CHARMED
"Fatal curiosity"
Summary
Coop is a little bit too curious for his own good.
Characters
Coop, Cole, Phoebe
Timeline
5 years after end of season 8.
Disclaimer
I don't own anything about Charmed, I just toy with the characters.
I used the lyrics from "Three Days Grace." "I hate everything about you", in italics and they are not mine, of course. The song inspired me for this short story.
A/N
I didn't watch Charmed after season 6, therefore I know Coop only from telling. So if his character is out of place – sorry.
Honestly I don't hate Phoebe; she just very often ends up being beaten up in my stories. I don't know why, must be some subconscious resentments for treating Cole so badly.
Many Thanks to Lori for beta reading!
If you like this story, please leave me a review – thanks!
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Coop stood across the coffee shop. His informant had pointed towards him too. He had invested quite a lot of time, energy, open favours and powers of persuasion to get this far. And now he was almost shying back from doing it. He had a bad foreboding but he needed to know. He took one last look at the picture and buried it in his cloak's pocket. The picture he had taken from the Book of Shadows without the Charmed Ones' knowledge.
The picture showed his wife exuberantly happy in the arms of another man. Before he had gone on this mission he had never bothered to look at Belthazor's entry in the Book. Coop regretted that he did though some time ago. He was in need for a picture of Cole Turner and the one in the Book of Shadows seemed to be the last one left. Coop couldn't forget the words an evident head over heels Phoebe had written in the book.
"Loves jazz and long walks in the park. Is ticklish. Likes fine wine and is good in bed."
God! He bet no one liked to read these words from his wife about another man. He shoved the picture back in the pocket and determinedly walked across the street, entering the café. He looked around for the person he was searching for. Coop found the man sitting alone at a table, studying some files. Luckily the café was rather crowded and so he strode over to him.
"Hi, is this seat taken?" Coop asked politely.
The man looked up, distracted, "Sure." Then he turned his attention back to his files.
Coop took off his coat, hung it over another nearby stool and settled down. He ordered some café and a chocolate cake. While waiting he tried to watch the man opposite inconspicuously. He noticed that he was wearing expensive clothes. Coop observed that he was well-groomed, around his own age, decent.
"Can I help you with something?"
"Ahm, I just was just wondering what you were reading so intensely? "Coop excused with a little embarrassed smile. Obviously he hadn't been as unobtrusive as he thought.
"Well it's not nice to spy on people," the stranger reprimanded dryly, fixating Coop coolly.
"Sorry, for bothering you but since we are talking anyway, my name is Coop," he offered the man his hand over the table.
A suspicious eyebrow raised itself over some piercing blue eyes. "Is that like Madonna?"
"What?" Coop took back his hand as the other man obviously didn't plan on shaking it.
"I just wondered if last names got out of fashion and nobody told me?" the man asked.
Coop wasn't prepared for the quick-witted nature of his opponent. "Huh..Coop ….Halliwell." The moment he had uttered Phoebe's last name he knew it was a mistake. He could see the other man tense and then very slowly close the files in front of him.
"Then I bet you know who I am and it's no coincidence you met me here."
"Kind of….Mr. Turner", Coop admitted.
"As we both know who I am, who are you?" Cole looked at Coop with some more interest than before. He was too old to be the son of one of the Charmed Ones that left him to be, "whose husband are you?"
"Phoebe".
Every time we lie awake
After every hit we take
Cole needed a moment to get over his shock. Of course Phoebe would marry again, she was an adorable woman. "Whatever you Halliwells want, I don't care." Cole stated icily, his face becoming a mask.
Every feeling that I get
But I haven't missed you yet
Coop tried to read Cole's feelings but since he was a demon, he didn't get a read on him. Shit! He wondered how Cole Turner felt towards his wife. Turner was a legend in Cupid's circles. The demon who loved. Coop planned on disclosing his secret.
"The Charmed Ones don't know I searched for you."
Cole leaned forward, now intrigued. "What would Phoebe's husband of all things want from me?"
Every roommate kept awake
By every sigh and scream we make
Coop shrugged. "I guess I was curious". He had pictured Phoebe's evil demon ex-husband far more crudely, brutal and mean. Not at all like the smooth man who had led him up the garden path so easily.
Cole put his files in his briefcase. "I don't believe you." He signalled the waiter and paid.
"Wait!" Coop grabbed Cole's arm to stop him leaving the café.
The next thing Coop knew he was pushed against a wall, hard. Cole's hands were on his neck. "Nobody tells me what to do!" Cole snarled. He had blurred them out of the café. This guy was trying his patience and furthermore rubbing into his face that he was Phoebe's husband. It pissed Cole of to no end.
All the feelings that I get
But I still don't miss you yet
Coop felt the pressure on his windpipe. Overcoming his shock he fought back, trying to rip Cole's hands from his neck. He had no experience in fighting demons but he was a strong man and managed to rip one of Cole's hands away further struggling with Cole for having the upper hand. Suddenly Coop's feet gave away and he slumped down screaming. Cole tried to back away in surprise, but Coop had a grip on him.
"What the fuck?" Cole cursed trying to free himself of the clinging maniac.
Coop only held on tighter almost bringing Cole to his knees with his weight. Cole was near using a fireball on the mad man. Drops of sweat appeared on Coop's forehead as he was hyperventilating and his eyes rolled back. Before he could free himself, Cole heard a familiar voice yell behind him.
"Let him go you bastard! Now!"
Only when I stop to think about it
Cole didn't need to turn around; his senses warned him of the attack without seeing it coming. Quickly he blurred out, taking the attacker by surprise, catching her wrists and spinning her around using her momentum. He knew this attack pattern. He had trained her. Cole came face to face with a seething Phoebe Halliwell.
I hate everything about you
Why do I love you
Phoebe was stunned only for a split second by the face that stared down at her.
I hate everything about you
Why do I love you
"Stupid Shape shifter, you think you're smart using this form?" Phoebe hissed.
Every time we lie awake
After every hit we take
With a quick unexpected move she freed one of her hands and punched Cole hard in the face. His head was thrown sideward from the blow and he felt blood run down his nose spilling on his lips and shirt.
"Don't think for a second I won't vanquish you because you look like him!"
Every feeling that I get
But I haven't missed you yet
Phoebe was about to hit Cole again but he shook his stiffness off and caught her arm, forcing her backwards by pure strength. She tried to dodge him several times but he caught her between his body and the wall. Cole was smarter than that to allow her room to get a good kick or punch at him again. He pressed his body fully, deliberately against her, making her squirm in uneasiness. Phoebe stared at him defiantly, struggling to break free from his grip.
"I don't doubt it!" Cole growled lowly in her face.
Only when I stop to think about it
I hate everything about you
Why do I love you
Her eyes warned him against moving any further but in a daze he leaned down and pressed his lips on hers. Phoebe struggled wildly but Cole had a grip on her upper arms.
I hate everything about you
Why do I love you
Down on the ground Coop watched terrified how Cole cornered Phoebe to the wall using his bigger body and strength to hold her down and forcing himself on her.
"Let her go!" Coop yelled furiously.
Coop was trying to get back to his feet but he was swaying and needed to support himself. His heart was pounding madly. He had brought Phoebe in this situation. She had come to help him; she must have felt his pain with her empathic powers. Damn his idea to go after Cole Turner.
Finally Coop managed to stumble towards Phoebe to help her, when suddenly something changed. Coop became confused and stopped his attention set to the strange feelings springing to life.
It was like wind passing over embers stirring up sparks. First the flames were hesitant, like testing the surroundings and then they got bolder, growing quickly and spreading like wildfire. There was no chance of stopping it, Coop felt it. It would consume anything in its way, without guilt, without consideration. It was raw. It was powerful. It was passionate. It was the most beautiful feeling Coop had ever felt. His whole self was responding to it. It was the utmost essence of his being. He was feeling the most powerful emotion of all and the reason for his existence. Love.
Only when I stop to think
About you, I know
His eyes grew wide when he realised the origin of those feelings. The scene before his eyes had changed considerably. Coop felt like someone had pushed a knife straight through his heart. Phoebe wasn't fighting Cole anymore.Her arms were tightly wrapped around his neck, pulling his face down to her. Her body eagerly pressed against him, almost merging into his. They were feverishly kissing, more devouring each other. Phoebe's face glowed in an enraptured light.
It couldn't be Cole Turner's feelings because Coop had only been able to feel them, when he touched Cole. And then he had felt only heartbreak. Heartbreak so great Coop had almost passed out feeling the full impact of it. He wondered how a being could bear this pain. A cupid certainly couldn't.
Only when you stop to think
About me, do you know
So this was what Phoebe, his wife, truly, deeply felt for Cole Turner. Feelings surfaced that were buried and hidden for years. Coop sank to his knees and buried his face in his hands. His own heart aching beyond everything he ever deemed possible. Compared to the unstoppable fire Cole Turner awoke within Phoebe. The love he and Phoebe had shared over the last years seemed like a small flame in a lantern. In good times Maybe the safe and pleasant fire in a tiled stove. With tears in his eyes Coop looked up and saw Cole backing away from Phoebe, a tortured expression on his face.
"Still thinking I'm a shape shifter?" Cole taunted nastily.
I hate everything about you
Why do I love you
"Cole," Phoebe breathed, her knees shaking and her heart fluttering. Her whole world had just turned upside down, "You are here…how?"
"I won't tell you so that you can correct your mistake," Cole spat, "Even I learn the second time around."
You hate everything about me
Why do you love me
Phoebe's face fell from supernatural happiness to sheer horror. "Paige told me you were…..dead!" Phoebe looked at Cole with big brown eyes nervously searching for the tenderness he had offered before.
I hate
You hate
"And you were too happy about it, weren't you." Cole answered sarcastically, crossing his arms over his chest.
I hate
"No," Phoebe shook her head slowly, "….not after I realized…"
You love me
"No need to lie to me, Phoebe," Cole cut her short angrily. "I'm not interested in you anymore! Take your pathetic husband and stay the hell away from me!" he continued.
I hate everything about you
Why do I love you
Coop watched the scene without comprehension. Cole Turner was rejecting Phoebe. After the love Coop had felt from Phoebe and the heartbreak from Cole he wouldn't have thought that. Only judging by the feelings Coop had witnessed, the two should be made for happily ever after.
He realised he had no chance against this. There had never been a chance for him. He had fooled himself. That was when jealousy raised its ugly head inside Coop's heart. He was a Cupid, but he was also a man and not above these feelings. Especially when they had been the foundation of everything he had built his life on over the last years.
"You lied to me!" Coop's voice cracked.
Phoebe turned towards him, reluctantly taking her eyes off Cole, her voice still somewhat breathless. "What do you mean?"
"Remember when you told me, that you never knew love before you met me?" Coop queried, with an appalled look on his face.
Cole raised an eyebrow and smirked gloatingly, "She screwed you big time Coop, welcome to the club!"
"I remember!" Phoebe admitted unwillingly as she shot Cole an irritated glance before concentrating on her husband. She didn't like the way this was going-at all.
"You lied to me!" Coop accused in a stronger tone as he stumbled to his feet. His glance darted from Phoebe to Cole, who stood at the sideline watching silently as the fallout was about to hit.
"I didn't…," Phoebe started, "…it's different….I love you Coop," Phoebe insisted.
"How can you even say that after you threw yourself at him like that? Can't you be honest at least at the end of our relationship?" Coop cried. "I felt your heart racing, Phoebe, almost bursting from joy! I'm a Cupid goddamn it! I live to bring these feelings to couples," he continued.
"You mustn't read my feelings Coop," Phoebe shot back hotly, gesticulating heftily. "We agreed on that! I don't read yours, you don't read mine," she added.
"That's besides the point!" Coop yelled in full scorned husband mode. "I couldn't have locked it out even if I wanted too and I didn't! When you kissed him…." he motioned at Cole and his voice became weak, "Your feelings for him were like a supernova exploding right in to my senses."
Phoebe looked to the ground, stumbling over her words. "I'm sorry… I …didn't…think…it was there…still… …I…mean... all ….these years……Coop...You ...know… we …..I….thought …..He was gone…for good…" Her glance sneaked to Cole for a moment before settling on Coop again. "I…don't…know what to say." Phoebe finished lamely. She felt totally overwhelmed by the events of the last few minutes.
"You don't need to say anything anymore Phoebe," Coop replied in a harsh tone. "We are done! I had a feeling we would drift apart for the longest time but I didn't want to acknowledge it. Guess I can't deny it any longer!" he pulled his wedding ring from his finger and threw it at Phoebe in a violent gesture.
Phoebe watched her husband with wide eyes. Her world was crashing down all of a sudden. "Coop! Wait! Let's talk in peace….." her voice trailed off.
"Need to get wasted? " Cole asked Coop, still standing aside. He sure as hell could use a big sip of some hard liquor right now. Besides Cole felt some sympathy for the Cupid. He knew heartbreak only to well, especially the kind Phoebe Halliwell caused. Sadly he couldn't find any joy in the Cupid's revelation that Phoebe still loved him, just resentment, frustration, sorrow and the slight trace of hate.
Cole had kissed Phoebe out of impulse not because he wanted her back. Maybe he also wanted to piss of this vain cock of a Cupid. It just had gotten out of hand, like so much in his past relationship with her. Cole had learnt his lesson with Phoebe Halliwell the hard way. Two vanquishes were more than he could handle. He wasn't begging for number three. Nope. No way.
Coop nodded, hanging his head. This mess wasn't Cole Turner's fault or Phoebe's. It was HIS own fault. He had been so bold, so arrogant and against his better judgment had sought out the guy who was part of the epic love story about the Charmed One and the Demon every Cupid worshiped.
He thought he – a Cupid – could take the Demon on.
He thought he – a Cupid – could make Phoebe fall in love harder than before, and be part of an even greater love story with a happy ending nonetheless.
So much for his happy ending!
He – a Cupid – should have known that you couldn't command love.
He – a Cupid – had been blinded by his own feelings for her.
And now he paid dearly for his hubris. His dreams had literally been burnt to ashes in the passionate fire of hers for this other man.
"I know just the right place," Cole interrupted Coop's inner struggle, looking Phoebe straight in the eyes. His blues cold and distanced, covering, denying, not allowing for what she had felt in his kiss, was there still .
"Let's go," Coop agreed flatly, "There is nothing left for me here!" he stepped next to Cole, not raising his eyes to meet Phoebe's.
"Coop…Cole….wait…you can't…" Phoebe stammered taking a desperate step towards them, totally perplexed by their sudden bonding against her.
Wordless Cole blurred out, taking the Cupid with him and leaving Phoebe behind.
Phoebe starred in disbelief at the space the two men just had been. Both had abandoned her. Just like that. Like this was her fault. "Why do I have to lose it all again and again?" she whispered to the empty room, but no one answered her. With a sigh she looked around the flat, supposedly Cole's, searching for the way out. She found something else instead.
By the fireside she discovered Cole's favourite picture of them. He must have taken it from his old flat in San Francisco years ago. It showed herself years younger wearing a knitted cap and looking up at his gorgeous smiling face adoringly.
Some things just never change.
Her love for Cole.
Cole's love for her.
And that they were wrong for each other for a thousand reasons.
Right now she wouldn't give a shit about a single one of them.
She wouldn't tell her sisters about Cole and she doubted that Coop would, either. She didn't want Paige to start her vendetta against Cole again. Cole had the right to be left in peace.Something she wouldn't find now, not with the knowledge that Cole was still very much alive, but not wanting to be with her.
She put the picture back on its place, lightly stroking Cole's face on the picture one last time with her thumb. Phoebe then turned and walked away and left the flat without a glance back.
She could only go forward, even if the biggest part of her would stay behind forever.
The End
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AN: If there is some interest in this story I might do a sequel dealing with the consequences of this encounter.