Chapter 26: Witch's Tail Pt. 1

Piper and Phoebe are walking up the stairs.

Phoebe sighs, "Okay, Piper, I can't be late getting to the office today. I have a radio interview with those morning guys, Pip and Skeeter. By the way where is Buffy. She will be late if she doesn't get to work."

Piper sighs, "That's Skip and Peter. And Buffy is at Dawn's school, remember. Parent… Teacher conferences. Dawn will orb her into the bathroom at the paper before coming home." They walk into the hallway. "Could you forget about your advice column for two seconds though? Come see where we're putting the nursery."

Phoebe sighs, "You're putting it in your closet. I've seen your closet, there's a lot of shoes, honey."

Piper shakes her head, "No, not anymore." They walk into Piper's room and into the emptied out closet. "Look, it's perfect."

Leo is there making a hole in the wall to fit a window.

Phoebe frowns, "It's a little cramped though, don't you think?"

Leo nods, "That's why I'm adding a window to bring in the light and create a sense of space."

They walk back into the room.

Phoebe sighs, "Aww, you guys are very cute but why are you doing all of this now? I mean, your due date is not for months."

Piper nods, "Well, demon activity has been light, so it's a good time to get ahead."

Phoebe smiles, "Speaking of ahead, I can't believe you guys didn't notice my billboards down town."

Piper nods, "Oh, honey, of course we noticed them. You can see them from a passing 747."

They laugh.

Leo nods, "We would've told you how proud we are of you, but you never slow down to give us a chance."

Phoebe nods, "Well, you know, nothing perks up a girl's career like sending her husband straight to hell. Okay, well, I've seen the nursery and it's absolutely beautiful but I really have to go to that interview."

Piper nods, "Uh, honey, I know your work is very important to you but guess what? I'm having a baby."

Phoebe smiles, "Aw, I know… my second niece."

Piper nods, "Yeah, so how about you take a couple of minutes to be Aunt Phoebe."

Phoebe smiles, "Oh my god, you are so right. I'm so sorry. Okay, what do you need?"

Piper nods, "An opinion. Uh, I'm thinking..."

Paige orbs in.

Paige nods, "Positions! Bogey in three, two, one..." Suddenly, a demon wearing no shirt and a black and white mask appears. He blows a dart at Paige with a blowgun and she ducks. The dart hits a teddy bear and its head shrinks. Piper and Phoebe gasp. Piper blows up the demon and vanquished him. "So much for the theory that Borneo demons are impervious to magical powers. I can't wait to tell the local witch doctors."

Leo frowns, "Okay, excuse me, can we refrain from blowing up demons in the nursery?"

Piper nods, "Oh, honey, it was just one."

Leo sighs, "Piper, you're going to be a mom, you need to start thinking about the safety of our daughter." He turns to Paige. "And you, you're getting so caught up with this magical kick, I mean, look at your hair. It's so red from the potion you blew up last night."

Paige smiles, "Do you have any idea how much this would cost in the salon?"

Phoebe laughs, "I love your new 'do, honey, I think you look beautiful." Phoebe gives Paige a quick hug. "Okay, bye."

Paige hugs back, "Thank you."

Piper nods, "Honey, sweets, toots... I appreciate that you're very concerned but I am still a witch and we do still have innocents to protect and demons to fight. I can't just crawl in a hole."

Sometime later Piper is sitting on the bed sorting through some boxes. Leo is in the closet sanding down the window frame.

Dawn walks in, "Hey Aunt Piper."

Piper smiles, "Hey Dawnie. Your mom at work?"

Dawn nods, "Yep. Busy helping Aunt Phoebe as usual."

Leo calls out, "No hello for your favorite uncle?"

Dawn blushes, "Sorry Uncle Leo. Didn't know you were in there. And your my only uncle so that makes you favorite by default."

Leo laughs.

Piper nods, "Leo, I can't believe you found all of our baby stuff."

Leo smiles, "Grams was a bit of a pack rat."

Piper pulls out a pink album. "Baby book. My baby book." She opens it up. "Oh, look how squishy I was."

Dawn sits on the bed and looks at the picture, "You were so adorable."

Piper smiles and ruffles Dawn's hair.

Leo nods, "You were adorable."

Piper frowns, "Leo, you can't even see the picture."

Leo smiles, "Well, I'm your Whitelighter. I've been watching you ever since you were a baby."

Piper looks at Dawn, "That's kind of creepy to think about isn't it?" Dawn nods. "I never knew that mom kept a baby book for me."

Leo shrugs, "Well, why not? I mean, you started one for our daughter. I always thought you and your mom were a lot alike." He picks up the window and tries to get it up to the frame.

Piper nods, "It's strange to think that she went through everything I'm going through right now. I don't think you ever really know how much your mother loves you until you become one yourself."

Dawn sighs and looks down.

Piper looks at Dawn, "What's a matter, sweetie?"

Dawn looks at Piper, "Grandma Patty probably didn't start one for mom."

Piper blinks she hadn't thought of that. Both Buffy and Paige had been give up for adoption when they were babies. "Did your Grandma Joyce do one?"

Dawn shrugs, "I don't know, I don't remember ever seeing one if she did."

Piper smiles, "Did she keep pictures?"

Dawn nods, "Yes. I think their at the house in Sunnydale though."

Piper nods, "We'll sneak over there one day when your mom is at work with Aunt Phoebe and see if we can't make one for her."

Dawn smiles and hugs Piper, "Thanks Aunt Piper."

Leo drops the window frame and he groans in pain. "Ow!"

Piper sighs, "Oh, are you okay?"

Leo nods, "Yeah."

Piper sighs, "Here, um, why don't you let me or Dawn help you?"

Leo shakes his head, "No, it's heavy."

Piper and Dawn walk over to him, still holding the album. "Well, see, that's kind of why I wanted to help you with it."

Leo nods, "Piper, when are you gonna accept the fact that you're pregnant?"

Piper sighs, "When are you gonna stop being so overprotective? And why can't Dawn help you?"

Leo sighs, "Look, all I'm suggesting is that you slow down. And Dawn is eleven years old, right."

Piper nods, "Okay, Leo, I'm not gonna be one of those women that sits on her ass and eats Bonbons throughout her whole pregnancy. That's just not the woman you married. Besides, generations of Halliwell women raised perfectly normal children before me. They all got through it and so will I. Shoot look at Buffy and Dawn. Buffy did just fine raising Dawn, and she was the Slayer through all that."

Leo sighs, "Not all of them. And you really can't use Buffy as an example. She had Joyce to help her when she went out on patrol."

Piper frowns, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Leo nods, "How far along in the book have you gotten?" Piper flips through the rest of the book and the pages are blank. "There was no one there to finish it after your mother died."

Piper nods. "Oh."

Leo nods, "Like I said, you are a lot like your mother. She was careless too. She thought she was invincible. She was wrong. And the argument about Buffy, think for a moment. Compare what Buffy had to what your mom had."

Piper looks at Dawn and nods in understanding. Buffy was like Patty in the fact that she had support. Someone who could watch out for Dawn in case something bad happened. Patty had been the same way with Grams. Still Piper knew that something happened to her that Phoebe, Paige and Buffy would look after her daughter. But it wouldn't be the same.

At the Bay Mirror. Phoebe and Buffy are sitting listening to Paige over the speakerphone.

Phoebe smiles, "He promoted you? Congratulations!"

Buffy nods, "Yeah, congratz."

Paige on the phone, "Thanks, I guess."

Phoebe sighs, "What do you mean, you guess? Paige, you've worked so hard for this, it's your dream."

Paige nods, "Yeah, Cowan already gave me the big responsibility speech. No more coming to work late, no more long lunches."

Buffy notices the blinking light on the phone and goes out to her desk. A moment later she comes back.

Phoebe looks up at Buffy, "Hold on a second, sweetie."

Buffy sighs, "Nancy O'Dell's producer on the phone, they wanna know if you want hair and makeup."

Phoebe laughs, "Buffy you know I do my own."

Buffy nods, "Yeah but I'm just letting them stew a second. Make them think I was going to ask."

Paige on the phone, "Nancy O'Dell?"

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, she wants to interview me on TV tomorrow."

Buffy heads back out to her desk.

Paige on the phone, "Look at you blowing up around town. Billboards, radio, TV... What's next? Phoebe, the world tour?"

Phoebe laughs, "Oh, no, even better. Divorce court."

Paige on the phone, "What? I can't believe with all you have going on, you've found time to push a divorce through the system."

Buffy comes back in and sits down.

Phoebe sighs, "I just want my life back. I don't wanna have to look over my shoulder praying that Cole doesn't find a way out of the demonic wasteland, you know."

Paige on the phone, "Do you think he will?"

Buffy sighs, "He could."

Phoebe frowns at Buffy, "You know what? I don't care. Because even if he does, after today, I'll be free."

Short time later. Buffy and Phoebe are walking in the underground parking lot. The ground is wet from the rain. Phoebe and Buffy walks over to Phoebe's car. As Phoebe is unlocking the door Mylie sneaks up on her and Phoebe screams.

Mylie sighs, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. It's just I recognize you from your billboard. I need your help."

Phoebe looks at Buffy and rolls her eyes, "Oh, that's sweet, sweetie, but if you write a letter then I respond to everyone."

Mylie shakes her head, "No, you don't understand. I recognized you as a Charmed One. You're very famous where I come from. I'm not evil or anything." She turns to Phoebe, "And so is your sister."

Buffy frowns.

Phoebe laughs, "I've heard that one before."

Mylie shakes her head, "No, honestly, I'm..." A car drives past and splashes water onto them. They gasp. Mylie's legs change into a mermaid tail. She falls to the ground. Phoebe rushes over to her. "We need to go."

Phoebe nods, "Well, yeah!"

Mylie frowns, "The sea hag will track my tail."

Phoebe panicks, "Well, make it go away!"

Mylie shakes her head, "I can't."

Phoebe and Buffy pulls Mylie into the passenger side of the car. A gust of wind blows. Buffy frowns as she looks around, "Go! I will get Dawn to orb me home."

Phoebe jumps into the driver's seat and starts the car. She backs out of the parking space and in front of them, a puddle of water forms into the sea hag.

Phoebe looks at Buffy standing beside the car, "Hang on!"

Phoebe drives through the sea hag and the sea hag's body explodes into water, all over the car. Phoebe drives out of the car park. The puddle of water forms into the sea hag once again.

Buffy is running at full Slayer speed at the Sea Hag. The Sea Hag's form shifts back in to the puddle and she is gone. Buffy frowns and calls out, "Dawn!"

Dawn orbs in, "Yeah, mom?"

Buffy smiles, "Orb us, home."

Dawn nod and they orb home.

Short time later at the Manor. Mylie is sitting on the couch while Phoebe dries Mylie's legs with a hair dryer.

Paige walks in the foyer through the front door and puts her bag and umbrella away. "Okay, I just cut work on the day of my big promotion and sped through a rainstorm to get here, what is the 9..." She walks into the living room. "11?"

Buffy and Dawn orb in.

Leo sighs, "Phoebe and Buffy found a mermaid."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Actually, she found us. On the way to a very important court date, I might add."

Mylie nods, "Hi, I'm Mylie." She shakes Paige's hand. "You must be Paige. You have a very big underwater fan base."

Paige blinks, "You're a mermaid? You guys actually exist?"

Piper nods, "Uh, excuse me. When you said, uh, sea hag, did you mean like old woman hag or evil magic hag? Because see, I'm not really in the battle mood today."

Mylie sighs, "Uh, she's kinda both."

Piper frowns, "Uh-huh."

Dawn smiles, "Forget that. What's life like under the sea? Does your skin get wrinkly? Does algae pose as a personal hygiene problem."

Buffy glares at Dawn, "Now is not the time Dawn."

Leo sighs, "Okay, guys, why don't we let her up for a little air."

Mylie shakes her head, "No, it's okay, I don't mind. Actually, there's nothing like being a mermaid. Swim in the open sea all day, explore endless wonders, it's pure freedom."

Phoebe sighs, "Sounds like heaven. I'm sure you want to get back. I can drop you off at the beach on my way..."

Mylie frowns, "Wait, you don't understand. It was a great life. For the first few hundred years."

Leo nods, "Mermaids are immortal."

Mylie nods, "Yeah, we can spend eternity at sea. Because our hearts are, well, some say are as cold as the water. But sometimes a mermaid gets lonely and her heart warms and she wants more."

Paige nods, "Is that what happened to you?"

Mylie smiles, "Mm-hmm. The ocean's floor is littered with bones of mortals who died for love. I had to know why."

Piper frowns, "Now these bones, um, could they be bones of mortals that perhaps the sea hag killed?"

Buffy frowns, "Piper."

Piper turns and looks at Buffy, "What?"

Leo nods, "So you said you wanted to feel love, is that why you went to see the sea hag?"

Mylie nods, "Yes. If a mortal professes his love to a mermaid, she becomes human. The sea hag agreed to give me legs but if I didn't find love before her deadline I would have to give her my immortality."

Phoebe frowns, "All that for a guy? Boy, did you get taken for a ride."

Paige frowns, "Phoebe."

Phoebe turns to face Paige, "What?"

Mylie nods, "But I did find love, I-I mean I think I did. But I might be dead before I get to find out for sure. Craig's getting on a plane to New York soon."

Piper smiles, "Oh, no-no-no, this is good. Because all we gotta do is find the fish lover, get him to spill his guts and then we don't have to face the sea hag."

Buffy frowns, "Piper!"

Piper sighs, "What?"

Buffy nods towards Dawn.

Paige smiles, "If your boyfriend's love can make you human why don't you just tell him you're a mermaid?"

Mylie nods, "You mean, that I'm a genetic freak with a fish tail coated in glandular slime?"

Leo nods, "She raises a good point."

Phoebe sighs, "Yeah."

Paige shakes her head, "You may be half fish, but you're still a woman and women, you know they generally know when a man's in love even before he does."

Phoebe scoffs, "Oh, puh-lease! If I wrote that slop in my column I'd be driven out of town."

Paige sighs, "Okay, that is it. Can I see you two in the kitchen?" Piper, Phoebe, Buffy and Paige go into the kitchen. "Okay, what is going on with you guys?"

Buffy nods, "That's what I would like to know."

Phoebe sighs, "I'm sorry, like you need a man to be complete. That kind of thinking dates back to the days we all had tails."

Piper nods, "Maybe Phoebe's right, maybe we just throw the mermaid back into the ocean and we keep the manor a hag-free zone."

Buffy frowns, "Who are you people and what have you done with our sisters?

Paige laughs and turns to Phoebe, "Let's start with you. What is going on in that head of yours?"

Phoebe nods, "I keep thinking about the court date I'm missing."

Paige nods, "Okay, so you're dumping all over our innocent?"

Phoebe sighs, "I don't mean to be. Paige, I've been fighting so hard to get my life back. If Cole shows up and we're still married, then it was all for nothing. I need my freedom."

Paige nods, "Okay, fine. Go meet the judge, just hurry back and we'll deal with Mylie."

Phoebe walks out of the kitchen as Leo walks in.

Leo frowns, "Where's she going? Everything okay?"

Buffy sighs, "She has an appointment with the judge. I'll catch up with you guys later. If you need me just send Dawn, ok?"

Leo shakes his head, "Where are you going?"

Buffy smiles, "The same place I was when this started, with Phoebe. I was going with her earlier for emotional support."

Leo nods and Buffy leaves the room as Dawn walks in.

Paige smiles, "Now, Piper and I were just about to discuss how best to vanquish the sea hag."

Piper shakes her head, "No, you said we were gonna deal with Mylie, you didn't say anything about doing anything with the sea hag."

Paige sighs, "What is up with you and these demon avoidance issues you suddenly got?"

Leo frowns, "I think if we can protect Mylie and avoid a run-in with the sea hag, I'm all for that."

Paige shakes her head, "What is going on with everybody? We're talking about the sea hag, the mysterious monster of the deep blue sea, the one who's name strikes fear in the hearts of sailors everywhere."

Dawn raises her hand, "I'll help you, Aunt Paige." Nobody seems to hear her.

Piper frowns, "Okay, somebody's been watching way too much discovery channel."

Paige nods, "You're probably right but she's an interesting evil specimen. She reminds me of this water demon that I read in the book. She kills in the most fascinating way."

Piper shakes her head, "Paige."

Paige frowns, "What?"

Piper nods, "We know how it kills."

Paige sighs, "What'd I say?"

Piper sighs as she looks at Dawn, "It killed mom."

Dawn's jaw drops, "Grandma Patty?"

Piper nods and pulls Dawn into an embrace.

Leo sighs, "Its okay, you didn't know."

Piper nods, "Look, I just don't see any sense in going up against a demon like this if we don't have to."

Paige nods, "Okay, maybe we can get Craig to confess his love for Mylie. I'll ask her what flight he's on and maybe I can stop him from getting on that plane. But if it doesn't work we're gonna have to come up with a plan B to vanquish the sea hag."

Piper nods, "I know, I will check the Book Of Shadows. Dawn you want to help me?"

Dawn smiles sadly and nods.

Paige leaves the kitchen.

Leo looks at Piper and Dawn, "Are you both okay?"

Piper looks at Dawn who nods, "Yeah we're fine."

At the Court house in the Judge's chamber. Phoebe, Darryl, Buffy and a judge are there.

Phoebe nods, "I sent a sheriff to his apartment, to his work, even his dry cleaners. Trust me, your honor, I didn't make a good faith effort to try and notify my husband of our divorce, I made a great faith effort."

Buffy nods, "I can vouch on that your honor."

The Judge sighs, "But to grant a default divorce, the court requires that you to put a notice in the local newspaper saying where the missing spouse was last residing. Did you do that?"

Phoebe smiles, "I made the notice larger than legally required, I even used a 12-pica bold font to make sure it really popped." She gets a newspaper out of her purse and hands it to the judge. "You see there how it really pops."

Judge nods, "What is your business here, Inspector?"

Darryl smiles, "I led the investigation to the disappearance of Mr Cole Turner. We used every method at our disposal to find his whereabouts and we still came up empty. It's my belief that Mr. Turner has left the country."

The judge nods, "And you, Ms…"

Buffy smiles, "Halliwell. Buffy Summers-Halliwell. I'm Phoebe's half-sister. I was witness to her attempts to find her husband."

The judge nods, "Summers? That name sounds familiar. You're the daughter of Hank and Joyce Summers?"

Buffy sighs, "Don't ever mention that bastards name to me again."

Phoebe looked at Buffy with confusion.

The judge nods quickly understanding Buffy hostility at the mention of her adopted father. He turns to Phoebe, "I must say, young lady, in all my years on the bench I have never seen a divorce push through this fast. Please sign here." He hands her a piece of paper.

Phoebe sighs, "Oh, free at last."

Cole's Voice comes from the hall, "Is this the right office?" The door opens and Cole walks in. "Cole Turner, your honor." He looks to Phoebe, "Nice ad, thanks for letting me know." He looks at Buffy, "Hello Buffy."

Short time later Cole, Phoebe and Buffy are in the hall.

Phoebe frowns, "You evil bastard. Why didn't you just stay where you belong?"

Cole shakes his head, "Wait a minute, I'm not evil."

Buffy scoffs, "Like I would ever believe that."

Darryl storms out of the room. "Do you have any idea what you just did to me in there?"

Cole frowns, "Hold on." To Phoebe and somewhat to Buffy also, "I'm not evil. I'm good."

Phoebe shakes her head, "You're good at crushing my every hope and dream."

Cole sighs, "Well, I'm gonna make up for that."

Darryl shakes his head, "You just made me look like a fool in front of the judge."

Phoebe nods, "You are like a pit bull with a death grip."

Darryl frowns, "You know, I should arrest you on principle."

Cole waves his hand and Darryl turns into a water cooler. "Too many people talking at once."

Buffy growls, "You sick, perverted, freak."

Phoebe looks at Buffy and frowns. She can see that Buffy is quite pissed off. More so than even she is at the moment. She turns back to Cole, "You see, Cole, this is exactly what I'm talking about. Uh, good people don't turn other people into water coolers. By the way look at Buffy, your pissing off the Slayer."

Cole sighs, "I needed you to hear me."

Phoebe sighs, "Go to hell."

Cole shrugs, "I was just there. I didn't mean to stay so long but I needed to gather enough powers to execute..."

Buffy tries to get control over herself. Through clenched teeth, "Phoebe…"

Phoebe looks at Buffy and nods, "Execute who? Huh? Execute who?"

Cole shakes his head, "My plan. I'm here to redeem myself."

Phoebe frown, "You'd better be careful. You are stepping down a very dangerous road right now."

Cole nods, "I'm already on it. I got my job back at the law firm. I'm gonna use my powers to help people, make up for my past. In time you will see we're meant to be together."

Buffy has just about had it. She steps in between Cole and Phoebe. Cole can see the fury in her eyes.

Phoebe frowns, "Cole, if you say that again, I swear I'll scream. I want you out of my life."

Cole backs up away from Buffy, "I'll keep my distance but I'm not going away. My love for you hasn't changed. It kept me alive in the wasteland, it led me back to you." Phoebe grabs a letter opener and points it at Cole. "You won't use that. I know you still love me, on some level deep inside." He holds the tip of the letter opener and Phoebe cuts his hand. Blood splatters onto some papers.

Phoebe shakes her head, "You are seriously mistaken if you think I still love you in anyway."

Cole sighs and takes another step away from Buffy, "I wasn't expecting a warm welcome but don't you think this is a little extreme?" His hand magically heals and the blood on the paper bubbles. Phoebe gasps. "Wait."

Phoebe grabs Buffy's arm, "You stay away from me, from us. Whatever you are."

Phoebe runs away dragging Buffy with her.

In the car Phoebe turns to Buffy, "What was going on up there. I've never seen you that mad before."

Buffy's lips quiver, "I wasn't mad at Cole. Well I was for how he treated you. But he didn't cause the anger I was feeling."

Phoebe frowns, "What did then?"

Buffy looks at Phoebe with tears in her eyes, "There's something I haven't told you, Piper or Paige. About who Dawn's father is." Phoebe nods listening. "I was raped by my own adopted father. He's Dawn's biological father."

Phoebe's jaw drops.

Buffy sighs, "When I showed up at P4 last year. It wasn't only because I just found out I was adopted and looking for my family. He had just been released from prison. Mom was afraid he would come looking for us, for Dawn. Mom thought I should get out of town for a while. Make it harder to find me or Dawn. And the perfect excuse was to go looking for my birth family."

Phoebe pulls Buffy into an embrace, "I'm so sorry, Buffy. So that's why you snapped at the judge in his office."

Buffy nods, "Yes. You can't tell Dawn. She thinks her father's dead. I don't want to lay this burden on her."

Phoebe nods, "I won't, but you should tell Piper and Paige though. They should know, so should Leo for that matter. I'll be there to help you. And you eventually will need to tell Dawn. She has a right to know who her father is. Even if he is a sick and twisted…"

Buffy nods, "Ok."

Back at the manor in the living room Piper, Dawn, Leo and Mylie are there watching the weather report on TV.

Piper lowers the volume. "Now the book says that the sea hag has power over her natural environment, would that be, like, rainstorms?"

Mylie nods, "Yeah. Rainstorms, hurricanes..."

Piper frowns, "Hurricanes?"

Mylie sighs, "Even tidal waves."

Piper shakes her head, "Leo, she said tidal waves. How far do tidal waves travel?"

Leo sighs, "Excuse us. Leo, Piper and Dawn move away from Mylie. "What's gotten into you?"

Piper sighs, "I don't know, I just don't feel like myself."

Leo nods, "Well, our job is to keep the innocent calm. Do you think you both can do that while I go talk to the Elders and see if they can help us control the sea hag?"

Piper nods, "Sure."

Dawn nods, "Yeah, Uncle Leo."

Leo orbs out. The front door opens and Paige and Craig walk in. They walk into the living room.

Craig smiles, "Hey."

Mylie nods, "You came."

Craig sighs, "Yeah, Paige told me your life was in danger. What's going on?"

Mylie smiles, "I really need to know how you feel about me."

Craig frowns, "I can't believe we're back on this. What, are you three in on this joke or what?"

Paige shakes her head, "It's no joke, you have to tell her how you feel about her, her life depends on it."

Craig sighs, "What is this? The delusional girls club? Come on." He turns to Mylie. "Tell me what's happening."

Mylie shakes her head, "I can't."

Craig scoffs, "You can't? You yank me out of a business meeting, your friend ambushed me at the airport, I miss my plane and you can't tell me why?"

Mylie shakes her head, "No."

Piper sighs, "Okay, buddy, look. You obviously wouldn't be here if you didn't care, so why don't you just tell her that you love her for crying out loud."

Paige shakes her head, "Piper, relax."

Piper frowns, "What? If he does not do this then we've gotta fight the evil…" Paige stops her. "Person."

Craig shakes his head, "You know what, I'm outta here." He starts to leave.

Dawn sighs and orbs in front of Craig. He looks at her with shock.

Paige frowns, "Dawn talk about exposure."

Dawn smiles innocently, "Well he was going to leave."

Mylie nods, "Craig wait. You wanna know what I'm hiding from you? Okay."

Mylie takes the flowers out of a vase and sits on the couch.

Piper shakes her head, "Mylie? No, don't!"

Mylie tips the vase water onto her legs and her legs turn into a mermaid tail. "Please don't be afraid. It's still me."

Craig backs away, frightened. "What are you? Geez. What are all of you?"

He races out the door. A gust of wind blows in the living room and the sea hag appears.

Paige frowns, "Did you find a vanquishing spell?" Piper starts to back away. "Piper, freeze her."

Piper tries to freeze the sea hag but nothing happens. "I can't."

A water ball forms in the sea hag's hand. The sea hag throws the water ball at Paige and Paige is surrounded by a tunnel of water. The sea hag throws another water ball at Piper and Piper ducks behind the couch. The water ball hits the wall. The sea hag throws a third water ball at Dawn and she is surrounded by a tunnel of water. The sea hag turns to Mylie.

Mylie frowns, "Piper!" Piper stays behind the couch, frightened. "Piper, help me! Piper! Help!"

Piper hears a splash of water and Paige and Dawn coughing. She comes out from behind the couch. Paige and Dawn are standing there, soaking wet.

Paige sighs, "What happened to you?"

Short time later Phoebe and Buffy have returned. Dawn is upstairs putting on dry clothes.

Phoebe nods, "She took our innocent? How could you let that happen?"

Piper shakes her head, "I don't know. I think I had a panic attack. I couldn't breathe or move."

Phoebe sighs, "Okay, but she took our innocent."

Leo nods, "Let's give Piper a break, okay."

Piper sighs, "No, she's right, I froze up, Mylie's gone and it's my fault."

Leo shakes his head, "No, it's not your fault. It's your hormones. Your maternal instincts are kicking in."

Paige sighs, "More like taking over."

Leo nods, "It's natural for a mother to feel protective of her baby."

Phoebe nods, "But she's been handling demons ever since she got pregnant. Why the sudden change today?"

Piper sighs, "I don't know, I just, I don't."

Paige nods, "Let's just focus on finding Mylie. What did you get on the sea hag?"

Piper nods, "There's a vanquishing spell, power of three, I, I have it somewhere."

Paige smiles, "Okay, what about a location? Did the book say where we can find her?"

Piper shrugs.

Leo sighs, "The Elders say she keeps a cavern on a remote island. She keeps it hidden with charms and spells. The only way to track her is with a mermaid."

Phoebe nods, "Well, unfortunately we're fresh out of those."

Piper sighs, "Okay, yeah, well, where were you when this all went down?"

Phoebe looks at Buffy, "We had our own demons to deal with."

Buffy sighs and walks to the stairs, "Dawn can you stay up there for a couple minutes."

Dawn sighs and calls down, "Sure mom."

Paige nods, "The good news is, is that the sea hag can't steal Mylie's immortality unless she's willing to give it up."

Leo frowns, "Which could be any minute."

Paige nods, "True, if she gives up hope, she might wanna die."

Leo sighs, "Alright, I'll find Craig, we may need him."

Paige smiles, "Try the airport, he was headed to New York."

Leo orbs out.

Piper smiles, "I'll try to locate the sea hag."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Oh, honey, I'm sorry, I might've been pushing too hard. Why don't you let me and Paige worry about the sea hag?"

Piper nods, "No, 'cause I've got to..."

Phoebe sighs, "Rest. If not for your sake then for my niece. All this stress can't be good."

Paige nods, "She's right."

Piper lies down on the couch.

Buffy comes back into the conservatory, "Before we work on locating the Sea Hag. There is something I need to tell you."

Phoebe nods encouraging Buffy to go on. Paige and Piper turns to face Buffy.

Buffy sighs, "It's about Dawn. You know how I always said Dawn's father is dead?" Paige and Piper nods. "It's not true." She looks at Phoebe not sure if she can do it.

Phoebe nods and motions for Buffy to sit down, "This was part of the reason we were late. I found this out in the car on the way back here."

Phoebe goes on to tell Piper and Paige about Hank.

Paige looks at Buffy for a moment and shakes her head, "That bastard. How could he have done that? To a 14 year old girl no less."

Piper nods, "Oh honey I am so sorry."

Buffy nods, "I know. Don't tell Dawn ok. She doesn't know. I don't want her to know."

Piper and Paige nods in agreement.

Buffy looks to Piper, "Do you think you can tell Leo for me?"

Piper nods, "Yeah sweetie."

Buffy smiles, "Thanks."

Piper smiles, "About Dawn. You do know you will have to tell her someday."

Buffy nods, "I know. But I want to wait till she's older."

Short time later Buffy, Phoebe and Paige are in the attic. Phoebe is reading through a spell Paige has written.

Paige is pacing up and down.

Phoebe smiles, "This is really good. Adding Eastern thinking to Western wicca." Paige's phone rings. "It should definitely break through the sea hag's protective charms. Are you gonna answer your phone?"

Paige sighs, "Uh, no, it's my boss. I've been gone all afternoon."

Phoebe nods, "Okay, then can we turn it off?"

Paige frowns, "Do you think it's possible to get promoted and fired on the same day?"

Phoebe sighs, "Paige, please, just turn off the phone."

Paige nods, "You know, maybe in our new destiny this job just isn't meant to be."

Buffy frowns, "Okay that's enough of the stupid phone." Buffy grabs the phone and slams it on the table.

Paige sighs, "Okay, interesting. Phoebe?"

Phoebe nods, "Mm."

Paige sighs, "What is going on?"

Phoebe looks at Buffy who nods encouraging her, "He's back."

Paige frowns, "Who?"

Phoebe sighs, "Cole. He's the other reason we were late getting back."

Paige frowns, "What?"

Phoebe pulls the letter opener out of her purse and shows Paige. The tip of it has been eaten away from acid. "This is his blood. Blood is not supposed to do that."

Paige blinks, "You stabbed him?"

Buffy nods, "Yes she stabbed him. Around the same time I was about to rip his throat out."

Paige smiles, "Good."

Phoebe nods, "He wants me back. He wants me back and I just wanna run. As fast and far as I can. I swear, if I had your or Dawn's power, Paige, I would orb myself to a rock in the middle of the sea. He has put me through so much and I just, I don't want to go through it again."

Paige shakes her head, "Okay, running is not the answer. Don't give him that power over you. You have built a great life for yourself."

Phoebe sighs, "That doesn't matter. I'm too tired to fight him. And I don't even know if I could. He's got all these new demonic powers now."

Paige nods, "You know what? Turn your anger towards the sea hag. In fact I would suggest you do the same Buffy. After we deal with the sea hag, I'll test Cole's blood and come up with a magic way to keep him from you, okay?"

Phoebe nods, "Okay. Thank you. Let's see if this spell that you wrote works. I will go find Piper."

Paige sighs, "Oh, Piper. I'm kinda worried about her. She picked maybe the worst time to come up with a massive demon phobia. You think she's gonna be okay to take on the sea hag?"

Phoebe nods, "Well, I think pregnancy is an emotional time and anything can happen."

Buffy nods, "True but not to that extent."

Piper walks in. "I'll be fine. Okay, let's go, we've got a job to do."

Paige frowns, "You sure you're up to it?"

Piper nods, "Well, I don't have a choice. It's a power of three spell, right? One, two, three."

Buffy sighs, "Four. Or did you forget?"

Piper sighs, "No sweetie. But someone has to stay here with Dawn."

Phoebe frowns, "Should we wait for Leo to find Craig before we go?"

Piper shakes her head, "No, Mylie needs us now."

Phoebe hands them each a piece of paper.

Paige nods, "Okay, if the spell works, it should take us straight to the sea hag."

Piper, Phoebe, Paige, and Buffy recite the spell, "Powers of the witches rise, find the hag who speaks in lies, balance chakras focus chi, lead us through the cruel cruel sea."

Nothing happens but then suddenly Phoebe and Buffy falls to the floor.

Phoebe looks up, "Whoo!"

Piper and Paige look down to find Phoebe and Buffy have turned into mermaids.

Paige, "Oh. Dawn!"

Dawn comes running upstairs, "Yean Aunt Paige." She then sees Buffy, "Mom?"

At the beach. Piper, Phoebe and Paige orb in. Phoebe falls into the water.

Phoebe frowns, "Hey!"

Paige smiles, "Sorry, couldn't hold you. Be right back."

Paige then orbs back to the manor and then she, Dawn and Buffy orbs in. Buffy falls into the water next to Phoebe.

Phoebe tries to get up.

Piper sighs, "Phoebe, you can't stand, you don't have legs."

Phoebe nods, "Okay, well, why me? She throws a little tantrum. "Why did I get the tail? We all said the spell together!"

Buffy sighs, "You're not the only one. I so didn't want to be a mermaid today."

Phoebe looks to Buffy and nods seeing her sister had transformed as well.

Paige shrugs, "Maybe because you're the best swimmer? With Buffy I expect it might be because of the Slayer actually. It would likely make you a good swimmer."

Buffy sighs, "Great."

Dawn shakes her head, "Mom!"

Phoebe sighs, "Yeah, at the Y! But this is the ocean! It is very cold and I am allergic to shellfish!"

Piper nods, "Okay, forget that. Do you sense the sea hag? Is she close?"

Phoebe shrugs, "How should we know?"

Piper nods, "Well, maybe if you put your head underwater."

Phoebe frowns, "And get my hair wet?"

Piper sighs, "Phoebe, you're a mermaid."

Paige nods, "You should be able to sense the sea hag. My spell worked but not the way I envisioned it."

Phoebe holds her nose as she and Buffy and Phoebe dives underwater.

Leo orbs in. "I found Craig. He was on a plane on his way to New York. Why am I standing in the ocean?"

Piper sighs, "Buffy and Phoebe are mermaids."

Leo frowns, "Oh. Well, that would explain it."

Phoebe pokes out of the water. "Whoo! Dive in! The water's great."

Piper shakes her head, "Phoebe, get back here this instant! And where is Buffy?"

Phoebe dives back under and pops back up next to them in a second's flat. "The call of the sea's intense. Just like Mylie said it was."

Buffy pops up next to Phoebe.

Piper nods, "Well, ignore it. Did you find the sea hag?"

Phoebe nods, "Now that you mention it there was a stench under the water."

Leo nods, "That could be the sewage treatment plant."

Buffy shakes her head, "I don't think so."

Piper nods, "We'll take our chances, follow the stench."

Phoebe sighs, "How?"

Piper sighs, "I don't know. Get in touch with your inner fish. And then when you find the cavern, call for Leo and we will orb there."

Phoebe looks to Buffy who nods, "Okay."

Phoebe and Buffy dives back in the water and swims away.

Paige frowns, "That's actually the most fun I've seen Phoebe have since Cole died."

Leo nods, "Which time?"

Paige smiles, "Good point. Okay, you guys ready? T-minus sea hag and counting. Piper, have you got the power of three spell?" No answer. "Piper, are you okay?"

Piper shakes her head, "I'm fine. Everything's under control."

Dawn looks at Piper and knows something is up.

In the sea hag's cavern. Mylie is sitting there. The sea hag appears. "Are you ready to make your pain go away?"

Mylie nods, "Yes."

Sea Hag smiles, "Necron will be pleased." She holds up the auger shell. "It doesn't hurt, I promise. The auger shell brings peace."

Mylie takes the auger shell and places it on her heart. It glows.

Phoebe and Buffy arrives in the water nearby.

Back on the beach

Leo nods, "Phoebe's calling. Let's go."

Paige nods, "Come on, come on, let's go."

Leo, Piper, Dawn, and Paige join hands and start to orb out. Piper and Dawn lets go of their hands and Leo and Paige orb out without them.

Piper leans against a rock, frightened.

Dawn walks over to Aunt Piper and sits down next to her, "It's alright to be scared Aunt Piper."

At the sea hag's cavern. Leo and Paige orb in.

Phoebe frowns, "Where's Piper?"

Buffy is in the water next to Phoebe.

Paige sighs, "She let go of my hand."

Leo nods, "Dawn let go of mine as well."

The sea hag throws a waterball at Paige and she ducks. Paige frowns, "Enough with the water. Shell!"

The shell orbs into Paige's hand. It reveals a bloody spot on Mylie's chest. The sea hag flicks her arm and seaweed appears tightly around Paige. Paige drops the shell into the water. Phoebe dives down to get it.

Leo grabs a sword and swings it at the sea hag. She disappears and reappears and throws a waterball at Leo. He is surrounded by a tunnel of water.

Phoebe jumps out of the water and throws the auger shell at the sea hag. It attaches itself to her and she screams. She turns into a pile of dust. The tunnel of water disappears from Leo and Paige frees herself from the seaweed.

Phoebe smiles, "Is everyone okay?"

Paige nods, "Yeah."

Buffy simply smiles.

Leo goes over to Mylie. "No, she's dying."

Phoebe frowns, "Can you heal her?"

Leo tries to heal Mylie but it doesn't work. "It's no use, she's not human."

Paige nods, "No, not yet. Get Craig, hurry."

Leo orbs out.

Phoebe looks at Buffy, "She should've stayed in the water."

Buffy nods, "She could've avoided all of this."

Paige frowns, "Can we stay positive please?"

Leo orbs in with Craig.

Craig frowns, "Get your hands off me!" He looks around. "What, what just happened? Where am I?"

Phoebe smiles, "Somewhere off the north Atlantic would be my gut instinct."

Craig frowns, "How... What... Who are you people?"

Paige smiles, "Witch."

Leo nods, "Angel."

Phoebe smiles, "Mermaid."

Buffy nods, "Mermaid."

Paige frowns, "Don't you two mean witch?"

Craig looks at Mylie lying unconscious.

Leo nods, "I know this is hard to accept, but all that matters is she's dying and you can help her."

Craig nods, "What can I do?"

Paige smiles, "Tell her how you feel. Your love can save her."

Craig sighs, "My love? How can I love her? I mean, look at her. She's got a..."

Leo nods, "Really beautiful heart."

Phoebe sighs, "Now you know what she is, but who she is, you've always known that."

Craig to Mylie, "I do love you..."

Mylie turns human.

Leo quickly takes off his coat and hands it to Craig.

Craig covers Mylie's naked body.

Leo heals Mylie and she wakes up.

Mylie sees Craig and smiles. They kiss. "Thank you. Thank you for everything."

Leo nods, "Okay, I hate to cut this short but I can sense Piper's panic, and Dawn's not helping, and I think we should get back to her and let her know that everything's alright." Paige and Leo walk over to Phoebe and Buffy. "Phoebe, Buffy, take mine and Paige's hands, We'll orb you back."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Nope, I'm staying in the ocean."

Buffy nods, "So am I."

Paige frowns, "Okay, just meet us back at the beach. You swim so fast you'll probably beat us there anyway."

Phoebe shakes her head, "No, we're staying in the ocean, We're not going back."

Buffy nods in agreement.

Paige frowns, "I don't understand."

Phoebe looks at Buffy who nods, "Paige, it's everything that Mylie said it was. It's complete freedom."

Mylie nods, "The call of the sea. It'll turn their heart cold if they let it."

Leo frowns, "Okay, Phoebe, Buffy, get out of the water."

Phoebe and Buffy backs away. They talk at the same time, "No."

Paige sighs, "Phoebe, Buffy, take my hand."

Phoebe shakes her head, "No!"

Buffy dives under the water.

Paige frowns, "Buffy!" She turns to Phoebe, "Phoebe, fight it!"

Phoebe shakes her head, "I don't wanna fight it. I just wanna be free. I think Buffy feels the same way."

Phoebe swims away.

Paige shakes her head, "Phoebe! Buffy!"