Where is Piper? Completed: June 6th, 2008

[~B@MeLiSsA30@B~]

Chapter 5: Trapped in the Underworld

"You better not have hurt my sisters," Piper warned the demon who had taken her. She had no idea where she was, since she'd been blindfolded ever since was abducted. All she knew for sure was that a few minutes earlier she was back in the real world, up there, and after awhile, she heard her sisters calling her. She really thought for a moment there that she'd be rescued, but the next thing she knew, she was down here again.

"Your sisters are safe at the moment. They are locked in a room in a warehouse that has a magic seal around it. Your dear sister Paige can't orb out with Phoebe."

Piper tried her best to control her emotions. "That won't stop them. One way or another, they are gonna find me, and we are gonna kick your behind! Now. Where is my husband?"

"Aw, Leo, your dear whitelighter husband. Don't worry your pretty little head about him. We are taking good care of him."

Piper jerked with the idea that she might never see Leo again. This Demon is torturing me by letting me hear what's going on and letting me hear everything Leo said. He actually thought that weas me who was lying in that bed upstairs in my room.

First my husband, now he is going after my sisters. What am I gonna do? For now I'm just going to have to play it cool and look for my chance to escape.

"What is it you want?" she asked the demon.

"What do I want? Do you have any idea of what it is I want. What else does a demon ever want? I want Power. I want to rule the Underworld. In order to do that, I must kill you and your sisters."

"Then why haven't you killed me yet?"

"The power that I want is not yours, Piper. It's the baby that is inside you. I need to wait for him to be born."

"What? I'm not pregnant. That's not possible. Leo hasn't been around much."

"Piper Piper Piper, you are such a fool. It was about two months ago you conceived."

A memory flashed in Piper's mind and suddenly she was back there again:

"I love you Leo. Do you have to go?"

"I love you, too, honey. I don't want to go, but I have to."

Leo looks deep in my eyes, and they are full of love. He wraps his arms around me tightly.

"I know, but just one more night with you before you have to go for awhile," I plead with him.

"Well, I shouldn't do this, but alright. I'll wait one more night."

I cry and give my beloved a big kiss on his lips. I try my hardest not to sob.

He wipes the tears on my cheeks, and takes my hand. He leads me up the stairs so we can lie down. So we can hold each other all night and forget for a moment he has to leave the next day.

As the memory faded, Piper remembered what happened after that. "Oh no!" she exclaimed. "I'm pregnant."

She now hoped more then ever that her sisters and Leo were okay. This demon is not getting my baby, or my family.

"There is a small problem I must take care of. Someone is in the warehouse where your sisters are. I can't let them find your sisters. That might allow them to escape and come rescue you," and giving her an evil grin, he shimmered out.

Piper was left there to worry about her sisters and the person who was also in the warehouse. That person was an innocent and couldn't die just so that her sisters wouldn't be found.

Back in the warehouse, the demon heard someone walking towards the door where Paige and Phoebe were. He held a fireball in his hand.

"I wouldn't open that door if I was you."

The mystery person turned around and the demon recoginized him. "Belthazar?"

[jameslovespiper]

love it melissa. i like the part it was the baby he wanted.

[~*Alicia*~]

Love it!! Loved the part of the memory...hope you write some more!!

[Prue's Empath]

I can't believe it Cole!!!!!!!!!! More baby More!

[jenna]

Oh, I love it, melissa! Can't wait for more!

[*Sammi!*]

Great update Melissa! Keep em coming!

[~.:Alysha:.~]

Yeah this is great Melissa! You should update again very soon! Pwease

[Esmeralda]

First, apologies for taking so long to reply to this...I've been VERY busy at work AND came down with a bad cold, too, so I haven't had much of a chance to be online. I finally can, so I'm *FINALLY* able to get caught up on my reading, and, of course, I had to read this one!

Due to the delay, I missed replying to Chapter Four, so here's my review for that:

CHAPTER FOUR

Very, VERY well done!

loved your description of the warehouse and their search for Piper through it...very well done!

And when I also realized that this was a trap, I was just as shocked and now just as scared as the sisters!! A tape recorder with Piper's cries! OOOOO, that demon! GRRRR! Hey, does this mean that somehow the demon was able to trick them into *thinking* they were scrying for Piper when they really weren't? Or did he bring her back underground? Whatever happened, I can't wait to find out! And lucky me! I get go read it right now!

*off to read*

OOOO! I *really* liked this chapter! It's good to know that Piper's OK and I loved her attitude towards the demon, even tho we know she must really be terrified...that's our Piper before she became the "oh, poor me" whiney b*tch of the latter seasons.

I *really* loved the flashback to Piper's night with Leo, very *very* well done! And with Piper pregnant and the demon wanting the baby, this makes me wonder more and more when exactly this takes place and which baby she's pregnant with, since the Angel of Destiny was the one who told Piper that she was pregnant with Wyatt and Phoebe and Paige told her that she was pregnant with Chris, so this really doesn't fit in. I'm beginning to think that this is truly an Alternative Reality fic, which are always my favorites, since you never know for sure what's going to happen to whom. Best of all, that means that if this *is* Piper's first, it might be Melinda, as she should've been, not Wyatt!

Now I'm curious as to how pregnant Piper is and how long the demon is going to want to keep her. That should give Cole and the others a chance to find her.

Speaking of Cole, I hope that he's able to take care of the demon and rescue the sisters, even if I hope Phoebe is eventually killed (I don't like your Phoebe at all; she's too much like Kern's PhoeME and so unlike Connie's Phoebs from the first two seasons, my original favorite sister.)--this Phoebe just doesn't deserve to have Cole! Either that or if Cole dies saving the sisters, that would be even better because then Phoebe would realize what she missed out on.

But, naturally, those are just my own ideas. If you have other ones, don't change them just to suit me; I'm sure whatever you have in mind will be fantastic! Whatever it is, please update soon!!

[♥ Frozen Piper ♥]

thuts simply amazing Melissa i really like it!

[andrew2kool4u]

omg amazing story
it's really great!! please read my season 9 ep 2

[jameslovespiper]

I love it girl. Hope you update soon.

[~*Alicia*~]

Another chapter, please!

[♥ Frozen Piper ♥]

wep an other chapter will be awesome

[forevercharmed05]

Great story. Looking foward to the next chapter. I want to know what happens next.

[♥ Frozen Piper ♥]

yeah i love this story

[~B@MeLiSsA30@B~]

Chapter 6: The Warehouse

Cole stared at the demon who had called out his name. "Zankou. Yes, it's me. It's been way too long?"

He looked at Cole and smiled,"It has. Now may I ask you what are you doing up here? You are not here to save your witch. Are you?"

Cole took a deep breath and responded,"No, of course not. She hates me. It's over between her and me."

Zankou shut his hands and the fireball went out. "I did not wish to have to kill you, but I will not allow anyone to ruin my plans. That includes you, Belthazar."

"You don't have to worry about that. What are your plans exactly?"

Zankou had a smirk on his face,"Do you mistake me for a fool? I am not going to tell you one word, due to the very simple fact that I believe you are lying to me."

"Would I be here taking a chance on you killing me if I were lying?"

"You do have a small point there, but why are you here, so close to where your witch and her sister are imprisoned?"

Cole shrugged. "Phoebe blinded me for so long, I wanted to prove my worth to the Underworld by killing the witch that I once loved. To finish what I started long ago."

Zankou stared at Cole for a few minutes and quickly came up with a plan to prove if he was lying or not. "Very well. If that is why you are truely here, then you will enjoy watching my taking her out of that room, so that I may have the pleasure of watching you killing the witch who made a lapdog out of the great Belthazar."

"Of course I wouldn't mind in the least," Cole replied, "Because you are right. For that reason, if for no other, she deserves to die. Having an audience always helps fire my blood for the kill."

Zankou nodded and walked over to the door that separated them from where Phoebe and Paige were. He clapped his hands and a moment later he threw Phoebe at Cole's feet.

Cole stared into her brown eyes and saw pain and fear in them. But ignoring that look, he grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled out a knife and held it to her thoat.

"Cole? What are you doing?" Phoebe screamed at him, terrified. "Why are you doing this to us? I thought you loved me."

"You're wrong," Cole told her. "There is no us. You told me that a couple days ago. You only called me because you wanted me to help save your sister. Well guess what. I'm tired of being used. I'm tired of just being Phoebe's little lapdog. I won't take it anymore. I've watched you spread your legs for every man who walks by. Now you never will do that again."

"What's taking you so long to kill her, Belthazar?"Zankou demanded impatiently.

Cole looked away from Phoebe's beautiful eyes that had once set his heart on fire to look at the demon whose eyes were as evil and as black as coal, as black as Cole's heart and soul were without Phoebe's love, the love she had taken away from him. "I just wanted her to suffer," he replied. "To know how much she hurt me, the reason why I'm going to enjoy this. And I'm going to make her look at me one last time...to stare in my eyes as I slit her pretty little throat before I rip out her lying tongue," and he felt Phoebe stiffen up against him as she screamed in horror and terror.

Zankou grinned and waited for Cole to finish the torturing. Cole looked back at Phoebe, glaring at her as she shivered and grew paler. Even as he grabbed her hair and used it to expose her throat, Phoebe nearly passed out when she heard Cole whisper in her ear. "I promise I will keep you and your sisters safe. Also, before we get out of here. I want to tell you that I still love you."

And even as he raised the knife to strike her, he instead held her close and shimmered her out of the warehouse back to the manor.
~~

Time passed. Zankou was still infuriated. He should have known that Belthazar was not going to kill his witch. That imbecile still loved her. But that love would cause Phoebe great pain, because Zankou made the decision to go ahead and kill her sister Paige. That was not originally part of his plan, but he could not risk having the Power of Three brought together again, and Belthazar would eventually be able to find Piper in the Underworld. Piper's baby was going to be raised as his child, the most powerful child the Underworld had ever seen, his heir to the throne of the Underworld, even more powerful than the Source of All Evil who had imprisoned Zankou for so long. Now that the Source was gone, once the Power of Three had been broken, no one would take that pleasure, that destiny away from him.

He stalked to the door and lit a fireball in his hand. He opened the door and threw it, but Paige was ready for him.

Sticking out her hand, she called, "Fireball" and no sooner did it orb to her than she redirected it back back towards Zankou. But
before it could smack him in the chest, he shimmered out and headed back to the cave in the Underworld where Piper was still trapped. He could bide his time. He would still have his victory. And now he would enjoy watching Belthazar watch as he murdered the Charmed Ones right before he murdered Belthazar.
~~

Meanwhile, Cole and Phoebe shimmered into the living room. Phoebe walked away from Cole a few feet thinking about him saying he still loved her. She could never admit it to anyone, especially not to him, but she knew she still loved him so much too. But their love was forbidden and had caused her so much pain. She could not take the chance of it hurting her that much again. That was why she always treated him so badly...she just couldn't take the chance of going through that pain again.

But suddenly she realized that she was being self-centered. Her sisters were both still trapped. She prayed that both Paige and Piper were alright.

Suddenly there was the sound of orbing. Leo? Maybe he had found Piper! But it wasn't Leo. "Hey, Phoebe!" Paige cried happily. Phoebe turned around and saw her half-sister. She ran to her and gave her a big sisterly hug. "I'm so happy to know you're okay."

"Of course I am. He didn't know what was coming when he opened that door,"Paige said with a grin on her face. "And even as he shimmered out of the way of the fireball he tried firing at me, I orbed out the door and then orbed home!"

Phoebe smiled and then looked back at Cole. "How did you know we were at the warehouse?"

"I went into the Underworld like I told you earlier and I found out that it was Zankou who abducted Piper. But I can't figure out why. It's not in his nature to do something like this. He's always wanted to take over the manor, to get The Book of Shadows, but not this. So I decided to check it out. I found where he is holding Piper and went there under a cloak of invisibility and I overheard him tell your sister where you two were. He wants you two out of the way because Piper is pregnant. He wants her baby.So to save all of you, I went to the warehouse but before I was able to save you, he showed up. So I had to come up with a new plan. and now here we are."

"Well, let me tell you," Phoebe told him, "You were pretty convincing."

"I had to be or I couldn't catch him off-guard so I could shimmer you here."

"Phoebe," Paige told her. "I heard you screaming. I heard him screaming at you that he hated you and was going to kill you, just like I've always thought he would. Are you sure we can trust him?"

Phoebe looked deep into Cole's eyes before solemnly nodded. "We can trust him, Paige. He's telling the truth."

Paige still wasn't sure but decided that this wasn't the time to argue. Something else was more important, or more specifically, someone else. "Okay. Cole, then you know where Piper is. Prove that you really are on our side. Tell us how do we save her and her baby."

Cole told him his plans and as he did both of their smiles grew larger and larger.

Even Paige had to nod. "It just might work."

Phoebe smiled. "Yes, it will," and taking their hands, Cole shimmer the sisters to the Underworld. And as he did, Phoebe made a decision. She wasn't going to be afraid to admit her love anymore.

Soon the three of them were hiding behind one of the huge rocks outside of Zankou's cave. They could hear him talking to Piper about her sisters. Cole turned to look at them."Ready?"

Phoebe looked at Cole. "Cole, before you go. In case things turn out bad. I just want you to know that I love you, too."

She grabbed his face and kissed him full on the mouth. She pulled away but Cole grabbed her again and kissed her one last time then got up began to walk towards Zankou's cave.

[♥ Frozen Piper ♥]

ohh this is so amazing! am speechless

[Esmeralda]

I'm with FrozenPiper (and you're right; once Prue died, her heart *was* frozen and never unthawed! Cold selfish, self-centered b*tch! I SO wish she had remained more like the Piper in Melissa's fantastic fic!)! I completely TOTALLY love it!

Oh, what fantastic twists! ZANKOU!! My favorite villain because he was SOOO intelligent compared to the usual dodos that the Charmed Ones faced. (The fact that he was gorgeous didn't hurt matters either! ) And you have him down perfect! This is SO how he would've behaved.

Oh, man, did you have me scared! I was *positive* that Cole was going to kill Phoebe! And even as I agreed with every single word he said, I didn't want that. No, I didn't.

So I was as shocked as Phoebe when Cole told her he loved her and shimmered her out!

And then when Paige made her escape! Beautifully done, girl!!

And when you told us why Phoebe's treated Cole the way she has and now she's not going to be afraid to admit her love....OH!! I melted all over the place!!

Now I'm dying to find out what Cole's plan is and whether or not it will work!!

PLEEEEEEEASE update soon!!

And for this wonderful update, you have been blessed!

[hisangelprincess12]

You left it hanging on the edge!!! You really need to finish it! You are really good. Have you ever thought of trying to write something to publish? I mean not just on forums?

[~*Alicia*~]

Love your story! Awesome update! More, I can't wait for more!