'It's no good I can't sense her.' Leo admitted sadly, opening his eyes and taking in the anxious faces of Phoebe and Paige. He was finding it impossible to remain calm despite all of his training. He guessed this was one of the reasons the Elders forbade relationships between whitelighters and their charges, no amount of training could prepare him for this.

'If you can't sense her then that means that she must be in the Under World' Phoebe suggested.

'Either that or on a different dimensional plane, or…' Leo found that he couldn't finish the sentence.

'No' Phoebe said firmly, taking hold of his hand and giving it a comforting squeeze. 'I don't believe that, she's not dead, I'd know it if she was, I'd feel it. Piper's indestructible remember. She'll be okay, she has to be okay.'

'Then it's the Under World, or another dimensional plane' Paige surmised. 'Oh God I hope it's not a dimensional thing, those never turn out well for me.'

'It's more likely to be the Under World' Cole interrupted. 'Taric doesn't have the power to open dimensional portals, and he wouldn't want to bring in another demon with that kind of power, not when he aims to become the new source, it's too risky.'

'I just don't get it, why kidnap Piper? I mean if he wants to bring down the Charmed Ones why not take one of us?' Paige asked frowning in concentration. 'I mean it doesn't make any sense, she's indestructible, we're not. It's not like they can hurt her, and they can't hurt the baby whilst she's still inside... Oh' she said soberly. 'They're after the baby and they plan to keep Piper there until the baby's born, or induce labour, or perform some kind of demonic caesarean or …'

'Paige' Phoebe said forcefully, interrupting Paige's babbling. 'You have to focus. Piper's in trouble, and we have to come up with a plan, fast.'

'I have a plan' Cole said confidently, surprising everyone. 'We go down to the Under World, rescue Piper and vanquish Taric and his buddies.'

'Sounds like a plan to me.' Phoebe agreed, eager to be on the move, to actually be doing something. 'Lets bottle up the vanquishing potion, we'll have to get a slice of Taric's flesh while we're down there.' She headed towards the kitchen, with Cole right behind her.

'Hold it.' Paige commanded causing Phoebe to stop so suddenly that Cole crashed in to her. They both turned and looked at Paige inquiringly.

'You're just gonna go charging off to the Under World just like that without even stopping to think this through?' Paige asked incredulously. 'Before you weren't even sure if you trusted Cole, now you're willing to follow him to the Underworld?'

Phoebe opened her mouth to protest, but Paige cut her off 'I know, I know I'm usually the one jumping right in, you don't have to remind me. It's just this time it doesn't feel right, this is too important.'

Both Phoebe and Cole stared at her expectantly and even Leo remained silent, all three wondering where she was going with this.

It was Johnny who finally broke the silence 'so what do you think we should do Paige?'

'I don't know' Paige admitted reluctantly ' but don't you think we need a little more in the way of a plan, like I don't know say, a plan?'

Cole shrugged nonchalantly 'I told you I've got this under control.' When Paige frowned, he sighed heavily. 'It's simple. I go in first guns blazing and take out the demons, Leo orbs Piper out of there, and you three get the demon flesh and vanquish Taric, you don't need Piper for that you just need the potion.'

Paige opened her mouth to argue, but before she could, Phoebe moved over and took Paige's hand 'look Paige I really need you on board with this okay. Piper's in trouble and I can't let her down. Cole's plan makes sense to me, and it's the best chance we've got.' Her voice broke with emotion 'Please Paige, I can't do this without you.'

Paige sighed heavily. There it was again that doe-eyed pleading expression, playing the distressed sister card, guilt tripping her in to going along with a plan that she didn't agree with. She wanted to say no, but Phoebe's heart felt plea had struck a cord. She knew how vulnerable her sisters felt since losing Prue, and Phoebe was right, indestructible or not Piper was in real danger. She didn't agree with the plan, but she didn't want anything to happen to Piper and the baby, and the longer they stood here arguing, the more likely that was.

Finally she relented 'okay you win' she said grudgingly, 'we go with Cole's plan, but I don't have to like it.'

'Oh thank you Paige, you won't regret it.' Phoebe's intense relief was evident. She enveloped Paige in a hug, and then she and Cole headed towards the kitchen to bottle up the vanquishing potion. Johnny looked questioningly at Paige, and she nodded indicating that he should follow them. Reluctantly Paige headed towards the kitchen too, but before she could get very far Leo took hold of her arm and pulled her back. She looked at him in surprise 'What's wrong?'

Leo glanced nervously towards the kitchen and when he spoke he was so quiet that Paige had to strain to hear him. 'It's Cole, I don't think we can trust him.'

Paige's eyes widened in surprise 'why whatcha find out?' She hissed.