Prologue

Cole sighed as he watched the man whom oddly he considered a friend pack his things. Phoebe was with Piper, upstairs, having both of them fall asleep near the book of shadows when Piper refused to leave the room for the third night in a row.

They were tired and grieving but while Phoebe allowed him to be there for her, Cole could see how Piper pushed Leo away, unconsciously blaming him for Prue's death which led the white lighter to this new path he was about to take but even Cole was worried, this journey was not easy, not even him in his demon form would take it, now without a guarantee.

The Path Of The Thousand Cuts was made so the one seeking it could never return.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Cole for the third time.

"There is no other way. Piper was right. I couldn't save Prue and I should have done it. I should have been able to save them both." said Leo, closing his suitcase.

"You are a white lighter, not a miracle maker. Prue was dead before you even tried to heal her." said Cole.

"That's not the point, Cole!" said Leo, angry with himself.

Cole remained silent as the white lighter gathered his thoughts and sighed, his guilt taking over for a moment. For Cole wasn't strange he, too, felt the gap Prue left in her dead but he could understand Leo, after all, he promised to protect them, no matter what.

Cole also knew Leo never lost a charge before and to lose the one he considered a sister was only hurting him more.

"I'm sorry." said Leo, looking away. "This is the only way I know how to bring her back and make everything better."

"You think Piper will be happier with her sister back but she is going to end up losing someone in the end. This is either you or her." said Cole.

"And who do you think she will choose?" said Leo, chuckling sadly. "She shouldn't have to choose but when it comes down to it, Prue is her big sister, her and Phoebe's protector. She's too important."

Cole would like to say something but he couldn't, to be honest, he didn't know what Phoebe would choose if it came down to her but he knew that the bond between the sisters was stronger than any other thing he had seen before.

Deep down he also understood Leo's choice. He would do anything to see Piper happy again.

"I won't stop you but they will need a white lighter." said Cole.

"They have you, Cole. I talked to them and they agree to allow you to guide them." said Leo, surprising Cole. "Don't look like that, you know about demons more than I do and you have better powers to keep them safe."

"They want you." said Cole.

"I have to do this." said Leo, grabbing his suitcase. "Please, take care of them."

There was a part of Cole that wanted to fight him but he did nothing as Leo extended his hand and the demon finally returned the gesture, both men bonding over the love of their respective witches, promising to look after them in the absence of the other.

"I will take care of them. I promise." said Cole.

"Thank you." said Leo. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Leo."

Cole watched the orbs appear and take away the closest thing he had to a friend and he sighed, looking down. This was going to be hard to explain but there was nothing he could do now but to do what was asked of him.

He got out of Leo and Piper's room and looked towards the stairs that led to the attic. He will keep them safe, even if is the last thing he does.

-TPOTTC-

Leo found himself in the middle of a white room, it was so bright he had to cover his eyes with his hand until several figures appeared in front of him dressed in golden tunics. Leo took a deep breath, dealing with The Elders was never easy but they were the only ones able to grant him entry to the Path Of The Thousand Cuts and he was ready.

Prue will be back. He has to make it happen.

"Leo Wyatt, do you know the consequences of your request?" said one of The Elders.

"I do and I'm willing to face them." said Leo.

He was determined to get this since he saw Piper's face and her flinch when he tried to hug her. He knew she blamed him to some extent and his hands once healed her and her sisters, were only a reminder of his failure but he could bring her back, Piper would be happy again and that's all that mattered now.

"I guess there is no convincing you of the contrary, Leo but if you are going to do this, we want you to remember something." said another Elder.

An Elder took a step towards him, putting a hand on his shoulder and Leo could recognize him as his mentor, from when Leo first became a white lighter.

"You are not just a simple white lighter, Leo. You are the Charmed One's white lighter and the husband of one of them, keep that in mind every time you face a challenge that you think you can't overcome." said the Elder.

Leo nods, understanding the meaning. He always knew there was a reason for him to be the Charmed One's white lighter, there were better and more prepared men and women here, like Natalie, to take over the job but they wanted him and he believed they had their reasons to do it.

It was the time to show them why they were right.

"I won't forget." promised Leo.

"Then, Leo Wyatt, you are granted the permission to travel through The Path Of The Thousand Cuts and retrieve the soul of the Charmed One, Prue Halliwell. Good luck." said The Elder.

Leo takes a deep breath as he watches The Elders take a step back, revealing a golden door. This was the entry to the Path and the only way Leo had to bring back Prue. He took a deep breath and closing his eyes, he made one last promise to the woman that held his heart.

"I'll bring her back to you, Piper. I promise."

He opened his eyes and then walked through the door. His destiny was sealed but no matter what, the Charmed Ones will live on and his family will be whole again.