Chapter 4: Power Outage Part 1
November 15, 2001 – Thursday
P3
Buffy sat nestled with her newfound family in the cozy owner's alcove. The warmth of acceptance and belonging permeated the air, wrapping around her like a soft embrace. Although the official adoption papers were still weaving their bureaucratic web to solidify her place within Prue's family, her heart had already begun to resonate with her adopted name, Payson Halliwell. 'Buffy' was now a precious echo of the past, a nickname that held the key to a life she was leaving behind.
"Alright, look, we know that Belthazor is not going to stop until he kills us," Prue said, her voice tinged with urgency and concern. She couldn't help but notice that Phoebe seemed preoccupied, her gaze wandering as if searching for something, or someone. "Phoebe!" Prue's tone became more assertive as she tried to redirect Phoebe's attention. It was a critical moment, and they couldn't afford any distractions.
Phoebe's gaze finally shifted towards her sister, her expression a mix of absent-mindedness and a hint of guilt. "Hi," Prue said, the word carrying a touch of exasperation. "I hate to interrupt your whole staring off into space aimlessly thing that you've got going on right now, but in case you forgot, evil triad agent."
"Mom," Buffy interjected, a small shake of her head indicating her understanding of Phoebe's divided focus. "Aunt Phoebe is just with the Cole missage." Despite the tension in the room, Buffy's voice held a note of understanding, a reminder that Phoebe's emotions were complex, torn between her loyalty to her sisters and her feelings for Cole.
"I know, Buffy," Prue replied, her gaze shifting from Phoebe to Buffy and back. "Anyways, if he's as powerful of a demon as Leo says he is, he is probably going to be immune to our powers." Her words were laced with a touch of frustration, a realization that their usual methods might not be effective against this formidable foe. "That's why we need to practice our counterattacks so the next time he shows up, we can get some demon flesh."
Piper's voice injected a bit of humor, a fragile shield against the weight of concern that hung in the air. "White meat or dark meat?" Her words created a fleeting moment of levity, a soft exhale of laughter that cut through the tension, bringing a precious reprieve. The sisters shared a glance, recognizing the significance of Buffy's laughter—an elusive spark that illuminated the room, dispelling the shadows of the depression that had gripped her since her resurrection.
"I don't like the idea of demon fillet either, but it might help us with the vanquishing potion," Prue's voice brought them back to the grim reality they faced, the seriousness of their mission still looming large amidst the brief respite.
"How late is he, Aunt Phoebe?" Buffy's question directed their attention to Phoebe, her eyes lingering on her aunt's restlessness.
"Forty-five minutes," Phoebe responded, her tone a mixture of impatience and a trace of annoyance. "You would think he would be on time after he sleeps with a girl, you know."
"I'm not saying he is that kind of guy," Buffy's voice carried a hint of caution, a reflection of her own experiences coloring her perspective. "But just because he slept with you doesn't mean much. I remember my first college romance, I later found out he was only interested in a one-night stand."
"Can we fast forward?" Piper's request held a sense of urgency, a desire to bypass the waiting and jump straight into action. "Because I got Fastball coming in in a couple of days and I need to get some stuff done."
Phoebe's smile blossomed as her eyes fell upon Cole making his way toward them. Her voice carried a mixture of relief and excitement, "Cole!" She rose from her seat, unable to contain her enthusiasm. "He's here, he's here."
Prue's attempt to regain their focus was evident as she started, "Alright, we are practicing the, uh..." Her sentence trailed off as Cole joined them by the alcove.
"Sorry I'm late," Cole's voice held a touch of remorse as he acknowledged his tardiness.
"It's okay," Phoebe reassured him, her tone warm with understanding.
With a quick recovery, Prue spoke up, her words an impromptu cover for the conversation's initial purpose. "The earthquake drill tomorrow at 3:00," she announced, her expression composed.
"I'm sorry, madam president, but I have a doctor's appointment," Piper interjected smoothly, her tone aligning perfectly with the façade.
"And I see my therapist at 3:00, Mom," Buffy added, her tone light but with an undercurrent of the challenges she grappled with.
Prue glanced briefly at Cole before turning her attention back to Buffy and Piper. "Payson, Piper, you never know when an earthquake is going to strike."
Piper's response was a mix of resignation and understanding, "I guess not. I guess I will reschedule then."
Buffy's voice carried a soft plea, a reflection of the connection she had formed with her therapist, "Mom, you know how helpful Janice has been."
Prue's sigh carried the weight of both concern and agreement. She was well aware of Janice's role in Buffy's progress and the integral part she played in fostering the sense of family that had grown between them. It was through Janice's guidance that Buffy had reclaimed her confidence and even sought the return of her powers. "I know, sweetie. But Janice can reschedule pretty easy, she's done it before."
"Okay," Buffy's response held a touch of resignation, the acknowledgement that sometimes sacrifices needed to be made for the greater good. There had been instances when her responsibilities as a protector of the innocent had forced Janice to rearrange their appointments.
Cole's voice cut through the moment, a new development demanding their attention. "Phoebe, we, uh, need to talk," he said, his words introducing a sense of urgency that shifted the focus of the conversation.
"Uh, Phoebe, earthquake drill tomorrow at 3:00," Prue's voice directed their attention back to the practical matter at hand, her gaze focused on her youngest sister.
"Okay, but if you need me there by 3:00 you have to lend me your car because I have class right after it," Phoebe's response was punctuated with a touch of practicality, a reminder of the overlapping responsibilities in her life.
"That's fine, just try not to leave my gas tank on empty this time," Prue's retort carried a hint of teasing, a playful reminder of a past transgression.
Phoebe's response was swift, her tone light and breezy, "I left your gas tank empty once, okay, get over it, let it go."
"Twice," Prue corrected, her words carrying a subtle satisfaction at setting the record straight.
Phoebe, always quick on her feet, smoothly deflected the correction, her question a deft diversion, "I'm sorry, what-what were you saying?"
"Actually, if we could, uh..." Cole' said, his gaze seeking Phoebe's attention.
"Oh, and Pheebs, I need the car back by 5:00 because I have a photo shoot at P3 tomorrow," Prue's request came swiftly, her multitasking evident as she juggled responsibilities.
"P3?" Piper's voice carried a blend of amusement and incredulity. "Did you forget to inform the owner of P3?"
Prue's admission held a hint of sheepishness, her explanation punctuated with a touch of desperation. "I'm sorry but my location fell out at the last moment and I couldn't find you and I thought that you would say yes."
Piper's sigh held a mixture of understanding and resignation, a familiar response to her sister's impulsive decisions. "Of course, you did. And did you forget about our homeowners meeting that's at our house tomorrow afternoon?"
"I totally spaced," Prue admitted, her tone regretful. "Uh, Pheebs, will you cover for me?"
"No way. In the last one, it took them two and a half hours to decide where to put the garden gnomes," Phoebe's response held a mixture of exasperation and amusement, a testament to the absurdity of past homeowners' meetings.
"Um, alright, do you want the car or not?" Prue's voice carried a note of impatience, a gentle push for a decision.
Phoebe's sigh was melodramatic, a playful expression of her mock frustration. "Hate you."
"No, you don't. You love me," Prue's retort was lighthearted, a reflection of their close bond.
Buffy's voice chimed in with eagerness, a willingness to lend a hand, "I'll help you, Aunt Phoebe. Since I'm not seeing Janice tomorrow, I don't have much else to do."
Phoebe's gratitude was evident in her response, her voice warm, "Thank you, sweetie."
"I need to get back to work," Piper's practicality cut through the moment, her tone a blend of efficiency and care. "Okay, you two kids behave." With those words, Piper, Buffy, and Prue moved away, leaving Phoebe and Cole to their conversation.
November 16, 2001 – Friday
Halliwell Manor
Dawn, Buffy, and Piper sat in the conservatory, their faces reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern, as they listened to Prue talking on the phone. Prue's conversation ended, and she turned to her sisters and niece.
"Hey, where's Phoebe?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
"I'm here. Do you guys know if Cole called?" Phoebe inquired as she walked into the conservatory.
"Not since the last time you asked," Piper replied, her tone carrying a hint of annoyance.
Dawn couldn't help but notice that Phoebe's gaze lingered on her, and she decided to address the unspoken tension. "I am not covering my ears if you want to talk about sex," she said firmly, her words conveying her maturity. "So, quit acting like you have to hide something from me. I am fifteen, you know. Besides, Buffy and I have talked about it, some."
Buffy chimed in, supporting Dawn's statement. "She's right," she said. "While Dawn and I haven't always been close, close, she and I have had some girl talk time over the years. She was the first person I told that I had lost my virginity."
Phoebe took a deep breath, looking towards Piper with a request for advice. "All right," she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I need some advice. Is he doing the whole blow her off after sex thing, and I'm just not reading the signs?" Her question laid bare her insecurities and fears, seeking guidance from her family in navigating the complexities of her relationship with Cole.
"Probably not since the signs Prue read as an empath prove that he loves you," Piper reassured Phoebe with a comforting smile.
Phoebe nodded, her worries still lingering. "Okay, well, supernatural guarantees aside, I am getting the feeling that he is avoiding me," she admitted, her uncertainty showing. "I have no idea where we stand."
"Well, maybe it's got something to do with whatever he's hiding from me," Prue speculated, her voice filled with concern.
Just as the tension in the room began to escalate, Belthazor suddenly barged through the door, catching them off guard.
"Demon!" Phoebe exclaimed, fear and alarm in her voice.
Buffy, fueled by her protective instincts, sprang into action. She moved with lightning speed, spinning into a roundhouse kick that struck Belthazor, sending him crashing into a table. In a swift follow-up, she delivered a powerful kick to his head, causing him to tumble off the table and onto the floor. "Aunt Piper!" Buffy called out urgently, seeking assistance as the confrontation with the demon escalated.
Piper, reacting with a mixture of panic and instinct, grabbed a knife and swiftly sliced Belthazor's neck. But as the transformation occurred, it revealed Leo underneath.
"Ouch, you got skin," Leo exclaimed, his voice carrying a touch of humor despite the unusual circumstances.
Phoebe, ever the optimist, couldn't resist a quip. "Hey, Leo, do you think you can make yourself look like Brad Pitt?" she asked, adding a bit of levity to the situation.
Prue, the practical one, stepped in to assess their impromptu confrontation. "Alright, you guys, that was, um, good," she began, her tone measured. "Although, Buffy, I think you need more force on your kick."
Buffy nodded, understanding Prue's point. "I kind of held back knowing it was Leo," she admitted. "If I used my full Slayer strength, someone would have had to swap powers with him so he could be healed."
Prue acknowledged Buffy's concern with a nod. "All right, Buffy," she said, turning to Piper. "Piper, a little less hesitating on the slicing and dicing, okay. Should we try it again?"
"No, I'd like to have a boyfriend left when this is over," Piper quipped, a playful smirk on her face as she addressed Prue's suggestion of another round of practice.
"Okay, where are your keys, Prue?" Phoebe asked, getting back to the task at hand.
"Piper, could you pick up food for the homeowners meeting?" Prue requested, a hint of urgency in her voice.
Piper, always the practical one, questioned the choice. "Why not Phoebe?" she inquired.
Phoebe quickly explained the logistics, offering a reasonable explanation. "Not enough time to pick up food and get her car back right away," she said, taking into account the tight schedule.
"And I have to prep for my shoot," Prue added, providing another valid reason for her inability to run the errand.
"And I have actually never gotten my driver's license," Buffy admitted, her tone a mixture of confession and reluctance.
Piper sighed, realizing the implications of Buffy's statement. "I guess I'll reschedule my doctor's appointment again," she said with a hint of resignation.
Buffy tried to console her, reminding her of a similar situation. "You are in good company," she pointed out. "I had to reschedule mine, remember?"
Piper nodded, acknowledging the shared experience. She then turned her attention to Phoebe and Prue with a new idea. "We should think about helping Buffy get her driver's license. After all, if she is going to reopen her mom's gallery in San Francisco, she needs to be able to get to it."
Buffy added another layer to her aspirations. "And to college," she mentioned, catching everyone off guard with her revelation. "I want to go back, finish what I started before mom died, and I had to drop out to take care of Dawn."
The sincerity in Buffy's words hung in the air, and she turned to her sister, expressing her feelings. "Despite what was going on, I don't regret taking care of you, Dawn."
Dawn, touched by Buffy's words, hugged her sister tightly. "I know. thanks, Buffy."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Later that afternoon, Piper and Dawn watched as the homeowners meeting continued, their expressions a mix of boredom and frustration. In the kitchen, Buffy was carrying a tray of refreshments, heading toward the living room where the meeting was taking place.
"Oh, watch the-uh-" Leo began to caution Buffy, but it was too late. She tripped over Prue's tripod, which was carelessly left on the floor under the kitchen table. Leo, with his quick reflexes, managed to catch her and save the tray of food from crashing to the ground.
"Mom!" Buffy yelled, her frustration evident. "You know I could have avoided that if mom hadn't left it where I didn't see it. That's what I get for volunteering, I guess."
Leo, trying to understand her perspective, inquired, "Why did you volunteer?"
Buffy sighed, feeling a mix of irritation and guilt. "Mom and Aunt Piper didn't have the time, which left Aunt Phoebe who was blackmailed into doing it. Just thought it would be nice to help her out," she explained. "Besides, I'm a mooch. I've been living with them for a month and not doing much in the way of helping out."
Leo offered a reassuring perspective. "Buffy," he said gently, "they know what you have been going through. They are just letting you get acclimated not only to being back but also to being part of their family. You do now live in a household of witches." His words carried a sense of understanding and support, reminding Buffy that she was still finding her place in the Halliwell family.
"I thought I was acclimated," said Buffy, a hint of frustration still lingering in her voice.
Leo offered a gentle smile as he responded, "You and I both know that while you are comfortable with the new family dynamic, you still have trouble with day-to-day living. Who picked out your clothes this morning?"
Buffy sighed, realizing the truth in Leo's words. "Dawn," she admitted, recalling that it had indeed been her younger sister who had chosen her outfit that morning.
"Precisely," said Leo, his tone filled with understanding. "It will take time. We knew that when Prue brought you home. We knew it would not be overnight. Just by opening your heart to Prue, Piper, and Phoebe; you have started on the path that will put it behind you."
It was at that moment that Prue walked into the kitchen, breaking the conversation. "Hey, is Phoebe home yet?"
"No, Mom," Buffy replied. "By the way, where is the bottled water?"
"There's some down in the basement," said Prue in response to Buffy's question about the bottled water.
"I'll get it," offered Leo as he headed downstairs, eager to assist with the household chores.
But before Buffy could carry the tray of food to their guests, she had something she needed to address with Prue. "Before I deliver this to our guests," Buffy began, "I have a bone to pick with you. If not for Leo, this food would have been a rug."
Prue listened attentively, realizing the weight of Buffy's feelings. "Why?" she asked, genuinely curious.
Buffy gestured toward the tripod on the floor, a reminder of the earlier mishap.
Prue looked at the tripod on the floor, her expression apologetic. "Sorry." She leaned down and picked it up. "I heard what you said to Leo, about feeling like a mooch. You're not, don't ever think that you are. I may not have given birth to you. But you are my daughter in every other way. Which means as my daughter, this is your home too. Okay?"
Buffy's eyes softened, and she embraced Prue warmly. "Okay," she said, feeling a deep sense of belonging and acceptance. "Well, I need to get this food out there before they go ballistic."
Prue nodded, watching with a sense of pride and affection as Buffy picked up the tray and walked out of the kitchen.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Buffy, standing alongside Piper and Dawn at the entrance to the living room, felt a mixture of curiosity and tension building inside her. She whispered, her voice tinged with eager anticipation, "Well?"
Dawn's response was hushed but filled with intrigue, "Just listen. You'll get your answer."
The conversation between the neighbors continued, and emotions ran high. Buffy couldn't help but feel a touch of indignation on their behalf. "It's our property, it's our money, and we are building a fence," one of the neighbors declared, his tone firm and resolute.
"We want our privacy because we've had enough of your snooping," the other neighbor retorted, her voice carrying a hint of exasperation.
"Snooping?" Buffy repeated under her breath, eyebrows furrowing. She shifted her gaze to the tempting tray of hors d'oeuvres before her, an attempt to distract herself from the escalating tension. "Aunt Piper, you sure can cook." She tried to maintain a cheerful tone, masking her concern with a compliment. "Think you can teach me?"
Piper's response, warm and inviting, brought a flicker of relief. "I'd like that," she replied, accepting the tray from Buffy, and then she gracefully walked toward the neighbors. "Goat cheese pizza and onion tartlets for the vegetarians. And the chicken satay has peanuts in case anybody's allergic." Piper's gaze shifted, catching sight of Phoebe's stealthy entrance. "Phoebe, nice of you to show."
"Uh, Piper?" Phoebe began, her voice tinged with anxiety. "I need a huge favor. Can I talk to you upstairs?"
Piper's patience was clearly wearing thin as the neighbors continued their bickering. She shook her head, clearly frustrated, and addressed Phoebe, "Oh, no you don't." With a determined gaze, she used her powers to freeze the neighbors in their tracks. "Phoebe," she continued, her tone stern, "this is not fair."
Phoebe let out a sigh, the weight of her request apparent in her expression. "I know it's not, but the last thing I expected was for Cole to ask me out, okay. So, could you please cover for me?"
Piper's frustration was palpable as she responded, "I-I already rescheduled my doctor's appointment twice."
Buffy chimed in, offering a hint of solidarity, "Welcome to the club," she said with a knowing look, acknowledging that rescheduling had been a common theme for both of them today.
Phoebe's voice softened as she pleaded, "I would never ask, but this is important." She took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting the uncertainty of her situation. "He wants to have the talk. You know, are we a couple, are we a one-nighter, are we friends, are we friends that had a one-nighter?"
Piper, her expression softening, nodded in understanding. "Okay, I get it," she said, acknowledging the importance of Phoebe's situation.
Leo, who had just joined the group, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Ever planning on unfreezing the neighbors?"
"Piper, just this once," Phoebe implored, her eyes filled with gratitude. "You know how much I want this relationship to work."
Piper let out a resigned sigh, realizing she had little choice in the matter. She reluctantly agreed, "Well, I guess I don't have much of a choice." As Phoebe hugged her and made her way upstairs, Piper turned to Buffy with a faint smile. "Buffy, I can still count on you, can't I?"
Buffy's response was immediate and reassuring. "Of course, Aunt Piper," she said with unwavering support, ready to step in and help out however she could.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Outside, Cole pulled his car up to the curb in front of the Manor. The anticipation of his dark plan weighed heavily on him, and his voice carried a sinister edge as he addressed Andras.
"Andras," he said, his tone filled with malice, as Andras materialized in the passenger seat beside him. "If Phoebe's right, Piper will be primed and ready for you."
Andras, ever the strategist, questioned their approach. "I thought we were starting with Phoebe," he said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"We did. I did," answered Cole, his voice cold and calculating. "She's the reason Piper's angry, and she'll be the reason Prue gets angry. You just make sure you get there to capitalize on that."
Andras raised another concern. "Don't you need to enrage all three of the sisters for your plan to work?" he asked, seeking clarification.
Cole's dark intentions were clear as he outlined his strategy. "You infect Piper and Prue, I'll bring Phoebe back home," he explained. "They'll blame her for everything."
Andras acknowledged Cole's cunning with a touch of admiration. "Your legend is well deserved, Belthazor," he commented. "You know, for someone about to score one of the biggest victories in centuries, you don't seem very happy about it."
Cole's response was terse and focused. "Just do your job," he said, the gravity of their mission overshadowing any personal feelings.
"What about the Slayer and the Key?" Andras inquired, seeking to ensure all potential obstacles were addressed.
Cole's answer was chillingly direct. "If you can infect them as well," he said, his voice a harbinger of the darkness that was about to descend upon the Halliwell family.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Inside the Manor, the neighbors' argument raged on, their voices growing increasingly heated.
"Your fence will block the sun for my flowers," one of them accused, frustration evident in her tone.
The other neighbor retorted with a touch of sarcasm, "Well, then I suggest you take it up with the sun."
Sarcasm met with more sarcasm, as the first neighbor responded, "Oh, great, great idea."
Dawn, ever the peacemaker, attempted to interject with a practical solution. "Okay, uh, why don't you build a shorter fence?" she suggested. "Or move your flower bed?"
But it became apparent that the issue was more complicated than that. "No, it is not my azaleas that are the problem."
"Okay, everyone please just try and calm down," Piper implored, her voice tinged with exasperation, as the doorbell rang, interrupting the escalating argument.
Buffy, in her haste to answer the door, was taken aback when Phoebe rushed past her, offering a hurried farewell. "Bye, honey."
Piper's eyes narrowed in disbelief as she noticed the earrings Phoebe was wearing. Her shock quickly turned to irritation. "Phoebe, Phoebe, Phoebe! Those are my earrings," she exclaimed, her frustration mounting as her sister made her swift exit. "Hey!"
Unbeknownst to Piper, Buffy, or Dawn, the situation was about to take a supernatural twist. Three balls of light struck them, enraging them and intensifying the emotional turmoil in the room.
"Okay, everybody shut up!" Buffy's voice boomed, filled with a newfound assertiveness. "I have had it with your petty problems and your stupid fence and your stupid flower beds."
Dawn, her irritation matching Buffy's, chimed in, "There are bigger problems in the world to worry about."
Piper, under the influence of the mysterious enchantment, added her own sharp words, her frustration overflowing. "Just get a life and grow up!"
"Ugh, you can't speak to us like that," protested one of the neighbors, clearly taken aback by the sudden aggression from Piper, Buffy, and Dawn.
"Oh yeah?" Piper retorted, her anger flaring as she impulsively grabbed a plate of food and hurled it at the neighbors. "Everybody get out of our house!"
Dawn, not one to be left out, joined in, adding with a steely determination, "Get out of our house before we throw you out."
The neighbors, perhaps realizing the futility of the situation, seemed ready to comply. "With pleasure," one of them replied, their pride momentarily wounded.
Another neighbor, attempting to maintain some semblance of dignity, quipped, "Perhaps we should build a fence to keep you three in."
Piper, Buffy, and Dawn responded in unison, their anger fueling their agreement, "Good idea."
Before the neighbors could leave, one of them issued a parting threat, "I'll speak to Prue about the way you three behave."
"Even better idea!" Buffy exclaimed.
"Move it! Move it! Move it!" Dawn chimed in, urging the neighbors to make a swift exit.
Piper, not one to mince words, followed the neighbors to the door and firmly closed it behind them. "And stay out!" she declared, her voice carrying a finality that left no room for negotiation.
Risso's Restaurant
Cole and Phoebe sat at a table, their laughter filling the air as they reminisced about Phoebe's past.
"Wait, you actually wore a penguin costume?" Cole inquired; amusement evident in his voice.
Phoebe's smile was infectious as she recalled her teenage job. "Yes, and I handed out balloons to kids. I was fifteen, leave me alone, I needed a job."
Cole chuckled, his eyes softening. "I bet you were cute," he said, his words laced with affection.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Phoebe couldn't resist demonstrating, standing up and waddling around like a penguin. Their laughter filled the room, a moment of lightness in the midst of their complicated lives, before she sat back down.
As their laughter subsided, Cole's tone turned more reflective. "You've come a long way, haven't you?" he asked, his gaze fixed on Phoebe.
Phoebe nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, yeah, I think I have," she admitted. "And of course, I'm still living with my two sisters and my nieces and still going to college, you know, eventually I'd like to work past that."
"You don't like living with your sisters or your nieces?" Cole inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Phoebe's response was filled with affection and a touch of resignation. "I love my nieces and my sisters," she confessed. "But, it's more out of necessity. But enough about me. Tell me about you. Am I the only one with a past here?"
Cole hesitated for a moment, his past a topic he preferred to avoid. "Mine's not very interesting," he said, attempting to downplay it.
Phoebe let out a sigh, sensing there were more layers to Cole's story than he was letting on. "More secrets," she remarked, her tone sympathetic.
Cole nodded, his expression distant. "I don't like to talk about my past much or my family," he admitted with a hint of sadness. "I lost them a long time ago."
Phoebe's empathy shone through as she opened up about her own family history. "Oh, I'm sorry. I know how that feels," she said softly. "Um, I never knew my mother, and my father left when I was really little. I didn't even know I was an aunt until a month ago." She noticed the quizzical look in Cole's eyes and continued, "Prue gave Dawn up for adoption. Buffy is Dawn's adopted sister. Buffy had just woken from a coma when Dawn had called, begging Prue for help. As a result, Prue is in the process of adopting Buffy to give her a stable home where she can heal."
"That is very noble of her," Cole remarked, his tone appreciative.
Phoebe nodded in agreement. "I agree," she said. "Anyways, Prue, Piper, and I were raised by our grandmother. She's not with us anymore."
"But you still have your sisters," Cole pointed out, his voice gentle, "and your nieces."
Phoebe's eyes softened with gratitude as she replied, "Yeah. And I thank God for them every day. I don't know what I would do if I lost them. Even Buffy, just in the span of that one month, I, like Prue and Piper, have come to love her as if Prue had actually given birth to her. Are you okay?"
There was a moment of hesitation, and then Cole finally spoke. "Phoebe, there's something I have to tell you," he began, his voice tinged with seriousness. "I'm a terrible dancer."
Phoebe, sensing the shift in the conversation, raised an eyebrow. "You're a terrible dancer? Something tells me that's not what you were going to say," she remarked as a slow song started playing. Without waiting for a response, she stood up and extended her hand to Cole. "Come on." With a gentle smile, she led him onto the dance floor, the music enveloping them as they swayed together.
Halliwell Manor
Buffy, Dawn, and Piper walked into the kitchen and saw that Prue was on the phone. Prue's voice quivered with a hint of disappointment as she spoke into the receiver, her eyes casting a shadow of sadness.
"I'm sorry I didn't make it," Prue said, her tone laced with regret. "No, I didn't forget. I loaned my car to someone and obviously—" Piper slammed the tray down on the kitchen table with a resounding thud, her frustration palpable— "They forgot to fill the tank." Piper's glare toward her sister held a mixture of annoyance and concern. "Keep it down, will you?" She turned her attention back to the phone, her voice now tinged with irritation. "Alright, one more chance is all that I'm asking for." She glanced toward Piper, Buffy, and Dawn, her expression one of exasperation. "Where's Phoebe?"
"The little witch is not home yet," said Piper angrily, her voice dripping with sarcasm and impatience.
Prue looked at her daughters, her eyes filled with a mixture of bewilderment and concern, as if silently asking what's wrong with Piper? "No, tomorrow at P3 will not be a problem. Okay."
"Actually, excuse me," said Piper as she took the phone from Prue, her action conveying her irritation. "Hi, actually, you know what? it is." She then abruptly hung up the phone, her frustration boiling over.
"Piper, do you have any idea who that was?" asked Prue, her voice laced with curiosity and a touch of worry, wondering what had gotten into her sister.
"I couldn't care less," answered Piper, her voice tinged with icy indifference and a simmering anger that couldn't be contained.
Prue's brows furrowed in confusion and concern. "Okay, what is going on here?" she asked, her tone pleading for an explanation.
"You are," said Piper, her words sharp as knives. "Get your own damn club and keep your paws off of mine."
Dawn chimed in, her frustration evident in her voice. "You haven't enrolled me in school yet, and as a result, I got wrangled into helping with those idiot loudmouths." Her words were tinged with exasperation, her eyes filled with a sense of helplessness.
Buffy, her anger reaching a boiling point, added fuel to the fire. "And I am sick of your stuff lying around," she spat out angrily. "If you can't get your equipment out of the way, then I will." With her Slayer strength, Buffy picked up one of Prue's camera lenses and, with a forceful throw, sent it crashing to the ground, shattering it into pieces.
Unseen by Piper, Buffy, Dawn, or Prue, a ball of light hit Prue, enraging her just like her sister and daughters. Prue's face contorted with fury, and her voice held a sharp edge. "Ooh, ooh!" she exclaimed, her anger palpable. "Take that blouse off, Payson Elizabeth Halliwell! I am tired of you borrowing my clothes because you have yet to unpack your own." She turned her fiery gaze towards Piper. "And you, who do you think you are?" Prue seized a blender from the counter and with a furious motion, hurled it to the floor, shattering it into pieces.
"Sure, you can use P3 for a photo shoot," said Piper, her voice now a mix of sarcasm and exasperation. "Hello? Remember me?" Her words were tinged with bitterness, as if she felt overlooked.
Phoebe, unaware of the brewing storm, entered the kitchen with a cheerful demeanor. "Hey, guys, what's going on?" she inquired innocently.
"Shut up!" screamed Piper, Prue, Buffy, and Dawn simultaneously, their voices united in frustration and anger, causing Phoebe to recoil in surprise.
"You know what?" Prue said angrily as she looked toward Piper, her voice heavy with frustration. "I am so sorry that I didn't check with you about your stupid little club." She glanced at Buffy. "I am so sorry that I left my equipment lying around where you could trip over it. I was too busy being the only witch concerned about the Triad."
Buffy, her frustration still evident, spat out her words with irritation. "I'm not a witch, remember?" She added with a bitter edge. "I think Dawn and I would have been better off staying in Sunnydale."
Prue's gaze turned to Phoebe, and her voice took on a demanding tone. "By the way, you owe me for a car tow and a tank of gas, you little leech." The disappointment in her voice was palpable as she addressed her youngest sister, her emotions a whirlwind of anger and resentment.
"I'm sorry, is it gang up on Phoebe day and nobody told me?" said Phoebe, her voice quivering with hurt, feeling isolated and attacked.
"News flash!" said Dawn, her voice sharp with frustration. "The world does not revolve around you."
"Yes," Prue chimed in, her anger simmering. "So, while you get to spend the night screwing the DA, we are stuck picking up your slack," she said, her words heavy with resentment and disappointment.
Unseen by Piper, Phoebe, Prue, Buffy, or Dawn, another ball of light hit Phoebe, enraging her just like her sisters and nieces. The room was now a powder keg of emotions, and Phoebe couldn't hold back.
"What's the matter, Prue? Jealous? All work and no play making you even more boring?" Phoebe's words dripped with sarcasm as she fired back, her anger evident in her tone.
"Oh, yeah, there's a lot to be jealous of," Prue retorted, her voice filled with bitterness. "Jealous that I'm still in school, jealous that I'm still unemployed, and jealous that I am still living off of my sisters."
Piper chimed in, her disappointment and resentment clear in her voice. "Yeah, Grams said that you'd never amount to anything."
Prue's gaze shifted from Piper to her other sister, and her words were equally cutting. "I am so sick of the fact that I've been saddled with you two my entire life," she said, her frustration reaching its peak. Then, her eyes turned toward her daughters, and her tone remained unforgiving. "And I am sick of being saddled with you two also."
Phoebe, Buffy, and Dawn had had enough. The tension in the room had become unbearable. "Whatever, I'm leaving," said Phoebe, her voice trembling with anger.
"Ditto," agreed Buffy and Dawn in unison, their voices filled with frustration and hurt.
"Oh, sure, you're such an immature brat, Phoebe," said Piper, her voice laden with frustration. "You leave every time you can't hack something."
Prue's gaze shifted towards Buffy and Dawn, her disappointment evident. "You two are just as immature as Phoebe is. Can't handle what happened in Sunnydale. Where are you going to run to next to get away from the pressures of life?"
Phoebe's anger flared, and she shot back, "Well, there's nothing keeping me here, now is there?"
Prue couldn't contain her exasperation. "Oh, well, I see that you've inherited dad's talent of bailing," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"That's because the two of us couldn't deal with living with you and Piper," Phoebe retorted, her anger unrelenting.
Prue's patience had worn thin. "I am so sick of saving your asses," she said, her frustration reaching a breaking point. "I'm also sick of you borrowing my clothes, Buffy." Without warning, Prue grabbed the blouse Buffy was wearing and ripped it, revealing her adopted daughter's bra.
"I'm sick of being taken for granted and those are mine," said Piper as she ripped off Phoebe's earrings. "Ouch! Bitch!" said Phoebe. Buffy spun into a roundhouse kick aiming at Prue who ducked. Dawn pushed Phoebe against Prue who pushed Phoebe against a chair. Phoebe picked up a piece of Prue's camera equipment and threw it at Prue who deflected it and sent it at Phoebe who levitated out of the way as it continued on its trajectory toward Dawn who suddenly and startling opened a portal. The camera equipment exited an identical portal heading straight for Piper who froze it. Suddenly the camera equipment unfroze and hit the wall shattering. Upstairs in the attic the triquetra on the Book of Shadows split apart.
"I'm sick of being taken for granted and those are mine," said Piper, her voice filled with anger and resentment, as she ripped off Phoebe's earrings.
Phoebe winced in pain, her voice sharp with frustration. "Ouch! Bitch!"
Buffy, fueled by her own anger, spun into a roundhouse kick, aiming at Prue, who managed to duck just in time to avoid the attack. But the chaos in the room escalated as Dawn, caught in the crossfire, pushed Phoebe against Prue, who in turn pushed Phoebe against a nearby chair.
Phoebe, desperate to defend herself, grabbed a piece of Prue's camera equipment and hurled it at Prue. With lightning reflexes, Prue deflected the object, sending it hurtling back towards Phoebe. In a split-second decision, Phoebe levitated out of the way, narrowly avoiding the collision. The camera equipment continued on its trajectory, heading straight for Dawn.
In a moment of sheer panic, Dawn opened a portal in front of her, creating a rift in space and time. The camera equipment passed through the portal, only to reappear from an identical portal, aimed directly at Piper, who managed to freeze it in mid-air.
But the respite was short-lived. Suddenly, the camera equipment unfroze and crashed into the wall, shattering into pieces. The sound of breaking equipment filled the room, echoing the broken bonds of trust and sisterhood.
Amidst the chaos downstairs, unbeknownst to the battling family, upstairs in the attic, the triquetra symbol on the cover of the Book of Shadows split apart, signifying a disturbance in the magical realm that was felt in the heavens by the Elders themselves.