A:N: Thischapter is longer than my others, mostly because I didn't know how to bring it to a successful close. I'd like to thank some people for what they've said.

Gilluin: You comments touch me dearly, and thank you for the wonderful support. You inspire me to keep writing :)

ethereal-girl: Yeah, mortality and Cole just don't seem to mix... you never know, it may not be the end of the road for him yet ;-)

Everyone else, thank you so much. Now, on with the chapter.

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Chapter X - Deception

A stunned silence spread over the kitchen like smoke over a cauldron. The first to notice Phoebe had been Cole, who was leaning in the corner of two counters. He had stopped mid sentence, leaving Piper and Paige to look up from their position bent over the cauldron. Now, all eyes were on Phoebe, and Cole's mouth was dropped a few centimetres.

She sauntered up to them with her hands in her pockets and a smile on her face.

"Hey guys," she said sweetly, grinning. She peered over to the cauldron. "I'm guessing that's not house cooking. Who we killing this time?"

Piper and Paige exchanged a look said they were thinking the same thing: 'What the hell is going on?'

"Phoebe...?" Cole said cautiously, standing up from the counter.

"Yeah?"

"Are you... okay...?"

Phoebe frowned, and looked at each of them. She laughed inwardly. Idiots – they had no idea.

"Yeah... Why, shouldn't I be?" She asked, adding a somewhat confused tone to her voice.

"Considering the last time we saw you, you were evil, no," Piper said sharply, her brows furrowing over her eyes.

Phoebe shook her head and giggled.

"Evil? What are you guys talking about?"

Cole stepped around the counter and over to her. Phoebe backed up slightly.

"Not too close," she warned, though still cheerily. "I'm not sure what I think of you yet."

He sighed.

"Phoebe, you shimmered out of my arms. You begged me for help. You were completely submerged in evil. Are you seriously telling me you don't remember anything?"

Phoebe's tone became serious, and a worried look extended across her face.

"Seriously. I just woke up from a nap."

"Like hell," Piper snapped, walking beside Cole. There was something definitely fishy going on. Whatever was in their house certainly looked, walked and talked like Phoebe - but something was amiss.

"Easy," Paige calmed, putting a hand out to her sister. But she herself was dubious. People, especially witches, did not simply turn evil and not remember it.

And idea struck Phoebe like lightning, and she had to stop herself from grinning.

"Look," she said, her voice mingled with innocence and worry. Her eyes passed over each of the people as she spoke. "The book will prove I'm not evil. Honestly."

"Yeah, well, it's not the best way to tell right now," Piper said bitterly, beginning to tidy away the mess in the kitchen. Cole arched an eyebrow, and Phoebe looked quizzically around.

"Why not?"

"Because," Piper sighed, leaning over the sink. "It doesn't seem to recognise any of us at the moment. Paige and I can't touch it."

"Or me," Cole piped up.

Piper shot him a 'you couldn't touch it in the first place' look, and he shrugged.

Excellent, Phoebe thought to herself, trying to conceal her amusement. If the book is evil too, I'll have no problem using it in the Underworld. But, nonetheless, she gasped - though she was wrong to think that she was the only one to pick up on her mocking tone.

"Are you serious? Why can't we touch it?"

"Trying to figure that out now, actually," Paige offered, glancing over towards the patio where it had been. Phoebe followed her gaze, and could see that the Book had crashed through the window. She grinned.

"Excellent," she giggled out loud.

Cole couldn't take it. She was definitely not herself. He had been watching her for the past two years, in love with her for even longer, and he was pretty good at noticing her little quirks. And there was something definitely wrong. He coughed slightly, stepped forward, and took her forearm.

"Hey!" Phoebe snapped and wrenched her arm out of his grip. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Confirming my suspicions," he said darkly, eying her over. "Piper, Paige, get to the Book."

"But we can't - " Piper began.

"Now!" Cole shouted, not taking his eyes off of Phoebe. But it was too late. She smirked, and was faster than any of them. Getting a hold of her new powers, she disappeared out of the kitchen just as Piper and Paige rushed into the patio. The three of them appeared at the broken window just in time to see Phoebe shimmer up to the Book. She bent down and casually picked it up. It made no reaction to her touch as it had with the others.

"No!" Cole cried, and instinctively held out his hand to summon an energy ball. He could have kicked himself when he remembered that he had no powers anymore.

"Book of Shadows!" Paige shouted, holding her hands out. But Phoebe looked at her malevolently, her thin, cruel mouth spreading into a grin. Her peaceful green eyes flashed black.

"Mine now," she said coolly, and the Book didn't move.

"Piper, freeze her!" Paige yelled desperately. But as Piper brought her hands up in a frantic attempt to keep the Book from evil, Phoebe winked, and then dissolved out of view like ripples in water. And, as quickly as she had been there, she was gone.

Cole punched the wall in frustration, and then wished he hadn't. His hand began to throb painfully, and he retracted it. Damn this mortality - it would be the death of him.

"Aw, crap," Paige swore pathetically. "Now what?"

Piper, in a rage deeper and darker than blood, wheeled around and marched off to the kitchen.

"Now, we finish this damn potion!" she yelled, beginning to throw ingredients angrily into the saucepan once again. How could she have been so stupid? She knew that something wasn't right - Phoebe had been far too chipper. And to find out that it was all a ploy to get the Book... Piper knew that her sister was truly evil when she chose power over family. Paige and Cole joined her simultaneously.

"I'm not sure if simply 'finding' her will help anymore," Cole sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "You saw her. She'd do anything for power, now. Her main objective is to probably turn you guys evil, and then take over the Underworld."

"She doesn't have the power to do that, does she?" Paige queried, turning to look at Cole. He shook his head, not being able to give a definite answer.

"Possibly. It's difficult to tell. But she has the Book now, and there's no telling what she can do."

A clatter from the counter alerted both of them out of their conversation. Piper was stood, her head bent down and her arms stretched down on the surface. She was shaking and her head was bowed so they couldn't see her face.

"Stop it," she said bitterly, her voice cracking. Paige looked at Cole worriedly. She didn't have to ask what to stop, as Piper answered for her. "Stop talking about Phoebe as if she's just another demon, damn it. She's under a spell, and we can fix it. I just need to finish this potion, and to do that, I need quiet."

Her voice was venomous and hushed, and she was quite clearly finding it very difficult to cope. Paige edged over to her side, and put a comforting hand on her back. She rested her chin on her shoulder, but Piper didn't look up. If she kept her gaze fixed firmly on the kitchen floor, then she wouldn't have to watch anything else happen to her sisters. She wouldn't have to admit to losing another sister, and she wouldn't have to admit to being a failure. Life would continue around her as normal, and everything would be all right.

"Honey, to save Phoebe, we're going to need a lot more than a detection potion," Paige cooed softly. She could feel Piper shake beneath her touch.

"It's a start," Piper said bitterly. "And I don't see anyone else coming up with any better ideas."

Cole refrained from correcting that it was his idea to begin with. Though, he had to admit, the potion he thought up whilst he was trapped in the void was seemingly useless now. It wasn't enough just to find Phoebe. They had to, somehow, bring her back to Good. It was going to be tricky. The last time she had been evil, she had been under the influence of her unborn child. He felt a pang of guilt as he remembered that it was his child, his evil, his nature, that had thrown her into evil. He doubted very much if she was under any influence now - which meant that somewhere along the line, she must have chosen to be evil. Which just made no sense.

"It just doesn't make sense," Piper whined, straightening up, as if she could read Cole's thoughts. Her eyes were red and her mascara had smudged. Cole couldn't help feeling sorry for her, though he tried very hard not to think about it. Two broken hearts would not help anyone. But, gradually, an idea dawned on him.

"There's a missing link somewhere," he said thoughtfully. Paige looked at him, whilst Piper continued at the saucepan.

"Well...?"

Her voice was blunt and cold, but she wanted to hear his idea nonetheless. Cole paced as he walked, as if his idea was somehow connected with movement.

"Well, don't you think it's a little too much of a coincidence that just as I show up, Phoebe turns evil? I mean, for one thing, the fact that I was even moved from the cosmic void shows a big change in something magical. I doubt very much if one of the Elders would take me out of there for no reason, and - "

"What did you say?" Piper interrupted, suddenly looking up from the steaming pot. Cole walked towards her slowly, and Paige crossed her arms. It sounded like a load of shots in the dark to her. Though, to be fair, they didn't have much else.

"That it's too much of a coincidence?" Cole answered, his thick brows wrinkling together in a frown. Piper shook her head.

"No, not that. About the Elders."

"Well, I just assumed that the guy was an Elder," Cole shrugged. "I mean, who else would have the power to bring me back to life, essentially?"

"Not many..." Piper said wistfully. "But you're right. Now you mention, it does seem a little... odd..."

Cole then had to admit something which he really did not want to admit.

"Then maybe - on some level - my return really did make Phoebe evil. Maybe something happened, and seeing me again just threw her over the edge..."

"No," Paige finished for him. Both Cole and Piper looked at her in surprise. "It wasn't you, Cole. I think, if anything, your arrival probably helped her."

"That doesn't make sense," he said gruffly. Paige shrugged.

"Maybe, maybe not. But don't blame yourself. Right now, there's only one person who can give us answers."

Piper caught her eye, and instantly knew what she meant. Cole looked between them, confused.

"Why do I have the feeling we're about to break some terrible, unwritten rule...?" he asked casually, frowning. Piper smiled.

"Oh, come on now Cole. We've learned to trust you. Can't you trust us?"

Her tone was coated in overwhelming sweetness, and she was smiling knowingly to Paige. The two of them began walking off towards the stairs up to the attic. Cole followed like a lost puppy.

"What's going on?" he called after them. There was no answer, and he tilted his head, trying to think of what they meant. He shook his head. I'll never understand sisters, he thought. He followed them up to the attic a few minutes later, where Piper was scribbling something on a piece of paper and Paige was leaning over her shoulder, offering advice.

"No, Piper, that would be better there," she said, pointing to the paper.

"Paige, I know what I'm doing."

"No, but, see? It rhymes better that way..."

They both looked up as they heard the heavy step of Cole's boots on the floor. He stood in the frame and crossed his arms. The sisters exchanged the same cheeky look, and Cole began to feel a familiar feeling of dread rising in his stomach.

"What?" he questioned as Piper rose from the seat and started towards him. He looked frantically from one sister to the other, and frowned with worry. "What?"

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Cole stood with his arms folded and a bored look upon his face. Five candles were places around him at the points of a pentagram, and Paige and Piper stood at the now empty podium. It was beginning to grow dark outside, not helped by the menacing rain clouds. Paige and Piper were bickering, as usual. Though, Cole mused, it was definitely better than having a poor, defeated Piper as he had seen in the kitchen. He wasn't even sure what he was supposed to be doing. All he knew was what the sisters had told him.

"Can we get this over with?" he sighed irritably, rolling his eyes. Sisters. Can't live with them - can't kill them.

"Oh hush up," Piper snapped, then returned to her conversation with Paige. "Are you sure this is going to work? I don't really want to end up with another pile of ash on the floor."

"Hey!" Cole protested. The sisters ignored him.

"It should," Paige replied, taking a moment or two to think about it. "It isn't a power of three spell - obviously - but it should get us up There long enough to drag Leo back down."

"And why do I have to go up there, again?" Cole asked, for what must have been at least the twelfth time.

"Because," Piper snapped by way of answer. Paige rolled her eyes.

"We've told you, Cole. You're non-magical now."

Yeah, no need to rub it in, he thought bitterly.

"And...?" He questioned, sighing.

"And the Elders won't be able to just 'send us back down' if we bring you with us. They'll realise that this isn't just a usual call, and that we need Leo right now."

"I don't know what the hell they're playing at," Piper said, flapping her arms to her side in frustration. "Taking away my husband like this, just when we need him the most."

"I still don't understand - "

"Just stand there while we read, okay?" Piper interrupted. Paige nodded in agreement. Cole was going to protest, but thought better of it.

"It's nothing like enough to get us up There for long. But it should work," Paige said, glancing at the paper one last time.

"Either that, or we'll be exploded into a million pieces," Piper added cheerily.

"Gee, I can't wait," Cole replied, with a sarcastic tone layered in his voice. But, he remained where he was nonetheless. What else could he do other than trust the sisters? He had thought it a little odd that the Elders seemed to have taken Leo without any explanation, and he was as keen as anyone to get Phoebe back.

Paige looked to Piper for reassurance one last time. It may not have been any Power of Three spell, but it would hopefully by powerful enough; they didn't really have the Power of Three to give it that extra kick anyway.

"And you're sure this will work?" Cole asked apprehensively, putting a large hand to his forehead.

"Well, no," Paige admitted, avoiding his eye contact. "But it's the best shot we have at getting Phoebe back."

Cole nodded in agreement. For Phoebe.

"Ready when you are, then."

The girls walked over to join Cole in the circle of candles. They all peered at the piece of paper resting delicately in Piper's hands. Cole tried not to imagine how ridiculous this felt. Usually when he was involved with a spell, he was on the receiving end of it, and it usually finished with him being surrounded painfully in flames and vanquished to another dimension. It felt good to actually help them for a change. Simultaneously, the three of them read from the paper.

An angel now, we seek to find

Before he left his world behind;

Beyond the powers of time and space

His spirit lurks which now we chase.

Take seekers three to a place that's new

To tell us what we wish we knew.

Cheesy as hell, Cole thought when they'd finished reading. But he didn't have time to think long. White orbs began to collect around the three of them, as had happened when Piper had called Paige earlier that day – to when this entire mess began. He closed his eyes with disorientation, and was more than a little relieved when he felt a hand on his upper arm. Within seconds, the sickness in his gut stopped, and he felt safe enough to open his eyes.

They were standing in what Cole could only assume to be the Upperworld. Wisps of clouds and smoke floated around them calmly, and everywhere he looked, Cole could see shapes and figures drifting through the clouds. There were marble-white pillars placed haphazardly around, and seemed to provide not other purpose other than to look good. But there was not sign of Leo anywhere.

Piper looked around herself cheerily, a grin spreading across her face. She was almost surprised that it worked, and that they weren't lying in some God forsaken ditch in the middle of nowhere.

"Well, that seemed to work well," she said brightly.

"Yeah, except, I have no idea where we are," Paige answered awkwardly, looking around at the wandering figures. Nobody seemed to notice the unlikely trio's presence. "Wouldn't it have been easier to just have summoned Leo in the first place?"

Piper shook her head, and started to walk forward. There was something uncanny at walking on mist and not falling straight through.

"No, it wouldn't have worked. I've tried it before. Besides, time moves differently up here. It would be very difficult to time it right anyway."

Paige looked confused.

"When did you summon him?"

Piper shot her a look that quite clearly said, it's none of your business.

Cole spotted something in the distance, between a gap in a thick of clouds, and thought he had better use the opportunity as an excuse to stop the two sisters from bickering further.

"Look," he said quietly, extending a long arm to point between them. The girls followed his hand. He was pointing to two figures who were circling what seemed to be a very large birdbath. It was rounded, white marble – the same substance that the pillars were made out of – and, though they couldn't see it from there, it was filled with a beautiful shimmering liquid. The two figures around it, however, seemed completely different. One wore a long, white robe with golden streaks, and a hood that shadowed the best of his face. The other was wearing jeans and a chequered blue and white shirt, with the top two buttons undone.

"That's him all right," Piper said shortly, and began walking defiantly towards them. Paige and Cole exchanged only a brief glance before following in her wake. It hadn't exactly been Cole's plan to just march up to Leo and drag him down: such actions in the Upperworld could never have good consequences. But he was fired up nonetheless.

Leo only wished he had seen Piper coming. He might have been able to ready himself for her wrath, to prepare for her harsh words and shrieks. He might have had time to calm her, and to explain exactly what was going on. As it was, he didn't have enough time to react, so merely stood as she bellowed at him.

"Leo Wyatt-Halliwell!" she shrieked, waving her hands in the air. He widened his eyes, only slightly fearful that she might end up blowing something up. "Why the hell haven't you been answering my calls? What the hell's going on!"

"Leo, I – " the Elder beside him began to protest, but he was cut short when Piper rounded on him, her eyes growing beady and narrow.

"You!" she cried, pointing a finger forward like an angry mother to a child. "You stay out of this! Unless you want to explain to me just why you've kept my husband from returning to me."

"Piper, calm down," Paige said calmly, taking her sister by the arm. Cole backed off slightly, not wishing to become – as Piper had said – another pile of ash on the floor. He pocketed his hands, his body language saying exactly what he was thinking. Leo glanced at him guiltily, but then, for some reason, looked away.

"Leo can't exactly tell us what's going on if you've bitten his head off," Paige continued. Piper seemed to take her advice, for she shut her mouth. But she crossed her arms across her chest and pursed her mouth.

"Fine," she said, eyeing the Elder suspiciously beside him. "Talk."

She raised a dubious eyebrow as she watched her husband glance to the Elder beside him.

"Well?" she said, shifting her eyes from one guilty party to the other. It was very much like trying to get to the bottom of an argument that none of them had been involved in.

"Piper, we can't really talk up here," Leo said at last, stepping to her side and attempting to put a comforting hand on her arm. She snatched it away.

"They have the cheek to give you your powers back, and then to take you away from us? I don't think so! Explanations, people!"

"Piper, it was for the best," The Elder offered, his voice smooth and silky. "But speaking of the best, you three really should not be up here. You've no idea what rules you're breaking the rules just by presenting yourselves here. You need to be down on earth."

"Don't you tell me what to do!" Piper cried incredulously, as if he didn't have the right to speak to her like that.

Leo frowned for a moment, then offered his own thoughts, stepping between Piper and the Elder as she did so.

"You need to explain to them what's going on," he said brusquely, his eyes held firmly on his counsel. "They don't understand, and they won't until you – or I – tell them. I understand the dangers, but you need to let me orb back down with the sisters. Let me help them. You've warned me... and I'll be careful. But you can't stand in the way of this anymore."

The Elder stood back, his face slightly appalled. Then he sighed heavily, shrugged his shoulders, and nodded.

"Very well, Leo. I suppose you... know what you're doing. I hope you understand the threat this means, though."

Leo nodded thankfully, then turned back to Piper and Paige. He didn't know which looked scared him more: Piper's obvious rage, written like text all over her face, or Paige's judgemental sneer. He could tell that he was in for a treat when he got them back to the manor.

"You two come with me. I can explain everything to you, and then we'll be able to come up with a plan to get Phoebe back – "

"You don't even have a plan?" Piper yelled, almost mockingly.

Leo half laughed, and tried to compose himself.

"Well, yes – no – you'll see. Just let me explain."

Piper looked like she was about to protest, but Leo very gently touched her hand with his.

"Trust me," he added, and gave her one of his peaceful smiles. She nodded, reluctantly.

"All right," she agreed sharply. "But this had better be good."

She took Paige's arm in her own, and they prepared to leave. Cole – who for the time being had been standing away, feeling that none of this had much to do with him – suddenly spoke. He took his hand out of his pocket and raised it, palm up, as if he were surrendering.

"And what about me?" he asked, almost sarcastically. Leo glanced towards the Elder, who nodded.

"You shall be staying here," The Elder explained, walking around the marble dish and over to Cole's sighed. An instant awkwardness arose in Cole's insides, though his mind screamed questions. There was something about this guy that seemed oddly familiar, and he recognised the feeling of foreboding.

"Why...?" He questioned eventually, eying the Elder up and down. Poor Leo, he thought, hiding a quick smirk. Having to deal with this lot for the best part of his life. At least demons have a sense of style.

"Yes, why does our former brother-in-law, not to mention ex-demon, get to stay up here in la-la land?" Piper retorted, wrinkling her nose slightly. Leo looked away in disgust at Piper's crudeness. The Elder pretended not to hear her comment, but answered Cole's question none-the-less.

"You don't think your escape from limbo has gone unnoticed, do you?" he asked accusingly. "We have much to talk about how you actually managed it."

"That's something we'd all like to know," Paige chimed in. The Elder seemed to snap out of a trance at her speech, and jerked his head towards the trio.

"Go, then," he said softly, putting his hand out. "Leo – I wish you the best of luck. Remember, any... trouble... and you come straight back."

Leo nodded in agreement, and the three of them disappeared into a merging swirl of bright, blue-white lights. With the distraction gone, the Elder turned back to the mortal standing before him. He was pathetically weak without his powers – the Elder could sense it.

"So, you wanted to talk?" Cole said shortly, keeping his mouth as tight as he could. He didn't trust the Elders one bit. They had always had it in for him, and being left alone with one was not exactly his idea of fun.

"Not exactly," replied the Elder, though all warmth from his voice was gone. He lifted his hand to his hood, and brought it down to rest on his shoulders. Cole's eyes narrowed instantly, and he stepped backwards.

"I know you," he said gruffly, finally recognising the feeling that had been bothering him for the past few minutes. The Elder smiled, pleased. But there was definitely no warmth in his look anymore.

"Good to see that even after having your memory wiped, you still remember an old face."

"Shut up," Cole spat, not quite knowing what to do. The Elder tutted in mock dismay.

"Why, Mr Turner, I thought I'd done you a favour."

"Favour my ass," Cole retorted, taking a step forward and inching his face closer to the Elder. His deep features were creasing with rage and, very slightly, fear. "I'd hardly call torturing me with images I couldn't have a 'favour'."

The Elder shrugged.

"We all see things diff – "

"No," Cole said softly, his teeth gritted. "No more riddles. Just tell me how the hell you managed to get me out of limbo."

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Ok, I know this is a little confusing for everyone. I wasn't kidding when I said I was a slow starter. You'll just have to take my word that this all makes sense in the end. Please don't forget that a comment, big or small, is highly appreciated - obviously, everyone loves reviews, but as a first fic, it's sort of useful to know where the ups and downs of my writings are. So, if you can, drop me a line, and I'll try to update soon.