Chapter 37: The Day the Magic Died

Piper and Phoebe are sitting on chairs. Buffy and Dawn are lying on their backs. All of them looking up at a green mist in the sky.

Paige walks out.

Piper nods, "It's even brighter than it was an hour ago."

Phoebe smiles, "It's like magic and science and fairy tales all rolled up into one."

Dawn laughs, "Yeah like someone sprinkled fairy dust all across the sky."

Paige nods, "Actually, it's ion speeding into the earth's magnetic field and then they collide with air molecules. Hm."

Buffy shakes her head, "Way to ruin the moment, Paige."

Paige sits down on a chair., "Do you guys think it's weird that the Aurora Borealis is happening the night before the Wiccan Festival of Lights?"

Piper shakes her head, "I've been so busy planning for the baby, I forgot tomorrow is a Sabbath."

Dawn looks up, "A Sabbath? Let me see if I can remember this. It's pretty much a Wiccan holiday isn't it."

Piper nods, "Basically yes. But it's more than that."

Paige nods, "Yep, it's definitely a time for renewal and growth."

Piper shivers, "Uh, please, don't say growth. If this little thing gets any bigger, I'll never be able to snap back."

Paige frowns, "Hey, was that a shiver? I think I detected a shiver. Lady, you should go inside with that shiver."

Piper nods, "Shh, I'm fine, I'm feeling fine."

Phoebe frowns, "You didn't look so fine when you were bent over the toilet puking your guts out today."

Buffy rolls her eyes, "Nausea, headaches, all a normal part of pregnancy. Along with gas, heartburn, constant need to pee."

Piper laughs, "I forget sometimes, though not sure why, that you've gone through this before."

Dawn sighs, "Sounds fun."

A goose squawks. They see a white goose in front of them lay a golden egg. It flies into the house.

Paige gets up. "Uh, another golden goose." Paige picks up the golden egg.

Piper nods, "You'd think the magical community could find maybe something else to give to the baby."

Buffy laughs, "Hey I resent that."

Piper smiles, "And Dawn's bassinet was a nice gift too. My little girl will be the second Halliwell to use it."

Paige smiles, "Yeah, I could definitely melt this down and make a fashionable ring."

Piper shakes her head, "You are not keeping that."

Inside, Leo walks past the door. "Goosy, goosy, goosy." He dives for the goose and lands on the floor.

Piper, Dawn, and Phoebe laugh.

Leo gets up and runs through the house.

Piper smiles, "As much as I am enjoying the spectacle, I think we should really send those things back. Dad is in town tomorrow and he wants to stop by for a visit."

Dawn smiles, "Grandpa Victor is coming?"

Buffy laughs, "Yes Grandpa Victor is coming."

Dawn jumps up excited.

Phoebe sighs, "Yeah, he does get very Darin Stevens about our whole magic thing."

Paige nods, "Yeah, we should maybe have Leo ask the Elders what the policy is on magical gift returns. We don't want a curse put on the family or anything."

Leo walks outside.

Piper nods, "Yes, good idea."

The Elders call Leo. "I wonder what the Elders want this late?"

Piper sighs, "Well, I don't know, but you go find out and keep it down when you come back because I'm gonna head up..." She stands up and feels dizzy. "Ohh. Or maybe down." She faints back onto the chair.

Buffy is up in a flash, "Piper!" She tries to heal Piper

They rush to her side.

Leo frowns, "Piper."

Phoebe frowns, "Leo..."

Leo lays his hands next to Buffy's and helps her to try to heal Piper.

Paige frowns, "What's going on?"

Leo shakes his head as he looks at Buffy. "I don't know, we can't heal her, she won't come to."

Phoebe frowns, "Okay, to the hospital. Come on."

A short time later they are in a hospital room. Piper is lying in bed with Phoebe, Paige, Buffy, Dawn and Leo surrounding her.

Phoebe lets out a sigh of relief, "You scared us."

Piper nods, "Me too. I guess I'm not so invincible after all."

Paige nods, "Yeah, maybe we need to start taking better care of you."

Piper shakes her head, "No, it was my fault, everybody was telling me to slow down."

Leo nods, "It's not your fault. We're all in uncharted territory. The Elders said that this was a special child and anything can happen. Let's not forget that."

Dawn looks at Buffy. She wonders if Buffy had trouble when she gave birth to her.

A female doctor walks in carrying a file. "How are you feeling?"

Piper smiles, "Eh, tired and weak."

The doctor nods, "I've got your test results here but I can't find your chart. When are you due?"

Piper sighs, "Uh, six weeks."

The doctor frowns, "And who is your regular doctor?"

Piper shakes her head, "Uh... we don't have one."

Leo nods, "We've sorta been seeing a alternative medical practitioners."

The doctor sighs, "You don't have an OB/GYN?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "We're training to be midwives."

Buffy sighs, "Well Phoebe and Paige are. I've been against the homebirth thing from the start."

The doctor nods, "I'm open to all forms of healing but a woman in her third trimester should've had ultrasounds and blood work done by now. A medical doctor could have caught your condition earlier."

Piper frowns, "My condition?"

The doctor nods, "Toxaemia. It's a form of high blood pressure in pregnant women. Do you deal with unusual stress in your life?"

Paige nods, "Very unusual."

Piper sighs, "Is it serious?"

The doctor sighs, "Toxaemia restricts blood flow and food and oxygen to the placenta. It can result in a small baby, premature delivery or it can lead to other complications, none of which you need to worry about now. Most women respond quickly to the treatment."

Piper nods, "Okay, so give me the treatment."

The doctor smiles, "The treatment involves a no salt diet, no stress and lots of bed rest. Do that and the symptoms should reverse. I'll be back later to check on you." The doctor leaves the room.

Leo shakes his head, "That's probably why we couldn't heal you. High blood pressure isn't just physical, it's a state of mind."

Paige nods, "No stress and bed rest. Do you think you can handle that?"

Piper sighs, "Yeah, I can handle that. I'll do anything."

Phoebe smiles, "So will we." She looks to Buffy, "Right?"

Buffy nods, "Yeah."

The next day back at the Manor in Piper's room. Buffy and Phoebe's there.

Phoebe places a vase of flowers on the bedside table. She then walks over to a candle and lights it.

Buffy finishes making Piper's bed.

Paige orbs in holding a bucket of bubbling mud. "Greetings from the dead sea."

Buffy wrinkles her nose, "That stuff stinks."

Phoebe nods, "Oh. Pew! What'd you eat over there."

Paige shakes her head, "It's not me, it's the sulfur in the mud. It has healing properties. You know, people come from all over the world just to get this stuff."

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, well, we want Piper to feel like she's in a spa, not some sewer."

Buffy frowns, "Get that stuff out of here. Breathing in sulfur is bad for you Paige. It could make matters seriously worse. You want to kill Piper by suffocating her? That's basically what will happen with that stuff because people can have trouble breathing because of sulfur."

(A/N It's true Sulfur fumes can make it hard for people to breathe. I researched that little tidbit.)

Paige nods, "Okay. Okay. I just wanted the best for her."

Phoebe nods, "We know, sweetie, we're gonna take good care of her and the baby. I promise."

Piper calls up from downstairs, "Hello?"

Phoebe excited, "There she is."

Downstairs in the foyer Piper, Dawn and Leo are there.

Phoebe, Buffy and Paige come down the stairs.

Phoebe smiles, "Welcome home, honey. Or should I say your highness? Because from now on we are your loyal subjects." She gives Piper a big hug.

Paige nods, "We even turned your bedroom into a royal throne room."

Buffy nods, "All fresh linens. I even orbed to Sunnydale and picked up some of mom's good sheets."

Leo smiles, "Let me take you there now, my queen."

Piper sighs, "Alright, knock it off before I cut your heads off. I don't want any special treatment."

Dawn smiles, "Aunt Piper, we love you, let us love you."

Paige nods, "Yeah, I mean, as your sisters, niece and your two midwives, we feel it's our duty to provide you with solitude and serenity and..."

A goose squawks and three golden geese walk into the living room.

Piper sighs, "A gaggle of geese."

Leo frowns, "I thought you guys were gonna get rid of those."

Buffy sighs, "You said you were gonna ask the Elders on magical gift return policies."

Piper sighs, "Okay, you guys, its fine, everything's fine. It's not gonna bother me, I'm not gonna let anything bother me for the sake of my daughter."

Leo nods, "Come on, I'll take you upstairs."

Piper and Leo go upstairs.

Phoebe sighs, "I thought you said you tied them up."

Paige nods, "I did, but the little flockers got loose."

Phoebe nods, "Okay, we have to do better than this for Piper. I mean, if we can't keep geese away from her, how are we supposed to protect her from demons?"

Paige nods, "Okay, you're right, you're right, we should take turns guarding the manor. You know, who knows what kind of weirdo stuff's gonna show up..." They hear a neighing noise coming from the kitchen. "Here?" They walk into the kitchen to find a white unicorn standing there. It has gotten into all the food. Phoebe panics. "Oh my goodness, it's a unicorn."

Buffy frowns, "Yes, it is. In our kitchen. Is that another baby present you think, maybe?"

Paige nods, "Yeah, the best one ever." Paige goes over and pets the unicorn.

Phoebe frowns, "Okay, Paige, while unicorns may be very magical and cool, I'm not so sure it's appropriate for a baby."

Paige smiles, "Oh, come on now. Our little niece will grow into it."

Phoebe nods, "I'm not so sure about that. Have you seen those hooves? And how are we gonna baby proof that horn?"

Dawn sighs, "Hey. I've ridden horses. I can teach her to ride a unicorn."

Paige notices a card tied around its neck. "Hey, look, there's a card. "From El."" Part of the card is torn. "El? Do we know anybody in Spain?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "Paige, I don't care who it's from, okay? It just can't be here now. It's way too much stress for Piper and the baby, okay? So just orb it out of here."

Paige sighs, "I can't. Unicorns are mythical beasts from another world. Where do you propose I orb it to?"

Phoebe frowns, "I don't care where you orb it to, just get it out of here, okay?"

Paige nods, "Fine, I'll orb it somewhere safe and tie it up until we figure it out." She touches the unicorn and tries to orb out. She glows in white orbs for a second and then the orbs vanish, leaving Paige still in the kitchen.

Phoebe frowns, "What was that?"

Paige looks at Buffy and Dawn, "I can't orb it."

Buffy looks to Dawn and nods as they try to orb but nothing happens. "Neither can we."

Phoebe sighs, "Okay, stand back. Uh, 'take this beast, before I end her, ship her back, return to sender.'" Nothing happens. "Wait, why aren't my powers working?"

Paige frowns, "Uh, apple." Nothing happens. "Nothing."

Phoebe frowns, "Oh, no." Phoebe tries to levitate but can't. "I can't levitate, I'm grounded."

Buffy raises her hand and aims at a bowl of fruit, nothing happens, "Nothing here either."

Leo rushes in, panicking. "Something's wrong, something's wrong, I can't orb. I was trying to go to the Elders to find out how to get rid of the golden geese and why is there a unicorn in the kitchen?"

Paige sighs, "Forget the unicorn, our magic's down too?"

Leo frowns, "It is?"

Phoebe nods, "Okay, well, whatever hit us, we have to assume also hit Piper. Okay, and she can't find out about this until we know what's going on because she..."

Piper calls from upstairs, "Hello? Where is everybody?"

Leo frowns, "Why is she out of bed?"

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

Paige nods, "Go put her back."

Buffy sighs, "I'll go with you. Dawn help your aunts down here."

Phoebe nods, "Go, go!" Leo and Buffy rush out of the kitchen. "Alright, Paige, Dawn, uh, you two take the magical farm animals and put them down in the basement. I'm gonna get the book and I'll meet you down there." Phoebe rushes out of the kitchen.

Paige sighs and looks at Dawn and looks at the Unicorn, "Alright, you're Spanish. Andale!" She waves her arms and clicks her fingers. It doesn't move.

On the stairway Piper is coming down the stairs. Leo and Buffy comes around the corner.

Leo frowns, "Why are you on your feet?"

Piper sighs, "I was coming down to get some food. A person could starve around here."

Phoebe runs around the corner. "Hi. Bye." She runs up the stairs.

Leo nods, "Alright, come on upstairs, Buffy will get your food. You're supposed to be on bed rest."

Piper sighs, "Okay, well, bed rest doesn't actually mean..."

Leo nods, "Yes, it does. The doctor said stay off your feet and relax."

Piper and Leo go upstairs. The unicorn walks down the hallway and Paige runs after it.

Buffy turns to head back to the kitchen, "Paige!"

Paige looks to Buffy, "I know. Here, unicorn."

Buffy sighs, "Where's Dawn?

Paige looks at her sister, "Trying to wrangle the geese."

Upstairs in Piper's bedroom. Piper and Leo walk in.

Piper sighs, "Relax. Everybody, except Buffy, keeps telling me to relax, like it's something you do. Like, like switching off a light."

Leo shakes his head, "You need to learn how to do it, Piper, if you're gonna get your blood pressure under control."

Piper nods, "My blood pressure would not be a problem if we had been seeing a doctor like we were supposed to. Even Buffy has agreed with me since day one on that. The only amongst everyone else."

Leo sighs, "I knew that was coming. Come on, sit down." He helps Piper to the bed but she pushes him away.

Piper frowns, "Don't treat me like a baby factory, I can sit myself down." She sits on the bed. "All these fears about a magical baby and don't let the doctors find out and we'll buy a birthing ball and Paige and Phoebe will be midwives. And you know what? We were wrong."

Leo frowns, "How can you say that?"

Piper nods, "Because somehow in the middle of all this we forgot the most important thing of all. What's best for the baby? Plus we already have one magic child in the household. And Buffy had her in a hospital, with no problems."

Leo sighs, "Well, that's not fair. A lot of people decide to have babies at home."

Piper nods, "Uh huh, maybe so but I was not one of them. And this baby is not even out of the womb yet and I'm already screwing up as a mother."

Leo shakes his head, "You're haven't screwed up."

Piper frowns, "Yes, I did, Leo, I did. I have a disease that is threatening our baby and I could've avoided it if I had just trusted my instincts."

Leo sighs, "Well, what are your instincts telling you now?"

Piper smiles, "To have this baby in a hospital."

Leo nods, "Okay, I'll make arrangements today."

Piper sighs, "Oh, really. And what happens when she's delivered in swaddling orbs?"

Leo frowns, "We'll deal with it then. Anyways wasn't part of your argument that Buffy did it and Dawn came out just fine. Anyways from now on I want you to feel safe and secure, okay?" He kisses her forehead and leans back knocking over a side table and all the stuff on it. "No magic! No magic! No magic! It's just too much stress on your body."

Piper frowns, "Like that mess on the floor's not gonna stress me out?"

Leo nods, "Well, I'll clean it up."

The phone rings. Piper answers it. "Hello? Uh, sure." To Leo, "It's one of your charges. Since when do they use the telephone?"

Leo smiles, "Since I've been ignoring them to spend more time with my lovely wife." He takes the phone. "Excuse me. Hello?"

In the basement. Paige and Dawn is there with the unicorn and the golden geese.

Paige ties up the unicorn. "There you go." She walks over to Dawn and the geese. "Come on, come on." She steps backwards and stands on a golden egg. It smashes all over the floor. "Aw, yuck."

Dawn looks at the egg, "That's not good is it?"

Paige shakes her head.

Phoebe comes down the stairs carrying the Book of Shadows. "Okay, look at this, check this out." She flips open the book. The pages are blank. "The whole book has been erased. Dawn can you run upstairs and get your mom's book?"

Dawn nods, "Be right back." Dawn rushes up the stairs. A moment later she returns with Buffy's copy of the Book of Shadows, "It's empty also."

Paige frowns, "How's that possible?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "I don't know and without the book, I don't even know how to find out. It's like someone's taken the magic and erased it from our entire family."

Paige shakes her head, "I think it's bigger than that."

They look at the squished egg on the floor.

Phoebe frowns, "Oh is that from one of our golden geese?"

Dawn sighs, "Yep."

Paige nods, "I don't think we're gonna be able to return them now."

Phoebe frowns looking between her niece and sister, "What is going on?"

Paige frowns, "You know, this all started when El mystery mare arrived. Maybe she's a Trojan unicorn sent to suck away our magic."

Phoebe shakes her head, "No, I doubt it. Unicorns are the essence of good magic. If anything, they should enhance our powers, not steal them. What about the sky last night?"

Paige sighs, "What, the northern lights on the eve of a Sabbath? Yeah, it could be a mystical sign but don't those normally come in threes? Where's the third?"

Phoebe nods, "Have you been experiencing uncontrollable emotional mood swings in the last week?"

Dawn thinks for a second and shrugs.

Paige sighs, "Am I that transparent?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "No, but read your horoscope. Jupiter, Mars and Saturn are all in Gemini. That only happens once every three hundred years."

Paige frowns, "Holy Hannah. It's like the universe is practically screaming at us to get our attention."

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, but what is it trying to say?"

Dawn sighs, "Like there is no magic?"

Phoebe and Paige look at Dawn.

Phoebe sighs, "We kind of knew that already honey."

Paige nods, "I've got a lot of research books in the attic. I'm gonna go up there and check it out. Dawn you want to help me?"

Dawn nods, "Sure."

Phoebe nods, "Okay, I'll meet you up there. I'm gonna try to figure out a way to wrangle the geese."

Paige nods, "Good luck."

Paige and Dawn goes up the stairs.

Upstairs in the stairway. Stanley is sneaking up the stairs. Paige and Dawn comes around the corner.

Paige frowns, "Hey! Who the hell are you?"

Stanley smiles, "They call me Stanley." A fireball forms in his hand and then vanishes. "I was afraid of that."

Paige looks at Dawn, "Stay back." She turns to Stanley, "At least it's a level playing field."

Stanley runs down the stairs and attacks Paige.

Upstairs in Piper's room. Piper is watching TV. Leo is cleaning up the mess on the floor.

Buffy walks in carrying a tray of food, "Here you go, Piper." She sets the tray next to her sister.

Piper smiles, "Thanks Buffy."

Tabitha on TV, "Tonight, Tabitha is going to get her revenge. On all of harmony." Tabitha cackles.

Piper rolls her eyes and looks at Buffy, "Like that spell would've worked." Buffy smiles as they hear a thump coming from downstairs. "What was that?"

Leo looks up at Buffy, "What?"

They hear another thump.

Piper frowns, "That."

Leo sighs, "Oh, that. That's probably the Phoebe, Paige and Dawn trying to run down the geese. Yeah, tricky birds, you know. Listen, I'll go help out, you, uh, relax." As he passes Buffy he whispers to her, "Stay with Piper. You're the only real line of defense since your Slayer abilities shouldn't be affected." Buffy nods and sits in the chair next to Piper. He turns up the volume on the TV and smiles at Piper. He leaves the room.

Downstairs. Paige and Stanley are fighting. Dawn has rushed to get Phoebe.

Stanley knocks Paige to the floor. He grabs a marble tabletop from nearby and holds it above his head.

Phoebe runs in with Dawn. She's holding a knife. "Hey!" She throws the knife at Stanley and hits him in his chest.

Stanley frowns, "My name will haunt you to your grave." He falls backwards, dead.

Phoebe and Dawn help Paige up. Phoebe frowns, "What was his name again?"

Paige sighs, "I don't remember."

Dawn sighs, "Stanley. Whoever would name a demon Stanley though?"

Paige and Phoebe shrugs.

Green slime pours out of Stanley's chest.

Leo comes down the stairs. "What's with the leftovers?"

Paige nods, "Well, his magic ran out just like ours."

Phoebe nods, "Okay, so we have no powers, demons have no powers, what is going on here?"

Leo frowns, "I don't know. I just got a call from a charge and her powers are down too. So I unplugged the phone just in case we get any more calls. I don't want Piper to panic."

Paige nods, "Oh, well, it's official. Magic's down everywhere."

Dawn rolls her eyes, "Told you."

The unicorn neighs and walks into the dining room.

Phoebe frowns, "I thought you tied her up."

Paige sighs, "I did, and she eats through everything."

The doorbell rings.

Phoebe frowns, "Oh, god, what time is it? That's probably dad."

Leo nods, "I'll get the unicorn."

Paige nods, "We got the body."

Phoebe opens the closet door and they grab his arms.

Dawn heads to the front door.

Phoebe nods, "Alright, ready?"

Paige nods, "Come on, dead guy."

They drag him into the closet.

Victor calls from outside, "Hello? Anybody home?" He sees a silhouette, "Dawnie is that you?"

Leo takes the unicorn into the kitchen.

Phoebe and Paige tuck the demon's legs into the closet and close the door.

Piper calls down from upstairs, "Somebody get that?"

Phoebe and Paige nod to Dawn who opens the door. Victor is standing there with a woman.

Dawn smiles, "Hiya Grandpa Victor."

Victor smiles, "Hello Dawn." He spots Phoebe and Paige as they walk over to the door. "Hello Phoebe, Paige. I'd like you to meet Doris."

Phoebe frowns, "Doris?"

Victor nods, "My new wife and your new stepmother."

Dawn blinks, "Guess that means you're kind of my new grandmother."

Victor laughs, "I guess she would be."

Doris nods, "Hi!"

Phoebe, Dawn, Paige, Victor and Doris head toward the stairway.

Phoebe smiles, "How are you. Married?"

Paige nods, "We didn't even know you were dating."

Phoebe sighs, "Or that you date at all for that matter, dad."

Victor nods, "Well, it happened pretty fast."

Doris smiles, "Yes, we met on the singles cruise."

Phoebe nods, "Oh, that trip to Mexico. That was a singles cruise?"

Victor nods, "Yeah, I'm a man of many mysteries."

Phoebe blinks, "Really?"

Victor nods, "Where's Piper and Buffy? I wanna share the good news." He heads for the stairs but Paige stops him.

Paige shakes her head, "Oh, god, no, that's okay. Piper's upstairs resting. We found out last night that she has a blood pressure condition. Buffy is up there playing nursemaid."

Victor frowns, "She's okay?"

Phoebe nods, "Oh, yeah, she's fine. Don't worry. At least don't let her see you worry, anyway."

Doris sighs, "Poor thing. Young women today are under so many pressures. Is she eating enough garlic? Because it dilates the blood vessels, you know." She hands her coat and purse to Victor.

Phoebe shrugs, "Oh, well, we'll have to fix some of that up."

Victor heads for the closet but Paige grabs the coat and purse off him.

Paige smiles, "Oh, let me take that for you." Paige goes over to the closet, opens it and quickly throws the coat and purse on top of the dead demon. She quickly closes the door and turns around. "We're all outta hangers."

Piper comes down the stairs. Followed by Buffy. "Hey, dad!"

Buffy sighs, "She wouldn't follow my advice to stay in bed. Had to see what was going on."

Victor nods, "Hey, Buffy! Piper!" He goes over and gives her a hug. "Oh, I heard the news. Buffy is right you shouldn't be on your feet."

Phoebe sighs, "Dad's got some news of his own. Gently though, dad, we don't want her to drop that calf right there on the stairs."

Victor nods, "Buffy, Piper, I want you to meet Doris, my new bride."

Piper's eyes widen.

Buffy sighs. Her spidey sense is going haywire with Doris.

Phoebe nods, "Yeah."

Doris walks over to Piper and Buffy. Piper fakes a smile.

Doris smiles, "Hello, Piper. Hello, Buffy."

Piper nods, "Hi, hi, uh, Doris. W-w-welcome to the family, I guess."

Buffy nods, "Doris." Buffy's eyes flicker to Dawn for a moment before her gaze turns back to Doris.

Victor nods, "I know it's kinda sudden but sometimes when life drops a peach at your feet, you've gotta stop and make some cobbler."

The closet door opens and Stanley's leg falls out. Just as that happens, Victor leans in and kisses Doris, so they don't notice.

Paige quickly pushes Stanley's leg back in the closet and slams the door. "That is always my motto, isn't that funny?"

Phoebe nods, "Uh, uh, apparently they met on a singles cruise. Did you know dad goes on singles cruises?"

Doris nods, "Oh, it was like in the movies. Our eyes met across the buffet bar, your dad's so handsome and, well, I told him, don't eat the rolls, you know, too much processed flour." Stanley's green blood escapes from under the closet door. "Anyway, we stayed up all night long talking," Paige drags the rug along the floor with her foot and covers the blood. "And by the morning we just knew."

Victor smiles, "Mmm, she devastates me."

Leo walks in. "Okay, I put away the uni..." He sees everyone. "Cycle."

Piper frowns, "What unicycle?"

Leo nods, "It's a baby gift. Hey, Victor."

Victor nods, "Leo."

Doris smiles, "Hello, I'm Doris." She shakes his hand. "I'm your new mother-in-law."

Leo nods, "Oh, hi, I guess I missed a lot, didn't I?"

Phoebe sighs, "Okay, now that we've all met, maybe the two lucky newlyweds should check into the hotel because it's really crazy here and then we'll call you..."

Doris shakes her head, "Oh-oh, no. We're not going anywhere."

Piper frowns, "You're not?"

Buffy frowns, "I'd highly suggest you do."

Doris ignores Buffy, "No, I used to volunteer at the hospital. We can stay and help take care of you."

Piper puts on a fake smile. "You can?"

Doris nods, "I look forward to some real mother-daughter bonding."

Piper frowns, "You do, huh?"

The doorbell rings.

Phoebe frowns, "Oh."

Buffy smiles, "Well, you know, now that we've figured out you're staying here, let's get Piper off her feet, shall we?"

Piper looks at Buffy and frowns, "You're not leaving me alone with her."

Leo nods, "Come on, upstairs."

Piper, Buffy, Leo, Victor and Doris go upstairs.

The doorbell rings again. Phoebe, Dawn and Paige go and open the door.

Cronyn is standing there.

Paige nods, "Can I help you?"

Cronyn nods, "To save magic? I hope so."

Short time later they are in the back yard.

Paige frowns, "Okay, sorcerers don't just drop by our house. What makes you think we're not going to vanquish you?"

Cronyn smiles, "Because you can't. Didn't you get my message? My apprentice was supposed to drop by this morning."

Phoebe smiles, "Oh, that guy? He's dead in our closet. But he didn't give us a message."

Cronyn nods, "Because he was the message. To demonstrate the dire nature of our situation."

Dawn sighs, "So you're saying demons don't have power either."

Cronyn shakes his head, "Down to the last imp. There's fear and panic everywhere. Demons stuck in the underworld with no way up. Others stuck topside with no way down."

Phoebe nods, "Oh, poor little evil creatures."

Cronyn sighs, "Well, I see your flowers haven't died yet, and they will. With no gnomes or garden nymphs to spin their delicate magic."

Paige shrugs, "Don't go getting all enchanted on us."

Cronyn nods, "Oh, don't worry, I hate good magic, fairy tales, wishes on stars," he looks at Dawn, "and children who believe in Santa Claus."

Dawn scoffs, "I so don't believe in Santa Claus."

Cronyn smirks, "Mortals don't know it exists, but magic infuses all their hopes and dreams."

Paige nods, "Stand back, I think he's gonna break out in song."

Cronyn shakes his head, "Oh, hardly. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to watch it all ripped from the world."

Phoebe sighs, "So why not just sit back and watch the show? Why come to us?"

Cronyn: Because I want my power back. Magic must be saved and it's up to us.

Paige frowns, "Us? We're us, you're them. We don't help them's. Sorry."

Cronyn sighs, "You can't fix this by yourselves. That's why you invited me here to your backyard. But together, together we can interpret the signs."

Phoebe nods as she looks to Paige, "You were right about the signs." To Cronyn, "Okay, so what do you propose that we do?"

Cronyn smiles, "A summit between good and evil to discuss the crisis. Of course, there'd be certain rules. No guns, no knives, etc, you know."

Paige nods, "The exit's that way, so if you wanna just..." She whistles.

Cronyn sighs, "We don't have much time. The longer magic is down, the harder it is to restore." He pulls out a business card which reads "Cronyn, Sorcerer - Evil Magic For All Occasions" and hands it to Phoebe. "My cell phone's on the back in case your sister changes her mind."

Phoebe laughs, "Cronyn, huh? Since when do sorcerers have cell phones?"

Cronyn shakes his head, "You think that's bad? I've got a taxi waiting out front. Call me."

He heads for the exit. Phoebe laughs.

Phoebe, Dawn and Paige walk in to the Conservator from the backyard.

Dawn sighs, "I don't trust him."

Paige nods, "I have to agree with Dawn."

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, but I kinda liked his whole world without magic speech. It was very Crappa."

Paige nods, "Pure crappa. I don't wanna help evil."

Leo walks in. "What evil?"

Phoebe nods, "A sorcerer wants to arrange peace talks for the whole magic crisis."

Paige nods, "Oh, yeah, and Phoebe is actually considering it."

Phoebe sighs, "Well, of course I'm considering it, the future of magic is at stake here, not to mention the future of my niece. And what else do we have right now? There's no powers, no book, no Elders."

Leo nods, "Phoebe's right. Without magic, Piper and the baby are vulnerable, only Buffy can protect them. And if several demons attacked at once…"

Paige nods, "Okay, fine, but if there's a meeting we're going in heavy, in case it's a trap."

Phoebe nods, "Okay, but Cronyn said no weapons."

Paige sighs, "And you trust him? Leo, I'm gonna need some saltpetre and some cayenne pepper from the kitchen. Dawn tell Buffy we need her. You stay with Piper though, ok?"

Dawn nods and hurries up the stairs.

Leo nods, "For what?"

Paige smiles, "A homemade arsenal. Phoebe, would you kindly get an aerosol can. Ladies and gentleman, it's time to lock and load."

Up in Piper's room. Doris is unpacking a gift basket.

Buffy is sitting in a chair next to Piper.

Doris smiles, "I knew this gift basket would come in handy. And lucky for you I am always ready for emergencies."

Victor nods, "You should've seen our first date."

Doris laughs, "Oh, your father spilled steak sauce all down the front of his shirt."

Victor nods, "And Doris pulls out a bottle of stain remover from her purse."

Doris smiles, "Of course I licked it off your chin first."

Victor and Doris kiss.

Piper turns her head. "Oh, that's so sweet. Leo walks past her room carrying saltpetre and cayenne pepper. "Hi, honey, what are you doing?"

Leo comes back and stands at the door. "Uh, I'm just taking Paige some spices. She's gonna make a homeopathic remedy to help you relax. See ya." He leaves.

Dawn comes into the room and whispers to Buffy. Buffy nods and gets up switching places with Dawn.

Piper looks at Buffy, "Where you going?"

Buffy smiles, "Giles is on the phone."

Piper frowns, "I didn't hear it ring?"

Buffy turns and leaves.

Doris nods, "Homeopathic medicine? You're into homeopathic medicine? I knew I was gonna love this family. This is unbelievable. My first husband passed away a couple of years ago, heart attack. And the first thing I did when we got home from the cruise is put your father on a low fat, high fibre diet."

Victor nods, "And a monthly colonic."

Piper turns her head once again and sees Phoebe walk into the room. "Hi, Phoebe, come sit, talk with us, please."

Phoebe looks at Dawn. "Oh, I can't, I have a big meeting at work. Do you have any hairspray I could borrow?"

Piper frowns, "You have hairspray."

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, but mine's non-aerosol and it's a really big meeting, so I need aerosol for that super firm hold, you know."

Piper sighs, "Check my bathroom."

Phoebe walks past them and goes in the bathroom.

Piper looks at Dawn, "Honey you want to tell me what's going on?"

Dawn smiles, "Uhm I have homework." She gets up, "I'll be just down the hall if you need anything."

Doris nods, "Oh, honey, you know what? There's no cheese knife here. Would you mind going downstairs and getting it."

Victor nods, "Absolutely, baby doll." Victor kisses Doris and heads for the door. He turns around and smiles, "Hey Dawnie why don't you walk me downstairs. I can catch up with my favorite granddaughter." Dawn nods as they leave. Phoebe walks back in the room with the aerosol can.

Doris smiles, "Uh, girls? I just wanted to let you know how I feel about your father. I, I just feel so lucky. He's the most special man I've ever met."

Piper nods, "Thank you."

Phoebe smiles, "That's the sweetest thing you could ever say to us."

Doris nods, "Well, it's true, you know. He's so, he's so kind and he's so sensitive. And, oh, he's the most exciting lover. Oh! I mean, girlfriends, he can go all night. I'm not kidding."

Doris squeals. Phoebe and Piper fake a smile.

Phoebe nods, "Did ya hear? Gotta go to that meeting."

Piper frowns, "Don't leave me."

Phoebe leaves the room.

Up in the attic Paige and Leo are there. Leo is making a candle. Paige is on the phone.

Buffy walks up the stairs, "Ok what's up. Dawn said you need the Slayer for something?"

Leo fills Buffy in quickly about the summit meeting.

Buffy nods, "Ok so I guess I'm one big secret weapon. Assuming they don't know about the Slayer."

Paige puts down the phone as Phoebe walks in. "That was Cronyn." She picks up a bottle and pours a red liquid into it. "He says, uh, he'll meet us in an hour. He suggested one of his, you know, dark chambers, I suggested Manny's Pizzeria."

Phoebe nods, "Nice, public venue, way to go. What is that?"

Paige smiles, "This would be a pipe bomb, dear."

Phoebe nods, "Oh, what..."

Paige laughs, "I was good at chem lab in high school.

Buffy shakes her head, "Sounds like my twin sister was just as bad as I was in school, for different reasons of course."

Paige nods, "How's the candle going?"

Leo nods, "Fine, it just needs a few minutes to set. Are you sure it's gonna give us smoke?"

Paige nods, "Total whiteout, as long as you put six parts of saltpetre in there."

Leo nods, "Okay, we have one flammable spray can, one lotion bottle bomb, a smoking candle, two sharpened nail files, four cayenne pepper spray straws, and assorted rings and bracelets? And one Slayer."

Phoebe shows her hands to reveal her fingers covered in rings.

Paige smiles, "Well, it kinda makes you appreciate your powers, doesn't it?"

Phoebe looks at Buffy who nods, "We don't need any stinkin' powers to kick some demon ass."

Paige smiles, "Well, maybe you two don't. You're a little bit better with your mono-e-mono stuff. Speaking of, I have some extra gifts for Buffy."

Buffy blinks, "Okay."

They go over to a chest.

Paige nods, "These were mine and now they're yours." She pulls out a chain mail top. "Chain mail top from my club days. Steel toed boots from my mosh pit days. Handcuffs, from last Friday."

Buffy laughs, "Dang Paige. You really are into the kinky stuff." She takes the offered stuff.

Leo tests the candle and a big cloud of smoke rises from it.

Phoebe sighs, "Hey, do you think we're making a huge mistake by not telling Piper about this?

Paige sighs, "No, absolutely not, I think she needs to relax."

Buffy nods, "I agree with that. She doesn't need the stress right now."

Leo nods, "Piper's not just carrying one of the next generation of Halliwell, she's carrying the next generation of magic."

Phoebe sighs, "Then let's go save them."

Buffy looks at Leo, "I know Dawn can't protect Piper like I can. But make sure she stays with Piper."

Leo nods, "I will."

In Piper's bedroom. Piper's eating a cracker. Doris is sitting on Victor's lap. They are doing a magazine quiz.

Doris nods, "Okay, the last question is, what is your lover's favorite article of clothing? Hm. Oh, it has to be your grey cardigan. Am I right?"

Victor smiles, "As always, baby doll."

They kiss. Piper lays back in her bed and gets under the covers.

Doris nods, "Okay, that's nineteen out of twenty. That makes our romance rating jalapeno hot."

Victor growls and Doris giggles. Piper spots Phoebe, Paige. Dawn, and Leo walking past the room.

Piper sighs, "Hey! Somebody get in here." Phoebe and Paige leave Dawn and Leo. Dawn and Leo come into the room. "Hi. I may be stuck in bed but I am not stuck on stupid. I know that something's going on."

Leo nods, "Well, you wanted a doctor and she told you to relax, so, relax." He chuckles.

Piper frowns, "Mmm, how can I relax when I know that you're hiding something from me? All the strange noises and weird behavior. Why don't you just tell me what's going on?"

Leo looks to Dawn who nods, "Okay, um..." To Victor and Doris, "I'm sorry, you guys, we need a moment, a magical moment."

Doris nods, "Oh."

Victor nods, "Oh, alright, then."

They get up and leave the room. Leo closes the door.

Dawn sits in the chair she vacated earlier.

Leo sighs, "Okay, uh, well, it's really nothing to worry about. Magic has disappeared from the world and Phoebe, Buffy, and Paige went to have a summit meeting with evil so they can fix it. See? Nothing to worry about."

Dawn rolls her eyes, "You so did that terrible, Uncle Leo."

Piper nods, "I see. Okay, I am not gonna get upset about this. I am just gonna blow you to pieces." She tries to blow him up but nothing happens.

Leo sighs, "See, I tried to tell you."

Piper frowns, "Oh, no!"

Leo nods, "Listen, I-I'm sure it's nothing. Phoebe, Buffy and Paige..."

Piper shakes her head, "Leo, no. My water just broke."

Dawn suddenly stands up wishing she had been with Phoebe and Paige for Piper's birthing classes.

At Manny's Pizzeria. Phoebe, Buffy and Paige walk into the crowded shop. They look around and spot Cronyn sitting at a table with two other men. They walk over to them.

Cronyn nods, "This is Merrill, our highest ranking wizard and personal mentor. Kane, top advisor to the warlocks."

Kane nods, "Check their bags for weapons."

Paige smiles, "Like we'd attack in front of civilians. That's why we chose a public place."

Cronyn nods, "You can't be too safe, you know. Especially when the Slayer is standing right beside you." Phoebe and Paige hand them their handbags. They look inside. "What's with the candle?"

Phoebe smiles, "We thought we'd try a Wiccan ritual or two to try to bring back magic."

Cronyn nods, "Let's get down to business."

They hand back the handbags.

Phoebe nods, "Okay, well, wait a minute, bubs. How do we know you guys aren't packing weapons?"

Kane smiles, "You mean like this?" Kane stands up and pulls out a big knife.

Paige frowns, "Hey, now."

Buffy smiles, "You know the saying. Fool me once shame on me. Fool me twice shame on you. Well let's just say you didn't fool us once." Buffy pulls a dagger out of its sheath between her breasts. "You really should have looked at me closer."

The room falls silent.

Phoebe frowns, "Did it just get very quiet in here?"

Cronyn smiles, "You don't think we'd pass up the opportunity to take out the Charmed Ones or the Slayer, now do you?"

Everyone in the room stand up, all holding weapons. They surround Phoebe, Buffy and Paige.

Someone grabs Phoebe and Paige from behind. Phoebe is thrown and crashes through a window and lands behind a table. Paige goes flying through the room, landing on the table and falling to the floor.

Buffy frowns, "How did you do it? This place must've been crawling with customers."

Cronyn nods, "We paid them to leave. Of course, the owner wanted to stay but he's browning in the pizza oven."

Paige sighs, "What about magic? Who's gonna fix it?"

Cronyn smiles, "I got that covered. Which is more than I can say for you three."

Buffy shakes her head, "May not have magic right now. But I still have my Slayer abilities."

Phoebe nods, "If you don't think we came prepared for this moment, you are sadly mistaken. Yeah Buffy isn't the only weapon we brought." She pulls out the hairspray can and holds it up. The demons move closer. Phoebe sprays the can and holds a lighter under it. The demons duck as the ball of fire heads for them. Paige lights the lotion bottle bomb and throws it at the demons. Phoebe and Paige duck for cover. One demon catches it and it blows up the whole room. The demons groan in pain. "We've gotta fight our way out of this or die trying. You ready?"

Buffy smiles, "You could say I was born ready."

Phoebe lights the smoke candle and throws it in the room. Thick smoke fills the room.

Cronyn grabs Kane. "Don't let 'em out alive." He heads for the door.

Phoebe, Buffy and Paige run into the room, Paige holding a baseball bat, and start attacking the demons.

Cronyn leaves the Pizzeria.

Back at the Manor in Piper's room. Piper, Dawn, Leo and Victor are in the room.

Piper is panicking. "What are we doing? Why are we sitting here? We need to go to the hospital now."

Leo nods, "You need to relax. Your water broke, it's no need to panic."

Piper sighs, "No, you are wrong. My due date is six weeks away. This baby is not ready to come out. Please, take me to the hospital."

Leo nods, "Okay, okay."

Doris walks in. "I just got off the phone with your doctor and she said don't move until she gets here."

Piper blinks, "She's coming here?"

Doris nods, "She's on her way now."

Victor smiles, "There. See? Everything's gonna be okay."

Dawn frowns as she suddenly senses something from Doris.

Piper nods, "I need Phoebe and Paige, they've trained so hard for this, they should be here now."

Leo nods, "I called Phoebe's cell phone, and there was no answer."

Piper sighs, "Ugh."

Victor nods, "Well, can't you just, you know, pop over there and get them in that special way you do?"

Leo frowns, "We kinda got a problem with that right now."

Piper grimaces, "Ooh!" She holds her stomach. "Oh my god, contraction."

Doris nods, "Okay, okay, just breathe." Doris does breathing exercise. Piper copies her. "Piper needs all the love and support we can give her right now, Leo. Go and get her sisters."

Piper nods, "Please." Leo kisses Piper on her forehead and leaves. "Okay, it's over, okay."

Doris nods, "Now, the doctor said I need to keep you warm, so I'm gonna change all the sheets and all these wet blankets, alright?"

Doris looks at Victor and he nods. They go out into the hallway.

Dawn closes the door, "I don't want to worry you Aunt Piper. Not with my cousin on the way. But I think my powers just expanded. Either that or I just inherited mom's Slayer abilities. Probably the second since magic is out at the moment."

Piper grimaces, "You're sure?"

Dawn nods, "I think so. I feel stronger for some reason. And I seem to maybe have what mom refers to as spidey sense. And I sensed something from Doris. I don't know what… as I don't know how to tell what I'm sensing."

Piper nods, "If you're right then you needs to stay with me. Okay Dawnie?"

Dawn nods, "I will Aunt Piper."

Piper smiles, "For now help me change into a fresh nightgown?"

Dawn nods and helps Piper to change.

Piper sits on the bed.

Doris walks in carrying a pile of sheets. "Alrighty, then."

Piper nods, "Where's dad?"

Doris smiles, "Oh, he decided to go with Leo. Oh, but don't worry, you still have family here." Doris eyes Dawn as if sensing something is different from the girl.

At the Pizzeria. Merrill crawls along the floor, wounded. Phoebe stands above him. "Where's Cronyn?"

Merrill frowns, "He had business to attend to."

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, I'll bet."

Phoebe pulls handcuffs out of her handbag and cuffs Merrill to a chair.

Paige walks over and holds a knife to his throat. "Did Cronyn bring down magic?"

Merrill shakes his head, "He doesn't have the power."

Phoebe nods, "No, but you do."

Paige frowns, "Of course, you're his mentor."

Buffy frowns, "What happened to magic?"

No answer.

Paige nods, "Answer the lady's question."

Merrill sighs, "Centuries ago, I unearthed a quatrain from the tomb of a wise apothecary. When three planets burn as one over a sky of dancing light, and magic will rest for a holy day to welcome a twice blessed child."

Paige frowns, "Those are the signs that we saw. The Aurora Borealis, the planetary alignment, the wiccan Sabbath."

Buffy frowns, "Twice blessed!" She remembers what Leo and Dawn had told her about Dawn being thrice blessed. About how Dawn was the daughter of the Slayer, daughter of a Charmed One and granddaughter of a Whitelighter. She knows who the twice blessed child would be.

Phoebe frowns, "Wait, back to the twice blessed child business. What is that?"

Buffy sighs, "Cronyn is not after us... He's after Piper's baby."

Phoebe frowns, "He's after Piper's baby? Oh my god." She pulls out her cell phone and dials the manor.

Paige frowns, "That's why he led us here to our slaughter so the Power of Four couldn't find him. When do we get our powers back?"

Merrill shakes his head, "When it's too late to use them."

Phoebe frowns, "The house line's dead."

Buffy frowns, "Dawn!"

Merrill nods, "Magic won't return to the world until the baby is born, which should be any minute."

At the Manor in Piper's room. Piper is in bed, back to the door.

Doris and Dawn sit down beside her.

Cronyn walks into the room.

Piper smiles, "Finally, Leo..." She turns around and sees Cronyn. "Who are you?"

Cronyn smiles, "I'm here for your baby."

Dawn frowns as she looks at Doris.

Doris smiles.

Cronyn spots Dawn, "What is she doing here?"

Doris sighs, "She is no threat. An eleven year old with no magic."

Cronyn nods and turns his attention to Piper, "It'd be easier if you'd just relax, Piper." He puts a medical kit on the bed. Piper gets a contraction and she groans. "Breathe deeply... and push."

Dawn waits for the opportune moment. They don't realize she is a Slayer now.

Doris nods, "She's fully effaced and dilated. It won't be long now."

Piper frowns, "You can't have my baby, I won't- Aahh!" Piper screams as she gets another contraction.

Dawnstairs in the kitchen. Phoebe, Buffy, and Paige walk in from the back door.

They hear Piper scream.

Phoebe starts to go to her but Paige stops her. "No, no, he's not gonna hurt her while she's in labor."

Phoebe nods, "Okay, well, what if Leo's hurt, or dad?"

Paige nods, "There's only one way to save them."

They head for the basement and Paige grabs a knife on her way past.

Paige scrapes the knife along the unicorn's horn and catches the dust in a scooper. "A unicorn's horn is pure concentrated magic. See, I told you all magic wasn't down."

Phoebe nods, "Okay, how did you know that?"

Paige smiles, "Because the wizard stole the prophecy from an apothecary, an agent of good magic."

Buffy sighs, "We have to hurry up. Dawn is up there with a demon."

Phoebe frowns, "Wait that would mean that the Elders knew what he wrote." Phoebe looks at the card around the unicorn's neck. "Look, the card says "From El", that's gotta be for the Elders. They knew magic was going to go down and that we'd be in danger."

Paige frowns, "Why didn't they just tell us?"

Buffy sighed, "They tried. Leo got a call from the Elders, remember? And then Piper passed out and we had to take her to the hospital."

Paige nods, "And then they sent us this little present. I guess your magic is not affected by what happens on earth."

In Piper's room. Piper is breathing heavily. Doris is wiping her forehead. They hear a neigh.

Cronyn frowns, "What was that?"

Doris nods, "The witches?"

The unicorn neighs again. Cronyn grabs a knife. "You stay here."

Piper frowns and looks to Dawn indicating now would be a good time, "Where is my father? What did you do to him?"

Doris nods, "Shh, don't worry about such things. Child birth is painful enough."

Piper sighs, "If you do anything to my baby, I will kill you. I will hunt you and kill you. Even if it means coming back from the dead and don't think I won't find a way to do that."

Doris laughs, "We're not going to hurt your baby, Piper. We're going to raise her as our own. She's going to be a powerful leader, a great force of evil. You should be proud, very proud."

Doris turns away and squeezes the cloth into a bowl.

Dawn reaches over and grabs a vase of flowers off the side table. She smashes it over Doris' head, knocking her unconscious.

Piper gets out of bed. "About time Dawnie."

Dawn smiles, "Time for a Slayer."

In the basement. Phoebe is pouring the unicorn dust into a satchel.

Paige finishes writing a spell.

Paige smiles, "Okay, one vanquish spell."

They hear creaking floorboards.

Cronyn is in the kitchen looking around. He sees the basement door open and heads over to it. He is distracted by a loud thud coming from the stairway. He leaves the kitchen and walks over to the stairway. Piper is lying there. Dawn stands next to her.

Cronyn frowns, "Stupid witch. You could've killed the both of you."

Dawn smiles, "Yeah possible she could have. But you won't get her baby. Not with a Slayer in the house."

Cronyn frowns, "Slayer?"

Doris runs down the stairs holding the back of her head. "Ohh, the little whelp caught me off guard."

Cronyn shakes his head, "We have bigger problems. Seems we have a Slayer here."

Doris walks to the bottom of the stairs.

Cronyn goes up to Piper.

Dawn grabs Cronyn and with her new found Slayer strength flips the man hard. He crashes to the floor.

Piper tries to fight off Doris, "Get away from me!"

Upstairs Victor regains consciousness.

Piper frowns, "Oh, god, please not now."

Phoebe, Buffy and Paige come around the corner.

Buffy looks to Dawn and her eyes widen.

Phoebe: Step aside, bitch!

Doris pulls out a knife and holds it up against Piper's neck. "Move, even breathe and she's dead. You girl let Cronyn up."

Dawn steps back from Cronyn and he gets to his feet moving over to Doris.

Piper frowns, "Vanquish them, Phoebe."

Cronyn smiles, "Your sister will die."

Piper nods, "It's to save the baby."

Paige blinks, "Oh my god."

Cronyn nods, "I'm warning you."

Piper nods, "Kill him."

Phoebe smiles, "How can I?"

Piper frowns, "Do it!"

Phoebe sighs, "But I..."

Piper nods, "Phoebe, if you love me, you will send the crazy bastard and bitch straight to hell."

Victor makes his way down the stairs and pounces on Doris. With all his strength, he throws Doris over the railing. Paige throws a handful of unicorn dust over Cronyn and Doris.

Paige nods, "Now!"

Phoebe smiles, "Beast of legend, myth and lore, give my words the power to soar, and kill this evil evermore."

Cronyn and Doris run for the door but are vanquished before they can get there. Stanley, dead in the closet, explodes and disappears.

Paige sighs, "Is everybody okay?"

Piper frowns, "I feel like I'm dying."

Phoebe races into the dining room carrying a doctor's kit. "Baby's coming, baby's coming!" She puts the bag down and covers the dining room table with a sheet. She gets a couple of pillows and places them on the table. Paige and Buffy helps Piper up onto the table and she leans back on the pillows.

Phoebe nods, "Okay, you're doing great, sweetie. Yes, you are. Let's see what we have here." Phoebe pulls up Piper's nightgown. "Oh! I see a head of dark hair."

Piper starts to cry. "You do?"

Paige nods, "What'd you expect? A blonde? No offense Buffy."

Buffy smiles, "Well I'm not naturally a blonde, remember."

Leo runs in through the front door. "What'd I miss?"

Piper nods, "A lot!"

Leo runs over to them.

Paige nods, "Victor needs help. Here, try this."

Paige throws Leo the satchel of unicorn dust. Leo goes over to Victor.

Phoebe nods, "Okay, breathe. Keep breathing, keep breathing."

Paige smiles, "It's okay. Breathe, just breathe."

Leo sprinkles unicorn dust onto Victor's wound and heals him.

Phoebe smiles, "Very good. Okay, relax, relax, you're okay."

Piper nods, "Dad?"

Victor smiles, "Yeah, honey?"

Piper sighs, "I'm sorry about your demon wife." She cries.

Victor laughs, "Oh, hush. Don't think about that."

Leo walks over to Piper, switching places with Buffy, and puts his arm around her. "I'm right here, baby."

Phoebe smiles, "Okay. You okay? You're alright. Okay. You're doing great, you're doing great. Push, okay? Last push."

Piper frowns, "I can't."

Phoebe nods, "You have to. A big one. Big one! Push!"

Leo nods, "You can do it."

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

Phoebe smiles, "You can, you can."

Buffy nods, "Yes, you can. I did it, you can too, Piper."

Phoebe nods, "Okay, push." Piper pushes. "Push. Come on, push!"

Piper squeezes the edge of the table and pushes. A blue light shines down on them.

Paige smile, "Oh, I guess magic's coming back."

Phoebe nods, "Here we go, here we go." Piper cries. "Oh, I see a shoulder. Oh, and another shoulder. And an arm." Phoebe helps the baby out. "Oh, and something else, something else." Phoebe picks up scissors from the medical kit and cuts the umbilical cord. She picks the baby up which is glowing in orbing lights. "Hi, baby. Hi." She uses a suction and clears the baby's mouth. The baby cries. Phoebe turns the baby around and shows them. "Look!"

Their eyes widen.

Paige smiles, "Oh. Is that what I think it is?"

Phoebe nods, "Uh, if you're referring to Mr. Winkie between the legs, yes."

Leo nods, "You mean, I got a boy?"

Phoebe smiles, "Here you go, mama." She hands Piper her baby.

Piper smiles, "Hi. Hi, little guy, what are you doing? Look what we did."

Leo nods, "I see."

Paige nods, "It's a miracle."

Piper nods, "A little miracle."

Phoebe smiles, "He's beautiful."

Piper nods, "You are safe, you are loved, and you are wise." Piper smiles. "How ya doing?"

Buffy turns to Dawn and they walk out of earshot of the rest, "Want to tell me what was going on when we came in?"

Dawn smiles, "I think I'm a Slayer now."

Buffy blinks, "How do you know?"

Dawn smiles, "You saw me with that guy. I'm eleven almost twelve years old. Do you think I could keep him down like that without Slayer strength?"

Buffy shakes her head, "Probably not. I guess that's what it means to be thrice blessed doesn't it. You have access to magic through your Charmed powers. You have access to Whitelighter powers because of me and your grandpa Samuel. And now because of me being the Slayer you have access to Slayer abilities also."

Dawn nods, "I know. I guess this means you're going to have to change my training slightly."

Buffy nods, "Yes now I need to add in Slayer training."

Leo walks over to them, "Dawn, Piper told me you got your mom's Slayer abilities, and that you used them to protect her. I just wanted to tell you thanks. Now I understand why Ramus said you were thrice blessed."