Thanks for all the reviews, I think I didn't make myself clear with this whole Cole/Paige thing, they will NOT be getting together or anything, you will just have to wait and see for what does happen though.

And on we go:

CHAPTER NINE

COURAGE

"Ermm, Phoebe, hi!" Paige said brightly, trying to move away from Cole who still had her pinned firmly against the wall of her temporary bedroom.

The blonde was staring at them with a shocked expression, her eyes moving swiftly from herself to Cole, who had turned to look at his partner.

"That is it Cole, I cannot handle all this drama in my life. It was hard enough for you to be evil, but my sister? Well, I wish you two all the best." Phoebe shrieked, her voice sounding hysterical.

Paige winced at her sister's tone, yet was oddly satisfied with Phoebe's childish remarks. It helped to prove her theory that her older sister did not care for Cole as deeply as she claimed, and it would be good evidence to help sway Cole's view on their relationship.

Cole was lamely trying to sedate Phoebe with loved up comments, but Phoebe was too ignorant to pay much attention, and she walked off, after throwing a ring at Cole, which he had assumedly given her as a gift.

Paige was still pinned against the wall, she knew it was hopeless to try and move the ex-demon by force but he was unnerving her greatly with his closeness.

"Would you mind moving?" Paige asked quietly, annoyed with the wispy tone her voice had taken. His presence was making her breathless, and she did not like the full implications that knowledge brought to her.

"I am quite comfortable where I am." Cole muttered back flirtatiously., causing Paige to groan in frustration.

He has just broken up with my sister and he is already back to flirting, she thought dejectedly, trying to find a way to manoeuvre out of his presence.

"I take it Phoebe's love was not all that important after all." The brunette commented, slumping against the wall in defeat, realising that the only way she would be able to move was if he let her, and the ex-demon showed no signs of that. His intimidating physical stature was enough for her to keep her place.

"I did at first, she was my lifeline, my reason to turn good, to fight evil," Cole replied after a moment of consideration, his blue eyes gazing far away, back into his memories, "But she idolised me in a very disconcerting way. Evil is like a drug, a very addictive drug that once into your system is hard to get out. Phoebe never understood that. She never understood me."

I guess planting doubt in his mind was not needed, she thought triumphantly, smiling a little despite the situation.

Paige managed to digest the information, and nodded in agreement. To her, Phoebe seemed to think with her heart, not her head. Although passion could be quite endearing, it could be dangerous, if allowed to be the motivation behind every decision. To her, Phoebe had always liked a challenge, she was the one to first accept being a witch, she was the one who convinced her sisters. An evil boyfriend to convert must have been an aphrodisiac in itself for her.

Unfortunately, Paige had always suspected that the flame died once the challenge was won, but Phoebe stuck it out until the end. Her sister was never a quitter and would do her duty until the day she died.

"I see, then why not break up with her earlier, than lead her on?" Paige questioned, concerned for her sister. She may believe that Phoebe was foolish to pursue a relationship with Cole, but she still cared for her sibling, familial love was not affected by such trivial matters.

"Because I never knew how many chances of love I would get, I was not going to throw this away."

Paige felt inexplicably sad for Cole. Her pity was unbearable, for no one should be without love, or so she thought, even if they had done wrong things in their past.

"Love will come your way again, I am sure of it." The brunette answered firmly, tucking an unruly strand of her behind her ear.

Cole didn't replied, her simply dipped his head down to capture Paige's lips in a simple chaste kiss of thanks. It held no passion, no deep love, it was a kiss of understanding, and it was beautiful.

Paige broke away with a gasp as her surroundings started to slide in and out of focus, the last thing she saw before slipping into the awaiting darkness was a pair of bright blue eyes, with concern shining through their icy depths.

She was going home.

…………………

Go read the epilogue! Lol, I will be revising the earlier chapters, not tonight though, tomorrow, or the next day. Hopefully they will be completed before Halloween.

Thanks for the reviews:

Paige Halliwell-Matthews- This isn't a romance as such, you'll see what I mean, I'm glad you like it.

motormouth2005- They won't fall in love, and I am not really going to replace Phoebe with Paige, hopefully all will become a little clearer in the next chapter. Sorry, oops, I get easily distracted.

P3-CharmedForever- I don't know to be honest, to me, they always seemed to have a lot more chemistry than Phoebe and Cole, I respect your view though.

WashedOut- Thanks :)

me- Any reasons behind that? I would like to know why…

jeff- Thanks :) Sorry you had to wait so long for an update.

emelie172- Thanks, hopefully you will find this story tolerable.

Until next time,

M.P