Chapter 2

Cole Turner began driving down the road in his Porsche. It had been two weeks since he had been

resurrected, and he'd had made a decision. It was best for him to get out of San Francisco and out of Phoebe's

life forever. The two of them just weren't meant to be, and he had to face the truth of that, no matter how much it

pained him. He would always love her, but that love had darkened into a twisted obsession. If he stayed with her, he would just bring Phoebe misery, and he would die before he hurt her. Again.

"That really doesn't have much of an impact when you're immortal." Cole muttered to himself. Cole turned his thoughts from Phoebe from the moment. He had to figure out what he was going to do with his life. Being in Limbo had given him a lot of time to think, and he had come to a realization. He wasn't evil anymore. All of the awful things he had done to Phoebe and her sisters the last few months of his life had been because he had been so desperate to not lose Phoebe. Well, he had, and there was nothing he could do about it. But, he could try to be the kind of man worthy of Phoebe. His thoughts were interrupted by his car suddenly lurching back and forth and making a grinding noise. He muttered an oath and tried to control the vehicle. Cole looked ahead, hoping there was a town coming up ahead where he could find a mechanic. He was in luck. About 100 yards ahead was a sign: Welcome to Sunnydale.

"Buffy, why do we always have to have this cheap cereal for breakfast?" Dawn whined. Buffy sighed. Dawn had apparently gotten up on the wrong side of the planet this morning. She was acting just like a four year old, without the maturity.

"I'm sorry Dawn. I've been busy trying to save the world from unspeakable evil. Tell you what, you go out and slay the vampires, and I'll stay at home so I can make you a nice healthy nutritious breakfast."

"Fine, I'll have two eggs, sunnyside up, toast with no butter, and some orange juice. Oh, and could you make it fresh-squeezed?" Dawn smiled at Buffy. Buffy smiled back. That was as close to an apology that she was likely to get from her little sister. She totally knew where Dawn was coming from. When she had been that age she had focused on the little things to, so she would have to think about how she was the only thing between the forces of darkness and the world.

"Cute Dawn. Now eat up, Xander's going to be here soon." At that moment the doorbell rang. "Hey, he's early for once. Coming Xander!" Buffy yelled, heading for the door, and flinging it open. "Xander come in. Dawn's still eating breakfast. Look, I wanted to talk to you about how we're going to fight the First. I want to run some ideas by you." Buffy said without looking behind her. "Look, I know that you're upset because Spike's living here now, but that basement was driving him crazy. It's right on top of the hellmouth. I know what you're going to say. Yes, he's a vampire. Yes, he attacked me. But he's changed. He has a soul now. If we have any hopes of averting this apocalypse, we're going to need him." No answer. Buffy got angry. She had too much to worry about without her best friend's pouting. "Oh real mature Xander. You know most people outgrow the silent treatment when they're like five or six. I mean for God sakes, grow up!" Buffy whirled around furiously, and stopped short. Instead of Xander behind her, it was a man she had never seen before. He was handsome, about six foot with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He was staring at her with a look of confusion and amusement.

"Obviously, you're expecting someone else. My name is Cole Turner." He offered his hand.

"Oh, my name is Buffy Summers. You're probably wondering what I was talking about. Actually, I was practicing my lines. For a play. Sunnydale is really famous for it's um theater. Uh, what did you want?"

"My car broke down outside. I was wondering if I could use your phone to call a mechanic?"

"We really don't have any mechanics in town. Well we had one, but he was eaten er beaten up and he's well gone now. Would you like some breakfast. I could really go for some breakfast. Most important meal of the day." stammered Buffy, feeling more idiotic by the second. Cole continued to stare at her. Oh God, this guy thinks I'm a complete mental case.

Well, this is familiar, thought Cole. He had been working with the Charmed Ones long enough to know a lame excuse when he heard one. Cole had sensed the power coming from this young woman the moment she opened the door. There was no doubt in his mind that everything she had said about an apocalypse was nothing less than the cold hard truth. He had to do whatever he could to help. Cole thought for a second and then came up with an idea. "Listen, to tell you the truth I don't really care about the car. Actually, I'm thinking of moving here, and I was wondering if you knew of someplace to rent. I can pay $1500 a month."

"Wow, that's a lot of money. I mean, all I have is a basement. And somebody is already kind of living there."

"That's okay. I don't mind sharing. Look, all my stuff is right outside. I can bring it on in."

"You want to move in here?" Buffy sounded confused.

"Yes." answered Cole, employing his demonic mind control.

"Well OK." Buffy said cheerfully. "Welcome to Sunnydale."

"Thanks."