Chapter 9: We All Cream for Ice Cream Part 2
February 20, 2002 – Wednesday
Halliwell Manor
In the living room, worry filled the air as Piper and Buffy anxiously contemplated the whereabouts of their missing family members. Leo sat beside Piper. ""Why don't we try focusing on the positive?" he suggested amidst the uncertainty.
Piper, exasperated, responded to Leo's suggestion. "That's it? That's your positive?" she retorted; her voice laced with frustration. "Because I've got a list a mile long in the negative column."
Buffy, standing close to Faith, joined in, echoing Piper's concerns. "Aunt Piper's right. They've been gone all night, Leo, and not even you can find them," she expressed, her worry palpable.
Leo, trying to maintain optimism, offered reassurance. "I'm sure they're fine," he insisted.
Piper and Buffy exchanged a glance, their worry lingering. "I have to agree with Piper and Buffy," Faith chimed in, her arm comfortingly wrapped around Buffy. "We don't know where they're at, and you can't find them. For all we know, a vampire found them."
"I'm sure any minute now they are going to walk through that door with a perfectly good explanation," Leo stated confidently.
They heard the front door opening followed by the sound of Prue's voice. "Piper? Buffy? Faith?"
The stunned expressions on Buffy, Piper, and Faith's faces spoke volumes, their disbelief apparent. Leo couldn't help but reaffirm his earlier sentiment. "See?" he said with a smile.
"M-Mom, Dawn, Aunt Phoebe?" Buffy called out, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and concern. Piper and Buffy both sprang into action, rushing towards their missing family members. Hugs were exchanged as Buffy and Piper took turns embracing Prue, Phoebe, and Dawn.
"Where…?" Piper asked trying to comprehend the situation. Leo and Faith stood beside her and Buffy, flanking the reunited family.
"...were we?" Phoebe finished, her curiosity mirroring Piper's. "Oh, I would like to know the same thing."
Dawn chimed in, sharing the limited information she had. "All I know is wherever we were, I could feel the doorway to it through the Key," she revealed.
Prue added her own insight. "And that we have to go back," she stated with determination.
Buffy interjected with a question. "Wait a minute, is this demon or family-related?" she inquired, seeking clarification.
Phoebe responded, shedding light on the situation. "A little bit of both," she explained. "We thought the good guys were bad guys, and in trying to vanquish them, we helped the real bad guys, who turned out to be dead ringers for good guys."
Leo, slightly confused, sought clarification. "Was that English?" he asked, expressing his bewilderment.
"Maybe we should fill them in on the way to the Book?" Dawn suggested, offering a practical solution.
"Good idea," Prue and Phoebe agreed in unison, and as a united group, they made their way up the stairs and into the attic, explaining the events that had unfolded along the way.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Piper stood at the podium, flipping through the worn pages of the Book of Shadows, her voice tinged with frustration. "So, he's a demonic dog catcher, and he uses ice cream as bait?" she exclaimed. "Great news for the lactose intolerant demons."
Prue chimed in, scanning the pages with a furrowed brow. "Nothing in here on the demon kids who escaped," she reported.
Dawn let out a sigh, feeling the weight of responsibility. "That we helped escape. All because I was attracted by the music," she confessed.
"But there's a whole page dedicated to the Ice Cream Man," Prue noted, pointing it out to Piper.
Piper's eyes widened in surprise. "What?" she exclaimed.
Prue continued; her voice filled with concern. "Looks like he could be another one of the Powers' champions. He's mortal."
Buffy interjected, seeking clarification. "Does he have powers, like Faith and I do?" she asked.
Prue shook her head, disappointment evident. "Not according to this," she replied.
Piper voiced her confusion. "So, if he's mortal and doesn't have powers like Buffy and Faith, how does he do it?" she questioned.
Leo, who had been quietly listening, offered an explanation. "It's not him," he stated.
Prue nodded, piecing the puzzle together. "Bingo. It's the song," she declared, her eyes focused on the Book. "It says, 'The Ice Cream Man plays the Devil's Cord, which is a series of notes that when sounded together specifically attract demon kids like moths to a flame.'"
Phoebe, standing beside Prue, added her insight. "More like moths to nothing," she remarked. "That's what's inside the truck, nothing. That's why he pulls them in there. The Nothing is the only thing that can vanquish them."
Piper, contemplating the situation, couldn't help but acknowledge the resilience of the demon kids. "So, they might be pint-sized, but they're badasses," she concluded.
Faith, intrigued by their escape, posed a question. "Alright, but if they couldn't get out on their own, how did you guys? Did you portal?" she asked.
Dawn shook her head, her voice filled with certainty. "No, my magic was cut off," she revealed.
Prue spoke up, gratitude evident in her voice. "He led us out. He tried to save us," she explained.
Phoebe, leaning closer to Prue, summarized their findings. "And that is all she wrote, literally. The Nothing doesn't discriminate. Good or evil, it tastes the same."
Dawn turned to Leo, seeking answers. "Leo, I have a question. Why was I attracted to it?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern.
Leo's voice carried a sense of wisdom as he offered his explanation. "Likely because of the Key," he said. "The Key itself is not inherently good or evil, but it's not truly neutral either since it has the power to destroy the barrier between worlds."
Prue nodded in agreement. "That makes sense," she said. "While Dawn, being a good witch, is able to harness the energy of the Key for good. The Key itself likely leans towards the other side due to its original purpose."
Piper redirected the conversation back to the pressing matter at hand. "Anyways," she said, bringing attention to the demon children. "The only person who has any knowledge about these escaped meanies is stuck on the playground and is in serious danger of becoming lunch himself."
Prue interjected, emphasizing the limitations they faced. "Right, and our powers don't work in this situation," she explained. "I mean, Pheebs, Dawn and I tried everything to get back in, but the door wouldn't budge. Dawn even tried to portal since she has now seen the playground and would know where she was going. Where ever the playground is, it can't be reached by the Key."
Dawn spoke up, offering a glimmer of hope. "Not everything, Mom," she said.
Piper, intrigued, urged her to share. "Hmm?" she prompted. "Mind sharing with the room?"
Prue revealed the pivotal piece of information. "Phoebe had a premonition of me," she said.
Phoebe chimed in, completing the puzzle. "And Dad in the playground," she added.
Buffy, astonished, couldn't contain her curiosity. "You were there? How? When?" she asked.
Phoebe nodded; her expression determined. "There's only one way to find out," she stated.
Prue voiced their predicament, acknowledging the absence of their father. "Right, but we don't even know where he is. We never have, not even now when he might actually come in handy," she lamented.
Phoebe's admission brought a mix of shock and realization to Piper. "He's here. Dad's in San Francisco," Phoebe confessed. "He's been here for the last three months. So, it was him that your friend Cara saw. And it was an email from him that I received yesterday but didn't tell you guys about. He's here, just an instant message away."
Piper struggled to comprehend the magnitude of this revelation. "Phoebe, this is..." she started, her voice filled with shock.
Phoebe acknowledged the significance of the moment. "Huge. I know, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys that I've been keeping in touch with him, but I wanted to," she confessed. "It just never seemed like the right time. So, I guess now is the right time. What do you think?"
Piper pondered the question, realizing the lack of alternatives. "Do we have a choice?" she asked, her voice filled with resignation as Phoebe retrieved her laptop, ready to bridge the gap between them and their father.
Dawn's face lit up with excitement as she contemplated the possibility. "Does this mean I can finally meet my grandfather?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation and joy.
Prue couldn't help but feel a tinge of melancholy, knowing the complex history and strained relationships within their family. She let out a weary sigh, not fully embracing the idea of her daughter meeting her own grandfather. "I suppose so, sweetie," she replied, her tone tinged with a mix of resignation and reluctance.
P3
Buffy, Faith, Dawn, Prue, and Phoebe sat perched on the bar stools, patiently waiting for Victor to arrive. The ambiance of the club provided a familiar and comforting backdrop to their gathering.
Piper expertly poured drinks for Phoebe, Prue, and Faith. "Welcome to Club Switzerland," she quipped, offering a wry smile, as if acknowledging the tense dynamics at play.
Prue, feeling the weight of the situation, couldn't help but express her frustration. "Alright, can we please drop the sarcasm for a moment?" she requested. "Inviting him to our home for a casual get-together was not exactly my idea of a pleasant afternoon tea party."
Piper, ever the voice of reason, reminded Prue of their familial ties. "He's our father, Prue," she gently asserted. "And he's also Buffy and Dawn's grandfather. This is about family."
Prue remained steadfast in her approach, viewing the meeting as a business transaction. "This is business, alright?" she clarified. "And don't even think about giving me that look. If he gives us any useful information about the playground, I will be the very first one to thank him."
Phoebe chimed in, playfully adding her perspective. "And then send him packing," she interjected.
The man that had been trying to flirt with Piper approached the group. "These must be the famous sisters and nieces I've heard so much about," he greeted them, attempting to make conversation.
Piper let out a sigh, realizing the timing was far from ideal. "Caleb, uh..." she began, struggling to find the right words.
Caleb, undeterred, couldn't resist adding his thoughts. "And to think I almost didn't swing by today," he remarked, seemingly oblivious to the underlying tension.
"Okay, you know what?" Piper said. "I've tried, I really have, and you're not a bad guy, but obviously, the part of your brain meant to take a hint wasn't wired together properly because you're not taking any." She noticed Leo standing behind Caleb. "This is a really bad time."
"Oh, okay, when would be a good time?" Caleb asked.
Piper turned to Leo, seeking an escape route from the uncomfortable situation. "Help me," she silently pleaded, her eyes conveying a sense of urgency.
Leo, being ever attuned to Piper's needs, seized the opportunity. "You got a phone call, it's in the office," he informed Caleb. "Why don't I show you where that is
As Caleb and Leo walked away, a hint of curiosity lingered in Caleb's expression. "Uh, okay, do you mind if I ask you something?" he inquired, trying to make sense of the complex situation.
Piper, still grappling with the aftermath of the encounter, felt a mix of relief and tension. "Thank you," she said, directing her words at the departing Leo. Prue and Phoebe looked at her with perplexed expressions. "Hey, we're just lucky nobody got killed, okay? You hear what I'm saying?" she emphasized, reminding them of the potential dangers they faced.
As Victor descended the stairs, Prue, Piper and Phoebe stared at him, unsure of how this meeting would unfold. His gaze met theirs, and he couldn't help but notice that Buffy, Dawn and Faith were unfamiliar to him. Wondering if they had any connection to his current predicament, he broke the ice with a touch of humor. "Well, would it be too much to ask for a hug?" he playfully requested, prompting Phoebe to stand up and embrace him warmly.
"It's good to see you, Daddy," Phoebe greeted him, her affectionate tone revealing the depth of her emotions.
Victor couldn't contain his happiness. "Oh, baby, you have no idea. Wow, what a place," he marveled. "This is yours, Piper? It's terrific. The three of you together. I hardly know where to begin."
Prue, ever practical, decided to cut to the chase. "Well, I have a suggestion. How about we just cut to the chase?" she proposed, getting straight to the point.
However, Dawn, displaying her diplomatic side, intervened, recognizing the importance of introductions. "Mom, I think introductions need to be made first," she reminded Prue gently.
Giving in to Dawn's request, Prue let out a sigh. "Fine," she relented, allowing the introductions to proceed.
Dawn took the initiative to reveal her identity. "I'm your biological granddaughter," she disclosed, wanting to establish her place in the family.
Victor appeared taken aback, struggling to reconcile the new information. "I'm confused," he admitted looking at his daughters. "When I saw you three last, none of you were pregnant or had a teenage daughter."
Prue bravely shared her past, explaining the circumstances of Dawn's adoption. "I gave Dawn up for adoption during my freshman year in college," she confessed. "She had an open adoption so that I could keep in contact. Her adoptive mother passed away, and then her sister wound up in a coma for five months. Not long after Buffy woke up, Dawn called asking for help. So, I brought them both to San Francisco."
Buffy spoke up next, asserting her place in the family. "I'm Buffy, I'm your adopted granddaughter," she stated, revealing the recent change in her status.
Faith, wanting to avoid any misunderstandings, introduced herself. "I'm Faith," she said with a hint of confidence. "I'm Buffy's girlfriend."
Victor, processing the whirlwind of revelations, could only muster a stunned reaction. "Uhm, wow," he uttered, still trying to grasp the extent of the family dynamics before him.
Prue, with a determined tone in her voice, urged the group to shift their focus. "Now can we get down to business?" she pressed, eager to address the urgent matter at hand. "We can do the whole family-bonding thing once the work is done, alright? So, how about you just tell us everything that you know about the playground?"
Victor, perplexed by the mention of a playground, voiced his confusion. "What playground?" he inquired, seeking clarification from his daughters.
Phoebe, feeling a mixture of apprehension and certainty, confessed her own supernatural abilities. "Dad, I had a premonition," she revealed, exposing the depths of her psychic powers. "I know you were there."
Piper, sensing the gravity of the situation, chimed in with a sense of urgency. "And somebody's hurt, so we need to get back inside," she interjected, emphasizing the pressing need for their attention.
Victor, attempting to downplay the significance of the situation, brushed it off. "Oh, let it go," he dismissed, perhaps seeking to avoid confronting the past.
Dawn, unwilling to let the matter be dismissed, spoke up firmly. "No," she asserted; her voice filled with determination. "Mom, Aunt Phoebe, and I made a mistake, and we would really like to fix it."
"So just tell us how you got in, and we can handle it from there," Prue proposed, reminding Victor of their strength and expertise. "We are big witches now."
Victor, touched by the familial bonds that were rekindling, couldn't help but express his love and protectiveness. "Yeah, but you're still my girls," he acknowledged, a paternal affection lacing his words. "And your daughters are my granddaughters."
Prue, though grateful for the sentiment, tried to refocus the conversation. "Victor," she called out, hoping to steer the discussion back to their immediate concern.
Dawn, aware of her ability to tug at heartstrings, employed her most persuasive tactic. "Grandpa," she implored, adopting her best puppy dog face as she appealed to his emotions. "Please. Help us."
Victor, torn between his newfound role as a grandfather and the weight of his past actions, wrestled with his emotions. He recognized the power of Dawn's plea, appreciating the bond they were forming. "Alright," he relented, giving in to their request. "Yes, I was there. Prue, I went in after you, and it was the last thing I ever did as your father."
As he recounted the painful memory, a mixture of regret and nostalgia colored his words. "You were home with a cold. You must've been about six," he recollected, painting a vivid picture of the past. "Your mom had some errands to run, so she took your sisters with her and left me home in charge of you. You had asked me to read you a story. You used to love that."
The weight of the past settled upon the room as Victor continued, his voice tinged with sorrow. "But the cold was too much for you. You only lasted a page or two. When I left your room, you were still sleeping. I never heard you come downstairs. You must've been looking for a glass of water or me. And that must've been when you heard it," he concluded.
"The song," Prue reiterated, her voice filled with a mixture of recognition and realization.
Victor nodded; his eyes clouded with a hint of remorse. "I mean, I heard a truck drive by and stop a few doors down, but I didn't think anything of it. It was an ice-cream truck," he recalled, his tone tinged with a touch of regret. "How was I to know? But somehow you did. And you must've gone in the living room following that song. And that's when you saw it happen. A little boy not much older than yourself."
Prue's voice trembled as she recounted the haunting memory. "Yeah. He was standing by the truck, and something pulled him in. He was so scared," she revealed, the vividness of the past still etched in her mind.
Victor's eyes met Prue's, their shared pain connecting them in that moment. "And you ran out to help him. When I saw your bed empty, I lost my mind," he confessed, his voice heavy with the weight of the past. "The door was wide open, there was a truck parked outside. I mean, I had no idea what I was getting into, but I just had to go."
Dawn interjected, her voice brimming with gratitude. "You saved Mom," she acknowledged, recognizing her grandfather's bravery and sacrifice.
Victor nodded, a mixture of pride and sorrow in his eyes. "But I lost the three of you," he admitted, his gaze shifting from Prue to Piper and finally to Phoebe. The pain of his past mistakes still lingered, etched in the lines on his face.
Phoebe sought to understand the complexity of their family dynamics. "You said that you left because Grams wanted us to use our powers and you didn't," she recalled, her voice soft yet curious.
Victor sighed, his expression mirroring a sense of resignation. "That's the truth. And now you know the whole story," he affirmed, his voice laden with a tinge of remorse. "I mean, when your grandmother found out, I had just brought Prue back, but being your father wasn't good enough. But how could I protect you from something like that happening again when I didn't have powers?"
Phoebe, grasping the significance of the Ice Cream Man's mortality, interjected with newfound understanding. "Okay, so the Book said the Ice Cream Man is mortal," she reasoned, her voice laced with determination. "That's why he can go through the door and we can't, right? And why Dawn can't portal straight onto the playground."
Piper, her voice filled with hope, addressed her father. "So, what do you say, Dad?" she asked, her words a plea for his assistance. "We need your help."
Streets of San Francisco
Faith, Prue, and Piper led the way down the street, their steps purposeful and determined. Behind them followed Buffy, Dawn, Phoebe, and Victor.
"You know, if this doesn't work, I can look back and pinpoint the exact moment where it all went wrong," Prue remarked, her voice tinged with a hint of skepticism.
Piper turned to her sister, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "Prue, you've got to admit, if he can open the door, then we kind of need him," she pointed out.
"It's all about word choice," Prue countered. "We don't need him, we need his utter lack of power, right? He opens the door, we save the day, we get on with our lives. It's a one-time group effort."
Piper paused, considering her sister's perspective. "If we only needed him for his lack of powers, we could have just left him behind and had Buffy do it," she mused, her voice contemplative.
Prue's words hung in the air as they walked, and Piper couldn't help but acknowledge the truth in her sister's reasoning. "She has powers," she reminded Piper. "Besides, if the Book recognized Buffy as potentially being a witch, regardless of her powers being magical or not, regardless of her ability to perform magic. Don't you think other things might as well?"
Piper raised an eyebrow, contemplating Prue's words. "Then why not Faith?" she inquired, seeking clarity. "She's mortal."
Faith sighed; her voice tinged with a touch of resignation. "I'm not," she interjected, her words carrying a hint of hidden pain. "My mom… my birth mom was a witch. My powers were bound when I was a kid and given to the Lehanes to hide me from my father."
Prue's eyebrow arched in surprise at the revelation. "Your father?" she questioned; her curiosity further ignited.
With a heavy sigh, Faith revealed a deeply personal truth. "A Darklighter," she confessed, her voice carrying a mix of sorrow and apprehension. "Please, don't mention this to Buffy. I don't want her knowing. If she found out, she could be used against me if it were discovered that she and I were dating. I beg you, not as Buffy's adopted mother and aunt, but as two fellow witches who understand the dangers of this world."
Prue's gaze softened as she considered Faith's plea, understanding the weight of her secret and the potential consequences. "Faith," Prue began gently, "I appreciate your concern and the need to protect Buffy. But keeping such a significant part of your life hidden from her is not a sustainable solution. Secrets have a way of resurfacing, especially among family."
Faith's shoulders slumped slightly, the weight of her past evident in her weary expression. The shadows danced across the walls of the nearby buildings, mirroring the turmoil in her heart. "I know," she admitted, her voice tinged with resignation. "I just... I don't want to risk putting Buffy in danger. Ronan, my father, is relentless, he almost had me once. It was during Buffy's first year in college. I swapped bodies for a period of time and while I was in her body, he almost found me then. He'll stop at nothing to get me and he will use any vulnerability against me."
Prue's hand gently clasped Faith's arm, offering a comforting presence amidst the encroaching darkness. The candle's soft glow reflected in her compassionate eyes. "I understand your fear," she reassured, her voice filled with sincerity. "But Buffy is stronger than you give her credit for. She has faced countless challenges and emerged victorious. She deserves to know the truth. And as her mother..."
Piper interjected, her voice carrying a blend of love and determination. "And aunt," she added, emphasizing the unbreakable bond they all shared.
Prue nodded, acknowledging Piper's words. "Yes, as her mother and aunt, we'll be there to support her through whatever challenges may come," she concluded. "And so, will Phoebe and Dawn."
Faith's gaze met Prue and Piper's, a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty in her eyes. "I'll tell her," she finally relented, her voice laced with determination. "When the time is right, I'll find a way to explain everything."
Prue nodded approvingly. "That's all we can ask for, Faith. Just remember, we're here for you, and Buffy will understand. Family means supporting each other, even in the face of difficult truths."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Victor, walking beside his newfound granddaughters and Phoebe, interjected with curiosity. "So, are you both witches as well?" he inquired looking at Buffy and Dawn, his voice filled with genuine interest.
Dawn responded first, affirming her own identity. "I am," she replied, her voice holding a sense of certainty. "Buffy's the Slayer."
"The Slayer?" Victor echoed, his tone tinged with surprise and intrigue, his curiosity piqued.
Buffy stepped forward, ready to shed light on her unique abilities. "My powers aren't like Mom's, Aunt Piper, or Aunt Phoebe's," she explained. "They're more of something inherited. I was chosen to do what Mom, Aunt Piper, and Aunt Phoebe do at the age of fifteen. I have increased strength, better eyesight and hearing, increased healing, and better reflexes than an ordinary mortal."
Victor absorbed this newfound knowledge, his mind racing to process the revelations that had unfolded before him. "I take it the coma is a cover story for something else," he speculated, his gaze fixed on Buffy.
Buffy didn't shy away from the truth, her voice laced with the weight of her past experiences. "I was dead," she admitted as Dawn wrapped an arm around her in comfort. "A friend of mine and Dawn's, who is a powerful witch, brought me back. I was ripped out of heaven by our friends."
Victor's shock was palpable, his eyes widening in realization. Finally, he understood why Prue had chosen to adopt Buffy—to provide her with a family to help navigate the trauma she had endured. "God!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of astonishment and empathy.
Dawn, keenly perceptive to Victor's reaction, chimed in, offering further context. "Exactly," she agreed, her voice carrying a touch of sadness. "I had to get Buffy away from that. So, I called Mom, who I hadn't known was a witch, and who hadn't known that Buffy was a Slayer, to get Buffy help."
Victor nodded, his admiration evident as he walked forward, joining Prue at the head of the group. "I have to admit, I am proud of you, Prue, for doing that for her," he praised, his voice filled with a mixture of respect and gratitude.
Prue's only response was a simple nod, acknowledging her father's words. "Okay, well, this is it," she announced, her voice resolute and focused as they entered the alley.
Their gaze fell upon an unexpected sight. "Uh, but there's nothing here," Piper observed, her confusion evident.
Phoebe echoed Piper's sentiment, her voice tinged with concern. "Wait, we lost the truck?" she questioned, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
Faith, always perceptive, interjected with a sly remark. "Yeah, but we gained some company," she commented, her tone indicating that trouble was approaching. She, Buffy, and Dawn positioned themselves protectively between the group and the oncoming demon children. Before anyone could react, a powerful blast from the demon girl sent Buffy, Dawn, and Faith hurtling backward, colliding with Prue, Piper, and Phoebe, causing them all to crash to the ground.
Prue groaned, a touch of irritation coloring her voice. "Oh, those kids so need to be grounded," she grumbled, struggling to regain her composure as the demon kids run off. "Oh, I don't get it. Alright, why pick a fight and then run?"
Buffy, picking herself up from the ground, quickly analyzed the situation. "They're looking for the truck," she deduced, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. "Faith, Aunt Phoebe, Aunt Piper, and I will follow them. Mom, you and Dawn should get back in the truck."
Piper, Phoebe, Buffy, and Faith wasted no time, swiftly darting off in pursuit of the demon children.
Dawn glanced around, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Okay, so where is the truck?" she wondered aloud, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Victor, ever the observant one, motioned towards a "No Parking" sign nearby, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "Sometimes things in life happen for a reason, no magic involved," he remarked, gesturing toward the sign. "Truck's been towed."
Impound Lot
Dawn, Prue, and Victor emerged from a portal onto the vacant lot, their eyes immediately drawn to the parked ice cream truck not far away. The faded paint and whimsical decorations contrasted with the ominous presence it held. Prue took the lead, her determined steps guiding her around the side of the truck towards the side window.
"This is where he pulled us in, but since he's still trapped inside," Prue explained, her voice laced with a mix of caution and determination, "I'm guessing the only way in is through the exit." She reached for the door handle, applying pressure, but it stubbornly refused to yield.
Dawn chimed in, her voice filled with confidence, "That's why we brought grandpa."
Prue sighed, her gaze shifting to Victor, who stood nearby. She studied his face, searching for reassurance. "You can do it, right?" she asked, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and urgency.
Victor paused for a moment, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "Well, let's just say that chasing demons is not exactly my day job," he replied, his voice tinged with a touch of self-doubt.
Prue offered a supportive smile, placing her hand on his arm. "Alright, it helps if you specifically focus on the task," she advised, her tone gentle yet firm. "Don't think about what's behind the door; that'll only distract you. Picture yourself opening the door. See yourself opening the door, then just do it."
"Thanks for the advice," Victor responded, a flicker of determination crossing his features. With newfound confidence, he grasped the door handle and, with a determined twist, swung it open.
In a synchronized motion, Prue, Dawn, and Victor leaped through the door.
The Playground
They found themselves transported to the playground. The air crackled with an otherworldly energy as they scanned their surroundings, the urgency of their mission palpable.
Prue's gaze shifted to the spot where they had last seen the Ice Cream Man. A knot formed in her stomach as she realized the gravity of the situation. "This would be a lot easier if things stopped moving. We left him right here. Unless…" she trailed off, her voice laced with concern.
Victor's voice broke through the tension, his words heavy with realization. "The Nothing," he uttered, meeting Prue's gaze. "Even mortals have memories, Prue. I saw what it did to those children. I know what it could've done to him and to us if we don't act quickly."
Prue nodded, a mix of determination and concern etched on her face. "Yeah, well, at least we agree upon one thing," she remarked, her voice carrying a blend of resolve and urgency.
As their eyes scanned the playground, a voice cut through the stillness, "Make that two and get out while you still can," causing them to turn. The Ice Cream Man sat nearby, his presence a startling revelation.
Prue's face contorted with remorse as she realized the mistake they had made. "Oh, my God. I am so sorry. We didn't know," she apologized, her voice filled with genuine regret.
The Ice Cream Man's expression softened, his eyes conveying understanding. "The mistake was mine," he acknowledged, his voice tinged with a hint of regret. "I accidentally took the daughter of a Charmed One." He turned his gaze towards Dawn. "I assumed because you could hear the music, you were one of them." His eyes returned to Prue. "Then once you were in here, you thought you were saving innocents. How could you know they weren't?"
Prue's brows furrowed; curiosity piqued. "How did you know?" she inquired, her voice laced with a mix of intrigue and urgency.
A wry smile touched the Ice Cream Man's lips. "Let's just say we both have friends in high places," he replied cryptically. "The moment I mistakenly pulled you, your daughter, and your sister in, I was alerted and sent to save you."
"And you get this in return," said Dawn.
"It's getting closer," Victor alerted them, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of the encroaching threat.
Determined, Prue extended a hand towards the Ice Cream Man, helping him to stand. "Alright, so you got us out of here once, now it's our turn," she declared, her resolve echoing through her words as she and Dawn supported the Ice Cream Man.
The Ice Cream Man's gaze held a mix of gratitude and urgency. "The children, you must get them back inside the playground," he implored, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.
"We will, and you're going to help us do it," said Prue.
But the Ice Cream Man's eyes held a mix of acceptance and sacrifice. "I disabled the truck," he admitted, his voice heavy with the weight of his decision. "You'll need to fix it, play the song."
"Don't you dare. You stay with us," Prue pleaded, a trace of vulnerability breaking through her resolute facade.
The Ice Cream Man's words were filled with selflessness as he defied her plea. "Inside..." he murmured, his voice trailing off. Prue nodded in understanding as she pulled a small glass tube out of his shirt pocket. "It's for the truck."
Prue's grip tightened around the small glass tube. "It's almost here," she said. "You go first, okay."
"I can be replaced, you two can't," the Ice Cream Man said. With a final act of bravery, he pushed Dawn, Prue, and Victor away from him, willingly sacrificing himself as the Nothing engulfed him.
"No!" Prue and Dawn cries of anguish filled the air as they witnessed the Ice Cream Man's sacrifice.
Victor's voice cut through their grief, his urgency breaking through their sorrow. "Prue, Dawn, it'll be back," he warned, his tone filled with urgency. "We've got to get out now! You two didn't fail. The only way either of you fail is if we don't get back and do what he asked. Come on."
Impound Lot
On the dimly lit sidewalk that led toward the impound lot, Faith, Piper, Phoebe, and Buffy stealthily trailed the group of demon kids. The faint glow of streetlights cast eerie shadows as they moved, the tension thick in the air.
Piper's voice cut through the silence; her words tinged with a hint of exasperation. "Why don't they ever run into a well-lit room with nowhere to hide?" she quipped, a touch of frustration coloring her tone.
Phoebe's eyes sparkled with determination as she responded, her voice brimming with confidence. "Well, we know they're somewhere, and I know what's gonna give them away," she declared, her words laced with a mix of certainty and anticipation.
Buffy and Faith turned their attention toward Phoebe, their curiosity piqued. Their gazes lingered on her, waiting for her revelation. And then, they spotted the demon kids nearby, their presence sending a chill down their spines.
Ari, one of the demon kids, was talking with the two that had escaped with him. "How badly did you want to get off that playground? And now we're free," he said. "Don't you want to stay free?"
Piper's brow furrowed; her voice tinged with a hint of empathy. "Why do I get the feeling these kids weren't looking to pick a fight with the Charmed Ones or two Slayers?" she mused. "They were just looking for the truck, and we crashed their party."
Phoebe chimed in, realization dawning upon her. "But we're like a mile ahead," she exclaimed, a note of relief coloring her words. "I mean, we know where it is."
"It's in the junkyard," Ari said with an evil smirk.
"Oh. Did I say a mile?" said Phoebe.
"Okay, so they know, but it's six of us versus three of them," Piper said as several more demon kids joined Ari and his companions.
Buffy's voice held a touch of irony as she addressed Piper. "You were saying?" she remarked dryly. "It's now six on six."
Ari's voice brimmed with determination. "All that's left for us to do is destroy the truck," he affirmed.
Faith, Buffy, Piper and Phoebe looked at each other in realization. Prue, Dawn and Victor's safety depended on their actions.
"Let's go," Phoebe said, her voice resolute.
They hurried towards their destination, their footsteps quick and purposeful. Within minutes, they entered the impound lot, the metallic scent of discarded vehicles lingering in the air.
Piper's voice held a note of apprehension as she glanced around. "Do you think they're here already?" she asked, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of their adversaries.
Buffy's Slayer instincts kicked in; her senses heightened. "Slayer senses are going wild, so I would definitely say yes," she confirmed, her voice laced with a mixture of caution and determination.
"B's right," Faith confirmed, her own Slayer instincts telling her the demon kids were indeed there already.
Phoebe's voice carried a hint of uncertainty. "Do you think they know that we're here already?" she pondered aloud, her eyes darting around for any hidden threats.
"Probably," Faith replied, her voice laced with a combination of vigilance and anticipation. Laughter echoed from somewhere ahead, sending a shiver down their spines.
Piper's question hung in the air, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and unease. "Okay, do they do that because they think it's funny, or just to freak us out?" she wondered, her words reflecting the eerie atmosphere surrounding them.
"Probably both," answered Buffy. She looked at Faith. "You know this reminds me of the Gingerbread Man incident in Sunnydale." She looked at Piper and Phoebe. "A demon pretended to be two kids, he took inspiration from Hansel and Gretel."
Phoebe, her focus unwavering, redirected their attention to the task at hand. "As funny as I'm sure that story is," she remarked, her voice tinged with determination, "we have to hold off the demons until Dad, Dawn, and Prue get out."
Piper's voice brimmed with a mix of optimism and caution. "Okay, I think they're surrounding us," she warned, her tone filled with a sense of urgency.
But Phoebe refused to succumb to fear. "No, don't say that," she urged, her voice filled with determination. "We're not surrounded until they're all around us."
Seeking solace in their collective strength, Phoebe reminded herself and the others of their formidable abilities. "Okay, how bad could the odds be?" she questioned, her voice infused with a blend of bravery and hope. "I mean, sure, there's a whole bunch of them, but you and I are witches, right?" she asked her sister. "And Buffy and Faith are Slayers, right?"
Piper glanced briefly at Faith remembering her promise not to tell Buffy till Faith was ready to reveal that Faith was half-witch half-Darklighter or she might have thought about correcting Phoebe.
However, their confidence was short-lived. Without warning, two demon kids hurled car parts, striking Piper and Faith, rendering them unconscious. Panic filled the air as Buffy and Phoebe rushed to Piper and Faith's side, their concern evident in their eyes.
Cradling Piper against a nearby car, Phoebe's voice trembled with worry. "Piper! Are you okay?" she questioned, her words a mixture of concern and fear.
Buffy, her resolve unshaken, focused on Faith. "Faith?" she called out, her voice filled with both urgency and concern.
With careful movements, Phoebe and Buffy propped Faith and Piper, their determination undeterred by the setback.
Phoebe's voice carried a note of defiance as she addressed their adversaries. "Alright, you little brats. Bring it on," she challenged, her words dripping with determination. Together with Buffy, she prepared to face the encroaching demons, their unwavering determination driving them forward.
The Playground
Victor, Dawn, and Prue found themselves standing at the base of a towering slide, its metal glistening in the dim light. Prue's eyes scanned the structure, her voice resolute as she pointed upwards. "Up at the top, that's our way out," she declared, her words carrying a hint of determination.
Dawn's voice pierced through the tense air, calling out to her mother and grandfather. "Mom! Grandpa!" she shouted; her urgency palpable.
Prue and Victor turned their gaze towards Dawn, their hearts skipping a beat as they realized the imminent danger. The swirling force of the Nothing threatened to engulf Dawn, its relentless pull threatening to tear her away.
Reacting swiftly, Prue and Victor reached out, their hands latching onto Dawn's arms with a firm grip. "Hold on, Dawn!" Prue urged; her voice filled with determination.
"We've got you," Victor assured Dawn, his voice steady and filled with unwavering support. With his and Prue's combined strength, they pulled Dawn back, their determination to keep her safe shining through. "We're not leaving without you," he emphasized, his commitment evident in his words.
Prue's gaze met her father's, gratitude and appreciation gleaming in her eyes. Without a word, she conveyed her thanks, acknowledging his crucial assistance in rescuing Dawn from the clutches of the Nothing.
With renewed determination, they embarked on their ascent, scrambling up the slide, their movements swift and purposeful. As they neared the top, their hearts pounding with adrenaline, they mustered their strength and leaped through the awaiting portal, leaving the perilous realm behind.
Impound Lot
Prue, Dawn, and Victor leaped out of the back of the truck, their arrival greeted by a menacing circle of demon kids surrounding Phoebe and Buffy, who had been forcefully knocked off their feet by the powerful demon girl.
Reacting swiftly, Prue extended her hand, channeling her telekinetic power as she sent the demon girl flying backward and away from her vulnerable family. She turned to her father, handing him the glass tube with a sense of urgency. "Alright, any ideas on what to do with this?" she inquired, her eyes filled with determination.
Victor, drawing from years of experience fixing his ex-wife's car, mustered a response. "Eight years of fixing your mother's car has given me one," he replied, his voice laced with a mixture of confidence and concentration.
Prue nodded, acknowledging his input. "Alright, we'll buy you some time," she declared as she and Dawn extended their hands to assist Phoebe and Buffy to their feet. "Hey, need a hand?" she offered, her concern evident in her voice.
Buffy, brushing herself off and still recovering from the encounter, couldn't help but reflect on the challenges of facing certain demons without magical powers. "Facing demons who have magical powers without magical powers makes me wish I had magical powers," she admitted, a hint of nostalgia in her words. "I kind of miss the low-level variety that flocked to Sunnydale. At least with them, I was on even footing."
Prue, refusing to let the demon girl regain her footing, swiftly intervened. "Oh, you need a little time out, missy!" she exclaimed, her hand slicing through the air as she sent the demon girl flying once again, momentarily incapacitating her.
Meanwhile, Victor moved around the front of the van, focusing on the task at hand. He opened the hood of the truck, searching for the appropriate spot to place the glass tube, his eyes scanning for the rightful place it belonged.
Amidst the chaos, a sudden flame erupted from the demon boy's hand, hurtling towards Prue and Phoebe. Reacting swiftly, they sought shelter behind a nearby car, narrowly avoiding the fiery attack. "Oh, Dad, hurry!" Prue urged, her voice filled with urgency and concern.
Victor, undeterred by the perilous circumstances, worked with haste, finally securing the glass tube in its designated position. As the tube found its place, a haunting melody began to fill the air, signaling the moment of reckoning. Ari and the demon kids, drawn towards the truck, approached the vehicle, drawn by the allure of the portal within the window. Without warning, they were abruptly pulled into the depths of the truck, their forms vanishing into the portal.
Relief washed over the group as the immediate threat subsided. Buffy knelt beside Faith, who was slowly regaining consciousness. "Baby?" she murmured; her voice filled with concern.
Faith, meeting Buffy's gaze, mustered a reassuring smile. "I'm okay, Buffy," she assured, an affectionate kiss reinforcing her words.
Phoebe looked at her father, a mixture of emotions playing across her face. "Welcome to our world, Dad," she said, her voice carrying a touch of warmth and acceptance.
Piper, now fully awake and reoriented, let out a sigh as she regained her footing. Her eyes met Buffy's, and she grasped her hand for support as she stood up. "When I decide I want to have kids, you remind me of this day," Piper mused, a hint of humor evident in her words.
Dawn chimed in; her voice filled with playful sincerity. "How about instead, Buffy and I remind you of us, your wonderful nieces?" she suggested, her words laced with affection.
Piper's features softened, and she embraced the suggestion, wrapping an arm around Dawn and another around Buffy. "You two make better reminders," she conceded, her love for them shining through.
At that moment, Leo and Caleb entered the impound lot, their presence raising questions among the group. "Leo, what are you doing here? Why did you bring him here?" Piper inquired, seeking clarification.
Leo offered an explanation, his tone calm and composed. "He's supposed to be here, Piper," he responded, his voice filled with certainty.
Caleb, wearing a smile of gratitude, interjected. "You fixed my wheels. Thanks," he expressed, acknowledging the assistance he had received.
"Caleb's the new Ice Cream Man," Leo elucidated, shedding light on the unfolding events. "He filled me in back at the club. Everything has happened the way it was meant to. He was sent here to take over. It's his time."
Piper's curiosity piqued, and she sought further understanding. "So, your interest in me..." she trailed off, leaving the question hanging in the air.
Caleb, his tone sincere and straightforward, dispelled any uncertainties. "Strictly professional," he clarified. "I was lost, but until I was sure who you were, I couldn't just come up and say, 'Hey, are you a Charmed One?' Because I need you to take me to my demon-catching truck. Speaking of which, I'm running kind of late as it is, so, uh, thank you. All of you."
Leo offered his well wishes to Caleb as the latter prepared to depart, acknowledging the unique path that lay ahead. "Good luck," he conveyed, his voice filled with genuine goodwill.
With that, Caleb entered the truck, ready to embrace his newfound destiny.
February 21, 2002 – Thursday
Halliwell Manor
Prue, Phoebe, Piper, Buffy, Dawn, and Faith gathered in the foyer, their expressions a mixture of bittersweet emotions, as Victor prepared to bid his goodbyes. The air was filled with a sense of both closure and anticipation for what lay ahead.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye again," Victor acknowledged, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
Phoebe embraced him tightly, expressing her gratitude. "Thanks, Dad. Keep writing," she encouraged, her voice filled with warmth.
"You don't have to keep secrets anymore, Phoebe," Victor stated, his words carrying a sense of liberation.
Phoebe nodded, her gaze meeting her father's. "I know," she affirmed, her voice holding a newfound sense of freedom.
"I mean anything," Victor said as he kissed Phoebe's forehead. His concern extended to Piper next, and he embraced her in a heartfelt hug. "What's the story with this Leo character anyway? How much does he know about you?" he inquired; his curiosity evident.
Piper smiled affectionately, her love for Leo evident in her response. "Uh, just about everything," she disclosed, a sense of contentment in her voice.
Realizing the depth of their connection, Victor's expression softened. "Oh, so he's..." he trailed off, leaving the unsaid words to hang in the air.
Piper's smile grew wider, a testament to the depth of her feelings. "He's a wonderful man, yes," she confirmed, her voice filled with joy.
"Well, still I think I should have a little chat with him sometime." Victor said as his protective instincts emerged. He glanced towards Faith, acknowledging her presence. "With you as well," he directed his attention toward her, his tone carrying a sense of authority.
Piper and Buffy interjected simultaneously, their voices overlapping. "Dad..." Piper began, while Buffy added, "Grandpa..."
Victor's smile widened, his words carrying a sense of familiarity. "It's a father and grandfather's prerogative," he stated, his tone reassuring. He turned his attention to his newfound granddaughters. "You two will write?" he inquired, seeking reassurance.
Dawn, filled with a sense of determination, nodded. "Every chance we get," she affirmed, wrapping her arms around Victor in a heartfelt embrace.
Buffy echoed Dawn's sentiment, her voice resonating with affection. "Dawn's right," she concurred, holding Victor in a tight embrace once Dawn had stepped away. The bond between them was evident in their connection.
Victor's desire for understanding persisted, and he addressed Buffy directly. "I expect a detailed explanation on this Slayer thing. All of it," he requested, his curiosity piqued.
Buffy acknowledged the challenge she faced in conveying the intricacies of her life. "It'll be hard," she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "But I'll try."
Victor nodded, his eyes reflecting understanding and support. As he leaned in, he kissed both Dawn and Buffy on their foreheads, his affection for them palpable. Finally, he turned to Prue, their connection holding a special significance.
"I'm not saying goodbye," Prue declared, her words filled with determination and love.
The reactions were immediate and filled with a mix of surprise and affection. "Mom!" Buffy and Dawn exclaimed, while Piper and Phoebe chimed in with heartfelt exclamations of "Prue!"
Prue reaffirmed her words, her voice carrying a sense of hope for the future. "I'm saying see you soon, Dad," she clarified, embracing Victor tightly.
Victor, touched by Prue's words, felt a sense of purpose and fulfillment. "Thank you. You know, that's sort of why I came to town," he admitted, his voice filled with vulnerability. "For this job interview, and although it would entail some travel, I'd be based here in San Francisco. And if you guys think that occasionally this town is big enough for the five of us, I'd like to accept their offer."
Piper pondered his words, her expression thoughtful. "Hmm," she mused, considering the potential implications.
Victor, hopeful for a positive response, sought clarification. "Could I accept that as a yes?" he inquired, his eyes filled with anticipation.
In unison, Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Buffy, and Dawn voiced their agreement, their voices echoing with a shared sentiment. "Yes," they responded simultaneously, affirming their acceptance of his proposal.
As if on cue, a car horn honked outside, indicating the arrival of Victor's cab. Realizing the imminent departure, he gathered his belongings swiftly. "That's my cab. Alright," he acknowledged, a mixture of emotions evident in his voice. "We've got so much catching up to do."
Piper reassured him, her voice filled with warmth and understanding. "It's okay. It's different now," she stated, emphasizing the changed dynamics of their relationship.
Victor, his eyes meeting Piper's, acknowledged the truth in her words. "It is, isn't it? See you soon," he said with a hint of a smile, bidding his final farewell as he walked out the front door.
February 27, 2002 – Wednesday
Joyce Summers' Gallery de Art
Buffy stood at the entrance of the art gallery, which she had lovingly reopened and renamed in honor of her mother, Joyce. It was situated not far from Piper's club. Over the past few days when not in class or fighting demons alongside her family, she had been tirelessly preparing the gallery for its grand reopening.
As the day neared its end, Buffy was ready to lock up and head home, looking forward to the upcoming event. However, fate had other plans as a mysterious woman entered the gallery; her presence unexpected at this late hour. "I know that you officially don't open till tomorrow, but I was told that amongst the art held by the gallery when it closed in Sunnydale was a statue of Taweret," the woman revealed, her voice filled with a mix of eagerness and anticipation.
Buffy considered the information, realizing that such an item might indeed be among the gallery's inventory from its time in Sunnydale. "It's a possibility," she conceded, her voice filled with a mixture of caution and intrigue. "I would need to find the inventory sheet to be sure."
Undeterred, the woman persisted, her desire to see the pieces the gallery currently had in its collection evident. "Do you mind showing me the pieces that you have?" she requested.
Buffy glanced at the clock, aware of the limited time she had. "Quickly," she agreed, her tone indicating the urgency. "Like you said, officially we don't open until tomorrow."
Leading the woman through the gallery, Buffy showcased various artworks until they stumbled upon the specific piece the woman sought.
"It feels evil," the woman confessed, her voice tinged with unease.
Buffy nodded, her memories flooding back as she recalled that particular piece. The fertility icon had triggered her Slayer senses the moment she had unpacked it, leaving an indelible impression on her. "Yeah," she affirmed; her voice tinged with a hint of unease. She carefully placed the piece back on the shelf, recognizing its potentially dangerous nature and thinking she might need to readjust its selling price.
"It's not quite what I am looking for," the woman admitted, her disappointment palpable.
"Is there anything else?" Buffy inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity and readiness to assist.
"Yes," the woman responded cryptically, her form shimmering before Buffy's eyes. In an instant, the woman transformed from a blonde, five feet seven inches tall into a brunette, five feet five inches tall. Shock washed over Buffy as she instantly recognized the woman standing before her.
"Faith? Baby?" Buffy exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise and joy. The revelation that the woman was none other than Faith, her love and fellow Slayer, left her momentarily speechless.
"Prue cast a glamour spell on me when I told her I wanted to pretend to be someone else," Faith admitted.
As Buffy absorbed this unexpected turn of events, she couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and happiness.
Faith confessed, her voice carrying a mixture of vulnerability and acceptance, "Prue cast a glamour spell on me when I told her I wanted to pretend to be someone else. I've been thinking about what you offered, you know, working here while you're at your appointments with Janice or in class. I'll take the job."
A radiant smile graced Buffy's lips as she closed the distance between them, her affectionate kiss conveying her joy and love for Faith. The gallery, once a space filled with art, now held the promise of a shared future, intertwining their personal and professional lives in a beautiful tapestry of love and purpose.