Chapter 25: Witch Way Now

At The Bay Mirror in Phoebe's office. Phoebe's there working. She has the TV on and a psychic reading show is on.

Buffy, who Phoebe asked Elise to hire as her assistant walks in carrying a box of letters. "Hey, more Dear Phoebe letters, where do you want them?"

Phoebe nods, "Oh, you can just put them anywhere."

Buffy shakes her head, "You sure you'll get to them?"

Phoebe looks up at her sister and nods, "I'll get to them."

Buffy blinks, "All of them?"

Phoebe nods, "Yes. I am on a role."

Buffy shakes her head and closes the door, "After the deal with Glory it seems like you've been more like on a mission."

Phoebe hands Buffy some sheets of paper. "Will you get these to Elise please and find out which one she wants to run?"

Buffy nods, "Sure. You're changing the subject you know that?"

Phoebe nods, "I know."

Buffy looks at the TV, "Tell me something… What is your secret? Herbs? Acupuncture? Tashmin?"

Phoebe laughs, "Probably the same thing you would use, psychology. Didn't you say you had been working on your masters in psychology when the stuff with Glory started."

Buffy nods, "Yeah. I probably should finish that one of these days."

Phoebe nods and looks around, "Nothing really has worked for me for a while. You know since the stuff with Cole…"

Buffy frowns, "Sorry I should have kept my big mouth shut. I completely forgot. And it's not helping matters he is trying to contact you from beyond the grave either."

Phoebe nods, "Anyways well that's in the past. I'm finally coming out from underneath all that. Thanks to you, Piper, Paige and even Dawn. Speaking of which, how are you with Dawn's training? Now that she can orb all over creation."

Buffy sighs, "It's been something I will tell you that. Piper and Paige are helping as much as possible. Piper with the practical side of magic you know the spells and what not. Paige with the Whitelighter powers. I think Dawn's finally getting the hang of orbing down. I just wish orbing hadn't been her first active power. Did you notice she orbed down to breakfast this morning?"

Phoebe blinks, "She did? Dang she's enjoying it a little too much."

Buffy nods, "Yeah I know."

Voice from the TV, "Help me, Phoebe."

Phoebe looks up at Buffy, "What did you just say?"

Buffy shrugged, "That I know."

The Voice repeats, "Help me, Phoebe."

They both turn to face the TV.

Tashmin looks to be possessed, "Help me, Phoebe."

Buffy shakes her head, "That sounds eerily like Cole's voice."

Phoebe nods, "Go tell Elise we need to take the rest of the day off."

At the manor, road workers are working on the street right outside the manor. It is very noisy.

Paige looks out the window from the living room. "Did they say how much longer this was gonna go on for?"

Piper shakes her head, "Three weeks, which means three months." Leo is holding a picture frame, with the painting Willow had done, against the wall. "A little higher."

Paige sighs, "We'd better hope no demons attack, that'd be a bust, especially if one of us goes flying out the window."

Leo frowns, "I wouldn't worry about that too much, there's so much chaos in the underworld they're too busy fighting each other."

Piper nods, "Well, I hope it lasts. I almost forgot what it's like to lead a normal life. Even Buffy's been having it easy. Last few nights there haven't been many vamps when she patrols." She looks at the picture frame, "It's gotta go a little higher."

Leo nods, "I need a ladder."

Paige shakes her head, "Leo, just hover."

Piper frowns, "No, no, no, I don't wanna jinx anything, I'd rather we not use magic unless we absolutely have to, thank you very much."

Paige nods, "Come on, Piper, relax a little. Use it or lose it, lady."

Leo hovers up and holds the picture against the wall.

Piper sighs, "Fine."

Leo marks the wall with a pencil and hovers back down.

Paige smiles, "Ah, see, no major disaster struck."

Phoebe and Buffy walks in through the front door.

Phoebe sighs, "We have a huge problem."

Piper looks to Paige, "You were saying?"

Phoebe nods, "Cole tried contacting me again."

Leo shakes his head, "What, more whisperings?"

Phoebe sighs, "No, this time he was channelling through a TV psychic while I was at work. He sounded so desperate."

Piper frowns, "Wait, did anybody else notice?"

Phoebe nods and points at Buffy, "Just my new assistant. How am I supposed to move on with my life when I keep being haunted by his afterlife?"

Piper nods, "Leo, what do you think?"

Leo shrugs, "I think you need to do something fast."

Piper shakes her head, "No, I mean, how is he holding on?"

Leo sighs, "I don't know, I guess because he's half demon, it must be some kind of astral plane."

Phoebe nods, "Well, whatever, we can't risk him contacting me again. I have to figure out a way to get to him and find out what he wants."

Paige nods, "Honey, what he wants is you. I mean, why else would he be hanging on?"

Buffy nods, "I think Paige is right on this one. I think his love for you is keeping him from moving on."

Suddenly, everything freezes including Leo.

Phoebe frowns, "Piper, why is Leo frozen?"

Piper goes over to him and waves in front of his face. "Well, this is very strange."

Paige looks out the window and all the work men are frozen too. "Paige: Uh, guys, I think you oughta take a look at this." Piper, Buffy and Phoebe go to the window. "So much for not performing any magic, huh Piper."

Piper shakes her head, "Me? I didn't do that, I couldn't freeze all that stuff."

An elderly man appears. "But I can."

The girls spin around.

Phoebe frowns, "Who are you?"

The man nods, "I'm the Angel Of Destiny, and I've come to change yours."

Piper, Phoebe and Paige are backing away from the Angel of Destiny. Piper is trying to freeze him.

Buffy stands in a combat crouch she usually reserves for vampires.

Paige frowns, "He's not freezing, why isn't he freezing?"

Angel of Destiny smiles, "You're wasting your time." Piper, Phoebe, and Paige back into a table and fall on top of each other. "I am beyond your powers." They get back up. "Besides, I pose no threat to you."

Buffy growls, "Well, forgive us for not believing that…"

Piper nods, "The last being we met who could freeze time was a demon."

Angel of Destiny smiles, "Actually, it's because of a demon that I've come to see you. Well a demon and a hellgod, but mostly the demon. Which in and of itself is very rare. We Angels of Destiny normally don't intervene except in extraordinary situations. Mozart at age seven, Michelangelo, Albert Einstein... Britney Spears."

Paige frowns, "Huh?"

Buffy shakes her head, "Britney Spears? You have gotta be kidding me."

Phoebe shakes her head, "I don't understand."

Angel of Destiny nods, "You four have accomplished something that few others ever dream of. By vanquishing the Source of all evil, you have fulfilled your shared destiny, much earlier than anticipated. Truth be told, some of us did think you'd never achieve it at all, shoot we were surprised when not only did you vanquish the Source but Glory as well. But that's really beside the point. What's important is you have and because of that we're offering you a reward, a chance to chart a new destiny, one of your own design."

Paige blinks, "A reward?"

Angel of Destiny nods, "You can continue to remain as you are, charmed, vested with all your witchly powers, and of course demonic burdens. Or..."

Piper frowns, "Or?"

Angel of Destiny nods, "You can choose to relinquish your magic and lead normal lives again, unaccounted, free, we'd wipe the entire slate clean, nobody would come after you again. Well, what do you say? Of course Buffy you would still be the Slayer, that destiny is not complete but you too would no longer be charmed."

Piper frowns, "What do we say? Are you kidding? You can't just freeze the whole world and come in here and drop a bombshell like that and expect a quick decision. I don't care who you are."

Buffy nods, "Plus this affects Dawn also. If we're not charmed there would be no one to teach her then would there. So she should be part of this decision."

The Angel of Destiny nods and suddenly Dawn is standing next to them.

Dawn frowns, "What's going on? One moment I was in math class and the next I'm here. I know I didn't orb."

Buffy sighs as she tells Dawn what the Angel of Destiny just told them.

Angel of Destiny smiles, "Now I don't think you quite grasp the uniqueness of this opportunity."

Piper shakes her head, "No, we're grasping it but that is beside the point. The least you could do is give us a little time to think about it."

Paige nods, "Think about what? No time needed. Thanks but no thanks. Right?"

Buffy looks at Dawn, "I will go with what Dawn wants."

Dawn looks between her mother and aunts, "I'm not sure. I just got my powers."

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, right, of course right. But, you know, as long as he's offering, maybe we should talk about this. Just talk about it. Over there. Right, right over here please, now, excuse us." She pulls them across the room.

Paige sighs, "You can't be serious, Phoebe, you of all people, you love being a witch."

Phoebe nods, "I know I do, but I..."

Paige sighs, "But what? What has changed?"

Phoebe sighs, "Oh, I don't know, I became queen of the Underworld and nearly died carrying baby Lucifer. That's what changed, Paige."

Buffy sighs, "While I can be the Slayer without magic, it's nice to have it though. Kind of as a fall back. It's why I'm on the fence, and why I said whichever Dawn wants I will stand beside her."

Piper nods, "Paige, it's just that we've been doing this a lot longer than you have, and I'm not trying to discount all the good that we've done or that we could do. But at the same time I'm not gonna minimise the costs. Paige, I can't get pregnant because of what we do.

Phoebe sighs, "Punching out demons just isn't as much fun as it used to be."

Paige nods, "So what are you gonna say?"

Dawn looks at her mom, "I don't want to give it up. What happens if you guys give it up and I still have my powers?"

Buffy shrugs, "I don't know."

Angel of Destiny nods, "She's saying you need some time, which I'll grant, but not too much time. After all, other people's destinies are tied to yours, including Dawn's. And since it's your charmed destiny that's at stake here, majority will rule. Three sisters, will decide the fate of all four. So consider your choice wisely. Perhaps what happens next will help you to decide."

Angel of Destiny disappears. Everything unfreezes and Piper's cell phone rings.

Leo comes in. "Hey, did you just freeze me?"

Piper shakes her head, "No, dear, the Angel of Destiny did."

Leo frowns, "Who?"

Piper picks up her cell. "Yeah, you'd better check with the Elders and make sure he's for real. I'm not kidding." Leo orbs out. Piper answers her phone. "Hello?"

Darryl on phone, "Don't talk just listen."

Piper nods, "Darryl? What's wrong?"

Dawn frowns, "Uhm mom. We may have an exposure problem?"

Buffy eyes go wide, "Dang it. He grabbed you right out of class. The least he could have done was pop you back before disappearing."

The Angel of Destiny's voice speaks, "Oops." Dawn disappears.

Darryl on the phone, "Apparently you guys are about to be put under surveillance." Piper motions for Phoebe, Buffy and Paige to come over and listen. "An FBI agent named Jackman called me into his office today. He did a search on unsolved cases. Apparently your names came up on way too many witness lists."

Phoebe frowns, "What do you mean? What does he know?"

Darryl shakes his head, "I don't know, but I'm gonna try find out. In the meantime just lay low and whatever you do don't use any magic."

Piper sighs and hang up.

Paige frowns, "So are we screwed?"

Piper frowns, "Maybe, but that would take destiny out of our hands and I don't think that's what the angel meant."

Phoebe frowns, "Okay, icksnay on the angelnay talk."

Buffy's cell phone rings. "Hello?"

Dawn is on the phone, "They didn't notice me gone. He popped me into the bathroom. So I just told the teacher I had gone to the bathroom, that I wasn't feeling well. She's sent me to the nurse and their wanting you to come pick me up just to be on the safe side."

Buffy nods, "Ok, be there shortly." Buffy hangs up the phone.

They head for the stairs.

Paige looks around the attic, "I still don't understand how coming up here is gonna help."

Phoebe smiles, "Actually it's pretty simple." Phoebe turns on a stereo and cranks up the volume.

Buffy turns to Paige, "Now that we can talk. Can I get you to orb me to the school?"

Paige frowns, "Why?"

Buffy sighs, "The Angel guy popped Dawn into a bathroom. She explained to the teacher that she had run out quickly to the bathroom cause she wasn't feeling well. So now the school wants me to bring her home. So she doesn't spread her fictitious germs to the rest of the students."

Paige nods, "Ok we'll be back momentarily." They orb out.

Phoebe nods, "So you guys have been home all day, right?"

Piper nods, "Yeah, so?"

Phoebe sighs, "So there's no way he would've had time to bug the inside of the house, he's gotta be listening from the outside."

Phoebe walks over to the Book of Shadows.

Paige, Buffy and Dawn orb back in.

Piper sighs, "Is it ironic that here we are presented with the opportunity to give up our powers and now we suddenly can't even use them."

Phoebe sighs, "Except not using our powers doesn't necessarily mean that we won't be exposed. We still have Cole to worry about."

Paige frowns, "Phoebe, you can't make contact to a dead demon husband."

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, but if I don't he will, and then what? The FBI is outside and if they find out about us it's gonna be the same thing as last year and we don't want that now do we?" She turns to the "To Find a Lost Love" spell in the Book of Shadows. "So I'm gonna cast the "To Find a Lost Love" spell. I mean, if Cole's soul is on some astral plane, it should astral me there, right?"

Paige nods, "Are you sure he even has a soul?"

Phoebe sighs, "Well, what else would be calling out to me? Cole needs closure and so do I."

Piper nods, "We will create a distraction outside in case your spell inside creates any fireworks."

Paige nods, "Be careful."

Buffy nods, "Dawn stay up here, ok. Help Phoebe if she needs it. Under no circumstances come down stairs. And don't go near the windows."

Dawn sighs and nods, "Ok."

Buffy follows Paige and Piper down the stairs.

Piper is looking out the window. Paige and Buffy walks in each carrying a tray of lemonade.

Paige sighs, "Unless we spike the lemonade, I doubt they'll..."

Piper frowns, "Shh! That phone company van looks suspicious."

Buffy nods, "Your right. He wasn't there earlier, and besides he didn't put out any cones."

Paige sighs, "That's what you're basing it on?"

Piper nods, "Well, it's the best that we got, okay, now are you two ready?"

Paige shakes her head, "Why don't you just" She wiggles her fingers, "to the street?"

Piper shakes her head, "Because what is somebody drives around the corner? Now you just need to use some of your god given magic." She undoes the top button on Paige's dress. "Okay?"

She looks at Buffy who rolls her eyes undoing the top button on her blouse. "I so hope Dawn does not see me. This is so not the example I want to give her."

Piper nods, "Go."

Paige and Buffy exit the house walks down the steps carrying the trays of lemonade. The men workers turn and stare at them. Two workers whistle.

Paige in a sexy voice, "Anyone feel like a little cool down?" All the men rush over and take a glass. "Easy, boys, there's enough for everyone."

Piper walks onto the road and smiles at Paige. She then goes over to the van and opens the door. She quickly freezes the guy inside and closes the door. She signals Phoebe who's looking out the attic window and turns off the music.

After the lemonade is gone, Paige and Buffy walk back in the house.

Buffy shakes her head, "I feel so dirty." They hear Phoebe scream and run up stairs followed by Piper.

Dawn frowns, "Something's hurting her."

Piper nods, "Something is killing her." She looks in the Book of Shadows. "Here reversal spell."

Piper, Paige, Buffy and Dawn chant, "Return thy love, wherever she be, through time and space, bring her back to me."

Phoebe returns to her body. She sits up with a jolt and gasps.

Buffy looks at Dawn, "You did good sweetie."

Piper looks at Dawn and smiles before turning her attention to Phoebe, "Okay, you're okay."

Phoebe nods, "Oh my god, what was I thinking?"

Someone knocks on the front door and rings the doorbell.

Paige frowns, "Uh-oh, I hope the freeze didn't wear off."

They all walk downstairs, Dawn included, Piper opens the front door.

Jackman stands at the door, "Agent Jackman, FBI." Holds up his badge. "We should talk."

They lead him into the dining room. They sit down at the table.

Jackman puts a thick folder on the table and slides it over to the girls. "In case you're wondering, that's just a copy."

They look in it to find photos of themselves being spied on.

Phoebe frowns, "Pursued to agenda trust, Agent Jackman."

Jackman nods, "If I wanted to expose you, I could've done that six months ago when that file first crossed my desk."

Paige sighs, "Expose us as what?"

Jackman nods, "Witches. It's the only logical explanation for all the unsolved cases, the missing persons, the mysterious deaths."

Buffy frowns, "Prove it."

Jackman gets out a tape recorder and presses play. Dawn on tape, "Something is hurting her."

Piper on tape, "Something is killing her. Here, reversal spell."

Piper, Paige, Buffy and Dawn on tape, "Return thy love wherever she be, through time and space, bring her back to me."

Jackman stops the tape.

Piper shakes her head, "That doesn't prove anything."

Jackman nods, "No, but it implies everything, especially when coupled with that file. You think your newspaper wouldn't run that story?"

Phoebe sighs, "What do you want?"

Jackman smiles, "Believe it or not, your help. See, I specialise in occult style slayings, that's why I was watching you in hopes of catching a serial killer. A witch hunter."

Piper frowns, "Alright, I've heard enough of this nonsense."

Piper tries to freeze Jackman but he doesn't.

Paige frowns, "Uh, wait a second, he froze before."

Jackman pulls out an amulet out of his shirt which is hanging around his neck. "This time I was prepared. Like I said, I specialize in this stuff. There's supposed to only be a few of these amulets left in the world. Got this one off the witch hunter we're after." He tucks it back under his shirt. He hands the girls a photo of the witch hunter. "Her name is Selena. I traced her genealogy all the way back to the witch trials. I think killing you people's in her blood, it's what she lives for. I mean, why else would she had burned her last three victims at the stake."

Piper shrugs, "Why are you telling us this?"

Jackman nods, "Well, because I thought you were gonna be her next victims, but now that I know who you really are and what you can do, I need you to help me find her before she kills again."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Do you have any idea where she is?"

Jackman nods, "I did for a while, I had her in custody once but she got away." He puts a plastic bag of stuff on the table. "These are some of Selena's personal belongings and from what I know, if you use your powers on them you might be able to find her. Now you do that, I'll make sure those files disappear forever. You don't," he pulls out his card, "well, you figure it out." He grabs his bag. "Call me."

He leaves.

Buffy frowns, "I don't trust him. With Dawn here he can now link her to us and it would be even worse."

Piper looks at Buffy and nods in agreement.

Phoebe sighs, "Maybe we should take the Angel of Destiny up on his offer."

Paige sighs, "Great, so we'd be free and so would Selena, who for all we know could be a warlock."

Phoebe shakes her head, "No, warlocks don't burn witches at the stake, they just steal their powers."

Paige nods, "Exactly. Powers, Phoebe, the very things we were given to do good with, remember?"

Phoebe nods, "Huh, yeah, Paige, I remember."

Dawn looks at her mom and then back at her aunts, "Hey! Aunt Phoebe, Aunt Paige. Enough! This isn't helping."

Piper nods, "Dawn is right."

Paige frowns ignoring both Piper and Dawn, "Do you really or has all that dark magic just kinda gotten into your brain."

Piper sighs, "Guys."

Paige nods, "I can't believe you're so willing to just throw away our powers."

Phoebe frowns, "Paige, you don't know the hell that I've been through. You didn't live it."

Paige sighs, "Oh, really? I was just turned into a vampire and then I was shrunk and then we switched bodies and..."

Buffy shakes her head, "That was not a vampire that turned you. More than likely a demonic race posing as true vampires. True vampires don't turn back when some Queen is destroyed. Believe me I've fought enough vampires to know."

Phoebe sighs, "Okay, imagine going through that for years. All I'm asking is for my life back."

Piper frowns, "Okay, guys, enough, we need to focus."

Paige sighs, "What about you, Piper? What do you think? Or you Buffy?"

Piper sighs, "I think we need to see this through like the angel suggested." Buffy nods in agreement. "So Paige, you are gonna go up to the attic and get started on this stuff." She hands Paige Selena's stuff. "We will meet you there. Scoot." Paige goes upstairs. "Leo! You can orb it's alright."

Leo orbs in. "What about the FBI agent?"

Piper sighs, "Uh, he already busted us. But supposedly all he wants is our help."

Buffy shakes her head, "I still stay something is off. I was getting some major vibes from him."

Phoebe nods, "Did you find anything out about the Angel of Destiny?"

Leo nods, "He's legit and so is his offer."

Piper sighs, "Okay, um, can you do us a favor and go get Darryl and make sure that agent Jackman is legit too. And meanwhile, we have a witch hunter to find. Don't ask, just go." Leo orbs out. Phoebe moans. "Having a crappy day?"

Phoebe nods, "Yeah."

Buffy sighs, "Cole?"

Phoebe looks at the youngest of her sisters and nods, "Yeah."

Piper heads up to the attic, followed by Dawn. Piper and Dawn are reading from the Book of Shadows while Paige makes a potion.

Piper nods, "Before the flame subsides, let the wax from the candle drip onto the crystal. Once consecrated scry with the crystal for the one who is sought."

Paige drips a candle into a pot and it explodes.

Paige sighs, "Ain't magic grand."

Dawn smiles, "Yes it is. I love it."

Phoebe walks in, talking on the phone. "Okay, bye." She hangs up. "That was Morris. He confirmed that there is a serial killer on the loose doing exactly what Jackman said."

Paige nods, "We're all over it." Paige starts scrying on a map.

Phoebe sighs, "He also said that Jackman has more information on us than he shared, including our genealogy. Dating all the way back to Melinda Warren."

Paige frowns, "Well, what does that mean?"

Dawn frowns, "Whose Melinda Warren?"

Piper smiles, "Great, Great, Great Grandmother several times removed. Our powers originated with her."

Dawn nods, "Oh."

Piper nods, "I'll show you later, sweetie. She's on the family tree, got it somewhere around here."

Phoebe smiles, "Anyways they're gonna keep checking."

Piper nods, "Where's Buffy?"

Phoebe sighs, "On the phone to Giles. Giving him the heads up in case this guy has info on the Slayer."

Piper nods, "Anyways it means he's going through an awful lot of trouble to get as much information on us as possible. I got a bad feeling he's not gonna let us off the hook so easily after this is all over."

Paige sighs, "What, he's just gonna keep using us afterwards?"

Phoebe sighs, "Great, Charlie's freakin' angels. This just keeps getting better and better."

The crystal points to a spot on the map.

Paige nods, "Got Selena. Do we still go after her?"

Piper sighs, "Well, we don't have a choice. We can't let her run around burning people at the stake."

Buffy walks into the attic, "Ok Giles is informed to be on the watch out for Jackman."

Piper nods, "We found Selena. Me and Phoebe will orb with Paige. You orb with Dawn."

Buffy shakes her head, "No. Dawn is not ready to be fighting demons, or witch hunters."

Piper sighs, "Buffy I understand your feelings in this. But Jackman knows about Dawn. So she has a stake in this as well. Plus it will be easier to orb in and out with two orbers than just one."

Buffy sighs, "Alright."

Paige orbs in a room with Piper and Phoebe at Selena's house. A moment later Buffy and Dawn orbs in. Piper opens a door slightly and peeks through it. She sees Selena and some men in the next room.

Piper whispers, "She has body guards. Lots of body guards."

Buffy shakes her head, "Something doesn't seem right here."

Phoebe nods, "I wonder why Jackman didn't tell us about them?"

Paige shrugs, "Probably figured we wouldn't help if we knew."

A bodyguard walks in through a different door and shoots his gun at Dawn. Piper freezes the bullet in mid-air.

Piper frowns, "Paige." She knocks the bullet out of the air. "Did you not have the sense to sense if anybody else was in the room before you orbed us in here?"

Another bodyguard comes in through the other door and shoots. Paige gets a fright and orbs out. Phoebe grabs the bodyguard and pushes him against a cabinet.

Selena is there heading for the door.

Paige orbs in front of her. "Going somewhere?" Selena takes a swing at Paige but misses. Paige hits Selena and knocks her unconscious. Piper, Buffy, Dawn and Phoebe race in. "We're gonna need some serious memory dust after all this is over."

Piper nods, "Yeah, well, we've gotta get out of here."

Phoebe sees Cole in the corner of the room.

Cole whispers, "Phoebe."

Phoebe frowns, "Cole." He disappears. Piper turns to look. "I swear he was just there."

Dawn shakes her head, "I saw him, too."

A bodyguard runs in and shoots.

Piper freezes him. "Time to go. Orb! Orb! Orb!"

Paige grabs Piper and Selena and orbs out. Dawn is right behind them with Buffy and Phoebe.

Short time later at the manor. Someone knocks on the door. Piper answers it and Jackman walks in. "Where is she?"

Piper nods, "In there." Jackman pulls out his gun. "Whoa! Whoa! You don't need that, she's unconscious."

Jackman puts it away and they go into the living room where Selena is unconscious on the couch. "Did she put up much of a fight?"

Phoebe frowns, "No, but her bodyguards did."

Jackman frowns, "Bodyguards? She had bodyguards?"

Piper nods, "Yeah, lots of them with lots of guns and they weren't shy about using them either."

Jackman frowns, "Oh, must have known we were closing in on her."

Buffy shakes her head, "Still, don't you think it's odd that a serial killer has hired guns protecting her?"

Jackman shrugs, "Well, maybe she's not working alone."

Phoebe nods, "Or maybe you're just not telling us everything."

Jackman smirks, "Maybe I'm not. What are you gonna do about it?"

Piper nods, "Well, for one thing, we're not gonna let you take her without a warrant."

Jackman frowns, "You know, you're all the same. You think that just because you have gifts, powers, that you're above it all, you're special. Well I'm no different."

Phoebe laughs, "Oh really?"

Jackman smiles, "Yeah. Your arrogance is your Achilles heal, that's why witch hunters and demons are always after you and they always will be. I wouldn't trade places with you for the world. Oh, ah," he pulls out some paper, "here's your warrant."

Buffy frowns, "So when do we get our files?"

Jackman nods, "When she's in jail and I feel I'm safe."

Dawn sighs, "Safe from what?"

Jackman smiles, "Safe from you." He picks up Selena. "I don't wanna be another one of those people who mysteriously disappear around here." He leaves.

Piper frowns, "I knew he'd never give up those files. In case anybody is wondering we are officially screwed."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Not necessarily."

Paige sighs, "No, we are not giving up our powers." She storms over to the couch and sits down.

Buffy sighs and looks at Dawn, "What would you do sweetie?"

Dawn sighs, "I like having my powers. I know that means I would be falling in your footsteps and all. And I know you don't want that for me. If it were me though I'd keep them."

Buffy sighs and nods, "I think your right."

Phoebe looks to Paige, "I don't wanna give up our powers either. But I don't wanna give up our lives even more. He's just gonna keep using us."

Piper nods, "Unless we let the angel wipe the slate clean. Look, Paige, we said we would wait to decide until this thing played out and it has. And frankly if the angel hadn't made this offer I'd probably think differently and I'd think let's just keep fighting. But I'm tired of fighting and Jackman's right, it is never ending."

Phoebe nods, "Unless we end it ourselves. So do we need to talk to Leo about this first?"

Piper shakes her head, "No, it doesn't have anything to do with him, it's just us. And he will understand."

Paige sighs, "You guys are only seeing the bad. What about all the wonder of being witches, the stuff you introduced me to in the first place. You're gonna let all that go?"

Phoebe nods, "Paige, it doesn't balance out anymore. And after everything that we've lost, it doesn't seem worth it."

Paige smiles, "What about all the good we've done. Doesn't that count for anything?"

Piper nods, "Of course it does but that's exactly why we have this choice to make. He said we fulfilled our destiny, we've done it. This is supposed to be our reward for that."

Paige sighs, "Yeah, well, pardon me if it didn't seem like much of a reward, because without being witches I wouldn't have sisters."

Buffy frowns, "Didn't the Angel say majority wins. Well I think we're kind of split 50/50. I'm going to side with Paige here. Dawn needs someone to teach her about her powers. And I want to do that."

Phoebe and Piper turn to face Buffy with surprise. They had expected her to stay on the fence or be swayed to their side of the argument. They never expected Buffy to want to keep her powers. Not after everything she has gone through as the Slayer.

Piper nods, "Let's ask some questions then. So we can make an informed decision."

Buffy nods, "Alright. If his questions satisfy me then I might change my mind."

They head up to the attic and wait. A moment later the Angel of Destiny appears.

Piper sighs, "We have a couple of questions first. Ok? Then we'll see about making a decision. Just so we're clear this wipes the entire slate clean. No read the find print technicalities, no more demons, no more vengeful warlocks."

Phoebe nods, "And we won't have to worry about Agent Jackman anymore, or anyone else who might have found out we were witches?"

Piper nods, "Exactly. Just free to lead normal lives with no demonic aftertaste."

Angel of Destiny nods, "Absolutely."

Paige nods, "Will we remember? Being witches that is."

Angel of Destiny nods, "Oh, you'll remember everything. It doesn't change your history, only your future."

Paige sighs, "And what about the book?"

Angel of Destiny looks to Dawn, "It'll pass to a descendant."

They all turn and look at Dawn.

Buffy nods, "So who teaches her?"

Angel of Destiny looks to Buffy, "You can. Regardless if you have your powers you can still teach her to use her magic and other abilities. It won't be as easy mind you but you still can."

Buffy nods. "Then I guess I'm the swing vote. If at least two others want to then I will vote yes.

Phoebe nods, "What about Cole? Will he keep trying to make contact with me?"

Angel of Destiny sighs, "I don't know, I have no control over that. He exists beyond time and space, outside destiny's reach."

Piper nods, "What is it?"

Phoebe nods, "It's just that he's still holding on, that's why he appeared to me. So maybe if I can tell him that I don't have the power to save him, then he'll be able to move on for good."

Paige shakes her head, "I don't think that's such a good idea considering what happened last time."

Phoebe nods, "I can't leave it like this. I owe him more than that."

Short time later Phoebe astral projects back in her body and gasps.

Piper sighs, "Are you okay?"

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, lets do this."

Piper nods, "Uh, well, we've been thinking a little bit."

Phoebe sighs, "Are you having second thoughts?"

Paige shakes her head looking between Buffy and Piper, "Not about the decision unfortunately."

Piper nods, "About Jackman and Selena."

Paige sighs, "Yeah, a lot of things don't add up. His extensive knowledge of witches, how he got a hold of that amulet."

Buffy nods, "The fact that he came in alone to pick up Selena."

Paige nods, "The bodyguards."

Piper looks at her sisters, "We just wanna make sure we've done the right thing before it's too late to do anything about it."

Phoebe nods, "Okay." She turns to the Angel of Destiny, "Is that okay?"

Angel of Destiny nods, "Hm? Oh, sure, absolutely. Frankly, I thought you were being a bit premature anyway."

Piper blinks, "Well, then why didn't you say something?"

Angel of Destiny smiles, "Oh, can't, free will and all. Let me know when you're ready." He disappears.

Dawn is the first to speak up, "So now what?"

Buffy shakes her head, "You're staying out of this."

Dawn shakes her head, "No you owe me at least to see this through to the end."

Buffy sighs, "Ok. But the first sign of trouble your orbing out of there. Got me?"

Dawn nods.

Piper calls out, "Leo!"

Leo orbs in with Darryl. "We were just coming to get you."

Piper frowns, "Why? What did you find?"

Leo nods, "Another genealogy Jackman has besides yours."

Paige sighs, "Oh, yeah, we know Selena's a descendent of witch hunters."

Darryl shakes his head, "No, Jackman is. Selena is a daughter of a witch."

Piper frowns, "What?"

Buffy sighs, "I knew. Spidey sense never lies. I knew there was something off about him."

Darryl nods, "She is not a suspect, she's a victim. They have her in a safe house because somebody's trying to kill her."

Paige frowns, "Please tell me we didn't just help a witch hunter get a witch."

Piper frowns, "Oh my god."

Phoebe frowns also, "Oh my god."

Dawn walks over to the map and picks up the scrying crystal.

Buffy watches her a little proud of her daughter.

The crystal lands on one of the many parks in the city. Dawn looks up at her mom and aunts, "Found her."

Buffy smiles, "Let's go."

Paige grabs Piper and Phoebe and orbs as Dawn grabs her mother and orbs after them.

They orb into the park.

Jackman laughs, "Come to save your sister witch have you?"

Piper nods, "Actually, yeah." She tries to freeze the fire but nothing happens.

Jackman laughs, "You see, I buried the rest of the amulets around here in anticipation of your arrival. Your powers are useless here. However..." He pulls out a gun and grabs Phoebe. "Mine aren't. Move and she dies."

Phoebe frowns, "It was his plan all alone. He's gonna kill us anyway. Ouch!"

Jackman nods, "Hey, how's it feel to be powerless, huh? Mortal. You're a discourage from mankind, a blasphemy. Burning will be your justice too."

Phoebe hits Jackman and knocks him to the ground. "Get Selena."

Buffy looks at Dawn, "Help Piper and Paige. I will help Phoebe."

Piper, Dawn and Paige race over and try to put the fire out while Phoebe and Buffy fights with Jackman. Selena's pants catch on fire.

Paige frown, "Dawn, her leg. Piper what are you doing?" Piper jumps onto the wood and knocks over the post Selena is tied to. "Piper!"

Jackman points his gun at Phoebe. "Saving her life just cost you yours."

Cole appears behind Phoebe. Jackman shoots his gun and the bullet heads for Phoebe.

Buffy leaps in front of Phoebe.

Cole waves his hand and Phoebe, Buffy and Jackman swap places. The bullet hits Jackman.

Phoebe and Buffy sees Cole. Buffy looks to see that her sister sees him also and they speak at the same time, "Cole."

Cole smiles, "I couldn't very well let you die now could I? It wouldn't help matters much if I had let Buffy die either, would it?"

Buffy shakes her head, I don't understand. How are you...?"

Cole smiles, "Here? Let's just say I picked up a few powers lately, quite a few actually." He starts to leave but stops. "I'm not giving up on us, Phoebe. Ever." He disappears. Selena coughs.

Piper nods, "Paige, you've gotta go get the ambulance."

Paige nods, "You'll be okay." She races off.

Piper smiles as she looks at Dawn, "You were good, sweetie. I'm very proud of you."

Dawn smiles, "Thanks Aunt Piper."

Buffy stops next to Dawn, "I am to, Dawn."

The next morning at the manor. Leo is pacing in the foyer. Piper, and Phoebe walk in through the front door.

Leo frowns, "Where's Paige, Buffy, and Dawn?

Piper smiles, "Oh, Paige had to park down the street because the driveway was blocked."

Leo frowns, "Well, that's ridiculous, I'll go talk to them and tell them to move."

Phoebe nods, "Oh, no, it's not a big deal."

Piper nods, "And if you turn around…"

Buffy and Dawn orb in.

Leo shakes his head, "Are you not worried about exposure, Buffy?"

Buffy smiles, "Don't worry we orbed from a place no one could see us. And coming straight to the manor. Plus I have to train Dawn now. In a few years she will be in the thick of it like we have been."

Leo nods, "How'd it go?"

Piper smiles, "Uh, well, it looks like we got away with everything so far."

Phoebe nods, "Thanks to Selena and Dawn testifying for us."

Leo nods, "What about how Agent Jackman died?"

Buffy smiles, "They're stumped. They can't figure out how he shot himself from twenty feet away."

Phoebe nods, "What are they gonna do, subpoena Cole?"

Leo shakes his head, "You guys stopped one of their own from killing again, I think they'd be grateful."

Piper nods, "Yeah, one would hope. At least until they find those files on us."

Leo shakes his head, "They won't. I sorta orbed them into a volcano. Along with all the files Jackman had on the Slayer. You were right to be worried Buffy. He was extremely thorough."

Phoebe blinks, "You what?"

Piper shakes her head, "Uh, excuse me, are you allowed to do that?"

Leo smiles, "Well, my job is to protect my charges and that's all I did."

Piper kisses Leo, "Thanks. Maybe sometime soon you won't have to protect your charges. Are you okay with that?"

Leo nods, "Whatever you guys decide I'll support. I mean that."

The front door opens and Paige walks in. Suddenly, Leo and everything else freezes.

Piper sighs, "Uh-oh."

Paige frowns, " The door's stuck." The Angel of Destiny appears. "Oh, you." She walks over to Piper, Buffy, Dawn and Phoebe.

Angel of Destiny nods, "Well, still ready to retire?"

Phoebe nods, "Actually, I don't think so anymore. We saved someone and it felt good, it felt right. Besides, I got a little taste of what life would be like without my powers and I didn't like it at all."

The Angel of Destiny nods and looks to Buffy. "And you?"

Buffy looks at Dawn, "Sweetie why don't you answer for me."

Dawn smiles, "We want to keep out powers."

Angel of Destiny nods and turns to Piper, "What about you?"

Piper smiles, "Majority rules, right? Might as well make it unanimous. What can I say, we're masochists."

Paige laughs, "We are?"

Piper nods, "Yeah, sometimes. But Phoebe's right, this isn't a choice we have to make, it's who we are."

Angel of Destiny nods, "You realise you won't get this opportunity again."

Phoebe nods, "We understand."

Angel of Destiny nods, "Very well." He starts to leave but stops. "By the way, thought you'd like to know, neither decision would've affected yours and Leo's personal destiny."

Piper frowns, "What?"

Angel of Destiny smiles, "You'll find out soon." He glances down at Piper's stomach.

Phoebe smiles, "Oh my god."

Piper frowns, "What?"

Buffy smiles as she gets it, "Don't you get it?"

Piper frowns, "What?"

Phoebe nods and looks to Paige, "Don't you get it?" Excitedly, "She's pregnant!"

Piper frowns, "Who's pregnant? I'm pregnant?"

Phoebe and Paige scream in excitement and hug Piper. Buffy smiles and hugs Dawn close to her.

Phoebe to Piper's tummy, "Hi baby."

They giggle. The Angel of Destiny smiles and disappears out the front door.