SIX

"Piper, will you quit freezing me?" Cole pled almost petulantly standing over her as she sat at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee. "That's the third time you've done it. I'm not doing anything, just waiting for Phoebe to come back downstairs."

"You're acting like a supercharged teenager," Piper said with irritation, glancing up at him. She noticed him leaning over staring intently downward. "Are you trying to look down my blouse, you pervert?" she questioned indignantly as she stood up.

"W-What? No, no, not at all. How could you even think that?" Cole stepped back quickly and tried for an expression of innocence. "Where is Phoebe, anyway? You said she'd be back down in a few minutes."

"She's preparing a little surprise for you. Just take it easy."

Piper sighed, she was beginning to have her fill of Cole. Obviously something was wrong with him but that didn't make the situation any easier. He seemed to be getting worse by the minute and the temptation to blow him up; or at least a part of him; was becoming very attractive to her.

"Cole," Phoebe called from the upstairs. "Why don't you come up to the attic, sweetie? I have a surprise for you."

"Oh, goodie goodie," said Cole, nearly giddy. "Catch you later, sis."

"Doubtful, at least not if I can help it," Piper mumbled as Cole nearly ran to the stairs.

As he entered the attic he saw Phoebe standing in the middle of the room wearing the slinky red dress he loved so much. Hurriedly he began to peel off the Santa suit he was wearing, the jacket flying in one direction and belly padding in the other. With only the red pants remaining he moved toward her with a leer.

"Whoa there big guy, hold on," Phoebe said sweetly. "This is a special surprise. Now, I want you to stand right here. Close your eyes and I guarantee you something very special."

Cole moved to the spot she had indicated and closed his eyes. He was nearly shaking from anticipation.

"Okay, sweetie, whatever you say. I just know this is going to be great. Whenever you're ready, my little love button."

"Crystal."

The sound of Paige's voice startled Cole and he opened his eyes. Standing in the doorway to the attic next to Phoebe was Paige.

"Oh, company. This should be really interesting."

Cole started to move toward the two and an invisible shield sprang up and barred his way. That's when he noticed the crystals spread around him. The same crystals the girls had used on occasion to create the magical cage to hold some of the demons they faced.

"Hey, baby, if you were interested in some B&D all you had to do was say so. Kinky. Me likes."

"Oh, God," Paige breathed. "Well at least he's contained. And up here we won't have to put up with his constant advances."

"Sweetie, I'm sorry about this," Phoebe said to Cole. "But you're just not yourself. When Leo gets back we'll figure out what's wrong with you and make you all better. I promise."

"Hey, what gives? Come on, Phoebe," Cole wheedled. "You know I would never hurt you. Let me out of this cage and we can go to our room and I'll show you just how much I love you. And if Paige wants to join, so much the better. You think Piper and Leo might be interested?"

"He's definitely getting worse, that's for sure," said Grams materializing next to Phoebe.

"You think he's under some kind of spell?" Phoebe asked.

"I don't know," said Grams. "I suppose it could be some kind of love spell. But the questions are who put it on him and why?"

"Come on," said Paige. "Lets go back downstairs. Leo should be back soon and hopefully this will be all over soon."

"Phoebe, please," Cole called out as the three left the attic. "Honey? Sweetheart? We don't need Leo and Piper. Paige will do fine. Come on, baby. Don't leave me here like this."

"Thank God he's contained," said Piper when the others had entered the kitchen. "I came this close to blowing him up."

"It's not his fault," said Phoebe. "He must be under some kind of spell."

"Yeah, a horny spell," said Paige sarcastically.

"Paige dear, please," said Grams. "What's taking Leo so long? He should have been back by now."

"I'm sure he'll be back as soon as he can," Phoebe winced at what sounded like a small explosion. "In the mean time we'll just have to make sure Cole doesn't hurt himself. I can't for the life of me understand what's going on."

"Well, maybe I have someone who can help," said Leo, coming into the kitchen. A striking young woman who appeared to be about thirty with long flowing red hair and even longer legs trailed him. She was carrying a small bag with her.

"This is Katrina," said Leo. "If anyone can figure out what's wrong with Cole, she can."

"Are you a White Lighter?" Paige asked.

"Hardly," the woman laughed. "I'm a physician of sorts. Demons don't fall ill to the normal human diseases, but they do have their own maladies to contend with. And being half-human, Belthazor may suffer from some form of modified ailment. Don't worry girls. I'm sure I can find out what's wrong with him and fix it, whatever it is."

"Belthazor?" questioned Piper. "You called him Belthazor, not Cole."

"Yes," said Katrina. "Since my practice is geared more to the demonic masses I usually refer to my patients by their demonic names."

"You brought a demon into the manor?" Piper nearly shrieked at Leo.

"Hang on a second. You said you didn't care what I did as long as I did something. The Elders aren't exactly well versed in treating demonic ailments. And since, as far as I know, Cole has never suffered from any human ailments, the most logical choice is a demonic healer. And she's one of the best."

"Don't worry, honey. Even demonic healers have their oaths; I'm not a threat to the Charmed Ones. My only interest is finding out what's wrong with Belthazor and curing him. Now, where is my patient?"

"He's in the attic," said Phoebe. "We have him confined in the crystal cage. He was really getting on our nerves."

"Great," said Katrina. "Now, if you'll just show me to him, I'm sure we can get this all sorted out rather quickly."

"Just great," fumed Piper as Phoebe led Katrina upstairs. "Cole goes into hormonal overdrive and Leo brings a demon into the manor deliberately. Can this day get any better?"

"Relax," said Grams. "What Leo says make sense. And if we want to find out what's wrong with Cole it just stands to reason that a demonic healer would be able to do that."

"Thanks, Penny," said Leo. "I'm glad someone understands."

"I just hope this Katrina can do something for Cole," said Paige. "I've had my fair share of advances before but having them come from Cole is too weird, way worse than anything I've ever experienced. Even from construction workers."

"She'd better do something," said Piper. "If I catch him trying to look down my blouse one more time I'm going to start blowing off body parts. And I won't be starting with his hands."

Leo just glanced at the ceiling hoping that Katrina could find out what was wrong with Cole and fix it.