A/N: Did Piper seem mean, Trunks? Good. I mean... well it's not good, but it's good. I was trying to make her mean. They all changed for various reasons. Piper became meaner, striking out in anger at anyone, still upset over Wyatt's new magic... and well... now I'm giving away the chapter.
Thanks for the super upbeat review, Barb! And also thanks to Siamese!
Read on! :-)

Cole sighed.

You gonna talk? Piper asked, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

Yeah, Cole. I don't have all day, Paige agreed, surprising herself.

Phoebe said. The sisters glanced at each other, at least they agreed on one things in months. They recovered over their shock quickly though and looked back to Cole. Piper narrowed her eyes, smiling to herself. Paige rolled her eyes before looking back at her sister's ex-husband. Phoebe just glared through her hair.

You people are pathetic, Cole said sitting down.

Paige jumped up. Don't include me in this! She waved her hands. No. No. No. I'm not a part of this!

A part of what, Paige? Phoebe asked darkly, already knowing the answer.

A part of this, she pointed to her sisters accusingly. I'm the one who does things. I'm the one who isn't trapped in her house with no friends, but her family.

Well at least you acknowledge us as family, Piper retorted.

You aren't a family anymore! You're falling apart! Leo shouted. At once everyone stood up, shouting and fighting.

Cole waved his hands in the air, trying to get attention. Phoebe ducked back onto her seat.

Hey what are you...?! Paige shouted before, too, glancing at Cole and slipping back on the couch. Piper glared and stayed standing, but shut up. And Leo, hearing a call, orbed out.

When did you decide to become so angry and upset, Piper? Cole asked, starting in on the oldest Charmed One first.

I am not, Piper said, smiling. I find myself to be very pleasant.

You're the only one, Phoebe said.

Yeah. For once she's right, Paige responded with a laugh.

At least she pays attention to the innocents, Piper defended her younger sister.

And leaves them battered, alone, and wondering what happened. She's a train wreck. We had to call a whitelighter for the innocent last time. She was just going to leave the kid alone!

No. Piper had the call the whitelighter. You weren't there, Phoebe said pointedly. And the kid was fine.

Cole shouted.

they all shouted at the same time.

Why do you only agree when you're against me? Cole asked.

Why are you here in the first place, Cole? Phoebe countered.

Maybe because you, he pointed at Piper, are lashing out in anger because of your own problems. And you, he turned to Paige, are self-centered and resentful of your family. He sighed and turned to Phoebe. And you, Phoebe? You're embittered, keeping your emotions for the last year pent up inside of you. And that bitterness has made you cold and indifferent to everyone and everything. Leaving you dead inside. He surveyed the sisters. You all are dead inside. I'm sorry I couldn't help more. He gave one last mournful glance at Phoebe before shimmering out.

That's crap, Piper said getting up.

Can't help, but agree, Phoebe responded.

Sorry to say it, but? Ditto, Paige gave a laugh.

They all went their separate ways. Piper went to her room. Phoebe went back to the attic. And Paige just drove around in her car. But one thing was for sure. No matter how hard they tried to forget Cole's words they couldn't help, but think they were true.

A/N: Thanks to everyone for reviewing! More to come... and demons too!! Lou will be shown more (and more about his bosses and past).
By the way, Trunks, Lou is just a guy who appeared in Cole's life and told him... nevermind:
Next chapter... Lou's many meetings with Cole