Faded Fragments
part 5
"Mr. Kellerman, you have a guest."
Seth Kellerman impatiently bent over his desk, letting out a prolonged breath, as a slender finger edged its way down upon the small, black machine that lay quietly upon the glass, his composure faltering a bit from impatience, as he pursed his lips. Calmly straightening the beige colored tie that lay around his neck with the use of his free hand, he proceeded to clear his throat. With a slightly nervous glance at his opponent across the room, he finally opened his mouth. "Who is it, JoAnn? Patrick and I aren't to be disturbed until-"
"I know that, Sir, but he's insisting that he speak with you. Says it's imperative that he have a word."
He sighed, waving a single hand towards his colleague, as a pair of items cleanly pulled a disappearing act upon the now empty table to his right, his eyebrows raised, as a brief bout of anger touched them rather suddenly. "Send him in then."
"Are you sure, Sir?"
"It's fine, JoAnn, send him in."
"As you wish," the receptionest echoed rather faintly as she ended the conversation, training her bright green eyes up to the figure who stood parallel to her cubicle, shooting him a hopeful gaze. A small smile creased her pretty face, framed by long brown hair, as she gestured briefly with her hand, extending it further down the hallway. "Mr. Kellerman will see you now."
"Oh, believe me, I'm looking forward to it."
She laughed, as she propped a hand beneath her chin. "Third door on the right. You're lucky you didn't catch him in a meeting."
"I'm sure the kinds of meetings he has, can stand to be imposed upon," the figure quipped, as he began his distance from her, an amused smile of his own displaying itself across his gorgeous visage.
JoAnn only raised a thin eyebrow, as she grabbed her pen once again, typing a handful of digits onto the screen, as she jotted the information down on paper, becoming completely oblivious to the last minute visitor who'd caught her offguard only minutes earlier.
Kellerman only allowed a wide grin, as he clasped his hands together, surveying his arrival with weary eyes, as he slowly crossed one foot over the other underneath the desk, the surprise never lost on him, a strong hand gently reaching for a glass of water. Flipping the off switch on his computer, he greeted the other man with an arrogance he'd possessed for far too long, withholding a sense of private satisfaction in him, as he titled his head back ever so slightly. "Cole Turner," he recited nonchalantly. "Well, wonders just never cease. Tell me, old friend, how've you been?"
"Not so good, actually," Cole Turner prompted, as he abruptly shut the door behind him, taking a single solitary step forward. He hadn't wanted to play it this way. Not really. In fact, he still would've hoped for a little assistance on his end. But seeing Leo with his little girl, seeing the tremendous thought and care he'd showed her, the love....the father in him had automatically kicked into high gear, sympathizing all too well with a possible sense of loss. Knowing just what Leo would be risking, Cole had come to the profound realization that he was right. He couldn't put more than one life in unnecessary danger. Not now. Not ever. He had to take them on himself. He'd always come back. That had never changed. No matter what happened, he had Phoebe's love, her secure and undying faith in him that would carry him through. If anything, he was going to use that faith right now. He let himself slide into a chair a mere few feet away from the blonde lawyer, as he watched Kellerman with cool eyes, casually bringing up a leg in front of him to rest it upon the other. "And just for the record, we're not friends. In fact, you were wrong to even assume anything in the vicinity. I may be a businessman like yourself, but I don't send out invites for evil."
"You've come to reconsider?" he suggested hopefully, ignoring him.
"Reconsider?"
"Joining our team? You'd be an extremely valuable asset, and you would have our full cooperation in tending to your complete list of needs. Jackman, Carter, and Klein has no idea what they've got under their belt with you- they can't see the possibilities we can. Surely you've thought about it."
"I have," he reasoned, taking his time.
"And?"
"And with all due respect, gentleman, threatening my wife was the first and last mistake you'll ever make."
"We threatened no one," Patrick spoke up, giving the ex demon a stare of his own, as he positioned himself on the edge of Kellerman's desk, his attention span now completely preoccupied by the sudden intrusion of company, his dark eyes narrowing themselves into tiny slits.
"Do you...always use your worthless associates as bodyguards?" he quipped, rolling his eyes.
"He's not lying," Seth contemplatd. "I've been nowhere near that pretty little wife of yours, Turner. And if I was, it was only to reconfirm my interest in you."
"Is that right?"
"That's exactly right. And if you think that for one minute-"
"Oh, I don't think. I know." Cole quickly held up a hand to halt his speech, chuckling softly to himself, as he calmly lifted himself out of the chair with little to no effort at all, running a pair of strong fingers lightly across his stubble. "I'm not a man who takes threats with a grain of salt, Seth. Especially where Phoebe's concerned. Now....given my past history, and being the prized scholar you claim to be, I thought you'd have picked up on that by now. Miss a beat, did you?"
"And as I previously stated only minutes ago, I have no clue as to what this pertains to. I've got an alibi for today- all day....as a matter of fact."
"And that's the trouble, isn't it? Fact or fiction, right? Isn't that how it works? Whatever way the wheel of fortune guides you."
"Despite any rumors you may have heard, I'm incapable of portraying myself in two places at once. Therefore, it would be physically impossible."
"Oh, I'm sure you're right. The question is, how would you fare being threatened....Mr. Kellerman? Do you think you can take it?"
"That depends. Are you actually considering a threat to my face, Mr. Turner? Because, quite frankly, it wouldn't prove valid. I can crush men like you in a heartbeat with my bare hands."
"Now that's definitely something I'd like to see."
"Alright." Seth paused a moment, shaking his head, as he once again put himself out to reason. "Fair enough. But if you merely think we threatened your wife because you refuse to be a part of Kellerman and Rickman, I'm afraid you're sadly mistaken."
"You cover your tracks well, don't you?" he taunted.
"I beg your pardon?"
"It's like being dealt the joker, isn't it? You've got the most important symbol in a round of Euchre, and you're dubbed the new wild card. See, the wild card poses a problem for the other players, Seth, because it's very unpredictable and they never know what move it'll make next. Only the person with the card knows what risks it'll take...what actions it wants to engage itself in. It...puts a new spin on things."
"You're that wild card," Seth mused carefully. "Clever."
"Oh. No. It's more than clever. It's smart."
"Just because we believe in the supernatural arts, doesn't necessarily mean we'll employ you by those means. We desire your skills, nothing more."
"Are you actually trying to persuade me to believe you truly give it your all to represent the unfortunate people in this community?"
"You've seen our ads, haven't you?"
"Yeah, but it's what's behind the mask that counts. Isn't that the generalized theory of our day, gentleman? One mask only leads to another you have yet to reveal?"
"The same should go for you," Patrick threw in, taking a stab again. "Contrary to how fast it took Miss Halliwell to fall into your arms, you're sure as hell no Prince Charming."
"And you don't even flinch," he observed. "Gee, Seth, I guess assistants really do come in finely stacked cardboard. Who would've thought?"
Kellerman eyes grew dim. "Insulting him won't get you anywhere. I can have him replaced in no time flat if he insists on making a stupid move."
"Naturally," Cole assumed, nodding. "Because you're your own man, Seth, aren't you? You call all the big ones."
"I really don't want to have to hurt you in my office," he complied, a grin teasing the corners of his mouth. "Beats the carpet all to hell, and it's a bitch to clean."
"And for what it's worth, I've spilled more blood in my day than you could possibly imagine."
"Violence is not the answer," Patrick countered. "Our firm is highly respected, because of the fact that we decline to openly apply it in terms of our clients."
"Oh, I get it. You like the one on one, behind closed doors approach a lot more, don't you? Vanquish the victims quick and easy without the messy residue of cops and prison?"
"We don't use powers on-" Kellerman began, then quickly caught himself. "If we practiced as thoroughly as you think in the way of magic, we'd be way over your head by now."
"Really? Want to make a few bets on that one while the stakes are still high?"
"Do you want the offer or not, Mr. Turner?"
"Do I look like someone who falls for stupidity on the behalf of others?"
"No. But you certainly look like you could use a chance to really prove yourself...your talent. It's immensely-"
"It's immensely tragic on your part to try to make yourselves look like citizens who actually make an honest living."
"Nobody's honest anymore," Patrick chided. "The world is full of flaws. Just look around you."
"Only because men like you strive to make it that way."
"You still think we're hopelessly evil," Seth sided, his mouth set in a tight line. "Evil or not, we're still all clean. The authorities have nothing substantial on us, and personally...I'd like to make sure it stays that way."
"And tell me, guys. Knocking off one of your own has absolutely nothing to do with this? I mean, do grudges sometimes factor into the mix, or am I just going out on a limb here?"
"The employees who do not currently remain under our standing are no longer up for debate. Case closed."
"Even if the good guys killed them?" he offered innocently, raising an eyebrow. "Last I checked, something like that's not taken too lightly. Really puts a big dent in the records."
"I have no idea who you're referring to."
"That's funny. I thought you and Celia were such pals."
"We're not at liberty to discuss those who are deceased and no longer with this firm," Patrick repeated. "If you continue to persist in this manner, I'll be well obliged to call security."
"Then let's just call this a warning then, hmm?"
"A warning?" Kellerman echoed, as he started to pull himself out of the chair. A bright blue energy ball, combined with a single bolt of lightning, flew past him with profound intensity, as he dove below his desk just in time, offering a sharp yell and a string of sharp curses as he fell to the floor, gasping for air. The objects cascaded neatly into the set of blinds behind him, shattering them in flames, as pieces clattered noiselessly to the floor, the wide window revealing an array of darkness, settling on the outside world with faint ease. The blonde head slowly let itself be seen over the glass, his hands trembling despite himself, as he struggled not to reveal the surprise, as his face contorted in a fistful of rage, drawing itself into a menacing and rather frightful snarl.
Cole simply knocked one palm over the other, throwing the men one last smile, as he paused near the doorway, throwing it wide open before him. Co-workers had already begun hesitantly edging their way out of their own offices, curiosity peaked to the fullest, as mouths drew themselves in a rather nervous stance. "I really hope we're clear and up to date now, Seth. You're more than welcome to resume what it was you were doing before I came in. Not that it matters, because I suspect you came close to wetting your pants. See you around."
"God dammit!" he screamed after him, directing a finger to his baffled assistant, who had succeeded in doing the obvious to his clothing, a pathetic glance of helplessness plastered upon his brow, as he shrugged, cowering into a chair, his face blushing pure red from embarrassment. "You're going to get back over to that table, and you're going to finish it," he hissed. "Now."
"But we haven't fully established-"
"I don't care what's been established, Patrick, I want it done. You take care of it, and you do it exactly when I tell you. Move."
"But Sir, we've only gone over the rough edges."
"I don't care how you refine the details. Just put them there, and put them there now."
"Some...some of your blood is required," he stammered.
"So drain me dry," he snapped. "Whatever it takes. No one threatens Seth Kellerman and just gets to walk away without a scratch on him. Especially not a pathetic former half breed and his meddlesome little woman. Do it. Let him see what's it like to be without. Let him suffer the penalty of his own existence."
*******
"Daddy, is that you?"
Cole Turner hesitated at the door to his daughter's room, his hands clothed in the pockets of his jeans, as he quietly overlapped his bottom lip with the top, releasing both to form a slow smile, as he gently rocked back upon the balls of his feet. She was so comfortable, so peaceful, the covers pulled up to her chin, strands of soft brown hair spread across the pillow in slightly curled waves, her tired eyelids fluttering ever so briefly at his entrance. "Just checking on you," he whispered, as he took out a hand, placing it gently upon the open door, getting ready to close it behind him.
"Where were you?" she managed, as she struggled to sit upright, the fatigue failing her miserably, as she returned his expression with a smile of her own.
"Business," he told her softly. "Go back to sleep, Ally."
"Mommy was worried about you. I was, too."
"I know. But I'm here now, okay? You're safe now. Go back to sleep."
She shook her head. "I couldn't never not believe you," she offering sleepily, turning on the light beside her bed, as the room bathed itself in a silent glow, giving her pastel pajamas a much brighter hue.
"I love you," he added, his heart catching, as he took a few steps forward, decidedly sinking lazily into the chair that sat across from the bed, a hand propping up against his chin, covering the traces of stubble that aligned his visage. Trying hard to prevent a yawn from the exhaustion that threatened to overtake him, he let out a prolonged sigh of relief instead, his free hand etching itself nervously back and forth across his jeans.
"So where did you go?" she pressed.
"Ally, that's hardly your concern right now-"
"I want to know. I mean, it's not like a really big secret, is it? Because Aunt Paige lets Nick keep those from me all the time."
"Is he here?" Cole was immediately on the alert again, his hand dropping, as he offered a fairly annoyed glance towards the hallway, his muscles suddenly tensing.
"I think you scared him really good today," she reasoned, her smile widening. "He talked a little with Aunt Paige not long ago, then he left."
"Good riddance," he muttered more to himself than to her.
"Huh?"
"Oh. Um...best news I've heard all day. Trust me."
"What about Kellerman?"
"What about him?"
"You went to see him, didn't you?" she inquired.
"It doesn't matter," he whispered. "Nothing matters, as long as I know you and your mom are safe."
"Yeah, you said that already." She paused a moment, crawling to the edge of the bed. "But why?"
"Ally-"
"I know Nick said it was bad. But if they're going to try and take you away from me, I want to know about it."
"You know that's never going to happen. You should know it's beyond-"
"But you wouldn't have come in here if you weren't sure." She stared hard at him. "Again."
"I took care of it," he said simply. "And for now, that's all you need to know."
"You always try to protect me. But I can do stuff too. You always want to forget that, because you still don't think I'll ever be ready. But I helped with Celia. You know I did. You saw it."
"And that's what worries me," he murmured, looking into her eyes, as his composure fought to break down.
"What do you mean?"
"You vanquished one of their prized associates, which in turn delays the inevitable."
"The in...ev...itable? What's that?"
"It's probably a word you're better off not knowing."
"Is it like the end of the world again?"
"Ally, they still want their revenge. They want me for her. For...the life Chloe took. A trade."
"But it wasn't your fault that Celia went away. I'm the one to blame."
"I...no. No..." Finding himself entirely speechless, he went to her, grabbing her up in a tight hug, smoothing out her hair with his fingers, watching as they quietly began to shake. He buried a soft kiss atop her head, tightly shutting his eyes, as he continued to hold her close, rocking her in his arms. The little girl clung to him with all she had, a soft tear trickling calmly down her small cheek. "No," he said again. "Listen, don't you ever say that. Ever. Do you hear me? Don't you even try to think you had a part in this."
"But I did," she insisted. "Maybe if we found another way, they wouldn't be trying to hurt you now."
"They'll never hurt me," he breathed. "Because I have you."
"Are they ever going to give you something special for doing what you do?"
"Ally, I don't...."
"You should get something," she told him, pulling away, as her tiny hands gripped the fabric of his sweater upon either shoulder, her eyes wide with hope. "You're always helping people, Daddy. Those Elder people can't pretend that doesn't count. That would be selfish."
"Sometimes redemption is more than enough, and sometimes it's all you can achieve," he explained. "They know what I was. They won't take their chances on someone like me."
"But they let Miss Franklin work with you. They had to know you wouldn't let her fail."
"It's not like that, Ally."
"Then what is it like?"
"It's....complicated. It's not something- you know what I was. You've seen me...pretty close to my former self. You know."
"I know, but it doesn't mean I have to stop liking you. I told you that before."
"You did," he mused, his lips forming a short half smile.
"So why can't it still be true now? Why can't other people see all of the good in you, too?"
"We've been over this-"
"Maybe when this is over, they'll give you something," she responded, raising her eyebrows out of deep thought.
"Then you can believe enough for the both of us," he finally sided.
"It won't be hard, I promise."
"Maybe when you get into bed, you can think of what you'd like to do when this is over, hmm?"
"It's a deal."
"Good. Make sure you put in some bids for a nice, long vacation somewhere warm and free of demons who need an attitude adjustment, while you're at it."
She giggled briefly, as her small face once again grew serious, her petite hand covering his. "I love you, Daddy."
He sighed. "How about we say our prayers now, and get you tucked in?"
"Do you think I'm getting too old to be tucked in?"
"Oh, so we're a big girl again now," he commented softly, playfully faking surprise, as he knelt down beside her on the carpeting.
"I'm going to be seven soon," she added. "That's a big event in my life."
"Of course," he whispered, trying hard not to smile.
*******
Cole laid his thoughts to rest, as he finally crawled in beside his sleeping wife, gently moving her hair away from her face, as he planted a kiss upon her forehead, pulling the covers up over him, as he watched her shift slightly, turning herself into him, so that her arm rested firmly across his chest, oblivious to the world around her.
As he drifted off, the firm matress he had grown so used to laying on and depending upon, slowly began to diminish from under him, revealing itself in a cold, hard pile of dirt, his elbows unknowingly scraping against the particles of dust as he tossed and turned, his lids fluttering faintly, as he fought the web of unconsciousness that clouded his tired mind, his fingernails nonchalantly grasping at handfuls of the damp gravel below.