Suite 518/520, Wednesday morning

[demonbelthazor]

Bel woke up before Phoebe and slipped quietly from the bed so as not to disturb her. She'd been sleeping when he got back last night, so she had not been awake to see how wracked with guilt he was about what he had done. He knew he had to tell her, but he didn't want to confess to stealing the amulet for Raynor.

He headed out to the living area and sank down on the couch, his face in his hands. How the hell was he going to get out of this mess?


[ooc: specifics of Bel and Phoebe's conversation are NFB, please!]

Comments

[sensethevisions]

Of course, being sick didn't mean that she didn't notice that Cole had slipped out of bed.

She wrapped herself up and walked out into the main room. When she saw his head in his hands, and felt his emotional duress, her heart fell.

"So... it's true then?"

[demonbelthazor]

He looked up at her, startled. She could tell already? "I...didn't want to do it," he said. "But...I had no choice."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked down. "No choice," she mumbled. "That has got to be the most creative excuse I've heard... and I've heard a lot." She shook her head. She looked up at him, pain in her eyes. "Was he at least good?"

[demonbelthazor]

The hurt and disappointment in her eyes stabbed at him. "I hated every minute of it," he said.

[sensethevisions]

"Then why?" If she hated being with someone or sleeping with them, she most certainly didn't stay.

[demonbelthazor]

"If I didn't do what he wanted, he'd destroy my father's soul," Cole said softly. "I had to obey."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe just stared at him. "He doesn't have that kind of power, Cole!"

Though, telling her that if he hadn't had sex with Anders then her friend would destroy his father's soul certainly seemed like a very creative excuse for cheating.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe decided to change the subject back to the important topic.

"Tell me what happened last night."

[demonbelthazor]

"I went to tell Raynor that I wasn't going to do what he wanted anymore," Cole confessed, looking down. "But...he had my father's soul, and he said he'd destroy it unless I did what he wanted...."

[sensethevisions]

"Which was?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Steal a protection amulet from a witch," Cole mumbled.

[sensethevisions]

"... and you did."

[demonbelthazor]

He nodded, still averting his eyes. "I didn't want to, but he was going to destroy my father...."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked at him. "Does he know?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Does he know what?" Cole asked. "That I won't do it? I think he probably guesses as much."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded. "Yet, he tries to order you and blackmail you. What I mean... does he know about me?"

[demonbelthazor]

"He can read minds," Cole admitted. "I think he knows everything now."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded slowly. "I should tell Piper... and look for extra protection type stuff."

[demonbelthazor]

"Maybe you should work on that power-stripping potion, too," Cole said softly. "Talk to your sister about...that."

[sensethevisions]

"Humans have problems, too, sweetheart," Phoebe said gently. "I mean, look at my mom and my dad."

[demonbelthazor]

"True," Cole admitted. "And I am kinda worried if I'm human, it just makes it easier for Raynor to kill me."

[sensethevisions]

"I won't allow him to kill you... human or demon," she said firmly, completely convinced in this.

[demonbelthazor]

"I know, love," Cole said. He looked her over with a little concern. "Should you be out of bed?"

[sensethevisions]

"Do I have to answer that?"

[demonbelthazor]

"You need to rest to get better," he scolded.