8.
Being so close to Phoebe again brought a flood of emotions back to the surface for Cole. He had to step away from her in order to think clearly again. He never lied to himself and pretended he didn't love her. He knew he did and always will but that didn't change the fact that he was afraid to get close to her again. The two of them have had too much turmoil in their relationship to let him think this time around would be any different. But looking into her eyes, Cole found his resolve breaking. The hopeful little voice that had spoken up the night before is now pounding at his heart begging to be let in.
Phoebe for her part is at a lost for words. She had thought, perhaps naively, that when she brought Cole back from the cosmic void they would instantly be together again. She never imagined that the man who had done everything in his considerable power to win her back would not want to be with her.
"Cole..." Phoebe licks her suddenly dry lips trying to think of the proper words to say. "You have every reason to hate me. I know I've done a lot of things to hurt you and I can never take them back. All I can say is I'm sorry. I closed myself off emotionally because I was afraid of getting hurt. I didn't think about your feelings at all. I was selfish, please forgive me. All the so-call relationships I've had before and since then were cheap imitations. What we have between the two of us is genuine. I brought you back because I realize that now and I want us to be together again. I know we can make this work, I'm willing to do my part Cole please."
"It takes two to tango babe and I'm afraid I don't have my dancing shoes." Despite her pleading words and his own fluttering heart, Cole's mind is determined not to travel down this road again.
"I love you! Why won't you give us a chance?"
"I don't want to be with you." Cole said looking down at the floor unable to meet her eyes. It was an action that did not go unnoticed on Phoebe's part.
"You're lying." She said resolutely as she walks closer to him. Phoebe has a plan, she knew Cole still has feelings for her and this may be the only way to get him to admit it. Standing in front of him she wordlessly brings her hands up to the side of his head to pull him down into a kiss. Phoebe's tongue darts out of her mouth to trace Cole's full bottom lip asking for entrance. Acting on their own accord, Cole's lips parted to let Phoebe in. Their tongues duelling, giving and taking, getting reacquainted like long lost friends.
After long urgent and passion filled minutes, Cole and Phoebe finally broke apart when their lungs scream for air. "Tell me you felt nothing. Look me straight in the eyes and tell me that meant nothing to you; that you don't love me and I won't stop you from walking out of this house." Phoebe dares him breathlessly.
"I never said I didn't love you." Cole concedes, unable to lie to her. "But like you said, sometimes love isn't enough."
"And I was an idiot when I said that! I didn't want to get hurt again so I made up a lame excuse to push you away. I can't believe you're saying this to me now. What happened to the guy who won't take no for an answer? The Cole Turner I know wouldn't give up so easily."
"Things change, people change."
"No, I won't accept that. Give me a reason why."
"Because I don't want to get hurt again!" Cole practically yells in Phoebe's face. Stepping away from her again, Cole rakes his hand through his hair in frustration while his head and heart do an internal battle that threatens to tear him apart.
"I know how that feels, believe me when I say I know exactly what you're going through. I learned my lesson the hard way. I was so afraid of getting hurt that I denied what we had. But what we have cannot be denied. Don't make the same mistake I did. We've wasted so much time already."
"I don't know if I can let myself trust you Phoebe. How do I know you won't have a change of heart again? How do I know you won't throw me out of your life if something happens? Fact of the matter is you may say you love me but you've always treated me like a second class citizen."
"What are you talking about?" Phoebe asks confused and a little angry at the accusation.
"I was never good enough for you! I constantly had to prove myself to you and your sisters. And no matter how much good I've done, none of it was worth a damn as soon as something bad happened. It was always 'Cole you're an evil bastard. Stay away from me and my family.' It didn't matter what the circumstances were, it was always my fault for being evil!"
"I guess there's some truth to that, maybe some things were beyond your control. But try to see it from our perspective. You had an incredible amount of demonic power. Evil controlled you. You could have easily destroyed us."
"I had powers! But I wasn't evil. The powers I possessed might have had demonic origins but it's what we do with them that determine whether we're good or evil. A demon can shimmer an innocent out of harm's way; while a white-lighter can orb someone to the pits of hell. A fireball can be use to defend and protect; and a witch's active power like Piper's or yours can be use to kill.
But you didn't understand. I tried so hard to do good but none of it mattered to you. All you saw were demonic powers and you automatically assumed I was evil. I'm not sure you understand even now. I'm mortal Phoebe, but I'm still susceptible to evil possession because of my magical background. Especially if I'm going to be exposed to magic by being with you. What's going to happen if history repeats itself?"
"I... I'm sorry. I never thought about it that way. But it's different now. You've made me understand. I won't give up on us again Cole. Ever. No matter what. What can I do to get back your trust?"
"I don't know." Cole looks at Phoebe sadly. He wants so badly to believe her, but trust is something that is hard to earn and easily destroyed. And once it has been betrayed, it's all the more difficult to gain back.
Phoebe closes her eyes, trying to think of anything that might help. Remembering the spell that Paige had used to show Cole her true emotions when she was a mermaid, Phoebe decides to give it a try with a slightly different wording. "Open my heart to Cole; reveal the secret that it holds. Spring forth the strength of love's passion, that he may feel my true conviction."
An orange light radiates out of Phoebes heart and surrounds Cole. With a jolt and an intake of breath Cole feels not only Phoebe's love but also the truth of her words and her determination. The certainly Phoebe has staggers Cole and he needed to hold onto the edge of the couch to prevent from falling to his knees. Looking up again, their eyes connect and Cole can see their future. "Phoebe."
"Do you believe me now?" Phoebe asks tentatively, walking closer to him. Cole nods slightly; there was no need for words. With two long strides, he closes the gap between them and pulls her into a passionate kiss.
With his hands on her hips, Cole lifts Phoebe up so that she was standing on her tip-toes as their mouths continue their exploration. An involuntary groan escapes Cole's lips and Phoebe smiles against his mouth loving the feel of his hard body pressed against her own.
"Dammit!" Cole suddenly curses out loud breaking the mood.
"What? What's the matter?" Phoebe asks taken aback.
"I'm sorry. I just... I just tried to shimmer us to your room then I realize I can't anymore."
Phoebe's reaction was not at all what Cole had expected. At first her body starts to shake as she buries her face against his chest. Thinking she was upset Cole gently lifts Phoebe's chin only to find her biting her bottom lip trying to hold back a laugh. Seeing his concerned face, Phoebe could hold out no longer and starts to giggle. Cole didn't know whether to be angry or insulted. But then seeing the absurdity of the situation couldn't help but start giggling as well. Soon the two of them were laying sprawl on the couch trying to catch their breaths as their laughter lied down.
Getting up again, Phoebe pulls Cole to his feet. "Come on. We'll get to my room the old fashion way." With that the two soul mates headed up the stairs to reclaim their love.
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A/N: Phew! That was a tough one to write. I hope you all enjoy it. I think 1 more short chapter and an epilogue to go.