Eternal Flame
part 8
"So there was no one in the museum? Nothing?"
Cole Turner shook his head, as he calmly shrugged his shoulders, his countenance displaying a small frown. "No. But something had to trigger that necklace Ally touched. I mean, some kind of force would have to be present within the vicinity."
"Like the dark arts?" Paige offered, giving a random glare with wide eyes. "Because I think we both know you have a a lot of experience in that area."
"You know, you could have easily stayed back at the-"
"Oh, don't even start with me," she objected, holding up a hand. "Sooner or later, we're all going to discover that this was your fault. It's always your fault."
"Really?"
"Look, I stand corrected." She paused a moment, rolling her eyes with a fairly sarcastic gesture. "Either way, the truth is going to come out, whether you want it to, or not."
"I went here to save Chloe. I had no idea Ally and her friend were already trapped-"
"Who's Chloe again?" Phoebe spoke up, her brown eyes training themselves carefully on her husband's set of blues.
"Chloe....is the teacher I was telling you about. Miss Franklin? She and Catrina were sucked into the portal."
Paige sighed. "Because?"
"I don't know. I'm working on it." He halted in step, as he absentmindedly ran a hand neatly over his stubbled chin. "But if memory serves, didn't that curse stress possessions? I mean, something belonging to the deceased? I vaguely remember what I- I told the kids about her lover, and his burial....the answer has to lie in that. It's the only thing that makes sense."
"Well, that still begs the question of an exact location," Phoebe murmured. "It's not like we can just sense that."
"Mommy!" a voice suddenly called out, as Alexandra Turner ran into Phoebe's arms full force- the Charmed One quickly catching her within her grasp, as the little girl slung her arms tightly around her neck. "I missed you."
Phoebe smiled, in spite of herself, softly rubbing noses with her daughter. "Mmm. I missed you too, sweetie. Have you been keeping an eye on that father of yours?"
"I think you're supposed to be in bed, young lady," Cole told her, attempting his best serious expression, as he took a tiny hand in his.
"I know. But I'm actually not too sleepy," she protested lightly, yawning.
"Is that right?"
"Well...maybe just a little."
"Mmm hmm."
"Alex, keep your voice down," another voice hissed. "They're going to hear-" But Chloe Franklin immediately halted in speech, upon noticing the four of them, her eyes drifting without question to Phoebe. She nervously cleared her throat, as she nonchalently tossed her hands against her hips. "I didn't realize we had company." She then glanced briefly at Cole, whose gorgeous profile was already trained on her gaze. "Are they demons too?"
"Excuse me?" Phoebe put forth, obviously confused, as she focused her full attention on the stranger before her, her eyes slowly narrowing.
He laughed softly, gesturing calmly with one hand. "Chloe, this is my wife, Phoebe, her sister...half sister, Paige, and my niece, Melinda."
"Melinda's Paige's little girl?" she returned, studying the petite blonde.
"My parents are on vacation," Melinda replied, somewhat annoyed, as she shrugged briefly. "We don't know when they're coming back."
"Oh."
"You must be Miss Franklin," Phoebe continued, her expression unreadable, as she ran a hand through her long brown hair. "Cole's told us...little to nothing about you."
"Well, it's understandable," the teacher mused carefully. "We only just met for the first time at the museum."
"Really."
"Phoebe, what the hell are you..." Cole started, his arms going lightly across his chest.
"Do you have any background knowledge on the curse?"
"Only what Mr. Turner told me," she added, setting her arms at her side once again.
"Cole," he repeated, smiling.
"Really," Phoebe uttered again, her statement ignoring the other woman's completely.
"Mr. Turner tells me it pertains to a woman wishing to resurrect the spirit of her dead lover."
"Well, if he's dead, how could his spirit live on, when you seem to imply it still lies within the body itself?" she offered perceptibly.
"I don't- I'm not following, I'm sorry."
"If he was really gone, dead, and buried, there'd be no point to her little charade, would there?"
"I...suppose not, Mrs. Turner, no."
"I mean, she'd have to be stupid to cross our path then, right?"
"Phoebe?" Cole questioned, his blues transfixed upon her pretty face, as he gently took hold of her arm, slowly steering her away. "I think that's just about enough. Can I see you alone for a minute? Excuse us."
"What make you think I even want to be alone with you?" she roughly hissed rather angrily.
"Please?"
"Oh, give me a break," Paige breathed, as she heaved a restless sigh, carefully shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Once we get this demon? You two will have plenty of time to yourselves."
"What is it?" she asked him impatiently, as he immediately led her into the confines of the dark cave, quickly releasing herself from him, as she ran a hand loosely down her arm. Pursing her lips, she crinkled her eyes up at him, her countenance forming a guarded approach.
"You know, of all the times you've risked your ass for me over the years? I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of seeing you get jealous- let alone so fast."
"Oh, please!" she scoffed. "If it's anyone who's jealous, it's your little friend, Chloe. I am not the jealous one here, buddy."
"Need I remind you that you came of your own free will?"
"Need I remind you that seeing her tossed in here, presumably all alone, maybe quite possibly turned you on?"
"Dammit, Phoebe- I think you know me better than that. I help innocents....just like you. Chloe was...is an innocent. There's no way around that. It's not any different from being a Charmed One day to day."
"Oh, I just happen to think this may have been an added bonus that fell into your lap."
"No one's doing any falling- of any kind."
"No?"
"Look, what do you want from me? Do we really need to rehash the fact that it was you who left me before? How you wanted me out of your life for good, just because I wanted our daughter to know the truth?"
"That was two years ago-"
"But I haven't brought it up until now. I respect you too much to let this get in the way of our relationship."
"So we move on. It's what we do."
"It's funny, because Ally says being a hero is also what I do. And I'm sure as hell not going to let her down now. I'm not going to let you down, Phoebe. I refuse to."
"Well, this is certainly a start, isn't it?"
"I thought you were glad to see me."
"I...I really was," she admitted.
"Was?"
"Am."
"I've this once, and I'll say it again....I need you. I can't do this by myself. And if I know you as well as I think I do..."
"And if it were me in that museum, I think I would have considered jumping a plane to Hawaii first, before I was ever compelled to fly headfirst into a portal."
"Oh, mark my words, it was quite the ride."
"Really."
"Is that a...good really, or a bad really?" he asked, taking a hesitant step back.
"Cole-"
But he quieted her protests, as his hands cupped either side of her face, his lips brushing against hers, his eyebrows surprisingly raised at the intensity with which she responded to him, wholeheartedly comsuming him for all he was worth. "Now, how's that for a proper welcome?"
"Wow," a voice breathed. "When I finally get home, I can't wait to tell my mom how I just saw The Young and The Restless up close and personal."
"Catrina," came Cole's reply, as his eyes randomly darted to one side, the little girl having covered herself with his sweater, as she shivered briefly from the cold.
"Hey, Mr. T. How's it going?"
"Oh, just fine. Couldn't be better," he uttered forcefully through suddenly clenched teeth.
"This is better than television," she proclaimed excitedly. "Do they break up, or do they stay together? Their fate will be determined by just one kiss. Tune in next week-"
"Is she for real?" Phoebe countered, squinting at their small companion in the darkness, observing her short frame.
"Honestly, I'm not sure yet."
"Did you guys see anymore monsters?"
"Catrina, please try and get some sleep. We're going to get up pretty early tomorrow morning, and we're already thrown off by the change in time."
"But Alex isn't asleep."
"She will be. She's visiting with her aunt right now. She'll be here soon, trust me."
"This is the best you guys could do?" Phoebe asked him, her eyes trailing the contents more closely.
"Well, it's not the Sultan's palace, but it'll do."
"Pharoah," she corrected, laughing.
"Same thing," he insisted playfully, as he reluctantly let her go.
"Technically, they're not, Mr. T."
"Can I please give her some sheep to count?" he asked his wife tiredly, as he threatened to wave a hand in her direction.
"We shouldn't be using anymore magic than we have to," she reminded him. "What's more, it's personal gain."
"Yes, but nowhere does it say I'm not allowed to use it to shut her up," he whispered.
"But it certainly won't please The Elders."
"Who's looking to please them these days?"
"Good question," she added, her voice just above a whisper, as she shot him a small half smile.
"Look, are we okay about Chloe? Are we on the same level here?"
"About?"
"Me trying to help her? You get that, right?"
"I get it, but I don't understand it," she reasoned, shrugging. "Our main concentration should be on the demon who's wreaking havoc over here."
"Yes, but she didn't have a-"
"Yes. You told me."
"So we're good?"
"Cole Turner, if you ask me that one more time, I'm going to-"
"Oh, nothing can top the pumpkin," he assured her, his grin growing deeper.
"Pumpkin?" Catrina echoed curiously.
"And how exactly is it that a light can shine from the bottom part of the cave?" she inquired, her eyes having travelled directly behind him.
"What do you mean?"
"Turn around. Where's that coming from?"
He mindlessly shrugged, as he finally caught sight of it, a perplexed expression setting in upon his handsome face. "Not a clue. It certainly wasn't shining through earlier."
"So...what is it about you and your luck in picking caves again?" she drawled sarcastically.
"Mr. T., do you think it's a secret gathering?" Catrina returned, her entire face perking up at the thought.
"Secret gathering?" he repeated.
"Yeah, like they have in the movies-"
"You know, Catrina, I think I've just come to the conclusion that you watch way too much television. It can't be healthy for someone your age..."
The little girl rolled her eyes. "In the movies, every time someone follows stuff like that, they get taken into this evil cult, and they can't break away from it. They're bound by its evil code."
"I don't think we'll find anything like that in ancient Egypt," Cole assured her.
"Paige!" Phoebe called out.
The Charmed One immediately sprinted into the cave, the young teacher and two girls trailing a safe distance behind her. She offered a rather prolonged glance at Catrina, as she began examining the contents inside. "You found a little girl?"
"Um...I've been here," Catrina announced, confused. "I'm Alex's friend."
"Did you find anything else?" Paige asked her sister, ignoring the first grader.
"Maybe," Phoebe sided. "See that light back there?"
"A light? Did they actually have lights this far back?"
"My point exactly."
"You ladies fair game?" Cole asked, already starting towards it, as he threw them one last grin.
Paige sighed. "And there goes Captain America. Working for the better part of the planet."
"It looks really cool," Alex breathed softly, as she began to follow her father without question, a tiny hand attaching itself to his t-shirt almost mechanically.
"Shouldn't...shouldn't we think about this first?" Chloe begged, her gaze rather uneasy, as she backed up a few steps. "I...I mean, take a...a weapon or something?"
"We use magic," Phoebe quipped, throwing her a stick from the ground. "Of course, you can always stay back here if you'd like. You know, just in case anyone enters, and you have to...fight them off, you know? Just beware of the big ugly guys with three eyes. I hear they can deliver quite the punch."
"I'm coming," the teacher quickly brought forth. "I...I just don't want any surprises. And since you put it that way..."
"Then I'm afraid you entered through the wrong portal."
"Did anyone ever see The Goonies?" Catrina beckoned, as she began to walk alongside the younger Charmed One, Cole's large sweater wrapped tightly around her shoulders.
"Yeah, what about them?" Paige returned, rolling her eyes.
"Isn't that movie just the coolest?" she gushed. "I mean, they were underground and everything, right? And they survived, because of-"
"Yeah, but they sure had a lot of close calls," she murmured. "This seems entirely safe so far."
"But they were kids, and they made it through. That shows courage."
"So it does."
"Catrina," the tiny girl presented herself, holding out a hand.
"Paige Matthews, fellow orber and half sister of the Halliwell family," she said, shaking it.
"I really like your hair," she professed. "Do you think mine might look good that color?"
Paige laughed. "Well, I don't know. I guess that remains to be seen."
"They're already connecting," Cole hissed to his wife, as he tossed a quick look back, his eyes widening briefly out of shock. "God help us all."
"Daddy, what's a Goonie?" Alex questioned.
**********
"Ancient Egypt...when Pharoahs roamed the earth in number. Where love...should have been mine," Celia uttered to herself, as she watched the two companions in front of her, their hands positioned on either side of a fairly large box, lifting it gently into the tomb. Heaving from the powerful labor it required, they both slumped to their feet in a much defeated attempt, groaning from the effort.
"Will that be all, Your Grace?"
"There is one more," she told the minion, clasing her hands together in a displeased manner, glaring at the demon of fairly short stature.
"You're taking far too long," a voice sided, entering the forbidden grounds, a hand formed into a fist at his side.
"Oh, relax, Xavier. I'm preparing."
"I thought we agreed-"
"What did you mean when you said he had no void to fill?" she continued.
"Exactly that. He doesn't."
"But surely that's impossible. Given his history..."
"Regardless.... From what the Underworld proclaims, he is simply human with powers. Just as I bestowed upon you earlier."
"Yes, and if we unleash Wosret's spirit, he will consume what he was completely. There will be no turning back. He will not be able to fight it, nor call out for help."
"Wosret?"
"Have I been speaking a different language this entire time?"
"Either way, you can feel it. You know she's already here."
"Maybe," Celia murmured. "But even she will have no control over the husband she once knew and loved. He will be a mere forgotten soul- almost...almost like he never even existed, Xavier. I mean...imagine that. The ability to change the course of life- to alter God's plan in the making."
"Your grace, I do believe you're getting way ahead of yourself again."
"May we be excused?" the taller minion asked then, wiping his brow clean of the sweat that had accumulated on it, the last of the parcels having been deposited.
"You haven't touched anything-"
"We respect your wishes, Celia. All of the sacred objects remain in their stay, as they have for many years now."
"Then be gone out of my sight, you imbeciles. I have no more use for you."
"Yes, your grace," they replied in unison, randomly blinking out upon request.
"I do hope these friends of yours have remained honest," she hissed to Xavier, a single finger residing to her lower lip, the other finding its way onto her hip.
"I think you've already implied just how much you're running the show."
"And I'd urge you not to forget it...even now."
"As a matter of fact, I think someone needs to reawaken the urge in Belthazor. Remind him of what a bad ass demon he used to be....don't you agree?"
"Xavier, for the last time. Hands off my merchandise. I will not have you imperfecting it upon its arrival. He has to come here without a scratch on him."
"But would it not be more fun to-"
"And I said no. Do you understand me?"
"Celia, I'm not about to just let him walk away from this a free man."
"Oh, he won't be walking away. When Wosret enters his host, we're going to have a lot more of that fun you speak of around this place. Just wait."
"And if it's one thing waiting isn't...it's fun."
"Oh, get a hold of yourself, you idiot. Really."
"May I choose to do what I like with the others yet?"
"Mmmm....perhaps not."
"Why-"
"That teacher...."
"The young woman."
"She conceals more than she lets on. I can feel it now. She's strong, Xavier."
"She's human, your grace."
"On the outside?"
"I saw her face when I caught him offguard. She's nothing to us."
"Appearances are deceiving, and I sense another presence on our side. Go. Find her. She will be the first in his undoing."