CHARMED

"Measuring The Cost"

By J. B. Tilton

Email: K+ (for mild language)

Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.

(Authors note: This story takes place between season 4 episodes "Enter The Demon" and "Size Matters".)

Paige learns a hard lesson about why it's so important to keep the existence of magic from the mortal world.

ONE

Paige entered the manor and looked around. Standing in the entryway she didn't see anyone else. And it was strangely quiet. Each time she had been here before the others had been here. Now, with no one around, the silence was almost deafening. The only thing that could be heard was the ticking of the grandfather clock.

"Hello?" she called out.

She was met with silence. If someone had been in the kitchen they would have probably heard her come in. They would have at least heard her call out. If they were upstairs they might not have heard her, especially if they were in the attic.

"Hello?" she called out again, this time louder.

"Hey there," said Cole, coming out of the upstairs. "I just got here myself. It doesn't appear as if anyone is home right now."

"Hi, Cole," said Paige, a little uneasy.

Cole seemed like a nice enough guy. Nice enough for a half demon. She knew he was Phoebe's boyfriend and apparently the others trusted him. But she was always just a little nervous around him. She wasn't really sure how much he was demon and how much he was human.

"I just stopped by to say hello," she said to Cole. "Is it safe for you to be here? Aren't there bounty hunters or something after you?"

'Yes, there are," said Cole, coming down the stairs. "But I was able to give them the slip. I should be okay for a while. They won't be expecting me to come back here so soon."

"Oh, okay," said Paige. "I guess they're all out right now."

"Looks like it," said Cole. "Leo is probably off on White Lighter business. Piper is probably at the club. I'm not sure what Phoebe is doing. She might be out on an interview or something."

"Probably," said Paige. "So, what's it like to be half demon?"

"It has its advantages," said Cole. "I get to shimmer anywhere I want to go. Plus I have enough power to protect myself against most bounty hunters. Of course, being hunted by the entire underworld isn't much fun."

"I can imagine," said Paige. "Demons come after us because they're evil and we're good. I would imagine you have both sides after you now."

"Well, that should change soon," said Cole. "As soon as word gets around that I've switched sides as it were the good guys may not be so quick to attack."

"Assuming they believe you," said Paige. "Some may not be so quick to accept that you've changed."

"Like you?" Cole questioned.

"I will admit it does kind of make me nervous," said Paige. "Piper, Phoebe, and Leo keep telling me that all demons are our enemies. It's just a little unsettling knowing you're half demon, that's all."

"I appreciate the honesty," said Cole. "Of course, if I had wanted to attack you I've had every opportunity. And I haven't. Maybe that will make it a little easier for you."

"Some," said Paige. "I just don't know why we can't use our magic in public. I mean, so what if the world finds out about us? It's not like this is the sixteen hundreds or anything. They don't burn witches at the stake anymore."

"Actually," said Cole, "a great many places still have those laws on their books. Attitudes may have changed some but in a lot of cases the laws haven't been amended to reflect those changes. There are a lot of outdated laws that are technically still enforceable. They just haven't been enforced for a very long time and I guess most people have forgotten about them."

"That's right, you are a lawyer, aren't you?" Paige asked.

"Yes,' said Cole. "And a very good one at that. But it's important to keep magic protected and not just because of some antiquated laws still on the books. It can cause a lot of problems. Problems you don't want to have to deal with?"

"I don't see how?" said Paige. "I think the mortal world would be glad to know we have our powers and are able to protect them."

"And it would let them know that there are demons out there," said Cole. "A lot of people wouldn't be willing to accept that."

"It just seems like a lot of hogwash to me," said Paige.

"Trust me, it's not," said Cole.

"Well, guess I'll come back later," said Paige. "I need to get back to work anyway. I'll see you later."

"Sure," said Cole.

As Paige left the manor Cole thought about his conversation with Paige. She was new to the Craft. And with her newfound powers it was easy to see how she would believe what she was thinking. A lot of new witches and demons alike felt the same way. They have all this power, what's the sense in keeping it quiet? No one else keeps quiet about their abilities.

And that was a very dangerous way to think. Until Paige was convinced that protecting magic was the only way there was always a chance she might get careless. If she used her magic in public, that could expose them all. Cole decided the others would need to talk to her. To convince her just how important it was. He looked around and shimmered out of the manor just in case the bounty hunters were still on her trail.