'Get out of my way Cole' Phoebe demanded, her voice dangerously low. 'I mean it.'

'Aw come on Phoebe, I thought you'd at least be happy to see me.' Cole protested, standing his ground and refusing to let her pass. As he spoke, the wind whipped around his coat, and the rain, which had been a light drizzle, began in earnest. To Phoebe it seemed as though the darkness surrounding her had suddenly become darker and more oppressive.

She stared at him in disbelief 'Why would I be happy to see you Cole? You just killed those witches and now you've hurt Paige.' Frantically she peered over his shoulder Paige had reformed, and was lying on the grass beside the Green house, unconscious. She had to get there and fast, but first she had to get away from Cole.

'Wait a minute, you think I killed those witches?' Cole asked incredulously. 'How could you think that Phoebe? I'm good now I told you that.'

Phoebe threw up her hands in despair; she didn't have time for this. 'You're not good Cole, you could never be good. You're a demon remember.'

'Half demon' Cole corrected her sourly. 'And technically I'm not even sure if I am actually demon anymore, but obviously that doesn't matter to you.' Hurt, he turned his back on her, striding away from her across the grass.

For some reason that she couldn't quite explain, Phoebe felt compelled to follow him. She took off, hurrying to match his long determined strides. Finally she caught up with him. Tentatively she reached out, touched his shoulder, and forced him to face her. 'Demon, half-demon, whatever you want to call yourself it doesn't matter Cole, it doesn't change who you are.'

'And who am I Phoebe?' he asked desperately, his eyes searching her face for answers.

Phoebe shook her head. 'I don't know anymore Cole' she said sadly. 'That's the problem.' She took a step back, psyching herself up, preparing to levitate over him and make a run for Paige who was now only a few metres away.

Before she could jump, Cole grabbed her by the shoulders, pulled her in close 'Look Phoebe, I didn't hurt those witches, this is nothing to do with me I promise.'

Phoebe sighed heavily, and pushed her rain sodden hair away from her face. 'Then why are you here Cole? It's a hell of a coincidence don't ya think?' Her voice came out shrill, almost hysterical. Anxiously she risked another glance at Paige. She was wasting precious seconds; seconds that Paige couldn't afford to lose.

'I'm here because of you Phoebe' Cole said simply, still holding on to her. 'I came here to protect you. You have to believe me.'

Phoebe pushed him away 'No I don't have to believe you Cole. I don't have to do anything, except get down there and save my sister.'

Cole was fast running out of patience 'Look I can help you' he snapped. 'Just let me help you, and then you'll see that I'm telling the truth.'

'I don't need your help Cole.' Phoebe protested, marching away from him towards Paige, who still hadn't moved.

'Oh yeah' Cole called after her. 'What about Paige? How are you gonna get her back to the Manor?' He looked around mock dramatically 'I don't see a car parked around here anywhere.'

'Dammit.' Phoebe cursed, he was right, Paige had orbed them here, and she sure wasn't in any condition to orb them back. Then she smiled. 'Leo!' she shouted, folding her arms across her chest and giving Cole a smug, self-satisfied smile. The smile didn't last 'God damn it Leo, where are you?' she shouted. 'Leo, come on!' she tried again.

Cole shrugged 'Looks like your whitelighter is temporarily unavailable' he said. 'But I'm still here.'

She closed her eyes in frustration, and then drew in a long deep breath. Releasing it slowly, she turned back to face him. 'Alright you win' she said finally. 'I need you to take us back to the Manor- I just hope the shock doesn't send Piper in to premature labour.'

Cole grinned broadly 'I knew you'd see it my way. You're doing the right thing Phoebe, you'll see.'

'I hope so' Phoebe muttered under her breath.

'Hear these words.

Hear my cries.

Spirit from the other side

Come to me I summon thee

Cross the great divide.'

Piper watched in nervous anticipation as a tiny white orb of light floated in the centre of the attic. It circled the room and then split in to a dozen white spheres that whizzed around her head like a swarm of bees, before coalescing in the centre of the room. Piper held her breath as the light slowly began to take form. She could hardly believe it, any moment now it would happen.

Gradually the blurred form began to take shape. 'Prue' Piper gasped, hardly able to breathe. 'I can't believe you're actually here.'

To be continued ...