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Phoebe almost stumbled as she walked out the door and almost into his arms. She shivered involuntarily- the deep sense of foreboding overwhelming her. His concerned voice touched her.

"Are you all right?" Cole asked as he balanced her upright.

Giving him a quick smile, she said "Yeah, fine. Just a chill,"

"Are you sure?" His voice, not convinced.

"Yeah," How could he read her mind so quickly? And this was only her first date with him.

"Let's go," she said, avoiding his eyes.

Cole let his eyes travel downwards to her voice. He appreciated her sense of style. She was wearing a long black dress and her hair in a bun.

Taking her hand, he led to her to front of the car and slammed the door shut after she had gotten in. He smiled at her as he jumped in. They rode in companionable silence until they reached the festival. Lanterns illuminated the darks sky and Phoebe heard the strings of the violin getting ready. The night was perfect, she decided, perfect for starting phase one of the plan; but in a way, she wished it didn't have to happen this way. Couldn't she just be a girl for one night? A human being who wants to fall in love? Would it be too much to ask for?

He made her laugh---something very hard to do. She hadn't laughed in the longest time but he made her feel like the world was something to be happy about and had made her even laugh twice in the passing 30 seconds whereas Prue couldn't even make her smile for the past 6 months.

She liked him. Phoebe would be sorry to see him gone. But she had to save Piper at all costs.

She smiled at him as he began to talk. Cole guessed that Phoebe was preoccupied with something, as she kept on glancing behind her shoulder back and forth nervously.

"So," he said trying to break the mood that has descended on them. "How have you been doing?"

Phoebe glanced up suddenly and became suffused with a red glow. "I haven't been showing you a good time, have I?"

"I've had worse," he said. "I can listen you know. I'm a good listener."

"It's just---"she began and obstinately kept her mouth shut.

Cole sighed. He wasn't getting anywhere.

At least he began to talk. His mother and father had long divorced. He was the only child. He had gone to high school and been on the track team, where one of the coaches recommended him for an athletic scholarship at an Ivy-League school. He had gotten in, and became interested in law, with the help of one of his professor's. Meanwhile, his dad had died soon after the divorce. His mother had followed suit within 5 years. He was raised by an elderly aunt...a woman he adored and loved with all his heart. He then began to talk about his law cases. Phoebe began to talk as well, and laughed so hard at some of his stories, that Cole was in amazement. Here was the woman she truly was. Why was she trying to hide? What was she trying to hide?

Phoebe listened in amazement and feelings of guilt came to her. How could she cut off such a life? How could she when so many people depended on him? When so many people loved him?

She was about to stand and flee when a voice told her Piper, for Piper's sake. She gingerly sat down again.

"I must have talked forever," Cole said just then checking his watch.

"No, not at all," Phoebe commented. "It's really fascinating to see all the facets of people."

"Then you're perfect as a psychologist," Cole grinned.

She smiled back.

"You haven't told me much about your family," he commented. Phoebe's face fell.

"I don't like to talk about my family much," she looked down. "I just lost them a long time ago."

"I'm sorry," He was all sympathy. "Whenever you're ready,"

Phoebe nodded quickly, her throat closing.

"I'm really sorry," she said. "I'm not usually like this. It' s just that I'm sort of tired, I guess,"

"You wanna go?" Cole sensed her discomfort.

"Yeah, I guess," Phoebe said softly, torn between so much. "I had a nice time," she told him.

As he dropped her home, he walked her to the door.

"No husband?" he asked softly, causing Phoebe to shiver.

"No," she whispered.

"No fiancé?"

"No," her voice was barely inaudible.

"No boyfriend?" he asked yet again.

She shook her head.

He kissed her softly. "I'll call you," he told her. "I'm looking forward to figuring out the mystery,"

"I'll just go and be mysterious," Phoebe called back as she watched him jump into his car. And be guilty, she added softly.