SEVEN
"Jack, you can't be serious," said Leo. "They can't kill an innocent. They're the Charmed Ones. They're supposed to protect the innocent."
"I don't mean he has to literally die," said Jack. "Phoebe has to kill him in her mind. She has to take his power away from him. Despite how she feels about him or how he affects her, she has to sever any emotional connection she has to him. She has to make a conscience, deliberate decision not to go back to him. Then she has to carry through on that decision."
"I did," said Phoebe. "I left him behind in New York. I don't know how he found me. I never gave him my address. He knew I was from San Francisco but he had no way of knowing I'd come back here after I left him."
"That's a good start," said Jack. "You made a conscious decision to get away from him. But you never confronted him about that decision. You ran from him. Probably afraid that he would follow you.
"But Phoebe that's only half of it. You'll never truly be free of Snake until you confront him. Face your fear, so to speak. You have to stand up to him. Show him that you don't need him and you won't tolerate the way he treats you. Until you do that he'll always have power over you. Even if you never see him again you'll live the rest of your life in fear that he may show up again."
"I'm not sure I can do that," said Phoebe. "Whenever he's around I just sort of loose focus. I can't think straight. I just can't seem to do anything where he's concerned."
"Don't worry, honey," said Prue, hugging Phoebe. "Piper, Leo, and I will be here to help you. And I'm sure Jack will stay and help all he can."
"No, I won't," said Jack. "We're only crutches reinforcing Phoebes' dependence on Snake. She'll need your moral support but Phoebe has to do this herself. Snake left the first time because Leo was here. But he came back and Leo's presence didn't seem to faze him. He only left when he saw me here.
"He'll be back. And when he returns not even my presence is going to have any affect. As Phoebe said he gets braver after an altercation. He'll come back and it will take a whole lot more than Leo and me to make him go away again. Phoebe has to break the cycle. When he comes back, Phoebe is going to have to stand up to him. No matter how hard it might be. Until you do this is not going to go away."
Phoebe just looked at Jack. She knew he was right. She also knew that she might not be able to do what he was asking. She knew Snake affected her like no one she had ever known. But she had never been able to stand up to him no matter how badly he treated her.
"We're here for you, Phoebe," said Leo. "You won't have to go through this alone. I'll go explain to Piper what's going on. She's at the club right now and it shouldn't take long. We'll help in any way we can."
"He's right," said Prue. "Just remember that whatever happens we won't let Snake hurt you. No matter what it takes."
"You can't use your powers against him," Jack reminded Prue. "I know you're well aware of the restrictions on your magic. Regardless of what else he might be, he's still an innocent."
"I know," said Prue. "We'll find some way to stop him without resorting to magic."
"I hope so," said Jack. "Well, I think I've done everything I can do here. Phoebe, if you need to talk just have Leo come get me. I can be a pretty good listener at times. And I might be able to answer any questions you might have."
"Thanks, Jack," said Phoebe, "but I think I know what I have to do. All I have to do now is find the courage to do it."
"That's not going to be easy," said Jack. "I wish you luck. But I'm still available if you need to talk."
"Thanks again," said Phoebe.
Jack smiled at Phoebe and said goodbye to Prue and Leo. Then he orbed out of the manor. Leo said he was going to speak to Piper and orbed out. Prue and Phoebe sat in the kitchen talking about the events that had transpired.
Cole made his way from the entryway back up to Phoebe's room. The four had been so intent on their conversation that none of them had noticed him listening just outside the kitchen.
What Jack said made sense. While working for the Triad and the Source he had often preyed on the weakness of some women. He also knew that Snake was the type who fed on that weakness. He wasn't about to give it up easily. And the girls wouldn't be allowed to use their powers against him that meant they stood next to no chance of making him go away.
Still, he had promised Phoebe he wouldn't use his powers on the man. As strong as the temptation was to incinerate this slime Cole knew he couldn't do it. His word to Phoebe meant something to him. He'd have to figure out a way to help her and still keep his word. Quietly, Cole shimmered out of Phoebe's bedroom.