"You were the Dark Lighter Cole hired to help him during his initiation into the Brotherhood," said Peter as he and Angelique sat drinking coffee.
"Yes. But we knew each other long before that. We had worked together years before and had gotten close. We've been close ever since."
"But he never married you?"
"Neither of us wanted that. We both had our occupations. We didn't want to get bogged down in marriage and family stuff and things like that."
"Just friends then."
"Well, more than friends," said Angelique, smiling coyly. "Much more. But the arrangement worked out quite nicely for both of us."
"How did you know I was looking for him?"
"Teltrick told me. He said you were looking for Cole and while it appears that he is all but invincible they wanted to make sure you weren't planning to try anything stupid."
"I'm just looking to talk with him. I told Teltrick that. To find out why he did what he did to my mother. And why would the Brotherhood send you to check up on me?"
"They were all away on assignment and Teltrick knew that with my history with your father… Well, let's just say they knew I would look out for Cole and for you as well. If the need arose."
As for your mother," Angelique shrugged delicately, "she was an means to an end. Nothing more."
"I'm really getting tired of hearing that," Peter grumbled.
"I know you don't look on mortals the way full demons do. Not even the way I do. But in those days Cole was trying very hard to prove he was as good as any demon. It was his life. Even though he had been accepted when he joined the Brotherhood there were still demons that looked at him as less than acceptable."
"I understand that. Baldasor told me that much. And to be honest when Cole tried to explain it to me I wouldn't listen to him. I didn't care what he had to say."
"And now you do?"
"Yes. There are questions I have that only he can answer. I need to find him to ask those questions. That's why I was at his office. But he hasn't been there in days. And his secretary didn't seem to know where he was."
Angelique suddenly became very quiet. It appeared to Peter that she was thinking something over. Finally she looked up at him.
"He spends most of his time in the penthouse where he lives," she said. "Since his breakup with his witch he's been different. I tried to talk to him but he wouldn't listen to me. I've never seen him like this. Even with all of our history he wasn't interested in talking with me."
"Maybe he'll talk to me. I am his son."
"Peter, he's not the same as he was. The Halliwell witch has affected him deeply. Deeper than I've ever seen anyone affect him. You may not like what you find."
"We can't choose our family," said Peter. "Despite what he's like now it doesn't change what happened fifty years ago. I've always seen him as some amoral demon without a conscience. Someone who cared only for accomplishing his missions. I've recently learned that perspective might be more than a little myopic. Maybe if I can talk to him we can help each other."
"I suppose it can't hurt to try. As you said, you are his son. And the one thing that Cole has always understood is blood."
"Baldasor said the same thing. It's hard for me to believe that any demon would understand something like that."
"He's only half demon. Or he was. He's also half human. I think it's that human half that's causing him his pain now. A full demon wouldn't regret things from their past. It's not part of their nature. But Cole is different. His human half has a very strong affect on him. Until recently not even I realized just how much of an affect that was."
"I'm beginning to realize that," said Peter. "I'm beginning to realize quite a number of things about him I never knew."
"All I'm saying is don't be too surprised at what you find when you go see him. I don't know what to do for him. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did. As you said, you're his son."
"Thanks, Angelique. I've only known a couple of Dark Lighters. They certainly weren't anything like you. They only seemed to be concerned with business. I doubt they would have even taken the time to talk with me."
"Cole is my friend. I hate how he is now. If there's anything I can do to help him I don't have a choice. I have to try. I wish you luck."
"Thanks. I think I'm going to need it."
Angelique and Peter left the coffee shop. Peter headed for an alley where he could shimmer without being seen.