Wow I'm FINALLY updating! Sorry it's taken so long guys hope it will be worth it though!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Cole...in my dreams...ahem...

Chapter 6: Old flames

The attic was silent, save for the ragged breaths of the two injured men. The three sisters looked at each other with sheer confusion on their flushed faces. Finally, the eldest sister's face hardened and her fists clenched at her side.

"What the hell was that!" The silence was officially broken.

"A demon?" Paige offered meekly. Piper turned to her and narrowed her eyes.

"I know that," she snapped. She turned around and went to her husband, pulling him up and putting his arm around her shoulders so she could support him. Leo winced, his hand over the bloody fireball wound on his stomach. "What I mean was, how the hell did one measly demon manage to do all this damage and get away!"

"Well ya did get a little distracted," said Paige, putting her hands on her hips and raising an eyebrow at Piper. Piper in turn glared at her and raised a hand as if to blow the whitelighter-witch up. Instead, she pointed at her menacingly.

"He tried to kill my husband," she said through gritted teeth, "That's kinda distracting y'know!"

"Why did he try and kill Leo?" asked Paige, "I mean you're the one with all the fire power and he didn't even threaten you." She glanced over her shoulder and bit her bottom lip. "And why the heck did he try and kill Cole?"

"Beats the hell out of me." Cole sat up uneasily, grasping his wounded shoulder. "But I'm guessing it has something to do with me being back here."

"Okay priorities people!" Piper cried, "Paige, orb Leo to Magic School and get one of the Elders to heal him." Paige started to protest but was cut short by a glare from her eldest sister. "You need to put your Elder issues aside okay there's more important stuff going on." Paige rolled her eyes.

"If only you knew," she muttered, realizing she still hadn't dropped the little Kyle bombshell yet. She sighed and nodded, going to Piper and putting Leo's other arm around her own shoulder. Before orbing out, she gestured to Phoebe and Piper nodded in acknowledgement.

"Hey," said Cole, "What about me? And why can't Leo-" He was interrupted by a swirl of orbs and Paige and Leo disappeared. He sighed heavily. "Don't I get healed?"

"The Elders can't heal demons," Phoebe snapped. She was still standing in exactly the same spot she had been in when the demon attacked. Her fists were still closed tight at her sides, her cheeks flushed and tear-streaked. Piper sighed lightly and went to her sister, putting a comforting hand on her arm.

"I'm not a demon," said Cole, a slight pout on his face, "Didn't you see that? I tried to throw fire, energy balls, anything. Nothing happened."

"If you knew you weren't a demon why did you even try to use powers?" Piper asked.

Cole shrugged. "Thought maybe whoever brought me back might have had a little sympathy." He let out a short chuckle and looked at the bleeding wound, mouthing the word 'owch' and clumping his shirt around it.

"You have to be evil, don't you?"

He looked up into the hardened face of Phoebe, who was now glaring at him seemingly with every ounce of anger and hatred she had left.

"Phoebs," said Piper, herself surprise by the icy tone of her usually carefree, friendly sister. Shaking her head, Phoebe shrugged Piper away and walked out of the attic. Her heavy footsteps could be heard going down the stairs and then a loud crash as she slammed her bedroom door closed. Piper sighed again and looked at Cole whose eyes were still on the spot Phoebe had just vacated. Slowly and almost painfully, his grey-green eyes rose to meet with Piper's own deep brown and she sighed heavily. "I'll go and get you a cloth or something," she said, "Just stay here okay."

"Like I'm going anywhere," Cole replied, dropping his eyes back to the floor and shifting slightly. Piper felt sympathy well up inside her but she shook her head and turned to leave the attic, only to be interrupted by the return of Paige and Leo, now fully healed. "Oh thank god," she said, going to Leo and hugging him tightly, "I thought they might not-"

"They won't," he said, hugging her back and kissing the top of her head, "Not anymore." Piper pulled away from him in confusion. Leo sighed and opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a decidedly less-then-happy Paige.

"The stupid Elders have said-"

"That's enough Paige," said Leo quickly, "First, the other news." Paige sighed and nodded. "Where's Phoebe?"

"She's downstairs," Piper replied, looking from Leo to Paige curiously, "What's going on?"

"The Elders know about our little Cole issue," Paige explained, jerking her thumb in Cole's direction, "And they seem to think…" She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"They think he's human," Leo finished for her, as it obviously didn't sit well with Paige to say it.

"Told you," said Cole.

"Okay shh," said Piper, glancing at their visitor then back at her husband, "He's human? Like mortal human?" Leo nodded.

"It was his human soul that was stuck in Limbo," he explained, "So it makes sense that seeing as it's that soul that has been revived, Cole is actually human."

"Wait," said Piper, shaking her head and trying to clear the fog of confusion, "Does that mean Cole…is he an Innocent?" Leo nodded, unable to hide the 'yeah I can't believe it either' look he was currently sporting. In the background, Cole scoffed. "Oh god," said Piper, "We have to tell Phoebe."

"Oh wait," said Paige, "You haven't heard the best bit of news yet." She looked at Leo, who shook his head. Paige rolled her eyes. "They won't heal Leo anymore," she said, hands going angrily to her hips, "They said that he chose to lead a mortal life with you so you have to protect him."

"Leo's mortal?" Cole questioned, "I guess that would explain…" He noted the glare from Piper and smiled apologetically. "I'll just sit here and shut up." Piper nodded and turned back to Paige and Leo, still confused. This was too much information.

"But it's their job to heal," she said, her voice currently the calm before the storm, "We don't have a fricking whitelighter how-"

"No, Piper," said Leo gently, "They said they won't heal me anymore." He shrugged. "I'm a mortal right? No special treatment."

"Special treatment my ass!" That was the storm. "How dare they say they won't heal you? What's going to happen if you get injured huh? Like just now? They just expect me to watch you die is that it? Will that make them happy? No Leo I can't…I can't lose someone else like I lost Prue and Chris and-" Leo pulled his wife into an embrace, slowly rubbing her back and whispering comforting words to her as she held the front of his shirt, sobbing angrily into it. Paige swiped a tear from her cheek and took a shaky breath.

"Guys I need to go and do something," she said, "I'll be back soon I promise." Before anyone could protest, she had orbed out, leaving an extremely confused Cole still sitting on the floor, still bleeding, still wondering why he was there and what had happened to the Halliwells since he'd been gone.

---

Anox shimmered into Syam's chamber, the biggest grin on his tanned face. "Did you see it?" he asked her, "Did you see?"

Syam, currently with her back to the demon as she stood at the stone table before a melting pot, nodded. "I did."

"I fought the Charmed Ones," he said, the pride spilling out of his mouth, "I fought them and survived. I don't know many demons that can say that." He looked at her. "And I did as you asked." Syam nodded again.

"And for that," she said, "You will be rewarded. I promise you that." Anox's grin widened. "But first you must do one more thing for me." She turned to look at him and he stared back. He had trusted her thus far. "Gather demons," she said, "At least ten of them."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because you are going to go up against the witches again," she replied. Anox's eyes widened.

"Once is risky," he said, "But twice? Twice is suicide."

"Not if you are prepared," she countered, a reassuring smile touching her lips, "Which you will be. Now go. Gather demons and bring them back here. Go." Without further protest, Anox nodded and shimmered out. Syam shook her head, letting out a short chuckle before turning back to her pot.

---

The deja vue hit Paige as soon as she materialized. The dingy apartment, smashed glass. Only this time, no terrified charge for her to comfort. She looked around, going towards the small kitchen. "Brendan?" No reply. Dare she call his name? Taking a breath, the word almost choking in her throat, she did. "Kyle?" The blue and white lights almost blinded her and she winced, putting her hand over her eyes to shield them. Even when the light faded, she kept her hand there, afraid of what she might see.

"Paige."

The hand flew away and the youngest Halliwell stared at the man in front of her.

"I heard your call," he said, "I wasn't supposed to I don't think…not sure how I did but-" Paige's lips capturing his own, her arms thrown around his neck holding onto him as if her life depended on it interrupted his speech. He wrapped his arms around her slim waist and pulled her close, kissing her back passionately. Finally, they parted and rested their foreheads together, looking into each others eyes.

"They didn't tell me…" Paige choked out, tears running down flushed cheeks, "I thought you were…"
"I know," he said, his own tears threatening to spill down his cheeks. He kissed her again then pulled her close to him, her head buried in his chest as she sobbed. They stayed like that for what seemed like only a few seconds when Kyle pulled away and looked up towards the ceiling. He cursed and sighed heavily.

"No," said Paige, "Please don't…they can wait." She put her hands on the front of his shirt and looked at him pleadingly. "We need to…to catch up and…" Kyle looked back down at her and smiled lightly.

"We will," he said. Lifting a hand, he brushed a strand of hair out of her face, leaving it to cup her cheek, "But you've gotta get going too, right?"

"How do you know about that?" Paige asked with a sniff.

"I've heard bits and pieces," he explained, "It's the reason I was given Brendan. Apparently the Elders felt that something was going to happen that would need your attention." He shrugged. Paige 'oh'ed and nodded slightly.

"Attention is an understatement," she said with a short laugh. Kyle laughed also and looked back to the ceiling.

"Ah they're getting pissed," he said, looking back at her, the woman he had fallen in love with when alive and now felt himself falling for all over again in the brief moment they had spent together. "I have to go." All Paige could do was nod. "I'll come and see you though okay? Now that you know about me…I guess it's allowed." He looked towards the floor, tears again filling his eyes. "Before…they wouldn't let me. Said you needed to move on. I wanted-" It was Paige's turn to comfort and she put her hand over his and smiled.

"I know, Kyle." Leaning up, she planted a kiss on his lips and squeezed his hand. She pulled away just as he orbed out, sinking to the floor in tears of happiness, all thoughts of demons and Cole out of her mind.

---

After dressing his wound (they still didn't trust him enough to let him be healed) and giving him a quick lesson on the Halliwell family in the past few years, Piper and Leo had taken Cole downstairs to Piper's room and put him there to rest and also keep out of the way so they could figure out what the hell to do with him. He was currently lying rather uncomfortably on Piper's bed, hands clasped underneath his head, just staring at the ceiling. He had heard Paige orb back in some time ago and Piper berate her for leaving at such a, 'confusing and possibly dangerous time', to which Paige had replied with a slamming door. He hadn't seen Phoebe since the attic. Phoebe. He sighed and glanced over at the door, as if willing it to open and her to be standing there. Seeing her again, even in that state, even screaming at him, had been nothing short of mind-blowing. To say he still loved her would be an understatement; he had never stopped. Ever. They were soul mates after all, right? That kind of love doesn't just go away…right? Right, he thought with a scoff. For a moment, his vision blurred with tears. She stopped loving you a long time ago, Cole. Get over it already. You said it yourself, you've ruined it all. Move on with your life. You've been given yet another chance, make the most of it. Don't make a fool of yourself by letting on that you're still- The sound of a baby crying snapped him out of his thoughts and he shook his head violently. He didn't want to be there, didn't know why he was there. Some kind of sick joke, he thought, the bitterness starting to creep in, they send me to Hell then bring me back here; somewhere even worse. And now I'm mortal, of all the things. He was suddenly aware of voices outside the bedroom door, along with the snuffling of a child. He listened, recognizing Piper's persuasive tones. There was a knock then the door opened. Cole slowly turned his head towards it and he was no less than shocked to see Phoebe standing in the door way with Piper behind her holding a baby in one arm and the hand of a small blond boy. The middle Halliwell looked over her shoulder at her sister, who nodded then turned and left, taking the children with her. Turning back to Cole, Phoebe sighed heavily and walked towards the bed, kicking the door closed behind her.

"I bought you some tea," she said and Cole, snapping out of his shock, noticed she was carrying a tray which she set down on the bedside table.

"Uh…thanks," he said, shuffling awkwardly up into a seating position and reaching over for a cup. Glancing up at Phoebe, he noticed her eyes were slightly less puffy and red than before and a new lot of mascara had been applied. Her face, although still slightly flushed, now seemed almost emotionless. It was as if this was all a routine she had carefully crafted, something unreal. He bought the cup to his lips and took a sip. "Thank you," he said again before setting it back down, "Wow I haven't had tea since…well…" He trailed off and shrugged. Phoebe said nothing. "I guess Piper told you about-"

"It makes no difference." The cold words shocked Cole and he dropped his eyes to the bed.

"I didn't think it would," he mumbled, "I just thought you should know."

"Why?" Phoebe crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at him. As he glanced up, their eyes connected momentarily and she looked away but in that moment, Cole had seen everything; the strain she was putting on herself to keep her emotions in check, the tears that threatened to violate her cheeks, the words she wanted to say but couldn't. Most of all though, he saw pure, unadulterated conflict and confusion and the guilt almost overwhelmed him as he realized it was all due to his uninvited presence back in her life. He watched as she walked away from the bed and went and stood at the door, her back to him. He waited for her to open it and leave but instead, she turned around and looked him in the eye. "Why?" she asked again.

Cole shrugged. "Just so you know I'm not evil," he said.

"Why would that make a difference? All that means is now we can't vanquish you. Again."

Cole physically winced from the sting of her words and looked away from her. She hated him. She wanted him gone. She didn't care one bit that he was back or even that he was mortal. Maybe I should just end it myself. Stop this charade and let her get back to her life. He was again pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of crying, though this time it was coming from the Halliwell currently sitting crumpled at the door, her head in her hands, her whole body shaking. A lump formed in Cole's throat as he saw the strong, feisty woman he had fallen so madly in love with reduced to a wreck before his eyes. Slowly, he got off of the bed and went to her, kneeling down beside her. As he whispered her name and went to put his hand on her shoulder, she flinched away from him and looked into his eyes. All that emotion she had been trying so desperately hard to keep in check, all the conflict and confusion raging in her mind and heart, was now pouring out.

"Don't…" she choked out, "I don't know…I can't….I don't know…I can feel…"

"Feel what?" Cole asked in confusion.

"You….everything you're feeling…" Phoebe replied. She rubbed a hand across her eyes, the newly-applied mascara streaking slightly and looked up at Cole. "Your love." Still confused, Cole shook his head. He started to question how when realization dawned.

"You're a…you're an empath?" Phoebe nodded. Okay they missed that little detail out, he thought and suddenly felt extremely guilty. So much for not letting on.

"I didn't know," he said looking down at the floor.

"Of course, how could you know?" said Phoebe. She got up and went to Piper's bed where she sat down, grabbing a tissue from the box on the side and blowing her nose. "It started about….I don't know, two or three years ago. I thought I had it under control but…" She glanced up at him and he nodded.

"I'm sorry," he said, getting up also and going to the bed. He sat down a little way away from her and focused his eyes on his hands in his lap. "Phoebe I-"

"I've never mourned you." Cole looked up at her, only to see her staring straight back at him, hazel brown eyes still full of tears. "When you died," she continued, looking away from him and down at the floor, "I never even cried. I didn't mourn you, your death, the death of our relationship."

"Phoebe-"

"But you know what's worse?" Cole waited for her to explain. "I didn't even mourn that part of me that died with you. I just…" She shrugged. "Forgot. Pushed it to the back of my mind, the back of my heart." A tear ran down her cheek and she swiped it away. "I just wanted to forget you ever existed. You made my life hell, Cole." Cole winced, feeling his own eyes well up with tears. "I've told myself a thousand times that I hate you. That if I ever saw you again it would make no difference to me, that I wouldn't feel a thing."

"I kinda got that impression when you were screaming at me," Cole said with a slight laugh, as if trying to lighten the mood. Phoebe didn't see the joke. In fact, it was as if she hadn't even heard him.

"When I saw you today, in the attic, my first instinct was to run. Just get the heck away from you. But a part of me, the part I thought I'd forgotten, wanted nothing more than to…" It all got too much for the emotional middle sister and she put her head in her hands, sobs wracking her body. A tear ran down Cole's cheek as he watched her and tried to digest what she had said. Did that mean…does she….Moving closer to her, he whispered her name and put his arm around her shoulders. This time, she didn't flinch away. Instead, she turned her head into his chest, clinging to the front of his shirt. He responded by wrapping his other arm around her and resting his head on top of hers, rocking her slowly and whispering to her soothing words. It felt so easy, so natural.

As Phoebe held onto his shirt she couldn't help but think back on all the times she had done this seeking comfort or just his touch; when she had first found out he was a demon, when Prue had died, the day of their wedding. She couldn't deny it anymore. "I've missed you so much, Cole." She looked up at him, catching his eyes in hers.

"I've missed you too, Phoebe," he said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. In perfect unison, the two former lovers leant towards each other. Their lips touched in a soft kiss and each closed their eyes, memories of years gone by flooding into confused minds and hearts.

sniff Aren't they just the cutest? I kind of sent Phoebe on a rollercoaster of emotions there didn't I? Heehee. Please review!