Hi, guys. I'm back. I am soooo sorry for not updating for so long, but you know, school started and there isn't that much time left for other things. I will be continuing this story and will finish it eventually. However, I might only have time to do that during the weekends.
phoebe turner: Don't worry about updating the 2nd chapter. Trust me, I know what it means to have computer problems because my old computer was just driving me insane for over 4 years. Luckily for me, though, I finally got a new computer this summer, so I don't have problems as often. As for Prue and Piper, they will be in this story, but not for a while. Once the "honeymoon" is over, they will be in the story again (honeymoon is just like the 1st part of this story).
Ancient Galaxy: Don't worry, I will be continuing this story, it's just that I don't have much time since the school has started.
Blue eyes6: There will definitely be more danger added to the story because of Phoebe knowing their suspect and some rather interesting situations due to that. Also, thanks a lot for the review on "I Surrender." You are the first one to review that songfic and even though I know it wasn't that great, I am really thankful to you for reviewing it.
Max: Thanks for both of your reviews on the 3rd chapter. Glad you like it so far.
viktriap: I agree with you that Cole would have come up with some story about his parents, but that doesn't mean that he had to tell that same lie to Phoebe. After all, he doesn't answer to her and he could have just made the excuse that he doesn't want to talk about it, which isn't really a lie. By the way, I sort of used that idea because of how he responded to a similar question in "Power Outage." Anyway, here's more.
ColePhoebe4eva: Thanks for the review and for the definition of "lol." You have no idea how long I've been trying to figure it out and it all was in vain. Thanks again.
sehar: Thanks for the compliment and, what can I say? Here's more.
NorthShoreFan: That's okay. From the look of things, it seems that just about nobody knows how to fix the same problem that I have. When I read some stories that were written in, like, 2001 or something, I saw that many people changed the format a lot, so I thought I was the only one that didn't know how. But now I see I was wrong. Thanks anyway.
Phoebe Turner Halliwell: Trust me, I will be putting more and more Phoebe/Cole moments into the story. So far it has only been "setting the stage" kind of thing and me learning how to write something besides essays for school. But, I came up with the idea that Jake/Michael was Phoebe's boyfriend so that I could use the "Cole gets jealous" kind of plot, which I came up with the day I was writing chapter 3. And they will definitely have to pretend to be married very soon. Anyway, don't worry, there will definitely be more of their moments, maybe sooner than you might even think. Oh, and thanks for the review on "I Surrender" songfic – it means a lot to me.
Here's the 4th chapter. Hope you like it.
Honeymoon Is Where It Begins
By: True Love Lives Forever
Chapter 4: The Meeting
Once Phoebe's ranting subsided a bit, the couple decided to make an unnoticed exit from the restaurant. Both of them lost their appetite right after their conversation about Michael Banmer being the same person as Jake Mitchell and that Phoebe knew him. They definitely had more pressing issues to think about now, and eating just didn't seem to be as important at the moment. Cole paid for their meals, for which he had asked the bill a couple of minutes ago, and gave an appropriate tip to the waitress.
Then, the two of them took their things, which only included a purse for Phoebe and a coat for Cole, and got up to leave. They tried to leave as quietly as possible, so that Banmer or Mitchell, or whatever they were supposed to call him, wouldn't notice them right now. They wouldn't be able to avoid him for the rest of the cruise on this ship and they both knew that perfectly well. However, they did want to leave unnoticed today, so that they could talk in their suite about the whole situation and figure out what they should and shouldn't do.
Both of them walked hand in hand to make an impression of a normal marriage as they came closer to the entrance. They thought that they had actually made it out without being noticed by their suspect. Phoebe even gave a sigh of relief because she seriously didn't want to talk to him at the moment since she didn't want to say something she would regret only a couple of seconds later. After all, she might have stopped her ranting, but she was still fuming inside and having to talk to her ex-boyfriend who happens to be a criminal would not be a very good idea right now.
However, her relief didn't last for long and it was too soon for that anyway because unfortunately for Cole and Phoebe, Banmer was sitting pretty close to the entrance and in the exact moment that they were leaving, he noticed a woman that he still remembered after more that 3 years. She had made quite an impression on him at the time they were together and he didn't waste the opportunity to talk to her again. He instantly stopped eating his lunch and called out to her.
"Phoebe? Is that you?" Phoebe was just passing him by at about 15 feet away from him. He stood up from his table and walked closer to the entrance. Of course he noticed that there was a man walking along with his ex-girlfriend, but he decided not to pay much attention to that. Sure they might be here together, maybe they were even married. After all, that's what couples here on his ship are for – to be on their honeymoon. But he was never really much of a man that paid attention to morals. Besides talking with her couldn't do much damage. Though on the other hand, he liked her before and if those feelings came back, maybe he should do some damage to their relationship, if there was any that is.
For Phoebe, this was like a nightmare that came to reality. She didn't need to turn around to know to whom the voice belonged to. It was Mitchell's, or rather Banmer's as she corrected herself in her own head. She wanted to avoid him at all costs and if she ignored him, pretending she didn't realize somebody called her name, maybe he would leave her alone. However, she didn't even have the time to try and use that evasive idea because Cole did stop walking, forcing her to do the same since their hands were linked.
Phoebe slowly turned around, not wanting to do so, and stole a quick glance at her supposed husband. He didn't look like he wanted to be here either, but he had to pretend, just like her, so that Banmer won't get suspicious. So Cole pulled on a fake smile on his face and looked at the man he was after, trying to pretend to be surprised that anybody from this ship new his "wife."
Meanwhile, Phoebe also made a fake smile and looked surprised at the man whom she wanted to scratch with her long fingernails, making long and bloody lines down his face, though she didn't do as she wished and suppressed that strong urge. Instead, she verbally responded to her ex-boyfriend.
"Jake? What a surprise," she said, pretending that she only knew him by his old name with which they were introduced all those years ago. In this moment, Banmer came up to the couple that were still holding hands and stopped right in front of them. This gave Phoebe the opportunity to glance over her ex-boyfriend and she came up with the conclusion that he hasn't changed much since they last saw each other in New York. Despite her urge to make some damage to this Jake, she had to admit that he looked very good physically – his body was still nicely built; he was obviously working out even now. His eyes were green, unlike Cole's deep blue. The business suit definitely matched him even though she usually didn't like 'all-work-and-no-play' kind of guys. That also made her wonder why he even bothered to dress up professionally right now. After all, it was his ship, and people here didn't really have to dress up. This was just a time for people to relax and spend time with those they loved and married. Besides, he is a criminal. Do criminals usually wear suits? Either way, obviously this one does, she thought to herself.
Both men, Cole and Jake/Michael, definitely looked charming to say the least and Cole has got himself quite a competition in that department, Phoebe thought to herself with an ironic smirk, which neither of the men noticed, thankfully. However, now that she knew that Jake was no angel, Cole was definitely a better choice. Little did she know about Cole and his previous demonic life, though.
That is when Jake's voice pulled Phoebe out of her private thoughts. "Yes, this is definitely a surprise." As he finished saying that, he leaned forward to Phoebe to hug her. She was too surprised to do anything and she didn't know what to do anyway. She didn't think that hugging an ex-boyfriend would be very appropriate when your husband is right there next to you. Sure Cole wasn't her real husband, but Jake doesn't know that and she should keep it that way. The hug didn't last all that long, but it was enough to make Phoebe uncomfortable and to confuse Cole on what he felt at that moment.
"What are you doing here, Phoebe?" Jake asked her as he pulled away and made a sideways glance towards Cole, whom he expected to be getting into the "jealous" mode right there and then.
At the moment, though, Cole was busy figuring out his feelings. He probably just didn't want his partner with which he had to work on this assignment to get into trouble and that is why he felt something funny in his gut when the Jake hugged Phoebe, a bit more than just friendly, in his opinion. Jake, on the other hand, took in Cole's expression as that of jealousy and in a weird sense, felt like he accomplished something for the day.
Noticing Jake's glance, Phoebe found out what he meant since he was now looking straight at Cole. Even Jake knew that she wasn't really the type that wanted to get married any time soon. Truthfully, she thought that she would never get married, at least not until she's like forty or something. But now, here she was, pretending she was already married to a man she barely knew anything about. And now, the time has come to make the introductions from which she would rather escape, but knowing she couldn't. It was too late for that.
Nervously, Phoebe started, "Well, uh, Jake, meet Cole Turner. He is my husband." Once she said that, Jake was quite surprised, despite knowing that it was a possibility. However, Phoebe didn't notice it because she was too nervous to pay attention to his reactions. Cole, on the other hand, did notice because he was watching Michael's every move, hoping that he won't do anything "funny," though of course knowing that nothing like that will happen in such a big crowd. Too many witnesses for that. But he still didn't trust him for a minute, and that was that, period. How can you believe a criminal anyway?
Then, Phoebe pointed to Jake and said, "Cole meet Jake Mitchell, uh, uh, an old friend." She was still keeping her pretenses about the names and all that. Blowing up their cover on the first day isn't the way to go, that's for sure.
"A husband, huh? My, you have changed since I last saw you. And I thought you weren't the kind of girl that would easily give in to marriage," Jake said with a smirk. Then turning to Cole, Jake decided to correct Phoebe. "Oh, and actually I changed my name a few years ago. Now it's Michael Banmer, not Jake Mitchell." Then stretching out a hand for Cole to shake, he added, "Nice to meet you." Though if he was honest to himself, it wasn't all that nice of a meeting that they just had.
Phoebe was as beautiful as ever. She was just the same as when he last saw her, well except for being married. As he spend more and more time with her, even though it included her husband as well, he wanted to get her back more and more with each second. He decided that he will get her back, one way or another. He'll try the easy way first, but if that didn't work, he will go further to get what he wants.
It's not that he couldn't get any other women for himself because he could very easily. It's just that he liked the "hunt" for somebody he liked. It's just a game for him, and he liked playing with women, though maybe he will see where his relationship will go with Phoebe first before doing anything rushed, like ending it.
Michael's opponent's voice shook him out of his wicked plans. "Well, we have to go now. It's been a long day and I'm really tired. We'll see you later." As Cole finished saying this, he started turning around and grabbing Phoebe along with him, in an attempt to get away from any more conversations between the three of them. He let go of her hand when Michael started to hug her just a couple of minutes ago and now he linked hands with her again, eager to leave the restaurant. What he didn't expect, was Michael stopping them with a few short sentences that caused Cole to breathe with fury.
"Well, if you're tired, why don't you go to your suite, Cole, while Phoebe and I catch up on the old times?" Phoebe was nearly thrown off her feet at hearing this, not literally though. Not knowing what Michael wanted to do, she wasn't too fond of the idea, especially because there was that issue of him being a criminal that she was supposed to catch. It kept coming up into her mind even though sometimes she wished she would forget it. There is a limit as to what you can to deal with in one day and the news she received were a bit too much for her to handle as it was. In addition to all that, she had a lot of things to think through with Cole and figure out what kind of approach they should use in this whole crazy situation that they've gotten themselves into.
Just when Phoebe wanted to come up with some lame excuse that Michael might buy, hoping not to be too rude to him as well in case she would have to get close to him later on, Cole beat her to it. However, unlike her, Cole was not in the mood for trying to be polite anymore. This guy was seriously starting to get on his nerves. Not was he only trying to get Phoebe to be alone with, but he was just about pushing Cole as far away from her as possible in various ways that he hoped would work. No, that is not going to happen no matter how much he tries. This guy was dangerous and Cole wasn't planning to leave his wife alone with a killer. It doesn't matter that she might not be his real wife. She was his responsibility and he had to keep her safe. Besides, if she just stayed with this Michael, what would he think of their marriage? That it's a hoax? Or maybe if they were continually separated from each other, Michael might even figure out that something is not right with them. He might suspect that they are not who they seem to be.
"No. We're going now. Maybe you two can catch up later on the old times, someday," was the only reply Cole gave, anger evident in his voice.
Not bothering to say good-bye to the man he was facing, Cole turned around, strengthened his grip on Phoebe's hand, and started leaving. Phoebe, not knowing what to say in this situation, just followed Cole without another word.
Cole tried to prove to himself that the reasons he came up with were the only reasons that he didn't want to leave Phoebe along with that pervert. Those were really convincing reasons and of course they made total sense. However, what he tried to avoid admitting to himself was that there was a little pang of jealousy creeping up from his gut, giving him some chills as well. What would happen if she did stay with that criminal? Would the old sparks start to fly again despite her knowledge about who this Michael Banmer truly is?
With those thoughts, the two of them finally left the restaurant and started making their way towards their suite – silently. There would be time to discuss everything later once they are alone and Cole wasn't in the mood for talking right now anyway.
Meanwhile, Michael looked at Phoebe's retreating back as she walked with her man. Though not the same man she was going to be with soon, he thought with a wicked grin. He would be with her soon enough.
Author Notes: I know this chapter wasn't very long and I am really sorry. I know what it's like to read a story on FF and wait for an update. I did that for 2 years! I'll try updating as soon as I can, so just please, bear with me.
By the way, what do you guys think so far? What do you think about this Michael character? What do you think will happen next? (I have this story planned out for the most part, but suggestions are always welcome if you have some good ones that you would like to see happening in this story.)
Please review now. You have no idea how much it means to me. Thanks.