FOUR
"I say we turn this guy into a toad," said Prue after Piper had explained things to her and Leo. "Turn him into the reptile he is."
"You can't do that and you know it," said Leo. "Does Phoebe think he'll be coming back?"
"Yeah," said Prue. "I've never seen her like this. She's actually afraid of this guy. After all the demons we've faced and she's afraid of some sleaze that doesn't even have any powers. I just don't understand it."
"Well, we'll just have to run interference for her," said Prue. "When this Snake comes back we'll just make sure he understands he's not welcome here."
"That may not be easy to do," said Leo. "My being here seems to have put him off this time. I'm not sure it will happen again. It could get ugly next time."
"We still have our powers," said Piper. "I'm not suggesting we turn him into a toad or anything. But no one can expect us to just stand by and let this guy hurt Phoebe or one of us when we have the power to stop him."
"That may not be necessary," said Leo. "The next time Snake shows up I might just have a little surprise for him. One that should give him the hint that he should move on."
"What are you planning?" Piper asked.
"Don't worry about it," said Leo. "But I need to go make some arrangements. I shouldn't be gone long."
Leo orbed out of the kitchen leaving Prue and Piper alone. They sat in the kitchen discussing what Leo might have planned.
"Cole," Phoebe whispered as Cole shimmered into her room, "what are you doing here? Prue and Piper aren't real happy about my lying to them. We've sorted things out but they still aren't convinced you aren't out to kill us."
Cole kissed her passionately. Phoebe melted into his arms without objection.
"I heard you and Piper talking," said Cole. "You want me to deal with this Snake character? You can't use your powers against him. I'm not under any such restrictions. I can make sure he never bothers you again."
"No," said Phoebe emphatically. "I don't want you to do anything. I don't want to hurt him. I just need to make him go away."
"Okay," said Cole, smiling at her. "But if you change your mind all you have to do is tell me. I can make sure he goes away forever."
"Promise me you won't hurt him," said Phoebe. "He's an innocent. And this is my problem. I'm sure Prue and Piper will help all they can. But I need you to promise me you won't use any of your powers against him."
"I promise," said Cole. "I promise not to use any of my powers against this Snake guy. But like I said, if you change your mind, just let me know."
"Won't change my mind," said Phoebe. "Now you'd better get out of here before Prue or Phoebe hear you. I'm not sure what they'll do if they catch you here."
"Okay," said Cole, kissing her again. "But I won't be far away. And my promise not withstanding, I won't let this Snake harm you. You can't expect me to just stand around and let him hurt you."
"It won't come to that," said Phoebe. "Just stay our of it. We'll take care of this."
Cole just smiled at Phoebe and then shimmered out of her room. Phoebe sat back down on her bed. Despite what she had told Cole she didn't know what she and her sisters would do about Snake.
"Leo didn't say anything about what he had planned?" Phoebe asked at breakfast the next morning.
"Not a word," said Piper. "I asked him again last night after we'd gone to bed but he still refused to say anything. He just said that if it became necessary to use his idea we should just go along with it. He said we'd understand if and when it happened."
"That doesn't make sense," said Prue. "How can we go along with a plan we know nothing about?"
"I don't know," said Piper. "But whatever he has planned must be good. It's just not like Leo to be so mysterious."
"I know," said Prue smiling. "It's actually kind of cool. I never knew Leo could be so devious."
"Neither did I," said Piper. "It seems we may have underestimated our favorite White Lighter."
"Well, whatever he has planned," said Phoebe, "I hope it works. I'm certainly not looking forward to seeing snake again. Now or ever."
"So do I," said Piper. "Whatever he has planned."
Two days passed without any more sign of Snake. Every knock at the door had Phoebe jumping. When she went out Piper or Prue were always with her. Cautiously she'd look around before leaving the manor. She was beginning to think that maybe Snake had gotten the hint and moved on.
On the third day she and Prue were returning from the grocery store. Piper was at the club doing her semi-monthly inventory. Even though Jason had worked out much better than she had imagined it still took both of them to do the inventory. As they walked up on the front porch Prue noticed that the front door was ajar.
"Phoebe," inquired Prue, "did you lock the front door when we left?"
"Yes, I did," said Phoebe. "So why is it open now?"
"We might have an intruder," said Prue setting her bags on the porch. "Let's see if we can surprise our uninvited guest."
Phoebe sat her bags on the porch next to Prue's. Cautiously the two opened the door and moved into the entryway. Prue glanced up the stairs but didn't see anything amiss. As she and Phoebe moved into the entryway they looked into the living room. Sitting in one of the chairs was a familiar sight. Snake sat in the chair smiling at both of them.