possessing Turner then all we need to is vanquish him. That should put an end to him forever."
"And kill an innocent in the process," said Michael. "My duality as a White Lighter and a demon allowed me to sense both of them in Turner. There's a terrible conflict going on inside him. One is the Source. His evil is nearly overwhelming.
"But I also sensed Turner in him. With Belthazor vanquished, Turner's demonic half is all but destroyed. Which means he's no more prone to evil than any other human. Plus I sensed a strong aura of good in Turner. The Turner inside. I don't think we're talking about a half demon any more. I think since Belthazor was vanquished, Turner is now completely human."
"If that's so," said the Elder, "then you are aware of the ramifications as well as I am."
"Yes," said Michael. "That makes Turner an innocent. If we vanquish the body, we vanquish the innocent. And you know that's not an option. That would violate everything the Elders and White Lighters were established to protect."
"Yes," said the Elder. "I must convene the council immediately. We have to make a decision and quickly. Michael, this secret may not be kept for much longer. While we cannot vanquish an innocent we also cannot allow the Source to be reborn in him."
"I understand that," said Michael. "Which means I also can't vanquish Turner when the Seer brings him to me. Somehow we have to find a way to vanquish the Source without harming Cole Turner."
"At this point," said the Elder, "I don't see how that's going to be possible."
"Neither do I," said Michael. "But we have to find a way. I've spent the last hundred years protecting the innocent. I won't be involved in killing one even to stop the Source."
"And the Elder Council has been protecting the innocent much longer than that," said the Elder. "Killing Turner is not an option. This is very serious. If we don't find a resolution soon the Source will take Turner over completely. Then we will have no choice but to vanquish him."
"We still have some time," said Michael. "Turner is still resisting the Source. His love for Phoebe gives him strength. I'll see what I can come up with. I'll let you know as soon as I do."
"Good," said the Elder. "I'll let you know what the council decides as soon as we've made a decision. We must tread very carefully, Michael. There is more at stake here than simply the life of one innocent."
"I know," said Michael. "My secret could get out as well. Not to mention that the Charmed Ones are at risk. I'm not sure how the Source will deal with Phoebe but I have no doubt he won't hesitate to kill Piper and Paige if they should learn his secret. For their sakes we need to figure out something right away."
"Stay in touch," said the Elder. "The council is convening right now. I should have something for you soon."
"Just call," said Michael. "I'll get here as quickly as I can. Right now Malevant needs to make an appearance in the underworld. I can't afford to be gone too long."
"Take care, my friend," said the Elder.
"You, too," said Michael.
Michael changed form into Malevant and shimmered out of the White Lighter realm. The Elder turned and walked the short distance to the council meeting. He wasn't relishing the task ahead of them. In order to protect all of humanity it may become necessary to destroy Turner. And killing an innocent did not sit well with him. Not well at all.