A/N: There will be a part in this first chapter that may be very confusing for some people.

1) You should read "Finally" before this.

2) (Cole's memories, you'll recognize them when you see them) are taken from the story before this one. There is one paragraph per chapter (of "Finally"). For example:

Before Cole could react to his sudden posture... (Chapter 1 from "Finally") then the next paragraph.

Before anyone could say anymore... (Chapter 2 from "Finally") then the next paragraph.

And so one and so forth, if you're still confused, PM me. Hopefully you'll understand it when you read it...

END OF FREAKY, ANNOYING RANT:

Phoebe awoke with a small start, looking down at her stomach in curiosity when she felt something warm tighten around it. She sighed and felt a knowing smile twitch at the corner of her lips, it was Cole's arm slung securely over her midriff.

Phoebe glanced over at the handsome man, his face pressed against her shoulder snugly as he slept peacefully. His face twitched every now and then, the room filled with his steady breathing and soft snoring.

Phoebe watched as his nose twitched as he began to stir, she even grinned when he furrowed his dark eyebrows in the conclusion of his night's sleep and the beginning of his morning awakening.

"Cole…" she whispered quietly, watching as his eyes opened slowly, blinking away the daring sunlight that bravely peeked through the blinds of Phoebe's room.

Cole mumbled something incoherent, before he squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his face closer to Phoebe's shoulder, his entire body wrapping itself to Phoebe's petite frame.

If that's possible, Phoebe mused to herself with a widening smile.

"Cole…" she tried again, this time getting a slight tilt of the head and half-lidded gaze from the attractive man himself.

"Phoebs? What time is it?" he asked, his voice slurred slightly from sleep.

"Time for you and I to get up." She chirped, unable to tear her eyes from the man's adorable appearance.

Cole's dark brown hair was mussed up, sticking every which way as he looked around the room lazily. His blue eyes were vibrant and twinkling even when in the midst of waking up, they took her breath away at any time of the day. He continued to look around the room without purpose…one eye barely open as he fought to stay awake.

Cole, leaning his head with a content sigh into Phoebe's warm touch, allowed his eyelids to cloak his magnificent blue orbs in darkness once more. Phoebe traced Cole's strong jaw with one slender finger, reveling in the feel of Cole's smooth, darkening stubble.

"Cole?" she asked, pondering on whether or not she had the heart to wake the man if he indeed fell asleep once again.

"Hmm?"

"We really do need to get up."

"Why?" he muttered, his eyes remained closed as he relished the feeling of her fingers tracing his skin.

"Well, I have a job to go too…you need to find yourself something to do other than lying in bed…"

"Why?" he repeated, finally peering at her with one bright blue eye.

"Piper would have a fit, Leo would complain about how he never gets to do that, Paige would have another reason to annoy me about you…"

Cole's eyes flew open, and he sat up straighter, "She complains about me? I thought her and I were on better terms since…"

Phoebe was glad he trailed off; she didn't want to remember last month's events.

"You are, she's complaining for the hell of it. She doesn't have issues against you personally, it's just as if we were any other normal couple…she doesn't want her sister hurt, you left the toilet seat up-"

"Once!" he snapped, snaking his arm around her back and pulling her closer to his body in spite of his tone.

"It's the usual 'sister has boyfriend, other sisters are weary of boyfriend' type thing…" she tried to explain, but she was confused herself.

"Ahuh…really?"

Phoebe giggled and shook her head before placing it against Cole's chest, "I have no idea what I'm talking about."

"Me neither." Cole said with a nod, his eyebrows raised as he agreed with her.

"Anyway, I have to go to work so I can give people my," she cleared her throat, "Advice."

Cole laughed good-naturedly. He placed a kiss on Phoebe's hair as she started to get up and out of the bed, "Don't want to keep you from giving your wonderful advice out."

As Phoebe leapt off the bed and proceeded to get dressed, Cole placed his strong arms behind his head as he watched her. His mind began to wander off as he replayed last month's events, wishing he could finally forget them and move on:

Before Cole could react to his sudden posture, face down on the ground, boot clad feet kicked him repeatedly in the ribs, chest and face. Cole couldn't even moan in pain as the blows landed against his jaw and every other part of his body exposed to the three large men that continued kicking him. Suddenly the blows stopped, and Cole lay on his side in the alley, unable to open his eyes.

Before anyone could say anymore, Cole fell to his knees with a low grunt. He tried to fade away once more, but to no avail. Piper and Leo walked slowly over towards the couch, unsure of what to do.

Cole let out a prolonged sigh and ventured into the closet sized bathroom, placing his strong hands on the sides of the counter and hanging his head as if in shame, before he took a deep breath and dared himself to look at his reflection. His handsome profile was the same, however a few visible scars littered his jaw line and brow. Cole shook his head and hung it once more, bone tired and confused at the emotions raging within him.

Exhausted, Cole flopped back onto the couch, choosing to lie prone instead. He toyed with a frayed piece of the cheap carpet with his long fingers, the side his face pressed against a pillow tightly. Cole couldn't back asleep, although he was extremely fatigued.

"I love you, Cole, damn it all I love you." She whispered, kissing Cole on his cheek as he fell into a fitful, deep slumber on the couch

Cole felt another small smile tug at his lips as he leant forwards carefully and kissed Phoebe on the mouth. He leaned back slowly, his entire body aching with every move he made but he didn't want the others to see it. He thanked Phoebe for the food and proceeded to pick at it slowly.

"We're back…we're finally back." Cole murmured as the others dispersed.

"Yeah, finally." Phoebe whispered, trailing kisses on Cole's stubble jaw once more.

Cole smiled once more; glad that the dreadful memories ended in a good note…when he once again beat death for his true love, Phoebe. Cole snorted softly; the literal pain he had to endure was appalling, but worth it if he could wake every morning gazing into her loving brown eyes.

"Cole? Earth to Cole!" Phoebe waved a hand in front of her dazed boyfriend.

Cole jumped slightly and managed to gather all of his bearings before he kissed Phoebe tenderly, watching her leave to head off to her job.

TBC...

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