Chapter 4

Cole sat staring at the spot that only moments ago Phoebe was in lying in his arms,

tears rolling down his already tear stained cheeks. He was hurt, scared,

confused and yes, angry, because once again she pushed him away when

he needed her the most. Why – why did she collapse, why did she not

answer him, why did she leave him, the list of why questions ran through

his mind and he could not longer take it. Cole looked up to the heavens

and screamed "why are you doing this to me, wasn't enough that you

allowed the Source to destroy me and my family, how much more do

you want me to hurt"? What that Cole buckled to his knees,

head in his hands and sobbed.

Not far from the scene, in the shadows were two figures that

could be seen to no one but each other.

"Mom, I can't stand by any longer and watch them destroy Cole, I don't understand why they are permitted this to happen".

"I don't know either my dear but we have only been restricted from contacting the girls, no one has said anything about not helping Cole".

"Are you suggesting that we tell him everything that we have seen, won't that be going against the Elders"?

"Sometimes we have to do what is right for our family first and not worry about the Elders. Look at him, they knew that he was possessed and still did nothing to help, they allowed him to live through hell and watch helplessly while everyone he loved was hurt by that monster who controlled him and then when they saw the Phoebe would stand by him, they decided to step in and take action, but only to protect themselves and struck that deal with the Seer which got Cole vanquished".

"Mom, he was never my favorite person when I was alive, but I have watched him grow and change over the last year and he is in this 'hell' because he protected my sisters, I owe him, he doesn't deserve this, now after everything he has done to become good".

"I agree, Prue, and we are going to help fix this".

While Patty and Prue are watching Cole on the beach, Leo has orbed into the grand hall of Elders to discuss the current events at the Manor. He appears in the large, bright meeting room where the Elder Council meets.

"Leo my boy, it is nice to see you again", said the elder Gideon.

"Gideon, I need to talk with you, I was just at the manor with the sisters and they know"

Leo informs the man.

Not wanting anyone to overhear what Leo was saying he ushered Leo into a smaller, private room before continuing the discussion. Once they were out of hearing of everyone else Gideon asked Leo to explain everything that happened. Leo didn't understand why he was being so secretive but this was an elder, and his mentor, he knew he could trust him and so he told Gideon that Cole had found a way back from the dead and continued to tell the story that he heard Phoebe tell the sisters about the premonition and how they now know that Cole was possessed and did not willingly choice to be evil for the powers. As Gideon listened his facial expression changed to one of curiosity to one of anger, his mind going over everything and not understanding how Cole was able to come back to life, he was suppose to finally be out of the Charmed Ones lives for good. Leo was looking down at the time and did not notice the momentary change and when he looked back, the elders face was "normal". Leo was unaware the there was more to the story then what he had been told but had complete faith and trust in his former mentor and did not question the man's judgment.

"Thank you Leo for bringing me this information so quickly,

I will have to review this with the other members of the Council and

advise you once we have reviewed the current situation and inform you".

Leo nodded and was about to orb out when Gideon stopped him and said "Leo, this is a very sensative issue and you can not discuss this with anyone but me, do you understand, no one but me".

Leo taken back by the tone of the man's voice but nodded his agreement and orbed back to the manor.

Once Leo was gone Gideon began to pace back and forth thinking about how he was going to deal with this situation now that Cole was back. He was not as concerned about Cole being back in the Charmed Ones lives as much as he was concerned that he would figure out what really happened at the Seer's coronation and he could not allow that to happen or else everything he had worked to prevent would come to pass. He orbed out of the room he was in with Leo and appeared in a dark, dirty cavern in the Underworld.

TBC

Okay, what to you think, I brought Prue and Patty into the story

because I always felt that being on the "other side" they had a more accurate

view of what was happening and needed to give them a

reason why they had not interfered also because Cole needs people he

can talk to. As for Leo, he trusted Gideon when he was after Wyatt and

it would only make sense that he would now as well.

Hope you enjoy the little twists.