South Attic, Friday Morning

[demonbelthazor]

After talking to people like Callisto and Dean and reading Veronica's email about dealing with his ghost, Bel had finally realized he needed to confront her and the memory he was suppressing. He remembered Claire, he remembered killing her, but there had been something else he was hiding from.

Choice. That was it. he lied to himself when he said he didn't have a choice to do the things he'd done. He'd made the choice when he killed Claire -- embrace the demon side, not the human. His choice hadn't ended his abuse at the hands of Vornac and the others, and he bore it as he had to, but as he honed his powers and grew stronger, he was able to fight back. Even at his young age, he became one of the most powerful demons in the Underworld, desperately trying to earn the respect he craved and the demon in him demanded.

He'd returned to the South Attic after Claire had disappeared. Phoebe was sleeping, so he settled in a chair by the bed, watching her. Claire didn't appear again that night, and he had the sense she was really gone. He'd given her what she wanted.

Today was the trip to Coruscant. He almost didn't feel up to it, but maybe getting away for a little while would be good for him.

Comments

[demonbelthazor]

"I don't have to go," he said. "Do you want me to stay?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe bit her lip. "I do want you to stay, love, but that wouldn't be fair to you." She sighed. "Do you think getting away today will make you feel better?"

[demonbelthazor]

"It might," he said. "A new place, no reminders of...the past."

[sensethevisions]

"Then you should go."

[demonbelthazor]

"I won't be gone long, I promise," Cole said, giving her a quick kiss.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe hugged him and then kissed him back. "I know. I'll stick near Lana or Piper. Piper and I are going to try a potion... oh and... " Phoebe sighed. "I kind of have detention tomorrow."

[demonbelthazor]

Cole frowned. "What did you do to get that? I have detention, too."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked him in the eye. "I asked Veronica to give me detention so I could be there if you needed me and I could help Piper."

[demonbelthazor]

"You didn't have to do that, sweetheart," Cole said, resting his head on her shoulder.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe smiled at him. "Yes, I did," she said softly. "Besides, love, how many times have you done that exact thing to keep an eye on me?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Who is running detention?" Cole asked. "Do you know?"

[sensethevisions]

"Piper."

[demonbelthazor]

"We should be safe then," Cole said with a chuckle. "What's she going to do, make us bake?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe shrugged. "I don't know. I'll find out today when I get together with her to make the potion."

[demonbelthazor]

"What's the potion supposed to do?" Cole asked.

[sensethevisions]

"In theory... vanquish the ghosts and the hauntings..."

[demonbelthazor]

Bel nodded. "Good. You should talk to the Winchesters, too. They know about demon slaying. But don't try anything without me there, okay?"

[sensethevisions]

"The Winchesters? Sure, Piper and I can call them."

Phoebe kissed his cheek. "I won't do anything like that without you being there," she promised. She knew that he worried when she did magic like this and she knew it made him feel better if he was there with her.