Author's Note: When we come to the soul swap. It will be like the following. Body/Mind.

Chapter 3: Enter the Demon

Phoebe watched as Buffy and Cole went at it, throwing punches and kicks at one another. To her eye it looked kind of like a dance.

Cole glanced at Phoebe for a brief second as he said, "When you see your opponent expand, you contract. If he or she contracts, you expand."

"Wow," Paige said.

Phoebe looked up at her baby sister. "Paige? What are you doing down here? Shouldn't you be upstairs studying for Piper's quiz?"

"Well, I was kinda hoping to go a couple rounds with the demon first." Paige said.

"I should tell you, Piper takes her witchcraft quizzes very seriously, you better be prepared. What's the subject?" Phoebe said Buffy and Cole stopped and turned to look at her and Paige.

"She's really that bad?" Buffy asked as Phoebe nodded.

"Potion basics." Paige said.

"Eww." Phoebe said.

Buffy shook her head, "Potions basics are a good place to start. If I had lived and hadn't made that stupid pact with Nicholas that would up having mom bind your powers. I would have started with potion basics in training you girls."

"Mom," Phoebe said.

Paige nodded, "I know. It's just all book learning."

"Paige, Piper and I had to learn how to be witches the hard way and it took… well, it took too long. We need you to get there faster. Our lives might depend on it."

Buffy nodded, "Even though Dawn and I have powers. If a power of three demon were to come after you all even Dawn and I wouldn't be able to do much more than help defend. You need to master your powers and learn to do witchcraft quickly."

"Appealing to my conscious. Such a low blow." Paige said as she turned to head back upstairs "I just wanna know when the fun stuff starts."

Buffy sighed. "I better go check on how Dawn is doing with her potions quiz," she said as she moved to follow Paige. "Phoebe, why don't you work out with Cole here."

Phoebe nodded as she stood up.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Buffy walked through the basement door into the kitchen to find Dawn and Paige sitting at the kitchen table with Piper.

"Okay. After mixing your potions, what's the best method to preserve unused sea slugs for future use? A) Pickle them, B) Sugar them, C) Smoke them, D) Freeze dry them."

"Well, now you see, if I had extra sea slugs, I'd let those little suckers go right on back to the ocean." Paige said.

"Uh," Dawn said hesitanting. "Pickle them. Don't you use them in a salad?"

Buffy sighed. "Dawn," she said with a shake of her head. "The answer is freeze dry them."

Piper nodded, "Mom's right."

"I was going to guess that." Paige said.

"So was I," Dawn argued.

Piper shook her head, "Why are you two guessing at all?"

"To pass," Paige said.

Buffy shook her head as she sat at the table, "Paige, Dawn, this isn't like trig, you know. It's not like you're never going to use it again. If you blow a potion, innocent people could die."

"I know, I know," Dawn said with a sigh. "I'm sorry, Buffy. I had to choose between school work and this, remember even though I'm a witch, I am still in school."

Buffy sighed as Piper looked at her. "She has a point. After mom died, Dawn's grades started dropping. The school threated to get social services involved if Dawn's grades didn't improve. They even said if I couldn't make Dawn study, that I would not be found fit to be Dawn's legal guardian. School in this instance for her takes priority."

"Okay," Piper said. She then looked at Paige. "And why did you not study for this test?"

Paige sighed, "Well, I started to last night. It's just a friend from work came over and she knew this bouncer at this club and… I'm sorry."

Piper looked back at Buffy and sighed before looking back at Paige. "It's okay. I was single… once. Why don't you study tonight...?"

"You too, Dawn. It is after all Friday," Buffy said.

"Okay, Buffy," Dawn agreed.

"I can't," Paige said. "I have a guy coming over here and we're going out."

"Here? What's wrong with your place?" Piper asked.

"Uh, this place is slightly more impressive than mine." Paige said.

"Uh-huh. Look, Paige, I really, really want to be the cool big sister, but this is ridiculous. You have no priorities." Piper said.

"There have been plenty of times I've left work to fight demons. That's why I have to go out tonight. The boss' son is in town for the weekend." Paige said.

"And you think showing him a good time is gonna improve your career standing?" Piper asked.

Paige nodded, "Well, yeah."

"Okay, listen to me very carefully. There is nothing more important than learning your craft right now. We could be attacked at any moment." Piper said.

"She does have a point, Paige. If a power of three demon attacked would you be ready?" Buffy said.

Paige sighed. "Then why am I stuck here reading? I should be learning how to body slam sweaty demons like you Mom and Phoebe."

Buffy sighed. "First of all. I'm a Slayer, remember? I need to train. Second Phoebe has been at this a lot longer than you have, and with the fact she has no active power. She has had to rely on other things to make up for that deficiency which included learning martial arts."

"Also," Piper said, "be patient and study hard and knowing this family one day you will get a big sweaty demon of your own." Piper said.

Buffy rolled her eyes, "You're not going to let me forget about Angel are you?"

Piper shook her head. "No I'm not mom. It's kind of leverage anytime you mention Phoebe shouldn't be dating a demon when you did the same thing." She stood up and moved toward the backdoor.

"Where are you going?" Paige asked.

"Chinatown. I need to stock up on some of these herbs." Piper answered as she picked up an umbrella and her car keys. "Mom you want to come with me?"

Buffy shrugged. "Sure. Why not."

"Ooh, can I go? I can get my nails done. " Paige asked.

"No," Buffy said. "Both of you should work on your potions."

"Come on!" Dawn said with a sigh. "Paige messes up and I get punished?"

"It is not punishment, Dawn," Buffy said. "You are the one that wanted to learn to control your powers and in turn to help me, Piper, Phoebe and Paige."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Back at the Manor, Paige and Dawn worked together on a potion. Or rather Paige was working on the potion and Dawn was going reading over a book that Buffy had gotten her on chemistry. Dawn assumed that Buffy had gotten a book on chemistry because it was the closest thing to potions that could be considered truthful.

Next up, some powered toadstool. Bam!" Paige said as she threw in a batch of powder. "Let's kick it up one more notch."

"Whoa," Leo said as he walked through the kitchen door, "what-what are you doing?"

"We're supposed to be mixing potions," Dawn said. "I'm reading up on chemistry, since it's the closest thing to actual potions making there is, Paige decided not to wait on me."

Paige sighed. "I don't know why, Piper and mom want us mixing potions. Phoebe and mom get to fight. Phoebe herself gets to levitate. We—we get to cook."

"Well, you know Piper, Phoebe and even Buffy's active powers took a long time to develop," Leo said as he got a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Mom is still learning about …" Paige argued.

"She has Patty's memories," Leo said. "Which means she knows everything she did in her previous life. And those powers developed back then. Anyways Phoebe's been studying martial arts for years. And Buffy is the Slayer, with instinctual knowledge on how to fight."

"Yeah, but we're magic," Paige said. "We should be able to skip over all that crap."

Dawn sighed. "Believe me when I say that there are no shortcuts, even with magic. I watched Willow go that route, and in the end it could have cost her."

"Dawn is right," Leo agreed. "Anyways, you're half Whitelighter which means you're half pacifist. You may never develop the power to fight like Phoebe or Buffy. And, uh, you might want to check your potion. It's bubbling over." He turned and walked back out the kitchen door.

Paige sighed. " Just once, I'd like to know what it's like to be Phoebe and be able to kick some serious ass," she said. She picked up the last ingredient for the potion.

"No!" Dawn yelled realizing Paige's mistake instantly. Paige had the wrong ingredient. She ran towards Paige just as Paige dropped the ingredient into the potion and it exploded.

Paige and Dawn collapsed to the floor as their souls escaped their bodies. Dawn's soul found its way into Paige's body as Paige's floated down through the floor.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In the basement Phoebe collapsed, her soul left her body and ascended as Paige's soul entered her body.

"How did I get down here?" Phoebe/Paige asked.

"Never drop your guard," Cole said as he went to hand Phoebe/Paige a sword. She ran away from him and hid behind a punching bag that Buffy had installed. "What is wrong with you, Phoebe?"

"What did you just call me?" Phoebe/Paige asked.

"Well, you really took a shot if you can't remember your name," Cole said as Phoebe/Paige looked down and saw she was in Phoebe's body.

"Oh, no," Phoebe/Paige said as she played with some of Phoebe's hair. "I am so screwed and so frosted."

"Are you okay?" Cole asked.

"No. I mean ... yes. Just wait here," Phoebe/Paige said as she rushed up the stairs and into the kitchen.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Buffy and Piper walked into the herbal shop in Chinatown, the first thing they noticed was a woman arguing with the shopkeeper.

"Please, just listen to me," the woman said. "You have no idea how important this is to me."

"Come back later," the shopkeeper told her.

"If I could come back later, I would, but I can't. I need it now."

"That dagger is a family heirloom," he said. "It's not for sale."

"Excuse me," Piper interrupted. "Do you have any wormwood?"

"You don't understand," the woman said ignoring Piper and bringing the shopkeeper's attention back to her. "I don't want to buy it. It's all right here in the note."

"I don't read Chinese," he said

Piper looked to Buffy and sighed before looking back at the shopkeeper, "Uh, wormwood," she reminded him.

"You have to help me," the woman said still ignoring Piper. "My father needs the dragon blade. He said your father would—"

"My father is out of town until Tuesday," he replied. "You'll have to come back then. Excuse me, I have customers." He turned to look at Piper.

"Yes. Hi. Thank you," Piper said. "Hi. I need a sprig of wormwood, preferably small stemmed."

As the man moved to get the wormwood, the woman jumped up onto the wall and grabbed the dragon blade.

Buffy instinctively tried to freeze the woman who didn't freeze as she jumped back down and ran out of the shop. She looked to Piper and they chased after her. "Hey!" they called after the woman.

Piper raised her hands and aiming for some boxes ahead of the woman caused them explode.

"Who are you two?" the woman said just as a man came out of the shadows of a nearby doorway.

"An-Ling!" he said.

An-Ling smiled. "I have it, father," she said as a second man came out of a puddle of water and stabbed An-Ling's father. "No!"

"Like I said, we're just getting started," the new man said.

"Father!" An-Ling yelled as the new man and her father disappeared into the puddle the new man came out of.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In the kitchen of the Manor Dawn/Phoebe groaned as she woke.

"Oh, I don't look so good," Phoebe/Paige said as she looked down at Paige/Dawn.

"What's going on?" Dawn/Phoebe said as she looked up at Phoebe/Paige and gasped.

"Uh, it's okay, Aunt Dawn," Phoebe/Paige said.

"I'm, Phoebe," Dawn/Phoebe said. "Who are you?"

Paige/Dawn groaned as she sat up and looked around. "That is a good question." She looked to Phoebe/Paige. "You are so busted if you are who you think you are."

"Aunt Dawn?" Phoebe/Paige asked as Paige/Dawn nodded. "Oh, boy. Okay it's me, Paige. It looks like all three of us switched bodies."

"What?" Dawn/Phoebe asked. "What did you two do?"

"It was Paige," Paige/Dawn said. "I noticed that the last ingredient was the wrong one. And when she dropped it in, the potion exploded."

"It was an accident," Phoebe/Paige said. "I swear. I just wanted to know what it was like to be you and somehow the potion I was working on just sort of blew up."

"If you wanted to be Phoebe," Paige/Dawn said. "Why am I stuck in your body?"

"I don't know," Phoebe/Paige said.

Dawn/Phoebe sighed. "Okay. We gotta fix this. What ingredients did you use?"

Paige/Dawn got up and looked at the Book. "It was this one," she said as Dawn/Phoebe looked over her shoulder.

"And what was the incorrect ingredient?" Dawn/Phoebe asked.

"Uh …" Paige/Dawn said. "I'm not sure. I just noticed it was the wrong one. To tell the truth I wasn't paying complete attention."

"We're back!" came Piper's voice from the living room.

"Okay," Paige/Dawn said. "Paige, go back downstairs before Cole becomes suspicious and try and find a way to get him to shimmer out. Phoebe, we should go see Buffy and Piper."

"Can you please not tell mom or Piper. They already think I'm a screw-up as it is," Phoebe/Paige said as she headed for the basement stairs.

"Probably be a good idea for the time being," Paige/Dawn said. "I want to show Piper and Buffy we can figure this out on our own."

Dawn/Phoebe sighed. "Okay."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In the living room, An-Ling was explaining things to Buffy, Piper and Leo.

"Yen-Lo was a powerful disciple, but he used my father's teachings for evil. That's why my father passed him over for master. And because he did, Yen-Lo swore vengeance on him." An-Ling said.

"But didn't you say you stabbed Yen-Lo when he first attacked?" Leo asked.

An-Ling nodded, "Yes, but he used his knowledge of the teachings to escape before he died."

"Escape where?" Piper asked.

"To a place where souls pass on their way to reincarnation. It's a mystical region between life and death." An-Ling said.

Piper looked at Leo and Buffy for help.

"Limbo." Leo and Buffy said.

An-Ling nodded, "Yen-Lo somehow figured out a way to hide out there."

"But if you stabbed him—" Piper said.

Buffy shook her head, "Metaphysical and magical laws are amplified in limbo. As long as he stays there his wound will never advance. He can literally cheat death forever."

An-Ling nodded, "That's why I took the dragon blade. It has the power to trap human souls." Piper picks up the dragon blade. "Now it's the only way to save my father."

"You think he's still alive?" Piper asked.

"Yen-Lo just doesn't want to kill my father. He wants to punish him. Holding him in limbo does that. It keeps his soul from being reborn." An-Ling said.

Piper puts the dragon blade down. "Do you know how to, uh, get to this limbo? "

An-Ling shook her head, "No, I never mastered that skill."

"Well, then we'll have to figure out our own way." Buffy said.

"I can't let you do that. I know you're powerful witches, but I can't put you in danger. Yen-Lo will be coming for me next." An-Ling said.

Paige and Phoebe enter from the kitchen.

"All the more reason you should be here where it's safe." Piper said as she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear.

"No place is safe from Yen-Lo. He can use any surface of water as a portal." An-Ling said.

"Maybe, but he can only stay in our world for short periods. Otherwise, his wound will ultimately kill him." Leo said as Phoebe and Paige go behind him.

"Maaa … Buffy, Piper," Dawn/Phoebe said.

"This is An-Ling," Buffy said.

"Hi, I'm Dawn." Dawn/Phoebe said. "I'm Buffy's younger sister."

"I'm Paige," Paige/Dawn said.

"Where's Phoebe?" Piper asked.

"Basement, likely still training with Cole," Dawn/Phoebe said.

"Okay, we've got a water loving demon, so Aunt Dawn, can you go and get Phoebe to turn off the water main. It takes two to turn off that rusty valve." Piper said.

Dawn/Phoebe nodded. "Water main. Right," she turned and headed back to the kitchen.

"Why did you call her Aunt?" An-Ling wondered.

"It's complicated," Buffy said. "In my previous life, I was Piper, Phoebe and Paige's mother, I even have my memories from that lifetime. They call me mom because of all that. And since Dawn is my sister, she is affectionately referred to as aunt by the girls, even if she isn't biologically."

"Oh."

"Okay, Book of Shadows," Piper said. "There's got to be another way to get into limbo."

"Paige, I need you to call Willow for me," Buffy said. "See if she can find anything in the books Giles left behind."

"Okay, Bu … mom," Paige/Dawn said.

Piper, Leo, Buffy and An-Ling got up and headed for the attic.

"And mom," Piper said, "be careful around water."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Those things you won't let me forget keep adding up don't they. And that one is not a pleasant memory either."

"Sorry, mom," Piper said.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Paige/Dawn was heading for the phone in the foyer when the doorbell rang. She turned and opened it to find a man standing there. "Can I help you?" she asked.

The man laughed. "Sense of humor. I really like that in a girl. So you ready to go, Paige?" he said.

"Paige. Uh—" Paige/Dawn said as Phoebe/Paige and Dawn/Phoebe came up behind her.

"Mason, hi. How are you?" Phoebe/Paige said.

"I'm fine. Do I know you?" Mason asked.

"No, no. But I know you. At least I feel like I know you seeing as how Paige can't stop talking about you, Mason the boss's son. He's as cute as you said he was." Phoebe/Paige said.

Paige/Dawn nodded in understanding. This was Paige's date. "So where are we going?"

"Is Italian okay?" Mason asked.

"Chinese," Phoebe/Paige said. "You must have Chinese. Chinatown Chinese, even better."

"That's—that's cool," Mason said.

"Okay," Phoebe/Paige said as she gave Paige/Dawn her coat. "So you two kids have fun. And keep my face out of the sun."

Dawn/Phoebe sighed. "Did she really need to go on your date?"

"For one, yes," Phoebe/Paige said. "And two it gives them an excuse to head to Chinatown for the ingredient I just remembered. I'll text her on the way so she knows which one."

"Who was at the door?" Piper asked as she and Buffy came down the stairs.

"Um, just Paige's date." Phoebe/Paige said.

"She's still going on her date?" Buffy asked as Phoebe/Paige and Dawn/Phoebe shrugged. She noticed that Phoebe/Paige was sucking on a lollipop. "What's with the lollipop? Surely Grams taught you girls to treat your teeth better than that."

"Paige sort of got me into them." Phoebe/Paige said as Dawn/Phoebe rolled her eyes.

"Mom, Aunt Dawn, Phoebe, I gotta be honest. I'm really starting to worry about Paige," Piper said.

"Why?" Phoebe/Paige asked. "What's wrong with Paige?"

"Well, first of all she made me realize I hate being the big sister. And it's suddenly my responsibility to teach her how to be a witch. Speaking of which Mom tell me again why you're not teaching her?" Piper said.

Buffy sighed. "Because I'm teaching Dawn."

Piper nodded. "Also Paige doesn't seem to listen to me."

"Oh, she listens... sometimes." Phoebe/Paige said.

"Really? Cause she's got me fooled. And you know what; it's a shame because both she and Aunt Dawn might actually have a lot of potential." Piper said.

"Really?" Phoebe/Paige asked.

Piper nodded, "But the problem is, I don't think Paige at least cares, about anything. Aunt Dawn though is understandable, she is a teenager and in school. Paige doesn't have that excuse."

"Oh, no. She cares. I know she does. You just have to give her a chance. I think Paige is the kind of person that… needs to learn from her mistakes. And believe me, she's learning fast," Phoebe/Paige said.

"Mm-hmm." Piper said as she headed toward the kitchen.

Phoebe/Paige sighed and put the lollipop in her mouth.

"Dawn, did you finish studying?" Buffy asked.

"Uh," Dawn/Phoebe said. "I … I think so."

Buffy's eyes narrowed as she looked at Dawn/Phoebe. "Dawn, who is Kendra?"

"A friend of yours," Dawn/Phoebe said with a shrug.

"Okay, who are you?" Buffy asked. "You are not Dawn."

Dawn/Phoebe sighed. "Yes I am, maaaa…Buffy."

"No you are not," Buffy said. "I know my sister, she would have known who Kendra was. If I had to guess you're Paige."

"No she isn't," Phoebe/Paige said. "I am. That's Phoebe. Please mom, don't tell Piper. We're fixing it. Dawn and Mason are stopping in Chinatown to pick up the final ingredient to reverse the potion's effects."

Buffy smiled and hugged Phoebe/Paige, "As long as you're trying to reverse it. I will keep my mouth shut. For now."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Buffy followed Phoebe/Paige back to the basement. "I gather you are going to try and practice Phoebe's powers, Paige?"

Phoebe/Paige nodded. "Yeah."

Phoebe/Paige tried several times to levitate, but it looked more like she was trying to do stretching exercises instead.

"Concentrate." Buffy said as Cole shimmered in.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"She's working on her levitation," Buffy said.

"Then you are ready to return to training?" Cole wondered.

Phoebe/Paige nodded. "Yes, absolutely."

"Good. We'll pick up where we left off." Cole said.

"Right. Cool," Phoebe/Paige said.

Buffy rolled her eyes wondering how Paige could be anymore un-Phoebe.

"I'll throw a couple of low voltage energy balls at you. You just try to avoid them," Cole said.

"Energy balls?" Phoebe said as Cole threw an energy ball and hit Phoebe in the shoulder, "Oh!" she said as Cole threw another and hit her on her rear. "Ah! Okay, now that's just rude. I am not having fun."

"Fighting the Source isn't supposed to be fun," Cole said.

Buffy let out a sigh as she watched all this happening. She thought back on all her training with Giles and Angel, while not fun either, was not this extreme also.

"That's it, pal," Phoebe/Paige said. "You are not the Source and you do not treat your girlfriend this way. Murderers, demons, phone solicitors maybe, but not your girlfriend."

"What's gotten into you?" Cole asked as he walked up to Phoebe/Paige.

Buffy shook her head. "Paige."

"Mom means... I told Paige how you've been treating me and she just thinks you're way out line, buddy." Phoebe/Paige said looking briefly at Buffy.

"Phoebe, you're the most important thing in my life. If I don't push you hard, I will lose you." Cole said.

"You keep pushing her that way, and you'll push her right out the door." Phoebe/Paige said.

"What do you mean her?" Cole asked.

"I meant me." Phoebe said.

Buffy sighed, "You said her."

Phoebe/Paige looked to Buffy, "Did I, mom?" She looked back at Cole, "Well, it's… I'm just - I'm very angry. You know? Because, well you tore my jog bra and now I just - I have to go change." She turned and ran up the stairs.

Buffy shook her head, "Cole she did have a point. Training to defeat the Source is important and we all should be doing it myself included. But she is right also, you are pushing too hard. You don't throw energy balls at your girlfriend and expect her to remain your girlfriend. Besides wanting to train Phoebe 24/7 you're not allowing her to have a normal life."

Cole sighed. "I just worry, okay. I love her; I don't want to see anything happen to her." He shimmered out.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Paige/Dawn and Mason enter the herb shop and she began looking for the ingredient that Paige had been missing.

"Uh, hmm. What is this place?" Mason asked noticing a jar of squids.

Paige/Dawn sighed as she glanced at Mason. "I just gotta find some powdered toadstool. Ah, here it is.," she said as she took a bag out of a basket.

"Okay, I-I gotta warn you. I'm not into the whole herbal scene."

"Oh, neither is Paige, I don't think," Paige/Dawn said.

"You always talk about yourself in the third person like that?" Mason wondered.

"Uh…" Paige/Dawn said trying to come up with an excuse. "It's kind of a character flaw."

"So what's the toadstool for?" Mason asked.

Paige/Dawn smiled. "It's an aphrodisiac," she said as she walked over to the counter.

"Really? My Dad was right. He said you were, uh, unique. I believe is the word he used," he said.

Paige/Dawn smiled. "Oh, yeah? What else did he say about me?"

"He said that if he doesn't hurry up and make a social worker, you'll probably quit and start your own agency. That or end up in jail. He wasn't sure which," Mason answered.

Paige/Dawn nodded. "I could see that," she said as she paid for the powdered toadstool. She looked at Mason and sighed. "I'm not showing you a very good time. Am I?"

"Well, I don't know," he said. "I mean we're in Chinatown shopping for a sexual stimulant. I'm surrounded by chicken claws and goat brains. I haven't this much fun in a long time."

"Neither have I," Paige/Dawn said with a smile," she said as thunder clapped outside. "Uh-oh. Yen-Lo."

"Uh, what's that? Another aphrodisiac?" Mason asked.

"I gotta go," Paige/Dawn said as she ran out of the store, leaving Mason behind.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In the attic Piper and Leo looked through Book of Shadows as An-Ling looked into a bowl of water.

"Anything?" Buffy asked as she stepped into the attic.

"There is actually nothing in here on how to reach Limbo, Mom." Piper said. "And we haven't heard anything from Willow, yet."

"Should you have that water up here?" Leo asked as he walked over to An-Ling. "I mean what if Yen-Lo uses that as a portal. "

An-Ling shook her head. "It's okay. The surface is too small for him to enter."

"So, what are you doing?" Buffy asked as she and Piper joined Leo and An-Ling.

"My father could use water as a looking glass into other worlds. Once when I was young, he reached into a bowl of water and picked me a plum from the Garden of Eden." An-Ling said.

"Can you see your father now?" Leo asked.

"No. I only see water." An-Ling said as she put the bowl down. "I wish he were here. He'd know what to do."

"I better go check with the Elders. Maybe they can help us reach Limbo," Leo said.

"Leo." Buffy said. "While you're up there could you ask them…?"

"About the memories and yours and Dawn's powers?" Leo asked and Buffy nodded. "I will ask while I'm up there." He orbed out.

"Sometimes I think Yen-Lo was right. My father made the wrong choice. Yen-Lo was always the better student." An-Ling said,

"Oh, I doubt that." Piper said as she and Buffy sat down in front of An-Ling. "You beat him in battle."

"But I didn't kill him. I made him stronger. Strong enough to remove my father's magic and wisdom from the world. I don't feel worthy of following in his footsteps." An-Ling said.

Piper nodded, "I understand. I recently lost my big sister who was… pretty good at just about everything she did. Very tough shoes to fill," she looked to Buffy. "And of course Prue was always trying to fill yours."

"Where did you find the strength?" An-Ling asked.

Piper shook her head. "I haven't yet, but I'll let you know when I do," she said as she looked at the window and saw it was raining. "Come on. With all this rain, we have to protect the house from Yen-Lo."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Paige/Dawn walked through the front door and puts down her bag on the table as Cole came down the stairs.

"Cole!" Paige/Dawn said. "You scared me."

Cole smiled. "Sorry. I didn't mean to. With the rain outside and everyone on Yen-Lo alert."

"Yeah, Yen-Lo. That's why I rushed home."

"You're chilled. Here put this on." Cole said as he offered her his jacket.

"Uh, you keep it." Paige/Dawn said as he pinned her to the wall.

Cole smiled. "I'm sorry. Am I making you feel... uncomfortable?"

"No, of course not," Paige/Dawn said. "I was just wondering what Phoebe would think about this."

"Phoebe?" Cole asked.

Paige/Dawn nodded, "Uh, yeah. Your girlfriend, Phoebe. Remember?"

"Yes, see, the problem with Phoebe is she's so obsessed with training, she's not interested in—romance anymore." Cole said.

Paige/Dawn frowned. "I doubt that, Cole."

"You on the other hand," he said, "strike me as being full of passion. Desire. I miss that."

"I gotta go." Paige/Dawn said as he kissed her.

"Hey!" Dawn/Phoebe said as she and Phoebe/Paige came down the stairs.

"How could you do this?" Paige/Dawn wondered.

Cole put up his hands innocently. "Oh, come on. I'm just trying to have a little fun, Phoebe. Isn't that what you were complaining about me not doing?"

"Yeah, but I never meant for... did you just call me Phoebe?" Paige/Dawn said.

"Would you rather I kissed her?" Cole asked.

"I don't think Phoebe would want you kissing Paige while she is in Phoebe's body," Paige/Dawn said.

"Aunt Dawn is correct," Dawn/Phoebe said as Cole's eyes went wide in realization at the fact he had assumed incorrectly that Phoebe was in Paige's body. "

"How do you know?" Paige/Phoebe wondered before answering her own question. "Probably the same way Mom does."

"Buffy knows?" Paige/Dawn asked as Phoebe/Paige and Dawn/Phoebe nodded.

"Who is Kendra?" Dawn/Phoebe asked.

"She's the Slayer called after Buffy drowned in the Master's cave. She is Faith's predecessor," Paige/Dawn said. "Cole, you want to answer Phoebe's question?"

"Well, one thing," he said as he looked at Phoebe/Paige, "you suck at levitating. And for another, both you and Buffy set me straight about the way I've been treating the real Phoebe as only a sister and a mother could." Cole said.

"You did?" Dawn/Phoebe asked.

Phoebe/Paige nodded. "Someone had to. And apparently I wasn't the only one."

"Okay, I'm going to go. Let you guys work this out. When you're yourself again, give me a call." Cole said as he went to smack Dawn/Phoebe on the rear and then thought the better of it. "We'll have some fun." He shimmered out.

"Okay, we've got to get back into our own bodies. I am even getting confused." Paige/Dawn said.

"Piper, Buffy look out!" An-Ling called out from the kitchen.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In the kitchen Yen-Lo attacked Buffy, Piper and An-Ling. He kicked Piper who fell against Buffy, knocking her against the table, breaking it.

Phoebe/Paige and Paige/Dawn and Dawn/Phoebe ran in as An-Ling took out the Dragon blade.

"The dragon blade?" Yen-Lo said as he attacked An-Ling.

"Phoebe, stop him!" Piper said as Yen-Lo cut An-Ling and she dropped the dragon blade.

Phoebe/Paige levitated and started spinning in a circle in mid-air. Yen-Lo took the dragon blade and escapes through the dishwater in the sink.

Paige/Dawn grabbed Phoebe/Paige and pulled her down.

"Leo!" Piper called out as Leo orbed in. "An-Ling's hurt." She helped Buffy up, "You okay, Mom?"

Buffy nodded, "Yeah. I'm okay. I think we need a new kitchen table though."

"In this house that's nothing new," Piper said as she pointed at Paige and Phoebe. "You two, follow me!"

Leo healed An-Ling as Buffy, Paige/Dawn, Phoebe/Paige and Dawn/Phoebe followed Piper out of the kitchen.

"All right! What the hell is going on?" Piper asked.

"I was soaking some potion pots in the sink and I forgot to drain them." Paige/Dawn said.

Buffy sighed. "That is not what Piper means." She looked pointedly at Phoebe/Paige.

"I smell something witchy. Phoebe, what is wrong with your powers?" Piper asked. She waited for a response but no one responded. "Phoebe?"

"I'm over here," Dawn/Phoebe said.

"Don't get mad at her or even Aunt Dawn. This is all my fault." Phoebe/Paige said.

"Yeah, but Paige, Phoebe and I agreed to keep it secret." Paige/Dawn said.

Phoebe/Paige nodded. "Yeah, but I was the one that messed up the potion. I wasn't concentrating. I just guessed. You tried to stop me, remember."

"Oh, my god! You guys switched bodies! Are you out of your minds? What—with everything we have going on, you pull a stunt like this?" Piper said.

"It was an accident, Piper. You telling me you never made accidents when you were first learning?" Buffy said.

Piper looked to Buffy, "You knew?" she asked as Buffy nodded. She sighed and looked at Phoebe/Paige. "Accidents like that get people killed. We could have lost an innocent in there. What if it wasn't Yen-Lo? What if it was the Source that broke in? You could have gotten us all killed! Now we've lost our shot at Yen-Lo. We have no idea how to get to Limbo." She thought for a moment and pointed at Phoebe/Paige. "Wait a minute. Do, you remember what you put in that potion to switch bodies?"

Phoebe/Paige nodded. "Aunt Dawn just picked up the ingredient we were missing."

"Good. Let's go." Piper said.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

kitchen Buffy, Piper, Leo, and An-Ling watched as Phoebe/Paige, Dawn/Phoebe and Paige/Dawn put together the potion.

Piper looked at Paige/Dawn. "All right, what else did you…?" she said before realizing she was talking to the wrong person. She looked at Phoebe/Paige. "I mean you, put in this."

"Just the powdered toadstool." Phoebe/Paige said.

Piper nodded, "All right soul sisters and soul aunt, back in your own bodies."

"I want to be me again." Phoebe/Paige, Paige/Dawn and Dawn/Phoebe said as Phoebe/Paige threw in the last ingredient into the pot.

Buffy, Piper, Leo and An-Ling waited anxiously.

"Oh, it's nice to see you, Aunt Dawn," Phoebe said.

Dawn smiled. "And it's nice to see you, Paige."

"And it's nice to be seen. My god, Aunt Dawn, what did you have for dinner?" Paige said.

"Kung Pao Chicken. Sorry." Dawn said.

"Okay. Not to cut this reunion short, but we don't have a lot of time." Buffy said.

"The only person who knows how to enter Limbo is in Limbo himself. And since we can't get to An-Ling's father down there, my plan is to bring him up here. Or at least his soul," Piper said.

"Wait, you want to swap souls with An-Ling's father?" Leo asked.

Piper nodded. "He's the only one who knows how to get in. Besides, it's the best way to surprise Yen-Lo."

Leo shook his head, he didn't like the plan. "It's too risky. There's gotta be another way."

"Did the Elders have any other ideas?" Piper asked.

"No." Leo said. "But we should talk later, Buffy. I do have answers for your questions."

"Then there's not. Okay." Piper said as she took the ingredient Paige had just dropped into the pot when she, Dawn and Phoebe had returned to their bodies. Buffy caught her arm before she had a chance to drop it. "Mom?"

"You don't know if you will need the power of three for Yen-Lo," Buffy said. "I go and then you guys can come save me."

"I don't like it, Buffy," Dawn said. "If something happens I'll lose you again."

"We'll all lose you again," Piper added.

Buffy embraced Dawn and smiled at her baby sister. "You're not going to lose me again. In fact you all are not going to lose me again, I promise," she said as she took the ingredient from Piper and threw it into the pot. "I want to be the Zen Master."

"You have a very brave mother," Buffy/Zen Master said before looking at Dawn, "and sister."

"I know," Dawn said as a smile graced her lips.

"Father?" An-Ling asked.

Buffy/Zen Master nodded. "Yes, An-Ling I'm here. We don't have much time. Where is the dragon blade?"

"I used it to fight Yen-Lo, but he knocked it out of my hands. Phoebe, did you pick it up?" An-Ling asked.

Phoebe shook her head. "No. Paige? Aunt Dawn? Piper?"

"I haven't seen it." Paige said.

"Neither have I." Piper and Dawn said.

Buffy/Zen Master frowned. "Then who has the dragon blade?"

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In Limbo Yen-Lo held the dragon blade. Zen Master/Buffy woke to find he was tied to a tree.

"What happened old man?" Yen-Lo asked.

"I don't know. What happened?" Zen Master/Buffy said.

"I was telling you how I stole the dragon blade from your useless daughter when you blacked out." Yen-Lo said.

"I did? I mean, I did. If you say so." Zen Master/Buffy said.

"Who are you?" Yen-Lo asked as he held the dragon blade to the Zen Master/Buffy's neck.

"I am one with the universe." Zen Master/Buffy said trying to bluff Yen-Lo into thinking he was who he said he was.

Yen-Lo laughed. "You think you can fool me? I was his disciple for twenty years," he said as he took the blade away from the Zen Master/Buffy's neck. "An-Ling doesn't have the power to switch souls. So you must be one of the witches, which means An-Ling and her father will come to rescue you. The question is… how they are going to get your soul back when I've got it." He placed the dragon blade on Zen Master/Buffy's chest and his soul is sucked into the dragon blade.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In the attic of the Manor Dawn, Phoebe and Paige walk through the attic door with the dragon blade's sheath.

"This is all we could find." Phoebe said.

"Then Yen-Lo must have the dragon blade." Buffy/Zen Master said as she waved her hand over a puddle of water. "And used it to capture your mother and sister's soul."

"What does that mean? How do we get mom back?" Piper asked.

"We need to get the dragon blade away from Yen-Lo." An-Ling said.

"Okay, so what are we waiting for? Show us the way." Phoebe said.

"I should go alone. Buffy did this for me to save my father's life." An-Ling said as Buffy looked at her curiously.

"No, she's my sister, she sacrificed herself for me. I think it's time I repaid the favor," Dawn said. "I'll go.

"You forget Aunt Dawn, she's our mother as well as your sister. We'll all go." Paige said.

"Is that what you were fighting to save? My life?" Buffy/Zen Master asked An-Ling.

"Of course, father. When we bring you back their Whitelighter can heal your wound. He's a miracle worker. I've seen him." An-Ling said.

"You are right. We should all go, but it is a different realm down there with new rules. Yen-Lo has had time to learn and adjust." Buffy/Zen Master said.

"Fine, then let's go." Leo said.

"If you go, you risk being pulled into the vortex. Who would heal our injuries?" Buffy/Zen Master said.

Piper nodded, "He is right, Leo. You should stay here," she said as she kissed her husband.

Buffy jumped into the puddle of water followed by Piper and An-Ling.

"Okay, here goes nothing." Phoebe said as she, then Dawn and finally Paige jump into the puddle of water.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Mom!" Phoebe said as they arrived in Limbo. Piper, Dawn, Phoebe and Paige rush over to the Zen Master's body.

"The dragon blade. Where is it?" Dawn wondered.

"Quiet." Buffy/Zen Master said.

"Look out!" Piper called out as Yen-Lo attacked.

Buffy/Zen Master was kicked by Yen-Lo to the edge of the vortex.

"Father!" An-Ling called out as Dawn yelled, "Buffy!" They rushed to Buffy/Zen Master.

"Welcome to my turf." Yen-Lo said.

"Look! Yen-Lo's belt." Paige said as she pointed to the dragon blade and it orbed into her hand. "I didn't even call for it. It just happened."

"Our powered must be expanded here." Piper said. "You get mom's soul out of the dragon blade."

Phoebe looked to Piper. "I'm going to keep Yen-Lo busy. Maybe you should help Paige?"

Piper thought about it for a second and then nodded. It made sense, she could protect Paige while Phoebe fought Yen-Lo.

"Oh, it's you... black belt Barbie." Yen-Lo said as Phoebe rushed toward him.

"You're going to be sorry you said that." Phoebe said as she levitated and kicked Yen-Lo who flew backwards dropping his sword.

"Piper, what do I do?" Paige asked.

"Uh, I don't know." Piper said. "Use your powers, orb her soul."

Paige nodded as she looked at the dragon blade and orbed Buffy's soul out of it. "Now what?" she asked.

"Put it back in the body." Piper said.

"Thanks for the lift, sweetie," Zen Master/Buffy said as Paige orbed Buffy's soul into the Zen Master's body. "Untie me."

Paige untied the Zen Master/Buffy. "We've got to do something."

"What? I don't have my powers in this body." Zen Master/Buffy said. "Piper, you do though. Freeze him.

Piper raised her hands and Yen-Lo froze.

"Paige," Phoebe said as Paige orbed the dragon blade to her and she captured Yen-Lo's soul.

Suddenly all around them everything is transformed from the barren mountains to a beautiful garden.

"Oh my god, it's so beautiful. What happened?" Paige asked.

"Beats the hell out of me." Buffy said as she walked over to them.

"Mom?" Piper, Phoebe and Paige said as Dawn said. "Buffy?"

Buffy smiled and embraced first Dawn and then Piper, Phoebe and Paige. "Yeah it's me. I told you all that none of you were losing me again."

"The natural order of things has been restored," The Zen Master said as he and An-Ling joined them. "Including our souls."

"But how?" Piper asked.

"This was all a reflection on Yen-Lo's fears. Of a man afraid of crossing over. In truth, this is a peaceful place. Welcoming." Zen Master said.

"We need to get you home and heal your wound." An-Ling said.

Zen Master shook his head. "No. I was mortally wounded. It is my time to die, to be reborn."

"Their Whitelighter can heal." An-Ling said.

"An-Ling, you know better than to cling to the physical world. The way you clung to my hand on the bridge." Zen Master said.

"But you're my father." An-Ling said.

Zen Master nodded, "I'm no greater or less than anyone facing death. That's the only lesson that keeps you from being a true Zen Master. Death is a part of life. A transition, a rebirth, something that your young friends here have learned recently. Both in death and rebirth." He looked to Buffy who smiled.

"Go easy on her," Dawn said. "As someone who lost my mother and then briefly my sister all in the span of a few months. Loss can be a difficult thing to deal with."

The Zen Master looked to Dawn and nodded. He turned to Phoebe as she handed him the dragon blade. "Yes, Yen-Lo must be reborn too. It is the natural order of things." He started to head toward a vortex that dominated one side of the garden.

"I love you." An-Ling said.

"And I'll always love you, An-Ling." The Zen Master said as he walked with the dragon blade through the portal, disappearing on the other side.

"Does anyone know how to leave here?" Paige asked.

An-Ling smiled, "I think I know how to do it now." They all join hands in a circle and An-Ling and Phoebe levitate them up.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

The next day in a San Francisco Park; Buffy, Dawn, Piper and Paige walked down a lane of herbs.

"Aloe plant: medical uses. Toro herbs: magical herb." Dawn said.

"St. John's Wart: Medicinal herb. Ragged robin: magical herb." Paige said.

"Cupid's Dart: Strictly aromatic." Dawn said.

"That one?" Piper asked as she pointed to an herb.

"That is Angelica." Dawn said.

Buffy nodded, "And it's use?"

"Um, I think it's used mostly to flavor fish." Paige said as they walked toward Leo and Phoebe who were sitting on a blanket waiting for them.

"They both got every answer right." Piper said as Dawn and Paige slightly bowed.

"Yeah!" Phoebe said as Dawn, Buffy, Piper and Paige sat down. "So, uh, what inspired the turn around?"

"Well, I kind of liked the power boost I had in Limbo so it kind of made me want to work harder faster." Paige said.

"I've seen what Buffy's life was like as the Slayer. And while I don't look forward to the demon battles," Dawn said. "I want to be able to help people. And it kind of made me want to learn to control my power."

"Uh, don't be in too big a hurry. Either of you. Trust me; you want to fight like hell to keep a life separate from magic." Phoebe said.

"Here, here." Buffy and Piper said.

"And having a guy around like Mason is not such a bad thing." Dawn suggested.

"Dawn?" Buffy said with a shake of her head.

"What?" Dawn asked. "Just cause I'm fifteen, I can't find a guy good looking?"

"Well that's too bad. He cancelled on me for tonight," Paige said. "He said I was trying too hard and that I was not comfortable in my own skin."

"So much for impressing the boss, huh?" Leo asked.

Paige nodded, "Well, I can take comfort in the fact that he cancelled on Aunt Dawn and not me." She laughed a little.

"Hey!" Dawn said as she threw a little bit of food at Paige.

"Buffy." Leo said. "About your questions. The reason you have your powers is because of who you are. The Elders said they knew there was the possibility of your memories as Patty coming back. And they knew you would want to help the girls. You're not only Patty reincarnated but your Patty."

"But I look like my mom and dad." Buffy said.

"The changes in your appearance are cosmetic. The DNA of your birth parents showing through. But underneath that you are Patty Halliwell." Leo said. "That is her body you're in."

"So that means, Dawn…?" Buffy said.

Leo looked to Dawn and nodded. "Since the monks created her from you. She is like you. DNA showing through from your birth parents. But underneath it all she carries Warren blood. That is why she has the power of telekinesis."

Buffy nodded and looked at Dawn. "So I guess now you like me have two sets of parents."

"Guess so." Dawn smiled as Cole shimmered in.

"Well, here comes your personal trainer from hell," Leo said to Phoebe.

"Literally," Piper said.

"Oh, gotta go." Phoebe said as she stood and walked over to Cole. "Hi!"

"Wait a minute," Cole said as Phoebe tried to hug him. "Who are you?" She kissed him in hopes he could tell she was herself again. "Oh, I know... Paige."

"Uh!" Phoebe laughed a little. "So what's on our training schedule for today? Lightsabers?"

"Actually, I was thinking maybe we could have a private picnic of our own." Cole said.

"But what about training? I have to be ready for the Source." Phoebe said.

Cole nodded, "I know, but not right now. Right now, I was thinking I could take you to this great little picnic spot in, uh, the south of France."

"Really?" Phoebe asked.

Cole nodded, "Really." He shimmered out with Phoebe.

Buffy smiled as she looked at Piper and Leo and then thought of Phoebe and Cole. The people they both love are not someone she would have chosen. Even her relationships in both lives ended badly. She and Victor got a divorce. She and Sam were forbidden. Angel and Riley both left her. Still she was happy her daughters had men that made them happy. Of course she thought it could be worse. They could be like Grams.