He couldn't stay in that penthouse. Obviously. He knew he couldn't just resume his old life, living above the law firm, seeing the same old people, potentially even running into the Halliwells, which would be a disaster. How would he explain Ben? Yeah, that's the name he decided on. Benjamin Warren Turner. He decided to move to New York. One of his law school friends was there, and by reaching out, he was able to get a job in a prestigious law firm. He got a nice apartment, midtown, and hired a nanny to look after Ben when he was at work. Sam was great, old enough to be Ben's grandfather, and had lots of experience. His references were flawless. Ben was happy as a clam when Sam held him. He seemed to know exactly what to do in all circumstances. Meanwhile, Cole busied himself with some of the legal necessities. He registered Ben's birth. He put Phoebe down as the mother, not really knowing what else to do and wondering to himself how long he could keep her from knowing about them. He felt in a lot of ways that he and Ben were existing on borrowed time.

It wasn't many weeks before Cole came home after work to find Sam laughing while Ben levitated.

Cole was very angry. "What's going on?" He gently took hold of Ben and held him close.

Sam looked a little sheepish. "You're home early."

"Perfect timing, it would seem," Cole said resentfully. He was annoyed with himself for denying the obvious, that eventually his son would start to exhibit Charmed One powers and he might have some explaining to do….

"Oh, it's no big deal," Sam said. "We expected he would have some unusual abilities."

"We?"

"Well, the Elders."

Cole understood. Suddenly he understood why things had been so easy, why he just happened to find Sam and Sam ended up being so perfect…. "Of course. Of course you know about the Elders. You know, you could have been upfront with me…."

Sam shook his head. "No, Cole, we wanted to observe you a little while, just to be sure you wouldn't….you know….go back to old habits."

"So who and what are you?"

"I'm assigned to be Ben's whitelighter. But since he's a minor, I'm also your whitelighter. All this was going to be explained in good time."

Cole turned to go to the kitchen, still holding his son. "In good time? What does that even mean?"

Sam followed him. "When the Elders decide it's good time."

Cole groaned. "Screw the Elders."

Sam raised his eyebrows. "I get the sentiment. I do. But they are doing a lot for you right now. They're watching your every move."

Cole began to feed hungry Ben from a bottle he had grabbed from the fridge. He walked back to the living room, Sam following. "I've been a good boy," Cole said resentfully. "I'm done chasing Phoebe. I had to put someone down for the mother, though. I hope that didn't displease anyone."

"No, that was the right call. The Elders know we can't keep Phoebe in the dark forever."

Cole was getting more pissed off by the second. He took some deep breaths and remained calm for Ben's sake. "What else do the Elders know? Anything they care to share?"

"Yes, actually. They want to know what powers you want?"

Cole stared at Sam in disbelief. "Come again?"

Sam chuckled. "You have a target on your back, Cole. The demon world thinks you're dead, for now, but eventually some demon will track you down, and if they track you down, they'll discover Ben, and they'll put two and two together and realize Ben is a Charmed One. The Elders want to grant you a power or maybe two powers, just so you can protect you and your son."

Cole felt a little baffled by this information. Ever since falling in love with Phoebe, he had longed to be good, but she and her sisters never really accepted him as a force for good. He didn't really blame them. After all, he had done some horrible things, as Belthazor, as the Source of All Evil, and even as freak-of-nature-Demonic-Underworld-Escapee Cole. Suddenly, though, he was truly on the Good Side of things, holding a tiny Charmed One, talking to his son's Whitelighter, and actually entertaining the idea of having Elder-invested powers.

Later, with Sam gone (he orbed out to discuss the expedited 'Cole situation' with the Elders) Cole got Ben ready for bed. He was just turning away from the crib when Sam appeared.

"Jesus, Sam."

"Sorry. The Elders want to talk now. You are to come with me."

"What about Ben?"

"They have protections in place. I put a force field around him. He'll be fine."

Cole definitely did not feel completely reassured, but his curiosity got the better of him. He orbed out with Sam and appeared in the clouds, Two Elders were talking to each other a little distance away. Sam cleared his throat. The two Elders looked up in mild surprise.

"Oh, hello, Sam," one said casually.

"Is this our human?" asked the other.

Give me a break, Cole thought.

"Leave us, Sam," said the first Elder. "Return to your charge."

Sam orbed out to return to his 'charge,'

"Mr. Turner. You've caused us quite a bit of trouble."

"Yeah, um, sorry about that."

"I'm Atticus. This is Christina."

"Nice to meet you."

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions," Christina said.

"I do actually."

"Well?"

"Why do I have to stay away from Phoebe?"

"She isn't ready yet."

"What do you mean, 'she isn't ready yet'? To know her son?"

"That's all we can tell you. Please, let's have a seat. We'll review the case."

Chairs materialized, and they all sat down. Atticus snapped his fingers, making a file materialize in his hands. He opened it and started reading.

"Ah. Yes. Belthazor. I must say, you're a bit of a legend, even up here."

"Um, thank you." Cole didn't really know how to respond to that, not exactly being proud of his former other half's accomplishments.

"Well, it wasn't a compliment. Nevertheless, I think we can cut to the chase, Christina." He looked at Cole. "You fell in love with a Charmed One and you have been annoyingly unpredictable ever since. Is he good, is he bad? And here we are."

"We have a child who must be protected," Christina said. "He'll be a target as soon as he's discovered by the demonic community."

Atticus cleared his throat, keeping his eyes on Cole. "Indeed…which is why we need you.

Cole made himself speak up at this point. "Yeah, that's the part I don't quite understand. You could have Phoebe protect him as well, probably even better than I could. She has the full force of the good side, and her sisters, and the Power of Three."

"The Power of Three is busy at the moment."

"Aren't they always?"

Atticus and Christina both conceded with their faces that he had a point. Atticus shrugged before saying, "Nevertheless, you would be wandering aimlessly in the astral plane right now if it wasn't for this plan, and frankly, if you succeed in this task, in protecting your son and raising him to be ready for his training as a Charmed One…."

"Wait," Cole interrupted. "His training as a Charmed One? I can't do that."

"No, you misunderstood. We expect by that point, when we reach that point, the Charmed Ones will take over."

"You mean, they're going to take him from me. I will lose him."

Christina smiled sympathetically. "Cole, he's not yours to lose."

"Oh, of course not," he said bitterly. "You guys are just as bad as the Source. You just want to use him for your own ends. Why can't you just leave us alone, let us be human…and normal?"

"Awe, well, wouldn't that be lovely," said Atticus as if he really thought it would be ghastly. "The only hiccup is, every demon in the underworld and the middle world is going to want to kill him because there will be a massive bounty on his head."

"Whatever." Cole stood up. "Look, I'm gonna raise him. If he becomes a Charmed One, that'll be his choice. And if he doesn't, again, his choice. But if you think I'm just going to give him up, you're crazy."

"Now, that's the spirit!" Atticus, rising from his chair, slapped his hands together in delight, making Cole very confused.

Christina nodded grimly. She stood up to face Cole. The chairs disappeared, along with the file. "You'll be thrice empowered. You will be given the three powers you desire, but be warned. We can take them back if you abuse them. As a demon, you could do what you liked, but on our side, there are rules."

"I know," Cole said. "No personal gain."

"Right. We'll give you time to consider what three—"

"No, I already know what powers I want."

Christina looked amused. "Oh. I see."

"I want to be able to teleport, make myself invisible, and deflect powers."

The powers were granted. Atticus waved a hand, sending Cole back to his living room.