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.

76. Chapter 76: All Hell Breaks Loose

Chapter 76: All Hell Breaks Loose

May 31, 1999 – Monday

Superior Court of California, San Francisco

The courtroom buzzed with activity as the day of Faith's trial unfolded. Buffy and Willow sat together, their presence a silent show of support for their sister in arms. Faith, flanked by her lawyer and Giles, wore a stoic expression that betrayed the underlying tension beneath the surface.

The proceedings began, the legal dance unfolding as arguments were presented, witnesses testified, and evidence was laid bare. The air was thick with anticipation, each moment carrying the weight of Faith's past actions and the consequences she now faced.

Buffy and Willow observed from the gallery, their eyes flickering between Faith and the proceedings. Buffy's jaw tightened, her concern etched on her face, while Willow's expression oscillated between sympathy and hope.

Giles fought valiantly, presenting a case that aimed to highlight Faith's troubled past and the strides she had taken toward redemption. The courtroom, however, remained unforgiving, an arena where judgment hung heavy.

As witnesses took the stand, Buffy and Willow listened intently, their emotions a tumultuous sea of empathy and anguish. The weight of the courtroom seemed to press down on them, a stark reminder of the gravity of Faith's actions.

The prosecution painted a vivid picture of the destruction Faith had wrought, emphasizing the severity of her past transgressions. Buffy's hands clenched involuntarily, her eyes never leaving Faith. Willow, too, felt the tension in the air, her heart aching for the sister she had come to understand and accept.

Faith's eyes met Buffy's for a fleeting moment, a silent exchange that spoke volumes. It was a mix of regret, gratitude, and a plea for understanding. In that shared gaze, the complexities of their relationship played out—a tapestry woven with pain, forgiveness, and the hope for a better future.

As the trial progressed, Buffy and Willow found themselves caught between the legal intricacies and the emotional turmoil surrounding Faith's fate. The courtroom became a battleground, each argument and counterargument echoing through the sterile space.

Finally, as the closing statements were made, Buffy and Willow exchanged a glance. It was a silent acknowledgment of the journey they had embarked on with Faith, a journey that had brought them to this moment of reckoning.

The jury deliberated, the courtroom holding its collective breath. In those tense moments, Buffy and Willow clung to the hope that justice would be tempered with mercy, and that Faith's path toward redemption would be acknowledged.

The courtroom held its breath as the jury returned with their verdict. Faith stood stoically, her gaze fixed forward, while Buffy and Willow waited anxiously in the gallery. The air crackled with tension, the weight of the impending decision palpable.

The judge, a figure of authority at the front of the room, solemnly accepted the verdict. As the words echoed through the courtroom, a mix of relief and sorrow played across Faith's features. The jury had found her guilty, but the sentence was more lenient than expected.

June 3, 1999 – Wednesday

Halliwell Manor

Buffy, Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and their innocent, a surgeon by the name of Griffiths, cautiously entered through the front doors, their steps echoing in the dimly lit surroundings. Tension hung in the air like a heavy cloak, and the shadows seemed to play tricks on their senses.

"Okay, I think we made it. I'm sure we made it. Do you think we made it?" Piper's voice quivered with a mixture of anxiety and hope, her eyes darting around the eerie space.

"I don't know," Prue admitted, her tone carrying the weight of uncertainty as she scanned their surroundings, on high alert for any sign of danger.

"I think he would've attacked by now if we hadn't," Phoebe chimed in, her words tinged with a blend of intuition and worry, her eyes narrowed in anticipation.

Griffiths, bewildered and anxious, couldn't bear the suspense any longer. "Who? Who would've attacked? Why won't you tell me what's going on?" he implored, desperation evident in his voice as he searched each of their faces for answers.

Buffy shook her head with a mix of determination and frustration. "Because we're busy trying to save your life," she replied, her words cutting through the air like a sharp blade.

"From who?" Griffiths asked, his eyes wide with a mix of confusion and concern.

"Uh, unfortunately, we're not quite sure," Prue admitted, her expression revealing a hint of frustration at the uncertainty surrounding the looming threat.

"That's because Phoebe did not give us time to figure it out," Piper interjected, her voice tinged with a touch of exasperation. She cast a pointed look at Phoebe.

Phoebe sighed, her tone carrying a blend of apology and defensiveness. "Well, I didn't have a lot of time. I mean, I can't control how far in the future my premonitions take place. I saw the attack, we kicked butt, what more do you want?"

"I would like to know more about who we are up against," Buffy asserted, her eyes narrowing as she considered the gravity of the situation. A sense of urgency and determination emanated from her.

"Okay, Phoebe, maybe you should check the Book of Shadows, see if you can find anything else on this demonic hit man, okay?" Prue suggested, her tone a mixture of command and encouragement as she took charge of the situation.

"Excuse me, demonic?" Griffiths asked, his disbelief evident in his raised eyebrows and the incredulous tone of his voice, as if grappling with the surreal nature of the conversation.

And how to vanquish him, that would be a good thing to know, and do not get sidetracked with the Cole potion thingy because the only ones we are concerned about saving right now is ourselves," Piper asserted, her voice carrying a sense of urgency and frustration, her eyes fixed on Phoebe as she ascended the stairs to search for answers.

"Ah, okay, what Cole potion?" Prue inquired, a perplexed furrow appearing on her brow as she tried to piece together the fragments of the conversation.

"Ah, he told her that he only killed because some demon cast a spell on him. How naive is that?" Piper explained, her words laced with a combination of disbelief and irritation at the mention of Cole's justifications.

"I thought she was over him?" Prue remarked, a note of surprise coloring her voice as she exchanged a puzzled glance with Piper.

"Apparently not," Piper replied, her expression revealing a mix of annoyance and concern for her sister's emotional state.

"What the hell are you talking about? First, you tell me my life's in danger, then you abduct me from my work, now you're talking about demons and witches. Who the hell are you people?" Griffiths demanded, his frustration boiling over as he struggled to comprehend the surreal situation unfolding before him.

"Look, we know that this all sounds incredible, but it doesn't make it any less true," Buffy said, her voice carrying a mix of empathy and urgency. The weight of the situation bore down on her, and she struggled to convey the gravity of the threat they faced. "Alright, you're a healer, you do good, now either you have saved too many lives or you're about to save a life that they don't want you to save."

"They?" Griffiths asked, his skepticism evident in the furrow of his brow.

"Yeah, demons," Prue explained, her tone somber. "Uh, more specifically, Shax. He was the Source's assassin."

"Hold it, I get it. This is a practical joke, right? Do you have a hidden camera here? My second wife put you up to this? Ah, it's just like her," Griffiths scoffed, his laughter echoing in the room as he tried to dismiss the surreal nature of the conversation.

"O-o-okay, Dr. Griffiths, listen to me, this is anything but..." Buffy began, her words trailing off as a frown creased her face. Her Slayer senses tingled, alerting her to an imminent danger that went beyond the realm of practical jokes.

"What?" Piper asked, her concern deepening as she observed Buffy's sudden shift in demeanor.

"My spidey sense is going off," Buffy declared, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency. "Phoebe?" she called up the stairs, a note of concern threading through her words.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" Phoebe called out, her voice strained with urgency, just as a tornado of wind burst through the front door, wreaking havoc in its wake.

"Phoebe!" Prue, Piper, and Buffy yelled in unison, their voices a chorus of concern and warning.

The tornado tore through the foyer with a furious force, slamming Buffy, Prue, and Piper to the floor. A deafening clap of thunder reverberated through the air, and as suddenly as it had appeared, the tornado calmed down, revealing Shax as he emerged from its winds. The demon stood tall, draped entirely in shades of gray—gray long hair, gray skin, gray unbuttoned shirt, and gray long pants.

"Dear god," Griffiths exclaimed, his disbelief palpable as he witnessed the unearthly spectacle unfolding before him.

"No!" Prue shouted, her protective instincts kicking in. She swiftly rose from the floor, pushing Griffiths out of harm's way just as Shax unleashed a lethal energy ball.

The projectile struck Prue with a brutal force, sending her crashing straight through a wall. "Prue!" Piper and Buffy cried out in anguish, their voices a desperate plea for their sister's safety.

Piper staggered to her feet, the pain evident on her face, just as Shax, undeterred, hurled another deadly energy ball at her. The impact sent her hurtling through a wall, leaving debris in her wake. The room echoed with the sounds of destruction as the powerful force of the demonic attack wreaked havoc.

A fireball materialized in Buffy's hand as she faced the oncoming threat. Shax unleashed yet another energy ball, and in a display of supernatural prowess, Buffy launched the fireball in retaliation. The two formidable projectiles collided, producing a blinding explosion that reverberated through the air. The force of the blast flung Buffy backward, sending her crashing into the dining room with a tumultuous impact.

Shax, seemingly unaffected by the chaos he had unleashed, turned his attention to Griffiths, who, grappling with the surreal horror before him, managed to ask, "What are you?"

"The end," Shax replied ominously, his voice resonating with a chilling finality that sent shivers down Griffiths' spine.

Meanwhile, Phoebe descended the stairs, clutching a piece of paper in her hands. Her eyes focused on the demonic force before her as she began to chant, "Evil wind that blows, that which forms below, no longer may you dwell." Her voice grew in intensity as she recited the incantation, and with determination, she concluded, "Death takes you with this spell."

As Phoebe uttered the final words, Shax groaned in pain, his form contorting as if resisting the magical incantation. In a last defiant act, he transformed back into the tornado-like wind and vanished outside, leaving behind a sense of eerie calm after the storm of supernatural chaos.

Phoebe's heart pounded with worry as she surveyed the scene, her sisters—Buffy, Prue, and Piper—all lying unconscious and bleeding on the floor. "Oh, no," she murmured in genuine concern, a knot tightening in her stomach. Without hesitation, she rushed over to each of them in turn, anxiety etched on her face.

Her hands moved urgently as she checked them one by one. The sight of all three of them, unconscious and bleeding, sent a shiver down her spine. "Oh, god. Leo! Leo!" Phoebe called out in desperation, her voice carrying the weight of the situation.

In a shimmer of light, Leo orbed in, a look of concern etched on his face. "Hurry, it's bad," Phoebe urged, her eyes pleading for his immediate assistance.

Leo wasted no time. He knelt down beside them, his hands glowing with a healing energy. Placing his left hand above Prue and his right hand above Piper, he began the process of mending their wounds. The room was filled with a soft, otherworldly hum as Leo worked his magic. After a tense moment, the blood vanished, the cuts disappeared, and their torn clothing magically mended itself.

With a sense of urgency, Leo rushed over to Buffy and began the healing process for her as well. The room seemed to hold its breath as the healing energy worked its magic.

As Piper and Prue started to stir, Piper couldn't help but voice her confusion, "Ahh, what happened?" She blinked, disoriented, as she and Prue slowly woke.

"You guys almost died, that's what happened," Leo replied, his voice steady but filled with the gravity of the situation, as he completed the healing process for Buffy.

"Again?" Buffy questioned, a mix of sarcasm and vulnerability in her tone as she looked up at her father. Leo, well aware of the impact Buffy's previous death experiences had on her, pulled her into a protective embrace.

"Yeah, well, what else is new?" Piper quipped, injecting a touch of humor to ease the tension, though the weight of their perilous encounters lingered in the air.

"Oh, where's Shax?" Prue inquired, her eyes scanning the room with a determined intensity.

"Well, I tried to use the vanquishing spell on him, but I think it just wounded him," Phoebe explained, her expression tinged with regret. "He turned into the wind."

"Maybe the spell needs more than one witch to have its full impact," Buffy suggested, her gaze thoughtful as Leo assisted her to her feet, the concern evident in his eyes.

"Okay, come on," Prue declared, rising with a sense of purpose. Piper, still recovering, questioned, "Come on? Where?" as Prue extended a helping hand to her.

"To find him so we can finish him off while he's still hurt," Prue replied, her tone resolute. She turned to Buffy and Phoebe, issuing instructions, "Look, you two just stay here with Griffiths, alright? If Shax comes back, say the spell, okay? Ow. Come on." With Piper in tow, she led the way out the door, leaving Buffy and Phoebe with the crucial task of safeguarding their injured ally.

Leo, sensing the bewildered state of the Doctor, met his gaze with a reassuring look.

Streets of San Francisco

Prue and Piper looked around the neighborhood trying to find Shax.

"Maybe Phoebe hurt him worse than we thought," suggested Piper.

"No, he's got to be around here somewhere," Prue countered as they ran down the street. "He wouldn't leave without getting what he came for."

"Do you really think he'd attack us in broad daylight?" asked Piper.

Prue shushed her sister as they came to a stop to listen for any sign of Shax. Abruptly the powerful tornado demon came up behind them. They gasped in surprise and turned around as Shax appeared. He threw an aerokinetic blast at them, but Prue deflected it back with her telekinetic power. It hit him but didn't harm him.

"Blow this!" Piper held out her hands and blew up Shax, making him disappear. "Okay, is he dead?"

"I doubt it," said Prue. "We didn't say the spell."

"Maybe we don't have to. We don't always," Piper huffed as she looked around for anyone on the street, "We're lucky nobody saw us."

"Alright, let's just get back to Phoebe and Buffy," Prue motioned as they turned back toward the manor, "Come on."

Down the street, unbeknownst to the Halliwells, a female reporter and a camera man had watched the whole ordeal go down. The woman immediately turned back to the camera.

"Back to me, back to me, back to me," said the reporter as the camera man hurriedly obeyed. "Okay, um, I'm not exactly sure what just happened, but whatever it was, you saw it here... live."

Halliwell Manor

Buffy, Prue, Phoebe, and Dr. Griffiths found a moment of respite in the conservatory, settling into the comfortable cane chairs. The atmosphere was laden with the aftermath of the supernatural events that had unfolded. Piper entered, carrying a glass of water, and she extended it to Griffiths with a reassuring smile. "Here," she offered, a silent gesture of comfort.

"Thank you," Griffiths acknowledged gratefully, taking a sip from the glass as he sought to process the extraordinary reality he had witnessed.

"Now you understand why you have to keep this a secret? Why you can't tell anyone about us, about what you saw today," Phoebe explained, her eyes meeting Griffiths' with a mix of sincerity and caution.

"If others knew, we wouldn't be able to do what we do anymore. We wouldn't be able to help future innocents like we helped you," Prue added, her tone carrying a sense of responsibility and the weight of their mission.

"No, I understand. I mean, I don't understand everything. Demons, witches, the Source. So much for being an atheist. Your secret is safe with me," Griffiths affirmed, his acceptance tinged with a touch of humor as he grappled with the newfound awareness of a world beyond the realms of science and logic.

Buffy's smile widened with gratitude. "Thank you," she replied, the sincerity in her voice echoing the trust they had placed in the man seated with them in the conservatory.

"No, thank you. You saved my life; the least I can do is protect yours," Griffiths expressed, a sense of gratitude and newfound purpose in his words. The bond forged in the crucible of danger and secrecy had created a unique understanding between him and the sisters.

"Okay, I'll walk you to the door," Phoebe offered, rising alongside Griffiths as they prepared to leave the conservatory.

"Bye," Prue bid, a mix of relief and camaraderie in her voice as Phoebe guided Griffiths toward the exit. The door closed behind them, leaving the remaining sisters in a momentary quiet before Leo approached.

"How'd it go?" Leo inquired, his concern evident as he joined the sisters in the conservatory.

"We dodged another bullet," Piper answered, her voice carrying a mix of relief and exhaustion from the recent encounter.

"Yeah, with him maybe," Prue added, her tone reflecting a lingering sense of caution.

"What do you mean?" Leo asked, his brow furrowed with concern as Prue's unease caught his attention.

"I don't know, I mean, something still bothers me about the way that we vanquished Shax. Like, I'm not so sure we really did," Prue admitted, a shadow of doubt clouding her expression.

"What do you mean?" Buffy inquired, her Slayer instincts on high alert as she joined the conversation, sensing the undercurrent of uncertainty.

"He screamed, he went poof, just like they all do. Third demon in a row, by the way, that I vanquished with my new power, but who's counting?" Piper interjected, her attempt at humor failing to mask the growing unease in the room. Phoebe returned, sensing the tension in the air.

"Right, but if that's all that we needed, then why was there a vanquishing spell in the book? I mean, hasn't that always meant that our individual powers weren't enough?" Prue questioned, her analytical mind searching for answers to the unsettling puzzle.

"Except both the family's book as well as Buffy's was written by witches with less powers than you guys have. They needed the spells," Leo explained, attempting to reassure them with a logical explanation.

"Plus, I think if he was still alive, he probably would've attacked us again by now," Phoebe reassured, attempting to dispel the growing unease that lingered in the room.

"Ah, you know, Leo, can you just check to make sure, please? With the Elders?" Prue requested, her voice carrying a mix of concern and a desire for confirmation.

"Do you want me to go, Dad?" Buffy offered, a readiness in her tone. "Just to be on the safe side."

"No," Leo insisted, placing a comforting hand on Buffy's shoulder. "You stay here just in case till I return." With that, he orbed out of the room, leaving the sisters in a state of anticipation.

"If you ask me, I think you're being paranoid. We kicked Shax's ass. We bad," Piper declared with a confident smirk, attempting to inject a sense of lightheartedness into the tense atmosphere.

"Yes, you're probably right," Prue conceded, though the uneasiness still lingered beneath the surface.

"Then I'm hoping you won't need me around here for a while. I want to try a new potion on Cole. One that'll reverse the spell that turned him bad in the first place," Phoebe declared, determination shining in her eyes as she revealed her plan.

Buffy's gaze shifted to Phoebe, a mix of empathy and wariness in her expression. After her own painful experience with Angel leaving, she felt torn between wishing Phoebe the best and the urge to caution her about the potential heartache that lay ahead.

"Phoebe..." Piper began, a note of concern in her voice.

"I'm not looking for your approval, Piper, just your support," Phoebe asserted, her words carrying a touch of defiance as she prepared to embark on a challenging journey.

"Well, Phoebe, it's sort of hard to give you support when you're just setting yourself up to get hurt again," Prue voiced her apprehension, her protective instincts for her sister surfacing.

Phoebe sighed, a mixture of frustration and conviction etched on her face. "Cole is good inside, I know it. And if dark magic did this to him, then how come white magic can't save him? I can't just turn my back; I have to try," she explained, her determination unwavering despite the skepticism around her. The weight of her love for Cole and her belief in redemption fueled her quest, setting her on a path where the boundaries between love and danger blurred.

Buffy nodded, her hand raised in a gesture intended to forestall any objections Piper might voice. "What do you want us to do?" she inquired, her tone indicating her readiness to assist Phoebe.

Phoebe's smile widened, a mix of gratitude and determination in her eyes. "I want you to use the magic-to-magic spell to send me down there. I reworded it to make it work," she explained, passing a carefully written piece of paper to Buffy.

"Uh, Phoebe, that's awfully dangerous. If something goes wrong, we won't be able to contact each other," Piper cautioned, her concern for her sister evident in her voice.

"I'll be safe. I'll be with Cole. And he'll bring me back, so don't worry about that," Phoebe reassured, her confidence in her plan unwavering.

"You're banking a lot on that little potion of yours, you know," Prue remarked, a hint of skepticism in her voice as she considered the risks involved.

"No, I'm not. I'm banking on Cole," Phoebe asserted, her voice resonating with faith in the man she loved.

Underworld

Cole lay on a makeshift bed of straw, arranged haphazardly over a large boulder. The rough surface beneath him hardly mattered as his slumber remained restless, plagued by shadows and tormented dreams. The quiet stillness of the place was broken by the sudden appearance of Phoebe, who materialized beside him with a determined look in her eyes.

Crouching down beside the makeshift bed, Phoebe reached out to stroke Cole's hair gently. "Cole, wake up," she whispered, her voice carrying a mix of urgency and affection.

"Phoebe..." Cole's eyes flickered open, and at the sound of her voice, he quickly rose from his makeshift bed, a mix of surprise and wariness etched across his face. "What are you doing here?" he asked, a note of concern lacing his words.

"I came to bring you back," Phoebe replied, her eyes locking onto his with unwavering determination.

In the single beat of her heart, everything changed. Cole's demeanor shifted, and his hand shot out, wrapping around Phoebe's neck with an alarming swiftness. The warmth that had filled the moment just moments ago now turned to a chilling tension. "You just made a huge mistake," he declared, his voice low and filled with an ominous threat.

Streets of San Francisco

Buffy, Prue, and Piper stood on the sidewalk outside the Manor, the air thick with a sense of lingering unease. Prue was crouched down, scrutinizing the ground with a furrowed brow, searching for any sign of the recent supernatural encounter.

"What did you expect to find?" Piper inquired, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

Prue stood up, her expression contemplative. "I don't know, something, though," she admitted, a persistent sense of bewilderment in her eyes.

"Well, demons don't usually leave footprints, remember?" Piper pointed out, her tone rationalizing the lack of physical evidence on the ground.

Prue nodded in acknowledgment. "No, but sometimes they leave a residue when they've been vanquished. Like vampires do when they dust. Something otherwise innocuous. Look, I just don't understand how we could vanquish such a powerful demon without a spell," Prue mused, her analytical mind seeking answers to the mysteries that surrounded their recent confrontation with Shax.

"But frankly, I'm more worried about Phoebe than Shax. We shouldn't have let her go," Piper admitted, her concern for her sister overshadowing the lingering questions about the vanquishing.

"I have to agree with Piper. Even with Angel leaving me, I do hold a little hope Cole can be redeemed for Phoebe. But I still have my doubts. And if it doesn't work, she's trapped with him," Buffy admitted, her voice revealing the complexities of her emotions, drawing parallels between her own experiences and Phoebe's current predicament.

Prue sighed, her gaze thoughtful as they continued walking up the street. "Phoebe can take care of herself. Dr. Griffiths can't," she asserted, emphasizing the contrasting situations. The weight of her concern for Phoebe and the nagging feeling of unease added a layer of tension to their strides. "Look, Buffy, Piper, I've had a bad feeling about this. I've had one all day. If there's one thing I've learned since becoming a witch, it's to trust those feelings," Prue confided, the wisdom gained from her supernatural experiences guiding her instincts.

As they walked past a little girl standing in front of her house, Piper greeted her with a friendly "Hi." However, the warmth was met with an unexpected reaction. The little girl's mother hurriedly rushed up to her daughter, pulling her inside their house with a sense of urgency. "Come on, sweetie, stay away from them," the mother cautioned, casting a wary glance at Piper and the others.

"Hey, that's rude," Buffy protested, her indignation evident as she confronted the mother's prejudiced judgment.

San Francisco Police Department

Inspector Darryl Morris led a handcuffed man into the precinct and gestured toward a chair. "Sit," he commanded, and the man complied, taking a seat. As Darryl focused on his duties, he noticed his Captain approaching, a serious expression etched on his face.

"Captain?" Darryl inquired, his brow furrowed with curiosity.

"Looks like all those freaky rumors about you and the Halliwells might not have been rumors after all," the Captain remarked, his words loaded with a weighty implication that caught Darryl off guard.

Darryl's confusion deepened at the mention of his friends, the Halliwells. "What do you mean?" he questioned, seeking clarity as the Captain motioned toward the TV in the room. The screen displayed footage of Prue and Piper engaging in a supernatural battle, ultimately vanquishing Shax. The realization hit Darryl like a sudden jolt, causing his face to pale.

"Oh, no," Darryl whispered, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The exposure of the Halliwells' supernatural activities had far-reaching consequences, and the unexpected revelation left Darryl grappling with the implications for both his personal life and professional responsibilities.

Halliwell Manor

Piper and Buffy sat in front of the TV as Prue entered the kitchen, clutching the phone to her ear. Her voice took on a professional tone as she navigated the conversation, seeking information about Dr. Griffiths' condition.

"No, I understand. How long will he be in there? Okay, just have Dr. Griffiths call me as soon as possible. Alright, thanks. Bye," Prue said, concluding the call with a sigh of relief. She turned her attention to Piper and Buffy, updating them on the situation. "Okay, well, at least Griffiths is in surgery, for now. No way Shax will attack him in there."

Piper voiced the concerns lingering in the air, her worry evident in her words. "Okay, but what do we do then? We can't protect him indefinitely."

Prue, ever the strategic thinker, offered a potential solution. "Well, if I'm right, we won't have to. I mean, Shax will attack sooner rather than later. We should go," she suggested, a sense of urgency underlying her words.

Buffy, however, shook her head, her concern for their missing sister evident. "No, we should wait, for Dad. To see what he found out, especially with Phoebe gone. I mean, what if we need the Power of Three? You both know I can't match it even augmenting you two."

Just then, the phone rang, interrupting their discussion. Prue's instincts kicked in, and she immediately answered it. "Hello? No, Darryl, just wait, slow down, okay. What?"

Darryl's voice crackled through the line, his urgency cutting through the air. "Have you seen the TV yet today? It's all over it."

"What's all over it, Darryl?" Prue inquired, her tone laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Just turn on the TV, okay? I told the captain I would handle it," Darryl urged, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.

"Change the channel to a local news channel," Prue directed Buffy, who promptly grabbed the remote and started flipping through the channels. The anticipation in the room grew as they awaited the revelation on the screen.

Finally, the local news channel appeared, and the footage that played left them all in stunned silence. On the screen, they saw Prue and Piper engaged in a supernatural battle, culminating in the vanquishing of Shax.

"Oh my goddess!" Buffy exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief as the reality of their exposure sank in.

"Prue? Prue?" Darryl's voice echoed through the phone, seeking confirmation and explanation.

On the television, the footage seamlessly transitioned to a reporter, Elana, accompanied by her cameraman, strolling down the sidewalk. The camera panned to capture the surroundings, creating a heightened sense of anticipation. "Here we are approaching the home of where they allegedly live," Elana announced, her voice carrying a mixture of excitement and professionalism.

As the reality of the situation unfolded on the screen, Prue's eyes widened in shock, and a gasp escaped her lips. In a moment of disbelief, she dropped the phone, and her hand instinctively covered her mouth. The weight of the revelation sent a shiver down her spine, realizing the potential consequences of their secret lives exposed to the public.

On the television, Elana had now positioned herself in front of the Manor. "Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Payson Halliwell. And you're gonna meet them live right here on KCSF," Elana declared, her words echoing through the room with an air of finality.

Panic crept into Piper's voice as the gravity of the situation set in. "What are we gonna do?" she asked, her eyes darting between Prue and Buffy.

The once-quiet neighborhood surrounding the Halliwell manor was now abuzz with activity. Dozens of cameramen jostled for prime positions, reporters wielded microphones and recorders, and curious onlookers filled the sidewalks. The air crackled with a palpable tension, the result of the Halliwell sisters' supernatural secrets laid bare for all to see.

As the chaotic scene unfolded, Darryl arrived in his squad car, drawing the attention of the reporters like a magnet. They swarmed around him, firing questions with relentless urgency. "Have you come to arrest them?" the first reporter demanded, thrusting a recorder in his face. "Do you consider them dangerous?"

"No comment," Darryl replied, maintaining his composure as he briskly walked toward the manor's entrance, the relentless reporters in tow. "I said no comment," he repeated, a steely resolve in his tone.

As Darryl ascended the steps, he found himself flanked by Elana and a woman named Alice, the latter seizing the opportunity to interject. "Hey, hey, I can help. I know who they are, I know what they are. They're witches just like me. Just like I am," Alice proclaimed, attempting to make herself heard amidst the chaotic scene.

Darryl, focused on his mission, approached the manor's door, speaking into his cell. "Yeah, Prue, I'm at the door, open it up."

The door swung open, revealing Prue standing on the threshold, facing the intrusive press. "Would you like to make a statement?" Elana asked, her camera rolling, capturing every moment of the surreal situation that had unfolded outside the Halliwell residence.

"I said no comment," Darryl reiterated, his stern expression underscoring his determination to keep tight-lipped about the Halliwell sisters' involvement in the supernatural events that had unfolded.

"Ms. Halliwell..." Elana began, turning her attention toward Prue, attempting to press for a response from the reluctant subjects of the unfolding media storm.

"Back off!" Prue interrupted abruptly, her voice firm and authoritative. She swiftly ushered Darryl inside the manor before slamming the door shut, leaving Elana and the persistent reporters on the outside.

"Isn't that illegal? Can't you do something about that?" Piper asked Darryl, concern etched across her face as she stood beside Buffy.

"Hey, killing somebody on live TV is pretty illegal too, you know," Darryl retorted, his response laced with a touch of dry humor, despite the seriousness of the situation.

Prue shook her head, dismissing the notion of wrongdoing. "Okay, it wasn't somebody, Darryl, it was a demon. And we're pretty sure we didn't kill him anyway," she explained, emphasizing the supernatural nature of the threat they faced.

"Do you want to try telling them that?" Darryl posed the question, his tone reflecting the pragmatism of someone who understood the difficult balance between the supernatural and the legal.

Buffy let out a frustrated sigh, capturing the shared sentiment of the Halliwell sisters as they grappled with the repercussions of their actions being broadcast to the world. "Ugh..."

"Look, I've called for backup, but that's not gonna help for long. This thing's gonna get ugly fast," Darryl warned, recognizing the imminent escalation of the situation.

"We shouldn't have followed Shax into the street," Piper lamented, her regret palpable as she replayed the events leading to the dramatic confrontation in her mind.

"We didn't have a choice, Piper," Prue defended their actions, a steely resolve in her eyes as she justified the decisions made in the heat of the supernatural battle.

"Didn't we?" Piper challenged, her voice filled with doubt. The weight of the choices made and the consequences unfolding loomed over them, creating an atmosphere charged with tension and uncertainty.

"Sure, we could've let him kill our innocent," Prue responded, her tone edged with frustration. "That would've been better, you think? Alright, you know what? Let's not let this thing get between us, okay? We have enough problems as it is, please."

Piper, grappling with her own internal conflict, took a moment to absorb Prue's words, the weight of their choices pressing on her. The sisters found themselves at a crossroads, caught between their duty as witches and the legal ramifications of their actions.

"More than you know. The captain wants me to bring you in for questioning," Darryl revealed, his expression revealing the difficulty of his position, torn between his loyalty to the sisters and his duty as a police officer.

Buffy shook her head in disbelief. "Right, Darryl, and what do they tell him? The truth?"

Darryl sighed, acknowledging the complexity of their situation. "What are you gonna tell them?" he asked, his gaze lingering on the sisters as his cell phone rang. "Captain?" he answered, stepping into another room to handle the urgent call.

"You know, maybe when Phoebe's done saving Cole, she can come back and save us," Prue suggested as Leo orbed into the room, bringing a new dynamic to the conversation.

"Hello, Leo, nice of you to orb in. Where have you been?" Piper questioned, a mix of frustration and concern in her voice.

"Trying to figure out how to get you out of this mess. It's pretty big news up there," Leo explained, his expression a mix of concern and urgency as he addressed the sisters.

"Well, in case you hadn't noticed, Dad, it's pretty big news down here too," Buffy remarked sarcastically, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the immediate need for a solution. "Any suggestions?"

Leo shook his head, acknowledging the complexity of their predicament. "No, we're still working on it," he admitted. Glancing at Buffy, he added, "Which means just in case I'm busy, you need to listen for their call."

"Will do," Buffy responded, her determination shining through as she accepted the responsibility of staying vigilant amidst the chaos.

"Oh, well, by all means, tell them to take their time," Piper quipped, her frustration evident in her tone.

"Well, they're not the ones that screwed up," Leo pointed out, a hint of admonishment in his voice.

Piper's expression twisted into a frown. "Excuse me, screwed up? We've been busting our wiccan butts for three years without getting caught. Don't we get credit for that?" she retorted, her frustration palpable as she defended the years of secret battles they had fought to protect innocents.

"Piper, you've been exposed. If we can't fix this, it could undermine all the good that you've done and all the good that you're still destined to do," Leo explained, his voice carrying a sense of urgency and concern for the potential consequences they faced.

"Well, maybe this is our destiny, maybe it's just not meant to be," Piper mused, a note of resignation in her tone as she contemplated the gravity of their situation.

"You don't believe that," Leo countered, a steadfast conviction in his voice.

"Don't I?" Piper challenged, her uncertainty laid bare.

Buffy shook her head, providing a different perspective. "I don't." Her resolute statement echoed a determination to defy fate and find a solution, a sentiment that clashed with Piper's momentary doubt.

"I don't, either," Prue asserted, her voice carrying a determined resolve. "I mean, look, this whole year has just been a series of tests, right? To see what we're made of. Well, maybe this is one more test. Which means we can't give up, alright? So while the Elders are figuring out what we're supposed to do, we still have work to do, okay?"

The sisters absorbed Prue's rallying words, the call to resilience echoing in the room amidst the uncertainty of their circumstances. The idea that their challenges served as tests, opportunities to prove their strength and dedication, fueled a renewed sense of purpose.

"Dr. Griffiths?" Piper inquired, steering their focus back to the imminent threat they faced.

Prue nodded in agreement. "Yeah, if we don't catch him before he gets out of surgery, Shax will," she added before turning to Leo. "Unless you know something we don't?"

Leo shook his head, acknowledging the limitations of their powers. "No, you're right. Your powers aren't enough to vanquish him. You'll need the Power of Three to say the spell."

"Yeah, well, we only have two of the Power of Three. Buffy, flame us to the hospital, okay?" Prue requested, looking to Buffy for assistance in their urgent mission.

Leo, however, intervened, placing a hand on his daughter's arm. "We can't. The Elders won't let either of us. They don't want to risk exposing Whitelighters too. And they don't want to risk exposing you, Buffy, any more than possible, as it could expose the Slayer side of you along with the Whitelighter side. You're only allowed to flame to the Elders if they call for you. Otherwise, you're grounded."

Buffy sighed, acknowledging the complexity of the situation, and nodded in understanding as Darryl rejoined them. The weight of the exposure and the restrictions imposed by the Elders hung heavily in the air, casting a shadow over their normally strategic and cohesive approach to handling supernatural threats.

"Cowards!" Piper exclaimed, frustration and impatience evident in her voice. The sisters, known for their fearless confrontations with the magical world, now found themselves hindered by circumstances beyond their control.

"Fine, we'll just save him without your guys' help. Let's go," Prue declared, her determination undeterred by the setbacks. The urgency of the situation compelled them to act swiftly and decisively.

"Whoa, Prue, Prue. Even if you can save your innocent, that still doesn't save yourselves," Darryl cautioned, attempting to instill a sense of practicality in the midst of their impulsive decision-making.

"Yeah, I know that, Darryl, but first things first, alright? Try and buy us as much time as possible with your captain as you can," Prue instructed, her focus unwavering. She then turned to Leo with a pointed directive. "And you, why don't you get back up there and White light a fire underneath your bosses' butts." The sisters, led by Prue, moved purposefully toward the back door.

Outside, Elana continued talking into the camera, her cameraman capturing the unfolding events. "Whether or not any arrests have been made at this time..."

Elana's report was abruptly interrupted when Alice, the woman who had earlier identified herself as a fellow witch, spotted Buffy, Prue, and Piper coming down the driveway. "Hey!" Alice called urgently. "I need to talk to you."

Reacting swiftly, Buffy, Prue, and Piper raced to Prue's car, their movements fueled by a sense of urgency and the need to evade the growing media circus. They quickly hopped into the car, preparing to make a hasty escape.

Elana rushed over to the driver's window, attempting to continue her line of questioning. "Ms. Halliwell..."

"Don't leave, don't leave," Alice pleaded, desperately hoping to join them on their unexpected escape.

"Ms. Halliwell," Elana persisted, her attempts to engage the witches in conversation met with the accelerating hum of Prue's car.

Undeterred, Alice jumped up and down, waving her arms and calling out, "Please take me!" as Prue drove off, leaving her behind. "Come on, please, take me with you. Oh, man."

San Francisco Memorial Hospital

Griffiths emerged from the operating room, casting aside his surgeon's cap into a hamper with a mix of exhaustion and bewilderment etched on his face. As he approached the reception desk, the receptionist handed him the phone, signaling an urgent call. "Dr. Griffiths," he spoke into the phone, his attention consumed by the conversation.

In a rush, Buffy, Prue, and Piper raced up to him, their faces marked by a blend of concern and determination. "Hi!" Prue greeted, swiftly taking the phone from Griffiths.

"He's still after you, come on," Piper urged, a sense of urgency permeating her words.

Buffy nodded in agreement. "Let's go," she affirmed, and the trio, along with Griffiths, moved decisively away from the reception desk. They navigated through the hospital corridors, each step fueled by the pressing need to escape the looming danger. Exiting the hospital, they briskly led Griffiths toward Prue's car waiting outside.

"I thought you said you got rid of this thing," Griffiths questioned, his confusion evident.

Prue offered a reassuring smile. "Yeah, well, we don't think that anymore, okay?" Her response conveyed a mix of acknowledgment and determination, emphasizing the need for swift action in the face of an adversary that seemed relentless and insatiable.

"Where are we going?" Griffiths inquired, a mix of confusion and trepidation in his voice.

"Just somewhere safe," Buffy reassured him, attempting to provide a semblance of comfort in the face of the escalating danger.

"Look, I'm not cut out..." Griffiths began, expressing his reservations and perhaps a growing realization of the supernatural forces at play.

Prue shook her head firmly. "Get in the car," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument. They all hurriedly got into Prue's car, a refuge in the midst of the unfolding chaos.

Elana and her cameraman pulled up, parking nearby, just as a sudden, powerful wind surged around Prue's car. Griffiths was pushed forcefully out of the vehicle, landing on the grass, and a woman's scream punctuated the tense atmosphere. Shax materialized out of the wind, a foreboding figure that demanded the immediate attention of Buffy, Prue, and Piper.

"Evil wind that blows, that which forms below, no longer may you swell, death takes you with this spell," Piper, Prue, and Buffy chanted in unison, their voices resonating with magical intent. The words hung in the air as Shax groaned and disappeared once again, leaving the onlookers gasping and emitting startled screams at the spectacle of the supernatural unfolding before them.

"Now that was a vanquish," Piper exclaimed, a note of triumph in her voice, acknowledging the effectiveness of their combined magical efforts.

"I don't think we vanquished him though, Piper," Buffy countered, her discerning eyes assessing the situation as applause and cheers erupted from the onlookers. The triumphant atmosphere was short-lived, however, as Buffy, Prue, and Piper noticed Elana and her cameraman documenting the entire scene. Elana's wide grin revealed the realization of a sensational story unfolding before her.

"Dang, now I'm exposed," Buffy groaned, a hint of frustration evident in her voice.

"Oh. News at eleven," Piper remarked wryly, the irony of their magical endeavors becoming headline news again was not lost on her.

"Yeah, that's bad," Prue concurred, a sense of foreboding settling over her as the consequences of their actions began to unfold.

Rosenberg Residence

Willow picked up her phone, nervously dialing Buffy's number as she paced around her room. The recent news report about Buffy, Phoebe, Prue, and Piper being exposed as witches had left her deeply concerned. She waited anxiously as the phone rang on the other end.

"Buffy, are you guys okay?" Willow asked urgently as soon as the call connected. Her voice trembled with worry, reflecting the fear she felt for her friends after witnessing the shocking news coverage. "I saw the report, and I just... I need to know you're all right."

Buffy took a deep breath before responding, trying to convey a reassuring tone despite the tumultuous situation. "Hey, Will. Yeah, we're here, and we're fine. It's been a bit crazy, but we're managing."

Willow audibly sighed with relief. "Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried. What happened? Why are you guys all over the news?"

Prue's voice chimed in, "Long story short, a demon showed up, and things got a little out of hand. Unfortunately, Elana from KCSF decided to turn it into breaking news."

Piper added, "And now, apparently, we're the latest supernatural celebrities."

Willow let out a nervous chuckle. "Supernatural celebrities, huh? Not exactly the fame you were aiming for, I bet."

Buffy chuckled too, appreciating Willow's attempt to lighten the mood. "Definitely not. But we'll figure this out. We always do."

"Be careful, please," Willow pleaded. "And let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

"Thanks, Will. We'll keep you posted," Buffy assured her before ending the call.

Halliwell Manor

Outside the manor, chaos had erupted into a full-blown spectacle. Hundreds of people gathered, holding cardboard signs that ranged from supportive messages to sensational headlines. Dozens of cameramen and news reporters jostled for the perfect angle, their cameras capturing every moment of the supernatural drama. A helicopter circled overhead, capturing aerial shots of the unprecedented scene. The police struggled to maintain order, attempting to corral the growing crowd.

Amid the tumult, Alice stood atop a van, desperately trying to catch the attention of the sisters. "Prue, Piper, Payson, I'm one of you! I'm the only one who understands! I can help. Hey! Prue! Piper! Payson!"

Inside the manor, Buffy, Prue, and Piper found refuge in the kitchen, where the atmosphere was tense. Piper shuffled through sheets of papers while Darryl joined them to offer what support he could. "Get those idiots off the driveway, get them back behind the tape," he barked into his radio, attempting to regain some semblance of control.

Prue, troubled by the situation, voiced her concerns. "Alright, what I can't figure out is how they knew that we were at the hospital. I-I mean, they didn't follow us."

Darryl speculated, "Reporter probably low jacked your car, followed you."

Prue shook her head, a mixture of frustration and worry etched on her face. "Forget it. You know, I really hope Phoebe's doing better down there than we are up here."

In the midst of the chaotic scene unfolding outside the manor, Piper couldn't help but express her exasperation. "Look at all these interview requests we're getting. Ted Koppel, Time Magazine, Jerry Springer... Sports Illustrated?"

Darryl, always quick with a quip, added a touch of humor, "Yeah, they probably want you for the swimsuit edition." His attempt at levity, however, was met with disapproving looks from Buffy, Prue, and Piper. "Just kidding."

Buffy, feeling the weight of the situation, sighed deeply. "You know what? This is a nightmare. Where is Dad?"

Prue, scanning the TV channels, spotted Griffiths being interviewed on one of them. "Uh, Piper? Buffy?" she called out, directing her sisters' attention to the television. "Is that who I think it is?" Prue asked, turning up the volume.

"And then one of them said they needed a vanquishing spell," Griffiths said on the screen.

Piper frowned. "Dr. Griffiths?"

Griffiths continued his unwitting revelation on television, "She ran upstairs to get some book. I don't know, some witch-type book, I guess. Something that told them how to kill that demon."

Piper gasped, realizing the depth of the situation. "Oh, so much for keeping our secret. Turn him off," she urged, and Prue hastily changed the channel.

On the new channel, a woman appeared on the screen. "The sisters and their cousin were always a little strange, if you ask me. I know for a fact that Prue once cast a spell to make my boyfriend break up with me. Evil."

Prue's brows furrowed in response to the unexpected revelation. "Okay, Susie Johnson from tenth grade? They're interviewing her?"

"I always wondered why they broke up," Piper interjected, her tone casual but her eyes betraying a curiosity that matched the audience's growing intrigue.

Buffy shook her head, her confusion evident. "How does she even know me? I didn't live here when you guys were in school. I would have been like 5 or 6 years old and living with Mom and Hank."

Prue, not one to let the gravity of the situation escape her, lightly hit Piper's arm. "Not funny, not funny. Ooh! Leo," she exclaimed as she, Buffy, and Piper walked into the conservatory. The urgency in her voice mirrored the chaos that seemed to be closing in. "Leo! Leo! Leo!" she called, and Leo orbed in, his appearance a beacon of hope in the storm of uncertainty. "Ooh. Alright, this thing has to end now, okay? The media is turning it into a freakin' circus."

"Now you know why the Elders have always been highly concerned about exposure," Leo explained, his voice carrying the weight of responsibility.

"Okey-dokey, now we know. Do they have any solutions or not?" Piper inquired, her words a blend of impatience and determination.

"One. But it's a long shot. You have to try and contact Tempus," Leo said, his words hanging in the air like a delicate thread of hope, prompting puzzled looks from Buffy, Prue, and Piper.

"Uh, Tempus? T-Tempus, the demon?" Buffy's voice held a mix of skepticism and apprehension, her mind grappling with the notion of seeking aid from a force they had once considered an adversary.

Leo nodded solemnly, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. "He's the only one on the other side who has the power to manipulate time. To reset everything before this all started." The weight of Leo's suggestion settled in the room, each word resonating with the enormity of the task ahead.

"Okay, you're, you're definitely right, that—that qualifies as a long shot," Prue remarked, her voice a blend of uncertainty and determination. The prospect of reaching out to a demon for assistance was a concept that tested the boundaries of their instincts.

"We vanquished him," Piper stated, a note of finality in her voice, as if invoking the past victories that had once seemed absolute.

Leo shook his head, dispelling any illusion of closure. "No, you defeated him, you didn't vanquish him. But that's not the real problem. The real trick is trying to contact him. He's an upper level demon who's well insulated." Leo's explanation hung in the air, the challenges ahead looming larger than ever, a daunting obstacle course in the quest for a solution.

Buffy sighed, her frustration audible. "And why would he want to help us? I mean, we can't make a move without the whole world tuning in to watch. We're basically powerless. Why would he want to change that?"

"Whoa!" Prue, Buffy, and Piper cried out in unison as the door to the conservatory burst open, revealing the unexpected entrance of Alice.

"Cool, I made it!" Alice declared with an exuberant smile, seemingly unfazed by the surprised stares from the three sisters.

"Who the hell are you?" Piper's skepticism cut through the air, her tone laced with a protective edge.

"I'm Alice, Alice Hicks. I've been trying to contact you. I want to join your coven," Alice explained, her eagerness shining through despite the frosty reception.

Prue's frown deepened, a mixture of disbelief and irritation etched on her face. "Are you nuts? This is our home! Get out of here!" With a swift wave of her hand, Prue summoned her telekinetic powers, sending Alice flying back outside, the door slamming shut behind her.

In the midst of the unfolding chaos, Darryl raced into the room, his gun drawn, ready for any unforeseen threats. "All of you stay back, all of you stay back!" he barked into his radio, his authoritative demeanor contrasting with the bewildered expressions of the sisters. He came to a sudden stop, confusion knitting his brows as Prue stared at him. "You guys okay?"

Prue nodded resolutely, her eyes reflecting a sense of urgency as she addressed Darryl. "Yeah, we got it, Darryl," she affirmed before turning back to Leo. The weight of the situation bore down on her, and her words carried the gravity of impending consequences. "Alright, this has to end now or our lives are over!"

Buffy, ever the pragmatic one, cut to the chase. "Okay, so how do we contact Tempus?" Her question hung in the air, the room now charged with a collective determination to untangle the threads of time that had ensnared them.

"Through Cole. He's an upper level demon, isn't he?" Prue suggested, her mind racing to find a potential solution amidst the chaos.

Piper's brow furrowed with skepticism. "Like Buffy asked a moment ago, why would he help us?" The room held its breath, waiting for a response that could unravel the mystery they found themselves entwined in.

"Because helping us helps Phoebe. Are you allowed to orb down there?" Prue turned to Leo, her gaze piercing through the uncertainty.

Leo nodded solemnly. "Yes, but I won't be able to find her until I'm down there. I can't track her from up here." His words hung in the air, a sober acknowledgment of the limitations they faced, but also a glimmer of hope in the form of a plan taking shape.

"Alright, well, then you'd better hurry," Prue urged, her concern etched across her face as Leo hesitated. "Okay, what's the matter?"

Leo hesitated for a moment before revealing the source of his reluctance. "Well, once I'm down there, you won't be able to contact me if you get in any kind of trouble," he admitted, a shadow of worry clouding his expression.

Piper sighed, her voice a soothing balm amid the escalating tension. "Honey, what more trouble could we possibly get into? Besides, once time resets itself, then everything should be fine. So go, and be careful." Her words held a reassurance that echoed through the room, a reminder of the bonds that held them together in the face of uncertainty.

"Yeah, you too," Leo responded, his words carrying a mixture of gratitude and determination. As he and Piper shared a kiss, the room seemed to hold its breath, a fleeting moment of connection amidst the chaos.

"Dad, take me with you?" Buffy suggested, her eyes reflecting a blend of determination and concern.

"What?" Prue asked, the unexpected request catching her off guard.

"Like Dad, I can come and go from down there. I just have no way of tracking Phoebe from up here. I go with Dad. He takes me to Phoebe, and then he can come back to you guys," Buffy explained, her proposal hanging in the air, a potential solution to the intricate puzzle they were trying to solve.

Prue sighed, grappling with the decision before ultimately nodding. "Okay."

With that, Leo took Buffy's hand, and in a shimmer of light, they orbed out, leaving behind a room filled with uncertainty and anticipation.

The Underworld

"Phoebe?" Cole said, his eyes locking onto her as she approached. The urgency in his voice was palpable. "I have to get you out of here."

Phoebe met his gaze with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "You mean get us out of here," she countered, a sense of determination coloring her words.

"Listen to me, this is serious. Something's happening, something big. It's too dangerous for you here," Cole insisted, the weight of an impending threat evident in the furrow of his brow.

Phoebe's frown deepened as she sought to understand the gravity of the situation. "Why? What's happening?" Her question hung in the air, a plea for clarity in the midst of the unfolding chaos.

"I don't know, but whatever it is, it's important enough for The Source to have come," Cole revealed, his admission casting a shadow over the already tense atmosphere.

"What? He's here, now?" Phoebe exclaimed, her eyes darting around as if expecting the ominous presence of The Source to materialize at any moment.

Cole nodded solemnly. "Which is why you have to go," he said, his gaze fixed on Phoebe, a mixture of concern and determination etched on his face. The urgency in his voice mirrored the imminent danger that loomed over them.

Just as the weight of Cole's words settled in the air, Leo orbed in, his arrival swift and timely. Before they could fully process his presence, Buffy flamed in with a burst of fiery intensity. The sudden entrance of both Leo and Buffy left Phoebe visibly surprised, her eyes darting between the unexpected arrivals.

"Leo? Buffy?" Phoebe questioned, her surprise giving way to a growing sense of apprehension.

Cole's frown deepened, his attention shifting from Phoebe to the newcomers. "Are you out of your mind? What are you doing?" His inquiry carried a note of incredulity, the situation escalating into a complex puzzle that seemed to defy any straightforward solution.

Leo wasted no time in addressing Phoebe directly, a sense of urgency guiding his words. "Buffy, Prue, and Piper have been exposed, Phoebe. The whole world knows you're witches."

"What? How?" Phoebe's voice betrayed a mix of shock and disbelief as she grappled with the revelation.

Buffy sighed, her expression resolute. "It doesn't matter how. What matters is getting them out of it," she declared, turning to Cole with a plea in her eyes. "Which requires your help."

"Come again?" Cole's voice betrayed a mix of disbelief and skepticism, the weight of the situation settling in as he sought to grasp the gravity of Leo's request.

"You have to get Tempus, you have to get him to reverse time," Leo reiterated, his words carrying the weight of desperation. The room seemed to shrink as the enormity of their predicament loomed over them.

Cole scoffed, a hint of frustration in his tone. "Ah, you've gotta be kidding. There's no way," he protested, his mind racing to find an alternative solution that didn't involve dealing with a demon of Tempus's caliber.

"It's the only way there is, Phoebe, but we have to move fast," Leo urged, the urgency in his voice resonating through the room like an alarm bell, each passing moment a countdown to potential disaster.

Buffy nodded in agreement, her expression serious. "I'm afraid Dad's right, Pheebs." The gravity of their situation hung in the air, a shared acknowledgment that the only path to salvation required a leap into the unknown.

"I couldn't summon Tempus even if I wanted to; I don't have that kind of power," Cole admitted, a tinge of frustration and helplessness in his words.

"But you know somebody who does," Phoebe asserted, her eyes fixed on Cole, a glimmer of hope breaking through the tension that hung in the air.

"Wait," Cole said, a disbelieving chuckle escaping him. "You want me to ask The Source to help witches?"

Leo met his skepticism with a resolute gaze. "It doesn't just help witches. The demonic world has been exposed too, Cole. Why do you think he's here? Resetting time solves everybody's problem. But make it your idea, pitch it like you're doing it to save him, not them. Whether that's why you're doing it or not," Leo suggested, his words cutting through the hesitation that lingered in the room.

"This is suicide," Cole groaned, the weight of the proposed plan settling over him like a heavy shroud.

Sometime later, the cavernous darkness swallowed Cole as he stepped into yet another cave. A formidable demon guard blocked his path, a silent sentinel of the underworld. Their eyes locked for a moment, a silent exchange of acknowledgment, before the guard grudgingly stepped aside. Cloaked in a robe, Cole pulled the hood over his head, shrouding his features in shadows as he continued his solitary journey through the winding passageways.

As he ventured deeper into the subterranean realm, the ambient light shifted into a foreboding reddish glow, casting an eerie ambiance over the cavern. The air hung heavy with a sense of malevolence as Cole came to a halt in a darkened space, the ominous atmosphere punctuated by the crimson radiance. There, standing in the shadows, was The Source. Draped in a red robe with a hood concealing his visage, The Source exuded an aura of otherworldly power. Cole, undeterred, knelt down and removed his hood, exposing his face to the master of the demonic realm.

"I've heard the rumors, I beg you, are they true? Have we been exposed?" Cole's words reverberated through the cavern, the gravity of the situation mirrored in the intensity of his plea.

"And what business is it of yours?" The Source's voice echoed with a disdainful indifference, his obscured face betraying no emotion.

"I may have a solution. Tempus's power," Cole proposed, laying his cards on the table in a desperate bid for cooperation.

The Source shook his head, his crimson-hued hood casting ominous shadows. "Is still weakened from when he last turned back time. Doing so again will destroy him," he warned, the weight of ancient knowledge in his words.

"What other choice is there?" Cole implored, seeking answers from the enigmatic figure that held dominion over their fate. Silence was his only response, a chilling void that spoke volumes. "Forgive me."

The Source's frown deepened, his disapproval etched into the fabric of his sinister countenance. "For your betrayal? Never. I know of your struggles, Belthazor, of your witch. I know that's why you've come to me. I know everything about you," The Source declared with an air of omniscience that sent a chill down Cole's spine.

Cole, undeterred by the revelation of The Source's knowledge, stood his ground. "Tempus will do as you suggest if your witch crosses over, if your witch and the Slayer join us," The Source proposed, his words hanging in the air like a sinister pact.

"They'd never do that," Cole asserted, a hint of defiance in his voice. The loyalty of the was a formidable force that stood as a bulwark against the very darkness The Source sought to exploit.

The Source's eyes glinted with a malevolent gleam. "Not even to save one of their sisters' lives?" he insinuated, probing the boundaries of their allegiances with a calculated precision.

"Has one of them been killed?" Cole asked, a note of genuine concern piercing through the layers of deception and manipulation.

"Wait," The Source commanded, his response shrouded in cryptic ambiguity.

Halliwell Manor

Prue and Piper found themselves in the conservatory, their actions imbued with a sense of urgency that permeated the air. The rhythmic thud of the table against the door echoed through the room as they fortified their makeshift barricade.

"I don't know why we're bothering to do this," Piper remarked, a note of frustration in her voice.

"In case time doesn't reset itself," Prue explained, her focus unwavering as she positioned a chair against the door, determined to shore up their defenses against an uncertain future.

Piper's skepticism lingered. "If time doesn't reset itself, this table against that door is not gonna help much," she quipped, her practicality cutting through the tension that hung in the conservatory.

"Yeah, well, then we better start thinking about what would, okay? Because if Leo and Buffy don't succeed, we're gonna have to figure out what we're gonna do," Prue asserted, her words laden with a sense of responsibility that mirrored the weight of their predicament.

As they walked into the living room, the gravity of the situation sank in. Prue picked up the family's Book of Shadows, the ancient grimoire that held the key to their magical heritage. Piper's attempt to lighten the mood with a touch of humor fell flat against the backdrop of uncertainty.

"We're gonna do talk shows and book signings and movie deals," Piper quipped, a forced smile tugging at her lips, "and then taken by the CIA and dissected." The humor was a thin veneer over the stark reality they faced, and the living room seemed to absorb the weight of their unspoken fears.

"Yeah, how can you be joking about this, Piper?" Prue's voice cut through the uneasy air in the living room, her eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and fear.

"Who's joking?" Piper retorted, her attempt at humor falling short in the face of Prue's palpable anxiety.

"Well, I'm not. Alright, I'm scared. And you should be too," Prue confessed, the weight of their predicament settling over the room. "Okay, our lives, Piper, everything that we've worked for could be completely destroyed with one stupid mistake. Our entire future, our entire destiny could be wiped out just like that." Prue snapped her fingers, a gesture that echoed the fragility of the life they had known, and in that moment, a gunshot pierced the air.

Piper gasped, her eyes widening in shock as she looked down and saw blood staining her shirt. Her hands trembled, the reality of the situation dawning on her with brutal clarity. "What was that?" Prue's urgent inquiry hung in the air as Piper, in a state of shock, struggled to comprehend what had just transpired.

"Piper? Piper," Prue called out, her instincts kicking in as she dropped the Book of Shadows and rushed to Piper's side before she could collapse. Panic set in as Prue realized her hand was covered in Piper's blood. "Oh!"

Prue helped Piper to the floor, her mind racing as she desperately searched for something to stem the bleeding. She grabbed a towel and pressed it against Piper's wound. "I know, I know, it's okay," Prue reassured, her voice shaking as tears welled in her eyes. "Leo! Buffy!" she called out, her plea for help echoing through the room. "Okay, we have to get you to the hospital. Come on." With a mix of determination and panic, Prue lifted Piper and carried her toward the door.

Prue, her emotions teetering on the edge of panic, helped Piper outside and guided her to the waiting car. "Leo! Buffy!" she called out, desperation lacing her voice as she sought assistance for Piper's dire situation.

"Ms. Halliwell, please, what is going on?" Elana, a reporter who had been following the strange events, hurried up to Prue and Piper. She watched with growing concern as Prue opened the back seat passenger door and helped Piper into the car.

"Ms. Halliwell, please," Elana implored, her questions left unanswered in the chaotic whirlwind of unfolding events.

"Leo! Buffy!" Prue called out again as she slid into the driver's seat, urgency evident in every move she made. The engine roared to life, and she drove to the end of the driveway, only to find her path blocked by the crowd.

"Move!" Prue exclaimed, frustration mounting as she honked the horn, trying to navigate through the sea of onlookers.

"Ms. Halliwell, what is going on?" Elana's concern escalated, her attempts to glean information met with Prue's growing agitation.

"Move!" Prue reiterated, the urgency in her voice escalating. Frustration etched lines on her face as she stepped out of the car, confronting the perplexed and obstructive crowd. "Move out of my way! I need to get her to the hospital, move! Move out of my way!" she yelled, her voice cracking with emotion.

"What's wrong with you people?" Prue's agitation boiled over into anger, and she reached her breaking point. The energy within her surged, and with a wave of her hand, she unleashed her telekinesis, flinging Elana and the cameraman out of the way. The sudden display of supernatural power sent shockwaves through the onlookers, prompting them to scatter in fear.

"Leo! Buffy!" Prue's frantic calls continued as she got back into the car, seized control of the wheel, and tore off down the street, the screech of tires echoing the urgency of the moment. Piper's fate now rested in the hands of the speeding car, racing toward a hospital that held the promise of salvation amid the chaos that threatened to engulf their lives.

San Francisco Memorial Hospital

Piper lay on the stretcher, her face contorted in pain, as four nurses raced her through the hospital corridors. Prue ran alongside them, her concern etched on her face. "Hang in there," Prue pleaded with her sister, her words a desperate mantra that echoed through the sterile hallways.

As they arrived at a vacant room in the emergency room, Prue turned her attention to the medical staff, a mix of urgency and frustration in her voice. "Where's Dr. Griffiths? He should've been here by now."

Dr. Griffiths, rushing to catch up, joined them, concern etching lines on his face. "How'd this happen?" he inquired, directing his attention to Prue for an explanation.

"Some idiot in front of our house," Prue replied, her frustration evident as they swiftly wheeled Piper into the room, the medical team prepared to address the urgent situation.

"What do we know?" Dr. Griffiths asked, his focus shifting to the immediate medical assessment of Piper's condition.

"Pulse seventy, weak," one of the nurses reported, the urgency in her tone reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"I need some numbers, people," Dr. Griffiths urged, his request a call for detailed information to guide the medical intervention required.

"One, two, three, go," the nurse commanded, and with synchronized precision, the medical team lifted Piper onto a bed. Prue stood by her sister's side, tightly holding her hand, the worry etched across her face.

"Smaller entry wound, upper right back," Griffiths reported, his experienced hands swiftly and expertly checking Piper for any signs of trauma.

"Larger exit wound, abdomen," a nurse added, her voice carrying a note of urgency as the medical team assessed the extent of Piper's injuries.

Griffiths, ever composed under pressure, pulled his stethoscope from around his neck and pressed it against Piper's chest. "Lungs failing. Start an I.V. Two units of O, stat," he ordered, his decisive commands setting the emergency room into a controlled flurry of activity.

"Right away," a nurse responded, her training kicking in as she prepared to administer the life-saving intervention that Piper desperately needed.

Amidst the orchestrated chaos, Prue's mind raced, her concern growing with each passing moment. In a hushed plea, she called out, "Leo! Buffy!"

"Get 40cc's of adrenaline," Griffiths urgently directed, his focus unwavering as the medical team continued their efforts to stabilize Piper.

"Yes, sir," a nurse responded, her steps purposeful as she rushed to carry out the crucial order.

"They can't hear you, Prue," Piper whispered quietly, her voice tinged with a sense of resignation. "Something must have gone wrong."

"Piper, don't you dare die on me," Prue pleaded, her eyes locked onto her sister's pale face, her hand gripping Piper's with a desperation that mirrored the gravity of the situation.

"Prue, I'm cold. I-I-I can't feel my legs," Piper uttered, the stark reality of her condition settling in with chilling clarity.

"Pulse is dropping," a nurse reported, the urgency in her voice underscoring the severity of the situation.

"Don't go. I love you," Prue begged, her words a fervent plea for Piper to cling to life. The room seemed to close in around them as the heart monitor displayed a disheartening flatline, signaling Piper's descent into full cardiac arrest.

"Oh, god," Prue whispered, a mix of anguish and helplessness etched across her face.

"Full arrest. Paddles!" Griffiths' voice cut through the tension in the room, urgency painting every word as a nurse swiftly brought over the defibrillator. Griffiths, with practiced efficiency, picked up the paddles. "Gel," he ordered, and a nurse promptly squirted gel on the paddles while he rubbed them together. Prue stood back, her tears flowing freely, a silent witness to the frantic attempts to bring her sister back from the brink.

"Clear!" Griffiths called out, and everyone stepped back, creating a space as he delivered a shock to Piper. The room seemed to hold its breath, but the defibrillator yielded no effect. "Recharge," Griffiths commanded, and a nurse responded, her movements swift and methodical.

"Clear!" Griffiths repeated, delivering another shock, but once again, there was no response. He stood back from Piper, his expression heavy with the weight of the unsuccessful attempts. Prue cried harder, her heart shattering with each passing moment.

"I'm sorry," Griffiths finally uttered, his voice carrying a somber tone as he looked at Prue. The reality of Piper's condition hung in the air, an unspoken acknowledgment of the loss that now loomed.

"No!" Prue cried, her grief pouring out uncontrollably as she put her head on Piper. Unable to bear the sight any longer, she closed Piper's eyes, a final act of tenderness and closure amidst the overwhelming sorrow. "Get out of here. Go!"

The medical team left the room, their faces reflecting the shared sorrow of a battle lost. As they passed a SWAT team member standing outside the room.

Underworld

Buffy, Phoebe, and Leo huddled together in a quiet discussion when Cole walked into the room, an air of tension surrounding him. Phoebe, concerned, took immediate notice and approached him with a mix of worry and curiosity. "Cole, where have you been? We've been worried. What's the matter?"

Cole sighed, his shoulders slumping with the weight of the revelation he carried. "He knows. About you, about us," he confessed, his gaze shifting toward Buffy, hinting at a broader, more significant threat. "He also knows you're here."

The gravity of Cole's words hung in the air, and Phoebe's brows furrowed in concern. "So, what does that mean?" she pressed, her eyes searching Cole's face for answers.

"He's offering a deal," Cole explained, his voice carrying the weight of a difficult decision. "He'll get Tempus to reset time if you and Buffy stay... here."

Leo shook his head in disbelief. "What, down here? He's crazy."

"Hardly," Cole retorted, his expression revealing a deeper understanding of the situation.

Leo's frown deepened, his unease palpable as he grappled with the weight of Cole's revelation. "Yeah, well, we're desperate but not that desperate," he asserted, rejecting the ominous offer that hung in the air.

Buffy, her concern etched across her face, questioned the logic behind such a proposal. "Why would he think that Phoebe or I would accept an offer like that?"

Cole hesitated, a momentary flicker of discomfort crossing his features. "Because it's the only way to bring Prue or Piper back to life. One of them is dead."

The room fell into stunned silence as Phoebe and Buffy processed the shock of Cole's revelation. "What?" they both exclaimed, the weight of grief settling over them like a heavy shroud.

"It's a trick, he's lying," Leo interjected, his instinctive protectiveness for his family surfacing.

Cole shook his head, dispelling any doubt. "No, it's not."

Buffy, her worry intensifying, turned to her father with a determined expression. "Dad, go. We have to be sure," she urged, the urgency in her voice prompting Leo to act. With a swift nod, Leo orbed out, leaving behind a room fraught with tension and the looming specter of loss.

San Francisco Memorial Hospital

Unbeknownst to Prue, the SWAT officer entered the room with practiced stealth, his presence unfelt until he spoke. "Just keep your hands where I can see them, and nobody gets hurt," he warned, attempting to assert control over the unfolding situation.

Prue, her eyes ablaze with fury, rose from her seat to face the intruder. With a swift and forceful gesture, she unleashed her telekinetic powers, sending the police officer flying across the room. Two more officers rushed in, only to meet the same fate as Prue effortlessly wielded her supernatural abilities.

Realizing the imminent threat, Prue took swift action. She shoved a metal rod into the door, barricading it to prevent further intrusion, before plunging the room into darkness by turning off the lights. The shadows cast by the dim glow revealed Prue's determined expression as she turned her attention back to Piper.

In the midst of the tense atmosphere, Leo orbed into the room. The grief etched on Prue's face was mirrored in Leo's eyes as he absorbed the devastating truth. "They killed her, Leo," Prue explained, her voice heavy with sorrow as she directed his attention to Piper. "They think we're the demons now."

"Oh, God," Leo stammered, his emotions overwhelming him as he stumbled over to Piper. The weight of the situation hit him like a freight truck, and he leaned over to kiss Piper's forehead. "I'm so sorry."

Desperation seized Prue as she sought a glimmer of hope. "Leo, can you make this right?" she implored, her eyes searching his for a solution. The room hung in a heavy silence, and when Leo remained silent, Prue's resolve intensified. She pulled him up from Piper. "Go!" she urged, her voice determined. When he orbed out, Prue returned to Piper's side. "He's going to fix it. I promise, you are going to be fine." The whispered words held a solemn vow, a promise of restoration in the face of an unfolding tragedy.

Underworld

Leo orbed into the room, his eyes brimming with tears that spilled down his cheeks. "Piper," Buffy and Phoebe uttered simultaneously, their voices a mixture of sorrow and understanding as they enveloped Leo in a tight embrace, offering what comfort they could in the face of shared grief.

"You two don't have to do this," Leo said, his voice carrying a weight of empathy for the daughters he had come to love as his own.

Phoebe sighed, a mixture of determination and resignation in her expression. "Yes, we do."

"Phoebe's right, Dad," Buffy added, her agreement echoing the sentiment that duty and love compelled them to make this difficult choice. "We have to, for Piper."

Phoebe turned her attention to Cole, her gaze intense with a mix of apprehension and hope. "So, will resetting time affect us down here?" she inquired, seeking clarity on the potential consequences of their decision.

Cole shook his head with a sense of certainty. "No."

A collective exhale of relief swept through the room, the tension slightly alleviated by Cole's assurance. Phoebe, still grappling with the weight of their decision, seized the moment to express a condition, a plea for the safety of their sisters. She turned and locked eyes with Leo, her gaze conveying a seriousness that transcended the supernatural realm. "You must warn Prue and Piper before the demonic hit man attacks. Otherwise, they're dead anyway."

Leo, acknowledging the gravity of Phoebe's stipulation, nodded solemnly. "I will."

With that understanding in place, Cole silently exited the room, leaving the sisters and Leo to confront the emotional storm that raged within them. Phoebe, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, moved over to Buffy, and they embraced each other tightly. The weight of the impending sacrifice and the uncertainty of the future converged in that poignant moment, and tears flowed freely as the sisters sought solace in each other's arms.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Cole entered the foreboding cave, the air thick with an otherworldly energy that seemed to bow to the dark power residing within. Kneeling before the imposing figure, he delivered the news with a respectful tone. "They have agreed to stay."

The Source, an embodiment of malevolence, inclined his head ever so slightly in acknowledgment. "Agreed," he intoned, his voice carrying a sinister weight that permeated the cavern. Cole rose from his supplicant position, bowing before he turned to exit the ominous space.

As Cole left the cave, a guard, clad in the foreboding armor of the demonic realm, entered and dropped to his knees in front of The Source. The Source's eyes, obscured by the hood of his robe, bore into the kneeling figure as he outlined the next phase of his malevolent plan. "Once I have reset time, detain him," The Source commanded, his words slicing through the charged air with an air of finality. "And then kill his witch and the Slayer. That way, I won't have to worry about Belthazor anymore. Or the Charmed Ones or the Charmed Slayer."

The guard, a loyal servant of darkness, nodded in obedience, the gravity of his orders etched on his face. He rose from his subservient position, leaving the cave to await the moment when time would be manipulated to the whims of the malevolent Source.

June 3, 1999 – Wednesday

Halliwell Manor

"Look, we know that this all sounds incredible, but it doesn't make it any less true," Prue said, her voice unknowingly echoing Buffy's words from before time was reset. "Alright, you're a healer, you do good, now either you have saved too many lives or you're about to save a life that they don't want you to save."

"They?" Griffiths asked, his skepticism evident in the furrow of his brow.

"Yeah, demons," Prue explained, her tone somber. "Uh, more specifically, Shax. He was the Source's assassin."

"Hold it, I get it. This is a practical joke, right? Do you have a hidden camera here? My second wife put you up to this? Ah, it's just like her," Griffiths scoffed, his laughter echoing in the room as he tried to dismiss the surreal nature of the conversation.

"O-o-okay, Dr. Griffiths, listen to me, this is anything but..." Prue's words trailed off, a sense of unease settling in her gut.

"What?" Piper prompted, her concern evident.

Prue shook her head, attempting to dispel the growing sense of foreboding. "I don't know, I just felt a chill. Phoebe?" she called, her voice carrying a note of urgency, but there was no response. "Phoebe, are you there?" she called again, the unease intensifying with each unanswered call. Prue's gaze darted around the room, searching for any sign of her sister.

"Buffy, would you..." Prue began, only to trail off once more when she realized that Buffy, who had been standing beside them moments before, was now conspicuously absent. The sudden disappearance sent a shiver down Prue's spine. "Where's Buffy?" she asked Piper, a tinge of worry creeping into her voice.

Piper glanced around, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of their missing companions. "Maybe she went upstairs to help Phoebe?" she suggested, though a subtle doubt lingered in her mind. The absence of the expected sound of footsteps on the stairs added to the growing sense of unease.

Before they could dwell on the mystery, a sudden tornado of wind erupted through the front door, catching both sisters off guard. "Buffy, Phoebe, where are you two?" Prue called out, her voice now laced with urgency and concern.

The sudden tornado not only upended the furniture but also knocked Prue and Piper to the floor, disorienting them as they struggled against the force of the wind. As the air settled, Shax, a demonic force, emerged from the vortex with an ominous presence that sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"Dear god," Dr. Griffiths exclaimed, his eyes widening in terror as he witnessed the supernatural entity manifesting before him.

"No!" Prue cried out, a surge of protective instinct propelling her to her feet. In a desperate attempt to shield Dr. Griffiths from the impending danger, Prue pushed him out of harm's way just as Shax prepared to unleash his dark powers.

Shax, relentless and malevolent, hurled an energy ball at Prue, the impact sending her crashing through a wall with a destructive force. Meanwhile, Piper, still recovering from the initial assault, found herself in the direct path of another energy ball, launching her through a wall as well. The destructive power of Shax left chaos in its wake, with the sisters sprawled unconscious, their lives hanging in the balance.

Turning his attention to the bewildered Dr. Griffiths, Shax faced the human with an eerie calmness. "What are you?" Dr. Griffiths stammered, his disbelief evident.

"The end," Shax declared ominously, his dark energy coalescing into a lethal force. With a swift motion, he launched an energy ball at Dr. Griffiths, who was propelled through a window, the shattering glass echoing the chaos that had unfolded.

Now alone with his victims, Shax surveyed the room with a malevolent satisfaction. Prue and Piper lay near death on the floor, the room steeped in an eerie stillness. Pleased with the havoc he had wreaked, Shax transformed back into the wind, breezing out the front door. The shattered glass bore witness to his departure, closing behind him with an unsettling finality. The room, marked by destruction and despair, became a silent witness to the unfolding tragedy that left the lives of the Charmed Ones hanging by a thread.

Underworld

Phoebe and Buffy were caught off guard as a sudden, sharp pain gripped their chests, leaving them breathless and struggling for stability. In a reflex, they reached out for Leo, their anchor in the unexpected turmoil, their legs threatening to buckle beneath them in shock.

"Leo, Leo!" Phoebe called out desperately, her voice tinged with panic as she clutched onto him for support. Buffy, breathing heavily, echoed the distress, her mind racing to make sense of the inexplicable pain that had seized them.

"What… what is it, Phoebe? Buffy?" Leo whispered, his arms enveloping them protectively, a mixture of concern and confusion etched on his face.

"I don't know," Buffy admitted, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "But Pheebs and I need to get out of here. Something is wrong, I don't know what, but we need to get home!"

Leo, torn between his protective instincts and the gravity of the situation, hesitated before speaking, "Phoebe, Buffy, you can't. You both made a deal, a deal with the devil." He paused, contemplating the weight of the decisions that had led them to this perilous moment. "I'll go, check things out, and then I'll bring Prue and Piper down here to get you both home. Otherwise, if I orb you out, we'll have a host of bounty hunters after you."

"No, no, we need to go with you!" Phoebe protested, her eyes pleading as she turned her head to face Leo, seeking reassurance.

"He's right," a familiar voice echoed from the shadows. Cole emerged, his expression serious and determined. "You two can't leave."

"Cole, I am a Charmed One, and Buffy is the Charmed Slayer. We can look after ourselves," Phoebe asserted, turning to face him with a determined expression. As she spoke, Cole closed the distance between them, placing his hands on her shoulders and locking eyes with her, a mix of concern and urgency evident in his gaze.

"No, you and Buffy stay here. Do as Leo said. He'll bring Prue and Piper, and we can get you both out of this deal together," Cole insisted, his voice firm with an underlying sense of protectiveness.

Buffy, echoing the urgency in Cole's words, added, "Hurry, Dad."

Leo, understanding the weight of the situation, nodded. He pressed a gentle kiss on Buffy's forehead, a fleeting moment of reassurance. "I'll be back in a moment, just a moment," he promised, his voice soothing and filled with warmth. With a final, affectionate smile, Leo orbed out in a ray of bright blue and white lights, the radiance eliminating the entire cavern they had inhabited.

Halliwell Manor

"Ah!" Leo's anguished scream echoed through the manor's foyer as he orbed into the familiar surroundings. The pain of his dying charges struck him immediately, a visceral sensation that reverberated through his being. His sister-in-law and his wife, Prue and Piper, were both teetering on the brink of death.

In a desperate rush, Leo moved with urgency, his heart pounding as he reached Prue and Piper. Instinctively, he placed both of his hands over them, Prue on the left, Piper on the right. Golden rays emanated from his hands as he initiated the healing process, a sacred duty he had performed countless times. The air seemed to thicken with tension as seconds stretched into agonizing hours.

Piper's wounds began to heal, the blood stains fading, and the torn fabric of her clothing seamlessly mending itself. A groan escaped Piper's lips as she stirred, her aching joints reminding her of the ordeal. "Ouch," she mumbled, sitting up with a wince. "Leo?"

"Shh," Leo hushed her, his focus unwavering as he redirected all his energy to Prue. The room held its breath, tension palpable, but to Leo's dismay, nothing happened. His efforts, usually met with success, now faced an insurmountable obstacle.

"What's taking so long?" Piper questioned, the worry evident in her voice. There was no reply from Leo, lost in the depths of his concentration, although a part of him had already begun to accept the inevitable. "Leo?"

"Piper," Leo whispered, a heavy sigh escaping him as he closed his left hand, bringing an abrupt end to the healing attempt. "It's too late. I'm sorry."

"Leo, try again," Piper pleaded through sobs, her world unraveling as she knelt beside her fallen sister. The pain etched across her face was mirrored in Leo's, a reflection of the shared grief that now enveloped them.

"I'm sorry," Leo confessed, his voice carrying a weight of remorse as though he had failed not only his family but the very essence of their shared destiny. Amidst the turmoil, thoughts of Phoebe and Buffy surfaced in Leo's mind – locked away, trapped in darkness, oblivious to the tragedy that had befallen the Charmed Ones. How could they escape now that the Charmed Ones were defeated?

"Piper, it's Phoebe and Buffy," Leo uttered, the urgency evident in his tone, but Piper remained motionless, caught in the throes of grief. "They're in trouble."

Piper slowly raised her tear-streaked face to meet Leo's gaze, her voice shaky as she sought answers amidst the chaos. "Trouble? What do you mean? Where are they? What's going on?"

Leo felt the weight of the burden he carried, the heavy responsibility to convey the truth, however painful. "It's a long, long story, but I don't have time to explain," he began, his words strained.

"Make time," Piper demanded sharply, her eyes filled with a mixture of desperation and determination.

Taking a deep breath, Leo plunged into the harsh reality they faced. "You were exposed, Piper. You, Prue, and Buffy were exposed as witches. Buffy, Phoebe, and Cole made a deal with The Source, who agreed to get Tempus to turn back time if they stayed down in the underworld. Cole was supposed to warn you of Shax's attack, but it looks like we were tricked. It was his plan all along to destroy The Power of Three," he explained, laying bare the intricate web of deceit that had led to their current predicament.

Piper, absorbing the gravity of the situation, stood up and took Leo's hand. "Take me to them."

Leo nodded, his resolve firm, as they orbed out of the manor, leaving behind the echoes of despair that lingered in the now-hollow halls.

Underworld

The underworld stretched out before them like a relentless furnace, its oppressive heat pressing down on Phoebe and Buffy with an unbearable intensity. It was not just physical; the scorching atmosphere mirrored the fiery turmoil within their hearts. The air itself seemed to simmer with an anguish that transcended the tangible world.

Phoebe and Buffy's countenances betrayed a chilling contrast to the infernal surroundings. Their expressions, etched with a frigid resolve, mirrored the icy numbness that gripped their souls. The unknown, an insidious shadow, hung over them like a shroud—ignorance of their eldest sister's demise and the uncertain fate that awaited them in the clutches of The Source had cast a suffocating veil of despair upon their minds.

In this hellscape, where every breath felt like inhaling the searing breath of damnation, a sudden rupture in the oppressive ambiance occurred. Leo and Piper materialized in a cascade of ethereal blue and white lights, their celestial arrival momentarily disrupting the oppressive atmosphere.

"Phoebe! Buffy!" Piper's voice, a desperate plea, cut through the stifling air. She rushed forward, enfolding Phoebe and then Buffy in a desperate embrace. The strength of her hold conveyed a fear—a fear of losing them, a fear that echoed the recent loss of their sister, Prue.

"What is it?" Cole's inquiry hung in the air, the words barely audible over the crackling inferno that surrounded them.

"It's Prue," Leo responded, his eyes falling to the floor, unable to meet Phoebe and Buffy's gaze. The weight of the revelation lingered heavily in his voice, a burden too heavy to be lifted by mere words.

Piper, releasing her grip on Phoebe and Buffy, retreated to stand by Leo's side. Silence fell, interrupted only by the distant echoes of torment, as unshed tears glistened in Piper's eyes.

"No, no," Phoebe's voice trembled with a mixture of grief and fear as she sought solace in Cole's comforting embrace. He cradled her in his warm arms, rocking her gently as if attempting to lull away the pain that echoed through her soul.

"We were attacked by Shax," Piper's words cut through the somber air, a grim revelation that hung like a dark cloud over them.

"Which means," Cole's face contorted with a fiery rage, "that we were double crossed. We have to get you two out of here, Phoebe, Buffy, before he kills you both too."

Buffy's eyes widened with a mix of apprehension and determination. "But how, without being chased down by more of The Source's assassins and bounty hunters?" Her words carried the weight of a harsh reality. "He could be watching us right now, and if he is, there's no way that we can make it to the manor before he's on to us!"

Cole, undeterred by the looming threat, spoke with a conviction that cut through the despair. "We still have some power between us—three witches, a demon, and a Whitelighter. I know that your three, Leo and I don't exactly make up the Power of Three, but we can't just sit here and wait to be picked off one by one."

As if summoned by their fears, the atmosphere crackled with malevolence. Three ominous figures materialized, their presence heralding a sense of impending doom. The Source, it seemed, was responding to their whispered fears.

Reacting swiftly, Cole unleashed an energy ball directed at the bounty hunter to his left. The energy ball hit with precision, taking out one of the large bounty hunters before they could make a move. The air crackled with tension as the remaining two bounty hunters poised themselves for the impending confrontation.

Piper's instincts kicked in like a reflex honed through countless battles. In a swift, practiced motion, she flicked her wrist, and the air crackled with the release of her explosive power. The targeted bounty hunter was engulfed in a blinding burst of energy, dissipating into the underworld's shadows.

Buffy, fueled by a potent mix of grief and fury, summoned the elemental forces at her command. With a determined focus, she hurled a fireball at another approaching bounty hunter. The fiery projectile tore through the air, colliding with its target in a spectacular blaze that left nothing but smoky remnants in its wake.

As the acrid scent of vanquished foes lingered in the oppressive air, the five of them found a momentary respite. Yet, the triumphant silence was cut short by the harsh reality—they had to escape this infernal realm, and the fight was far from over. Prue's killer, a malevolent force still lurking in the shadows, taunted them with the knowledge that their ordeal had only just begun.

June 8, 1999 – Monday

Halliwell Manor

Five days had passed since the harrowing events in the underworld, and the Halliwell sisters found themselves back within the familiar sanctuary of the manor, a haven tainted by recent turmoil. Safety, by Halliwell standards, offered only a fragile comfort, as the relentless onslaught of bounty hunters persisted. Cole, displaying a remarkable prowess in the art of defense, stood as a steadfast guardian, shielding Phoebe and Buffy from the malevolent forces that sought to extinguish their light.

Despite the return to the manor, a sense of unease lingered. The sisters, and Cole, too, were far from their usual selves, their spirits weighed down by grief and the relentless pursuit of those who sought to do them harm. The wounds of recent battles ran deep, leaving them emotionally drained and disoriented. Even the solemn task of laying Prue to rest was delayed, eclipsed by the looming specter of a police investigation into Prue and Griffiths' deaths.

Buffy, Piper, and Phoebe, usually warriors in their own right, found themselves bereft of the fighting spirit that defined them. The air in the manor was heavy with the weight of sorrow, their hearts burdened by the uncertainty that shadowed Prue's demise. Yet, in the midst of their collective grief, a persistent resolve burned within them, refusing to be extinguished. Piper and Buffy, especially, refused to yield in their quest to save Prue, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

A knock on the front door shattered the melancholy silence, the temporary wooden panels replacing the shattered glass bearing witness to the recent tumult. Leo, the ever-watchful Whitelighter, greeted Darryl as he opened the door, inviting him into the haven that held the fractured remnants of their once idyllic lives.

"Hey, Leo, can I come in?" Darryl's voice carried a somber undertone as he entered, his gaze shifting between the occupants of the living room. Phoebe and Cole, wrapped in blankets on the couches, represented a fragile cocoon of solace, while Buffy and Piper, seated by the window, stared blankly into the void outside.

"Hi," Darryl spoke softly, mindful of the heavy atmosphere. "I have news, it's about Prue's case." He proceeded cautiously, attempting to soften the blow. "The police have ruled her death as murder. They are still searching for the responsible party. Obviously, they won't get far, but they are releasing the body," he concluded.

A collective sigh swept through the room, a mix of relief and sorrow. Leo expressed his gratitude with a pat on Darryl's back, accompanied by a warm, appreciative smile. Phoebe's lips curved in a grateful smile, her eyes reflecting a mixture of appreciation and longing. "Thanks, Darryl," she murmured. "At least we can say goodbye now."

Buffy and Piper sat in the dimly lit living room, the weight of Darryl's news hanging heavy in the air. The room seemed to echo with a solemn hush, the silence amplifying the unspoken emotions that gripped their hearts. Darryl's words lingered, resonating in the room like a haunting melody, and while Leo and Phoebe acknowledged the news with a mixture of gratitude and acceptance, Buffy and Piper remained silent.

Their eyes, though fixed on Darryl, held a distant gaze, as if peering into the abyss of their own thoughts. The somber atmosphere clung to them like a shroud, wrapping around their shoulders, and the shadows danced in the corners of the room, mirroring the shadows of grief that loomed within.

Darryl shifted uncomfortably, sensing the depth of the sisters' pain. "I understand," he offered, his voice a gentle acknowledgment of the unspoken grief that enveloped them. "Take the time you need. Saying goodbye is never easy."

The words hung in the air, a poignant reminder that grief operated on its own timeline, refusing to be hurried or consoled. Leo and Phoebe exchanged glances, understanding that the journey of letting go was a personal one, each step taken at its own pace.

But Buffy and Piper said nothing. They listened, absorbing the condolences and the practical details of the police investigation, yet neither of them was ready to utter the word that felt like an irrevocable farewell. Not yet. The specter of Prue's absence, the phantom pain of a sister lost, was too raw to be contained in mere words. The ache in their chests, the echoes of memories, and the unspoken promises they had made to each other lingered, creating an invisible barrier against the inevitability of goodbye.

June 9, 1999 – Tuesday

Santa Clara Women's Correctional

The cold, sterile atmosphere of the prison visiting room seemed to tighten its grip around Willow as she faced her sister, Faith. The harsh fluorescent lights overhead cast a clinical pallor, amplifying the impersonal nature of their surroundings. The clinking of metal gates and the low hum of muffled conversations from other visitors echoed through the space, creating a disheartening symphony that served as the dissonant backdrop to the sisters' reunion.

Seated across from each other, separated by the unforgiving barrier of scratched Plexiglas, Willow couldn't escape the flood of emotions that surged within her. She observed Faith, her sister, who now found herself confined within the confines of this stark institution.

"Hey, Hope," Faith greeted with a smile, her attempt at levity a brave front against the oppressive environment they found themselves in.

"Hey," Willow responded, her voice carrying a delicate mix of sympathy and concern. Leaning forward, she placed her hands on the cool surface, a futile attempt to bridge the chasm that both physically and emotionally separated them. "How are you holding up?"

Faith sighed, the weight of her circumstances etched on her features. Her gaze momentarily flickered away, as if seeking refuge from the harsh reality that surrounded her. "As good as it gets in here, you know? It's prison. Not exactly a luxury resort."

Willow's eyes reflected a complex tapestry of emotions—compassion, understanding, and an underlying sense of helplessness. The walls of the prison seemed to close in, leaving her acutely aware of the harsh reality her sister faced.

"Faith," Willow began, her voice taking on a somber tone as she braced herself to deliver another blow. "Buffy's cousin, Prue, she passed away a few days ago."

The news hung in the air like a heavy shroud, casting a deeper shadow over the already somber atmosphere of the prison visiting room. Faith's smile, once resilient, faded into a genuine expression of empathy. The bond between Slayers transcended the physical confines of prison, and in that moment, Faith connected with the shared sorrow that bound them together.

"Prue?" Faith's voice softened, the barriers of the prison momentarily forgotten as a shared understanding passed between them. The cold, unforgiving walls seemed to blur into the background as a palpable weight of grief settled in the space that connected the two sisters.

Willow nodded, her eyes reflecting the pain of loss that enveloped her. "Yeah, Prue. Her death has hit not only Buffy but Piper and Phoebe as well, quite hard."

Faith's features tightened, a manifestation of the helplessness that came with her confined situation. The inability to be there for her friend, especially in such trying times, gnawed at her like an unrelenting ache. Her eyes bore the weight of a sorrowful longing to offer comfort, support, and solidarity to those who were bound by the ties of blood and shared tribulations.

"I wish I could be there for her," Faith admitted, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken regret.

"Just knowing that you care, I'm sure helps, Faith," Willow said, her gaze unwavering as she looked at her sister through the Plexiglas barrier. The connection between them, though severed by physical constraints, remained unbroken. In that moment, the simple acknowledgment of Faith's genuine concern served as a lifeline, bridging the gap that stretched between their worlds.

Faith's expression softened, a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. Even from behind the cold confines of prison bars, she found solace in the fact that her feelings reached beyond the steel walls that held her captive.

Faith lowered her gaze for a moment, a mixture of emotions playing across her features. In the midst of the sterile prison environment, a profound sense of yearning lingered—the desire to be present for her family, to offer comfort, and to share in the collective grief that bound them together.

"I wish there was something I could do," Faith sighed, her frustration evident. The constraints of her incarceration cast a long shadow on her ability to provide tangible support to those she cared about.

Willow's eyes softened, a reassuring smile curving on her lips. "Faith, just your caring heart means more than you know. Buffy understands the circumstances you're in, and knowing you're thinking about her, about Prue, that matters."

Faith's eyes met Willow's, and in that shared gaze, a silent understanding passed between them. Despite the physical separation enforced by prison walls, a bridge of empathy and love spanned the distance, linking their hearts in a shared moment of vulnerability.

The prison intercom crackled to life, announcing the nearing end of their visitation time. Faith's expression shifted, a mixture of regret and acceptance. "I hate that I can't be there for them."

Willow reached out, placing her hand on the cool surface of the Plexiglas. "You are, Faith. Your heart transcends these walls."

As the guards signaled the end of the visit, Faith and Willow exchanged one last lingering look, a silent promise echoing in the air. The prison walls, now once again an undeniable presence, couldn't erase the shared grief, compassion, and sisterly bond that defied the confines of their respective worlds.

Faith rose, a sense of determination settling into her gaze. "Take care of them, Hope. And tell them I'm thinking of them."

"I will," Willow affirmed, her voice carrying the weight of a sister's promise. As Faith reluctantly retreated from the visitor's area.