It had been an interesting few weeks. They were seemingly no closer to finding Wyatt's attacker and Chris dropped his bombshell about it happening right before he was born so, time was running out. Phoebe was on a new kick about it being someone they knew, and a witch killer was on the loose. Chris realized his impending birth would also be the end of his relationship with Buffy. They didn't talk about it, instead focusing on Wyatt and the little moments they had all to themselves. He smiled thinking about the other night when they'd spent hours curled up on the sofa making out between research. Luckily noone had walked or orbed in on them that time. When he was with her he didn't feel like the weight of the world rested on his shoulders, he didn't have to play the hero, and neither did she, they could just be themselves. He'd never had that before and was realizing how hard it would be to leave it behind.

Gideon realized the girls we're getting to close to discovering his plot to kill Wyatt. He'd hoped the witch-hunter would distract them but, it hadn't. Their focused remained on the child. And with the Slayer around he knew he'd never be able to get close enough to kill him. Then he was struck with a brilliant plan, one that would distract them all. He quickly orbed down into the underworld.

"I hear your plotting to take over the underworld." Gideon said.

"What do you want Elder?" The game master asked cautiously.

"I think we can help each other out." Gideon began. "You need upper-level demons to participate in your 'show' and I need the charmed ones distracted."

"You want us to go after the charmed ones? That's suicide." He replied furiously.

"No, not the charmed ones, I don't want them hurt. But, how many demons do you think would be interested in going after the slayer?" Gideon asked.

"The Slayer. That would attract many." His partner replied. "But, what's the catch?"

"The witches aren't to be harmed." Gideon replied.

"And the slayer." She asked.

"She's replaceable." Gideon replied. "Do we have a deal?"

"You'll need to set up the cameras." The game master began. "I'm sure we'll have a line waiting to attack tonight."

"Good." Gideon replied taking the crystals and orbing out.

"Should we trust him?" She asked after Gideon left.

"No, But it doesn't matter. We'll soon have enough power to take on the charmed ones and anyone else who dares stand in our way." He replied laughing evilly.

Manor (Attic):

"Another witch was killed." Leo informed Paige and Chris.

"We're on it." Paige replied as she continued scrying.

"Still no idea who's behind this?" Chris asked not liking the time being taken away from saving Wyatt.

"No, so we all need to be on guard." Leo replied.

"I'm worried about Phoebe, She's been having problems controlling her empathy, which pretty much leaves her without a good defensive power." Paige said throwing down the crystal in frustration. "She wouldn't stay home though, she still insists she's onto something with this whole, it's someone we know, thing."

"I know, but that's why we sent Buffy to work with her. She can keep her safe." Chris replied.

"That's it, I'm going to the magic shop, I'll be right back?" Paige said orbing out.

"What's with her?" Leo asked after she left.

"Since Phoebe's powers have been off she's feeling a little strained." Chris replied. "But, I've been thinking and maybe Phoebe is onto something, I mean we've exhausted all the other options."

"Maybe." Leo began but was interrupted by Paige and Gideon both orbing in.

"Hah, got it." Paige declared then turned noticing Gideon.

"You have what?" Gideon asked confused.

"Oh, I just figured we needed a stronger crystal." Paige explained. "I've been scrying for hours and gotten nowhere."

"Well by all means, don't let me interrupt." Gideon said motioning for her to continue scrying.

"Is everything Ok?" Leo asked concerned.

"Actually it's Piper, she's driving everyone crazy with Phoebe's new theory." Gideon explained.

"I'll talked to her." Leo said orbing out.

Once he was gone Gideon waved his hand subtly causing the crystal to land.

"Got something," Paige declared. "Oh no, it's right by Phoebe's office."

"Let's go." Chris said orbing out with Paige right behind him. Once they were gone Gideon scattered the crystals and orbed out.

Paper:

"Come on, let's go grab some coffee." Phoebe said leading Buffy to the elevator.

"So, how goes the theory." Buffy asked bored. She hated playing Babysitter and contrary to popular believe a newspaper staff room was not all that interesting. "You know I've been thinking about what you said, about it being someone you guys know."

"Don't you start in on me too." Phoebe began frustrated by everyone's lack of faith in her.

"No, I was just thinking you could be right." Buffy replied.

"Really, you didn't think so earlier, what changed your mind?" Phoebe asked.

"Your powers. They've been off since you came up with this idea, almost like someone thinks your getting to close." Buffy explained.

"Someone who doesn't want me to be able to read their emotions?" Phoebe asked.

"Yeah, pretty much." Buffy replied. "Then again, I could be wrong."

"No, I think you may be onto something." Phoebe began excitedly. "Then it has to be someone with powers, a lot of power to mess with mine." She finished as the elevators opened into the parking garage. They stepped off and began walking towards her car when Buffy threw her to the ground narrowly avoiding an energy ball.

"What the hell is going on?" Phoebe asked glancing around as the demons approached.

"I don't know, but let's just try to get out of here." Buffy replied dodging and attack.

"We should call Paige." Phoebe began.

"Bad Idea." Buffy interrupted as she was hit with a dark lighter arrow. "Damn these things hurt." She said trying to pull it from her shoulder. "Got a plan?"

"Not really, you?" Phoebe asked kicking a demon across the parking lot.

"Yeah, on three we run for it." Buffy said realizing they were out numbered. She flipped a demon about to stab her twisting his arm back and causing him to drop his knife. She quickly retrieved the weapon stabbing him. "Or, we can kick there ass." She said stabbing another demon smiling when it to went poof.

"I like the way you think." Phoebe said pushing another demon towards her. After three more died the rest fled realizing they would win.

"Ok, what the hell is going on?" Buffy asked.

"You ok?" Phoebe asked concerned. The demons had seemed more interested in Buffy than her.

"Let's just get back to the Manor." Buffy said wincing as Chris and Paige orbed in.

"You guys ok?" Paige asked concerned.

"Just peachy." Buffy replied. "A little help." She said gesturing to the arrow still lodged in her shoulder.

"Oh, sorry." Phoebe said hurrying over.

"I think it's wedged into my shoulder blade, so don't be afraid to pull hard." Buffy said bracing herself. They all winced at the sound of the arrow scraping against bone as Phoebe pulled it out.

"We were going to call you but." Phoebe said guesting to the arrow.

"What happened?" Chris asked.

"I almost got my ass kicked." Buffy replied frustrated.

"Yeah, the demons were more interested in her than me." Phoebe added.

"But, those where the same ones killing all the witches, so why Buffy?" Chris asked.

"Maybe Buffy's a witch, and she just doesn't know it." Paige guessed.

"And maybe I'm a leprechaun too." Buffy said rolling her eyes.

"You are kinda short." Chris said smiling.

"Little tip," Buffy said turning to him. "Don't insult the girl holding the arrow full of poison."

"We don't have time for a lovers spat." Paige interrupted them earning glares from them both. "Chris orb her to magic school so Leo can heal her. We get back to research see if we can figure out who's behind this."

"Oh, here." Buffy said handing her the knife. "Demon tried to stab me with it."

"What do you think this means?" Paige asked guesting to the insignia on the handle.

"I don't know?" Phoebe began, "I guess we should head to magic school too, so we can ask Gideon, he may know."

"Wait, do you guys hear that?" Buffy asked.

"Hear what?" Chris asked.

"It's almost like an echo." Buffy tried to explain glancing around the dim parking garage. She walked a few steps before crouching down and jumping knocking something from the beams above them.

"Damn super girl, calm down before you hurt yourself worse." Phoebe said smiling.

"What is it?" Chris asked.

"A crystal." Paige began turning it over. She stopped when she saw a beam of light shooting out projecting an image. Aiming it at the wall they all gasped.

"Ok, that's us, so what the hell is going on?" Buffy asked.

"I think it's some kind of magical spy camera." Paige began. "We need to get out of here."