Chapter 19: We're Off to See the Wizard Part 1
April 25, 2002 – Thursday
Underworld
"The elite guard will take their places along the aisle," the Dark Priest explained as he showed Cole around the coronation chamber in preparation for the actually ceremony later that evening. "Then precisely at midnight, we'll begin the ritualistic chant, and then you will be escorted in for the ceremony."
Cole followed him as the Dark Priest walked over to the resting place of the Grimoire. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
The Dark Priest looked at him. "Five hundred years, give or take a decade," he replied with a smirk as he continued to carefully turn the pages of the sacred book. "Ah, here it is: the oath." He looked up at Cole again and held his gaze. "Upon completion of the oath, you will be given the full powers of the underworld."
Cole looked down at the book, eyebrows slightly raised as he asked. "Will I feel different? After?"
"Perhaps," the Dark Priest answered. "Those who came before you described a feeling of being...complete."
Cole considered that answer before he queried. "Have any of them been half human?"
The Dark Priest regarded Cole with a hardened expression as he answered carefully. "No, this is a first. Now it's time for you to begin your preparations." He changed the subject swiftly. "Your guards will show you to the vestibule."
Cole turned to the guards the Dark Priest pointed too and the smallest nodded. "This way," he instructed, bowing his head in respect, and Cole followed them out.
An old, small man in a large coat carrying a tall staff was crouched down in an alcove in the cavern, hidden from sight. He watched silently as the four guards escorted Cole past him before coming out of hiding. He banged the staff down on the ground twice, eyes closed, and an exact copy of the guard who had addressed Cole appeared next to him.
The small man turned to him pointedly and ordered, "Arrest me."
"What's going on?" the Dark Priest demanded as the guard pulled the intruder into the coronation chamber.
"I found him outside," the guard answered.
The Dark Priest approached slowly and a smirk appeared on his face. "A wizard," he stated uninterested. "Well, well. Aren't you supposed to be extinct?" he sneered.
The Wizard shrugged. "One of us is alive and well."
"Not for long," the Dark Priest threatened. "Did you really think you could stop the coronation, all by yourself, Wizard?"
"I didn't come for the coronation," the Wizard retorted. "I came for the revenge."
The Dark Priest chuckled to himself, while the Wizard smirk and slammed the bottom of his staff into the Priests groin, causing him to crumble to the floor in pain.
The Dark Priest growled, throwing out his arm and sending the Wizard into the podium holding the Grimoire. "What's the matter with you?" the Dark Priest demanded, looking to the guard. "STOP HIM!" but the guard remained still. The Dark Priest turned to the Wizard in time to see him lunge for the Grimoire and swiftly moved it from his reach.
The Wizard sneered clambering to his feet and diving for it again, only to be stopped by the real guard.
The Dark Priest jumped to his feet, eyes flickering between the two identical men and explained. "It's an illusion."
The Wizard grabbed his staff and disappeared, the guard too, both being illusions of the real thing, copies.
Cole came running in at that moment, looking around with angry eyes. "What the hell is going on?" he demanded fiercely.
Halliwell Manor
"Cole's a demon again. That is what's going on," Paige stated firmly from the kitchen counter.
Buffy shook her head and held up one finger. "Nuh-uh-uh, the Source. Cole is the Source," she amended and Paige nodded, sipping on her coffee still not entirely sure on that yet.
Piper sighed in aggravation, "Do you want to lose Phoebe?" she demanded. "Because that's exactly what's going to happen if you blurt it out like that and besides that is only what we think, a suspicion, the only thing we know for sure, is that Cole is dealing with demons," she said forcefully, giving her mother and sister a warning look.
Dawn nodded. "You're right, Piper. I don't think we should open with, 'Morning, Phoebe. Nice day, we're really sorry to have to tell you this but, your husband is the Source of All Evil.'"
Piper pointed to her aunt. "That is another excellent point," she agreed wholeheartedly although she firmly disagreed with the Source of All Evil angle. "It would be too much."
Paige shook her head. "But it's the truth!" she exclaimed slamming her hands down on the counter. "Doesn't Phoebe deserve to know the truth? Or do you guys want to lie to her?" she asked skeptically, one eyebrow raised.
"We're not lying to her, Paige," Piper retorted. "We are merely easing her into the truth."
Paige scoffed and turned to Buffy and Dawn for help.
Buffy shook her head. "Sorry, Paige, but Dawn and I have talked and on this we're with Piper. It would be too much and it's not lying, it's...softening the blow. This is going to break her heart."
Piper sighed heavily and dropped her head down onto the table, "I don't want to break her heart," she whined, her voice muffled.
Dawn rubbed her back comfortingly. "I know, neither do Buffy or I."
"Hey," Faith greeted quietly as she entered the kitchen, feeling the tension from outside the door. She walked to her wife and kissed Dawn softly. "Morning," she whispered and Dawn smiled against her lips.
"Morning," Dawn whispered back. She nodded toward the island. "Coffee's fresh."
"When are we going to Phoebe's?" Faith asked as she filled her mug.
"Ten," Paige answered tightly. "That's when she said."
Dawn sighed. "You think she knows?" she queried.
Paige arched her eyebrows in surprise. "Maybe that's why she wants to talk to us," she suggested turning to her two aunts, mother and sister. "Maybe she knows."
Buffy, Dawn and Piper turned to one another, reading the same doubt in each other's eyes. Phoebe could never see clearly when it came to Cole, in fact, she was downright blind.
Faith glanced down at her watch which read 8:30. "We've got just over an hour before we go to Phoebe's so...we've got an hour to figure out how the hell we're going to tell her that…" she didn't finish, not that she needed to. Everyone knew exactly what they were going to talk to Phoebe about.
"And it won't be easy," Dawn admitted looking at her sister. "You know what I mean."
Buffy sighed and nodded. "Yeah."
"What?" Faith asked looking between her wife and sister-in-law.
"I was the one Buffy told of being ripped out of heaven by Willow," Dawn informed her wife. "It wasn't easy for her to even tell me. The thing Buffy had was despite our past she knew I would understand and support her." She looked back at Paige, Piper and Buffy. "We don't have that with Phoebe. We don't know that, especially since it's her husband we're talking about." She looked back toward her wife. "The same would hold true for me if someone came and said you had gone evil. It would be hard for me to accept."
Phoebe and Cole's Apartment
"I don't want to do this," Piper whined for the umpteenth time since they had gotten on the elevator.
"Piper Penelope Halliwell," Buffy admonished her daughter. "We know."
Piper dropped her head onto Buffy's shoulder, "This isn't going to be easy for her to hear and, and she's just...she's been so happy, happier than she's ever been," she stated as the doors slid open to reveal a definitely less than happy looking Phoebe.
"Or not," Paige countered as they slowly walked toward Phoebe.
Phoebe turned from the window at the sound of Paige's voice. "Hi, come on in," she instructed, beckoning them over to the table.
"Phoebe, what's the matter?" Dawn asked as they reached the table. "You look—"
"Terrible?" Phoebe cut in knowingly. "Yeah, I haven't slept in a couple of days."
Dawn glanced at her wife. "Well, that makes three of us," she commented, wincing as she eased into the, thankfully, comfortable chair, pulling Faith into her lap while Buffy, Paige and Piper opted to stand.
Phoebe frowned, extremely gratefully for the momentary distraction as she asked. "Are you okay, Aunt Dawn?"
"Faith and I had a nasty patrol last night," Dawn answered. "Jumped by five Nosferatu at once in Sunnydale."
Phoebe's eyes widened. "You were attacked?"
"Of course we were," Faith said. "Remember I am a Slayer, Phoebe. I'm always targeted by vampires. Just as you, Piper and Paige are trophy kills for upper level demons. Buffy and I both are trophy kills for vampires."
"I'm fine," Dawn said noticing that Phoebe was looking her over. "I was thrown by one of the Nosferatu into a headstone hard. I'm just a little sore."
"Now, what's the matter?" Piper asked bringing their attention back to the fact that Phoebe looked terrible.
Phoebe drew in a deep breath, knowing it would come back to this didn't make it any easier to say. "Um...you guys should probably sit down," she directed at her standing mother and sisters. "Especially you, Mom."
Paige glanced at Piper. "That's funny, we were just coming to ask you to do the same."
Buffy and Piper smacked her legs pointedly and Paige repressed another eye roll, as they took their seats.
Phoebe let her eyes wander until they found a nice, safe spot on the table to stare at, instead of looking any of her family in the eye. "Okay, so, what I'm about to tell you is really big. We're talking huge."
Paige's face lit up and she looked pointedly at Buffy, Dawn, Faith and Piper. "See, she does know."
"Knows what?" Phoebe demanded looking at Paige expectantly, whose eyes widened in alarm.
"Uh...um, you tell us," Piper cut in with a smile.
Phoebe nodded. "Uh...okay. I'm uh..." she stuttered looking from her mother, to her two aunts and finally to her two sisters. She sighed, licked her lips and announced. "I'm pregnant."
"You're what?" Piper winced, inwardly cringing.
"Oh my god!" Paige cried, her face the picture of horror and disgust, "From Cole?" she gasped and all eyes turned to her.
Underworld
Cole stood tall in the Coronation chamber, sword in hand as he swung for the head of the impersonated guard, his severed head rolling to the feet of his partner. He stormed over to the remaining guard, invading his personal space as much as possible. "Find the wizard or you're next," he threatened lowly, slamming the sword to the ground so hard, the tip embedded in the stone, balancing perfectly as he strode away.
Phoebe and Cole's Apartment
"Baby," Dawn said as Faith nodded standing up.
Buffy and Dawn jumped up and rushed around the table to Phoebe hugging her excitedly. "I'm going to be a grandmother," Buffy said excitedly.
"I'm going to be a great-aunt," Dawn added just as excited as her sister.
Phoebe returned both her mother and aunt's enthusiastic embrace, although a little less enthusiastic then Buffy and Dawn. "I don't even understand how this could've happened," she stated. "We were being so careful." She shook her head. "It's just...it's the last thing I expected right now."
"Just wait," Paige commented from her seat as Faith, Dawn, Piper and Buffy glared at her, Phoebe to preoccupied with her own mind to even hear her. She raised her shoulders and widened her eyes innocently mouthing, "What?" to her aunts, mother and sister only to receive a sharp, telekinetic shove from Dawn.
Paige glared and mouthed "ow" to which Dawn merely raised her shoulders and widened her eyes innocently, imitating her youngest niece, whose glare intensified while Dawn smirked.
"Does Cole know?" Dawn questioned as an oblivious Phoebe had started to pace.
"No, not yet," Phoebe answered honestly. "I should've told him, I know, but I didn't know how to. Besides I don't want him to think that I'm not happy about it."
"Are you?" Buffy questioned seriously, meeting her middle daughter's gaze. "Happy about it? Because it's okay if you're not."
Phoebe pursed her lips in thought and replied slowly. "I don't know, Mom." As she eased herself down into the seat next to Buffy, that her mother had retaken. "I'm—You know, part of me is, obviously," she tried to explain, her own emotions not really making any sense to her. "I love Cole. But then there's another part of me that's scared to death. I mean, there's so many changes, and it's all happening so fast." She drew in a deep breath. "I'm not sure I'm ready for this."
"Oh, Phoebe," Buffy sighed, reaching out and taking her hand. "Do you think I was ready when I was pregnant with Prue? No-one's ever ready for their first baby." She chuckled and Phoebe cracked a small smile. "In fact I am kind of dreading it myself, should I ever get the chance to be a mother again. Since it will be my first time in this lifetime. Anyways you should've told us when you found out, and then you wouldn't have to go through it alone."
Phoebe's hand tightened on Buffy's, who rubbed soothing circles with her thumb, as Phoebe replied hesitantly, "I know. But I wasn't sure...how Piper would feel about it," she whispered timidly and Piper frowned.
"Me? Why?" Piper questioned in genuine confusion.
"Because...I know how hard you and Leo have been trying," Phoebe answered slowly, looking Piper in the eye.
Piper sighed, looking away. "Honey, this doesn't have anything to do with me. It has everything to do with you, and, and, I…I'm just as thrilled as mom and Aunt Dawn to become an aunt," she said with a smile. "I can't wait to meet my niece! Don't worry about me," she ordered shaking her head.
Phoebe smiled at Piper and visibly relaxed while Dawn reached out and placed her hand on Piper's knee under the table.
"So when are you going to tell, Cole?" Paige piped up from the other side of the table, arms folded across her chest and pouting, looking seriously like a sulking little kid, yet plastering on a fake smile.
"I don't know," Phoebe exclaimed tiredly. "He's got so much on his plate right now. You know, with starting his new job and everything."
"You're going to have a lot on your plate too," Paige chimed. "More than you realize," she finished and received another telekinetic shove from Dawn for her troubles. "Will you stop doing that, Aunt Dawn," she growled to Dawn through gritted teeth.
"I think my wife is quite in her right as your aunt to…" Faith said as she looked at Dawn. "You are using your powers right?"
"Yeah," Dawn said as she looked at her wife who had returned to sitting in her lap. She looked over at Paige. "Behave," she growled and Paige huffed.
Piper's eyes widened at the tension her younger sister was sending the baby of the family and quickly intervened. "Uh-huh, yeah like how many hours he's going to be working and that he's not going to be home a lot," she tried to pacify.
"That's not what I was talking about, Piper," Paige insisted and Piper dropped her head to the table momentarily before turning to Buffy, Dawn and Faith sharply.
"Paige," Dawn warned evenly but it was too late.
"What do you mean, Paige?" Phoebe questioned calmly.
"It can wait," Buffy answered instead, shooting Paige a warning as the humming of the elevator intensified.
"Oh my god, that's Cole," Phoebe gasped rising to her feet. "He can't know I told you before I told him." she panicked as she pulled Buffy to her feet. "You got to get out of here now. Hurry, orb."
"I thought Cole had a "no orbing" policy?" Paige asked, if only for the chance to stall.
Phoebe shook her head. "No, he doesn't want you orbing in. He doesn't mind you orbing out," she explained her voice an octave higher than usual.
"Now," Piper ordered, yanking Paige's hand and Buffy, Dawn, Faith, Piper and Paige disappeared in swirling orbs as the elevator doors slid open.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Cole looked up to find Phoebe smiling a little too widely at him. "I thought you were at work," she stated and his suspicions heightened.
"I thought you were in bed," Cole retorted. "Are you feeling better?"
"Much," Phoebe answered playing with her hands nervously. "Thanks." The couple stared at one another in an awkward silence before Phoebe decided to make her great escape. "Well, I got to go, baby," She informed her walking around to get her bag. "You know, deadlines."
"But, but I got you something to eat," Cole lifted the hand holding the packaged food.
"Sorry," Phoebe apologized with a small smile. "I'll call you later," she promised lifting her laptop bag and rushing to the elevator.
Cole frowned, utterly perplexed by his wife's behavior as he trailed behind. "Phoebe, what's wrong?"
"Why?" Phoebe asked instantly, turning to face him with a large, forced smile. "What makes you think there's something wrong?"
Cole's eyes widened and his eyebrows rose as he stated, "Because every time you lie, I can see your wisdom teeth."
Phoebe chuckled nervously and slowly wiped the smile from her face. "We'll talk tonight," she offered turning back to the elevator.
"Phoebe," Cole called seriously.
"Please, Cole, not now," Phoebe begged.
"Well, I'm worried," Cole informed her as she slid inside the elevator.
"Well, don't be," Phoebe shrugged, pressing the button urgently, willing the doors to close.
"Well, I am damn it! What's the matter?" Cole snapped, looking her in the eye.
Phoebe sighed as he held her gaze, unwaveringly. "I'm pregnant," she announced hitting the button again as her husband's eyes bulged.
"You're what?" Cole echoed Piper as the doors began slipping closed.
"We'll talk later," Phoebe assured him, her wide smile returning as the doors closed. Leaving a speechless Cole in their wake.
He turned slowly then smiled. "I'm going to be a daddy." He gushed laughing lightly then falling silent as it sank in.
Halliwell Manor
Buffy, Dawn, Faith, Piper and Paige were all situated in the living room. Buffy, Dawn and Faith seated on the couch while Piper paced back and forth in front of them. Paige standing on the other side of the coffee table, arms folded and shaking her head.
"Leo!" Piper yelled again sharply, pausing to place her hands on her hips when orbs filled the air.
"What, is the emergency?" Leo demanded, arms held out expectantly.
Piper stared at her husband with serious eyes. "Phoebe...is pregnant."
"What?" Leo uttered with wide eyes as his tone took on one of excitement. "Really?"
Piper closed her eyes and dipped her head, not liking his enthusiastic response any more than she had liked her mother and aunt's enthusiastic response back at the Phoebe and Cole's apartment.
"Yeah and I think that she deserves to know she's carrying a demon-child, don't you?" Paige declared tersely. "And don't say that we don't know if Cole is a demon because we do." She threw in before Piper could object.
"Well, okay we'll do some more digging," Piper suggested shrugging. "And, and we'll find some solid proof."
Paige shook her head. "No, I think she deserves to know it now, Piper."
Piper shook her own head. "She doesn't need the stress, Paige."
"Even if she's in danger?" Paige questioned, eyebrows arched challengingly.
"Cole would never hurt her," Piper insisted. "He couldn't even hurt her when he was a demon."
Paige held up one finger. "Uh...excuse me, he still is a demon and are you willing to bet her life on it?"
"Okay, whoa!" Dawn interrupted, throwing out her hands and her two nieces fell silent. "Goddess." She sighed. "You two sound like me and Buffy back before she died when I was still in my brat phase."
"Dawn is right," Buffy agreed. Shen then gestured to Leo. "Now, we called Leo for his advice and all you two have done since he arrived is bicker. How is he supposed to help if he can't get a word in edge wise?" she questioned and Piper and Paige both sighed, relaxing their stances and both Buffy and Dawn closed their eyes in relief: the standoff was over.
"Is that what it's been like to for you two since?" Faith questioned.
"At times," Dawn answered. "Welcome to the family, Aunt Faith. It's going to be part of your auntly duties now," she said as Faith chuckled.
Leo smiled at Buffy, Dawn and Faith then addressed the Piper and Paige. "So do you want my advice or not?"
"Depends on whose side you're on," Paige stated narrowing her eyes. "And if you take hers it better not be because you're sleeping with her."
"Paige Elizabeth Matthews!" Buffy admonished her youngest daughter, folding her arms.
"Before we get to the advice," Leo said as he looked at Faith. He pulled out a potion and vial and handed it to the brunette Slayer.
"What's that?" Piper asked, her brow knitting in confusion.
"Unbind?" Faith asked as Leo nodded. She glanced at Piper. "It's to unbind my powers.
"What?" Dawn asked in surprise.
Faith looked at her wife. "The Lehanes aren't my real parents. Their my adoptive parents. My birth mother bound my powers when I was five years old and gave me up to keep me away from my birth father."
"Your birth father?" Buffy asked her sister Slayer in surprise at the revelation.
"A Darklighter," Leo answered. "As you know Darklighters unlike Whitelighters can and do have children with humans, usually witches, sometimes with mortals. Faith is half-witch, half-Darklighter. Well she was anyways."
"What do you mean was?" Faith asked confused.
"Since Slayers have always been future Whitelighters," Leo answered. "The Elders used that part of you to wipe your Darklighter half away and replace it with a Whitelighter half instead."
"So does that mean my birth father…" Faith said.
"Can never find you," Leo said as he smiled at Faith. "Because technically you are no longer his daughter. The only way he could track you was through your Darklighter side. Now, that is not all." He looked toward Dawn. "You now have a new Whitelighter, Dawn."
Dawn's eyes went wide in realization. "My wife is now…"
"Your Whitelighter," Leo finished for her. He looked back at Faith. "I will teach you how to use your orbing power. That way you can orb back and forth to Sunnydale without waiting for me to take your or come get you. I will also teach you how to sense your charge so you will be able to sense when Dawn needs you. You will of course have other powers from your witch side to. But they could develop similarly to Paige's. Only time will tell."
Faith smiled as she uncapped the vial and drank the potion down. She glowed for a second as blue and white orbing lights surround her for a brief moment before disappearing.
"Now," Leo said looking at his family. "I believe you all wanted some advice."
"HELP!" the Wizard cried before Leo could say anything more. He appeared out of nowhere in their foyer, coming to a stop at the stairs.
Buffy, Dawn, Faith Piper, Leo and Paige whipped round to face him, their faces contorting into similar expressions of surprise.
"Please, you got to help me," The Wizard begged.
"Help you?" Buffy frowned, he looked awfully familiar. "Who the hell are you?" she demanded as the guard ordered to take care of him shimmered into the room. The Wizard cried out as the guard hurled an energy ball his way, the Wizard lighting up as it hit him and disappearing.
Piper threw up her hands and flicked her wrists, blowing their second intruder up. "What—what an idiot!" she cried, dropping her hands to her sides, "Doesn't every demon know by now whose house this is?"
"Apparently not," Buffy answered her, hands on her hips.
"Not every demon," the Wizard piped up from his place in the sun room, lounging casually on the seat. "Fortunately for me."
"But he just vanquished you," Paige stated, frowning in confusion as they turned to him.
"No, not me," the Wizard chuckled. "An illusion. One of my little tricks." He smiled. "Comes in handy: saving my life and whatnot."
"You're a wizard?" Leo asked, unsure. He noticed that Buffy was staring intently at the wizard. "What is it?" he whispered to her.
The Wizard smiled. "In the flesh. For lack of a better term."
"He looks familiar," Buffy whispered back. "Like I've seen him before."
"Wait a minute; you just tricked us into vanquishing one of your enemies," Piper said angrily.
The wizard smiled. "My enemies are your enemies."
"Says you," Piper quipped, she looked at her mother and husband. "Mom…Leo…Friend or foe?"
"I don't know," Leo replied guardedly. "I've never met a wizard before, only heard about 'em."
Buffy folded her arms. "Foe," she informed them, squinting at the wizard who she had finally recognized. "I know this sorry excuse of a person. Isn't that right, Principal Snyder?"
Snyder chuckled. "I figured you would recognize me, Miss Summers. Or do you prefer Miss Halliwell now?"
"It's still Summers," Buffy said glaring at her ex-principal. "And how are you alive. Last I saw you, you were being eaten by the Mayor during his ascension at my graduation."
"One of my finer illusions," Snyder smiled at the memory.
Buffy looked at her family. "I say we just vanquish his sorry ass, once and for all. He was nothing but a pain to me in high school." She looked at Faith. "He accused me of killing your predecessor, Kendra. He even kicked me out of school as a result."
"One of my finer moments," Snyder said thinking back on the memory. He took a cautionary step backwards regardless and addressed Leo. "Please, give me a little credit," he asked moving into the living room.
Faith, Piper and Buffy glanced at one another before quickly following him one way, while Dawn, Leo and Paige went the other, effectively surrounding him.
"Why would I seek out the Charmed Ones if I were evil?" Snyder pointed out smartly.
"You've always been evil," Buffy growled.
"Okay, look." Piper held up one hand. "You need to stand still, or I will follow mom's recommendation and you will go poof like your friend in there," she threatened seriously.
Snyder chuckled, pointing to Piper. "You're the touchy one. I've heard about you. Peeper?"
Piper gasped, clearly affronted by his rudeness. "Piper." She looked at her mother. "Was he like this when you knew him?"
"Pretty much," Buffy answered.
"Whatever," Snyder dismissed, walking to the fireplace.
"What do you want?" Buffy asked slowly, her fists clenching.
"Revenge," Snyder answered honestly as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. "On the Source for slaughtering my kind centuries ago." He turned back to mother, aunts and sisters. "And though I am loath to ask for it from Miss Summers, I'll need your help for that."
Dawn scoffed. "Huh...seriously? If you think we're going to help you after how you treated my sister back in school you're kidding yourself."
"Ooh," Snyder chuckled, waving his hands. He looked at Buffy. "You must have your hands full with her."
Dawn clenched her jaw and curled her fist, the candlestick on the table beside him flying up and whacking him on the face.
"OW!" Snyder yelped as he rubbed the soon to be lump on his forehead.
"Oops," Dawn quipped. She looked at Buffy and shrugged. "Guess my brat phase is coming back."
"Maybe you haven't heard," Piper spoke up, smirking pleasantly from her aunt's action. "There's a new Source. The old one is dead."
"Yeah, we already kicked his sorry ass," Paige grinned.
"He didn't die," Snyder informed them. "He was reborn into a new sorry ass." He froze, hearing what he said out loud. "Wait, that didn't come out right."
"Are you kidding me!" Piper cried. "After everything that we went through he found an escape hatch?"
"Rule number two of being a Slayer," Faith said with a shrug. "Expect the unexpected."
"Faith's right," Buffy agreed.
"What's rule number one?" Paige wondered.
"Don't die," Faith and Buffy said in perfect unison.
Snyder snapped his fingers and a whole chicken on a platter appeared and he ginned as he ripped off a leg. "Our only chance to stop him will be tonight," he informed them threw a mouthful of food. "Before he receives his full powers at the coronation."
"Tonight?" Paige echoed, panic rising. "How do we do such a big job on such short notice?"
"We'll steal the Grimoire," Snyder answered, chewing loudly.
"Oh!" Paige nodded then turned to Leo. "What's that?"
"Evil Book of Shadows," Leo answered easily and Paige nodded.
"The Source has to lay his hand on the book as he says the oath," Snyder explained, mouth empty. "Or he doesn't get his powers."
"So we steal a little book and we stop the Source?" Dawn questioned, unimpressed and skeptical. "What's the catch?"
"It's not that easy to steal the Grimoire," Buffy said looking at her sister.
"Miss Summers, is correct," Snyder added, pointing at Buffy who glared. "The catch is it's protected in a secret chamber by his best guards. Now, I know how to get there," he informed them cockily. "But I can't fight them alone," he admitted walking up to Buffy. "What do ya say? Partners?" he offered sticking out the hand holding the chicken leg.
"Get that thing away from me," Buffy ordered sternly as she threw out her hands, freezing her ex-principal.
"I so don't trust him," Piper stated firmly.
"You shouldn't. He made my years at Sunnydale High a living nightmare. I so want to vanquish him," Buffy added in, looking Snyder up and down in disgust.
"I'll check with the Elders, see what they know," Leo offered then nodded to Snyder. "You better get Phoebe. In case he's right, you're going to need the Power of Three. Oh and till I've trained Faith in at least orbing and sensing. My charges with the exception of you all have been temporarily reassigned. That way my focus isn't split too much." He then orbed out.
"I'll go get her," Piper announced in regards to Phoebe.
"No," Paige shook her head, "You've got the freezing power and with him we're going to need it," she cracked, frowning at the frozen ex-principal.
"She's not the only one, Paige," Buffy reminded her youngest daughter.
"Same can be said for you, Mom," Paige retorted. "Between the two of you…"
"She's right," Dawn agreed. "You two and me have the active powers to keep him in line." She looked toward Paige. "And no spilling the beans on Cole," she warned Paige. "Not until all of us agree to."
"Dawn's right," Buffy greed.
Paige held up her hands. "Scout's honor," she swore and walked out to get her coat.
Buffy sighed and waved her hand at Snyder, unfreezing him. "Just so you know, one false move, and Piper makes you into toast. It's either that or I take out some frustrations from high school on you before I finally vanquish you."
"I would be more than willing to help you there, B," Faith said looking at her fellow Slayer.
"Thanks, Faith," Buffy said as she smiled at her sister-in-law. She looked back at Snyder. "Two Slayers, for the price of one or Piper gets to turn you into toast."
"Hmmm," Snyder considered then pounded his staff on the ground twice, the chicken turning into toast. "Got any jam?"
Phoebe and Cole's Apartment
Cole sat on his couch in the living room, laptop out and open on the table surfing the website: Infantabulous while humming the little lullaby playing on the page.
"Is the witch home?" Julie's voice echoed around the room.
Cole paused, looked around and answered slowly, "No." And seconds later the demonic assistant shimmered in behind him.
"Good. I thought you'd like an update," she continued, walking around the couch to face him. "As you ordered, the priests have stepped up security on the Grimoire. So far the wizard has been our only breach—What is the dreadful music?" she questioned with a scowl as she perched on the arm of the chair.
"Oh uh..." Cole hit a button and the music ceased, "...nothing."
Julie tilted her head curiously. "Baby shopping, sir?"
"Yes," Cole admitted with a grin. "As a matter of fact I was. Phoebe's pregnant."
"Oh." Julie's eyes widened. "An heir that's uh...wonderful news but I don't understand why you're..." she nodded to the laptop and Cole shrugged.
"Oh just...keeping up appearances, you know," he dismissed her worries. "Trying to act like a normal father-to-be." He nodded his head slowly but Julie remained unconvinced. "For Phoebe," he added offhandedly.
Julie frowned. "But Phoebe's not here," she stated slowly.
Cole froze, at a loss for what to say, so instead adopted the cherished tactic of avoidance. "Is there anything else you need to update me on?" he questioned closing over the laptop and looking at her expectantly.
Julie took a breath and rose. "May I speak candidly?" she asked seeking permission and Cole offered her a short nod. "I'm worried about you," she stated frankly. "Worried that the witch's influence on you is to great. That the baby will make the pull of love even greater." She walked around the coffee table to stand behind him as she spoke, never once looking him in the eye.
"Oh, if you're worried about the coronation..." Cole began as she placed her hands on his shoulders.
"I'm worried about after the coronation," Julie corrected him while Cole stared at her hand with wide eyes tensing as the demon bent over so her mouth was by his ear as she continued. "The next nine months to be exact...when the bond between you and Phoebe will grow..." she casually stroked her finger down the lapel on his suit jacket will Cole strained away from her, "...and your hold on the humanity within will weaken." She placed one hand on his chest as her voice grew more sultry than concerned, "Unless..."
Cole raised one eyebrow. "Unless?" he urged.
Julie's hand moved to his hair and Cole grew even more uncomfortable. "Unless you allow the Seer to perform her dark magic. Allow me to carry your baby."
"What?" Cole's face contorted in confusion turning to face her.
"You won't need the witch anymore," Julie pointed out as she ran her nails over his neck. "I could be your Queen."
Cole scoffed, pulling away from her and jumping to his feet. "Are you out of you mind?"
Julie sighed as she stood up straight. "I'm trying to save you," she defended herself. "The Underworld will not tolerate a leader who's conflicted. Any sign of weakness and you're not going to survive."
Cole's eyes darkened at her comment. "Are you threatening me?"
"I'm reminding you..." Julie answered, "...of your future, your destiny."
Cole stood up straight, his eyes challenging just daring her to say what he was sure was about to come out of her mouth.
"Neither of which include, the witch," Julie summarized and Cole's jaw tightened. He glared at her until she shimmered out of his home, leaving him to stew.
Cole glanced down at the laptop, picked it up and threw it through the glass coffee table, shards of glass falling at his feet.
Bay Mirror Newspaper Offices
Phoebe rolled her eyes at the voice down the other line of her office phone and gritted her teeth. "Yes, of course, I am aware that there is a deadline but Elise threw my column out at the last minute," She tried to explain.
She listened as the other voice spoke and her eyebrows rose. "Oh, oh how hard can it be to write an advice column?" she repeated feeling her blood boil at the moron grating on her nerves. "Let me show you how hard!" Phoebe exclaimed slamming the phone down on its cradle and knocking over her cup of coffee in the process. "Urgh!" she sighed, closing her eyes and shaking her head.
Paige appeared in the doorway and knocked. "Bad time?" she asked stepping into the office.
"Yes." Phoebe nodded. "No." She changed her mind then shrugged. "Whatever, what is it?" she asked as Paige picked up the fallen coffee cup, placing it back in the desk.
"Well uh...we need the Power of Three," Paige informed her sister apologetically.
Phoebe's fingers froze on the keyboard and her head snapped around. "What? Now? Can't it wait?"
"Cliff notes version: We didn't kill the Source like we thought. He was just reborn and now if we don't help a wizard stop him from getting coronated tonight, he becomes all powerful," she revealed, conveniently omitting the suspicion that Phoebe's husband was the new Source, from her explanation. "Shall we?" Paige shot Phoebe a smile gesturing to the door.
"So...let him get coronated." Was the statement that left Phoebe's mouth instead and Paige felt the world shift.
"Sorry?" Paige stuttered, unable to come up with anything else.
"Well why not?" Phoebe asked turning to look at her. "What's the worst that can happen?"
Paige stared at her with wide eyes and arched eyebrows, completely bewildered by her cavalier attitude. "Uh...besides all hell breaking loose on Earth?" she offered lifting her shoulder, then she frowned. "What's wrong with you?"
"I don't know," Phoebe admitted pulling off her glasses and dropping them onto her desk. "I'm just—I'm having a really bad day right now," she explained, dropping her head into her hands. "Okay uh..." She lifted her head and pushed her chair back. "I'll meet you at the Manor but I have to find Cole first and fill him in."
Paige's eyes widened briefly as alarmed bells rang. "No you don't need to do that," she dismissed with a wave and Phoebe paused, leaning against her desk with questioning eyes. "Besides, he's so busy being Mr. Hot-Shot-Lawyer-Guy and all," she quipped with a small chuckle.
"Okay Paige, what's your problem with Cole now, huh?" Phoebe asked knowingly, one hand on her hip. "Spill it."
"Nothing," Paige insisted, her widened eyes telling another story.
"You're lying! I can see your wisdom teeth."
"I don't have wisdom teeth," Paige informed her, shaking her head innocently.
"Paige!" Phoebe demanded impatiently.
Paige closed her eyes briefly then addressed her sister. "Alright, but you're not going to like it," she forewarned seriously and Phoebe shot her another impatient stare. "Alright," she sighed. "Remember the Vampirus that attacked me and mom a couple of days ago?" she asked and Phoebe inclined her head. "Well, I met him through Cole, at your apartment."
"And?" Phoebe asked tightly.
"And?" Paige frowned. "Don't you think that's a pretty big coincidence for an alleged ex-demon?"
"Alleged?"
Paige repressed an eye roll. "Stop being so naive, Phoebe," she snapped in frustration. "He's been acting strange ever since he got his new job, which for all we know, could be a cover anyway."
Phoebe looked away from her, shaking her head. "I don't believe this," she muttered darkly.
"Face the facts Phoebe," Paige said harsher than intended. "Cole has gone back to his old ways and I am not the only one who thinks so."
"And who would that be?" Phoebe snapped.
"Mom, Aunt Dawn, Aunt Faith," Paige listed with a nod. "And...Piper. That's what we were coming to tell you thi—"
Phoebe scoffed loudly cutting Paige off. "The whole family huh? Well, it's good to know you've got my back."
"But we do Phoebe!" Paige exclaimed. "Why do you think I'm telling you this? We're concerned because we care, because we've got your back. That's what family is for."
Phoebe shook her head, eyes flashing with anger and hurt and also the smallest hint of doubt as she stormed violently past Paige, shoving her out of the way.
"Where are you going?" Paige demanded as Phoebe snatched up her coat and bag.
"To prove you wrong," Phoebe replied, her tone clipped and cold.
Paige shook her head. "What, what about the Source, what about the Power of Three?"
"Screw the Power of Three," Phoebe growled before turning fast and storming away.
Paige gawked at her words, frozen as her sister stormed out and suddenly saw the exact reason her mother, aunts and sister hadn't wanted her to spill the beans.
Phoebe and Cole's Apartment
Phoebe stood in the elevator, playing nervously with her hands as she waited for the metal box to reach its destination, only to feel her anxiety intensify when the doors slid open to reveal her completely silent, and apparently vacant, apartment.
Paige's voice was ringing loudly in her ears, she couldn't rid herself of the thoughts, the questions, the suspicions. The mere possibility that Cole could once again be evil was ridiculous yet a disconcerting likelihood that hurt Phoebe's heart. She had been through so much with him, they had overcome so many obstacles together, it couldn't have been for nothing could it?
Shaking her head, Phoebe took a breath, she had come here to prove Paige wrong, there was no way he was a demon again. Cole Turner was as human as human could be and that was the end of it.
Phoebe paused mid-step suddenly questioning whether her desire to prove her sister wrong was for Paige's reassurance or her own.
Scanning the room with her eyes, everything looked just as it had this morning. Her uncertain eyes found their way to Cole's briefcase, that was on the glass dining table and Phoebe brought her hands to her mouth nervously as she took another step forward. She felt as if that bag held her future in it: either it was full of papers and she was worrying for nothing or it was going to make her even more suspicious of her husband.
With shaking hands Phoebe unsnapped the clasp and hesitantly peered inside. The growing sense of relief that washed over her at the sight of paper and folders made Phoebe's heart skip a beat. She took a folder out and started flipping through it to make sure it wasn't a trick. The breath of relief that escaped her lips was a welcome release and Phoebe quickly replaced the folders.
Setting her purse down on the table Phoebe moved towards her bedroom, the closed doors not entirely unusual but in her current suspicious state of mind she felt the need to check it out, if only to be absolutely certain.
She silently approached the closed doors, her heart racing and her palms sweating. Phoebe's eyes widened as she noticed the coffee table had been shattered, shards of glass littering the floor and her stomach dropped. Hands trembling once again Phoebe placed her hands on the door and stood there for a moment. After she got herself together she turned the knob and pressed the door open.
When she gazed upon the state of her bedroom, all her previous fears were alleviated. The room was filled with stuffed animals, balloons and all sorts of decorations, each one with the same theme: babies.
Cole was tying the last balloon into place as she entered.
Hearing her sharp intake of breath Cole spun around with the expression of a deer in headlights, "You caught me," he admitted with a nervous chuckle then grinned innocently.
Phoebe released her umpteenth sigh of relief since she had walked out of that elevator and smiled as she looked around the room. "Cole," she breathed with dancing eyes, happiness swelling in her heart.
He stood for a moment staring at his wife's radiating beauty then he turned and picked up a bouquet of roses off of the bed. "I love you," Cole stated happily, before handing them to her.
Phoebe stood there speechless, all her fears that had been born of her sisters words were washed away in that moment as she stared into her husband's loving eyes.
Cole came to stand in front of her and gave her a peck on the cheek then bent down lower to kiss her stomach as well.
Phoebe grinned when he did and she happily pressed her lips to his when he came back up, eagerly melting into his loving embrace.
For the moment this was not The Source in control, it was Cole.
Halliwell Manor
"Screw the Power of Three?" Piper repeated with a strong frown, her arms folded unhappily across her chest.
"Those were her words exactly," Paige confirmed, referring to Phoebe, as she walked into the foyer.
"Yes but…screw the Power of Three?" Piper repeated again, shaking her head.
Buffy's eyebrows rose at her declaration as she came down the stairs towards them slowly. "Excuse me?"
Piper and Paige turned to her sharply and Piper shook her head again, "Phoebe's words, not mine."
Buffy's eyebrows rose further. "Excuse me?" she repeated demanding an explanation.
"Phoebe's answer to the problem of the Source," Paige explained as she dumped her coat and bag on the table. "And then she practically flattened me while storming out of her office."
Piper's hands moved to her hips as she observed. "Well, that sounds like more than just hormones."
"What does?" Dawn asked as she came down the stairs behind her sister.
"Apparently, Phoebe said, screw the Power of Three," Buffy informed her sister.
"She what?" Dawn asked in surprise.
"That was my reaction," Buffy said shaking her head.
Paige bit her lip nervously as she elaborated, "Um...yeah, she was a little pissed."
Buffy, Dawn and Piper turned to Paige, their hands on their hips as Piper asked, "About what?" and Paige looked instantly guilty.
Dawn's face darkened. "Oh Paige, you didn't!" she snapped as Piper stomped her foot.
"You told her about Cole!" Buffy cried incredulously.
"She was going to find out eventually," Paige defended herself.
"Yeah, when we..." Piper gestured wildly between the four of them, "...and Aunt Faith decided it was the right time to tell her! Now she's probably never going to speak to us again," she exclaimed, panicking slightly. "You might as well have crowned the new Source yourself!" she snapped and Paige rolled her eyes.
"Exactly how much did you tell her?" Buffy questioned.
Paige closed her eyes. "Um...just about the whole Rowan thing and that we believe Cole's a demon again," she recited with a shrug.
Dawn cocked her head. "So you didn't mention the Source part?" she asked hopefully.
Paige pursed her lips and shook her head firmly.
"Thank goddess," Buffy muttered. "Because we need Phoebe for the plan to work!" she elaborated spinning around and striding towards the kitchen.
"What plan?" Paige asked in confusion.
Piper spun back. "Follow us!" she ordered then stormed into the kitchen after Buffy and Dawn, which really didn't look like a kitchen anymore.
"Whoa," Paige breathed taking in the sight before her. She glanced around at the perfect replica of a cavern found in the underworld, as she approached Piper. "Piper, I think I like the other kitchen better. This is an illusion, right?" she asked slowly.
"Please, tell me she's not the brains of the family." Snyder pleaded from where he stood next to Faith, who had been keeping guard. Piper smiled tightly, while Buffy, Dawn and Faith glared at him, and Paige pulled a very childish face at him, to portray her lack of amusement.
"Grimoire," Buffy pointed to the fake book on the altar in front of them. "Dark Priest, bodyguards and the Source." She pointed to each of them in turn.
Paige tilted her head in the direction of the Source questioningly. "Shouldn't he look like Cole."
Piper swatted at Paige. "We don't know that for sure so mom, Aunt Dawn, Aunt Faith and I are being impartial," she snapped. "All we want is the Grimoire."
Paige nodded. "Alright. What's the plan?"
Piper smirked over at Snyder. "We learn from his mistakes."
"Not mistakes," Snyder corrected sharply. "Miscalculations."
Faith raised an eyebrow at him. "Um...you didn't have any backup, your illusions didn't buy you enough time and you got caught," she listed them off on her fingers then smirked. "Those are mistakes. Stupid, amateur mistakes, I might add." She looked at Buffy. "Right?"
"Right," Buffy as she smirked at Snyder who shifted uncomfortably. "This time we'll go for a bigger distraction, and since the body guards are already after you, you show up and they're bound to chase after you."
Snyder looked between the two Slayers and wisely kept his mouth shut.
Paige smiled as she cottoned on, "Thinning out the demonic ranks, that sounds good."
"Easy for you to say," Snyder whined. "You're not the distraction."
"I'm beginning to see why you hate him so much, B," Faith chuckled. "He's afraid. After all instead of letting the Mayor eat him he did cast an illusion to get out of it."
"Yep," Buffy agreed as Snyder looked at her and Faith with a scowl.
"You'll orb us in." Piper pointed to Paige. "Mom, Aunt Faith, Aunt Dawn and I will keep the demons busy and you and Phoebe will snag the book."
Paige regarded the book carefully as she thought the plan over and nodded satisfied. "Sounds simple enough," she stated reaching for the book only to have Snyder use his staff to send it flying.
"Would I come to you if it were that simple?" he questioned patronizingly.
"It's like the Book of Shadows , only it protects itself from good," Buffy explained helpfully and Dawn, Paige and Piper nodded.
"Makes you wish I was still part Darklighter instead of part Whitelighter doesn't it," Faith said. "Then I could have picked it up because I would have been half-evil."
"Well hindsight is always twenty-twenty, baby," Dawn said as she took Faith's hand in her own and brought it up to her lips as she kissed it.
"So you'll use this sack." Piper said, handing it over to Paige. "We'll put a spell on it so it can hold the Grimoire."
"Mom? Piper?" Phoebe called as she came through the kitchen door and caught sight of the fake Dark Priest.
"DEMON!" she yelled levitating into the air.
"PHOEBE, NO!" Buffy yelled as her daughter tried to kick the demon only to have the illusion disappear and land on the island instead.
Phoebe frowned as she pushed herself up. "Hello! Confusion."
Snyder shook his head. "I can't work like this."
"Oh shush!" Buffy snapped, rolling her eyes at him.
"Phoebe this is the Wizard," Piper introduced them. "Apparently he was also mom's high school principal."
"High school principal?" Phoebe asked confused as she turned to the small man as he took a seat at their kitchen table.
"Yes," Snyder said with a roll of his eyes. "I was Miss Summers high school principal."
"And that was one of his illusions," Piper concluded.
"An illusion," Phoebe repeated swinging her legs around so she was facing Snyder and sitting properly on the island.
Snyder banged his staff on the ground twice and two milk maids appeared, one in his lap massaging his head and the other behind him doing the same to his shoulders.
Phoebe's eyes widened. "Um...like those?" she questioned, turning back to her family, each of whom looked as disturbed as she felt.
"Yeah...don't mind him," Dawn advised her. "He's been at it all day the pig."
"Like you wouldn't want to duplicate me," Faith told her wife suggestively. "Twice the fun."
"Hmm," Dawn said and then leaned over and kissed Faith. "No, there will always be only one of you."
"Not that I'm not happy to see you Phoebe, but...why are we seeing you, considering how we left it?" Paige questioned timidly.
Phoebe gave her younger sister a fleeting glance. "I'm not about to shun my Wiccan duties, Paige, no matter what."
Paige frowned. "But what about...what we talked about?" she pushed, eyeing Phoebe carefully.
"I love Cole," Phoebe informed them with a smile. "And I trust him, even if you guys don't."
Buffy, Dawn and Piper each closed their eyes at that statement and looked down while Faith raised her eyebrows and Paige looked away.
"And we can discuss our problems later." Phoebe turned back to Snyder. "I came here to help you with Merlin."
"Please," Snyder droned, tilting his head to them. "Merlin was an overrated hack. Tell me he's not the only wizard you people have ever heard of."
"You people?" Buffy uttered incredulously.
"Well does Harry Potter count?" Dawn quipped smartly and Faith chuckled.
Snyder shook his head and looked at Buffy. "Maybe I was too hard on you with the fact you have to deal with her," he said pointing at Dawn.
"Hey, Buffy doesn't have to deal with me," Dawn said clearly offended. "One I am eighteen. Two I am married."
"Besides," Buffy added. "My baby sister has been the most caring, supportive woman I know." She looked at her daughters. "No offense."
"None taken," Piper, Phoebe and Paige said in unison.
Buffy returned her attention as she glared at Snyder. "Alright, enough," she ordered sharply. "You can live your life of instant gratification after we're done." Snyder looked at her questioningly and she scoffed. "Get rid of them!" she snapped and he sighed.
"You call this a life?" Snyder drawled, shaking his head as his illusion ended and he rose to his feet. "This is no life. Illusions are as empty to me as they are to you," He informed them sadly. "They're only a reminder of a reality long since lost, of a world...filled with wizards, of friends, of family," he stressed looking at each of them pointedly, and Paige's face softened with Piper looked down once more and Dawn turned away, her eyes glistening.
Buffy let out a sigh. "Maybe I've been too hard on you," she admitted as she looked at Dawn. "After all my sister and I know how that feels all too well."
Snyder nodded as he stuck out his hand toward the blonde Slayer. "Then you know that it's all an illusion without family."
Buffy nodded. "Yeah," she said as she took his hand. While she may never forgive him for what he did when she was in high school. She could at least let bygones be bygones. "I do." She looked back at Dawn. "All too well."
Snyder followed Buffy's gaze to the youngest Summers sister and nodded in understanding as he leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "It's true isn't. Last summer?" Buffy nodded. He looked back at Dawn and nodded. "If I could create an illusion for her to where she didn't remember that, I would."
"Thanks," Buffy said.
Snyder took a step back from and looked at the entire family. "Help me stop the Source," he begged them and they looked over. "Help me right this wrong."