A.N Hi all! Phew sorry for the delay in this one, but I am on something of a roll now so never fear :) This is not the last chapter in this story, even though it might feel like it. Thank you as always for the wonderful reviews, and especially thanks to Julie for pointing out my slip! Really hope you enjoy this chapter, it's possibly my favourite so far.

Disclaimer I do not own Charmed.

Chapter 10

"Why did you lie to him?"

The early morning light was starting to shine in through the attic windows. Phoebe was sat back on the couch with her legs tucked up under her and her head resting on her hand quietly, Cole on the floor leaning back against it and against her knees slightly. There was a comfort in their gestures, in the way they had naturally assumed that position that Phoebe hadn't felt for many, many years. Neither were sure how it had happened.

A little while previously Paige had come into the attic and looked around. "Phoebs I've gotta get back to Henry," she had whispered, "If you can hear me, I'll be back okay? But, y'know, it's my honeymoon and he's probably going to divorce me if I don't spend some time with him."

"Rambling," Phoebe had smiled shaking her head and Paige sucked in a breath.

"I hope you're okay. Coop's kind of concerned you're not back yet. But, I guess, he doesn't understand…" She had rested her hands on her hips. "I don't understand, but if this is what you have to do then, I support you. Just don't bring him back with you."

"Can I reiterate that I really haven't missed her, and this 'Henry' must be a very understanding man," Cole had muttered and Phoebe had giggled and shook her head as Paige orbed out. "A fricking saint," Cole continued.

"I think you would like him," Phoebe had said looking up at him, "He's a good guy, a parole officer." Cole had just shrugged, and there had been silence.

Cole's question broke the silence and Phoebe closed her eyes for a moment, rubbing her forehead. "He was dying," she replied quietly.

"So you lied to a dying man?"

"It wasn't like that. I didn't want him to think he failed."

"You fell for him though."

"You knew I would, that's why you sent him."

"I know you're type." Cole tipped his head back a little to look up at her. "So what happened?"

Phoebe sighed deeply and opened her eyes again. "He left." At Cole's frown she shook her head and slipped her legs off of the couch to stand, moving away from him. "He left, just like everyone else leaves. They always leave, or they always die but that's a kind of leaving." She wrapped her arms around herself quietly, her back to Cole. "My mom left. Died, I know. But she left. Then my dad walked out, then Grams died. And boyfriends, they always leave too. Jason left me, Leslie left me, Miles…" She pinched her eyes closed and Cole sighed. He remembered Miles. "You. You left me." She held a hand up when Cole tried to speak. "I know, I know. And we've talked about it I don't need to go through it again." Her arm wrapped back around her body. "I really thought Drake could be The One, but he left me. Like all the others. Like Prue…" She sniffed and shook her head as the tears started to come again. "I mean what's the point, you know? If everyone always leaves what's the point in opening myself up to that? Again and again and again and…"

Cole watched as her shoulders started to shake and he couldn't quite believe how up and down her emotions were. She had been practically beaming before, had said she felt better. "Phoebe you can't truly believe that."

"Can't I? I mean, no one would blame me," Phoebe replied looking at him over her shoulder, "After everything I've been through, all the people I've lost, all the times love has chewed me up and spat me out. Goddess of Love! That's like a bad joke now."

"Phoebe-"

"Even Piper and Leo!" Phoebe turned around to look at him. "You did all that with Piper to show me that love transcends everything. But Leo is gone. And for what? To force Piper to deal with this big threat that no one can even tell us about? Because love gets in the way of the fight? It makes no sense but all I know is he's gone so no, no Cole love cannot transcend everything."

"Piper will get Leo back," Cole frowned.

"Only if we win! It's like…like they're using him as some kind of prize! Dangling him in front of her, of us! And it's always been so hard for them you know that." Cole nodded in agreement. "So why should I think it will be any different for me? Why should I put myself through it?"

"Because you need love," Cole said standing up to face her, "You need it to survive and you need it to create that daughter you saw."

"That's not going to happen now," Phoebe muttered shaking her head, then letting out a gasp when Cole gripped her shoulders and shook her once, hard, "Hey!"

"Snap out of this," Cole frowned at her, his hands still gripping her shoulders, "Phoebe you're going to turn into that bitter old hag, and then you'll end up here in this place, lost! I can't let that happen." He shook her again. "Now listen to me. Love, conquers, all! That's not just a stupid phrase for poets and muses it's true! Your love has saved me so many times, just like Piper's love will bring Leo back to her. Now you need to believe that love can save you. Because it has to."

"But it's hard," Phoebe said quietly looking up at him, "And I'm tired I'm so tired."

"You're not a quitter, Phoebe Halliwell," Cole said firmly, "You just need to believe." He cupped her cheeks and Phoebe rested her hands over his, opening her mouth to say something when she felt a familiar jolt in her stomach and she was thrown into a premonition.

She is outside a school, it's a scene she knows only too well. Looking around she sees two versions of herself talking, the elder of the two reassuring the younger. She knows the conversation and she sighs, maybe she kidded herself that she still believed it then but not anymore. The younger version fades away and she wonders why she is still there.

"Daddy!"

The excited cry of a young girl catches her attention and she turns around. It's the same little girl from before, her 'Ladybug' with the perfect button nose. She is running across the grass towards a man and she squints to try and see him better. He is tall, broad-shouldered wearing a dark suit. His hair is dark and she can tell he is smiling though she can't make out his features. He holds the hand of another little girl, younger than 'Ladybug' but just as beautiful. Why can't she see what the man looks like?

"There you are." The older version of her has joined the man and he kisses her cheek gently. "And there's my pumpkin!" She lifts the younger girl as 'Ladybug' jumps up and the man lifts her too, and together the family walk away. The vision blurs and it's all she can do not to cry out after them as they disappear and the premonition ends.

Cole moved to steady her as Phoebe's eyes fluttered open and her knees buckled slightly. She had had a premonition that was obvious; he had seen it enough times to recognise the signs. For her to have one there though, in Limbo…he didn't understand it but he didn't have time to try. She was gripping his hands and looking up at him in something like awe. "Phoebe?"

"I saw it again."

"Saw, what…?"

"Ladybug. And there was a Pumpkin too this time. Oh god they're so beautiful."

"I don't know-"

"I saw their daddy. He looked…" Her eyes were moving over his face and Cole felt his cheeks flushing pink under the gaze. He didn't want her to finish the sentence.

"Phoebe, I…" He stopped, eyes wide. "Phoebe wait."

"Cole…"

"No wait you can't go yet."

"Cole…!"

"Phoebe!"

Golden lights encircled her fading figure and his hands dropped to his sides as Phoebe disappeared from Limbo.

ooo

"Phoebe?"

She can still hear his voice as her spirit settles back in her body and she feels the couch cushions underneath her. Piper's voice is there too but it's his she focuses on. It was him. It had to be him.

"Phoebe, come on open your eyes," he murmurs and she feels his hand brush her cheek gently.

Our love's so strong nothing can destroy it.

The memory doesn't hurt anymore, because Phoebe knows it's true.

We're meant to be together.

Phoebe smiled softly and opened her eyes, as Coop looked down at her.

"Had us worried there," he chuckled and Phoebe blinked quickly, the smile fading slightly.

Tall man, dark hair.

Ladybug. Pumpkin.

Cole… Coop?

"Phoebs?" Piper sat next to her quickly and helped her into a seating position. "Are you alright?" She looks her younger sister over, no obvious injuries well that's a good start. "You've been gone all night."

"It didn't feel as long as that," Phoebe murmured, still looking at Coop, "I don't…" She shook her head a little.

"Did you see him?" Piper asked her, "I mean, I know you did. But how was it?"

"I think I just need to lay down," Phoebe said but Coop held up a hand.

"First things first." He flexed his hand and the ring glints in the light as he brings it to her chest, above her heart, just like before. "Let's have a look." The ring glowed, just as before, but this time it suddenly flashed brightly and Phoebe felt a warmth spread through her body. She clutched a hand to her chest and let out a little laugh.

"It's gone. The pain…"

"The barrier," Coop grinned, "It's down, it's completely gone. And that means you're ready."

"Ready for what?" Phoebe asked looking up at him and Coop beamed happily.

"To begin again."