Chapter 28: The Devil's Music

Prue, Phoebe and Buffy are sitting at a table at P4.

"This place couldn't be more dead if I was embalmed." Phoebe says.

"Yeah, I think that we're gonna have to take that offer." Prue says.

Buffy shakes her head, "Are you sure about this Prue. Things will pick up once Piper gets that permit approved to allow teenagers in here."

"I know, Buffy. But I'm not sure we can wait that long." Prue says.

Phoebe sighs, "What's this guy's name again?"

"Chris Barker." Prue says.

Phoebe nods, "And he's not a loan shark or anything, is he?"

Prue shakes her head, "No. He's a collector, an investor. And it's a no-interest loan that we can pay back any time. Trust me, he's not gonna miss the money."

Phoebe nods, "Mmm. Must be nice. When do we tell Piper?"

"Not until the club is in the black." Prue says.

"Piper will hate us when she finds out though." Buffy says.

Piper comes up to them. "So, you guys, you do like the name of the club, right? P4. Little nod to the four of us, partners."

Phoebe smiles, "Yeah, it's very clever. Uh, Piper, it's a little, uh, quiet in here. Don't you think?"

Piper nods, "It'll pick up once word of mouth kicks in. It'll also pick up when I get the permits I need to allow teenagers in here while I serve alcohol to the adults. Which by the way Buffy you shouldn't be in here. If they find you…"

Buffy sighs and nods, "Okay I will head out in a moment. I need to patrol anyways. Who's turn is it tonight to go with me?"

Phoebe nods, "And when will that be, exactly?"

Piper shakes her head, "Well, you can't predict these things exactly. It's not like starting a restaurant. Besides the bank's not gonna call the loan. It's not like we're gonna lose the house." She heads off to check on some customers.

Phoebe frowns, "Who said anything about losing house? We're not gonna lose the house, are we?"

"No, because we're gonna take that offer and trust Piper to this place with people." Prue says.

Buffy shakes her head, "What people?"

Prue sighs, "Come on Buffy. Before you get Piper in trouble. Beside I think its my turn to patrol with you."

Buffy nods and she and Prue head out the door.

The next day Piper's looking at the expenditures ... pretty bad ... more than -$20,000 in the red.

"This is bad."

Jenny and Buffy walks in and down the stairs to Piper. "You should keep that door locked, you know? Anyone could just walk in." Jenny says.

"Jenny? Buffy? What are you two doing here?" Piper asks

"Her idea." Buffy said.

Jenny nods, "Am I breaking the law, right now? Being underage and all?"

Piper shakes her head, "No, we're not open. Actually, I don't know. Uh, what's your point, Jenny?"

Jenny nods, "If you were open for business and I was here, would you have me arrested? Because I think friendship counts for something. Even though we're not really friends yet, but at least we're neighbors and neighbors do favors for each other, right?"

Piper frowns, "What kind of favors?"

Buffy sighs, "She wants a ticket to the show."

"What show?" Piper asks confused.

"It's all over the radio. I have to see them. If I don't, I'll die." Jenny says.

Piper frowns, "Not a clue what you're talking about."

Jeff Carlton, the manager of Dishwalla, walks in.

"Dish…" Buffy begins to say.

Jeff smiles, "I believe they are talking about passion. Piper Halliwell?"

"Yeah. Can I help you with something?" Piper says.

"Jeff Carlton. And I have to tell you when I heard about P-squared, it was as if the fates had smiled upon me." Jeff said.

"P four." Buffy says.

Jeff rolls his eyes, "Whatever. I manage Dishwalla."

Piper looks at Buffy who nods, "Dishwalla? The Dishwalla?"

Jeff smiles, "I've been looking for the right place, something small, new intimate. The boys want the reacquaint themselves with the personal side of performing. They want to connect again. And I think your little hole in the wall here, is just what the doctor ordered."

"Dishwalla wants to play my little hole in the wall?" Piper asked astonished.

Jeff nods, "I want them to. Don't you?"

Piper looks to Buffy who is nodding vigorously, "Uh... yeah."

Jeff smiles, "Let's cross some T's and dot some I's." He hands her the contract.

"Uh, Mr. Carlton, sir? Do you think it will be possible for me to meet the band? I'd do almost anything." Jenny says.

"Yeah Piper. You have to let me and Jenny in tonight." Buffy says.

Jeff shakes his head, "Be careful what you wish for, sweetheart."

Piper shakes her head, "No Buffy."

Back at the manor Piper and Buffy walk into the kitchen.

Piper is excited about Dishwalla, "Guess what I did? Guess what I did? All by myself?"

Buffy rolls her eyes.

"What?" Phoebe asks.

Piper smiles, "You ready?"

"Piper just tell them already." Buffy says.

"Get this... Dish...walla... my club... playing there... tonight." Piper says.

Prue looks surprised to hear that, "What?"

Piper nods, "I networked. Sent out feelers, sent off press releases and wouldn't you know it. Dishwalla decided to put P4 on their schedule. How's about that? P4 has officially been validated as the place to be. We're on the map…" she hugs her sisters "…I couldn't have done it without you, you patient…" she kisses Prue "…most generous…" she kisses Phoebe "…sisters in the whole wide world." Buffy coughs. "And my lovable cousin also." The doorbell rings. "I'll get it." She answers the door. "Leo... this day just keeping getting better. Hi."

"Hi, uh, Piper, we have to talk." Leo said.

Piper smiles, "Yeah...okay, uh... are you free tonight? Better be, 'cause you're my date. We have backstage passes, all access, baby, to see Dishwalla at P4. I made it happen."

Leo shakes his head, "Uh, no, actually, I made it happen."

Piper frowns, "What?"

Prue, Buffy and Phoebe walk in.

Leo nods, "Yeah, look, I wanted to tell you sooner, but I didn't have time. I had to move fast. There's a demon involved."

"A demon?" Piper says.

Leo nods, "Yeah, he'll be at your club, tonight."

Piper shakes her head, "But, no, their manager, Jeff Carlton, came to me and-and booked them himself. Buffy you were there, tell him."

Buffy nods, "Piper is…"

Leo sighs, "I know. I cast a spell on him."

"You what?" Piper says.

Leo sighs, "I sort of cribbed it from one of the other witches I look after. I suggested to Carlton that he get Dishwalla into your club."

"Why didn't you just come to us?" Prue asks.

Piper shakes her head, "Because he knows I would have been pissed off. What are you doing?"

"My job." Leo says.

Piper frowns, "Your job? What are we, like, Leo's witches now? We're supposed to kill a demon during sold-out concert? Are you nuts?"

"Piper..." Phoebe says.

Piper shakes her head, "No, Leo. Anywhere else but not there... not my place."

Leo just looks at her. "The band's manager made a bargain with Masselin."

"That's the demon?" Buffy asks.

Leo nods, "Yeah. In exchange for human sacrifice, Masselin will make Carlton rich and powerful by attracting successful bands to him."

Phoebe sighs, "Are you telling me that Dishwalla is hooked up with a demon?"

"No, they don't know anything about the demon." Leo says.

Prue frowns, "So, these innocent ... what happens to them?"

"They're devoured by Masselin. Consumed for their souls." Leo says.

Phoebe grimaces, "Eww!"

"Yeah tell me about it." Buffy says.

"The more souls Masselin collects, more successful Carlton becomes. You can't destroy the demon without first freeing those trapped within him."

"All this freeing and destroying, is this in between sets or during the encore?" Piper asks.

Leo sighs, "Look, I know you're upset."

"No...no... I skated past upset just after you came in the door. Right now, I'm at furious." Piper says.

Leo nods, "We have to talk."

"You bet your white-lighter ass, we do." Piper says.

Leo hears jingling, "Later. I have to go." He orbs out.

Phoebe shakes her head, "See, now this is exactly why you should never date a co-worker. It was a joke. Oh, honey, I'm sorry."

"How could he do this?" Piper asks.

Buffy sighs, "Well, it sounds like he didn't have a choice and quiet frankly, I don't think we do either."

Prue nods, "Well, I have to get to the office and call this investor." She looks t Phoebe and Buffy, "Barker... gotta talk to Barker."

They nod as Prue heads out the door.

Phoebe, Piper and Buffy head upstairs and look through the books for Masselin.

"There's Leo's problem." Piper says as they find the right page.

Buffy shakes her head, "It's our problem."

Phoebe sighs, "Your not going Buffy. Not this time. Even though we might need your help. Till Piper gets those permits you are not going to be able to get in."

"You want to know what the real problem is?" Piper asks.

Phoebe sighs, "Oh, do tell."

"Never mind." Piper says.

Phoebe smiles, "Thank you."

Piper nods, "So, how do we vanquish this creep?"

"Let's find out. Shall we?" Phoebe says.

"And what was with that attitude?" Piper asks.

Buffy shakes her head, "What attitude?"

"Leo... it was like he was angry that I was angry. I have right to be angry, don't I? I don't want talk about it?"

"Then don't." Phoebe says.

"Whoa." Piper says.

Phoebe frowns, "What?"

Piper motions towards the page, "Look at Masselin's victims."

Buffy reads from her book, "Trapped within the demon. The unfortunates are kept alive, their souls tortured for the pleasure he gets from their suffering."

Phoebe nods, "We got to get them out of there."

"With what? Demonic Ipecac?" Piper asks.

Phoebe smiles, "Actually, yeah. That seems to be the idea." She reads. "The demons seeks willing, trusting souls, delivered by the one who sealed the pact."

Piper nods, "The manager."

Buffy nods as a plan forms in her mind.

"So we have to get close to Carlton." Phoebe says.

Piper nods, "Well, I'm already close. And as far as we know, I'm a willing, trusting soul... a sucker. Someone who falls for a quick line from a pretty face."

Buffy rolls her eyes, "Will you please stop that?"

Piper sighs, "You're right. Fine. Leo is the least of my worries."

Phoebe nods, "Right. We'll worry about that tomorrow."

Piper shakes her head, "I don't think I can wait that long."

"You're gonna have to. Because tonight we have some major demon-ass-kicking to do." Phoebe says.

They head downstairs and begin making the potion.

"How is this gonna work?" Piper asks.

Phoebe smiles, "We'll just slip Masselin a little extra-strength antacid. And if the Book of Shadows is right, he should disappear like a demonic gas bubble, freeing his victims, leaving them safe and sound."

Piper nods, "Phoebe, we can't even give our cat a vitamin. How are we gonna get this down a demon's throat?"

"In this?" Phoebe says as she holds up a balloon.

Buffy nods as she picks up a second balloon laying on the counter.

Piper shakes her head, "What is that?"

"It's a balloon." Piper says. "Okay, where is it?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "Where is what?"

"The spoonful of sugar big enough to hide that thing?" Piper asks.

Phoebe smiles, "You're looking at her."

"Excuse me?" Piper asks.

Buffy smiles and nods.

"Well, the only way to get to Masselin, is through Carlton, right? So all I'll have to do is get close to Carlton, pretend I'm some choice tidbit. Then we get Masselin to swallow this." Phoebe says.

Piper frowns, "Right before he swallows you, Phoebe. No, it's too dangerous."

"Well, unless you have a better idea, it's our only choice. You and Prue will back me up. I'll be fine." Piper says.

Piper sighs, "I hate him." She puts something in the blender.

Phoebe nods, "Of course you hate him. He's a demon. Wait, we are talking about the demon, right?"

Piper shakes her head, "He didn't even have the decency to ask me first. He at least could have discussed it with me."

Buffy rolls her eyes, "Oh, Leo!"

Piper nods, "I mean, can you believe him? He acted as if we've never has a relationship before. Like it was just business." She turns on the blender without putting the lid on. Food flies everywhere. "Oh! Oh!"

"Got to put the lid on, honey!" Phoebe says.

Piper nods, "And I saw the future too, you know. Leo and I get married. A marriage in the future imply some sort of relationship in the present ... the question is: where's the relationship."

Buffy sighs, "A future where I'm still living at home and unmarried."

Phoebe nods, "Somewhere between confusing and complicated? Just talk to him, honey? It'll be okay."

Piper frowns, "I'd rather just freeze him and kick him in the..." doorbell rings. "That better not be him."

"In the shins?" Phoebe says.

"Not exactly." Piper says as she goes to answer the door.

"Piper?" Dan says.

Piper smiles, "Dan, hi."

Dan nods, "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure! What's up?" Piper says.

Dan sighs, "Jenny... Did you or Payson tell her she could go see Dishwalla tonight?"

"No, no! She can't go! Neither can Payson. I don't have the permits yet for teenagers." Piper says.

"She said you and said it was all right. And that Payson had invited her to go along with her." Dan says.

Piper sighs, "Well, I didn't exactly tell her it wasn't. But the things were happening kind of fast."

"Well, she's in her room right now, picking out her clothes." Dan says.

"Oh God! Okay... I'll go talk to her." Piper says as she opens the door, she sees Leo.

"Hi." Leo says.

Piper glares at Leo, "Hello!"

"Listen, I was hoping that we could uh... talk." Leo says.

Piper nods, "Sure... Leo this is..."

Leo smiles, "Dan Gordon!"

Piper looks at Leo confused, "Wait. You know him?"

Leo nods, "What? Are you kidding? He used to play second base for the Mariners. He had an all-star season going till he blew out his knee sliding into home. I still think you were safe."

Dan smiles, "So do I."

"I'm Leo." Leo says as he shakes Dan's hand.

DAN smiles, "Nice meeting you."

"No, it's not. You follow baseball?" Piper says.

Leo nods, "Yeah!"

"You have time for baseball, but you don't have time to tell me about you-know-what, before you-know-who shows up you-know-where?" Piper says.

"Uh, Listen. If you two need to talk or something, I can..." Dan says.

Piper shakes her head, "No, no no. We don't need to talk. Leo stops by occasionally to fix things. Phoebe can show him around." Phoebe and Payson shows up. "Ahem! Let's go talk to Jenny. Buffy." She motions for Buffy to follow.

Dan nods, "It was nice meeting you."

Leo smiles, "Yeah, you too."

Buffy, Dan and Piper leave head over to Dan's house.

Jenny's picking out her clothes as Piper, Dawn and Buffy walk in.

Piper sighs, "Jenny, the state can shut me down. I don't have the permits for under 21 yet."

Jenny shakes her head, "How are they gonna find out? Are you gonna tell 'em? 'cause I'm not gonna tell 'em. Besides Payson gets in all the time. Do you like the read or denim?"

Dan frowns, "Jenny ..."

"Yeah! Sure. Let's hear from uncle Dan. Who never in his life faked an I.D. or snuck into a bar. Who never did anything wrong. Ever." Jenny says.

Dan shakes his head, "We're talking about you."

Jenny shakes her head, "No, we're talking about Piper and Payson and she said I could go see the show. And Payson invited me to go along with her.

Piper shakes her head, "I never said that... Jenny, I'm sorry, but I can't let you in the club."

Buffy sighs, "Jenny I never said you could go with me. I can't even get in the club without those permits. The bouncers will only let me in if their's a family emergency. Otherwise I could get the club shut down and then it will be even more difficult for Piper to get the permits."

"Your mom and dad, they put me in charge." Dan says.

Jenny nods, "Right.. everybody's in charge... but not me. Not ever. Why is that?" She starts to cry and leaves.

Dan sighs, "I'm sorry. She's just feeling, you know, a little..."

Piper nods, "Betrayed... it's okay. I know the feeling."

Later that evening at P4.

Prue smiles, "Okay, Pheebs. Go get him."

Phoebe nods, "Keep an eye on me."

"You're kind of hard to miss in that outfit." Prue says.

They smile and she goes to talk to Jeff. Suddenly she stops as she sees someone who shouldn't be there. "Dang you Buffy." She hurries back to Prue. "Buffy's here."

"What?" Prue says. "You told her she wasn't supposed to be here because the club could get shut down, right?"

Phoebe nods, "Yes."

Buffy is talking to Carlton, "Yeah! I recognized you the moment you entered the club this morning from that MTV top 10 video things last month."

"Somebody actually saw that?" Jeff asks.

Buffy nods, "It was really good."

Jeff smiles, "Taped that almost 2 months ago."

"I didn't even know there was such a thing as a music manager. Let alone what they did until you came on the scene. I mean, who knew?When I graduate high school next year I'm going to go to college and study music management. You're my inspiration." Buffy says.

"Really?" Jeff says.

Buffy nods, "Cross my heart. Hey, do you have any pointers? I would do...just about anything to get the inside the scoop."

"Anything, huh? Wanna meet the band?" Jeff asks.

Buffy smiles, "Yeah."

Jeff smiles, "This way."

Piper walks over to Prue and Phoebe, "What's going on?"

"Buffy's here. And she thinks she's trying to help." Prue says motioning towards Carlton and Buffy.

"Where is he taking her?" Phoebe asks.

"In the back." Prue says.

"All right, let's go." Phoebe says.

In the back Jeff locks the door.

"What's the rush?" Buffy asks

"No time to waste." Jeff says as he pushes her into a room.

On the otherside of the locked door Piper tries to open the door.

"Oops."

Prue uses her power to open the door. Then they see Jeff Carlton and Piper freezes him.

Inside the room Masselin appears, Buffy fumbles with her purse and gets the poison out too late. She drops it as Masselin swallows her whole.

Prue, Piper and Phoebe burst into the room just in time to watch Buffy get taken. Phoebe whips out the poison. Masselin sees the poison and disappears.

"We're too late, he has Buffy." Phoebe says.

"Ok. We're gonna have to regroup. Come on, let's go." Prue says.

Phoebe says as they walk back out in the main room. "He's huge, and ugly and I really think we need a bigger balloon. Also what was Buffy doing here?"

"Maybe we just came in too soon." Piper says. "About Buffy I told her she couldn't come that till I get those permits that I could lose my liquor liscense."

Prue sighs, "I think Buffy didn't like being left out. We've fought demons together before. I think she didn't like the thought of us going against Masselin alone. She probably hoped we would see her before it was too late."

Phoebe sighs, "Either way either he saw the poison in Buffy or my hands."

"Well, in any case, the spook's spooked. I doubt he saw it in Buffy's hands though. I think he would have hid if he had like he did with us." Prue says.

Phoebe nods, "And took the trapped souls and Buffy with him. The ones that we have to save."

Prue shakes her head, "Look, we don't know for sure if the demon is gone, if he is still here, then he might feed again and Carlton's the one to feed him. Do you still have the poison pill?"

Phoebe nods, "Yes, but I don't think it's gonna be enough."

"Phoebe, stop. All right, uh, we need to cover the exits, look for Carlton, if we see him grab anybody, Piper, you freeze the room and we'll get into positions." Prue says. "And we're going to save Buffy."

"I wish we could just stuff his head in a toilet and make him cough up the demon." Piper says.

"Oh, honey, still upset with Leo?" Phoebe says.

Piper shakes her head, "I'm talking about Carlton. He's responsible for Buffy."

Phoebe sighs, "I can't keep up."

In the back to the room Masselin and Carlton are talking.

"You brought witches to destroy me." Masselin said.

Jeff shakes his head, "What are you talking about? No, I didn't. I swear."

"To whom do you swear?" Masselin says.

Jeff sighs, "To you. Just you. I didn't know about witches."

Masselin nods, "You were lucky I got one of them before the others showed up. But one of the others has the key to my destruction. Take it from her."

"But why? They know about you, they know about me." Jeff says.

"Take it from her and bring the rest of the witches to me." Masselin says.

Jeff nods, "All right, all right. But how am I gonna get 'em back here? I mean, they're gonna be a little suspicious."

"Tempt them with an innocent soul." Masselin says as Jeff leaves. "Your sister witches will join you soon enough Slayer."

Out front Dishwalla starts playing. Leo appears behind Piper.

"I wish you'd quit doing that." Piper says.

Leo shakes his head, "What's happening?"

Piper nods, "We're on it, Leo. We're just waiting for Carlton to do his thing."

Leo sighs, "Look, you think I like this?"

"Leo..." Piper says.

Leo shakes his head, "Do you think I like to not being with you?"

Piper frowns, "Ok, can we cut the crap? I know what you have to do. I always have. The question is: What do you want? What do you wanna do? With me? With us? Do you ever think about that?"

Leo nods, "All the time."

"You ever want to discuss it with me?" Piper says.

Leo sighs, "Yes. It's just the timing always seems."

Piper sees Darryl, "Seems to suck. Okay, hold that thought. Don't let go. Just hold it." She goes where Prue is. "Morris is here?"

Prue frowns, "What?" Prue sees Mr. Barker. "Whoa! Oh, boy!"

Piper looks at Prue confused, "What are you looking at? He's over there."

"Huh, yeah, okay." Prue says as she grabs Piper and run.

Jeff sees the poison balloon in Phoebe's purse as he walks by towards a security guard, "See that honey by the stage in the silver thing. She's got something in her purse."

"Something illegal?" The security guard asks.

Jeff nods, "Extremely. Get it out of here."

"You got it." The security guard says before he goes over to Phoebe and grabs her purse.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Phoebe asks.

"Weapons check." The security guard says matter of factly.

Phoebe shakes her head, "There's nothing in this."

The security guard finds the balloon. They both grab it and the balloon pops. "Oh! What the hell is that?"

The poison is all over Phoebe's wrap. "That is a $75 dry-cleaning bill." Phoebe says.

Jeff smiles and sees Jenny and walks over to her, "Hey there, Jenny, right? Piper Halliwell's friend?"

Jenny nods. "And Phoebe, Payson and Prue. We're like sisters."

Jeff smiles, "Listen. Would you like to meet the band?"

"Are you serious?" Jenny says excited. "Man, I'd do anything to meet them."

"Follow me." Jeff says.

Phoebe sees Jeff with Jenny.

Barker walks over to Prue and Piper, "Hello, Prue."

"Hi, Mr. Barker." Prue says.

Piper looks around, "Where's Phoebe?"

"Let me guess. Piper Halliwell, right?" Barker says.

Piper nods, "Yeah! Who are you? Who's he?"

Barker smiles, "The name's Chris Barker and I'm gonna taking over everything from here on out."

Piper frowns, "Wait! What?"

Darryl shows up, "Piper, we've gotta talk."

Piper shakes her head, "Not now."

"I'd be willing to discuss you staying on. However, in a dimished capacity, of course." Barker says.

Phoebe comes up to them. "Jenny's here with Carlton."

Prue frowns, "What? First Buffy now Jenny."

"Jenny's here?" Piper says.

Phoebe nods, "And I lost the potion."

"Piper, it's important." Darryl says.

Barker frowns, "Yeah, wait in line, pal."

Darryl shows Barker his badge. "Hey, why don't you step to the back."

"Okay, everybody hold it." Piper says as she freezes everybody.

Phoebe looks towards the door leading backstage, "Look."

They look at Jenny and Jeff.

"Oh my God." Prue, Phoebe and Piper say.

They run to follow Jeff and Jenny and the place unfreezes.

Phoebe frowns, "Freeze them again."

Piper shakes her head, "They're through the door."

Jeff pushes Jenny into the back room.

"Hello?" Jenny says as Masselin appears and she screams.

Out front Prue, Piper and Phoebe run towards back.

"Move it! Move it!" Phoebe says.

"Wait. Hold it. Stop." Prue says.

Piper shakes her head, "Jenny's in there. And he already has Buffy."

Prue nods, "Yeah, but we can't kill Masselin without the potion."

Piper shakes her head, "Well, we can't just stand here. She's gonna die.

Jeff opens the door and Prue uses her power against him and makes him fly.

"Help us." Prue says.

Jeff shakes his head, "He'll kill me. He'll burn the flesh off my bones for eternity."

Piper frowns, "Listen up, skid mark. You tell us how to save Jenny and Buffy and get Elvis out of the building, or spending an eternity in hell is gonna be the least of your worries."

"There's nothing you can do." Jeff says.

Piper nods, "We can break the pact and free you from Masselin."

"Believe me, if I could help you, I would. But if you go in there, he's gonna swallow you whole and you'll still be alive." Jeff says.

Piper smiles, "That's not a bad idea."

Prue frowns, "What?"

Piper nods, "Where's the demon?"

"Through that door." Jeff says pointing to the back room.

"I got a plan. We get eaten." Piper says.

"I'm sorry, we get what?" Phoebe asks.

Piper nods, "And once we're inside, Buffy will augment Prue. And Prue, you use your power to blow him up.

"From the inside?" Prue says.

Piper smiles, "Mmm hmm."

Phoebe sighs, "Who's to say that we won't lose our powers once we get in there. Maybe that's exactly what he wants. Think about it, Buffy is in there why couldn't she just burn her way out.

Prue sighs, "Yeah, well, we don't really have a choice, Phoebe. The poison pill is gone. And regardless Buffy is trapped and likely so is Jenny."

Phoebe smiles, "Is it?" She shows her wrap with the poison. "Back up."

"Phoebe, what are you..." Piper says.

Phoebe kicks the door open. Masselin appears. "It's time to join your friends, witches."

Prue, with her powers, make the wrap with the poison flies against Masselin.

Mr. Barker comes in. "What is going on back here?"

Masselin blows up and green stuff splats all over Barker.

Buffy, Jenny, and several other victims appear where Masselin stood moments before.

Prue walks over to Buffy, "Buffy are you okay?"

Piper smiles, "Jenny! We gotta get her home."

Darryl comes in. "Prue, what's going on here? Someone wanna clue me in?"

Prue smiles, "You're arresting a kidnapper."

"And rescuing his victims. Good job." Phoebe says.

Prue nods, "Trust me. That's all what you wanna know."

Darryl nods in understanding, "I guess that's all I need to know." He arrests Carlton and leads him back out the front.

Prue kneels down next to Barker, "Mr. Barker... here's what you need to know. This place is ours. The ups, the downs, the good and especially the bad. It's all ours. Now if you ever bother us again, you won't have to ask if I'm threatening you. Are we clear?"

"Yeah!" Barker says.

Prue smiles, "Good."

The next morning Piper is sitting at a counter writing a check.

"Paying bills?" Prue asks as she and Phoebe walks into the kitchen.

Piper nods, "Every last one. For this month, at least."

Phoebe smiles, "Thanks to Leo." Piper gives Phoebe her 'evil look'. "Well, technically if it wasn't for him, you would've never landed Dishwalla."

Piper sighs, "I suppose. And technically if we hadn't vanquished a demon, your client, Chris Barker, wouldn't have abandoned his hostile takeover. The bank called... and told me Mr. Barker didn't have the stomach for gruesome stage theatrics. He's withdrawing his offer."

"I'm sorry." Prue says.

Phoebe nods, "He was just supposed to help. We didn't expect a double cross."

Piper sighs, "It's okay. I mean, I understand why you didn't want to hurt my feelings but you could have told me the truth."

Prue looks at Piper with a puppy face, "I said I was sorry."

Phoebe nods, "We're sorry."

Piper sighs, "It's just dawning on me that personal relationships and business don't mix well at all. How's Buffy?"

Prue sighs, "She's beating herself up over what happened. She keeps apologizing everytime I go by her room. I'm letting her stay home from school today."

Piper nods, "I think I understand where she was coming from. She didn't want to see us get hurt. And she was afraid that we would. So she did the most responsible thing she could and decided to help us even if it meant getting grounded."

"I don't think we should ground, yes she broke the rules. But I think the way she feels right now maybe enough punishment she needs." Prue says.

Piper nods, "I agree. In fact I think she will like to see what I got in the mail today." She hands an envelope to Prue.

Prue opens it and pulls out the permits to allow Teens into P4. "I think your right. You know your going to have to setup a system so you can identify someone underage."

Piper nods, "The Bronze stamps the hand of those underage that come in to the club. They show their ID at the door and if their underage they get their hand stamped. Now if you guys excuse me I'm going upstairs to tell Buffy the good news." She takes the permits from Prue and walks upstairs and knocks on Buffy's door.

"Come in." Buffy says. Piper walks in and sits on the bed next to Buffy. "I'm sorry I disobeyed you guys."

Piper nods, "I know. And you know what it's okay. You did it for the right reasons. If you had snuck out just to go see Dishwalla I would have been angry. But you went there not to see Dishwalla but to help us. It's not your fault it didn't work as planned."

"So I'm not grounded?" Buffy asks confused, she expected at the very least to be grounded.

"No. In fact I have a surprise for you." Piper says and she hands the permits to Buffy. "They came in today."

Buffy looks at the permits and smiles, "Congratulations Piper. Between these and rep the club got from Dishwalla."

Piper nods, "I know, the club will give The Bronze a run for it's money."