A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. Between school and work I have been really busy. Also, sorry for the short chapter. As you'll find, this chapter is sort of a filler, but VERY important to the plot, so please don't skip it. And don't forget to review!
Thanks to mclaughlin, Cole+ Phoebe = Love Forever, Angelspot, PhoebeColefan, Shadow Cat17, Draco's-Loyal-Longing, and lizardmomma for reviewing. I really appreciate it!
Chapter Sixteen
"What the hell are you doing?" Prue demanded, sounding irritated. Piper didn't look at her, but she was concerned. Her older sister sounded tired, like she didn't want to fight. Piper could understand that, but Phoebe had the Book of Shadows.
Across from them, Phoebe gave them her innocent look. "Just taking what's rightfully mine," she answered sweetly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Paige asked, looking from Phoebe to Prue and Piper.
"I mean exactly that." Phoebe turned to Prue and Piper. "She isn't the new brains of the operation, is she?"
"Phoebe, that's enough. Just put the book down and leave. Before we have to use force," Prue answered, sounding even more tired than she did a second ago.
Phoebe cocked her head slightly and gave Prue a mischievous smile. "But I can't. I can't just leave this laying around so that you girls can get ideas."
"We weren't getting any ideas, okay? That book is an extension of the Charmed Ones, and like it or not, you aren't a Charmed One anymore!" Piper exclaimed, and it took all her self control not to go up to her younger sister and slap her.
But Phoebe didn't look perturbed. "I hate to tell you this, but if it weren't for me then you wouldn't be the Charmed Ones at all. You wouldn't have even known the Charmed Ones existed if it weren't for me, so I think I have dibs on getting the Book of Shadows."
Piper's jaw dropped in outrage. Beside her, she could sense that Prue just did the same thing. "That's not fair, Phoebe. First of all, you didn't know what the Charmed Ones did any more than we did. We all would have eventually gone up to the attic, if not the same night you did than the day after. It was inevitable that one of us would have found the book. Just because you happened to get there first doesn't mean that you have some kind of magical claim on it. That book belongs in our family, not laying around somewhere in some cave down in the Underworld!"
"If that's what you want to keep telling yourself, dear." Phoebe moved to stand closer to Cole, who had been silent so far, watching the heated argument with measured amusement. "But, if I remember correctly, you and Prue didn't want to believe that anything strange was happening that night. In fact, you guys were the ones who told me not to go up to the attic at all. You were both so convinced that I was playing some elaborate joke on you."
"Pheebs, that's not true and you know it," Prue insisted, her eyes filled with emotion at her sister's words.
"Oh would you stop kidding yourselves?!" Phoebe exclaimed incredulously. Piper had the sense that Phoebe had just been waiting for the right moment to bring these inner feelings to the surface. "You especially, Prue! I remember what you thought of me before I came back that night! It literally took you seeing yourself use your power for you to even consider the thought that we were witches because me telling you wasn't enough! You two never listened to me, not when we were kids not then, and not now!"
Prue scoffed. "Like you wouldn't have done the same thing if it had been me who found the book first! Don't act all self-righteous. Like we treated you like some kind of inferior! 'Oh my name is Phoebe and no one ever understood me!'" she cried sarcastically.
Phoebe glowered at Prue, and even Piper had to stop and consider what was taking place here. After all this time, her two full sisters were finally working out their differences, even if it was four years later and under ridiculous circumstances. She glanced at Paige, and could see that, even though her half-sister had no idea what was occurring, she knew it had to happen in order for any of them to move on.
"I never acted like that. But you never listened to me or believed me. I told you nothing happened with Roger. He was the one who came on to me, but of course you believed him because he was your fiance! You never even stopped and took the time to get my side of the story. Do you have any idea how much that hurt, Prue?" Phoebe asked, and for the first time in a long time, Piper could see the old Phoebe.
Prue sighed, struggling to keep her voice down. "It's not like you gave me a choice, Phoebe. Back then you weren't the most responsible person in the world. And I tried to get your side of the story, remember? But you acted exactly like you're acting now. You were so mad that I had to even ask you what happened at all! 'I'm your sister, Prue, you should already know that nothing happened!'"
"That is so not true. I did not say that. I only said that you should know that I would never do anything to come in between you and your fiance. I was upset because you thought so little of me." Phoebe paused to take a deep breath and to look at Prue, her eyes full of hurt. "I can see now that nothing has changed."
Piper watched helplessly as Phoebe put her hand into Cole's and looked up at him. "There's nothing left for us here. Let's go home."
And just like that, they were gone.
Prue turned to Piper and Paige, not believing what had just taken place. "What the hell was that? Since when did arguing over her stealing the Book of Shadows result in us talking about Roger of all people?"
Piper could only shrug and lead her older sister to their Aunt Pearl's couch. Once they were all seated together Piper absent-mindedly pulled a strand of Prue's long black hair out of her face. "We all know that Roger was sort of a taboo subject. You two never really dealt with that particular issue."
"Wait a second. Who is Roger?" Paige spoke up, looking genuinely confused.
"Prue's old fiance. They were engaged about five years ago but she called off the wedding when she found out he was hitting on Phoebe," Piper explained before Prue could come up with some lie to tell Paige.
"Oh," Paige muttered, clearly unnerved about not knowing that.
"It wasn't just Phoebe, Piper. There were other women who he thought he was entitled to. Like us getting married meant nothing. But still, I don't understand how Phoebe still has issues about that. I thought we cleared that up years ago!" she exclaimed.
Piper laid a hand on her shoulder. "Maybe you did, but that doesn't mean that Phoebe doesn't still feel bad about it."
"But she's evil now. Doesn't she have more pressing concerns? Like which innocent to kill next?" Prue spat bitterly.
"Come on, Prue. Phoebe would never knowingly let an innocent die, Queen of the Underworld or not."
Prue turned to give Piper a hard look. "Since when are you on Phoebe's side?"
"Since I saw remnants of the old Phoebe just now. She's struggling, Prue. If we were going to try out our Save Cole Theory, we should do it now before it's too late to save her," Piper explained earnestly.
"But how? In case you've forgotten, Phoebe just took the Book of Shadows," Paige pointed out unnecessarily.
Prue and Piper exchanged an amused glance. "It's time you learned, Paige, that you don't always need the Book to know what to do next."
And with that they went downstairs and headed for the kitchen to prepare a potion that, hopefully, would help them gain the upper hand once again.
"I can't believe you got the Book of Shadows!" Cole exclaimed happily once they were back in the penthouse.
Phoebe gave him a small half-smile before turning her attention to the massive green tome in her hands. "Yeah. It's sort of an empty feeling, though."
"What do you mean? We got what we came for. We got the book." Then realization hit him hard like a knife. "Is it what you and Prue were fighting about?"
Phoebe nodded, not expecting tears start to spill.
"Oh baby, come here." Cole wrapped his arms around Phoebe both protectively and comfortingly. Phoebe let him, too tired to pull away. She was glad she didn't once she felt his arms around her body. She hadn't known just how much she needed this.
"They're in denial, you know? They act like they completely embraced being Charmed Ones and that I'm expendable! I was the one who had to convince them they were witches. Did you know that? I was the first one to find the book. I read that incantation by myself. Even if they had come up to the attic with me, they would never have read along with me. But they're acting like they would have, and I'm just so sick of their lies!" she cried.
"I believe you. But that's not all that's bothering you, is it?" Cole asked knowingly.
Phoebe considered lying to him. Maybe he'd believe her, or just let it go because she was so distraught. She no longer had any energy, and she wasn't up for another heartfelt confession. One was enough for the day.
"No, but I really don't want to talk about it," she murmured, rubbing her eyes with his jacket.
"But Phoebe, if it helps you..."
"I said no, Cole. Okay? Just drop it!" she snapped, then immediately regretted it. Yelling at him, not her choice of words.
Cole nodded at once. "All right. Just figured that maybe you would want some understanding. You don't have to be alone in this, you know."
"I know, and I'm not. But you don't have to hear my innermost feelings to be on my side, do you?"
"No. Of course not." He let go of her and gave her time to collect herself before saying, "What you need is a distraction."
"What kind of distraction?" she asked, looking up into his eyes.
Cole wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "You'll see."
Later that night Phoebe was dressed in a short red dress, her wavy dark hair down with a red rose decorating it. She and Cole were dancing in an upper-class club. Phoebe had never been there before since she and her sisters had only been to P3 for obvious reasons.
But now, being at this place called Nightwish, she had to admit that she had been missing out till now. Not that she would've ever been able to afford to get in here since it was where the rich and famous San Franciscans partied all night, but still. It was nice to see how the other half lived, especially since she and Cole were considered part of their society now.
All the latest songs were playing. Cole and Phoebe had been dancing all night, not wanting to stop. They had quickly become the center of attention with both their appearances, attitudes, and dance moves.
At least now I know that Cole can dance despite what he told me at that club last year, Phoebe thought to herself upon seeing Cole sway his hips in time with hers.
When the song stopped the by-standers applauded their dance. Once the next song came on Cole took Phoebe's hand in preparation for the next dance, but Phoebe pulled away gently.
"Why don't we get something to drink?" she yelled over the music.
He nodded once, almost looking relieved, and led her off the dance floor. They managed to find an empty table near the corner closest to the door. Phoebe sat down and Cole silently headed to the bar, no need to ask her what she wanted to drink.
Phoebe rested her head on the wall, not realizing how tired she was until she was off her feet. Three guys and three annoyed rejections later Cole returned with a mineral water for Phoebe and a beer for himself.
"So is it working?" Cole asked, and Phoebe struggled to hear him over the blaring music.
"Is what working?"
"My distraction. Are you having a good time?" he yelled, taking a sip of his beer.
"The best! Thank you. I needed this," she answered, and found she meant every word.
Cole smiled, genuinely pleased. "I'm glad. You needed a break after all the time we've spent down in the Underworld. I know I've been working a lot lately, but I promise that should all lighten up soon. And once we figure out a way to stay together and not be torn apart by magic of any kind we'll feel much better."
"Probably. But it feels more than that."
Cole frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I-I don't really know how to explain it. It just feels like...lately I've been sort of experiencing these mood swings," Phoebe said, doing her best to explain what she had been feeling. She hadn't told Cole before because she wasn't sure how he would take it. She was afraid that he might just write it off as that time of the month, but Phoebe wasn't so sure.
To her surprise he looked concerned and not dismissive. "Should we be worried?"
"I don't know. I don't think so. I think my hormones are just out wack. Probably not anything to be overly-concerned about."
Cole opened his mouth, about to say something but seemed to stop himself at the last minute.
"What?" Phoebe asked, wanting him to say whatever he was about to say.
"I just...do you think it has anything to do with the other night?" he asked, sounding hopeful.
Phoebe frowned, taken aback. Never once had she considered that as a possibility, and to be honest she was afraid to even nurture the idea. That was why she said, "No, I don't think so. It's too soon to tell."
Cole nodded at once, but looked somewhat disappointed. Phoebe almost felt guilty for quashing his hope.
Almost.
"Look, can we talk about something else, please? All this talk of my sisters and...other things...is getting me depressed again. Can't we just enjoy ourselves and worry about all this tomorrow?" Phoebe asked desperately.
"Of course. This is all for you. I just thought you might want to..."
"Cole, all I want to do is have a good time and forget about my sisters, about magic, about the Underworld. About all of it. That's why you brought me here isn't it?"
"Yes. I'm sorry."
Phoebe felt guilty for snapping at him again. He was just trying to help and she was yelling at him because of it. But that last encounter had thrown her for a loop. They hadn't even fought her for the book. They just tried to talk her out of it, and when it hadn't worked, they had watched her and Cole shimmer away. It was like it wasn't even worth the fight.
Since when did the Charmed Ones not fight to keep their book in the house? That had always been a nagging concern at the back of her mind. Did they think in some twisted sense, that she wouldn't do anything to it?
Well, they were right about that, as much as it pained her to admit it to herself. The Book of Shadows was a part of her history.
"So what do you say? Are you up for another dance?" Cole asked after a while. He had finished his beer and Phoebe was almost done with her water.
Phoebe nodded, abandoning the water on the table. "Come on."
This time she led Cole to the dance floor, and the others watched in anticipation to see what move they were going to do next. No one danced while they did since they were attracting too much attention. Phoebe savored the attention, feeling good to find a connection between her new life and her previous one. It was nice to see that, no matter what happened, some things would never change.