Charmed: Another Halliwell

by Brenna's Urbangirl Projects

Summary: Buffy Summers is the daughter of Joyce and Hank Summers. Joyce was born Patience Joyce Halliwell she was Prue, Piper and Phoebe's aunt. When Joyce dies Buffy is left in the care of her cousins. Pairings: Prue, Piper, and Phoebe (and later Paige) canon pairings. Buffy/Dawn (Yes, Forbidden Sibling Love). A/U Set during and after Charmed Season 1 and Buffy season 1.

38. Chapter 38: Awakened

Chapter 38: Awakened

February 23, 1998 – Monday

P4

Piper stood behind the bar where she was cutting up some fruit that went with a certain drink that the club served. Her workers bustled around her as they attempted to keep up with the many orders that kept coming. She coughed, perhaps a little violently, and hurried for a glass of water which she took a sip of. The irritation in her throat subsided and she returned to cutting the fruit just as Phoebe and Buffy came running up to her. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you guys," Piper admitted in relief as Buffy coughed.

"Is that because I can work tonight or is it because I am now 'Phoebe Halliwell, college student'?" Phoebe asked cheerfully, striking a pose for her older sister.

"Congratz, Pheebs," Buffy coughed, a little violently. "Piper, can I get a glass of water. Since I helped you unload that shipment I've had this nasty cough."

"You too huh?" Piper asked as she got her cousin a glass of water. She then passed Phoebe the knife she had been using. "Okay, neat, thin slices, please," she explained while pointing down at the fruit. "Wait, you enrolled?" She stared at her sister in surprise. "Wait, you enrolled?" she repeated, her eyes focused on Phoebe. Phoebe nodded and she smiled. "Phoebe, this is huge!" she praised.

Buffy took a sip of the water and the irritation in her throat subsided.

"Hugest thing I've done since I came back home. I mean, aside from vanquishing demons and saving the world from evil, of course," Phoebe admitted as she reached in her bag to pull out a piece of paper. She pushed the paper she had pulled out to Piper. "Okay so I signed up for two general courses…"

Piper looked at the paper and then pushed it to Buffy. "Am I reading that right?"

"And seven electives," Buffy confirmed.

Piper raised and eyebrow as she looked over at Phoebe, uncertain about what to say. "Seven, Phoebe?" she asked.

"Alright, so I'm a little confused. I could use some advice. What do you think I should take?" Phoebe wondered curiously. She frowned however when Piper amd Buffy started coughing again. "Are you both okay?" she questioned sympathetically.

Piper and Buffy took a sip of their water and waved the question off. "Yeah, it's just a little cough," Piper insisted.

"Ditto," Buffy agreed.

Phoebe smirked just a little. "I bet Prue made you both have soup at lunch today after she heard that little cough," she joked.

"She did," Buffy chuckled.

"I had to cancel actually. Last night's paper work took a bit longer than expected," Piper informed her sister.

Phoebe's faint smile faded. "So I guess you missed your massage today also?" she guessed, her voice clearly disapproving.

"A reporter from San Francisco Weekly called and had a ton of questions about the club," Piper admitted with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Piper…Buffy, you both have got to take care of yourselves. You both have been feeling funky since yesterday," Phoebe lectured.

Piper rolled her eyes. "It's probably just a bug," she pointed out.

"Piper's very likely right," Buffy agreed. "It's probably just a cold."

"Even more reason for you not to push it," Phoebe continued her lecture. "Either of you. Buffy, maybe you should let Prue and I patrol for you tonight,"

"I'm fine. Besides, it's all paying off. The club is finally doing well, we're making money, now would you slice?" Piper suggested with a pointed glance down at the fruit.

"I'm fine, Pheebs. I'm sure by the time I patrol the cough will be gone. Remember I got Slayer healing." Buffy said.

Phoebe reluctantly grabbed the knife and began to cut the fruit. "What kind of fruit is this anyway?" she asked when she didn't recognize it.

"Kiwano. It's from South America. It's great for Mai Tai's. Just got them in yesterday actually. The bartender has a connection at the docks," Piper explained offhandedly.

Phoebe's jaw dropped slightly. "Wait, you smuggled it in?" Phoebe demanded.

Buffy laughed softly. "Oh, it's fruit, Phoebe, not drugs."

"Look, just because we're witches, does not mean you're invincible. Okay, you both need to start taking care of yourselves," Phoebe insisted.

Piper nodded in understanding. "Thank you, doctor," she gratified sarcastically.

Phoebe looked thoughtful for a moment. "Doctor Phoebe Halliwell. I like it," she joked.

Bucklands Auction House

"It's late. Let's just get this done," Prue decided from her place behind her desk. Despite her words, she didn't move but appeared as if she was about to fall asleep. She seemed to jerk herself back into reality with a groan and approached the painting where she leaned down to study it. "It certainly seems to be a Monet. Has the same style that he enjoyed in Paris after the Exposition de Verselle. The same delicate powdery interpretation combined with great vigour and expressiveness," she eventually rambled.

Jack was writing everything she said on a clipboard. "Great vigour?" he repeated in a teasing voice at her choice of words. "Randy little painter was he?" Jack joked.

Prue ignored him or else she thought she might just throw him across the room. "The brush strokes around this smoke stack are somewhat unusual for Monet. They seem almost individual although beautifully rendered," she remarked thoughtfully. She started to continue when she broke out into a yawn.

"You know, Prue, I can finish this myself. I'm perfectly qualified," Jack pointed out.

Prue flashed a glare over her shoulder. "I'm fine," she snapped so harshly that Jack actually took a step back. "Just write so we can get this done. We don't have much more time to authenticate this painting," she insisted.

"Okay, okay, I am," Jack soothed with a roll of his eyes.

Mr. Cauldwell walked in to check on his two employees. "How are we doing?" he asked.

Prue turned to face him with a forced smile. "Oh, uh, we're fine. Exactly where we should be at the moment," Prue assured him.

Mr. Cauldwell nodded approvingly. "As long as it's authenticated by the auction. I've got eight buyers on the block interested in that piece," Mr. Cauldwell explained.

"You don't have to worry about us," Prue promised.

"Good," Mr. Cauldwell stated before walking out.

P4

Piper and Buffy pushed their way through the crowd in order to get to the table where Phoebe was sitting. As soon as they got there, Piper and Buffy swayed slightly so that Phoebe had to steady them.

"Piper, Buffy, you two need to go home, you're sick," Phoebe pressed as it was now obvious that Piper and Buffy were getting worse.

"We're fine!" Piper snapped at Phoebe. Her eyes began to blur and she found it harder to keep focused. "I'm just… I…I think you're right…" she admitted just before fainting.

Phoebe managed to catch Piper as she collapsed. "Oh my god!" Phoebe screamed, easily catching the attention of the surrounding people. "Call 911."

Buffy's eyes began to blur and she too found it harder to keep focused and then she fainted.

San Francisco Memorial

Piper and Buffy were lying in hospital beds with several machines hooked up to them while Prue paced in circles around the room. Buffy and Piper's eyes flickered open to find Prue staring at them.

"Piper? Buffy? You're awake." Prue exclaimed before Piper and Buffy even had time to register where they were.

Buffy and Piper moved slightly so that they could look around the room. "What happened?" Piper asked, she and Buffy clearly recognizing the hospital.

Prue frowned slightly. "You don't remember?" she questioned.

Piper thought back hard but eventually shook her head. "Well, I remember being in the club and talking to Phoebe and Buffy and then I gotta admit, it's a little fuzzy," Piper answered.

"Uh, you and Buffy sort of collapsed and Phoebe called 911," she explained softly.

Piper laughed a little. "Oh, that must have been great for business," she stated sarcastically. "So what's wrong with me?" It was in that moment as the fog began to clear that she realized that Prue had said Buffy had fainted also. "Buffy?"

"Here," Buffy whispered, her eyes bugged figuratively out of her. Her lip trembled. "Get me up, please. I…"

"It's okay, Buffy," Prue soothed moving to her cousin. "It's okay."

"So what's wrong with us?" Piper wondered as she watched Buffy, who was in near histerics. She understood why as she remembered Buffy telling them about Celia and how Buffy was now afraid of hospitals as a result.

"Um, they don't really know yet," Prue replied. "We're just waiting for the blood results."

"I'm sure it's nothing too exciting. It's probably something trendy like mono or Epstein Barr," Piper remarked with a slight laugh.

Prue appeared a little disapproving at Piper's joke. "Whatever the result, you both are going to be on bed rest until you both are better," she insisted.

Piper nodded assurance to him. "Yes, sir," she answered with a glance at Buffy.

"Please get me out of here, Prue," Buffy pleaded.

"You need to stay, Buffy," Prue soothed as she ran a hand through Buffy's hair. "I know your scared of being in here because of Celia. But you need to get better. Okay?"

"Okay," Buffy whispered finally beginning to calm down.

"Where is Phoebe anyways?" Piper asked upon realizing that her younger sister wasn't here.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Phoebe ran up to the receptionist desk and hit it lightly in order to gain the attention of the nurse who had her back turned. "Uh, hi, nurse person," she called impatiently. The nurse turned to regard her curiously. "Can you tell me where Dr. Wallis is? He said that my sister and cousin's test results should be in by eight and it's twenty past eight now," she explained.

The nurse nodded in understanding and pulled up something on her computer. "What's your sister's name?" she asked. "And on your cousin we can only give…"

"My sisters and I are my cousin's legal guardians," Phoebe interrupted. "Her mom is deceased and her father gave us guardianship."

"I see," the nurse said. "Then what is your sister and your cousin's names?"

"Piper and Payson. Piper Halliwell and Payon Halliwell. Thank you. Piper and Payson Halliwell," Phoebe rushed in her nervousness.

The nurse took a moment to search before looking back at Phoebe. "Piper and Payson Halliwell have been transferred to Dr. Williamson's care. If you'll have a seat in the waiting area, I'll page him," the nurse offered.

"What happened to Dr. Wallis?" Phoebe inquired.

"I'm sure that Dr. Williamson will be able to answer all of your questions," the nurse assured her. "Please, have a seat in the waiting room," she insisted with a nod in the correct direction.

Phoebe frowned at the dodge but didn't really expect much else from someone in the medical career. "Okay," she agreed before taking a seat just down the hall. She dropped her head into her hands and didn't see as a young boy in a wheelchair rolled up to her.

"Are you sick too?" he asked.

Phoebe's head snapped up in surprise. "Um, no I'm not sick," she replied with a smile at him.

"Then why do you look so sad?" the boy returned.

"My sister and cousin are here and they don't know what's wrong with them," Phoebe explained.

The boy seemed to understand as he lowered his gaze. "The doctor's don't know what's wrong with me either," he admitted sadly. He perked up a little and smiled slightly at Phoebe. "Maybe your sister, cousin and I have the same thing," he offered.

Phoebe couldn't help but smile at him. "What's your name?" she wondered.

"Nathan," the boy answered.

"Well, hello, Nathan. I'm Phoebe," she introduced herself. Phoebe noticed a ninja action figure in Nathan's lap. "And who is that?" she questioned with a nod at the toy.

Nathan picked up the toy for Phoebe to better see it. "Ninja doll. I found him in the children's ward."

"You know, I don't think that's just a ninja doll. If I know my ninja dolls, I think that one's really a magical wi…" Phoebe trailed off abruptly. "…zard," she amended herself.

Nathan tilted his head to the side curiously. "Really? How can you tell?" he wondered.

"Well, let me see him," Phoebe continued, carefully taking the toy from Nathan. She nodded approvingly as if she recognized something. "I've seen what his type can do. He's got powers. He can move things and freeze things and kick box too," Phoebe explained while moving the ninja's arms like he was fighting. Nathan laughed and Phoebe quickly joined in. "And the really cool thing about him is he can do all this to the demon… uh, the bad guys inside your body without anyone even knowing about it."

Nathan's eyes widened as he took back his ninja toy. "Really? He can freeze the bad guys and move them?" he questioned, hanging on Phoebe's every word.

Phoebe nodded to him and leaned forward so she could whisper to him. "He may even be able to teleport," she added as if it was a secret. "But don't forget the kick boxing but he's really really good at that. He can fight them right out of your body. All you have to do is when you feel bad, you close your eyes and just picture him fighting them for you. Do you think you can do that?" she asked gently.

"Yeah," Nathan answered eagerly.

"Phoebe Halliwell?" a doctor interrupted their conversation.

Phoebe jumped up immediately. "Yes," she replied promptly.

The doctor pulled out a clipboard. "I'm Dr. Williamson," he introduced himself.

"Hi," Phoebe offered before turning back to Nathan. "Bye. It was nice meeting you," she called. She watched as Nathan waved and turned in the other direction and then followed as Dr. Williamson led the way to Piper's room. "And who are they?" Phoebe inquired while pointing at several other doctors that were following them.

"Medical interns. They'll be viewing my work with your sister and cousin," Dr. Williamson replied without a glance at them.

Phoebe looked confused. "Because…?" she prompted.

"Because they're studying the same field that I did. I'm an infectious disease specialist," Dr. Williamson explained just before walking into Piper and Buffy's room.

Phoebe watched them all walk in before the shock wore off. "Specialist?" she repeated. "Wait!" she called after him, pushing through the other doctor's so that she was inside with her sisters and Buffy.

Dr. Williamson crossed the room until he stood between Buffy and Piper. "Misses Halliwell, I'm Dr. Williamson," he introduced himself again.

"Um, he's a specialist," Phoebe added as much for Piper and Buffy's benefit as for Prue.

"Where's Dr. Wallis?" Piper questioned.

"I'll be keeping him posted," Dr. Williamson assured her. "How are you both feeling?"

Piper exchanged a glance with her sisters and Buffy. "Okay, a little hot. Tired," she admitted.

"About the same," Buffy added.

Dr. Williamson's pager beeped and he glanced down at it. "Have either of you been out of the country recently? Africa, South America, Carribean?" he inquired.

Piper laughed softly. "I wish." Her smile faded at the seriousness in Dr. Williamson's face. "No, I haven't been out of the city," she answered.

"No. I'm in high school," Buffy answered.

"Well, apparently, you both have contracted a blood disease rarely seen in the United States. Oroya fever," Dr. Williamson explained.

"How is that possible?" Prue demanded.

Dr. Williamson glanced behind him to look at Prue. "Well, Oroya fever's transmitted through the bite of a sand fly which dies right after the bite," he began before looking back at Piper. "Have you had anything imported, brought into your home recently?"

"No," Piper and Buffy replied.

"But, Piper, you have in the club. What was the name of that weird fruit?" Phoebe wondered.

Piper sighed in realization. "Kiwano."

Dr. Williamson nodded and scribbled something down on his clipboard. "That's a possible carrier. Sometimes the fly's been known to live long enough in a crate to make the trip but rarely survives the quarantine period," he continued.

"I think I have a bite on my shoulder," Piper admitted, slowly pulling back the hospital gown.

"I have a bite here," Buffy admitted slowly rolling up the sleeve of the hospital gown.

Dr. Williamson frowned as he saw the bites. "When did you two get these?" he asked.

"Just after I opened the fruit," Piper sighed.

"About the same time," Buffy added. "I was helping Piper with her deliveries yesterday."

Dr. Williamson turned to the interns. "Tell the nurse that I need 10 cc's of penildron," Dr. Williamson ordered. One of the interns nodded and left. "It's a high grade antibiotic which will be most effective when it's administered through an I.V. It should bring your fever down," he explained to Piper and Buffy. His pager beeped loudly again and he started to leave. "I gotta run some more tests. I'll be back shortly."

"Excuse me, they're gonna be okay, right? I mean, it's not life threatening?" Phoebe questioned.

"Well, I'll know more after I run some more tests. Excuse me," Dr. Williamson replied as he walked out the door.

Phoebe clambered up onto Piper's bed to sit with her as Prue did the same for Buffy. Piper smiled and rolled her eyes. "We'll be okay," she assured them.

"Piper's right," Buffy agreed.

""Yeah, I mean he didn't seem too worried. Just prescribed antibiotics," Prue said.

"The tests are just to confirm his diagnosis, I'm sure," Buffy continued distractedly.

"Yeah, don't you agree, Phoebe?" Prue questioned her youngest sister.

Phoebe narrowed her eyes in thought. "I think we should call Leo," she suggested.

"Why?" Piper and Buffy demanded.

Phoebe shrugged. "Why not?" she countered. "He can heal you both,"

Piper was shaking her head. "No. He's out of our lives. And technically speaking Buffy could be considered our Whitelighter now anyways. Besides, with Dan in my life…"

"Piper," Buffy said as she looked at her middle cousin. "I understand why you're…"

"No and that's final," Piper insisted. "No demon or warlock did this to us, Buffy. Just let the doctor's do their magic," she decided.

"He's my father," Buffy reminded Piper. "Don't you think he would want to know at the very least?"

Piper sighed as she looked at Buffy. "On that your right. But we will get better on our own, Buffy. We don't need a magical assist."

"I just wanted you to get well sooner," Phoebe sighed dramatically while letting her head rest on Piper's stomach.

Piper laughed softly and lightly pushed Phoebe off of her. "I know and I will. Now you get outta here. Prue, go to Bucklands. Phoebe, go to wherever you go to and someone please call Dan so he doesn't worry," she wished.

Buffy looked up at Prue as her eldest cousin stood up. "Would you call Giles for me. Someone is going to to have to take up my patrol."

"Okay," Prue said. "Bye. Love you." She kissed first Buffy and then Piper on the cheek before Phoebe did the same.

"How are you feeling, really?" Buffy asked after Prue and Piper had gone.

"Probably the same as you," Piper admitted with a sigh.

"We don't want to worry them till there is something to worry about," Buffy said with a sigh. "That said I was right on one thing. Leo should be told."

"Your right, as your father he does have that right," Piper agreed. "But I was also right, Buffy. We didn't get sick fighting a demon. So we don't need him here healing us."

Bucklands Auction House

"Hey. Have you had a chance to look at the thread density results on the Monet?" Prue asked as she walked through the door into her office.

"Yeah, and you were right," Jack said with a sigh. "There are some unexplained thread markings in the area around the station, as the signature."

"Have you told Cauldwell yet?"she wondered.

"Not yet," Jack told her noticing she looked even more exhausted than she had before leaving for the hospital. "I was hoping to talk you into going home first. Prue, you're exhausted."

Prue sighed. "Yeah, I know, but I prefer to stay here, you know, keep busy," she told him. "How long can tests take anyway?"

Jack looked at Prue with sympathy. "Piper and Payson are gonna be fine."

"I know," Prue agreed with a sad smile. "It's just that after everything I've seen in my life and believe me I've seen a lot of weird stuff. It takes a lot to scare me. But this time I'm really scared."

Jack pulled her into his arms as he hugged her tightly. "You know, I'm not really good at this, saying the right thing stuff," he admitted. "You know what? Why don't you go back to the hospital and I'll stay here and handle everything. Okay?" he suggested as Prue's cell phone rang.

"Prue Halliwell," Prue answered. She was silent for a moment as she listened to the person on the other end. "Ok we'll be there," she immediately agreed before ending the call. She turned and looked at her boyfriend. "I have to go. Something's happening at the hospital."

"I hope everything is alright," Jack said hopeful.

Prue nodded as she walked out of her office and dialked her cell.

"Halliwell Residence, Phoebe speaking," came Phoebe's voice from the other end of the phone.

"Yeah, Pheebs, the hospital just called," Prue told her as she approached the elevator. "They need for us to get down there right away."

"Why?" Phoebe asked, worry flooding her voice. "What happened?"

Halliwell Manor

Phoebe led the way inside the Manor with Dan and Jenny following after them. "Are they gonna be okay?" Dan demanded.

"Doctors won't say," Phoebe answered. "They couldn't be more frustrating. Damn doctors," she ranted.

"Does they need anything?" Jenny asked.

"Actually, if you can grab a movie from Piper's room that'd be great. We keep the romantic comedy movies on the shelf next to her television," Phoebe suggested after a moment of thought.

Jenny hurried off up the stairs and Dan waited until she was gone to continue the conversation. "Can we see them? Where are they?" he questioned.

Phoebe knew by Dan using 'theys' and 'thems' he was simply being sympathetic to her plight since both Buffy and Piper were in the hospital. She knew though that he was more concerned for Piper than Buffy, since she was his girlfriend. Of course, that didn't mean he wasn't genuinely concerned for Buffy as well.

"San Francisco Memorial," Phoebe replied. "They let us stay before so there shouldn't be any problem now."

Dan's hugged Phoebe. "Nothing's gonna happen to them, okay? Piper and Payson are both strong and healthy and they are both fighters," he assured her.

Phoebe smiled just a little. "You've noticed too, have you?"

The house phone rang and Phoebe slipped out of the hug to answer it. "Halliwell Residence, Phoebe speaking."

"Yeah, Pheebs, the hospital just called," Prue's voice answered. "They need for us to get down there right away."

"Why? What happened?" Phoebe demanded.

"Didn't say," Prue admitted before hanging up the phone.

San Francisco Memorial

Phoebe, Dan, and Jenny ran down the hall as fast as humanely possible in the tight, busy corridors of the hospital. Prue was standing outside Piper and Buffy's room since she wasn't allowed in for some reason. "Prue, what's going on?" Phoebe questioned once she was in ear shot.

"I don't know. All they said was that her condition has worsened," Prue replied.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Phoebe snapped, glaring into the room where the doctors were.

Dan looked into the room with a frown. "Jenny, go get something to drink," he ordered.

"But Uncle Dan…" Jenny began.

"Jenny, do not argue with me," Dan returned without looking at her. Jenny huffed and went to search for a drink machine. "We're not leaving this door until we find out how she is," he decided.

It was at that moment that they saw Dr. Williamson walking right up them and answered their silent question. "Unfortunately, their immune system isn't as strong as we thought it would be and the antibiotics are having no effect on the disease," he explained.

Prue was strangely silent while Phoebe just appeared angry. "So what do we… what do you do now?" Phoebe asked as Giles walked up next to them.

"Well, there's nothing more we can do," Dr. Williamson admitted.

"What do you mean by that?" Prue snapped. "What are you saying?"

Dr. Williamson shook his head apologetically. "Well, either Piper and Payson pull out of the coma on their own or I'm afraid they're not going to survive," he stated before walking away.

Prue watched as tears began to fall down her sister's cheeks as Giles took off his glasses and started polishing them. She had seen Giles do that before. She knew it was both a subconscious act so he would not have to witness something that could be considered embarrassing, but also it was a nervous habit as well. "Rupert," she said waving him over. He quietly approached her. "You see her as more than just the Slayer don't you?"

"Yes," Giles answered. "I'm not supposed to, Council rules say I am supposed to remain detached and professional at all times with her. But Buffy along with your sisters, I have grown rather fond of."

Prue nodded as she pulled him into her arms and held him for a moment. When she released him she looked between and Dan. "Will you both stay with them? Phoebe and I need to do something, we'll be right back."

"Of course, Prue." Giles agreed as he and Dan watched the sisters leave.

Halliwell Manor

"Okay, we can't let Piper or Buffy die." Prue said as she and Phoebe entered the attic walking over to the books.

"No, we can't," Phoebe objected. "Prue, this isn't a demon or a warlock that we're up against."

"Alright, there are spells in here to vanquish demons," Prue replied as she began flipping through the family's book. "There's gotta be a spell in here to vanquish a lousy bug."

"Okay, but even if there is a spell, how do we get past the personal gain issue, the consequences?" Phoebe pointed out, wary of using a spell for personal gain.

Prue shrugged it off. "What consequences?" she retorted. "The Power of Three remains unbroken, the Charmed Slayer remains alive, innocents are saved. I don't really see a down side to that, do you?"

Phoebe sighed. "Prue, if good witches could really vanquish diseases, do you think there'd be one sick person in the world?" she questioned.

"We have to save Piper and Buffy," Prue countered. She was beginning to get fed up with Phoebe being a negative Nancy.

"I agree. All I am saying is before we resort to the Book of Shadows, maybe we should call Leo," Phoebe suggested.

"No. Piper told us not to," Prue reminded her sister.

"And Buffy objected," Phoebe reminded her. "After all he is her father. So, let Piper be pissed at us, at least they'll be alive."

Prue sighed, "We don't even know how to contact him," she reminded her sister. "He's always just sorta been around."

"Do you think yelling for him will work?" Phoebe questioned.

"Worth a try," Prue replied as she and Phoebe began yelling out Leo's name.

Leo orbed in behind them with a rather guilty expression on his face. "Whoa, it worked," Phoebe remarked, completely missing Leo's expression.

"Listen, we need your help. Piper and Buffy are very…" Prue started

"Very sick, I know," Leo finished for her. "That's why I could hear you calling. I've been nearby watching."

"Wait, you've been watching them this whole time and you haven't healed them?" Phoebe demanded.

"I can't," Leo sighed. "They know about Piper and Buffy and they won't let me interfere. I'm not even supposed to be here right now," he explained sadly.

"Not even for your daughter?" Prue questioned.

Leo shook his head in frustration. "Don't you think I'd do something if I could? But I can't. It doesn't matter that I love her or Piper. Even if I could help, my powers probably wouldn't even work because neither of them were hurt fighting evil," he countered. He sighed loudly as he heard the Elder's calling him back up. "I have to go. They know I'm here… I'm sorry. Tell Buffy and Piper I love them," he whispered before orbing back out.

"Alright, screw the consequences," Phoebe decided, angry at Leo's betrayal.

San Francisco Memorial

"Do you really think the awakening spell's gonna work?" Phoebe asked as she and Prue walked down the corridor heading for Piper and Buffy's room.

"It better," Prue replied. "Alright, Look, I'll get Buffy and Piper's blood. Are you sure that you can get a puppet?"

"Positive," Phoebe said, positive she could do it. "I'll meet you in their room."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Dan occupied the seat next to Piper where he was holding her hand while Giles occupied the seat next to Buffy. A nurse was taking blood from Piper's other arm when Prue walked in. She stopped next to Giles. "How are they?" Prue inquired. She looked behind her when the nurse placed a tube of Piper's blood next to a tube of Buffy's blood on a cart to be taken for analysis. She flicked a finger and the tubes flew to her hand where she slipped them into her pocket.

It all went unnoticed by both Giles and Dan as they didn't take their eyes off of Buffy and Piper. "No change," Giles admitted.

"It just looks like she's sleeping but I can't wake her up," Dan admitted.

Prue soothingly ran her hand over Giles' arm. "They'll wake up, I promise," she whispered.

Giles looked at the subtle inflection Prue had added to the word wake. He looked at Prue pointedly as if to ask, what are you going to do?

'Spell,' Prue mouthed knowing the Watcher could read lips. He began to shake his head, obviously against the use of magic. 'It's the only way. It's either that or they die.'

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Phoebe hurried to the hallway where she had first seen Nathan and from there quickly found the young boy's room. She smiled as she saw him playing with the ninja action figure. "Hey, Nathan. Remember me?"

Nathan's smile widened as he saw her. "Phoebe, I was hoping you'd come back," he exclaimed cheerfully.

"Really, why?" Phoebe wondered curiously.

Nathan held up the ninja for her to see. "You were right. The wizard did it. I feel great. Just like I used to," he explained.

"The power of positive thinking," Phoebe replied.

"The power of magic," Nathan countered. "The doctor's are letting me go home in a couple of days," he added.

Phoebe kneeled down next to Nathan. "Oh, that's great, Nathan. I'm so happy for you," she admitted sincerely. Her eyes focused on the ninja and she pointed at it. "You know, I was wondering if you would let me borrow the wizard for awhile. My sister and cousin could use a little magic right about now."

Nathan glanced down at his toy before handing it over to Phoebe. "They can keep him. I don't need him anymore," he allowed.

Phoebe gave him a quick hug. "Thank you," she appreciated.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

As Prue waited for Phoebe to join them, Jenny pushed through to get to her Uncle Dan. "Uncle Dan, we need to get something to eat. You haven't had anything since breakfast," she pointed out sternly which the sisters may have actually found humorous in any other situation.

"We'll be in the dining section if there's any change," Dan decided, leading him and Jenny out of the room.

"Prue," Giles started.

"I know, Rupert," Prue said as she looked at the Watcher. "But we literally have no choice. We either cast this spell or Piper and Buffy die. We already tried calling for Buffy's father." He looked at her quizzically. "Buffy didn't tell you? Hank isn't Buffy's biological father. What we thought were powers given to her by the Slayer were given to her by her birth father and influenced by the Slayer. Our Whitelighter, well former anyways, is Buffy's biological father."

Giles looked at Buffy in surprise. "I've heard of Whitelighters. My aunts have one." He looked back at Prue. "So her father can't heal her?"

"No," Prue replied with a sigh. "He said their watching Piper and Buffy rather closely. I guess to make sure he can't interfere. That said though he wasn't sure his powers would work anyways since they weren't hurt fighting evil. This spell is the only way open to us. It's either that or we watch them die. And after watching Buffy die several times already, and thankfully brought back. I don't know if I could live through that again, especially if this time it's permanent."

"Alright," Giles said as he stood up out of the chair and pulled Prue into his arms. "I'll go make sure your friend and his niece are nowhere near here for a little while to give you time to cast the spell."

Giles walked out of the room passing Phoebe. "I hope it works, without consequences."

"So do I," Phoebe said as she patted his arm in thanks for the comforting words. She walked into the room. "I got him."

"Alright, let's just do this before someone else comes to check on Piper and Buffy," Prue prompted.

Phoebe pulled out the ninja toy for her Prue see. "I got the puppet. Did you get the blood?" she asked.

"Yeah, right here," Prue answered as Phoebe sat the ninja doll on Piper's stomach. She quickly pulled out the tubes of blood and poured them both on the on the ninja.

Prue picked up the doll. "Might work better if we're holding it between them," she said as she pulled out the spell. "Troubled blood with sleeps unease, Remove the cause of this disease…"

"Prue," Phoebe broke the chant as Dr. Williamson opened the door. Prue wordlessly held her hand out, using her power to knock the door closed and keep it that way.

Dr. Williamson slammed his fist on the door. "Hey!" he yelled.

"… Shift eternal never more. And shift this source of illness borne. To this poppet whom none shall mourn."

"Prue, it's not working," Phoebe panicked on the verge of hysteria.

Prue didn't say anything but Piper and Buffy suddenly jerked awake in bed with a yelp of surprise as if they had just awoken from a nightmare. They pulled off the breath masks and Prue and Phoebe were pulled from their stunned silence. Phoebe practically tackled Piper in a hug, Prue made room for herself on the bed where she could link an arm through Buffy's.

Dr. Williamson threw the door open and nearly fell as it opened easily without Prue using her power against it. "Who's blocking the damn door?" he snapped before he noticed the awakened Piper and Buffy.

Prue glared over at him for interrupting their moment and being none too nice about it either. "What's up, doc?" she questioned sarcastically while she rested her head on Piper's shoulder.

"When did this happen? Are you both feeling alright?" Dr. Williamson demanded. He was so entranced by Piper and Buffy that he didn't see Phoebe slip away from the bed and dump the ninja toy in the 'hazardous material' bin. The toy hit the other disposed materials and it's eyes opened.

Giles walked back in and looked at Buffy in shock that the spell had worked. "Buffy…" he started but apparently didn't have the words.

"Hey, Giles, you look like you've seen a ghost," Buffy joked at her Watcher's expression.

Two nurses, Dan, and Jenny pushed through Prue and Giles. The nurses went straight to work around Piper and Buffy while Dan froze in the doorway. Jenny ran forward and hugged first Piper and then Buffy, both of whom returned the embrace. "Piper…Buffy, you both are okay," she exclaimed cheerfully.

"Piper!" Dan whispered in disbelief.

Piper's eyes were fixed on Dan where he was just holding a soda. "Is that for me?" she asked.

Dan's only response was to sigh in relief and hug Piper. "Come on, Jenny," Phoebe said. "It's getting a little crowded in here. We can wait outside."

"Okay," Jenny agreed as she followed Phoebe out the door, leaving Prue, Giles, and Dan with Piper and Buffy. Plus all the nurses and doctors.

"This doesn't make any sense. Fever's gone, vitals are normal. I've never seen anything like it. The infection's gone too," Dr. Williamson rambled while he checked over everything on both Piper and Buffy.

"So can we go home now?" Buffy demanded hopefully.

Dr. Williamson didn't answer but turned to the nurses. "Draw some blood. I wanna run comparatives," he ordered.

"Um, then can er go home? Because, no offense but I hate hospitals," Buffy interrupted.

"So do I," Piper added.

Dan laughed and moved over as Prue and Giles came back forward. Giles gave Buffy a tight hug and held onto her for several moments. "Welcome back, Buffy." He then turned to Piper and gave her a tight hug as well. "You too, Piper. You both had us worried," he told them. He then stepped back so that Prue, who was poking him in a silent order to hurry up, could hug Piper and Buffy.

Tears were streaming down Prue's face as she held first Piper and then Buffy tightly. "I love you," she breathed to them both.

"I love you," Piper and Buffy returned.

One of the nurses removed the IV bag from Piper and began to pack it up when the ninja toy sat up in the hazardous material bin. The nurse dropped the needle inside the bin and the ninja used his sword to cut through the plastic bag. The ninja's sword stabbed the nurse in the leg who recoiled from the contact. "Ow!" she muttered, leaning down to rub the spot soothingly. She walked away and the ninja jumped out of the bin through the slit in the plastic.

The Heavens

After being released from the hospital, Buffy appeared amidst bright flames on the top of the clouds. No sooner did she appear then several Whitelighters approached her. "Where is my dad?" she asked.

The Whitelighters ignored her question and waved for her to follow them. Buffy hesitated but then stomped after them until she had a horrible feeling of falling through the clouds so she settled for more of a defiant shuffle. Eventually they stopped and Buffy saw she was about to enter a room with several Whitelighters seated as if they were important. She assumed they must be the Elders, otherwise called 'They' when being talked about.

One of them stood up, an elder woman, and walked toward Buffy where she held her hand out politely. "Buffy, I'm Ellen," she greeted and introduced herself at the same time.

She actually seemed niceish so Buffy returned the shake. "Ellen, I'd like to know where my Dad is," she explained.

"Of course," Ellen understood with a slight nod of acknowledgement. However, Buffy got the feeling that she wasn't going to be hearing about Leo for awhile. She wasn't disappointed. "You consider yourself a Whitelighter, do you not?" Ellen asked.

"No, I consider myself the Charmed Slayer," Buffy disagreed immediately.

Ellen nodded as if she expected the answer. "Whitelighters, witches and even Slayers have very similar guidelines. One of which your family broke today. Why?"

"What are you talking about?" Buffy asked confused.

"So they didn't tell you," Ellen replied shaking her head. "They cast a spell, breaking one of the guidelines."

"So your saying they cast a spell that saved me and Piper?" Buffy asked as Ellen nodded. "Then you had these guys ambush me and herd me here so you could lecture me since I'm already here, so you don't have to go down there to lecture Prue and Phoebe because they saved me and Piper? I'm not going to change their minds," she snapped, placing her hands on her hips.

Ellen didn't answer and Buffy suddenly decided that she didn't think Ellen was nice anymore. "Very well. You are no longer allowed up here to see your father until the end of this," she answered.

"What do you mean 'until the end of this?'" Buffy questioned suspiciously.

"The consequences are very real, Buffy Halliwell-Wyatt. You and your cousins must deal with them as you see fit. When they have been dealt with, you will be allowed to see him again," Ellen explained.

"And how long is that supposed to take?" Buffy demanded, her voice beginning to rise slightly.

Ellen shrugged, her face unreadable. "The consequences have already begun to take effect. How quickly they are dealt with is up to you and your cousins," she elaborated.

"None of this is mine or his fault. There's no reason for you to keep us apart," Buffy insisted in an attempt to get back to the topic of her father.

"Did you not just say that nothing would make you change their minds about saving you and Piper?" Ellen asked in a carefully calm voice.

Buffy narrowed her eyes as the question didn't seem to have anything to do with what she had said previously. Her eyes widened in realization. "Your saying that keeping us apart is a consequence of their actions," Buffy stated. "So your punishing me for being alive. Is that it? Fine if that is the consequence I will take whatever punishment you want as long as it gets me able to see my father."

"I think a satisfactory punishment till this is resolved would be you taking on his charges," Ellen stated with a little disappointed with Buffy's answer but she nodded in agreement. "So mote it be," she allowed. Ellen waved her hand and Buffy was enveloped by orbs and Buffy was gone.

"That was not what we agreed on," One of the other Elders yelled from his seat. "She was supposed talk her cousins into reversing the spell to save the innocents," he continued with a hint of anger in his rough voice.

"She will come to understand that in time. We cannot force her or the other three will never understand," Ellen pointed out mildly. The circle of Elders fell silent at Ellen's words.

February 24, 1998 – Tuesday

P4

The club was empty this late at night except for Prue who was sitting at the DJ's spot, Dan and Giles who were on the couch, and Piper and Phoebe who were dancing to the very loud music. One poor bartender remained, cleaning up from the night's business.

"Turn it up!" Piper yelled to Prue.

Prue gave her a thumbs up while she put on the DJ headphones. Giles rested back on the couch. "Rupert, stay awake," she called over to him. "We can't sleep until Buffy gets back," she reminded him.

Giles just stared at her as if she was crazy. "How are you not passed out yet?" he wondered.

"I don't know," Prue replied.

Giles stood and looked toward Dan. "I'm going to go find some tea," he explained to Piper's boyfriend. "Would you like some?"

"I think I will pass but thank you," Dan returned.

Giles nodded as he walked off.

Piper left Phoebe and walked cheerfully toward the bartender. "Hey, Blake, you can go home. I'll clean up," she allowed.

The bartender looked relieved and he hastened out of the club while Phoebe (now without a dance partner) ran up to Dan and pulled him to his feet. "Dance with me, Dan," Phoebe laughed.

"It's almost two in the morning," Dan argued lighty.

Phoebe just laughed and pulled him onto the dance floor. "So what? Come on, you're young," she teased.

Dan let Phoebe run off without him. "Stop the music. Stop that music!" he yelled to Prue although his tone was good-natured. He slowly walked to Piper's side and wrapped his arms around her.

"Somebody need a nap?" Piper joked.

"You know what? That's not fair. You've been asleep for almost twenty four hours," Dan groaned.

Piper turned in his arms so that she was facing him. "And I know that you've been up for almost twenty four hours by mine and Buffy's side. I can't tell you how much that means to me, being there for me and her. Hangin' tough," she admitted.

"I wasn't that tough," Dan denied. He smiled however when Piper came closer to him and kissed him.

Piper pulled away after several moments of bliss. "Now go home. I'll see you tomorrow," she promised, patting him on the chest. Dan left just as Giles came back with a cup of tea and, to Prue, Piper and Phoebe' surprise, Buffy. "Great, Buffy, you're here. There's something I need to ask you guys," Piper announced. She grabbed Buffy's hand and pulled her to where Phoebe and Prue were playing patty-cake.

Giles walked over to the DJ station and after some fiddling managed to turn the music off which effectively gained Phoebe and Prue's attention. He leaned against the counter and took a sip of his tea.

"Okay, spill," Piper ordered.

"What are you talking about?" Phoebe asked, feigning ignorance.

"You guys cast a spell, didn't you?" Piper prompted, hands on hips.

Prue and Phoebe exchanged glances before Prue smiled innocently. "Who, us?"

"Yes, they did," Giles replied as he walked toward the four of them.

Buffy let out a sigh garnering everyone's attention. "Their punishing me for being alive," she said. "They won't let me see Leo for now and they are making me take over his charges," she told them. She looked at Giles. "Which means for now I can't patrol, because I will be too busy with my dad's charges."

"I will get Willow and Xander to help me patrol in your absence," Giles said.

Piper tilted her head to the side. "Any other consequences?" she asked.

Prue shrugged and looked around her as if she would be able to spot a consequence in the immediate area. "Maybe saving two protectors of the innocent really isn't personal gain," she suggested.

Phoebe nodded in agreement. "If there were any then surely we would have seen them by now. It's been hours."

"Maybe," Piper agreed while Buffy found her gaze drawn to the ground. "Like I said, I'm not complaining. I'm just glad you didn't call Leo…" That did raise Buffy's gaze and saw Prue and Phoebe looked guiltily at each other. "… Strange though with all the demons we've faced, this bug, this thing was the scariest one of all," she admitted.

"Yeah this was scarier than when I faced the Master or Jackson Ward," Buffy agreed. "And I actually died those times."

Piper sighed in relief that she and Buffy were alive and then her gaze flickered from one person to the next. "I love you guys," she whispered. "Yes, even you, Giles."

"Thank you, Piper," Giles appreciated.

"Same for me," Buffy added. "I love you guys."

"We love you both too," Phoebe returned before first giving Piper a hug then Buffy.

"Just don't ever scare us like that again," Prue scolded.

Buffy and Piper laughed softly in agreement. "No worries," Piper promised.

"Yeah don't worry. I plan to live to be a white haired old Slayer." Buffy added.

Prue glanced at her watch and her eyes widened. "Ooh! Ooh! I almost forgot. I have to get that Monet authenticated by tomorrow!" she exclaimed.

Phoebe tilted her head to the side curiously. "At this hour?"

"Why not? I'm wide awake and not sick," Prue said cheerfully as she headed for the door.

"I think I will turn in," Giles called over his shoulder as he followed Prue. "I after all do have to be at the library in five hours."

Buffy raised her eyebrows and heard someone calling for help. "Um, I'm getting called. Be back soon," she announced before flaming out.

Piper watched them leave and then turned to the messy club. "I guess I should clean up," she decided.

Phoebe stayed on the floor where she absently danced until she noticed Piper. She watched silently as Piper began cleaning faster and faster around the club. "Uh, Piper, Piper!" she yelled to gain her attention over the music which she had turned back on.

"What?" Piper asked, stopping in front of her.

"I think I found a consequence," Phoebe admitted.

Hastings, New Zealand

Buffy flamed in to an unfamiliar city in New Zealand. She felt extremely out of place among the people that were transporting their goods through the streets. A lot was just various grown foods but it also included a few herds of sheep and she could swear that she actually saw a few cows being herded down the street. However, a frantic voice reminded her that she had a purpose for being here.

"You're a…" A woman, perhaps in her mid thirties, started.

"I'm the Charmed Slayer," Buffy interjected before the woman could finish saying that she was a demon. "My Whitelighter powers were influenced by the Slayer side of me."

"Where's Leo?" the woman demanded.

"I'm his daughter," Buffy admitted as the woman looked at her with raised eyebrows. "It's a long story. "Right now I'm filling in for him," she added, glancing curiously down at the bag the woman was carrying.

The woman pointed frantically behind her and toward an alley. "They're back," she exclaimed.

"They're back?" Buffy repeated, earning an impatient look from the woman. "Oh, right, hurry, let's go. This way," she prompted while pointing in a random direction. She took off across the street which had seemed like a decent idea at the time as it would put a crowd between her and her father's charge from whatever it was that threatened the woman but wasn't so great when put into action.

They were almost ran over by several carts and ended with Buffy flaming them out to the opposite side of the street. They reappeared, surprisingly unnoticed, and the woman grabbed her hand, jerking her in some direction. The crowd screamed and moved out of the way as several hooded men rushed after Buffy and the woman.

Buffy stopped running once they reached an empty street which seemed to have been the woman's intention. She spun and threw her hand out at the men. "Street," she ordered and the men were surrounded by flames and thrown supposedly into the middle of the crowded street three or four blocks down.

"My house is this way. Hurry before they catch up," the woman called to Buffy.

Buffy frowned as the woman pointed to a farm house almost outside of town which included walking through a pen of chickens. "Ugh, I'm coming," she sighed, cringing when she took her first step in the pen. She looked down at her new shoes that just so happened to not be farming material before hurrying after the charge.

San Francisco Memorial

The nurse that the ninja had stabbed in the ankle was now lying on a hospital bed and breathing very erratically. The nurse tending to her left the room and pulled the hospital phone off the hook. "Get me, Dr. Williamson," she pleaded.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Dr. Williamson was going through paperwork when his cell phone went off. He answered it and frowned when he heard the news. "Yeah, okay, put them both on penildron though I doubt it'll do them any good. Call me if there's any changes," he instructed before hanging up to meet the man waiting outside his office.

"And what can the Center for Disease Control do for you this fine middle of the night, Dr. Williamson?" the man asked.

"I've really got something for you this time, Sieger. I wouldn't have called you if I didn't," Dr. Williamson insisted as he gathered several files together.

Dr. Sieger appeared to have heard this conversation before. "You know, it's not very ethical to try and get the government to validate your findings just so you can get published," he warned.

"This'll get me more than published. I've got an outbreak of Oroya fever in this hospital," Dr. Williamson explained.

Dr. Sieger stared at Dr. Williamson in confusion. "That's impossible. Oroya fever isn't contagious," he pointed out.

Dr. Williamson shrugged. "It is now. I've got three patients with the disease in isolation," he countered. He waved his hand and led Dr. Sieger to a room.

"How'd they get it?" Dr. Sieger questioned.

"I don't know but however they did has something to do with the first people who came down with it. Piper and Payson Halliwell," Dr. Williamson stated.

Bucklands Auction House

Prue stood behind her desk as she stared at the Monet painting. Jack walked in about an hour before everyone else was due to start their shift. "Morning," Jack greeted, a little surprised to see Prue. "Should you be here?" he asked after taking in her appearance.

"I wasn't tired," Prue mumbled.

"How's Piper and Payson doing?" Jack inquired.

Prue smiled just a little. "Fully recovered," she answered cheerfully.

Jack looked stunned for a moment. "Really? That's great!" he enthused.

"Yeah, I just came in early to check over everything. Like I said, I wasn't tired," Prue explained.

"So Piper and Payson are really better?" Jack pressed.

"Yeah, they're home, they're healthy, everything's back to normal," Prue insisted with a hint of relief in her voice.

Jack smiled and gave Prue a one-armed hug. "I'm glad," he admitted sincerely.

"Thanks," Prue appreciated before turning her gaze back to the painting. "Look, we have to talk," she began.

"Okay, shoot," Jack allowed.

Prue pulled out a piece of paper. "Jack this painting isn't real. I mean, yeah, it's from his school but Monet didn't paint it. One of his students did and you've signed that it's authentic. You can't have missed the discrepancies," she stated.

"Are you sure about that?" Jack asked with a nod to the painting.

Prue narrowed her eyes as she realized why he had signed off on it. "I'm positive and I know it makes sense to just ignore the truth and pretend that there's nothing wrong but I can't do that," she insisted.

"Look, Prue, if someone wants to believe in something that may not be altogether true but it's enough for them then what's the harm in letting it be?" Jack countered seriously. He noticed how Prue didn't appear convinced. "Just trust me. Go with it. Everything's gonna be fine," he assured her.

"You're cheating people," Prue pointed out. She frowned more when he didn't even try to deny it.

P4

A disease control van pulled up outside the club and several officers in their biohazard suits jumped out the back. They proceeded to go inside and began setting up the area for quarantine. Piper and Phoebe, who were still in the club turned to watch them in open-jawed surprise.

Dr. Sieger, the leader of the operation approached Piper and Phoebe. "Piper Halliwell?" he asked.

"Whoa, what's going on?" Piper demanded.

"I'm Dr. Sieger from the Center from Disease Control. We have a court order to take you and your sister into custody and to quarantine your club until further notice," he explained while holding up the piece of paper that said just that.

Piper snatched it from his hands and hastily read through it as she watched the officers begin to pack things up.

Halliwell Manor

Buffy was in the shower, desperately trying to rid herself of the farm animal smell that she had acquired by accidently running into the middle of a herd of sheep, when the CDC officers rushed into the house. She froze as someone knocked on the bathroom door. "Yeah?" she called, expecting it to be one of her cousins.

"This is CDC with a court order to quarantine this household. You must leave immediately," a man's voice came through the door.

Buffy's jaw dropped slightly and she hastily turned off the water. "Uh, one second, I promise," she returned while throwing on some clothes. She glanced in the mirror to make sure all the soap was out of her hair when they began to knock impatiently. "Just a minute," she snapped irritably. She threw the door open and looked surprised to find the people fully suited.

The man that had spoken before held up a paper. "Are you either Prue or Payson Halliwell?" he questioned.

"I'm Payson," Buffy answered hesitantly. The next thing she knew she was being pushed toward the van and they wouldn't let her grab her hair brush on the way out.

San Francisco Memorial

A crowd of reporters was gathered around the hospital where Dr. Williamson and Dr. Sieger were giving a statement regarding the Oroya fever outbreak. "No, I would not classify this as an epidemic at this stage. Although, that's for Dr. Sieger of the CDC to determine, not me. All I can tell you is an outbreak has occurred in the hospital and we've taken all the necessary and responsible steps to contain it," Dr. Williamson assured the people.

A reporter pushed herself to the front. "Dr. Williamson, how do you know it's contained? How can you be sure?" she called.

"Because we've identified the initial carriers," Dr. Williamson answered promptly.

"Who are they? What are their names? Are they patients?" Another reporter demanded before Dr. Williamson had even finished speaking.

Dr. Williamson turned his attention to the next reporter. "We've identified the initial carriers and we brought them and anyone they may have infected in the isolation ward," he promised.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Phoebe banged her fist against the door of the isolation ward in an attempt to get some attention from the various nurses that were walking back and forth. "Hello? Remember us?" she yelled through the door.

A nurse finally seemed to notice her and came to the door where she pressed an intercom button for the isolation room. "I'm sorry, we can't hear you. What is it you want?" she questioned.

"We wanna get the hell outta here. That's what we want," Phoebe snapped.

"Dr. Williamson will be right in to discuss the situation," the nurse assured them.

"Discuss what? I feel fine," Piper insisted with a roll of their eyes.

The nurse sighed audibly. "Dr. Williamson will be right in," she repeated before leaving to get back to work.

Phoebe threw her hands in the air. "This is ridiculous. Why won't they tell us anything?" she exclaimed.

"They're lucky they're in the other room. I'd freeze their butts…" Piper trailed off as she heard the door to the isolation room open.

Buffy walked in and Phoebe couldn't contain a slight smile. "Nice hair, Buffy," Phoebe joked as Buffy's hair was uncombed and still dripping wet from her shower.

"Nice gown, Pheebs," Buffy retorted irritably while crossing her arms across her chest.

"You're obviously not here to get us out," Piper stated when Buffy's escort closed the door the moment Buffy was inside.

Buffy just shook her head. "What's going on? The CDC showed up at the house, while I was in the shower I might add, and made me come here where they took like half my blood," she explained.

"They picked us up at the club," Phoebe replied with a shrug of her shoulders to Buffy's actual question as the door opened again and Prue walked in.

"Have they said anything to you guys?" Prue demanded.

"No," Piper muttered.

Buffy rolled her eyes dramatically. "They're keeping us all in the dark," she realized.

"Yeah, well, our money is going in the dark. They've shut down the club, they'll ruin it. I'll lose everything," Piper exclaimed furiously.

Phoebe turned to face her and took her hand soothingly. "No you won't. Once this whole thing gets straightened out…"

"I have a feeling that its not going to be that easy," Prue admitted.

"There are other people infected with the disease, right?" Buffy guessed with a hint of worry in her voice.

Prue nodded and ran a hand through her hair. "I heard some doctors talking. They say it's spreading to others," she elaborated.

"But I thought that it wasn't contagious," Phoebe pointed out in confusion.

Buffy shrugged. "That is what he said but it might be a consequence…" she trailed off hesitantly.

Prue glanced at the intercom. "Can they hear us?" she inquired.

"No," Piper answered.

Prue leaned forward. "Did any of you sleep last night by any chance?" she asked.

"Sleep? Piper was bouncing off the walls last night," Phoebe joked although it was practically true. Buffy just shook her head and it was obvious from Prue's face that she didn't either.

"It's gotta be a consequence of the spell you guys cast," Piper realized with a sigh.

"So it's not just them punishing me for being alive because you guys cast a spell to keep me and Piper that way," Buffy said with a sigh.

"Apparently not," Prue agreed.

"Someone's coming," Buffy whispered glancing toward the door.

Dr. Williamson walked into the room a second later with a file in his hands. "Sorry to keep you all waiting," he apologized.

"What? No mask?" Phoebe asked.

Dr. Williamson shook his head. "No, I don't need it. None of us do. However the disease is being spread it isn't airborne. I just ruled that out," he explained.

"Great, then we're free to go," Buffy announced with a glare at the doctor.

"I'm afraid not," he argued.

Phoebe narrowed her eyes dangerously. "You can't keep us here," she snapped.

"Yeah, I have school," Buffy added. "Do you know what they do when you miss school. They flunk you. I don't want to repeat my Junior year."

Dr. Williamson ignored Buffy as he addressed Phoebe. "Actually, I can, by law. Not just because Piper circumvented it by opening the uninspected fruit but because both Piper and Payson are carrying a rare disease that has every possibility of spreading to epidemic proportions," he retorted.

Prue placed her hands on her hips. "I thought you said it isn't contagious," she pointed out.

"Arroyo fever isn't supposed to be contagious…" Dr. Williamson began.

"Well, then maybe you misdiagnosed it," Buffy interrupted.

Dr. Williamson glared at the four of them. "I didn't and aside from the fact that I have no idea how this disease is being spread, there's another little mystery that's concerning me," he explained before turning to Buffy and Piper. "Your recovery makes no clinical sense. Neither of your blood has no antibodies which means both of your immune systems have never fought it off. By all medical standards, you both should be dead."

"What's the matter, doctor? Don't believe in miracles?" Piper retorted.

Dr. Williamson was silent for a moment. "Not the kind that don't leave traces, no," he replied. "I've got six people infected with the disease and there's nothing I can do to save them unless I figure out how it is you two survived. I'm gonna run a series of tests on all four of your blood work. Even DNA sampling. Maybe it's a genetic marker, I don't know, but I'm gonna find out and none of you are leaving until I do," he snapped before walking out.

"Well, his bedside manners sure could use a little work," Phoebe muttered as soon as he had left.

"Great I'm going to be kicked out of school this time." Buffy sighed.

"What do you mean this time?" Phoebe wondered.

"If not for mom dying and moving in with you," Buffy replied. "They were talking expulsion since I burned down the Hemery High gym."

"As interesting at that might be," Prue said with a sigh. "We have more important things to worry about. Besides if we have to, Buffy. We can home school you."

"Six people? How's that possible?" Piper questioned.

Prue shrugged slightly. "When we did the spell, we must have awakened everything in the room, including the disease," she suggested.

"So do you think there's anything different about our blood because we're witches?" Phoebe asked nervously.

"I don't know but our first priority is to figure out how to help save these people," Prue reminded her.

"Yeah but even if we can find a spell to save them, how do we prevent it from spreading to other people?" Phoebe prompted.

Buffy frowned as she began to realize exactly what the Elders had been saying. "You can't. The real question is how far are you willing to go to save me and Piper," she stated.

"As far as it takes," Prue answered immediately.

Piper shook her head. "No, you guys have to reverse the spell and save those people," she argued.

"I have to agree with Piper," Buffy added.

Phoebe exchanged a looked with Prue. "We can't reverse the spell because…"

"You both could go back into a coma. You both could die," Prue finished.

"We're not gonna die. Just reverse the spell and call Leo to heal us," Piper suggested offhandedly.

Phoebe and Prue glanced at each other. Buffy's eyes went wide in realization. Why she wasn't allowed to see Leo. "You called him," Buffy stated.

"We did," Phoebe mumbled.

"They won't let him," Prue added.

"That's why their not letting me see him," Buffy said with a sigh. "Their punishing him because you tried to get him to heal us."

Piper wrapped an arm around Buffy. "It'll be alright," she whispered into her cousin's ear.

"Um, look, we don't know the reversal anyways," Prue pointed out.

"Yeah, and they won't let us outta here to go get it," Phoebe agreed.

"Prue and Buffy are perfectly capable of getting the spell," Piper argued.

Prue placed her hands on her hips and glared at Buffy. "We won't, Piper," Prue insisted.

"Prue…" Buffy started.

"No, we're not going to leave you and Piper to die! You are our sisters." She tapped her chest to indicate her heart. "That's what we all know, right? It don't matter if it's true or not. That's how we all feel." Piper, Buffy and Phoebe nodded. "Now, Buffy, how can you even say that?" she asked, feeling a hint of betrayal at Buffy's attempt to talk her into the idea.

Piper started to cut in but Buffy held her hand up, signaling that it was okay. "Look, Prue, I love you. You know I do but other peoples' family members…their sisters, brothers, mothers…" she trailed off as she indicated herself, "…their cousins will die if we don't do something," she explained gently.

Piper nodded to Buffy as she noticed Prue falter slightly and Piper stepped up in front of Prue. "Buffy is right. We can't let anybody else die," she whispered.

Prue looked away but didn't argue. Piper smiled slightly at Buffy who understood the silent command and flamed out.

Halliwell Manor

Buffy orbed in front of her Book of Shadows and hastily flipped through the pages. She found the reversal spell and tore it out of the book before flaming out again.

San Francisco Memorial

Buffy reappeared just moments later with the spell held tightly in her hand. She looked down at it with a heavy feeling. "You know what this will mean, Piper," she said.

"Yes," Piper replied as she pulled her cousin into her arms. "I know your afraid. But we have to do this."

Buffy nodded as she took a deep breath.

"Come on, you guys, this has to happen," Piper insisted as Buffy went to hand the page to Prue. Prue didn't move a muscle nor did she ever meet either Buffy or her sisters' gaze. "We've already discussed this. For some reason there is no magical out for me and Buffy but there is for the others… please," she pleaded.

Prue slowly looked up to meet Buffy and Piper's eyes and then wrapped them both in a tight hug. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too, Prue," Piper replied, tears forming in her eyes.

"I love you too, Prue," Buffy added as tears formed in her eyes as well.

Prue choked back a sob as she took the page from Buffy. She took a deep breath before she stepped back and took Phoebe's hand. Her other hand rested on Piper while Phoebe's free hand rested on Buffy.

"What was awakened from its sleep. Must once again slumber deep. Return the disease to whence it came. So life can ease back to the same."

Piper and Buffy collapsed before them and Prue managed to grab Piper as Phoebe managed to catch Buffy before they both hit the ground. Prue dropped to her knees, clinging to her younger sister.

"Get help! Someone get help!" Phoebe screamed as she set Buffy gently on the floor. She made a run for the door and knocked as loudly as she could. "Help!" she shouted through the intercom.

Dr. Williamson rushed in at that moment with several doctors behind him. "Help me get them on the beds," Dr. Williamson ordered. Several nurses and he lifted Piper and Buffy onto the beds in the room. "You girls want to tell me what the hell is going on?" he snapped with a glare at them before turning his attention to everyone. "Get them on the monitors..." He leaned over Piper. "Ms. Halliwell? Ms. Halliwell, can you hear me?" he called, but received no response from Piper.

"Ms. Halliwell?" A nurse said as she leaned over Buffy. "Can you hear me?" she asked. She looked up at Williamson. "No response."

Dr. Williamson nodded. "Assist in respiration. Begin CPR," he decided. "Get a team in stat, I'm losing her," he snapped to one of the nurses.

"Doctor," the nurse attending to Buffy said drawing his attention. "We're loosing this one also."

"Get a team in for her too," he ordered.

Prue and Phoebe were knocked out of the way moments later as doctors rushed around.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Dan, followed by Giles, Willow and Xander ran up to the receptionist desk. "Piper and Payson Halliwell, what room are they in?" he demanded. He glared at the receptionist in frustration when they took their time to answer him. "What room are they in, damn it! We're family," he snapped motioning between him and the three behind him.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Dr. Williamson had moved around Piper's bed to stand between Piper and Buffy so it would be easier to monitor them both. He started listing off a string of instructions to one of the nurses. "They're not responding to CPR. Come on," he called.

Prue, Phoebe, Giles, Willow, Xander and Dan shifted to the side so that they were out of the way. Prue ended up with Phoebe in her arms. Giles had Willow in his arms. Both breathing machines no longer beeped but sounded one clear note.

"No," sobbed Willow.

Limbo

Buffy and Piper's spirit rose out of their bodies and floated upwards until they were surrounded by golden light. They strained to make out someone that was walking toward them and their eyes widened when they recognized him. "Leo?" Piper asked.

"Dad?" Buffy added.

"Hurry, take my hands. We don't have much time," Leo explained, reaching out for them both.

Piper hesitated and looked around her. "Are we dead?" she wondered.

Leo shook his head. "No, not yet. Not if you take my hands," he assured them hastily.

"I don't understand," Buffy admitted. "They weren't allowing me to see you."

"I know," Leo replied as he brushed Buffy's hair aside. He then looked at them both. "This is the only way I can heal you both. The only chance I have of them not finding out. Hurry," he prompted.

San Francisco Memorial

"Paddles," Dr. Willamson ordered.

Two of the nurses rushed to get them. "Charging," they answered.

Dr. Williamson and one of the other doctors took them and placed them against Piper and Buffy. "200 Joules. Clear," he shouted and the assistants backed away.

Buffy and Piper's bodies jerked as the electricity shot through them but there was no response.

"No response. I'm not getting anything," a nurse announced.

Dr. Williamson glanced at the heart monitors before he and the other doctor put the paddles against Piper and Buffy. "Again," he decided. A few seconds later he called "clear" and Piper and Buffy's bodies jerked again.

Limbo

Leo held his hands out for Piper and Buffy. "I don't want to lose either of you," he whispered. Piper and Buffy slowly reached out for him and Leo let his hands rest above theirs.

San Francisco Memorial

Dr. Williamson watched the heart monitor for any sign of a response but received none. His gaze flickered to the clock on the wall and the nurse quickly understood what that meant even before he said, "Call it."

"Time of death, 9:40 am," the nurse announced. The nurses backed away and Dr. Williamson turned to look apologetically at the family which had a range of emotions from anger to disbelief to depression.

Buffy and Piper's spirits floated back down to their bodies and the heart monitors began to beep.

Prue's eyes flickered back over to Piper and Buffy and she pushed Phoebe to Xander. "Wait, I think they're responding. There's a heartbeat," she insisted while taking the smallest step forward.

Piper and Buffy began coughing and the nurses immediately put a breath mask on them while Dr. Williamson leaned over Piper. "Piper?" he asked. He then moved to lean over Buffy. "Payson? What the hell? This is incredible," he mumbled, quickly checking over their vitals.

"Leo," Piper gasped.

"Dad," Buffy gasped.

Dan stopped his advancing when he heard Piper and actually backed up a few steps. Phoebe broke from the group and raced to hug Piper while Prue raced to hug Buffy.

"BP. 105 over 60. Pulse is strong," one nurse read Piper's machines.

"BP. 106 over 65. Pulse is strong," another nurse read Buffy's machines.

"I don't understand. What happened?" another nurse asked.

Dr. Williamson had stepped back to let Buffy and Piper's family back around them. "I don't know but I'm gonna find out," he stated as he watched Giles, Willow and Xander took turns hugging Buffy. Prue moved to Piper and she hugged her sister. Dan slowly backed out of the room.

Bucklands Auction House

Prue stood in front of her desk where she picked up her name plate and smiled at it before placing it in a small box with the rest of her desk items. She looked around the room to make sure everything that was hers had been packed up.

Jack came running in. "Hey, I just heard. Are you out of your mind?" he demanded in his surprise.

Prue smiled a little. "I don't know, maybe," she replied with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Come on, Prue. You can't be serious. You can't just quit," Jack insisted.

"I already did. I turned in my resignation and Cauldwell accepted it," Prue explained.

"Why? Just because he doesn't agree with you about selling the Monet?" Jack questioned.

Prue ran a hand through her hair. "It's not authentic, Jack," she stated with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"You know what? Buyer's think it is and they've been thinking that way for over a hundred years," Jack argued.

"So it's worth whatever someone's willing to pay for it, right?" Prue finished shortly.

"Yeah, right," Jack agreed, oblivious to Prue's disagreement.

Prue shook her head. "No, it's wrong or at least in my book it is and that's the way it used to be here before the take over. Before everyone cared more about the sell than what they're selling," she returned.

"Including me, right?" Jack guessed, perhaps a little bitterly.

Prue sighed softly. "Jack, it's not just about the painting or Bucklands philosophy. I've been thinking about this for awhile. A lot has happened to me in the past year and a half. I've seen things…" she trailed off with the thought of magic coming into her life. "… I've seen things I never imagined existed and its changed me. It's made me wanna make changes," she explained.

Jack nodded, realizing that it was something she really wanted to do. "So what are you gonna do?" he asked curiously.

Prue shrugged slightly, a smile crossing her face. "I don't know. Just take some time..." she answered thoughtfully. "Look, I had a little wake-up call and I realize life is too short to be wasting my time doing something that I really don't wanna be doing," she continued.

"Good luck," Jack offered sincerely.

"Hey, look at the bright side, you get my office and a raise," Prue pointed out cheerfully. Jack laughed in agreement. Prue picked up her small box of items. "Thanks for covering for me all those times. See you around," she called before walking out of her office for the last time.

Halliwell Manor

Buffy was seated in the kitchen with a bowl of ice cream in front of her (and her hairbrush at her side). The ice cream had long since melted and she was absently swirling it with her spoon.

Piper watched Buffy curiously for a moment as she walked into her safe haven. "Ice cream, Buffy? Bad day," she realized.

Buffy rolled her eyes. "How can you think it hasn't been?" she returned, slowly turning to face her cousin.

Piper sighed softly and she crossed the room to take the seat across from Buffy. "I'm sorry, Buffy. Didn't mean to upset you," she apologized before her eyes widened in worry. "Leo…is he okay?" she demanded, guessing that could be the cause of Buffy's down attitude.

"I don't know," Buffy answered. "He's not answering my calls." She sighed as she looked at Piper. "I think he got in trouble. I think they found out."

"How could they?" Piper questioned. "Even he was certain that they wouldn't."

"I don't know," Buffy answered with a shrug. She sighed. "That's not the only reason behind…" she motioned toward the melted ice cream to indicate her current mood. "I've died twice, Piper, to prevent an apocalypse and to vanquish a ghost. If not for dad, I would have died forever this time. So would have you."

Piper sighed audibly and reached across the table to take Buffy's hand. "They were right to reverse the spell. Innocent people were dying because of what we did," she stated but it was obvious that Buffy still felt sad. "Look, sweetie, do you really think that either of us could live with innocent people dying for us?"

"No," Buffy answered as she smiled just a little.

Piper stood up from the table. "Don't ever beat yourself up for choosing an innocent over…Do you understand?" she pressed in all seriousness.

Buffy nodded and wiped the few tears from her eyes. "Yeah, I got it," she promised.

Piper smiled and pulled Buffy to her feet so that she could hug her. "No more moping," she ordered lightly.

"Yeah, yeah," Buffy agreed, laughing softly.

Piper smirked and then glanced at Buffy's bowl of melted ice cream. "Now go clean that. You're going to ruin the bowl," she scolded. Buffy rolled her eyes but moved to obey.

P4

Piper shoved a box of the kiwano fruit into one of her bartender's arms. "These haven't been inspected yet. Put them in the back. We're returning them to the supplier," she ordered. A feeling of relief washed over her as the bartender took the last box away.

"Looks like someone learned their lesson," Phoebe stated as Piper joined all her sisters and cousin by the bar.

"Yeah, the hard way unfortunately," Piper agreed with a sigh.

"Well, it could be worse," Buffy pointed out cheerfully.

Prue nodded in agreement while glancing around the club. "Mhm… the club's doing okay. Doesn't look like quarantine ruined business too much," Prue backed up Buffy.

Piper snorted at the statement. "Yeah, thanks to no cover charge and free drinks," she muttered but she really didn't seem too upset about it. After all, it was now obvious that the club had a base attendance. Still Piper frowned after a moment of inspecting her club. "Have you guys seen Dan around?" she asked.

"No, why?" Prue, Phoebe and Buffy answered and questioned at the same time.

Piper shrugged slightly. "No reason I guess. I just thought he might stop by," she explained.

"I think he mentioned something about taking Jenny out somewhere," Buffy offered but it was half-hearted as she exchanged glances with Prue and Phoebe.

Piper didn't miss the looks. "What?" she prompted curiously.

Phoebe silently agreed to tell her. "Uh, you know, Piper, Dan sorta heard you call Leo's name when you were coming around at the hospital," she replied apologetically.

Piper's eyes widened in realization. "He did?" she demanded before sighing dramatically. "That wasn't me thinking about Leo, that was just…"

"Him saving you and Buffy, we know," Phoebe assured her. "After all we heard Buffy say dad."

"Still, how are you gonna explain that to Dan," Prue asked as much as stated the problem.

"See, that is a problem for tomorrow," Buffy insisted. "We should just be happy that Piper and I are alive today," she added and her cousins nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I mean, just because we're witches doesn't mean we're above the laws of nature," Prue agreed.

Phoebe in particular was nodding emphatically. "Or the Wiccan Ones," she remarked.

Piper smiled and her gaze flickered from Prue to Phoebe and finally to Buffy. "I know, you don't have to tell me twice. I'm not taking anything for granted anymore."

"Ditto," Prue announced just as seriously.

"Neither am I," Buffy agreed. "I think from now on I am never patrolling alone. I don't want to put you guys through that again."

Prue smiled as she wrapped an arm around her cousin. "I think that's a good idea, Buffy," she agreed. "Having at least myself or Piper along could help when you patrol. And minimize the risk of another death."

Phoebe turned a teasing look to Prue. "Prue, welcome to the ranks of the unemployed. I'm proud of you. I think what you did was very brave," she admitted.

"Thanks," Prue appreciated. She noticed Leo coming down the stairs. "Ooh, Piper, Buffy." She motioned toward the man. "Leo."

Piper and Buffy subtly inched toward Leo. "Tell him thanks for us too," Phoebe called after them.

Piper and Buffy waved their hands in acknowledgment and moved through the crowd until they were in front of Leo. "Hey," they greeted.

"Hey, how are you two feeling?" Leo asked with a hint of worry in his voice.

"Okay, a little tired which is actually a good thing," Piper admitted.

"Same, dad," Buffy added.

Piper's gaze dropped to the ground before she began again. "Leo, thank you for everything…"

"I couldn't let you or Buffy die, Piper," Leo interrupted sincerely.

Buffy and Piper couldn't contain a smile. "I think I speak for myself and your daughter in saying. We're very glad you couldn't…" she trailed off with a sudden though. "Did you get in trouble?" she questioned worriedly remembering what Buffy had said earlier.

Leo nodded a little reluctantly. "Yeah, actually, a lot. They found out what I did," he explained. He noticed that Buffy looked down at her feet and he realized she had already thought of that possibility. "You called for me didn't you?" he asked as he lifted her chin so he could see his daughter's eyes.

"Yes," Buffy answered.

Leo nodded as he pulled Buffy into his arms. "They clipped my wings," he told them.

Piper looked at Buffy as her jaw dropped. "What?" she demanded looking back at Leo.

"It's not permanent," Leo hastily assured both of them. "It's more like a suspension… I hope."

Piper and Buffy were silent as they fully registered what he had just said. "Leo, I-I don't know what to say…" Piper started.

"You don't have to say anything. Neither you or Buffy did anything, I did," Leo began. He looked at his daughter. "I couldn't let you die, sweetie, you are one of the things that I am glad to have broken rules for." He then looked at Piper. "And you are another. I guess in the back of my head I always hoped that you and I would get a second chance."

"I'm with Dan now," Piper reminded him nervously.

Leo nodded in acknowledgement. "I know but I also know that now that I'm mortal, I'm gonna fight for you. May the best man win," Leo promised. "But right now. I think I want to spend time with my daughter."

Piper nodded as she watched Leo lead Buffy away. "You two have fun," she called after them.