InsaneJournal

Current mood:	anxious
Entry tags:	challenge: fanfic100, character: cole turner, character: leo wyatt, character: paige matthews, character: phoebe halliwell, character: piper halliwell, fandom: charmed, pairing: cole/phoebe, pairing: piper/leo, title: justice

Justice (Parts 5-7)
Title: Justice
Fandom: Charmed
Characters: Cole Turner, Phoebe Halliwell, Piper Halliwell, Paige Halliwell, Leo Wyatt
Prompt: Fixed
Word Count: 9178
Rating: PG

5.

George stepped forward now, speaking to the judges. "The Charmed Ones," he said, "no longer have any devotion to their duty. They were gifted with these powers, yet when they are called upon to use them, they complain endlessly about how things like dates and jobs are much more important. There is nothing more important than the life of an innocent, yet these women have forgotten that."

The Elder looked at the Charmed Ones. "Piper Halliwell, step into the Circle of Truth."

She glared at him. "Kiss my-- "

"Very well," George interrupted. He waved his hand, and the circle of light expanded to include the area where the Charmed Ones sat. Rapidly shifting images appeared, proving his words true. When presented with an innocent to save or a demon to vanquish, the first words out of the Charmed Ones mouths most often were complaints and desires to do something else.

"That's not fair!" Paige hissed.

Kevin looked at her sadly. "Unfortunately, it's all too true, isn't it?" Paige scowled but couldn't disagree.

"In addition," George continued, "despite the trial not long ago about the misuse of their powers, quite soon afterwards, Paige used her powers to conjure a man to...satisfy her." Paige flushed, but didn't say anything. "It is obvious they did not learn their lessons."

Serris moved to stand beside George. "Because of this, we submit that these women are not fit to bear the title and power of the Charmed Ones. Since the eldest complains of wanting a normal life so much, their powers should be stripped from them so that they live off their lives as mortals. Women worthy to be the Charmed Ones will be found."

"Fine by me!" Piper snapped. "Take them. They're yours."

"Obviously," Serris continued, "their memories would have to be stripped of any knowledge of magic and the magical world...."

"I don't think I like the sound of that," Phoebe said nervously.

"...and while the younger child of Piper Halliwell may have his powers stripped as well, she may retain him, but the older, Wyatt, will have to remain here with us," Serris said.

Piper rose to her feet, her eyes flashing with anger. "Over my dead body!"

"SIT DOWN." Briel's voice boomed loudly through the room, and the force of it knocked Piper back into her seat.

"You can't do this!" Piper continued to protest. Beside her, Leo looked stricken.

"We can do whatever we wish, Piper Halliwell," Briel said. "If this is the course of action we choose, there is nothing you can do to stop it. We are not the Cleaners that you can intimidate with your power. If this is done, you will not mourn your child. You will have never known him or his father. Your new memories will comfort you, as will your very normal life."

Piper looked helplessly at Cole, realizing their fate was in his hands. "Cole...please...don't let them do this."

He laughed shortly. "Why the hell should I care what happens to you?"

"Because...because...." She searched for the right words. "You'll prove us wrong. You'll prove we were wrong about how we treated you."

"Cole, please," Phoebe added softly.

He stiffened and turned to the judges. There was a long moment of silence, then Cole finally spoke. As he did, the Circle of Truth conjured images – Prue's death and funeral, Leo leaving Piper to become an Elder, Chris dying. "These women are the Charmed Ones," Cole said. "They are powerful witches. But they are also human. They have endured lifetimes of sorrow and pain and fear. They need joy and peace and love to counteract it, and instead of seeing that these simple needs are met, the Elders have heaped more misery upon them. It would be a simple matter to let them see their sister...."

"They need to accept she is dead," Serris interrupted.

Cole shook his head. "They have. As they have the loss of their mother and their grandmother, yet they are allowed to see them."

"It is a special privilege to be able to see the spirits of the dead," Esttai noted.

"One which they deserve," Cole argued. "Instead you have forbidden this and did not even allow Prue to attend her nephews' wiccanings. If they were ignorant to the possibility of seeing the dead, that would be one thing. But they are not, and you cruelly deny them the opportunity to see their sister. And then you took Leo away from them."

"It was his choice," Darban insisted.

"A choice that was not really a choice," Cole said. "You could have easily released him from his duty and allowed him to remain with his wife and son, but you did not. Time and time again, the Elders have stood in the way of these women's happiness. Perhaps they would focus more on their duties if they knew they would have a moment's respite. For all they have done, do they not deserve it? Instead you force them to cling to children and boyfriends and jobs so tightly that they neglect their wiccan duties."

"You are blaming us for this, demon?" Darban said irritably.

"In a way, yes," Cole said. "You interfered in Piper's and Leo's relationship from the beginning, and it caused resentment of the Elders and their guidance. It put the wheels of rebellion in motion. Rather than build the Charmed One's trust and respect, instead you have created resentment. You command, you take, but you do not give."

"How dare you...." Serris seethed.

"Enough!" Briel said. "We have heard all we need to hear. We are prepared for make our decision."


6.

All attention was on Briel as she rose and spoke. "It has been proven to my satisfaction that the Avatars seek out power and use ruthless manipulation to get it. Indeed, it seems to be their standard method of getting someone to join their cause. Very few would be able to stand against them. Therefore, Leo Wyatt is not to be persecuted for joining them as he did. He acted under duress, and he acted to save his family. It is further evident that Leo Wyatt's ties to the mortal world make him unfit to be an Elder. His guidance was needed when the Elders were in chaos after the rise of the Titans, but no longer. It is also clear that the attack upon Zola took place while Leo Wyatt was under the emotional assault of a powerful demon, and he is not to blame for his actions."

Briel gazed evenly at the Charmed Ones. "The Charmed Ones have served the force of good, and they have done it well. For all their incessant complaining, they have vanquished countless demons. The Elders might have all been destroyed by the Titans were it not for them. They are to be commended...and trusted to do their job. I believe in their hearts they know their duty, and if they have fallen from the path, perhaps this will serve as a reminder. There is, as was said here already, nothing more important than the life of an innocent, and they would do well to remember that and learn to live with the inconveniences of their mortal lives. The Elders will not interfere in their personal lives so long as they do not affect their obligation to protect innocents.

"It is therefore our ruling that the Charmed Ones be allowed to retain their powers. Leo Wyatt shall be stripped of his Avatar and Elder powers, but allowed to retain his abilities as a Whitelighter. He shall be assigned to be where he truly belongs -- with his family. They will be his sole charges and he will act as liaison between them and the Elders," Briel finished. "And he is responsible for keeping them on their path."

The other Elders nodded in acceptance of the decision and orbed out. Piper sank against Leo in relief as her sisters absorbed the enormity of the decision. Kevin leapt to his feet and let out a whoop. "You did it!" he said to Cole.

"So I did," Cole said wearily.

Kevin looked guilty. "I...uh...I have to send you back now," he said reluctantly. Cole nodded.

"Wait!" Phoebe said. "What's going on?" She moved to Kevin's side, looking at Cole.

"I pulled Cole from Purgatory to help Leo," Kevin said sadly. "And now I have to put him back."

"He didn't agree to do this for a Get out of Death Free card?" Paige asked.

Kevin shook his head. "No...he only did it because I asked."

"There must be something...." Phoebe looked at Briel, who had remained behind. "Does he have to go back?"

"Stay out of this," Cole said to Phoebe. "I don't want your help."

"Interesting," Briel said, studying Phoebe. "You were the one who sent him to Purgatory. Yet now you wish him free? Why?"

"I don't know," Phoebe said. "Maybe...maybe we were wrong? Isn't there anything we can do? He was manipulated by the Avatars, too. He needs justice as much as Leo."

"Justice," Briel repeated. She waved her hand at Phoebe.

"Oh, god," Phoebe said, starting to hyperventilate. She sank to her knees, clutching her head as tears began to stream down her face. "Don't...I can't...please...."

"What are you doing to her?" Piper demanded. She knelt beside Phoebe and tried to pull her into her arms.

"Her empathy was given to her for this very reason," Briel said evenly. "It was never meant as a gift to augment her powers. It was meant so she could feel what her callous and selfish actions did to those around her. You found a magical way to prevent her from feeling your emotions, Piper Halliwell, but these feelings she cannot block. She now feels what the demon feels."

Cole looked at Phoebe, alarmed. "Stop this. This isn't what I want."

"Is this not justice, demon?" Briel said. "This is your pain, your sorrow. Your love for her kept you alive when first they vanquished you. Your pain kept you in Purgatory the second time, unable to move on."

"I said stop it!" Cole took a step toward Phoebe, then stopped himself.

Briel shook her head. "No."

Cole closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. He let it out slowly, his stance become more relaxed. After a moment, Phoebe stopped crying and writhing on the floor. She pushed herself up, looking at Cole "Phoebe?" Piper said, pushing the hair away from her sister's face.

"The pain, the sadness, it's gone...I just feel...." Her voice dropped to a confused whisper. "Love."

Cole looked away from Phoebe, facing Briel instead. "Congratulations. You have passed," the Elder said.

"What? This was some sort of sick test?" Cole said, bewildered.

Briel nodded. "If evil ruled your heart, you would have reveled in her pain. Instead you stopped it the only way you could...by letting go off your pain. And for that I judge you free to return to the mortal realm."

"Return?" Cole repeated, stunned.

Another nod. "Yes. You are restored to what you were...minus the Avatar's powers. You are no longer one of them. You are free to choose your own path now."

"I...thank you," Cole said.

"Cole," Phoebe whispered, climbing to her feet. She took a hesitant step toward him.

He backed away from her. "Are we done here now, then?" he asked Briel.

"You are free to go where you will, Cole," Briel said, addressing him by name instead of calling him "demon." "But we will be watching. If you abuse your powers, if you fall from the path again, you will be dealt with."

Cole nodded respectfully, then started to shimmer out. "Cole, wait!" Phoebe shouted, jumping toward him.

"What do you want?" he said carefully, keeping a distance between them.

"Where-where are you going?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I don't know, Phoebe."

A small smile touched her lips. "You called me Phoebe."

He ignored her words. "What do you want?" he repeated.

"I...I think we need to talk," she said.

Shaking his head, he said, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Cole, I felt what you feel," Phoebe pleaded.

He looked away from her. "That doesn't mean anything anymore."

She tried to close the distance between them. "How can you say that? It means everything."

Bitterness and pain flickered in his eyes again as he turned toward her again. "It meant nothing to you two years ago, why should it change now?"

"Because I was a fool!" Phoebe said passionately. "I was scared and I didn't understand what you were going through and please can't we forget the past and try again? Cole...I love you. I always have. I always will. That wasn't a lie when I told you that."

"It...it's too late, Phoebe," he said. "We tried. We failed. It's over. Goodbye, Phoebe."

Cole shimmered out, and Phoebe dropped her head. As her shoulders began to shake, Piper and Paige hurried to wrap their sister in their embrace. "It's okay, honey," Piper said comfortingly. "You're just caught up in the moment. You know you don't want to be involved with him again...." Her voice trailed off as she realized Phoebe was laughing. "Phoebe?"

"Yeah, what's so funny?" Paige said, confused.

Phoebe's eyes shone with tears, but she was smiling. "He still loves me. And I'm going to get him back."

"How can you be so sure?" Paige asked.

"Because I've seen the future," Phoebe said happily. "And my daughter has her father's eyes."


7.

Three days after the trial, life had returned to normal at the Halliwell Manor. "Or as normal as it's going to be," Piper said with a wistful sigh. "We will fight demons and save innocents, but we can also try to have Sunday breakfast together."

She and Leo had been blissfully happy since their return, finally free of the looming threat of punishment and secure that nothing would part them again. Paige had quit the magic school so she could return to social work. Nothing had been heard from Cole.

The sisters had discussed the ramifications of Cole being back from the dead. Piper and Paige were both nervous, but as Leo had pointed out, "The Elders gave him their approval. And now we know the real story about what happened. Don't dwell on the past, you can't change it. It's the future that matters." So with some trepidation, Piper and Paige agreed to support Phoebe in whatever path she took with Cole.

That afternoon, Phoebe knocked on Elise's door. Her editor looked up. "Come in," she said. "What's up, Phoebe? How did your meeting go this morning? Is the interview all set for this afternoon?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Phoebe said, sitting in the chair in front of Elise's desk. "I need to cut back on work. I need to slow down. I've realized that I don't want TV appearances and interviews and billboards. I just want to write my column and help people."

"What are you talking about?" Elise said. "You're supposed to be guest-hosting the morning show two weeks from now and this Saturday you have to --"

"That's what I mean," Phoebe interrupted. "It's too much. The success all went to my head, but...it's not what I want. I do want to keep helping people, but all the rest of this...no. If the paper needs me to make an appearance I will see what I can do, but I need to slow down and focus on my family now. I have other obligations, and they have to take precedence."

Elise sat back in her chair. "Actually, I'm not surprised. You've been being pulled in too many different directions for a long time now. Well, some people aren't going to be too happy, but it's your life and your decision."

Phoebe smiled in relief. "Thank you so much for understanding, Elise." She held out a piece a paper. "I want to add this to today's column if it's possible, or tomorrow's if it's too late."

Elise took the paper and read:

Dear Ask Phoebe:

Recently I ran into my ex. We had a bad break-up and I admit I treated him poorly. But I realized that I still have feelings for him. He says he doesn't want anything to do with me, but I think he still loves me, too. I can feel it. What should I do?

Hopeful

Dear Hopeful,

Follow your heart. Fate brought you back together for a reason. If he truly loves you, he can forgive you. It would be silly to think he'll just completely forget all about how you treated him, but if you can show him you've learned from your mistakes and that you've changed and you're willing to do whatever it takes to make it up to him, he'll come around. Don't give up. Love conquers all, and I really think you can make this work.

Phoebe

Elise looked at Phoebe over the paper and raised an eyebrow. "Now I think I understand," she said. "Let me guess...you ran into a certain ex-husband?"

"Something like that," Phoebe admitted. "I just all of a sudden realized I misjudged him. And I still love him. And he loves me, I know he does."

"Well, you threw yourself into this job as your marriage was breaking up, so the reversal shouldn't surprise me," Elise said. She leaned forward and put her hand over Phoebe's. "Do what you need to do. The paper can work around you."

"Thank you," Phoebe said again. "And give my office to someone who can use it. I think I'm going to be doing a lot of work from home from now on. But I promise you'll get my columns on time, and like I said, if the paper needs me to make an appearance for a charity or something, I will see what I can do." She rose to her feet. "For now, I'm taking the afternoon off."

"What are you up to today?" Elise asked.

"I'm going shopping," Phoebe said with a grin. "I need to get a new dress and pick up some ingredients for Piper. She's cooking dinner for me Friday night."

"Your ex is coming to see you?" Elise said.

"I hope so," Phoebe said as she headed to the door. "That's the hard part. Getting him to come over. Wish me luck."

"Good luck," Elise said as Phoebe left. "I hope you two can work it out."

Two nights later, Phoebe stood nervously in a dark alleyway, a vial of vanquishing potion clutched in her hand. She'd scryed for demonic activity and had found a nest of Shambler demons. The smart thing to do would've been to tell her sisters so they could come deal with the demons together, but that wasn't what she had in mind right now. "This is stupid, Phoebe," she chided herself. "What the hell am I doing? This is a very bad idea."

"But very good for us, little one," a voice hissed behind her. She spun around and found two Shambler demons moving towards her.

"Witch, it's what's for dinner," the second Shambler giggled.

"I'm really not much of a meal," Phoebe said, backing away. "Not even worthy of being an appetizer." She hid the potion behind her back, waiting for the right moment to throw it.

"We've already eaten," the first Shambler said. "You're just dessert."

It lunged at her, and Phoebe threw the vanquishing potion, destroying the demon before it could reach her. The second she kicked across the alley, but then a third was behind her, catching her unawares and wrapping its strong arms tightly around her. She struggled futilely to free herself, opening her mouth to yell for Leo. Before she could draw in breath, the demon clamped a heavy hand over her mouth.

The demon she had kicked rose and moved toward her. "No screaming, little witch," it said. "No Whitelighter to take our dinner away."

"Try a demon." The Shambler demon erupted into flames as an energy ball hit it. The one that held Phoebe shoved her to the ground, only to meet the same fate as its companion. Then Cole's hands were on her shoulders as he pulled her to her feet. "Phoebe, what the hell are you doing out here alone?" he said, shaking her. "You could've been killed!"

"Cole!" she cried, flinging her arms around him. Her lips sought his and to her delight he didn't pull away. She could feel his relief at her being safe and his desire as he held her close in the protective circle of his arms. Her own body ached with passion she hadn't felt in years. Miles, Jason, Les...none of them had made her feel like this. None of them could compare. It was Cole, it had always been Cole.

They finally broke apart, and Phoebe looked up at Cole and whispered, "I knew you would come."

"You...knew." Cole said. He abruptly pushed her away and looked at her with disgust. "So you were in a dark alley acting like an idiot...because you knew I would come to your rescue."

"Cole, I'm sorry, but you didn't exactly leave a phone number and it was the only way I could get in touch with you!" she protested. "I just wanted to talk to you! I've tried calling out to you, but you didn't answer...."

"I know," he said, rubbing his temple. "You've been giving me a headache. I thought I made myself clear. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. Now call your Whitelighter or your sister and get out of here. And don't think of pulling a stunt like this again. It won't work."

"I just wanted to talk to you," Phoebe said. "Maybe I don't deserve it. But please, Cole...please. Just give me one chance. There's still something between us. You knew I was in danger. You came to help me. That has to mean something."

He turned away from her. "I told you, Phoebe. It's over between us."

She pressed herself against him, her arms around his waist, her cheek against his back. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I love you, Cole," she said brokenly.

He stiffened. "Phoebe...."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I wish I could turn back time and undo everything I did. I don't blame you for wanting nothing to do with me. I love you, Cole. I love you so much. All this time I've just buried what I felt because it scared me so much, and now that you're back, I don't know if I can live without you."

Gripping her wrists, he extracted himself from her grasp and pulled away. Phoebe lowered her head, unable to watch him go. She'd been so sure she could reach him somehow and make him remember what they'd once shared, but even visions of the future didn't mean it would be happen. Prue's death had proved that.

Then she felt his hand on her cheek, his thumb brushing away her tears. "Let me take you home," he said.

She lifted her gaze. "Stay for dinner? Piper's making steak...artichokes...."

He managed a small chuckle. "Not fair."

Hope started to swell in her heart again. "I don't fight fair. Next will come the tickling."

"You know, it's embarrassing to have one's entry in the Book of Shadows include tickling as a weakness," he said, wincing.

"Does 'great in bed' make up for it?" she said impishly.

"Why, Ms. Halliwell," he said, "are you trying to seduce me?"

"Always," she said breathlessly.

He leaned into her, pressing her against the wall. She trembled as he kissed her gently. "All right," he said. "Dinner. But I'm not making any promises."

"It's more than I deserve," she said, pressing her fingers to his lips. "Thank you."

He bent his head and kissed her again, then shimmered them both home.