Disclaimer:

All characters from BtVS, Angel, and Charmed are the property of Joss Whedon and Aaron Spelling, respectively.

Summary:

AU Crossover between the Charmed and Buffy-verses. Phoebe is read the riot act. The building on Market Street is raided by the FBI and the ATF. Piper and her sisters go through Willow's basket of wiccan goodies. Cole and Willow talk on the phone.

Author's Note:

Please read and review.

Chapter 26 – A Raid On Market Street

Part One

Phoebe was feeling very uncomfortable. Not because Leo was reading her the riot act. No, he'd done that so often now after over ten years of being a witch. No, she must've been read the riot act at least fifty times by now. More, if you count how many times Prue had read it to her. No, she practically had this speech memorized.

No, she was uncomfortable by the presence of Willow Turner. Cole's wife. The mother of his children. It still bothered her. She was over the feeling of anger and hatred for her. But she was still jealous. Envious. She had made it work, after all. And Cole loved her. Not me. That was the crux of it. It was still hard for her to deal with.

She froze. Willow had made eye contact with her. Her eyes were twinkling with amusement. Phoebe bristled. She's making fun of me! How dare she! Just then, Willow smiled in a sly, conspiratorial manner at her. It was if she-- She's not laughing at ME! Phoebe came to the realization suddenly. It was Leo – it was this whole situation. That was what was amusing her. Phoebe tried to focus and read her with her empathy. Oooh! This is so frustrating. Once again, something made her hard to read. It could be because Leo and Piper's anger was so strong.

"... you listening to me!" Phoebe started as she realized that Leo was asking her a question.

"Of course, Leo. I'm reckless, stupid, and irresponsible. Right?" That had to be right. Wait a minute! I forgot selfish. Prue always mentioned selfish.

Leo shook his head in exasperation. "You're not listening. I said you were crazy, stupid, and just plain---"

"Mr. Wyatt." Phoebe looked up at Willow. "I think she's probably heard all of this before. I think she probably knows how dangerous it was."

Phoebe grabbed onto this like a life preserver. "Yes! Yes! Leo, I know it was crazy. I just had to do something. I had to! Can't you see?"

Xander groaned audibly. Thank God she doesn't have any children. Can you imagine? Xander stepped back as he saw Willow turn on him and give him one of her "don't you dare" glares. Damn! Why is Will standing up for this Cordy wannabee?

Leo groaned as well. She was never going to learn. Never.

"Phoebe." Piper cut in. This was going nowhere. She'd been through these sessions with Prue and now Leo. Still Phoebe never seemed to learn. "It's just that we're stronger together. You should've trusted us. You definitely should not have hidden yourself from us – from your white lighter. That was just dangerous. If it hadn't been for Willow..."

Phoebe glanced up at Willow once again. Huh?

Willow blushed at this. She shook her head emphatically. "Now, Piper, that's not so. You would've figured it out."

"Oh, I don't think so." Xander blurted, and then wished to hell he hadn't. He suddenly took an interest in the floor. It's a nice floor, isn't it?

"Xander?" He looked up at Willow's overly sweet voice. Uh-oh! "How would you like to be the first white lighter rat?"

Willow smiled as she heard the gasp reverberate around the room. Sheesh! They must be the only witches not to practice transfiguration. The more she got to know them, the more she realized just how sheltered white witches must be. Willow really didn't understand how they had lasted as long as they...

RING! RING! Willow's thoughts were interrupted by the Halliwell's phone. "Hello?" She heard Piper ask. "Oh, hi! We wondered where you were... Willow.. Yeah, she's right here... What do you mean why? ... Damn it! Cole! You are such a pain in the ass..." Piper handed over the phone to Willow. "No offense, Willow. But he is such a pain sometimes!"

Willow chuckled as she took the phone from Piper. Good old Cole. He was just so damn overprotective. It was quite amusing. She had always had a secret fantasy of Cole fighting over her virtue.. or honor.. or, damn, anything! "Hi, sweetie. Why aren't you here? What do you mean why am I still here? ... You! So what if a demon shows up? I'm married to one! ... Not the point? It's quite pointy, honey! ... Stop sighing! What are you doing? ... A raid! Honey, no! ... You're just a lawyer!"

Phoebe couldn't help but chuckle at that. I'd be more worried about the other guys. He's really the wrong demon to piss off. She turned to look at Xander who was chuckling silently and shaking his head. He looked at her and mouthed: See? This is how they are! She turned back to Willow and her conversation.

"Oooh! You! ... No! I'm not going home. You'll have to take me... What?... Of course I drove! Transportation spells take too much energy... Don't worry about the kids. They're with Giles... Shush! If you're not careful, you'll be spending the night in the rat cage!" Willow huffed and slammed the phone down in its holder. She looked around the room and blushed. It was so embarrassing, she really didn't want to have had an argument in front of the others. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have acted like that in front of you."

Phoebe giggled. "No, Willow, I was beginning to thank you two never argued. I feel a lot less flawed now."

Ugh. Xander thought. Yeah. Right. I can't even imagine what kind of crap Cole had to put up with her. I wonder if there was a We Hate Phoebe Halliwell Club in their high school. Xander turned just in time to catch Piper eyes roll back in her head. Huh. Piper was probably a member if there was.

Part Two

Damn! Cole thought as he put his cell phone away. I'm going to have to do something to avoid being turned into a rat tonight. He hated when that happened. It was all the nose twitching and no meat to eat that really bothered him. That and it was just too hard to shimmer when you're a rat. He shook his head as he looked across the street at the building that Phoebe had barely escaped from today.

That damn girl! You would've thought after ten years of being chased by all the denizens of the Underworld, she would've learned some basic judgment. But, no! She was still the same impulsive, crazy little witch he had married nearly seven years ago. She really needed her own personal white lighter. Nah. He chuckled at the thought. Can you imagine the poor guy with that job? He'd have a nervous breakdown within a year!

Turning his attention back to the matter at hand. Regardless of how he felt about Phoebe's actions, he had to admit it had been a godsend to his case. That little recording was more than enough to call the FBI and ATF in. We just have to hope they hadn't been able to plant the explosives. The problem was ensuring that they weren't set. I could scan their minds, I suppose. Of course, anything I learn would hardly be admissible in court. But... Cole thought deviously. It would give me an advantage in court. I would just have to be a little subtle. Do it too hard and the person becomes a vegetable. Yes. That could work.

Then, of course, there was Agent Barnaby. I certainly owe him. I wouldn't mind setting a few fire ticks on him. Or maybe a few worms of Hades. That would be nice and excruciating! Maybe I'll just let him see who I really am. That'll wet his pants! He chuckled evilly at the thought. It's not like I'd be killing him.. just scaring him. There's nothing wrong with scaring mortals, is there?

He looked up as he saw one of the ATF agents heading towards him. It was that new kid – what was his name? Kent. That's right. "Agent Kent, good news I hope?"

Agent Kent looked up and smiled at the federal prosecutor. He always felt odd around him. He didn't know why. It was the sound, he thought. His heartbeat never sounded quite right. "I guess so, sir. We certainly have caught them with their hands in the cookie jar. They had more than enough explosive devices to blow up the entire parade route."

"I hear a but coming, Agent. I don't like that." Cole replied grimly.

"Yes, sir. We're not sure, but it looks like we didn't find all the explosives. It looks like this was just a staging area. It looks like these guys only had half the explosives that were stolen from the National Guard depot. The others are gone. We think they might have left the Bay Area, sir."

"Left!" Cole erupted at the young agent. Kent couldn't help it. He flinched.

"Yes, sir. We'll have to analyze some of the evidence we picked up, but it looks like it left the state."

Cole shut his eyes and groaned. What was going on? If that was the case, this was just the tip of iceberg where these nutcases were concerned. Damn!

Kent froze. He'd heard a separate noise coming from the prosecutor. It was almost like an animal growling. But how could that be? Whatever the sound was, it was above human hearing. No human could... No, it couldn't have been. He looked up at Mr. Turner.

Cole looked again at the young agent. He had the strangest expression in his eyes. It was almost as if... He shook his head to dispel that thought. He was only mortal, after all. "That'll be all, Mr. Kent. Could you ask Agent Nakayama to see me if he has a moment?"

Agent Kent nodded and headed back to the building, relieved. There was something about Mr. Turner that not only disturbed him, but frightened him. Maybe Chloe'll know.

Part Three

Piper and her sisters were giggling and goggling over Willow's basket. It was full of all sorts of goodies – perfect for witches. Paige had found a pack of Tarot cards that seemed to be Egyptian and was fascinated with them. She'd decided to try them out on Xander, who was being quite a pain about the whole thing.

"Xander, come on. It'll be fun." Paige begged.

"No, N. O. Absolutely not." Xander insisted. He hated anything to do with predicting the future. Fortunes. Prophecies. Premonitions. Fortune cookies. "No way!"

Paige was confused. It was just for fun. What was his problem? "Puhleez?"

"NO!" Xander yelled, and orbed out of the room. If you could slam an orb, he would've, Paige thought to herself.

"I'm sorry, Willow. I don't understand what I said." Paige looked pleadingly at Xander's friend.

Willow nodded sadly. She did understand. All too well. Xander had a thin skin when it came to certain subjects. Prophecies being a big one. "It's alright, Paige. He's just a little touchy with things like this. He'll tell you some day, I'm sure."

Piper and Phoebe hardly noticed the explosion, although Leo had. He'd been revising his opinion of the rookie white lighter. He was a very complex young man. He looked at Paige. There was a problem. He was sure she was falling in love with the young man. And, he knew from personal history what a rocky path that could be. Yes, she was half white lighter. Still, he wasn't sure it would work out.

Phoebe was leafing through a book that she'd found in the basket. The Art of Reading Tea Leaves. She'd also found a second book. The History of Divination. Fascinating. It was just incredible. She'd never thought about reading tea leaves. At least not to think it could be accurate. She looked over at Piper who was the happiest she'd seen her in a long while.

Piper was very happy. Her sister was safe and she had a new friend. A friend she could discuss magic and kids with. The basket seemed to be bottomless. She was pulling all sorts of things out of it. There were several crystals. Some she had seen before, others she hadn't. There were several potions in the bottom of the basket in beautiful colored flasks. The labels fascinated her. To Heal a Blood Fever. Truth Potion. To Summon a Water Sprite. Hmmm. I think I'll put some of these in a locked cabinet. To Summon a Familiar. To Banish the Dead. Huh? That doesn't sound good. Not good at all. She froze as she heard a sound behind her. Leo.

"Umm, Leo? I know some of these look a little, well..." Piper began nervously.

"Dark?" Leo hazarded.

Willow started at the interchange. Oh! I guess some of the potions could be misunderstood by a white lighter. "Oh, no, Mr. Wyatt! None of them used dark magic. Straight wicca all the way. Well, except for the one to curse your neighbor. That's a gypsy potion. They really are a little on the edge, I guess you'd say."

Piper and Phoebe looked at each other at that one. Curse? Piper dug through the basket for the last two potion bottles. Sure enough. To Curse Your Neighbor. However, at the last bottle, Piper nearly dropped it. She looked at Willow who was blushing. Leo gasped. Did that say what he thought it said? He reached down and snatched it out of his wife's quivering hand. To Increase a Man's Stamina. Dear God. He shuddered.

Phoebe looked over at the potion. Jesus. Is that-- What the hell would Willow need something like that for? As she recalled, Cole had no - absolutely no – problems in that area. She looked at Willow with a question in her eye.

Willow giggled. "Oh, no! I've never used it on Cole. Sheesh! Can you imagine? He's potent enough. No, but I did sneak it in Angel's dinner once." She started to laugh as she remembered. Buffy was very, very stiff the next morning. Well, evening. I don't think that Angel let her out of his arms or his bed, for that matter, for at least 48 hours. "Don't ask."

Piper chuckled and wagged a finger at Willow. "Very, very naughty, Willow. I can tell I'm going to have lock these things away." Piper started digging the final things out of the basket. There were several 3 x 5 index cards with recipes written on them. Hmmm. Very nice. Potato salad made with beer. And these salads look great. Oooh! This vinaigrette looks superb. "Why, Willow! These recipes look great!"

Willow nodded happily. "The salads and the vinaigrettes are Ben's recipes. He's very talented."

Ben? Piper said to herself. But the boy was only about four! And, he'd come up with these? "Willow, if your boy can come up with recipes like this at his age, I can guarantee a career for him when he's an adult. They're superb! The boy's a born chef!"

Willow preened at the praise of her little man. She knew all of this, of course, but she still loved to hear it. He was her delight. She was still amazed she could produce such a wonderful little boy. Her little prince.

"Thank you. We're very proud."

Piper nodded, like she couldn't tell. She chuckled silently as she turned back to the basket. All that was left was an old book. She looked at the spine. Rochester's Demon Index. Huh?

"Oh!" Willow interjected. "Sorry about that. But I thought if you ever got attacked by a non-Underworld demon, you'd need that. That's the latest edition, I had Giles find me a copy. Call Giles if you have any questions. He's a former Watcher. There's probably very little he doesn't know about demons, vampires, and hellmouths."

Piper smiled, hoping they'd never have to use it. She'd heard things about the hellmouth and really didn't want to get any practical experience. No sirree! "Thanks, Will--"

RING! RING!

Willow got up and headed to the phone. "No, don't get up. I'm sure it's Cole."

Part Four

"Darling." Cole began from his office. He sighed as he watched Leah bring in more paperwork. What a night this was going to be.

"Baby, I'm sorry for before... Hope you can forgive me... Yes, I love you too. Unfortunately, it looks like I'll be here all... Yeah, yeah, it's all the paperwork from today... Yes, it went really well. It looks like we caught them... Yeah, I'll hold..."

Cole motioned at Leah to make more coffee as his wife told the girls the good news. It looks like Willow was now persona grata at the Manor. Cole didn't know how to take that. It wasn't that he minded her being friends with the girls. It was just the demon attack rate at the Manor that bothered him.

"Yeah, baby, I'm still here... Oh, I'm glad... Did they like the potions? ... Good, good... Well, as I was saying I'll be here most of the night with the paperwork. The good news is the parade should be safe... Yes, yes, I'm sure we have plenty of evidence... I don't think we'll have any problem convicting these swine... Of course, you can tell the girls... yes, baby, I won't stay too late... Love you, too... bye." He hung up still thinking of his wife.

Leah walked in and smiled at her boss. Boy, isn't it obvious what – or who – he's thinking of? What I'd do to meet a guy that thinks about me that way? She coughed delicately... "Hey, boss. That better be your wife you're thinking of... 'Cause I kinda think she'd be the jealous type."

Cole chuckled. That she would. That she would. He took the cup of coffee from Leah and headed to his desk and his mountain of paperwork.

"You got them, sir. You should be happy." Leah volunteered.

"Yeah, I am, Leah, I am. I'm just worried about how many others are out there? What do there friends in the rest of the country have planned?"

"I know, sir. But, like Scarlet said, 'tomorrow's another day'." She smiled and left the office.

Cole thought about that. Yes, tomorrow was another day. And at least they took a big bite out of this group. They'd just have to see what they could do about the others. He took a deep cleansing breath and began the paperwork. The sooner I get done, the sooner I can go home.