Disclaimer: Cole Turner, Darryl Morris, Leo Wyatt, the Charmed Ones and
other characters related to Charmed belong to Spelling production and WB.
Nicole Berg and the rest of characters were created by me.
Here is the promised sequel. Hope you'll enjoy it. Please let me know.
Chapter 1
"This is an absolute disaster," Carlos fumed during the emergency meeting of the Lugel council. "And it's all your fault," he glared at Celina and Vladimir. "It was you who insisted on not telling them about the Prophecy. You said they would get there anyway. And here is the result. He's sealed himself in some God forsaken plain, and even we can't get to him. And she locked herself in the family mausoleum. Great success of our plans!"
"We need to be patient, Carlos," Vladimir answered calmly. "It's just a fight, they'll get through it. If anything it proves that we were right. They do have feelings for each other."
The Spanish Lugel just snorted, "And let me ask you, how long will it take them to figure it out?" he asked sarcastically. "Because I have to remind you we don't have forever here."
Annoyance clouded Celina's beautiful face. "I don't think we would have moved anywhere at all if we told them about the Prophecy. For, God's sake, Carlos, we are talking about two grown up individuals. They would just tell us to get lost and by the way be absolutely right in doing so. And we would have been left with nothing."
"They are not just individuals," Radgiv remarked, "they are the Lugels and the Chosen Two."
"Exactly," Celina smiled triumphantly, "they are crucial for our mission and if we lose their trust by rushing things, especially when it's not necessary, then we would just destroy our chance to fulfil the most important task in our history. Does any of you want this responsibility on your conscious?"
The rest of the Council stayed silent. Then Dorian asked, "So do you think we should just wait and not interfere?"
"For now yes, if they don't sort things out by Monday we can try to reason with both of them, but I would warn anybody against revealing them the Prophecy."
Cole was sitting on the beach looking at the purple sea in front of him. Its roaring sound reflected his own pain and anger. He did not know what time it was or how long he'd been there. After leaving Nicole, he blurred to the Penthouse. But one look at it made his heart explode with memories. Everything in there reminded him of her. The smell of her perfume, plants she brought in after shyly asking him for permission. Even that stupid fish tank, which he bought for her during their first date. It was just two days ago and seemed like ages. That evening they somehow ended up in the tropical interior design store and Nicole got completely glued to a big aquarium full of tropical fish. When Cole jokingly offered to buy it she got completely ecstatic, which he found very funny and endearing. Now all these little things reminded him about her and he could not bare it. He blurred away from his house and moved from dimension to dimension trying to run away from the dark thoughts.
After a while he ended up in the Signa plain with its purple sea and blue mountains. Cole knew this plain well. He remembered it from his childhood, though he'd been there only a few times. First his mother brought him there shortly after they moved to the Underworld. They came again when Cole's first powers manifested. And then she brought him there just before he was placed under Raynor's mentorship. She always said that it was a safe place for him. And when he was hiding from the Source's bounty hunters he spent a lot of time in Signa plain. He especially liked this part of the beach with a beautiful view of the mountains. And it was convenient that there was a small hut there built just a few feet away from the shore.
Now he came here just to be alone. He did not want see anybody or talk to anybody. And hoped that he could figure out a way to be able to face Nicole Berg on Monday morning and then see her every day, talk to her, work with her and still keep his sanity. He smiled bitterly to himself, it sounded so easy and was almost impossible to do. For a moment Cole regretted that he ever let his human half take control. Life was much easier when he was just a demon Belthazor, it was empty but easier.
Cole sat on the beach until it got completely dark, he tried really hard to calm down, but instead he was getting more and more angry and if he was honest with himself there was now a significant degree of despair tainting his anger. He went back to the hut. During his last trip he left some supplies in there and as far as he could remember there were a couple of bottles of 20 year old scotch among them. He doubted it would help him to feel better but maybe he'll manage to knock himself out enough to have a dreamless night of sleep, a short break from the hell reigning in his heart.
Two hours later and two bottles empty Cole finally collapsed on the bed more unconscious than asleep. Next day he woke up late in the afternoon feeling horrible and exhausted. He found some aspirin and swallowed two tablets. The pounding headache made him want to cut his head off but it had one plus, it prevented him from thinking and at the moment he welcomed it. After an hour of laying still and some food he gathered his strength and went for a swim. By the time he got out of the water he was totally wasted and just lay on the beach enjoying the moderate heat of the evening sun. He did not notice how he fell asleep.
Suddenly he heard a quiet voice, "Cole, can you hear me?"
He opened his eyes and saw Nicole Berg standing in front of him. "How did you get here?" he demanded angrily, "I sealed this place from everybody, especially you."
She flinched as if from sudden pain but then forced a smile, "I could not get through your shields but I could get into you conscious at least when you're asleep."
For a second he looked surprised and then his mouth twisted into a bitter smile, "So you managed to get to me," he said sarcastically, "Congratulations, great use of powers. I just wonder why you went through so much troubles? If you were worried that I was going to give up on the precious Chosen Two than you should not have bothered. Firstly, I am not suicidal to be messing with the Lugels and secondly, I always honour my promises." He was about to add something else but restrained himself.
Nicole shook her head, "I did not come to talk about magic, I came to talk about us," she responded tensely.
"There is no us," Cole's face hardened. "You made it perfectly clear. Unless of course you want "to stay friends"," his voice was now dripping with derision and contempt. "But I have to disappoint you on this one. You are a bit late with this suggestion. You should have told me before you slept with me."
Nicole's cheeks flashed red and her hand moved as if she was ready to slap him in a face. She restrained herself and closed her eyes for a moment. When she looked back at Cole there was nothing but sheer determination on her face. "You can insult me all you want, Cole, but pushing me away is not going to make you feel any better. I know it from my own recent experience." Her lips twisted into a curt smile. She took a deep breath and lifted her chin so her eyes bored into his, "I came to tell you that I was wrong. That I am sorry. That I would do whatever it takes to make it up to you, to make it right."
Never in his 117 years life Cole Turner had ever been that stunned. He looked at her open mouthed trying to take in her words. Nicole waited for his answer trembling inside, praying to all the Gods as if she was waiting for her life sentence. He finally managed to regain control of himself at least on the outside.
"Nicole, I don't know..." he started.
But she interrupted him with a passion he'd never seen before. "All I am asking is a chance to explain myself. Phoebe never gave you that chance, please don't be like her. I know that subconsciously you want to hear me out otherwise I would never be able to penetrate your dreams. Don't let your mind stop you," she looked at him pleadingly. "Please Cole, just hear me out. Then you can decide."
He could not stand the pleading look in her eyes. His heart and mind were tearing him in half. Cole twitched and Nicole disappeared. He sat up breathing heavily: he was still on the beach, it was very early morning, the sun just started to come up from behind the horizon. And there was nobody around. For a second he just stared in front of him trying to come down.
She managed to get to him. He was not ready to face her. Hell, he'll never be ready. Cole quickly got up and splashed some water into his face, pulled on his trousers and started to button the shirt but ended up messing up the buttons. That was the last drop and all frustration and anger, which was bottled up inside him for the past thirty six hours, spilled out. He sent a massive fireball flying into the sea, a loud roar escaping his mouth. He did not have the patience to redo the buttons and just tore them away with his telekinesis. This was getting ridiculous. Even when Phoebe gave up on him he did not feel so lost. He ran his hand through his hair and then quickly waved his hand before he could change his mind. A few moments passed and nothing happened. Then he heard a quiet shimmer and Nicole appeared in front of him.
She was pale and tired. In black trousers and top, she looked even younger and very vulnerable so that the only thing he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and protect her. But he pushed his feelings away and looked at her sternly. Nicole wished desperately that he would say something, just to break this horrible silence. But the half demon did not trust his voice, so he remained silent, hating himself for treating her like that.
Nicole took a deep breath, "Thank you," she started her voice unusually husky. She paused and looked around hoping against hope that he would just take her in his arms. But she knew there was no chance of that. A small voice in her head was telling her to get out, to flee from that man who had such power over her. Afraid that if she waited any longer she would not be able to go through with her confession she decided to dive into the deep end. "Please don't interrupt me. It's difficult enough as it is," she said clearing her throat. "You already know about me probably more than anybody else. I am not used to share my feelings with people. My mother is not a very warm person, at least since I can remember her. I grew up in the very strict all girls' boarding school. Knowing what I know now I think my mother tried to get any magic out of me since she considered it evil. So she put me into the school, which prepared future nuns. It is only thanks to a couple of teachers that I managed to get into the University. I never had relatives or even close friends before I became a student. At University I worked very hard and did not really care for much private life. During the weekends I worked in the pub trying to earn some money. My goal was to get a good degree, which promised a decent job and independency from my mother," she paused and then continued. "I am not telling you this for you to feel sorry for me but so that you can understand that I was very naïve then. When I started work I met Chris. He was the first one to whom I opened up. And you know what happened, he got back with his wife. I felt hurt and humiliated. Probably more humiliated then hurt. Through all my life my pride was the only thing, which made me going. And it took a severe blow when Chris told me he tried to love me and just could not. I vowed to never expose myself like this. This fear of feeling unwanted and embarrassed ruled my life for the last five years. I met people, I went on dates and I never let anybody close to me. And until now I've never regretted it." She paused again and then forced herself to look at him. "When I met you, things changed. I knew straight away that you were a danger to my peace of mind. But I could not, did not want to fight against my feelings to you. When I learnt about you and Phoebe I started to have nightmares of you getting back with her. It just so much reminded me about Chris and on Friday I saw the living version of this nightmare. And it was much worse than I could ever imagine." Nicole took a deep breath trying to compose herself and then continued in a quieter voice. "All my alarm bells went off and I could not think straight. So I acted as I have done many times before. But unlike before when you left I realized that with my own hands I just destroyed my own chance of happiness. And for the first time I wanted to fight my fear, to take a risk just so I could be with you. You showed me how life could be. And I made a horrible mistake of letting my own fears to destroy it and now..." she looked around helplessly, "I don't know what to do, except ask you to forgive me and to give us another chance."
Her words deeply touched him. His heart was screaming for him to take her in his arms, brush away her tears with his lips but his mind was ordering to do exactly the opposite. He could not go through this again.
"Nicole," he said quietly, "I know that it's been hard for you and I understand, believe me, but you have to understand me as well. I already went through this with Phoebe. I fought against her reservations and fears and I lost. And I just can't do it again. I learnt a hard way that there is no future if people don't trust each other and I just don't think you will ever trust me completely. Part of you will always be scared that I will go back to Phoebe. And considering what we do, we will run into her a lot and if every time you'll react like this, it just won't work between us. I am not saying that I blame you for this. I would have probably behaved the same way. But it does not change the facts. I need somebody who will believe me unconditionally. And you can't do that." He paused and added even quieter. "I am really sorry."
Nicole's shoulder sagged in defeat and she turned around trying to hide tears streaming down her face. She brushed them away violently. "You know," she said, "I learnt one important thing last night. There is a big difference between trust and guarantees. Nothing in this life is guaranteed, Cole. I can't give you a 100% guarantee that I never get scared of you going back to Phoebe, but you can't give me a guarantee that you never leave me. But what I can promise you is that I will fight my fears with all I have and will never let them come between us. I said once I trusted you won't hurt me. And I can repeat it now. Now it's your turn to trust me. Everybody can make a mistake, Cole, and I believe I deserve a second chance."
Her eyes sparkled from emotion and unshed tears but she managed to keep them under control. The half demon had a familiar sensation of drowning in her eyes, which like a magical mirror showed her inner soul. They were proud and vulnerable, pleading and determined and unbelievably beautiful. "I am going to stay at my uncle's house," her voice sounded unusually flat. "If you change your mind, I'll be there." With these words she shimmered away and Cole was left alone, touched and stunned, his thoughts and emotions in disarray.
Nicole arrived to her uncle's house and never had she such weight on her heart. The hope fought with desperation and pride with love. For the first time she had poured her heart out to a man, to a human being and part of her felt humiliated by his refusal. But another part told her that she had to try. She would never have forgiven herself for not trying. And now, it's not up to her anymore. She sat in front of the piano and started playing one piece after another. She played for hours pouring her emotions into music. When she was too tired to carry on, she curled up in a chair and just stared into the garden, waiting. The sun slowly made it usual way from east to west and when it rolled behind the horizon, she knew it was over. Her and Cole were over. He could not forgive and she would not be able to humble herself like this again. In a spree of a moment she decided to go to the Penthouse and pack her belongings. She blurred away and reappeared on the balcony. After screening the apartment she knew that Cole was not back yet and blurred inside. Memories overwhelmed her. She spent the happiest times of her life in this place. Here her life took a turn, turn for the better. Nicole realized that she would not be able to collect her belongings if she wanted to keep her sanity. Cole could send it to her if he wanted. The only things she'll take would be the fish tank he bought for her and something, which will remind her about him. Something that belonged to him and that she could keep as a memory. She wondered into his bedroom, which they shared during the last three days. It looked just as they left it on Friday night when everything was still okay. His shirt was still lying on the bed. Nicole loved this shirt, he wore it the first time they met and he looked gorgeous in it. Now it still smelled of him and the young woman lost control of her feelings. She stood in the middle of the room sobbing into the fabric.
A warm hand touched her shoulder, "I am sorry I made you cry," a masculine voice said.
She froze and slowly turned around fearing that it would be just an illusion created by her hopeful heart. He stood in front of her, his eyes focused on her face.
"Cole?" she asked as if doubting her own vision.
"I was looking for you in your uncle's house," he explained in a hoarse whisper. "But you weren't there, so I thought you decided to come home," he stressed the last word.
"You really mean it?" she asked quietly.
He nodded, "You were right, there are no guarantees but I can promise that I will do whatever it takes to make you happy," he paused and added even quieter, "if you let me..."
Nicole felt as if the knife, which was pointing in her heart for the last two days had been removed allowing her to breath freely. She shrieked and jumped into his arms. He caught her and both got lost in a passionate kiss.
Next morning Nicole Berg and Cole Turner were late for work.
Here is the promised sequel. Hope you'll enjoy it. Please let me know.
Chapter 1
"This is an absolute disaster," Carlos fumed during the emergency meeting of the Lugel council. "And it's all your fault," he glared at Celina and Vladimir. "It was you who insisted on not telling them about the Prophecy. You said they would get there anyway. And here is the result. He's sealed himself in some God forsaken plain, and even we can't get to him. And she locked herself in the family mausoleum. Great success of our plans!"
"We need to be patient, Carlos," Vladimir answered calmly. "It's just a fight, they'll get through it. If anything it proves that we were right. They do have feelings for each other."
The Spanish Lugel just snorted, "And let me ask you, how long will it take them to figure it out?" he asked sarcastically. "Because I have to remind you we don't have forever here."
Annoyance clouded Celina's beautiful face. "I don't think we would have moved anywhere at all if we told them about the Prophecy. For, God's sake, Carlos, we are talking about two grown up individuals. They would just tell us to get lost and by the way be absolutely right in doing so. And we would have been left with nothing."
"They are not just individuals," Radgiv remarked, "they are the Lugels and the Chosen Two."
"Exactly," Celina smiled triumphantly, "they are crucial for our mission and if we lose their trust by rushing things, especially when it's not necessary, then we would just destroy our chance to fulfil the most important task in our history. Does any of you want this responsibility on your conscious?"
The rest of the Council stayed silent. Then Dorian asked, "So do you think we should just wait and not interfere?"
"For now yes, if they don't sort things out by Monday we can try to reason with both of them, but I would warn anybody against revealing them the Prophecy."
Cole was sitting on the beach looking at the purple sea in front of him. Its roaring sound reflected his own pain and anger. He did not know what time it was or how long he'd been there. After leaving Nicole, he blurred to the Penthouse. But one look at it made his heart explode with memories. Everything in there reminded him of her. The smell of her perfume, plants she brought in after shyly asking him for permission. Even that stupid fish tank, which he bought for her during their first date. It was just two days ago and seemed like ages. That evening they somehow ended up in the tropical interior design store and Nicole got completely glued to a big aquarium full of tropical fish. When Cole jokingly offered to buy it she got completely ecstatic, which he found very funny and endearing. Now all these little things reminded him about her and he could not bare it. He blurred away from his house and moved from dimension to dimension trying to run away from the dark thoughts.
After a while he ended up in the Signa plain with its purple sea and blue mountains. Cole knew this plain well. He remembered it from his childhood, though he'd been there only a few times. First his mother brought him there shortly after they moved to the Underworld. They came again when Cole's first powers manifested. And then she brought him there just before he was placed under Raynor's mentorship. She always said that it was a safe place for him. And when he was hiding from the Source's bounty hunters he spent a lot of time in Signa plain. He especially liked this part of the beach with a beautiful view of the mountains. And it was convenient that there was a small hut there built just a few feet away from the shore.
Now he came here just to be alone. He did not want see anybody or talk to anybody. And hoped that he could figure out a way to be able to face Nicole Berg on Monday morning and then see her every day, talk to her, work with her and still keep his sanity. He smiled bitterly to himself, it sounded so easy and was almost impossible to do. For a moment Cole regretted that he ever let his human half take control. Life was much easier when he was just a demon Belthazor, it was empty but easier.
Cole sat on the beach until it got completely dark, he tried really hard to calm down, but instead he was getting more and more angry and if he was honest with himself there was now a significant degree of despair tainting his anger. He went back to the hut. During his last trip he left some supplies in there and as far as he could remember there were a couple of bottles of 20 year old scotch among them. He doubted it would help him to feel better but maybe he'll manage to knock himself out enough to have a dreamless night of sleep, a short break from the hell reigning in his heart.
Two hours later and two bottles empty Cole finally collapsed on the bed more unconscious than asleep. Next day he woke up late in the afternoon feeling horrible and exhausted. He found some aspirin and swallowed two tablets. The pounding headache made him want to cut his head off but it had one plus, it prevented him from thinking and at the moment he welcomed it. After an hour of laying still and some food he gathered his strength and went for a swim. By the time he got out of the water he was totally wasted and just lay on the beach enjoying the moderate heat of the evening sun. He did not notice how he fell asleep.
Suddenly he heard a quiet voice, "Cole, can you hear me?"
He opened his eyes and saw Nicole Berg standing in front of him. "How did you get here?" he demanded angrily, "I sealed this place from everybody, especially you."
She flinched as if from sudden pain but then forced a smile, "I could not get through your shields but I could get into you conscious at least when you're asleep."
For a second he looked surprised and then his mouth twisted into a bitter smile, "So you managed to get to me," he said sarcastically, "Congratulations, great use of powers. I just wonder why you went through so much troubles? If you were worried that I was going to give up on the precious Chosen Two than you should not have bothered. Firstly, I am not suicidal to be messing with the Lugels and secondly, I always honour my promises." He was about to add something else but restrained himself.
Nicole shook her head, "I did not come to talk about magic, I came to talk about us," she responded tensely.
"There is no us," Cole's face hardened. "You made it perfectly clear. Unless of course you want "to stay friends"," his voice was now dripping with derision and contempt. "But I have to disappoint you on this one. You are a bit late with this suggestion. You should have told me before you slept with me."
Nicole's cheeks flashed red and her hand moved as if she was ready to slap him in a face. She restrained herself and closed her eyes for a moment. When she looked back at Cole there was nothing but sheer determination on her face. "You can insult me all you want, Cole, but pushing me away is not going to make you feel any better. I know it from my own recent experience." Her lips twisted into a curt smile. She took a deep breath and lifted her chin so her eyes bored into his, "I came to tell you that I was wrong. That I am sorry. That I would do whatever it takes to make it up to you, to make it right."
Never in his 117 years life Cole Turner had ever been that stunned. He looked at her open mouthed trying to take in her words. Nicole waited for his answer trembling inside, praying to all the Gods as if she was waiting for her life sentence. He finally managed to regain control of himself at least on the outside.
"Nicole, I don't know..." he started.
But she interrupted him with a passion he'd never seen before. "All I am asking is a chance to explain myself. Phoebe never gave you that chance, please don't be like her. I know that subconsciously you want to hear me out otherwise I would never be able to penetrate your dreams. Don't let your mind stop you," she looked at him pleadingly. "Please Cole, just hear me out. Then you can decide."
He could not stand the pleading look in her eyes. His heart and mind were tearing him in half. Cole twitched and Nicole disappeared. He sat up breathing heavily: he was still on the beach, it was very early morning, the sun just started to come up from behind the horizon. And there was nobody around. For a second he just stared in front of him trying to come down.
She managed to get to him. He was not ready to face her. Hell, he'll never be ready. Cole quickly got up and splashed some water into his face, pulled on his trousers and started to button the shirt but ended up messing up the buttons. That was the last drop and all frustration and anger, which was bottled up inside him for the past thirty six hours, spilled out. He sent a massive fireball flying into the sea, a loud roar escaping his mouth. He did not have the patience to redo the buttons and just tore them away with his telekinesis. This was getting ridiculous. Even when Phoebe gave up on him he did not feel so lost. He ran his hand through his hair and then quickly waved his hand before he could change his mind. A few moments passed and nothing happened. Then he heard a quiet shimmer and Nicole appeared in front of him.
She was pale and tired. In black trousers and top, she looked even younger and very vulnerable so that the only thing he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and protect her. But he pushed his feelings away and looked at her sternly. Nicole wished desperately that he would say something, just to break this horrible silence. But the half demon did not trust his voice, so he remained silent, hating himself for treating her like that.
Nicole took a deep breath, "Thank you," she started her voice unusually husky. She paused and looked around hoping against hope that he would just take her in his arms. But she knew there was no chance of that. A small voice in her head was telling her to get out, to flee from that man who had such power over her. Afraid that if she waited any longer she would not be able to go through with her confession she decided to dive into the deep end. "Please don't interrupt me. It's difficult enough as it is," she said clearing her throat. "You already know about me probably more than anybody else. I am not used to share my feelings with people. My mother is not a very warm person, at least since I can remember her. I grew up in the very strict all girls' boarding school. Knowing what I know now I think my mother tried to get any magic out of me since she considered it evil. So she put me into the school, which prepared future nuns. It is only thanks to a couple of teachers that I managed to get into the University. I never had relatives or even close friends before I became a student. At University I worked very hard and did not really care for much private life. During the weekends I worked in the pub trying to earn some money. My goal was to get a good degree, which promised a decent job and independency from my mother," she paused and then continued. "I am not telling you this for you to feel sorry for me but so that you can understand that I was very naïve then. When I started work I met Chris. He was the first one to whom I opened up. And you know what happened, he got back with his wife. I felt hurt and humiliated. Probably more humiliated then hurt. Through all my life my pride was the only thing, which made me going. And it took a severe blow when Chris told me he tried to love me and just could not. I vowed to never expose myself like this. This fear of feeling unwanted and embarrassed ruled my life for the last five years. I met people, I went on dates and I never let anybody close to me. And until now I've never regretted it." She paused again and then forced herself to look at him. "When I met you, things changed. I knew straight away that you were a danger to my peace of mind. But I could not, did not want to fight against my feelings to you. When I learnt about you and Phoebe I started to have nightmares of you getting back with her. It just so much reminded me about Chris and on Friday I saw the living version of this nightmare. And it was much worse than I could ever imagine." Nicole took a deep breath trying to compose herself and then continued in a quieter voice. "All my alarm bells went off and I could not think straight. So I acted as I have done many times before. But unlike before when you left I realized that with my own hands I just destroyed my own chance of happiness. And for the first time I wanted to fight my fear, to take a risk just so I could be with you. You showed me how life could be. And I made a horrible mistake of letting my own fears to destroy it and now..." she looked around helplessly, "I don't know what to do, except ask you to forgive me and to give us another chance."
Her words deeply touched him. His heart was screaming for him to take her in his arms, brush away her tears with his lips but his mind was ordering to do exactly the opposite. He could not go through this again.
"Nicole," he said quietly, "I know that it's been hard for you and I understand, believe me, but you have to understand me as well. I already went through this with Phoebe. I fought against her reservations and fears and I lost. And I just can't do it again. I learnt a hard way that there is no future if people don't trust each other and I just don't think you will ever trust me completely. Part of you will always be scared that I will go back to Phoebe. And considering what we do, we will run into her a lot and if every time you'll react like this, it just won't work between us. I am not saying that I blame you for this. I would have probably behaved the same way. But it does not change the facts. I need somebody who will believe me unconditionally. And you can't do that." He paused and added even quieter. "I am really sorry."
Nicole's shoulder sagged in defeat and she turned around trying to hide tears streaming down her face. She brushed them away violently. "You know," she said, "I learnt one important thing last night. There is a big difference between trust and guarantees. Nothing in this life is guaranteed, Cole. I can't give you a 100% guarantee that I never get scared of you going back to Phoebe, but you can't give me a guarantee that you never leave me. But what I can promise you is that I will fight my fears with all I have and will never let them come between us. I said once I trusted you won't hurt me. And I can repeat it now. Now it's your turn to trust me. Everybody can make a mistake, Cole, and I believe I deserve a second chance."
Her eyes sparkled from emotion and unshed tears but she managed to keep them under control. The half demon had a familiar sensation of drowning in her eyes, which like a magical mirror showed her inner soul. They were proud and vulnerable, pleading and determined and unbelievably beautiful. "I am going to stay at my uncle's house," her voice sounded unusually flat. "If you change your mind, I'll be there." With these words she shimmered away and Cole was left alone, touched and stunned, his thoughts and emotions in disarray.
Nicole arrived to her uncle's house and never had she such weight on her heart. The hope fought with desperation and pride with love. For the first time she had poured her heart out to a man, to a human being and part of her felt humiliated by his refusal. But another part told her that she had to try. She would never have forgiven herself for not trying. And now, it's not up to her anymore. She sat in front of the piano and started playing one piece after another. She played for hours pouring her emotions into music. When she was too tired to carry on, she curled up in a chair and just stared into the garden, waiting. The sun slowly made it usual way from east to west and when it rolled behind the horizon, she knew it was over. Her and Cole were over. He could not forgive and she would not be able to humble herself like this again. In a spree of a moment she decided to go to the Penthouse and pack her belongings. She blurred away and reappeared on the balcony. After screening the apartment she knew that Cole was not back yet and blurred inside. Memories overwhelmed her. She spent the happiest times of her life in this place. Here her life took a turn, turn for the better. Nicole realized that she would not be able to collect her belongings if she wanted to keep her sanity. Cole could send it to her if he wanted. The only things she'll take would be the fish tank he bought for her and something, which will remind her about him. Something that belonged to him and that she could keep as a memory. She wondered into his bedroom, which they shared during the last three days. It looked just as they left it on Friday night when everything was still okay. His shirt was still lying on the bed. Nicole loved this shirt, he wore it the first time they met and he looked gorgeous in it. Now it still smelled of him and the young woman lost control of her feelings. She stood in the middle of the room sobbing into the fabric.
A warm hand touched her shoulder, "I am sorry I made you cry," a masculine voice said.
She froze and slowly turned around fearing that it would be just an illusion created by her hopeful heart. He stood in front of her, his eyes focused on her face.
"Cole?" she asked as if doubting her own vision.
"I was looking for you in your uncle's house," he explained in a hoarse whisper. "But you weren't there, so I thought you decided to come home," he stressed the last word.
"You really mean it?" she asked quietly.
He nodded, "You were right, there are no guarantees but I can promise that I will do whatever it takes to make you happy," he paused and added even quieter, "if you let me..."
Nicole felt as if the knife, which was pointing in her heart for the last two days had been removed allowing her to breath freely. She shrieked and jumped into his arms. He caught her and both got lost in a passionate kiss.
Next morning Nicole Berg and Cole Turner were late for work.