Chapter 7: Scry Hard Part 1

March 22, 1997 – Saturday

Halliwell Manor

The attic door swung open, and Leo and Piper stepped into the familiar space. "Ready?" Leo asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

Piper nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Mm-hmm."

With a gentle flourish, Leo removed his hands from Piper's eyes, revealing the transformed attic. The once cluttered and chaotic room now radiated tidiness and order. Piper took a moment to absorb the changes Leo had made. Everything had found its proper place, and the change was evident. "Wow," she exclaimed, shocked at the change.

Leo beamed, seeking affirmation. "Isn't it great?"

Piper hesitated, searching for the right words. "Um... it's... it's something," she finally said.

A hint of disappointment tinged Leo's voice. "You hate it."

Piper quickly reassured him, not wanting to hurt his feelings. "No, no, I don't hate anything. It's just... well, the dining room and then the living room. And, you know, when you rearranged the kitchen... I did kind of hate that."

Leo sighed, feeling a bit dejected. "Piper, you're always complaining about what a mess it is up here," Leo said as Phoebe entered the attic, drawing their attention.

"Whoa," Phoebe exclaimed, taking in the transformed space.

"Yeah, I know, but it's an attic," Piper said looking around. "And it's supposed to be messy." As she walked over to the shelves she glanced at her husband. "Sweetie, it's not that I don't appreciate you helping around the house, because I do, really. It's just, um… it's just a little much."

Just then they heard someone orbing into the attic and turned to see Paige and Buffy.

"Hey, dad," Buffy said.

Leo, eager to shift the focus, greeted his daughter warmly as he pulled her into his arms. "Hey, Buffy."

Phoebe's eyes widened with surprise. "Buffy? Nice to meet you."

"Phoebe, I'd like you to meet Buffy Sum…" Leo said as he steered his daughter toward Phoebe trying to introduce the pair.

Buffy quickly interjected, clarifying her last name. "Wyatt. Buffy Wyatt. Well, unofficially for now. I plan to change it when I turn eighteen and Hank no longer has to pay child support. Then I can change it."

Leo nodded, a proud smile gracing his face. "That's up to you, Buffy. But I must say, I'm proud that you want to have my name."

Piper, eager to include Buffy in the conversation, approached her with open arms. "So, Buffy, are you ready to spend the weekend with your father?"

Buffy returned the embrace, her smile genuine. "You bet. Though Piper, I hope you're not offended if I don't call you 'mom.' It just feels weird, you know?"

Leo interjected, offering an alternative if she felt weird calling him dad. "You can call me Leo if you prefer."

Buffy considered for a moment before responding. "That's alright, Dad. You are my father, and while it's a little weird with our age difference, physical age difference, I know that you're really over fifty years old. I still want to call you 'Dad.' Okay, Dad?"

Leo's eyes welled up with emotion as he nodded. "Okay."

"It was nice to finally meet you, Buffy," Phoebe interjected, realizing she needed to leave for work. "I need to get going."

"Want me to give you a lift?" Paige offered. "I need to head over to Magic School anyways. Got some backlog I need to deal with since I haven't been in since I started working in Sunnydale."

""Sure," Phoebe accepted, moving next to her sister and taking Paige's hand.

"Call me if you need me," Paige said before she orbed out of the attic with Phoebe.

"I'm sure you'd like to meet your brothers," Piper said, leading Buffy toward the door.

Suddenly, a demon shimmered into the attic, startling everyone present. The demon swiftly attacked, grazing Leo with a boomerang before vanishing. The boomerang returned and lodged itself in the attic door.

"That was weird," Buffy said and then she noticed her father's injury. "Dad, you okay?"

Leo brushed it off, downplaying the wound. "I'm fine." He removed the boomerang from the wall and headed toward the Book of Shadows.

Piper, concerned for Leo's well-being, intervened. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to identify that demon," Leo replied, determined to take action.

"Dad, you really should sit down while Piper gets some bandages and antiseptic," Buffy suggested, urging him to take care of his wound.

Leo glanced at his injured arm. "It's just a scratch," he dismissed before focusing his attention on the boomerang. "I think this crescent might be tribal."

Piper, frustrated by Leo's lack of concern for his own safety, spoke up. "You're not listening to Buffy or me. You're not vanquishing anybody."

Leo's gaze shifted between Piper and Buffy; his determination unwavering. "Why not?"

Piper and Buffy exchanged glances, realizing they needed to make him understand. They each took one of Leo's hands, leading him to the couch where they all sat down. "Well, for one thing, because you can't self-heal anymore," Piper explained. "Hunting demons is dangerous."

"Okay, well, you can't self-heal either," Leo countered. "And it doesn't stop you."

"Dad," Buffy interjected, her voice filled with concern. "Piper and I both have powers. She can freeze things..."

"And blow things up," Piper added with a wry smile.

"And I'm also a Slayer, besides being a witch and a Whitelighter," Buffy continued. "I have increased strength, agility, and an enhanced healing rate."

Leo sighed, finally realizing the weight of their words. "Yeah, I noticed."

"Leo..." Piper began, her voice pleading.

"Look, I don't know why you two are making such a big deal out of this," Leo said, frustration lacing his voice.

"Because we don't want to lose you, Dad," Buffy confessed, her vulnerability shining through. "Right, Piper?"

Piper nodded; her eyes filled with emotion. "Right, Buffy."

Leo's resolve softened as he looked into the eyes of his daughter and his wife. He finally understood the depth of their love and concern for him. "Well, demons try to kill us almost every week," he pondered. "What do you two want me to do, go hide in Magic School?"

"It's a thought," Piper said, her voice sincere.

Leo let out a defeated sigh, realizing the gravity of the situation. "I was kidding."

"Well, I'm not," Piper insisted firmly.

"I don't know where this Magic School is or what it is," Buffy admitted, her gaze fixed on Leo. "But I just found you, Dad. I don't want to lose you."

Piper added her final plea. "Also, it's great that you gave up your powers to be with us and everything, but things are going to have to change. You've only got one life to live, and I'd like you to start taking care of it."

Leo contemplated their words, realizing that they were right. He didn't become mortal to hide away, but he needed to find a balance that would keep him safe and allow him to be there for his family.

"Well, I didn't become mortal to go run and hide," Leo finally conceded. "I'm staying put."

"Leo, please –" Piper said.

"Dad," Buffy said.

Leo shook his head. "I made up my mind."

Piper looked at Buffy, who reluctantly nodded. She turned back to Leo and immediately attended to his wound, pressing a cloth against it. "Ow!" he exclaimed, momentarily distracted from the seriousness of their conversation.

"Well, I have to clean it, don't I?" Piper retorted, her tone laced with both concern and a touch of playfulness.

As they tended to Leo's wound, they were interrupted by Wyatt's voice from the attic doorway.

"Da-da."

All heads turned to see Wyatt standing there, capturing their attention with his innocent presence.

"Hey, little guy," Buffy said, walking over to Wyatt and kneeling down. "You must be Wyatt. I'm your big sis, Buffy."

Forgetting about his wound, Leo stood and moved beside Buffy, joining her in greeting his eldest son. He knelt down next to her, embracing Wyatt in a heartfelt hug. "Hey, hey. Look, everything's okay," He reassured Wyatt, showing him his scratched arm. "Look, see? It's just a scratch, okay? Yeah, it's nothing."

Piper and Buffy watched, their hearts filled with concern for Leo, as he enveloped Wyatt in his protective embrace.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Buffy sat cross-legged on the floor; her gaze fixed on Leo as they played with Wyatt in front of the dollhouse. She had positioned herself close enough to intervene if any danger arose, yet far enough to not arouse suspicion. Chris happily occupied himself in the playpen nearby, his giggles filling the room.

Buffy couldn't help but admire the way Leo interacted with Wyatt. His genuine affection and patience were evident in every gesture and word, creating a bond that filled Buffy's heart with warmth. She cherished these moments of normalcy amidst the chaos of their supernatural lives.

However, her Slayer instincts were always on high alert. The absence of Piper, who had gone to seek Paige's assistance, left a void in their defense. Buffy felt a heightened responsibility to protect Leo and her half-brothers, even if it meant silently watching over them without revealing her true intentions.

While the scene seemed idyllic, Buffy's senses remained attuned to any potential threat. She monitored the room with a laser-like focus. Her gaze shifted between Leo, Wyatt, and Chris, ensuring their safety while staying prepared for any unforeseen danger.

Magic School

Paige sat at her desk, surrounded by papers and schedules, desperately trying to untangle the web of her numerous responsibilities. Juggling her duties as a Whitelighter for Buffy, Dawn, and Joyce, her job in Sunnydale, her Charmed One responsibilities, and her position as the headmistress of Magic School was proving to be an overwhelming challenge. She sighed in frustration, feeling the weight of her obligations pressing down on her.

Just then, Piper walked through the door into the study, interrupting Paige's thoughts. "Busy?" Piper asked, taking note of her sister's exasperated expression.

Paige looked up at Piper and let out another sigh. "Just trying to figure out the scheduling nightmare. Between being Buffy, Dawn and Joyce's Whitelighter, Rupert's assistant in Sunnydale, and running this school, I feel like I have no time left for you guys anymore."

"You'll figure it out," Piper said.

"So, what's up?"

Piper took a seat in the chair across Paige's desk, placing a boomerang on the surface. She sighed deeply before speaking. "A demon attacked Leo," she revealed, her voice tinged with concern.

Paige's eyes widened in alarm. "What? Is he okay?" she asked, her worry evident in her voice.

Piper nodded, her expression reflecting a mix of relief and urgency. "He's fine for now, but I need you to scry with this boomerang and then vanquish the demon. I would do it myself, but I have to get back home and help Buffy protect Leo."

Paige furrowed her brow, pondering Piper's words. "Why didn't you just bring both Buffy and Leo here?" she wondered.

"Leo's being stubborn," Piper explained, her frustration evident. "That's why Buffy is still there. She's a witch, remember?"

"With no active powers," Paige reminded her sister. "And she's still in training."

Piper sighed, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Well, the Slayer side of her will have to make up for that until she learns more."

"But until she masters telekinetic orbing, she won't have a reliable defense against attacks like fireballs," Paige pointed out. "We have to remember that Buffy hasn't faced the same kind of demons we have. Most of the ones drawn to the Hellmouth are low-level. She hasn't even encountered a Warlock yet. But let's get back to Leo. Adjusting to being human is a big change for him. We also need to accept that he can't heal us anymore."

"Or himself," Piper added solemnly. "And I don't want to keep pushing Wyatt to tap into his powers before he's ready."

"Why not?" Paige asked. "He healed you before."

"Yeah. With some help," Piper reminded her sister. "But we can't keep traumatizing him like that. We've got to find another way. So, you can handle all this?"

Paige nodded in agreement. "Absolutely."

Piper stood up, preparing to leave. "By the way, you might want to call Phoebe. That boomerang is probably linked to some tribe," she suggested.

"Got it. All over it," Paige said. "I might call Joyce also; having someone who can turn invisible would help."

"Good thinking," Piper acknowledged. "And thanks for the help." She gave her sister a grateful smile before making her way out of the study, leaving Paige to tackle the challenges that lay before her. With determination in her heart, Paige picked up the boomerang, ready to scry for the demon and bring an end to the threat hanging over Leo and their family.

Halliwell Manor

Buffy still at next to Leo and Wyatt in front of the dollhouse, her senses still focused on protecting Leo as he engaged in a playful conversation about the different rooms with Wyatt.

"That's the attic, very good," Leo said with a proud smile on his face. "That's where we are right now. What's this right here?" he pointed toward where his and Piper's room was. Wyatt motioned toward him in response. "That's mommy and daddy's room, right."

Nearby, Chris giggled with excitement in his playpen, capturing Buffy's attention briefly. Despite the fact she was there to protect them till Piper got back, she couldn't resist the urge to join in the fun, so she got up, picked up Chris, and returned to her seat, holding him in her arms.

Leo looked to Buffy and smiled. He couldn't be happier that she was taking the adjustment of being a big sister to two boys she hadn't met before today so easily.

Just as he settled back into their playful interaction with Wyatt, Piper entered the attic, breaking the momentary tranquility. Concern laced her voice as she addressed Leo, "Hey, everything all right?"

Leo nodded, his expression reassuring. "Yeah, everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be?"

Piper's gaze shifted from Leo to Buffy, a brief smile forming at the sight of her stepdaughter embracing her son. But as her attention returned to Leo, the smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Well, you know, seeing as how a demon tried to K-I-L-L you ..."

"Right. Uh ... well, I'm fine," he said.

"Why are you so defensive?" Piper questioned; her concern evident.

Leo paused for a moment, his eyes meeting Buffy's. They shared an unspoken understanding, the knowledge of why Buffy had been by his side throughout Piper's absence. Then, he finally responded, "Oh, I guess maybe I feel like I have something to prove."

Buffy sighed; her voice filled with genuine concern. "Dad, we were just trying to protect you. You're mortal now, remember?"

Leo nodded, grateful for their protective instincts, and directed his gaze toward Piper and Buffy. "But you two don't need to be," he insisted.

Piper's response was immediate and firm. "Obviously, we do," she stated firmly, unwilling to let Leo shoulder the burden alone.

Buffy, on the brink of tears, added her voice to the conversation. "Yeah, Dad. I just found out about you last week. I don't want to lose you before I get a chance to know you." With a heavy heart, she gently placed Chris back into his playpen and rose from her seat, making her way toward the door. Piper followed her, sensing the depth of their emotions.

"Piper, Buffy, wait," Leo called after them, understanding the need for a grown-up conversation. He looked at Wyatt and spoke with a reassuring tone, "Me, Mommy, and your big sister need to talk, okay? I'll be right back." With that, he got up from his spot and followed Piper and Buffy out of the attic, leaving Wyatt to continue playing with the dollhouse.

Underworld

Paige, Phoebe, and Joyce materialized, their eyes scanning the dark and foreboding surroundings. Joyce let out a sigh, her nerves evident. "Paige, I appreciate you unbinding my powers, but I still don't know if I'm ready for this."

Paige placed a comforting hand on Joyce's shoulder. "You are, Joyce. Besides, Phoebe and I will handle most of the vanquishing. I thought your invisibility might come in handy, though. Speaking of which, can you make others invisible too?"

Joyce nodded, a hint of determination shining in her eyes. "As long as they're touching me, yes. I'll do my best."

Phoebe interjected with a reminder of their limited time. "By the way, we have ten minutes," she informed them.

Paige's eyes widened in surprise. "What? I told them I'd be right back!"

Joyce looked perplexed. "Who did you tell?"

"Her editor, Elise, most likely," Paige explained. "Phoebe works as an advice columnist for the Bay Mirror." She looked toward her older sister. "And it's going to take what it's going to take."

Phoebe sighed, a hint of frustration in her voice. "Yeah, I know, but I have a deadline. Do you have any idea how much work goes into each edition? And I can't believe Elise just dropped—"

"Phoebe, focus," Paige interrupted, reminding her sister of their imminent task.

"Okay, so now what do we do?" Phoebe asked.

"Good question," Joyce said. She took Phoebe and Paige's hands, and the trio faded from view, blending into the shadows of the Underworld.

As they began to walk down a dimly lit tunnel, their concentration broken by the sudden appearance of Zankou. The formidable demon materialized in front of them, his presence unsettling. "Greetings," he sneered, his gaze scanning the area.

Paige couldn't help but voice her confusion. "He can see us?"

Zankou smirked, pointing at the tracks they had left behind. "No, I can't see you, but I can see where you've been," he taunted, a menacing glint in his eyes.

With a swift movement, Joyce released her hold on the sisters' hands, preparing for a potential confrontation. Phoebe spoke up, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Zankou, what are you doing here?" She glanced toward her sister. "Paige, what is he doing here?"

Paige shrugged, feeling a surge of frustration. "How the hell am I supposed to know?"

Zankou, his intentions veiled, pressed for answers. "Where's your other sister, Piper? And who is this new witch?"

Joyce hesitated, caught between revealing her identity and the urgency of the situation. "Joyce," Joyce said. "I'm one of …"

Paige intervened, giving Joyce an apologetic glance. "Why do you want to know?" she asked, her tone guarded.

Zankou's response offered no solace. "I have my reasons," he replied cryptically.

Sensing the need to act swiftly, Phoebe tried to redirect the conversation. "Look, we'd love to stay and chat, but we have urgent business to attend to."

But before they could make their escape, Zankou snapped his fingers, summoning three demons to his side. Paige's realization set in. "I know."

This is going to take longer than ten minutes," Paige muttered as she and Phoebe swiftly hurled potions at Zankou. However, the cunning demon anticipated their attack, ducking to avoid the potions, resulting in the demons behind him being vanquished instead.

Halliwell Manor

Leo descended the stairs and found Buffy observing Piper watering the plants in the living room. He couldn't help but notice the tension in the air. With a hint of confusion, he questioned, "Why are you two so mad at me?"

Piper, still focused on her task, responded first, her frustration apparent. "Because you're going to get yourself killed," she stated firmly, earning a nod of agreement from Buffy. "That's why."

Leo attempted to defend himself. "But... well, I can handle myself."

Buffy chimed in, her tone a mix of concern and exasperation. "Really, Dad? The way you handled yourself earlier when the demon attacked?"

Leo tried to maintain his composure. "Yeah, you know, I could have handled that."

"Yeah. You know, I could have handled that," Leo said as Piper moved to another plant.

"How?" Piper and Buffy asked simultaneously.

"Oh, you know," Leo replied. "I would've thought of something."

Piper, no longer able to contain her irritation, moved to another plant, her words laced with sarcasm. "Well, I'm so glad you would've thought of something. And now neither Buffy nor I have to worry."

Leo, realizing the gravity of the situation, shifted his approach. "Okay, it was good that you both were there, but that doesn't give either of you the right to protect me without my knowing about it," he reminded them, acknowledging the unspoken reason for Buffy's presence while Piper had gone to Magic School.

Buffy stepped forward; her voice filled with sincerity. "We were trying to protect you, Dad."

Leo nodded, understanding their intentions. "Well, okay, but I'm supposed to protect both of you."

Piper, still trying to comprehend the underlying issue, questioned, "Is that what all this is about?"

Leo confirmed her assumption with a nod. "It's part of it. Look, it's my instinct to protect you, Piper, as well as you, Buffy. And the reason I don't hide from demons is because I've never had to."

Buffy, sighing with a mixture of empathy and frustration, spoke up. "I think Piper and I both realize that. But that was back when you weren't mortal either."

Leo acknowledged their perspective. "It's good you both realize that, but Wyatt doesn't. And now he's seen me get hurt. And I don't want that to hurt him," he expressed, his concern for his son evident.

Piper nodded, reassurance in her eyes. "Okay, look, we are going to get through this."

Buffy affirmed her support. "I'm in agreement, Dad."

Leo addressed them both, seeking their understanding. "I know we are. But Piper, you yourself said it was going to take time, okay? And when I do, I need you both to support me, you know, not drowning the plants."

Piper conceded, recognizing the validity of his point. "Well, I guess we all have our own ways of dealing with things."

Buffy added, her determination shining through. "She has a point. If I could orb already, I likely would have gone back to Sunnydale, found a nest, and worked out my frustrations on some vampires."

Just as their conversation reached a temporary resolution, the peace was shattered by the sudden appearance of Craven and two demons in the conservatory. Piper, Buffy, and Leo turned to face them, their defenses rising.

"What are you doing here?!" Craven demanded, clearly surprised to find them in the manor.

Piper, without missing a beat, swiftly blasted two of the demons while Craven dodged the attack.

Leo, instinctively protective, urged Buffy into action. "Dining room."

Buffy was already on the move. "We saw where he went," she replied, determination in her voice.

Piper intervened, cautioning Leo. "Stay here."

Leo, concerned for Buffy's safety, couldn't help but express his worry. "Buffy, be careful. This is an upper level, not like those you've faced."

Buffy reassured him with a confident response. "I got that, Dad." Piper followed her as they turned a corner, expecting to find Craven, only to discover he had vanished. "Let's split up. We have a better chance of finding him."

"Agreed," Piper concurred. "And do as your father said, be careful."

Buffy promised, a smile gracing her face. "Promise," she said to Piper as they parted ways.

Leo heard footsteps on the stairs. "Wyatt," he called out, making his way toward the staircase. Turning into the main hallway, he noticed a shadow on the floor and looked up to see Wyatt standing at the top of the stairs. Concerned, Leo urged him, "Wyatt, get upstairs."

Meanwhile, Craven, in the conservatory, retrieved a boomerang and hurled it toward Leo. Piper, emerging from her position behind Craven, realized the imminent danger. "Leo!" she shouted, a mix of fear and urgency in her voice.

Buffy, alerted by Piper's cry, swiftly turned and raced back toward Leo, her protective instincts kicking in.

Piper, acting swiftly, blasted Craven, striking him in the arm and causing him to collapse to the floor.

The boomerang struck Leo in the back of his left shoulder just as Buffy reached him. "Dad?" she said, worry evident in her voice. Leo winced in pain as she pulled the boomerang from his shoulder and tossed it aside.

Piper rushed to their side, her concern mirroring Buffy's. "Leo? Are you okay?"

Leo winced again, trying to downplay the severity of the situation. "Yeah... no, no. Don't let Wyatt see," he pleaded. He, Buffy, and Piper turned their attention toward Wyatt, who still stood on the stairs, unknowing of the danger they had just faced.

Piper, attempting to shield Wyatt from the unsettling scene, spoke softly. "Honey, why don't you go upstairs?"

Leo chimed in, trying to reassure Wyatt. "Mommy, daddy, and big sis are fine."

Buffy, sensing Wyatt's confusion, approached him with care. "Hey little bro, what's the matter?"

Wyatt looked at the three of them, his expression a mix of innocence and concern.

Piper, puzzled by Wyatt's behavior, whispered to herself, "What is he doing?" In an instant, she, Buffy, and Leo vanished from sight, their whereabouts unknown.