Notes; A new week, a new chapter. Sorry this took me so long but I've been very busy! Hope this satisfies your needs for a while lol. And I promise you'll soon find out why Paige and Henry split up.

Thanks for the reviews to the previous chapter! They're what keeps me going. Well that and my overactive imagination..

Disclaimer; I don't have time for this!

Chapter 06. Fifth Chances.

''Seriously though, how did you know I would like this?'' Cole finished the last of his hot drink and tossed the now empty cup into a trashcan standing in the hall leading to her apartment. Paige dug in her pocket for her front door key, smiling slightly.

''Just a guess, Cole. I told you.'' She frowned when she found that her pockets were empty and felt in the pockets of her jeans. Those too, were empty.

''Yeah, still.. what are you doing?''

''My key I must've left it in the register again.'' Paige sighed and pushed herself onto tiptoes, reaching up to feel above her front door. Cole watched her, eyebrows raised and an amused look upon his handsome features until she found what she was looking for and briefly showed another key to him.

''See? I'm clever, right?'' She asked him although it was more a statement than a question. Cole chuckled slightly.

''Right.'' He stuck his hands back in his pockets and waited until she had unlocked and opened the door. She walked inside, but turned around when she didn't hear Cole following her and found him standing in the doorway looking a little lost. Not something she was used to from him.

''You said you wanted to explain right?'' He looked up and nodded his head a hopeful glint in his eyes.

''Well then come inside. And close the door please. The kids are at Henry's for the weekend so it's okay. Make yourself at home.'' She shrugged off her coat and tossed it onto the couch before disappearing into her bedroom. Cole hesitated for a couple more seconds then stepped across the threshold and closed the door behind him. He took in the apartment.

It was small, but cosy looking. Very much Paige's taste, which was obvious since she lived here, but even from the cream colour of the curtains he could tell that she lived here. The decoration was sophisticated and quite neat even if she lived here with three – possibly overactive – kids. A stumbling noise from the bedroom caused him to look up and he unbuttoned his coat, taking a small step in the direction of the bedroom.

''Are you okay?''

''What? Yeah I'm fine.'' Her voice replied, sounding somewhat muffled and Cole wondered what she was upto this time. He draped his coat over a chair that was standing in the middle of the room. Picking it up he placed it in front of the dining table next to another similar looking chair and spotted a frame standing on the small counter of the kitchen. It held a picture and on it were Paige, Henry and their three kids.

Judging by the height of the twin girls it was taken probably around two years ago and they looked like a truly happily family. Now Cole was getting seriously curious. If they looked so happy there, why couldn't they just have worked things out? Suddenly he felt hatred towards Henry starting to take control of him. Paige was living in a two-bedroom apartment and had their kids at her place five days a week while she barely earnt the money to take care of her family. And it was his fault that they'd split up.

''Okay, I'm done.'' Paige's gentle voice brought him back from his reverie and he looked over at her. She'd changed into a pair of jeans and a comfy sweatshirt that hung loosely around her upper body, yet she still looked amazing in his eyes.

''Oh.'' Unsure of what to do Cole just looked at her for several long seconds and Paige walked over to the couch.

''You said you wanted to talk, right? So sit. Talk. Explain.'' She lowered her body onto the couch and tucked her feet underneath herself in order to keep them warm.

''Don't you want to go to sleep?'' Cole took place on the other side of the couch, pulling a pillow from behind his back and getting more comfortable.

''I've had a coffee with three sugars. I'll get another in an hour and then I'll be fine. Now how come you're back?'' She wasn't about to let him change the subject.

''- and now you're living in a hotel.'' Paige stifled a yawn after finishing Cole's sentence and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She gave a small shiver and wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to warm up a little more.

''Not living. It's just temporary until I find an apartment.'' He watched her movements and smiled slightly. It still amazed him how easy she'd started trusting him again, or at least a little bit. He could tell that she was starting to forgive him by the way her head was currently resting on his shoulder. An hour long he'd desperately tried to keep still because he was afraid she'd move when he did. And he was enjoying their physical contact. It made him feel hopeful.

''Hmm well this building's got some people moving out soon. Including my upstairs neighbours, thank god. It's this old couple who always give me these sympathetic looks. Didn't think I could last any longer without kicking their asses.'' She was half-mumbling and it took Cole a while before he processed what exactly she was saying.

''You know whitelighters are supposed to be pacifists.'' He said and she gave him the exact answer he'd expected.

''I'm only half-whitelighter. Means I get to be half-pacifist.'' He had his comeback ready.

''I'm half-demon. Then I get to be half-evil right?'' he grinned when she looked up at him, her hazel eyes round in slight confusion.

''No it doesn't work that way. You're either evil or you're good.'' She pointed her index finger at him for several seconds and kept looking at him, refusing to be the one to look away stubborn as she was.

''You're either a pacifist or you're not.''

''Fine. Then I'm not. If I get to kick their asses.'' His blue eyes were still boring into hers and finally she looked away while heaving a sigh. Her long night and early morning were starting to get to her even after three cups of coffee.

''I'd be happy to help. If you need it, that is.''

''Hmm – nah. But thanks. All I need right now is for you to leave so I can get some sleep.'' Paige's hands found the couch and she sat up properly, swinging her legs over the seat and getting up. She never noticed the involuntary shiver Cole gave when her head left his shoulder, causing it to feel cold.

''Alright.'' He was recovering quickly.

''A man can take a hint when he's given one.'' He flashed her one of his best charm smiles and got to his feet and picked up his tie in the process which he'd discarded a long time ago. Casually hanging it around his neck he followed the small woman to the door and allowed his eyes to travel across her body momentaily. Damn, the woman knew how to fill a pair of jeans. Even more so than a couple of years ago. It had to be said and even if he hadn't meant to the words were out before he knew it.

''You've been working out a lot, haven't you?'' The surprised but stern look she gave him caused him to feel slightly uncomfortable and he wondered how such a small woman – because she wasn't wearing any shoes – could make him feel so intimidated.

''I have. Thank you for noticing.'' Her smile told him she felt flattered and he gave himself a mental pat on the shoulder for boosting her ego. Tonight was everything he'd hoped for and more. Paige opened the door and leaned against the doorpost, folding her arms underneath her breasts.

''Paige -''

''Cole-'' The laughed nervously and Paige shook her head then nodded towards him.

''You first.'' He gave her a smile back and stuck his hands into his pockets. A gesture he usually made when he was nervous about something, she noticed.

''I was just wondering if I could see you again this week. We've got so much to catch up on and I'd really like us to start over. With a clean slate you know. Everybody deserves a second chance..''

''Cole, I think this would be your, what, fifth chance?'' She raised an eyebrow and Cole opened his mouth to speak yet she beat him to it.

''I'll give you that fifth chance, if you take me out for dinner.'' The 'o' that Cole's mouth had formed turned into wide smile and he placed his hand on the doorpost just above her head.

''And if I don't want to?''

''Then say goodbye to that fifth chance.'' She looked up at him and raised an eyebrow awaiting his comeback. She'd always found that argueing with Cole amused her in some way. Perhaps it was because they were both stubborn and she really liked to win from him. Which she usually did. His stance changed and he copied hers, crossing his arms across his hard chest.

''Fine. How's Tuesday for you?''

''I'll ask Simon to look after the kids. Tuesday will be fine.'' She send him her best smile and placed her hand on the doorknob ready to close the door, but Cole didn't walk out yet. He leaned forward and touched his lips to her cheek lightly, startling her, but not enough for him to notice.

''I'll see you Tuesday.'' He told her in a low voice and walked out of her apartment.

''Eight o' clock sharp.'' With that he disappeared around the corner heading for the elevator.

To Be Continued...