Messages From Limbo
By: Lunara Dragon
Chapter 3: Reminder of Falling
Author's Note: Thanks again for support. I am so happy that you guys are liking this so far! This chapter is written with song lyrics. I will mark those with text like this Bold Italics, and notes from Cole and other characters will just be like this Italicized. Enjoy! The song is Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade. I do not claim any ownership of the lyrics or Charmed. (If I did Prue and Cole would have been in the last episode!)
Halliwell Manor
The sun was setting and reflected in the windows of the living room. Phoebe gazed out the one closest to her taking in the oranges and yellows with ease as she kept herself from looking at her ex-husband. Cole wasn't supposed to be alive, on any plane, and she was supposed to be happy moving on with her life. But here it was her life was falling apart one day at a time and Cole Turner was the one trying to help her pick up the pieces. He still sat in silence across from her, trying not to lose his temper at her ignoring his advice.
"Are you ever going to answer anything I have asked you in the last hour?" Cole questioned breaking the silence. Then he mumbled more quietly "I might as well be talking to myself at this rate." But the woman continued to stare out the window as images flashed through her mind's eye. She may not have been verbally answering him but she was in her own mind. She scanned over the memories she had with Cole and then felt another presence in the room. Both turned to see Piper walking in and a faint smile danced across her face.
"Hey how's it going down here? Pele's awake and in the sunroom with Wyatt, Melinda, and Chris. Your other two daughters are watching Television upstairs." Piper announced to her sister. Leo walked in behind her and hid his surprise as seeing Cole in the room as well.
"Maybe I should go." Cole spoke up now staring at Phoebe but speaking to everyone. Piper let out a deep sigh and took his hand ready to reverse her spell when Phoebe finally stood up and walked over to them.
"Just give me some time Cole. This is all happening so fast and I just don't know what to do." Phoebe finally spoke up. Over the past few hours she had talked to him about everything with Coop. How horrible she felt not sharing it with her sisters and the fact that she was ruining destiny again. Cole had given her the consolation she needed that she never seemed to get from Coop lately. "Will you be okay with that?"
Cole nodded and smiled "Of course. You know where to find me. But please try and make that husband of yours stay and talk this evening. If not for you, for the girls." Phoebe now looked at him flustered and just nodded her agreement.
"I really do hate sending you back to Limbo. But until we find a way to reverse this I do not know what else to do." Piper murmured so just Cole could hear her and he looked down at her then.
"Hey the fact you come and talk to me at all helps a lot. It's pretty lonely just watching you guys and talking to myself. Especially the year I was alone after Drake died." He quickly whispered back to her and looking back to Phoebe. His eyes shone with an old love but he said nothing more to her or Leo.
"Alright then. Spirit from another plane here to visit, from the realm of living I ask you to exit. Return to your rightful place, go without haste." With that Cole felt the surge of energy and then could no longer feel the physicality of Piper and the others anymore. She had released his hand right before the last line of the spell.
Phoebe then looked at Piper and shook her head. "Just answer me this. You have been hiding a spell to go and talk to him. When exactly did you write it? Why? Were you planning..." The questions she had locked up for her sister came spilling out but she was cut off when the older sibling placed a hand over Phoebe's mouth and met her questioning eyes.
"Shh. I will explain later but to shorten up the long story. I wrote the spell originally when Billie first came in to our lives. With the resurrection of the Triad I immediately wanted to talk to Cole. I did not know how to tell you until I thought you would be able to handle it." Piper said in her nurturing tone and Phoebe took a deep breath.
"Funny, I am not sure if I am ready now to handle it." She said in response to Piper before turning to walk in to the sun room. She picked Pele up and headed towards the door before saying her good bye. "Bye Piper, Leo. I'm sure I will be back later tonight. Coop and I really do need to talk. Will you keep Tricia and Penny?" The two agreed that it was ok.
With that she headed for home with Pele. There at her Condo was where her husband was waiting for her to get home, and on a different plane her ex-husband waited as well.
---
'The best thing about tonight's that we're not fighting
Could it be that we have been this way before
I know you don't think that I am trying
I know you're wearing thin down to the core'
A few hours had passed as the evening wore on Mrs. Cupid-Halliwell could not keep her husband from doing his job but she had told him that this was getting to be to tiring to her. She knew he was a Cupid, but it gave him no right to neglect his family. If Leo had found a balance then so could he. Coop instead of fighting with her just glared and then hearted out of their home. She refused to cry again ; but this time decided Cole was right she needed to take matters in to her own hands. First she had called Jason Dean's office in New York and set up an appointment to see him over the weekend, she then pulled out a pen and paper and wrote down a note hoping Cole would see it before Coop. Not that he was going to be back anytime soon.
Cole,
We need to talk some more and you are right. But there is more then just us that we need to discuss.
Talk to Piper and see if she can watch Pele as well tonight. After I get a shower I will call you out of your plane again.
We're going to our place tonight.
Phoebe
She then headed in and turned on the shower on hot. She placed Pele in her playpen by the bathroom door and left it ajar. Pele was content levitating her stuffed animals into a dancing motion and Phoebe watched with a small smile. As she stepped into the shower and closed the curtain slightly she let the hot water wash away the day's tensions. She felt a shift in the air as her weary was released. She scrubbed her hair and body then quickly stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around herself. She then stared into the mirror as the steamy layer began to be wiped a way in small streaks.
Cole had found the note and quickly forced on to her plane to throw the note away. 'Not that Coop could find our place.' he thought to himself as his bright bluish-green eyes looked around their condo. He had respected Phoebe's privacy although sensed that by the note, Coop did what he usually does. Cole knew in his heart that the Cupid loved Phoebe, but there was strain there and he did not understand what it was from. He now walked over to Pele in her playpen and waved down to her as she stared up at him and smiled. All of Phoebe's daughters and Wyatt seemed able to see through the plane barriers. From there he noticed Phoebe stepping out of the shower and could almost smell the vanilla mixed with other botanicals. His ex-wife had one constant and that was using the same shampoo with conditioner combination. He took a deep breath before deciding to be brave and stepped close to her up to the mirror.
Now both were in front of the mirror and Phoebe watched in amazement as she felt her cheeks turn a brighter shade of red at the idea that Cole was in here with her.
I have not had a chance to go and talk to Piper.
You look radiant right now.
The words appeared on the steamed over mirror one at a time but Phoebe could tell by the way it was written that Cole had written it quickly. She turned then focused on the spot beside her before taking a deep breath. She felt another shift in the air as Cole stepped away from her and her eyes shot open. 'Why is it that I can sense his presence even from a different plane. Have I known this whole time that he was here?' she quickly thought to herself but then stared at the empty space where she felt his soul standing. Pele clapped from her place in the playpen.
"Well get out of here!" Phoebe quickly yelled and moved her hands in Cole's direction catching him off guard. How did she know he was still there? He quickly disappeared in a blurry gray film. The woman felt that to as her heart ached at what she knew deep inside what was happening. She then quickly dressed, scribbled a note for Coop, and then with Pele headed to Piper's.
---
Piper read the piece of paper with just her name on it and she rolled her eyes. She said the all to familiar spell which caused Cole to reappear and he was grinning at her.
"Cole we need to find a way to just get you to stay. This is starting to get annoying." Piper shot at him and he let out a laugh at her comment.
"I could not agree more. Why are you here?" Leo asked and Cole turned in surprise as the former Elder walked in to the room. He was ready for an argument but Leo wore a look of humor that matched Cole's a second ago. He continued "Honey. Phoebe called and she is bringing Pele over as well."
Piper then glanced between her husband and Cole shaking her head. "Well guess that means it did not go well with Coop. Why are you here this time Cole?"
Cole finally cleared his throat to answer both of them. "That's what I was trying to tell you."
"That it didn't go well with Coop or that she is bringing Pele here?" Piper quipped. Cole rolled his eyes.
"Both. Also I have a favor to ask Leo." Cole said with weary now. Leo now stared up at the slightly taller man. "Do you have anything I can borrow to wear?"
Leo and Piper both laughed a bit but Piper glanced at Cole's clothing and noted it was the same thing he had when she first learned he was stuck in that void. In fact he never seemed to change at all. "Well I guess that is one way to save money." Piper muttered. Leo motioned for Cole to follow him to the closet.
Phoebe was now downstairs standing in the foyer when her sister was walking down the stairs. She waved in greeting before stepping closer and taking Pele from Phoebe's arms. She then looked her sister up and down smiling at what she was wearing. It was her dark blue jeans that flattered her hips and a light blue sweater. She had her hair pulled back in a bun.
"So you two are not fighting with each other. That is surprising." Piper said in observation and Phoebe caught her gaze.
"Yes. But it is good, it feels right. Does that make sense?" Phoebe asked and Piper just nodded her agreement.
---
But hold your breathe
Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find
This is not what I intended
I always swore to you I'd never fall apart
You always thought that I was stronger
I may have failed but I have loved you from the start
Cole had finally decided on keeping his black trousers but borrowed one of Leo's plain green button up shirts. He looked in the mirror as the sleeves were slightly to short so he unbuttoned them. Then taking each sleeve rolled them up to just above his elbows, before they protested and would not fold anymore. He took a deep breath and then returned his gaze to Leo who was trying to hide his amusement.
"Well that is the best I got unless you want to borrow..." Leo began but was cut off by a glare.
"Leo if you even suggest I wear flannel, we will fight." Cole muttered and then looked back in the mirror. His shoes were going to have to work as well. A thought struck him as he questioned Leo "I do not suppose any of you kept any of my old things." Leo pointed towards the ceiling.
"Attic." Was all he answered with and Cole shrugged. He did not have time to go rummaging around right now. He took a deep breath to keep himself from being overwhelmed with his unspoken emotions. Leo seemed to still have the ability to sense things even without his powers as he stepped closer to Cole and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Just take it one step at a time. She's really fragile right now and needs you." Leo said with encouragement and Cole looked down at him now.
"Yes but why?" Cole asked quickly and Leo saw some of his insecurity shine in the taller man's facial features. Leo let out a deep breath and smiled.
"Simple. We all have several forms of soul mates. She may not have ever learned to understand you but you always understood her. Sometimes better then she knew herself." Leo answered. Cole was surprised to hear Leo's theory and forced a calm to hide all the questions raging in his mind. It was time to confront Phoebe head on with what she wanted from him as he headed out of the room and down the stairs.
----
Mausoleum
Phoebe strolled around the large chamber of the Mausoleum and ran a finger over the intricate wall patterns. Anything to distract her from the memories this place held. She felt wrong being there but had chose it because it worked the same way for cupids as it did demons. They were so connected to love, that a place full of death jammed their radars. She hoped it worked the same even though she was married to the cupid in question.
Cole watched her for a while and just stayed by the entry way. He rested his weight on the railing and let Phoebe have her space. She had planned this meeting and he decided she would start out leading it. She finally looked up at him and forced a smile.
"Cole how? Why?" She began.
"Why what? Have I been watching over you?" He responded and when Phoebe nodded her head yes Cole continued. "It was my punishment. Think about it Phoebe I loved you and your family is the only one I have known. What's the worst thing you can do to a man who fought his way back from the demonic wasteland? I have been watching over all of you."
"But you sent Drake when I needed him most. You helped Piper and Leo. What else have you helped with even after everything I did to you?" She said fighting back tears.
"That is a long conversation. I am not sure you want to drag that all up right now." Cole said seeing her pain. He walked closer and wiped away the tears that had fought their way to the surface. She leaned away from the touch and stared in to the darkness behind her in the farther part of the cavern. "Do you want to know understand what happened with the source?"
Phoebe shook her head no. "I already know what happened then Cole. I wasn't lying to you when you saved me from being eternally alone in the ocean. What made me upset and scared was when you started going crazy. I was still trying to find myself and you just kept pushing Cole." She explained. Cole put his hand on her shoulder and turned her back to face him. He wore a look of slight hurt mixed with anger.
"And now? Why are you telling me this now?" Cole questioned feeling his own heart breaking. His voice echoed through the mausoleum.
Oh, But hold your breathe
Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
It's impossible
So breathe in so deep
Breathe me in
I'm yours to keep
And hold on to your words
Cause talk is cheap
And remember me tonight
When you're asleep
Phoebe looked down at her hands as she forced herself to keep them from reaching around Cole. She whispered softly "It's still true. A part of me always loved you and that is why I got so scared." She returned to look at Cole as his eyes were set ablaze with an intense passion. She then continued "I took your advice. I looked back on that time and everything after I lost you. I love Coop but a part of me never wanted to let you go. I guess I just got tired of fighting all the obstacles."
Cole let out a small humorless laugh "I guess neither of us were as strong as Leo and Piper were." He muttered to her and she looked at him now filled with surprise.
"Are you kidding me?" She yelled in anger at both herself and his thoughts. "Cole you were! You always fought against everything for us. First your own nature, then your human soul fought against the Seer and the source. After that you lasted a lot longer then we thought you would when you were going crazy. You went crazy because of the power overload and because none of us were there for you." She felt the feeling overwhelming her and realized that it was a mix of her emotions and the pain that was radiating off of him. It mixed with both of their own desires and hidden feeling dredged up from the past.
"Hey did you feel that." She said with excitement. She had not had the ability to be Empathic since it was taken away from her. But she felt the first tendrils of her gift returning. She pulled Cole in to a hug quickly "Thank you." She yelled in glee.
Cole's confusion became more intense but he did feel something radiating from his ex-wife. She seemed lighter in mood then even an hour ago when they had first arrived at their place. He returned her hug with joy and smiled when he pulled a way from the embrace.
"What..." Cole began to question her but before he could finish the soft lips he had missed so much were pressed against his. It was quick and it was fast but it did happen he was sure.
"Um I should go back. I can sense Coop looking for me and I still need to sort this all out. But Cole I do not want to send you back. It is not fair at all." She said and Cole still wore a look of shock she grinned, giddy with happiness. Her heart felt light again and she realized it had always been him that made her feel that way.
"Let this being stay in sight. On our plane we reunite. His fate I abhor, Send him to the Halliwell Manor." As the words left her lips she felt Cole looking at her with astonishment. When he disappeared in golden lights Phoebe let out a deep breath.
---
Cupid-Halliwell Condo
Phoebe delight from two hours earlier had worn off as she now sat arguing with her husband, yet again. Piper had called to report all the daughters were asleep now, as well as the unexpected guest her sister had sent. Coop now sat next to Phoebe as he reached towards her to stroke her face. His eyes were weary and unsure and Phoebe could not help but compare them to Cole's. Her ex-husband had always worn his heart on his sleeve for the most part when it came to his own emotions. The little bit of time between when she learned about his secret, to the time after Prue died before he became the Source.
She finally broke the silence "Coop I can't keep doing this. I just want to go to bed and we can talk more tomorrow. I'll sleep in the guest room tonight." Coop looked at her with anger now.
"Just like that you block off your heart to me. When did you learn to do that?" He said to her and that's when she realized he had always used his ability on her even though he had promised not to.
"Simple I got my ability of empathy back. With that I can shield my own heart even from my husband the cupid." She shot back in anger before standing and walking off to the room for the night.
As she lay in bed staring at the ceiling and listening to her husband stomping around the apartment. She could not help but review her memories with Cole again and fell asleep thinking about what she was going to have to do next.
Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
Tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find
Leo heard Cole walking around downstairs and crawled quietly out of bed. He was careful not to wake Piper, then headed down stairs as well to see what was keeping Cole awake.
"What's the matter?" He spoke quietly to Cole and felt Cole's attention snap on to him.
"Phoebe. She still loves me and I don't know what to do." He finally responded to Leo who stared at him and forced back an oncoming yawn. "I still love her. Always have, always will. But I do not want to be the one who breaks up her marriage." He continued and took a deep breath.
To be Continued--