FOUR
"What do you mean he's acting strange?" Piper asked when Phoebe had explained what was going on with Cole.
"That's just it, strange. First he acts like he has no interest in me whatsoever and now he's going after every female in the place. Piper, he had to stop taking pictures because he was…well, you know. Do you realize he's all ready kissed four of the staffs' wives? And they weren't friendly Christmas kisses either, let me tell you."
"Hey guys," said Darryl, walking up to them. "I just got here. Looks like a good turnout this year."
"I didn't know you were coming to this party," said Piper.
"Yeah, for the last couple of years. They handle a lot of criminal cases and sometimes I work pretty closely with them. What's going on with Cole?"
They all followed Darryl's gaze and saw Cole standing next to one of the office staff. She looked very uncomfortable. As Cole spoke, his eyes were roaming the length of her body in blatant appraisal. Phoebe was fit to be tied. It was all she could do to keep from exploding in rage.
"I'm going to kill him," she hissed. "Once I get him home, I'm going to strangle him with my bare hands."
"Take it easy," said Darryl. "I'm sure it's not what it looks like."
The woman with Cole suddenly turned, glaring at him coldly, a look of disgust on her face and stormed away. Cole shrugged nonchalantly then turned and headed for the girls and Darryl. His smile implied he hadn't a care in the world.
"Hey, Dar, how's it going?" Cole asked as he joined the group.
"Dar?" questioned Darryl. "Cole, you feeling okay?"
"I feel great," said Cole. "Never better. Fantastic."
"I'll bet you do," Phoebe said coldly.
"Hey, sweetie," Cole smiled impishly, trying to put his arms around her, "what say you and me sneak out of here and you can give me that little reward you were hinting at earlier."
"You've got to be joking?" Phoebe snapped, pushing him back. "Cole Turner, what's come over you? You're bouncing around here like a humming bird on speed. And you've been making advances to anything that remotely resembles a woman. Even the married ones. Are you trying to piss me off for some reason?"
"Take it easy, baby. I'm just trying to get into the spirit of the party, that's all."
"Well it looks like you're getting a little too into the spirit. Come on. Let's just find a quiet corner and talk for a moment. You're not acting like yourself."
"Aww, you're just no fun," said Cole, glancing down at Piper. "Say, Pipe. Want to wander over to the mistletoe? It's tradition, you know. And you guys are real big on tradition."
"Uh, I'm thinking no," Piper raised an eyebrow. "Cole you really are acting strange."
"Yeah, you are," said Darryl. "If I didn't know better I'd say you were on something."
"Nope, not on anything, Dar. Just high on the season, that's all. Your wife didn't come with you?"
"No," said Darryl. "I'm just putting in an appearance. I need to be getting back to work soon."
"I see," said Cole, glancing speculatively up and down Darryl's body. "Well, if you have a few minutes maybe you'd like to join me in the supply closet for a little Christmas cheer."
"What!" Darryl nearly shouted. "Are you out of your mind?"
"Okay, that's it," said Phoebe, grabbing Cole by the arm and dragging him toward the door. "When you start hitting on guys I know something is wrong with you. Piper, can you go make some excuse to Cole's boss? Then Paige can orb us back to the manor. We need to get hold of Leo fast."
Paige followed Phoebe and Cole out of the office and into a nearby room and Piper rejoined them quickly. It appeared to be a janitorial closet. Piper looked around to make sure no one had seen them enter, then pulled the door closed behind them.
"Okay, the coast is clear. As soon as we get to the manor I'll call Leo. Maybe he can figure out what's wrong with Cole. Paige, get us to the manor now."
"No problem," Paige glanced over her shoulder darkly. "But if Cole doesn't take his hand off my ass he's going to be orbing there with a nub."
"Oh, sorry," Cole said pulling his hand back to his side and looking anything but sorry.