Chapter 38: Baby's First Demon

In Piper's room. Piper, Buffy, Dawn, Phoebe, Paige, Leo and the baby are there. Everyone is looking down at the baby who is in the bassinet.

Phoebe smiles, "Ooh, I could eat him up! I swear I could with a little ranch dressing."

Piper nods, "Okay, but let's not, okay?"

Phoebe laughs, "I can't make that promise."

Leo nods, "Okay, don't listen to your aunties, okay, they're a little kooky. Us guys gotta stick together, don't we, Peter?"

Buffy frowns, "Hey!"

Leo gives Buffy an apologetic look.

Piper sighs, "Peter?"

Leo shrugs, "Peter. I'm just floating it."

Piper shakes her head, "Hmm, is your name Peter?"

Phoebe nods, "Well, for what it's worth, I dated a Peter in high school and he wasn't very nice."

Paige sighs, "Yeah, you know, for what it's worth, it's kind of the name of the appendage that he has that surprised us all so much. It might get him teased at school."

Dawn nods, "Yeah I don't like Peter either."

Leo nods, "Okay, no Peter, but we're running out of P's."

Paige sighs, "I can't believe you never thought of P boy names."

Piper nods, "Well, when I went to the future I had a little girl and obviously that has changed, as has a lot of things but, um, I'm still having trouble letting go of the name we settled on."

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, well, Prudence Melinda might get him in trouble at school too."

Paige sighs, "I'm thinking that's probably true, although he could just zap them onto a roof like Harry Potter would or something."

Leo frowns, "God, I hope not."

Phoebe nods, "Aren't you excited to see what his powers are?"

Piper nods, "Excited, terrified. I mean, after seeing what the kid can do inside the womb, he's no muggle. But seriously with the way Dawn's powers expanded. I'm not sure…"

Leo shakes his head, "His powers won't expand like Dawn's. Remember she has Slayer blood mixed in with the Charmed and Whitelighter blood. His powers will take a different track."

Phoebe smiles, "Hey, what about Potter? Potter Halliwell. Or is it Wyatt?"

Leo shakes his head, "No, it's definitely Halliwell. Demons fear it, good magic respects it. I want what's best for him. That's why I'm gonna say no to Potter."

The baby starts to cry.

Piper sighs, "Oh, somebody's getting very sleepy. Come on. Shh."

Phoebe hugs the bassinet. "We love you, we love you, baby, so much. Love you, love you, love you. Bye, baby."

Phoebe, Buffy, Dawn and Paige leave the room.

Piper tucks the baby in with a blanket embroidered with the triquetra symbol on it. "You're perfect, you perfect little creature."

In the hall…

Paige nods, "It's too bad with all the powers your baby has, sleeping through the night is not one of them."

Piper nods, "Yeah, I'm sorry about that, you guys."

Buffy nods, "I remember when Dawn was like that. Took some time getting her to the point when she would sleep all night, it's normal.

Phoebe walks into her room.

Piper nods, "Maybe we can cast some kind of sound proofing spell around our bedroom so you don't have to deal with..."

Paige sighs, "No way, it'll interfere with the baby's alarm system."

Piper frowns, "Which works how exactly?"

Paige nods, "Ah, pretty basic stuff. I just enchanted a few cowry shells."

Leo frowns, "Well, it's not going to shock anything, is it?"

Paige sighs, "In the nursery? I'm not a total idiot. It'll just alert us to the presence of evil so we can all sleep a little sounder. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I need to apply some under eye makeup to these dark circles that your sweet baby caused."

Paige goes into her room and closes the door.

Phoebe sneaks out of her room, heading for Piper's.

Piper sighs, "Where are you going?"

Phoebe smiles, "I'm just gonna go watch him sleep for a little while."

Piper shakes her head, "Phoebe. You must go to work."

Leo nods, "Yeah, aren't you and Buffy supposed to meet the new owner of the paper today?"

Phoebe nods, "I know, but it's so hard to leave him. Shouldn't there be some sort of maternity leave for new aunties?"

Buffy rolls her eyes.

Piper sighs, "Phoebe, the club is not raking in the dough these days and Paige is unemployed, the cost of diapers... We kind of need you to keep your and Buffy's jobs."

Phoebe nods, "You're right, you're right, I'll go. Just, no Peter, okay? And no Patrick. And I really think you should consider Potter because it's a great name. Okay. Just don't make any decisions until I get back, please."

Piper smiles, "Before you both go to work… Buffy I wanted to ask your permission before I ask Dawn."

Buffy looks at her daughter, "Shoot..."

Piper whispers into Buffy's ear.

Buffy nods, "Go ahead."

Piper looks to Leo who nods, "Dawn, Leo and I were talking last night. We decided we wanted to make you and Paige the baby's godmothers."

Dawn smiles and nods, "I'd like that Aunt Piper. Assuming Aunt Paige is okay with."

Piper nods, "We already talked to Paige she is okay with you both being the baby's godmother. In fact she even suggested we make you his godmother also."

Buffy smiles and hugs Dawn before she turns to Phoebe, "Time we should be going. Don't want to be late for the meeting."

Phoebe nods, "Do me a favor and kiss his little toes for me when he wakes up."

Piper laughs.

Dawn nods, "Oh mom, don't forget today is parent/teacher conferences. You have to stop by sometime today."

Buffy nods, "Ok, Dawn."

Phoebe and Buffy orb out.

Leo sighs, "When are you going to talk to her?"

Piper smiles, "Oh, she's just excited."

Leo nods, "Excited, obsessed."

Piper sighs, "Why? Because she wants to watch her nephew sleep?"

Leo shakes his head, "No, because yesterday she was giving you breast feeding advice and now she wants maternity leave."

Piper laughs, "Well, she knows a lot about breasts. And she's an aunt, that's what they do. It's family, you know."

Leo nods, "I would have though Buffy would have known more about breast feeding. Anyways, how is mommy doing?" Leo puts his arms around Piper.

Piper sighs, "Mommy's tired. And happy." She and Leo kiss.

Dawn shakes her head, "Not in front of the eleven year old."

Piper laughs.

Leo looks at Dawn and nods, "Wanna try and get some sleep?"

Piper sighs, "Mm-hm." They kiss again.

Suddenly, an alarm goes off. Paige runs out of her bedroom.

Paige frowns, "The baby!"

Dawn and Piper speak at the same time, "What?"

Paige sighs, "The baby!"

Paige runs in between them and heads for Piper's bedroom.

Piper, Dawn and Leo follow.

In Piper's bedroom two demons are standing over the baby's bassinet.

Paige runs in followed by Piper, Dawn and Leo. "Hey!"

A force field appears around the baby's bassinet and knocks the demons to their feet. Piper blows up one of the demons. The other demon shimmers out.

Piper frowns, "Son of a...!"

The force field vanishes. They walk over to the baby who is crying.

Leo smiles, "Way to go, little guy. Way to use your powers."

Piper picks up the baby. "Are you okay? No, you're okay, it's alright, you're okay."

Paige nods, "Did they scare you?"

Piper sighs, "You're okay. You're okay."

Short time later in the attic. Piper, Dawn and Paige walk in.

Piper frowns, "It just pisses me off. I can't believe they would come in the house and and try to steal the baby."

Paige nods, "Piper, demons aren't exactly known for their moral compass. At least he'll be safe with the Elders until we can figure it out."

They walk over to the Book of Shadows.

Piper nods, "But he's just a baby. He's small and little and innocent."

Paige smiles, "It's okay. He's got that invincibility thing going on. Hey, do you think that's permanent or is it like a baby teeth thing?"

Piper sighs, "I have no idea but the demons saw the force field, they're gonna find a way around it."

Paige nods, "Unless they can get up to Elder-land, he's gonna be fine."

Piper sighs, "Well, he can't stay up there forever."

Dawn smiles, "Well you did pick a teenage Slayer for his godmother. So…"

Paige nods in agreement, "Dawn has a point. Plus you have three sisters to help also. That's what we're here for. No one is going to steal him. I promise you that."

Leo orbs in with the baby.

Piper frowns, "Leo?"

Leo sighs, "They wouldn't keep him."

Piper shakes her head, "What? Why? Did you tell them what's going on?"

Leo nods, "They want us to prove to ourselves that we can protect him like your mom and Grams did for you."

The baby starts to cry. Piper takes him from Leo. "Oh, no, it's okay, we don't need them anyway. It's alright." Piper sits down on the couch.

Leo sits beside her. "Are you okay?"

Piper smiles, "I'm having some severe separation anxiety issues."

Leo nods, "We can do this."

Paige turns to a page in the Book of Shadows. "Hey, here he is, the Hawker Demon. "A breed of demon known for hawking magical goods at the demonic market."

Dawn frowns, "Magical goods? My godson is a magical good? That is sick and twisted."

Piper nods in agreement, "Yeah Dawn is right there. It is sick and twisted."

Leo frowns, "The question is who would wanna buy him and why?"

Dawn sighs, "Because of who he is more than likely. Didn't Ramus say that he and I were going to be the most powerful in our generation?"

At the Bay Mirror Phoebe, Buffy and employees are gathered around Elise.

Elise sighs, "I know it's not much of a choice but there it is. We find ways to make him happy or we find new jobs."

Phoebe nods, "Well, he can't be any tougher to please than you, right Elise?"

They all laugh.

Elise nods, "One can only hope. All I know is his name is Jason Dean, he's new money, some kind of dot com millionaire, and he's known for his shaking up the companies that he buys."

Buffy frowns. "Shaking up as in layoffs?"

Elise sighs, "Honestly, Buffy, you know as much as I do."

Buffy nods, "So you don't know if you'll be employed tomorrow either."

Elise shakes her head, "Look, guys, he'll be here soon and we can get a better read then. In the meantime I suggest we all get back to work."

Phoebe laughs, "Work, schmirk. I got baby pictures here. Gather around, people." Buffy rolls her eyes. Everyone stands around Phoebe and Buffy while Phoebe hands out photos of their nephew. "You are looking at six pounds, eight ounces of pure deliciousness."

Buffy shakes her head.

Kate smiles, "How's your sister doing?"

Phoebe nods, "Healthy as a horse."

Buffy scoffs, "Piper isn't a horse."

Kate nods, "You think he's gonna keep those blue eyes?"

Phoebe nods, "You know, he might because his daddy has light eyes."

Jason Dean joins the crowd. "How old is he?"

Phoebe nods, "Three weeks today."

Buffy's eyes go wide, "Uhm Phoebe."

Jason nods, "Wow. You look pretty good for a woman who had a baby three weeks ago."

Phoebe smiles, "Oh, no, I'm not his mommy, I'm just his..." She looks at the handsome man. "Auntie. Hi, have we met?"

Jason nods, "Jason Dean."

Phoebe looks at Buffy, "You could of warned me."

Buffy smiles, "I tried to, sis."

Elise rushes to Jason, "I'm sorry, y-y-you're Mr. Dean?"

Jason nods, "Jason, please."

Phoebe nods, "Wow, that-that's some weird stuff because you're really... young, young."

Jason laughs, "Yeah."

Phoebe smiles, "Yeah." Phoebe nervously fans her face with the photos.

Jason shakes his head, "You know it's strange. I always pictured a newspaper bullpen as being a little more, I don't know, bustling."

Phoebe nods, "Bus-bus-bustle."

Everyone quickly gets back to work.

Jason nods, "Oh, hey, no." He laughs.

Elise nods, "I'm Elise Rothman. Let me show you around."

Jason nods, "Honestly, Elise, I didn't mean to insult your team. I grew up reading comic books, The Daily Planet, bustled."

Phoebe smiles, "Yeah, well, in all fairness, Superman can move faster than a speeding bullet, so he's got a little leg up on the bustling, you know?"

Jason smiles, "A woman who knows her superheroes. I'm impressed."

Phoebe nods, "I-I'm Phoebe." She shakes his hand.

Buffy laughs, "My sister the great communicator. Buffy Halliwell."

Jason nods, "I know. I've been doing a lot of homework, a lot of reading. Circulation is down and..." He looks down and Phoebe is still shaking his hand.

Phoebe is embarrassed, "Oh, sorry."

Jason nods, "I plan to bring it up and from what I've seen that's gonna start with you."

Phoebe smiles, "Wow, that's really sweet." To Elise "Isn't that sweet? Did you hear that? I'm sorry about the little picture show, you know?"

Jason shakes his head, "Oh, if I had a nephew that cute I'd show him off too. The best I can do is..." He pulls out his wallet and shows her a picture of a dog. "Picture of my dog. Though your sister doesn't seem to have quite the same enthusiasm that you do."

Buffy smiles, "I'm happy to have a nephew. It's just not as big deal for me as I have a daughter of my own." She motions towards her desk where a picture of Dawn rests.

Jason walks over and picks up the pictures, "Lovely young girl. What is she twelve, thirteen?"

Buffy nods, "Eleven actually. She will be twelve in a couple months."

Jason nods, "She is a lovely young girl. You must be proud of her."

Buffy nods, "I am."

Elise nods, "Mr. Dean, if you'd like I could give you a tour."

Jason nods, "Great. Phoebe." She gives him back his wallet. "Let's talk soon. In fact I would like to have a talk with you and your assistant."

Buffy blinks, "With me?"

Jason just smiles as Elise leads him away.

Phoebe continues to fan her face with the photos and goes into her office followed by Buffy.

At the manor in the conservatory. Paige walks in through the door and walks into the parlor where Piper, Dawn, Leo and the baby are.

Piper, Dawn and Leo are looking at the family tree.

Paige nods, "Well, the neighbors who don't already think we're crazy now officially do. But the house is surrounded by apples and sage."

Piper smiles, "Thank you. I know you think it's a waste of time but..."

Paige shakes her head, "Well, you know, if it worked we would've done it already."

Piper sighs, "Every little bit helps."

Paige nods, "Alright. How's your ritual coming?"

Piper shakes her head, "It's not."

Paige sighs, "What? I thought you were gonna try to call the baby's fairy guards."

Piper nods, "We were, we are, but to perform the ritual properly you have to have a name for the baby first."

Leo nods, "So we busted out the family tree hoping to find some new ideas."

Paige nods, "Let me see." She sits beside them. "Okay, right away I'm gonna say I'm against the name Herbert."

Dawn nods, "Yeah, they already vetoed Clarence and Milton as well."

Leo coughs, "We vetoed, Dawn. You're his godmother. You have some say in his name also."

Paige looks at the bottom of the paper. "Not to be too self-centered but where am I, Buffy or Dawn on the tree?"

Leo sighs, "Oh, uh..."

Piper nods, "Well, we haven't had a chance to update it lately."

Paige sighs, "Oh, right."

Leo nods, "Yeah, the baby's not even on there either."

Paige nods, "Well, yeah, that's because he doesn't have a name yet, Leo."

Piper shakes her head, "Well, Paige, it's just a piece of paper, it doesn't mean anything."

Dawn shakes her head, "Not entirely true Aunt Piper. Genealogy is important. It tells you where you came from."

Paige nods, "Anyway, wiccan rituals and fairy guards notwithstanding, I think it's time we bust out some serious ammo."

Piper frowns, "As in...?"

Paige nods, "As in a good old fashioned demon hunt. I say we bypass the Hawker and go for the jerk that hired him to steal the baby in the first place.

Leo frowns, "How?"

Paige sighs, "Not so sure just yet but I will say this. Once we find him, we use him to send a message, "If you come after this baby you will die in the cruelest manor possible."

The baby starts to cry and Piper goes to the bassinet. "Well, I like the message. Um, you know, except..." Piper picks up the baby and carries him to a change table.

Paige nods, "Except?"

Dawn stands and goes to watch Piper.

Piper nods, "Except for the part where I have to leave my newborn child to go demon hunting. I'm just, I'm not ready." She looks to Dawn, "Do you want the honors?"

Dawn shakes her head, "Go ahead Aunt Piper. That way next time I know how you want his diaper changed and I can do it right."

Paige sighs, "Okay, fine, I can understand that. I'll just, uh, I'll take Phoebe or Buffy."

Piper nods to Dawn, "Okay sweetie." She changes the baby's diaper.

Leo sighs, "Except that they got a really big day at work today and we kinda need their money right now."

Paige nods, "I'll go by myself."

Leo shakes his head, "No way, you don't even know what kind of demon we're up against."

Paige sighs, "Fine, but I am the baby's godmother. It's my job to protect him and if I don't stop him, the Hawker will come back."

Dawn coughs, "Hey don't forget you're not the only one, Aunt Paige."

Paige nods, "Sorry, Dawnie. I forgot we were both going to be his godmother."

Leo nods, "Alright, then let's get ready for him."

Piper nods, "Exactly. We'll lay a trap for him. Maybe we'll kidnap him and sell him to the highest bidder." Piper picks up the baby and puts him back in the bassinet. "What do you think? That's a good idea."

Leo nods, "Then we can find out who hired him and force him to take us to them."

Paige sighs, "No, it sounds risky."

Leo nods, "Well, he has his own force field and your alarm system. And a Slayer in the house. It's no more risky than you going off on your own on some wild goose chase."

Piper nods, "He's right, you should go get the crystals for the trap."

Paige sighs, "Fine." Paige goes upstairs.

The phone rings. Leo answers it. "Hello?"

Piper frowns, "Shh!"

Phoebe on the phone, "Don't hello me. You know who I'm calling to talk to."

Buffy on the phone, "That's all she's thought about today."

Leo walks into the conservatory. "Well, he's resting right now. How'd it go with the new boss?"

Phoebe on the phone, "Oh, Jason Dean? I wanna bare his children but that's beside the point. Now let me talk to..."

Leo frowns, "What? You have a crush on the new boss?"

Buffy on the phone, "Yes she does."

Phoebe on the phone, "Buffy! Anyways I don't think I like your tone of voice, mister. Now please let me talk to my nephew, I don't want him to forget my voice."

Leo shakes his head, "Well, he needs his rest. It's-it's been a little hectic around here."

Phoebe on the phone, "Hectic? What do you mean, hectic?"

Leo nods, "Well, I didn't want to worry you but there was an attack. They were after the baby."

Phoebe on the phone, "What? Why didn't you tell me?"

Buffy on the phone, "Probably for this very reason. Your overreacting Phoebe."

Leo sighs, "I did tell you. I-I just told you."

Phoebe on the phone, "Okay, well, Buffy get your stuff together we're orbing home."

Leo sighs, "You don't have to, we have it under control, there's nothing to worry about. We'll call you if we need you."

Phoebe on the phone, "Leo, this is our nephew we're talking about, okay? You should've called us. I'll just tell Jason that I have to work from home for the rest of the day."

Buffy on the phone, "This is so not going to end well."

Phoebe hangs up.

At The Bay Mirror in Elise's office.

Jason nods, "In today's market image and content are inseparable. We could publish a Pulitzer-Prize winning article but with our puny circulation, who's gonna notice?"

Phoebe and Buffy walks in.

Phoebe smiles, "Hi. Is this a bad time?"

Jason shakes his head, "No, come in, come in. Here, look at this woman. Beautiful, smart, funny. And she can write. With the right exposure, she could kick Dear Abby down into the bush leagues. She's a commodity."

Phoebe blushes, "Thank you, I-I think. Now that I have your attention..."

Elise nods, "And we've worked hard to capitalize on her. She has billboards, she's done guest spots on local radio shows, she did that spread in 415 magazine."

Jason nods, "And don't think I didn't see it. What I was wondering was what we could do differently with regard to content."

Elise frowns, "Content?"

Jason nods, "I was thinking we expand her column. Have her write a series of features road testing her own advice, or a series on the best singles spots in San Francisco based on her own undercover experience."

Elise nods, "I like it. Phoebe and I can work this afternoon, put some ideas together..."

Jason nods, "Actually I was thinking both Phoebe and Buffy. I've had the chance to look over Buffy's resume. She has a degree in psychology and was working on a masters when she had to drop out due to personal reasons. I think the readers would love a tag team setup here."

Elise nods, "Now that you mention it that would be an interesting go. Two sisters writing the advice column."

Phoebe sighs, "No, we can't. I'm sorry, but we have to work from home for the rest of the afternoon."

Jason frowns, "Why?"

Phoebe nods, "Why? Uh, well, because we have a new baby... a new nephew at home and he demands a lot of attention..."

Buffy rolls her eyes.

Jason nods, "But he's got parents, right? Is there something here I'm missing?"

Phoebe nods, "No. Look, Elise has never minded me working from home."

Elise nods, "Yes, but Phoebe, we're talking about expanding your column, and promoting Buffy. I should think you'd both want a hand in what that's going to look like."

Phoebe sighs, "Well, of course I… We do, Elise, but..."

Jason nods, "Are we not paying you enough?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "No, that's not it."

Jason nods, "Okay, sit down with Elise, come up with some new ideas, and while you're at it both of you discuss what you think your new salaries should be. We'll meet again late this afternoon."

Buffy coughs, "Uhm I do have something I need to do this afternoon. Dawn has parent/teacher conferences at school. I have to make an appearance sometime today to talk to her teacher."

Jason nods, "Then we'll try and make it a quick meeting later so you can do that." His cell phone rings and he answers it. "Yeah? Great." He leaves the office.

Back at the Manor. Piper and Leo are there looking at their baby. Dawn sits nearby trying to finish some homework.

Piper nods, "Why would somebody want to hurt something so innocent?" Leo points at Paige who is asleep on the couch. They walk into the conservatory. "Poor Paige. She's getting all the hassles of parenthood with none of the rewards."

Leo nods, "I think a smile from her nephew is all she'll ever want. It's gonna be okay, Piper."

Piper sighs, "How?"

Leo nods, "Because babies are resilient and ours has a little extra of that."

Piper frowns, "But even so, I mean, it can't be good for him. Even if he can handle the demons, he must sense the tension which means at the very best, we end up with a neurotic infant."

Leo sighs, "Look on the bright side, growing up with your sisters, he was bound to be neurotic anyway."

They laugh and hug.

Suddenly, Paige and Dawn comes flying in the room.

The baby alarm goes off.

Piper and Leo run into the parlor to see the Hawker and another demon there. The demon has a red beam of light hitting the bassinet which is causing it to float in mid-air.

Piper shakes her head, "No!"

Dawn rushes back into the parlor, "You interrupted me doing homework." She rushes at the Hawker, full on Slayer speed.

Piper dives on the bassinet pushes it out of the beam's way. They land on the floor. Leo tackles the one of the demons. Dawn tackles the other.

Paige blinks, "Leo! Dawn!" Leo and Dawn gets out of the way and Paige puts down a crystal near the demons creating a crystal cage. The demons scream and they are vanquished, leaving only a knife. "I guess I over charged it."

Paige picks up the knife.

Leo rushes over to Piper and the baby. The baby cries.

Piper sighs, "I got you, bub. You're alright."

Leo nods, "How's my little buddy doing, huh?"

Piper sighs, "I think we need a little bit of healing here."

Leo looks over the baby, "Well, he looks fine to me."

Piper shakes her head, "Not him, me."

Piper looks down at her leg and falls back into Dawn's arms unconscious.

Dawn slowly slides Piper to the floor. "Good thing I have Slayer strength now or she would have crushed me."

Paige and Leo look at the broken bone sticking out of Piper's leg. They wince at the sight.

Dawn props Piper's head onto her lap.

Leo is about to heal Piper's leg. "Okay, now, easy, watch her head. Paige, make sure you hold her hands, we don't want her blowing anything up."

Paige holds Piper's arms. "Just do it."

Leo heals Piper's leg and Piper sits up quickly.

Piper looks around, "Where's the baby?"

Leo smiles, "It's alright, honey, he's okay."

Piper nods, "They knew about the force field, they almost blew him out of the window."

Leo sighs, "Yeah, but they didn't, and right now our concern is about you."

Piper frowns, "Me? Why? I'm healed."

Leo sighs, "Yes, but the fact is that you needed to be healed, and that's what I'm talking about."

Piper sighs, "Yeah, I guess I'm not so invincible anymore, huh?"

Paige nods, "Well, it makes sense since you got the power from him and he's not inside you anymore."

Leo frowns, "I was just hoping he would've left a little bit behind for mama."

Piper smiles, "Well, the theory did occur to me but I haven't had a chance to test it out."

Leo nods, "This is serious, Piper. You need to learn how to be careful again now that you're vulnerable."

Piper sighs, "I don't have to luxury of being careful now that half of demonville is after our child."

Paige nods, "Um, what do you think about using the athame to scry for the demonic market? I mean, it makes sense that the Hawker demon got it there."

Piper nods, "Yeah?"

Paige nods, "We can disguise ourselves as demons, infiltrate the market and pretend that we know how to get the Charmed Ones' baby."

Piper nods, "It's a smart plan. Then we could find out what sicko is in the market to buy him."

Paige smiles, "Right, then we vanquish them, everyone they've ever met, and proceed with our original demon killing, message sending plan."

Piper smiles, "It's a very wordy, very good plan."

Leo sighs, "Oh, it's a good idea to send the mother of my child into the hornets nest because you overcharged the trap?"

Paige frowns, "Oh, gee, one little mistake, man."

Piper nods, "It's okay, she's right, we can go."

Dawn nods, "I think it's a good idea."

Paige smiles, "Right." Paige gets up. "You sure you're okay to do this?"

Piper thinks for a moment. "No, I can't go."

Paige nods, "Okay, I'll just go check the Book of Shadows, see if I missed anything. He'll be okay." Paige leaves the room.

Dawn stands, "I'm going to go help Aunt Paige." Dawn leaves the room following Paige.

Piper sighs, "I think it's time we called Phoebe and Buffy.

Leo nods, "I called them, and Phoebe said they were on their way home. I'll call them again." Leo gets up and goes to the phone.

Piper nods, "You're okay, little guy, we're not gonna let anybody steal you."

Upstairs in Piper's room. Paige walks in and goes over to the bassinet. She picks up the blanket with the triquetra symbol on it.

Dawn nods, "You sure this is a good idea?"

Paige smiles, "You have time to back out now, Dawn."

Dawn shakes her head, "No he's my godson too."

Paige nods.

Short time later somewhere in the woods. Paige and Dawn, wearing matching dresses and wigs, are walking through the woods. Paige is holding the baby blanket.

Paige sighs, "It's okay, Paige, it's okay. I fought fairytales earlier this year, you can do this, you can do this."

Dawn nods, "We can do this."

Paige nods, "You're right."

Suddenly, two energy balls flies out of nowhere and one hits Paige, the other hits Dawn. They fall flat on their faces. Two demon guards literally walk out of two trees.

Demon Guard #1 smirks, "Lost, little girls?

Paige and Dawn gets up. Paige smiles, "You have a really messed up idea of customer service."

Demon Guard #2 frowns, "What?"

Paige nods, "We're dissatisfied customers." She pulls a knife out from under the blanket. "We bought this athame here at the market. It's supposed to flame. It doesn't. We paid a pretty penny for it too. And for what? It almost got us killed trying to steal the Charmed Ones' baby. You know what we got for our efforts? A nice little blanket. Mm, sweet. Oh, and the Hawker who hired us? He got eighty-sixed, so we didn't even get a pay day."

Demon Guard #1 frowns, "Who are you?"

Paige smiles, "I told you, We're dissatisfied customers." Paige stabs Guard #2 in the stomach and vanquishes him. "See? No flame."

Demon Guard #1 waves his arm and a portal-like door to the market appears between two trees. Paige and Dawn walks through into the market. The Demon Guard waves his arm again and closes the portal door.

Paige and Dawn walks through the busy street.

At the Bay Mirror. In Elise's office. Phoebe, Elise, Buffy and Jason are there.

Phoebe nods, "So we thought Buffy and I could hit up a couple of clubs around town and try out the pick-up lines that I suggested in my column."

Elise nods, "Then they'll report back on how they work off the page and in the world."

Jason nods, "I love it. It's sexy as hell. And coming from two different people it will have a better impact than just one."

Phoebe nods, "Okay, great. So why don't we go home and try to work on..."

Jason's phone rings and he answers it. "Yeah? Uh-huh... no... no, definitely not. Great." He hangs up. Phoebe impatiently taps her pen on her book. "Are you okay?"

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, I'm fine. I just, I have a little blood sugar issue, it's nothing serious but I have to eat."

Jason nods, "Say no more. You like Chinese? Food, not people."

Phoebe sighs, "We really need to get home."

Jason frowns, "Elise, could you excuse us for a moment?"

Elise nods, "Sure. I'll just, um... be over here."

Elise walks past Phoebe and Buffy and mouths something to Phoebe. She leaves.

Jason sighs, "Is this about your sister's baby again?" He turns to Buffy, "And your daughter?"

Phoebe nods, "Yes, it is actually. I need to go spend some time with him."

Buffy sighs, "You did promise a short meeting. If I leave in the next few minutes I still might be able to make it to the school."

Jason sighs, "With your sister's baby?"

Phoebe nods, "Yes. Look, you may not understand but that baby needs me right now."

Jason frowns, "Is your sister a single parent?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "Piper, no. Buffy, yes."

Jason nods, "Look, Phoebe, I think it's really wonderful that you love your nephew this much, I really do. But you have a job. Buffy now I could excuse as she has a legitimate excuse."

Phoebe sighs, "Yeah, and I think I do it pretty well."

Jason nods, "Yes, you do. Until recently. Which is one reason I wanted to team you and your sister up."

Phoebe frowns, "Excuse me?"

Jason sighs, "I spent some of the afternoon going over your columns from the last few weeks," He walks past Phoebe and Buffy, and Phoebe takes the opportunity to check out his butt. He walks around Elise's desk and sits down. "and they've become very..."

Phoebe frowns, "What?"

Jason smiles, "Baby-centric. They're all about diapers and mother's milk. They don't even read like you, they've lost your edge. You're sexy."

Buffy wrinkles her nose, "Are you trying to hit on my sister. Cause if you are…"

Phoebe sighs, "Okay, any writer, any good writer, uses their life experiences in their work."

Jason nods, "That's true. But if all you've got to inform your work is someone else's baby, maybe you need to re-evaluate your priorities."

There's a knock on the door and a receptionist walks in. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dean, but Phoebe… Buffy, your brother-in-law is on the phone and it's the third time he's called."

Phoebe frowns, "What? Why didn't you tell us." Phoebe rushes out of the office.

Buffy stands, "Excuse us. Very sorry."

At the manor. Piper, Leo, and the baby are there.

Buffy orbs in with Phoebe.

Phoebe looks to Leo, "I don't understand. Why didn't you just orb for us when they wouldn't put us through?" Phoebe rushes over to the bassinet.

Leo sighs, "Because I didn't want to leave the house unless it was absolutely necessary."

Phoebe nods, "Oh, right. Okay, so there was another kidnap attempt?"

Phoebe reaches in to pick up the baby but Piper stops her.

Piper shakes her head, "Yes, shh."

They move away from the bassinet.

Phoebe sighs, "I can't believe they didn't put you through."

Leo nods, "They said you both were in an important meeting and the boss said that you both shouldn't be disturbed."

Phoebe frowns, "Unbelievable. And he says I have my priorities mixed up?"

Leo sighs, "Who?"

Phoebe nods, "Jason Dean."

Leo nod, "Jason." Looks at Piper. "Jason Halli..."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Oh, don't even think about it, mister."

Piper sighs, "Please tell me you both didn't get fired."

Phoebe shakes her head, "No, we didn... I don't think we did. Did we Buffy?" Buffy shakes her head. The baby wakes up and starts to cry. The baby alarm goes off. "What the hell is that?"

Piper nods, "Baby alarm."

Phoebe frowns, "What?" Phoebe rushes over to the baby and picks him up. The alarm stops. "I know, so much excitement. What was that alerting us to exactly?"

Leo nods, "Demons, there's supposed to be demons in the house."

Phoebe smiles, "Look at that, he's not even crying. You are so brave. You're like a little brave soldier."

Leo sighs, "Maybe the alarm is faulty."

Piper nods, "Paige would know. Where is Paige? For that matter where's Dawn?"

Buffy's eyes widen, "That is a very good question. Where is my daughter?"

They head up to the attic. Piper is carrying the baby as she Leo, Buffy and Phoebe walk in.

Piper frowns, "Oh my god, they're not here."

Phoebe frowns, "Okay, why is that an 'oh my god'?"

Piper puts the baby into the attic's bassinet.

Buffy frowns, "Maybe Phoebe cause Paige and Dawn are missing."

Leo sighs, "The scyring tools are out."

Piper looks on the table. "The hand grenade potion is gone."

Phoebe frowns, "Will someone please tell me what's going on here?" Piper picks up a piece of paper. "What is that, a spell?"

Piper sighs, "No, it's a note. 'Gone to market. Back soon.' And it's signed Paige and Dawn."

Phoebe nods, "Okay, well, that's good news, right? They went to the market. Right?"

At the Demonic Market. Paige and Dawn are walking down the busy street with a large demon.

Demon Saleswoman nods, "Come on, guys, this is top of the line. The power to throw fireballs twenty yards. Now let's hear a serious offer."

Large Demon smiles, "Now, if you need any powers, there's where to go."

Paige laughs. "You're such a great tour guide."

They pass a demon selling tonics. "Looking for that little something extra? You didn't become a demon to just stand on the sidelines. Now, watch and see what my permutonic can do for you." He drinks the tonic and becomes a large muscular demon. The crowd is amazed.

Paige, Dawn and the large demon stop.

Large Demon nods, "I think up there's the guys you're looking for. The parasites."

Paige nods, "Oh, parasites? Should we be frightened?"

Large Demon shakes his head, "Nah. They were bad-ass once but some witch cursed them, took away their powers. Pitiful little bastards. Even girls like you could take them."

Paige nods, "Oh, really? Girls like us? Then I might just have to. Well, thank you for the tour. I suppose you'll be wanting your payment now."

Large Demon nods, "You know I will." He reaches for Dawn.

Paige smiles, "Fireball!"

A fireball orbs out of a demon woman's hand, which she was throwing up and down like a ball. It orbs into Paige's hand and she throws it at the Large Demon, vanquishing him.

Demon Woman frowns, "Hey!"

Paige smiles, "Sorry, he was getting a little grabby."

Paige and Dawn heads for a building ahead.

Dawn's eyes roam the street, "Stupid spidey sense is going haywire with so many demons around."

Paige looks to Dawn, "Shh. We don't want to give ourselves away, here."

Inside the building. The Parasite demons are feeding off a gypsy's powers. Paige and Dawn walks in.

Paige smiles, "Excuse me. Anyone here interested in a Charmed One's offspring?"

Parasite Demon #1 frowns, "Who are you two?"

Paige smiles, "We're the reason you're not gonna need that food anymore, not after you hear what we have to say."

Parasite Demon #2 shrugs, "The food is dead. You were saying?"

Paige nods, "Just that the Hawker who hired us to grab the baby screwed up the job and got himself dead. He didn't say who hired him but we heard it was you."

Parasite Demon #2 nods, "So what if it was?"

Dawn shakes her head, "Don't get nervous. We're just here for the bounty. The offer still stands, right?"

Parasite Demon #1 nods, "First, tell us why you two are still alive."

Paige smiles, "We'll take that as a yes."

Paige pulls out the grenade potion from behind the baby blanket and throws it at the Parasite Demons. They feed off the power from the explosion and then start to feed off Paige and Dawn's powers. Their blonde wigs are blown off their heads and they fall to the floor.

In the manor Piper, Buffy Phoebe and Leo are in the attic. Phoebe is scrying for the demonic market.

Phoebe sighs, "Come on, people, talk to me." The crystal points to a spot on the map. "Bingo. We have a location of the market."

Piper nods, "Yes." She turns to Leo. "Anything on Paige or Dawn?"

Leo shakes his head, "I can't sense them at all. But that doesn't mean we should panic. Their signal might be blocked by the magic of the marketplace."

Buffy frowns, "Panic! I'm way past panicking. Why would Paige be so stupid to take Dawn with her."

Piper sighs and rests a hand on Buffy's shoulder, "We'll get her back, both of them."

Phoebe nods, "Right, there's no reason to panic. I mean, our sister and niece went to demonville, they had no idea what or who they're up against, so there's no reason to panic, right?

Piper shakes her head, "Phoebe, Buffy, it was my fault. I should've gone with her. If I had Dawn wouldn't of."

Phoebe sighs, "I would have gone with her had she called me."

Piper nods, "Well, I told her not to bother you or Buffy 'cause you both were trying to impress your new boss."

Phoebe sighs, "I was not trying to impress my boss, thank you."

Buffy rolls her eyes, "Sure you weren't."

Leo sighs, "You weren't? But this morning..."

Phoebe frowns, "We- I... Okay, maybe this morning I was trying to impress him but I'm not, so can we talk about anything but Jason Dean, please? Thank you very much."

Leo nods, "Yeah, let's talk about how we're gonna find Paige and Dawn.

Phoebe nods, "Oh. Well, we're gonna write a spell that's gonna carry us to the market. Can I have some paper?"

Piper picks up Paige's note and hands it to Phoebe. Phoebe gets a premonition. In the premonition, the Parasite Demons are sucking Dawn and Paige's power out of them.

Piper frowns, "Are you okay?"

Buffy sighs, "What did you see?"

Phoebe nods, "No. It's time to panic."

The baby alarm goes off.

Piper frowns, "Oh my god!"

At the Demon Market. Paige and Dawn are tied to a table. The Parasite Demons stand beside them.

Parasite Demon #2 smiles, "I say we suck them dry, nice and slow."

Parasite Demon #1 nods, "Tempting, but..."

Parasite Demon #2 sighs, "But what? You forget that it was one of their kind that cursed us to this life?"

Paige speaks weakly, "Please..."

Parasite Demon #1 nods, "Say we kill them, get revenge on yet another witch. Then what? We're still parasites. Nothing will have changed."

Parasite Demon #2 nods, "They'll be dead. That's change."

Parasite Demon #1 sighs, "We'll still be bound to this trivial existence. Think about it. She's a Charmed One, and the other is a daughter of a Charmed One. Their sisters/aunts will sense them if we keep them alive. And then they will come for them."

Parasite Demon #2 smiles, "Then when they do, the infant will be left vulnerable."

Dawn weakly says, "No..."

Back at the manor Piper is holding the baby. Buffy and Phoebe is hovering close by.

Leo walks in.

Piper nods, "Anything?"

Leo shakes his head, "Unless they're invisible, there are no demons in the house."

Piper nod, "Then why does the alarm keep going off?"

Leo sighs, "We'd have to ask Paige."

Phoebe looks at Buffy and sees the worry etched in her face, "Oh, we'd better hurry because from what I saw, she and Dawn don't have a lot of time."

Piper nods, "You want me to leave my baby when the alarm designed to sense evil is going off every ten minutes?"

Phoebe sighs, "Believe me, Piper, I don't wanna leave the baby either, but the alarm is broken, there is no evil in this house. By the way look at Buffy for a second and put yourself in her shoes."

Piper sighs, "But we've gone up against invisible demons before, you know, demons that morph into lamps, lamps that morph into demons, demons in the walls." She turns looks at Buffy and see the worry etched in Buffy's face.

Phoebe nods, "But don't you think if they were here they'd be attacking the baby by now?" The baby gurgles and smiles. "Oh, look at him, he's smiling! Oh, you are so brave."

Leo smiles, "He's smiling?"

Phoebe shrugs, "Either that or he has gas."

Leo gets an idea. "Piper, put him down."

Piper frowns, "What?"

Leo nods, "He was crying when the demon attacked."

Piper sighs, "So?"

Leo nods, "So just put him down a minute and come over here. You too, Phoebe."

Buffy sighs, "Is there a reason to this. My daughter could be dying right now."

Phoebe nods, "Why?"

Leo sighs, "Trust me."

Piper nods, "Okay." Piper puts the baby into the bassinet and walks away. "What are we doing?"

Leo nods, "Just wait."

Phoebe sighs, "For what?"

The baby alarm goes off. Piper and Phoebe race over to the baby.

Leo smiles, "That's what."

Phoebe frowns, "I don't get it."

Buffy smiles sadly, "He's doing it, he's using his powers to set off the alarm."

Piper nods, "Because he figured out when it goes off, that we'll come running."

Phoebe nods, "He's just trying to get attention. He's a genius. Oh, you're a genius!"

Leo nods, "That's my boy, using your powers."

Piper sighs, "Are you trying to give mommy a heart attack? Is that what you're trying to do?"

Leo nods, "So I guess it's safe to say you can go help Paige and Dawn."

Piper nods, "Right."

Phoebe nods, "Are you gonna be okay?"

Piper nods, "Yeah, okay. Grab some potions. Because if I'm going to that market and leaving him here, we're not taking no prisoners."

Buffy nods, "Definitely no prisoners."

Leo nods, "Well, just be careful."

Piper smiles, "I will."

Leo sighs, "You're not invincible anymore."

Piper sighs, "I know. It's just so hard to leave." Phoebe hugs the bassinet. "So hard to make Phoebe leave."

Leo nods, "Well, just make sure you come back."

Piper nods, "You take care of him. I mean, one hair out of place on the head, you and me, issues."

Leo smiles, "I will. At the first sign of trouble I will orb him out."

Piper smiles, "Okay. Buffy… Phoebe, here we go, here we go."

In the wood outside the market. Piper, Buffy and Phoebe arrive. An energy ball comes out of nowhere and flies past them. The Demon Guard literally walks out of a tree.

Buffy unsheathes her sword, "Where's the market?"

Demon Guard, "Who are you?"

Piper smiles, "I'm the mother." Piper tries to blow up the demon and he goes flying through the market door. They stand in front of the door, looking in on a crowd of demons. "Which one of you dirtbags put the bounty on my baby?"

A demon in the crowd throws a stream of fire towards the girls. Piper blows it up and then blows the demon up.

In the building. Screams and explosions are heard. Parasite Demon #1 looks out the window as Piper, Buffy and Phoebe makes their way through the crowd, Piper is blowing up everyone in her way. Buffy is cutting down everyone in hers using her electrokinesis power. Piper, Buffy and Phoebe head for the building.

Parasite Demon #1 nods, "They're here."

Parasite Demon #2 smiles, "It's baby time."

They disappear.

Phoebe frowns as they enter the building, "Where are they?"

Paige looks up from the table, "Piper."

Piper nods, "I know you are very happy to see us."

Buffy rushes over to Dawn and begins untying her, "You are in so much trouble young lady."

Dawn slowly sits, "The baby."

Phoebe nods, "He's fine, he's with Leo."

Paige nods, "The Parasites, they'll absorb Leo's power."

They untie Paige.

Piper frowns, "What? Can you orb?"

Paige shakes head, "No. No, they took mine and Dawn's powers away."

Buffy smiles, "But there is someone's powers they didn't take away. Everyone hold on. I've never orbed this many people before."

Back at the manor Buffy orbs in with Piper, Dawn, Phoebe and Paige. Piper and Phoebe sit Paige down on the couch. Buffy helps Dawn to sit on the couch also.

Paige nod, "Go. Don't let them put their hands on you."

In the parlor. Leo calls out, "No!"

Piper, Buffy and Phoebe run down the stairs. Piper blows up Parasite #1. The other one disappears.

Piper frowns, "He got away."

Phoebe shakes her head, "It's okay, let him go."

Piper sighs, "I said no prisoners." She turns to Leo. "Are you okay?"

Leo nods, "Yeah."

Piper frowns, "Then we're going back."

At the demonic market. Crone is holding the baby blanket.

Parasite Demon #2 appears.

Crone frowns, "You did this to us. I warned you."

Parasite Demon #2 shakes his head, "The witches did this, not me."

Crone nods, "The witches have nothing compared to... This child is powerful beyond your understanding. It surprises me you did not notice how powerful his cousin was when you had her here. What I have foreseen, is not to be ignored."

Parasite Demon #2 nods, "What? What did you see? What is he?"

Crone sighs, "He and his cousin is our end. We'll have nothing more to do with these... beings."

Parasite Demon #2 frowns, "That's easy for you to say. You have powers of your own."

Piper, Buffy and Phoebe walk in.

Crone smiles, "And I enjoy using them." She points her fingers at the Parasite Demon and a tunnel of sand surrounds him. He screams out and turns to dust. Crone turns to Piper, and Phoebe. "Your sister's powers have been restored." She turns to Buffy, "As is your daughter's powers."

Phoebe frowns, "Who are you?"

Crone smiles, "I represent those in power. Rest assured a law will be passed forbidding any further attempts on your child."

Buffy rapidly crosses the room and grabs the Crone's throat.

The Crone nods understanding what Buffy wants, "As will be done for your daughter as well."

Piper nods, "Why? What do you stand to gain?"

Crone shakes her head, "Nothing. You have proven that the costs of a war will far outweigh the benefits. Consider this our white flag." She hands them the baby blanket. "Now I suggest you rest well and preserve your energies. From what I've foreseen you're going to need them."

The Crone disappears.

Phoebe looks between Piper and Buffy, "Way to send a message!"

Piper shakes her head, "I don't know about that."

Buffy nods in agreement.

Phoebe sighs, "You didn't believe her?"

Piper shrugs, "Well, partially, but I think this had more to do with him than anything we did."

Buffy sighs, "With them. Why would she readily agree without my persuading to add Dawn to that protection?"

Piper nods, "Your right she wouldn't have. This has to do with both of them somehow."

Phoebe nods, "What do you think she foresaw?"

Piper looks to Buffy who nods, "I wish we knew."

Sometime later at the Manor. Piper, Buffy, Phoebe, Dawn, Paige and Leo are standing around the bassinet.

Phoebe has her head in the bassinet making baby voices. "Oh, I could eat you! Yes, I could! Yes, I could."

Dawn grimaces, "Don't say eat."

Piper nods in agreement with Dawn, "Pheebs, after the demonic Parasites that did actually kinda wanna eat him, not so cute."

Phoebe nods, "Gotcha. Ooh, I could smush you! Ooh, I could just smush your little face! Ooh, la, la, la, la."

Piper rolls her eyes, "Much better."

Paige shakes her head, "Is that his new name? Smush-face Halliwell?"

Leo shrugs, "It's about as good as everything else we've come up with."

Dawn nods, "No new ideas, huh?"

Piper shakes her head, "Actually..."

Leo nods, "Uh, no, you know, we've been so busy with the alarm and the demon fighting and the sister and niece saving."

Paige looks to Dawn as they speak up at once, "We're sorry."

Piper sighs, "Oh, don't be sorry, Dawn… Paige. You both were brave and you inspired me to fight and you made the world a safer place for our baby. I wanted to do something to honor both of you but well Dawn your name isn't conducive for a boy's name. So that leaves Paige… I would like to give the baby the middle name of Matthew, in honor of his super protective Aunt Paige."

Dawn smiles, "It's ok I think Matthew is a good name for a middle name. I approve."

Piper smiles, "I'm glad."

Phoebe nods, "I think that's a great idea."

Piper nods and turns to Leo, "What do you think?"

Leo nods, "Yeah."

Paige smiles, "Thanks."

Piper nods, "And I also have an idea for his first name. Wyatt. In honor of his very protective daddy."

Leo frowns, "Really? Well, it doesn't start with a P."

Piper laughs, "It won't be the first time tradition is broken. Buffy's first name doesn't start with a P, her middle name does though. I still don't know why mom did that though. And Dawn's well there is no P in there anywhere.

Buffy nods, "Well it's true about my name. Mom did put the P name as my middle name. So she did keep to the tradition sort of. But when I had Dawn I didn't know of the tradition. I guess though if Dawn wants we could give her a P name for a nickname."

Dawn shrugs, "Whatever everyone would like?"

Piper shakes her head, "No. I think Dawn is a beautiful name."

Phoebe picks up Wyatt. "Happy baby. Why don't we ask him? W- That's probably your job." She hands Wyatt to Piper.

Piper nods, "Wyatt Matthew Halliwell. Is that your name? What do you think? It's a good one."

Later at the Bay Mirror in Elise's office.

Jason is sitting at the desk looking through some books.

Phoebe knocks at the door and walks in with Buffy.

Phoebe nods, "We thought you'd still be here."

Jason nods, "Yeah, well, there's a lot to do."

Buffy nudges Phoebe.

Phoebe nod, "Um, I just came by to say that I'm really sorry."

Jason shakes his head, "Huh, I didn't figure you for the type to apologize easily. Your sister here, maybe. But you…"

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, I'm not, I only apologize when I'm wrong. Okay, I wasn't entirely wrong, there was an emergency at home and we did need to leave. And in the future, if you're gonna hold our calls, I hope you tell us."

Jason sighs, "This is an apology?"

Phoebe nods, "Yes, because about the other stuff, you were right. I got overwhelmed by the baby and I lost my voice, my perspective."

Buffy nods, "She did, and she finally realized it this evening. I'm proud of my big sister."

Jason nods, "That's really..."

Phoebe nods, "It's just since we were kids, we always shared everything equally, so when the baby came I just thought it should be the same way. You know, which is ridiculous 'cause I'm not his mom, I'm his aunt, and it actually works out great for me 'cause moms have to parent, you know, and I just get to spoil."

Jason smiles, "Well, that's understandable..."

Phoebe smiles, "And I know you're really busy and you don't need to be listening to some advice columnist's psychobabble, but... um... if I… we still have a job, I promise you'll see all the changes you're looking for in our column first thing in the morning."

Jason nods, "Great. Can I talk now?"

Buffy laughs, "Go ahead."

Jason nods, "I knew less about my last girlfriend's family than I've learned about yours in the last five minutes."

Phoebe blinks, "Oh, really?"

Jason nods, "Still talking."

Buffy whispers to Phoebe, "Quiet, sis."

Phoebe looks at Buffy and nods, "Sorry."

Jason nods, "I am busy but making this paper work is important to me, and if that means listening to an advice columnist's late night psychobabble then that's what I'm willing to do."

Phoebe nods, "That's..."

Buffy rolls her eyes.

Jason nods, "Still talking."

Phoebe sighs, "Right."

Jason smiles, "This paper can't afford to lose you, Phoebe or your sister, you're both too valuable, and you Phoebe are too talented. And if you can admit when you're wrong, then so can I."

Phoebe frowns, "So..."

Jason nods, "So, in the future, if I have to hold your or Buffy's calls I'll let you both know."

Phoebe smiles, "Thank you."

Buffy nods, "Thanks."

Jason nods, "You're welcome. Done talking."

Phoebe laughs. "Okay." She giggles and stands there uncomfortably while he watches her. She points to the door and leaves.

Buffy stands there for a moment, "Mr. Dean."

Jason looks up, "It's Jason remember."

Buffy nods, "Jason… I just want to say thank you. The promotion, the chance to use my college degree for something other than being my sister's assistant. It means a lot to me."

Jason nods, "Your welcome. Did you have a chance to talk to Elise about your salary?"

Buffy nods, "She offered me what Phoebe is making. It's more than generous."

Jason nods, "Well from what I hear you do have a daughter to raise. Plus it's only fair that you make the same amount of money that the other advice columnist makes. Wouldn't want you going to another paper looking for more money. Phoebe is talented but if you're anything like your sister you are indeed valuable to the paper also."

Buffy nods, "Thanks. Well I better go find Phoebe before I have to walk home."

Jason nods, "Good night, Buffy."

Buffy turns and leaves as Jason returns to his work.