Disclaimer: Don't recognize it it's mine.

Summary: see chapter #1

Author's notes:

1."' Dialogue, '' thoughts

2. C.O.S.: Change Of Scenery

3. Italics email

4. Thanks for being patient guys.

Chapter 10: Lessons Learned- Alternate Universe:

Magic was about balance: Good vs. Evil, angel vs. devil, Charmed ones vs. demons. The Charmed ones, were the ones chosen to fight the battle against the unseen forces in the universe, the good to the evil, the angels against the devils, whose purpose was to protect the innocents of this world. These two things Cole knew, and took to be certainties in his life, whatever role he played. Cole also knew that evil would win in a universe without them, it would run unchallenged- it had run unchallenged. It would happen no longer thanks to the promise he made to Phoebe and Piper, to reunite the Power of Three. He just had to find Paige first.

C.O.S.: Placement Agency

Paige Matthews was restless. She had quit her job as a social worker to look after her sick mother, and now her mother had died; she didn't know what to do with the rest of her life. Initially, she thought the placement agency was a good idea- she could try out a bunch of different fields, before finally deciding what she wanted to do as a career, but she was getting tired of the go-nowhere placements. She wanted to find her true calling, but nothing had seemed right.

Today it was yet another go nowhere position: a receptionist at a legal firm: Wyatt-Turner. She said it aloud a few times- it sounded stuffy to her ears, but from what she could learn of the firm, it was run by two youngish men, so that could excuse the name's rather stuffy sound. She strolled through the lobby whistling a tune, with a sudden feeling that maybe her luck was about to change. She continued whistling quietly to herself and entered a waiting area, decorated with a forest green, and plush grey seating. She was seated, and gazed out the window at the amazing view. A man with sandy hair, and kind eyes entered the area:

"Paige Matthews?" He addressed, questioningly.

"Yeah, that would be me." She confirmed.

"Leo Wyatt. I'll show you around, and then you can get to work. Your assignment here is only for… Leo glanced down at the top page of her employment file before continuing: a week."

"Yes, that's what I've been told." Paige replied. Leo began giving her the guided tour, a semi-circular shaped desk in the front area facing the glass doors, took her down the hall and showed her where his and Cole's offices were, and the conference room. They returned to the front desk and Leo left her to get settled with a reassuring smile, and went down the hall to his office.

A half hour later Paige glances up after finishing up the message she was writing and was greeted with a cool look from his blue eyes.

"May I help you?" She asked adopting a formal tone.

"Yeah. Do you have any messages for me?" He asked.

"Excuse me?" She said, a little puzzled.

"Oh, I thought Leo had already told you. My name is Cole Turner." Cole put his hand out for a handshake, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Paige Matthews." She put her hand in his. Cole regarded her intensely for a moment. Paige shrugged uncomfortably wondering if there was any reason for this intense scrutiny. She took her hand away, and swallowed:

"No I don't have any messages for you."

"I'll be in my office doing some case research, so just feel free to put any calls right through okay."

"Put any calls right through. Got it." Paige replied. He continued on into his office. The days passed comfortably for Paige; she would start work around 8, Leo would already be there working. Cole would come in around 10 or so, ask for any messages then go onto his office.

What was uncomfortable to Paige was the intense way in which Cole regarded her. She would feel his eyes on her as if boring a hole right through, and glance at him, then look away, other times it was merely the hairs on the back of her neck that stood up. The question of why was always on the tip of her tongue, but she was never alone with him long enough to ask it.

Finally on her last day at the firm Cole called her back to his office. He stood there half leaning against his desk regarding her in the same intense way that he usually did.

"Is there something you needed?" She asked.

"Are you doing anything after work?" Cole asked.

"No, I'm not. Why?" She answered.

"I want to take you out, and talk about your future with this firm. You seem to pretty good at this, and I'd like to keep you on. Gradually I'd like to expand your role as well to include doing case research." He proposed. Paige thoughtfully bit her lip.

"This sounds interesting actually. Okay, take me to dinner then?" She suggested.

"Okay, I'll see you later." Cole smiled at her, and she left. Cole sat back down at his desk and leaned back in his chair savoring the moment. His plan was to first get to know Paige, and earn her trust.

C.O.S.: Local Pub.

Cole and Paige were seated in a comfortable booth in the back. Paige opened her menu, and began studying it. Cole stole a glance at her then back at his own menu.

"Why do you do that?" Paige asked without even looking up.

"Do what?" Cole returned

"Look at me like that- so intensely, you've done it since we met on my first day." Paige replied.

"You remind me of someone I knew once..." Cole kept his answer vague. Paige looked at him suspiciously, and raised an eyebrow:

"That's something men say to their mistresses, not their employees."

"I am a happily-married man. Cole indicated the hammered gold band on his ring finger with a smile. He sat back, and noticeably relaxed.

"I think it's time we talked about my proposal. Would you consider staying at the firm?" He asked.

"I've thought about what you said this afternoon, and I admit I am interested. So, I want to take you up on the offer." Cole smirked:

"Excellent. Now enough about business, I want to hear something about you." Cole turned his gaze back on Paige.

"There's nothing to tell really. I graduated with a diploma in social work, and then I had to move back in with my mom to take care of her. She died about three months ago. Since then, I've not really been sure what I wanted to do with my life, so I signed up with a placement agency. And the rest as they say is history." They were quiet, and each took a sip of their drink. Paige glanced at his wedding ring:

"What about you? You're obviously married. Any children?"

"Two, a boy and a girl. Named Amelia and Alexander." Cole answered, idly playing with hammered gold on his hand.

"What about the lawyer bit?" Paige asked. Cole was silent as he considered what to tell her. He truthfully did not remember going to law school, and all he knew was what he was told- that he had met Arianna in high school and they married after college. He allowed an amused look to briefly appear as he considered the irony of what he was, a demon and a lawyer.

"It was in the family, my grandfather had a firm of his own, and it skipped a generation as my father wasn't interested so I was expected to go into law." He finally answered.

"Ah." Paige replied. They finished the evening in companionable silence, and left the restaurant. Cole looked at his watch:

"Want a ride home?"

"No, it's okay Mr. Turner. I'll just grab a cab." Paige answered.

"Alright then, I'll see you tomorrow. And Paige: call me Cole."

"Alright."

Cole walked to his car and drove off, leaving Paige alone. For her part, Paige decided to walk, and clear her head. It was extremely flattering to her, to have this obviously handsome, and powerful man taking an interest in her.

She smiled as she thought of him, he seemed so easy, so charming, one of those too good to be true guys. Paige thanked her lucky stars he was her boss, and made up her mind to do her best at this job, make it last.

C.O.S: Wyatt-Turner offices a few weeks later

Paige hummed softly to herself as she did the filing for the day. She grew more comfortable in the office by the day, and loved the extra work with Cole too. She glanced briefly up at the sound of footsteps in the hallway, and then turned back to what she was doing. She was disturbed again by the sound of the person clearing their throat.

"Welcome to Wyatt-Turner, how can I help you today?" Paige responded. Paige looked into Phoebe's eyes, noting their dullness, and allowed her gaze to take in the rest of her appearance, jeans that were frayed at the cuffs, and a shirt that was patched at the shoulders.

"I'm here to see Cole." She responded, her voice tired to match the appearance.

"Make yourself comfortable, and I'll tell him you here." Paige told her. Phoebe walked over and sat down on a chair. She shivered slightly, as she waited. Paige made the necessary motions to notify Cole then went back to work. A few moments later she glanced at Phoebe, and noticed that she was staring at her, and her hands were beginning to shake.

"Are you okay?" Paige asked.

"I'm fine. Just a little cold, that's all." Phoebe replied, attempting to smile. She rose as she noticed Cole walking towards the reception area.

"Great you're here. Ready for our meeting?" He greeted her. Phoebe smiled as she followed him down to his office. They busied themselves settling into their chairs. Once they were settled they were silent, Phoebe staring out the window. Finally Cole snapped his fingers to get her attention.

"She's special isn't she?" Phoebe asked.

Cole was truly puzzled:

"Who?"

"The receptionist. Just an aura I get around her, and powerful visions. She's had some pain recently hasn't she?" Phoebe asked. Cole was silent as he considered how to proceed. He finally decided that for once in his very long life he'd better go with the truth:

"Her name is Paige Matthews, and she's your sister."

TBC:

What will Piper's reaction will be?

How will Paige feel when she finds out that she is a Charmed One?

Give me a review, to find out the answers to these questions and more…

-A.B.