Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, don't sue me.

Summary: Cole leaves San Francisco after the Season 4 final. Five years later, will fate step in (as it always does . . .) and throw us loyal Cole/Phoebe fanatics a bone? No demon action. Just soppiness to the max - it's what I do best.

Author's Note: I promised there would be another one, and here it is. Probably my last story for a while, I don't think I'll have enough time when I'm back at school. Plus, I'm running out of ideas. But we'll see soon enough. Meanwhile, I'll just concentrate on finishing this one, which, by the way, is not going to be too long.

Another successful use for the scenes of past used in this prologue. This particular scene I've used in previous stories quite a bit.

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With a wave of Cole's hand, Phoebe instantly switched placed with the witch hunter who was previously standing pointing a gun towards her. The bullet hit him squarely in the chest, and he collapsed to the ground. It took a while for Phoebe to see Cole.

"Cole." She said simply. She took a step backwards, shocked.

"I couldn't very well let you die now, could I?" Cole asked with an amused look as he moved closer.

"I don't understand. How-How are you . . ." She paused.

"Here?" He finished. "Let's just say I picked up a . . ." He paused, " . . .a few powers lately, quite a few, actually." He smiled vaguely. He looked deeply into her eyes, as if searching for something. Finally he turned and headed back into the darkness. He stopped and turned around, pausing a moment before speaking.

"I'm leaving, Phoebe." He said softly. "I was planning on going without saying anything . . .but I can't."

"Leaving?" She questioned, confused. Not sure what to feel. "Where?"

Cole smiled. "Anywhere." He said with a small shrug. "Best for us both, I think." He gazed at her, his eyes taking in her features, engraving them into his memory for what could be the last time.

"So you come back from the dead . . .and then you leave?" Phoebe queried, her emotions getting the best of her.

"Ask me to stay, and I'll stay." Cole offered her the ultimatum, already knowing what her reply would be.

After a moment's hesitation, "I can't." She said softly.

Cole gave her a small smile. "I know." He said. "I was hoping that by doing this . . ." He indicated towards the situation they were in.

"Saving my life?" Phoebe questioned, confused.

He nodded. "I thought maybe it could make up for at least a fraction of what I put you through." He said, walking towards her once more. "I'll never be able to redeem myself . . .I know that. That's why I have to go." Impulsively, he leaned over and pressed his lips gently against hers.

Phoebe didn't have the strength to pull away, instead closing her eyes and allowing herself to feel for the first time in weeks. When Cole pulled back, he barely moved at all, only far enough for their lips to part. He gazed into her eyes, and when she looked back she was mesmerised by the eyes she saw staring back at her. The eyes that had caught her attention immediately the first time she had met him.

"I won't ever stop loving you." He whispered gently. And not waiting for a reply, he shimmed away. Phoebe breathed in, her heart pounding in her ears loudly, her lips still tingling. She brought a finger to her lips. She could still feel his lips on hers, and she smiled at the thought of it.

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There ends the prologue. Chapter one will be set in the future. Review and tell me what you thought.