A/N: The whole Cole can't help' thing was meant to be ambiguous and later explained. Here's later. :-)

Cole held his head in his hands. Why was he so stupid to make that promise?

* * * * * *

Cole had shimmered to work, but decided to take a taxi home. He needed time to think over the past week.

He called up Al's Taxi Service and in ten minutes the large royal blue car with the word taxi slapped on the side pulled up in front of Cole's work. Cole got in and told the driver his address.

The driver, an old man with shining eyes, nodded and, flipping on his turn signal, whizzed off into the San Francisco streets.

Why'd you say no? the man asked as they pulled up to a stop sign.

Cole asked, suspiciously.

No. To your girlfriend... You said no, the man explained sensibly. Cole moved. No shimmering out of my taxi, the man said with a laugh.

Who are you? What do you want? Cole asked, teeth clenched.

I'm Lou. I want... to know why you said no.

She has to figure herself out. I do too, Cole said, admitting to himself that he might as well just cooperate until the man let him out of the car.

You idiot. The man turned around to face Cole. Your fates are closely bound. You can't just separate them like that. The man snapped his fingers. You're causing lots of trouble. You idiot.

Cole asked, perplexed.

You were a schmuck wanting to be right and now I have to fix your mess, Lou answered angrily.

What do you mean fix it? Cole asked, eyes narrowed.

You separated the fates of you and the witch. So now you can't intervene. Ever, Lou said. He glanced at Cole via the mirror. His green eyes were pained with the knowledge.

Cole asked.

You said no, Lou repeated, back to his old self - disgruntled.

Cole echoed.

Lou said with a shrug. There is one loophole. To protect. If you saw her in danger and you had to protect her then... then... then you could intervene. He pulled over. Here's your stop.

Cole got out, but as he went to shut his door, Lou stuck his head out the window. And Cole? Cole turned back. No magic.

A/N: There. The mysterious Lou... yay.