Chapter 5: Thank You For Not Morphing

Buffy, Prue, Piper and Phoebe are walking down the stairs heading towards the house across the street.

Prue sighs, "So, we're agreed? Twenty minutes?"

Piper shakes her head, "Prue, you can't do a party in twenty minutes."

Prue nods, "Watch me. The same goes for you Buffy."

Phoebe nods, "Prue's party tips - meet, greet and bail."

Prue sighs, "Hey, I'm sorry but some of us have a job. And others of us have school."

Buffy rolls her eyes.

Phoebe frowns, "And some of us have fun."

Buffy nods, "Yeah I even got Giles to let me have the night off so I don't have to patrol."

Piper nods, "And some of us are having a really bad hair day."

Prue smiles, "You know, that is a sign. Let's turn back now before it's too late."

Piper shakes her head, "No."

Phoebe nods, "Prue, it's never too late for a party."

Buffy smiles, "It's never too late, Prue."

Phoebe nods, "Remember my sweet sixteen?" They walk across the street and into Fritz, Marshall and Cynda's house. "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we throw a party and charge commission. It's a great way to make extra cash."

Buffy smiles, "I like that suggestion then I could invite Willow and Xander over.

Prue shakes her head, "Hey, I have an even better idea. Why don't you just get a job."

Marshall smiles, "The sisters Halliwell and their cousin. Now the party can begin."

Buffy rolls her eyes.

Cynda nods, "It's about time you chicks showed."

Fritz smiles, "Hey, Prue, I'm glad you made it."

Prue smiles, "Wouldn't miss it for the world, Fritz."

Piper nods, "Marshall, the place looks great."

Marshall nods, "Thank you. We're mostly just restoring it. I didn't wanna change it too much. You guys knew the old owners didn't you?"

Phoebe nods, "Oh, we basically grew up with their kids. We probably know the house better than you guys."

Buffy sighs.

Marshall looks to Fritz, "Oh, hey, how's the bar?"

Fritz nods, "Oh, dry. I'll take care of it."

Cynda shakes her head, "No, my turn." She crushes a beer can with her bare hands. Cynda walks away.

Marshall frowns, "Try to behave, Cynda. We have guests."

Fritz nods, "You know... sisters."

Prue nods, "Tell me about it."

Buffy, Piper and Phoebe look at her.

Marshall nods, "So listen, enjoy the party."

Buffy smiles, "Okay."

Fritz and Marshall walk away.

Prue shakes her head, "Okay, I came, I saw, I was perky. Now I just want my head on a pillow because I have to wake up early. Come on Buffy you too."

Buffy sighs, "Way to be a downer, Prue."

Phoebe shakes her head, "No. I mean, not yet."

Piper nods, "Yeah, Prue, we just got here. It, it wouldn't look good."

Prue frowns, "Alright, what's going on?"

Buffy shrugs, "Don't ask me."

Phoebe smiles, "Going on? What do you mean?" Phoebe sees Andy. "Oh, what a coinkidink. Look, who's here."

Prue looks over at Andy. He waves. "Phoebe, you didn't."

Buffy nods, "I think she did."

Phoebe nods, "Well, your fingers weren't doing the walking, somebody's had to."

Prue sighs, "We've been through this. Okay, cop, witch, is not a love connection."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Boy, girl, lighten up."

Andy comes over to Prue.

Piper smiles, "Hi, Andy." She and Phoebe walk away dragging Buffy behind them.

Prue nods, "We're working on their subtlety."

Andy smiles, "Then it's onto ending hunger and creating world peace, right?"

Prue nods, "Hmm, what will I do with my Saturdays?"

Andy smiles, "Funny you should ask. I don't mean to push you but I was wondering if you're not doing anything, I kind of have these tickets but they're for a Warriors game and you probably wouldn't be interested, so..."

Prue smiles, "Well, the team can't do any worse than they did last year. Did you see them get creamed by the Lakers?"

Andy blinks, "Impressive. Is that a yes?"

Prue sighs, "You know, um, I need to check my book because I might have a thing."

Andy sighs, "A thing?"

Fritz walks up to them. "So Prue, I hear your friends with a cop."

Prue nods, "Inspector actually."

Fritz nods, "Oh, yeah. I've got these parking tickets."

Andy frowns, "My focus is mainly homicide and robbery."

Fritz nods, "Yeah, yeah. So I have these parking tickets..."

Prue smiles, "Gotta go." She walks away.

Andy shakes his head, "Prue, wait."

Buffy shakes her head, "So much for that." She follows Prue out.

Outside Prue walks back over to the manor.

Buffy comes running up to her, "Hold up Prue don't walk so fast."

Prue rolls her eyes, "Very funny when you could outrun me any day of the week." She notices the door's open. "Phoebe."

Buffy frowns, "I'm not Phoebe."

Prue shakes her head and motions towards the front door the manor.

Buffy follows her gaze and frowns, "Let me go in first, Prue."

They walks inside and Prue shuts the door. There's a dog on the stairs and it starts barking at them. Prue and Buffy run back outside.

The next morning Buffy, Prue, Piper and Phoebe are in the kitchen.

Phoebe shakes her head, "How big was this dog again?"

Prue nods, "Huge. Did you see the scratches on the attic door?"

Buffy rolls her eyes, "I wouldn't say huge but it was a fairly good size for a dog."

Piper nods, "What was it doing in the house?"

Prue shakes her head, "I don't know. Someone obviously left the front door open again."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Why do you always assume it was me? What about Piper or Buffy?

Buffy sighs, "Not me I can tell you that."

Piper shakes her head, "Not it."

Phoebe nods, "Well, it's not a big deal. We checked the house and nothing is missing except my Pat Boone Christmas CD."

Piper frowns, "Now this is really creepy. If there were a dog in the house, then it had to have an owner. No dog I know can open that front door, let alone reach the top shelf."

Phoebe sighs, "Hey, maybe we should get a security system."

Prue shakes her head, "No, they are way too expensive. Besides after what happened, Andy will be checking in every five minutes."

Buffy smiles, "Plus you do have a Slayer living in the manor, remember. If I can tackle a vampire that has twice the strength of a normal everyday human being. I can take on a human being as long as they don't have a gun."

Piper nods, "Oh, you told him."

Phoebe smiles, "Convenient. So what should we do?"

Prue frowns, "Well, either we could rely on our vicious guard cat to protect us or we could remember to lock the doors." She walks in the laundry.

Phoebe smiles, "That is a really good idea, Prue." She walks over and locks the door.

Prue wiggles the door handle.

Piper and Phoebe laugh.

Buffy just rolls her eyes.

Prue sighs, "Unlock the door, Phoebe."

At Buckland's in Prue's office. Prue's sitting at her desk writing on a notepad.

Victor walks in. He clears his throat. Prue looks up. "I was told that you might be able to help me." He pulls a ring off his finger. "I'd like to have this," he puts it on the desk, "appraised."

Prue nods, "Well, you would be better off going to the house's appraiser."

Victor smiles, "I've been there. He'd need a week. And I just... I wouldn't feel right without it. It's a family heirloom."

Prue picks it up and looks at it. "I think I've seen a ring similar to this before. The setting's quite old. At least 17th century." She walks over to a shelf and picks up a book. "The stones looks like crystallite. Keep in mind this is just an educated guess."

Victor nods, "Please," he sits down, "guess away."

Prue nods, "I am not mistaken. It's a stone that the Egyptians believed would protect them against spells, curses, evil spirits. This wouldn't be a wedding band by any chance would it?"

Victor nods, "You tell me."

Prue sighs, "The stones are set in two's. The symbol of twoality. Man, woman. Like in protection."

Victor nods, "And what does all that tell you?"

Prue frowns, "Where did you get this ring? What did you say your name was?"

Victor nods, "I think you know what my name is... Prudence."

Prue looks up instantly knowing who Victor is, "Get out," she throws the ring on the table and stands up, "and stay away from us."

Victor puts on the ring. "I'm staying at the Ballmark. What do you say you and your sisters join me for dinner? Let's say tomorrow night. We can talk."

Prue shakes her head, "After how you abandoned us? How dare you."

Victor smiles, "Fiery temper. I like that. It reminds me of someone I know."

Prue frowns, "I am nothing like you. I would never leave my responsibilities, my family."

Victor shakes his head, "I can see we have some issues to work through."

Prue nods, "Oh, we've got the whole subscription. Now get out before I have you thrown out."

Victor frowns, "Is that anyway to talk to your father?" He leaves.

That afternoon after school Buffy, Prue, Piper and Phoebe are sitting at a table at a café. Prue, Piper and Phoebe are drinking coffee. Buffy has a soda.

Piper sighs, "I wonder why he went to you first? Why not Phoebe or me?"

Buffy rolls her eyes, "At least he knows you exist. I was born several years after your parents' divorce."

Prue sighs, "Piper, it's not like I won the lottery. And Buffy you don't want to get to know him."

Phoebe sighs, "What was he like? Did he ask about us?"

Prue shakes her head, "Actually, no." Phoebe looks upset. "Phoebe, think about it. He abandoned us. He was a no show for twenty years and then what, suddenly here he is? Why now?"

Piper nods, "Maybe he just wants to be part of our lives."

Buffy nods, "That would be nice. Despite the way you feel about him Prue. I would still like to get to know him, he is after all my uncle."

Prue frowns, "After all this time? Don't get your hopes up. Buffy again no you don't, really you don't want to get to know him."

Phoebe sighs, "Well, there's only one way to find out. Why wait till dinner? Let's go see him now."

Prue frowns, "Will you be rational. Don't you find it just a little suspicious that just when we find out..."

A waitress comes up to the table and picks up the dirty plates. "Let me get that for you." She walks away.

Prue sighs, "Just when we find out we're witches he shows up. But when mom dies he's nowhere to be found."

Phoebe nods, "He sent us birthday cards."

Prue shakes her head, "Selective memory. Grams always told us he was a threat to us. There's no reason to think that's changed."

Piper sighs, "Prue, it's not that I don't see your point but you knew him, we didn't. Why can't we have a chance to know now?"

Buffy nods in agreement, "Yeah Prue."

Prue sighs, "Because we really don't know why he's here and until we do we can't trust him."

Later at a hotel Phoebe knocks on the door to Victor's room. Buffy stands beside her.

Victor calls from inside the room, "Entrée."

Phoebe opens the door and she and Buffy walk in. They walks down a hallway and into a room.

Phoebe sees Victor getting a massage. "Daddy?"

Victor smiles, "Well, well. What a nice surprise." He stands up.

Phoebe smiles, "I'm, uh, I'm sorry to just show up like this." Buffy coughs. "We're sorry to just show up like this. I know I was supposed to wait for dinner but I..."

Victor shakes his head, "No, nonsense. Welcome. Let me get a good look at you. This is my baby girl. Little... Piper?" He looks at Buffy, "And you must be Phoebe." Phoebe looks crushed. "You're Phoebe?" He looks at Buffy, "Uh then who are you?"

Phoebe smiles, "Yeah I'm Phoebe. That's okay. People confuse us all the time. Do you remember Aunt Joyce?"

Victor nods, "Are you kidding? I should be slapped and persecuted. Let me make it up to you. How about some room service? Aunt Joyce. Oh you mean Patience. Joyce was her middle name correct?" He heads towards the phone.

Phoebe nods, "We just ate actually. Yeah we call her Aunt Joyce cause that what she wanted us to call her. Anyways this is her daughter Buffy, your niece."

Victor nods, "A drink? You are legal, right?" He looks to Buffy, "Well technically you wouldn't be my niece since your Aunt Patty and I got divorced but if you want to consider me your Uncle I have no objections."

Phoebe smiles, "Barely but no thanks."

Buffy smiles, "I'd like that actually. And I don't want anything to drink either, but thanks. Though I'm not legal, still five years from."

Victor nods, "Of course, Buffy. I haven't seen Patience since the divorce how is she?"

Buffy sighs, "She passed away recently. Complications from surgery, she had a tumor. I live now with Prue, Piper and Phoebe. They are my legal guardians, now."

Victor looks at Phoebe, "A massage? I can call Lucy back." He looks back at Buffy, "My condolences, Buffy. Your mother was wonderful woman. I was happy to have her as a sister-in-law."

Phoebe nods, "No, really, I don't want anything. I just wanted to look at you. And to introduce you to Buffy."

Victor smiles, "It's like looking in the mirror isn't it? You've got your daddy's eyes, you know that?"

Phoebe smiles, "I noticed that."

Victor nods, "How about a hug?" They hug and Phoebe gets a premonition of Victor holding the Book of Shadows. The premonition ends. The phone rings and they stop hugging. "They always manage to find me."

Phoebe looks to Buffy, "You know what? It's okay, I… We, we'll just see you at dinner, we've gotta go." Phoebe and Buffy leaves.

Victor calls after them, "Phoebe. Phoebe, wait."

As they are exiting the hotel Buffy grabs Phoebe's arm, "What did you see?"

Phoebe looks at Buffy, "What makes you think I saw anything?"

Buffy shakes her head, "Because I think by now I should recognize when you get a premonition."

In the kichen at the manor. Prue, Piper, Buffy and Phoebe's there. Buffy and Phoebe sits down at the table. Prue and Piper are looking through the drawers.

Phoebe shakes her head, "You don't know for sure."

Prue nods, "I know plenty. First someone rips off the attic door, then the Book Of Shadows is found downstairs. Isn't that enough?"

Piper gets a phone book out of a drawer. "Why would somebody want the book? Here." She hands the phone book to Prue and they both sit down at the table.

Prue nods, "Well, for one reason, they know what it can do. They want its power, our power." She looks to Buffy, "We should move your mom's book up there also. Easier to protect both books if they are in the same place."

Buffy nods, "Ok."

Piper nods, "That would mean it's someone who knows us and knows that we're witches."

Prue sighs, "Yeah, someone like Victor."

Phoebe looks at Buffy, "What? Dad?"

Prue sighs, "Look, just think about it. The moment he shows up someone makes two attempts to grab the book. Coincidence? I think not."

Buffy shakes her head, "But you can't be sure of that, Prue."

Piper nods, "The craft is a chick thing, Prue. It's passed on down through the female line. There's a good chance dad doesn't even know we're Charmed."

Prue shakes her head, "And there's as good of a chance he does."

Phoebe remembers the premonition she had. She looks at Buffy.

Piper sighs, "What would he want with the book? And why would he take it from us? Phoebe, help me out here. Phoebe."

Phoebe nods, "Okay. Let's just say for the sake of argument that he is after it. Wouldn't he of taken it with him? He wouldn't have left it behind."

Piper sighs, "Okay, we have to call the cops and report it as break in."

Prue nods, "And tell them what? That someone broke into our house to try steal our broomsticks? I mean, please. Besides, Andy's already been here."

Phoebe nods, "Oh, so Andy was here again. Talk about convenient. Did you ever think about pointing the finger at him?"

Prue frowns, "He's probably the one who scared Victor away. Until we find out what's going on and whether Victor's involved or not, we've got to hide the book, both books. Either that or we can't leave the house."

Buffy nods, "I'll go get mom's." She leaves the room.

Piper nods, "Fine. Then we hide the books because I'm going to dinner tonight. I wanna see dad."

Phoebe nods, "So do I. And I believe so does Buffy."

Prue shakes her head, "I've already seen him."

At the restaurant. Buffy, Piper, Phoebe and Victor are sitting at a table. Piper's nibbling on a carrot stick.

Victor smiles, "Girls, it's so nice to see you. It's not like we don't have a lot to talk about."

Phoebe nods, "We do. I mean, yeah, we have a few questions."

Victor smiles, "You know, the last time we ate dinner together, you would only eat food that was white. I'm glad to see you've out grown it."

Buffy laughs, "Get out. That's just so funny."

Piper glares at Buffy, "That's right. I was four."

Victor nods, "Phoebe, that would've made you what? One?" Phoebe nods. He looks to Buffy. "And you weren't born yet. You know, Phoebe couldn't walk yet but she could swim. She was a fish." Buffy and Phoebe laughs. "This feels right doesn't it? This feels natural, almost like normal."

Piper nods, "Almost. It's just, um, well, why? I mean, after all this time, why here, why now?"

Victor smiles, "Well, I heard the food is pretty good here and it is dinner time."

Phoebe laughs.

The waiter places a plate in front of Phoebe. "Here you are, ma'am."

Phoebe smiles, "Thank you."

Victor nods, "Bon appetite."

30 minutes later Prue walks in and goes up to the table. Victor stands up. "Prudence."

Prue nods, "Did I miss much?"

Phoebe nods, "Uh, just catch up. Dad was filling us in. Memory lane."

Buffy nods, "Uncle Victor had some funny stories of when you guys were kids."

Prue frowns, "Has he mentioned where he's been all our lives?"

Piper sighs, "Prue..."

Prue nods, "I don't understand. If you can afford a spot like this, why didn't you help out when Grams died? We actually could've used it then."

Piper sighs, "Give him a chance, Prue. Dad's explained. The money, all this, it's new."

Buffy nods, "Yeah Prue give him a chance."

Victor shakes his head, "It's okay, Piper… Buffy. I'm a big boy. I didn't come back earlier because I was afraid I might disappoint you."

Prue shakes her head, "Too late."

Piper sighs, "I wonder what's keeping that dessert?"

Victor smiles, "Please, sit down. Have something to eat."

Prue shakes her head, "I'm not hungry."

Victor nods, "Always in a hurry, Prue. You skipped crawling and went straight to walking."

Buffy laughs, "That sounds just like Prue, always on the fast track."

Prue frowns, "Ah, we're sharing memories. Well, I got one of my own, you're back walking out the door."

Just as a waiter walks past them holding a flambeau, Victor puts out his foot and trips him.

Piper freezes him and the restaurant. She gets up and takes the flambeau out of the waiters hands. Everyone unfreezes and the waiter falls flat on his face. "Who wants flambeau?"

The waiter stands back up and takes the flambeau off of Piper.

Victor smiles, "Nice reflexes. Now let me get this straight. Piper, you freeze time. Prue, don't you move objects? And what's you specialty, Phoebe? Premonitions? What's your power Buffy? To my knowledge there were only three. Maybe we should talk about this elsewhere."

Buffy simply smiles.

Outside the manor Prue, Buffy, Piper, Phoebe and Victor pull up.

Prue unlocks the door. When she opens it she sees three crows inside. They squawk and fly outside.

Victor frowns, "Friends of yours?"

In the Living room. Phoebe, Buffy, Piper and Victor are there laughing.

Prue walks in. "Someone left the window open which is probably how the birds got in. What is so funny?"

Piper nods, "Do you remember the day this was taken?" She shows Prue a photograph.

Prue nods, "Yeah, family picnic. It rained."

Victor nods, "And your mother packed us all up and she brought us home and we had the picnic right here in the living room. Do you remember that Prue?"

Prue shakes her head, "Barely."

Phoebe sighs, "Prue..."

Buffy rolls her eyes.

Victor picks up another photograph and slowly walks over to Prue. "This one was at one of your piano recitals. Not a very good shot. My fault. I had to take the pictures that day. Your mother was too busy holding her breath. If you look closely," he hands her the photo, "you see there, that's her."

Prue shakes her head, "I never noticed that before."

Victor picks up another photo. "And this one used to be a five by seven." It is a picture of the family but a piece is missing. "When I was still in it."

Phoebe nods, "I think Grams cut you out."

Piper sighs, "There's a bunch of other stuff in the attic. Grams left us some things."

Phoebe shakes her head, "Not all she left us."

Prue frowns, "Phoebe, let's not go there."

Phoebe nods, "What, it's not like he doesn't already know and I'm sorry but it's kind of a relief to talk to someone about it."

Buffy nods in agreement.

Piper smiles, "Um, does anybody want coffee?"

Phoebe sighs, "I mean, one day I am a member of the Y generation with average hair and a thing for caffeinated beverages, and the next I am a witch."

Piper smiles, "Dad, do you take cream or, um, sugar with that?"

Phoebe nods, "I just read from the book and 'wham!' I am Tabitha. The only thing is, is I got stuck with the power to see the future. How uncool is that?"

Victor nods, "Well, from what Patience always said, it was actually considered one of the more desirable powers."

(A/N in the script Victor said 'from what your mom always said.' It was later established that neither Patty nor Grams had the power of Premonition. That's why I changed it to Patience (aka Joyce) and gave her the premonition power.)

Phoebe sighs, "Unless you see things you don't desire."

Prue nods, "So how long have you known? About us, our powers, how long?"

Victor smiles. "I knew there was a possibility. That's why I came back, to find out. It must have happened when your grandmother died, right?" He looks at Buffy, "And when your mother…"

Phoebe nods, "Yep, I just read an incantation from the book and..."

Buffy nods, "Yeah I read an incantation from mom's book and…"

Prue frowns, "Phoebe… Buffy."

Victor smiles, "Ahh, the Book Of Shadows. Not exactly summer reading. Is it still up in the attic? You know, I haven't seen it in years. Mind if I have a look?" He looks at Buffy, "Your mom had one also? Doesn't surprise me to tell the truth." He looks at Prue, "What exactly are you accusing me of, Prue?"

Prue nods, "Figure it out."

Phoebe sighs, "Come on, Prue, take it easy."

Buffy nods, "Yeah Prue."

Prue frowns, "Are you kidding me? Am I the only one who sees what's going on here?"

Piper sighs, "Couldn't we all just take a deep breath..."

Prue nods, "Think about it, Piper. He wines and dines and now he's back in the house he hasn't set foot in for twenty years and the first thing he wants to know is where's the Book Of Shadows?"

Phoebe sighs, "You're just looking for something to blame him for."

Prue nods, "Admit it. Tell them why you're here."

Buffy sighs, "Prue, stop."

Prue frowns, "For the first time in your life, Victor, tell them the truth."

Victor nods, "Alright, fine. You're right. I am after the book. That's exactly the reason why I came back. Well both books now."

Phoebe frowns, "Dad."

Victor nods, "But not for the reasons you would like to believe. It would make it easier for you, Prue, wouldn't it? If I were evil. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, I'm not. I'm here to protect you."

Prue shakes her head, "Yeah, right."

Piper frowns, "To protect us from what?"

Victor nods, "From yourselves. That's why I want that damn book. It's where the power of three started and it's where it must end. Shoot it's where the entire family magic started, you three from your Grams book. Buffy from her mom's book.

Phoebe shakes her head, "It's part of us, it's part of who we are."

Victor nods, "That's what your mother believed too. Before they killed her." He looks at Buffy, "It's what your mother believed also."

Piper frowns, "What are you saying?"

Victor nods, "You have no idea what evil is out there."

Prue shakes her head, "Oh, I think we've got a pretty good idea."

Victor: Listen to me, Prue. That book is a magnet for evil. As long as you have it, as long as you use it, you're in danger. All of you.

Buffy shakes her head, "You want to know what's a magnet for evil. I am not that book. I am the Slayer. Even if I wasn't a witch evil would still come for me."

Prue frowns, "Buffy it's ok." She turns to Victor, "You're unbelievable. After all these years of being an absentee dad then you waltz back into our lives and tell us how to live. You're not even Buffy's father and since the divorce you're not even her uncle yet you're trying to tell Buffy what to do just like us."

Victor shakes his head, "I never wanted you to have those powers in the first place. I battled with your grandmother after your mum died. She wanted you to find out you were witches when you grew up. I didn't. I fought for you, hard. Your grandmother was too strong. And about Buffy do you really want her to grow up facing what you three are going to face?"

Piper frowns, "Wait, you're blaming Grams for why you disappeared. She loved us, she raised us. And Buffy has been facing this stuff actually longer than we have. She was called as the Slayer a year before we even met her."

Prue frwowns, "What'd she do? Put a spell on you?"

Victor nods, "Believe me, nothing short of that would've kept me away. You have to believe me. All I want is for what's best for you. Phoebe, you believe me don't you?"

Prue shakes her head, "We've done fine without you."

Buffy nods, "Yeah just fine."

Victor shakes his head, "Prue, you can't fight this. I couldn't."

Prue smiles, "I'm not you."

Victor nods, "Are you sure? Are you sure you can protect your sisters and your cousin forever?"

Buffy smiles, "We'll protect each other."

Victor nods, "Then you'll die together."

Prue shakes her head, "No one can hurt us as bad as you." She uses her power and he flies across the room and he hits the door frame.

Victor stands back up. "If you wanted me to leave, all you had to do was ask." He leaves.

Phoebe sighs, "Why did you have to do that?" She follows Victor outside.

Piper frowns, "Did you have to throw him so hard?"

Prue sighs, "Piper..."

Piper shakes her head, "We could've just, you know, talked about it like normal people."

Prue sighs, "We're not normal." She looks at Buffy, "Don't think about starting in on this, Buffy."

Buffy smiles, "For once Prue I am on your side. He is not taking the books. Both yours and my mom's Books are our legacy. I wouldn't give them to him if he was the last person on earth. No matter if he is my uncle or not."

In the Dining room the next morning. Piper and Prue are sitting at the table looking depressed. Prue's moving her food around the plate with her fork. Buffy is eating quietly.

Phoebe walks in. "Good morning, Phoebe." They ignore her. She picks up a napkin and waves it around. "Uh, guys. Can we call it truce just for five minutes please? I have a confession. Remember when we agreed to not see dad? Yeah, well, Buffy and I did."

Piper sighs, "Hello, I was with you two."

Buffy shakes her head, "No, by ourselves before dinner."

Phoebe nods, "And I had a premonition about dad when he hugged me. He was stealing the Book of Shadows. Yeah, you were right about him, Prue. I didn't want the premonition to be true. I was hoping, praying that there was a perfectly good explanation for it. Hoping that, that he was really here to be with us. I just wanted him back in our lives. He's our dad."

Buffy nods, "At the time I just wanted to know more about this side of our family. I guess I found out more than I wanted to."

Prue stands up. "I know, Phoebe… Buffy." She hugs Phoebe and then Buffy.

Piper notices something on the floor. She walks over and bends down. "Hey, look." She picks up Victor's ring. "Dad's ring. What's it doing here?" She hands it to Prue.

Phoebe shrugs, "It must of came off when he, uh... fell."

Prue nods, "Well, I'll take it back to the hotel." She puts it on the table.

30 minutes kater Phoebe runs inside the manor from outside heading towards the stairs.

Prue and Buffy comes in from the living room.

Phoebe frowns, "Dad's not after the book, it's Marshall."

Prue shakes her head, "What?"

Phoebe nods, "My premonition, it wasn't dad. Gotta find a spell and banish them."

Buffy shakes her head, "Yesterday your premonition showed your dad. What changed?"

Prue nods, "Banish who?"

Phoebe nods, "The neighbours. They're shape shifters. Fritz and Marshall and the..."

Piper and Cynda walk in.

Cynda smiles, "Cookies. Just baked."

Fritz walks in. "Hey, door was unlocked."

Phoebe starts walking up the stairs.

Piper frowns, "We're you going, Pheebs?"

Phoebe nods, "Uh, just to get something. Buffy would you be kind to help me with it." Buffy nods. "Will you save me a cookie?" Cynda smiles. "Okay."

Buffy and Phoebe goes upstairs.

In the attic Buffy and Phoebe runs over to a closet. They pull the clothes across and both books are in there. They flip the pages.

Buffy shakes her head, "What are we looking for?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "I have no idea what we're looking for. (The pages both books begin turn by themselves. "Okay, I think we can take a hint." It stops at a page, matching page in each book. "When in the circle that is home, safety's gone and evils roam, rid all beings from these walls, save sisters three now heed our call."

Buffy looks at hers and then Phoebe's book. "They don't match."

Phoebe looks at Buffy's book. "When in the circle that is home, safety's gone and evils roam, rid all beings from these walls, save those I call family now heed my call." She looks at Buffy, "You say yours it should hopefully protect you from our spell."

They each quickly memorize the spells and run downstairs.

Phoebe frowns, "Dad, you can't be here, you have to leave now."

Another Victor walks in.

Buffy frowns, "Whoa, time out. What's going on here?"

Victor #1 smiles, "Don't worry about it, sweetie. Everything's gonna be fine."

Victor #2 shakes his head, "Don't trust him."

Piper nods, "Wait a second. Last week we had no dad and now we have two?"

Victor #1 smiles, "Phoebe, remember, remember when you were little and you were afraid of the dark and I would leave the hall light on and the door open just a crack."

Victor #2 rolls his eyes, "Oh, that's original. What kid isn't afraid of the dark?"

Victor #1 nods, "Prue, she's never afraid of anything."

Piper nods, "He's right, Prue. You were never afraid of the dark."

Victor #2 shakes his head, "Lucky guess. I said I came back to protect you. Now there's only one way to do it. Kill us both."

Victor #1 frowns, "You're bluffing."

Victor #2 shakes his head, "Am I? Just do it because I wanna go out with a bang."

Prue nods, "Do it, Phoebe."

Phoebe nods, "The spell will kill everyone including dad and Buffy. Hopefully though Buffy's will protect her."

Victor #2 nods, "It's the only way. Prudence..."

Piper smiles, "Prue, the protection ring."

Prue uses her power and the ring slides across the table. Victor #2 picks it up. Prue nods and he puts it on. "Phoebe… Buffy, now."

Phoebe looks at Buffy who nods, "In the circle that is home, safety's gone and evils roam, rid all beings from these walls, save sisters three now heed our call."

Buffy breaths out, "When in the circle that is home, safety's gone and evils roam, rid all beings from these walls, save those I call family now heed my call."

Cynda turns into a creature

It gets windy.

The shape shifters start melting.

"When in the circle that is home, safety's gone and evils roam..." Phoebe and Buffy say together.

Victor #2 falls to his knees. He looks like he's in pain.

Phoebe frowns, "Daddy!"

Buffy shakes her head, "Uncle Victor!"

Victor #2 shakes his head, "It's okay, keep it going."

Prue, Piper, Phoebe as they speak together, "Rid all beings from these walls, save sisters three now heed our call."

Buffy smiles, "Rid all beings from these walls, save those I call family now heed my call."

The shape shifters melt and disappear. Buffy, Prue, Piper and Phoebe run over to Victor. Prue helps Victor up.

Victor smiles, "For a moment there I wasn't sure what you would do."

Prue nods, "For a moment there neither did I."

Phoebe nods, "I thought you didn't want us to use our magic."

Buffy sighs, "Yeah."

Victor nods, "I didn't. Not as long as I still thought of you as my little girls. Or Buffy as the child of my sister-in-law. But you're obviously not anymore. And Buffy can definitely handle herself."

Piper nods, "We're still you're little girls, and Buffy is still your niece. We're just..."

Prue nods, "Witches."

Victor smiles, "Yeah, witches. Well, obviously you don't need your old man," he looks to Buffy, "or your uncle, to protect you from anything."

The next day Buffy, Prue, Piper and Phoebe are in the living room.

Prue's on the phone. "No, Andy, I'm fine really. Dad's gonna be here any minute, so can I take a rain check on dinner? Okay, thanks for the good advice." She hangs up.

Phoebe nods, "So he's dad now?"

Prue smiles, "Yes, Phoebe." She looks at Buffy, "Just as he is your uncle. And by the way Phoebe, my dress looks good on you."

Buffy smiles, "I know. Does this dress look ok for dinner?"

Phoebe nods, "I don't have any nice clothes, Prue."

Prue looks at Buffy and nods, "Yes it looks wonderful on you. Still Dad said it was casual."

Phoebe nods, "I don't care. I wanna look nice for him. Who knows how long it'll be before we see him again.

Buffy nods, "I agree I want to look nice for Uncle Victor also."

Piper nods, "You don't think he's gonna stay around?"

Phoebe shrugs, "Well, let's just say I no longer have a romanticized image of him. And I'm glad about that actually. At least dad is real now."

Prue nods, "And at least he's not a monster which is very reassuring considering we share his genes."

Piper smiles, "I'm just glad he came back no matter how long he stays. Kind of nice feeling like a normal family again. Whatever that means." Buffy and Phoebe nods. The doorbell rings. "Speak of the devil."

Piper answers the door. Piper and Leo walk back in the living room.

Prue smiles, "Uh, hi, you must be Mr. Wyatt."

Phoebe blinks, "The handyman?"

Leo nods, "Call me Leo."

Phoebe smiles, "Gladly."

Leo nods, "This was on the steps." He holds up a yellow large envelope. Prue takes it off him. "This place is, uh, you don't find many like this around anymore."

Buffy nods, "That you don't."

Piper nods, "Yeah, it's kind of falling apart."

Prue opens the envelope.

Leo smiles, "The problem isn't the manor, it's the manner in which it was treated. I'd love to see more."

Phoebe smiles, "I would love to show it to you. The attic is right this way." She pushes Piper out of the way and Phoebe and Leo head towards the stairs.

Prue sighs, "Guys."

Phoebe turns back around. "Uh, I'll be right up."

Prue nods, "He's not coming."

Piper shakes her head, "Who's not coming?"

Prue nods, "Dad. He sent this. Um," she reads the note, "girls… Buffy, something's come up, I hate to leave town. Can't make it to dinner. Probably best if we let the dust settle anyway. I know there's a lot you would like to forget but here's what I remember. Love dad. P.S. Buffy the second tape is for you. It is one of the few I have with your mom in it." She holds up a video tapes.

Short time later Prue, Piper and Phoebe are watching the video. On the video it's Christmas. Prue, Piper and Phoebe are there as kids. They are opening their presents. Victor kisses Prue on the cheek and then grabs Piper and lifts her in the air. He then asks what Phoebe got and she holds up a Barbie.

Upstairs in Buffy's room she is watching the other tape. On the video it's another Christmas. Patty, Victor, Piper, Prue, and Joyce sit in front of a Christmas tree. Victor hands a gift to Joyce, "I hope you like it Patience." Joyce opened the package to find a small jewelry box, she opened it to find a locket.

Buffy reached up and touched the exact same locket around her neck and smiled.