TWO

"Look," said Cole, following Phoebe into the living room, "I told you I didn't do it. You don't like being blamed for something you didn't do and neither do I. Since I didn't do it I don't appreciate you just assuming it was me."

"You think the toilet faeries did it?"

"Maybe," snapped Cole. "All I know is you're blaming me for something I didn't do and I don't like it."

"I don't want to argue about it," said Phoebe, her patience running thin. "Just watch it in the future please."

"There's nothing to watch," Cole snapped back.

"We've always had four women in this house. Having men in the house is kind of a new experience for us."

"Yes I know. The great Penny Halliwell wouldn't let men into her precious manor. You've mentioned the evil bitch monster of death often enough to me. Wouldn't have given her a dog to raise, let alone three grand daughters."

"Evil bitch monster of death?"

"She did bury six husbands."

"Well at least she was married. How dare you talk about Grams that way? And you're hardly an authority on raising anything now are you? I'll bet you didn't even have a pet growing up."

"In fact, I did. His name was Necromancer."

"Necromancer?"

"A demonic goldfish. I had him while I was growing up. He was pretty smart. He'd spit pea green soup at mortals."

"Leave it to you to have a warped pet like that. You couldn't just have a dog like everyone else?"

"Demonic dogs are Hell Hounds. They weigh almost seven hundred pounds and breathe fire."

Phoebe shook her head in frustration. They were getting sidetracked.

"Look it's not too much to ask. Just put the seat down, that's all. It will go a long way to keeping peace in this house. Lord knows we have enough to contend with as it is."

"I try to do as much as I can around here. I no longer have my powers so I try to make up for it in other ways. And I think I've helped you out a great deal in particular."

"Oh, I guess because you think you give me some hot demon sex that just makes everything okay."

"It's not just about sex and you know it. I really do love you. And I'll admit there's been a lot of adjusting on all our parts. I think I've really been good about taking you guys into consideration."

"I'm just asking that you pay more attention, that's all."

"And I told you I didn't do it," Cole nearly shouted, barely keeping his temper in check. "But it's obvious I'm not trusted around here. Maybe I should just pack up and find some place else to live."

"Well, maybe you should."

Cole didn't say a word. He just turned and stormed out of the front door. Phoebe stood glaring as the slamming of the door behind him echoed off the walls.

"You think he's gone for good?" Paige asked as the three sisters sat in the kitchen.

"I don't know," Phoebe sighed. "We were both just so mad. I don't think it was an unreasonable request on Piper's part. But he went all defensive on me. Really sometimes that man can be positively infuriating."

Just then Leo orbed into the kitchen.

"Welcome back," said Piper. "How goes it with the other charges?"

"Fine," said Leo, picking up a plunger from underneath the sink. "Nothing really serious."

"What's that for?" Paige asked.

"The toilet in the bathroom at the top of the stairs has been acting up," said Leo. "I was trying to fix it and had to orb out before it was finished. Figured I'd finish up before dinner."

"Were you working in the bathroom earlier?" Phoebe asked.

"Yeah," said Leo. "Just before I had to orb out. Why?"

"Uh oh," said Paige. "You didn't by any chance leave the seat up, did you?"

"I might have," said Leo. "Why all the questions?"

"Cole may have gotten the blame for that," said Piper. "You were gone and I just assumed…."

Phoebe paled visibly. Cole hadn't done it. No wonder he had been so upset. And as her anger lost fuel, she realized how foolish it had been to allow him to storm off like that.

"I need to find him," said Phoebe. "As angry as he was he may not be thinking clearly. Without his powers he's vulnerable. And with bounty hunters after him he could be in real danger."

"Want us to come with you?" Piper asked.

"No," said Phoebe. "I think I know where to find him. I'll be back as soon as I can."

She got up from the table and headed for the front door as Piper began to explain to Leo what had happened.