Chapter 17: It's Not Time Yet

Disclaimer: The season 7 finale ruined seven years of good episodes. If I did own that BS I would kill myself.

A/N: Hope you enjoy. Please review.

Cole came down into the kitchen and everyone turned to see him come in. He kept his head down seemed to still be mumbling something to himself. He sat down at the kitchen table, away from everyone else.

Prue got up from her seat at the counter and Cole jumped at the screech of the wooden stool. He looked up as if he had just realized where he was.

"Hey," he said to everyone as they stared at him with confused expressions on their faces.

"What's for breakfast?" he asked innocently.

"Eggs, pancakes, rolls, bacon, vegetarian grillers for Phoebe, cantaloupe, muffins, and hash browns," Piper answered.

Cole looked a bit overwhelmed by all the food Piper had listed, and she felt she should say something as an answer to Cole's unspoken question.

"Just thought I should make a feast type thing," she said hurriedly, "I mean we vanquished Barbas. He's finally gone and I think that's a cause to celebrate," she finished.

Cole nodded his head and smiled a bit, seemingly a completely different person than the one that had walked come into the kitchen not moments ago.

"When do we get to eat?" Leo prodded, sounding like a small child. He reached for a roll and Piper smacked his hand away.

"It's not time yet," Piper said in an admonishing tone, "We're waiting for Phoebe."

"Is she even up yet?" Prue asked Cole.

"Uh, yeah. You know her she's probably primping herself in the mirror," he said laughing slightly uncomfortably.

"Well I don't know about you guys but I'm starving," Prue continued and Leo gave a nod to comply, "so I'm gonna go tell her to get down here," she finished.

Prue walked out of the kitchen and up to Phoebe's room. She knocked on the door and came in when Phoebe didn't give an answer.

Phoebe was on her mattress, fully dressed and brushing her hair absentmindedly. Prue furrowed her brow and spoke softly as not to startle Phoebe.

"Hey," she said, making her way completely into the room, "breakfast is ready. Piper made a big feast and we're all waiting for you."

Despite the fact that Prue was nearly whispering, Phoebe still gave a start at Prue's words.

"What?" She said on instinct before realizing that she had heard what Prue had said. "Oh. Sorry, I'll be down in a second," Phoebe continued.

A concerned look played across Prue's face. She began to say something to Phoebe to make sure she was okay when Phoebe spoke first.

"I'm okay," Phoebe said a bit forcefully.

Prue looked surprised at Phoebe's correct anticipation of her words.

"Phoebe, I know you too well," Prue said in a sisterly tone, "You can't get rid of me that easily."

Phoebe thought for a second before answering Prue's initial question.

"It's probably nothing," she started, "but this morning when I woke up Cole was sitting in the corner mumbling something to himself. He didn't seem like himself at all—he seemed lost somehow. Only when I asked him about it he seemed to be the same old Cole. He told me he was having a bad dream, but I know it was something else. It's probably nothing, it just—wasn't normal, you know?"

"I think we've all learned that it's never nothing," Prue said as her look of concern deepened, "he was acting the same way when he came down for breakfast. But as soon as we started talking to him, he was normal again. What do think it could be?" She asked of her younger sister.

"I have no idea," Phoebe same looking helpless, "that's what scares me. He's never acted this way before. I don't know what it could be."

"Don't worry," Prue said as she hugged Phoebe, "it's not time to worry yet. We'll figure it out."

The two made their way down the stairs and into the dining room where the remaining Halliwells, Cole, Andy, Leo and Bane were sitting, ready to eat.

"What took you so long?" Cole said to Prue and Phoebe, laughing playfully.

Phoebe smiled back at him and sat down in the chair beside him.

"Just," Phoebe started as she snuck a glance at Prue, "girl stuff. You wouldn't be interested."

"Cant we eat now?" Leo pleaded to Piper.

"Yes, we can eat," she answered as she passed the basket of rolls to Leo.

Prue sat down next to Andy and Bane looked a little hurt. But he soon shook it off and turned to Pam.

"How'd you sleep?" he asked genuinely. "Did you have any nightmares? I know sometimes after Barbas…"

"Good," Pam said quickly, not wanting to bring up the subject, "I slept really well."

"How about you?" Pam asked back.

"Good considering," Bane said cracking his back slightly, "it's the best sleep I've ever had on a couch," he said as he laughed slightly.

Just then Cole began to mumble as he had earlier that day. He got louder with every word until he jumped from the table, knocking his chair back.

"No! Please! It's not time yet!" he screamed, seemingly to the floor.

He grabbed Phoebe by the neck and shimmered out, leaving everyone staring, not even blinking.

A/N: Please review.