Heaven's Mistaken Gift
by: Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell
Co-written by: That70sShoLova
Chapter 28: Origins
Through a dimly lit hallway, she walked with soft footfalls, her soft pjs dragging on the wooden floor. She saw the double doors less than five feet away, but she stopped. Her mom was trying to make amends, so if she wasn't telling her something, there had to be a good reason, right? But she still wanted to know.
Even if Cole wasn't her actual father, it didn't change the fact that he'd been there for her. It never would.
Quietly, she opened the door and walked in. The moonlight lit part of the bed. Luckily, it was Phoebe's side. She walked over to the edge and froze. Cole's arms were wrapped around her, her head was on his chest and…was he smiling in his sleep? She'd never seen that before. But maybe he has a reason to smile now, she thought.
So maybe all those stories of how he wished her mom was there with them more than anything were true. Of how much he loved her, but couldn't be with her for safety reasons. Of how he would always love her.
How could she possibly be evil? Or her aunts for that matter? They were willing to try to be nice despite all Kali had done. She wasn't exactly evil herself, Kali was. On the other hand, Kali's real appearance was more grown up. She just couldn't show it.
Cautiously, Melinda sat on the edge of the bed. You can ask her about him, but I doubt she remembers . . . if memory serves me right he beat her . . . his human name was Jared, demonic name Zepar . . . the conversation she had had with Kali swirled around in her mind. She wanted to know…so bad, but… She sighed. She knew it wouldn't be an easy conversation for them to have.
Deciding to wait until morning, Melinda went to stand up, which unfortunately caused more of a shift of the comforter than she expected as Phoebe mumbled in her sleep and grabbed her hand.
"M-Mel?" Phoebe asked yawning. "What are you doing in here?"
She tried to pull her hand away. "Nothing Mommy."
Phoebe sat up, but Cole didn't notice. "No sweetie, what's wrong?" she urged. "Did you have a bad dream?"
Melinda shook her head.
"Then what is it?"
She shook her head again, running out.
"Mel! Melinda wait!" she said, pushing the covers back which caused Cole to stir.
"Phoe—what's going on?" he asked groggily while sitting up.
"I don't know. Go back to sleep. I've got her." She jumped out of bed, running to the doors.
"Are you sure?" he asked through a yawn as her hand reached the knob.
"Yes."
She ran down the hallway following the sound of faint feet. There had to be a good reason Melinda was there. She wasn't Kali right now, of that Phoebe was certain. Reaching the door, it was cracked open.
Knowing that she wasn't asleep, Phoebe knocked. "Mel, sweetie, can we talk?"
"I don't want to talk!" she said, which Phoebe thought sounded more like a cry.
Phoebe sighed. "Then why were you in there staring at me? I'm not mad, really. I'm just worried about you."
Suddenly, Phoebe saw a blue eye staring at her through the crack. "You're really not mad?"
"No. Did you, possibly, want to ask me a personal question about my past?" She just threw it out there. Something about it seemed to fit. Obviously, she was only hoping to talk to her.
"Yes," she whispered. "But I-I don't want you to avoid it."
Phoebe nodded. "Alright. Can I come in there with you? It'll be easier to talk."
Slowly, the door opened to reveal, in Phoebe's opinion, a beautiful, yet dreary atmosphere. Everywhere she looked she could see royal purple, black and, sometimes, even silver. It was a beautiful combination, but not what she would expect a ten-year-old's room to be. But then again, not every ten-year-old had a demonic other half.
Phoebe walked over, sitting on the giant king-sized bed as Melinda quietly closed the door. She smiled. "Well, I see someone's overly spoiled."
Melinda walked over, careful not to pass too close to her mirror. She smiled, turning on the bedside lamp before sitting next to her. "Yeah, I like Cole's bed, so he got me a big one to!"
"I guess there's nothing really wrong with that. He loves you very much."
She nodded. "Mommy?" she asked hesitantly biting her lip.
"What?" Phoebe asked looking at her.
"Cole . . . he's not my real daddy is he?"
Sighing, Phoebe paced around the room. She was hoping to have this conversation a few more years down the road. It wouldn't be easy to tell. Turning to face her daughter, she wiped the sleep from her eyes. "No, not biologically, but he is your daddy." She smiled lightly, kneeling in front of her. "He's the one who's always been there. Nothing will ever change that. I promise." She patted her leg.
A thought occurred to her. She swallowed hard. "H-how did you figure it out?"
Melinda shook her head. "I didn't really. She told me. What his real name was, what his demon name was, but…"
"But what?" Phoebe asked, looking into her frightened eyes. "Whatever it is, tell me," she said taking hold of her hands. "It's okay. This part is a bit scary, but I'll answer it as best I can."
Her eyes widened. "You don't know?"
She bit her lip, letting go of her hands and sitting against the tall headboard gesturing for Melinda to follow, which she did. Once she was there, she comfortably snuggled into her side, waiting for whatever story was told. "I don't…know exactly what happened at some parts. If you told me what you know I could try to fill in the blanks."
"Sh-she said you might not remember," she whispered.
"That's right. I couldn't remember for the longest time. What else do you know?"
"His name. Jared or Zepar which means he was a shape-shifter," Melinda answered. "Why else would he have two different names?"
"Yes, that's right," she said looking down at her, hugging her seeing she was close to tears. "Sweetie, you don't need to cry. I know, it's hard to listen to, but—"
"No!" she cried, throwing her arms around her.
"Hey, what's the matter?" she asked as she crawled into her lap and wrapped her arms around her neck. "Ssshh, its okay," she said rubbing her back.
"N-no it's not!" she cried. "He hurt you because of me!"
What? "No, no, sweetie. You weren't the reason he—did that. I-it was something else," she answered, hugging her tightly. "it's okay." But try as she might, the young girl just wouldn't quiet. "Mel, Mel, listen to me," she pulled her back to look her in the eyes. "You weren't the reason. Cole and I, we got close and . . . he-he misinterpreted it."
She sniffed, trying to hold back tears.
Phoebe rested her hand on the side of her face. "It's okay. I'm okay. Because Cole stepped in and saved me I'm still here. You're here. Okay?"
"Uh huh," she said, holding even tighter to her.
"Hey, look at me," she said as Melinda opened her eyes to stare her in the face. "You have his bright blue eyes and beautiful golden hair." She ran her hand down the length of her curls. "And that was what I wished for. You didn't inherit much else from him, Mel, really you didn't. You take after Cole so much more."
By now, Melinda was grinning from ear to ear, her tears drying up. "If I had the chance to do everything over, I wouldn't change a thing. Looks to kill and powers to match," she chuckled, "sounds like my kid to me."
"Do you think I'll ever see him?" Melinda asked.
"Jared?" Phoebe asked, Melinda nodded. "For everyone's sake, I hope not."
"Mommy, can I show you something?"
Phoebe yawned. "Mel, its very late. Can't you show me in the morning?"
"No," she answered, sliding off of her bed and taking Phoebe's hand, leading her over to sit in front of her vanity. She then proceeded to sit in her lap.
"Okay, you have a nice dresser," Phoebe said, trying not to sound sarcastic.
"No Mommy," Melinda said. She tapped the reflective glass. "Please Kali, I want her to see you. The real you."
"What good would it do?" the girl's shadow in the mirror asked.
Phoebe almost shivered. The voice sounded so cruel and cold. But Cole did mention she might feel neglected. Maybe if I can see her, I might be able to do something. She's my daughter too, after all.
"Kali," Phoebe spoke with uncertainty, "please let me see you," she requested, her voice shaking slightly.
Kali snorted. "Why should I?"
"I want to know what you really look like. I know that demons mature much faster than witches." She smiled. "I'm curious. We can talk about anything you want. I just want to see you. Or you can show yourself for a second and not talk." Phoebe thought a second. "You can even tell me what you really think of me."
"No!" Melinda interrupted. "It won't be nice!"
Calmly, Phoebe ran a hand through her hair. "I realize that Mel, but sooner or later it's going to come out. Maybe I can clear up a couple things, okay?"
The child nodded.
Kali rolled her eyes, not that it showed in her shadow. "You want to know what I think? You're a relentless annoying bi-" she laughed. "I shouldn't say such words in the presence of children." her shadow shrugged, "Who cares though? You're a bitch! Bitch!"
Phoebe, though somewhat taken aback, smiled. "And why do you think that? Don't give me the 'because I wasn't there crap' either. Even if I had been what would you have expected me to do?"
"To be a mother!" she seethed. "Even now, I'm here. Finally, I get to meet my deadbeat mother. But, oh, no, not Kali. I want to see Melinda. Melinda this, Melinda that. Just because I'm a demon doesn't mean I don't have feelings! I want love too! And no one seems to give a damn because I'm just some cold, heartless, bitch of a demon with no soul. You can all kiss my ass!"
"Kali," Phoebe said resting her hand against the cool surface, "why didn't you tell me? I just assumed you wanted noting 'good' to do with me. I understand where you're coming from, sweetie. And you are not some 'cold, heartless bitch'. You're my daughter, demon or not. Though our first meeting was..." she coughed, "less than pleasant to say the least. But as you've said, you crave power and it's hard for you to control. It's okay. Tell me what I need to do—I know I can't really make up for not being here the past 10 years—but tell me what I need to do to get us to start having a normalcy between us." She said and then added, "As long as it doesn't involve anyone that I care about dying, I'll probably be okay with it. I'm sorry."
She smirked. "I don't just crave power, Phoebe. I crave what every demon does. Charmed power. There can't be anything between us, you surely know that. Demons hold grudges, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear that I had the stubborness of a Warren witch in me. We can't be even remotlely close without me wanting to kill you. A demon and a witch? Please. It doesn't work, Phoebe. It never will. Both our insticts clash so hard that we would kill each other. You shy away from demons, always will. I live to kill witches. Always will."
She scoffed. "And that thing with Belthazar you have? It won't last, sweetie. We both know that. He was born to kill witches, trained his whole life. How hard does it have to be to let that demon not take over and rip your throat out? He'll smile at the blood on the floor. Because it's instinct."
"Then you wanting love was a crock? I know about demonic instincts. Cole fights with everything in his being not to kill me. You think I don't think he wants to? I know him, better than you think. I don't care that you're a demon, Kali. You, yourself, are powerful because you have Halliwell/Warren blood in you. If you would just let us help you, you would feel the greatest of all powers.
Cole warned me a while ago that if I came here, I may not be able to go back and I have to admit for a while I wouldn't have considered it, but," her eyes shown the darkness within her own soul, "now I'm beginning to like the idea. My family tree will never change, that is true, but I don't have to be good. And no, I'm not doing this to get on your 'good side', I've been considering it for a while."
She sneered. "I could never love a Warren. And you, littly Phoeeb Halliwell, joining the dark side?" she smirked, "And how would that work, m'dear? You will always have the feeling of disgust around us, don't ignore it. Embrace it." she laughed, a dark, humorless laugh. "How could things possibly get better for me? I am stuck in the body of a ten year old child! I can't live like this forever. At some point, I will get out. I will find away. I don't care if it breaks our soul. I can't live in the body of a little girl with the brain of a five year old. Us, taking turns, so cute. You can't deal with a demon in the body of your child." the shadow faded away and Kali stood, in all her glory, smirking.
Phoebe smiled. "So you decided to grace me with your presence after all?" She smirked. "What would you say if I said I could find you a body? You wouldn't have to share anymore. Sometimes being good is too much. And how do you know I wouldn't embrace the dark like you do? You are both my children. I can handle that, but what I can't handle is you hating me for something I have no control over."
Kali leaned in curiously, completely disregarding her last statement. "A body?" she cursed herself for looking so involved, but this was her only chance.
"Yes, a body. Would you object if I used a couple people along the way? I'm sure Cole could help me out. But you have to say you'll let Mel have her own life and that you won't try to take mine or Cole's any longer. My sisters are my sisters, nothing can change that, but there has to be some cloaking potion the three of us can drink so we're untraceable. I know this is a little unorthodox, but will you think about it and let me know?"
Kali raised her eyebrow. "Y-You want nothing to d-do with me, Mommy? How," she snorted, "sad. There's rules, though. Compromises. How about we...strike up a contract?"
"What sort of contract are we talking about?" she asked, shifting a now-sleeping Melinda in her arms.
"I don't want you or your sisters to come at me. And I remain the Source. I won't – if you decide to go through with this switching sides ordeal – come after you, either."
"I would be willing to help you. I'm not saying it would make up for anything, but just maybe we could start fresh. All four of us." She sighed. "Though, you're probably not for the whole family togetherness thing, are you?"
She sniffed. "I never said I didn't want a family. You have to realize, Belthazar has been around for a very long time. A very long time. I have not. I..." she huffed, not able to form the right words, "It's hard for me fight off the instinct to slit your throat, but I can," she fake gagged, "try. Why do you think I stabbed you when we first met? Your power...is so...so strong! I can see the aura around you. You should really hide that, it really attracts demons to you. Always looking for more power. Greedy bastards."
"So...you would be willing to consider this?"
She nodded stiffly. "I know it may seem my emotions...rage a lot, but you have to realize...my emotions rage a lot. However, I wouldn't you know," she lowered her voice to a mumble, "mind having a family or something."
"Your emotions rage because everyone gets angry and upset, even scared. Even I do. Kali, I have a question for you. Do you have to hide your aura?"
She grinned. "I don't like to. People should be afraid of me. I am the Source, I radiate power. I like the fear the willingness to do anything as long as I don't kill them."
Phoebe smiled. "I used to be like that. Reckless, rebellious, but then somewhere I grew up and bottled that part of my life. Kali, I should really lay Mel in bed, if I take her away, do you have the power to stay here?"
"Yes, she does," Cole said from the doorway, "here, let me take her." Gently, he took Melinda and laid her in bed, covering her up and kissing her cheek. Then he walked back over and sat beside Phoebe on the floor. "Are you sure about going against everything you've ever known, Phoebe, really?"
She nodded. "Yes, I know it will be hard on my sisters, but my heart belongs here, with you three."
"How much did you hear?" Phoebe asked.
Cole smiled. "Every word. I'll help in any way I can, but in order to get Kali here a body, it's going to have to involve a Power of Three spell. How are we going to do that?"
Phoebe hmmed. "Any ideas, Kali?"
. . .
. . .
Author's note: So what do you think? What will happen now? Yes, Phoebe's going bad, but it's gonna be good! Had soooo much fun writing this chapter!
Reviews are much appreciated. Please?
Review thanks to: LeftWriter224, That70sshowlova, BikerChick101
Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell & That70sShowLova