FIVE

"So you think you can help this Stephen move on?" Leo asked after Phoebe had explained what had happened to her at the mausoleum.

"It should be easy enough," said Phoebe. "All I have to do is make it possible for Stephen and Marie to communicate. Then they can make up and Stephen should be able to move on to his final reward."

"How do you plan to do that?" Paige asked.

"Easy. I'm going to cast a spell so that Marie can see and talk to Stephen."

"That's not a good idea," said Leo. "You know you have to protect magic. If you reveal who you are to an innocent you could be putting them at risk."

"They're both innocents," protested Phoebe. "We're supposed to help the innocent. Do you have a better idea."

"Phoebe is right," said Piper. "It should be easy enough for her to cast a spell without Marie finding out what's going on. All she has to do is get them together. She doesn't have to tell Marie what's going on."

"That's what I figure," said Phoebe. "Stephen is a ghost…."

"Spirit," Cole corrected.

"Spirit. It can't hurt if he knows about us. I'll just tell him about the spell and he can go to Marie and they can make their peace. The he can move on."

"Well, I guess that won't hurt," said Leo. "As long as you don't let Marie learn who you really are."

"She won't even see me," said Phoebe. "Once I cast the spell he can go to Marie."

"How will you know if the spell works?" Paige asked. "If what Cole says about spirits is true Stephen may move on as soon as he makes his peace with Marie."

"I can help with that," said Cole. "If Phoebe's spell allows me to see Stephen too I can watch them make peace. Then we can know it worked."

"You'd do that?" Phoebe asked.

"Sure," said Cole. "I don't have powers any longer but this is something I can do."

"Fine," said Piper. "Why don't you two go take care of this spirit while I get dinner started."

"Come on, Cole," said Phoebe. "I need to write a spell."

"A witch. Well I figured there was something special about you. That would certainly explain it," Stephen said in the mausoleum after Phoebe had explained what they had in mind. "No one else can see or hear me. I've been trying for three years to find some way to communicate with Marie. She blames herself for my death. I need to let her know it wasn't her fault."

"We can do that," said Phoebe. "Once I cast this spell she'll be able to see you and communicate with you. Then you two can settle things."

"I don't know how to thank you," said Stephen. "I thought I would never get the chance to finally put things to rest."

"No thanks necessary," said Phoebe. "It's what I do. Help the innocent."

"Thank you anyway," said Stephen. "You don't know how much this means to me."

"I have some idea," said Phoebe, glancing at Cole. "I don't know how long the spell will last so it would probably be a good idea to go see her as soon as I cast it."

"I plan to," said Stephen. "And again, thank you."

"Restless spirit, waiting still, speak heart and mind to the mortals you will."

Stephen glowed slightly for a moment. Then the glow subsided.

"Hello," said Cole, looking at Stephen. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"You're not a witch," said Stephen.

"No," said Cole glancing at Phoebe. "As Phoebe explained I'm a friend."

"Now," said Phoebe, "all you have to do is go to Marie. You should be able to talk with her."

"Thank you," said Stephen. "She lives on Oregon Avenue. I should be able to get there easily."

"That's not too far from here," said Cole. "It shouldn't take me long to get there."

"You're not going?" Stephen asked Phoebe.

"No," said Phoebe. "I have something I need to take care of. Cole will be able to let me know if everything works out okay."

"Bless you, Phoebe Halliwell," said Stephen. "May you continue to help innocents for many years to come."

Without another word Stephen simply faded from sight.