I had to stay alive, and I had to protect Sam…and then there was Cole. The one who spoke to my soul, and awakened me. He was the closest thing to a real life. It had been so long, and I forgot what it was like to want to live.

Chapter 6

Phoebe made it back to the castle, but not with out Cole. The sun was coming up, slowing her down. Cole was able to track her.

Phoebe fell to her knees, on the bridge that crossed the stream. Dawn was moments away, and she had to cross the bridge before the sun come up. The castle was now insight and she only had a little further.

Before she could cross, she heard Cole's voice in her head. She looked back and he was running towards her. Phoebe ran to him before he could cross the bridge.

"No! Stop, you can't cross!" She said running to him.

Their bodies collided and he grabbed her in his arms. He looked terrified, as Phoebe plunged into his arms.

"Don't leave, don't go to him Phoebe…!" Cole pleaded

"How…how do you…know?" Phoebe mumbled very weak.

"Phoebe, I am a tracker. I know all about you master…I kill vampires… but I can't kill you Phoebe…"

"I don't understand…why not? Why didn't you?" Phoebe asked closing her eyes with weakness.

"The first time in that club…I was tracking you…I had to leave because the feeling was so strong……remember that night?" Cole braced her trembling body.

"How could I forget?" Phoebe slipped him a small smile.

Suddenly, the glaring sun blinded Cole and he looked away from the castle. When he looked back in a few seconds, Phoebe was looking at him from the top of the balcony. Her hair was blowing in the wind, and her white face and red lips stood out from the darkness.

**********

Cole jerked his eyes open, and he was back in the motel room. He was lying on top

of his bed, the room was just as he left it. Most people would have thought it was a dream, but he knew it was real. He knew Phoebe had sent him back.

*********

Phoebe ran to the room in the castle to find Sam sound asleep. She walked over to the bedside and touched his soft brown hair. Phoebe carefully sat on the bed and laid down beside him. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. She turned over and laid her head on his pillow.

As she laid there, she felt his small hand slide up around her neck. Phoebe touched his small hand smiling and closed her eyes.

She was getting used to the pain in her chest, and it didn't seem to hurt so much anymore.

***********

Cole didn't know how he was going to save Phoebe. He didn't know if he still wanted to. He felt more confused than before. He was angry with her for not letting him in. She kept so many secrets from him. She wouldn't allow him to get close to her, or help her and it frustrated him. Why was she keeping her distance?

It was coming up one the third anniversary of his sons death, and he wanted to jump off a cliff and die.

"So…what did you find out?" Isabelle asked

"I can't do this anymore" Cole said putting his hands on his hips.

"What?" Matilda snapped.

"First you campaign for the Job, promising you would find her if it was the last thing you did, as if it were your personal revenge, and now you are just quitting?" Isabelle added.

"It is not that simple! She doesn't want to come home! Can't you see that?!" Cole shouted.

"Of course she does! What the hell do you know anyway?" Matilda snapped

"I know…you need to find someone else to help you!" Cole snapped back.

"Hold on! Why the sudden burst of passion! You have been calm and collected through this whole thing, and now you come in here raving and ranting!?" Matilda said eyeing him curiously.

Cole paced the room. He ran his fingers through his hair. The two woman watched him closely. They were suspicious of the change in his behavior.

"I got to go" Cole said and walked out.

Matilda and Isabelle looked at each other.

"Oh no" Isabelle said to Matilda.

"He's in love with her" Matilda finished.

*********

Cole caught a flight home and arrived in New York at 12:00 am. He ran the events through his head the whole way home. What was that place? Who lived there?

He skidded into the motel parking lot. He got out of the car and ran to his room in the pouring rain. He ran to the door and fumbled with the keys to unlock his room.

He finally opened the door and stepped in. He froze when he saw Phoebe standing in the corner of the room. He reached for the light…

"No, don't!" Phoebe said

Cole closed the door behind him and stood there. He was soaked from the rain and water dripped from the ends of his hair and ran down his face.

Phoebe walked up to him, barely standing out of reach. Cole stood there motionless staring at her silhouette in the dark.

Phoebe moved closer and her face was inches from his. Still, he stood there staring with out offering to reach for her. Phoebe could feel his heart beating, now racing.

She smiled and reached up to touch his face, and he grabbed her wrist, clenching it and then pushed her on the bed.

"You are the death of me!" He said angrily, between his clenched teeth.

Phoebe spread herself out on the bed and propped her head on her elbow. She slipped her coat back and revealed her bare leg.

Cole looked away and walked to the dresser. He was having trouble walking straight. He had a little too much to drink on the long plain ride home. He emptied his pockets, and took off his shoes. He through his coat on the chair.

"Not going to work this time you heartless bitch!" He grumbled.

"Heartless? Funny you should use those words Cole" Phoebe teased

Cole scowled at her "What is wrong with you Phoebe? Why are you playing games? You told me to leave you alone, and now you show up in my room?" He shouted, storming into the bathroom and slamming the door.

Phoebe frowned and jumped off the bed and marched to the door. She heard the water to the shower running and when she tried to come in, the door was locked.

"Cole, let me in!" Phoebe shouted

"Your good at breaking into my room, but you can't come through the locked door?" Cole shouted sarcastically.

"Fine! You want to be like this…fine!" Phoebe shouted through the door. "Cole this is so…immature!" Phoebe shouted back.

"Bite me!" Cole shouted

"Maybe I will!" Phoebe shouted back.

Phoebe scowled and walked back to the bed plopping herself down. This would take more effort than she thought. He obviously was not in a playful mood, and she would have to try a new approach.