Chapter 4: Dual Carriageway

Cole looked up at the façade of the manor nervously. This was the spot where all the highs and lows of his life took place. This is were he was the happiest, and this was where Phoebe told him she didn't feel anything for him anymore. She claimed now that it was a lie back then to drive him away, but it still hurt the same way.

"Come on," Phoebe took his hand, leading him up the stairs, "they will be okay with you. Piper was always telling me I was too hard on you and Leo is looking forward to seeing an old friend."

"What about Paige?"

"You don't worry about Paige. She can be difficult, but ultimately she has white lighter blood in her. She likes to help the helpless."

"I'm helpless. Now that's comforting."

"It's better than nothing," she opened the front door and pulled Cole through it.

Paige was taking her cardigan off the hook and put it on, "oh, you arrived. Alas, I'm late from magic school, sorry," she orbed out.

"She adores me, really," Cole took a deep breath.

"She just doesn't know what to say," she picked up little Wyatt who ran happily towards her, delighted to see somebody that will maybe play with him.

"Hiya, little guy," Cole smiled at him, "got you something," he took out a toy Ferrari out of his pocket and gave it to him.

"What do you say?" Piper appeared from the kitchen, "he can say tha. Stands for thank you," he took the boy away from Phoebe, "how you doing, Cole?"

"Okay I guess," he shrugged, "how about you?"

"Did Phoebe not give you an update?"

"I know that Wyatt has a brother. Not much else."

"Yeah, Christopher, he's still sleeping. He likes being up half the night, so…"

"Hi, mate!" Leo walked in pretending to be cheerful, hugging his old trouble maker buddy.

"Would you like some breakfast you two?" Piper tried in her best manner, trying to make Cole feel as if he had never left.

"I need to go to work, but maybe…a little," Phoebe changed her mind, thinking that Cole would need something in his stomach and would find it uncomfortable to just go ahead and eat in that place just yet.

"I believe these are not only Leo's favourite pancakes," Piper put a plate in front of him.

They were so nice to him, as if he would've landed three years back in the past. In spite of everything, he couldn't help but clutch the arms of his chair uneasily to calm his shaking hands. He had to get it together. Go back to the time he first became human and was trying to find a way to fit in. He never had the time. But he had to find it this time, because if he didn't Phoebe and him were over. Hell, he was over. But that was actually the same thing. He closed his eyes solemnly and breathed deeply again. Right, first he had to stop being a pest in Phoebe's life. He grabbed one croissant, standing up, "Phoebe, you need to go. Go," he insisted, "really, I'll be…fine. I'll just go up your room and rest," out the way was better than under the scrutiny of the family.

"You're sure?" Phoebe asked.

He nodded, "yeah," kissed her lightly on the cheek and picked up his handbag to take upstairs.

Phoebe looked worriedly after him and he gave her a faint smile before he disappeared out of view.

"He'll be ok," Leo tried to assured her, "he was drinking because of not having you. Now there's no psychological cause for him to continue. Once the physiological withdrawal symptoms cease…"

"Tell me the symptoms," Phoebe interrupted.

"There's typically hand shaking and sickness to start with. These begin from six to forty eight hours after the last drink."

"Yes, he already had that."

"They precede fever, sweating, anxiety, headaches, depressed moods and irritability. This can take three to five days to recover from. But I didn't tell you I went back to check his medical records. He went though detox at the hospital. He only got drunk once since, so it shouldn't be all that bad this time round. He will be fine, I'm sure. I've seen this with some of my changes. When their life got to have meaning, alcohol was no longer necessary for comfort…Wyatt, what are you doing? Don't waste the carpet!" He ran out into the sun room.

"That a rosy cloud scenario," Phoebe told Piper, "I'm actually afraid that it wasn't just me causing his despair. I don't know how he can survive as a human. Having no powers, that made him unstable the last time."

"There's only one answer to that Phoebe," Piper encouraged her, "we must be more focused on what happens with him. Same way I have to pay more attention to Leo. Great, isn't it? Now we have two men in the house that are instable."

"Oh, yes, sorry Piper, I would really ask how he is doing as well, but I'll be really late from work. Can I borrow him for a few minutes so he can orb me? And can I ask you stay here in case Cole needs something? I don't want him to be alone…I'll finish up quickly, I'll be back as soon as I can, " she explained nervously as she left the kitchen to look for Leo.

tbc