Walking and Talking (locked to demonbelthazor)

[sensethevisions]

After being pampered at the Spa with her sister and her friends, and understanding that none of them held her responsible for Cole's continuing attempts to take Angel's soul, Phoebe walked up the steps to the South Attic.

She needed to talk to Cole, and after spending the day with her friends, she felt centered enough to do it.

She was liking the fact she could walk again, and after seeing Dr. Wilson (though she had no doubts that Camulus had completely healed her body) she would be returning to Class.

She opened the door to the attic and walked in.

"Cole?"

Comments

[demonbelthazor]

Cole blinked at Phoebe as she walked in. "Phoebe? You're walking! Where have you been?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded, going to the fridge and getting out a bottle of something alcoholic. She took a drink and then leaned against the wall looking at him for a long moment.

"I spent the night with Camulus in Camulus' sarcophagus," she finally said softly. "He healed everything but my mind." She tilted her head. "Then, today, I spent the day at the spa with Piper, Veronica, Parker, Angela and Lilly."

[demonbelthazor]

Cole stared at Phoebe. "His what?"

[sensethevisions]

"His sarcophagus," she repeated. "He put me in the sarcophagus and kept an eye on me whilst I slept. When I woke up, my leg was whole again."

[demonbelthazor]

Bel processed this. "As long as you're okay, but I wish you would've told me where you were," he said. "I'll have to thank Professor Camulus."

[sensethevisions]

"Probably be a good idea," she nodded, her voice still deceptively calm.

She met his eyes. "Cole, what were you thinking? He could have killed me, you know."

[demonbelthazor]

"Camulus?" Cole said. "Why would he hurt you?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe shook her head. "Camulus would never hurt me. I'm talking about the part where I woke up with the vampire wearing my soulmate's face."

Phoebe frowned and took another long drink. Aziraphale and Dr. Wilson would probably get upset with her for drinking right now, but this was hard.

"I don't know how you switched souls, Cole, and the fact that you did it and had no idea how it went wrong scares me. What if you had managed to bring Angelus back...and you ended up with his soul like you did, but he was empty of a soul?" She looked at him. "I woke up in bed with Angel...and it could have easily been Angelus and he could have killed me right there while I was sleeping and thinking I was safe."

[demonbelthazor]

"It wouldn't have been Angelus, it would've been my demon half without a soul," Cole said quietly. He hadn't even stopped to consider that could've happened. "But that didn't happen, and you're fine, so what good is dwelling on what could've happened?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe just stared at him sadly. "That didn't even cross your mind, didn't it? And your demon half without the soul? That would kill me, too."

[demonbelthazor]

"I didn't know that would happen!" he protested. "It wasn't supposed to do anything to me!"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe drained her drink and got another one. She then went and sat on the couch so she could look and him and be comfortable.

"Why, Cole? Why the neverending quest to bring Angelus back? Do you have any idea what will happen if he loses his soul again?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Yeah, some people are going to be very sorry," Bel snapped. He sighed. "Phoebe, he was my friend. I promised him I would do whatever I could to bring him back, and I'm going to keep that promise."

[sensethevisions]

"Including any witch he sees!" Phoebe snapped back. "That's if he isn't staked on sight by the administration or one of the members of the I-club." Phoebe shook her head. "I know he was your friend, but I also know what will happen if he loses his soul, Cole." She bit her lip. "You made me a promise, too, Cole. One of these days you're going to have to choose between them."

[demonbelthazor]

"Any witch he sees that isn't mine," Cole growled. "He won't hurt you. Or Piper. I can protect you both."

[sensethevisions]

"Damn it, Beloved Lord! Do you really think that when Angelus comes back he's going to care if I'm yours or not? What about Paige or Kiki or numerous other witches here. They'll die, Cole!"

[demonbelthazor]

"It's a risk that comes with being a witch, you know that!" Cole said. "If not Angelus, some other demon. But he won't touch you. I won't let him."

[sensethevisions]

"You can't promise that! Yeah, a demon will probably kill me --- but not one that my soulmate brings back and sets loose."

[demonbelthazor]

"He's not some sort of animal, Phoebe. Bringing him back doesn't mean he's going to rampage through the school killing everyone who crosses his path."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe stared at him.

"Isn't he? Remember what he did to Kitty?! Or how about what he did to Logan and Rory?" Phoebe's voice was sad. "If you bring him back you know what will happen. I know what will happen. Why are you ignoring the risks, love?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Because he was my friend!" Cole exclained. "Because aside from you, he was the only one who gave a damn about me in this place! Because he's the only one who can help me when Raynor finds out that I haven't killed you and your sisters!"

[sensethevisions]

That made Phoebe freeze. She had tried to forget about the part where Raynor wanted Cole to kill her and her sisters.

"Death either way..."

[demonbelthazor]

That made Phoebe freeze. She had tried to forget about the part where Raynor wanted Cole to kill her and her sisters.

"Death either way..."

Cole shook his head. "No. Angelus can help me. And he won't hurt you, I promise."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked at Cole with sadness in her eyes.

"You know you can't promise that, Cole," she said softly. "Kitty practically worshipped him and look what he did to her."

[demonbelthazor]

"Kitty wasn't mine," Cole said fiercely.

[sensethevisions]

"Can you swear on YOUR soul that he'll respect that? You can't, because he won't."

She looked at Cole and sighed, standing to place a hand on his shoulder. "Cole...yesterday almost broke me."

[demonbelthazor]

"I'm sorry," he said, lowering his gaze. "It wasn't supposed to happen like that."

[sensethevisions]

"If it happens like that again..."

[demonbelthazor]

"It won't, I promise," Cole said sincerely.

[sensethevisions]

"I hope not," Phoebe said softly. "Because if it does...it's over between us. I cannot go through that again, Cole. I thought Angel was you and the things he said...I wanted to die, love."

[demonbelthazor]

"I promise, love," Cole said. "That kind of thing isn't going to happen again. I'll be careful. I don't want to lose you."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded and then wrapped her arms around him. "I love you, and I don't want yesterday to become a reality. You're so important to me."

[demonbelthazor]

"You're important to me, too, sweetheart," Cole said softly. "I'd die to protect you from harm."

[sensethevisions]

"I know you would, and so would I. I'd do anything to protect you."