Disclaimer:

None of these characters are mine. All characters from Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Charmed are the property of Joss Whedon and Aaron Spelling, respectively.

Summary:

Crossover between the Charmed and Buffy universes. Dessert and coffee at the Turner house. Cole is thinking about the youngest Halliwell. Willow decides to write a letter to "Ask Phoebe."

Chapter Six – Epiphany & Resolve

"That was a delicious dinner, Willow." Giles smiled happily at Willow. He was collapsed comfortably in a large stuffed armchair, complete with ottoman. Willow had just returned from the kitchen with coffee for the adults and hot chocolate for the children, as well as a platter of brownies for dessert. He groaned under his breath. More food, where will I put it all? "Willow, if I move in here, I'm going to get obese. Maybe I should move in with Buffy and Angel? Lord knows between Buffy's indifferent to bad cooking and Angel's shall we say restricted diet, weight won't be a problem."

"GRANPA! NO!" The two children screamed and ran over to him, crying. "Don't leave! Don't! Mommy can cook bad! Really she can!"

Willow looked over and laughed. They loved grandpa so much. They all did. "Now, kids. I think Grandpa was joking. At least I hoped he was. Or do I have to come over there and scream, too? Really Giles, I suppose I'd be able to cook bad for you. It's just that I don't want Cole to leave too. He probably only married me for my cooking." She laughed looking over at her husband.

Cole was sitting silent in his chair. He was sipping his coffee and looking distantly into space. Hmmm... what's this? Willow wondered. Cole was a million miles out into space. "Cole, Cole!"

Cole started when Willow's voice penetrated his consciousness. Looking up, he smiled into her sparkling green eyes. "Yes, honey?"

"Cole, where were you? You were a million miles away? Have you got another woman somewhere?"

Cole laughed at the absurdity of that. "Willow. Don't be silly. First of all, what would I need another woman for, when I have you."

"And second?"

"Second, me and my supposed mistress would suffer a violent and painful death. I love life too much to risk that." Cole and Willow laughed together at that.

Giles smiled at that too. However, he was quite right. If Willow somehow lost Cole or Cole lost Willow, he dreaded the consequences. He had heard through the grapevine what Cole was capable of. In particular, what had happened when his first wife left him. And, Willow was just as deadly. When Tara was killed, it was such a close thing. People died and the earth was nearly sucked dry of its life force. And, the only person who could stop her is now gone. Now, if either one left the other, he wouldn't bet a penny on their chances.

"Well, honey, what were you thinking of?" Willow pressed on.

"Nothing, really, honey." Cole replied off-handedly. "I was just thinking about someone I met at work today. Nothing to worry about it. They just weren't what I expected, that's all."

"Okay, more coffee?" She offered.

Cole nodded and handed over his cup. He really loved these times. How would my life had been had my mother and father raised me like this? No, he thought to himself, this could never have happened. Mother was a full-blooded demon with no soul. As he sipped his refreshed cup, his thoughts turned back to young Chris Halliwell. There was something about that boy. He was hurting inside. Cole didn't think his parents even knew what was going on. Trying to discuss Chris' situation with them was a complete disaster. They were so distrusting of him (and who could blame them?) that they just assumed this was another of his demonic plans. He was going to have to find another way to see what was going on. The boy looked so starved for love and almost seemed as if he was being abused in some way. He seemed like his spirit had been broken somehow. But not completely. No, Cole smiled. If he'd been broken, he wouldn't have gone orbing into his office. He wouldn't have insisted so hard that he had evidence to give.

But, if something was going on, wouldn't at least one of the girls noticed? Paige, perhaps? She may be an annoying little upstart, but she had been an excellent and responsible social worker. She always seemed to care so much for her charges. Maybe I should talk to... Sure, Cole, why don't you just ask to be vanquished while you're at it?

There must be someone. Someone that would listen to me that the girls trusted. Somebody who could be objective and observe the boy. Morris! Cole sat up suddenly. "That's it!"

Giles, Willow, Ben, and Buffy all jerked with a start. Willow narrowed her eyes at her husband. "What's it?"

Cole chuckled. He stood up and walked over to his wife. He wanted to get to his study and give Inspector Darryl Morris a call. "Sorry, darling. I just had an epiphany."

Willow and Giles chuckled. "Hope it didn't hurt too much."

Cole chuckled and then noticed his wife was working on her ever-present laptop. He'd always thought that she'd give him up long before she gave up her computer. "What are you working on, darling?"

Willow blushed and bowed her head. "Well, I thought.."

Cole lifted her chin with one finger and looked into her eyes. "Thought what?"

"I'd thought I'd write a letter to "Ask Phoebe."

Cole jolted as if hit by a very high-voltage energy ball. "WHAT! Are you MAD!"

"Now honey," Willow soothed, patting his cheek. She stretched up and captured his lips in a loving kiss. She'd never get tired of this, she thought. This man is a heck of a kisser, always making her feel as if she was the only woman in the whole world. "Don't worry. It'll be anonymous. I want to ask her about my problem."

Cole relaxed somewhat. He sat back on the edge of the coffee table, his epiphany forgotten. I must have done something to make her angry. She's just teasing me. "What problem? Haven't I been performing adequately for you? If there's something missing, just tell me."

Willow giggled when she thought of that. As if. That Phoebe didn't know what she was missing. She'd treated Cole and his demon half, Belthazar, as if they were separate entities. Willow, however, embraced them both. In every meaning of the word. And Cole/Belthazar were way, way past adequate. Mind-blowing was a better term. (Although, it wasn't just her mind that was blown.) "Oh, honey, I have NO complaints in that area. I was going to ask her about our situation. You see, I've moved to San Francisco with my husband of five years. Now he's lived here before and he left after a very contentious divorce. What should I do about my husband's ex? Should I avoid her? Should I meet her? Should I try to meet and become friends with her family?"

Cole paled, as much any demon could pale. This was very dangerous, very dangerous indeed. And judging by Willow's expression, she had "resolve" face. There was no changing her mind. He sighed and sat back in his chair, frowning as he heard Giles' chuckling at the whole situation. Giles knew, he hadn't a chance. Oh well, I'll have to start reading the Mirror again.