Chapter 38: Awakened

At P4 Piper's at the bar cutting up some yellow spiky fruit. She coughs and gets a glass of water and takes a sip. Phoebe comes up to the bar. Buffy coughs as she walks to the bar.

Piper smiles, "Oh, I am so glad to see you two."

"Is that because I can work tonight or is it because I am now Phoebe Halliwell, college student."

Buffy smiles, "Congratz, Pheebs."

Piper nods, "Okay, neat, thin slices please. Wait, you enrolled?" Phoebe nods. "Phoebe, this is huge."

Phoebe nods, "Hugest thing I've done since I came back home. I mean, aside from vanquishing demons and saving the world from evil of course. Okay, so I signed up for two general courses." She gets a piece of paper out of her bag and hands it to Piper.

Piper looks at the paper and then hands it to Buffy, "Am I reading that right?"

Buffy looks at the paper and nods, "Seven electives."

Piper nods, "Seven, Phoebe?"

"Alright, so I'm a little confused. I could use some advice. What do you think I should take?" Piper coughs. "Honey, are you okay?"

Piper nods, "Yeah, its just a little cough."

Phoebe nods, "I bet Prue made you have soup at lunch today," Buffy coughs, "after she heard that little cough." She looks to Buffy, "Are you okay, Buffy?"

Buffy nods, "Like Piper said, just a cough."

Piper sighs, "I had to cancel actually. Last night's paper work took a bit longer than expected."

"So I guess you missed your massage today also." Phoebe says.

Piper nods, "A reporter from the San Francisco Chronicle called and had a ton of questions about the club."

Phoebe frowns, "Piper, you have got to take care of yourself. So should you, Buffy You've both been feeling funky since yesterday."

Piper nods, "It's probably just a bug."

Buffy nods, "Yeah, just a cold."

Phoebe nods, "Even more reason for you not to push it. Either of you. Buffy maybe you should let Prue and I patrol for you tonight."

Piper shakes her head, "I'm fine, besides it's all paying off, the club is finally doing well, we're making money, now would you slice."

"I'm fine, Pheebs. I'm sure by the time I patrol the cough will be gone. Remember I got Slayer healing." Buffy said.

Phoebe picks up the knife and a piece of fruit. "What kind of fruit is this anyway?"

Piper smiles, "Kewano. It's from South America. It's great for Mai Tai's. Just got them in yesterday actually. The bartender has a connection at the docks."

"Wait, you smuggled it in?" Phoebe asks.

Buffy rolls her eyes, "Oh, it's fruit, Phoebe, not drugs."

Phoebe nods, "Look, just because we're witches, does not mean you're invincible. Okay, you guys need to start taking care of yourselves."

Piper sighs, "Thank you, Doctor."

Phoebe smiles, "Hey, Doctor Phoebe Halliwell. I like it."

A short time later Buffy and Piper's walking through the crowd.

Phoebe comes up to them. "Buffy, Piper, you both need to go home."

"Phoebe, we're fine, I'm just… Phoebe you're right." Piper says just before she faints.

Phoebe quickly kneels down next to Piper, "Oh my God. Call 911."

Buffy swoons for a second and then she too faints.

At the Hospital Piper's lying in a bed hooked up to some machines. Buffy's in the next bed also hooked up to some machines. Prue's standing between the beds. Piper wakes up.

"Hey." Prue says.

Piper looks at Prue confused, "Prue?"

Prue smiles, "You're awake."

"What happened?" Piper says.

Prue nods, "You don't remember?"

Piper shakes her head, "I remember being in the club and talking to Phoebe and Buffy and then I gotta admit, it's a little fuzzy."

"You and Buffy collapsed and we called an ambulance." Prue says.

Piper nods, "Oh, that must have been great for business. So what's wrong with me?" Realization finally sinks in at what Prue said. "Buffy?"

Prue motions over to the next bed.

Piper looks past Prue at Buffy. "Prue?"

"Um, they don't really know." Prue says as Buffy wakes up. "We're just sort of waiting for blood test results."

Piper nods, "I'm sure it's nothing too exciting. It's probably something trendy like mono or Epstein Barr."

Prue nods, "Yeah, well, whatever it is you're gonna take the time to get better."

Buffy looks around confused, "Prue? Piper?"

Prue comes around to Buffy's bed, "Right here Buffy. How are you feeling?"

Piper nods, "You sound like Phoebe. Where is she anyway?"

Buffy shakes her head, "Alright I guess. What's going on?"

Prue sighs, "You and Piper collapsed at the club." She looks back to Piper. "She's…"

Phoebe walks up to the receptionists desk. The nurse has her back facing Phoebe.

"Uh, hi. Nurse person." Phoebe says as the nurse turns around. "Can you tell me where Dr. Wallis is. He said that my sister and cousin's test results should be in by eight and it's twenty past eight now."

Nurse nods, "What's your sister and cousin's names?"

Phoebe nods, "Piper and Payson. Piper Halliwell and Payson Halliwell. Thank you. Piper and Payson Halliwell.

"Piper Halliwell and Payson Halliwell have been transferred to Dr. Williamson's care. If you have a seat in the waiting area, I'll page him." The nurse says

Phoebe blinks, "What happened to Dr. Wallis?"

Nurse nods, "I'm sure that Dr. Williamson will be able to answer all of your questions. Please, have a seat in the waiting room."

"Okay." Phoebe says as she goes to sit down.

A boy in a wheelchair comes up to her. "Are you sick too?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "No, I'm not sick."

Boy nods, "Then why do you look so sad?"

Phoebe smiles sadly, "My sister and cousin are here and they don't know what's wrong with them."

"The doctor's don't know what's wrong with me either. Maybe your sister, cousin and I have the same thing." The boy says.

Phoebe nods, "What is your name?"

Boy smiles, "Nathan."

Phoebe smiles, "Well, hello, Nathan. I'm Phoebe. And who is that?" She points to a Ninja doll sitting on his lap.

Nathan nods, "Ninja doll. I found him in the children's ward."

"You know, I don't think that's just a ninja doll. If I know my ninja dolls, I think that one's really a magical wi…zard." Phoebe says.

Nathan looks at her surprised, "Really? How can you tell?"

"Well, let me see him." Phoebe says as she takes the ninja off of him. "I've seen what his type can do. He's got powers. He can move things and freeze things and can kick box too. And the really cool thing about him is he can do all this to the demon…to the bad guys inside your body without anyone even knowing about it."

Nathan smiles, "Really? He can freeze the bad guys and move them?"

Phoebe nods, "And kick box them too. Don't forget that. Right out of your body. All you have to do is when you feel bad, you close your eyes and just picture him fighting them for you. Do you think you can do that?"

"Yeah." Nathan says.

Dr. Williamson and some other Doctors walk up to Phoebe. "Phoebe Halliwell?"

Phoebe stands up. "Yes."

Dr. Williamson nods, "I'm Dr. Williamson."

Phoebe smiles, "Hi." She looks to Nathan. "Bye, it was nice to meet you."

Nathan smiles, "See ya."

Phoebe looks behind Dr. Williamson at the interns following him, "And who are they?"

"Medical interns. They'll be viewing my work with your sister and cousin." Dr. Williamson says.

Phoebe frowns, "Because…"

Dr. Williamson nods, "Because they're studying the same field that I did. I'm an infectious disease specialist." He and the interns walk into the room where Piper, Buffy and Prue are.

"Specialist? Wait." Phoebe says.

Dr. Williamson nods, "Misses Halliwell, I'm Dr. Williamson."

Phoebe nods, "Um, he's a specialist."

Piper frowns, "Where's Dr. Wallis?"

"I'll be keeping him posted. How are you both feeling?" Dr. Williamson

Piper nods, "Okay. A little hot."

Buffy sighs, "About the same."

Dr. Williamson's pager beeps. "Have either of you been out of the country recently? Africa, South America, Caribbean?"

Piper shakes her head, "I wish. No. I haven't been out of the city."

"No. I'm in high school student." Buffy says.

Dr. Williamson nods, "Well apparently you've both contracted a blood disease rarely seen in the United States, Arroyo fever."

"How is that possible?" Prue asks.

Dr. Williamson nods, "Well, Arroyo fever's transmitted through a bite of a sand fly which dies right after the bite. Have you had anything imported brought into your home recently."

Buffy shakes her head.

Piper shakes her head, "No."

Phoebe nods, "But you have in the club. What was the name of that weird fruit?

"Kewano." Piper says.

Dr. Williamson nods, "That's a possible carrier. Sometimes the fly's been known to live long enough in the crate to make the trip but rarely survives the quarantine period."

Piper nods, "I think I have a bite on my shoulder." She shows him the bite.

Buffy rolls up her sleeve of her left arm, "I got a bite here." She indicates her arm.

Dr. Williamson looks at Piper and Buffy's bites. "When did you two get these?"

"Just after I opened the fruit." Piper says.

Buffy nods, "About the same time. I was helping Piper with her deliveries yesterday."

"Tell the nurse I need ten cc's of penildron, each." Dr. Williamson says.

One the Interns nods, "Right away." He turns and leaves.

Dr. Williamson turns back to Piper and Buffy, "It's a high grade antibiotic which will be most effective when it administered through an I.V. Should bring your fevers down." His pager beeps again. "I gotta run some more tests. I'll be back shortly."

"Excuse me, they're gonna be okay, right? I mean, it's not life threatening." Phoebe asks.

Dr. Williamson nods, "Well, I'll know better after I run more tests. Excuse me." He leaves.

Phoebe sits on Piper's bed. Prue and Phoebe stare at Piper and Buffy smiling.

Piper looks to Buffy who nods, "We'll be okay."

Prue nods, "Yeah, I mean he didn't seem too worried. Just prescribed antibiotics."

"The tests are just to confirm his diagnosis I'm sure." Buffy says.

Prue nods, "Yeah, don't you agree, Phoebe?"

Phoebe nods, "I think we should call Leo."

Piper frowns, "Why?"

"Why not? He can heal both of you." Phoebe says.

Piper shakes her head, "No. He's out of our lives. He's not even our Whitelighter anymore. Besides with Dan in my life."

Buffy rolls her eyes. On one hand she definitely would like to get better. On the other hand she can understand what Piper is saying."

Phoebe nods, "But if Leo knew you both were sick."

Piper shakes her head, "No, and that's final. No demon or warlock did this to us, right Buffy?"

Buffy nods, "Right Piper. Besides my Slayer healing will probably take care of it."

"Just let the doctors do their magic." Piper says.

"I just wanted you both to get well soon." Phoebe says as she rests her head on Piper's stomach.

Piper smiles, "I know and we will. Now you get outta here. Prue, go to Bucklands, Phoebe, go to wherever it is you got to and someone please call Dan so he doesn't worry."

Buffy nods, "Someone call Giles also. Someone is going to have to take up my patrol."

Prue smiles, "Okay. Bye. Love you."

They leave.

Buffy looks to Piper, "How are you feeling, really?"

Piper looks to Buffy, "Probably the same as you."

Buffy nods, "We don't want to worry them till there is something to worry about."

Piper nods, "Right."

In Prue's office at Bucklands Prue walks in. Jack's there.

"Hey. Have you had a chance to look at the thread density results on the Monet?" Prue says.

Jack shakes his head, "Yeah, and you were right. There are some unexplained thread markings in the area around the station, as the signature."

"Have you told Cauldwell yet?" Prue asks.

Jack shakes his head, "Not yet. I was hoping to talk you into going home first. Prue, you're exhausted."

Prue sighs, "Yeah, I know, but I prefer to stay here, you know, keep busy. How long can tests take anyway?"

Jack nods, "Piper and Payson are gonna be fine."

Prue smiles sadly, "I know, it's just that after everything I've seen in my life and believe me I've seen a lot of weird stuff. It takes a lot to scare me. But this time I'm really scared."

Jack hugs Prue. "You know, I'm not really good at this, saying the right thing stuff. You know what? Why don't you go back to the hospital and I'll stay here and handle everything. Okay?"

Prue's cell phone rings. She answers it. "Hello?" She listens to person on the other end. "Ok we'll be there." She hangs up and looks at Jack, "I have to go. Something's happening at the hospital."

Jack nods, "I hope everything is alright."

Prue nods as she walks out of her office and dials her cellphone.

"Hello?" Phoebe says.

Prue sighs, "Yeah, Pheebs, the hospital just called. They need for us to get down there right away."

"Why? What happened?" Phoebe says.

At the hospital Phoebe and Dan run down the corridor to Piper and Buffy's room. Prue's standing at the doorway.

"Prue, what's going on?" Phoebe asks.

Prue shakes her head, "I don't know. All they said was that their condition has worsened."

Phoebe frowns, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"We're not gonna leave the door until we find out." Dan says.

Dr. Williamson walks towards them.

Prue nods, "Dr. Williamson."

Dr. Williamson sighs, "Unfortunately your cousin and sister's immune systems aren't as strong as we thought they would be and antibiotics are having no effect on the disease."

Phoebe frowns, "So what do we…what do you do now?"

Giles walks up next to Prue and Piper.

"Well there's nothing more we can do." Dr. Williams says.

Prue frowns, "What do you mean by that? What are you saying?"

Dr. Williamson nods, "Well, either Piper and Payson pulls out of their comas on their own or I'm afraid your sister and cousin's not going to survive."

Phoebe starts crying.

Giles takes off his glasses and starts cleaning them.

Prue looks to Giles and Dan, "Will you stay with them? Phoebe and I need to do something, we'll be right back."

Giles nods, "Of course, Prue." Prue and Phoebe turn and leave.

In the attic back at the Manor Prue and Phoebe walk over to the Book of Shadows.

"Okay, we can't let Piper or Buffy die." Prue says.

Phoebe nods, "No, we can't but Prue, this isn't a demon or a warlock that we're up against."

Prue sighs, "Alright, there are spells in here to vanquish demons, then there's gotta be a spell in here to vanquish a lousy bug."

Phoebe sighs, "Okay, but even if there is a spell, how do we get past the personal gain issue, the consequences?"

"What consequences? The power of three remains unbroken, the Charmed Slayer is alive, innocents are saved. I don't really see a down side to that, do you?" Prue says.

Phoebe nods, "Prue, if good witches could really vanquish diseases, do you think there'd be one sick person in the world?"

Prue sighs, "We have to save Piper and Buffy."

Phoebe nods, "I agree. All I am saying is before we resort to the Book of Shadows, maybe we should call Leo."

Prue shakes her head, "No. Piper told us not to. And Buffy agreed with her."

"So, let them be pissed at us, at least they'll be alive." Phoebe says.

Prue sighs, "We don't even know how to contact him. He's always just sorta been around."

Prue and Phoebe start calling him. "Leo? Leo?"

Leo orbs in and startles Prue and Phoebe.

"Whoa, it worked." Phoebe says.

Prue nods, "Alright, Leo, look Piper and Buffy are very…

Leo nods, "Very sick, I know. That's why I could hear you calling. I've been nearby watching."

Phoebe frowns, "Wait, you've been watching her this whole time and you haven't healed them?"

Leo shakes his head, "I can't. They know about Buffy and Piper too and they won't let me interfere. I'm not even supposed to be here right now."

Prue frowns, "Leo, you can't just let Piper or Buffy die."

Leo sighs, "Don't you think I would do something about it if I could."

"But you love Piper." Phoebe says.

Leo nods, "I know. But I'm not her Whitelighter any more. And besides, even if I could help either of them, my powers probably wouldn't even work because they weren't fighting evil." Leo hear the Elders calling him. "I have to go, they know I'm here. I'm sorry. Tell Piper I love her. Tell Buffy I'm sorry." He orbs out.

Phoebe frowns, "Screw the consequences."

They start searching through the Book of Shadows.

Back at the hospital Prue and Phoebe are walking down the corridor.

"Do you really think the awakening spell's gonna work?" Phoebe asks.

Prue sighs, "Better. Alright, Look, I'll get Buffy and Piper's blood. Are you sure that you can get a puppet?"

Phoebe nods, "Positive. I'll meet you in their room."

Prue smiles, "Alright."

In Piper and Buffy's room A nurse is drawing blood from Piper's arm, she's already gotten Buffy's. Giles and Dan's there.

Prue walks in. "How are they?"

The nurse puts a small container full of Piper's blood on a tray. Prue uses her power and she floats both Buffy and Piper's blood over to her and she puts them in her pocket.

Dan shakes his head, "No change. It just looks like she's sleeping but I can't wake her up."

Giles sighs, "The same for Buffy."

"She'll wake up, I promise." Prue says.

Giles looks up at Prue as if to ask what are you going to do.

Prue mouths, 'Spell.'

In Nathan's room Nathan's playing with the Ninja doll.

Phoebe walks in. "Hey, Nathan. Remember me?"

Nathan smiles, "Phoebe, I was hoping you'd come back."

"Really? Why?" Phoebe asks.

Nathan nods, "You were right. The wizard did it. I feel great. Just like I used to."

Phoebe smiles, "The power of positive thinking."

Nathan shakes his head, "The power of magic. The doctors are letting me go home in a couple of days."

"Oh, that's great, Nathan. I'm so happy for you." Phoebe says. "You know, I was wondering if you would let me borrow the wizard for a while. My sister and cousin could use a little magic right about now."

Nathan nods handing the doll to Phoebe, "They can keep him. I don't need him anymore."

Phoebe smiles, "Thank you."

Phoebe exits Nathan's room and walks back to Buffy and Piper's room. "Hey." She notices Dan there. "I was gonna bring back some sodas but the machine down the hall was busted and I didn't know where to find another one."

Dan nods, "I'll find it."

"Really? You don't mind?" Phoebe asks.

Dan shakes his head, "No, it's no trouble. I'll be back in a minute." He leaves.

Phoebe looks Prue, "I got him."

Giles frowns, "Are you sure this is the best course of action?"

Prue sighs, "This is our only course of action. We're not going to watch Piper and Buffy die."

Giles sighs and then nods.

Phoebe nods, "Let's do this." Phoebe puts the ninja on Piper's stomach. Prue puts a drop of Piper and Buffy's blood on the ninja. They then hold the ninja between them and Prue touches Piper as Phoebe touches Buffy.

"Troubled blood with sleeps unease, remove the cause of this disease." Prue and Phoebe says.

Dr. Williamson opens the door.

Giles hurries over to the door and holds it closed.

Dr. Williamson calls from the other side of the door, "Hey!" He tries to open the door.

"Sleep eternal never more, and shift this source of illness borne, to this puppet whom none shall mourn." Prue and Phoebe says.

Phoebe frowns, "Prue, it's not working."

Suddenly, Buffy and Piper spring up into a sitting position. Phoebe sets the doll down on Buffy's bed as she hugs her. Prue hugs Piper.

Dr. Williamson calls out from the other side of the door. "Come on, open the door!" Giles steps away from the door, quickly as Dr. Williamson enters. "Who's blocking the damn door?"

Prue smiles, "What's up, Doc?"

Dr. Williamson sees Buffy and Piper awake. "When did this happen? Misses Halliwell, are you both feeling alright?"

Phoebe puts the ninja in the hazardous waste bin.

Dan and two other nurses come into the room. "Piper!" He drops two of four sodas.

Piper sees the cans of soda. "Are those for me?"

Dan hugs her. "You're okay."

Piper nods, "Yes I am okay."

Dr. Williamson frowns, "This doesn't make any sense. Fever's gone, vitals are normal. I've never seen anything like it. The site of the infection's gone too." He moves over to Buffy and checks her and notices the exact same results. "The same with you."

Buffy nods, "So can we go home now?"

Dr. Williamson looks to the nurses, "Draw some blood. I wanna run comparatives."

Nurse nods, "Yes, Doctor."

Buffy sighs, "Um, then can we go home? Because no offence, but I hate hospitals."

Piper nods in agreement, "So do I."

Prue, Phoebe and Dan laugh. Phoebe and Dan climb Piper's bed and lay all over Piper. Prue goes over to Buffy and hugs her along with Giles.

"Get off me." Piper says.

Inside the bin the ninja sits up. A nurse walks over and puts something in the bin. The ninja pushes his sword through the plastic and it pokes the nurse on the leg.

"Ow!" The nurse says before she walks away.

The ninja then cuts through the plastic and jumps out.

Later at P4 there's no one in there except Buffy, Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Giles, Dan and a bartender. They have music on.

Piper smiles, "Turn it up." Prue turns the music up. She walks over to the bartender. "Alright, you can go home. I'll clean up." He leaves.

Phoebe runs over to Dan who's sitting down. "Dance with me, Dan."

Buffy sits next to Giles. "Want to… you know?"

Dan shakes his head, "It's almost two in the morning."

Phoebe pulls Dan out of the chair.

Giles shakes his head, "I think tonight, Buffy. You deserve some rest."

"So what. Come on, you're young." Phoebe says.

Dan shakes his head, "Stop the music, stop that music."

Phoebe goes over to Prue. Dan puts his arms around Piper.

Buffy pulls Giles to the side out of earshot of Dan. "Are you sure that you don't want me to go on patrol? I feel fine."

Piper smiles at Dan, "Somebody need a nap?"

Giles nods, "I am sure Buffy. You need to rest up. Go spend time with your cousins."

Dan sighs, "You know what? That's not fair. You've been asleep for almost twenty-four hours ."

"Okay what did you do with Giles? Are you sure your alright. I don't think I've heard you ever willingly give me a night off." Buffy says.

"And I know you've been up for almost twenty-four hours by my… our side. I can't tell you how much that means to me or Buffy, being there for us. Hangin' tough." Piper says.

Giles nods, "That is true but unlike the previous two times you almost died, this was as closest as you ever came, Buffy. You could have been dead."

Dan smiles, "It wasn't that tough." He and Piper kiss.

Buffy nods, "Okay. Why don't you go on home, Giles. I may stay home from school tomorrow to rest up. You will give Willow and Xander my love?"

Piper smiles, "Now go home. I'll see you tomorrow."

Dan leaves.

Giles nods, "Of course, Buffy. You get some rest, now." He leaves.

Piper and Buffy walks over to Prue and Phoebe who are playing patty-cake with their hands. "Okay, spill." Piper says.

Prue and Phoebe stop clapping.

"What are you talking about?" Phoebe asks.

Buffy frowns, "You guys cast a spell didn't you?"

Prue smiles innocently, "Who, us?"

Piper shakes her head, "Yeah, you. Not that we're not grateful to be cured because we are," Buffy nods in agreement, "but what about that little personal gain problem?"

Phoebe sighs, "Okay, but don't you think we would have seen any consequences by now? It's been hours."

Prue nods, "Yeah, maybe saving two protectors of the innocent isn't really personal gain."

Piper looks to Buffy who nods, "Maybe. Like I said, we're not complaining. I'm just glad you didn't call Leo. Strange though with all the demons we've faced, this bug, this thing was the scariest of them all."

Buffy lets out a sigh, "Yeah this was scarier than when I faced the Master or Jackson Ward. And I actually died then."

"Yeah, you don't have to convince us." Prue says.

Piper smiles, "I love you guys."

"So do I." Buffy says.

Phoebe nods, "We love you both also."

They hug.

Prue smiles, "Hey, you two just don't ever scare us like that again."

Piper nods, "Don't worry."

"Yeah don't worry. I plan to live to be a white haired old Slayer." Buffy says.

"Ooh, ooh! Oh, God, I almost forgot. I have to get that Monet authenticated by tomorrow." Prue says.

Phoebe shakes her head, "At this hour?"

Prue nods, "Why not? I'm wide awake." She leaves.

Piper nods, "I guess I should clean up."

Buffy nods, "I think I will help you, Piper."

Piper and Buffy starts cleaning up. Phoebe stands there dancing and then she notices them moving very quickly. They get faster and faster.

"Uh, Piper. Uh, Buffy. Piper! Buffy!" Phoebe says.

Piper and Buffy stops in front of Phoebe.

Piper nods, "What?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "I think I found a consequence."

The next morning outside P4 The Center for Disease Control people pull up in their trucks and go inside. Dr. Seiger walks up to Buffy, Phoebe and Piper.

"Piper Halliwell?" Dr. Seiger says.

Piper nods, "Whoa, what's going on?"

Dr. Seiger smiles, "I'm Dr. Seiger from the Center for Disease Control. We have a court order to take you, your sister, and your cousin into custody and to quarantine your club until further notice."

Buffy frowns, "What!"

Later at the the hospital Buffy, Phoebe and Piper are locked in a room in the isolation ward. Phoebe's knocking on a glass. "Hello? Remember us?"

A nurse talks into an intercom outside the room. "I'm sorry, we can't hear you. What is it you want?"

"We wanna get the hell outta here. That's what we want." Phoebe says.

The nurse nods, "Dr. Williamson will be right in to discuss the situation."

Buffy frowns, "Discuss what? I feel fine."

Piper nods in agreement, "So do I."

"Dr. Williamson will be right in." She says before she leaves.

Phoebe frowns, "This is ridiculous. Why won't they tell us anything?"

Piper frowns, "They're lucky they're in the other room, I'd freeze their butts."

Buffy nods, "I'd give them a case of the hot foot. See how they like a fireball up the…"

Piper frowns, "Buffy!"

A doctor opens the door and Prue walks in.

Phoebe smiles, "Oh, Prue, thank God."

"You're obviously not here to get us out." Piper says.

Prue shakes her head, "When I got home, someone from the C.D.C. was waiting for me and they took like a quart of blood."

Phoebe nods, "Ditto."

"Yeah, I can't patrol if I'm locked up in here. How long do you think the vamps and demons will wait till the find out the Slayer isn't patrolling. And the Charmed Ones are unable to protect the innocents. Before they start…"

Phoebe rests a hand on Buffy's shoulder comfortingly.

Piper sighs, "Well, they might as well have taken all of mine, they've shut down the club, they'll ruin it. I'll lose everything."

Phoebe shakes her head, "No, you won't. Once this whole thing gets straightened out."

"I have a feeling it's not gonna be that easy. Look, I overheard some doctors talking. There's others here that are infected with the disease." Phoebe says.

Buffy frowns, "But I thought that it wasn't contagious. That we couldn't spread it to anyone."

Prue nods, "Yeah, so did I." She sees the intercom. "So, can they hear us?"

Piper shakes her head, "No."

Prue nods, "Did any of you sleep by any chance?"

"Sleep? Buffy and Piper was bouncing off the walls last night." Phoebe says.

Piper nods, "It's gotta be a consequence of the awakening spell you guys cast."

Prue frowns, "I have a bad feeling that's not the only consequence."

Dr. Williamson walks in. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Phoebe shakes her head, "What, no mask?"

Dr. Williamson shakes his head, "No, I don't need it. None of us do. However the disease is being spread, it's not airborne. I just ruled that out."

"Great, then we're free to go." Buffy says.

Dr. Williamson shakes his head, "Afraid not."

Phoebe frowns, "You can't keep us here."

Buffy nods in agreement, "Yeah I have school."

"Actually, I can, by law. Not just because your sister circumvented it by opening the uninspected fruit, but because she and your cousin are carrying a rare disease that has every possibility of spreading to epidemic proportions." Dr. Williamson said.

Prue frowns, "I thought that you said it wasn't contagious."

Dr. Williamson nods, "Arroyo fever isn't supposed to be contagious."

Buffy frowns, "Well, then maybe you misdiagnosed it."

Dr. Williamson sighs, "I didn't and aside from the fact that I have no idea how this disease is being spread there's another little mystery that's concerning me. You and your cousin's recovery makes no clinical sense. Neither of your blood has any antibodies which means your immune system has never fought it off. By all medical standards, you both should be dead by now, Misses Halliwell."

"What's the matter, Doctor? You don't believe in miracles?" Piper says.

Dr. Williamson shakes his head, "Not the kind that don't leave traces, no. I've got six people infected and there's nothing I can do to save them unless I figure out how it is you two survived. I'm gonna run a series of tests on all four of your blood work. Even DNA sampling. Maybe it's a genetic marker, I don't know. But I'm gonna find out and you're not leaving until I do." He leaves.

Phoebe frowns, "Well, his bedside manners sure could us a little work."

"Great I'm going to be kicked out of school." Buffy said.

Prue frowns at Buffy, "Buffy we have more important things to worry about. If we have to we can always home school you."

"You're right, Prue." Buffy says.

Piper frowns, "Six people? How's that possible?"

Prue shakes her head, "When we did the spell, we must have awakened everything in the room including the disease."

Phoebe nods, "So, do you think there's anything different about our blood because we're witches?"

Prue sighs, "I don't know but our first priority is to figure out how to help save these people."

Phoebe nods, "Yeah, but even if we can find a spell to save them, how do we prevent it from spreading to other people."

"You have to reverse the spell." Buffy says.

Phoebe shakes her head, "No, Buffy, we can't reverse the spell because…"

Prue nods, "You both could go back into a coma, and then you both could die."

Piper shakes her head, "We're not gonna die. Just reverse the spell and call Leo so he can heal us."

"Leo? I thought you two didn't want us to call Leo." Phoebe says.

Piper nods, "Well, yeah, that's when we thought we were sick, not dying."

Prue sighs, "Piper, um, we already talked to Leo, he's not allowed to help."

"They won't let him." Phoebe says.

Buffy sighs, "Oh. Great."

"Well thanks for doing something I specifically asked you not to do." Piper says.

Phoebe shakes her head, "Piper, you just said…"

Prue sighs, "Phoebe, give it a rest. Um, look, Piper, Buffy, we don't know the reversal spell anyway."

"Yeah, and they won't let us outta here to get it." Phoebe says.

Buffy smiles, "Well I could get it if they didn't notice I was gone. But trying to flame to the Manor could risk exposure. Prue is the only one who can get it and not risk exposure."

"No, I can't. Okay, I can not just astral project on command. I can't control it like that." Prue says.

Piper nods, "You can learn to control it just like you learned to control your other power. Just concentrate."

Prue shakes her head, "Piper, Buffy, I can't and I won't."

Piper looks to Buffy who nods, "Prue, you have to try. We can't let anybody else die."

Prue shuts her eyes and tries to astral project. She appears in the attic at the Manor.

A nurse looks in the room and sees Prue standing still with her eyes closed. "What's wrong with her?"

Phoebe shakes her head, "Nothing. She's fine."

In the attic at the Manor Prue finds the spell and tries to remember it. She astral projects back into her body. "Whoa."

"Did you see it?" Buffy asks.

Prue nods, "Yeah, Buffy, Piper, I don't…"

Piper smiles sadly, "Prue, we've already discussed this. For some reason there's no magical out for us but there is for the others. Please."

Prue nods, "What was awakened from it's sleep, must once again slumber deep."

Prue touches Piper and Phoebe touches Buffy.

"What was awakened from it's sleep, must once again slumber deep." Prue and Phoebe chant. "What was awakened from it's sleep, must once again slumber deep."

Buffy and Piper collapses on the floor.

Phoebe frowns, "Prue, get help."

Prue bangs on the door. "Help!"

Dr. Williamson and some other doctors run in. "Help me get them on the beds." They pick up Piper and put her on the bed. They then pick up Buffy and put her on another bed. "You girls wanna tell me what the hell is going on? Get them on the monitors. Miss Halliwell, Miss Halliwell, can you hear me? Assist in respiration. Starting CPR."

The other doctor is already performing CPR on Buffy.

Phoebe and Prue start crying.

Dan enters the room, Giles is not far behind him.

Dr. Williamson gives the nurse instructions and she races off. "She's not responding to CPR. Come on, Miss Halliwell."

The other Doctor looks over to Dr. Williamson, "This one is not responding to CPR either."

Buffy and Piper's spirits rise out of their bodies. They appear in a place that's bright and golden. Someone is walking towards them. It's Leo.

Piper blinks, "Leo?"

Leo nods, "Hurry, both of you take my hands. We don't have much time."

"Are we dead?" Buffy asks.

Leo shakes his head, "No, not yet. Not if you both take my hands."

Piper frowns, "I don't understand."

"It's the only way, I can heal you both. The only chance I have of them not finding out. Hurry." Leo says.

Back in the hospital room…

Dr. Williamson nods, "Give me the paddles."

The other Doctor echoes the command.

"Charging." Two nurses say at once.

Both the Other Doctor and Dr. Williamson gets the paddles and applies them to Piper and Buffy's bodies. "Clear." They say at the same time.

"No response. I'm not getting anything for either of them." A nurse says looking at first one machine and then another."

Dr. Williamson nods, "Again."

"Charging," The two nurses say again.

"Clear." Dr. Williamson and the other Doctor say.

Back in the golden light.

"I don't wanna lose you, Piper. And I know you don't want to lose Buffy." Leo says as he holds his one hand above Piper's hands. He holds the other hand over Buffy's hands.

In the Hospital room Buffy and Piper are dead.

Nurse nods, "Time of death, 9:40am."

Back in the Golden light Leo heals both Piper and Buffy. They float back in their bodies.

"Wait, I think they're responding. There's a heartbeat." Prue says.

Buffy and Piper starts coughing.

Dr. Williamson frowns, "Piper?" He then looks over at Buffy. "Payson? What the hell? This is incredible."

"Leo." Piper says.

Dan hears her.

Buffy echoes Piper, "Leo."

Prue and Phoebe look at each other and smile.

Phoebe and Prue goes over to Piper and kiss and hug her. They then go over to Buffy and kiss and hug her as well.

Giles smiles and goes over to Buffy and hugs her.

Phoebe looks between her sister and cousin, "Are you two okay?"

Nurse shakes her head, "I don't understand. What happened?"

"I don't know but I'm gonna find out." Dr. Williamson says.

Later at P4 Piper gives a box of fruit to a guy. "These haven't been inspected yet. Put them in the back. We're returning them to the supplier." She walks up to Buffy, Prue and Phoebe.

"Looks like someone learnt her lesson." Phoebe says.

Piper nods, "Yeah, the hard way unfortunately."

Buffy looks down and nods, "Yeah."

"Still, the clubs doing okay. Doesn't look like quarantine ruined business too much." Prue says.

Piper nods, "Thanks to no cover charge and free drinks. Have you guys seen Dan around?"

"No, why?" Prue and Phoebe say.

Piper shakes her head, "No reason I guess. I thought he might stop by."

Phoebe nods, "Uh, you know, Piper, Dan heard you call Leo's name when you were coming around at the hospital."

"He did? That wasn't me thinking about Leo, that was just..." Piper says.

Phoebe nods, "Him saving you, I know. Buffy said Leo's name also, Dan just didn't hear her."

Buffy sighs, "I owe Leo one."

"Still, how are you gonna explain that to Dan?" Prue asks.

Phoebe nods, "Well, at least you're alive to try. That's what's important."

Prue nods, "Yeah, I mean, just because we're witches, doesn't mean we're above the laws of nature."

Buffy smiles, "Or the Wiccan ones."

Piper sighs, "I know, you don't have to tell me twice. I'm not taking anything for granted anymore."

Prue nods, "Ditto."

"Neither am I. I think from now on I'm never patrolling alone. I don't want to put you guys through that again." Buffy says.

Prue smiles, "I think that's a good idea, Buffy. Having at least myself or Piper along could help when you patrol. And minimize the risk of an early death."

Phoebe smiles, "So Prue, welcome to the ranks of the unemployed. I'm proud of you. I think what you did was very brave."

Prue smiles, "Thank you." Leo walks in. "Ooh, Piper." She points to Leo. "Leo."

Phoebe smiles, "Tell him thanks for us too."

Buffy and Piper walks over to Leo.

"Hey." Piper and Buffy say.

Leo smiles, "Hey. How are you two feeling?"

Piper nods, "Okay. A little tired. Which is actually a good thing. Leo, thank you for everything you..."

Buffy smiles, "Yeah thanks, Leo."

"Couldn't let you die, Piper. And I know it would have been torn you up inside if Buffy had died, so I couldn't let her die either." Leo said.

Piper nods, "I think we're both very glad you couldn't." Buffy nods. "Did you get in trouble?"

Leo nods, "Yeah, actually, a lot. They found out what I did. They clipped my wings."

Buffy frowns, "What?"

Leo nods, "It's not permanent. It's more like a suspension... I hope."

"Leo, I-I-I don't know what to say." Piper says.

Leo shakes his head, "Neither of you have to say anything. You both didn't do anything, I did. I guess in the back of my mind I always hoped someday, somehow Piper, you and I would get a second chance."

Buffy rolls her eyes.

"I'm with Dan now." Piper says.

Leo nods, "I know. But I also know now that I'm a mortal, I'm gonna fight for you. May the best man win." Leo walks away.

Buffy smiles, "That's kind of nice to know that you have two guys fighting for you. I just wish my stalker would go away."

Piper nods, "Don't worry, Buffy. We will find a way to take out Angelus for you."