Chapter 96: Three Faces of Phoebe
In the kitchen Piper takes a tray out of the oven. She walks into the dining room where the table is covered with food. Leo is the only one sitting at the table.
"Voilá!" Piper says.
"Oh, it looks great, let's eat." Leo says.
"Wait, where is everybody?" Piper asks.
"I don't know. Pass the croissants please." Leo says.
Piper takes off her apron. "I don't understand, we were all supposed to eat together. You know, celebrate."
"Sisters. Butter." Leo says.
"Buffy! Phoebe! Paige!" Piper says as Paige orbs in and falls on her, knocking her to the ground. "Paige!" They stand up. "Wait, Paige, did you just orb in from another room?"
Paige nods, "Yeah, obviously the landing could still use a little work."
"You've been practising this?" Piper asks.
Paige smiles, "Yeah, I didn't wanna say anything until I knew for sure I could do it." She sees the food. "Uh, food, thank god, I am starving." She sits down.
"That's the orbing. It burns a lot of calories. Why do you think I married a chef?" Leo says.
"I-I can't believe your powers are already advancing. This is just another reason to celebrate." Piper says.
"Mm, Leo, butter." Paige says.
Leo passes the butter. "Mm, butter. You should try the frittatas they're great."
"You're both very welcome." Piper says.
"Oh, thank you, honey. I just wanna eat fast so I can get to work on time for a change." Paige says.
"Well, I understand but still, it's not every day that we vanquish the Source of all evil. The least you could do is wait for Buffy, Phoebe and Cole." Piper says.
Phoebe walks in. "Oh, don't bother. Buffy and Cole's not here and all I need is a caffeine IV." She grabs a jug and pours herself some coffee. She sits down.
"What is the matter with you people? Our mortal enemy is gone, dead. Is there nobody else besides me happy about this?" Piper says. "Where's Buffy?"
Paige gets up and puts her arm around Piper. "Absolutely, honey, I'm thrilled. Thank you for the spread, have a good day." She leaves the room.
"Buffy went with Willow this morning to visit Faith before their morning classes started." Phoebe says.
The Elders call Leo. "Hm, I'm being summoned."
"What, now? What do they want?" Piper asks.
"I don't know, maybe they want to congratulate you guys." Leo says.
"But..." Piper says.
"Gotta run." Leo says and he orbs out.
"Does he have to do that so brightly?" Phoebe asks.
"Well, that'll teach me to try and be in a good mood. What's the matter with you?" Piper asks.
"Mm, I don't know. I went to bed and I was really happy and then I woke up this morning and I just, I had this horrible feeling about Cole." Phoebe says.
"Cole?" Piper asks.
Phoebe nods, "Yeah, it's kinda hard to explain. It feels like a premonition that's trying to come out but it never quite does. But whatever it is it's not a good thing."
"Well, that doesn't sound supernatural, that sounds supernormal. You got cold feet. Every bride-to-be does. Trust me, even I did." Piper says.
"Just like that? Overnight?" Phoebe asks.
"What's overnight?" Buffy asks as she walks in from the front door.
"Cold feet," Piper says "Well, the only reason you haven't gotten married is because of the Source, and now that he is dead you are that much closer to taking that very long walk down the aisle."
"I don't know. It feels like there's something else." Phoebe says.
Piper nods, "Buffy how's Faith? And Willow?"
"She's doing good." Buffy says. "I think it helped Willow to go see Faith. Both of us had been busy with school that we hadn't had time to visit."
Later in the attic Phoebe is there looking at the Belthazor page in the Book of Shadows. Buffy and Piper walks in.
"What are you doing up here?" Piper asks.
"Nothing, just thinking." Phoebe says.
"About..." Buffy says.
Phoebe sighs, "Cole."
"He's a human now, you're not gonna find the answers you're looking for in that book." Piper says.
"Well, I've gotta find them somewhere because I'm starting to get scared." Phoebe says.
"Well, of course you're scared, getting married is a huge step." Piper says. "A step that Buffy had a brief glimpse of not too long ago."
"Don't remind me." Buffy says.
"I know that. It just feels like it's more than that." Phoebe says.
"Have you tried talking to him?" Piper asks.
Phoebe nods, "Yes, of course I have. He just keeps avoiding me like he did when he was..." She points to the Belthazor page.
"Belthazor is dead. Cole is a man now. A man that you love more than anything else in the world." Buffy says.
Phoebe nods, "I know. So why am I so damn confused all of a sudden, it's killing me."
"Maybe you're right, maybe you do need the book. What good is being a witch when you can't use a little magic when you're hurting." Piper says.
"I can not believe that you're suggesting that. What about personal gain?" Phoebe says.
"I can't believe it either. Especially after Willow's little personal gain spell." Buffy says.
"Well, just word the spell properly, avoid it, you should know how to do it by now. Just be pure, ask your heart for the answer. Just don't tell Paige or Willow. I don't want Paige thinking she can do it too. And Willow it would set her back. I mean to tell her it's wrong and then you turn around and do the same thing and I'm saying go ahead with it." Piper says as she leaves the attic.
"You need anything," Buffy asks.
"Would you stay and help me?" Phoebe asks.
"Sure, Pheebs." Buffy says.
In the foyer Paige walks in through the front door as Piper comes down the stairs.
"Ugh, I hate it when you're right." Paige says.
"Really? See I usually like it." Piper says.
Paige nods, "Remember that spell that I cast last week, the one to help Caroline get her son back? Well, it had a little side effect."
"What kind of side effect." Piper says.
"The one that gets me promoted. I know, personal gain… Especially after the whole deal with Willow. I've already beat myself up over it, you don't have to." Paige says as Kurzon appears behind Piper in the dining room. "Demon!" Paige pushes Piper out of the way. Kurzon throws an energy ball. "Energy ball!"
The energy ball orbs out and back in in Paige's hand. She throws is back at him, missing. He throws another at Paige and she orbs out. She orbs back in in mid-air and falls down.
"Enough of this. Bye-bye." Piper says as she blows him up but he gets put back together. "Uh-oh."
"Two witches. Damn her!" Kurzon says as he disappears.
Piper gets up. "Okay. Paige, are you okay?"
Paige gets up. "I'm fine, I'm fine. It's my ego's a little bruised, that's all."
"That was odd." Piper says.
Paige nods, "Yeah."
"Leo!" Piper calls out.
Leo orbs in. "What happened?"
"Oh, same old. Demon tried to kill us." Paige says.
Piper nods, "Yeah, a very powerful demon, strangely Source-like. Can't we get a freakin' day off around here?"
"Well, that's why the Elders summoned me. The Source's death has created a power struggle in the underworld, and killing you means direct ascension to the throne." Leo says.
Piper frowns, "Ugh."
"So vanquishing the Source meant nothing?" Paige asks.
"Well, it meant a lot actually. It set back evil decades but that doesn't mean it made you any less of a target." Leo says.
Piper sighs, "Yeah, but this demon didn't even seem to know who we were, which by the way I find insulting."
"Well, he knows now which means you better figure out who he is before he tries again." Leo says.
Paige nods, "Attic."
"Mm." Piper says.
Up in the attic Buffy and Phoebe are sitting at the table. Phoebe writes 'Should I marry Cole?' on a piece of paper and scrunches it up. They stand up as Phoebe lights the paper.
"Where love is strong my spirit weak, it is an answer that I seek, the question burns within this fire, so I may hear my heart's desire." Phoebe chants.
Buffy watches concentrating on Phoebe, augmenting her.
Piper, Paige and Leo walk in.
Buffy? Phoebe? We have a..." Piper says.
Phoebe puts the burning paper in a bowl and it explodes. Phoebe gasps.
"Phoebe?" Paige asks.
Two tunnels of wind appear in the attic.
"What?" Phoebe asks.
An elderly woman and a little girl appear.
"What's going on? How did I get here?" Elderly Woman says.
"That's an excellent question." Buffy says. "Pheebs?"
"Oh my god, what have you done?" Elderly Woman says looking at Phoebe.
"Me? Wh-Who are you?" Phoebe asks.
"What's the matter? Don't you recognise me? I'm you. Phoebe." Old Phoebe says.
"Phoebe? That's my name too." Little Phoebe says.
Buffy frowns, "Oh… My… Goddess. That is so the last time I augment one of your spells, Pheebs."
Little Phoebe is getting frightened. "Who are you people? And how did I get up here?"
"You don't have to be scared of us, honey. Everything's gonna be okay. Any ideas?" Phoebe says.
"It's your spell, don't look at me." Piper says.
Little Phoebe runs over to the window.
"It was your idea." Phoebe says.
"Excuse me?" Paige asks.
"You might wanna stop her before she climbs out the window." Old Phoebe says pointing towards the window.
"Whoa!" Buffy says and she runs over to Little Phoebe who's half way out the window. "Sweetie, hi, come here." She pulls her back inside. "Hi, I can explain. You are dreaming."
"Dreaming?" Piper asks.
Buffy nods, "Yes, dreaming. And you're gonna wake up in your room and everything's gonna be fine."
"I'm ten, I'm not stupid. Grams!" Little Phoebe says and runs out of the attic as Cole walks in.
"Wow, I do not miss that." Piper says.
"What's going on?" Cole asks.
"Cole." Old Phoebe says.
"Who are you?" Cole asks.
Old Phoebe smiles, "Maybe this will refresh your memory." She walks over and slaps him across the face. "You bastard."
"What was that all about?" Phoebe asks.
"Ask him." Old Phoebe says.
"Uh, maybe we should go look for Little Phoebe before she escapes into 2002." Leo says.
Piper nods, "Yes, we will do that and you talk to your future self. And fix this, fast."
"Future self?" Cole asks.
"Uh, what about the demon?" Leo asks.
"What demon?" Buffy asks.
"Uh, we were attacked downstairs. Paige." Piper says.
"I'm there." Paige says as she goes over to the Charmed Book.
Piper, Buffy and Leo head downstairs.
In the living room Little Phoebe is hiding in the corner, blocking her ears. Buffy, Piper and Leo are trying to get her out.
"Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream..." Little Phoebe sings.
"Honey, you have to listen to me." Piper says.
"Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream." Little Phoebe sings.
"We're just trying to help." Buffy says.
Little Phoebe repeats the song. Piper groans.
"She's your sister." Leo says.
"Yeah, don't remind me." Piper says.
"In a way this makes me glad I didn't grow up with you guys. If this is the way Pheebs was like at that age." Buffy says.
"Sadly it is." Piper says.
Phoebe walks in. "Having a little trouble with young Phoebe?"
Piper nods, "Yeah, enough to make me reconsider having children. Maybe we should just lie to her again."
"No. I think I have an idea." Phoebe says as she goes over to Little Phoebe.
"Stay away from me or I'll sick Prue on you." Little Phoebe says.
Buffy shakes her head, "Oh, yeah, don't go there."
Phoebe nods, "Phoebe, listen to me. I know that this is scary but I promise you you are safe here in this house. In your house. Our house. You know how Grams talks about magic all the time? And she likes to say anything's possible as long as you believe in it."
Little Phoebe nods, "Yes."
"Well, that's what happened. Magic brought you here, to your future. See that girl over there? That is Piper all grown up." Phoebe says as Little Phoebe's eyes widen. "Yeah! And that is her husband Leo. Mm-hm. And that there is our cousin Buffy, Aunt Joyce's daughter."
"Really?" Little Phoebe asks.
"I am," Buffy says.
"And I am..." Phoebe says.
"Me?" Little Phoebe asks.
Phoebe smiles, "Yeah. I wanna show you something." She holds up her photo album. "Do you remember this? Daddy sent it to you and me for Christmas."
"My album!" Little Phoebe says.
Phoebe nods, "Yeah, except it starts with pictures of you and it goes all the way back here to pictures of me. Why don't you go take it over there and look at it."
Little Phoebe goes and sits on the couch.
"Nicely done." Leo says.
"Ooh, yeah, at least I could get through one of my selves." Phoebe says.
"Having problems with geriatric you?" Piper asks.
Phoebe nods, "I know that woman up there is me when I'm old, but there is nothing familiar about her. I-I don't know how I got so... mean."
"She doesn't have any idea how to reverse the spell?" Buffy asks.
Phoebe shakes her head, "No, she doesn't even remember casting it. How does that happen?"
"The future changes with every choice we make. Some choices change it more than others. All that matters is she's here for a reason. They bother are." Leo says.
"Yeah, but why? What's the reason?" Phoebe says.
"To help you listen to your heart." Piper says.
Leo nods, "And until you do, they won't return to their times."
"I don't think they're ever going to because old Phoebe is not letting go of this grudge about Cole." Phoebe says.
Cole walks in. "Talking about me?"
"Oh my gosh. Who are you?" Little Phoebe asks.
"Sorry?" Cole asks.
Phoebe smiles, "That guy is Cole. He's our fiancé."
Little Phoebe smiles, "Wait, you mean he's our prince? The one who sweeps us off our feet."
Buffy and Piper laughs.
"She's talking about Cinderella. That was my favourite story when I was growing up. I can't believe that I forgot about that." Phoebe says.
"Well, maybe that's why she's here, to help you remember." Leo says.
Little Phoebe smiles at Cole.
"Don't you think you should help Paige find out who the 'visitor' who dropped in was, before he drops in again." Cole says.
Buffy nods, "Good idea."
"Okay." Phoebe says. "We'll be right back." She looks to Cole. "Uh, keep her company will you?" She kisses him on the cheek.
Cole nods, "Yeah, sure." They all leave. Little Phoebe smiles at Cole. "Hi."
Moments later they are all up in the attic with Paige as she shows them the Kurson page in the Charmed Book of Shadows.
"That's him." Piper says.
"Kurzon is an enemy of the Source who was banished from the underworld for inciting a failed coup. I don't understand, why didn't they just kill him?" Phoebe says.
"Probably because it's not that easy to do. You guys are gonna need the power of three at the very least." Leo says.
"But if he's the enemy of the Source, doesn't that make him our ally?" Paige asks.
Buffy shakes her head, "No, he's still evil, he's just a different kind of evil."
They hear Little Phoebe scream downstairs.
"Phoebe." Phoebe says and they head downstairs. They see Kurzon with Cole and Little Phoebe just before Kurzon disappears.
"Cole!" Phoebe says as she runs over to Little Phoebe.
"She's alright, she just fainted." Cole says.
Little Phoebe wakes up.
"Are you okay?" Phoebe asks.
Little Phoebe nods, "Yeah. I think so." She looks to Cole, "You saved me. It was so scary. He just came out of nowhere. And then everything went black."
Paige hands Little Phoebe a glass of water. "Here you go, sweetheart."
"Thanks." Little Phoebe says as she takes a sip. "Who are you?"
"Me? I'm Paige, your..." Paige says.
"Cousin. She's my sister." Buffy says. " My older sister."
Piper nods, "Just like with Buffy, we think of her as a sister."
Paige leans into Buffy and whispers, "Sister?"
"We'll explain it to you when you're older." Phoebe says.
Buffy nods and whispers back, "Like you they didn't know about me till later in life. It's easier to say you're a cousin than to explain how Little Phoebe has another sister she's never met."
"Ah good thinking." Paige whispers.
"What about that scary man? Where'd he go?" Little Phoebe asks.
"You don't have to worry about him anymore, sweetie." Phoebe says.
"Doesn't she?" Leo asks.
"Leo." Piper says.
Leo sighs, "I'm sorry, but we can't risk her running into Kurzon again, she's Phoebe's past."
Phoebe nods, "And Cole saving her means that he saved me too."
"Hello! He loves us, remember?" Little Phoebe says.
"I think I should take Little Phoebe someplace, someplace safe." Leo says.
"Do you really think Kurzon will come back?" Buffy asks.
Cole nods, "I do. I mean, why wouldn't he? He didn't fulfil his objectives."
"He's right." Phoebe says. Okay, you're gonna have to go with Leo for a little while, but don't worry he'll keep you safe."
"I don't wanna leave." Little Phoebe says.
"I know, but it's just for a little while, okay. It's for your own good. Come on." Phoebe says.
Leo nods, "Come on, take my hand." Little Phoebe walks over to him. "Now hold on tight."
"Are we going on a plane?" Little Phoebe asks.
"No, but you might see some clouds." Leo says as he orbs out with Little Phoebe.
Paige picks up the glass and heads for the kitchen. She sees the dagger on the floor and picks it up. "Where'd this come from?"
"That-that's Kurzon's, he tried to stab me with it but I got it away from him." Cole says.
"Really? You got it away from a demon? That's impressive." Buffy says.
"Why didn't he use his powers on you?" Piper asks.
Cole shrugs, "Who knows? The point is I stabbed him which means we have enough of his blood to scry for him."
The girls look suspiciously at him.
"Yeah, I'll go get a map and a crystal." Paige says as she leaves the room.
"Do you think Kurzon's targeting Little Phoebe?" Buffy asks.
"Why would he?" Phoebe asks.
"Well, the same reason Leo said, because she's you. And if he kills her then there's no Charmed Ones. Remember there is only a Power of Four if there is a Power of Three. Take out one of you and no more Charmed Ones." Buffy says.
"But how could he know I conjured her?" Phoebe asks.
"He's psychic?" Piper asks.
"Or maybe the Seer tipped him off." Cole says.
"The Seer? You think she's involved?" Phoebe says.
"Wouldn't surprise me." Cole says.
"Well, that's just great. Okay, well, we're gonna need a vanquishing spell. Cole, go with Piper, help her, tell her everything you know about Kurzon." Phoebe says, "Buffy why don't you come with me." She stands up.
"Where you going?" Piper asks.
"Well, we're gonna go try knock some sense into myself." Phoebe says.
In Phoebe's bedroom Old Phoebe is looking at a picture of Cole and Phoebe. Phoebe storms in Buffy following right behind.
"We need to send you back fast." Phoebe says.
"Fine with me." Old Phoebe says.
"Not for your sake, for all of yours, especially little Phoebe's." Buffy says.
Phoebe nods, "And the only way for you to do that is to answer the question that I asked when I cast the spell. Should I or should I not marry Cole? Listen to me, a demon attacked downstairs and nearly killed Little Phoebe, which means he nearly killed us too."
"Oh, I know what that means." Old Phoebe says.
"Then why won't you answer the question?" Buffy asks.
"Because if I were to say something that could change the future, other lives could be at stake too, not just ours." Old Phoebe says.
"Yeah, well, maybe you're supposed to change the future. Maybe that's why you were sent here. If there is one belief that you and I still have in common, it's that magic happens for a reason. Isn't it possible that you've been given a second chance?" Phoebe says.
"To do what?" Old Phoebe asks.
"To keep me from turning into a bitter old lady like you. Please, I have lost so much already. Don't make me lose myself too." Phoebe says.
"Sorry, I can't." Old Phoebe says.
"Then I guess you've doomed us both." Phoebe says and she leaves the room.
Buffy sighs, "Pheebs." Old Phoebe looks to Buffy. "She has a point you know."
"I know she does, Buffy." Old Phoebe says. "But I still can't do it. If I say something that could change the future, innocents could die. And that's one thing I can not let happen."
Buffy sighs and nods, "Hey how do I look in your future?"
Old Phoebe shakes her head, "I can't tell you Buffy. I wish I could. I love you but I can't do it I'm sorry. To tell you what you wish to know could alter future events. I will give you one hint though, Dawn."
In the conservatory Piper is writing a spell, Paige is scrying and Cole is pacing.]
"Are you done with that spell yet?" Cole asks.
"Almost. Could you please stop pacing, it's very distracting." Piper says.
Cole shakes his head, "No."
Phoebe walks in and sits beside Piper.
"How'd it go?" Piper asks.
"I still can't get through to her. Maybe Buffy can, I left her up there." Phoebe says.
"She didn't say anything about the future?" Cole asks.
Phoebe shakes her head, "Nope. She's worried about the consequences of changing it."
"But she is your future, you can't change that." Phoebe says.
Buffy walks into the conservatory, "Yes we can. I've been to the future twice now and I can honestly say that we can prove that it can be changed. Phoebe's not burning at the stake anytime soon. And neither Phoebe or Prue died at the hands of the dragon warlock. Well actually Prue did but we brought her back."
"How?" Paige asks.
"Let's just say this. Never ever say I wish." Buffy says. "In front of anyone."
Paige nods, "Well, maybe you all will let me cast Phoebe's spell and get myself my own sneak preview. Find out what happens if I take that promotion or not."
"You got promoted?" Phoebe asks.
"Yeah, by the way of a spell and her friend Scott got stuck with the consequence." Piper says.
Buffy frowns, "Paige you would think after what happened with Willow's spell. You would know to stay away from the personal gain stuff."
"If you don't vanquish Kurzon soon he'll become the next Source, the all of a sudden personal gain won't be so important because you'll all be dead." Cole says.
The crystal points to a spot on the map.
"Got him. He's across town." Paige says.
"Okay, bring the crystal, we'll track him on the way." Piper says.
They get up.
"I would stay out of my bedroom if I were you. Unless you wanna get slapped again." Phoebe says as she kisses Cole.
"Be careful." Cole says.
"Aren't you coming?" Paige asks.
Cole shakes his head, "What can I do? I'm not a demon anymore."
The girls leave.
In the car Phoebe looks to Buffy, "Did she say anything to you?"
Buffy shakes her head, "She doesn't want to change the future. I even tried changing tracks on her and asked about myself instead. She wouldn't budge on that either. Though she did give me a hint, Dawn. Whatever that means."
Somewhere they pull over and they get out so Paige can scry.
"I can't believe we lost him!" Piper says.
"Oh, god, just give me a second." Paige says.
"Alright, he might be still in the area." Phoebe says.
"He's at the house." Paige says.
"We'll never make it back in time." Phoebe says.
Piper gets an idea and looks between Buffy and Paige.
"Don't look at me." Paige says.
"Why? You did it this morning." Piper says.
"Barely, I went downstairs, alone, not across town with two passengers." Paige says.
"She orbed downstairs?" Buffy asks.
"Yeah she did." Phoebe says. "Okay, well, Paige, he'll kill Cole, we have to try."
Piper nods, "Split up. Phoebe your with Buffy. I'll go with Paige.
Paige orbs out without Piper.
"Hey!" Piper says as Paige orbs Phoebe out with her.
Buffy shakes her head, "She's learning." She takes Piper's hand and flames out.
At the manor Kurzon throws an energy ball at Cole. Cole falls to the ground as he throws a fireball at Kurzon, missing. Old Phoebe helps Cole up.
"I'm okay." Cole says.
Kurzon disappears and reappears behind them. He charges at them with a sword.
"No!" Old Phoebe says as she stands in front of Cole and Kurzon stabs her. He pulls the sword out and swings it at Cole. Cole grabs him and they struggle across the room. Paige and Phoebe orb in as Buffy and Piper flame in on the other side of the room.
"Spell, spell, spell, quick-quick-quick." Piper says as she pulls a piece of paper out of her pocket. Paige quickly orbs with Phoebe out and back in on the other side of the room next to Piper and Phoebe.
"Hell threw you from its inner core, but earth won't hold you anymore, since heaven cannot be your place, your flesh and blood we now erase!" Piper, Phoebe, Paige and Buffy chants.
Kurzon catches on fire and is vanquished.
Phoebe goes over to Old Phoebe. "Oh, no. Leo! Just hold on. Hold on."
"She saved me." Cole says.
"There's your answer." Old Phoebe says.
Leo orbs in with Little Phoebe.
"Leo, please, please, please, please." Phoebe says.
Leo rushes over and tries to heal her. "She's gone."
Old and Little Phoebe disappear.
"What happened?" Paige asks.
"The spell played out. You heard what you needed to hear." Buffy says.
Later Buffy, Piper, Paige and Leo are in the kitchen.
"Speaking of orbing up there, when do I get to do that?" Paige asks.
"Well, you shouldn't be in such a rush, you should be proud of what you accomplished." Leo says.
"I have to agree with Leo," Buffy says. "While I could have gotten us all back you still managed to help save the day since you orbed Phoebe back."
"We didn't save everyone." Paige says.
"No, but that's the great thing about the future, there's always time to change it." Leo says.
"Leo's right. I've witnessed two possible futures. One where Piper was living alone and both Prue and Phoebe were dead and I was missing. And one where Phoebe was burned at the stake. Neither of those are happening now because we changed them." Buffy says.
"So Phoebe won't die that way?" Paige asks.
"No, if I know Phoebe and I do, she's not gonna let her future turn out that way." Piper says.
"Piper is right. Phoebe won't let her future end like that." Buffy says.
"Yeah, but what about Little Phoebe? She went back to her time with all this knowledge of the future. Won't that cause complications?" Paige asks.
Piper shakes her head, "I doubt it. The minute she starts talking about magic, Grams will do some hocus pocus to erase all that knowledge."
"That's nice." Paige says.
"That's Grams." Buffy says.
"Well, I'm done, I am off to bed. I have a future of my own to change tomorrow." Paige says as she heads for the door.
"Have you decided what to do about your promotion?" Piper asks.
Paige nods, "Yeah, I'm gonna turn it down."
"Hmm, what changed your mind?" Buffy asks.
"The three Phoebe's. She used magic to change her future but I used magic to change Scott's and that's not fair. I did the rhyme, I will do the time. Goodnight." Paige says and she heads upstairs.
"So what do you think Phoebe's gonna do about Cole?" Leo asks.
"I don't know, but I don't think we're gonna have to wait forty years to find out." Buffy says.
"I have to agree with Buffy. I don't think we're going to have to wait that long either." Piper says.
Upstairs in Phoebe's bedroom. Phoebe's there looking at a photo of her and Cole. Cole walks in.
"Hi." Phoebe says.
"I just, um..." Cole says.
"Had to get out of the house?" Phoebe asks.
Cole nods, "Yeah, something like that."
"Well, at least you came back." Phoebe says.
"You didn't think I would?" Cole asks.
Phoebe shrugs, "I don't know. Um," she sits on the bed, "I've been having a lot of crazy thoughts lately, about us, and I guess I just thought that maybe you were feeling the same way too. I never told you why I cast that spell did I?"
"I thought it was to hear your heart's desire." Cole says.
"It was to find out if I should marry you or not." Phoebe says.
"Oh. And?" Cole says.
"Do you still want to?" Phoebe asks.
"Well, it's still a part of my plans that's for sure." Cole says.
Phoebe smiles, "Mine too. It's not that I don't still have cold feet, it's just hearing my past self remind me of Cinderella, and seeing my future self willing to... willing to die for you."
"I'm willing to die for you." Cole says.
"I'm gonna ask you a question and all I want is a straight answer, okay? Can you do that?" Phoebe says.
Cole nods, "Okay."
"Is there something that you're not telling me? About you? Something that I don't know?" Phoebe asks.
Cole sits next to her. "No." He hugs her.