Charmed. Cole and Phoebe Guardian series. To know Phoebe is too...

Charmed. To know Phoebe is to... Chapter 6

Part 1:Better to have loved and lost

Chapter 6

Paige and Piper spent a very hectic day, scrying for evil and checking through San Francisco for unusual evil activity and magic. The next day, Saturday, was summer solstice and for the last five years Piper and Phoebe had known that this was a time with so many witches and Wicca followers celebrating, that demonic activity became very hectic. Sometimes just held their breath and hoped for the best. Last year the underworld had been in chaos. Even those demons that were outside the old Source's hierarchy were to disorganised they were not a serious threat but this year would be different. Ever since Tempus became the new Source, the Charmed Ones had been fighting demon cults and lodges which were on the outside the main hierarchy or had openly been at odds with the old Source but to frightened of him to act independently. The Elders believed that now they were fighting their way up the hierarchy and operating out of control, trying to establish their own power base.

Evil may not have been as strong but the nests of activity this year were disturbing. In same way when evil was strong it was easier because they could focus on the enemy but now, the rogues and cults were doing what they wanted and how and when they liked and it was harder to keep track of what was happening.

Leo was back and forth between his charges and the Elders and Paige and Piper managed to map the biggest pockets in the city. They had some anxiety about swarming demons and were very concerned about a huge activity around the edge of San Francisco where some of the major Wiccan feasts and activities happened.

Phoebe came home early from work, missing the usual Friday night out with her colleagues to be with her sisters. She almost wished she had not when Paige passed on Cole's message and Piper challenged her to know why Cole was so annoyed. Phoebe was stunned, caught between the venom of Cole's message and guilt because what drove her to contact him originally was that she was feeling downright horny. Even if the other calls had been about making him acknowledge her. Phoebe stumbled over the words, trying to find a way of explaining.

Piper stood with her hands on her hips glaring "Phoebe" she asked in her severest tone "Why have you been calling Cole?"

"I.".Phoebe stammered.

"Phoebe "stormed Piper "I know you so don't lie to me"

Phoebe gave in with a sigh " I just wanted to make sure he was all right, " she answered half truthfully" I just wanted to be really certain he was keeping his promises "she said "And he was filthy rude and he annoyed me."

"I have a right to know what he is doing" Phoebe said falling back on self-righteous anger " and damn it he is not going to get away with hiding so he does not have to explain himself to me" she added.

"Phoebe" Paige tried to be reasonable "Don't you think Cole has maybe a right not to account himself to you"

"No of course not" Phoebe said in a voice clearly stated such an idea was preposterous "Cole was the Source of all; evil, and he went pretty well off the rails in the New Year. Of course, I have to check on him, of course he has to explain himself otherwise he might turn evil again"

Piper sighed "Oh Phoebe" she said in the voice of someone explaining to a child "Cole is not your Cole any longer. You divorced him remember. He isn't your husband. He isn't the Source. He isn't evil"

Phoebe looked more and more confused. "I know he's not evil. I'm just making sure he does not go back that way" she said" Weren't you the ones who said if he goes, I go" and she smiled with the satisfaction of someone who had won an argument and had avoided explaining something she did not want to explain.