Charmed: Another Halliwell

by Brenna's Urbangirl Projects

Summary: Buffy Summers is the daughter of Joyce and Hank Summers. Joyce was born Patience Joyce Halliwell she was Prue, Piper and Phoebe's aunt. When Joyce dies Buffy is left in the care of her cousins. Pairings: Prue, Piper, and Phoebe (and later Paige) canon pairings. Buffy/Dawn (Yes, Forbidden Sibling Love). A/U Set during and after Charmed Season 1 and Buffy season 1.

83. Chapter 83: A Knight to Remember

Chapter 83: A Knight to Remember

October 11, 1999 – Monday

Paige's Apartment

"Once upon a time, there lived a handsome Prince, who was about to marry a beautiful Maiden," Paige said in a dreamy voice, her words floating through the dimly lit room. She lay entangled in bed with a very attractive man, their bodies snug beneath the tangled sheets. Her voice was a soft lullaby in the quiet night. "But an evil Enchantress with dark powers wanted the Prince for herself, so she could become Queen and rule the entire Kingdom."

"I hate her," the man muttered, his voice a low rumble as he leaned close to Paige's ear, his breath warm against her skin.

"Really? I always kinda related to her," Paige countered with a sly grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Like I said," he grinned back, his teeth flashing in the dim light, "I love her." He chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that made Paige giggle. "Then what happened?"

Paige flipped onto her stomach, her hair cascading over her shoulders as she continued her story. "Well, in order to pull off that kind of magic, the evil Enchantress had to wait for a sign that her powers were at their darkest." She explained this while glancing at him conspicuously, her gaze full of hidden meanings.

"A sign?" he questioned, his curiosity piqued as he beckoned her to elaborate, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Mm-hm," Paige replied with a nod as she gazed up at the night sky, the stars twinkling like tiny jewels in the vast expanse. "See in the stars?" she asked, pointing up with a gentle hand. "See the Prince? His sword? And the three stars that form his crown?" She pinpointed a specific constellation, her finger tracing an invisible line in the sky.

"Well, once the evil Enchantress saw the sign, she locked away the beautiful Maiden and cast a spell on the unsuspecting Prince: Bring together my Prince and me. Let him fall on bended knee. I summon…" Paige frowned, her brow furrowing in concentration as she attempted to recall the next line. "I summon…" She shook her head and sighed, a small puff of frustration escaping her lips. "I can never remember the end of it."

"Let me guess," the man smirked, his tone playfully mocking. "The Prince defeats the evil Enchantress. He marries the beautiful Maiden and they live happily ever after, right?"

Paige bit her lip, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she shook her head. "Nuh-uh." She smirked, her smile growing smug. "Actually, the evil Enchantress bore an heir, killed the Prince, and ruled the Kingdom forever."

He stared at her, his grin widening in surprise. "Well, what kinda fairytale is that?" he asked, clearly amused.

Paige shrugged, her shoulders lifting in a casual gesture. "It's just one that's kinda stayed with me for as long as I can remember," she informed him, her gaze drifting back to the stars. The night sky seemed to hold countless stories, each star a memory, a fragment of her past. "I told you I was a weird kid," she reminded him pointedly, her tone carrying a hint of playful defiance.

"I need to get you out more, Paige," he mused, his own eyes following hers to the celestial expanse above.

Paige shot him a small scowl, her eyes narrowing slightly. "It'd be easier if you were around more, Glen."

"I'm around now," he pointed out, his smile warm and his eyes flicking down to her lips, a spark of desire evident in his gaze.

Paige's expression softened, a playful glint dancing in her eyes. She made a "come hither" gesture with her finger, a mischievous smirk firmly in place as she silently beckoned him closer. The anticipation between them crackled like electricity, the night air thick with unspoken promises.

Glen didn't hesitate. He leaned down, closing the distance between them, his body moving with an easy grace. As he came down on top of her, his weight pressed against her in a comforting, familiar way.

October 12, 1399 – Saturday

Ravenwood Castle, England

"What's the meaning of this?" a beautiful young woman, who looked eerily similar to the future Buffy Halliwell, demanded as she was roughly pulled into a large chamber. Her long, wavy blonde hair cascaded over a billowing blue gown that rustled with every movement. "How dare you summon me," she hissed, her eyes flashing with indignation.

"Forgive me for inconveniencing you at this late hour, Lady Julia," came the velvety voice of a tall figure draped in darkness by the window. The silhouette's calm, almost melodic tone belied the sinister intent behind it. "Alas, I had no other choice. The stars have aligned," she explained cryptically, her words hanging ominously in the air.

Lady Julia shook her head defiantly. "You don't frighten me, Morgana," she informed her cousin with a pointed stare, her voice steady and unwavering. "The stars are on the side of good, not evil." Her conviction was unshakable, even as the Enchantress turned slowly, her features remaining shrouded in shadows.

"Tomorrow, my Prince and I will marry, and there is nothing you can do to stop that," Lady Julia continued, her voice strong and confident. "He loves me, not you," she added with a hint of frustration, her eyes narrowing.

"Dark magic can change that," the Enchantress replied evasively, her voice dripping with malice. With a sudden, dramatic flourish, she threw out her hands. A cold, misty wind erupted from her fingertips, swirling through the chamber and slamming Lady Julia backward across the room. She collided with the wall, and a large cage door fell from the ceiling, trapping her within its iron confines.

Lady Julia pushed herself to her feet, her hands gripping the bars tightly as she stepped forward. "Why are you doing this?" she demanded, her voice a mix of anger and desperation. Her eyes locked onto Morgana's, seeking a trace of the cousin she once knew.

The Enchantress strode forward, finally revealing herself in the flickering light of the torches. She was the spitting image of the future Paige Matthews, but with a cold, calculating glint in her eyes that spoke of dark intentions. "Because this is my destiny, not yours," Morgana replied tersely, her lips curling into a triumphant smirk.

October 12, 1999 – Tuesday

Halliwell Manor

Buffy stepped into Prue's old room, her heart heavy with the weight of memories and longing. The air seemed to echo with Prue's laughter, her presence lingering in every corner. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Buffy's fingers traced the outline of Prue's small gold nameplate necklace, a cherished memento of their shared moments. With a tender sigh, she fastened it around her neck, the familiar weight a bittersweet reminder of the sisterly bond they once shared.

Next, Buffy reached for Prue's leather jacket, hanging in the closet like a silent sentinel of their shared adventures. As she slipped it on, the scent of leather and Prue's lingering perfume enveloped her, comforting yet achingly poignant. Each movement was a dance of memory, a tribute to the spirited soul who had once worn it with such effortless grace.

Closing the closet door behind her, Buffy took a moment to gaze around the room, her eyes lingering on every cherished keepsake, every photograph capturing moments frozen in time. The room felt like a sanctuary, a sacred space where Prue's essence still lingered, refusing to be forgotten.

With a heavy heart and a determined spirit, Buffy stepped out of the room, closing the door softly behind her. Though months had passed since Prue's untimely departure, the ache of her absence still gnawed at Buffy's soul.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Piper stood in front of the kitchen counter, stirring a cup of instant coffee with a look of mild distaste. The early morning light streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. Just then, Phoebe walked into the kitchen, her wet hair dripping onto her shoulders.

"Look at me," Phoebe exclaimed, her voice tinged with exasperation. "I look like a drowned rat. I need my blow dryer."

"Pretend you're camping," Piper said, her tone both teasing and pragmatic.

"I hate camping," Phoebe grumbled, wringing out her hair with a towel just as Buffy walked into the kitchen, still wrapped in Prue's leather jacket.

"Well, I hate instant coffee but I'm drinking it, aren't I?" Piper retorted, taking a cautious sip and immediately wrinkling her nose in disgust.

Buffy leaned against the doorframe, her expression a mix of frustration and fatigue. "We can't keep living with no electricity. It's medieval," she said, her voice firm as she joined them by the counter.

"At least we're conserving energy," Piper pointed out with a fake smile, trying to inject a bit of humor into their dire situation.

Phoebe shook her head, her frustration bubbling over. "This is ridiculous," she fumed. "We have to figure out when the Shocker demon's gonna attack next and fast!" Her voice was edged with a slight huff, her impatience clear.

Piper nodded in agreement. "But we still need the Power of Four to vanquish him, and unfortunately, number four lives across town," she reminded her tersely. She then turned her gaze to Buffy, her eyes narrowing in recognition. "Isn't that…?" she asked, her voice trailing off as she noticed the jacket Buffy was wearing.

Buffy sighed and nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. "Prue's jacket, yes. And this." She pulled Prue's nameplate necklace from under her shirt, the gold catching the light. "If you want me to, I will put them back," she offered, her voice softening.

Piper looked at Buffy, her expression softening as well. She then shook her head. "No. As long as Phoebe has no objections, you can keep them."

Phoebe glanced at Buffy, her eyes lingering on the necklace and jacket. She gave a small, understanding nod. "It's okay, Buffy. You can keep them," she said gently. Taking a deep breath, she shifted her focus back to their pressing dilemma. "I am going to call Paige," she announced, her voice resolute as she moved towards the phone on the counter beside the door.

"No! Not the cordless!" Buffy cried out, her voice laced with panic.

Phoebe, already holding the phone, had already pressed the call button. The Shocker demon materialized in a flash of blinding light, its form an eerie electrical silhouette. "Uh-oh!" Phoebe murmured, her eyes widening in horror as she dropped the phone, her gaze fixed on the menacing figure.

"Oh no!" Piper cried, sprinting towards her sisters. She grabbed them and pulled them down just as the Shocker demon unleashed a bolt of electricity, the crackling energy narrowly missing them.

The sisters scrambled to their feet, but the demon was relentless. Another bolt of electricity shot out, this time splitting into three separate streams. The force of the attack sent Phoebe crashing into the shelves behind her, while Buffy and Piper were thrown through the kitchen door and into the adjacent room. Piper landed hard on the floor, her body jarring painfully, while Buffy smashed through the dining table, splintering wood flying everywhere.

"Oh ow!" Piper cursed under her breath, wincing as she pushed herself up. Determination etched on her face, she ran back into the kitchen, her movements swift and precise. With a flick of her wrists, she blasted the Shocker demon with a powerful surge of energy, forcing it to retreat back into a power socket. The room fell silent, the tension dissipating as the demon vanished.

Piper sighed loudly, her body slumping against the doorframe for support, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away. "Ouch!" Phoebe's cry of pain came from the floor to Piper's right.

Piper pushed away from the doorframe and turned around to see Buffy, who was slowly picking herself up out of the wreckage that used to be their dining table. Splinters of wood and broken pieces of furniture lay scattered around her.

"Ow!" Buffy gasped as Piper grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet. They both turned to survey the demolished table, then exchanged a glance.

"We're using magic to fix that, right?" Buffy asked, wincing as she dusted herself off.

"Oh yeah," Piper replied emphatically. With a shared look of determination, they stalked back into the kitchen where Phoebe sat cringing on the floor, her face contorted in a mixture of pain and embarrassment.

Phoebe turned her head to look up at her two older sisters. "I'm sowwy," she said, playing the 'baby Phoebe' card, her voice small and contrite. She hoped it would soften their glares.

Instead, her sisters only glared harder as they each grabbed an arm and pulled her sharply to her feet.

"Ew, gross," Phoebe muttered, feeling something wet on her arm. She glanced down and saw blood. "Oh... dear," she said slowly, then looked at the sister who had pulled her left arm. "Piper, your hand!" she gasped, eyes wide with concern.

"What?" Piper frowned and looked down at her left hand. "Oh... ow," she muttered, inspecting the deep gash that ran across her palm, a ribbon of crimson seeping through her fingers. "That stings, ow!" She jumped as Buffy touched the wound gently. "Stop that!" she snapped, pulling her hand back.

Buffy's attention shifted, her expression suddenly alarmed. "Uh..." she pointed at Phoebe's right leg, her eyes widening. "Phoebe, your..."

"Ah!" Phoebe gasped, clutching the side of her thigh. "Ooh, ouchy!" She jumped as her fingertips grazed the deep wound, pain shooting through her leg. "Oh, ow," she murmured, her face contorted in discomfort.

"Um..." Buffy's voice called out, drawing their attention. They turned to see her standing unsteadily, a grimace on her face. She held up her right hand, fingertips smeared with blood. "I, I don't know where it's coming from," she muttered, touching the side of her neck again, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Piper made a circular motion with her finger, signaling Buffy to turn around. As Buffy complied, Piper gasped, her eyes widening in shock. "Oh! Jeez!" she cried, staring at the large gash that ran from the base of Buffy's skull down past her shoulder blades. The wound was deep, raw, and bleeding profusely. "LEO!" Piper yelled to the ceiling, her voice a mixture of desperation and urgency.

Phoebe, despite her own pain, moved closer to inspect Buffy's injury, grimacing the whole time. The sight of the gash made her stomach churn, but she forced herself to stay focused.

Within seconds, Leo orbed into the room, his usual cheerful demeanor vanishing as he took in the chaotic scene. "Hi!" he greeted, his smile fading quickly when he saw the state of the place and the injuries. "What happened?" he asked, wide-eyed and alarmed.

"Shocker demon," Phoebe replied with a scowl, her tone dripping with frustration and anger.

At the same time, Buffy and Piper spoke in unison, "Phoebe."

Phoebe gasped, rounding on them as best she could with her injured leg. "HEY!" she cried, pointing an accusatory finger at her sisters. "I resent that!"

Leo, his brow furrowed in concern, inspected the appearances of the three sisters, noting their various injuries. "Here. Give me your hand, Piper," he instructed gently. Piper extended her hand towards him, and he took it gently in his own, placing his other hand above it.

As Leo's healing magic began to work, Piper sighed in relief, feeling the warmth and tingling sensation spread through her hand. The pain ebbed away, replaced by a comforting warmth. "Thank you," she said with a grateful smile, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on his lips.

"Me now!" Phoebe demanded, pointing urgently to her injured leg. Leo knelt down in front of her, repeating the healing process. His hands emitted a soothing golden light as the wound on Phoebe's leg began to close, the skin knitting back together seamlessly.

"Thanks, Leo!" Phoebe said brightly, her face lighting up with a smile. She moved to take a seat at the breakfast table, gingerly testing her healed leg.

Buffy stood nearby, her expression a mix of gratitude and concern. "Dad," she said quietly, her voice tinged with worry. "You do know there was a reason I didn't heal them, right?"

Leo nodded in understanding, his eyes meeting Buffy's with a look of fatherly concern. Without a word, he moved to her side and gently placed his hands on her back, repeating the healing process a third time. Buffy felt the familiar warmth spread through her body, the pain from the gash on her back melting away.

Buffy sighed happily, her tension easing. "Thank you," she said softly, looking up at her father with a heartfelt smile. Leo returned the smile, his eyes filled with love and reassurance.

Buffy turned and slapped the back of Phoebe's head.

"OW!" Phoebe yelped, lurching forward in surprise. "That hurt!" she cried, glaring at Buffy while holding the back of her head. Buffy's smirk widened as she took a seat next to her still-glaring sister. "I can't believe you just slapped me!" Phoebe whined incredulously, her eyes narrowing at Buffy's smug expression.

Buffy merely smirked wider, enjoying the moment.

Leo chuckled as he looked at his wife and daughter. "Piper, Buffy, I gotta go," he said, glancing at Piper and Buffy. They nodded, understanding the urgency in his tone, and he kissed their heads quickly before orbing out.

Once he was gone, Phoebe's frustration bubbled over. "This is crazy," she declared, her voice tinged with exasperation. "We need to call Paige and set up a time when she can come over and—"

Piper cut her off, her own frustration evident. "Phoebe, we can't schedule vanquishes, okay?" she countered, her tone sharp. "Demon attacks don't usually fit into day planners."

Buffy raised an eyebrow, her expression challenging. "Then what do you suggest that we do, Piper?"

Piper hesitated, chewing her lip nervously. The weight of responsibility hung heavy on her shoulders. "I suggest that maybe…" She paused, releasing a heavy sigh and closing her eyes as if gathering the strength to voice her thought. "…Paige move in with us." She finished quickly, rising to her feet and moving off to start clearing up the mess.

Buffy and Phoebe sat stock still, frozen in shock at the words that had just come from their sister's mouth. Phoebe turned to Buffy, who remained staring into space with raised eyebrows, her mind racing.

"Wait." Phoebe muttered, turning in her seat to face Piper fully. "What did you just say to us?" she asked, her voice edged with disbelief as she watched Piper carefully.

Piper shrugged, continuing to pick up various pieces of broken, splintered wood. "Well, she's gonna have to sooner or later, isn't she?" she replied matter-of-factly.

Phoebe contemplated that before she answered, her voice quiet. "I, uh… never really thought about it." She admitted, shaking her head slightly. "And I can't believe you, of all people, are actually suggesting it!" she added, her tone tinged with astonishment.

Piper sighed, her frown deepening as she defended herself. "I am just trying to be practical," she said, her frustration evident. "Besides, I am sick and tired of Leo watching over her day and night, protecting her from various demons. You know, I would actually like to see my husband again."

Buffy turned to Piper at that, a wave of empathy washing over her. She could sympathize with Piper's longing. She too would love to be able to see her father more often. Pushing out of her chair, she walked over to Piper, her expression softening. She bent down and gently grabbed her sister's hands, halting her movements.

"Leave it," Buffy instructed softly. "I'll fix it later. Now stand," she said, pulling Piper up to face her. "I want to see Dad too, but this is a huge decision," she pointed out, looking deeply into Piper's eyes.

Phoebe rose from her seat and came to stand between her two sisters, her brow furrowed in concern. "Do you honestly think we're ready for that?" she asked, looking between her eldest and youngest sisters, her eyes searching for reassurance.

Piper shrugged again, her expression thoughtful. "All I know is that every demon who is out to impress the Source is attacking us," Piper answered, her voice tinged with frustration. Phoebe shook her head, her gaze dropping to her feet as she absorbed Piper's words. Buffy glanced between her sisters, sensing the weight of the conversation. Piper continued, her tone resolute. "Which is why we all need to be under one roof. Otherwise, we're too vulnerable, which the three of us clearly demonstrated just now."

Phoebe looked back up at Piper, her eyes filled with a mix of doubt and hope. "I didn't mean, 'are we ready as witches…'" she said slowly, her voice steady. She looked both her sisters in the eye, "I meant, 'are we ready as sisters?'" She finished, her words hanging in the air. Piper sighed, closing her eyes, while Buffy bit her lip, placing her hands on her hips. Phoebe shrugged, her worry evident. "I mean, what if we don't get along?"

Buffy smirked, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "We didn't always get along with Prue," she pointed out, a fond smile touching her lips.

Phoebe couldn't help but smile at the memory. "Yeah…but that's different. Piper and I grew up with her. You lived here with us and her for three years. We had to get along eventually, and we did. This would be…." She trailed off, uncertainty clouding her features.

Buffy inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, her expression softening. "You're right," she acknowledged with a nod. "Maybe… it is too soon, but…"

Piper looked over at her sisters, her eyes filled with determination and love. "But there's only one way to find out," she finished, her voice steady and sure.

Paige's Apartment

The shrill screeching of her alarm clock rudely jolted Paige and Glen awake from their peaceful slumber. Paige moaned, her hand shooting out to violently silence the screeching alarm clock. "Oh my god! It's nine o'clock, I'm so screwed!" Paige gasped, dropping her arm back down and closing her eyes again with a tired sigh.

"Can't you just be a little late?" came the muffled voice of a very tired-sounding Glen from beside her, his face buried in the pillow.

"I'm already a little late," Paige replied, her voice heavy with exhaustion.

Glen squirmed beside her, trying to find a more comfortable position as she stretched her tired muscles. "Can't you be a lot late, especially seeing…" He paused as Paige pulled herself up, bringing the sheet that was wrapped around her body up too. "…as how I'm leaving tomorrow?" he finished, his voice trailing off.

Paige resisted the urge to roll her eyes, partially because she was too tired to do so. "You're always leaving tomorrow, Glen. That's what you do," she said, a hint of resignation in her voice. She rose from the bed, heading for the bathroom.

Paige froze and turned back halfway to the bathroom, feeling his eyes boring into her back. "What?" she asked, a smile playing at her lips as she saw the smirk on his face.

"Nine-to-five isn't you, Paige," Glen told her matter-of-factly, his gaze unwavering. "You've always had too adventurous a spirit to be pinned down."

"Oh yeah?" Paige replied, highly amused. "Just drop by between K2 and the Great Barrier Reef, and you know this about me, do you?"

"Your life could be a fairytale," Glen called after her as Paige disappeared into the bathroom, his voice filled with conviction. "And it doesn't have to end badly."

Paige stuck her head out from behind the partially closed door, her smirk widening. "Who says it's going to?" she retorted playfully before disappearing again.

"Come to Australia with me, Paige," Glen practically begged, his voice tinged with desperation. "Just for the hell of it. Why not?"

Paige stuck her head back out once more, her expression softening. "Because I've got too many responsibilities, that's why not," she replied, her tone firm but gentle.

"You're 25 years old!" Glen reminded her incredulously, his eyes wide with enthusiasm. "You've got the rest of your life ahead of you for that kind of crap. Just go for it! Dump your job. Come have fun with me."

"As tempting as that sounds," Paige said, emerging from the bathroom clad in a skirt and bra, "I actually have things called responsibilities." She repeated the word for emphasis, hoping he'd understand. She grabbed her pink frilly top and came back to sit on the bed, her tone softening slightly. "It's not just my job. I've got sisters now, and we've just got... stuff that we've gotta do." She explained, pulling her top over her head and freeing her hair from inside it.

"What stuff?" Glen questioned with a roll of his eyes, his frustration evident.

"Stuff... that keeps me pinned down," she replied, her voice trailing off as she looked away, unsure how to explain the complexities of her life.

Glen crawled nearer to her, his eyes searching hers for answers. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Paige looked away, her gaze distant as she contemplated his question. "I'm not sure yet," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. The weight of her responsibilities was heavy, but so was the pull of the adventure he offered.

Biting her lip, she let herself fall back into him, the warmth of his embrace momentarily pushing away her doubts and fears. They started all over again, their connection a brief escape from the reality that awaited her.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Buffy, Piper, and Phoebe came marching around the corner, their determination palpable as they headed straight for Paige's apartment door. Phoebe, her expression a mix of focus and anticipation, turned to her sisters just as she lifted her hand to knock. Her knuckles had barely brushed the wood when Leo suddenly orbed in, materializing directly in front of her. Instead of knocking on the door, Phoebe found herself rapping against Leo's chest.

"Oh! Sorry," Phoebe exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise before a warm smile spread across her face.

Leo, caught slightly off guard, returned the smile with a slightly nervous one of his own. "Hi!" he greeted, his voice carrying a mix of relief and anxiety. "Hey, what's up?"

"What's up?" Piper echoed, her voice tinged with an edge of sarcasm. She planted her hands on her hips, tilting her head with a mockingly sweet smile. "How about a kiss for your long-lost wife, huh?"

Leo blinked, momentarily taken aback by Piper's tone, but quickly leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Oh right!" he said, trying to muster enthusiasm.

"Hi!" Piper greeted, her wide grin not quite reaching her eyes, betraying the underlying tension.

"How about one for your daughter?" Buffy chimed in, her voice light but with an undercurrent of familial expectation.

Leo's smile softened as he turned to Buffy. "Sure," he said warmly, leaning down to kiss her cheek as well. He chuckled nervously, glancing between the three women. "Well…" he began, edging slightly toward the door, "...bye."

All three sisters frowned in unison, their expressions a mirror of confusion and suspicion. "Excuse me?" Buffy asked, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized her father. She gave him a thorough once-over, her skepticism growing. "What do you mean 'bye', Dad? We just got here."

Leo nodded quickly, his unease evident in his rapid response. "Right. Well, you know, I don't wanna leave Paige unprotected, so…" He gestured vaguely towards the closed door, his movements almost frantic.

"Uh-huh." Piper's eyes narrowed into slits, mirroring Buffy's distrust. "Is she home?" She took a determined step toward the door, but Leo swiftly moved to block her path, his body a physical barrier.

"Yeah, she's home," Leo answered, his voice wavering slightly. "She's just a little, uh…indisposed at the moment."

"Indisposed?" Buffy echoed, her tone slow and deliberate, her eyes narrowing even further as the pieces began to fall into place. The realization hit her, and her eyes widened, her jaw dropping in shock. Her sisters mirrored her reaction, their mouths forming perfect O's of astonishment.

"Wait," Piper said, frowning deeply as she processed the implications. "Wait, wait. You watch?" Her face contorted in disbelief and mild disgust. "What are you, like a peeping angel?"

"Wha—I didn't see anything!" Leo defended himself, his voice pitching up like a small, whiney child.

Buffy gave her father a scrutinizing look, her brow furrowing. "Uh? Tell me you weren't playing peeping Whitelighter when Piper was having you watch me."

Leo hesitated, then caved under the pressure of Piper's gaze. "All right, just a little, but how else am I supposed to protect Paige?" He turned to his daughter, his tone softening as he tried to justify his actions. "And I did watch you just a little, Buffy. You are, after all, my daughter. It is my right as your father to make sure you are alright. Anyways, are you saying you don't watch Willow and Faith?"

Buffy crossed her arms, her expression stern. "I listen for their call," she said firmly. "I draw the line at being a peeping Whitelighter on my friends."

All three sisters stared at Leo relentlessly, their eyes unwavering, creating a wall of disapproval that Leo couldn't penetrate. The intensity of their gaze made him squirm, feeling smaller by the second. Finally, unable to take it anymore, the sisters charged past him in unison, their determination propelling them forward as they walked right into Paige's apartment.

"SORRY TO INTERRUPT!" Phoebe yelled as she barreled in, a hand covering her eyes in a dramatic gesture, reminiscent of how she had entered Prue's room earlier that morning. "Can't see a thing!" she added, her voice ringing through the apartment.

Paige gasped and jumped off of Glen, her face flushing with embarrassment as she scrambled to grab her discarded top, hastily covering herself. "PHOEBE!" Piper and Buffy cried out simultaneously, their voices a mix of surprise and reprimand. Piper lunged forward, grabbing Phoebe, who had wandered too far into the room, and yanked her back to stand beside her, with Buffy now on the other side.

Paige, still reeling from the sudden intrusion, gawked at the sight before her. "Buffy, Piper… Leo!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in a mixture of shock and indignation. She pulled her top tighter around her body, her eyes darting between her sisters and Leo. "What the hell is going on?" she demanded angrily, her cheeks still flushed.

"I know this looks bad, but it's very important," Phoebe assured her, trying to sound earnest despite the awkward situation. Her eyes widened as Glen came into full view. "Whoa!" she blurted out, unable to hide her surprise.

Piper, catching Phoebe's wandering gaze, turned and whacked her sister's arm. "OW!" Phoebe yelped, clutching her arm and shooting Piper a wounded look.

Buffy, noticing Phoebe's reaction, shot her a disapproving look before turning back to Paige. As her eyes landed on Glen, she couldn't help but echo Phoebe's reaction. "Whoa!" she stated, her voice betraying a mix of surprise and mild amusement.

Piper rolled her eyes, exasperation evident in her expression. She whacked Buffy on the arm too, a little gentler this time. "Honestly," she muttered, shaking her head.

"OW!" Buffy yelped, her voice sharp with pain and surprise. She instinctively turned and whacked Piper back, the sound of the impact echoing in the room.

"OUCH!" Piper jumped, grabbing her arm where Buffy had hit her. She glared at her sister, her eyes narrowing in annoyance while Phoebe chuckled at the spectacle.

Glen, still trying to wrap his head around the sudden intrusion, turned to Paige with a bemused expression. "Who are they?" he asked, his gaze shifting between the three strange women with curious eyes and an amused smile.

Paige scowled at her sisters, her patience wearing thin. "The soon-to-be ex-sisters and ex-cousin I was telling you about," she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she shot them a glare.

"Hey!" Buffy exclaimed, pointing a finger at Paige with her eyebrows raised in mock offense.

"Okay! We're sorry," Piper apologized, though her tone was laced with sarcasm. She sighed dramatically, gesturing around her. "But, you know, we didn't know 'witch' way to turn, if you know what I mean?"

Paige rolled her eyes at the not-so-subtle reference, feeling a mix of exasperation and amusement at her sisters' antics. Buffy smiled at her warmly, Phoebe grinned with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, and Piper smirked.

"Maybe... I should go," Glen said slowly, his voice hesitant as he pushed back the covers and sat up in bed. The awkwardness of the situation was palpable, and he seemed eager to extricate himself from it.

Leo, equally uncomfortable, quickly grabbed Glen's jeans and threw them to him. "Oh, uh... here," Leo said, his discomfort evident in his tone.

"Thanks," Glen replied, catching the jeans and hastily pulling them on. He glanced around the room.

Paige turned to Glen, her expression contrite. "I'm sorry about this, Glen," she apologized, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. "This is horribly embarrassing."

"I have to agree with Paige. Phoebe, would you have done the same thing to me if I still lived in the dorms?" Buffy asked, her voice tinged with a mix of incredulity and amusement.

Phoebe shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Maybe," she said with a grin.

"No worries," Glen assured Paige, giving her a reassuring smile. "You've obviously got some... responsibilities," he observed, his tone understanding. He leaned over and kissed her cheek gently, a tender gesture that conveyed his affection despite the chaotic scene. "My plane leaves tomorrow," he told her softly before disappearing into the bathroom to finish getting dressed.

Piper frowned, her curiosity piqued. "Plane? What plane?" she asked as Glen closed the bathroom door behind him.

Paige glared at her sisters, her frustration evident. "Never mind. This better be important," she snapped, her patience wearing thin.

Phoebe turned to Paige sharply, her eyes wide with alarm. "I can't use my blow dryer," she cried, the urgency in her voice making the mundane problem seem monumental.

Piper cut straight to the point. "So, have you been attacked by the Shocker demon yet?" she asked bluntly.

Paige shook her head. "No, she hasn't," Leo interjected, answering for her before Paige could speak.

Paige frowned, her suspicion growing. "How would you know?" she asked, her tone demanding an explanation.

Buffy, unable to hide her irritation, shot a glare at Leo. "Oh, because he's been watching you for the last week or so, supposedly for your own protection," she informed Paige, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "He was doing the same thing to me when I was still in the dorms at Berkeley."

Paige's eyes widened, a mixture of anger and disbelief crossing her face as she turned to Leo. "You've been watching me?" she asked, her voice rising with indignation.

"I didn't see anything," Leo repeated, his tone defensive and insistent, trying to convince them as much as himself.

"At least nothing very interesting," Phoebe added with a smirk, casting a not-so-subtle glance at the bathroom door where Glen had disappeared. Her playful comment did little to ease the tension in the room.

"But that is not the point!" Buffy interjected loudly, her voice rising with frustration. "The point is that we have!" She gestured emphatically at herself, Piper, and Phoebe. "And we got hurt, which is why—"

"That's it!" Paige exclaimed, cutting Buffy off mid-sentence. Her patience had finally snapped. "OUT!" she yelled, throwing off the covers and pushing them towards the door, her face a mask of anger and exasperation.

"But, but, but we need to talk to you about the Shocker demon because—" Piper tried to explain, her voice urgent and pleading, but Paige was too mad to listen.

Buffy sighed, a heavy sound that echoed her frustration and resignation. "Give it a rest, Piper. Paige has every right to be angry right now."

Paige, still fuming, nodded in agreement. "OUT!" she yelled again, her voice firm and unwavering.

"We can't vanquish him without the power of four—" Phoebe cried out quickly, trying to reason with Paige and picking up where Piper left off.

"And you're not at the Manor, so...ever!" Piper finished, her voice desperate. But Paige, resolute in her anger, pushed them out the door and slammed it shut with a resounding thud.

All three sisters stood in stunned silence, the unexpected force of Paige's reaction hanging heavy in the air. Their gasps were almost simultaneous, a chorus of disbelief and shock.

Several seconds of silence followed, each sister processing what had just happened. Finally, Phoebe broke the tension. "I think that went fairly well," she voiced, her attempt at levity falling flat.

Piper and Buffy both groaned in unison, their shoulders slumping with defeat. Without another word, they turned and began walking back down the hall, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet corridor.

Buffy shook her head, her expression a mix of disappointment and frustration. "Piper, I know you were worried about both Paige and myself. But you crossed a line having Dad watch us."

October 12, 1399 – Saturday

Ravenwood Castle, England

"Where is she?" a very handsome young man, clad in gleaming chain-mail armor, demanded, his voice echoing through the dimly lit chamber. His eyes blazed with a mix of fear and fury. "What have you done with my beloved?"

"You mean I'm not your beloved?" The Enchantress asked, her voice dripping with mock sorrow. "Ooh, I'm crushed," she sneered sarcastically, her lips curling into a malevolent smile.

The man's jaw tightened as he pulled his sword from its sheath, the blade glinting menacingly in the torchlight. He aimed it directly at her neck, his grip steady and unyielding. "Your dark magic doesn't scare me, Enchantress," he told her, his voice firm and unwavering. "Tell me where she is, and I just might spare your life," he warned, his glare piercing and resolute.

"Very well," the Enchantress relented, a cunning gleam in her eyes. She placed a delicate finger on the tip of his sword and pushed it down with an almost playful ease. "Your beloved is right here, my Prince," she informed him, her voice smooth and confident. "Right before your very eyes."

With a swift motion, she threw a small bag at his feet. It exploded into a thick cloud of smoke, enveloping them both. As the smoke swirled around them, the Enchantress chanted smoothly, her words weaving a sinister spell. "Bring together my Prince and me. Let him fall on bended knee. I summon him to my side. That he may take me to be his destined bride."

When the smoke cleared, the Prince's demeanor had transformed. He sheathed his sword and, with a newfound devotion in his eyes, fell to one knee before her. The Enchantress smirked triumphantly as she watched him succumb to her enchantment.

"My love," he murmured, taking her hand in his and pressing his lips to her fingers. "I am forever yours." He rose to his feet, walked behind her, and kissed her neck with a tender reverence.

The Enchantress smiled, a cold, calculating expression of triumph. "As will your kingdom, once I conceive an heir," she said aloud to herself, her voice filled with ambition and greed. She led him towards her opulent bed, the final piece of her twisted plan falling into place.

October 12, 1999 – Tuesday

Halliwell Manor

"Alright! Calm down," Piper yelled as she and Buffy hurried towards the door, from which persistently loud knocking echoed through the house. Buffy reached the door first and yanked it open to reveal a scowling Paige standing on the other side.

"At least I knocked," Paige said tersely, her voice edged with frustration as she dumped her bag by the door.

"You have every right to be mad," Buffy said, her voice calm and understanding. "I know because I'm mad at Piper for the same reason."

"Oh," Piper gasped, her eyes widening in surprise as she watched Paige storm into the Manor.

"Hey, Paige!" Phoebe called out brightly, grinning and waving in an attempt to lighten the mood. But Paige merely shot her a glare, her expression stony.

Paige headed for the stairs with determined strides. "I'm not here to talk to any of you. I'm just here to look at the Book of Shadows," she informed them over her shoulder, her tone making it clear that she had no intention of engaging in any conversation.

"Hey! Hey! We said we were sorry," Phoebe reminded Paige, her tone slightly annoyed at the continued tension.

Buffy shook her head, her expression serious as she looked over at Phoebe. "Pheebs, sorry isn't going to cut it. Piper crossed a line when she had Dad watch me and Paige without our knowing it."

"Right!" Paige interjected, pointing at Buffy in agreement, her anger still simmering just below the surface.

Before the conversation could continue, Piper blurted out, "What do you think about moving in with us?" Her voice was blunt, her eyes hopeful.

Buffy and Phoebe turned to Piper with wide eyes, both taken aback by the sudden proposal. Paige froze mid-step, her surprise evident as she processed Piper's question.

"Piper?" Buffy hissed, throwing in a glare. "You just put your foot in it."

"Excuse me?" Paige asked, turning slowly to face her sisters. Her expression was a mix of confusion and lingering irritation.

"Well, that's what we came to talk to you about," Piper explained, her voice steady despite the underlying tension. "You know, we're tired of getting attacked by demons here and not being able to do anything about it."

"Yeah, but we could do something about it if we were all together," Phoebe added, her tone softer, her smile kind. "You know, if we lived together, because that's when we're the strongest." Her eyes sparkled with hope. "What do you say?" she asked, her voice full of optimism.

Paige stared at them, a forced smile plastered on her face. For a brief moment, it seemed she might consider the offer. But the smile quickly turned into a frown. "Are you two out of your freaking minds?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disgust and frustration. Without waiting for a response, she stormed off up the stairs, her footsteps echoing through the house.

Buffy shook her head, her expression a mix of sympathy and exasperation. "Piper, you really should have waited till she calmed down before asking her to move in. I mean, did you see the look on her face?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. Piper's face fell, the weight of her misstep settling heavily on her shoulders.

"Yeah…" Piper spoke up after a moment, scratching her chin thoughtfully. "That went about as well as earlier, huh?" Her voice was tinged with regret and self-reproach, a stark contrast to the determination she had shown just moments before.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"So you're not even going to consider this?" Phoebe asked, storming into the attic after Paige, her frustration evident in every step.

"Nope," Paige replied quickly, her eyes fixed on the Book of Shadows as she flipped through its ancient pages, her focus unwavering.

Piper frowned, her worry deepening as she followed Phoebe into the attic. "Why not?" she questioned, her voice tinged with confusion and a hint of desperation. Buffy entered the room and came to a stop beside Piper.

Paige's head shot up at Piper's question, her eyes blazing with anger. "Because if it was that easy for you guys to barge into my room all the way across town, then imagine how easy it would be if I lived here!" she snapped, her voice sharp with hurt and betrayal. She then turned her attention back to the book, her fingers flipping the pages with renewed determination.

Piper walked forward, her fatigue evident in her every movement. "Okay, could you just stop looking at the book for one second?" she asked tiredly, her voice pleading for a moment of her sister's attention.

"No!" Paige shook her head vehemently, her frustration bubbling over. "It's my book too. But if you really have a problem with it, I could look through Buffy's. I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

Buffy shook her head, her tone light but firm. "Nope. Look away."

Piper scowled at Buffy, her eyes flashing with irritation, as if to say 'You're not helping.' She then turned back to Paige, her expression softening slightly. "If you lived here, you could look at it all the time."

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Buffy exclaimed loudly, her hands on her hips. The room fell silent as she turned to Piper, her gaze steely. "Stop it," she ordered sharply. Then she pivoted to face Paige, pointing at her decisively. "You, Paige, better drop the attitude right now!" Paige opened her mouth to protest, but Buffy cut her off. "No! I don't wanna hear any of that 'you can't tell me what to do' crap because I can and I am." She told her matter-of-factly, her voice firm yet compassionate. "I may not be your eldest sister, but I do care about you, we all do, and I know that you care about us too. Sure, what we did earlier this morning was rude and intrusive, but we're your sisters. We're supposed to get on your nerves." She pointed out with a smirk, then gestured to Piper and Phoebe. "Those two piss me off all the time."

"HEY!" Piper and Phoebe yelled together, looking insulted. Paige couldn't contain the giggle that escaped her lips, the tension in the room easing slightly.

Buffy smiled, her eyes softening. "See? It's fun having sisters, and I know the magic stuff can kinda suck sometimes, but that's just part of the deal."

Paige stopped sifting through the book, taking a deep breath. "I understand why you guys are asking me," she assured them, her voice returning to a normal level. She seemed more like her usual self again, her earlier anger melting away. "I really, really do. It's just… I don't want being a witch to take over my life." She admitted honestly, her eyes reflecting the weight of her words. "It's just… too much responsibility."

"Oh… Paige, we know," Buffy replied, her tone full of empathy as Piper sat down on the chair next to Phoebe and Buffy leaned against it. She could see the struggle in Paige's eyes, mirroring her own fears from when she first discovered her destiny.

"Believe me, Paige," Phoebe took over, her voice gentle and understanding. "I freaked out in the beginning too. We all did… especially Piper." She nudged her sister with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood, and Piper rolled her eyes in mock annoyance.

"And both Piper and I have wanted to quit at different times as well," Buffy added, her voice soft but firm. "But we didn't, because we didn't have a choice and… neither do you." She told her gently but honestly, her words hanging in the air.

Paige's eyes narrowed in frustration. "Why not?" she demanded, a slight huff escaping her lips. "Aren't you the one who told me I should fight like hell to keep a life separate from magic?"

"Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out that way," Piper replied, her tone resigned but kind. Phoebe, who was sitting beside her, played with Piper's long hair, a comforting gesture that seemed to ground them both.

"Well, maybe it would if I didn't live here," Paige muttered, then went back to flipping through the book, signaling the end of the conversation.

But Buffy wouldn't let it drop. "As I said, I tried to get away from it. I ran away from home. Worried Prue and Phoebe about where I was for nearly four months. In the end, I couldn't get away from it. It found me in L.A. just as easily as it found me here. Someone I met here in San Francisco needed help. Her boyfriend had disappeared. Come to find out, he had been snatched to a demon dimension where a hundred years passed in a day. I had to embrace my destiny again to help her. I wasn't able to save her boyfriend, but I did save her."

Paige glanced briefly at Buffy, considering her words for a moment before returning her attention to the book.

"If you're looking for the Shocker demon spell, then we already found it," Phoebe informed her while Buffy and Piper watched Paige closely.

"I'm not," Paige replied, her hand on her hip. "I'm looking for something else."

"What? Look, you may not want to share a bathroom, but when it comes to that book, it concerns all of us," Piper snapped harshly.

Phoebe nodded, her tone softening. "And besides that..." She rose from her seat and walked over to Paige's side, wrapping an arm around her supportively. "Maybe we can help," she added with a warm smile.

"We can, Paige," Buffy echoed, her voice steady and reassuring.

Paige pursed her lips, wrestling with her inner hesitation, before finally caving in. "Okay… I know it sounds stupid, but when I was little, I invented this horrible little fairytale and it just always seemed really real to me," she admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment. She shrugged as she turned another page, her fingers tracing the text. "I don't know, I just—oh my god!" she gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief as she gazed down at a specific page.

Phoebe frowned as she leaned in to look at the page. "The Evil Enchantress?" she questioned, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"That's it!" Paige cried happily, her excitement bubbling over. "That's the evil witch, the one who kills the Prince, after he gets her pregnant of course," she exclaimed, her words tumbling out in a rush.

Piper nodded, her eyes widening with realization. "Of course," she agreed, sharing a knowing look with Buffy. She then began walking over to join Paige and Phoebe by the book, motioning for Buffy to follow. Piper went to Paige's other side, and Buffy stopped next to Piper, anticipation sparking in her eyes.

Paige smiled widely, her heart pounding with excitement. "The spell… wow, I can't believe it. 'Bring together my Prince and me, let him fall on bended knee,'" she began to recite the spell she could never remember the end to, her voice trembling with a mix of nerves and excitement.

"No, Paige, wait," Phoebe tried, her arms waving frantically in front of her sister in a desperate attempt to halt her.

"Yeah, no, don't, don't do that," Piper interjected, her lip caught between her teeth as she shook Paige gently, the urgency evident in her voice.

"I summon him to my side," Paige continued, her focus unwavering.

"No! No-no, what, what are you doing?" Buffy demanded, her eyes darting nervously between her sister and the book. "Paige, you need to stop," she implored, knowing deep down that it was already too late.

"That he may take me to be his destined bride," Paige finished the spell with a triumphant grin, her gaze lifting from the page just as Piper slammed her hands down on top of it. "I finally got to finish it," she beamed, her excitement bubbling over as she looked up at her sisters, oblivious to the concern etched on their faces.

October 12, 1399 – Saturday

Ravenwood Castle, England

The Evil Enchantress lay sprawled on her opulent, velvet-draped four-poster bed, her ebony locks cascading like a dark waterfall around her porcelain features. Her crimson lips curled into a sinister smile as she reveled in her triumph, basking in the glow of her latest wicked scheme.

But her satisfaction was short-lived, shattered in an instant by the sudden and inexplicable disappearance of the Prince. His smile, once warm and reassuring, now frozen in time as he vanished into the ether, swallowed by a maelstrom of swirling, otherworldly winds.

The Evil Enchantress's eyes widened in disbelief, her heart pounding erratically within her chest as she gazed upward at the empty space where the Prince had stood just moments before. Panic gripped her like icy tendrils, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty.

"NO!" she cried out, her voice echoing through the cavernous chamber, a desperate plea born of shock and desperation. With trembling hands, she pushed herself upright, the silken sheets pooling at her waist as she scanned the room frantically, her gaze darting from shadow to shadow in search of any trace of the vanished Prince.

October 12, 1999 – Tuesday

Halliwell Manor

The four sisters stood huddled together, their attention captured by the book spread open before them. Suddenly, a haunting howl pierced the silence, causing the sisters to startle and glance up in unison. Their hearts raced as a tempestuous wind swept through the room, swirling and twisting until it coalesced into the form of a strikingly handsome man. Clad in gleaming chainmail, with sandy blonde-brown locks tousled by the wind, he emerged like a figure from a dream.

A collective gasp escaped the lips of everyone present, their eyes widening in astonishment as they beheld the unexpected visitor who materialized before them. The man stood tall and proud, a vision of strength and grace amidst the ethereal atmosphere.

Jaws dropped in unison as the sisters stared, their minds reeling with disbelief at the surreal sight unfolding before them. Speechless, they could only exchange bewildered glances, their minds struggling to comprehend the impossible.

Meanwhile, the handsome stranger cast his gaze around the room, his eyes alight with wonder as he took in his surroundings. But as his gaze fell upon Paige, his expression softened, and without hesitation, he sank to his knees before her, a gesture of reverence and devotion.

"My love," he murmured, his voice a gentle caress upon the air as he bowed his head in homage.

Paige's eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding within her chest as she stared at the stranger who knelt before her, his words ringing in her ears like a clarion call. Beside her, her sisters exchanged knowing glances, their suspicions ignited as they watched the unfolding scene with keen interest.

With hands planted firmly on their hips, they turned their accusatory gazes upon Paige, their expressions a silent interrogation, demanding answers to the questions that hung heavy in the air.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Why do you run from me?" The words hung in the air, tinged with the earnest plea of the handsome Prince as he pursued Paige, his steps echoing through the corridors until they reached the bustling kitchen.

Paige whirled around, her eyes wide with apprehension as she backed away, her heart pounding in her chest. "Why are you chasing me?" she retorted, her voice tinged with a mixture of fear and frustration as she sought refuge from his relentless pursuit.

"Because we are meant to be together," the Prince declared with unwavering conviction, his gaze fixed upon her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

"That is not true," Paige insisted adamantly, her resolve unyielding as she sought to distance herself from the destiny he so boldly proclaimed. Behind her, the laughter of her three sisters bubbled forth, their amusement palpable as they entered the kitchen, their playful demeanor a stark contrast to the tension that hung in the air.

"Does this look like King Arthur's court to you?" Paige challenged, her words laced with sarcasm as she darted around the island in the center of the room, her movements quick and evasive.

"It doesn't matter," the Prince countered, his voice steady despite the laughter that surrounded them. "We are meant to be together."

At his words, Buffy, Piper, and Phoebe erupted into peals of laughter, their joyous mirth filling the room as Paige let out a frustrated squeal, her hands flying to cover her ears in a futile attempt to drown out their teasing.

"Stop saying that!" she demanded, her voice a mixture of exasperation and embarrassment as she sought to quell the relentless insistence of fate that seemed determined to intertwine their paths.

"You guys want some privacy?" Phoebe's playful suggestion hung in the air, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes as she gestured between Paige and her princely pursuer.

Buffy shot her sister a reproachful glance, though a suppressed grin threatened to betray her amusement. "That is not funny!" she protested weakly, the corners of her lips twitching with the effort of maintaining her facade of seriousness.

Meanwhile, the Prince had successfully cornered Paige, his determination evident in the steely resolve of his gaze. With nowhere left to retreat, Paige's back pressed against the wall, her instincts kicking in as she spun on her heel, her eyes alighting upon the nearby kitchen table.

"Plate!" she called out, her voice ringing clear and commanding as the object materialized in her outstretched hands. Without hesitation, she raised the makeshift weapon high above her head, her muscles tensed with the force of her impending strike.

A collective gasp escaped the lips of Buffy, Piper, and Phoebe as the plate connected with a resounding crack, shattering into pieces upon impact with the Prince's unsuspecting skull. He staggered backward, his knees buckling beneath him as he crumpled to the floor in a daze.

"Oh!" The sisters cried out in unison, their shock palpable as they watched the scene unfold before them, their hands flying to their mouths in disbelief.

Paige winced, a pang of guilt coursing through her as she quickly approached the fallen Prince, her concern evident in the gentle furrow of her brow. "I'm sorry," she apologized earnestly, her voice tinged with remorse as she extended a tentative hand toward him. "Did I hurt you?"

A soft chuckle escaped the Prince's lips as he reached up to grasp her hand, his eyes twinkling with affection despite the throbbing ache in his head. "You could never hurt me, my love," he assured her with a tender smile.

Paige's desperation was evident in the pleading look she directed towards her eldest sister. "Piper, do that thing you do," she urged, her voice tinged with urgency as she referenced Piper's ability to freeze time at will.

Buffy chimed in with a laugh, "Yeah, freeze him!"

Piper's lips curled into a smug smirk as she considered their request, her confidence in her own abilities evident in the subtle tilt of her chin. "I, I don't wanna blow him up," she cautioned with a hint of amusement, teasingly reminding them of the destructive potential of her powers.

But Paige was undeterred, her determination unwavering as she fixed her sister with a steely glare. "Well, risk it!" she insisted sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument. "He's using his tongue."

"Ew!" Phoebe recoiled in disgust, her features contorting in a grimace of repulsion, while Buffy dissolved into laughter, her mirth infectious as she buried her head in Phoebe's shoulder, her body shaking with amusement.

Piper couldn't suppress a smirk at her sisters' reactions, her amusement bubbling forth as she extended her hand lazily, her fingers splayed in a casual gesture of power. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed her magic, freezing the unsuspecting Prince mid-movement, leaving him suspended in time.

Turning to her sisters, Piper joined in their laughter, her mirth mingling with Buffy's as they shared a moment of camaraderie. Buffy grabbed onto Piper's wrist for support, her grip tight as she struggled to contain her laughter

Phoebe's attempt to maintain composure was evident in the strained expression she wore, her lips pressed tightly together in a valiant effort to stifle her laughter.

Meanwhile, Paige, visibly exasperated, shook herself free from the encounter, her hand swiping across her sleeve to rid herself of any lingering remnants of the awkward interaction. "Thank god chivalry is dead," she muttered under her breath, her steps purposeful as she made her way toward her sisters, her frustration palpable.

"He is getting on my last nerve," Paige grumbled, her tone laden with irritation as she cast a withering glare in their direction. But her sisters' uncontrollable laughter only served to fuel her exasperation, their raucous amusement a stark contrast to her own mounting aggravation.

"I hate you all!" Paige spat out, her words laced with venom as she stuck out her tongue in a defiant gesture of defiance, her frustration reaching its boiling point.

As Phoebe approached her younger sister, her expression softened with empathy, her eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and understanding. "Okay... well... He must be under some sort of spell," she declared, her voice tinged with certainty as she reached out to offer comfort.

"Gee, you think?" Piper's sarcastic retort floated from behind Phoebe, her amusement undiminished by the seriousness of the situation.

Paige nodded emphatically, her features set in a determined expression. "It's the Evil Enchantress," she stated matter-of-factly, her words carrying the weight of conviction. "She cast a love spell on him."

Buffy's brow furrowed in confusion, her gaze narrowing as she regarded the bewitched man before them with suspicion. "So... why is Sir Lust-A-Lot, lusting after you?" she questioned pointedly, her skepticism evident as she sought to unravel the mystery behind his inexplicable fixation on Paige.

Paige's patience wore thin, her frustration bubbling to the surface as she shrugged dismissively. "How should I know?" she snapped, her irritation evident in the sharpness of her tone.

Piper, never one to mince words, fired back with equal force. "Well because it's your damn fairytale," she retorted, her words dripping with sarcasm as she gestured pointedly towards the frozen figure. "And it's alive and frozen in our kitchen," she added, punctuating her statement with a smirk that bordered on defiance.

Feeling the weight of her sisters' scrutiny, Paige drew in a deep breath, her eyes rolling skyward in exasperation before she pivoted on her heel and stormed past them, her footsteps echoing through the Manor as she made her escape from the suffocating confines of the kitchen.

Piper's eyes narrowed dangerously, her resolve hardening as she watched Paige's retreating figure with a mixture of concern and frustration. Buffy raised an incredulous eyebrow, her expression a silent question mark hanging in the air as she struggled to make sense of the chaos unfolding before her. Meanwhile, Phoebe's brow furrowed in concern, her gaze following Paige's path as she silently pleaded for answers.

"Where are you going?" Phoebe called out, her voice tinged with worry as she rushed after her younger sister, her steps quickening to match Paige's determined stride.

"I can't handle this," Paige exclaimed, her hands thrown up in frustration as she reached the front door, her desperation palpable in the tremor of her voice.

Buffy and Piper exchanged a meaningful glance, a silent understanding passing between them before they too followed after their sisters.

"Wait, Paige! You can't just leave!" Piper scolded, her voice carrying a note of urgency as they trailed behind, their voices echoing in the empty corridors as they pursued their sister into the unknown.

"Yes, I can," Paige replied defiantly, her resolve unyielding as she squared her shoulders in defiance. "I don't live here."

Phoebe sighed heavily, the weight of concern etched into the furrow of her brow. "Paige," she began, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and apprehension.

"What?" Paige retorted sharply, her tone bordering on defensive as she bristled at her sister's attempt to intervene.

"Pheebs," Buffy interjected, her tone a warning to tread lightly, a silent plea for calm in the midst of their escalating tension.

"Look, you can't keep running away from these things," Phoebe insisted, her voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions swirling within her. "That's what we were trying to tell you. Being a witch is not a part-time job."

Paige hesitated, her hand resting on the doorknob as she turned back to face her sisters, her expression a mixture of defiance and resignation. "Well, if I don't leave now, I'm not gonna have a full-time job," she declared firmly, her determination unshaken as she pushed open the door and stepped outside.

Piper's voice echoed through the hallway with a sense of urgency, her footsteps purposeful as she closed the distance between herself and her younger sister. "PAIGE!" she yelled, her tone laced with a mixture of frustration and concern. "The Charmed Ones come first!"

Buffy's brow furrowed in confusion as she turned to face Piper, her expression a silent question mark hanging in the air. "The Charmed Ones come first?" she echoed, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she sought clarification.

Piper shrugged, her resolve unyielding as she clung to the familiar mantra that had guided them through countless trials and tribulations in the past. "It always worked when Prue said it," she explained, a note of nostalgia coloring her words as she invoked the memory of their fallen sister.

Buffy sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping with the weight of their collective burden. "Piper, this is not something we can fix by being witches or the Charmed Ones," she reasoned gently, her voice tempered with a sense of resignation as she sought to impart a dose of reality to their dire situation.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"The home also features a spacious kitchen, complete with granite countertops and a state-of-the-art convection oven."

The sisters suddenly froze, their eyes locking in a silent exchange of alarm. Without a word, they bolted from the kitchen, sprinting into the living room.

"The VCR?" Buffy questioned, her voice laced with confusion as she wondered why it was recording.

"Who set it to record?" Piper demanded, striding purposefully toward the VCR just as the tape ejected with a mechanical whir, the mundane act quickly turning sinister as the Shocker Demon erupted from the machine in a burst of electric fury.

Phoebe's reaction was immediate—she squeezed her eyes shut and tensed every muscle, bracing herself for the anticipated jolt of electricity. Piper instinctively raised her hands, her powers at the ready, but in the chaos, her aim was off, and the magical energy struck the TV instead of their demonic assailant.

"OH!" Buffy cried out in surprise, quickly grabbing Piper's hands and yanking them down, preventing any further misfires.

"Look out!" Phoebe's urgent warning came just in time as the Shocker Demon, now fully manifested, zipped past their feet and into the hallway. The demon's form grew, towering menacingly as it sent a crackling bolt of electricity hurtling toward them.

"Uh-oh," Phoebe muttered, her eyes widening in horror as the bolt struck Buffy with full force. The impact sent her flying backward, crashing into a set of thin shelves by the back window. Books and knickknacks scattered as she landed hard behind the overstuffed chair.

"Oh no," Piper cried, her voice filled with panic as she ran to Buffy's side. Phoebe, not wasting a moment, levitated into the air, aiming a powerful kick at the Shocker Demon's head. Her foot connected, but instead of disabling the demon, the jolt of electricity coursed through her body.

Piper's eyes widened in horror as she watched her younger sister convulse in mid-air, her body wracked by the demon's electrical discharge. "Oh, crap!" she cursed under her breath, her mind racing for a solution. She darted through the dining room, her eyes scanning frantically until she spotted an empty coat hanger. Grabbing it, she sprinted back and shoved it through the middle of the Shocker Demon, disrupting its electric hold on Phoebe.

The demon, now compromised, recoiled and was blasted back into the wall socket from which it had emerged, its form flickering and dissipating.

"AH!" Phoebe yelped as she hit the ground with a hard thud, the impact knocking the breath from her lungs.

Piper let out a sigh of relief, dropping the makeshift weapon as she blew a stray hair from her face, her shoulders sagging with the release of tension.

"Ow," Buffy gasped, pushing herself to her feet with a wince. "I'm alright if anybody was wondering," she said, her voice laced with a touch of sarcasm as she stumbled over to Phoebe, extending a hand to haul her up as well.

Phoebe groaned loudly, her face contorted in pain as she tried to regain her balance. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" she moaned, each step a testament to the lingering effects of the electric shock.

Buffy rolled her neck, the numerous cracking sounds echoing through the now quiet room. "Oh, not good," she muttered, wincing at the discomfort.

Piper smiled wryly at them both, her attempt at levity barely masking the underlying tension. "Well, that was fun!" she exclaimed with false cheer, her voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm. "Are you two alright?"

Phoebe looked less certain, her body still tingling from the electric shock. "I'm okay… I think," she replied, shaking her limbs experimentally to ensure everything was still functioning.

Buffy, silent for a moment, met Piper's gaze with a steady look before nodding slowly. "I'll live," she said, her voice resolute despite the pain evident in her movements.

Piper's expression shifted to one of concern as she addressed the bigger issue at hand. "We've gotta convince Paige to move in with us soon, before there's nobody left to move in with," she pointed out, her frown deepening with the weight of their predicament.

Phoebe, sensing the impending argument, quickly interjected. "Guess we need a new TV," she said, her voice lightening the mood slightly and steering the conversation away from potential conflict.

Buffy gasped, her eyes widening with sudden realization. "Oh no!" she exclaimed, her gaze darting towards the kitchen, her mind racing to the Prince they had momentarily forgotten.

Piper and Phoebe followed her gaze, their expressions mirroring Buffy's alarm as the realization hit them. "The Prince!" they exclaimed in unison, the urgency in their voices propelling them into action.

Without wasting another second, the three sisters sprinted towards the kitchen, their footsteps pounding against the floor in a frantic rush.

"He's gone?" Phoebe's voice wavered with uncertainty as she glanced around the now-empty kitchen, her eyes scanning every corner for any sign of the Prince. "What? Did he go back to fairytale land?"

Buffy's eyes widened as she walked into the utility room, her gaze falling on the wide-open back door. "No such luck. The back door is wide open," she announced, her tone a mixture of resignation and concern as she reentered the kitchen. "So… he probably went after Paige," she concluded with a nod, her mind racing to connect the dots.

"He left?" Piper's eyes widened in disbelief, her shoulders slumping as she sagged back against the counter. The weight of the situation pressed heavily upon her, the reality of the Prince's absence sinking in.

"So..." Phoebe's voice piped up from the direction of the fridge, her hands busy as she rummaged for something to drink. "He's just wandering around in chain mail?" she asked, her tone incredulous as she imagined the bewildering sight.

"It's San Francisco. Nobody will notice," Piper replied with a resigned shrug, attempting to inject some humor into the tense atmosphere. Buffy's chuckle added a brief moment of levity, their shared laughter a small reprieve from the mounting tension.

"Well, sooner or later, someone's gonna notice," Phoebe insisted, her voice firm as she unscrewed a bottle of water. She took a deep sip, her mind already working through the potential consequences of a medieval prince roaming the modern city.

"And the medieval trail is gonna lead them right back to us," Buffy concluded with a heavy sigh, the reality of their situation settling over them like a dark cloud. "I'll try scrying for him, and if that doesn't work, I'll flame Paige back here and hopefully the Prince will follow."

"Uh… maybe we should try a different approach with her," Phoebe suggested, her voice cautious but hopeful.

Piper shook her head, her skepticism clear. "She is not gonna come back here voluntarily," she said, her tone laden with the certainty born from experience.

Phoebe shook her head more emphatically, a determined glint in her eyes. "No. I mean about getting her to move in. I think Buffy is right. We aren't going to get her to move in as a witch or a Charmed One. Besides, maybe it's too soon for her too."

October 12, 1399 – Saturday

Ravenwood Castle, England

"I have one question," Lady Julia spoke up from her place behind the prison bars, her voice steady despite the grim situation. "If good magic rescued my Prince from you, what makes you think he'll return?" She asked her cousin with a knowing glint in her eye, a spark of defiance that refused to be extinguished.

The Evil Enchantress stood up slowly, her movements deliberate and filled with malice. "I don't," she answered simply, her tone cold and calculating. "That's why I plan on following his footsteps and bringing him back, after I destroy the good magic that intervened, of course." An evil smirk twisted her lips as she relished the thought of her forthcoming vengeance.

Lady Julia bit back a scoff, her contempt barely concealed. "And what makes you think you can?"

The Evil Enchantress's eyes gleamed with a dark delight as she sauntered towards the cell. "Oh… I don't know," she replied, her voice dripping with mock innocence. With a casual wave of her hand, she raised the bars of the cell, the metal groaning as it moved. "Because I'm petty, and evil, and vindictive." She toyed with an athame, the blade sharp and twisted, its malevolent edge catching the light. "But most of all… I'm determined." She concluded, pressing the tip of the blade against Lady Julia's throat, the threat clear and immediate.

"I am the object of his true love," Lady Julia reminded her smugly, her confidence unwavering even in the face of danger. "Your spell only appropriated it. Kill me and you break the spell."

The Evil Enchantress smiled sweetly, a chilling contrast to her sinister intentions. "I know. I know." With a swift, practiced motion, she cut a lock of Lady Julia's hair, the strands falling softly into her hand. "That's why I needed this for my potion to work." She gestured to the lock of hair, her voice brimming with triumphant malice.

Abruptly, she spun around, her cloak billowing dramatically. With another wave of her hand, the bars dropped back down with a resounding clang, sealing Lady Julia back in her cell before she could even think to escape.

"You cannot do this!" Lady Julia cried angrily, stepping forward with an air of defiance, her hands gripping the bars as she glared hatefully at the Enchantress. Her eyes blazed with a mix of fury and desperation, her voice echoing with the raw intensity of her emotions.

The Evil Enchantress turned her head slowly, her gaze locking onto Julia with an unsettling calmness. "One thing you need to know about me, Jules," she said, using her cousin's childhood nickname with a mocking familiarity. The coldness in her eyes contrasted sharply with the affectionate term. She stared stoically at Julia, the intensity of her gaze almost palpable. "Nobody tells me what to do," she spat, her features darkening with malevolent resolve.

Lady Julia sighed, her breath trembling with a mix of resignation and helpless anger. She knew her words were falling on deaf ears, but the injustice of it all fueled her defiance. The Enchantress smirked, savoring the moment of power and control.

With deliberate slowness, the Enchantress dropped the blonde hair into the bubbling potion, her eyes gleaming with twisted satisfaction. The moment the strands touched the liquid, a small explosion erupted, the cauldron emitting a burst of light and smoke. The potion hissed and sizzled, its color shifting ominously as it absorbed the essence of the hair.

October 12, 1999 – Tuesday

South Bay Social Services

"Nobody tells me what to do, Leo," Paige asserted firmly, her voice tinged with defiance as she moved around the cramped copy machine room. "And besides, I'm still mad at you for watching over me. I deserve better than that, especially from you."

"Well, I'm a guardian, Paige. It's what I do," Leo replied, his tone tinged with a hint of frustration. He frowned, his brow furrowing in concern. "I did the same to Buffy when she was in the dorms at Berkeley," he added, his voice softening with reminiscence. "Especially during times like this when it's dangerous for you to be alone," he reminded her kindly, his gaze searching hers for understanding.

Paige frowned quizzically, her brow knitting in confusion. "It's a fairytale, not a horror movie," she retorted, her tone laced with skepticism as she continued to sort through the papers scattered across the room.

Leo repressed the urge to roll his eyes, his patience wearing thin. "I was talking about the Shocker demon," he corrected her swiftly, his voice firm and resolute.

Paige paused for a moment, her expression shifting as his words sank in. She shrugged nonchalantly, dismissing his concerns with a casual wave of her hand. "Yeah, well, he's not half as scary as Prince Charming coming after me," she quipped, her lips curling into a wry smile.

Leo brightened at her acknowledgment, his features softening with relief. "All the more reason you should be staying with Buffy, Piper, and Phoebe," he pointed out, his voice filled with earnest concern.

Paige turned to him abruptly, her frustration evident in the furrow of her brow. "What if I don't want to?" she demanded, her voice tinged with exhaustion from the recurring argument. "What if I wanna…" She trailed off, her hands gesturing vaguely. "…climb a mountain or… go dive the Great Barrier Reef, huh?"

Leo looked at her quizzically, his confusion palpable. "What?" he asked, his brow furrowing in bewilderment.

Paige rolled her eyes in exasperation, dismissing his confusion with a wave of her hand. "Never mind," she muttered under her breath. "Look, I've had a blast being a witch. I like the spells, I like the potions. I'm even getting used to orbing," she listed off the pros with a sense of resignation. "But god! I've just had enough," she added bitterly, her tone tinged with frustration and weariness, before pushing past him.

Leo sighed, his heart aching for her as he watched her retreat. He understood her feelings, sympathized with her exhaustion, but he also knew that the reality of their situation was unchangeable. "Well, there is no 'enough,' Paige. This is who you are now," he explained gently, his voice tinged with sadness. "You know that. Why are you running from it?" he asked, his gaze searching hers for understanding.

Paige faltered, her resolve wavering under the weight of his words. She looked up at him, a hint of defiance still lingering in her eyes. "Oh gee, I don't know," she retorted sarcastically, her tone laced with bitterness. "Being hunted by the Source, ducking the Furies, and being shrunk by a psycho demon, not to mention being chased after by my bedtime stories," she listed off the harrowing experiences she had endured. "I don't know why I wouldn't want the rest of my life to be just like that."

Leo smiled sympathetically, his heart breaking for her struggles. "You're not alone anymore. You have sisters now," he reminded her gently, his voice filled with reassurance and warmth.

Paige scoffed, her frustration evident in the dismissive gesture of her hand. "Yeah, sisters who are pressuring me to move in with them for all the wrong reasons."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Leo asked, his confusion returning as he tried to make sense of Paige's cryptic statement.

Paige closed her eyes, a wave of sadness washing over her features. "Nothing," she said softly, her voice tinged with resignation. "Forget about it."

But Leo refused to let it go that easily. He fixed her with a steady gaze, silently urging her to open up to him.

Paige sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping as she relented under his unwavering scrutiny. She looked down at the floor, her words coming out in a rush of vulnerability. "I don't know. Sometimes I feel like they want me to be as strong as Prue, and I just... can't do that," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just me, and asking me to move in just because it's the most convenient way to vanquish a demon..." She trailed off, her words trailing into a heavy silence as she shrugged helplessly.

"Don't make me go back there, Leo," she pleaded, her eyes pleading with him to understand the weight of her burden. "Not just yet, okay?" Paige said softly. "I'll call you if I need you," she promised as she turned away and left the room, leaving behind a heavy silence in her wake.

Halliwell Manor

Phoebe and Buffy sat on the couch, their brows furrowed in concentration as they studied the map and crystal. Buffy held the crystal aloft, while Phoebe watched, hoping the crystal would pinpoint the location of the missing Prince.

"Darryl. Darryl? Darryl!" Piper's voice cut through the tense atmosphere as she entered the living room, her phone pressed to her ear and a deep frown etched on her face. "Slow down, okay? Carjackings happen all the time," she reasoned with the person on the other end of the line, her tone both exasperated and sympathetic.

She approached the couch where her sisters sat, confusion evident in both her voice and expression. "Why are you calling us?" she questioned, her brow furrowing in perplexity. As she sank down next to Buffy, her disgust was palpable. "A garbage truck?" she exclaimed incredulously, her voice rising in disbelief. "At sword point!" Her sisters turned to her sharply, their expressions mirroring her incredulity. "We'll get back to ya," Piper said as she ended the call with a heavy sigh.

"Please don't tell me that the police found him?" Phoebe pleaded, her eyes searching Piper's for any sign of good news.

"Not yet," Piper replied, her voice tinged with frustration. She turned to Buffy, nodding towards the map. "How about you?" she asked, her tone hopeful yet tinged with a sense of resignation.

"Nothing," Buffy admitted with a shake of her head. "I mean, he's not a witch, and he's not a demon, so…"

Piper sighed, her shoulders slumping with disappointment. "Alright. Fla—" She began, but her words were cut short as her husband orbed into the room, his arrival interrupting her sentence. "—me! Hi," she greeted him with a forced smile, her eyes brightening momentarily at the sight of him.

"Hi," Leo returned the smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes as he rocked back and forth on his feet nervously.

Phoebe glanced up from the map, her brow furrowing in concern. "Where's Paige?" she inquired, her voice tinged with worry.

Leo hesitated for a moment before responding, his expression guarded. "Paige? She didn't want to come," he explained simply, his tone tinged with disappointment.

Piper let out a small laugh, though there was a hint of incredulity in her voice. "She what? Did you explain the situation to her?" she asked, her tone expectant.

"Yes," Leo confirmed with a solemn nod, his gaze shifting uncomfortably.

Piper narrowed her eyes, her frustration evident in her voice. "And she still refused to come?" she pressed, her disbelief palpable. Leo nodded once more, his expression troubled. "Leo, we are up to our pointy little hats in demonic problems here. We need her," she insisted, her tone pleading as she emphasized the urgency of their situation.

Leo continued to nod in acknowledgment. "She knows that."

"I don't understand. We're her sisters," Phoebe interjected, her voice tinged with confusion and concern. She glanced at Leo, hoping for some clarity, but his continued nodding only added to her frustration.

Buffy's patience wore thin, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "Oh, enough with the nodding already, Dad!" she snapped suddenly, her tone sharp with irritation.

Leo sighed softly, his gaze shifting between the sisters as he tried to navigate the tense atmosphere. "Yeah… but that's not the reason you need her," he interjected calmly, his voice carrying a hint of urgency.

Piper observed him closely, her brow furrowing in suspicion. "Is there more to that or are you just gonna leave us hangin'?" she questioned, her intuition telling her that Leo wasn't telling them the whole story.

Leo hesitated, his expression pained as he grappled with his words. "Look, I don't want to get in the middle of this. This is between you guys," he insisted, his voice tinged with reluctance. "But I will tell you that just wanting her to battle demons with you isn't enough of a reason to get her to move in."

Piper's frustration bubbled over, her voice sharp with irritation. "It's a pressing reason!" she snapped, her tone tinged with desperation.

"But it's not a sisterly one," Buffy countered, her gaze shifting pointedly between Piper and Phoebe, her expression resolute.

Leo nodded in agreement with his daughter's assessment. "In the meantime..." he interjected, his voice firm and commanding. "You need to find the Prince before he exposes you. So I suggest you check both the Book of Shadows and get up to speed on Paige's fairytale," he instructed forcefully, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And I will check with the Elders and see what they know," he added, gesturing upwards as he orbed out.

"I'm in agreement with Dad. Just asking her to move in to fight demons isn't enough," Buffy reiterated, her voice tinged with determination as she handed the scrying crystal to Phoebe. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I'm going to go talk to someone."

"Buffy, wait!" Piper called out, her voice trailing off as Buffy disappeared in a swirl of fiery flames.

South Bay Social Services

The Prince stormed through the bustling building, his presence causing desks to jostle and papers to flutter in his wake. His determination to find his beloved stirred up a commotion, drawing curious glances from those around him.

Meanwhile, Paige found herself back in the copy room, the echoes of the Prince's approach reaching her ears. Curiosity piqued, she made her way to the door, her heart pounding with a mixture of apprehension and disbelief. Peering out the window, she gasped as she caught sight of the chain mail-clad Prince striding purposefully towards her.

"At last, I found you," he declared, a warm smile lighting up his features as he finally reached her side.

"How?" Paige couldn't help but ask, her incredulity evident in her voice, just as Buffy materialized behind her in a swirl of fiery flames. "Buffy?"

Buffy flashed a reassuring smile, her eyes reflecting understanding. "Sorry, I just thought you might want someone to talk to," she explained gently, her tone filled with empathy. "You know, someone who has been in your shoes." Her gaze shifted to the Prince, her smile widening as she realized his presence. "Oh, you found the Prince."

Paige shook her head, her frustration evident in the furrow of her brow. "No, I didn't," she reiterated, her tone firm and resolute. "He found me."

"I followed your heart, my love," the Prince interjected tenderly, his gaze softening as he reached out for Paige's hand, his eyes brimming with unwavering devotion.

Paige let out a sigh of frustration, her panic mounting as she pulled the Prince into the room and hastily closed the door behind them. "You can't be here. You need to leave with Buffy before security comes," she insisted, her voice tinged with urgency.

The Prince shook his head, his determination unwavering. "I will not leave until you are with child," he declared, his voice filled with conviction.

Paige took a step back, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Okay, a) I always use protection, and b) you're a fairytale," she retorted, her frustration evident in her tone.

Undeterred, the Prince reached out to touch Paige, his expression gentle and reassuring. But she jerked away instinctively, her fear palpable. "I won't harm you," he assured her kindly, his voice filled with sincerity.

"Paige, he's under a spell. I doubt he's going to leave you alone," Buffy cautioned, her tone laced with concern.

Paige held up a hand as she was backed into one of the copy machines, her heart pounding with fear. "Just keep that sword of yours sheathed, pal," she ordered tersely, her voice tinged with frustration.

Suddenly, Paige received a sharp shock from the machine, causing her to jump forward with a yelp of pain. In an instant, the Prince and Buffy were by her side, pulling her away from the malfunctioning device.

Paige and Buffy watched in horror as the Shocker demon emerged from the copy machine, its menacing form looming over them. With a guttural growl, the demon lunged at Paige, its electrified tendrils reaching out to ensnare her.

"Paige!" Buffy cried out, her eyes wide with fear as she instinctively flicked her hand towards Paige. In a swirl of fiery flames, Paige disappeared only to reappear next to Buffy.

Meanwhile, the Prince, sensing the imminent danger, drew his sword with a swift and practiced motion. With a determined look in his eyes, he lunged forward and sliced through the middle of the demon with a decisive strike.

As the Shocker demon recoiled in agony and retreated into a nearby light socket, the Prince turned to Paige with a triumphant smile. "Fear not," he reassured her, his voice filled with pride and devotion. "I have slain the beast, my love."

Paige smiled at the Prince, her heart fluttering with affection as she replied, "You most certainly have," her voice soft and filled with admiration.

"And here I get no thank you for flaming you out of harm's way," Buffy whispered to herself, her tone laced with playful sarcasm as she cast a sidelong glance at Paige.

"Hey Paige," Mr. Cowan's voice called through the locked door, concern evident in his tone. "You all right in there?"

Meanwhile, the Prince continued to gaze at Paige with adoration, his touch gentle as he caressed her cheek. "I will stay forever by your side," he declared sweetly, his voice filled with sincerity. "Every moment of every day, you will know you are protected, desired, loved."

Paige met his gaze with a grin, her eyes sparkling with affection. "That's so sweet," she remarked, her voice tinged with genuine appreciation.

"Who knew you were a hopeless romantic, Paige," Buffy teased, a warm smile playing on her lips as she glanced affectionately at her sister.

"Paige! PAIGE!" her boss yelled, his voice echoing through the room as the security guards forcefully broke open the door. "Paige, what the hell is going on? Who is this guy?" His eyes widened in confusion as he caught sight of Buffy standing beside Paige. "And what is your cousin doing here?"

Paige bit her lip nervously, exchanging a quick glance with Buffy. Despite the tension in the air, Buffy remained composed, offering a serene smile as she casually pointed to the Prince. "Renaissance Fair," she chimed in smoothly, her tone light and breezy. "Yeah, we're trying to score tickets for the orphanage."

"Uh, yeah, see ya," Paige added hastily, her voice tinged with urgency as she and Buffy swiftly ushered the Prince towards the door, determined to make a swift exit before any further questions could be asked.

Streets of San Francisco

"Buffy," Paige called out as she navigated through the bustling streets, her voice tinged with curiosity. The Prince sat beside her in the front seat, his eyes fixed ahead, while Buffy occupied the back, casually leaning back against the seat. Paige stole a quick glance in the rearview mirror, her gaze fixed on her sister. "How did you flame me?" she inquired, her tone filled with genuine interest and a hint of awe.

"It's an expansion of my telekinetic flaming," Buffy explained matter-of-factly, her voice carrying through the car with an air of nonchalance. "You should be able to eventually do it when you get a handle on your orbing powers."

Paige nodded thoughtfully. "Really? How did you figure it out?"

Buffy smiled, reminiscing. "I remember the first time I telekinetic flamed someone. I was with Prue, Piper, and Phoebe. We were facing a mortal who was working for the Demon of Fear. I asked Prue if she thought I could flame the mortal. She was like, 'Try it.' You know how you telekinetic orb something and then thrust your hand out, sending the object toward your opponent?"

"Yeah," Paige said, nodding as she recalled using her orbing power in similar ways.

"That's what I did, but with a person," Buffy continued, her smile growing. "Threw him right into a wall." She laughed softly, the memory bringing a sparkle to her eyes. "Prue was so impressed, she made me practice until I could do it without thinking. Now it's just second nature."

Halliwell Manor

"I don't see what the big deal is," Piper voiced as she lit some candles in the attic, the flickering flames casting dancing shadows on the old walls. "You'd think she'd wanna move in here considering the dump she lives in."

"Piper," Phoebe reprimanded gently, her eyes focused on the pages of the Book of Shadows.

Piper, however, ignored her sister's attempt to soften the conversation and continued with her rant, her frustration bubbling over. "Just wait until the Shocker demon attacks her. Then she might not be so resistant to the idea," she stated knowingly, her tone a mix of exasperation and concern.

"Piper?" Phoebe interrupted again from the book, her voice carrying a note of urgency.

But Piper was too caught up in her thoughts to notice. "Then she might not be so resistant to the idea," she repeated, her mind envisioning all the ways Paige could be in danger on her own.

"Defiant, clever, and independent," Phoebe said loudly, finally capturing Piper's attention. She looked up from the Book of Shadows, meeting Piper's eyes with a serious expression. "That kinda describes Paige, don't ya think?" she asked, her tone thoughtful.

Piper snorted, "Yeah." She agreed, "Along with stubborn, stubborn, and more stubborn."

Phoebe, unfazed, continued, "Alright." She said, her tone turning more serious as she scanned the pages of the Book of Shadows. "Listen to this: A powerful witch who came to the craft late but learned to use it quickly." She turned to her sister, her eyes wide with realization. "I'm telling you, this is Paige." She stabbed the book for emphasis.

Piper raised an eyebrow, clearly impatient. "What are you getting at?"

Phoebe leaned closer, her excitement barely contained. "Well, don't you think it's a huge coincidence that Paige's fairytale just happens to be in the Book of Shadows?" she asked, her voice rising slightly. "And that this Prince just happens to show up in the 21st Century, head over heels in love with her?"

Piper frowned, her mind racing to make sense of Phoebe's words. "Okay, connect the dots, will ya?"

Phoebe sighed, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "What if it's not a fairytale? What if it's a memory?" she asked slowly, her words hanging in the air between them. "Paige's memory from a past life."

Piper suppressed a chuckle, "Now you're reaching."

Phoebe shook her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "No. No, I don't think so." She disagreed, her tone confident. "Mine and Buffy's past lives came back to haunt us." She pointed out, "Why not Paige's?" she asked, and Piper began to relent. "Think about it," she continued, her eyes gleaming with intrigue. "What if Paige was the Evil Enchantress, once upon a time?" She smirked smugly, the possibility tantalizing her.

Piper narrowed her eyes, glancing down at the Book of Shadows. "But the Enchantress' power was to conjure the elements." She pointed out, sounding quite smug herself. "Paige can't do that." She added, and Phoebe nodded in agreement.

"But we know someone who can," Phoebe replied, her voice lowering as the pieces started to fit together in her mind. "Or at least use one of them."

"Fire," Piper said, the realization dawning on her.

"What if she stole her powers from Buffy's past life?" Phoebe suggested, her voice filled with excitement. The idea was bold, but it made sense in a twisted way.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sudden appearance of a large, swirling portal in the middle of the attic. The air crackled with energy, and a chill ran down their spines.

Piper bit her lip, her instincts screaming danger. "This doesn't look good," she stated, eyes wide with alarm, as they walked cautiously around the Book of Shadows, keeping their eyes on the portal.

Without warning, the Evil Enchantress stepped out of the portal, her presence immediately dominating the room. She raised her hands and conjured a powerful gust of wind, sending both Piper and Phoebe tumbling to the ground with a forceful blast.

"Oh! Paige!" Piper barked as she struggled to sit up, her voice filled with a mix of concern and frustration.

The Enchantress's cold eyes scanned the room, her voice dripping with icy authority. "Where is the Prince?" she demanded, her tone leaving no room for defiance.

Phoebe, helping Piper to her feet, couldn't help but throw a glance her sister's way. "Still think I'm reaching?" she asked, her voice a mixture of disbelief and vindication.

"I don't believe this!" Piper cried out, her anger flaring as she regained her footing.

The Enchantress's expression hardened. With a swift motion, she raised her left hand and unleashed a bolt of fire aimed directly at them. Piper and Phoebe dove behind a sturdy piece of furniture, the flames barely missing them and scorching the air.

The Enchantress advanced, her eyes filled with malevolent intent. She aimed again, her hand crackling with fiery energy. "You cannot hide from me," she hissed, her voice echoing with dark power.

The sisters exchanged a quick, determined look. Without a word, they sprang into action, racing out of the attic and down the stairs, the Enchantress's fiery attacks trailing dangerously close behind them.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Crap!" Phoebe muttered, frustration seeping through every syllable as she extinguished the third small fire left behind in the wake of the Enchantress' attack. The acrid smell of smoke and charred wood filled her nostrils, a stark reminder of the chaos that had just unfolded. She sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion, and turned to see Piper barreling into the kitchen with her own fire extinguisher, her eyes wide with determination.

"I GOT IT!" Piper yelled, her voice echoing with urgency. She sprinted to a chair that was engulfed in flames and blasted it with the extinguisher, the foam hissing as it smothered the fire. "Living room is clear," she declared, placing the extinguisher on the ground with a thud, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead.

Phoebe nodded, a mix of relief and exasperation in her expression. "So is the kitchen. Why do you think she left so suddenly?" she questioned, referring to the Enchantress, her tone edged with a weary curiosity. "Did trashing our house become too boring for her?"

Piper shook her head, her face etched with fatigue. "She probably realized we don't have the Prince," she answered, her voice tinged with sarcasm. Then she sighed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "Great! It's not like we're having enough problems with Paige. We have to deal with her past life too?"

As if on cue, Leo orbed into the room, his presence bringing a brief moment of calm amidst the turmoil. "Okay, I found out about the Prince," he announced, his tone urgent, skipping any pleasantries. He glanced around, taking in the scorched remains of their home. "What… the hell happened here?" he asked, his voice filled with concern and disbelief.

"Paige's past life almost killed us," Piper informed him, her voice heavy with a mix of frustration and fatigue. She sighed deeply, running a hand through her hair as she tried to process the latest upheaval in their lives.

Leo frowned, his confusion evident. "What?"

"Yeah," Piper continued, nodding shortly as she tried to encapsulate the bizarre situation. "Paige, the Evil Enchantress. Same soul, different lifetimes." She spoke matter-of-factly, though the gravity of her words hung heavily in the air.

Leo looked at Phoebe, seeking confirmation. Phoebe nodded solemnly, her expression serious. Piper, seeing his bewilderment, added, "She came through some magical portal looking for Prince Carjack." She waved her hand dismissively, as if trying to brush off the absurdity of it all.

Leo took a deep breath and nodded, quickly shifting to problem-solving mode. "Okay, well, you have to stop her. You can't let her find him," he stressed, his face creasing with concern. "According to the Elders, if she conceives his heir, dark magic will rule his kingdom forever." The sisters' eyes widened in shock as they absorbed the weight of his words. He continued, "History will be rewritten. Your future—"

"Will be screwed!" Piper interrupted, throwing her hands up in frustration. "The world will plunge into darkness. Yada, yada, yada!" She rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with sarcasm, a coping mechanism against the growing pressure.

"Uh...okay, that's not helping," Phoebe snapped, looking unimpressed and more than a little annoyed. She turned to Leo, her brows furrowed in worry. "So if we vanquish past Paige, don't we risk vanquishing our Paige too?" she asked, voicing the dire concern that had been looming in the back of their minds.

Leo nodded solemnly, his expression grave. "Possibly."

"Well then fine," Piper replied, her voice filled with determination. "We won't vanquish her. We'll bind her powers and send her back in time, hopefully as a virgin." She concluded with a small, confident smile and a decisive nod, her mind already racing with potential solutions.

"One question though," she continued, her brow furrowing. "We believe that the Enchantress may have…"

"Stolen the powers of Buffy's past life," Leo finished for her, his tone serious. "She did. If you can strip those powers from the Enchantress and somehow return them to Buffy's past life…"

Piper's eyes lit up with a spark of determination. "Sounds like we need to get working on two potions," she said with renewed vigor. "One to strip the elemental powers from the Enchantress and one to bind the Enchantress' own powers."

South Bay Social Services

"What lures you to this time, my Prince?" the Evil Enchantress mused aloud, her voice dripping with curiosity and menace as she picked up his pendant from the floor, examining it closely. "Who beckons thee?"

The sound of footsteps interrupted her thoughts, and she turned her head sharply as Mr. Cowan exited his office, a briefcase in hand. "Paige?" he called, a look of confusion crossing his face.

The Enchantress looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly at the sound of the name.

"What are you still doing here so late?" Mr. Cowan asked, his tone a mix of concern and irritation. "I thought you left already?"

The Enchantress rose to her feet slowly, her movements deliberate and almost predatory. "What name did you call me?" she asked, her voice cold and uninterested, yet laced with an underlying threat.

Mr. Cowan frowned, puzzled by her strange demeanor. "Don't tell me you're in the fair too?" he said, gesturing vaguely at her outfit, clearly mistaking it for a costume. "Don't forget to lock up," he added when she didn't reply, shaking his head as he turned around and left the building.

The Enchantress watched him go, a small, disdainful smile playing on her lips. Once he was out of sight, she began to wander around the office, her fingers lightly brushing against the desks and papers, leaving a trail of unsettling energy in her wake. She moved with a sense of purpose, as if drawn by an invisible force, until she came across a picture board hanging on the wall.

Her eyes scanned the photos slowly, taking in the faces and moments captured in time. Her gaze lingered on one shot in particular, labeled "Paige and Eilish." She studied the image, her expression darkening with recognition and intrigue.

"Looking forward to meeting you...Paige," the Enchantress whispered, her voice filled with a sinister promise.

Paige's Apartment

"I still can't believe that you exist, that you're actually here," Paige gushed, her eyes wide with wonder as she sat on the couch beside Buffy. The surreal nature of the situation made her heart race with excitement and disbelief.

The Prince walked forward, his presence commanding yet gentle, and crouched in front of Paige. His gaze was steady, filled with a depth of sincerity that made her breath catch in her throat.

"I always wanted to save you from the Evil Enchantress," Paige continued, her voice trembling slightly as she turned to face him. "So you could live happily ever after." She smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed by her own words, her cheeks flushing pink.

"Be with me and I shall," the Prince replied, his voice soft and earnest. "Come with me. Live in my castle as my Princess."

Paige gazed at him in disbelief, her mind whirling. "What is it with everyone wanting me to move in with them?" she asked, her tone only partially sarcastic as she tried to process the overwhelming proposal.

Buffy sighed, her expression a mix of empathy and concern. "Paige, about that. While I understand Piper's reasons, you shouldn't do it because of that. Yes, it would be easier to protect each other with the Power of Four under one roof. But you shouldn't be pressured into moving in until you're ready."

Paige smiled in appreciation at her sister's reassurance. "Thanks, Buffy. That means a lot. Too bad Piper and Phoebe don't understand it that way," she remarked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"When I left them, Phoebe seemed to be coming around. Give it time, Piper will too," Buffy said, her tone optimistic and reassuring.

"I hope you're right, Buffy," Paige said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

As they conversed, the Prince drew Paige's attention back to him as he rose to his feet, his presence commanding yet strangely beguiling. "I can give you all the riches you desire," he said, his voice smooth as silk, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. "I can take you away from all this," he gestured around them, his words carrying the promise of a life filled with opulence and luxury.

Paige smiled softly, touched by his offer, but also wary of its implications. "As tempting as that is, I know it's just the spell talking," she said regretfully, her gaze flickering with a mix of longing and caution.

"But isn't that what true love is?" the Prince countered, his voice honeyed with persuasion as he took the seat next to her, opposite Buffy. "Falling under someone's spell?" His eyes searched hers, seeking to ensnare her heart with his words. "Just tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you, I swear."

Paige looked at him wistfully, her eyes filled with longing. "Can you make me as good as Prue?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and uncertainty, the weight of her question hanging in the air like an unspoken plea. The Prince shifted in his seat, unsure how to answer such a profound request, realizing the depth of emotion behind her words.

Buffy sighed, her expression softening with understanding. "Is that what this is all about? Prue? You don't think you're good enough?" she asked gently, her voice filled with compassion as she sought to unravel the layers of Paige's feelings.

Paige sighed, feeling a pang of guilt as she glanced at her sister. "Buffy, have you seen her room? It's like a shrine," she admitted, her voice heavy with a mixture of admiration and insecurity.

Buffy nodded in understanding, a solemn expression crossing her features. "Yeah. Where do you think this jacket came from?" she said, motioning toward the jacket she was wearing. Then, with a thoughtful gesture, she pulled out Prue's nameplate necklace from under her shirt. "Or this necklace. I'm as guilty as Piper and Phoebe. While Piper, Phoebe, and I are finally moving on, we've been grieving. Prue's death hit me and Piper the hardest. Or have you forgotten the incident with the Furies?"

Paige's shoulders slumped, the weight of her sister's words sinking in. "I see your point," she admitted quietly, her gaze falling to the floor. "It's hard to let go of things when someone close to you dies. I know because I tried to keep some of my parents' stuff when they died."

"Just as I did when my mom died," Buffy said, her voice soft with empathy. "You and I are more alike than you know. Technically speaking, we're both orphans. We both lost our parents. My mom died because of a warlock, and my stepfather, Hank, bailed on me for my seventeenth birthday, and he was absent completely for my eighteenth. Suffice to say, we've both lost people."

The Prince watched the sisters' conversation with a mixture of curiosity and determination, his resolve solidifying with each passing moment. He gently took hold of Paige's chin, turning her back to face him, his touch firm yet gentle. "Try me," he said, his voice laced with determination, a silent challenge to prove his sincerity and worthiness.

Paige met his gaze, her eyes searching his for any sign of deception or ulterior motive. There was a tension in the air as they locked eyes, a silent exchange of emotions and unspoken promises passing between them.

Just as the tension reached its peak, the Prince leaned in to kiss her, his lips hovering inches from hers, the moment pregnant with anticipation and possibility. But before their lips could meet, Leo orbed in with Piper and Phoebe, potions in hand, their sudden arrival shattering the fragile moment.

"Hey!" Piper cried out in alarm, her instinctive reaction swift as she threw out one hand, freezing the Prince in place, halting his advance.

Paige gasped, her heart racing as she jumped back, her moment of vulnerability replaced by a surge of frustration and annoyance. "What is going on with this barging in thing?" she asked, her tone edged with irritation, her patience wearing thin. She stood up, her stance defensive, her eyes flashing with a hint of anger. "This is getting ridiculous."

Buffy shook her head in exasperation as she too stood up and walked toward the group, her expression a mix of apology and frustration. "Piper."

"Sorry," Piper apologized quickly, her voice contrite as she realized her mistake. "Thought he was attacking you."

"He was kissing me," Paige replied, her voice tinged with a hint of annoyance, her patience wearing thin. "It's called kissing," she explained, her tone patronizing as she attempted to clarify the obvious, her frustration evident. "And what are you doing here anyway?" she demanded, turning her attention to Leo, her gaze sharp with suspicion. "I told you I'd call if I needed to. In fact, with Buffy here, I could just have her flame me over."

Leo sighed, his expression grave as he prepared to deliver unwelcome news. "Well, something's come up," he replied, his voice solemn. "Something you're not gonna like."

"Something worse than this?" Paige asked incredulously, gesturing around her at the chaotic scene.

"The Evil Enchantress is here," Phoebe informed her bluntly, her words landing like a hammer blow, eliciting a gasp of disbelief from Paige. "She nearly killed us trying to get to him," she added, nodding toward the Prince, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

"Oh my goddess!" Buffy gasped, her eyes widening with alarm as she watched Paige sink down slowly onto the nearest seat, the weight of the news hitting her like a ton of bricks. She turned her attention back to Piper and Phoebe, concern etched into every line of her face. "Are you guys alright?"

"We're fine, Buffy. But that's actually not the worst part," Piper informed her sisters, her voice grave as she braced herself to reveal the unsettling truth. She locked eyes with Paige, her expression solemn. "Remember how we were wondering how she cast a spell on him but he fell for you?" she asked, her words hanging heavily in the air, the implications sinking in with chilling clarity.

"Yeah?" Paige replied with a nod, her brows furrowing in confusion as she tried to make sense of the cryptic conversation unfolding around her.

"Well… that's because you're her," Phoebe said gently, her words trailing off as she struggled to find the right way to explain the unsettling revelation. "Well, I mean, she's—she's…"

"You… uh, her," Piper chimed in, her attempt to clarify only adding to the confusion. She bit her lip nervously, casting a pleading look at her husband for assistance.

Leo stepped forward, his expression calm and reassuring as he sought to provide clarity. "Look, what she means is that you were the Evil Enchantress in one of your past lives," he explained, his voice steady and matter-of-fact, though the weight of his words hung heavily in the air.

Buffy shook her head in disbelief, a sense of realization dawning on her. "I don't know why I didn't think of it before. Especially when mine and Phoebe's past life went and bit us in the ass," she remarked. "What they're trying to say is that you were the Evil Enchantress in one of your past lives."

Paige's eyes widened in shock as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, the implications of their words sinking in with a heavy finality. She felt a knot form in her stomach as she processed the revelation, a sense of unease settling over her like a dark cloud.

"And you may have been the Prince's true love in your past life," Phoebe added, her gaze meeting Buffy's with a meaningful look, a silent acknowledgment of the tangled web of fate that bound them all together. Buffy turned to face her with a raised eyebrow, her mind reeling with the implications of such a revelation.

"From what the Elders told me, the Enchantress stole her powers from your past life," Leo explained to his daughter, his voice somber as he relayed the unsettling revelation. He turned back to Paige, his expression filled with concern. "Anyways, when you read the spell in the 'Book of Shadows,' he came."

"And that's also why you remember the fairytale so well," Piper added, her eyes fixed on Paige as she and Phoebe moved closer to join the conversation, their expressions a mix of sympathy and understanding. "It's because you've actually lived it once before."

Paige stared unblinking for a few seconds, processing the weight of their words, before a forced smile spread across her lips. "Okay, I can deal with this. Yeah," she said with false cheer, her voice betraying the underlying unease that gnawed at her. "No wonder I related to her the most," she muttered under her breath, a hint of resignation creeping into her tone.

But then, she turned to her sisters sharply, a flicker of fear in her eyes. "Does this mean I'm evil?" she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty, the weight of the possibility looming over her like a dark cloud.

"Yes," Piper and Phoebe replied impulsively, their words landing with a heavy finality that caused Paige's face to fall, her heart sinking with despair.

"No," Buffy interjected firmly, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

"No," Phoebe agreed, her voice gentle as she offered a reassuring smile.

"No," Piper added firmly, her voice carrying a sense of conviction as she emphasized her point, wanting to make it clear that Paige's past self did not define who she was in the present moment.

"No, not you, just your past self," Phoebe explained gently, her words filled with reassurance as she sought to alleviate Paige's fears. "You've grown and evolved. Believe me, we… we all have. That's what we do."

"Right," Paige said, her voice steady as she absorbed Phoebe's words, a sense of relief washing over her as she realized that her past actions did not dictate her present identity.

"So, the plan is to strip and return the Enchantress' elemental powers back to Buffy's past life and then bind the Enchantress' own powers with these little potions," Piper explained, holding up two vials, one containing a purple liquid and the other a blue liquid, their contents shimmering with magical energy.

Phoebe and Leo mirrored her actions, each holding up their own vials in solidarity with the plan.

Paige nodded, her resolve firm as she made her decision. "I'll do it," she stated firmly, standing up and taking the vials from Piper's hands, her determination shining in her eyes.

"Alright, then we'll—" Piper began slowly, but her words were cut off by Paige's sudden interruption.

"No," Paige interjected firmly, already heading for the door with a sense of determination in her stride. "I mean by myself. I put you guys in danger," she admitted, her voice tinged with shame and regret. "I'll get you out of it. It's my story. I have to end it once and for all."

"Paige, I think it might be a good idea if you had someone along. I could go with you, flame you out if you get into trouble," Buffy suggested, her voice filled with concern as she stepped forward, offering her support.

Paige glanced at Buffy, considering her offer carefully. "Alright. But just you, no one else. And only if I need you," she stipulated, her tone resolute as she made her terms clear. "I still want to do this by myself. So stay on the sidelines."

Buffy sighed in resignation, understanding Paige's need for independence even in the face of danger. "Okay," she agreed reluctantly, knowing that she would have to respect Paige's wishes while still being ready to lend a hand if needed.

"But you don't know how to find the Enchantress," Leo pointed out with a furrowed brow, his expression reflecting his concern for Paige's safety as he voiced the logistical challenge ahead.

"Well, she's after the Prince, right?" Paige asked, her voice filled with determination as she formulated a plan. "We'll just backtrack and surprise her."

"There's no reason for you to do this alone," Phoebe spoke up softly, her words carrying a gentle reminder of the bond they shared as sisters. "It's not just your story anymore. You've got sisters now," she reminded Paige, her tone reassuring.

Paige's smile widened at Phoebe's words, a sense of warmth and gratitude washing over her as she realized the strength of their collective support.

"But..." Piper interjected, her voice gentle yet encouraging, "...if you wanna do this yourself? Then do it," she encouraged, her understanding smile conveying her unwavering support for Paige's decision.

Phoebe's expression shifted to one of confusion, uncertain of the sudden change in direction.

"I do," Paige replied, slightly surprised by her own conviction but grateful for the reassurance of her sisters' support.

"Yeah, if that's what you want, we'll be here, uh... with the Prince," Piper assured her, her words laced with understanding and acceptance.

Paige smiled again, a sense of determination shining in her eyes as she turned around, ready to face the challenge ahead, with Buffy following closely behind her, ready to offer her assistance.

"Why'd you let her go?" Phoebe asked, her confusion evident in her tone as she watched Paige and Buffy exit the apartment.

Piper sighed and folded her arms across her chest, a sense of wisdom in her expression as she offered her explanation. "Because it's time we realized we can't make her do something she doesn't wanna do," she pointed out wisely, her words carrying the weight of experience. Phoebe nodded in understanding, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she recognized the truth in Piper's words.

Streets of San Francisco

Paige fumbled with her keys, her hands trembling slightly as she unlocked her car door. With a sense of urgency, she and Buffy scrambled into the vehicle, slamming the doors shut behind them. As they fastened their seatbelts, their hearts pounding with adrenaline, they looked up and gasped in horror.

The Evil Enchantress was striding towards them, her presence casting a shadow of fear over the tense atmosphere. Paige's grip tightened on the steering wheel as she felt a surge of panic rising within her.

Paige started her car and hit the accelerator. But before she could make any significant distance, the Enchantress raised her hands, sending out a powerful gust of wind that slammed into the car, stalling it in its tracks.

Cursing under her breath, Paige and Buffy quickly exited the vehicle, their resolve unwavering even in the face of danger. "Remember, alone, please," Paige told Buffy firmly, her voice tinged with urgency as she emphasized the importance of her solo confrontation with the Enchantress.

Buffy sighed reluctantly, understanding Paige's need for autonomy even as she feared for her safety. She knew all too well the risks of facing powerful foes alone, having learned that lesson the hard way in her own battles against evil. With a heavy heart, she stepped back, allowing Paige to take the lead, but silently hoping that she would soon realize the necessity of having backup.

The Evil Enchantress looked Paige up and down, a sneer of disdain curling her lips. "Don't tell me I've become good in the future," she muttered, her voice dripping with contempt at the thought of redemption.

"Damn good," Paige assured, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins. She held the potions with a determined grip.

The Enchantress turned her attention to Buffy, her gaze sharp with malice. "Still good, I see, Julia?" she taunted, her voice laced with mockery as she used her cousin's childhood nickname.

Buffy's jaw clenched, her expression hardening with resolve. "So it's true," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness as she confirmed the Enchantress's admission.

"If you mean that I stole your powers, Jules," the Enchantress replied, her tone dripping with disdain as she emphasized the nickname, "then yes, it's true." With a flick of her wrist, she sent a bolt of crackling electricity at the oncoming bottles that Paige had thrown, shattering them into fragments before they could reach her.

"And here I was so looking forward to meeting myself," the Enchantress smirked triumphantly, her lips curling into a sinister grin as she reveled in her own power. With a swift motion, she threw up her hands, summoning the same powerful wind that had halted Paige's car earlier. The force of the wind slammed into Paige and Buffy, sending them hurtling backwards through the air.

The sisters soared through the air, their bodies tumbling uncontrollably until they collided with Paige's car windshield with a sickening thud. The glass cracked upon impact, the force of the blow rendering them unconscious as darkness enveloped their senses.

Paige's Apartment

"What is it?" Piper asked urgently, her heart pounding with fear as she registered the panicked look on her husband's face.

"Something's wrong," Leo answered slowly, his voice heavy with concern. "Paige and Buffy are in trouble."

Piper's breath caught in her throat as the gravity of Leo's words sank in. Without hesitation, she and Phoebe sprang to their feet, their movements fueled by adrenaline and fear. "Well, go, go, go!" Piper cried, her voice trembling with urgency as she slammed her hands onto Leo's chest.

In an instant, Leo disappeared in his usual swirl of bright orbs, leaving Piper and Phoebe alone with their mounting dread.

Before they could process Leo's sudden departure, the door flew open with a bang, and the Enchantress stood before them, a smug expression playing across her features. "Remember me?" she asked mockingly, her voice dripping with malice.

Piper and Phoebe whirled around to face the Enchantress, their expressions hardening with determination as they prepared to confront the formidable foe before them.

"Uh-oh," Phoebe muttered under her breath, her instinctual response reflecting the gravity of the situation as she edged closer to her sisters

Streets of San Francisco

Leo orbed in next to Paige's car, his heart sinking at the sight before him. Paige and Buffy lay sprawled atop the vehicle, their bodies battered and bleeding, unconscious from the brutal impact. Without wasting a moment, Leo rushed to Paige's side, his hands outstretched above her as a warm, healing glow enveloped his fingers.

Paige gasped loudly, her eyes flying open as she shot upright, her breath coming in sharp, ragged bursts. Leo didn't pause to catch his breath; he immediately turned his attention to Buffy, repeating the healing process with the same urgency and precision.

Buffy gasped loudly as she regained consciousness, her eyes wide with shock and disorientation. She quickly steadied herself, her warrior instincts kicking in as she surveyed their surroundings.

"What happened?" Leo asked, his voice filled with concern as he looked over Paige and Buffy, checking for any lingering injuries.

Paige grimaced, her face contorted with pain and frustration. "Ow!" she muttered, rubbing her aching head.

"The Evil Enchantress," Buffy replied, her voice steady despite the gravity of their situation. "She could possibly rival the Power of Four, Dad."

A loud cracking sound suddenly echoed from Paige's apartment above them, a harsh reminder of the ongoing battle.

"Oh no!" Paige gasped, her eyes widening in horror as the realization hit her. Leo quickly pulled both Paige and Buffy to their feet, his grip firm and reassuring.

Paige's Apartment

Piper and Phoebe screamed as they dived behind Paige's bed, narrowly escaping an oncoming firebolt that sizzled through the air. The room crackled with energy, the scent of burnt fabric lingering in the air.

"Come to me, my Prince," the Enchantress called softly, her voice laced with a sinister sweetness. The Prince, his eyes glazed over, walked towards her without hesitation, drawn by her dark enchantment.

With a triumphant smirk, the Enchantress gestured towards the open portal. The swirling vortex pulsed with a malevolent energy, casting eerie shadows across the room. The Prince stepped through willingly, disappearing into the unknown depths of the portal.

Phoebe and Piper shot up from behind the bed, their faces a mix of determination and panic. "WE CAN'T JUST LET HER GET AWAY!" Phoebe yelled over the cacophony of noise emanating from the portal.

"WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?" Piper shouted back, her voice tinged with doubt and frustration. "GO BACK TO THE MIDDLE AGES, THE DARK AGES, OR WHATEVER THE HELL AGES THOSE ARE?"

"EXACTLY!" Phoebe cried, her resolve hardening. She pushed herself to her feet, running towards the portal with a fierce determination. "IF WE DON'T, GOOD MAGIC WILL BE GONE FOREVER!"

Piper sighed, her heart heavy with the weight of the decision, but she knew Phoebe was right. Without further hesitation, she leapt into the portal, her form disappearing into the swirling abyss.

Just as Piper vanished, the door burst open and Paige, Buffy, and Leo stormed into the room, their expressions a mixture of shock and desperation.

"No!" Paige cried out, her voice breaking as she watched Phoebe jump in after their older sister, mere seconds before the portal closed with a deafening roar. The room fell silent, the echo of their departure lingering in the still air.

"What have I done?" Paige whispered, her voice trembling with guilt and fear. She sank to her knees, tears welling up in her eyes as she realized the gravity of the situation.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Leo continued to feel the wall that his wife and sister-in-law had disappeared through, his fingers tracing the cool surface, desperately hoping to find some way to reopen the portal. His heart pounded in his chest, each touch against the wall a desperate plea for a miracle. His frustration mounted with each passing second, a sense of helplessness threatening to consume him.

"This is all my fault!" Paige exclaimed, her voice cracking under the weight of guilt and fear as she paced back and forth, her steps quick and agitated. "You three were crazy to trust me!" She looked at Buffy, tears streaming down her face, her eyes wide with panic. "Why didn't I listen to you guys!" Her voice wavered, breaking with the intensity of her self-recrimination.

Leo sighed in frustration, his patience wearing thin. The urgency of the situation pressed on him like a physical weight. "Now isn't the time to lose it, Paige. We need to get them back." His tone was firm, yet laced with an undercurrent of desperation, each word a struggle to maintain control.

Buffy nodded, her own worry evident but tempered with determination. She walked over to her older sister and placed a comforting hand on Paige's shoulder, her touch gentle but grounding. "Dad's right, Paige. Freaking out is only gonna make things worse. It's not going to help Piper and Phoebe." Her voice was soothing, a calm amidst the storm of emotions, and she began rubbing gentle, comforting circles on Paige's back, trying to steady her.

"Get them back?" Paige echoed, her voice tinged with bitterness and fear, her eyes darting around as if searching for answers in the air. "What do we do? Hop on a bus to medieval times?" she asked sarcastically, her frustration spilling over, a bitter edge to her words.

"Paige, concentrate!" Leo said sharply, his own frustration seeping into his voice, his usually calm demeanor cracking under the pressure. "You're a powerful witch, whether you like it or not." His eyes bore into hers, a fierce intensity driving his words, urging her to focus.

"Yeah, well, I wasn't powerful enough to take out the Enchantress, was I?" Paige retorted, her voice tinged with bitterness and self-doubt. Her shoulders slumped as she struggled with the weight of her perceived failure, her eyes reflecting a storm of emotions.

"Not alone," Buffy spoke up, her tone gentle but firm. She stepped closer, her presence a steady anchor in the swirling chaos. "This time, you are going to let me help." She offered a reassuring smile, her eyes filled with unwavering support and belief in her sister's abilities.

Leo nodded, leaving the comforting to Buffy as he focused on bolstering Paige's confidence. He knew how crucial it was for Paige to believe in herself. "One thing your past life should tell you is that you've always been powerful. You still have that power inside of you. Don't be afraid to tap into it now." His voice was steady, each word a lifeline cast into the sea of Paige's doubts.

Paige turned to Buffy, her eyes searching for hope, a flicker of vulnerability showing through her tough exterior. "How can you help?" she asked, her voice softer, almost pleading for reassurance, for a way out of the darkness of her despair.

Buffy smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling with determination and love. "This is your story, right? Look inside yourself, Paige. You already know how to get us to Piper and Phoebe."

Paige sighed heavily and sat down, her mind racing as she tried to piece together a solution. "Right. This is my fairytale. This all started with a spell that brought the Prince here, so maybe if I rearrange it a little?" She looked at Buffy, who nodded encouragingly, her silent support a source of strength. "What if, instead of bringing the Prince to me, I bring myself to him?" Paige asked, her eyes lighting up with the spark of an idea.

Buffy grinned, her confidence infectious. "Yay!" she praised, clapping her hands enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with pride and joy.

Paige frowned at Buffy, her suspicion growing. "You'd already thought of that, hadn't you?" she stated, her tone a mix of annoyance and begrudging admiration.

Buffy nodded, a twinkle in her eye. "Yup! Almost immediately, but I wanted you to think of it yourself!" Her smile widened, the pride in her sister evident.

Paige rolled her eyes and stood up again, determination etched on her face. She took a deep breath, readying herself for the spell that could change everything. "Okay… 'Bring together my Prince and me. Kingdom now I wish to see. Crossing history to his side. From myself I will not hide.'" She chanted, her voice filled with uncertainty but growing stronger with each word, each syllable infused with her burgeoning confidence.

Buffy smiled proudly, her heart swelling with pride. "Nice job, sis. Not bad for your first spell."

Paige smiled back, her eyes widening in amazement as a swirling portal appeared before them. "Oh my god!" she gasped, disbelief and exhilaration mingling in her voice. "I did it, it worked!" She cried out, grabbing Buffy's hand with a mix of excitement and determination. Without hesitation, she strode forward, pulling Buffy along, both of them disappearing through the portal while Leo stayed put, a mix of concern and pride on his face.

Suddenly, both Buffy and Paige reappeared, their expressions determined and resolute. They grabbed Leo's shirt, their grips firm and unyielding. "We are so not going without you," Buffy informed her father firmly, her voice brooking no argument, before the two sisters yanked him through the portal, the swirling vortex closing behind them with a final, resounding whoosh.

October 12, 1399 – Saturday

Ravenwood Castle, England

Piper and Phoebe were chained to one of the numerous walls of the castle's dungeon, where their powers were rendered useless, and struggling was a futile effort. The cold, damp stone pressed against their backs, and the heavy chains clinked ominously with their every move.

"So…" Phoebe began as she tugged on her shackles, her voice laced with sarcasm, "You still glad you told Paige to 'go for it'?"

"Hey!" Piper snapped, irritation flaring in her eyes as she yanked at her own restraints. "You were the one who wanted us to be more sisterly towards her!"

Phoebe rolled her eyes dramatically, a sigh of exasperation escaping her lips. "Yes, but not at the expense of being trapped in the Dark Ages where our powers are useless."

Their bickering was interrupted by a soft voice. "You know..." Lady Julia, who had been silently observing, interjected, her curiosity piqued. "I still don't understand who you are." Phoebe and Piper turned to face her, their expressions wary. "What land did you come from?" she questioned, her eyes wide with innocence and confusion.

"Disneyland. Future world," Phoebe replied nonchalantly, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Phoebe!" Piper hissed, shooting her sister a reproachful look. She then turned to the young woman, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Buffy. "We're witches," she said with a strained smile. "And we have the potion that will stop the Enchantress," she boasted, her smirk a mix of confidence and defiance.

"Yeah!" Phoebe nodded vigorously, her sarcasm replaced by a burst of false enthusiasm. "Let's go get her!" she said, attempting to march forward, only to be halted abruptly by the chains. "Oops, we can't!" she laughed, turning back to Piper, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and mockery. "Because we're chained to a wall!" she cried, shaking her arms for added effect, the chains rattling noisily.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Paige, Leo, and Buffy rounded the corner, and their eyes widened at the sight before them. A very naked-looking Prince lay in bed, his expression dazed and confused, while the Enchantress, clad in a flowing nightgown, walked towards him with a predatory gleam in her eyes.

"Okay, find Phoebe and Piper," Paige instructed Leo and Buffy, her voice firm and determined. "I'll try to hold her off until you get back."

"How? Our powers don't work in the past. The only thing that does is my Slayer abilities," Buffy said, her brow furrowing in concern. "The only thing not affected by time travel is my Slayer abilities."

"Yeah, but if we really are one and the same, I should be able to tap into yours," Paige explained, her eyes flicking between the Enchantress and her sister. Her logic was a lifeline she clung to, a thread of hope in the chaotic storm. She looked at Buffy, her gaze steady. "Hurry, go get our sisters," she said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument.

Buffy nodded, her eyes filled with worry but also with trust in Paige's plan. "Be careful," she whispered, her voice tinged with a mix of fear and hope. She glanced at Leo, her resolve hardening. "Come on, Dad," she said, urgency in her tone, and without another word, she and Leo disappeared down the corridor, their footsteps echoing faintly as they hurried away.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"PIPER! PHOEBE!" Buffy cried out happily as she burst into the dungeon, Leo following closely behind, his expression a mix of relief and concern.

"SSSHH!" both her sisters hissed in unison, their eyes darting nervously towards the dungeon entrance, and Buffy cringed, realizing her mistake.

"Sorry," Buffy apologized quickly, her steps quickening as she rushed towards them, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and worry.

"Hi!" Phoebe greeted her younger sister with a warm smile, relief flooding her features at Buffy's arrival.

"Hey!" Piper's voice was filled with equal parts gratitude and urgency as she addressed her husband, her eyes locking onto his with a silent plea for help, even as she and Phoebe strained against their chains.

Leo nodded, his focus shifting to his wife and sister-in-law as he and Buffy moved to free them from their restraints, their hands working quickly to undo the shackles that bound them.

But before they could make much progress, chaos erupted. "BEHIND YOU!" Phoebe's scream pierced the air, her warning coming too late as a guard emerged from the shadows, launching himself at Leo with surprising speed and strength.

Leo barely had time to react before he was sent flying, his body crashing to the ground with a sickening thud, pain exploding through every nerve.

Buffy, caught off guard, found herself knocked off balance, her body slamming into the hard stone floor with a force that stole the breath from her lungs.

"HEY!" Piper's voice rang out, sharp and commanding, her eyes trained on her husband as she watched the unfolding chaos with a mixture of fear and determination.

"Son of a..." Phoebe's curse cut through the air as she lashed out with a swift kick, her boot connecting with the guard's face with a satisfying thud. He stumbled back, momentarily stunned by the unexpected blow, giving her and Piper a brief respite.

But the guard recovered quickly, fury burning in his eyes as he drew his sword, the metal gleaming menacingly in the dim light of the dungeon. He turned his attention to Leo, who wasted no time in seizing a sword from the wall.

"OH!" Piper's cry of alarm echoed through the dungeon as Leo narrowly dodged a sweeping strike from the guard's blade, the razor-sharp edge slicing through the air perilously close to his body. "Oh dear!" she murmured, her hands clenching into fists at her sides as she watched the dangerous dance unfolding before her.

"Are you alright?" Phoebe asked, her voice laced with worry as she surveyed Buffy for any signs of injury or distress.

"Uh-huh!" Buffy replied, her focus intent on the task at hand as she worked to free Phoebe from her shackles, her fingers deftly manipulating the locks with practiced precision. "Just hold on," she reassured Phoebe, her voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them. "I'll have you free in a minute."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Hate to interrupt myself at a time like this." Paige's voice cut through the tension, her presence suddenly making itself known amidst the chaos of the dungeon.

The Enchantress turned sharply towards her, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "How did you get here?" she demanded, her voice dripping with venom.

"I'm Charmed," Paige replied smoothly, a small smirk playing at the corners of her lips as she met the Enchantress's gaze with unwavering confidence.

The Enchantress's lips curled into a menacing sneer. "Not for long," she spat, her voice laced with malice as she raised her hand, conjuring a bolt of red energy that crackled with dark power.

But Paige was ready, her own hand already raised in defense. With a swift motion, she countered the Enchantress's attack, sending a bolt of blue light hurtling towards her adversary.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Oh god!" Piper's cry tore through the air as she watched Leo's valiant struggle, her heart clenching with fear as she witnessed him beginning to falter. "Oh god!" she cried out again, her voice laced with desperation. "He's gonna die!"

"No, he's not!" Phoebe countered fiercely, her eyes flashing with determination as she refused to entertain the possibility of defeat. "Look." She nodded towards Leo, her gaze locking onto his figure as he unleashed a sudden burst of strength, delivering a powerful headbutt that left the guard sprawled unconscious on the dungeon floor.

"Nice!" Piper exclaimed, relief flooding her features as she watched Leo emerge victorious from the intense struggle. The tension that had gripped her heart began to ease, replaced by a surge of gratitude and pride.

"Wow!" Buffy muttered, her eyes wide with amazement as she witnessed her father's display of unexpected prowess.

Leo jogged over to Piper, his expression a mix of exhaustion and relief as he reached out to her. "Leo?" Piper cried, her voice trembling with emotion as she took in the sight of her husband, battered but unbroken.

"I thought you were a pacifist?" Phoebe quipped, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips as she teased her brother-in-law. Her words were laced with admiration, her eyes sparkling with pride for the man who had just proven himself a formidable defender of their family.

Leo turned back to the guard, a flicker of concern crossing his features. "I didn't kill him, did I?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty, his eyes scanning the motionless figure on the ground.

Piper, her own shackles now freed, stepped closer to her husband, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. "I have to say... I find this side of you very sexy," she informed Leo with a flirtatious smile, her voice low and teasing.

"Really?" Leo's grin widened at her words, a hint of surprise in his expression as he wrapped his arms around Piper, pulling her close.

"Yeah," Piper confirmed, her smile widening as she melted into his embrace, the warmth of his touch sending shivers down her spine.

Buffy rolled her eyes playfully at Phoebe, who giggled in response, her own shackles now undone with Buffy's help. Phoebe threw her arms around Buffy's neck, gratitude shining in her eyes as she hugged her tightly. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

"Don't ever leave me alone like that again!" Buffy scolded, her voice shifting into an imitation of Phoebe's 'baby Phoebe' tone.

Phoebe and Piper exchanged a knowing glance, a silent understanding passing between them. Buffy's long-held fear of losing them still lingered, even in the midst of their current predicament, and it tugged at their hearts with a bittersweet reminder of the depth of their bond.

Leo helped Piper down from her shackles, a tender smile gracing his lips as he gazed down at his wife. She grinned up at him, her eyes sparkling with affection, before she boldly pulled him in for a long, passionate kiss.

"Oh, get a room!" Buffy exclaimed, her voice teasing but filled with genuine affection as she playfully chided her sister, still clinging to Phoebe, who laughed beside her.

Lady Julia, who had been quietly observing the scene, would have joined in the laughter if not for the unnerving realization that had been gnawing at her since Buffy's arrival. She couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu as she stared at Buffy, the resemblance between them strikingly uncanny.

Suddenly, a loud crash reverberated through the dungeon, shattering the lighthearted moment and drawing their attention back to the urgency of their situation. "What was that?" Phoebe asked, her voice tinged with concern, the comic relief of their banter abruptly coming to an end.

Buffy's eyes widened with alarm, her heart racing as she realized the danger that Paige might be facing. "Paige!" she cried out, her voice filled with urgency as she bolted towards the door, determination etched on her features.

"Potion! Potion! Potion!" Piper exclaimed, her voice urgent as she pounded on Leo's chest, pulling him along with her towards the source of the crash, her mind racing with thoughts of their sister's safety.

Phoebe followed close behind, her steps quickening as she joined her sisters in their race against time, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"AHHH!" Paige's cry pierced the air as she deftly dodged another blast from the Enchantress, who looked positively livid, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Don't hurt her." The Prince's voice rang out, filled with a fierce protectiveness as he stepped in front of Paige, his stance defiant. But his bravery only seemed to further enrage the Enchantress, who unleashed a powerful gust of wind that sent him hurtling backwards, crashing into the ground with a thud.

"Throw the potions!" Paige's voice cut through the chaos, her eyes locking onto her approaching sisters as they rushed to her aid, their expressions set in determination.

The Enchantress raised her arms, preparing to unleash another barrage of dark magic, but Paige beat her to it, channeling her own power into a forceful blast that sent the Enchantress soaring backwards, crashing into the unforgiving stone wall with a resounding thud.

"NOW!" Paige's command reverberated through the chamber, a sense of urgency infusing her words as Piper and Phoebe sprang into action, their hands reaching for the vials of potion they carried.

With practiced precision, Piper and Phoebe hurled their vials at the Enchantress, the glass containers shattering upon impact, releasing a thick, smoky substance that enveloped the dark sorceress in a swirling haze.

The Enchantress staggered, her movements sluggish as she struggled to regain her bearings, but when she attempted to raise her hand to summon her powers, nothing happened.

"What have you done to me!" the Enchantress cried out in dismay, her voice filled with panic and confusion as she realized that her once formidable magic had been rendered powerless by the potions' effects.

"We stripped the powers you stole from Lady Julia and bound your own powers, Enchantress," Leo replied calmly, his voice carrying the weight of authority as he addressed their defeated foe.

"No more 'kingdom come' for you," Phoebe added, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips as she stared down at the Enchantress, her eyes glittering with triumph.

Piper shook her head, her expression firm. "Not for you," she stated firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument as she reinforced their victory.

"Not now, not ever," Buffy declared, her voice echoing with finality as she stood tall beside her sisters, her gaze unwavering as she met the Enchantress's furious glare.

"How could you do this to me?" the Enchantress demanded, her voice filled with rage and disbelief as she turned her accusatory gaze towards Paige. "To us?"

"I didn't do it," Paige replied, shaking her head defiantly, her eyes blazing with righteous indignation. She gestured towards her sisters, a proud smile gracing her lips. "We did it," she corrected, her voice ringing with pride as she acknowledged their collective strength and determination.

As the Enchantress seethed on the floor, defeated and powerless, Lady Julia came flying into the room, a radiant smile lighting up her face as she rushed to her Prince's side, helping him to his feet before pulling him into a passionate kiss. The Enchantress could only watch, her pouty expression a stark contrast to the joyous reunion unfolding before her.

"I'm well, my love," the Prince assured Lady Julia, his voice soft and filled with affection as he gazed into her eyes, his hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek.

"My love?" Buffy echoed, a playful grin spreading across her face as she observed the tender exchange between the reunited couple. "Looks like it takes the kiss of true love to break the spell," she mused aloud, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"It's in every fairytale," Paige added, her arms folded across her chest as she joined in the teasing, a knowing smirk playing on her lips.

Piper's eyes lit up with excitement as she turned to Paige, her voice filled with anticipation. "Alright, super-witch!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm contagious as she addressed her younger sister. "Get us outta here!"

October 12, 1999 – Tuesday

Paige's Apartment

"Okay," Paige sighed as they all walked through the portal, which closed behind them with a final, shimmering flicker. She took in the sight of her destroyed apartment, the remnants of their magical battle scattered across the room. "Looks like I won't be getting my security deposit back," she muttered disappointedly, her eyes scanning the debris with a resigned expression.

"Yeah," Piper agreed, her voice tinged with sympathy as she surveyed the damage. "Too bad you don't have any other place to stay."

Phoebe laughed, her tone light and reassuring as she stepped over a broken chair. "It's no pressure," she assured Paige, her smile warm and encouraging. "It's totally up to you. Whenever you're ready."

"Yeah," Buffy chimed in, a casual shrug accompanying her words. "Who needs electricity?" she quipped with a playful grin. "That said, like Phoebe mentioned, there is no pressure. Whenever you're ready, be it tomorrow, next year, or next decade."

Paige bit her lip, her eyes widening slightly as she considered their offer. "I wouldn't have to stay in the basement, would I?" she asked, her voice taking on a whining tone reminiscent of a child.

Piper, Phoebe, and Buffy burst into laughter, their voices echoing through the wrecked apartment. "No!" Buffy shook her head, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Of course not! That old manor of ours has got more rooms than you think." She smiled warmly, giving Paige a reassuring wink. "In fact, I think we have the perfect room for you." She looked pointedly at Paige, a mischievous glint in her eye as she threw one of Paige's own words back at her. "A 'shrine' to re-decorate," she said with a smirk, her tone teasing but affectionate.

Paige couldn't help but smile, the warmth and camaraderie of her sisters filling her with a sense of belonging and comfort. "Okay," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "Let's go home."

October 13, 1999 – Wednesday

Halliwell Manor

Paige raced to her new bedroom door and tore it open just as the insistent knocking was about to break it down. "TA-DA!" she cried, holding out her arms dramatically as her three sisters entered the room. "What do you think?" she asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Wow!" Buffy gasped as she looked around, taking in the transformation. "Definitely no shrine here," she said with a playful wink at Paige, her eyes twinkling with approval.

"Yeah, wow!" Piper agreed, her gaze sweeping the room as she nodded appreciatively. "It's definitely different," she added, her eyes moving from one unique object to another, noting the eclectic mix of colors and styles that perfectly reflected Paige's personality.

"It's definitely you!" Phoebe stressed with a warm smile, her voice filled with genuine admiration as she looked around the room.

Paige cringed slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. "Is that a good thing?" she asked, her voice tinged with hesitation.

Phoebe swatted at her arm playfully, her touch gentle but firm. "Of course it is!" she assured her forcefully, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

Paige sighed in relief, her smile broadening. "Good, 'cause I was actually thinking the living room could use a little spicing up," she joked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Haha!" Piper cried, pointing at Paige with a look of mock astonishment. "She's funny."

"Uh-huh," Buffy agreed, her lips curling into a smile as she turned to Paige. "Don't push your luck!" she warned playfully. "Even I don't get to redecorate the living room, and I've been living here for three years."

Their laughter was abruptly interrupted by a loud knocking at the front door, the sound echoing through the house.

Phoebe groaned, her face contorting with a mix of annoyance and curiosity. "Uh… I hope that's not another one of your past lives."

Paige shook her head, her expression softening into a sad smile. "It's Glen. I asked him to stop by," she admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"Oh, the cute guy from the apartment?" Phoebe asked, her eyes twinkling with interest. "He's yummy."

"Yeah, he is," Paige agreed with a wistful smile. "But he's gonna have to be yummy in Australia. He's leaving," she informed them regretfully. "He asked me to go with him, but… I decided to pass." She shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Oh… are you disappointed?" Piper asked sympathetically, her brows knitting together in concern.

Paige shrugged again, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "A little… but it's not like I'll be lacking in adventures here," she pointed out with a smile, her spirits lifting as she looked around at her sisters. "Speaking of which," she said, her gaze shifting to Buffy, who stood near the light switch. "Shall we?"

"Hit it!" Phoebe cried with a grin, the excitement of the impending battle evident in her voice.

Buffy nodded and flicked the light switch, releasing the Shocker demon from its confinement. The room was suddenly filled with the crackling of electricity and the menacing presence of the demon.

The four sisters quickly joined hands, their unity strengthening the power of their magic. "Vanquish we four witches cry. One final shock and then you die!" they chanted in unison, their voices resonating with determination.

The Shocker demon shrieked in agony as their combined power hit it, its form exploding in a brilliant flash of light.

"Take that! You electricity-hogging asshole!" Buffy gloated with a triumphant smile, her sisters laughing in relief and exhilaration.

"Okay. Piece of cake. I gotta go," Paige announced, grabbing her bag with a sense of urgency. She paused at the door, turning to face her sisters. "And don't forget," she added with a playful smile, "if you need me, please knock." With that, she headed for the door.

Piper and Phoebe chuckled to themselves as they came to stand on either side of Buffy. "Oh, and Paige," Buffy called, stopping her older sister just before she left.

"Yeah?" Paige asked, turning back to her younger sister with curiosity.

"As someone who moved into the Manor three years ago and understands what it's like living with sisters you just met," Buffy began, her voice filled with empathy, "my door is always open if you want to talk."

Paige's expression softened, touched by Buffy's genuine offer. She walked over and enveloped Buffy in a warm hug. "Thanks, Buffy," she said sincerely, feeling the bond between them strengthen. With a grateful smile, she turned and hurried out of the room, descending the stairs with a renewed sense of belonging.

Piper watched her go, shaking her head slightly in disbelief. "And they lived... happily ever after," she said, her tone laced with a mix of skepticism and hope, referring to their new living arrangements.

"Yeah, right," Phoebe giggled, sharing a knowing look with Piper.

Buffy nodded slowly, her expression mirroring their skepticism but also filled with a tentative optimism. "Right," she echoed, draping an arm around Piper and Phoebe's shoulders. The three sisters left the room together, their steps in sync, feeling the warmth of their familial bond.