Eternal Flame
part 18
"Do you really think we should be trusting her?"
Phoebe Halliwell shook her head, her arms shrugging helplessly, as they remained once again at her sides. "I don't know. I thought it was just weird, you know? She sends me away when the Triad is closing in? It makes no sense. I know Cole can handle himself in a fight...I mean, I've seen him. But Chloe? Not a chance. She shouldn't have to take on that much evil just to proove she's one of us."
"Us?" Paige Matthews responded.
"One of the good guys?"
"Either way, it's not adding up that she'd leave only herself and Cole to stand in the way of all three of them. She'd need you, or me, or even Paige. She's too new to master her craft yet," Prue noted, her eyes narrowing with the thought. "It's not possible that she could have taken them out with absolutely no trouble at all."
"And just where have you been all this time? You're supposed to be helping."
"Oh, c'mon, Phoebe. Don't put this on me, just because-"
"Prue, you were brought back for a reason. The least you could do is try and act like it."
"And who died and made you the greatest witch who ever lived?"
"Didn't they tell you anything about an interference- some kind of barrier...there has to be something in the Book of Shadows...who her parents were..."
"Yeah, and be that as it may, we're more than just a few miles away from that book," Paige informed her.
"She seemed a little too sure of herself back there."
"Phoebe, you can't just pass judgement on her for caring enough to stay for our cause. It doesn't work that way. You have to have-"
"Prue, please. You never liked Cole from the very beginning, and big surprise- you still don't like him. Nothing's changed and you know it. Of course, you'd like to believe it, wouldn't you?"
"Phoebe, listen to yourself-"
"Paige, stay out of this, alright? This is between me and my sister."
"Oh. Right. I forgot. I'm still not officially one of you yet. Well, hey, I guess it's no wonder. You always did treat me like an outsider."
"I didn't mean it that way."
"Yes. You did. And the funny thing is, I don't even care. We're probably not going to make it out of this alive anyway, so why should I even bother?"
"I would never-"
"It's besides the point," she interrupted, ignoring her. "Don't you see what she's trying to do? Look...remember when we met her- she didn't even know who I was. She was way too willing to believe Cole and take his side thoughout all of it, despite her small suspicions regarding him. It didn't affect her in the slightest, because she still is what he's fighting so hard not to become again. She doesn't struggle with it and she doesn't have a choice. She made her choice years ago when she saw him kill her parents. Think about it. Vengeance is really skin deep. You just have to be willing to see it."
"So she led him to a trap," Phoebe whispered.
"Mommy, is Daddy gonna be okay?" Alex asked worriedly, as she searched one face to another, her eyes growing large. "Is Miss Franklin really going to hurt him? Because I believed her before."
"Chloe is not going to do anything to your dad," Prue insisted softly. "Not if it's up to us. Cole's one of the good guys, and we take care of our own."
Phoebe stared at her in pure bewilderment, not quite letting her words sink in, her mouth hanging slightly ajar. She smiled at her older sister then, a smile she hadn't truly felt in a long time where her past was concerned. A smile that would have proven itself completely false a few years ago, had Prue still been alive and well. She raised her eyebrows. "You really mean that?"
"He surprised me," she admitted, her voice just above a whisper. "I never expected to find him the way I did. You seem to forget that at one time, my wilder side was actually rooting for the two of you."
Phoebe laughed quietly. "Yeah. I remember."
"He has his flaws, but who doesn't? The important thing is, we have him here with us to fight one of the biggest evils we'll ever face. That alone speaks volumes," she finished.
"Okay, am I the only one who thinks having him as a brother-in-law is just plain annoying?" Paige spoke up.
"Give me time," Prue added, smiling.
"Which means we're going to beat this thing," Phoebe told them. "I know I've said it before, but I really think we have a chance here. Celia obviously doesn't know much about us, if she thinks we'll just back down and surrender without so much as a struggle. No matter what, we have to believe we can do it."
"Thanks for the pep talk, coach. But I've always believed we could do it," Paige confirmed, the corners of her mouth twitching into a half smile.
"Aunt Phoebe, are you going to need us?" Melinda piped up eagerly. "Because Alex and I want to help this time. I mean, really help. We have our powers, and-"
"I know that, sweetie, but I'm sure your mom is actually expecting you home in one piece by the time this is over."
"I can take a few bruises," the little girl added. "No sweat."
"Hey, me too," Alex continued, quickly raising a hand.
"Don't suppose you could make the non-magical capicity kids powerful too?" Catrina asked hopefully, giving them her best grin.
"No, but you could easily talk them to their doom," Paige confirmed, nodding.
"But we could be the Power of Three too," she pressed. "Just think about it. Catrina, Alex, and Melinda. They don't look the part, but boy they can play it. Just watch them in action with the most horrific evil of all time. Doesn't that sound just so cool?"
"Catrina, your hopes are getting too big for your mouth."
"Oh, c'mon, Paige. It'll be awesome. I know you guys can do something to me to-"
"It's called personal gain," Prue explained. "And we don't use it."
"Not even for a battle as big as this?" she taunted.
"Nope. You're staying out of the way and out of the line of fire. We can't risk putting you in any danger. And in all honesty, I'm sure your parents are already missing you dearly," Phoebe told her.
"This sucks," she whispered. "I get thrown into this portal and all I do is sit here and wait until the world hasn't ended? Where's the sense in that?"
"It does make no sense," Melinda agreed.
"She's only making sure you're safe," Alex explained.
"But isn't safety better dealt with in numbers?"
"Catrina, end of story. You're going into hiding, and that's that."
"But Phoebe-"
"Look, if I know Cole, he'll want all three of you as far away from this as possible. This time it's just too- you heard him before, didn't you? You know how bad this is going to get."
"Mommy, I can help. I know Daddy doesn't want Celia to get me, but I need to help him."
"Your mom is only looking out for your best interests, as is your dad," Prue added, her voice just above a whisper. "When you get a little older, things might be different. But we'd be subjecting you to an evil you've never come into contact with."
"But you've never faced it either, Aunt Prue."
"Alex, it's for the best. You have to know that," Phoebe said rather sternly, as she came up to her daughter, placing both hands firmly upon her shoulders, as she carefully knelt down to her level. "I love you too much, and I know to your dad you're his world. It just isn't your time yet. But as soon as this over? I promise that we'll start to prepare you for the more dangerous stuff. How to take precautions... You have my word on that. Celia will have the power of her love, and once he gains control, there'll be no coming back from fighting. We'll have to put forth everything we have. You understand that, don't you?"
"And I love Daddy. He shouldn't have to do this without me. I don't want him to."
"And if it were up to me, I wouldn't let him, believe me."
"So why does he still want to? I just don't understand."
"Oh, sweetie, we'll be there helping him every step of the way. It's not like he'll ever be alone."
"But if he gets possessed, he will," she managed fretfully, her lower lip forming a slight pout.
"They can stay with me," a voice stated rather lazily, as the figure brought himself out of the shadows, an arm draped casually over his chest, as he brought a cigarette to his lips. "I'll watch over them while you're gone."
"And if we can't trust Chloe, how do we know we can even remotely trust you?" Prue questioned, hands on her hips.
"That's what trust is, isn't it? I mean, look, I get that this is hard for you. I know the cost is too much to bear. But you have to believe that what's about to come was already put into motion long before you all came here."
"Nobody's future is ever really-" Phoebe started.
"And I know I told him he'd be battling all three of you to the death, but that was before I knew about Chloe. Where she fits in... In fact, maybe I'm just as lost as you are."
"I don't wanna go with him," Catrina offered. "He'll know what we're thinking all the time."
"You're children," Nick filled in. "What could you possibly be thinking that I shouldn't know about?"
"You could steal our thoughts to turn us against them," Melinda finished promptly.
"He may be a bit of a sleaze, Lin, but I wouldn't count on it," Paige countered, shrugging, as she eyed up Nick with a slightly renewed interest.
"You really think I'm a sleaze?"
"Or worse- you're just a really bad obnoxious lurker who won't go the hell away."
"So you don't think there's a chance that we could ever, uh...well...um...you know?"
"Do I know, what?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Spend some time together? I mean, when it's all over and you've vanquished Cole-"
"Hey, buddy, no one's getting vanquished, alright?" Phoebe spoke up. "So you can just put your hormone's to rest for a few hours, okay?"
"You can sense emotions, right?" Paige continued.
"Yeah," he agreed. "Why?"
"Then you should already sense that I'd turn you down flat," she responded, widening her gaze ever so briefly, as she immediately turned upon her heel.
"But so help me, if you even harm one hair on my daughter's head, you will not be able to try for a date for a very long time," Phoebe assured him, her mouth set in a tight line.
"Hey, that's alright. I'll give you some time to think about it."
"In your dreams," Paige uttered, groaning.
"As for Cole...you're probably already too late. I mean, that's what I came here to tell you. If-"
"What do you mean?" Prue asked him.
"Celia already moved her forces out of hiding. She's been on her way to him for some time now."
"How long have you know this?" Phoebe demanded.
"I-"
"How long?!"
"Phoebe, you're in way over your head as it is. Why do you still think you have what it takes to bring her to justice?"
"There's more than just justice on the line here," she whispered.
"We'll find him," Prue interjected. "You remember the way, right? C'mon."
"Right behind you," Paige sided, throwing Nick a deep glare.
**********
"Why, hello, Mr. Turner. What a pleasant surprise, isn't it? See, I got so tired and couldn't wait. My impatience just grew by the minute."
Cole studied the slender figure, her long hair falling over her shoulders, secured in place only by the thin cloak that covered her body, its darkness embodying her very soul. He could sense nothing good about her- the blackness she possessed had already claimed her entire being with not a shred to spare. Her fingernails tapped listlessly upon the fabric of her long dress, and she tossed back her head and chuckled slightly, revealing a deep shade of red on her lips. Her eyes seemed to go right through him without a moment's hesitation. "Celia, I presume?"
"You know me? Really?"
"Actually, I've been waiting for you," he mouthed, shrugging. "I figured it all has to come together sometime, right? Better late than never."
"Well, how exciting. I mean, I would have taken you out myself back at the museum, but you know, ancient Egypt just happens to be a much better focal point for the dark arts. Amazing, really."
"So I've learned."
"Then you won't fight it, will you, demon?"
"Only if it hurts."
"Wosret's been waiting a very long time. Just being able to see the world with his own two eyes again will bring him great joy. Well, technically, your eyes, but whose really keeping track anymore, anyway?"
"You're a fool," he whispered.
"Excuse me?"
"Wosret's probably crying out in his grave, praying with you to leave him at peace. Do you really think he wants to see your face again?"
"And love holds you to its death, does it not, Mr. Turner?"
"And his resurrection will be yours, so what the hell do I care?"
"Then it means you die too," she offered simply. "But then again, I don't suppose you're new to that, are you?"
"But either is your little accomplice," he mused. "I mean, it was clever, you know?" He laughed. "The Triad trying to offer me immortal life, her taking on both sides, when all along she was successfully hoping to double-cross me, just as they wanted to double-cross you. I'm impressed." Smiling, he clapped his hands together. "You worked this one out beautifully."
Chloe looked at him, her expression troubled, as she raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? Don't you understand who she is? I mean, hello, big bad evil right on your front doorstep, Cole."
"You're a manipulative little thing, aren't you? I mean, hell, you never had me for a minute, but then again- I'm not counting the minutes, am I?"
"I don't understand. I saved you. Just as you saved me. I returned the-"
"No...Chloe, you didn't. Their deaths only brought her closer to me. You knew what you wanted right from the start, didn't you?"
"You're...you're lying," she stuttered. "I...I had nothing to do with this, and you know it. You're putting us both in danger-"
"No, you put me in danger. You risked my wife and my daughter's life, and I swear to you, as long as I'm still standing, I'm going to make you pay."
"Oh, poor thing. He's just so sad that everyone's finally turned against him," Celia murmured. "Poor baby."
"I'm on your side," Chloe continued. "You don't want to trust anyone now. You're vulnerable to her magic, and it's making you hate me."
"It's long past," he mumbled. "It's all....long past."
"You can't just leave me by myself in this. I don't even know how to-"
"Save your breath," Celia hissed. "Both of you. This can only be resolved under my power, and I resolve to take as many lives as I can get. Your wife and daughter will be working under me as mere minions when Wosret enters this plane. There will be nothing left of them when I'm through. You can try and you can try, but it's a useless cause, no matter how you look at it. They will be nothing but hapless creatures of a time of good. Why, I'm sure you've already heard the story, haven't you? You will bring about their end."
"Well, it's not everyday you hear about how love turned someone cold and greedy, not to mention repulsive to look at," Cole quipped.
"You're the only thing I need," she pressed.
"Take her," Chloe urged. "Dammit, Cole, you can't just sit there and do absolutely nothing. It's suicide."
"My transformation will be complete, little girl. And there's nothng you can do to stop it. So sit back and enjoy the ride. Maybe, if you're lucky, I'd still consider having you at my side....let you live."
"Cole," Chloe pleaded. "Think about Phoebe. Think about Alex. She would want you to do everything you can to prevent this from coming to pass. You can't subject yourself willingly. You can't let her win. Listen to me!"
"You'll thank me later," he assured her, his voice just above a whisper. "Just for the recond, I believe you."
"What?"
With one swift movement, he brought his fist up, allowing it to collide with the bones residing beneath her flesh. She immediately collapsed to the ground, entirely unconsciousness, as her arms lay stretched upon the dirt below, her hands hitting the earth in a clawed attempt. Strands of blonde hair clouded her bruised face, as she silently lay there, unmoving. Her breathing remained steady, as her chest rose and fell with careful precision.
"Smart man," Celia concluded, as she calmly propped a hand beneath her chin.
"Oh, believe me," he offered softly. "You have no idea."
"You should have taken her life."
"It's not who I am."
"So Xavier has informed me. You're really quite the man on a quest, aren't you, Cole Turner? Always trying to do such good in a place that was doomed from the beginning of time. Tell me. How do you plead, now that I've got you right where I want you?"
"Insanity?" he added, sarcastically, as he took a step towards her.
"You've got a lot more in you than you let on."
"Yeah, well, it's just a pity we don't have the time to get to know each other better, isn't it?"
"Shame," she observed, grinning.
"But if it's any consolation, I know my wife is going to vanquish you the first chance she gets, whether I'm here or not."
"Your wife will be nothing more than a pile of dust at your feet," she surmised. "Because you're going to be the one to kill her. Startling revelation, is it not?"
"And you and I both know that would never happen."
"Oh, but she so easily took care of you before, didn't she? Almost like it was nothing at all. What makes you think she won't do it again?"
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"You can tell yourself she still cared- that she never wanted to hurt any bone in your body. But admit it. You failed to win her love, even then. Just as you'll fail to earn it now."
"Don't."
"Don't, what? Cole, this is the end of the road for you. You shall not escape what is destined to be. It's meant for you to take it as your own."
"And I'd never lay a finger on my wife, if I knew anything I'd do to her might have her taking her last breath. It wasn't in me then, and it isn't in me now."
"Ah, but look at what you've already done to Chloe over there. She could have assisted you in my demise, you silly man. Surely, you jest."
"Too bad for me."
"Yes. It really is, I'm afraid."
"One down," he countered, right before a pair of invisible hands forced themselves inside his chest, searching deperately for a way in, as they vowed to overtake him, his body helpess against it, as he dropped to his knees. "Dammit," he breathed, but the impact did not sustain itself. It attached itself to him, clung to him with all its might, as he felt the world begin to fade around him. The spirit....Wosret....he was- his thoughts went to Phoebe. Her face was the last face he saw as everything went black, his vision a mere speck of nothingness against the vast evil that fought to consume him. He knew this, he'd been there so many times before. He'd had the worst possible being imagineable take him over, and work to destroy everything he ever loved. Not this time. He would fight it, despite his better judgement. He had to. All of their lives depended upon it. Alex. He knew she was counting on him. He knew she'd want him to come out of this still her daddy...still the man she had come to call her hero- the one person that never disappointed her. He felt his eyes sting with tears, as he realized, through the darkness, what it was he had to do...what it was that was supposed to take him away, make him unrecognizable to any who dared confront him now. There was no way around it. Before he drifted off, the very hands that had dared to pull him apart, suddenly let go, defeatedly finding their way out, as they rapidly dove down unnoticed into the earth below, burying themselves in the undisturbed dirt beneath the surface.
"At last," Celia whispered. "At long last, my love is here to join me- to see the things I see, to taste the blood that'll flow from every human I take....yes, rise Wosret...claim the world you so unexpectedly left behind. Find yourself again. Rise, my love. Rise."