"Michael, are you sure?" Leo asked.
"Positive," said Michael. "Leo, I know how hard this must be for you to accept. And I know it's going to be even harder for the girls, especially Phoebe. But it's true."
"It may not be as hard as you think," said Leo. "Paige all ready suspects Cole. But you're right about Phoebe. She'll never believe that Cole has turned evil."
"He hasn't," said Michael. "It's not Turner, it's the Source. It's hard to explain. He looks like Turner; he even has all of Turner's memories. But it's not Turner. The real Cole Turner is submerged inside, overwhelmed by the power of the Source. I've sensed him in there. He's fighting to get out. But the Source is too strong."
"His memories?" questioned Leo. "Michael, Cole knows about your dual identity as Malevant."
"I've all ready taken care of that," said Michael. "He doesn't have those memories any more. But right now our problem is dealing with the Source. They won't wait long before they perform the Ascension Ceremony. We have to vanquish the Source before that happens."
"What do we do?" Leo asked.
"First," said Michael, "we have to prepare the girls. They need to be ready to force the Source out and defeat the Source. I think that's where you can help. You can talk to them. They'll listen to you more than anyone. You can convince them of what's going on."
"I can try," said Leo. "But like I said, convincing Phoebe is going to be difficult."
"Just make her understand it's not Cole," said Michael. "You've been through a lot with them. You should be able to show her the difference between Cole and the Source possessing him."
"I'll do the best I can," said Leo. "I know Paige will believe me. Piper, I'm pretty sure I can convince her. But I'll have to give some thought about how I'm going to convince Phoebe."
"Great," said Leo. "Don't let on to Turner what's going on. As long as he thinks we aren't onto him he won't try anything."
"Right," said Leo. "Revealing himself to the underworld. That must be what Cole was talking about when he said he was taking a case in for judgment tomorrow."
"Probably," said Michael.
"He said something about taking a vacation when the case was over," said Leo.
"You have to prevent that," said Michael. "If he gets Phoebe away from Piper and Paige there's no telling what he'll do. As long as Turner is fighting him I don't think he'll hurt her. Turner's love for her is what's giving him strength to fight the Source. The Source is feeling that love. So for the moment, at least, Phoebe is safe."
"I'll do what I can," said Leo.
"Okay," said Michael. "Now, after Turner reveals himself to the underworld tomorrow, he'll probably return here. He'll want to give the demonic hierarchy time to adjust to his return. That's why he's probably going to take the vacation. We have to separate the Source from Turner and vanquish the Source before he has a chance to reorganize the underworld."
"I'll talk to the girls as soon as Cole isn't around," said Leo. "They need to be prepared as soon as possible."
"Good," said Michael. "In the mean time I have to get back to the underworld. The Seer is going to want me there when she reveals Turner to the demonic hierarchy. If I'm not there she'll get suspicious. I'll let you know when we are going to put our plan into action."
"We'll be ready for you," said Leo. "I hope."
Michael orbed out of the living room and Leo went back into the dining room.
"Everything okay, sweetie?" Piper asked.
"Uh, yeah," said Leo. "Nothing big. Just some White Lighter business, that's all."
"Secret White Lighter business?" questioned Paige.
"Not a secret, exactly," said Leo. "Just nothing for you to be concerned with. There are a lot of things that go on that you never hear about."
"I'm sure," said Cole. "There are probably a thousand little things you have to deal with you never mention to anyone. Just like at the law office. Answering memos, talking to witnesses, writing documents, I do a hundred things that I never give a second thought to."
"Exactly," said Leo. "Now, isn't it about time for dessert?"
"That it is," said Piper. "Paige, want to give me a hand bringing it out?"
"Sure," said Paige, getting up from the table and following Piper into the kitchen.
"I may be late getting home tomorrow," Cole said to Phoebe. "After we get our judgment there will be some paperwork I'll need to take care of. It might take a while."
"Okay," said Phoebe. "I'll make sure to save you some supper."
"Thanks, honey," said Cole. "Then we can think about that vacation."
"Any idea where you plan to go?" Leo asked.
"Not sure," said Phoebe. "Cole can't shimmer any more so Paris is out of the question. Might drive upstate and find a nice bed and breakfast to stay at for a couple of days."
"Well in that case," said Leo, "why not put it off until the weekend? You can leave here on Friday afternoon and have the entire weekend to yourselves. It will also give you time to look up some bed and breakfast places to go to."
"That's a good idea," said Cole. "It will also give me a chance to make sure all my work at the office is taken care of."
"Okay," said Phoebe. "I'll check on the Internet. They should have some listed. I can find a nice, out of the way place for us."
"Great," said Cole.
Leo smiled to himself. He had been able to postpone their trip for at least a week. That should give them plenty of time to separate the Source from Cole and vanquish the Source. Now came the hard part. Convincing Phoebe that Cole had become the greatest threat they would face since the Source. That was not going to be easy.