Disclaimer:

None of these characters are mine. All characters from Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Charmed are the property of Joss Whedon and Aaron Spelling, respectively.

Summary:

Crossover between the Charmed and Buffy universes. Phoebe has a premonition and the boys won't let her out of the basement. Dark Willow is back and has attacked Xander. Leo, Piper, and Paige are bound. And Cole has been hit by a bomb blast. 'Nuff said?

Chapter Eighteen – Premonition of a Parade

Halliwell Manor

Phoebe's head hurt – bad. She opened her eyes carefully and squinted at the light. She started to sit up carefully, but her head just kept throbbing. "Ooohh!" she moaned. "What happened?"

She finally managed to sit up and continued to rub her throbbing temples. Looking around, she saw that she was in the basement. The boys were on the other side of the basement playing a game of Chutes and Ladders. They smiled at her shyly and went back to their game. She got up gingerly and started to walk towards the door.

"It's locked Aunt Phoebe," Wyatt said before she went up the stairs.

"What?"

"I said it's locked, Xander told us to wait here with you."

"Well, now I'm awake, you can orb us out."

"No."

"WHAT!" she screamed. This was all too much. First I'm sucker punched by a white lighter – a rookie white lighter! And, now my nephew is holding me hostage. What else could possibly go wrong? Then it hit her. She grabbed her head screaming and fell to her knees. The white-hot pain of the vision took over her mind. Her last rational thought was: I had to ask.

FBI – San Francisco Field Office, 450 Golden Gate Building

Cole's head hurt even worse than Phoebe's – not to mention the rest of him. He should be dead. For once, he was thankful for his demonic constitution. He wasn't just in pain, though, he was also full a white-hot rage. At Agent Barnaby. Oh, yes, I can think of a hundred different tortures for that bastard. He was thankful for the rage because it gave him the energy to cope with the pain. He carefully opened his eyes and saw Tommy Nakayama looking at him in concern and amazement.

Cole could feel the attentions of paramedics examining him and checking his vital signs. He stiffened at the intrusion.

"Thank God, Cole, you're awake. I don't know how... and I don't really care. The door or the table or I don't know what must have shielded you from the full brunt of the blast."

Ah, yes, Cole thought. Mortals really could be the most credulous of creatures. "Tommy," he gasped more show that actual effort. "Agent Barnaby."

Tommy face grew grim. "Yeah, I grabbed that bastard. I don't have proof that he was responsible... but I will."

Cole closed his eyes as a fresh wave of rage washed over him. Unfortunately it wasn't his. It was Willow's – she'd lost control. Oh, no, Cole thought. I have got to get home. He looked around and realized that wasn't going to happen any time soon. Too many people, there's no way for me to shimmer out of here. He tried to focus and cut through her rage to let her know he was safe, but it was no good. She was completely transformed by the rage. He could feel that. He could also feel his own demon screaming to get out, to join her in the pure beauty of this rage. He shuddered. It was seductive. He remembered just what a rage that pure could accomplish. How delicious it felt. He shook his head. He had to hold on. For Willow's sake, for the children's...

Daddy, daddy... Cole could just barely hear his son's voice in his head. Ben was scared and Cole needed to reach him.

The Turner's house

Ben was really worried. More than worried he was scared. Buffy was on the floor quivering in fear. She was too afraid even to cry. He had never seen his mommy like this. She'd hurt the three strangers that had had tea with them. She'd bound them with magic. He looked at his grandpa. He was lying on the floor holding his arm in a funny way.

Her magic felt different than it had ever felt to him before. He had always been able to sense his mommy's magic. It was always moving around her. But this magic was stronger, darker, and... it made him feel different. He liked the way it made him feel... and that scared him.

And then there was Uncle Xander. He had come from ... well, he didn't know where. Maybe Heaven. That's where mommy and daddy had said he'd gone and now he was back. But mommy had hurt him. That was weird too. She blew him up, and he just put himself together again. Ben tried to call daddy but he wasn't answering. He had to do something. He just wasn't sure what. He was just a little boy. If Aunt Buffy couldn't do anything, he wasn't sure what he could do.

Xander was in shock, too. Dark Willow was back and she didn't look any friendlier than the last time he saw her. He looked over to Buffy and Ben and smiled. They were scared to death. Hell, he was scared. He didn't know if even a white lighter could survive Dark Willow. What had happened to Cole? This was what he and Giles had always been afraid of. He needed to open her up.

"Willow, it's me. Please talk to me." He got up slowly and stood between her and the white witches. He carefully grasped one hand, pulling her towards him. So far, so good.

Paige, Piper, and Leo looked in shock at how Xander talked to her. She wasn't attacking him. Maybe there was a chance. Buffy started to breathe again. Oh, please, she prayed silently. Let Xander succeed. She looked at Giles who was turning very gray with the pain. Oh, God, we need to get him to a hospital. She looked back at Willow and Xander. Soon, please, soon...

Halliwell Manor

It was Market Street. There was a parade. It was the Gay Pride Parade that was scheduled for this Saturday. Everyone was dressed up. There were balloons, horses, bands, and floats. Everyone was having a good time and laughing. BOOM! Oh, no! The street just exploded. Right under a float. BOOM! Another explosion further up the street. BOOM! BOOM! Two more explosions in quick succession. There were people lying bleeding everywhere – on the sidewalks, in the streets. Glass had been blown out of storefronts. BOOM! BOOM! More explosions! The street was just...

"NO!" Phoebe screamed as she came out of the vision.

She sat bolt upright, looking around her in panic. The basement. She was still in basement. She forced her breathing under control. They couldn't let it happen. She had to stop it. She looked down. Wyatt and Chris were looking at her in concern. "Is everything okay, Aunt Phoebe?"

"Wyatt, we have to get out of here. I have to tell someone what I saw."

"But Xander said..."

"Yes, but that's before I had the vision. Please, Wyatt."

"I don't know..."

"Aunt Phoebe!" Chris piped up. "Maybe you tell us the vision and then we can figure out what to do together."

"Yes, yes, Chris, that's a great idea. It was the parade."

"The one on Saturday?"

"Yes, yes. Everything was going alright. People were laughing and having a good time. Then there was a blast. Then another. And another. And another. More and more up and down the street. People were screaming and there were people were hurt everywhere. Don't you see boys? I need to tell someone."

"Okay, Aunt Phoebe. Where do you want to go? To momma?"

"No, Wyatt. I need to see Mr. Turner."

Wyatt and Chris looked at each other in puzzlement. Aunt Phoebe hates him, why did she want to see him?

The Turner house

Xander had grabbed hold of Willow and was trying to talk, or at least shake, some sense into her. He could hear little Buffy whimpering. I wonder... No, I can't think about that. "Willow! Willow! You've got to let it go. We can help. Please, Giles is hurt and you're scaring your children. Please, Willow, you're my best friend. Please, fight it. It's... Cole wouldn't want it this way."

Dark Willow looked up intoXander's face. He's dead. He was supposed to be dead. We... what is this? She shook off his arms and looked towards the two witches she had bound. They had hurt her mate. They must pay.

Ben was really, really scared now. That was Uncle Xander. He was alive. He was trying to make mommy better. Ben needed to help. He didn't think mommy would hurt him, even now. He tried to move forward, but Buffy was holding his leg too tight. If only daddy was...

Ben, Ben..

Daddy! Ben thought. Daddy, mommy's changed – mommy's scaring me.

Ben, it's okay. Mommy can't hear me. You need to tell mommy that daddy's okay. I can't shimmer...

Daddy!

It's okay, Ben. Daddy is just a little hurt. Ben, you have to take care of mommy for me. Be brave, she won't hurt you. But she might hurt someone else. Ben, daddy is depending on you. You have to be man of the house.

Ben swallowed hard and took a deep breath. Okay, Daddy. I can do it, I can do it. He moved forward, stepping in between his mommy and the ladies on the floor. "Mommy, stop!"

Piper and Paige looked at the child in concern. He could get hurt! What could he do? She looked behind him, his little sister was whimpering softly on the floor. Leo stared at the boy carefully. He was so like his father. He was speaking with such authority.

"Mommy!" The boy continued. "Daddy's okay. He's hurt but he's okay. I talked to him in my head. Please mommy. He wants to talk to you but he says you're not listening. Please mommy! Please! You're scaring us. Grandpa's hurt!"

Ben grabbed his mommy's skirt and tugged in desperation. Looking up he saw that her face was looking at him with a strange expression. Suddenly, he brightened in hope. Her magic was changing, not much, but...

Xander seized on that moment to grab Willow once again. Seizing her by her shoulders, he clung her to him. "Willow, I love you. Please Cole needs you. The kids need you. Please, Willow, please..."

Paige looked on in amazement. Willow was starting to relax, as she watched the darkness leave her. She fainted in Xander's arms as her hair turned red again and the veins faded from her skin. Piper, Paige, and Leo suddenly found themselves free. Leo looked around and saw that Mr. Giles was very pale. He rushed over to help him, hoping he wasn't too late.

Daddy! Daddy! I did it! I did it! But mommy fell asleep.

Asleep, Ben? Is there someone else there?

Uncle Xander's here, Daddy!

Daddy? Daddy?

Daddy's okay, Ben. He's just tired. You did good. Take care of mommy.

Xander looked at young Ben. Hmmm. He must be talking to Cole. "Ben? Are you talking to Daddy? Is he okay? What happened?"

"He's hurt, Uncle Xander. He said he was tired. He told me to take care of mommy." Ben announced proudly.

Leo had his arms over Giles, the aura around his hands bright with the healing power. Giles started to stir. He hadn't been too late. Buffy let out a long sigh of relief. Thank God! She didn't know what she would have done if...

Giles got up and looked around. Xander was holding Willow in a dead faint. She was back to normal, thank God. Giles looked into Xander's eyes. He seemed a little different somehow. "So, Xander, I think an explanation is in order."

Xander smiled. Good old Giles. He never changes.

FBI – San Francisco Field Office, 450 Golden Gate Building

Cole was bristling under the attentions of the paramedics. He was a little more relaxed. Willow was calm now. He shuddered at the thought of what could have happened. But, right now, he was a little more concerned with what had happened here. That bastard Barnaby was involved that was obvious. But what was their plan? The paramedics were done now and were motioning a gurney over. That was too much.

"No!" Cole cried out. "I'm not going to the hospital."

"But, sir.." One of the paramedics started.

"No. I'm not going. You've patched me up, you did your duty. Now, get lost. I don't do hospitals."

Tom was watching Cole in amazement. The fact that he had survived was shocking enough. But that he wasn't going to the hospital.. It must have been sheer dumb luck that he had survived. There was no other explanation. Looking into Cole's eyes, he realized convincing him to go to the hospital was impossible.

"Look, Cole, if you won't go to the hospital, at least let me take you home or an empty office to rest. I mean, what are we going to tell your wife? She'll insist you go..."

"Tommy. I'll deal with Willow. She'll understand. Anyway, she can take better care of me than any damn hospital. But, that's a good idea. First, I want you to get me that damn Bible and prayer book. I want to go over it and see if we've missed anything. It must be pretty serious if they've got people planted here. Then, I want you to get everything organized here before we leave. Got it?"

"Okay, okay, but first I'll take you to your office to rest. Alright?"

Halliwell Manor

Phoebe couldn't believe she was actually having to negotiate her own release. This was so exasperating. "Wyatt. We need to go. Please. It's important."

Wyatt considered. Xander had told him to stay. He'd also told him not to orb without his permission. But, he had to go. Poppa had called him. He didn't know what had happened. Aunt Phoebe had had a vision. It sounded important. She wouldn't be lying – not to him. Would she? Wyatt looked at Chris, a question in his eyes. He didn't want to make the wrong decision.

"Chris what should I do?"

Chris was surprised and thrilled that Wyatt was asking him. His brother was a lot nicer now. He thought about Aunt Phoebe's vision. It was important. They had to stop these people. He felt kind of like a policeman. "We need to go, Wyatt."

Wyatt nodded his head.

Phoebe sighed gratefully. She couldn't believe how much trouble too little boys could be. "Okay, Wyatt, I need to go see Mr. Turner, but you need to scan ahead. We can't just orb in front of a bunch of people. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Aunt Phoebe." Wyatt closed his eyes and tried to find Mr. Turner. He found him. He tried to sense around him. It was difficult. He was having trouble. What would Xander tell him to do? He'd tell me to try again, he thought. Too concentrate. Wyatt tried again focusing hard on the area around Mr. Turner. There were a lot of people.

"Sorry, Aunt Phoebe."

"What do you mean? Couldn't you find him?" she asked frantically.

"I did. People are all around him. What do you want me to do?" He looked up at his aunt, hoping she had an answer.

Phoebe thought this over. They could try orbing into a closet or something. She wasn't sure that Wyatt could do this, though. She'd hoped that he'd be alone. What was she going to do? She needed to tell him. He'd know what to do about this. She chuckled, just a few hours ago, she was sure that Cole was back to kill her and her sisters. Now, she was trusting him to help her. Was she mad? Perhaps she should go somewhere else. But her intuition was telling her this was the right decision.

"Wyatt?" Phoebe looked at her nephew. "Please try again. Maybe he's alone now."

Wyatt concentrated again. He found Mr. Turner again. He was in a different place. He looked into Aunt Phoebe's eyes. He was alone! "He's alone, Aunt Phoebe. He's alone!"

"Great!" Phoebe leapt up in excitement. "Let's go, boys. Now, boys, stay with me."

She took Chris and Wyatt by the hand, as Wyatt orbed them away.

Cole Turner's Office, US Attorney's Office, 450 Golden Gate Building

Cole was seated in his office with a whiskey in his hand. Against all the rules, of course, but Cole had never been big on rules. Tommy had finally left him alone with his thoughts and feelings. Willow's rage was gone now, thank God. But he still had his own rage to deal with. That damn fool. Cole looked up when the white-blue orb started to form. Great, like my day isn't already complete, he thought in disgust. Now I have to deal with the Charmed Ones. When Phoebe and her two nephews materialized, he shook his head in surprise.

"Phoebe, is this the new Power of Three?" He asked, chuckling, wincing at the pain in his broken ribs.

Phoebe gasped in shock. Cole was in a bad state. He was bloody and covered with bruises, and was quite obviously in pain. He had a drink in one hand and was looking up at her with a tired look in his eyes.

"What happened, Mr. Turner?" Chris asked worried, he really liked Mr. Turner and he looked really hurt. "Do you need us to heal you?"

Cole chuckled. "No, Chris, but thanks. It'd be a little hard to explain to everyone why I got better all of a sudden. I'll survive."

Phoebe looked down at Chris. "He's right, Chris. He's hurt, but I think he'll get better. Especially once he gets home and gets cleaned up."

Cole smiled at Phoebe. She didn't seem upset with him. She was almost her old self. What was she doing here? She wouldn't just have her nephews orb here without a reason. "Well, Phoebe?"

Phoebe smiled at her ex-husband and took a deep breath. "I had a premonition, Cole. It was terrible. I'm hoping you could help."

"What? Couldn't you find the demon in the Book?"

"That's just it! It wasn't demons. At least, I don't think so."

Cole sat up, interested. "Sit down, Phoebe. What happened in your premonition?"

"It was the parade this weekend. The Gay Pride parade. Everything started exploding. One after another, there were blasts right down Market Street. It was terrible!" She started to weep. It was just too much.

Cole got up carefully and gingerly walked over to Phoebe. He lifted her chin with one finger, kneeling in front of her. She had a large bruise on her right cheek. "Who hit you, Phoebe?"

She laughed. "I haven't seen myself. Is it really bad?"

"It's quite a shiner. Who hit you?"

"The boys' new white lighter. He heard me trying to convince Piper and Paige to help me vanquish your wife and he hit me. But the explosions, Cole! What can we do?"

"I'm not sure. You said it was on the street itself. Vehicles exploding?"

Phoebe shook her head. "No. It was coming from under the street itself. And, there was only 3 or 4 seconds between the blasts."

"What time?"

"I'm not sure."

"Do you remember what was going past, say, the San Francisco Shopping Center at that time?"

Phoebe thought about this. That was perfect! That could really tie things down if she could remember. She tried to play the premonition back in her mind. She could almost see it in her mind. Of course! "It was the singers! The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus!"

Cole looked up in interest. He pushed a button on his phone. "Leah, get Tommy up here right now. It's urgent." Looking back at Phoebe, he took her hand. "Thanks, Phoebe, you've really helped but you better go. I promise I'll keep you informed."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, for now. Why don't you and your sisters come by around 7:30 tonight? After dinner? I'd like you to check something out for me."

Phoebe nodded. She smiled and took the boys hands. He nodded as they orbed out of sight. He took another sip of whiskey as he waited for Tommy. This was getting very serious. And they had pissed off the wrong attorney. He smiled grimly and took another drink from his glass.