Author's Note: Hello to my loyal readers/writers/reviewers! I finally have chapter nine written up! I'm sorry it took so long, but between being back in college and having writer's block, fiction writing has become a real process for me. I am working on things, but I'm not sure when the next update will be.

Warning: This chapter has, at least, one adult reference.

Chapter 8 thanks to: SyndiDowell, for her kind review!

To Recap:

Phoebe looked to Coop who sat in the couch beside her. He looked so sad, like he knew something like that would happen.

"Phoebe, you two go home. We can discuss all this later," Piper said.

"What," Phoebe asked. Her emotions were a wreck.

"Coop, take her home," Paige said.

"I really don't think I should be the one to do that," he said taking Phoebe's hand. "I never want her to be hurt because of me again." He stood. "Phoebe, I need to go."

"No, I don't want to you leave me again," she begged. "You were almost killed. Please don't leave me."

"Paige," Piper said. She placed a hand on their shoulders.

"I'm on it. Be right back," she said Orbing out.

"Paige, what are you doing," Phoebe asked as they reformed in the apartment.

"Don't worry about me. You two work this out," she said as she began to Orb out.

"But –"

"Bye." She said disappearing.

I'll Trust My Heart to You

By: Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell

Chapter 9: Reality vs. Fairy Tales

They sat down on the couch, nowhere near each other, thinking about the events that happened and wondering how to start the conversation that Paige (and apparently Piper) thought they needed to have.

They knew what was bothering the other, but were afraid to admit it. Phoebe chanced a glance at Coop, noticing he was shaking. She could feel that he was afraid of something too. Tears escaped her eyes and she quickly wiped them away.

She was scared, yes, but everything worked out and everyone was okay, for now, she thought. We still don't know who hired the demon to lure us down there by kidnapping him. He was staring intently at the vase with the roses and the cherry blossom.

Noticing a glass half full of water beside her, Phoebe moved to the middle of the couch to water them, setting the glass on the coffee table. She was about to move back, when a hand lay on top of hers. She didn't try to move away, or even place her hand on top. Phoebe just sat back beside him.

Coop moved his hand up her arm, resting on her shoulder. Phoebe looked at him, catching the sadness and regret in his eyes. Part of her wanted to rest in his arms, glad that he was back, alive and safe, but the other part was afraid he'd leave again.

After she got back from their future trip, she realized just how much they were becoming their future selves. Sure, they weren't married or had a baby on the way, yet, she reminded herself, but they'd get there.

Come on, break the silence! You're the one who used to be good at it, she thought.

"Coop, I – I –" Phoebe tried, but couldn't find her voice as she stared at the coffee table in front of them, her eyes fixed on the flowers. She was shaking. She couldn't do this, not now.

She stood, walking into her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Coop knew what she was feeling, but he was afraid Phoebe would push him away when he tried to help. They needed to talk about it…and everything else.

"She didn't have to go down to the Underworld looking for me…put herself in danger for me," he said to himself.

"You're right, Coop," the Elder said appearing before him. "She didn't have to do any of that, but she did."

He stood. "She could've gotten killed! If she had, I – I'd be…"

"Heartbroken, like she is?"

"How do you know she's –"

"Open your eyes, Coop," the Elder said as Coop walked over. "You took her to the future for a reason. To show her that everything she dreamed of was possible. How do you think she knew where to find you," he asked, pointing to Coop's ring.

"My ring?" he asked confused. "It didn't glow or anything. I was watching it."

"No, it didn't. It wasn't supposed to. She realized it was true."

"What?"

"Don't ask me. Ask her," the Elder said disappearing.

Coop reached her bedroom door, hearing muffled sobs. He felt guilty as he leaned against the wall. Though he knew she and her sisters only came to help, Coop didn't think Phoebe should've run over to him in that condition, shaky, bleeding profusely and barely able to stand.

Feeling sorry about something he could do nothing about was getting him nowhere and he knew it. When he caught sight of her, the woman who captured his heart with just a simple glance, severely injured, he knew he should've given in and told the demon where she was. But he loved her, so he couldn't.

He didn't know she would suffer like he did, but from their future selves, he should've guessed.

They were connected stronger than anyone else in the future. But the future wasn't here yet. They still had obstacles to overcome, dreams to achieve.

He took a deep breath and knocked on her bedroom door. "Phoebe," he asked hesitantly, but got no reply. "Phoebe, can I come in," he tried the knob, finding it unlocked.

Slowly, Coop opened the door, finding her lying on her side staring out the window. He stepped in, closing it behind him, and walked over to the side of the bed.

He was close enough to see her body shaking now. How he desperately wanted to sit beside her, to have her lay in his arms, to tell Phoebe that things were okay, for now. He was afraid, but he had to try.

"Phoebe," he said sitting beside her, laying his hand on her shoulder. With his other hand, he picked up the hair on her shoulder, brushing it to her back.

She took a ragged breath, trying to muster up some composure as she asked. "Don't you have somewhere to be? You wanted to leave right after we got back to the house, after all." She knew it sounded cold, knew it probably was, but she couldn't just stop feeling this way. It was like he didn't even care about almost getting both of them killed, though, just beneath the surface, she knew she was wrong.

He knew, by her pained tone of voice, she hadn't originally intended for her question to be so cold, heartless, yet he sympathized with it, with her. He rubbed her shoulder, taking a breath before he answered. "No, I don't. I know you're hurt that I wanted to leave, but it—I—felt like I'd be doing you a favor if I did and –"

She turned to face him. Her eyes and nose were slightly red. "A favor? You almost died! Why would you think leaving then would be a favor to me," she asked as a few lone tears trailed her cheeks.

Coop opened his arms for her and he knew she was asking the same question he wanted to, in a manner of speaking.

"I won't go anywhere, Phoebe. I wanted to leave because – as I told your sisters – I don't want you to be hurt anymore because of me," he answered as she moved over, laying her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her. "When I saw you like that, I wanted to die. I knew you were hurt because of me and I couldn't stand that."

"You don't think that hurt me too? Knowing you were hurt because the demon was trying to get to me," she asked lifting her head and looking into his eyes. "I've already lost one man I loved to evil. I don't want to lose another, Coop."

"I know, but you won't lose me. Phoebe is there something else," he asked as she laid her head back on his chest.

"Yes, when you disappeared after you left my room –"

"When your mother was still there," he asked and she nodded.

"I realized that when you weren't there with me my heart ached. Like I was searching for someone to hold on to that just vanished into thin air. And – and sure I knew you'd be back, but…" she couldn't finish her sentence.

All the events that happened since he left were running through her mind – even the ones she didn't see and those made her feel worse. Knowing she could've asked him to stay and he would have…for her.

"You still worried, especially after everything you saw. I should've stayed with you."

"No, yes – well, had I seen it beforehand I would've suggested it, but I'm glad you tried to help them."

"I know. Let's get some rest, okay," he said rubbing her back.

"No. I want you to tell me what happened to you while it's still fresh in your mind," she said resting her hand in his palm.

"Phoebe, I – I know you want to help, but I just can't go back there now, not after knowing you felt what I did. Every – every single burn, every scream, when I close my eyes, I see it differently. I don't see me chained to that wall –"

"You see me," she finished in a disheartened tone. "That's why this won't work. Demons will want to break us up," she said standing and walking over to the window.

"Yes, I agree," he answered. Phoebe spun around stunned. Had he actually admitted, even after the Elders OK'd it, that he didn't think anything would work out? She turned around, resting her head against the glass. He was the one who was doing everything he could think of to reassure her that everything would be okay. What else could she do?

"Phoebe," he whispered as he laid a hand on her shoulder. Vaguely, she'd heard his footsteps moments before. "I agree that you're right, but that doesn't mean that I don't think we shouldn't try to have a fairy tale ending."

"They're not real. Nothing like that is," she whispered covering his hand with her own.

"Yes, they are. Your sisters are living proof. They fought for it and won. Piper has Leo, Paige has Henry, and you – you – have me, if you want me." At that statement, Phoebe turned around and saw, not only how much he meant the words he'd just spoken by his face, but his eyes held the most trust she thought she'd ever seen.

"Of course I do, I love you, but –"

"Then give your heart a chance – give us a chance – please. I'll do anything," he lifted his hand from her shoulder and held it out for her to grasp.

She knew what she was doing could hurt more than anything ever had if something went too wrong, but from the look of his face – the sincerity of his eyes, Phoebe didn't think that would happen.

"If I do, will you tell me?"

"Will you sleep first? You've been through a lot," he asked as she led him over to her bed.

"Only if you promise not to leave."

"I promise," he said as she lay down with her head on his chest. And, with his arms wrapped comfortably around her, they both fell into a deep sleep they both needed.

The Attic of the Halliwell Manor

Piper was flipping through the Book of Shadows trying to find the demon that was responsible for giving orders and torturing Coop. In a way, what happened made sense, but didn't in another.

Yes, they did all that to Coop and that was terrible, but why hadn't the demon attacked them or, at least, the person who he was working under? Though since they hadn't recognized the demon or seen their main enemy, she supposed looking through the Book wouldn't do much good.

Sighing, she closed the Book and walked back downstairs to Chris sleeping in the playpen beside a wide-eyed Wyatt who was playing with a truck.

"Wyatt, you shouldn't be awake," Piper said as she walked over and picked up her golden-haired, crystal-eyed son as he held tightly to his truck and walked back over to her chair. "There are things Mommy needs to do and unfortunately she can't carry you two everywhere," she said as his eyes began to close. "As much as I wish I could I can't," she whispered.

"Leo," she half-whispered. "Leo!"

"Yes, what is it," he said Orbing in behind her.

"Can you take Chris upstairs? I've got Wyatt."

He nodded picking up Chris and walking back over to Piper. They then orbed

Walking into the nursery, Piper sat Wyatt down on the floor while Leo laid Chris in his crib.

"Stay here and protect your brother, okay?" Leo asked, running a hand through his eldest son's hair as they young witch nodded, too focused on his toys to do much else. Leo walked over to Piper, who was leaning against the doorframe.

"Piper?" Leo asked, seeing a dazed look in her eyes. "Piper!"

She didn't answer like she normally would. Leo thought she was voicing her thoughts, so he waited patiently. "It just doesn't make sense. Why wouldn't they go after us instead of him? We are the ones demons usually target."

"Maybe the demon knew quickest way to get to her is through her heart," Leo suggested as they walked back downstairs.

"But anyone who knows of us knows that? Hell, Barbas knows that! Its kinda what he preys on after fears." She sighed as they reached the landing. "Did we maybe get there too quickly?" She asked, looking to Leo.

"Too quickly?" He asked confused. "Piper, if you three had gotten there any later—"

"No, I mean should we have waited for – oh, what the hell am I saying!" Leo grabbed her shoulders.

"Calm down all right? Both Phoebe and Coop are safe back at her apartment. Worrying won't do us any good until we find out exactly what happened to Coop. Who knows, maybe he saw the actual demon behind the plan." He rested his hand on her cheek.

"Well, yeah, th – that is a thought, I – I guess." Piper surrendered her emotions, burying her face in his neck. She felt his arms wrap around her loosely.

"I know you're worried. We all are. But we need to put this out of our minds, at least until Phoebe and Coop come back. You need to rest and I –" he sighed as jingles filled his ears. "I need to go for a bit. Here," He orbed over to the couch.

She let out half of a sarcastic laugh. "Sleep? You expect me to be able to sleep?"

"No, just try to relax." He said, draping a throw blanket over her legs.

She yawned. "What about Wyatt and Chris? I have to be awake."

"I'll keep watch, don't worry." He said Orbing out.

"Okay, if you say so." She was asleep within seconds after she stretched out on the couch.

With Paige

Smoke from the cauldron was becoming blue. It wasn't anything spectacular, like from the Book of Shadows, just a simple scalding potion, but Paige needed something to take her mind off things, so she turned to her family heritage. The countertop was stained pink from an element she'd used moments before, so she grabbed the nearest wet cloth and wiped it up.

Hearing the front door close, she looked up.

"Paige," she heard Henry call.

"In the kitchen."

"If you're doing something family-related, I suggest you go upstairs," she heard him say as she stood in the doorframe.

"Is there a particular reason you don't want all that down here?"

"One my partners, Les and his wife are on their way over. They've asked if we'd like to have dinner."

"Oh, and did we accept their offer," she asked smugly.

"Paige, please don't be like this," he said walking over to her. "They're really good people and I know you've been stressed. I thought, when he suggested it, it might help."

"You didn't answer my question."

"No, we haven't accepted yet. I said I had to check with you first, but if you don't feel like going out, they said they'd understand."

"Why are they coming over then? And what exactly did you tell –" she never got the chance to finish her questions as the doorbell rang. "Damn." She walked back into the kitchen gathered up everything she could (which mostly meant whatever would raise odd questions) in her arms and walked back to the doorframe.

"So, what do I tell them?" Henry asked. "Are we going or not?"

She sighed. She would rather focus on who was after Coop, but there was nothing anyone could do until they knew what happened to him. "Yes, tell them we'll go. I'll set this stuff in the attic and be back."

He looked at her confused. "We don't have –"

"Wow, you've really had a rough day. I'm talking about Piper's."

"Oh, yeah. Sorry. I guess I need a little normalcy too."

"Looks like it. Bye. Be back in a sec." She orbed out.

The Attic of the Halliwell Manor

A sound jarred the Time-Freezing witch from her thoughts and she looked up to see her youngest sister with a steaming cauldron, potion vials, and a wet cloth.

"Paige," she said, rushing over taking the cauldron from her hands. "This is dangerous! You shouldn't be carrying this in your bear arms!" She set the cauldron on the table.

"I know, I know, but I had to hurry and leave. Henry's friends and their wives want to take us to dinner." She flinched, touching the burns on her arm.

"That doesn't mean you had to carry it here like this!"

"It does when his friends were at the door." She argued.

Piper sighed. "Come on downstairs with me." She grabbed Paige's arm.

"I – I really should get back, Piper. They're waiting for me." Paige said as they scaled the stairs.

"I don't care whose waiting for you. They can wait. I think it'd seem strange to anyone except Henry if you came back with a burn like this." They sat on the couch. "Leo, we need you!"

"Odd, it didn't seem hot when I brushed against it."

"Sometimes they won't be hot until after you finish brewing them."

Blue orbs formed beside them. "What is it?"

"Paige got burned," Piper answered.

"Yeah, I was carrying something over here and I didn't—ow—I didn't have time to protect my arms."

"Hold still," Leo told her as she held her arm out. The burn was gone within seconds.

"That's better. Thanks Leo."

"Anytime. And the boys are still asleep." He said, Orbing out.

"Okay." Piper answered.

"I really should be getting back. They're probably wondering where I am." Paige said standing.

"Car parked out front?" Piper asked with a raised brow.

"Yep. See ya later, Piper."

"Bye." She responded as her sister left in blue lights. "I suppose I should get back to that potion." With that, she scaled the stairs to the attic.

With Paige

She reformed in front of their full-length mirror in their bedroom. "Hmmm, an evening out? Let's see." She Glamoured herself into a black spaghetti-strap dress that ended just below her knees and high heels and then chose to go with the diamond earring and necklace set Henry had given her for her birthday. She smirked. "I love being a witch!"

"Paige," she heard Henry knock on the door. "Are you ready yet?"

"Almost. Give me a few minutes." She called back as she applied a light layer of make-up and checked her earrings. She opened the door to find her husband in a state she hardly ever saw—well as far as public events went—his jaw dropped. "What? Don't you like it?" She joked.

"I—I…" was all her stunned husband could muster.

"I can change if you don't—" He grabbed her wrist before she could open their bedroom door again.

"N—no, Paige. Don't change. You. Look. Absolutely. Stunning." He said honestly. He picked her up, spinning her around.

"Henry!" She laughed. "There are people waiting for us!"

He kissed her neck. "They can wait for a minute." He said, pressing her against the wall, kissing her passionately.

Her hands ran up into his hair. "H—Henry, we c—can't…not now." She panted, grabbing his shoulders.

"Hey, are you two coming with us or not?" Henry's partner, Les commented.

Paige grinned. "See? They were wondering."

"Maybe after dinner we—"

She pressed a finger to his lips, pressing hers to his ear. "All you'll need to do is pull the car into the driveway and grab the keys." She breathed. "I'll handle the rest." She told him, grabbing his hand as they walked downstairs.

"Should we take our own cars?" Henry commented.

"It might be easier." Les suggested as he stood.

They stood and the four of them walked out of the house, Les and his wife Ana in one car, Henry and Paige in the other.

"Did you guys decide where we're going?" Paige asked.

Henry's free hand came to rest upon Paige's which rested on the middle console. "No, they just said to follow them. I'm sure we'll have a good time." He said as they turned left down the highway, following.

Author's Note: What do you think? When will everyone find out what happened to Coop? What exactly happened and why?

I hope everyone was able to distinguish the different scenes in this chapter. I decided to do things a little differently. I'm sorry the formatting's a little off. The site won't let me format the title, author, chapter in the middle.

Please read and review!

Next chapter: Chapter 10: Through a Cupid's Eyes

Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell