Despite it all, its still you – it always was, it always will be.
Author's Note: This is my first story so please be kind. After I saw the Seven Year Witch, I just couldn't get out of my head that they had let the door open for Cole to come back. And somehow that led to a whole story about how I'd like it to happen. Being something of a realist, I realize that Julian McMahon has another, better joband that it'd be unrealistic to think he will come back - so I thought the best way to do it would be if they did just as the show is going to end. Now I just decided that that will be next year becuase I don't know either way. I just hope that when the show does end TPTB do a better job of giving us loyal fans what we want that some other TPTB that shall remain nameless but who intead of giving the fans the valentine ending they promise they'll be giving us a punch to the stomach. OK, rant over. I hope you guys like it.
Chapter 1
Phoebe entered the attic and went straight to the Book of Shadows. She sat down and started to flip through it. She was supposed to check to make sure if it had an entry for the latest demon she and her sisters have just disposed of. But after half-heartily flipping through a couple of pages, she sighed and just looked up, staring out the window but not seeing the beautiful May day.
Piper walked into the attic about to ask her sister how the search was coming and why it was taking so long when she saw her staring into nothing with the most nostalgic look she had ever seen on Phoebe's face. So instead of grilling her sister about how long she's taking, she went and sat her next to her on the old sofa and asked her, "what's the matter, sweetie?" as she gently rubbed Phoebe's back.
Phoebe was startled and with a guilty look on her face turned to her oldest sister and said, "nothing, what makes you think there's anything wrong? I'm just looking for the stupid demon that attacked us a while ago."
"Come on Phoebe, this is your older sister you talking to, you know the one that's known you since you were born? I know when there's something bothering and there's something bothering now. In fact, there's been something bothering for a while now, Leo and Paige have also noticed it. Even Wyatt's notice how distracted you've been lately. So, give. Tell me what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry anybody. What has Wyatt tell you? Does he think I'm ignoring him. The last thing I want is for him to feel that I don't love him. Honestly Piper, if I've somehow. . ."
Piper stopped her before Phoebe could really get started in a babbling episode. "Phoebe, Phebs, calm down. Wyatt hasn't said anything else that asked me and Leo if there's anything bothering you. He knows you love him and he loves you too, that's why he was concerned. We all love you, that's why we are all concerned about you honey. And please" Piper held her hand up and stops Phoebe before she can start again. "don't tell me you didn't mean to worry us. I'm sure that's true. But, honey we're family and worrying about each other is what we do. Whether we mean the other person to or not, is part of our job and our privilege. You do the same for Paige and me and Leo, don't you?"
"Yes, you're right. But I really didn't mean . . ." Phoebe started to apologize again. But again Piper stopped her. "not another word about not meaning to worry us or about apologizing. Just tell me what's going on in that head of yours, will you? That will ease my worry over you much more than your apologizing." Piper said firmly.
Phoebe opened her mouth to once again deny there's anything wrong with her. But one look at Piper's face and she closed her mouth realizing that this time Piper was not going to stop until she gets the truth out of her. In a way she's relieved, she needs to talk about this with someone. And really, she's surprised that her sisters have left her alone this long. Specially Piper who always wants to know if there's anything wrong so that she can fix it. So, giving in to the inevitable, Phoebe sighs and begins to tell her sister what's been going on with her. "I'm not really sure where to begin,"
"Start at the beginning. That's usually the best place to start." Piper answered Phoebe a bit sarcastically, but her smile took any sting out of it.
"The beginning, you're right that's usually the best place. But I'm not sure where the beginning is." With that Phoebe trails off for a few minutes, once again staring out the window but really seeing who knows what as she looses herself in her thoughts. Piper thought about interrupting with another smart comment but realize that it was not the moment, and that Phoebe needed to take her time in broaching what was obviously a very difficult subject. So, though it went against much of her instincts, she sat next to her sister resolved to wait as long as necessary. She just hoped as long as necessary would mean something shorter than a couple of hours because she was not sure she could hold her silence that long, nor her usually inclination to demand answers and action. After thinking this, she realized that perhaps becoming the oldest after Prue died and playing that role for this many years have changed her nature, and not necessarily for the better.
Just as she was getting into an argument with herself about how many of Prue's characteristics she had adopted, Phoebe started speaking. "You could say that the beginning was about a year after we got our powers, or you could say that it was right after we kill the old source. Or you could say that it was a year ago. Those beginnings would all be correct. But we don't need to go over dead ground again; so let's just begin last year."
As soon as Phoebe mentioned the year after they got their power, Piper had inkling where this was going. She was sure of it when Phoebe talked about the vanquished of the old source. Cole. This was about Cole. Piper sighs, relieved, and thought to herself 'finally, took her long enough. Maybe now we can really deal with this.' Piper was still not completely used to thinking of Cole with anything but anger, fear, rage or any other type of negative feeling, relieved was still a new emotion when associated with Cole, but Piper supposed she was getting used to it. She stopped thinking about herself and focused on Phoebe, she was going to need all her focus to help her sister through this.
