She and Leo had been blissfully happy since their return, finally free of the looming threat of punishment and secure that nothing would part them again. Paige had quit the magic school so she could return to social work. Nothing had been heard from Cole.
The sisters had discussed the ramifications of Cole being back from the dead. Piper and Paige were both nervous, but as Leo had pointed out, "The Elders gave him their approval. And now we know the real story about what happened. Don't dwell on the past, you can't change it. It's the future that matters." So with some trepidation, Piper and Paige agreed to support Phoebe in whatever path she took with Cole.
That afternoon, Phoebe knocked on Elise's door. Her editor looked up. "Come in," she said. "What's up, Phoebe? How did your meeting go this morning? Is the interview all set for this afternoon?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Phoebe said, sitting in the chair in front of Elise's desk. "I need to cut back on work. I need to slow down. I've realized that I don't want TV appearances and interviews and billboards. I just want to write my column and help people."
"What are you talking about?" Elise said. "You're supposed to be guest-hosting the morning show two weeks from now and this Saturday you have to --"
"That's what I mean," Phoebe interrupted. "It's too much. The success all went to my head, but...it's not what I want. I do want to keep helping people, but all the rest of this...no. If the paper needs me to make an appearance I will see what I can do, but I need to slow down and focus on my family now. I have other obligations, and they have to take precedence."
Elise sat back in her chair. "Actually, I'm not surprised. You've been being pulled in too many different directions for a long time now. Well, some people aren't going to be too happy, but it's your life and your decision."
Phoebe smiled in relief. "Thank you so much for understanding, Elise." She held out a piece a paper. "I want to add this to today's column if it's possible, or tomorrow's if it's too late."
Elise took the paper and read:
Dear Ask Phoebe:
Recently I ran into my ex. We had a bad break-up and I admit I treated him poorly. But I realized that I still have feelings for him. He says he doesn't want anything to do with me, but I think he still loves me, too. I can feel it. What should I do?
Hopeful
Dear Hopeful,
Follow your heart. Fate brought you back together for a reason. If he truly loves you, he can forgive you. It would be silly to think he'll just completely forget all about how you treated him, but if you can show him you've learned from your mistakes and that you've changed and you're willing to do whatever it takes to make it up to him, he'll come around. Don't give up. Love conquers all, and I really think you can make this work.
Phoebe
Elise looked at Phoebe over the paper and raised an eyebrow. "Now I think I understand," she said. "Let me guess...you ran into a certain ex-husband?"
"Something like that," Phoebe admitted. "I just all of a sudden realized I misjudged him. And I still love him. And he loves me, I know he does."
"Well, you threw yourself into this job as your marriage was breaking up, so the reversal shouldn't surprise me," Elise said. She leaned forward and put her hand over Phoebe's. "Do what you need to do. The paper can work around you."
"Thank you," Phoebe said again. "And give my office to someone who can use it. I think I'm going to be doing a lot of work from home from now on. But I promise you'll get my columns on time, and like I said, if the paper needs me to make an appearance for a charity or something, I will see what I can do." She rose to her feet. "For now, I'm taking the afternoon off."
"What are you up to today?" Elise asked.
"I'm going shopping," Phoebe said with a grin. "I need to get a new dress and pick up some ingredients for Piper. She's cooking dinner for me Friday night."
"Your ex is coming to see you?" Elise said.
"I hope so," Phoebe said as she headed to the door. "That's the hard part. Getting him to come over. Wish me luck."
"Good luck," Elise said as Phoebe left. "I hope you two can work it out."
Two nights later, Phoebe stood nervously in a dark alleyway, a vial of vanquishing potion clutched in her hand. She'd scryed for demonic activity and had found a nest of Shambler demons. The smart thing to do would've been to tell her sisters so they could come deal with the demons together, but that wasn't what she had in mind right now. "This is stupid, Phoebe," she chided herself. "What the hell am I doing? This is a very bad idea."
"But very good for us, little one," a voice hissed behind her. She spun around and found two Shambler demons moving towards her.
"Witch, it's what's for dinner," the second Shambler giggled.
"I'm really not much of a meal," Phoebe said, backing away. "Not even worthy of being an appetizer." She hid the potion behind her back, waiting for the right moment to throw it.
"We've already eaten," the first Shambler said. "You're just dessert."
It lunged at her, and Phoebe threw the vanquishing potion, destroying the demon before it could reach her. The second she kicked across the alley, but then a third was behind her, catching her unawares and wrapping its strong arms tightly around her. She struggled futilely to free herself, opening her mouth to yell for Leo. Before she could draw in breath, the demon clamped a heavy hand over her mouth.
The demon she had kicked rose and moved toward her. "No screaming, little witch," it said. "No Whitelighter to take our dinner away."
"Try a demon." The Shambler demon erupted into flames as an energy ball hit it. The one that held Phoebe shoved her to the ground, only to meet the same fate as its companion. Then Cole's hands were on her shoulders as he pulled her to her feet. "Phoebe, what the hell are you doing out here alone?" he said, shaking her. "You could've been killed!"
"Cole!" she cried, flinging her arms around him. Her lips sought his and to her delight he didn't pull away. She could feel his relief at her being safe and his desire as he held her close in the protective circle of his arms. Her own body ached with passion she hadn't felt in years. Miles, Jason, Les...none of them had made her feel like this. None of them could compare. It was Cole, it had always been Cole.
They finally broke apart, and Phoebe looked up at Cole and whispered, "I knew you would come."
"You...knew." Cole said. He abruptly pushed her away and looked at her with disgust. "So you were in a dark alley acting like an idiot...because you knew I would come to your rescue."
"Cole, I'm sorry, but you didn't exactly leave a phone number and it was the only way I could get in touch with you!" she protested. "I just wanted to talk to you! I've tried calling out to you, but you didn't answer..."
"I know," he said, rubbing his temple. "You've been giving me a headache. I thought I made myself clear. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. Now call your Whitelighter or your sister and get out of here. And don't think of pulling a stunt like this again. It won't work."
"I just wanted to talk to you," Phoebe said. "Maybe I don't deserve it. But please, Cole...please. Just give me one chance. There's still something between us. You knew I was in danger. You came to help me. That has to mean something."
He turned away from her. "I told you, Phoebe. It's over between us."
She pressed herself against him, her arms around his waist, her cheek against his back. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I love you, Cole," she said brokenly.
He stiffened. "Phoebe..."
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I wish I could turn back time and undo everything I did. I don't blame you for wanting nothing to do with me. I love you, Cole. I love you so much. All this time I've just buried what I felt because it scared me so much, and now that you're back, I don't know if I can live without you."
Gripping her wrists, he extracted himself from her grasp and pulled away. Phoebe lowered her head, unable to watch him go. She'd been so sure she could reach him somehow and make him remember what they'd once shared, but even visions of the future didn't mean it would be happen. Prue's death had proven that.
Then she felt his hand on her cheek, his thumb brushing away her tears. "Let me take you home," he said.
She lifted her gaze. "Stay for dinner? Piper's making steak...artichokes..."
He managed a small chuckle. "Not fair."
Hope started to swell in her heart again. "I don't fight fair. Next will come the tickling."
"You know, it's embarrassing to have one's entry in the Book of Shadows include tickling as a weakness," he said, wincing.
"Does 'great in bed' make up for it?" she said impishly.
"Why, Ms. Halliwell," he said, "are you trying to seduce me?"
"Always," she said breathlessly.
He leaned into her, pressing her against the wall. She trembled as he kissed her gently. "All right," he said. "Dinner. But I'm not making any promises."
"It's more than I deserve," she said, pressing her fingers to his lips. "Thank you."
He bent his head and kissed her again, then shimmered them both home.
- Fin -