"So where were you earlier?"

"I went to see Coop," Phoebe answered but her eyes widened. She definitely had not planned on answering truthfully.

"Why?" Chris pressed in curiosity.

"I went to ask him to help me find true love and apologize for kissing him . . . whoa. I did not mean to tell you that," she paused, placing a hand over her mouth.

Chris' eyebrows raised in delight. "When'd you kiss him? Why'd you kiss him?" he asked.

"It was after the blowout here at the manor that enabled Zankou to get the book. I don't know why I did it. We were arguing and it was just in the heat of the moment. He's just so hard to resist, you know?" Phoebe said, breathless from just recalling the moment. Had she really enjoyed it that much?

"No, I don't know," Chris replied.

"Okay something really, really weird is going on here . . . where's Paige? Paige?!" Phoebe called in outrage.

"Hey," the youngest Halliwell frantically appeared, nearly sprinting for the front door. "No time, got to go!"

"Where?"

"Date with Henry, no time to talk," Paige answered quickly. She pulled open the front door and grabbed her purse.

"Wait, did you cast a - - -" Phoebe stopped as the door slammed shut. "Spell. Great. Well I guess it's just us now . . ."

"Yeah," Chris nodded.

"Alone and single . . ." she sighed. "What about you? Do you have a girlfriend in the future?"

"Yes. Well, I think I do . . . I did before I left for the past," he explained unintentionally.

"What was her name?"

"Bianca. She was a witch. A Phoenix to be more specific. But . . . we were starting to have our differences," Chris explained. "It was complicated . . ."

"Isn't it always?" Phoebe sighed. Her eyes brightened as she leaned back and studied him in curiosity. "So you said that you know us in the future . . . how?"

"Well, you . . . you're my mother," Chris blurted out. His eyes widened and he slapped a hand over his mouth which hung ajar. The truth spell had betrayed both of them and now suddenly the secrets would come cascading out.

"What?!" Phoebe choked, her brown eyes wide in shock and terror.

"Paige must have cast a spell," Chris muttered frantically, bolting up from the couch. "I have to get out of here."

"No! No you said you were my son, Chris! You better tell me what the hell is going on!" Phoebe barked at him. He nervously paced a hand still over his mouth. She watched him in horror, her eyes waiting, pleading. Only his footsteps filled the silence.

"Chris . . ." she began slowly, her voice low and wavering. His stride stopped and he stared at her anxiously. "Chris, are you - - -"

"Yes," he answered before she could finish. He squeezed his eyes shut. "I'm sorry . . . you were never supposed to know."

"No, I'm glad. I'm glad I know," Phoebe answered, her gaze still locked on him in amazement. She studied him closely. The maple brown hair, the rugged cheeks, and gentle eyes. She swallowed hard. "I have so many more questions . . ."

"I know and I'm sorry but I don't think I can be here right now. Not as long as this spell is present," Chris said.

"But - - -"

"We'll have to finish this later."

She watched in horror as he teleported out of sight and suddenly her heart dropped.

The greyhound rolled to a screeching halt in the bus station and a cranky driver announced his final stop for the evening. Passengers, old and young, dirty and pressed, gathered their things. The aisle was crowded and it took a short while for traffic to clear up and people to exit.

He was the last one off, following behind a homeless man with a bag of aluminum cans. His shoes dragged on the steps, scrapping onto the pavement as he touched down in San Francisco. Years ago he would have said he was home, but now he wasn't sure exactly where he was.

He had been travelling for days after finding himself in the middle of Texas. Now after hitchhiking and walking and a bus ride he was back where it had all began. He owned nothing but the clothes he donned on his back. And with a sigh he knew all he had left was a damned name.

Leo Wyatt was back.

Their plates remained on the table a few bits of food left on the surface. The bottle of wine was empty, the glasses left with only a few drops. Dessert remained on the balcony, where a light breeze brushed through the night and the city lights glowed from a distance. A placid moan slipped through her lips as they were consumed by Cole's. He kept his hands wrapped carefully around her waist as they leaned against the railing, the street below them. She ran her fingers down his face, tracing down his neck. He rubbed tightly against her, desperate for more. They could hardly breathe. It was so warm neither one of them could stand it.

She traced her fingers down to his chest and unbuttoned the first latch of his shirt. His tie hung loosely around his broad neck and she struggled to untie it completely as their faces remained locked together. His tongue searched through every corner of her mouth, devouring her lips in a sloppy mess. Their foreheads pressed, their noses brushed against each other's. Finally she freed his tie. She ripped another button a part. He did the rest, slipping out of his jacket and allowing it to land on the balcony floor.

His hands moved along her hips and up her torso, tender and pristine with each stroke. Man, he was smooth. They panted for air with every short parting of their lips, though it was suffocating to be so close no matter how much oxygen they pulled in. His hand slipped up her dress, tracing the bare skin of her thigh. She shuddered in delight under his touch. Their kiss continued. They both knew where it was headed but he stopped.

His blue eyes dove into hers and she swallowed, wheezing for air. "What are you doing?" she asked him breathlessly.

"Piper . . ." he began. She noticed sweat was touching his brow. His entire body was rigid, still pressing against her. But he remained in complete control. "I-I-I don't want to do anything that you don't want to do."

"But . . . but I want this Cole," she nodded. "I do."

"Are you sure you're ready?" he asked. He was well aware it had been since the loss of the baby. Her eyes were glossed at his words. Her heart tight in her chest. His eyes poured into hers, wholeheartedly, waiting for her response and she knew that whatever she said he would wait forever if he had to.

She gave a timid nod. She raised a shaking hand and placed it on his stubbled cheek. He cupped it with his own warm fingers and pulled it away, kissing her palm. "I love you," she told him.

"I love you too," he whispered. "Just tell me if . . . I know since the baby . . ."

"Don't worry Cole," she assured him gently. "I'm ready."

His dimples carefully raised. In one swift motion he pressed his lips to hers and scooped her up into his strong arms. He carried her inside and somewhere from above the balcony doors were swung closed.

end.

wow i can't believe i actually finished a story! thanks for all the reviews its been great :) i'm not sure about making a sequel quite yet but i think at some point i will want to so i hope you'll have the chance to read more soon! more importantly i hope you enjoyed this story. thanks!