Title: Open Mind, Open Heart

Author: snuffybaby

Disclaimer: Aaron Spelling and whoever else own the show. I'm just borrowing it.

Rating: PG

Pairing: Cole/Prue

Spoilers: Entire series, including Season 9 comics (re: source of magic). Starts during 509 "Sam I Am"; 515 "The Day the Magic Died"; 822 "Forever Charmed";

Summary: AU from 509 "Sam I Am"; What if someone was around to help Cole through his insanity?

Author's Note:

Idea of Guardian of Magic borrowed from LizaGirl (s/3588997/1/ChrisCrossed-Again)

00

509 "Sam I Am"

Cole sealed the letter and propped it against his favorite picture of him and Phoebe. Behind him, he sensed the Charmed Ones orbing into his condo. "Come to vanquish me, have you?"

"Where's your hit man?" Piper demanded, glancing around the room.

"Oh," he shrugged, "you know those Darklighters. They're just so difficult to work with. Can't even kill a lousy Whitelighter, let alone you."

Phoebe studied her ex-husband, slowly coming to a realization. "But you could have."

"You bastard," Paige sneered, throwing a vial of potion on the floor in front of him.

Piper tossed her potion next, watching as smoke began to rise around him. She turned to her sister, wondering why she was hesitating. "Phoebe, come on."

Phoebe spotted the letter and photo on the table behind Cole. Her eyes hardened, as she lowered her guard. "I know what you're doing."

"Phoebe," Paige urged, "throw the potion."

Ignoring her sister, Phoebe addressed only Cole. "You never really wanted to kill us, did you?"

"What are you talking about?" Paige frowned in confusion.

"He could've killed you back at the Manor. He had you alone," she turned back to her ex-husband, "but you needed all of us to survive for your plan to work, including Sam."

Piper said through gritted teeth, "Phoebe, have you lost your mind?"

"No," she shook her head, "you said it yourself. It wasn't a smart plan, unless ... you didn't really want to kill us. You wanted us to be so blinded by hate that we couldn't see what you were really up to."

Cole opened his hands in surrender. "Well, it's the only way out for me. And you want it too, so-"

"Yeah, but on our terms, not yours." Phoebe looked at him grimly, "We won't help you commit suicide."

He looked at her, resigned, "You already have." Cole reached his hand out and drew the last vial out of Phoebe's hand. As soon as it hit his chest, there was a huge explosion of fire, engulfing him. The pain ripped through him as he cried out in pain and anger.

Only to find himself still standing; the sisters knocked off their feet and his condo destroyed.

Phoebe's eyes widened in fear. "Oh my god."

"I don't understand," Paige cried in dismay. "That should've worked."

"Then why didn't it?" Piper said in disbelief.

Cole stood panting, furious and shocked. "They knew it wouldn't work."

"Who knew?" Phoebe demanded, climbing to her feet.

"What are you talking about?" Piper stood beside her.

"You can't vanquish me," he said, completely stunned. "Nobody can."

"Cole," a disembodied voice suddenly whispered soothingly.

All heads whipped around in surprise.

Piper's eyes widened at the familiar voice. "It can't be…"

"Who was that?" Paige looked around the room, trying to sense the presence of someone new in the room.

"Prue?" Cole gasped in confusion.

"Prue?" Paige frowned with uncertainty.

A bright light flashed between them and a familiar brunette appeared in front of them.

Piper's eyes filled with tears. "Prue."

"Blessed be," she greeted with a soft smile. Her tinkling laughter filled the room when her two sisters attacked her in desperate hugs. "It's so good to see you guys too."

Phoebe's arms squeezed her tight around her neck and shoulder. "What are you doing here?"

"We thought we weren't allowed to see you." Piper had her grip around Prue's waist.

"I'm here now. Although not for long."

"You can't go," Phoebe said desperately. "Not when you just came back."

Prue said softly, "I missed you guys too. But I'm already breaking the rules by appearing now."

"Well, screw the rules," Piper swore. "You have to be here. I'm going to have a baby in a few months. I want her to know her Aunt Prue."

Smiling at them, Prue cupped both their cheeks. "We'll see each other again. Know that I'm always around even if you can't see me." She pressed soft kisses to both their foreheads, before withdrawing from their embrace. She took a step toward her youngest sister, holding out a hand to her. "Paige?"

She hesitated for a fraction of a second before throwing her arms around her sister. "I can't believe I finally get to meet you."

"My baby sister, you've been so brave." Prue kissed her forehead too. "You're an amazing witch. Trust yourself and your talents; you don't need to compare yourself to me."

"Your shoes are tough to fill," she responded sheepishly.

"Paige, you're our sister; not a filler or a stand in. We love you."

For the first time, Paige actually heard the words and believed them. "I love you too." She tried to hold on to her, when she felt Prue stepping back. "Don't go."

"We'll have our chance again," Prue promised. "For now," she stepped back from her sisters and reached her hand to Cole, "I hope that you'll come with me."

Watching the sisters' reunion, Cole didn't even consider that Prue was there for him. "I don't understand."

"I'm here to help you," she said reassuringly, "to guide you and help you find your way."

"What are you?" he asked suspiciously.

She smiled, stepping back to show off her silvery robes. "You mean you can't tell?"

They all shook their heads.

"Guardian of Magic. Above good or evil. Our only role is to maintain the existence and balance of magic."

"What does that have to do with me?" Cole demanded.

"You control a large concentration of magic," Prue explained, "because of this, the Guardians are interested in you. That's why they sent me."

"Interested in me, how?"

"You've become an important piece in the magical balancing act. They wish to ensure that whatever decision you make, you make it with a clear head."

"Wait," Phoebe interrupted, "so you're going to stop him from turning evil?"

Prue shook her head. "That's not my purpose."

"What is your purpose?" Piper frowned.

"Magic and ensuring that it continues to thrive in the world."

Cole said in awe, "So it's true. The Source does exist?"

"The Source?" Paige said anxiously.

"The Source of Magic," Prue clarified, "and yes. It's protected by us."

"Can I see it?" he curiously.

She shook her head. "Only Guardians are permitted. The location is a well kept secret."

His eyes narrowed. "How can you help me?"

She said simply, "You can trust me, Cole. Whatever you decide there will be no judgments; no disappointment."

He understood what she was offering. An unbiased, non-judgmental ear to listen to all the insanity that was going on in his head. "Do you have answers?"

"I will tell you everything that I can," she promised, "but know that I can't tell you the future."

"But you'll 'guide' me?"

"As much as you wish me to." She held her hand out to him, hoping that he'd take it.

"Prue, you can't be serious?" Phoebe objected to this new turn of events. "He could kill you."

She smiled reassuringly at her sister. "I'm already dead," she laughed, before looking at them seriously. "He won't hurt me."

Piper was reluctant to see her sister go off with her evil-ex-brother-in-law. "Why you? Or can't you tell us?"

"You don't know it yet, but Cole's destiny is entwined closely with our family's . I can't explain it, but you'll understand eventually." Prue turned back to Cole and added, "Besides, they thought it would help to have a familiar face around."

The sisters exchanged glances. Paige finally voiced their disbelief, "You can't even tell us a little of this destiny?"

"Nice try," Prue laughed.

Paige shrugged, "Figured it can't hurt to ask."

Prue turned back to Cole. "Well?"

Hesitating for a moment, he finally nodded his head resolutely and took her hand. He felt a sudden comforting warmth.

"Come," she tugged gently. "We have a lot of work to do." She smiled one last time at her sisters. "Be safe," she said softly before she disappeared in a flash with Cole.

"Wait-" Piper's shout faded to a whisper, "when will we see you again?"

Phoebe wrapped an arm around her waist. "Come on, let's go home."

00

Cole glanced at his surroundings. The room he was standing in was light and airy; a modern looking condo with an open concept kitchen and living area. "Where are we?"

"My place," Prue replied. "Your room is the one on the left. Mine is on the right." At his odd look, she added, "You can come and go as you please. This isn't a prison."

"You want me as your roommate?" he said skeptically.

She smirked at him. "Like I said, this isn't a prison. The room is there if you want to use it." Since she was home, Prue shrugged out of the silver robes she was wearing to reveal her normal attire or skinny jeans and white blouse. "Look around, make yourself at home and then we can talk if you want."

"That's how you plan on helping me? Offering me a place to stay and hope for the best?"

"We have to start somewhere," she shrugged. "There's no magic fix to what you're going through. You absorbed too many powers while you were in the Wastelands. I can see that they're warring inside you. You have gifts now that you're not even aware of. If you want, we can work together to train you to use them. We can even try to rid you of the ones you don't want.

"You can do nothing and let the powers eat at your sanity until there's nothing left of you. You can even take the Avatars up on their offer." She gave him a steady, open look, "The choice is yours."

"No judgments and no criticism?"

She shook her head. "None. I'm here to be your friend, Cole, and to guide you if I can."

He frowned at her. "And everything that happened…?" he gestured vaguely.

"Bygones, but we can discuss it if you want."

He stood there thinking for a long moment. In one hundred years, he'd never experienced such freedom of choice before. There were always catches or hidden clauses. In Prue, he saw only openness and truth. And he saw something entirely new – he saw friendship.

Taking a deep breath, he finally nodded. "Alright. I'm gonna clean up," he gestured to the aftermath of the vanquish he'd just experienced, "then I guess we'll talk."

Prue smiled gently at him. "I'll be here when you're ready."