Shadows Of the Night
part 18
"Remind me to never jump head first into a portal," Paige Matthews retorted, as she angrily brushed off her pants, her hands frantically edging the dust off.
Cole Turner only offered her a fairly perturbed gaze, as he gently eased himself up from the ground, reluctantly holding out a hand to her. "And if you hadn't taken so long back there, all of us might have still been together."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about your insane stupidity back there," he scoffed, helping her up. "Any idi- look, the point is, there's always another way we can get out. You're never entirely trapped in only one dimension, unless you're a pretty bad demon with cause to do harm."
"Well, the wasteland sure never held you back, did it? So I'd say you've definitely your point now."
"And if I'm going to need to save my bolts of lightening for the remainder of this trip, I suggest you stop trying to provoke me."
"And why is it that you always have to insist on a showdown to further boost your manly sense of self esteem?"
"Excuse me?"
"Did you even take a look around you yet? This place is like the Titanic revisted."
Cole rolled his eyes. "And I suppose it's by some strange means that you actually came close to experiencing it?"
"Experiencing what?"
"Look, nevermind. I think the best course of action now, would be to get something to wear, and find Phoebe and the girls."
"So why do you do it?"
"Do what, Paige? In case you haven't noticed, the calm before the storm does not last very long, especially when you're dealing in very dark magic."
"Why do you make the extra effort to help me? I mean, you could've left me there. But you didn't. You could have-"
"And have Phoebe file for a divorce? Not likely. I've already been down that road, thank you, and I don't want to have to ever go there again. Ever."
"So that's the-"
"Alright, you know what? If I said, even for a second- that it was because I cared? You'd only use it against me later on. Trust me, I know you too well. Believe it or not, despite the way you and Piper still look at me like I'm the devil in disguise, I do consider you my family now. And with Phoebe and Ally? You're my only family."
"Aren't you missing something? Like, maybe- the bigger picture here?"
"What are you....do you want me to take it all back? Because I could also probably do it in a heartbeat, depending upon-"
"Your father," she interrupted. "You keep trying to exclude him, don't you? He's on our side, isn't he? From what you told me earlier, I thought you would be overjoyed at the fact to have him back in your life again."
Cole shrugged, forcing a soft smile. "I don't know. But either way, it's not really a question for debate anymore, is it? I told him what I am now, Paige. And if he can't find it in him to see through to it, I'm no better than the man I was upon getting that assignment, right?"
"Cole, my trust may not have exactly been one hundred percent in you these days, but it doesn't mean I forgot last year. I was there when you went in to save-"
"I know."
"But you-"
"To save is one thing," he told her, his handsome face displaying a slight frown. "But to know that others will be there to save you is another altogether. When it all comes down to it, I never know if I can be saved. Just like that day in the water with my mother, you know? Given what she is now, how can I ever hope to live with the fact that I let myself be influenced by her, even if it was only for a little- well....look at what I've done. It speaks for itself."
"But you said- look, we're still fighting with our parents about things beyond our control."
"Are they though? I mean, really. My daughter sees the man I became. But if she were to see the man I was? Do you honestly think she'd still feel the same way? That she'd still have that love for me, like she does now?"
"If you're doubting that, then I guess you have no idea just how deep her love runs," Paige whispered.
"What are you talking about?"
"She knows what you were before. She knows of the things you did. But even then, she can still fully take you for what you are. You're her dad. You're the guy that's going to watch out for her- help her out with the mistakes she's going to make. She knows you're here to stay. And I think, in her mind, that's all that matters."
"It's just....I never quite know what to say when she calls me her hero. I mean, what's in a hero...exactly? What does it really take to become one?" He looked away from her then, wincing slightly. "It's like I can see it, but I'm just so damn afraid of letting her down."
"And you shouldn't be," she added. "You've certainly never let Phoebe down, have you?"
"That depends. Do you want the condensed version, or should I write a book?"
"Cole, I'm not-"
"Look, we have to find something to wear, alright? If we're going to fit in, we have to seem the part."
"I...don't have to get one of those big sashes around my waist, do I?"
"Oh, c'mon, I thought you liked to add to your fashion sense."
"Not when it requires me dress like I'm going to a stupid little tea party."
He raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure you've never lived a past life?"
"It does look different though, doesn't it? I...I mean, compared to how they've attempted to fix it up?"
"I think this was obviously before everything started falling apart. As a matter of fact, even if we did come into contact with someone like Sterling, I doubt he'd even remember us from the present frame of time. We're strangers down here."
"Do want to split up then...maybe find a room?"
"Just make sure no is in it," he offered, a smile touching his gorgeous profile.
"Do I look that stupid?" she hissed.
"Well, technically, if you steal another woman's dress? They could probably hang you down here."
"Really?"
He uttered a quiet laugh, chuckling briefly to himself, as he started off down the hall. "No, not really. I was just messing with you."
She frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "I swear, Cole Turner- sometimes I could just kill you."
**********
"Mommy, where's Daddy?"
"I...I think we must have lost him," Phoebe told her daughter, a worried expression covering her pretty face. "But he had to have gone through. I mean, he went back for your Aunt Paige, and that was the last I saw of him. But I'm sure he's here, sweetie. I know he is."
"And if he isn't, Miss Halliwell? I believe you just succeeded in trapping us all in a dimension that's beyond our frame of time."
"It's called faith," she told the figure standing directly across from her, his gaze transfixed on her frame. "Maybe you should try it sometime."
"You're certainly much more fiesty down here, aren't you?" he responded carefully.
"You're still not convinced, are you?"
"I am about to confront a woman I have spent most of my life in fear of, because the evil within her is so great. It doesn't matter what I should need to be convinced of."
"Actually, it does. You led him on back there, didn't you?"
"Grandpa, Daddy will find us. He always does. He's going to find us and save us," Alex stubbornly told him, her small hands finding her hips. "He would never leave us here."
"Do you always teach your daughter to have such a-"
"You know what? Was that hug you gave him all part of your master plan too? Because I really do think you should be recalculating your priorities right about now. He needs you in this. And if we're one short, I'll tell you right now, family or not, you'll be the first to go down with us."
"Are you threatening me, Miss Halliwell?"
"Oh, I'm just getting started."
"I came here to do my part, and that is exactly what I intend to do. However, whether it's for me or my son, still remains to be seen."
"He hasn't seen his mother in over-"
"And I've no doubt in that."
"Then what is the problem? Can't you at least sense the fact that he-"
"Need I even remind you I don't seem to possess any of the special abilities you and your husband do?"
"Yeah, and believe it or not, Cole actually took most of his from the Wasteland," she explained, her mouth set in a tight line. "To find his way back to me. To try and make things work between us. Because he loves me."
"And just how was it that he ended up there?" Benjamin questioned, his face displaying a sense of amusement. "I don't believe he ever bothered to mention any of this to-"
"No, he wouldn't, would he? Probably because he was forced to embrace evil beyond his control."
"Evil, was it? So my theory stands correct."
"What theory?" she asked, her voice rising, as she gently took her daughter into her arms.
"Maybe he's not really our grandpa," Melinda piped up curiously, offering the elderly man a glance.
"Then who is he?" Alex returned, somewhat puzzled, as she rested a small hand upon her mother's shoulder.
"This is just ridiculous. I know all too well Cole is on your side. My son obviously loves that litle girl too much to turn to the dark now, especially with Elizabeth on the loose."
"Then why-"
"I had to be sure," he said quietly.
"So what? You'll just keep nagging us until you do? There is a boat full of people that need saving back on our plane. And if we fail here, because we're even a minute behind, those innocents are going to die. Now I don't know if you're ready to own up to that just yet- but it's the way things are."
"Your drive in this is all quite fascinating," he observed, smiling. "You're entirely dedicated to the cause, and it's become evident at this point."
"I have good reason to be. Who knows if they would stop here? There's something they want to cover up, and we can't let it happen. Sometimes a past needs to live on, in order for history-"
"Not to repeat itself," he finished. "Yes. I couldn't agree more."
"Then you're with us?"
"Perhaps I can even serve to educate you on the wardrobe of this century, hmm?"
**********
"Would you like to dance?" the soft voice asked, as a slender hand found its way in Cole's direction, perfectly clothed in a thin, white glove, composed of pure silk. The fingers lay outstretched, anticipating a response.
He cleared his throat, shaking his head. "No. See, I'm actually- I'm looking for someone," he explained. "Maybe you've seen her."
"A woman?" she asked, as the hand reluctantly withdrew itself, and the rather petite blonde easily shifted her weight from one foot to the other in her heels. Her hair spilled below her shoulders, and her blue eyes shown rather brightly among the dim glow of the room.
"Yes. About five feet two, brown hair...with a little girl- two little girls. I was supposed to meet them aboard the ship, and so far- they seem to be nowhere to be found."
"I...haven't seen a woman with two little girls. But seeing as I'm here now, and....so are you, what could one dance hurt? You're not from around here, are you?"
"That depends on where here is," he offered, his fingers briefly adjusting the collar of his white dress shirt. Pulling apart a few buttons, he then placed his hands atop his suit jacket.
"The Crimson Star," she answered cheerfully. "It's supposed to be quite the voyage, from what I hear. Mr. Sterling takes pride in his guests, you know?"
"Sterling?"
"Why yes. The Captain? Surely you've-"
"Oh. Yeah. Actually, a lot more than I would have liked," Cole concluded, raising his eyebrows.
"So you're Mr. Crane then?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Orin Crane. I hear he's got all of the women caught under his spell. He's really quite the charmer."
"The name is Turner."
She laughed, throwing out a hand in front of herself. "Now, what kind of a first name is Turner? That's the silliest thing I've ever heard!"
"Cole Turner."
"Cole. I like that. In fact, the pleasure's all mine. Nadine Trent."
He calmly shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you, but I really think I should-"
"So could I maybe interest you now in a dance?"
"You know, I don't think that's going to be necessary, afterall," a familiar voice suddenly spoke up, as a single fingertip came down upon Cole's back. Turning around, his unshaven face caught sight of Phoebe Halliwell, her hair tight up in a loose sense of style, her small frame clothed in a beautiful low cut dress, a rather faded shade of lavender, the straps hanging loosely off her shoulders. It hung low to the floor, as she gently extended a hand on his behalf, offering it to him, as she tried her best to conceal a smile.
"Last minute previous engagement," he agreed, accepting his wife's invitation.
"You're engaged?" Nadine threw out, her lips offering a slight pout. Carefully turning on her heel, she began to head away from him, her eyes already beginning to land on a gentlemen who sat halfway across the room, occupying an empty table with his presence.
"We've been here a little less than half an hour, and already you have someone hitting on you?" Phoebe breathed softly.
"Jealous?"
She narrowed her eyes at him, the way she often did when she only mildly annoyed. Her nose scrunched up a bit, as she let him lead her to the dance floor. "Well...just as long as you didn't tell her your name..."
"I knew it."
"Mr. Turner, if you already look that good a hundred years ago, I'm surprised the entire female guest population hasn't shown up with any requests yet."
"You don't think it's a little too...modern?"
"And so what if it is? I know I can't get your to wear any kind of tie back home, so I don't know why you'd start now."
He began to move in step with her, an amused expression falling over his features, as he placed his other hand securely around her waist. "And I take it lavender is something new?"
"Actually, your father helped me pick it out."
"Really?"
"Said it went well with my complexion."
"And you definitely fit in better than I do here." He laughed softly, as he shifted his gaze for a moment. "And that's ironic, you know? Because this is closer to the time frame I was born in..."
"I kind of like it."
"How did you find me?"
"This is the place with the most people, isn't it?"
"And the music's not too bad either," he commented, shrugging.
"Must've been why that girl was so smitten."
"You just love to keep it up, don't you?"
"Look, where's Paige?"
"I actually don't have a clue. We split up to look for clothes. How's my father doing?"
"I think I'm beginning to sense his arrogance a lot more here," she sided, smiling.
"Do we have a possible plan yet?"
"Do you think they'll-"
"I was thinking," he admitted, as he studied her, a serious expression overtaking his visage, "that if Sterling's past form were to come into contact with his present, maybe-"
"It would conflict with his present day self, and possibly destroy him? What makes you think he's even here?"
"Well, Nadine mentioned he was Captain, so I thought-"
"Oh, so you're actually on a first name basis with her now?"
"Save it, alright? Phoebe, we're lucky we even made it through that portal in one piece. I'm guessing it closed itself up before they could attempt to trace our steps, anyway. But the point is- and there is a point in all of this....that I think it's only a matter of time."
"I know," she whispered. "But you know something? Maybe I'm just glad they don't want Alex this time around. I mean, is that too selfish- to think that way? Because if we can draw them to us, they'll leave the girls alone. And that-"
"Where are they?"
"They're with their grandfather. I figured they needed some time to get to know him better."
"And that...can come later. I really don't appreciate the fact that you never even consulted me on something like this to-"
"Maybe because I couldn't find you at first?"
"You know she can be anybody, don't you?"
"Cole-"
"That even if I wanted to believe this was really you, I'd have no proo-"
Without warning, she brought her face up to meet his, softly brushing her lips against his. He gently raised an eyebrow, as he willed himself to open his eyes once again. Her hands lingering upon his stubble, she stared deep into his blues, a smile forming on her full lips. "How's that?"
"You know that I still have to fight evil, don't you? And when you do something like that, it tends to distract me more than I'd like."
"Does it?" she asked playfully, as she planted a few small kisses upon his face, a soft giggle escaping her.
"But I...think we're going to have to call off our date a little early, anyway. Because it looks like we've got some company again."
"Who?" She started to turn toward the other direction, when he gently caught her bare shoulders in his hands, shaking his head.
"I don't think they've spotted us yet. Don't look.....we might be a dead giveaway. Just stay still."
"Or we could just be dead in several minutes for standing a little too still," she concluded, shrugging.
"Orin Crane," Cole whispered. "Right behind you."
"Crane? But isn't that-"
"Something tells me this guy is the real deal."
"Real deal?"
"Unfortunately, I think he had the same idea."
"Cole, I am going to need some kind of a backstory here, and so help me-"
"Direct and to the point- I think he also might have a few little shimmering powers of his own."