Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, don't sue me.

Summary: Cole leaves San Francisco after the Season 4 final. Five years later, will fate step in (as it always does . . .) and throw us loyal Cole/Phoebe fanatics a bone? No demon action. Just soppiness to the max - it's what I do best.

Author's Note: A huge thank you to those of you who reviewed, they made my day, as always. I start school tomorrow - sacrilege - which means chapters will be posted less frequently, if that's possible.

I didn't proof read this one at all, so bear with me.

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"I have to what?!" Phoebe questioned incredulously, not even caring to notice the heads that turned in their direction. Jason pushed her into her office and shut the door behind them.

"Show him around, that's all." He said, confused as to why she was so against the idea.

"No. No way." Phoebe said, gritting her teeth. She wasn't ready for this. She wasn't even ready for a simple lunch with the four of them, never mind a full day alone with Cole.

"Listen to me." Jason said, guiding her towards a seat and forcing her into it. "I have to go to this meeting. Linda wants to come with me, so she knows what's going on."

"So take him with you!" Phoebe exclaimed, standing up and pushing his arms off her. Jason frowned at her.

"He won't be interested in that." He tried to explain. "He's never been to San Francisco," He said, causing Phoebe to roll her eyes, "It would be good for him - and for us, if you give him the tour. "What do you have against him anyway?"

Phoebe paused. "Nothing." She muttered. "I just have work to do--"

"I cleared up your day. Your work's been covered." Jason interrupted, smiling at her. Phoebe glared at him. "Can you do this, for me?" He pleaded. "You may not like the guy. . .personally, he's not my cup of tea either. . ." Phoebe raised an eyebrow, "But it'll be good for us. For the newspaper." His pleading eyes did nothing for Phoebe, and she sighed. There was no way she was going to be able to escape this, and she knew it. A knock on the door interrupted them, and Phoebe almost jumped for joy - until she saw who was behind it.

"Linda! Ben, come in." Jason said, inviting them into the room. Phoebe plastered a smile on her face and avoided making eye contact with Cole.

"Almost time for that meeting, isn't it Jason?" Linda asked.

"It is." Jason said with a nod.

"Great." Linda said with a wide smile. Phoebe held down her gag. "Phoebe." Phoebe looked up. "Both Ben and I are extremely grateful that you're going to be showing him around today." Linda looked at Cole, who gave her a look that proved to Phoebe that he was as happy about this as she was.

"And so is Phoebe." Jason said with a smile, not looking at Phoebe. Cole glanced at her, and gave her a half smile. "Come on, I'll walk you two out." Jason added, obviously still worried about whether or not Phoebe would stick to her work.

"We can manage. . .honey." Phoebe let out through gritted teeth, she exited the room, Cole following after a moment. It was when they had walked out of the building that Phoebe turned to face him. He looked at her, awaiting whatever complaint she had. "I thought you said just lunch."

"I did." Cole said. "But when I got back the conversation had evolved to a day tour. You're lucky we're not going on a holiday together."

"You should have called. . .I wasn't prepared for this." Phoebe said, shaking her head.

"Well, I'm sorry. I couldn't get away." Cole said with a slight shrug.

Phoebe glared at him. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" She questioned. Cole smirked.

"I am enjoying your discomfort, yes." He agreed, tilting his head in a slightly adorable way, causing Phoebe to groan and turn away. "Now, can we get on with this?"

"You actually expect me to take you on a tour of a city you know as well as I do?" Phoebe asked incredulously.

"Is there any other option?" He retorted. Phoebe glowered at him.

"Yes." She said suddenly. She glanced at her watch. "We meet here in two hours, and you pretend that you hate the city. . .and you'd like to go home as soon as possible." She spun around and walked in the opposite direction. Cole watched as her small figure disappeared into the crowd. He smiled slightly, before jogging after her. When he caught up with her, he put a hand on her arm to stop her.

"No." He said firmly.

"No?" Phoebe repeated, confused.

"I want the tour." He said, no room for discussion.

"Well, you're not getting the tour." Phoebe said, trying to push past him. He stood his ground.

"Okay." He said, backing down. "You told me you didn't trust me, and I'm determined to change that." He added gently. Phoebe stepped back, raising her eyebrows at him.

"What makes you think you can change that?" She questioned, crossing her arms.

Cole raised an eyebrow. "Can I at least try?"

Phoebe hesitated. "I'm not taking you on a tour." She finally said. Cole smiled, and Phoebe's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't remember when she had seen him smile like that last.

"Okay, let me take you to lunch. . ." He offered, she began to speak, "No agenda." He added quickly. Phoebe paused.

"Okay." She finally said, inhaling deeply.

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"So. . ." Phoebe said, draining the last of her drink. It was time the conversation changed towards something beyond small talk. "So you love her?"

Cole looked at her, surprised at her blatant curiosity. He leaned back, a smile growing on his face. He remained silent for a moment, contemplating his answer, before speaking. "That's a hard question to answer. Especially when you're the one asking it." He leaned back in his seat.

Phoebe shook her head slightly. "It can't be that hard. . ."

"Do you love him?" Cole immediately retorted. Phoebe hesitated, before laughing softly.

"Point taken." She said, following suit and leaning back against the chair.

"No." Cole said suddenly. Phoebe glanced up, wondering what he meant, and as soon as her eyes met his she realised it was in answer to her question.

"You don't?" She asked, surprised. She willed away the sense of relief that flooded through her body.

"It's not that easy for me, Phoebe." Cole said, leaning forward in his chair, as though about to launch into a lengthy tale. "You see, I loved this. . .girl once." He said with a smirk. "And it was great. . .it really was. It was all I ever wanted."

Phoebe grew slightly uncomfortable, knowing that it was her he was speaking about, but neither of them was about to admit it. She gazed at Cole, who seemed as though he was in another reality. He shook his head and looked at her again, realising where he was.

"But I screwed up." He added quickly, his eyes boring into her, making her feel utterly vulnerable. "And it's more than a challenge for me to find someone else who I can love - even harder to find someone who will love me back." He glanced away.

Phoebe smiled gently at him. "C'mon Cole, you have it all. The money, the looks. . .the evil demonic past." Cole glanced up at her, grinning sheepishly.

"Someone's bound to find that attractive." He said sarcastically, a smile still playing on his lips. "So what about you?" He said, hastily changing the subject.

Phoebe looked uncomfortable. "I do." She said with a defiant nod. She frowned. "I did. . ." She trailed off, not looking at Cole.

"What do you mean?" Cole asked, placing his hands on the table.

Phoebe raised an eyebrow at him. "It's just. . ." She hesitated, "I can't talk to you about this. . .it's too weird."

Cole smiled and leaned back again. "We're just friends sitting here, Phoebe. You can talk to me." Phoebe seemed to contemplate it. "I won't judge you for it."

She sighed. "It's like the excitement's gone." She finally said. "Like every ounce of originality has left the relationship. . .there's nothing there anymore. It's. . ." She paused.

"Boring." He finished off for her. She grimaced slightly.

"So what do you think?" She asked.

"I think," He started, "that you have two options. Either go with it, or don't." He smirked. "It could just be a dry spot. . .but if it's right, you'll know it."

"I just can't tell anymore." She said softly. Cole smiled gently, leaning forward to catch her eye.

"You'll know." He reiterated. "It'll hit you like a bucket of cold water. You'll feel it, and you'll know when you do." He smiled. "I had to wait ninety seven years . . .and it was worth it." He added, giving her a faint half smile.

"You really think so?" Phoebe asked, still not convinced.

He tilted his head slightly. "I guarantee it." He raised his hand to get the waiters attention, indication for the cheque to be brought to them. "So tell me, Phoebe, how am I coming along on that list of trust?" He questioned, lowering his arm.

Phoebe smiled at him. "Well, I can tell you. . .Mr. Ben-ja-min," She said, stating the name in a droll monotone, "You're not getting any lower."

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