The Underworld [[NFB due to Distance]]

[sensethevisions]

Things had been weighing heavily on Phoebe's mind since she had come back from the unhappy scene with Piper and then the very sad visit with Lana. Two entirely different interactions, but each with their own level of sadness and distress attached.

She finally stopped pacing and sat down on the desk. She took out several sheets of paper and started writing...

Of course, she really wasn't sure what she was writing... or what she would do if she did figure out what she was writing.

She took a sip from the glass that had once again mysteriously appeared near her hand and then looked back down at the papers on the desk.

The scene with Piper had both been disappointing and hurtful. She definitely hadn't expected her sister to immediately start throwing potions at her. She had thought that Piper would be happy that she was still trying to protect innocents... but her sister had been focused on the fact that she hadn't allowed the demon to be killed.

She made an angry noise of frustration and ran her hand through her hair.

Why did being the Queen of the Underworld mean that she was the enemy now when she was still saving people? Why did Piper have to be so stubbornly fixated on this?

Comments

[demonbelthazor]

The Source stepped into the chamber he shared with Phoebe.

"Something wrong, sweetheart?" he said, taking note of her mood.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe turned to look at him. "I saw Piper."

[demonbelthazor]

His eyes narrowed. "Where? When?"

[sensethevisions]

"Friday morning," she said calmly. "I needed her help with something."

[demonbelthazor]

"With what?" the Source demanded. "Phoebe, you don't need her anymore. You have me."

[sensethevisions]

"I had a premonition of an innocent that needed saving." Phoebe looked at him with a light frown. "She's my sister."

[demonbelthazor]

"That's not what you do anymore, Phoebe," the Source said. He looked at the desk. "What are you writing?"

[sensethevisions]

"What do you mean it's not what I do anymore?" She demanded. "I'm still me, Cole. Still a witch." She looked down at the desk and then looked back at him. "Letters."

[demonbelthazor]

"You're my Queen now, Phoebe, that changes everything," the Source said. "Who are the letters to?"

[sensethevisions]

"Why, Cole? Why does being your Queen mean that I have to change what I am? I couldn't just let the innocent in my vision be killed by the demon after him." She sighed. "They're either going to be to Piper and Paige, or to you."

[demonbelthazor]

"You need to decide what side you're on, Phoebe," the Source said, moving closer to her. "You can't play both sides. It doesn't work that way."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe sighed and looked at him. "Piper told me to stay away from her. I wouldn't let her kill the demon after we saved the innocent."

[demonbelthazor]

The Source indicated the glass on Phoebe's desk. "Drink your tonic, sweetheart. It'll make you feel better."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe picked up the glass and started to drink it, but then hesitated and looked at him.

"What is this and why am I still taking it, Cole? I haven't been ill for a while now."

[demonbelthazor]

"It's to help you adjust," the Source said smoothly. "I know what it's like to have good and evil struggling inside of you. It can rip you apart. I wanted to spare you that pain."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe stared at him. "What have you done?"

[demonbelthazor]

"I did what I had to do to keep you with me," he said. "And to protect you. If word gets out that you're still protecting innocents, demonkind will rise up against you."

[sensethevisions]

"What you had to do to keep me... what, did you drug me or something? Damn it, Cole! I chose to come down here with you. You didn't need to do something like that!"

[demonbelthazor]

"I was trying to protect you, Phoebe," the Source said. "You know I'd never do anything to hurt you."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked at him. "Protect me how, Cole? What exactly is in this thing that I have been drinking for the past two months?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Just something to let your true nature reveal itself," the Source said. "Allow your darker side to be free. I am the Source, Phoebe, and you are my Queen. This is not a game. You walked through a one way door. You try to turn around now they will destroy us. The Underworld will revolt if they think we're working both sides, do you understand that?"

[sensethevisions]

"My true nature..."

Phoebe looked at him.

"You could have told me what you were doing, what was going on. You could have given me the choice whether I wanted to drink this or not. I've done everything else that needed to be done. I stood with you and I left Fandom and home behind to be with you."

[demonbelthazor]

"I didn't want that struggle to rip you apart," the Source insisted. "I didn't want you to feel that pain."

[sensethevisions]

"You should have let it be my choice, Cole," she whispered.

[demonbelthazor]

"Then let it be your choice now," the Source said. "You know what the tonic does. Drink it now, all on your own."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked at him for a long moment and then drained the glass in one quick movement.

[demonbelthazor]

"I love you, Phoebe," the Source said, moving to take her in his arms. "Just remember whatever happens next, we can handle it as long as we stay together."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe wrapped her arms around him. "I love you, too." She lay her head against his chest. "What is going to happen next, Cole? People are upset and worried. My sister is throwing potions at me."

[demonbelthazor]

"They'll have to learn to accept it," the Source said, kissing the top of her head. "And I can protect them now. No demon will dare go against my order and harm them."

[sensethevisions]

"They don't want your protection, Cole," she said softly. "Piper told me to stay away from her."

[demonbelthazor]

"I'll order my demons to leave them be," the Source said. "For your sake."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded. "Thank you."

[demonbelthazor]

"I love you, Phoebe," the Source said sincerely. "No matter what happens."

[sensethevisions]

"I love you, too," she said softly, nodding against him. "We're in this together now..."