"What do mean, who's Paige?" Phoebe asks. "Paige, my sister -- your WIFE." Cole just stares at her incredulously.
"Okay, what did I do?" he asks. "I thought we were back on track with our relationship. I thought I made it perfectly clear that I'm trying to be good. And as soon as I can get the bounty hunters off my back --"
"Cole, the bounty hunters couldn't give a damn about you anymore. You're mortal -- you're useless to anyone in the demon realm."
"I'm mortal? Really? Since when?" Cole asks, not believing a word she's saying.
"Cole -- I need to go find your doctor, okay?" Phoebe tells him.
"I don't need a doctor, I need you to tell me what's going on, Phebes. Actually, I just need to get the hell out of here." Cole says, and he tries to get up, but is too weak and lies back down almost immediately.
"Cole, are you insane? You just had surgery -- just lie still and rest." Phoebe says, pushing him back down.
"Phoebe, I don't understand any of this. Please tell me what's going on." Cole says, clearly becoming upset. Phoebe takes his hand.
"Honey -- you were in a car accident. You suffered a serious head trauma. You're gonna be alright -- but you need to take it easy and do what the doctors tell you." Phoebe says.
"But I don't understand why Leo can't just heal me. He did it before." Cole says. "I know it's against the rules, but --"
"Cole, I told you -- Leo is gone. And you're mortal, and you're going to have to go through the same healing process a mortal does."
"This doesn't make sense. None of this does." Cole says.
"Cole, what's the last thing you remember?" Phoebe asks.
"We were at the funeral." Cole says.
"Funeral?" Phoebe asks.
"Prue's funeral. And the bounty hunters attacked -- it's all pretty much a blank after that." Cole tells her.
"Cole -- Prue died almost two years ago." Phoebe tells him.
"Are you telling me I've been here for two years?" Cole asks.
"No -- you've only been here for about a day and a half. It seems like you've lost some of your memory. You don't remember Paige at all?"
"Paige -- this supposed wife of mine. Why would I be married to anyone but you, Phoebe?"
"Cole, I know this is hard to believe, but -- Paige is my sister. We didn't know anything about her until after Prue died -- my mother gave her up for adoption as soon as she was born. But we found her, and with her we were able to restore the power of three. And it's a long story, but -- you and Paige ended up falling in love. And you're married, and you're very happy."
"That's not possible. Phoebe, I will never love anyone but you. And even if I did, I certainly wouldn't be enough of a sleazebag to dump you for your own sister." Cole says.
"Actually -- I kind of dumped you. Like I said, it's a long story. But you are married to Paige."
"Then why isn't she here? If I have this supposed wife that's also your sister, how come you're the one sitting here with me in the hospital? How come you were the one at my side when I woke up?" Cole asks.
"Because, she -- Piper and I thought she should go home and get some rest. Paige is pregnant, Cole. She's due in six weeks, and this last trimester has really taken a toll on her, both physically and emotionally. We're worried about her, Cole -- and we're worried about your son. This accident has just made things even harder for her -- so Piper and I insisted that she go home for awhile. She wasn't eating and she can't get any rest here, because she's too worried about you. We're just trying to take of her, like you would want us to." Phoebe tells him. Cole is silent for a few moments, taking in everything Phoebe has told him.
"Phoebe, I'm very sorry if I did something to hurt you. I'm really tired right now -- promise we'll talk about it later?" Cole says, disregarding everything Phoebe has just told him.
"It's okay Cole, just rest right now. Everything will be okay." she tells him.
"I love you, Phoebe." Cole says as he drifts off to sleep.
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The next morning, Piper enters Paige's room, where she is still asleep. Piper sits down on the edge of her bed, and Paige starts to wake up. "Piper? What time is it?" Paige asks.
"About ten o'clock. Did you get a good night's sleep?" Piper asks.
"Not really -- I've been sleeping off and on, Ben is kind of upset, he's used to Cole being here at night. I need to get to the hospital, is there any word on Cole?" Paige asks.
"Actually, yes there is -- he's awake, Paige." Piper tells him.
"He is? Why didn't you tell me? Piper, I have to go --"
"Paige -- Phoebe was with him when he woke up, and -- he's having some problems with his memory." Piper tells her.
"He -- he doesn't remember what happened?" Paige asks.
"He doesn't remember YOU Paige -- the last thing he remembers is Prue's funeral, and -- he thinks he's still with Phoebe." Piper tells him.
"I -- I need to see him. He'll remember me once he sees me, and once he feels Ben. I just know it. He's okay though, right?" Paige asks.
"I guess he's doing fine otherwise -- Paige, the doctors did say there might be some memory loss." Piper says.
"But it can't be permanent. Piper, Cole loves me. I know you were against our marriage, but it's really worked out for us. I never thought it would be possible -- a year ago I wouldn't have even CONSIDERED it. But now I can't imagine my life without Cole, or Ben."
"I do have to admit it, Paige -- Cole surprised me. I had my doubts, but -- he's been a really good husband to you. And he's crazy about that little boy. I went over to your house yesterday, to see how the renovations were going -- I saw your nursery, it looks like a toy store exploded in there."
"Cole has brought something new home almost every day. He's already spoiling Ben like crazy and he's not even here yet. He'll remember us, Piper -- will you go with me to see him?" Paige asks.
"Yeah -- go get changed, I'll get Melinda ready." Piper says.
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Cole is asleep in his room, and Piper enters, carrying Melinda in a baby carrier. She sits down next to him and takes his hand. "Phoebe?" he mumbles, waking up.
"No -- it's just me, Cole. How are you feeling?" Piper asks.
"Piper -- what are you doing here? Where's Phoebe?" Cole asks.
"She thought it might be better if I was the one to do this." Piper says. Cole notices the baby on the chair next to her.
"Who's that?" Cole asks.
"That's Melinda -- my daughter." Piper tells him.
"Oh, come on Piper, not you too. Look, I don't know what I did to Phoebe to hurt her so much, but I'm not giving up on us, no matter how much she tries to push me away, and no matter how many wives she says I have. Come on -- I'd expect Prue to go along with this kind of ruse, but not you, Piper. Go take that kid back to whoever you borrowed her from." Cole says.
"It's not a ruse, Cole -- it's all true. Phoebe hasn't told you one thing that's not the truth." Piper says.
"Okay -- so where is this supposed wife of mine?" Cole asks.
"Right outside." Piper says, and she peeks her head out the door. "Paige, come on -- he's ready to see you now." Paige enteres the room, a tearful smile on her face, glad to see that Cole is awake.
"Hey, Cole." Paige says, trying her best not to cry. She walks over to his side, not quite sure what to do. She finally sits down on the edge of his bed. "How are you feeling?" she finally asks, cautiously taking his hand.
"I'm fine." Cole says, unsure how to react. "I've just been kind of tired -- my head still hurts alot."
"Well, you just need to rest, that's all. I talked to your doctor, he said you're gonna be just fine." Paige says, touching his face gently. Cole can't help but notice how loving she is toward him. "He said you can come home in a few days -- Piper wants us to stay at the manor until the baby is born. I told her that was probably a good idea."
"I -- have my own place." Cole tells her.
"No, you don't Cole. You don't have an apartment anymore, we have our house now, across the street from Halliwell manor." Paige tells him. Cole just stares at her, a bit in shock. "You still don't remember me, do you?" Paige asks. Cole shakes his head no.
"Phoebe said -- you've been having a rough pregnancy." Cole says.
"Ben is just -- a really high maintenance little boy, that's all. He can hear you, he's kicking right now, he knows his daddy's voice -- here, feel him." Paige says, and she takes his hand and puts it up to her belly. "That's your son, Cole. Don't you remember your son?"
"You said his name is -- Ben?" Cole asks.
"We named him after your father." Paige says. "He loves you -- he loves you so much." Cole feels the baby kicking and after a moment pulls his hand away.
"I don't remember you." Cole finally says. "I'm sorry, but I don't remember you and I don't remember this baby."
"I'll help you. I'll help you remember, Cole. If you'll let me." Paige says.
"I -- I'm really tired. I can't do this right now, I'm sorry. You seem really nice -- and you're very pretty. But I don't know you." Cole tells her. In shock, crying, and not knowing what to say, Paige gets up and runs out of the room.
"Cole -- she needs you right now. She's not handling this very well, her pregnancy gets more difficult each day, can't you just pretend that --" Piper begins.
"Piper -- I love Phoebe. I don't know that girl. I'm sorry -- but she's a stranger to me. Can you please tell Phoebe I need to see her?" Cole asks.
"Phoebe doesn't need you -- Paige does. And I don't give a damn if you remember her or not. I've already lost my husband, I am NOT going to lose another sister, too. I'm sorry about what happened to you, but you need to listen to us and give Paige a chance. I don't think she can handle losing you right now. So you just need to suck it up and deal with it. Do NOT piss me off Cole, and do NOT hurt my sister. You WILL regret it if you do." Piper says, and she picks up Melinda and storms out of the room. Paige is in the hallway, sobbing. "Come on sweetie, let's go home."
"I thought he would know me. I was sure that once he felt Ben he would --" Paige begins.
"I know -- I did too. Come on -- you need to get back home and rest. I'll tell Phoebe to talk to him -- maybe he'll listen to her." Piper says.
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"Hello, Cole." Cole hears a woman's voice say as he wakes up, and he opens his eyes. "Do you remember me?" Cole stares at her, stunned.
"Lilith." he says.
"That's right -- it's been a long time, hasn't it Cole?" Lilith says.
"I was a teenager -- you threatened to set me on fire if my mother didn't take me away. Yeah, that's not something you forget. You here to finish the job?" Cole asks.
"Of course not, Cole -- that was a long time ago, it wasn't exactly a pleasant day for me. A woman like me doesn't want to be reminded that she's a grandmother." Lilith says.
"Phoebe knew about you -- how did she know about you?" Cole asks.
"How else could she? She called for me -- I answered her call." Lilith says.
"So I did do something. I made her angry." Cole says.
"Yes, you did. But I can help you win her back, Cole. I can start by healing you -- you're not going to get anywhere with Phoebe if you're cooped up here, a weak and helpless mortal." Cole just stares at her in disbelief. "Who else do you have to trust, Cole? Look at all these silly stories the Charmed Ones are telling you. Phoebe doesn't love you anymore, you're married to some sister of hers that you know nothing about -- do you really believe this nonsense they're telling you?"
"I -- I don't know what to believe. That girl, Paige -- she seemed like she was telling the truth. She looked at me the way -- the way Phoebe used to. Like I was her whole world." Cole says.
"Oh, please -- it was a trick. You want the truth, Cole? Yes -- Paige is a Charmed One. And she hates you. She wants desperately to vanquish you, and she will go to any lengths to do it. This is all part of her plan. It's because of her that you turned mortal, Cole -- she took your powers from you. And Piper has gone right along with her. And then they turned Phoebe against you. I can help you, Cole -- I can heal you, and can give you your powers back." Lilith says.
"I don't want to be Belthazor again." Cole says. "If he's gone, he needs to stay gone, Phoebe will never want him back."
"Oh, who said anything about Belthazor? I would simply give you back all the powers you had as Belthazor, without being a demon -- and I will use my influence over Phoebe to help you win her back. Just think -- the powers of a demon without all the worries of that silly gang of demonic thugs you joined when you were young. No worries about bounty hunters, no one to answer to but yourself."
"And what's in it for you?" Cole asks suspiciously.
"I want to destroy the Charmed Ones. They've been nothing but a nuisance to me. But I am willing to spare Phoebe -- if you'll help me." Lilith says, and she lays her hands on Cole's chest. Cole takes a deep breath. "Do you feel any more pain, Cole?"
"No -- none at all." Cole says, still not fully convinced.
"Here -- this should make it even better." Lilith says, and she lays her hands on his forehead. Within moments, the scarring from the accident and surgery is gone.
"My -- my headache is gone." Cole fine. "I feel perfectly fine."
"So -- do we have a deal, Cole?" Lilith asks.
"Give me my powers. Then we'll have a deal." Cole says. Lilith lays her hands on Cole once more. Cole attempts to shimmer, and is able to shimmer in and out of the room with no difficulty.
"Now -- go find your little girlfriend Phoebe. I have faith that you can convince her to take you back. Her sisters will be furious, of course, but -- I'll deal with them. And everything will work out the way we both want it to." Cole hesitates for a moment, then shimmers away. Lilith laughs to herself. "Foolish, gullible little man -- that was so easy it almost wasn't any fun. Oh, well -- watching the fallout should be. That should be very amusing, indeed." Lilith says to herself.
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"So he doesn't remember anything at all?" Eli asks Phoebe, as they walk in the park, holding hands.
"No -- he still thinks we're a couple. I just talked to Piper not too long ago, she and Paige just left the hospital. Apparantly Paige was practically in hysterics; Eli I've never seen her so weak and defeated before. Paige has always been very strong, tough, determined -- maybe Leo was right." Phoebe says.
"About what?" Eli asks.
"About the baby -- when we first found out she was pregnant -- the elders feared the baby might be a danger to her life. And the more this baby grows, the weaker Paige gets."
"Phoebe, I think it's just circumstance -- look at everything that's happened to Paige lately. Any woman this far along in a pregnancy would feel extra pressure, but especially someone like Paige. You and Piper just need to really be there for her. I'm sure she'll be fine." Eli tells her. "And you should probably go back to the hospital to be with Cole."
"Back to Cole, why? So I can encourage his delusions that we're still together? How is that helping him?" Phoebe asks.
"Phoebe -- Cole may be a mortal now, but he was a demon once. If he's vulnerable enough, he can still be swayed by evil. Right now he's ill and weak and confused. It's the perfect state of vulnerability for someone with an agenda to take advantage of. Someone like Lilith." Eli says.
"You still think she caused his accident, don't you?" Phoebe says.
"I don't trust her if that's what you're asking me. Do I believe she would use anything or anyone she could to harm you and your sisters, including Cole? Yes -- I do." Eli tells her.
"I guess I should get back to him then." Phoebe says. "How about dinner tomorrow night -- you pick the place, my treat. And bring Nicholas." Phoebe says.
"That sounds wonderful. You go take care of your family now." Eli says, and he pulls her into a long, passionate kiss. Neither of them notice that Cole has shimmered into the park and watches them kiss, his eyes filled with jealousy and rage . . . . . . .