Author's Note: The story has gone under a little bit of a rewrite. Nothing seriously major. Though there is a chapter that wasn't there originally, which is why Exit Strategy (which is no longer divided into part 1 and 2) now is Chapter 10 instead of Chapter 9 as it was originally.
Chapter 10: Exit Strategy
May 21, 2001 – Monday
Memorial Cemetery
One moment Phoebe was alone, lying on the floor of the mausoleum, asleep. The next moment Buffy had appeared in fiery flames with Faith, who had been sent by her mother to check on Phoebe. "Aunt Phoebe?" Faith said looking around for her aunt. "Aunt Phoebe, are you in here?" It was at that moment she saw Phoebe lying next to the crypt. She knelt down next to her younger aunt. "Hey, Aunt Phoebe, wake up."
Phoebe slowly opened her eyes at the gently shaking that Faith was giving her. "Cole?" she said.
"No, Aunt Phoebe, it's me, Faith. Buffy brought me," Faith answered. "Mom's worried. Come on, let's go home."
"No, I have to wait here for Cole," objected Phoebe.
"Aunt Phoebe," said Faith. "Cole will know where to find you. You need to get something to eat, and a good night's sleep."
Phoebe sighed as Buffy and Faith helped her to her feet. "I don't understand. He was supposed to go back under so that they wouldn't be suspicious of him, but it's been a week."
"I hate to say this," Buffy sighed with a quick glance at her girlfriend. "He probably just hasn't found a safe way out yet, that's all," she said trying to sooth the woman.
"But what if he can't?" Phoebe wondered as she looked at the Slayers. "What if the brotherhood found him out?"
"If they did. You give me the word," Buffy offered. "I'll flame all over the planet and the Underworld looking for him so he can come home."
"As much as I appreciate the offer, Buffy," said Phoebe. "Both your girlfriend and your mother would kill me if I asked you to do that."
"I know," Buffy said with a sigh. "But what kind of girlfriend would I be, if I didn't try and help out one of my girlfriend's aunts in her time of need."
"She's right, Aunt Phoebe," Faith said as she smiled at her aunt. "Besides I would probably be flaming with her."
Phoebe nodded as she looked at her niece and let out a resigned sigh. "I hope he's okay."
"I do to," Buffy and Faith agreed as they disappeared in a swirl of fiery flames.
Underworld
Cole lay on a large rock as Raynor and Tarkin stood beside him.
Raynor held is hand above Cole's head, reading his thoughts. "Seems our brother's suspicions are well founded," he told Tarkin.
"Why?" Tarkin asked. "What do you see?"
"Sickness," answered Raynor. "The kind that only comes from being under the world of light for too long. It's contaminated him."
"That's impossible, Raynor," said Tarkin. "A demon as great as Belthazor."
"It's not his demon half that's been infected, it's his human half," Raynor explained. "He's in love."
"The witch," Tarkin said.
"Not just any witch, one of the Charmed Ones. But she's not only loved him, she's turned him against us, sent him here to destroy us."
Tarkin nodded. "Well, then we must destroy him."
"You still have so much to learn, Tarkin," Raynor explained. "You don't just kill a demon like Belthazor."
"But he betrayed us," he reminded Raynor.
Raynor nodded. "And in so doing, he's acquired the knowledge of how to kill the Charmed Ones and the Slayers. Something no other demon's been able to accomplish. That with his power makes a very precious commodity for us, one worthy of saving."
"But how can...?" Tarkin wondered.
"How can we save him?" Raynor asked as he looked at his fellow demon. "Simple. We remove the only thing that's re-awakened his human half. His only foot hold to good. The witch's love for him."
May 22, 2001 – Tuesday
Halliwell Manor
Piper sat at the kitchen table with Leo going over the fact that Leo didn't have a passport. While the original intent was for Piper and Leo to go to Paris alone for their honeymoon. Buffy had asked if she and Faith could come. When Piper had asked why Buffy had said she wanted to propose to Faith under the Eiffel Tower. Piper had agreed with two concessions. One that Buffy make sure it was alright with her mother that Buffy go with her, Leo and Faith to Paris. And two that Buffy formally ask Prue for Faith's hand in marriage.
Buffy had gotten one set of approvals out of the way when she had told Joyce what she planned to do. Joyce was hesitant of course but she could see in Buffy's eyes that what her daughter and Faith now had was real. It didn't hurt that Buffy told Joyce about her visit from Patty. So all that was left was asking Prue.
"Hey, Prue," Buffy said as she walked into the living room.
"Buffy," Prue said as she smiled at the blonde. "You're here early today."
"Technically never left," Buffy answered.
Prue knew of course that Buffy had spent the night, especially with the sounds coming out of her daughter's bedroom. "I know. I was just being polite. So, what can I do for you?"
"I wanted to do this all formal like," Buffy admitted. "I want to ask Faith to marry me. And I would like your permission to do so."
Prue looked at Buffy for a long moment. "Aren't you rushing this?" she asked.
"Maybe," Buffy reluctantly agreed. "But if that stupid test the Watcher's Council forced me to take taught me anything. Life is short. And Slayers live can be even shorter. I don't want to die with regrets. Of course, I don't want to die period. Had enough of that. So, I want to get married and build a life with Faith during the time we have together."
Prue looked into Buffy's eyes and saw the sincerity of Buffy's words. She also saw the love that Buffy held for Faith. A love that was pure. "You have my blessing," she said. "So how were you going to do it?"
"I asked Piper if Faith and I could go with her and Leo to Paris. She agreed with two concessions, both of which have now been filled. I intend to propose under the Eiffel Tower," Buffy said.
Prue smiled. "Perfect.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Piper poured books and papers from a box onto the table. The only hiccup to Piper's plan was that Leo officially didn't have a passport since he was officially dead and Piper had wanted to go there to Paris like every other newly married couple. Which was the reason for the books and papers. Piper was intent on trying to find a way for Leo fly on a plane.
"Okay," said Piper as Leo walked in holding a French/English dictionary.
"Oś est l' tour Eiffel," said Leo. "That is, where is the Eiffel Tower?"
"Sadly, if we don't get you a passport I will have to live vicariously through my niece," said Piper.
"Honey, we don't need a passport to honeymoon in Paris," Leo said. "With a blink of an orb, we can be sipping champagne at the Champs Sel Seasay."
Piper giggled. "Yes, as romantic as you make that sound, I think I along with Buffy and Faith would rather fly Air France, than Air Leo or Air Buffy," she said. "Just like every other normal newlywed."
"Air Buffy?" Leo said confused.
"I think she is talking about what I asked her," Buffy said as she walked into the kitchen. She hitched her thumb toward the other room to indicate Prue. "I asked, she said yes. Both of your conditions are met."
"Conditions?" Leo said.
"Buffy wants to propose to Faith in France," Piper explained as she looked at her husband. "I told her she had to ask for Prue's blessing to be able to ask Faith. And to talk to her mother to make sure she could go with us. And apparently both conditions are now met. Which means all that's really left is getting you a passport. She rummaged through the stuff on the table. "If I could just find... voila!" She smiled as she found Leo's birth certificate. "Birth certificate." She held it up.
"Where did you get that?" Leo asked.
"From Dan's old file, the one he put together when he was suspicious of you," admitted Piper. "You remember him, don't ya?"
"Let's see, perfect hair, cleft chin, tried to steal you away from me?" asked Leo.
"Wow, really?" said Buffy. "You must have been a real heartbreaker, Piper."
Piper laughed.
Leo snatched the birth certificate from Piper. "This isn't going to work; I was born in 1924."
"No, you weren't," said Piper as she snatched it back. She handed the birth certificate to Buffy. "Can your friend Willow do it?"
"Willow hacked into the FBI," Buffy said with a smile. "Give her a couple hours and all you have to do is go to the social security office and pick up a brand spanking new birth certificate."
"This is completely illegal," said Leo.
"Technically everything about your relationship to Piper is illegal, Leo," Buffy said as she looked at the Whitelighter. "After all, marrying a guy who is dead is illegal. Also technically speaking you are pretending to be a person who doesn't exist." She looked at Piper. "Faith said he's supposed to be his own grandson."
"My idea," Piper admitted.
Buffy nodded as she looked back at Leo. "The only reason Piper or you haven't ended up in jail already is because of your cop friend. He isn't going to be able to cover your butts forever. You need papers, Leo, before someone becomes suspicious. And the only way to do that is to get them forged."
It was at the moment Prue walked into the kitchen. "Morning. What's up?"
"Well, probably three to five years in jail, if we're lucky," Leo said as Prue looked at them confused.
"Piper needs to get Leo a birth certificate so that he can get a passport," Buffy explained. "Willow is good at hacking, in fact not too long ago she actually hacked into the FBI. She could do it piece of cake. Well now I need to go see Willow." And with that she disappeared in a swirl of fiery flames out.
"So," said Piper. "Do you know where Faith went last night?"
"At my request Faith and Buffy were looking for Phoebe," said Prue. "Three guesses where she was."
"Hmm, the mausoleum?" guessed Piper.
Prue nodded. "Apparently, it's become like her second home."
"Still no word from Cole?" asked Leo.
Prue sighed and shook her head. "No," she said. And you know what. You would think he could take three lousy seconds just to shimmer and let all of us know that he's okay."
"Maybe he can't, maybe he's afraid he'll get caught," Leo suggested.
Piper sighed. "Maybe he already was."
Underworld
"Just follow my lead," Raynor said as he and Tarkin walked over to Cole. He waved his hand and Cole woke from his magically induced slumber.
"Raynor," Cole said as he sat up.
"Good to see you're still with us, Belthazor," said Raynor.
"What happened?"
Raynor smiled. "I tried to kill you. Accidentally, of course. I didn't recognize you in your human form, my mistake."
"Not many are strong enough to survive an energy bolt, Belthazor," said Tarkin. "You're lucky."
"Forgive me," Raynor said as he held out his hand. Hesitantly Cole shook it.
"How could I not?" Cole asked. "After all, you taught me everything I know."
"Well, not everything," Raynor admitted.
"How long was I out?" Cole wondered.
"Long enough for us to investigate reports that you crossed over to the other side," explained Raynor.
Cole walked over to the water cooler. "Rumors, not reports."
"Don't worry, we don't blame you for the failed hit last week," said Tarkin. "Even if you were seduced by one of the witches that thwarted our plan."
Cole wiped some water on his neck. "I already explained to you that I was over her."
"Yeah, but you didn't explain that she was one of the Charmed Ones," said Tarkin.
"It doesn't matter that you're straight, Belthazor, as long as you're back," said Raynor. "To that end, I have an assignment for you. Something that only your powers can achieve. I need you to get me a magical amulet, one that's hanging from the neck of a witch. Problem?"
Cole looked at Raynor for a moment. He wondered if Raynor wanted him to get Buffy's necklace. "Just that it's a little bit risky, don't you think?" he asked. "Sending me after a witch with the Charmed Ones and their nieces on my trail?"
"Tarkin will provide backup," explained Raynor. "That way if they show up you can catch them by surprise. That should take care of all our problems now, shouldn't it?"
"Where do I get the amulet?" Cole asked as Raynor waved his hand in front of Cole's face. "This shouldn't take long." He shimmered out.
"Think he'll actually get the amulet?" Tarkin asked.
"Yes, but not before he tells his beloved witch what he's about to do," said Raynor. "Then that should plant the first seed of suspicion in her heart."
Halliwell Manor
Phoebe sat sitting in front of the mirror putting on her makeup, Faith stood in the doorway watching her.
"That's one thing I never really was interested in," Faith admitted. "Other girls have the Cinderella fantasy but me I had the fight till you die thing. Of course, it probably didn't help that the Lehanes…"
Phoebe smiled as she looked in the mirror at Faith and then stood up. "Come here," she said as she motioned toward the chair in front of her vanity.
Faith looked at the chair for a moment and then hesitantly moved from the doorway across Phoebe's room and sat down in the chair.
"Now," Phoebe said. "Let me show you what you've been missing, sweetie." She smiled at her niece and then pick up the foundation and began applying it.
Thirty minutes later Phoebe was finishing up. She had Faith close her eyes till she was finished. "Okay, open them," she said.
Faith opened her eyes and they went wide at what she saw. She was beautiful. Then she spotted something in the mirror behind Phoebe. "Aunt Phoebe."
Phoebe looked up at the mirror and her eyes went wide as she saw Cole in the reflection. "Promise me when I turn around, you'll still be there," she said, before she quickly turned around. When she saw he was really there she rushed over to him and kissed him passionately.
"I've missed you so much" Cole said.
"I've missed you so much too," Phoebe said.
"So, have I, Cole," Faith admitted as he looked at her and smiled.
"You look beautiful, Faith," Cole said complimenting the Slayer. He looked back at Phoebe. "They've given me an assignment." He gripped Phoebe close not willing to let her go just yet. "One that if I turn down…"
Phoebe clutched at him as she stared lovingly into his eyes. "What kind of assignment?" She could see conflicting emotions in the depths of his eyes.
Cole sighed. "I can't tell you," he snorted out. He knew she was not going to like that answer one bit.
"Wh—" Phoebe can't even start her sentence let alone finish it, why can't Cole tell her?
Cole took Phoebe's hand and guided her to the foot of her bed and they sat side by side. "They've asked me to steal an amulet from a witch," he explained.
"A witch?" Faith said as a frown creased her face.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt her," Cole tried to reassure both Faith and Phoebe but his small laugh at the end of his statement doesn't help matters much.
"Well, that's good news Cole. You can't do this," Phoebe said. Neither she or Faith can hardly believe he's even considering seeing this assignment through.
"You think I want to, damn it," Cole said as he stood back up and walked across the room. "I just have to buy some time so I can figure a way out. In the meantime, I have to at least pretend like I'm evil."
"That's a hard thing to walk away from," Faith said with a glance at Phoebe.
Phoebe looked at her niece in understanding. Out of her sisters and herself. Faith knew what it meant to be evil, to kill with no remorse. She knew her niece now regretted the life she had accidentally taken. Faith had broken the pull of evil because she had learned that the Lehanes had never been her biological parents. She looked back at Cole. "Faith's right," she told him. "If you turn into Belthazor, then you will be evil. And it will be hard to come back from it."
"What makes you both think I'll have to?" Cole asked looking at Phoebe and Faith.
"An amulet protects. It takes someone with great strength to overcome that. Why do you think they choose you?" Phoebe asked as she got off the bed.
"To set me up perhaps. Raynor may be on to me," Cole said realizing the potential truth. He moved back to the bed and stared across the room at nothing.
"Who the hell is Raynor?" Faith asked.
"He's the head of the brotherhood. And my old mentor. He was the power to read thoughts, and if he's read mine..." Cole explained as he sat back down on the bed.
Phoebe knelt down beside him and stared up into his eyes. "Prue, Faith, and I will come with you, and watch your back," she said as she stroked his face.
Cole cut her off as he slid her hand away from his face, he had been afraid she would volunteer to come along. "No, no, no, you can't. That could be exactly what Raynor's expecting you to do. He could be setting me up to get to you. I have to do this alone," he told her.
"Cole, I—" Phoebe started, before he pulled her up on the bed and put his arms around her.
"Trust me, okay? I know what I am doing. Just concentrate on finishing the potion. If it works, Belthazor will disappear and Raynor won't be able to track me. Then, we can be together," Cole said as he pulled Phoebe in and kissed her. He then shimmered out.
"I'll call, Buffy," Faith said knowing her aunt well enough now to know that Phoebe intended to do everything she could to save Cole.
"Thanks, Faith," Phoebe said as she smiled at Faith.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
The second Cole shimmered from Phoebe's room Phoebe and Faith ran downstairs; they had to help Cole. "Prue? Prue?" Phoebe frantically called for her sister.
Faith turned and walked over to the phone sitting on the table by the stairs and dialed her girlfriend's number.
Hearing Phoebe's cries for her Prue ran quickly from the kitchen ready and willing to do anything. "Hey what's wrong?" Briefly Prue took in both her sister and her daughter's attire. Neither of them was dressed. Though she did notice that Faith was wearing makeup. She wondered if she had her sister to thank for that.
"Summers Residence," came Joyce's voice over the phone.
"Hey, Mrs. Summers," Faith said as she glanced toward her mother and aunt. "Is Buffy home?"
"One second, Faith, I'll get her."
"Cole's in trouble, I need your help," Phoebe said. She knew that no matter Prue's feelings for Cole she'd help if she asked and she's asking now.
"Hey, Faith," came Buffy's voice over the phone. "I've only been gone a couple hours. Missing me already?"
"Uh, okay, anything," Prue said.
"We need to scry for a witch, fast," Phoebe told her older sister.
"Hey, Buffy, can I get you to flame back here. Cole surfaced and he's in trouble," Faith explained.
"Of course, Faith. I can be there in twenty minutes. I need to run one errand first and then I can flame there straightaway," Buffy said.
"Alright" Prue agreed as she looked at her sister.
"Thanks, Buffy," Faith said as she hung up the phone. "Buffy will be here in about twenty minutes. She needed to run an errand real quick first." She turned and follow her mother and her aunt back up the stairs.
Wicca Store
It only takes seconds for Cole to shimmer to the quaint little shop. Standing in the middle of the store stocking items on shelves was the witch he was looking for.
Scared the witch searched around the shop checking for any open doors, when she didn't see one, she then turned her gaze on Cole. "Who are you? How did you get in here?" Her voice shook.
Cole strolled slowly closer to the scared girl. "Just do exactly as I say and you won't be hurt. Take off the amulet and put it down." He hoped the witch would listen to him.
The witch clutched the amulet tightly in her hand. No way would she give up the amulet. It was given to her and no one would take it away from her. "I've been sworn to protect it," she protested.
"And I've been ordered to steal it," Cole told her as she backed away from him. "Don't fight me. I beg you." He leaned forward; reaching for the amulet after the witch shook her head. As his hand got closer a blue light shot from it throwing him into a bunch of boxes.
Sweat formed on his forehead as he rose from the crushed pile of boxes. "Maybe I can't." With ease he shifted into his demon half Belthazor. "But I can." He snarled past his sharp teeth.
Again, he walked over to the witch; the bright blue light that had only just thrown him back created a huge shield around her. Now as Belthazor he can pass the force field; it took everything he had to keep his hand going through the shield. He grabbed the amulet and the shield disappeared like it was never there. Instinct kicked in and Belthazor grabbed her by the neck, in seconds he realized what he was doing and let her go.
"Tell no one about the amulet. Not even your Whitelighter." Amulet in hand he shimmered out.
Passport Agency
Buffy appeared in a swirl of fiery flames outside of the passport agency to find Piper and Leo waiting. "Here you are," she said as she handed Leo a birth certificate. Will magically changed the year to 1974. I hope that will be alright. Anyways she hacked into the social security database so that their records match this."
"Thanks, Buffy," Piper said as she hugged the blonde Slayer. "And tell Willow thank you as well."
"That will have to wait," Buffy said with a sigh. "Faith called me when I was in Sunnydale. Cole surfaced. Seems he may be in trouble."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Two hours later Piper and Leo were waiting in line to get Leo's passport. "Whitelighter," Leo said filling out the form. "Is that my occupation or should I just put guardian angel?"
An elderly lady waiting in the line in front of them turned around and looked at them as if to say are you two crazies?
"Hi, how you doing?" Piper said as she smiled at the elderly lady who turned back around. She looked at her husband. "What's the matter with you?"
"We shouldn't be here, Piper, this is wrong," Leo reminded her.
Piper sighed. "Wanting a normal life is not wrong, okay? In fact, it couldn't be anymore right. For crying out loud, stop being so good all the time," she said as the elderly lady turned and looked at them again. "Ha, newlyweds, first fight. Eyes front."
"Piper..." Leo sighed as the elderly lady turned back around.
"Leo, look, I love you, but I'm getting a migraine here, okay?" Piper said as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Just, look, we're not hurting anyone, we're not breaking any commandments, okay? We just changed a lousy two to a lousy seven. So, let go before I blow." It was then that the line moved forward one person. "Okay, we're almost there."
"Uh-oh," Leo said as he heard a call from the Elders.
"What?" Piper said as she looked at her husband. Then she quickly realized what was bothering him. The Elders. "Oh no. No-no-no-no-no, no. You cannot leave right now, okay. Pretend you're, pretend you're out."
"I can't do that," he told his wife.
"Yes, you can. Come on," Piper said getting increasingly angrier.
"I've got to go," Leo said.
"Leo, you can't go right now, okay. We've been in this line for two and a half freaking hours!" Piper said as she pointed at the clock and it blew up. Everyone in the line ducked as she looked around. "Uh-oh."
Wicca Store
Buffy, Prue, Faith and Phoebe walked up to the door of the shop and found that it was locked. "Okay, Buffy," said Faith.
Buffy glanced around and then flamed to the other side of the door. She unlocked the door and let Prue, Faith and Phoebe in before closing the door behind them and relocking it.
Immediately the scent of smoke almost dissipated entered their nostrils. "Anything?" Phoebe asked.
Prue and Faith shook their heads. "No," they said. They glanced around the room noting the trampled boxes and broken knick-knacks.
"Do you think maybe we scryed for the wrong witch?" Phoebe asked, worry lacing her voice.
"No," Buffy answered as she noticed burnt curtains and a black scorch mark on the wall. "I mean no offense guys. I like having powers and being a witch and all. But it comes with recognizing the signs of upper level demonic activity that I never would have paid attention to in the past as just the Slayer. Ignorance is bliss."
"Believe me," said Prue as she looked at her daughter's girlfriend. "We feel for you, Buffy. We were in the same place three years ago."
"Do you think she's dead?" Phoebe asked, her voice a little shaky. Of course, what else could the witch be if all that's left of her was a black scorch mark on the wall?
"Unfortunately, I don't know what else to think," Prue said reluctantly. She sighed upset that they didn't make it in time to save the witch. Why did the location come too late? Was she not concentrating hard enough…or was she too involved with Phoebe's problem? Mentally Prue shook her head.
"That doesn't make any sense. Cole said she wouldn't get hurt," Phoebe argued.
"Yeah, well, somebody sure fired an energy ball in here," Faith said reluctantly.
"Somebody like Cole, you mean? I thought you were on my side, Faith," Phoebe said as she glared at her niece.
"I am, Aunt Phoebe. I'm not saying it was Cole. All I'm saying is what I see, what we all see," Faith explained. "But if you believe Cole didn't do it then I believe you."
"Yeah, I don't think Cole did it," Prue agreed.
"Thank you," Phoebe said.
"Alright, but if he didn't do it, who did?" Buffy wondered.
"Well, Cole said that he thought he was being set up by his mentor. So maybe he is, maybe they're trying to frame him," Phoebe told her eldest sister and niece.
"Why?" Buffy asked.
"I don't know, but if it's true, that means his cover's blown and we got to get him out of there," Phoebe said.
"Yeah," Prue, Buffy and Faith agreed just as Leo orbed in.
"Leo," Faith stared at the Whitelighter in surprise.
"What are you doing here?" Phoebe put a hand on her hip waiting for his answer, if Leo was here then something had to have happened. Whether that be to Cole, the witch, or Piper she didn't know.
"Looking for the four of you," Leo admitted. "The Elders called me because a powerful amulet has been stolen."
Buffy nodded, closing her eyes to hide the pain of losing an innocent. "Yeah, we know," she said.
Leo narrowed his eyes not sure how they knew before he did unless Phoebe had a premonition. "You do?"
"Yes, and the witch that had it has been killed," Phoebe said motioning toward the scorch mark.
Sighing Leo cast a quick glance around the mangled shop. "It's supposed to protect her, that's why they gave it to her. Only the evilest of demons could have had the power to take it away."
"And why would a demon want that amulet so bad?" Faith asked.
"Because it's one half of an ancient charm. Whoever connects the two amulets together, more than doubles, it protects your power. With it they become invincible," Leo told them.
Now it made sense. "Oh, that certainly explains why the brotherhood wanted Cole to get it," Prue said.
"Cole?" Leo asked confused.
Quickly Phoebe shooed away his concern. "Forget it. Who's got the other half?" she asked.
"Another witch. The amulets were divided between two local covens for safe keeping, but the bearers have always been kept secret, guarded even from them," Leo said.
"Well, obviously that's why the brotherhood wants them both," Faith said with a sigh.
"Only to destroy them so good could never use them. The amulet won't protect anyone evil" Leo explained.
"Alright, we need to find that other witch before they do," Prue clapped her hands together once signaling its time to get the ball rolling.
Phoebe nodded. "Okay, well, you three go with Piper," she said. "So, I can work on Cole's potion."
"Yeah. Speaking of, where's Piper?" Prue asked looking at her brother-in-law.
"Uh, she's at the manor recovering from a little problem we had at the passport office," Leo reluctantly admitted.
"What problem?" Buffy asked hoping the problem didn't have anything to do with Willow's hacking.
"Uh, well, she sort of blew some of it up," Leo explained.
Underworld
Cole and Tarkin were waiting for Raynor to show. Cole paced back and forth clutching the amulet close to him as Tarkin followed Cole's movements switching with his eyes.
"Nervous?" Tarkin wondered.
"Impatient. There's something you're not telling me brother." Cole said; not liking the way his brother was casting suspicious stares at him.
"Actually, I was about to ask you the same question, brother," Tarkin said as Raynor shimmered in with a smirk on his face.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, I had some business to attend to," Raynor said as he walked over to Cole. "Now, the amulet." With little reluctance Cole handed the amulet over to his former mentor. "Must feel good to be back in the game, it was such a beautiful death." He grinned widely with malice seeping from every dirty pore.
Confused Cole stared at Raynor oddly, like he'd lost his mind. "What do you mean?"
"The witch. How did you kill her?" Raynor asked, waiting to see if Belthazor would lie to him.
"I didn't. I'd never risk alerting the Charmed Ones just for the thrill of offing a low-level witch." If he had been evil it would have been a very smart plan, why alert the good team when you weren't ready to reveal your hand? Why is Raynor getting so bent out of shape over this?
Raynor raised his eyebrows he spoke, "Too bad, I would and did. Don't make me clean up after you again."
"You shouldn't have killed her Raynor." What will Phoebe think now that the witch is dead? Would she think he had something to do with it?
"You're right. You should have."
"You told me to just get the amulet, you didn't say kill the witch," Cole pointed out.
"Some things go without saying."
Tarkin spoke up from his place beside Raynor; he needed to prove his worth to Raynor that he's capable of getting something as important as the other half of the amulet. "You want me to get the second amulet?"
Unfortunately for Tarkin, Raynor had other plans. "No, I want Belthazor to retrieve it."
Cole shook his head negatively. "Let Tarkin. My strength isn't back yet. I could barely fight through the magic of the first amulet." He needed to get to the Manor and inform the sisters and Faith about everything that transpired.
"You can do it, I know you. You're the great Belthazor; you can do anything you want. You've seemed to forgotten that. Find the witch." He waved his hand over Belthazor's face giving him the information needed for the other amulet. "But this time show no mercy."
Sighing Cole shimmered from the cave. It looked he didn't have a choice about killing the next witch. If he didn't his cover was blown, if he did, the Charmed Ones, Faith and Buffy would come after him with a vengeance.
"You think he'll do it?" A part of Tarkin hoped Cole could and would go through with it. However, the other half hoped he failed and then Raynor would finally give him a chance to show him what he's really made of.
"You keep putting the bottle in front him, sooner or later he's going to take a drink."
"What if he doesn't?"
A bright glowing ball appeared in Raynor's hand. "Don't worry, I have insurance."
Halliwell Manor
Buffy appeared in a swirl of fiery flames in the foyer with Faith. A second later Leo orbed in with Prue and Phoebe.
"Alright," said Prue, "I'll start scrying."
"I don't think it'll work," Leo admitted. "The amulet wards off magic, all magic."
"That must be why we didn't find the first witch in time," Phoebe said with a sigh. "We didn't get a read on her until after the amulet was stolen."
"Okay, but what happens if we don't find her before..." argued Faith.
Suddenly there was a loud noise followed by a moan of anguish from Piper. They rushed to the kitchen. Standing by the island covered in watermelon guts was Piper, the expression of her face was a mix between 'gross' and 'why me'.
"Piper?" Phoebe questioned.
"Was it a demon sweetie?" Prue grabbed a towel and tried to help Piper wipe off the pieces and goo.
"No, it was watermelon," Piper answered.
Buffy blinked not sure what Piper had been trying to do. "Why did you slay a watermelon?"
"I didn't vanquish a watermelon. I threw it up in the air and I tried to freeze it and it exploded." Frustrated Piper threw her hands out and a potted plant exploded. She screamed and threw her hands out again this time causing the glass cupboards to shatter.
"This is the little problem I was telling you about," Leo said looking at Prue, Phoebe, Buffy and Faith.
"Okay, Aunt Piper, slowly put your hands down and no one will get hurt," Faith said as her aunt slowly, lowered her hands.
"Honey!" Piper sobbed looking at her husband.
"Sweetie, it's going to be okay, we're going to figure it out," Leo said as walked over to his wife.
"No-no-no!" Piper begged. "Don't come near me, I don't want anybody to get hurt."
"Okay, put these on," Prue said as she picked up a pair of oven mitts and put them on Piper. "Maybe this will help. Put these on and... Okay, now try the teapot. Try the teapot." Piper blew up the teapot.
"Uh, I think that is a resounding no on the oven mitts preventing that," admitted Buffy.
"Alright, just relax," Phoebe instructed, "okay, just calm down because I think your emotions are making this worse."
"I'm going to go check with the Elders, and see if they know what happened to your powers," Leo suggested.
"Hurry!" Piper begged.
"Hey, and ask them how we're supposed to..." Prue said as Leo orbed out, "find the second witch."
From behind them Cole shimmered in. "I know where to find her," he said.
"Cole," said Faith. "Did you?"
Cole shook his head. "I didn't kill her. I swear."
Phoebe smiled as she rushed over to him. "It's okay, I know. We believe you. You don't look so good. Are you okay?" She touched his face and he pulled her hand away.
"I'm not sure," he admitted.
"Come on," Phoebe said as she led Cole out of the room.
"Mom, Aunt Piper, Buffy," Faith said with a sigh. "I'm worried about Aunt Phoebe," she said.
"I know," Prue sighed. "I am too. I'm afraid what will happen if Cole is forced to embrace his demonic side."
"You think Phoebe will be forced to choose between her family and him?" Buffy asked.
"Possibly," Prue said with a sigh.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"What about the potion? How close are you?" Cole asked.
"Uh, we're just missing one ingredient, billings root, whatever that is. But as soon as I find it, then I can finish it," she told him.
"Well, I don't have much time, I'm kind of hanging on by my fingertips as it is," he told her.
Phoebe looked at him with worry. "Well, you have to hold on a little longer. You can do it, Cole, I know you."
Cole sighed. "Raynor says he knows me too."
"Cole, look at me. Look at me," Phoebe begged as he turned and looked at her. "You have to keep fighting it. You have to keep fighting him, you cannot let him win."
"But fighting is how he does win," Cole explained. "Raynor's just waiting for me to slip so he can drag me back in the fold, I know that's what he's doing."
Phoebe moved closer to him and touched his face. "He can't have you. I won't let him," she told him.
"Then save me, Phoebe," Cole begged. "I've been ordered to kill the next witch. You have to get there first and stop me. Otherwise Raynor will win."
Golden Gate Park
Cole stood in the bushes, watching the coven, gathered around a small fire, completing their ritual.
"The birth and rebirth of all nature," said one of the women. "The passing of winter and spring, we share in the life universal. Rejoice in the magical ring. I'll see you all next week. Blessed be."
"Blessed be," the others echoed.
Just then Tarkin shimmered in beside Cole. "What are you doing here?" Cole snarled not taking his eyes off the witches.
"Just watching your back." Tarkin explained.
"Yea, well, watching is one thing, stabbing is another." Cole darted a glance to the curly haired demon.
Tarkin scoffed at what he implied. "What's the matter Belthazor? Don't trust me?"
"I don't trust anyone," Cole growled.
"Never did. That's probably what made you so great. No elegances, no conscience, no hesitation." Tarkin stared past the bushes and watched as the coven members leave, all except the target. "You know what Raynor wants. Just give in to him. You'll feel better after you kill the witch."
The target kneeled down and began the process of packing her supplies. She was easing an extinguished candle back into her bag when she heard a rustling in the bushes a few feet away. "Who's there?"
Cole stepped form his hiding place with Tarkin a step behind them. As she stood staring at the two individuals, Cole transformed flawlessly into Belthazor. "You can't hurt me." She gripped her amulet.
Belthazor stalked toward the witch. Normally by this point he would have had a name for the future victim besides 'witch' or 'target' or 'protector'. However, Cole didn't want to feel this one, if he had to kill her knowing her name would only make it harder.
At this point it seemed he would have to kill her as the sisters, Faith and Buffy had yet to show up and save her or him. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind did than Buffy appeared in a swirl of fiery flames with Prue, Piper, Phoebe and Faith.
Phoebe craned her head to warn Cole but he was already reaching through the shield. "Cole don't," she shouted.
"Piper freeze them," Prue shouted the command. There was only supposed to be Cole, they didn't take into account a second demon. Although now that she thought it over, she didn't know why that possibility wasn't thought of sooner.
Piper panicked, her voice rising. "I might blow him up." She shook her head and switched her frightened gaze from the chaos to Prue.
"Ugh." Prue sent Belthazor flying distracting the demons enough so Faith could run to the innocent.
"It's okay, my mom an aunts' are the Charmed Ones. And both me and my girlfriend are half-witch, half-Slayer." Tarkin prepared to throw an energy bolt. "Aunt Piper!" she yelled, the bolt crackled waiting to be tossed at Piper.
Startled Piper threw her hands up, instead of freezing anything she blew a large hole in a tree. Prue tried to placate her with a few words of 'it's ok' but wasn't successful at helping her feel better.
"Kill them!" Tarkin shouted to Belthazor, he was within striking distance but the power Piper threw at the tree shot bark every which way and got him, slicing his eye. If he threw a bolt it could hit Belthazor-Raynor would kill him if that happened.
"No!" Phoebe pleaded.
Cole didn't listen as he threw a high voltage energy ball at Faith and the witch. The shield deflected the ball but Faith and the protector of the amulet were thrown back.
Angry Prue used her telekinesis to throw Cole hard against a rock. A crack was revealed when he pushed off it, he growled unhappy with the ache crawling along his back. Cole sent a glare at Faith before he shimmered out with Tarkin hot on his heels.
Halliwell Manor
"Cole tried to kill Faith, Phoebe," Buffy exclaimed.
Prue passed behind the innocent they had saved and told her who Cole was. "He's the demon." She wasn't surprised that Cole threw an energy ball at Faith and Jenna. He had to have double-crossed them.
Jenna nodded but stopped short when Piper told her that the demon who attacked them was also Phoebe's boyfriend.
Phoebe shot an irritated glare toward both her siblings. "We have very complicated lives." She wondered if the other demon had somehow gotten to Cole and made him try to kill Faith. She quickly dismissed the thought as she remembered that with Faith being the Source's heir that if Cole had intentionally attacked Faith his life would have been forfeit if the Source found out.
"I'm just thrilled to meet you all. I mean I've heard of the Charmed Ones as well as the Slayer, of course, but I thought…I'd never dreamed I'd—"
"Nearly die with us?" Buffy said. "Yes, well welcome to my life."
Jenna smiled at them. "You saved me, and the amulet." She caressed the talisman assuring her of its presence. "That's enough." The wound on Faith's arm caught her eye. "May I?" Faith nodded giving her approval. "Well, the wound isn't deep. A salve would cleanse it and ease the pain."
"That's alright," Faith admitted. "Slayers come with healing powers." She motioned toward her wound. "This will be gone by morning."
"Still you shouldn't have to deal with the pain till then," Jenna said as Faith sighed and nodded. "Would you allow me entrance to your herb cupboard?"
Prue thought for a second than figured out what Jenna meant. "Kitchen, she means kitchen."
Piper agreed and led Jenna to the kitchen while Prue and Buffy got Faith to sit down on the couch.
"I'm fine, mom," Faith said.
"You know me, Faith," Prue said. "I'm always going to worry. You are my baby girl after all."
"Cole would not try to kill Faith, or you or Piper," Phoebe said. Better to knock that out of her eldest sister's head right now. "He knew the amulet would protect Faith. He could've fired at me, you, Buffy or Piper but he didn't. With the other demon there, he made the only choice he could," she defended her lover. If she wavered in the slightest her sisters would think she wasn't sure of his innocence.
"And you believe, that right?" Buffy asked as she held Faith's hand.
Phoebe nodded. "Yea, I know it. The same way you would know it, Buffy. All you would have to do is…"
"Look in Faith's eyes," Buffy said finishing Phoebe's train of thought.
"Exactly," Phoebe said. "I saw Cole's eyes. They were filled with pain, not evil." She looked toward her eldest sister. "We've got to get him out of there before it's too late."
"Alright, then we better figure out a way to finish that power stripping potion fast," Prue said. "Come on." She led her sister, daughter and Buffy into the kitchen where Jenna was mixing ingredients.
"Check her out," Piper said excitedly. "Whipping it up like it's Tollhouse Cookies. Maybe after she fixes Faith, she can fix me."
"Piper, you don't need fixing," Prue said.
Piper sighed. "Uh, if it's taking the Elders this long to tell Leo what's wrong with me, then I definitely need fixing."
"This will feel a little warm," Jenna said as she spread a paste on Faith's wound.
"Nice," Faith said as she rolled her shoulder and flexed her arm. "Doesn't hurt at all."
"Hey, how are you at making potions?" Phoebe asked.
"Well, what do you need?" Jenna wondered.
"We need to de-tox a demon," Prue answered.
"Yeah, we need something called billings root," Phoebe added.
"Well, you have that. It's on the bottom shelf," Jenna said as she took a jar out of the cupboard.
Phoebe smiled softly and said, "No, that's ginger."
"That's what it's called now," answered Jenna. "In the old covens they called it billings root."
"Jenna, you healed first Faith and now me," Phoebe said as she hugged Jenna. "Piper, do you think you can help Jenna with the potion? Just not point at anything."
"Only one way to find out," Piper admitted.
"Buffy, would you mind?" said Phoebe as she looked at her niece's girlfriend.
"Depends, where are we going?" Buffy questioned.
"To get Cole back here," answered Phoebe. "If I'm right about what I saw in his eyes, he'll go to the mausoleum."
"And what if you're wrong?" Prue asked worried for both her sister and her daughter's girlfriend.
"Well, then he'll be back here with his buddy to get the amulet," Piper said.
"I'm not wrong. Cole's not the enemy. He's the victim," said Phoebe as she moved next to Buffy. "And I'm going to save him."
"Be careful, Buffy," Faith said as she kissed her girlfriend.
"Promise," Buffy agreed as she wrapped an arm around Phoebe and then they disappeared in a swirl of fiery flames.
Underworld
Cole, Tarkin and Raynor were gathered talking about the failed attempt to get the second amulet. "How could you have failed? It was just one little witch." Raynor asked.
"No, it wasn't. The Slayers and The Charmed Ones were there, just like I warned you they might be," Cole explained.
"We could have taken them," Tarkin spat out.
"We would have died," Cole told him. "The amulet protected them."
"Which is exactly why I want it," Raynor shouted. "What has happened to you, Belthazor? The witch's magic never would have stopped you before, you never would have given up. What's changed?"
"You know what? Let's just drop the pretenses, okay?" Cole crossed his arms. "I'm tired of playing games. We both know what you're trying to do, it's not going to work."
"Yeah?"
Cole chuckled "You don't care about the amulet. You only care about turning me against Phoebe."
"How smart, and yet foolish enough to fall in love," Raynor sneered.
"Loving her is the best thing that's ever happened to me. You can destroy me, but you can't change that," Cole hissed angrily at Raynor.
Raynor took a step forward toward Cole. "After all that I've taught you and all that I've given you, you're willing to give it all up for a witch?"
"I'm not going to kill for you, Raynor," Cole said. "Not anymore."
"Not even for your father's soul?" From behind his back he produced a glowing orb. Raynor cupped it in his hand allowing Cole to see it completely.
When Cole stepped forward menacingly Tarkin put a knife blade to his throat. "Settle, brother," Tarkin said.
"How did you get that?" Cole demanded to know, looking at the ball that contained his father's soul. "The Source?"
Raynor sent the orb that carried Cole's father's soul away and back into its secret hiding place. "I'll promise to free him if you've fulfilled your end of the bargain. You kill the witch, come back and finish your obligations, and you and your father will both be free," he promised.
Without saying a word Cole shimmered out and away from the Underworld.
Raynor smirked at Tarkin. "All that separates us from getting him back are a few drops of innocent blood, and they're about to be spilled."
Memorial Cemetery
Buffy sat on the crypt as she watched Phoebe pace back and worth as they waited for Cole.
"Cole," Phoebe said as Cole shimmered in. "Surprised to see us?"
"I hoped but why'd you come after what I did?" Cole asked.
"First because she believes in you," said Buffy. "Second because you need us."
"Also, it's not like you haven't tried to kill us before," added Phoebe. "A little energy ball isn't going to stop me."
Cole sighed. "You know, I didn't have a choice, I didn't mean to try and hurt Faith, for I knew that would hurt you."
"Well that and you knew that the Source would kill you if you did hurt Faith," Buffy said.
"I know," said Phoebe. "We just need to get you back to the house; get that potion and you will be safe."
"It's too late for that," Cole said as he coughed.
"What do you mean?" Phoebe asked as Cole's hand morphed into Belthazor's. His face started to morph as well. "We have to hurry."
"Maybe I should shimmer us there," Cole said.
"You can't use your demonic powers, it's too much temptation," Phoebe objected. "Buffy will take us."
Halliwell Manor
Piper and Jenna were making a potion as Faith and Prue searched through the Book of Shadows. "Shake water vigorously for two hundred heartbeats," Jenna said as Piper poured some water into the jar. "Then add a pinch of dandelion and a dash of chickweed."
"You're using bottled water?" Prue asked her sister.
"For Cole, the purer the better," Piper said as she screwed the lid on as Faith reached for the jar. "I got it, sweetie."
"Okay, Aunt Piper," Faith said.
"Time me," Piper said as Prue reached for the jar. "Just like I told Faith, I got it." She began shaking the jar while Prue looked at her watch. "Leo should have been back by now. It must mean my powers are screwed forever. They're punishing me."
Jenna shook her head. "You're a fulfillment of a great prophecy. Why punish you?"
"Oh, forgery," Piper answered. "Wanting to have a normal life. Getting pissed off. By next week I'll be walking around like Carrie at the prom."
"I think that's enough shaking." Jenna took the jar from Piper as Leo orbed in.
"Leo!" Piper said, happy to see her husband. "Where the hell have you been?"
"Hi, easy, remember, breathe, okay?" Prue said. "Leo, Jenna the innocent, Jenna, Leo the Whitelighter."
"Hi," Leo said as he shook hands with Jenna.
"Uncle Leo, why are Aunt Piper's powers wonky?" Faith questioned.
"They're not, they're advancing," Leo countered as he looked at his wife. "Uh, turns out your powers work by slowing down molecules, and apparently now you can speed them up as well."
"Okay, but why now?" Piper wondered. "Couldn't they have picked a better time?"
"Hey, okay, don't look a gift power in the mouth," Faith countered. "At least your getting one. I don't have mine, remember?"
"Talking about that," Leo said looking at his niece. "Your powers were bound, Faith, by the Watcher's Council."
"We kind of figured that was the cause," Prue admitted.
"I have a potion here that will unbind your powers," Leo said as he held up a potion vial. "But at the same time, it will likely bring you back to the Source's attention. It's even possible your powers will be demonic because of the deal Mrs. Lehane made with the Source."
Faith sighed. "Does that mean I could go evil?" she asked worriedly.
"Powers by themselves, Faith, are not good or evil. Its what we do with them," Leo informed his niece.
Faith nodded as she took the vial from her uncle. She then uncorked it and drank it down. "Thank you, Uncle Leo."
"You're welcome, Faith," Leo said as he hugged his niece.
"Not that I'm not happy Faith is finally getting her powers, which I am, We can celebrate later," Prue stated. "But can we get back to the amulets."
"What did you find?" Piper wondered.
"When the two amulets are joined together, only a spell can activate their power," Prue said. "This spell." She pointed to the book as Faith, Leo and Piper gathered around her.
"What does that mean?" Piper asked.
"It means if the brotherhood wants to actually use the amulets, they're going to have to come here for the spell," said Prue.
"But I was told that evil couldn't use the amulets," Jenna said.
"They could have figured out a way," suggested Faith.
Just at that moment Buffy appeared in a swirl of fiery flames with Phoebe and Cole. "Hey," Buffy said as she walked over to Faith and kissed her.
"You look like hell." Prue said to Cole as he sat in a chair.
"You have no idea," Cole agreed.
"Is the potion done?" Phoebe asked
"It still has to cool and turn blood red," Jenna answered.
"I'll get some ice," Piper said.
"I'll go with you," said Faith as she and Piper left the attic heading down the stairs. "Aunt Piper, look on the bright side, at least you got a new power that I would have loved to have."
"Well, we can ask Leo if you can have it," said Piper. "Because I don't really want it."
Tarkin shimmered in at that very second and Piper flicked her wrists and blew up a potted plant by accident.
A fireball suddenly formed in Faith's hand, to the shock of Faith, just as an energy ball formed in Tarkin's. They threw them at the same time and both the fireball and energy ball collided, the resulting explosion shaking the Manor.
Piper flicked her wrists and a shelf fell on top of Faith, knocking her unconscious. "Prue! Phoebe! Buffy!" she yelled as Buffy led Prue and Phoebe down the stairs. "Watch out!"
Tarkin threw an energy ball at Buffy who disappeared in a swirl of fiery flames missing the energy ball before reappearing.
"Oh, please, please, please," Piper begged to herself. With a feeling of confidence, she flicked her wrists once more and Tarkin exploded. She jumped back, appearing proud of her self. "I did it!"
"Very good," Phoebe said.
"Of course, I meant to freeze him," said Piper as she turned to her niece who was regaining consciousness. "Faith, are you alright?"
"I'm five by five," Faith answered looking around. "Where's the demon?"
"Slayed," Buffy answered.
"I've got to get back to Cole," said Phoebe as she headed back upstairs.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
In the attic, the potion, sitting in a chalice, turned blood red, "It's ready." Jenna informed Leo.
Raynor shimmered in and threw an energy ball at Leo, who was knocked into the shelf and knocked unconscious.
Cole looked between Raynor and Jenna. "Leave her out of this, Raynor," he warned.
"I serve with every breath, even my last," Jenna said holding the amulet in front of her.
Raynor smirked. "I'll have to take you up on that. But I think I'll save that pleasure for my brother." He threw an energy ball at Jenna as the amulet's shield protected her.
Somehow Jenna was thrown backward into some boxes and fell to the floor as the amulet fell off her neck.
Phoebe got to the door to the attic and tried to open it, but Raynor held it closed, blocking her from entering. "Cole?" she called out as she banged on the door.
"I've come to take you home," Raynor said.
"I am home," Cole said.
"Cole!" Phoebe yelled.
"You will be when you kill the witch," said Raynor. "Stop fighting it, Belthazor. You're a demon. Embrace it. Let evil make you strong again, give into it."
"Cole?" Phoebe yelled still trying to get through the attic door. "Leo?"
"The rage in you is raising but it's not me you want to kill," Raynor said. "It's her. Do it, for yourself."
"No," Cole objected.
"Cole, open up the door, let me in," Phoebe called.
Buffy and Faith led the way up the stairs as they came up behind Phoebe. Prue squinted at the door and the door opened just a crack so that Phoebe could see what was going on in there before they asked Buffy to flame into a potentially unknown situation.
"Is she really worth sacrificing your father's soul for?" Raynor asked Cole.
"Cole, no, don't do it," Phoebe yelled.
"Buffy!" said Faith as she turned toward her girlfriend. "Flame, get us in there."
Everyone took hold of Buffy and they disappeared in a swirl of fiery flames just as Cole yelled and morphed into Belthazor. He threw an energy ball at Jenna, killing her just as Raynor shimmered out.
Buffy appeared with everyone in the middle of the attic. Piper immediately rushed to her husband. Faith rushed over to Jenna.
"Phoebe," Belthazor said as Phoebe stared at him. He morphed back into Cole.
"I saw what you did," Phoebe said.
Cole sighed. "It's not what it looks like. It wasn't..."
"Jenna is dead," Faith said.
"And Leo are unconscious," Piper added. "What else could it be?"
"Raynor forced me, I had no choice," Cole answered.
"There's always a choice, Cole," Phoebe snapped.
"She is right," Buffy agreed.
"The potion," Cole said as he spotted the potion. He reached for it as Phoebe grabbed it. "Before it's too late,"
"It's already too late," Phoebe said. "You killed an innocent woman. There is no turning back from that."
Cole glanced at Faith knowing that wasn't true and that Phoebe knew it wasn't true. But as he glanced at Phoebe, he knew that in that moment she hated him for it. "I didn't want to kill her," he said. "You've got to understand that, I can still be good."
"There's nothing good in you anymore," Phoebe said.
"Maybe there never was," Prue said. "You have to read the spell to activate the amulets, right? I mean, Cole, maybe that was your plan all along, to get the book."
"But evil can't use the amulets or the book," Faith said.
"He could've if we'd stripped his powers," Phoebe informed her niece. "Is that why you wanted the potion, Cole? So, you could get the spell and use the amulets against us?"
Cole sighed. "Phoebe, you've got to believe me."
"I think she's believed you one too many times," Piper said.
Cole turned to Piper. "Stay out of this! This is between me and her," he snapped getting pushed back by a wave of telekinesis from both Prue.
Faith glared at Cole in anger as a fireball formed in her hand. She looked at it in realization. "Anger is the trigger," she said.
"There's nothing between us anymore," Phoebe informed her former boyfriend.
"Phoebe, don't let Raynor take this away from us, don't let him win," Cole said.
"Raynor didn't set you up, you set me up," said Phoebe. "What am I supposed to do?"
"Please, save me," Cole begged.
"Save yourself," Phoebe said as she threw the potion on the floor and Cole shimmered out.
May 23, 2001 – Wednesday
Halliwell Manor
In the living room of the Manor Piper was repotting the plant as Faith joined her. "Sorry about knocking you out. Nothing personal," she said to her niece.
"Yeah, well, at least you didn't blow me up," Faith chuckled.
Piper smiled. "Yeah, I was kind of relieved too."
"Piper, the control will come," Prue said as she joined them.
Piper nodded as she motioned toward the plant. "Mm-hmm. Yeah, tell that to the Ficus."
"Well, you sure told it to Tarkin," said Prue.
Piper smiled. "That was kind of cool."
"So, see, we can celebrate," suggested Faith. "You know, I mean, you got a new power and you beat a demon with it. And I finally got mine."
Piper sighed. "I wish I could've done more. For Jenna, and Cole. I mean, vanquishing one bad guy and losing three good guys is not exactly a winning score."
"So, are we still counting Cole as good?" asked Faith.
"Yeah, I mean, I actually finally understand how he feels, having something inside of you that you can't control, which is capable of hurting the people that you love even if you don't want it to," said Piper.
Phoebe joined them holding three candles. "Oh, I'm sorry guys. I didn't mean to stick you with the morning after clean up."
"How you doing?" Faith wondered looking at her youngest aunt.
Phoebe sighed. "I'm not sure," she said as she sat down on the couch and placed the candles on the coffee table.
"Well, you have a lot to sort out," Prue admitted.
"No, not really. I lost my soul mate to evil, end of story," Phoebe said.
"Pheebs, I think he really tried but..." Piper said.
Phoebe shook her head. "It wasn't enough. I wasn't enough. I thought we could do a blessing for our two fallen witches, and for Cole."
A moment later the four of them sat around the table. Prue took a match and lit a candle. "For Liza, a lost sister, may her spirit sore."
Piper then took the match and lit another candle. "For Jenna, our lost friend, may we meet again."
Phoebe took the match. "For Cole, a lost love," she said as she lit the last candle. "May he find peace," She blows out the match.
"Piper, we're going..." Leo said as and Buffy walked into the room. He noticed what they were doing. And pulled on Buffy's arm indicating they shouldn't intrude, "to have plenty of time to talk later."
"No, that's okay, Leo," Phoebe said. "We could actually use some good news, and it seems like you have some."
"Well, I don't have news but I do have a passport," Leo said as he held up the passport.
"I took Leo back," said Buffy. "We got one for him."
"I was thinking with everything that's happened and your new power, making life a little crazy, alright, crazier, I figured the least I could do is make it somewhat normal," he admitted.
"Are you sure?" Piper asked.
Leo nodded. "Anything that it takes to get you on a plane to Paris with me, Faith and Buffy."
"A plane to Paris?" Faith questioned confused.
"I talked Leo and Piper into letting you and I tag along," Buffy told her girlfriend. "I have something planned for the two of us."
"Ah, you know what?" Piper said. "I think we should wait on that." She stood and walked over to her husband. "I wouldn't want to sneeze at 40,000 feet and have a whole bunch of people explode, that would be bad."
Leo smiled as he kissed Piper.
"Something planned?" Faith questioned looking at her girlfriend.
"I was wanting to propose, Faith, in Paris," Buffy admitted.
"I'm not sure I'm ready for that, Buffy," Faith said.
"I think you are," Buffy said. "But we can wait. Besides I want to make it special when I do."