Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy: The Vampire Slayer or Charmed.

Halliwell Manor

"Well, from what we know, there hasn't been any large demonic activity in years, we vanquished the Source of All Evil, two of them, actually and we haven't faced anyone as powerful as Zankou or the Triad in years and if there was some new player, I think we would know it soon." Piper said.

"So what you're saying is that you have no likely suspects on who sent the demons after us." Buffy said.

"Well, it's a given that demons of the Underworld would go after the Slayer and her friends, but it's been years since anyone took claim in the leadership of the demons." Paige said.

"The Source, Cole, me when I was evil…" Phoebe said with a shudder as Piper and Paige tensed from the memory, when she had been evil because of her carrying Cole's child. "Zankou, the Triad, Neena. After that, the demons have been laying low for years, outside of some occasional attempted murder and wreaking havoc here and there and it hasn't been only us protecting the innocent but other witches and Whitelighters too and nothing big has been going on in years."

"And suddenly, someone decides to send demons after a Slayer, whose friend is one of the most powerful witches ever and a charge of my daughter, just when they arrive to San Francisco? Isn't that a bit convenient?" Piper questioned.

"You're saying someone might be targeting both your family and us." Dawn said, realizing what were the sisters getting at.

"Do you think it's Wolfram & Hart? I know Angel and Spike aren't with those guys anymore, but this seems right up their alley, sending supernatural assassins after us and anyone they see as a threat to them, like the Charmed Ones." Xander said.

"I don't think so, if it was the Senior Partners, they'd be subtler about it. Direct attack in public isn't their style, they wouldn't want that kind of a hit traced back to them anyhow, no matter if we could do something about it or not." Faith pointed out, since she knew how they operated from Angel and Spike.

"What do you think? A new player?" Willow asked.

"Or maybe it's someone we know trying an all new game plan." Buffy said. If magic was involved, there was a handful of suspects Buffy and Willow could think of, but they had no solid leads to be sure about it right now.

The Underworld

A group of demons and warlocks were gathered in some cavern, when Ethan and Amy were approaching.

"Why should we trust a witch and a warlock?" One of the demons questioned.

"Because the power they have can equal the Charmed Ones', they also took on the Slayer years ago." Another demon said.

"And failed." One of the warlocks pointed out.

"They promised they would help bring the Source back in exchange for our help and they have proven powerful enough. I say we let them help, for now. After the Source returns, we won't need them anymore, well, maybe their powers… the Source will reward us immensely for it." Another warlock said with a malicious grin.

"I like the sound of that." Another demon smirked before turning to the duo.

"You promised us that the Source would return. We've done everything you've asked ever since you arrived and so far we've gotten nothing in return yet, despite all your promises!" One of the demons shouted, feigning impatience.

"In due time. We don't have everything we need yet. What we need to complete our plan is the Slayer, one of the Charmed Ones and the witch friend of theirs. Get them." Amy said.

The demons nodded as they shimmered away.

"You do realize that the Charmed Ones and the Slayers will vanquish them anyway." Ethan pointed out and Amy smirked.

"That is exactly what I'm counting on." Amy said.

Halliwell Manor

"I think we'll have to ask the Elders, if they know something." Paige said and Phoebe, Piper and Melinda immediately looked frustrated.

"Didn't you say that they're just a bunch of jerks?" Buffy asked, turning to Melinda.

"When it matters, they'll help, but they're not someone you want to rely on often." Phoebe said.

"Sounds familiar." Xander said, though he immediately received glares from Buffy, Faith and Willow, since they weren't in the mood for another one of his rants about Angel or Spike.

"Wait. If these demons can be only killed by magic, how are we supposed to fight them? I mean, they're not the Hellmouth variety we usually face." Faith said.

"Lower-level demons can be easily vanquished with basic magic or a vanquishing potion. I'll teach you how to make them. As for upper-level demons, you'd need more powerful magic to vanquish them, like the Power of Three, the collective magic of the sisters, though I think you're powerful enough on your own." Melinda said, turning to Willow, who sighed.

"I haven't used magic in a year." Willow said and Buffy and Dawn realized why was she hesitant.

"You're afraid that you'll slip into the magic so much that you'll become over-reliant on it and addicted to it." Paige said, since that reminded her a lot of Richard as she resisted the urge to groan. He wasn't the worst guy she had dated, but the fact that he was letting the magic become a part even of the most basic aspects of his life, showering her with gifts she had never asked for, included, gave her an insight on how magic can affect someone using it daily. "Don't worry, we've been through something similar too and we'll look out for you, if something happens."

Willow nodded appreciatively.

"I think we could use a breather and head out. I mean, it's been a crazy night." Faith suggested.

P3, San Francisco

They sat at a booth, listening to the band playing on stage and watching people dancing to the music on the dancefloor.

"Well, we sure aren't alone anymore." Dawn said as they listened to Chad Kroeger singing the chorus.

"We could ask Oz to play here someday." Willow suggested.

"Yeah, could be like old times." Buffy said.

"Rock isn't really my thing but from the tracks you played to me, I think they're fine." Melinda said. "A lot of bands have been here, like Goo Goo Dolls, Liz Phair for example, but these days, it's just DJ running the music most of the time, which is a shame. We're lucky."

"Damn, I think we should've moved to San Francisco sooner." Faith said.

"What, you wanna dance and rock the place?" Xander joked.

"You know me too well for your own good, Xan-man." Faith chuckled, when they were being served drinks and they picked the glasses.

"Well, cheers to being alive…" Buffy began.

"…being reunited with Willow…" Dawn continued.

"…and getting a super awesome new witch friend." Xander said as they clinked their glasses and Melinda blushed.

"'Super awesome' is a bit too high praise but I'll take what I can get." Melinda said, a little embarrassed.

"So, I'm just gonna ask you, am I your first charge?" Willow asked as she turned to Melinda, who was a bit taken aback. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're helping me, it's just… from what you told me about the Whitelighters and you being one…"

Melinda sighed. "I admit, I have fought my share of demons and warlocks and protected and saved innocent people, but it wasn't anything as big scaled as my parents or you, it's not like I'd have a nemesis who has it out for me, as for being a Whitelighter… to be honest, you're the first charge I ever got, but my dad and Paige showed me the ropes long enough for me to at least know what Whitelighters should expect."

"And you said that I'll get another one." Willow said.

"Why can't you tell us who?" Buffy pleaded and Melinda sighed.

"I told you there are rules I must follow and I already told you more than I should have." Melinda said as she drank, making it clear she refused to divulge any further information.

"How about we chill out?" Faith suggested.

"Not a bad idea." Buffy said.

"I'm in." Xander said.

"Oh, yeah." Dawn said as they approached the dancefloor and danced.

Willow observed them, happy that they were having a good time, but as much as she wanted to join, it didn't feel like it would satisfy her. There was still a hollow spot in her heart that nothing could ever fill.

"Willow? Are you alright?" Melinda asked worriedly and Willow sighed.

"I just need to get some air." Willow said as she walked off.

"Willow, wait. Willow!" Melinda called but she was having trouble getting past the crowd.

Willow walked into the back alley and took a breath. She was happy to have found a new friend and meeting the Charmed Ones, but she'd had a year of peace from supernatural, magic and demons and while she was glad she wasn't facing it alone and had her friends at her side, there was only one person she could rely on to lean onto.

But then she sensed someone behind her and turned around and raised her hand to stop a fireball inches away from her to face more demons. Realizing they were trying to kill her, Willow threw the fireball back at one of the demons as he exploded. Another demon threw an energy ball at her but Willow created a barrier as the ball dissipated upon impact. Willow then summoned an energy ball in her hand and threw it at the demon who threw his own energy ball and the two projectiles exploded upon impact. Due to being too close to the explosion, the demon was vanquished but the blast sent Willow flying back as she hit the ground and grunted in pain, dazed. Willow tried to recover but wailed in pain and felt blood on her chest and her vision began to blur, when she saw blue shimmer in front of her take the shape of a woman. Suddenly, her focus recovered and her vision began to clear, when she felt a warm hand above her wound and she saw hints of dirty blonde hair and a female face above her, though she was too dazed to make the features until her wound began to heal and her vision cleared and she was unable to believe who was her savior.

"Hey, Willow."

Willow's mouth almost fell, her eyes full of disbelief.

"…Tara?"

Yes, Tara is Willow's Whitelighter. Pretty obvious. And if there's someone from Buffyverse worthy of being a Whitelighter, it's Tara, given her kind-hearted and caring personality. Don't get me started on how the Elders allowed Kyle Brody of all people to become a Whitelighter, he may have been right about the Avatars, but ultimately he was just a vengeful fanatic and Charmed's Robin Wood who was using the sisters as means to an end and had Sheridan put into coma and dumped into an asylum for months, even though it is easy to dislike Sheridan, ultimately she was just doing her job investigating the sisters and don't get me started on how Paige became his yes-man.

So, what do you guys think?

Please review and let me know if you have been enjoying this so far.