A/N: Thanks to those who read and commented on the last chapter. Hope you enjoy this one as well.

Chapter 3

Phoebe sat at the corner coffeehouse. A large textbook lay open in front of her and a tall café mocha sitting to its left. She had been attempting to study for her exam next week but was not meeting with much success. Not only was the information Cole uncovered weighing heavily on her mind, so was the man himself. Her whole relationship with Cole was so complex. One moment she was riding high on the excitement and chemistry of it all and then the next she would plummet into uncertainty and fear that it was never going to work.

Let's face it, entering into a union with a man who is half demon is not exactly grounds for a stable relationship. There were other doubts as well. Ones she didn't even want to delve into at this point. She needed to get back to study. Cole was suppose to meet her in a half- hour so she needed to make use of the time.

After a couple of minutes she glanced up from her reading to check the entrance hoping Cole might be early. He wasn't although she did notice an attractive brunette enter. The woman was striking in an obscure kind of way. Phoebe wasn't sure why her eyes had been drawn to the woman, but when she realized she'd been staring, she quickly lowered her eyes.

The next thing she knew she let out a yelp as she felt something bite her ankle. Lifting her sandal-clad foot up, she studied the section where she felt the pain. There was nothing there. Odd she thought as she rubbed the still aching area. Giving her head a shake, she forgot about it as Cole strode through the door.

Tall, dark and handsome he definitely could make an entrance. Phoebe noticed two women sitting at a table just to her right look up with appreciation. Much to her ire he looked back and gave them one of those cocky grins. Hot jealousy washed over Phoebe. She couldn't believe he was flirting with them and in front of her. From where she sat it looked as if he was going to go over but remembered she was waiting for him. Leave it to a half demon to want to have it both ways. Have a steady on one hand, but always be on the lookout for something more.

Cole, oblivious to the volatile emotions cursing through Phoebe's head sat down with a smile. "Hi gorgeous."

"Don't you gorgeous me! You think I didn't just see that?"

Lifting one dark brow, he replied, "What are you talking about?"

"Like you don't know. Don't play innocent with me Cole Turner. If I hadn't been sitting here you would have made a move on those women."

Cole shook his head tried to grasp where this conversation came from. "Women? What women? Look Phoebe, did you guys cast some back ass spell or something? Cause I gotta say, you're not acting like yourself at all."

Slamming her book shut, she gave a harsh laugh. "Right, just deny it. I know what I saw. You were flirting and didn't even have the decency to hide it from me." With that she stood up and stalked out of the restaurant.

Cole watched in stunned confusion. "What the hell was that all about. Flirting. Flirting with who?" He thought back to when he entered the building. Yeah he noticed those two women eye him, but he didn't even give them a second glance. So what was with Phoebe's jealousy fit. Scratching his temple he decided he'd get to the bottom of this and now. Getting up he went in search of his quarry.

Phoebe had made it down two blocks before the jealous anger vacated her body as quickly as it had come over her. Coming to a halt, she tried to recall what brought on all those emotions. She heard Cole calling out her name and when she turned she witnessed him hustling down the sidewalk toward her.

"Phoebe wait. We need to talk."

Her heart melted just a little at the concern mirrored in his blue eyes. An earlier Cole would not have shown such feeling. They had made some progress. "Cole, I am so sorry. I don't know what got into me. I guess I'm still a little insecure in our relationship. I totally over reacted and I apologize."

Surprise showed on his features. He thought for sure that he'd be putting his experience in legal talk into action to get himself out of this. Phoebe's apology threw him a curve ball.

"So we're okay here?" He asked tentatively, wanting to make sure he comprehended just where they stood.

Tossing him a grin, because he wore such an adorable expression she replied, "Yes, we're okay." Going onto tiptoes she placed a quick kiss on his lips. Cole, thrilled they were past this smiled his relief.

Paige sat at her desk staring blankly at the mound of paperwork piling up. This was not why she wanted to work for Social Services. She had wanted to help people, but that dream was looking bleaker and bleaker by the day. Rising out of her chair, she decided a trip to the break room for a soda would perk her up allowing her the energy to tackle this mess on her desk.

There was always lot of people milling about the large office area, and she had to navigate her way through a lot of them to reach her destination. With her mind else where she did not pay any attention to the dark hair woman who past so closely that their arms brushed slightly. Paige let out a small 'ouch' as she felt a quick jab of pain on her left arm. Raising her arm, she examined the affected area. She was surprised to see her arm clear of any marks convinced she had been bitten by something. Giving her head a shake, she thought nothing more of it and headed on her way.

Down in the underworld in the cavernous room decorated in green, the brunette woman appeared. Her arms empty in a cradling position. A few moments later the dog-lizard being materialized in those arms. "Ooooh my pet. You did well today. All three Charmed Ones have felt you're stinging bite. Now that all three have been infected, it will weaken them and allow the Source a perfect opportunity to strike. More importantly to succeed."

Going to the bed she put the animal down, as she lounged next to it as a well- satisfied smile played on her lips. Her fingers gently caressed the creature beside her. They had done well and one could only hope the Source would remember her assistance in this matter and feel generous in his rewards.

Piper stood by the cooking island, which was situated in the middle of the kitchen. Leo, standing behind her, his arms wrapped lovingly around her trim waist and his lips nuzzling her neck. Piper, for her part, was quite content to remain just where she was enjoying her husband's attentions. They were both still basking in the afterglow of their time upstairs only a half- hour earlier.

They were not the only ones enjoying themselves. Cole was seated on one of the kitchen chairs and Phoebe snuggled on his lap. Her arms around his neck, as they traded kisses and non -essential comments. Both couples forgetting their respective arguments of the day.

This is the scene Paige walked into. Not in the best of moods as it was, the sight of both her sisters enjoying the company of each other and their significant others, sent a surge of jealousy through her. Did they enjoy making her feel like a fifth wheel? She figured the answer to that was yes. When she really thought about it, she knew the only reason they wanted her living here was to fight demons. Oh they claimed otherwise, but she knew different. The foursome made a nice cozy family, a family she was not really part of and it hurt and angered her. They wanted Prue back, and she was just a poor substitute. This last thought caused the jealousy to rise to new heights.

"Well I see you all are busy, so I won't intrude." She announced.

The blatant resentment in her tone brought the others up short. Leo and Piper shared a look as did Phoebe and Cole, then Piper and Phoebe's eyes met in concern.

"Paige, you're not intruding." Assured Piper.

"Yeah, whatever. I'm going upstairs." Turning on her heels, she left the room.

Phoebe vacated Cole's lap and went to stand next to Piper. "What's her deal tonight?'

Piper's lips formed a thin line. "I have no idea, but I think we should go talk to her."

"Maybe we should give her time to unwind?"

"No, talking now." Was Piper's firm response. The two removed themselves from the kitchen determined to clear things up.

After they left, Cole tossed Leo and puzzled look. "Don't try and understand it." Offered the Whitelighter. "It's a sister thing."

Paige entered her room and threw herself face down on the bed wishing this day would just end. The emotions she was experiencing downstairs seemed to fade as quickly as they had come. It was almost as if she couldn't even remember what brought it on in the first place. When she heard a soft knock at the door she wasn't surprised. "Come in."

Piper entered followed closely by Phoebe. "Okay, what's going on with you?"

Flipping over onto her back, Paige looked at the ceiling. "I don't know Piper. I mean I had a really lousy day at work and then when I came home you all looked so……cozy, like a family and I felt left out. Sometimes I still feel like I don't belong yet."

"You do belong here Paige. We don't ever mean to make you feel otherwise." Piper said as she sat down next to her younger sister.

Phoebe came and flopped down on the other side. "We love you sweetie and I know it's not been an easy transition for any of us, but it will get easier with each day."

Paige shrugged a shoulder. "I know, you're right. Guess I'm just more sensitive about it today for some reason."

"You said you had a rough day at work. Do you want to talk about it? Cause that's what sisters do." Piper informed her with a smile.

Appreciating her sisters concern, she didn't really want to rehash the day, she would rather just put it behind her. "Thanks, really, but I think I'd just as soon forget about it."

Phoebe gave her a skeptical look. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Getting up, Piper gazed down at her with sympathetic eyes. "If you change you're mind you know where to find us."

Paige watched as her two sisters left, her emotions back to normal, she smiled to herself. She was very lucky to have discovered this new family.