Calling the Shrink

Disclaimer: Due to a most unfortunate rip in the space-time continuum, I do not own Charmed.

A/N: A big thank you to Charmed1s-halliwells, Ethereal girl, and AnimeAlexis! I was having a really junky day, and the reviews really lifted my spirits quite a bit. As for the questions: Is Phoebe is going crazy...the answer is yes—and no. Do Phoebe and Cole get back together...well, nothing can stop true love, but since when have Phoebe and Cole ever had it easy?

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(The attic. Phoebe stands at the Book of Shadows, flipping through the pages. She lands on the Handfasting ceremony has a brief flashback to her wedding with Cole. She shakes her head, keeps flipping. She lands on the page with Belthazor. Flashback to the alley with Prue, where she first met Cole She shuts the book and goes and sits on couch, with her head in her hands)

(Camera to the attic door. Coop walks in, knocks on the doorframe. Phoebe's head snaps up, she looks at her husband, startled.)

Phoebe: Coop!

Coop: (smiles kindly) Hey, sweetie.

Phoebe: Baby, what are you doing here? I thought that you had to work all day.

Coop: (walks over to her) Don't worry about work—the other guys will take care of it. (He sits down, takes her hands) Leo and Piper and Paige called. They said that you were upset about something, and started freaking out. (Phoebe bites her lip and looks away) They said that you made little Chris cry. He's refusing to leave Piper's arms. (Phoebe tears her hands away from Coop and starts to massage her forehead.) Honey, that's not like you. (Phoebe keeps looking away. Coop gently takes her chin in his hand and makes her look at him.) Phoebe, I love you. Tell me what's wrong.

(Phoebe looks at Coop, then starts to melt, when she is interrupted by another flashback: Cole begging Phoebe to confide in him, right before she steps onto the elevator and reveals that she's pregnant When the flashback is over, she looks over Coop's shoulder. She sees a ghostly version of herself. Phantom Phoebe puts her finger to her lips, slowly shakes her head)

Coop: Phoebe (she doesn't respond) Honey, are you ok?

(Phoebe snaps to attention and blinks; Phantom Phoebe is gone. Real Phoebe takes a deep breath, speaks to Coop)

Phoebe: I'm...I'm sorry, Coop, it's just...I feel so overwhelmed. I've dream about, had literal psychic visions of this, our little family, for years. Even before I became a witch, really. I worked so hard to get to where I am now, gone through so much. Now I have you, the perfect husband, a cupid, for crying out loud, and Melinda—she's even more wonderful than I ever thought she could be, and we've just lived in this blissful, magical peace ever since the Triad and Christy were dealt with...It's like heaven.

Coop: It is, honey. It is.

Phoebe: I know. My life is better than it's ever been—I just can't convince myself that it's real! I'm always on edge; I wake up in the morning terrified that a demon or warlock attacked Melinda when I wasn't looking. I'll obsess over the stupidest things. I'll think that the Elders might up and decide it's wrong for a Cupid to marry a witch, and that they'll take you away from me, like they took Leo away from Piper...then I start to think about my sisters who live all the way across town. What if they need the power of three and I'm not there? They could get hurt and something could happen to the boys or Piper's baby because of it.

Coop: Phoebe, I—

Phoebe: (continues rant) So I go see my nephews and sisters because I miss them and worry about them. I hug Chris and he pats my neck and tries to tell me that I'm cold, only since he can't talk very well it sounded like he said "Cole" and all of a sudden all of my worst fears seem to be coming true; I think that my demonic ex-husband is back to ruin my life, so I loose it, and scare Chris half to death in the process! (She starts to cry)

Coop: (sympathetic) Oh, honey, no! (He folds Phoebe in his arms.) How long has this been going on?

Phoebe: (sniffs) Since the day after Melinda was born. Piper says I have Baby Blues, but I—

Coop: Shh. (He wipes away Phoebe's tears and puts his hands on her shoulders) Phoebe, listen to me, honey. You don't have anything to worry about. I promise that none of this is a dream that you're going to wake up from. You are safe, and I won't let anything happen to you, or your family. They're my family now, too. You are a wonderful mother, and Melinda could not be happier, or more blessed. Neither could I.

Phoebe: Coop—

Coop: (gently but firmly) No, let me finish. As far as Piper's diagnosis goes, I'd say that she's right. I've been around love, and the results of love, for a long time, and it is completely normal for new mothers to have problems adjusting to the chemical changes in their bodies. Once they clear up, you'll be able to put things into perspective, and enjoy life. Phoebe. (He takes her hands again) You are my best friend. My one true love. I will always be there for you, and everything is going to be okay.

Phoebe: (small smile, enfolds him in a hug) Thank you.

Coop: (hugs her back) Anytime.

(They kiss, pull apart)

Coop: You look exhausted, baby.

Phoebe: (short laugh) Rough day.

Coop: Tell you what. Let's go downstairs, grab our little girl, and go home. You can go to bed, and I'll take the rest of the day off, be Mr. Mom while you recuperate.

Phoebe: Really?

Coop: Really.

(They share a smile; Coop gets up, offers Phoebe his hand. She takes it, and they start to walk to the door. Phoebe looks over her shoulder; Phantom Phoebe smiles encouragingly at her. Real Phoebe's smile falls, but she pulls it together and keeps walking w/ Coop. They exit. Camera to Phantom Phoebe, who smiles and fades away.)

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(The living room. Paige is holding Melinda: she and Henry are having a showdown.)

Paige: Am. Not.

Henry: Are. Too.

Paige: (exasperated) You know, this is completely juvenile.

Henry: (brightens) Good idea! Hey Wyatt!

(Camera to Wyatt, who sits on the floor, playing with toys, looks up)

Henry: Could you help your Uncle Henry out, buddy? (He nods over in Paige's direction. Wyatt grins, reaches up. Melinda is orbed out of Paige's arms and into Henry's.) Thanks, dude.

(Wyatt smiles, starts playing with his toys)

Paige: Henry—

Henry: (cheerfully) Aren't those juveniles great? Hey Melinda! (To Paige) When are we gonna get one of these?

Paige: I've already told you; when the time is right.

Henry: Oh, c'mon, Paige—

Paige: Fine! Soon, then.

Henry: You said "soon" six months ago.

Paige: Starting a family doesn't just happen overnight, Henry.

(Piper enters, followed by Leo, who is carrying Chris)

Piper: Actually, it kind of does...

Paige: Not helping, Piper!

Leo: (loudly) Anyways! (He sits down on the floor with Chris, starts to play w/ his sons) Where are Coop and Phoebe?

Phoebe's Voice: Right here.

(Everyone looks up. Camera to Coop and Phoebe, who walk into the room hand in hand.)

Paige: Are you feeling better, sweetie?

Phoebe: Yeah, I am. Sorry I spooked you guys, it's just...

Piper: You know what. No need to explain. You look worn out.

Phoebe: Thanks, Piper. And thanks, all of you, for calling the shrink. (She hugs Coop)

Paige: No problem.

Coop: We were just gonna grab Melinda and go home.

Piper: Okay. (Sternly) Henry, hand over the baby.

Henry: (put out) Hey, not fair! I just got here. (He reluctantly hands the baby to Coop.)

Phoebe: (ruefully) I'm sorry, Henry! I promise you'll get top Melinda priority next time.

Henry: Hold you to it. (Paige rolls her eyes and pats his arm)

(Phoebe smiles, walks over to Leo and the boys, addresses Wyatt)

Phoebe: Do you have a hug for your Aunt Phoebe? I'm sorry I was so grumpy.

(Wyatt hugs her. Phoebe turns to Chris)

Phoebe: And what about you, big guy? I—

(Chris makes a noise and orbs himself and Leo behind the couch. Phoebe looks sad, and everyone else looks uncomfortable)

Piper: Um, he's...well, it's his fussy time of day. He'll be better next time you see him.

Phoebe: (not quite convinced) Yeah. Of course. Well, better get going!

(She walks over to Coop and takes Melinda; Coop grabs the car seat)

Phoebe/Coop: Bye!

Everyone Else: Bye!

(Phoebe waves Melinda's hand. Coop puts his arm around them and "hearts" out)

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Sorry that there wasn't a lot of action/adventure/Cole in this scene, and that it was so Phoebe/Coop. I promise that the next scene will be better. Thanks for reading and please R&R! I love hearing from all of you!