The new improved Cole Turner

Chapter 1

Cole turned his back to Paige and took a deep breath. He couldn't believe it! Phoebe still loved him, after all this time. She had denied it over and over since his return but now he had the proof that she was lying.

He didn't know how to feel about that. A few days ago, he would have been thrilled to learn this news. But now, he took the time to think, really think things through with his head and not his heart for once. She loved him but still she refused to act on it. She didn't want anything to do with him.

He analyzed the past two years and the ups and downs of his relationship with Phoebe. No matter how different you looked at things, it always came down to one thing: heartbreak. Overall, he realized that the relationship was one-sided however much she said she loved him.

It was always him that took the most risks, fought hard for them to be together. Cole always had to fight his origins and everything he knew and was and it was never enough for Phoebe and her family. The moment he made a little mistake, he was immediately deemed evil and shunned out of their lives. It was as if they just waited for it to happen so that they could prove how right they were and reject him.

When things got rough, he was the one that had to go to the trouble of convincing her to give their love a chance. He had lost everything he had and all because he was willing to change for her.

He should have learned his lesson by now. He would never be good enough for the mighty Charmed Ones: once a demon, always a demon. He could see it now. At the first mistake, he was evil but when they needed him to save their lives, it didn't seem to matter.

Piper and Paige had always viewed Cole's love for Phoebe as a bad thing for their family but when she was in trouble, they ran to him and used his feelings to their advantage. Phoebe's in danger: oh yah, Cole loves her, he'll save her like always! Well, that was going to stop now!

Once he was calm enough and had managed to gather his bearings, Cole turned to face Paige again. It had only taken him a few seconds to come to the realization but it had felt like hours to him.

He looked at Paige's hopeful face and faced her head on. "No."

Her face fell and she frowned in confusion. "What? Look, I don't know what you're on about but we don't have time. Phoebe needs us now. She needs you!"

Cole looked at her almost amused. "Don't you find it ironic that you try to kill me at every occasion because I'm evil and the moment you and your sisters are in trouble, you run to me for help?"

Paige shook her head to chase away all the resentment and insults that were on the tip of her tongue. "I know that Phoebe loves you."

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I love Phoebe and Phoebe loves me. But you know what? Love is not enough. Her words, not mine. So, you better find a better argument than that."

"What do you need an argument for? I know you would do anything to keep her safe."

"You see, there it is! You always shove my love for her in my face when you want me to help her." Paige jumped at the outburst. "You despise me! I am and always will be evil in your eyes. And here you are, asking me to help save your sister. Do you know where that got me the last time? I became possessed by the Source of all evil after saving you and you did nothing to help me. No, the solution for you was to vanquish me, no questions asked!"

"Vanquishing demons is our job, what did you expect us to do?"

Cole looked at her incredulously. "Did one of you even wonder how and why I became the Source?" Her silence was enough answer for him. "That's what I thought. No, for you I became the Source because I was hungry for power. You'd been waiting for months for a reason to vanquish me and you got it so you jumped at the occasion. I am evil right? Well evil doesn't come to witches' help."

Paige kept her gaze on the floor. She had never tried to hide her dislike of the half demon before and she wasn't going to start now. He could justify himself all he wanted but she knew the truth.

In the meantime, Cole had finished pulling his briefcase in order. "If it hadn't been for me, you would be dead even before coming to know your sisters but that didn't and doesn't matter to you. No matter how many times I saved your sorry asses, I was and would still be a demon. That's all that's ever mattered to you. So this demon is telling you no. I won't help you save your sister just so you lot can find a way to kill me again. You're the Charmed Ones, you'll find a way to save her, like you always do."

"How do you want us to do that when you're the one responsible for her condition?"

"Oh, I'm responsible for Phoebe suffering am I? There's nothing new there. You should really change your mantra, Paige. It's getting old."

"It's true! If you hadn't tried to kill us, she wouldn't be where she is."

"You lot never learn from your mistakes. Burying your emotions has a rather destructive effect on witches, Phoebe already knows that. I'll say for once it's her turn to be in trouble because of her love for me and not the other way around. I already had my fare share of it and I'm done!"

"You can't do this Cole!"

"Oh you watch me. I should really thank you, you know? I was about to leave town so that Phoebe could be in peace but now I'm not going to. Why should I be the one to leave?" Paige's eyes popped out like saucers at that. "I have a great job here and I'm not going to drop it to give you the satisfaction. Contrary to your belief, I have a life that doesn't include you."

He took his briefcase in one hand and made his way out. "I don't ever want to have anything to do with any of you. The next time you come in my home uninvited, you'll regret it."

With that, Cole left the penthouse and a surprised and desperate Paige behind. She couldn't believe the son of the bitch refused to help Phoebe! With nothing else to do, Paige orbed to the manor. She had work to do.