Earlier Stories in the New Powers & New Lives Serial:

A Wyerd Beginning~
Drawing the Lines
Witchy Demons
Powers Quadrupled
Kevin's Musings
Resentment
Kevin's Revelation
Hearing Voices
Mental Pep Talk

Disclaimers: I don't own Charmed Characters, Their Story, nor do I own Tomorrow People. Roger Price owns Tomorrow People, and Spelling Productions owns Charmed.

Onto the Story!

This is a narrative from Phoebe's perspective. It regales what happened at the time that Phoebe tells Cole about Kevin. It takes place after "Mental Pep Talk" (Sixth Story in the "New Powers & New Lives" Series)

/ / = Private thoughts/Implied Thoughts
[ ] = Telepathic Thoughts

***********Part 1***********

3:00pm - Friday

I sat at the island in the kitchen of the Manor, brooding again. I was alone, which I was thankful for, since I didn't need my sisters, nor Cole, hanging around me; To remind me that I still had to break the news to an oblivious Cole. I had promised my sisters, and Kevin, that I would tell Cole what was going on. A week or two had passed, but Cole still was staying with us, because he had to, due to his recent changes. I had procrastinated enough, but it was time to tell him, because I could feel him wondering what was wrong. Thank god, it had been a busy few weeks, from vanquishings, and wicca-related adventures, sparing ME from actually broaching the matter. However, I knew it was time to tell him, once and for all.

I sighed heavily, rubbing my neck, and placing my head on the counter. The very lightest of mental touches reached my mind.

[ Phoebe? What's wrong? ] I recognized the voice as Kevin's. I groaned silently. His tone, worried, but still concerned, served to make me feel warm inside, but this wasn't the time.

I impatiently answered, unsuccessfully keeping the brooding tone out of my mind.

[ Ah. Hi Kevin. Nothing's wrong. Just thinking.... ]

As usual, Kevin was perceptive. He sent back, with a cautionary tinge to his mental voice.

[ .....Is it about Cole? ]

My mental silence only served to confirm his thoughts. His only reply was to send back a mental emotion, which translated into as a comforting hug.

I smiled for the first time today. [ Thanks, Kevin. ] I sent along the link, a mental caress of affection.

The link was dropped, leaving me alone, to my thoughts. Not a moment too soon, did I start brooding again, as Prue stormed into the kitchen, and threw her photography bag onto the table behind me.

I settled my gaze onto her, judging from her slightly rumpled appearance, that she had been in a hurry to get back. I looked at her uncertainly. "What's up, Prue?"

Prue paused to catch her breath, and didn't waste any time. "A warlock attacked me in the parking lot near the location where I was taking photos. Nearly got me, but not before I blasted him with a zapball. He didn't get vanquished, but he blinked away."

"Any idea who he was? Or what he was after?" I leaned with my arms on the counter, looking at Prue, asking those questions, which seemed so routine lately. I knew that life as a Charmed One wasn't that glamorous, but it was also dangerous, but...sometimes it felt like we were just fending off hordes of evil, without a real reason.

Shaking off that dejected thought, I suggested, "Maybe we should look in the Book of Shadows?"

"Yeah, and call Piper, with you know what, to get her home asap!" Prue gave me a pointed look.

I knew what she meant. Call Piper with our new telepathy...although I don't know why Prue called it "you know what." I started to ask her why she said that, but she was well on her way to the attic. I shrugged, leaving that question for later.

I tuned into Piper's mind. Good. She wasn't busy. At least, not TOO busy. I whispered slightly into her mind.

[ Piper? It's Phoebe.....Sorry to bother you...]

P^3 Club -

Piper was wiping a glass, and nearly dropped it, as Phoebe's mind touched her.

"Whoa!" She grabbed onto the glass, making sure she didn't drop it. She didn't need any more messes, like the last time her youngest sister had 'talked' to her.

Taking a minute to compose herself, and setting the glass down, she prepared herself to reply.

[ Uh. Hi Phoebe. What's going on? ]

I noted the hesitation, but as to its origin, I didn't really know. I forged on, explaining what was going on, as far as we knew.

I concluded my thought. [ And that's all we know so far. Prue's checking the Book of Shadows. ]

I felt Piper send back assurance, feeling somehow unrefined.

I sent back a questioning thought, [ Piper, you okay? Is ...this bothering you? This...communication? ]

Piper sighed. / How to frame this into something tactful? /

[ It's...still pretty new. The novelty has somewhat worn off. I'm not sure what to do with it now. ]

Things...started to come together. Prue's odd comment. Piper's admission just now.

[ This bothers you both, doesn't it? ] I mindsent with a simplicity in my tone.

A long moment ensued, before Piper finally answered, with heavy regret inherent. [ Yes. ]

Stunned for a moment, I was speechless, and couldn't answer. How could she be bothered with something like this?

I was about to answer when Prue re-entered the kitchen. She gave me a look, that I interpreted as 'Get on with it!' I looked away, focusing on Piper again. [ Also, get over here. Prue's waiting. ]

There was a crisp reply. [ Oh! I'm on the way. ] As I turned around, I saw Prue looking at me expectantly.

I nodded slightly. "She's on the way. So. Why does this bother you that much?" I concluded the question by tapping my temple with a finger.

Prue stared at me with a startled expression written across her features. I sighed.

"I asked Piper. I just got enough clues. What's going on?" I cocked my head slightly, and looked at her, waiting for her to explain, before Piper got here.

Prue inhaled sharply, hesitated by rubbing her forehead, but dove right into her point.

"Phoebe. It...makes us nervous. Dealing with powers that we can actually use, but powers that we can use, to be exposed, or look into someone else's mind, is unnerving, truth be told..."

I was about to protest that it was useful when we needed it, as Piper walked into the kitchen. We froze, and looked at Piper. Piper immediately noticed.

Piper glared at me, as if to say, / Why didn't you wait? /. I shrugged my shoulders, and prepared to retort, as Prue held up a hand. She raised her voice, to capture our attention.

"Hey! Let's focus. We have a warlock after us." We looked at our older sister, and nodded with reluctance written in our faces. Reluctant to let this issue go. Piper looked at me, with an expression of surpressed emotion. I gazed at Prue, who finally spoke in a tone of voice that did nothing to reassure me.

"As far as I know, he's an unknown. I haven't found him in the Book of Shadows yet."

Widening my eyes, I blurted out, "But that means...we don't know how to vanquish him?"

***********Part 2***********

"What do you mean, nothing in the Book of Shadows, Prue?!" Piper's voice slightly escalated into something akin to panic. I knew my sister. She disliked anything she didn't know about. If it related to magick, or warlocks, she needed to be assured that the Book of Shadows HAD something.

Piper made a snap decision. She looked up, and shouted. "LEO!"

A rainstorm of blue-white orbs materialized. Leo looked at Piper with concern.

"What's going on?" Leo looked at all three of us, who had similiar qualms written across our faces.

Piper summarized it in a few words. "Warlock attacked Prue. No entry in Book of Shadows."

Leo laid a hand on Prue's shoulder, and asked, "Are you alright? What'd he look like?"

Prue thought for a moment, and succiently described the warlock.

"Dark hair, a few inches taller than me, goatee, sinister face, thin. Oh. He almost fried me with this... yellow light? It nearly exploded a nearby tree. I barely got away by throwing two zapballs, and it apparently made him blink away."

Leo was silent for a moment, tapping his chin with a finger. He looked at us with an odd expression. I recognized it. He was scared. He wasn't normally scared, which made it feel like it was very important, and dangerous. "...It sounds like Jarkan."

The single word spoken, broke the silence that had lengthened after Leo's comment.

"Jarkan?" I spoke softly.

Leo nodded gravely. He launched into an explaination.

"Yes. He's a high level warlock. I'm surprised he hasn't been sending minions after you indirectly."

"So why isn't there a page in the Book of Shadows?" Prue pointed out, giving Leo a puzzled glance.

Leo paused to collect his thoughts, then exhaled. "Well. I would probably guess that he hasn't percieved you as a threat, until now. You, meaning the Halliwell Line, although he knew of the prophecy of the Charmed Ones. Of course, it's pretty much speculation, except your description fits him." He leaned with one hand on the counter, still looking at us.

Prue nodded, as a thought occured to her. She cocked her head, and said, "Leo? So, do you know how we can vanquish him?"

He now sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead. "I don't really know. I think the Power of Three ...should work. But..." He looked at me with a meaningful glance.

I knew what he meant. I couldn't vanquish demons or warlocks any more, using the Power of Three. But with Kevin's power, they could almost use it all the time. "But...I can't do the Power of Three, not without going into another coma. Kevin could help, if he wanted to."

The truth of the matter was that Kevin wasn't sure if he wanted to help vanquish any more demons. It was starting to wear him out, emotionally, and mentally. I sighed inwardly, thinking about this. The others knew that Kevin had recently 'took a break' and did show up from time to time, mostly just to see me, lately.

I looked up, seeing the others staring at me, with silence pervading the room. I exhaled softly. "I don't know. I'll ask Kevin."

As I turned around to mentally contact Kevin, a chill went up my spine. My eyes snapped wide open, as a premonition overtook my body.

*********************************************************************

Greyness around me. Mist, and a feel of desert-like dryness. Strangely familiar surroundings, and darkness.

A glowing light was nestled into a tall warlock's hand, as he laughed sinisterly, and Kevin stood there helpless, unable to teleport, or mindcall. The warlock threw the lightball at Kevin, and smashed him into the wall. Prue threw a series of zapballs into his chest, but did nothing but drive him back slightly.

**********************************************************************

Suddenly, I knew. Kevin wasn't supposed to be there. I also knew where the warlock would be.

Piper stood by me, holding my arm, as I came to. She had an expectant look. "Phoebe?"

I nodded. "I had another premonition. Been a while, but I got one."

Prue strode forward, and looked into my eyes. "What is it?"

I sighed heavily, my body slightly shaking. My throat choked up. "Uh. It was about Kevin. J...Jarkan got him. Prue tried to fight him, but couldn't do much damage with her zapballs."

Piper's face darkened, as she knew the feelings I was going through. Piper softly said, "Sweetie, you know your premonitions can be changed. We can change how it happens. That's why you get them..."

I gulped noisily, nodding, and wiping my nose, with my hand.

Prue nodded quickly. "It's ok, Pheebs. We'll do what we can."

Leo nodded, saying, "Phoebe...We'll do what we can, but he's a very high level demon, and very close in rank to the Source. And I don't know how the Power of Three can be used here; I have no idea exactly what to do here."

Piper glared at Leo, as if he had said something insensitive. "Leo, go find out."

Leo nodded quickly, seemingly ashamed. "Be back soon."

Piper encircled me into her arms, and said nothing. Prue stood there, unsure of what to do.

As I let go of my mental shields, I felt a familiar but unsure touch my mind.

[ Phoebe? Are you okay? What's wrong? ] Great. I forgot Kevin was a very strong empath.

I groaned softly enough only for Piper to hear me, and she seemed to tune into what was going on. Surprising me, she kept holding me, but actually contacted Kevin?!

Piper's voice resounded acidly in my mind, [ Kevin, Now is not a really good time to talk. She needs some comfort, but I don't know if you're the right kind right now. ]

She abruptly closed the connection. I stared up at her in shock. She looked down, in similiar shock, with her adrenaline draining away, from his mental touch. She smiled softly, shrugging silently. Prue gazed at both of us with puzzlement.

I spoke up in a quiet voice. "Piper...how..did you talk to Kevin?"

Prue looked startled, and spoke with a sharp tone. "You talked to Kevin? How did you do that?"

Piper looked at each of us; Me, then Prue, and shrugged. "I...don't know. I just got annoyed with Kevin trying to find out what was wrong, when it was obvious. So I just did what I do with Phoebe, but told Kevin to shut up."

I laughed. Choking on air for a moment, I coughed. I laughed a little softer. "Yeah, She..told Kevin to shut up!" Tears were streaming down my face. I had found it too humorous not to laugh.

Prue looked at me in alarm. "You sure you're ok, Pheebs?"

I nodded weakly, and grinned.

A bright flash of static light materialized into Kevin's form. He looked at me, trying to ascertain what the hell was going on. I weakly smiled.

"Ok, What the hell is going on?" He demanded with an annoyed glance. His eyes seemed to flash slightly, as he spoke, hands on his hips.

Piper let go of me, and whispered into my ear. "You should tell him."

I looked at Piper with an imploring expression; An expression of / Do I have to? / I groaned as she nodded firmly.

I nodded solemnly. Kevin looked increasingly worried. I smiled softly, as I started.

"Ah, Kevin. I, um, had a premonition. About you." I saw the blood draining out of Kevin's face.

***********Part 3***********

A stammer was heard, after a lengthy silence that pervaded the room. Kevin stared, as if unwilling to ask, but deep down, he knew he had to ask.

"W..what did you...see?" He had difficulty forcing the words out of his mouth.

I sighed, closing my eyes, and leaning my head forward, facing the floor.

"There's a warlock after us. We ...don't know how to fight him, other than maybe the Power of Three. I was debating whether to ask you, since I know what your feelings are on it...." I trailed off, with my hands on my knees.

Kevin's eyes grew impatient.

I looked at his face, making a silent decision. / Yes. He should know. /

I took a deep breath, and began.

"I....saw you get blasted by the warlock after us, assuming we had tried the power of three spell. It didn't seem to work, and Prue kept trying to throw her zapballs at him, but it didn't seem to do any good. ...Uh...also...you weren't able to teleport, or call anyone else."

To soothe Kevin, or so I hoped, I continued, "But...my visions can be changed. I don't know if you died in it. I...guess I'm afraid it might mean that."

Kevin's eyes flared with fear for a moment, then died. "Oh." Looking down, his face seemed to firm into a determined glance. As he looked back up at me, I knew what his decision was.

I framed my statement as a question. "You're coming with, aren't you?"

As Piper was still holding me, I sensed a focused emotion from her. Affectionate Concern. Concern that he was getting into too much to handle. I wordlessly sent back reassurance. She looked down at me, and shrugged, slightly diffident on the outside.

Kevin watched the wordless interaction pass between us, and cocked his head slightly.

I switched to verbal mode. "Piper, It's ok. We all can protect him. We'll have to wait until Leo returns, to tell us what's going on."

Prue gazed at us, mystified. She had felt something going on, but couldn't quite identify everything. She turned to Kevin, with a sober look on her face. "Kevin. You don't have to do this, you know that. We will...do everything to protect you when we can. But there are no guarantees when we go after a demon or warlock."

Kevin nodded. "I know. Do you think I don't know the risks now? After nearly being killed by one myself...and the other things that've gone on since I met Phoebe?"

He turned around sharply, and laid a hand on the kitchen counter. He became almost inaudible, but I could still hear him. "I am still doing this. What do we need to do?"

Piper nodded, seeming to understand his position. "We're waiting for Leo. The Warlock hasn't attacked, since Prue was at the park."

Kevin looked at the counter, studying it, but not saying a word.

Moments later, blue and white orbs materialized into Leo. He looked somewhat grimmer, but his face seemed to hold some hope.

Leo saw Kevin. "Hi Kevin...I take it they told you." His only answer was a silent nod from Kevin.

Prue strode toward Leo, with an hopeful look in her eyes. "Leo? Did you find out anything?"

He ran fingers through his full blonde hair, and sighed. "Uh. Not a lot. Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?"

I spoke up first. "The bad news, of course."

He sighed heavily, and gestured with his palm outward, saying, "Yes. It was Jarkan that was after you. However, the Elders did tell me that it *was* possible to vanquish him."

Kevin turned around, and stared at Leo, with newfound surprise. "There is? Do you know what it is?"

Leo shrugged. "No. Only that water seems to hurt him the most. And Electric does seem to do *some* damage, but just not enough to vanquish him."

Kevin stared as understanding dawned onto him. "Then...I have to be there."

I stared at Kevin with puzzlement. "What do you mean? You have to be there?"

He suddenly looked sheepish. "Uh... yes. Um. I have a witchy power too."

My eyes widened as I realized the implications. "What? Why didn't you tell me..?"

He shrugged slightly. "I dunno. I didn't think it was important. It's just summoning a water globe. Can't hardly do any damage, mostly, other than to get one wet."

I grinned broadly, rushing to him, and hugging him tightly. "You may have just helped us a lot, Kevin!"

He blushed and stammered silently, and disengaged from my arms.

A small tendril of thought emanated from Kevin toward me. [ Heh. Not now.. *a feeling of warmth* We do need to take care of the warlock. ]

I nodded quickly, moving a step backward, for a moment. I declared, "I'm going to try to teleport us to the warlock." I tried to summon the image back into my mind, where the place would be, that we would find the warlock.

A hazy image of the place to be rose into my mind. There was a slight click as if it had snapped into place. I moaned suddenly, as a foreign mind gripped me. I flung my arms out, and my sisters sprang to catch me, as well as Kevin, all disappearing into one static burst of light, now sullen yellow. Leo stood there, in stunned silence.

***********Part 4***********

A static imprint was lingering from the mass departure. It fizzled out into thin air, leaving Leo open-mouthed in surprise.

Thoughts began to run around in circles in his mind, as he began to pace back and forth. / How can they be gone, just like that?? That static didn't look right. It must have been a trap! Jarkan must have been waiting. Dammit! / Leo knew he had to calm down, so he could find them with his sensing power, that came with being a Whitelighter. Closing his eyes, and casting his mind out, he began to search for the missing girls.

************************************************************

I blinked in surprise, as we materialized into the exact same spot that I had been looking for.

The whole place gave me the creeps. Mist curled along the floor, although it felt extremely dry. It was really hard to see my surroundings, as torches that ringed the room flared into life, giving me a moment's shock.

I looked around, surprised that the four of us had gotten here. I thought I was the only one who teleported. Then after a second, I remembered that I was holding onto Prue and Piper. But...why Kevin? I whispered, "Is everyone ok?" It startled me when my question seemed to echo all over the place, rebounding off the walls, seemingly magnified.

Everyone nodded at me, with varying expressions, that ranged from surprise, to fear. The fear was emanating mostly from Kevin, which drew my attention. I whispered softly. "Kevin? You ok?"

He gulped, and nodded with nervousness etched in his face. "It's creepy. It feels like my dream, but ..more sinister."

I was about to respond, when an eerie voice resounded throughout the area. I scanned the surroundings, to try to localize the source. To my surprise, it wasn't even a voice. It was a mind voice! Sinister laughter rang out, rebounding off unseen walls.

[ Hahaha....I see now the Charmed Ones, and a uninvited guest, in my realm. ]

The mysterious voice continued, with a tinge of surprise, entering his mindvoice. The voice held a silken layer to it, but held steel, barely disguised.

[ Well, well! A tomorrow person as well! I recognized the aura, when you teleported here. I'm surprised that you were brought along. ] I grabbed Kevin's arm, as he snapped his head around the misty area, trying to see who was talking, and increasingly alarmed that he was wide open.

Kevin suddenly screamed, "Where are you? Why are you doing this?" He gulped suddenly, as a figure materialized out of thin air, clad in a dark-brown robe, with pouches. Piper edged near Prue, as if frightened. At her touch on my back, a light touch, I could sense her emotions. Fear. Uncertainty. I tried to boost her confidence, with a light touch of empathic reassurance.

Prue's hand started crackling around her palm. A zapball was forming, and the figure chuckled softly, and spoke for the first time. "Do you really think that'd work on me.....Prue?" He drawled out her name, with a tone of contempt evident in his voice.

Prue tensed up, defiance blazing in her eyes, and nodded quickly. "I can try." Her voice held a dangerous edge to it. An idea forming within my strong shields, thankfully, the strongest of all the Tomorrow People, I quickly laid my hand on her arm, and whispered, "Don't make him angry. I have a idea....a vague idea."

The Warlock strode forward and grinned, a thin smile curving up only slightly. The effect only made me more creeped out. I slightly edged over to Kevin, who was standing to my right. The Warlock shook his head. "Don't get any ideas. I have this to destroy your friend, then you. I have unlimited mental powers here, and know your every mental communication. ALL of you possess this ability, in greater, and lesser degree."

He took another step forward, holding a glowing yellow orb in his palm, and his eyes flared yellow, for a moment.

I whispered to Prue, "Keep throwing the zapballs, to hopefully distract him. I have to tell Kevin to throw something." Piper noticed the orb coming, and erected a globe barely in time, to see the orb being deflected above them.

Kevin had been watching the Warlock, and saw an orb flaring toward me, and pushed me aside, and I barely registered the orb, and managed to pull Kevin down as well. The orb splashed against the wall, splintering some material that dusted over us.

Prue took that as a chance to throw some zapballs, one by one. Prue's face held determination to distract him, while I had to inform Kevin what my plan was.

I leaned toward Kevin, and whispered very quietly. "Kevin... use your power. A puddle. As much as possible." Kevin's face lit up in understanding, as he nodded. As he was mostly covered by the mist-like fog that rose above his chest, he stayed there, as if he were immobile. In reality, he was generating a water globe between his hands, in silent concentration.

I pretended to be tending to Kevin, as the Warlock was driven back step by step then a step forward, then a few more steps back. I nodded at Kevin, who nodded his readiness.

"Prue! Now!" She nodded, and shifted out of the way, as Kevin flung his globe of water at Jarkan's feet. He glanced down, with puzzlement, at the water, and felt his feet searing with pain. "HOW have you done this? A Tomorrow Person cannot do this!" His voice rose in fury, as he materialized another golden orb in his palm to be released. Prue immediately let flow her power of electricity into the puddle, which the lightning blast arched it's fingers around the warlock, electrifying his molecules. Jarkan screamed as the lightning tore at his skin, and veins. He raised his clawed hands to the air, and exploded into lightning and flames.

Lightning fizzled away in Prue's hands. Her attack stance, became a stationary one. She turned around, and said, "You guys okay?"

Piper nodded. "Yeah. Let's get out of here!" Kevin nodded, and took Piper's arm, and I took Prue's arm. I smiled at Kevin, and saw it returned, as we vanished from this mist-covered region, back home.

******************************************************************

The Manor -

The four of us materialized back in the kitchen, giving Leo a startled gasp, then a relieved sigh.

"Thank God you're back! I couldn't find you!" Leo exclaimed with a tinge of worry, and relief.

I nodded slightly. "We defeated Jarkan." I noticed Leo exhale sharply, and smile broadly.

Kevin nodded simply. "Uh... I ..should get home." He looked exhausted, but I sensed something else bothering him. He smiled stiffly, and vanished in a static burst of light.

"Hi."

The voice was coming from the entrance. It was Cole. / Uh oh. It's time. / His voice was steady, and reserved, and a neutral expression was seen on his face.

Prue immediately noticed Cole's expression, and smiles. "I'll leave you two alone. Leo, would you show me the new clock in the living room? The one you just fixed?" I knew it wasn't a total truth, but wasn't a lie either. The clock was there, and did get fixed. But it wasn't new. Leo gave Prue a blank look, but after a moment's glare from Prue, nodded quickly, and dragged Piper along with him, leaving the two of us alone.

I chuckled uncertainly. "Hi Cole. How are you doing?"

Fidgeting around, I looked at Cole, acutely aware of his intense staring at me.

Finally he broke the silence. "What's going on, Phoebe?"

I looked down, unable to hold it in any longer. My voice cracked slightly, but I held my resolve.

"Cole...as much as I do..did love you...I..I'm...breaking up with you."

***********Part 5***********
Author's Note: This is my first time writing about any 'breakup' between 2 fanfic characters. Comments welcome!

Cole stood there for several moments, not moving, with his mouth dropping open.

"You're....what?!! Why?" His voice rose a few decibels as I winced.

I tore my gaze away from Cole's anguished expression, speaking softly, yet audible enough for Cole to hear. "...I... just realized it lately, and have been thinking about it in the last few weeks. I...just figured out that I was attracted to danger, before I broke out. You were the epitome of danger, Cole."

Cole seemed ready to protest, but I knew better. "Cole. I'm sorry. But I think my main attraction to you was that you were dangerous. You're a witch now, with a finding ability. I just didn't notice the attraction, and love just fading away. It just ...got too predictable."

I continued before I lost my nerve. "...That's why I'm breaking up with you."

Cole slammed a hand on the counter, and growled, "Why now? Why not before? ...."

His thoughts came to a halt, as his eyes widened, at a startling realization.

His voice lowered an octave, yet held a surpressed tinge to it. "It's..one of the Tomorrow People?"

I looked at him with surprise, but I knew he probably knew who it was. I nodded slowly, unwilling to speak, to break into tears.

Cole's chest heaved deeply, and exhaled. "Yeah. I thought so." I saw his jaw muscles clenching, and wished I could take it back, but I knew I couldn't.

I gazed at him with a regretful glance. "Cole... I do wish you a happy life. But...if you do not want to come back here again, I ...do understand, but You have been a very good friend, and more. It's just now...I need something else instead." I fidgeted from foot to foot, awaiting his reaction.

He took a few moments, to regard me, and knew I was telling the truth. And that he couldn't change my mind. He closed his eyes in...regret? sadness?, and nodded. His next words would stay with me for a very long time.

"Phoebe. Keep this in mind. I will always love you. I will be back. I don't know when, but I will most definetly be back. I ...I guess I always knew I was somewhat superflous, when you stripped my demon half away. I want you to know....that I'm grateful that you did. Now I have another purpose in life, other than just you, Phoebe. That is the best thing I could ever hope for. You gave me my life back."

My smile returned, despite the bittersweet scene that unfolded here.

He returned a small smile back, and turned around, and left without a word. As I watched his receding figure leave, I stifled a small sob, only heard by Piper, as she re-entered the kitchen.

Piper knew exactly how I was feeling. She encased me in a hug, and whispered, "Pheebs..I know it was hard, but you had to do it."

I sniffled slightly. "But..what will become of Cole now? I doubt he'd want to be around me, or any of us now." I felt Piper's reassurance along our personal link, and smiled softly, into her shoulder. I heard footsteps behind me, and another body wrapping me in her arms. Prue just stayed there, and laid her head on my upper shoulder.

I stayed there in my sisters' arms, and sighed, thankful for their support. With them, I knew that things would get better. A weight had been lifted off my shoulders, for the time being.

[End]