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Chapter 12: Vanishing Trick
"Why can't we ever throw a party or have a wedding or just live our lives without evil screwing it up?" asked Piper cynically.
Prue glanced over at Phoebe, who was looking miserable and worried despite the fact that it was her graduation party." She'll start celebrating as soon as Cole shows up." assured Prue.
"What if he doesn't?" questioned Piper in reply.
"What if he can't?" muttered Leo in agreement.
They all walked over to Phoebe. "Hey." greeted Prue, "Look, whatever happens, he did the right thing. He helped get Pirelli back in time to cancel the merger; he helped us stop the brotherhood."
"He proved he was good." agreed Piper.
"Yeah, but at what cost?" replied Phoebe bitterly.
Prue answered sympathetically, "You can't think of it like that."
"Why not?" Phoebe asked tearfully, "Shouldn't I get to protect one part of my life and say; this, magic doesn't screw with; this, I get to keep?"
"Yes, you should." agreed Prue.
Phoebe continued as if she hadn't heard Prue. "Last night Cole was back and he wanted to strip his powers, and I was graduating. Yesterday everything was perfect, and today it's all fallen apart. Where is he? What's happened to him?"
Phoebe's P.O.V
What had happened to him? Something was wrong; it had to be. Cole had promised to be at my graduation party and the only reason that he wouldn't come, or at least find a way to tell me that he couldn't come, was that something bad had happened to him. At that moment the only thing I wanted was for Cole to come walking down the stair into P3 and tell me that everything was alright.
"Phoebe? Phoebe, are you in here?" called Prue down the steps of the mausoleum. Stepping through the entrance she saw Phoebe asleep next to the crypt. "Hey, sweetie, wake up." she called softly, gently shaking Phoebe awake.
"Cole?" murmured Phoebe, drowsily.
"No, it's just me." corrected Prue, "Come on, let's go home."
Phoebe shook her head wildly, "No, I have to wait here for Cole." she insisted.
"Phoebe, you can't just wait here, alright. He will know where to find you. Come on." Prue urged.
Phoebe stood up, still looking around the mausoleum as if expecting to see Cole appear. "I don't understand." she almost sobbed, "He was supposed to go back under so that they wouldn't be suspicious of him, but it's been over a week."
"He probably just hasn't found a safe way out yet, that's all." Prue smiled at Phoebe trying to reassure her despite the fact that Prue suspected that Phoebe was right.
"But what if he can't? What is the brotherhood found him out?"
"Look," began Prue, "even if they did, he would put some sort of a spin on it to, you know, get out of it. Come on, you know Cole; he knows what he's doing. You don't make demon of the century without having a few tricks up your sleeve."
Phoebe half smiled, acknowledging Prue's words. "I just hope he's ok, Prue." she whispered.
Phoebe's P.O.V
I knew in my heart that he wasn't ok. I knew that waiting in the mausoleum wasn't going to help Cole, but I felt like I had to wait there just in case he did come and find that I wasn't there. It was easier to sit by myself in the dark and quiet of the mausoleum, than to be in the real world where everything seemed to remind me of how long Cole had been gone for.
"He betrayed us." spat Tarkin, looking at Cole's unconscious form lying on a large rock.
Raynor smiled coldly. "But in so doing, he's acquired the knowledge of how to kill the Charmed Ones; something no other demon's been able to accomplish." he replied, "That, with his power, makes a very precious commodity for us, one worthy of saving."
"But how can...?" began Tarkin.
"How can we save him?" finished Raynor, "Simple. We remove the only thing that's re-awakened his human half; his only foot hole to good; the witch's love for him."
Raynor and Tarkin walked over to stand next to Cole, "Just follow my lead." directed Raynor, hovering his hand above Cole's face.
Cole woke up and slowly sat up, "Raynor." he stated slightly puzzled, "What happened?"
"I tried to kill you." replied Raynor, "Accidentally, of course. I didn't recognise you in your human form, my mistake." he lied, "Forgive me."
Cole paused for a moment before replying "How could I not? After all, you taught me everything I know. How long was I out?"
"Long enough for us to investigate reports that you crossed over to the other side." replied Raynor calmly, watching Cole for a reaction.
"Rumours, not reports." corrected Cole.
"It doesn't matter that you fell in love with a witch, Belthazor, as long as you're back." responded Raynor, "To that end, I have an assignment for you; something that only your powers can achieve. I need you to get me a magical amulet, one that's hanging from the neck of a witch. Problem?"
"No." replied Cole trying to look unworried although his heart was beating faster than normal. Raynor waved a hand across Cole's face, giving Cole's the whereabouts of the amulet, "This shouldn't take long." he promised shimmering out.
"Think he'll actually get the amulet?" questioned Tarkin, doubtfully.
"Yes, but not before he tells his beloved witch what he's about to do." replied Raynor, "Then that should plant the first seed of suspicion in her heart."
Cole's P.O.V
I should have guessed what they were doing; that they knew I had betrayed them, that I was still working with Phoebe, and that I still loved her. I should have just left then; got out and back to Phoebe before it was too late; before I could cause Phoebe anymore worry. I should have known that I couldn't fool the brotherhood for long; that they knew me too well. But like a fool I walked blindly into their trap; I helped them try to split me and Phoebe apart.
Phoebe sat miserably in front of the mirror, watching her reflection.
Cole shimmered in behind her and Phoebe gasped as she saw his reflection in the mirror. "Promise me when I turn around you'll still be there." she whispered hopefully.
She turned around quickly and walked over to kiss him.
"I've missed you so much." murmured Cole.
"I've missed you too." replied Phoebe, tearfully.
"They've given me an assignment." stated Cole, breaking away, "One that if I turn down..." Cole trailed off, his meaning clear.
"What do you mean an assignment? What kind of assignment?" asked Phoebe.
"I can't tell you." replied Cole.
"Wh-" began Phoebe.
"They've asked me to steal an amulet from a witch." cut in Cole, explaining.
"A witch?" questioned Phoebe again.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt her." assured Cole.
"Oh, well, that's good news, Cole." Phoebe spat sarcastically, "You can't do this!" she exclaimed, upset.
"You think I want to, damn it!" Cole sighed in exasperation. "Phoebe, I just have to buy some time so I can figure a way out. In the mean time, I have to at least pretend like I'm evil."
"No, but don't you see? If you turn into Belthazor, then you will be evil." insisted Phoebe.
"What makes you think I'll have to?" asked Cole.
"Well, because an amulet protects. It takes someone of great strength to overcome that." replied Phoebe, "Why do you think they choose you?"
"To set me up perhaps." realised Cole, "Raynor may be on to me."
Phoebe shook her head in confusion, "Who's Raynor?"
"He's the head of the brotherhood. And my old mentor. He has the power to read thoughts, and if he's read mine..." Cole trailed off again.
"I'll come with you; watch your back." promised Phoebe.
"No, no, no, you can't." Cole replied "That could be exactly what Raynor's expecting you do. He could be setting me up to get to you. I have to do this alone. Trust me, okay? I know what I am doing. Just concentrate on finishing the potion. If it works, Belthazor will disappear and Raynor won't be able to track me. Then we can be together."
Cole's P.O.V
I wanted so badly for my words to be true; that Phoebe and I could be together without having to look over our shoulders for demons. I was so sure that if I was being set up then they were after Phoebe, not me. If only I had realised then maybe we could have sorted everything out then.