(no subject)

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor was having far too much fun with the Ethics assignment. Of course, it helped that Phoebe seemed to be enjoying it as well.

Following the rules, he had discussed boundaries with Phoebe and agreed that he would not do anything to cause her harm or humiliation (not that he would want to anyway). The French maid and harem girl outfits were right out (except in the bedroom). Phoebe didn't want any of the other masters to be able to touch her; he agreed and amended it to be no one could touch her without his permission. Phoebe trusted him enough not to want a safe word, but heeding the rules again, they decided on one.

His "Bright One" he decided to call her; she addressed him as "Beloved Lord." That had been her choice, and what could he say, he liked it. "Don't let it go to your head," Beka had warned him sternly. He was trying not to, but at least with Phoebe it was easier to enjoy the assignment than rail against it like others had been.

After class he'd found the gift Phoebe had sent him, the silver bracelet with inset wolves. It pleased him, so he decided to reward her with a special night out. There was a restaurant he remembered in Colorado, a fancy mountainside place where the Brotherhood had once had an above ground meeting. It was private and away from school, and when you could shimmer out to avoid paying the bill, cost didn't matter much.

Comments

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe smiled and took his hand. "I'm glad that the choice makes you happy, Beloved Lord," she said softly. "I like pleasing you."

[demonbelthazor]

How could he not let this go to his head? Cole grinned, pulling Phoebe against him and putting his arms around her. "Dinner's a special treat then. A fancy mountainside restaurant, cozy and romantic."

He shimmered them to their destination, reappearing in an alcove inside the restaurant. Holding Phoebe's hand, Cole stepped out into the open and approached the hostess. "I have reservations," he said. "Turner, party of two."

"Right this way," the hostess said, leading them to a windowside table that provided a breathtaking view of the city thousands of feet below.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe leaned against him as he shimmered them to the restaurant.

She followed him through the building looking out over the city in awe. Cole really knew how to treat someone special.

She waited for their hostess to walk away and then looked at Cole, waiting.

[demonbelthazor]

Cole pulled out one chair and beckoned Phoebe to sit, his hand lingering on her shoulder as he pushed her chair in. He sat opposite her after she had settled into her seat. "How was your day, Bright One?" he asked as they waited for someone to take their order.

[sensethevisions]

Damn it.

Phoebe started biting her bottom lip. "Well...I sort of put myself at risk this morning by taking part in a spell that I wasn't sure wouldn't backfire on me." Phoebe ducked her head. "I went into Maia's head and helped Tara bring her out of her coma."

[demonbelthazor]

"What?" The approach of the waiter cut off Cole's reaction. He calmly ordered for both of them, picking the most expensive things off the menu, then waited for the waiter to leave them alone.

He leaned across the table and grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly. "You know I don't want you doing things like that without telling me," he said lowly. "And you won't again, my Bright One. Am I understood?" He relaxed a little and released her hand, sitting back. "Tell me what happened," he said.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe had dreaded telling him this because she did know how much it would worry upset him. However, she would also face that reaction because she didn't want him to think she would ever hide something from him.

Phoebe kept her eyes downcast as she told him what happened.

"Maia went into a coma several days ago and upon visiting her several times, Tara and I discovered that she was trapped in her mind by something or someone from her past." She flicked a glance up at him, and then quickly dropped her eyes again. "Tara realized that there was only one way we could save her. She talked to a few people and brought a spell into the clinic. Paige and I were there and Dr. Wilson was standing by, ready to intercede if any of us seemed to be in distress. Tara went in first and I followed her. We were in a chain. Paige stayed outside her mind with our bodies to anchor us so we could come back. We managed to free Maia from the light that was tormenting her." Phoebe swallowed. "We made it back out fine, but it was a strain both magically and physically that I hadn't been prepared for."

She started fidgeting with her hands. Her voice came out very small. "I'm sorry."

[demonbelthazor]

Cole stood up and pulled his chair next to Phoebe, then sat down next to her. He signed and put his hand under her chin, lifting her head so her eyes met his. "You know I'm only upset because I don't want you to get hurt, right?" he said.

She nodded, and he slid his hand up over her cheek and into her hair. "I won't forbid you to help your friends. It's too much of your nature to want to help and denying that would be impossible. But I want you to talk to me first. Tell me what you want to do so I can make sure you're protected and safe." His voice grew softer. "If I ever lost you, Phoebe, it would kill me."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe leaned against him. "I'm sorry, Cole. I know that you worry about me, and I'll make sure I talk to you before hand next time." She reached up to wrap her arms around his neck.

"Losing you would kill me just as much, love."

[demonbelthazor]

Cole leaned into Phoebe and gave her a long lingering kiss. He drew back, trailing his fingers down her arm, catching her hand in his, bringing up to his lips and kissing it. Releasing her hand, he returned to the opposite side of the table. "Anything else you need to tell me?" he asked. He was still shaken by the intensity of the fear he felt at the thought of Phoebe coming to any harm.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe smiled faintly.

"I'd like to talk to you about two things, if I may?" She looked a little sad, but also she did really want his impressions and advice on these topics.

"Student Council is the biggie..."

[demonbelthazor]

"Of course," Cole said. They waited a moment while the waiter brought them their drinks and first course. Cole didn't like the sad look on Phoebe's face and wondered if there was someone he had to kill.

"What's going on?" he prompted her.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe sighs. "Am I talking to you as Cole, or as Beloved Lord?"

[demonbelthazor]

Cole's expression grew concerned. "Whoever you need me to be, sweetheart," he said. "What's wrong? Tell me."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked at him. "I need you to be Cole..." she said softly. "Spider and I had a discussion last week when I went to him about the stalkings. He thinks that Student Council, my classes, my extracurricular activities, and my job are too much for me and he thinks I need counseling."

[demonbelthazor]

"You have taken on a lot," Cole said, "but why does he think you need counseling?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe sighs. "Apparently he thinks that I am being irresponsible and need help. Somehow, the stalking became my fault."

[demonbelthazor]

"Exactly how much time has he spent with you to determine this?" Cole said, growing angry now. "As for the stalking being your fault, that's insane. Where does he get off insinuating that?"

[sensethevisions]

"I don't know if that's how he meant it to seem," Phoebe said. "But that was the impression I got. He wants me to drop all of my extra-curricular activities because I'm supposed to be readily available whenever he needs me."

[demonbelthazor]

Cole reached across the table again and took Phoebe's hand. "That's not the kind of person you are," he said in a serious voice. "We may be playing at this Master/slave thing, and maybe you like me taking care of you, but I doubt you would want to be at my beck and call 24/7. You're too independent for that. You'd be suffocated. You're a wild and free spirit, Phoebe. No one is your master. Don't give him that power."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe's eyes fill with tears. "Cole, it just seems that no matter what I do, he's not satisfied and there is nothing I can do right. I defended the weapons locker the weekend of the zombie attack because he asked me too. I was there alone until Piper and Paige went against my orders and joined me there."

[demonbelthazor]

"Don't cry," Cole said softly. He got up again and walked around the table, pulling her to her feet and into his arms, hugging her tightly. Even as the feel of her pressed against him made his human heart soar, the demon in him twitched, wanting to punish the one responsible for her tears. "I won't let him hurt you, Phoebe," he promised.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe held him, wondering if he realized how much she had gotten accustomed to having him near her? She didn't want him to think she had come too dependent on him...but the fact of the matter was that when she was feeling like everyone hated her, her was her one touchstone.

"He made me feel like I was letting everyone around me down."

[demonbelthazor]

"You're not, you're not," he insisted. "You haven't let me down. You haven't let your sisters down. Nobody that matters feels that way about you." He tilted her head up. "I've never really met this Spider guy, but he's pissing me off. He doesn't appreciate what he has and he's making you upset."

[sensethevisions]

"I'm sorry," Phoebe whispered, pulling back and trying to dry her eyes. "I shouldn't fall apart on you like this...not tonight."

[demonbelthazor]

"It's okay, sweetheart," Cole said softly, reaching out to caress her cheek. "I'm here for you." He gave her a tender kiss, then guided her back into her seat. "Try to enjoy dinner. Get your mind off things."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded and sat back down and wiped her eyes with a napkin.

"I can't believe I'm falling apart like this."

[demonbelthazor]

"You've had a rough couple weeks," Cole said. "I don't blame you one bit for getting upset."