South Attic

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe was exhausted.

She had had a long day of talking, of emo and then some working out.

She was too tired to walk back to the hotel right now, and being out alone when she was this tired was not a good plan.

So, she stumbled into the attic, and locked the door behind her.

She'd take a quick nap and then go back.

Comments

[demonbelthazor]

Cole came back to the south attic after the SBC meeting. He greeted the kittens and tossed his books down on the couch, then headed into the bedroom to get ready for bed. To his surprise, the bed was not empty.

Chuckling softly, he gently picked her up and pulled back the covers, then set her back down. She moaned sleepily as he pulled off her shoes and covered her with the blanket. He didn't mean to fall asleep when he stretched out beside her on the bed. He just wanted to hold her for awhile. But within moments, he was sleeping, too.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe was woken up by sunlight filtering into the room. She was confused for a moment, but when she felt the familiar set of arms around her, she realized she must have fallen asleep for a lot longer than a nap last night.

[demonbelthazor]

Cole woke up as he felt Phoebe stir. "Morning," he said, snuggling closer.

[sensethevisions]

"Mmm hmmm," Phoebe smiled as she turned her head slightly. "Morning."

[demonbelthazor]

"Not that I'm complaining," Cole said, "but what are you doing here?"

[sensethevisions]

"I wasn't feeling well and didn't think I should try to make it back to the hotel in the dark feeling like that, so I was going to just take a nap." She bit her lip. "Was I imposing?"

[demonbelthazor]

"Not at all," he said. "I like having you here, you know that."

[sensethevisions]

"Wanted to be near," she whispered.

[demonbelthazor]

Cole nuzzled her neck. "You have a funny way of breaking up with people, Phoebe," he murmured.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe stiffened. She hadn't really thought about how hard her continuing to come see him was being on him. "I..." She swallowed guiltily. "I'm sorry," she said softly, sitting up. "I didn't think about... how hard and... confusing... I must be being to you." She shook her head. "This isn't fair to you, I'm sorry... god, Cole, I'm sorry."

Yay, babbling.

[demonbelthazor]

He grabbed her hand. "It's because you know you belong with me," he said. "We're meant to be together. You can't stay away. Come home, Phoebe."

[sensethevisions]

God, she felt like such a bitch.

She loved him, wanted to be with him, needed to feel him close to her... and she hadn't even stopped to think about what mixed signals she was sending him.

She looked at his hand and then looked into his eyes.

"Of course I belong with you, you're my soulmate, the man I love." She shook her head sadly. "But you know why I won't come home right now."

[demonbelthazor]

"You're here half the time anyway, people think we're together," Cole said. "Why not make it official? Re-official?"

[sensethevisions]

"Because," she said sadly. "I cannot put my heart and my happiness above the lives of others, Cole." She lay a hand against his face. "You know I want to be with you more than anything in this world. I would do anything for you, I'd die for you... but I won't turn a blind eye while you plan to do something that will cost lives."

[demonbelthazor]

"Then what are you doing here right now?" he asked, sounding a little angry now.

[sensethevisions]

She pulled away. "I told you, I wasn't feeling well and... I didn't want to go back to the hotel in the dark alone last night. I'm sorry. I should have gone somewhere, anywhere else." She swallowed, feeling guilt and sadness all at once.

[demonbelthazor]

He sighed. "I want you here, Phoebe, more than anything. But I can't deal with you pulling me close and pushing me away two minutes later."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked at him. "I know, I'm sorry. I just... I want to be with you and for a time I forget why I can't be... and..."

She kissed his hand and got off the bed, looking for her shoes. "I'm sorry, Cole. You're right. I shold go."

[demonbelthazor]

"You should change clothes if you're going to head to class," Cole pointed out.

[sensethevisions]

"Shit," she hissed. "CJ." CJ would know something was wrong.

She nodded and grabbed her bag. "I'll change in the spare room..." She stopped and looked at him, definitely feeling miserable. "I'm sorry," she whsipered, opening the door.

[demonbelthazor]

"Yeah," Cole said, looking downward. "I'll, um, see you in class."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe turned and left his room. She couldn't do this... it hurt too much to do this... to be away from him. She bypassed the spare room and just left the attic.

Maybe Piper was in her room.

[demonbelthazor]

As she left, Cole caught sight of some papers sticking out from underneath the bed. Curious, he pulled them out. Some assignment, no doubt...but it was in a strange writing that he didn't understand.

The last page had a signature, Phoebe's full name, in red ink. No, in blood.

The contract. Cole tightened his grip, creasing the parchment. Now he could destroy it and void it. But he'd wait to do it in front of Phoebe so she would know she was free.