Part 9 of

Better Safe Then Sorry

"What is it, Cole?", Phoebe asked once they were out of earshot. "I didn't do something wrong did I? I thought you wanted to have your sister here..."

"I did, I mean... I do. I just wanted to know what you are thinking in that head of yours. You have just told Leslie that she is almost your sister-in-law. I want to know why you are telling her that when you won't even talk to me about these sorta things."

"Cole, I love you. You know I do... I'm just not ready to be married. I can't do it. I'm not like Piper. She's always wanted that life for herself and I remember wanting to travel and get out of here and just be living out of a backpack. And believe me, if I hadn't of became a witch, I would be out there. Living that dream. I think that you are great and you know I do, but I just can't handle this right now. And deep down, you know I can't. And I think that you aren't fully ready for this, either. I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you, even if I don't marry you a.s.a.p." She grabbed his hand and held it to her chest. "I love you so much.... If I had lost you...."

Cole kissed her, then pulled the hand that she grasped to him, kissing her soft skin. "You will never loose me.... I promise." He held her closer to him. "I won't let them take me away from you."

"That's good..." Phoebe smiled, happy to just be with Cole. "I love you..."

"I know you do.". He smiled at her, then lightly kissed her hair, smelling it as he completely melted into her.

"And.....?"

"And what?", he teased.

"And you love me, too, right?", she played along.

"Well, I don't know. I'll have to think about that one for a minute or two. I mean, I did give up my evil ways for you and then I asked you to marry me... And I can't help but think that I did want to give up my powers so we could be together..." He chuckled a little when she tore away and hit his chest with both hands.

"Cole!", she whined in between laughs.

"Of course I love you.... If I didn't love you, do you think that you would be alive? Belthazor always use to get what he wanted. But, changing the subject..... Why do I feel like there has been a total 180 in your attitude since your little trip to the far streets of San Fransico?"

"Because your sister helped me to realize that it wasn't my fault..."

"Well, we all know that, but how? I mean, she couldn't have said anything that I hadn't already said, could she?" He noticed his girlfriend tense up and decided that maybe he should back off. After all, she always told him everything when she was ready. "Maybe I shouldn't of asked..."

"No, you deserve to know what happened..."

"I know what happened, Leslie told me everything."

"No, she didn't tell you what I said, otherwise you would have yelled at me or avoided me or something..."

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(A.N.: More time travel waves....~~~~~~~~~~~~)

"Phoebe, it's never anyone's fault when someone they love dies. It's something that was meant to happen. If she hadn't of died, you never would of met your younger sister. Not to mention you wouldn't have Cole back in your life. Would it have been better if you didn't have him or your sister? She was meant to die and if she didn't die during that attack then the next one. Sounds like you just need to accept it. Not forgive it for happening."

"And how would you know? Have you ever lost one of your best friends before? I love Prue and it's stupid that she was the one to die because it should have been me. I had given my life to save Piper and then Prue died.. The source tricked me and I should have known that I was going to loose a sister. Of course, none of it would have happend if I hadn't of left to save Cole. I have accepted that she isn't going to come back to me. I have accepted that it was my fault that she died. Now I just need to forgive myself. But how can I forgive myself for taking away my sister forever? I don't get to see her until I die.... How do you think that makes me feel?" Tears ran down her cheeks as she spoke the harsh feelings that she felt.

"If you are done yelling at me, then I can tell you that I have lost close people. And I remember thinking that it was all my fault. But you know what? Everyone feels that it is somehow their fault. Your other sister probably feels it, her husband, probably feels it, and you know who feels it the most? Cole. He knows how you feel and he knows that if he had never come into your life then that attack never would have failed. But it's no one's fault. It's destiny. And if you don't believe me have your whitelighter set up an urgent meeting for you with the Elders."

Phoebe looked up and saw her house. "Um, we are at my house. This is where I drop you off. It was lovely meeting you!" Phoebe ran off with new ideas filling her head....

~*~*~*~

"And that is when I left her here.... I know, I was mean and rude and I probably should have been nicer.... Or at least apologize to your sister. But I was just too confused to do anything. Do you think I am horrible? Do you completely hate me?"

"No, but you're right. You should apologize to Leslie...." He kissed her lips for a quick second. "I still love you."

"I love you, too......"

She smiled at her love, thinking about how it was all going to be ok.......

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The End

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