Part Thirteen

Summary: The Avatars turned down Cole's request to stop Richard using his magic after he had a vision of him doing evil. Taking matters in to his own hands, he returns to 21st century Earth and threatens Richard to stop using magic. Cole is punished by the Avatars for interfering and is forced to live back on earth as Belthazor, he tries confronting Richard at his estate but he has the backing of the Charmed ones and Cole is forced to re-think his plan, he soon realises Leo is an Avatar. Richard has gone back to potion making in order to deal with the threat. Meanwhile, Cole returns to the Underworld and gains some allies.

The Penthouse

It was early in to the evening as Lana gazed at the high rise San Francisco buildings from the window of the Penthouse as people from all walks of life poured out on to the street. It was something the demon witch took comfort from; the amazing views that Cole's Penthouse offered was mind blowing to her as she watched the world go by. Doctors, lawyers, dentists and so many other people from all walks of life went to and from their daily routines. She was slightly envious, a year had passed and she spent the majority of that time alone. As Lana swept back bits of her long dark hair that drooped over her eyes, she forced herself away from that staggering view. It was time for business, like her only friend she had a part to play and in this she knew it wouldn't be easy but it was something she felt obliged to do. Lana stood in the elevator, pressing for the ground she watched as the doors closed on the Penthouse.

The Manor, same evening

'Twinkle twinkle little star' was Wyatt's favourite nursery rhyme and the Halliwell's always took it in turns to sing him to sleep. Tonight it was his fathers turn, the boy was fast asleep by now as Leo leaned over his crib and watched him. Looking at the baby it was obvious he looked more like his mother then his father; most of then Halliwell family seemed to carry their looks from their mother and Wyatt was no different. "Sweet dreams little guy." The white lighter whispered, smiling at his boy.

"Okay, I'm taking off." Phoebe informed her brother in law as he made his way downstairs.

"Has Chris come back yet?" Leo asked, sitting down in the living room.

"No!" A surprised Phoebe told him. "He's been up there ages, what do you think the Elders wanted him for?" She asked.

"I wouldn't worry." He assured his sister in law. "Performance reviews take as long as they take, and he's a lot more complicated than the average white lighter." He continued.

"Yeah, I guess. Have you heard from Piper?"

"She called earlier, she's just getting settled in at the hotel before the meeting tomorrow." Leo replied. "Speaking of which, are you sure you should be doing this without either your sisters?"

"I'll be fine Leo!" The middle child exhaustingly answered him. "I know this chic remember? Anyway, I don't need Paige worrying about me as well as Richard. She's barely left his side since this whole thing began."

Montana Estate

By now Richard's kitchen was cluttered with potions, herbs and spell books. Paige knew how obsessed he was becoming but was doing her best to support him and not worry. Montana had been spending more and more time making potions, and judging by his unkempt appearance he'd done little else. "I should have known…" He muttered, staring deeply in to a potion bottle.

All Paige felt she could do was look on, her fiancé had continued to bury himself in his books and potion making and she was a bystander. "Known what?" She quizzed her fellow witch.

Richard snapped out of his trance and quickly dismissed her question. "Never mind that now, never mind that now." He said speeding out of the kitchen as his partner gave chase. "I need you to remove the protection spell you out on the house earlier." He informed her, as he headed in to his vault.

"Are you crazy? That mad man will be straight in here!" She told him as she hesitated to follow him to the vault and stood in the doorway.

Richard turned away from examining a particular section of books and smiled, "Let him come, I'm more powerful in here than he can possibly imagine!"

Tiffany's café

Phoebe entered the meeting point and surveyed the room for a moment, and then she noticed in the far corner the girl motioning at her. "Have you ordered?" The middle Halliwell sister asked as she took a seat.

"No, I was waiting for you." Lana replied.

"Just a tea, please." Phoebe told the waitress. "Same." Lana said as the waitress looked to her. "Thanks for coming." She said, looking across the two seater table to Phoebe.

"No problem. Is this your visit here?" Phoebe asked, easing the tension by making small talk.

"I actually come most days; I like the contemporary feel to it." Lana answered.

Phoebe looked around the room for a moment and smiled, "To tell you the truth I've never noticed it. It's changed hands so many times, the memories all merge in to one."

The young waitress brought the girls their teas. "Anything else I can get you?" She helpfully asked the witches.

"No I'm fine thanks." Lana informed her,

"Me too." Phoebe answered to her with a smile.

"So… Where is he?" Phoebe asked the demonic witch as the waitress walked away.

Lana she stirred her drink, "I'm not sure. He's been gone a while." She answered whilst removing her tea bag as Phoebe did the same.

"That doesn't worry you?"

"He's a big boy." Lana replied.

"He's also unpredictable and dangerous." Phoebe countered.

"I guess I haven't seen that yet." She countered back, taking a sip of her tea.

Phoebe smiled for a moment and shook her head, "Are you love with him, Lana?" She asked, almost in a patronising tone.

"I believe in him, Phoebe." Lana simply told her, not quite answering the charmed ones' question.

"So you justify him harming innocents?"

"I think we both know Richard is not an innocent."

"You don't even know him!" Phoebe told her with a firm tone.

"What was the point in this meeting, exactly?" Phoebe asked her fellow witch.

"He still loves you, he doesn't say it but it's obvious." She answered, as she took a final sip of her now empty tea.

"We're done here." Phoebe told her, as she stood up.

"Sit down, Phoebe." Lana ordered, without making eye contact. "He doesn't want you to get involved in what happens next."

Phoebe sat back down and stared in disbelief across the table at Lana. "How did you do that?" She asked. "I can't move…"

"Have another tea." Lana told her.

"Two teas please." Phoebe asked, motioning at the young waitress from earlier. "Lana, stop."

"Cole asked me you keep you safe, what's safer than sitting here with me and drinking tea?"

The waitress made her way over with two more teas. "I'll tell her to call the Police." Phoebe threatened.

"You'll speak to no one in here except for me, give me your mobile."

Phoebe took her mobile from her bag and placed on Lana's side of the table. Lana picked it up and put in her own bag as the waitress come over with their teas. How was she doing that?

TO BE CONTINUED!