In a part of the Underworld that was seen as one of the most powerful magic centres the Geztalt demons, had again set up their headquarters.

Cole walked into their bedroom as Phoebe was getting into bed. She knew he was home. She had heard him in the kids' rooms checking and she gave him a few minutes with them. When he came in, he had pulled his tie loose and he carried his suit jacket. Phoebe looking at his tired, sunken eyes that seemed to have a far away stare and his drawn face, knew that as he was able to regenerate his body, the tiredness must be within his soul, which was why it was tearing him apart.

Cole put his knee on the bed, to tired to walk around. He leant over Phoebe and kissed her, and she answered, demanded wanting to feel him against her. She moved her lips, her tongue against him and he gave her what she wanted, but as soon as she stopped insisting he moved a little so his mouth against her cheek, breathing  hard, taking in the scent of her,  then pecked her lips, murmured he loved her and pulled back.

Phoebe whispered "I love you "and then propped against her pillow watching Cole as he kicked off his shoes, undressed throwing his suit on the nearest chair and dropping the rest of his clothes on the floor. Phoebe sighed a little to herself. Cheryl was right . Cole was definitely lookable. He nodded quizzically, knowing his Phoebe well enough to know why she was watching, then threw himself on the bed, lying back.

"Tired?" Phoebe asked sympathetically reaching out for his hand.

"Buggered, "he said shutting his eyes.

"What took you so long with Correja? "Phoebe asked quietly. '"Was he in that much trouble."

"Correja, you know what he's like. Wanted me to check if his latest gossip piece was libellous, then wanted to drink and gossip because I was stuck in a bar with him. It pisses me off when people like him," Cole said irritably then smiled as Phoebe tried not to laugh at his annoyance. "think just because he pays me that damned retainer he owns me."

"You can't own any-one" Phoebe told Cole firmly.

"You can if you have what they need" Cole answered "Money for the tax bill" he added.

"Well if you're paying taxes it proves you're earning" said Phoebe logically.

"Only enough to pay tax bills and rent and Eduardo's wages" Cole replied regretfully but smiled the smile he saved for her..

"Was it libellous?" Phoebe finally asked. Pretending she did not notice the special smile, even when her heart leapt.

"Only if its not true, in the US anyway " Cole told her, being a lawyer. " And doesn't end the guy's career. Correja was enjoying himself thinking it might."

Phoebe waited hoping Cole would tell her the scandal,.

'Poor baby "said Phoebe sweetly when she realised he was not going to pass it on. She squeezed his hand and reached over to touch his face "You didn't drive with alcohol" she demanded having been present at one of these meetings.

"No I sensibly let my demonic powers take over and remained sober" Cole explained "I may have found myself loosing a little control if I let the booze hit me. Listening to him crap on about destroying some guy's career if it got out he was gay and how evil it was to lie, when I had just spent a month in a war zone" Cole said his voice rasping "I just may have told him what real tragedy is."

"Who's gay?" asked Phoebe hopefully.

"You don't know what it's like Phoebe," Cole told her, not noticing her question.

Phoebe pursed her lips as he once again mentally headed back to Burvjara.

Cole, his eyes shut, leant back on the pillow still holding Phoebe's hand. He squeezed her hand so hard as he talked, he made it numb. "You don't know what its like Phoebe "he continued " being in a realm that has been at war for generations and destroyed everything, the land, the environment, the….humanity of its people, destroyed everything but the need to survive  " Cole explained almost to himself, almost unaware Phoebe was there "Do you know how basic to living creatures the need to survive is?" Cole started to tell Phoebe about Glock and the dead offspring and the ragged clothes and starving mothers, who gave what food they had to combatants.

Phoebe lay ton their bed staring at the ceiling, listening as Cole spoke of the war and the pain and the destruction. She was silent as he talked.

"You don't know what it's like" Cole repeated, "I went  to stop evil /good anyone using the place outside the balance.  And I did force them out. Do you know how many times I have forced them out in the last three months. Then they come again. But I did force them out." Cole told her the pain in his voice making it sound rasping.

"Did you?" said Phoebe in the voice of some one who had heard it before.

"It does not make any difference Phoebe," Cole told her intensely "I did the guardian deal. I managed the balance and do you know what is left. All these damn sides fighting and none of them remember what the original fight was about. That is evil Phoebe," Cole told her the passion in his voice. "And I can't stop it."

"It is evil" she agreed.

Cole was silent for a while. "I hate that bloody war Phoebe "he all but whispered, "I hate what it makes people and I hate what it makes me feel."

"I know" Phoebe answered him quietly.

"I can't get it out of my head" Cole told Phoebe his face contorted in pain. "I feel it wherever I go. Baby" he sighed, moving his hand to her face, and tracing her mouth gently "I need a few minutes peace from it."

"Do you?" said Phoebe sweetly

"Yes "Cole answered. He rolled on to his side and reached for her, lying across Phoebe his hand on either side of her head as he pressed down. "Baby "he whispered into her ear

"Baby yourself " Phoebe told him angrily. She put her hands on his shoulders and pushed as hard as she could so he rolled over, a stunned expression on his face.

She half knelt up so he could see her angry face "You get yourself stuffed Cole Turner" she told him. "You're not stuffing me."

Cole's hurt and shocked expression told Phoebe he could not believe she said it.

"I want you" he said hurt, angry, bitter.

"No you don't" Phoebe told him bluntly "Half the times we've…what is the word ..they use in Burvjara .. mated, half the time we've mated in the last 3 months you just want something to have sex with, not make love with some-one you love."

"That is a bitch of a thing to say, Phoebe" Cole told her his eyes crinkling suspiciously like he was fighting tears.

Phoebe ignored it. "Screw you Cole, you want sex, not me" Phoebe told him furiously. "You are not coming home here to screw me so you can forget the war. You want me. Buddy you better want the whole deal; not just the parts you can fuck."

"Phoebe "he said his voice cracking, "I need you." Do you know what I have been going through?" He was hurt disgusted.'

"Yes, I know "she said with a very small snort, still kneeling over Cole. Her pregnant belly made her look like a misshapen Buddha as it fell over her pyjama pants, "I ought to know. It's all I've heard for the last three months."

Cole swallowed. "I thought... I want you."

"No Cole "she interrupted "You want sex so you don't think about Burvjara, so you don't have to think about anything that hurts. Well I don't have anything I want to forget. I want all of you. You aren't all here, your body is here and your head is in Burvjara. If I don't get what I want I don't see why you should get what you want. "

She leant forward. At any other time, Cole would have been amused at Phoebe's Pookie thrust in his face. At the moment he was just bitterly, bitterly hurt.

"For god's sake when you're here with me, be with me" Phoebe ordered him

Cole sat up so hurt he could not believe what he was hearing, causing Phoebe to slide a little, having some trouble balancing Pookie and for once Cole did not smile "I've been here as much as I can," he said bitterly.

"No you haven't "she said, "You barely been here for three months." she said fighting to keep her voice calm. "Oh yeah you've been here physically" she said "'"when you're here Cole you're not here, you're thinking about Burvjara. The kids notice it. I notice it. The family notice it. I don't are about whether you have to go I know what you are. I love you for what you are I .respect you for what you are. I understand why you have to go there. I just don't understand why you have to go there when you're here."

He opened his mouth as if to say something.

"But" Phoebe pushed kneeling back so she was still eye to eye with him "you're going away from me in your head and the only connection you can find is sex and talking about your problems. And if that does not stop we have a problem baby."

"All I ever think about when I am in Burvjara is you and my family" he told her bitterly looking as if he wanted to put some space between them, but Phoebe held her ground and he was forced to lie there and listen.

"Yeah well maybe you better rethink that idea and think about there when you're there" Phoebe told him bluntly "and me and us when you're here."

He glared at her "It's you I want" he said "when I ask for sex it's because I want to connect."

"Oh for god's sake" snapped Phoebe "Our auras are connected . You can connect with me any time you like. You want sex to forget what's happening there.  You ought to be able to forget because of us."

"Ï thought you were here for me" Cole said bitterly not even able to roll on his side away from her without risking Pookie.

"I'm there for us" she said "and you want to know something. I love having sex with you, you're damn good at it , even if I didn't love you I love having sex with you but damn it Cole it hasn't been with you. Look I understand when you need to fuck it out. I not only am happy to be there for you I love it when you do, But not night after night not every time, not because it is hurting you so bad you're trying not to feel. You’re going to have to deal with it."

"Phoebe I thought you would understand" he started to say.

"Well Buddy I understand to damn well" she told him. "I listen to you and then its sex.  When does it stop being about you? Its not like Burvjara will be the last call of the guardian Belthezor. Are you going to forget about us, forget to be interested in your family every time you have to play guardian, because if you are that means you  re going to forget about us all the time. " Phoebe glared at him meeting his angry blue eyes.

"Did you ask anything about me?" Phoebe pushed "Just so, you know buddy the Charmed Ones fought demons today , acid fighters and hobgoblins, all being vanquish fodder for the Geztalts. Did you know we've been locked in a battle with the Geztalts. Do you know we destroyed the Geztalt leader and we still can't beta the bastards. Do you want to know what the elders said." Phoebe demanded

"Of course, I know "he said bitter defensive." I do always ask you."

"You haven't asked yet" Phoebe told him bluntly.

"I do ask and I knew "Cole bit out. "Piper and Paige told me about it. And about the acid fighters and the hobgoblins. I worry about you," he added "I worry about what can happen to you as a Charmed One. First thing I think of is are you and yours sisters are all right. But you look all right.

"Looking all right hardly counts" Phoebe informed him, "Looking all right does not show when you get taken over by evil or some damn evil spell is acting on you. You have to be around to notice things, small changes."

"You trying to lose me" he asked hurt "I know about how bad the demons were. I know the Geztalts have been targeting institutions. I know Piper was badly hurt and you weren't."

"If you think that you haven't had burns from acid fighter" Phoebe told him. "Do you know when you were the source, you destroyed harpies for one little scratch on me. Now I get scolded by acid and you say I'm not hurt badly."

"Ï was taken over by the source" Cole insisted sulkily. "You trying to lose me" he demanded.

"No" said Phoebe sweetly "I'm telling you so I don't lose you. You think I would tale this risk for some-one I didn't love so much it hurts."

"You've got a funny way of showing it " Cole hissed.

Phoebe pulled herself awkwardly off him and leant back against her pillows. "Cole "you want to know what this is about." she whispered "Making sure I don't lose Cole to Belthezor."

After a few minutes Cole sucked his lip. "What did the Elders say?" he asked.

"That the Geztalt fell out of favour with the Old Source over the Great Fire of London, that their leader is something of a figure head." Phoebe snipped out", waiting for him to say something more.

"They don't have much" Cole said after a few seconds and then the lawyer training kicked in and he kept his mouth shut. He had seen to many people in court convict themselves by answering more than they were asked. thought of Phoebe's reaction if he asked too much.

"Not interested?" Phoebe asked sarcastically breaking the silence.

"I am interested in the demons you fought "he told her vehemently feeling he was on safe ground with the answer." I'm not lying."

"I know " Phoebe answered suspiciously "Why?"

Cole realising the truth to that question could get him into a divorce court, the way Phoebe was reacting to any connection to Burvjara, wisely kept quiet.

"You haven't asked about the kids" Phoebe accused mistaking his silence. "Do you know Patsy is levitating all over the house. Did you know Melinda locked Big cat in the linen closet then cried all yesterday because she thought he was lost when he was asleep in the towels. Did you know Wyatt had a rash?"

"I ask about he kids. I check them when I come home" Cole said relenting his bitter hurt because he was grateful for the side track "I love the kids and care about them."

"You just want to be daddy arriving home just in time to kiss them goodnight" Phoebe pushed her luck "I heard you tell Melinda you were tired last week to play farms with her."

"I was up all night with Patsy all night when he was teething" Cole insisted.

"That was three weeks ago "said Phoebe "and you could not help it. Every one heard Patsy. So you only be with him when you can't avoid it. Just for your information Unca Cole you're in danger of breaking Melinda's heart. She is not a toy you can paly with when it suits you. "

Phoebe leaned over and kissed his very tight and unyielding lips. "Cole I understand how much you have to do and what you have to do and how hard it s whether it's Africa, or wars between Burvjarians Or court cases.. It's the way you are going to be for however long you exist and there is never going to be a time when something isn't worrying about."

When he refused to give an inch, she sighed and lay back against her pillows.

Ten minutes later with the lights off Phoebe and Cole were both lying on their backs staring at the ceiling, in a not entirely companionable silence.

"I'm still waiting for you to say it" Phoebe told Cole to break the silence.

"Say what, I love you" he said his voice harsh.

"Oh I know that "Phoebe told him 'You're supposed to say damn you Phoebe"

"Why?" he asked.

"That's my question "she told him, "then you say  damn you Phoebe because you're right."

"I haven't conceded" he said.

"Kay" She answered and lay back tired but unable to sleep.

Five minutes later Cole sighed "Damn you Phoebe "he told her his voice not hiding his disgust at having to say it.

She rolled to her side trying to push down a giggle at the tone.

"Which doesn't mean I'm not pissed" he added no where near reconciled..

"No-one likes being told" she comforted him.

"Thanks" he said but his voice softened and she giggled again. Then she swallowed. "Baby I have to say it because, I answer letters and hear from people who get themselves divorced over things like this."

"I know "he said "But it won't be divorce. Been there done that" he told her. "Didn't like it. Kill you maybe " he told her and she could sense the smile on his face.

"Got it" she said "you'll kill me before you divorce me."

'"Don't forget "he ordered Phoebe. He turned so their faces were just inches apart. "You know what I was doing ten years ago?" he asked.

"Do I want to?" she asked.

"Wouldn't if I was you "he suggested "But I was the demon of the century". And to come from where I was and live with a wife and kids. Live in a normal family. Its not as easy as you think'

Ï know its not easy "Phoebe conceded her face inches away from his face. "But I do make allowances. Hell I know the upbringing you got. Anyway this family isn't normal," she assured him

"Leave mama out of it" Cole told her, letting the tension out his voice "unless you want me to start up about Grams"  he added.

"Next battle" Phoebe said moving against him. "Tomorrow."

"Hmm" he said dryly "I wish sometimes I didn't know that was true.

"Or the day after" Phoebe told him ."If you behave yourself. You should be glad I say what I think. Passive aggressive people are the pits to live with" she added.

"The best you are going to get out of me, is it is better you say it" Cole told her "Glad is more than I want to go for.

"Kay" said Phoebe then drew her breath as he slowly put his hand on Phoebe's belly feeling the expanding bump that was Pookie.

Phoebe let her breath out, enjoying the fel of his hand as he moved. That was his bump as much as hers, and she bitterly resented any-one else even touching her belly because Pookie belonged to Cole. He had missed it all when Phoebe was carrying Patsy and this time she wanted, was determined to make sure, that he got to share and enjoy the whole adventure.

'No kicks" Cole said he hand touching Pookie "her aura feels good" he told Phoebe.

"Good 'she said ""That's why I got mad "Phoebe explained "I didn't want you missing out on Pookie.'"

"She's okay" he said his hand almost under  moving on Phoebe 's belly  moving in rhythm to her breathing.

She sighed happily, enjoying the connection between them he had finally made, the feeling of being together, of being soulmates of being a couple and very pleased with herself  she had been able to 'talk' to him.

"Ï know men" she told herself happily.

She put both hands out to touch his chest, feeling the warm of his skin, th roughness of this hair, the scent of him

"Cole" Phoebe whispered "You know before when I told you I did not want sex?"

"I remember" he whispered back knowing her well enough to know what was coming.

"I do feel like making love" she said huskily.

Cole took a deep breath.

"Aren't' you going to tell me to never change?" Phoebe asked sweetly knowing she had him. "That's what you usually say when you know I'm right."

"No" he said reaching out and pulling her to him. Ï don't think I am."

Next morning Phoebe was up earlier than Cole. He was lying on his back still sound asleep. Phoebe decided that one of the good things about being married to a spirit creature, ex demon who used his powers to maintain his mortal presence, was that one of the things he left out of that presence was the ability to snore, even when he lay on his back. Piper seriously envied Phoebe that. Piper was always belting Leo at night telling him to turn over, especially when he had been drinking or was stressed about something.

"I do love you" Phoebe told Cole and leant over to kiss him and gently touch his face. "God How I love you" she sighed. Then she took a breath and remembered loving him had made her a mother.

She went over to the boys' room to find Patsy had already levitated out of his cot and was organising his train set in some peculiar fashion that only he understood but from the big grin he gave her clearly satisfied him. Wyatt was wide awake and sitting up bottom lip puffed out trying to decide whether he would do better at getting attention by sulking or crying. Phoebe hastily picked him up before he made up his mind.

"You need changing "she told him.

Phoebe was feeling very pleased with herself. Last night she had successfully managed Cole, she had been dreading how he would react to a few home truths which may be hurtful. But all things together it went pretty okay. He listened, he would maybe just forget about guardian calls until they came….sometimes now. Then he would have time to remember the really important things like fussing her, playing building blocks with Pasty when Patsy let him, cuddling Wyatt before he had to ask and spoiling Melinda and spoiling his wife. She felt a small thrill go through her that she could manage this really powerful creature who loved her, without always having to resort to tricks. Honesty, about your feeling about your needs about your desires. . Phoebe sighed. She knew people and she knew men.

Phoebe shook her head in a little disbelief because it occurred to her she loved her life. She loved being a witch, a very powerful witch who over the last year had come to realise just how powerful her powers of premonition were. She loved being a wife, she loved being a mother, she loved being a lover. She loved being a successful agony aunt. She loved her life. She was along way from the naive  girl who came home from New York and accidentally said a spell and made her sisters and her witches And last night she had she felt passed a milestone in her levels of maturity. She was along way from that little witch, who relied on temper, manipulation and reacted lashing out at every-one to protect her what she knew to be a far to sensitive  and vulnerable and insecure soul.

"Though  just as well my powers of premonition had not been well developed then" Phoebe mused because she just may have run screaming into the night if she had a hint of the things that would happen in the following years. Even if some of them were wonderful.

She changed Wyatt efficiently and then changed Patsy sing songing at Wyatt so he would not feel he was ignored and wail the house down. She caught a glimpse of herself in the boy's mirror. She saw a dark haired woman, 30 and a bit, her brown eyes large, her belly big over the boxer pyjama pants, long dark hair cut recently cut into a layered look which made her feel pleasantly mature, efficiently managing children and husband and home. She giggled to herself, hoping she never slipped and used the word efficient in front of Piper.

Phoebe was a long way form that naive little witch girl. However as Wyatt apparently thought she was distracted enough to warrant a very loud wah, she  sentimentally remember just how easy it had been to be a girl who was responsible to no-one and for no-one.

Patsy was not pleased Wyatt was getting the attention, and clearly felt he had precedence so he used his 7 month older lungs to prove it, Phoebe felt a strong wave of nostalgia for the irresponsible Phoebe of those years.

Cole woke up half an hour after Phoebe feeling like he had not slept. As he moved  over to his closet he caught sight of his face in Phoebe's dresser mirror, Even he could see the worn out, sunken eyed tiredness reflected there. He was soul tired more than body tired and the first thing was he remembered was the war yesterday. As he sorted through clothes and papers he needed in his briefcase he started to worry what he was doing wrong and how scaring evil off only worked for the moment. He started to wonder about fronting evil outside Burvjara, even considered the possibilities of the underworld and going where the Guardian Belthezor had no right to go.

He thought about the Charmed Ones vanquishing acid fighters and hobgoblins, who were minions of the Geztalt and wondered about co-incidence. Then he remembered his whitelighter Francesca did not believe in co-incidence. He realised that if the demons he had been throwing were really a front for a master plan for the Geztalt, then the random appearances of Good in Burvjara were not so random.

Cole frowned and then as he was about to consider calling Francesca he remembered Phoebe's ultimatum and the consequences of worrying about Burvjara when he was home. He smiled to himself.  Phoebe, damn her, was right but he had no intentions of admitting it to her.

Phoebe was lucky her powers of premonition did not extend to her knowing Cole did not believe the over sensitive vulnerable, insecure little witch was not as far away as she wanted to believe.  Cole in fact  would bet anything short of his soul, his children and his love, that knowing his Phoebe the strain of being so responsible and grown up was going to backfire into a massive temper tantrum, sooner that later.

Whatever she thought about her own maturity , he knew Phoebe, despite a new hairstyle every few months, motherhood, the wisdom learnt from the pain of the years when evil had nearly destroyed both of them, she had not change that much from the pretty plump witch/girl  he had fallen in love with and that girl was all still bubbling away under the surface and could and would be set of as soon as she felt vulnerable. Like he was not listening to her best advice.

He quickly decided that  he better start thinking about Phoebe and the family or suffer the consequences. He dragged himself into the shower, turned it on and when nothing happened, remembered the yesterday's plumbing problem. He muttered about Phoebe being right about what happened when his mind was somewhere else. Cole cursed Leo and waved his hand to unblock whatever the hell was blocking the upstairs system, deciding it was worth  Leo complaining about consequences.  In fact he was sure Leo would not be happy unless he could complain about Cole stuffing up something magically.

As the comforting hot water ran over him, Cole spent the time in the shower thinking about Phoebe and his kids and planning a day out with them on Saturday which if Phoebe kept her usual timing would be when he needed to make some terrible offence up to her between now and then. And smiled to himself when he remembered that once not all that long ago in terms of demon lives, such thoughts would have been for him, the extremes of fantasy and now they were his reality.

"Picnic in the park always went down well" he thought "Maybe picnic in a park in London as it was summer and the parks there were very kid safe"

Only one day picnic on places where the time zone changed radically did not work with kids.

"Beach day in Hawaii always worked" he thought, and they gained 5 hours taking them there.  Somehow gaining daylight neve affected the kids like landing there in the middle of their night. And the kids needed a day away from the manor, Wyatt was up to beach time, and Melinda would be happy just to be out and about again.

Deciding on a beach day in Hawaii, some thing about a reason to get Phoebe in a bikini made the prospect appeal to him, he started to shave. As he looked at a reflection that was marginally more at ease than the face he had seen when he got out of bed.

As he shaved Cole decided if he knew Phoebe and he did, waiting for Saturday for a fix was far to long. He had better shimmer over the harbour and get her some of her favourite chocolates that were only sold in one special shop in a mall that Phoebe never had time to get too these days. And as with Whosit Patsy she craved those chocolates since the moment she became pregnant

Cole finished shaving then pulled on the pants from his navy suit and a light blue shirt t. He tucked the shirt in without doing it up, and went downstairs still barefoot and wet hair where Piper was feeding kids and Paige had her nose in some paper work. Both muttered good morning.

He kissed the kids getting a dribbling of crunchy chocolate pops and milk from Melinda. Melinda clearly had inherited the Halliwell chocolate gene and lately would only eat cereals that were chocolaty. Piper had tried for two weeks to insist on healthy muesli but had finally just conceded the battle, because she was just teaching Melinda how powerful she was.

"Where's Phoebe?" Cole asked.

"Downstairs shower "said Piper. She glanced at his wet hair, "You did something to the upstairs plumbing did you to get it working didn't you" she accused

Cole winced "I was in a hurry "he said.

"Leo will kill you "said Paige not looking up.

"Aren't you late for work" Cole muttered

"Anne from the archbishop's office is coming here to work for a few hours. Too many interruptions at work to plan the new appointment system" said Paige munching on large chocolate muffin.

Cole shook his head wondering about that chocolate gene.

"Where is Leo?  "he asked.

"Call about Durand in the middle of the night" Piper said. "Something to do with Durand arbitrating that it was just as wrong for a person in power to break the law as a run of the mill average person."

"Seems reasonable" said Paige.

"Seems other persons in power get very nervous when one is called to account for their sins" Piper explained.

"Durand knows right from wrong " Cole told them primly, always glad to know other guardians were having difficulties in their role, even one like Durand whom he had never laid eyes upon but felt he knew well from hearing Francesca and Leo talk about him .

"What the hell were you and Phoebe arguing about last night?" Piper asked curiously, changing the subject.

"When you and Leo discuss. I switch off" Cole answered sanctimoniously helping himself to coffee and making toast.

"I do usually "Piper said not put out. She continued feeding Wyatt and shook a finger at Patsy as he swirled cereal and then dunked toast in it. "but it was so  ... well just Phoebe being Phoebe in full flight. You know when she gets that way I ..'

"Stop worrying it was nothing" Cole told her "Just Phoebe being her usual high maintenance self' he explained, "I'm used to it" he said.

"What is that supposed to mean "asked Paige lifting her nose out of the papers she was reading.

Cole grinned "It means Phoebe on a roll demanding attention, demanding her rights and insisting she is the.. centre of my focus. While all the time some excellent advice if the truth be told" he added.

"God help you for the rest of the week "said Piper who knew her sister.

"I know. She was so busy being wise last night the backfire is.. I suspect going to be big. And just at the moment trying to be patient with Phoebe's tantrums is not high on my list" he added looking for support from Piper and Paige and not getting any. He shrugged "You don't have to tell me. If I don't like Phoebe being high maintenance I should fallen in love with some-on else " Cole said putting liberal amounts of butter and lemon marmalade on his toast.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Phoebe demanded from the kitchen door, wrapped in a towelling robe her hair still wet.

"What "said Cole pushing toast in his mouth, and frowning because he had a good idea what was coming and he hadn't bought the chocolates yet.

"What do you mean my usual high maintenance self?" shee demanded her lips pressed together in fury, legs akimbo hands on her hips. Even under the towelling robe Pookie thrust firmly forward. "Ï was trying to help YOU last night because I love you and care about you. That is not high maintenance" she snarled.

"Maybe, you were trying to…help me  but you did it b being your usual demanding self.  Phoebe what is your problem with me knowing that?" Cole asked, to tired to be tactful. Phoebe's expression looked like thunder.  "I mean you are a high maintenance lady." he said, as Piper and Paige exchanged glances. "I always knew that. I fell in love with you knowing that" he said as Phoebe stamped her foot and drew a hard breath "What's your problem? ' he repeated apprehensively.

Piper and Paige both shook their heads.

"Perhaps it’s a Cole doppelganger?" asked Paige sweetly putting her papers down so she could watch the show.

Piper shook her head  a smirk on her face, "The real one never understood a damn thing about when to keep his mouth shut either."

"I thought he'd learnt "said Paige smugly "guess he is just plain stupid after all."

"Or so wrapped up in wars in Burvjara  he forgot any common sense he learned" Piper said.

Cole ignored both. Phoebe glared at them.

"Maybe you have me confused with Prue, Cole Turner" Phoebe said ice dripping out of her voice, all evidence of the mature responsible Phoebe of half an hour falling away "she was the one who was high maintenance. You always did have secret thing about her.

"Phoebe "Cole said impatiently "I never confused you with Prue" he said while he watched her carefully . And I never had a thing about Prue. She hated me" he added "and you know damn well you are a demanding little…witch. What's your problem?"

"There is a fine line between hate and love" Paige informed Piper.

"So I hear "said Piper. "Eat your breakfast" she told Melinda who had almost forgotten chocolate as she watched the battle erupting between Unca Cole and Aunt Phoebe. A curious little smile on her pixie face. If Unca Cole and Auntie Phoebe were erupting over breakfast life was pretty normal.

"I am not one of these high maintenance women who demand and fuss and expect to e the centre of attention" Phoebe told Cole a tremor in her voice. 'And do you know how hurtful it is to think I'm like that.""

Cole rolled his eyes which Phoebe ignored

"Hell I'm the one who gives. Haven't I supported you t without a word through the whole finding your calling Guardian thing. No matter what you did I was there for you "she said "Do you think Prue would have forgiven you for being the Source.  Do you think Prue would have understood you trying to kill Paige 3 times? Do you think Prue would have put up with your damned mother kidnapping her and you doing nothing about it?" And got the satisfaction of seeing him flush angry red, and knowing she could push his buttons.

"You're the queen of high maintenance" Cole  told Phoebe, remembering how she hurt him last night "You vanquished me in a tizzy fit because you weren't the centre of attention, you never let me forget your in laws don't meet your high standards, and the source tried to kill Paige 3 times. I saved her'"  Cole told Phoebe furiously "and I had no interest in Prue or any other woman but you for that matter."

Then seeing Melinda and Piper and Paige were all enjoying the show he shoved the rest of the toast into his mouth and pushed Phoebe through the passage and dining room into the conservatory.

"You know" said Paige contemplatively "When I think about it, letting some-one else get so into your soul that they can push your deepest feelings good and bad… it’s a dangerous place to be" she looked at Piper intently '"If the person you trust breaks it."

"I know" said Piper seriously. 'When some-one trusts you, it’s a terrible responsibility."

"Unca Cole and Auntie Phoebe are okay" asked Melinda just a little apprehensive.

Piper noticed patsy was still happily swishing cereal over the table and making milk rivers. Whenever anything was really wrong between his parents, Patsy's empathy kicked in. "They're okay Lissie" she reassured her daughter. "Just proving they love each other."

In the conservatory Phoebe spun on Cole, stamped her foot harder .her face red with anger. "Do you know how hurtful that is. That is the worst thing you ever said to me."

"No its not "said Cole "and if I have hurt you, you only hurt the ones you love. Isn't that what you told me last night? When you hurt me. To help me."

"I was thinking of you and you well being" Phoebe hissed

"You were thinking of how what I was doing affected you" Cole said " because you are high maintenance ."

She looked ready to explode.

"And while we're on the subject of last night . How come the only part of my day you were really interested in was acid demons and hobgoblins and elders" Phoebe demanded "Ibetter not have anything to do with Burvjara."

"I didn't say I had a problem with it you know, just you are high maintenance " Cole told her carefully avoiding the Burvjara question. "And Prue was damned proud of being a high maintenance woman. You ought to be more like her ?

"So Prue is your damned fantasy woman?" Phoebe accused her expression like thunder. I knew it."

"Jealous?" Cole asked calmly. Then stopped to consider it , "Oh I get it. The girl who slept around takes pride in believing she made her choices. It wasn't because she could not cut it with any-one or get them to want her the way she wanted to be wanted, the way she fantasised about being wante. It was because she made choices, " Cole told her "to go her own way, screwed half of New York because she wanted to, not because she couldn’t find anyone to give her what she wanted."

"You…"Phoebe fumed.

"Bastard, arsehole" Cole suggested "because I love you enough to know you and not care what you did then or now for that  matter , just as long as it ended up with not finding any-one, no matter how hard you tried.'

"Well if I couldn't find any-one its your damn fault" Phoebe accused him  "You made me fall in love with you when I was ten by being Prince Charming.:

"Oh hell are we back to that again are we?" Cole asked suddenly grinning" well I had to get something right didn't I?"

Phoebe glared at him and then picked up a cut glass bowl one of her great grandmother's and hurled it at his head

He stepped aside easily and it shattered into pieces at his feet.

Phoebe glared impotently at Cole and the bowl. Cole smiled a smile very near a smirk, flicked his finger and the bowl came together again.

He waved and it went back to the table.

"High maintenance" snarled Phoebe walked over and pickled up the bowl and pitched it at him again. Again he stepped aside and it shattered on the floor.

"Why in the hell are you so interested in hobgoblins and acid demons and elders? Phoebe demanded as she stalked upstairs and

Cole flicked his fingers, again fixing up the bowl, knowing full well, Phoebe was assuming he would.

"But that isn't because she is a high maintenance lady" Cole said to himself. "she just expects me to be here to fix up behind her."

Then he laughed out loud "I did tell Glock she was difficult and I loved her for it."

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