Cole looked up as the elevator doors opened and Piper stepped out into the penthouse. She looked furious. Not in the normal, way. She was Piper. She stood absolutely still. Face like a statue. She said nothing, but her eyes said everything. They were flaming with anger. Her cheeks were slightly flushed and her eyes burned into him. Livid energy emanated out of her body.

He was slouched in his chair, a half-empty bottle of vodka on the glass table. He looked up at her in awe of her beauty, frightened of her anger towards him, ashamed at being caught like a little boy and sick with love for her. He slowly raised his eyes to meet hers. She bore into him. He felt like she was looking into his very soul. He felt like a child being silently chastised. He felt so small. How did this tiny woman have this effect on him? She made him feel remorse: a foreign feeling for him. All his life, all 150 years, he'd lived with very small doses of remorse but the feeling came crashing over him with the look she gave him.

Piper saw him sitting there. Slumped in his chair. She knew he'd been drinking by the bottle on the table. A flicker of sympathy came over her but she squashed it quickly. She was angry. Furious with him. He had tried to ruin their lives and for what? The Nexus. He had jeopardized their lives, their relationship for the damn Nexus. Doubt filled her heart and mind. Was that his real motive? Was their love a sham? A ploy? Just to get to the nexus? She glared at him coldly as he raised his eyes to meet hers. This whole day had been an absolutely nightmare. Paige's accident. Her club. Phoebe. The house. And it was all because of him. This man who claimed to care about her. Who said he loved her. This man that she had given her heart to. She was beyond furious. He had truly hurt her. He had broken her heart.

"Piper." He whispered softly. She shook her head ever-so-slightly. Her face didn't lose its stony façade. She breathed slowly. Her heart was racing. She stood there in silence. Their eyes locked for what seemed like an eternity. Slowly, Cole tore his eyes away from her and struggled slightly to stand up. She inhaled sharply as he came to a swaying, standing position. A lump caught in her throat but she refused to feel sympathy for him. He had brought this upon himself. He had hurt her. He took a few steps toward her. He was plastered. She braced herself trying to stay strong as he approached her.

"Piper" He said again. His tone was pleading. She refused to let him manipulate her again. She tried so hard to keep her composure. He looked so pitiful. This 6"3 220lb man looking like a sad little boy. He stopped when he was standing right in front of her. He could smell her scent. She could smell the liquor on his breath. She was so small. Literally half his size. He was a full foot taller than her yet she had such presence, he felt like he was two inches tall. He had never felt so ashamed. He lowered his head.

"I'm sorry." He raised his eyes hopefully, meeting hers. A rush of fury passed through Piper. Yes, she had wanted him to apologize but here he was. He had been the one to ruin everything. Now he was apologizing. Just like that. Like it would make everything okay. She wanted to cry. He looked so miserable. Where did he get off doing that? If she could she'd be drinking like a fish. She should be the one looking like crap. He had ruined her. Why was he the one looking so dejected? She swallowed the lump in her throat and squared her shoulders.

"Piper?" He asked. He wanted reassurance. He wanted her to tell him she forgave him. He knew that wouldn't happen. She was irate. She shook her head. Her chest tightened. "How." She stopped. Angry tears slowly filled her eyes. "How could you?" She finished. She swallowed. Her voice was soft but filled with emotion. He shrunk. Every word was laced with hurt fury.

"I ..." He stopped. What could he say? How could he explain? She stood there. Stone-faced. Unmoving. But he could see the pain in her eyes. "Just." He paused. "I'm just so sorry." What else could he say? He could see her eyes glisten in the dim light. She gazed at him in anger. Disgust. Pain. He was making this so hard. She was trying. Trying to be strong. She swallowed forcefully and tried to blink back tears. She couldn't take this anymore. It was too hard. She knew she'd fall apart if she stayed. With a deep breath she turned around and walked back towards the elevator. Her legs felt like they were being weighted down. Cole sighed in despair as she walked away from him. He couldn't let her do that.

"Piper wait." He called after her. She paused. Her finger was inches away from pushing the down button. He was no more than two yards behind her. He took two large strides towards her and stopped. Piper could feel his presence behind her. Normally, she'd be thrilled. She didn't know how to feel anymore. She felt his hand on her shoulder. She stiffened slightly. She didn't want him to touch her. Yet, a little part of her wanted to collapse in his arms.

"Please." She heard him whisper. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to summon the courage to face him. With a deep breath she turned around and faced him once more.

"I … I love you." He said earnestly. Her chest tightened and she closed her eyes. Squeezing them shut. Willing herself not to cry. He could see she was torn. She was furious but he knew she still cared for him.

"Piper. I didn't … I didn't mean for this to happen." He said softly. Her eyes flew open and he knew instantly he shouldn't have said that.

"Really?" she said icily. "So what did you intend when you ruined our lives, got Paige, hospitalized, screwed with my club, got Phoebe fired, stole our home and kidnapped my sister?" Her eyes were livid. The amber in her eyes seemed to glow with an angry fire.

"Piper …" he began.

"What?" She said coldly? "Explain it to me Cole. What did you think was going to happen? Or are you just upset because we figured you out?" Her anger was building up inside her again. It was easier to feel angry than it did to feel the hurt in her soul.

"No! Of course not." He replied. He hated seeing her like these. All he ever wanted to do was make her happy. He didn't know where to start. Where to begin explaining it all. Piper stood there glaring at him. Finally, she sighed.

"Forget it." Se said coldly. She spun on her heal and pushed the elevator button.

"Piper." Cole murmured as the elevator door opened. Piper turned around angrily.

"No. Don't you Piper me. You have no right to act like you care." Her tone was venomous. Her eyes were filling with tears once more. The pain in her heart was building.

"I do care." He whispered. She scoffed. "I love you." He was losing her. He could feel her slipping away as each moment passed. He needed to let her know how she felt. She pushed the close button on the elevator door.

"I've always loved you." He continued. Piper continued pressing the close button, willing it to separate her from him. "Even when we couldn't stand each other." He continued. "I cared about you." Piper was breathing harder. Close damnit. She needed to get away. "Piper you are everything to me." She inhaled sharply. This was getting to be too overwhelming. Finally. The doors began to close. "I never meant to hurt you." Piper unintentionally, instinctively froze the room. The elevators stopped. Cole stood, statuesque in front of her. It was silent. She breathed heavily and leaned against the back of the elevator wall. She felt drained. Physically and emotional. She was so tired. She leaned her head against the wall and breathed deeply, closing her eyes. Her thoughts were spinning everywhere. She couldn't focus.

"Piper?" She jumped, startled at the sudden voice. Cole was now stepping inside the elevator. He had unfrozen. She should have known. He was too powerful to stay frozen for very long.

"Are you okay?" He asked her. His voice thick with concern. Piper stiffened at his proximity. She felt trapped. She was trapped. She was stuck in this elevator with him.

"Baby?" He was worried. She looked pale. He stepped closer and reached his hand out to her.

"Don't." Her voice was cold and clear.

"I'm sorry." He murmured.

"Stop! Saying that!" Piper snapped. Cole's eyes widened as Piper raised her voice at him. "Sorry for what Cole? Sorry that we ruined your plan? Sorry that you can't manipulate me anymore? What are you sorry for? I'll tell you what I'm sorry for!" The floodgates had opened. "I'm sorry I ever believed your stupid lies. I'm sorry I fell for you. I'm sorry I jeopardized my marriage, my family for you!"

"Piper." Cole had never seen her this upset. It scared him to see her this way.

"No. Don't say anything. Don't talk to me. I'm sick of hearing your lies. Your promises. I can't." She faltered momentarily. "I can't do this anymore." She inhaled and he could see her tremble. "I … I trusted you Cole! I really …" She choked back tears. "How could you?" She whispered softly, still fighting back sobs. Cole didn't dare say anything. He knew she needed to get it out in her own time. She had her head down, her long glossy locks fell in her face. He could tell she was struggling to compose herself. She flung her head up, angry tears glistening in her eyes. This time when she spoke her voice was low and soft and precariously calm. "I loved you. I was actually stupid enough to consider given up family, my husband, my life, for you." Cole was shocked at this confession. She had never told him that before. "Well, it served me right. Falling for the damn source of all evil." Cole cringed. She saw him wince. She didn't care. "Phoebe was right." she continued. "What you didn't count on was that I'm not going to lie down and take it like Phoebe did." Cole just continued to listen to her. He was more than sober now. "You thought I was malleable maybe. Weak even. Is that why you targeted me? No, it doesn't matter anymore." Cole was shocked at how calm she suddenly was. "See what you didn't take into consideration is that no matter how much you think you've got me wrapped around your little finger, my family is more important to me than anything." Cole was in shock. He had only ever glimpsed this side of Piper before. "I'm not Phoebe okay." He looked at her. She paused and stared vehemently into his eyes. "I'm not my sister." She continued.

"I know." He murmured.

"No! You don't know. You thought I was an easy lay? That after Phoebe I'd be a piece of cake to manipulate?" She paused again to take a deep breath. Her cheeks were flushed again. "You were wrong Cole. I never want to see you again, do you understand me?" Cole felt his chest compress. "But rest assured. I will vanquish you. Don't doubt that I will find a way." She let that register in his mind and she stared at him for a moment then she inhaled calmly.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a family to get back to." She raised her eyebrows at him and pursed her lips together and waited for him to move. Cole was stunned. He was in shock. She clenched her jaw when she realized he wasn't moving. Suddenly he felt himself flying backwards through the elevator doors. Piper had used her powers on him. He gaped at her in shock from his position on the floor. She glared at him as she pushed the close button. Her furious gaze didn't waver as the doors closed, separating him from Piper. He was flabbergasted. "I never want to see you again." Had she really meant that? What had he done? He had ruined everything in his attempt to win her over. She believed he had used her. She thought he didn't love her. Despite her cold words, he knew he had truly hurt her. What could he do?

Piper leaned her forehead against the cool, smooth elevator wall. It felt like it was taking forever. She was exhausted. She just wanted to crawl under the covers. It took all her energy just to stay in a standing position. Every ounce of angry energy she had was gone. Now all she could feel was the awful pain in her heart.

Suddenly she felt him shimmer in. She flinched and opened her eyes. Sure enough, there he was in the reflection. She mustered every last ounce of energy she had to turn around and face him. She flung out her hands and he smashed against the elevator wall but remained standing. He now looked fully coherent and fervent energy was emanating from him

"Piper." He spoke softly yet forcefully as he strode toward her. She attempted to fling him back but he stepped towards her and grabbed her wrists. Her eyes widened and she gasped. She was shocked. She knew he was, technically, evil but he had never been violent with her. He held her arms firmly and she struggled slightly against him. She knew it was futile. He had a good 100lbs on her. Her breath caught in her throat. For the first time since she had met him she was truly afraid of him. His eyes were boring into hers and with gentle force he pressed her against the elevator wall. Her breathing was now ragged and tried to flail against him.

"Leo!" She managed to whisper. Cole just chuckled coldly.

"He can't hear you, love." Piper winced at the pet name. She looked up at him and her eyes filled with tears against her will. Where was the loving, caring man she had fallen in love with? Suddenly his demeanor changed once more and he loosened his grip on her arms.

"I just want to talk to you." He explained softly. He hated himself for using force but Piper was a lot more powerful than even she knew. Her blows were painful, even for him. He saw fear in her eyes and it pained him to continue.

"I love you Piper." He spoke deliberately. "You are the most amazing, beautiful, vibrant person I have ever known." She bit her lip to keep the tears away. "Nothing, I have ever done, no matter how evil, was ever intended to hurt you in anyway." He paused to look deep into her glistening amber eyes. "I never had ulterior motives for our relationship." Piper whimpered underneath him. He loosened his grip some more. Her chest was heaving. "You are all I ever wanted. You." Piper's eyesight was getting blurry from all the tears but she kept fighting them back. "I know I screwed up Piper. I get it." She breathed in and shuddered. He let go of her arms. A tear slid down Piper's cheek. "Just know that." He took a step backward. Piper's arms fell, one to her stomach the other trembling to her side. "My love for you was the only thing in me that was pure and unequivocally good."

He stepped back and with that Piper let out a muffled sob. Her shoulders slumped and she stood there, silent tears streaming down her face. She was shaking. She hadn't felt such deep pain since Prue died. Her knees gave away from underneath her and she slowly slumped to the floor, her small body wracked with sobs. Cole was shocked. He had never seen her like this. It was worse than the silence and the violence. All he wanted to do was protect her and keep her safe and he had done the very opposite. He was the cause of her pain. He warily approached her huddled figure and cautiously kneeled beside her. At any other time he would have taken her in his arms but he didn't know what to do. He swallowed his doubt and carefully gathered her in his arms. To his surprise, she didn't object.

Piper felt him wrap his arms around her but she didn't have the energy to protest. A little part of her was grateful. She instinctively leaned into his body and buried herself in his arms. Slowly, he rocked her back and forth, like one would a small child. He held her in his arms, her small body shaking against him. He could feel the dampness of her tears on his chest. He closed his eyes in grief. He let one small tear slide down his cheek and land in her soft hair. He sat there for what seemed like hours, just holding his love. His beautiful little Piper.

He sat there and felt her shaking cease, her heartbeat slow. Her ragged breathing became more even. Slowly, she lifted her head and she gazed at him with deep, sad eyes. Her cheeks, streaked with tears. Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"I can't do this anymore." She said to him. He knew what she meant. She couldn't continue the affair. He could feel his chest tightening. His heart was being crushed.

"Piper." He spoke softly. He couldn't lose her.

"No." She shook her head slightly. "I can't." She inhaled a shuddery breath and swallowed. "We can't." He looked at her. She could see the pain in his eyes. "It hurts too much." She added. They continued to sit there in silence. He continued to hold her in his arms. They were both resigning themselves to what had just happened. After several minutes, Piper wiped her cheek and started to stand up. She wobbled slightly on her feet but she squared her shoulders, smoothed her shirt and pushed the button again on the elevator. She stood in silence. Her back to him. He stood up as the elevator began to move. They stood in heavy silence until the movement stopped and the doors opened for her. She turned and looked at him. The pain in her eyes was mirrored in his. It was all she could do to keep from running back into his arms. With intense effort she tore her eyes away from his and walked out into the lobby. The doors shut behind her. Cole was left standing. Alone. The result of which he knew were no one's fault but his own.


Cole was sitting in a chair in a demonic strip club, sulking. His plan had failed. He was pissed off. Piper was angry with him. A dancer approached him.

"You asked for me?" the stripper asked.

"Kaia's friend?" Cole asked.

"Used to be." The stripper responded a bit icily. This man had killed her friend.

"She tell you want I want?" Cole asked the dancer.

"You mean this?" the woman asked as she shape shifted into Phoebe.

"Yeah, that's it." Cole responded.

The dancer moved closer to him and sat sexily in his lap. She then whispered in his ear seductively. "You just tell me what you want, baby."

Cole viciously stabbed her in the stomach, violently vanquishing her. "That's what I want. Baby." He looked at his athame and smiled cruelly. Phoebe had ruined his plan to win Piper away. She had ruined everything. For the past three years all she had done was make his life miserable. This was the final straw. Now Piper hated him. He needed a plan. He was going to get her back. No matter what.