Hmm, really nothing else to say that I haven't already said. Keep reviewing; I love to hear the feedback.

Chapter Four- Full Circle

Phoebe leaned purposefully over her desk, but it seemed that Cole was taking up too much room in her head for her to think of anything else. Now that she had felt his touch again she craved it constantly. She knew it had been irrational to leave with him last night, and her sisters would be furious. She could already hear Paige's voice ringing in her head, telling her that he was evil and would hurt her again.

She couldn't just ignore their past and pretend that everything was ok, although part of her wanted to. He had gone crazy, killed innocents, not to mention that he had become the Source of all evil. She felt a pang of guilt at that last thought. He had been possessed by the Source after taking in evil to save her and her sisters, and then she had blamed him for his actions even though the Source had been in control.

"Need a break?" asked a familiar voice from her doorway, "I know you need to work, but I just couldn't stay away."

She looked up into Cole's eyes and smiled. He held one hand behind him with a suspicious grin across his face. She saved what little of her column was complete and shut her laptop.

"That would be great," she replied, "It's not like I was getting anything done anyway."

As she walked toward him he revealed a rose from behind his back and tucked it carefully behind her ear. He wrapped an arm casually around her waist and led her out of her office as her co-workers turned to stare at them open mouthed. Wasn't this the same ex-husband that they had heard her screaming at day after day? Now she was walking with him calmly, dreamily even. She couldn't get over what it felt like to be in his arms.

"So where exactly are we going?" she asked as they left the Bay Mirror building and started walking casually down the sidewalk.

"It's a surprise," he replied, giving her side a small squeeze. Truth be told, she would be content to just keep walking with him, leaving San Francisco and everything in it far behind. She felt guilty for thinking that, she could never leave her sisters, but she wished they could understand how she felt.

He guided her into an outdoor café, turning suddenly. One of the waiters obviously recognized Cole, and led them to a corner table. Phoebe looked around curiously; she had never been here before. The sun was beating down on them, as if reminding the world of the imminent approach of summer. There were spring flowers near every table and the scene had a picturesque quality.

"I've been thinking," Phoebe said after ordering her drink, "And I think we might be… going about this the wrong way."

She saw the deflated look in his eyes the minute he heard her tone, and though she could barley stand it she forced herself to continue on.

"It's not that I don't want to be with you. I do Cole, I really do, but things are complicated," she added. If that had been intended to lighten the situation it certainly didn't work. In Cole's book putting the words 'with you' and 'complicated' in the same sentence was a bad omen.

"Phoebe you can't do this to me," he said, desperation and a hint of anger creeping into his voice despite his best efforts, "Not after last night, not again."

"My sisters will never be ok with this, with us," she said, justifying. Cole banged his fist down on the table, attracting the attention of the people nearby. Damn her sisters, damn them to the hell they had sent him to so many times before.

She put her hand on top of his, wrapping her fingers around his fist before continuing, "Maybe, maybe we could start over."

"Start over?" he echoed hollowly. She nodded and he studied her, trying to figure out what was going on in her head. He knew she wanted them to be together, he had felt it, so why was she still hiding behind so many emotional walls? Then again, this might not be such a bad idea, a new start.

The waiter came back with their drinks and took their lunch orders. Phoebe was still studying the table with a fake intense interest, avoiding his eyes.

"A new start hmm?" he said suddenly, trying to apologize for losing his temper, and causing her to look up at him, "Tell me more."

She smiled, a smile that always managed to light up his world despite the situation, and explained her theory. They had been through so much that maybe the best way to put it behind them would be to go back to the beginning and do things over. He realized the idea wasn't half bad, and that it could help things turn out in his favor.

When their food arrived Cole was lost in the sound of her voice. Phoebe seemed excited, and she felt like a high school girl with a crush. She realized that her feelings for him had come full circle, and everything was new again in a wonderful way.

"But I'm ranting aren't I," she realized out loud, trailing off as she looked down at her plate.

"No, keep talking," Cole replied, noticing that she was blushing. Phoebe could tell he was honestly interested in everything she had to say.

"So," he said as they finished their meal, "If we're starting over, does that mean I get to ask you on a first date?"

"Well you'd better," she replied with a flirty grin, which he returned.

"Phoebe, will you go out to dinner with me," he asked, doing a remarkable job of keeping a straight face.

"I would love to," she said, "When?"

"Oh I don't think I could stand to wait more that six hours," he answered, still maintaining his sincerity.

"Fine," she said, glancing at a nearby clock, "I'll see you at eight."

She flashed another winning smile as he paid the bill and she started to walk back to her office building. She was getting the feeling that focusing on her column wasn't going to get any easier anytime soon.