Title: Poor Cole
By: Bridget McKennitt
Disclaimer: Charmed and company are owned by Aaron
Spelling and other companies. They are used here
without permission, and for entertainment purposes
only. No challenge or infringement upon the
copyright is intended, nor should any be inferred.
It was morning in the Halliwell household
and everyone headed towards the dining room for
breakfast. Phoebe was the last to arrive and
sheepishly slid into her chair. "Sorry, I was
preoccupied with something."
Prue glanced at her from the corner of her
eye and grinned. "Don't you mean someone?"
"Haha, very funny. Cole didn't stay over
last night. But it was because of him that I was
late." She thanked Piper for passing her the cereal
box and went on. "I've been thinking-"
"Big surprise." This time it was Leo that
interrupted her.
"Hey, don't you want me to finish my story?"
When they were quiet, she continued. "Did you
know, before Cole met us, he lived in a pretty fancy
apartment. He had a nice car, nice job, and nice
clothes. I know he was a demon Prue, before you dare
cut in, but his human side did have a good life. Then
he met us and now he's on the run from the Source and
I feel so guilty."
"Honey, how can you feel guilty? He loves
you, that's why he's willing to risk himself," Piper
replied.
"I know he loves me. I love him too. That's
why I feel so guilty. Do you know where he lives
now, when he's not at our house? In a mausoleum! He
sleeps on the ground, that dusty icky ground and he
has no blanket to cover himself at night. He hates
it when he has to borrow money from me so he can
buy second hand clothing at the Salvation Army. And
he works in a fish market! He has to spend one hour
every morning disguising himself so he can work at
a fish market for very low pay." Phoebe groaned and
laid her head on the table. "And he puts himself
through all that just because he loves me."
Leo, Piper, and Prue exchanged looks over
Phoebe's head. Piper reached over and patted her
sister's hand. "There, there. Don't worry. I'm sure
things with get better."
Phoebe raised her head. "If you say so.
Guys, I'm not very hungry now. I better get ready
for school." She stood up and left the dining room.
Silence filled the air until Leo cleared his throat.
"Maybe we could do something about Cole's
situation? Help him out a bit."
"I hope you're not thinking of inviting him
to live here, Leo. It's crowded as it is." Prue
glanced at Piper. "No offense. Four's a couple, five's
a crowd." Piper huffed.
Leo shook his head. "Not that drastic. But
maybe liven up the mausoleum? Give him a cot, some
blankets, a pillow. I have some old clothes that he
could wear. That might help."
"Cole's a proud man. I doubt he'll let us
do that for him."
Prue grinned and leaned forward. "Then we
just have to surprise him with it. I have a plan."
***
Phoebe came running down the stairs and
stopped in front of the living room. She twirled
around, showing off her outfit. "Okay, do I look
good?"
"You look great, Pheebs. Um, how long will
you and Cole be out?"
"Not sure. Two hours, three at the most.
Why?"
Prue smiled. "Just wondering."
At that moment the doorbell rang. Phoebe
blew a kiss to her sisters and Leo and ran for the
door. "Bye!" As soon as she left, Prue jumped off
the sofa.
"Okay, they're gone. Let's go."
Piper stared at the package she was
carrying and gave Prue a weird look. "Prue, are
you sure we should do this? I mean, what if Cole
gets upset?"
"At what? That he won't be sleeping on
the ground tonight? He'll enjoy it. And if he's
happy, then Phoebe will be out of her 'poor Cole'
funk. It's a good idea."
Shrugging her shoulders, Piper and Leo
followed Prue out the door. At the mausoleum, the
three began to decorate the place, making it feel
more like home. Instead of a burial chamber that it
really was. After they were done, Prue took out a
card and placed it on the stone casket. "Let's
go home. We're done."
***
Outside of the Halliwell Manor, Cole and
Phoebe lingered and wanted to extend the date even
longer. But soon Cole had to leave. "I'm sorry I
can't stay tonight. But I have to work tomorrow."
Phoebe smiled sadly but accepted a goodnight kiss.
"Don't worry. I have school tomorrow anyway.
Have to get a good night sleep and all. Bye
Cole." When Phoebe entered her house and closed the
door, he shimmered back to his home. The mausoleum.
When he arrived, he first thought that he
shimmered to the wrong place. He blinked and
stared at the sight before him. The chamber was
swept of dirt and cobwebs and in the corner was a
cot with a blanket and pillows. There was a makeshift
closet, a small night table with a reading lamp, and
a pile of men's clothing on one of the stone caskets.
He walked closer to the furnishings and a shocked
expression appeared on his face. He had seen all
of this stuff in the Halliwell Manor. Could they
have done this?
Cole noticed a card and picked it up to
read it. He smiled when he had finished reading
the card. They had finally accepted him.
He got ready for bed, in his new pajamas, and
laid down on the cot. Tomorrow he would thank
Prue, Piper, and Leo. Even Phoebe for accidentally
giving them the idea to furnish the mausoleum. He
turned onto his side and soon fell asleep.
