Chapter 14: Secrets and Guys

Buffy, Prue, Piper, and Phoebe are sitting at a table spring-cleaning in the attic. Piper is looking through a box of toys and Phoebe is painting her nails.

Phoebe smiles, "Can I just say I am absolutely enjoying this?"

Buffy nods in agreement, "Yeah this is fun."

Piper sighs, "That's because you two are not doing anything."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Not true. I've painted my fingers and my toes."

Buffy smiles, "Hey it would personal gain if I helped. I don't think whoever chose me to be the Slayer meant for me to be lifting heavy objects."

Prue nods, "I just hope that this doesn't fall under the personal gain category."

Piper sighs, "How could it? A good witch is a clean witch."

Phoebe nods "Yep. I think we should spring clean like this more often. You go girl."

Prue uses her power to close drawers, put things in a box, clean the window, straighten toys and books on a shelf, and lift some trophies while dusting.

Buffy sighs, "Fine, I will take some of the heavier boxes down. I'm your friendly pack mule today."

Piper smiles, "That's the spirit, Buffy." She looks to Prue, "Good job Prue." Prue uses her power to put away a broom. "Oh look. More toys. I told you Grams wouldn't throw them away."

Prue nods, "Yeah. But we will. Why don't you just put that stuff in the discard pile? Along with the rest of the stuff Buffy can cart downstairs."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Wait. What's in there?"

Buffy rolls her eyes.

Piper smiles, "Stuffed animals without eyeballs. Dollies that look like they've been through the mill once or twice... and looky here. Miss. Phoebe's diaries."

Buffy smiles, "Give me I want to see…"

Phoebe glares at Buffy, "The place where I kept all my secrets. Give me those." She takes her diaries before Buffy can grab them and she giggles. Prue and Piper give her a look. "What?"

Prue shakes her head, "The place where you kept your secrets?"

Buffy rolls her eyes.

Phoebe nods, "Uh-huh."

Piper sighs, "Phoebe, you could never keep a secret."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Oh. That is so not true."

Piper nods, "OK. Maybe Prue's surprise birthday party."

Prue smiles, "Guess again."

Buffy laughs, "Why does that not surprise me."

"You knew?" Piper asked.

Prue nodded, "Mm-hmm."

Piper hits Phoebe playfully. "Phoebe, you swore you wouldn't tell her."

Phoebe rolls her eyes, "I'm sorry. OK? It was an accident." Piper sighs. "I say we keep all the toys."

Prue shakes her head, "Subject changer."

Phoebe smiles, "For our children, for our future."

Buffy sighs, "I probably won't have any." The look all at her. "Remember Slayer. Destined to die young."

Piper nods, "That's a good idea." She looks at Buffy, "You will live a long life and just like Melinda said will have children. You just have to think positive."

Prue sighs, "Well, you can get rid of mine." Piper and Phoebe give her the "what" look. "What? It's just that, you know, we live in a world with so much violence and then you add the evil demons and it's a pretty scary place to raise kids in. Besides, I don't really think I'm cut out to be a mom."

Piper frowns, "How can you say that?"

"Why don't we have this conversation later? Like say 5 years?" Prue says.

Buffy nods, "Yeah five years. That sounds like a good time for me too."

Piper frowns, "Good. Ooh. Ooh. I think dinner's burning. Phoebe, lend me a hand." She leaves.

Phoebe shakes her head, "Don't look in my diaries." She leaves.

Prue looks to Buffy thinking.

The pointer starts to move on the spirit board.

Buffy frowns, "Piper. Phoebe. Get in here."

Prue begins writing down the letters. Piper and Phoebe enter.

"What is it?" Phoebe asks.

Prue points to the spirit board. Phoebe sighs.

Piper frowns, "Oh no. Not again."

Phoebe shakes her head, "What's it saying?"

Prue shows them the notepad that says HELP MAX. "Help Max."

The next morning in the parlor Piper is on the phone. Phoebe, Buffy and Prue come in with the spirit board and sit at a table.

"So maybe Max is a ghost. I mean, after all, that is a spirit board." Pheobe says.

Prue sighs, "A ghost who needs our help? I don't think so."

Buffy nods, "I have to agree."

Phoebe smiles, "Well, it wouldn't be the first time."

Prue nods, "What if it's just someone in trouble crying out?"

"Well, it would have to be someone with powers. That's not exactly AT&T." Phoebe says.

Buffy nods, "Help Max. That's not a lot to go on."

Phoebe nods, "Yeah. I mean there's nothing really you can do unless he sends another message." She looks to Piper. "What... are you on hold or something?"

Piper sighs, "It's Harry, the new chef at Quake. He threw out all my Henckel knives. Apparently, he prefers Forschners!"

Phoebe shakes her head, "You follow any of that?"

"No. Look, we wouldn't have gotten the message if it wasn't important." Prue says.

"OK. So what do you wanna do?" Buffy asks.

"Maybe go see Andy. See if he knows anything about a Max needing help." Prue says.

Phoebe nods, "Can you say long shot? Buffy and Prue gives Phoebe a look. "All right. You're both obsessed. I accept that. I'll thumb through the Book of Shadows. See if there's anything in there about spirit board SOS's."

Prue smiles, "And maybe Piper can…"

Piper sighs, "Look. Wait. I'm the manager. If I say I want Henckel, then I want…hello?" She hangs up. "The jerk hung up on me." She slams the phone on the table. "OK. How can I help you two?"

"I think we got it under control." Prue says.

Buffy nods in agreement.

Piper smiles, "OK. Then I'm going to Quake before Harry does anymore damage."

Piper leaves. Prue gives Phoebe a "what" look. Phoebe giggles.

In the foyer. Piper grabs her coat and opens the door to find Leo there.

Leo smiles, "Ha. Ding-dong."

They both laugh a little

"Leo. You're back. Come in." Leo hugs Piper. "It's so good to see you. How are you?" Piper says.

Leo nods, "Better now." They stop hugging. "How are you Piper?"

In the background, Buffy, Phoebe and Prue, who's carrying the spirit board and pointer, enter.

Piper smiles, "Uh, I'm better now too."

Phoebe smiles, "Leo!"

"Hey, Leo." Buffy says.

Prue nods, "Hey stranger. Good to see you."

"Yeah. What brings you back?" Phoebe asks.

"Phoebe." Prue and Buffy say.

Phoebe sighs, "You know, the chandelier in the living room keeps flickering."

Leo nods, "Yeah? Well, I'll get my tools."

Phoebe smiles, "Oh no. No. Take your time."

"Uh, attic. Remember? You have some reading to do." Prue says.

Phoebe sighs, "Right."

Prue: Mm-hmm.

Phoebe heads towards the attic

"Is that a spirit board?" Leo asks.

Prue nods, "Uh, this? Yeah it is. Um, I'm just talking it to the auction house to have it appraised."

Buffy smiles, "Uhm Prue. Do you need any help today?"

Prue looks back at Phoebe, "Don't you…"

Buffy rolls her eyes as she mouths, 'Please.'

Prue nods, "Ok come on." She grabs her coat. "So, we'll call if we hear anything."

Buffy grabs her coat and follows Prue out the door.

At the Police Station, Prue is sitting by Andy's desk and Buffy stands next to her.

"OK. Let me get this straight. You think a guy named Max might be in some kind of trouble, but you have no idea why. You've never meet him, and you really don't have no idea who he is. Is that about right?" Andy asks.

Buffy nods, "Yeah."

Prue nods, "OK. Fine. See, I had a dream last night and uh, in my dream my sisters and I were cleaning the attic when we found this old ouija-type board and the pointer started to move until it spelled out 'Help Max'." A couple of seconds pass. "That's it."

Andy types MAX on the computer and presses ENTER. "You know, I hear a lot of stories in my line of work, but yours are always very entertaining."

Prue smiles, "Thank you."

Andy nods, "You're welcome." He looks up at Buffy, "I hope your taking good notes here Buffy. Prue's a master she could probably write her own book."

"I have to agree Prue does have some interesting stories." Buffy says.

Andy looks at the computer. "Sorry. Nothing on anyone named Max."

Prue nods, "Oh. Thanks for checking."

Andy smiles, "Anytime."

Prue and Andy stare at each other. Prue giggles. "OK."

"OK." Andy says.

Buffy grabs Prue's arm, "We'll see ya later, Andy. Thanks for the help."

Andy nods, "No problem, Buffy. Bye Prue."

Buffy and Prue exit the station and head for Bucklands.

Later in Prue's office at Buckland's. Prue is typing on her laptop. Buffy is cataloging a few items for Prue. Someone knocks on the door. The door opens and Andy comes in. "Got a minute?" Andy asks.

Prue smiles, "Uh, sure." Andy closes the door. Prue puts the spirit board down so Andy can't see. Andy comes to her desk. Buffy moves over beside Prue so she can see the spirit board. "Why don't you just sit down here?" Andy sits down. "That's perfect. So, um, what's up?"

Andy nods, "I got some interesting information about a boy named Max."

"A boy?" Buffy asks.

Andy sighs, "Named Max. Yes."

Prue looks up at Buffy, "Whoa."

Andy nods, "Curious huh?"

"Very." Buffy says.

As Andy talks, the pointer on the spirit board starts spell out another message.

Andy nods, "Earlier today, a microchip plant was broken into but nothing was taken." Prue sees the pointer move and begins to write down the message. "Stranger still, the alarms were turned off before the front door was opened on the outside."

Prue frowns, "Uh, what does this have to do with this boy Max?"

"Well, uh, security cameras picked up a car in the front parking lot with a boy in the back seat…matching this photo taken at an arcade last week..." Andy says as he shows them a picture of Max and another boy. "...where a couple of kids sunk in in much the same way. Same boy. Max Franklin."

Buffy nods, "Do you know who was in the front seat?"

Andy shakes his head. "Just that they shot and wounded a security guard at the scene. This boy's in serious trouble Prue, Buffy. This is not a dream." Andy leans closer. "I need to know what you two know about this."

Prue shakes her head, "Well, I mean, why would we know anything? I think that you need to talk to his family."

Andy leans back in his chair. "I did. His father. He pretended not to know anything either. Clamed the boy was out of state visiting grandparents, will be back tomorrow, but something's wrong. He wanted to tell me something, but he was scared. He was afraid to say anything. What are you writing?"

Prue looks up after completing the message. "Nothing. I'm just doodling."

Buffy looks down at what Prue has written and nods.

"Neither of you are going to tell me anything are you?" Andy stands up. "One day, I'm going to figure out your secret Prue. Count on it." He leaves. Prue looks at the message. It reads KIDNAPPED AUTO SHOP. She looks up at Buffy who nods.

Prue puts the phone on speaker and dials Quake.

Piper over the phone, "Hello?"

"Hey. Um, look, Max is a boy, Piper, and he's been kidnapped." Prue says.

Piper on the phone, "What?"

Buffy nods, "Yeah. we got another message on the spirit board. I think Prue and I have to help."

Piper on the phone, "Uh, I think we should call the police."

"Uh, Andy's already been here and I think I have an idea what to do." Prue says.

Piper on the phone, "Uh, OK. So you've got everything under control?"

Later at Franklin's house. Buffy and Prue walks up to the door and Prue rings the bell. Mr. Franklin answers the door.

Prue smiles, "Mr. Franklin?"

Mr. Franklin nods, "Yes."

Prue nods, "My name's Prue Halliwell and this is my cousin Buffy. We need to talk to you about your son."

Mr. Franklin shakes his head, "Sorry, um, you have to leave, OK?"

"Look, we know that he's been kidnapped. We know that he's in trouble." Buffy says.

Mr. Franklin frowns, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Prue sighs, "I think you do. What I don't understand is why you won't talk to the police."

"Please. You gotta leave. Alright? Thank you." Mr. Franklin says as he begins to close the door and Prue holds the door open.

"Unless you can't talk to the police. The kidnappers won't let you, will they? That's why you wouldn't say anything to Inspector Trudeau." Prue says.

Mr. Franklin sighs, "Look, I don't know who you two are, but I'm begging you…"

Buffy nods, "We can help."

Mr. Franklin shakes his head, "No. No. You can't. Alright? Good-bye." He begins to close the door and Prue holds the door open.

Prue smiles, "Mr. Franklin..." She uses her power to send a picture flying into Mr. Franklin's hand.

Mr. Franklin catches the picture. Buffy powers up a fireball, quickly shows it to him before extenquishing it. "Dear God." He says.

A few minutes later they are in the living room. Buffy and Prue are sitting on the couch. Mr. Franklin is holding a picture of Max, Mr. Franklin, and Mrs. Franklin.

"Then they hit me and I passed out." Mr. Franklin says as he sits in an armchair and puts the picture down. "I've been going out of my mind crazy ever since last night. Should I go to the police? Should I do what they say? They promised to bring him back, but after what the police said happened this morning, I... I don't even know if he's alright."

Buffy shakes her head, "No. We know that Max is OK right now. If he wasn't, he couldn't have sent us that last message."

Mr. Franklin nods, "So I take it you two are a... witches too huh?"

Prue nods, "Is that what your son says he is?"

Mr. Franklin sighs, "It's what Paulette, my wife, says he is. It's what she was. You know, it would have been a hell of a lot easier to handle her family secret had it been revealed a lot sooner."

Prue looks to Buffy, "Maybe she was afraid of how you would react. Maybe she was afraid that you might not accept her or love her."

Buffy looks down. She can understand that feeling. When she had found out from Gavin Thomas about Prue, Phoebe and Piper. She had been worried how they would take her being the Slayer.

Mr. Franklin nods, "Speaking from personal experience?"

Prue smiles, "Yes I am."

"Well, when Paulette, she had to tell me, she was running out of time. She passed away 3 months ago. Then suddenly, Max, he starts having this power. I don't have a clue what to tell him what it all means. And he uses it and he nearly gets busted at an arcade and now this." Mr. Franklin says.

Prue smiles, "I'm sure that Max..."

Mr. Franklin shakes her head, "Do you have any children?"

Prue sighs, "No, but..."

Mr. Franklin frowns, "Then you possibly couldn't understand what I'm feeling."

Buffy sighs, "She does understand, Mr. Franklin. My mom passed away around the same time your wife did. Prue was thrust into being a parent when I was placed with her and her sisters. Prue, Piper, and Phoebe maybe my cousins. But Prue is also kind of my parent now also. She looks out for me, she takes care of me like any other parent would. Just like you do for Max."

Prue nods, "Buffy is correct. I may not have any children but I guess Buffy is right I am a parent now. Anyways I'm sorry... about what happened to Max and your wife, but if you could just find a way. Forgive her."

"Forgive her. She shouldn't have told me. Maybe if she had I would have been better able to protect Max." Mr. Franklin says.

Buffy nods, "Do you know of anybody who owns an auto shop of any kind?"

Mr. Franklin shakes his head. "Why?"

Prue sighs, "We think your son was trying to send us a clue."

Mr. Franklin sighs, "No I-I... although I think Max's friend, Danny, his brother works at one over in Oakland."

Prue smiles, "Is Danny the friend that broke into the arcade with Max?" Mr. Franklin's eyes widen. "Got an address?"

At the Auto shop. Max is trying to get free. Prue and Buffy appears in the doorway.

"Max?" Prue calls out.

Max looks up, "Who there?"

Prue and Buffy goes to Max and tries to help get him free.

Prue smiles, "My name is Prue, and this is my cousin Buffy. We're here to take you home?"

Buffy nods, "Max don't move okay." She powers up a fireball. "I don't want to burn you."

Max frowns, "But how'd you two find me? Burn me?"

Prue looks to Buffy, "Be careful, Buffy." She looks to Max. "We had a little chat with your friend Danny. Look, you're dad, he's waiting for you."

"You know my dad?" Max asked.

Buffy nods, "Yeah, he..." Mickey appears in the doorway. "Prue."

Prue stands up.

Mickey frowns, "Hey. Who the hell are you two?" Prue uses her power to push him back. "Aah!" He hits the tire bend. And falls to the floor.

Max looks at Prue with wide eyes. David enters. Prue uses her power to push him back too. He hits the tire bend and falls to the floor. Buffy finally manages to burn through the ropes.

Prue helps Max up. "Come on. We need to hurry."

Max looks at Mickey and David and then the ropes, "You two have powers?"

Buffy smiles, "Yeah."

We'll explain them to you in the car, OK?" Prue says.

Max shakes his head, "I can't leave. They'll kill my dad if I do."

Mickey comes up and hits Prue in knocking her to the floor unconscious. He then looks to Buffy, "Sit."

Buffy looks to Prue and nods deciding to comply for now.

Sometime later Buffy and Prue is tied up next to Max. Max has been tied back up.

Mickey shakes Prue. "Hey. Naptime's over. Wake up." Prue wakes up. "I got a little surprise for you."

Prue looks between Max and Buffy, "Max, Buffy, are you both OK?"

Buffy and Max shakes their heads.

Mickey smiles, "They're fine."

Prue frowns, "Look, don't worry..."

Mickey hits Prue on the shoulder. "I said they're fine! Now before you go trying to pull any of that magical, uh, hocus pocus crap again, I wanna show you something." He pulls out a little trigger with a red button on it.

Prue frowns, "What is it?"

"All that matters is what happens when I flick that little switch. Now I flick that little switch, and Max and your friend here takes a nap. A long one." Mickey says.

"Mickey, why don't..." David says.

Mickey frowns, "Shut up!" Mickey goes over to Max and kneels down beside him. David leaves. Mickey show Prue a bomb attached to Max's waist. He then shows Prue the bomb attached to Buffy's waist. "Plastic explosives. Little trick I picked up in Corcoran. Prison system's very educational."

Prue frowns, "Mickey, They're just children." Buffy glares at Prue. "He's already proven that he's not going anywhere. Buffy wouldn't either not without me. If you're going to wire anyone. Wire me."

"What is it with the three of you? What are you, like magicians or freaks of natures? Aliens? What?"

Buffy smiles, "Witches."

Mickey laughs and leaves the room.

Prue nods, "You OK?"

Max nods, "I'm scared."

Buffy sighs, "Your in good company. I always knew being the Slayer came with an early expiration date. But I never figured it would be at the hands of a human being."

Prue sighs, "I know. Just uh, do as they say and everything will be fine. They need you, remember?"

"I'm sorry I got you two into this. Sorry I have these stupid powers." Max says

"No Max. Don't ever be sorry about that. It's a gift. It's like being a, uh, musician or athlete." Buffy says.

Max sighs, "It's a pain. I'm a freak. My dad hates it too. He hates me."

Prue shakes her head, "No. No, he doesn't. He just doesn't understand it, that's all. It's new to him too. Don't worry Max. We won't let anything happen to you. We promise. OK?"

Buffy nods, "Yeah."

Max nods, "OK."

Prue smiles, "OK."

Max and Buffy both smile.

In the other room inside the auto shop where David and Mickey are discussing the plan.

David frowns, "You really think it's necessary? Wiring the kid or that girl like that?"

Mickey nods, "You saw what that chick did. Pretty cool actually. And the girl she didn't have lighter on her yet she burned through those ropes. They might come in handy tonight. It's the only reason either of them is still breathing."

A few minutes later Mickey is in a van preparing for the robbery. David walks over to him with the blue prints. "So the thing is, once Max shorts out the alarm, we got like 3 minutes till the guard realize there's a signal interruption."

Mickey smiles, "Just make sure the kid knows what he's supposed to do. And keep an eye on those girls. I don't trust either of them."

Max sighs, "Has anything like this ever happened to you before?"

Buffy shakes her head, "Uh…not exactly like this. Usually the demons that we have to deal with..."

Max frowns, "Demons?"

"Your mom didn't get to tell you much about being a witch did she?" Prue asks.

"No. I just found out about my power when she died." Max replies.

Prue nods, "You know, my mom died when I was young too. And Buffy's mom passed away around the same time yours did. We know how much it hurts, and it doesn't ever really go away. Neither of us even knew that our powers were coming. We've had to figure it out all by ourselves, which means so can you. Especially with your dad's help."

Max sighs, "He'll never understand."

Prue smiles, "Max, you have to help him understand."

Max sighs, "You sound just like my mom."

Buffy laughs, "She's had a lot of practice in the last few months."

Prue nods, "Well, I care a lot about you too." She looks at Buffy, "About both of you."

Buffy nods, "I know."

"I wish you could be my mom right now." Max says.

"So, what is your power anyway?" Buffy asks.

Max nods, "Mom called it psychokineses. It means I can move things I can't see."

Mickey comes to them. "All right. Remember, just do everything I say. And uh, nobody gets hurt."

David nods, "Let's roll."

Mr. Franklin shows up. "Max?"

Max smiles, "Dad."

Mickey and David point guns at Mr. Franklin.

"Hold it. Hold it. Don't shoot. I'm unarmed. Nobody else knows you're here. I swear. I found you the same way they did. Through your brother." Mr. Franklin says.

Mickey frowns, "Your brother?"

Prue shakes her head, "Gordan, they have him and Buffy wired."

Mickey frowns, "Shut up."

"Dad?" Max says.

Mr. Franklin nods, "It's alright son. Look man. I'll give you anything else you want. Just... let me have my boy, please?"

Mickey lowers his gun. "Alright David. Go, um, go put them in the van. Do it."

David, Buffy, Prue, and Max walk past Mr. Franklin.

Mr. Franklin smiles, "My son." David pushes him aside. "Max. Max." Buffy, Prue, Max, and David go in the van. As Mr. Franklin takes, Mickey loads the gun. "Please man, let him go. I beg you. Please. He's my son. I beg you. Please."

Mickey points the gun at Mr. Franklin's chest.

Buffy's jaw drops as she watches, "Prue."

Prue looks up out the back window of the van.

"Sorry." Mickey says as he shoots Mr. Franklin. Buffy and Prue see Mr. Franklin fall to the floor. Max is burying his face in Prue's coat. Mickey hops in front and closes the door. "Drive." He looks at Prue and Buffy.

Buffy and Prue look at Mr. Franklin as the van drives away.

Outside the bank David parks on the side of the road. He then turns around and looks at Max. "Alright. It'll be just like this morning Max." He shows Max the blueprints for the bank. "That's where the alarm panel is. You know the rest."

Max looks at Mickey.

Mickey frowns, "What are you looking at?"

"What are you going to do with my dad?" Max asks.

Buffy sighs, "Max, the sooner this is over, the sooner we can get to him. We need to hurry."

Max looks at the map. He then uses his power to short out the alarms, open the gate, and open the vault. "OK."

Mickey smiles, "Out."

Mickey and David pull on their bank robbers masks. They get out of the van and make Max and Prue come with them. They go in the bank and to the vault.

David nods, "We got 2 minutes."

"Alright. You get the cash. I'll watch them." Mickey says.

David goes in the vault. Mickey watches him.

Prue smiles, "Use your power."

Max is confused. Prue uses her power to show him to use it on the bomb on himself and Buffy.

Mickey looks at them. He grabs Max. "I don't want you three getting any ideas." Max looks at Prue while Mickey looks at David. Prue nods. Max begins using his power on the bombs. "What the hell are you doing?"

Max shorts out the bombs. An alarm rings.

Guard #1 yells, "At the vault!"

Two guards arrive on the scene. Mickey pushes Max away. Buffy and Prue grabs Max and holds him, making sure he doesn't get hurt.

"Hold it right there!" Guard #2 says.

David and Mickey get their guns.

Guard #1 frowns, "Drop it!"

Buffy looks to Prue, "Prue."

Prue uses her power to push the guards out of the way of the firing bullets. They stop.

"Big mistake." Mickey says as he pushes the button on the trigger. Nothing happens.

Prue smiles, "Yeah. Right back at you." She uses her power to push David and Mickey in the vault, closes it, and locks it. "Come on."

They begin to leave.

Max nods, "Shouldn't we wait for the cops? Explain everything?"

Buffy shakes her head, "No. Look, we cannot explain without telling and you have to protect yourself by protecting your secret."

Prue smiles at her cousin, "Buffy is right. Besides we really need to get back to your dad, OK?"

Later at the auto shop the van comes in. Buffy, Max and Prue get out.

Max runs over to Mr. Franklin, "Dad, you OK?"

Mr. Franklin smiles, "Max." Mr. Franklin gets up and hugs his son. "Oh. Ooh. I'm fine Max. Thank you God. Thank you. Thank you. Ooh. You're alright."

Prue looks to Buffy who nods, "But we saw you get... you're not bleeding."

"It's a miracle. Thank you... thank you both for protecting my son." Mr. Franklin says.

Prue smiles, "I'm just glad it all worked out. Raise the boy well." Mr. Franklin looks at Buffy and Prue strangely. "What?"

Mr. Franklin nods, "There's somewhere we need to go." He looks to Buffy and Prue. "I'd like you both to come with us."

The next morning at the cemetery. Max and Mr. Franklin put two pink rose with ribbons by Paulette's grave. Buffy and Prue is standing behind them.

"I was so busy being angry at your mother for leaving, for not telling me her secret, your secret... it was like a... a weight on my heart. I hope you both can forgive me." Mr. Franklin says.

Max hugs his dad.

Buffy smiles and looks at Prue and then hugs her cousin. I think I'm ready."

Prue nods in agreement.

Later back at the Manor in the attic. A toy train goes across the floor. Phoebe picks it up. Piper is carrying a box of toys behind her. They go to a little table. Phoebe sits down. Piper puts the box down.

Prue smiles, "Can you believe that? Dad's old train."

Piper shakes her head, "I can't believe you two. You get mad at me for chasing monsters on my own."

Prue smiles, "Well, I figured we could handle it when we realized they weren't demons, but I think Buffy and I both agree we probably should have asked for help."

Buffy nods, "Yeah."

"Even though that killed you, and it almost did." Phoebe says.

Prue smiles, "Live and learn."

Piper nods, "Yeah, you didn't even get to say good-bye to Leo."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Phoebe asks.

Piper sighs, "I don't know. It's just weird. I felt like... he was holding something back form me."

Buffy shakes her head, "Holding something back? What do you mean?"

"Who knows? It just seems like he wasn't telling me the whole story. Like... he had some secret he was afraid I couldn't handle." Piper says.

Phoebe nods, "Well that's his call..." Buffy, Prue and Piper give her the "what" look. "Uh, assuming that he had a secret. Might not have."

Piper shakes her head, "What are you talking about?"

Phoebe sighs, "OK. OK. You don't have to beat it out of me. Leo is a Whitelighter. They're sort of guardian angels for witches. And they're not supposed to get involved with witches. But Leo couldn't help it. He fell in love with you and that broke all the rules and got him in all sorts of trouble. And even though he'll love you forever, you will probably never see him again."

Buffy, Prue and Piper begin laughing.

"What? Phoebe, that's... that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Oh god. Don't be so silly." Piper says as she tosses Phoebe a doll.

Phoebe smiles, "That's me. Silly."

Piper nods, "I gotta go get some more tea." She leaves.

Prue smiles, "Yeah. You know, Pheebs. With an imagination like that, you should be writing children's books or something."

Buffy nods in agreement, "Yeah, Pheebs."

Phoebe shakes her head, "No. But I didn't... I didn't... even think of that. That's a really good idea Prue." She moves the toy train to the box of toys going.

"Oh. Oh." Prue says as she grabs the toy train. "That stays here."

Phoebe blinks, "Wait. I thought all of the toys were going to the salvation army."

Buffy smiles, "Well, like you said."

Prue nods in agreement, "We should save some for our children."

"Do I sense a hormonal shift here?" Phoebe asks.

Prue shakes her head, "It's no big deal. Buffy and I just had some time to think."

Buffy smiles, "Yeah time to think."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Yeah. In all that spare time of yours."

"And I realize that I do want kids. I think that I'd make a great mom." Prue says.

Buffy laughs, "You already do, mom."

Prue laughs and slaps at Buffy playfully.

Phoebe smiles, "So, did you two save Max or did Max save the both of you?"

Buffy and Prue doesn't answer.

Phoebe picks up the box and leaves.

Buffy smiles at Prue, "I think he saved us both."

Prue nods in agreement.