Charmed. Cole and Phoebe Guardian Series.How quaint the ways of paradox?

Charmed. How quaint the ways of Paradox Chapter 15

Part 2: Promises,promises,promises

Chapter 15

"How quaint the ways of paradox; At common sense she gaily mocks" (Gilbert and Sullivan. Pirates of Penzance)

Cole, followed Phoebe into the cinema. Hanging back carefully so she would not notice him, he watched as she bought a ticket then went the candy counter and bought a chocolate ice cream. Somethings never changed.

She walked into the cinema.

" Shit" he gulped as he realised it was a retro film. Beaches.

He waited until she went into the theatre and slipped in when it was dark and sat behind and a little to one side. He did not know whether to be amused or irritated that on her own Phoebe cried her way through the last 45 minutes of the film.

She left the theatre and he followed her into a small coffee shop opposite and watched her sit down at a table against the wall and order a latte and chocolate muffin. Somethings did not change.

She sat at the table staring into space and choking back some tears and Cole decided he could risk it and approached her. It took her a second or two to be aware of him and she looked up a little apprehensively and gasped as she realised who it was.

"Phoebe" he smirked "Long time no see" Phoebe glanced around at the crowded café and he wondered what she would do. When she hesitated after glancing at the large number of people in the café he slide into the seat opposite her.

"Piss off demon" she hissed.

"I'm surprised you recognise me" Cole said blandly "Its not like you got a close look this morning."

"Piss off Belthezor or whoever you are pretending to be" she snarled again.

"How do you know I'm Belthezor?" he asked curiously.

"You're not" she snarled "We vanquished Belthezor or the Source or whatever you call yourself so whatever you are. Piss off "she snapped as a waitress came up.

The woman looked at Phoebe's angry defensive face and Cole's charming smile "Lover's quarrel" Cole said to the waitress "She adores me, go to hell and back for me. On my honour" he said smiling.

The waitress glanced at Phoebe and then into his intense blue eyes and nodded. He ordered a coffee and something lemon and sat back ready to shimmer if Phoebe ran. But she must have decided she was safer in a public café than running. Not a risk taker.

"If you were Belthezor you would know I levitate and kick very hard and I'm wearing high heels" she said braving it out.

"I am or at least I was Belthezor and I do know it Phoebe" he said "or Cole if you like. That 's what you call me now."

"That's what I called you when I first knew you" Phoebe answered without emotion "But we called you Belthezor when you became the Source and I don't know you now. Who are you? Actually what are you" she said in an even, emotionless voice.

Cole found himself having to strongly resist the urge to shake the sanctimonious complacency out of her.

"I'm Cole" he said quietly "You stuffed up the vanquish. I got out, demon powers intact. Source gone."

"Damn" she said calmly "I told Paige that spell wouldn't work properly. Source gone hmm. You're telling the truth aren't you demon guy?"

Cole's heart leapt.

"Which does not explain what you were doing in my bed this morning" Phoebe added as if it was no big deal and Cole was imagining the ringing her screaming had left in his ear.