Disclaimer: Obviously I don’t own any of the Charmed characters and the song “love gives, love takes” belongs to The Corrs!




(I based this around the Phoebe/Darryl relationship from my mixed emotions story)

The bright rays of the early morning sun shone through the window, Phoebe snuggled closer to the person lying next to her. A smile spread across her lips as she slowly woke, immediately making contact with the eyes of her boyfriend. Darryl watched as Phoebe’s eyes opened, he loved waking up next to her, but he hated the part that came next. Phoebe noticed his expression change “You have to go don’t you?” her eyes pleaded with him not to
“I’m sorry baby, I’m already going to be late”
“You should have woke me” Phoebe whined playfully, wishing for an extra few moments with him before he had to go to work. Darryl leaned in, kissing her passionately. He glanced at his watch knowing it wasn’t a good time to get distracted. Regretfully he threw back the blankets and left the warmth of the bed. Phoebe watched, as he got ready for the day ahead, she pulled the blankets back around her, deciding on staying in bed longer.

*~*~*~*~*~*
Just when I thought I was safe
You found me in my hiding place
I promised never again
I wouldn’t give my heart
But then
Closer, closer, I moved near you
The way I want you it makes me feel
*~*~*~*~*~*

Darryl kissed her goodbye, Phoebe wrapped her arms around his neck wanting him to stay, to come back to bed, but reluctantly Darryl left. She sighed and rolled over, her mind wandering.

Phoebe knew she was falling for Darryl, she recognised the feelings, the sensation she felt just being near him, the longing for him when they were apart. She recognised these feelings because she’d felt them before. She shuddered at the memory of Cole. He’d hurt her so much, ripped her world apart and betrayed her. Despite who he was and who she was, despite the barriers that stood in the way, they’d fallen in love, true love. Phoebe couldn’t deny the feelings she’d had for him, the feelings she swore she’d never experience again. The pain he’d caused her, the pain and heartache she’d caused herself when she gave her heart to him could not be erased. Somehow time had healed some of the agony but she knew there would always be the memories, nothing could free her heart and mind from those.

For a long time she’d avoided love, burying herself in her work and wiccan duties. She’d promised herself that she’d never leave herself open to heartbreak again, the only way she could ensure that would be to never let herself fall in love.
However she’d had no control, Darryl had captured her heart, she’d found herself falling for him before she could stop. He’d broken through the invisible shield of her emotions; he’d won her over with his dazzling smile, his hearty laugh, his deep caring eyes. Everything about him was perfect in Phoebe’s eyes. She trusted him not to hurt her, he’d given her back feelings she’d never imagined possible.

*~*~*~*~*~*
Love breaks and love divides
Love laughs and love can make you cry
I can’t believe the ways
That love can give and love can take away
*~*~*~*~*~*

Phoebe was in love. This word scared her, for such a short word it held so much power and diversity. It was only after Cole that she could truly understand Prue’s reluctance to use the word for so long. To love someone and for them to betray it hurt more than anything, she knew she was taking a chance with Darryl, she knew if anything was to happen to him or their relationship she’d never get over it. Her love for Cole had almost cost her her relationship with her oldest sister; it had almost torn apart the greatest source of good the world had ever seen. It had nearly cost her and her family their lives. She never thought she’d be happy again but she was.

*~*~*~*~*~*
I find it hard to explain
Its crazy but its happening
And I’m falling again
Much further than I’ve ever been
I’m falling deeper than the ocean
I am lost in this emotion
*~*~*~*~*~*

Phoebe glanced at the photo of her and Darryl that held pride of place on the bedside table. She picked it up, tracing her fingers over his face. Prue had taken the photo weeks earlier, after they’d finally rid the world of Cole. Darryl looked so happy in the photo, he was swinging Phoebe around the garden and Prue hadn’t been able to resist the photo opportunity. Phoebe smiled thinking how lucky she was to have found Darryl. The feelings she felt for him were stronger than any she’d felt before. She wondered how it was possible to love someone as much as she did Darryl? She hoped their love would be eternal. They hadn’t been together long, but already she couldn’t bear to picture her life without him in it.

*~*~*~*~*~*
Love breaks and love divides
Love laughs and love can make you cry
I can’t believe the ways
That love can give and love can take away
Love can give and love can take away
*~*~*~*~*~*

Darryl’s love gave her a whole new positive outlook on life, she knew with him by her side she could overcome anything. His love had taken away the intense pain and agony she’d felt after vanquishing Cole, it had taken away her anguish and given her back the ability to love.

The end