Chapter/Scene 6 - The Manor; just a moment before the mystery date.

"Oh come on Phoebe.. tell me what his name is atleast!" Piper said, walking after her with oven-mitts on her hands. She was already dressed and primped for the evening.
"Okay. It's Benjamin," she smiled, knowing full well it was still the truth.
"So, all better from this morning's freak-out incident about seeing things?" Piper asked.
"Sure.."
"Good, well, go get ready."
"Whatever you say, Piper," Phoebe said and ran for the stairs. She climbed all the way up and heard an explosion from the attic. She groaned and went up to see what the problem was.
Paige stood in the attic, waving away smoke and coughing. "Damn!"
"Paige? What are you doing! Trying to kill us all? Believe me.. second-hand smoke takes years," Phoebe said coughing.
"You have to promise not to tell Piper."
"About what? What have you been doing up here all week?"
"Ok. There's this demon, Rabio, right? Well.. he's after witches. Not just any witches either. Powerful witches... which includes the crescent coven and the Moore family line. And you know what that means to me?"
"That we have to be protected?" Phoebe was looking at the book of shadows that was lying open.
"No. That means, I have to protect my charge. Willa Jean Moore, one of the last of her family line," Paige held up a empty vial.
"Which is why you've been blowing things up?"
"Exactly right. I'm trying to make a vanquishing potion for him," she looked the potion pot.
"Trying to make? They don't tell you how to vanquish him in the book?"
"No."
"Well, Paige, do you think you can continue this tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow! Phoebe, she could be dead by then!" Paige picked up a jar labeled Beetle Root and threw it into the potion. A explosion followed and Phoebe and Paige were tossed backwards, Phoebe colliding with a couch and Paige flying directly into the bookcase behind her that held empty vials, some of which fell to the floor and shattered.
"Ugnh..." Phoebe groaned and rolled over. "Paige..."
"Ugh.. you okay Pheebes..?"
"Paige.."
"What?" She asked, straining to get up.
"We could be dead by then, give it a rest, will ya? I have company coming for dinner in less than thirty minutes and we're all going to sit down and enjoy a meal," Phoebe dusted her pants off before going and helping her sister to a full stand.
"A date? So soon? I mean.. you were just out seeing Cole in the park and chasing some wild-dream. It isn't Cole is it?"
"Paige.. I wasn't chasing a wild-dream and yes, a date. Please don't question me about it, I have to go get ready and, soon all the mysterious questions will be answered," she said, heading for the attic door.
"Fine."
"And Paige..."
"Yeah?"
"Be nice."
"I'm always nice.." Paige muttered after Phoebe as she hurried down the attic stairs and into the hallway. Once in the hallway she went to her room and closed the door. "What am I going to wear?" She looked through her closet for something that might spark his memory. She looked through all of them twice and wondered if he would think something strange about her wearing a open-robe over one of her dresses. The robe itself was something from their past. She'd worn it while being his queen of the underworld. And the black dress was the one worn at his coronation.
"Pheebes?" A knock came to her door.
"Y-Yeah, come in."
Piper walked into her room and closed the door, she starred at a very frantic Phoebe who stood in a robe with curlers in her hair.
"Hi Piper," Phoebe said, giving a quick wave while flinging outfits to the bed.
"Honey, what's wrong? Can't find an outfit?" Piper picked up a dress that belonged to Paige.
"I don't know what I could wear for him... it's been such a long time since I've-" She paused. "Since I had a date..." "Why not wear this?" She showed her Paige's red dress.
"It wouldn't... well, I was thinking more along the lines of my black dress," Phoebe said.
"Which one?" Piper looked at the pile of black dresses.
"Uh, the one I wore at the Underworld Coronation..." Phoebe said, averting her eyes.
"Oh.. why that one...?" Piper said, eyeing her carefully.
"No real reason..."
"Well, it looks like it might be a little cold for that."
"Well I uh.. was thinking about wearing my robe over it.." Phoebe said, holding up the dark colored robe.
"Uh.. Pheebes.. who is Benjamin?"
"An old flame," Phoebe said, tossing aside the robe.
"Uh huh.. he wouldn't happen to be a Benjamin Colridge Turner, would he?"
"What? No.." Phoebe said, a nervous laugh following.
"Phoebe.." Piper said.
Phoebe picked up her black dress and held it up for Piper to see. "Hold that thought."
"Phoebe!" Piper said, irritated. Phoebe went into her closet. "Phoebe Halliwell, you get out here this minute!"
Phoebe came out, black dress already positioned on her and she was pulling out her curlers and tossing them to the floor. "Yes, Piper?"
"Who is Benjamin?" The doorbell rang. Phoebe glanced at the clock. 6:50.
"Doorbell!" Phoebe picked up her robe after releasing the final curler and ran downstairs with Piper on her tail. She put her robe on as she reached the half-way mark of the stairs and shook her hair out, rushing for the door. Paige opened it right as Phoebe and Piper came up behind her.
There stood Rhett from the park.
"Whoa.. Phoebe.." Paige said, staring at him. "You found him."
"I uh.. Rhett, what are you doing here?" Piper looked at Phoebe confused.
"Well I uh.." Rhett said, stammering for words. He smiled. "Can I come in?"
"Phoebe.. is this your dinner guest?" Piper asked, confusion in her voice.
"N-no.. I mean.. uh.." Phoebe said.
"Hi, I'm Paige.." Paige said, putting her hand out for Rhett's.
He smiled and lifted his as well. "Rhett."
The sound of a car pulling up drifted upwards toward the house and Rhett glanced over his shoulder and noticed Cole getting out of his car. He quickly pulled his hand back just as Paige was about to shake it. "Uh.. nice to meet you, listen, uh.. I have to go. I don't want to disturb your evening. Bye Phoebe, Paige." He took off down the steps, turning the corner before Cole saw him.
"What the heck was that all about?" Paige asked as Phoebe took a step out onto the porch to see Cole coming up.
"Phoebe?" Piper and Paige asked, coming beside her.
"Is that...?" Paige started.
"It can't be..." Piper replied.
Cole reached the top and took Phoebe's hand. "Phoebe, wow... you look.."
She smiled and laughed nervously. "Ahhh thank you. Cole, my sisters, Piper and Paige."
"Piper," he said, taking her limp hand. "Paige."
Paige raised her hand in a small, shocked, wave before he could grasp her hand. "Uh, hi, Cole."
"Phoebe.. could we talk to you.. in private.. for a second?" Piper said, scratching her head.
"Uh.. sure," Phoebe smiled at Cole. "I'll show you to the living room while I talk to my sisters."
"Okay," he smiled back as Phoebe led him into the living room.
"Okay.. excuse me," Phoebe went off with Piper and Paige into the kitchen.
"What the hell is that!" Piper pointed at the door leading towards the living room.
"He's not a that, Piper, it's Cole."
"Where did he come from?"
"Yeah.. we vanquished his sorry ass in a alternate world," Paige said, rubbing her neck.
"Well.. we don't actually know he was vanquished..." Phoebe said.
"Phoebe, that's not the point. The point is, that's Cole... you know.. the man who tried to turn you evil, got you knocked up with the Source's kid, went all dark, had you mummified-" Piper started.
"Don't start Piper," Phoebe said, raising her finger accusingly and walking out of the room. She reentered the living room to find Cole looking through the photo album, smiling. "Hey," she smiled.
"Hey, Phoebe, uh.. do your sisters not want me here?"
"What? No.. no.. it's just.. you know, they haven't quite gotten over the uh.. dark period," she smiled reassuringly.
"And you?" He asked, waving a hand from the top of her to the bottom. "You seem... dark. Or, your outfit does anyway."
"Well I ... I wanted to try and see if this triggered your memory," she sighed and fell into a couch, putting a hand to her head. "But it clearly did not work."
"Oh. You uh.. wore that before .. for me?" He blushed and looked away.
"Yeah," she hid a smile at how he reacted to her appearance. "Is.. do I.. oh, I hope I don't look too-"
"No!" He cleared his throat. "I mean.. no.. not at all," he smiled at her. "So.. when did you wear that? Or, why, actually."
"It was for a party to uh.. celebrate you... and your achievements, which.. uh.. was during your dark period."
"Oh," he looked down at the album, hoping not to make eye-contact.
"So, what were you looking at?" She got up and joined his side on the other couch, looking down at the pictures.
"Oh, this picture here," he pointed to a picture of Phoebe and him sitting in a park with Leo in the background holding Piper who was staring and smiling at the two of them.
"So.." Phoebe said, smiling. "What do you want to do while we wait for dinner?"
"Well... have any home-movies?" Cole glanced at her then returned his eyes to the pictures.
"Ah.." Phoebe thought if they were safe to see. "Absolutely. I'll go get them.."
"Need some help?" He put the book aside and stood up.
"Y-Yeah, thanks!" She smiled as she showed him the way upstairs towards the closet.
Paige watched them head up from her place just outside the hallway walk-way. She sighed and turned to look at Piper.
"Well, what are they up to?" Piper asked, preparing a center-plate.
"They went to go get home-movies," Paige said, sinking into a stool and leaning against the island counter top.
"What's wrong?"
"I want a man," Paige whined.
"Excuse me?" Piper stopped what she was doing and walked over to sit on a stool next to Paige.
"Well.. not just any man. But Phoebe got hers back, why can't I have one?"
"First of all, we don't know that Phoebe got hers back, second of all... why do you need one all of the sudden?"
"Phoebe has two men after her Piper! You saw how hot that Rhett guy at the door was," Paige picked up a breadstick and tore a piece off, popping it into her mouth.
"Uh huh.. but that guy's weird," Piper said, taking the breadstick away from her. "Dinner is being cooked."
Paige made a face at her. "Look, if Phoebe ends up with Cole.. why can't I end up with Rhett?"
"Rhett? Paige that guy took off like a cat with its tail between its legs.. and why? Because he heard a car," Piper shook her head and stood up, setting the breadstick aside and wiping her hands on her apron.
"So he's skittish, but I can fix that," Paige glanced at the breadstick.
"I'm only saying.. the only reason a person is skittish is if they've got something to hide. For all we know he could be a demon," Piper said. She walked over to the center plate and fixed the side dressings some more.
"Not every weirdo is a demon Piper!"
"Paige, not now and lower your voice..."
"Fine, but I'm taking this!" Paige grabbed the breadstick and took off out of the room.
Piper's jaw dropped. "Paige! I'm making dinner! Come back here with that!" Piper went after her.

"What's that?" Cole asked, turning around, listening to Piper and Paige running around fighting for the breadstick.
"Ah, my sisters. This happens on a regular basis when Paige becomes hungry," Phoebe smiled.
"Oh," he reached for another home-movie at the same moment she did and their hands collided.
Phoebe felt light-headed as a warm electrical current went through her body, Cole felt it as well. The home-movies fell to the floor as Cole grabbed Phoebe around the waist and kissed her.
Up against the wall they ended up, kissing and grabbing one another tighter, holding them as close as they could. Pulling back inbetween kisses Phoebe gasped for air and Cole kissed her neck. Somehow they ended up finding their way towards her bedroom, she opened the door and they went in. Cole kicked it closed and they ended up in complete darkness on her bed.
Sorry folks! This is T-rated, what happens behind a closed door, stays behind a closed door ;)
Downstairs Piper had cornered Paige who was finishing off the last piece of breadstick.
"Ugh! Dinner is almost done Paige and you have to snack on something?"
"Hey, I can't ignore the monster," Paige grinned and popped the last piece into her mouth and finished it off. "Can I have some juice?"
"No, you suffer now, and go see where Phoebe and Cole wandered off to watch the videos at," Piper said, picking her apron up off the floor and walking back towards the kitchen.
Paige made a face at her back and muttered to herself miserably as she climbed the stairs. "God I'm hungry."
She turned the corner leading into the hallway and found the closet open but saw Phoebe and Cole no where in sight. Approaching it she noticed the home movies scattered all over the floor as if in a struggle. Her eyes went wide as she realized Cole might have taken Phoebe or else, maybe it wasn't really Cole. Her mind raced and flashed over 100 different scenarios in her head before she could hear sounds coming from Phoebe's room. She walked over cautiously and pressed her ear up against the door, she heard muffled sounds and she heard Phoebe. She opened the door a crack and peered in, quickly pulling away and closing the door softly, she ran downstairs in a rush and sunk into a chair in the dining room, holding her head in shock.
Piper entered the room with the breadstick basket on her arm and the center-plate filled with food in her pot-holder, covered hands. "Paige, did you go check on Phoebe and Cole?"
"No!" Paige rushed to say, looking up. Apparently startled by Piper's presence.
"Well dinner's done, can you go get them?"
"Well.. don't you think you should? I mean, I still have to go get Leo and the boys from magic school," Paige said, glad to have an actual reason.
"Oh.. I guess you're right.. ok, you go do that and orb them into the kitchen, ok? I'll go check on Phoebe and Cole," Piper said, removing her apron and placing it on the wall-table beside her.
Paige nodded. "Ok." She orbed out before she saw Piper leave, knowing Piper would scream at the sight.
Piper watched Paige orbed out and shook her head. "Something has to be done about that girl."
She wandered off towards the stairs and called up them first. "Pheebes? Dinner." She paused when she didn't hear a response. "Phoebe? Are you in the attic?" She climbed the stars half-way before calling up again. "Phoebe... you up there?" Piper proceeded to climb up the stairs again, hearing a door slam shut she rushed up and found Phoebe and Cole standing by the closet door. "Phoebe?"
"Piper!" Phoebe laughed nervously. "Hi, we were just finishing putting the movies away.." She smiled.
"Didn't you hear me calling you?" Piper asked, eyeing Cole suspiciously.
"Oh, yeah, sorry. When you called for dinner we turned them off and collected them to put away." Phoebe ran a hand over her hair and Piper raised a questioning eyebrow, seeing as how it was now Disheveled.
"I see... well, hurry up then, I still have to set a place for Wyatt.. and I need to feed Chris," Piper walked downstairs, glancing a final time over her shoulder suspiciously as she went all the way down.
Phoebe and Cole watched her disappear and she let out a large sigh of relief.
"Well, that was close..." Cole remarked, wiping at his brow.
"Yeah.." Phoebe laughed nervously.
"Phoebe! This is your last warning, get your butt down here!" Piper yelled up.
"Coming!"