SCREENPLAY

[vandergraafk]

The following work of art is fiction. It is based on the TV Series Charmed, an Aaron Spelling production created by Constance Burge. The author is not affiliated with Spelling Productions nor with Ms. Burge. All rights retained. All wrongs subject to vanquish! Enjoy!

ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE, PART 2

Characters

Phoebe Halliwell
Piper Halliwell
Leo Wyatt
Cole Turner aka Belthazor
Victor Bennett
Sandra, an Elder
Shax
The Source
Inspector Darryl Morris, SFPD
CSI Team Member, SFPD

Scene 1

Opening scene: Cole's lair in the Underworld. Phoebe and Leo await Cole's return.

Phoebe: It will get fixed. I know it will.

Leo: Phoebe, even if Cole does get the Source to agree, do you think he's going to let all three of you survive. I've got to get you to safety.


Phoebe: I'm not leaving till Cole returns.

Leo: Phoebe ...

Phoebe: Leo, I'm not going to discuss it. I trust Cole. You need to go back to the manor in case Cole can't warn them.

Leo: I'm not leaving you.

Phoebe: You have to. Cole will protect me.

Leo: What if he can't? What if the Source has a plan to kill both you and Cole?

Phoebe: And, if he does... Then, I'm dead anyway. Whether I am killed by the Source or remain in the Underworld trapped, the power of three is broken. But, Prue and Piper, they don't have any idea. You need to warn them. What's taking Cole so long?

Leo: Phoebe ...


Cole enters the lair. Phoebe hugs him. Leo turns towards Cole.

Cole: He accepted your terms.

Phoebe: Then you need to go immediately to warn Piper and Pure. Leo can protect me.

Cole: I don't know that I will be able to. There's something not right here. The Source agreed too easily.

Phoebe: Then, that's all the more reason for you to leave right away.

Cole: It won't be that easy. If it's a trick, then every bounty hunter will be on my trail.

Leo: I've got to get Phoebe to safety. Somewhere where the Source can't get to her.

Cole: Agreed.

Phoebe: Wait a minute! Piper and Prue, we can't forget them.

Leo: Phoebe, I know. But I've got to get you to safety first. I'll take you up there.

Phoebe: Up there?

Leo: To the Elders.

Phoebe: Is that allowed?

Leo: Under the circumstances, it's the only way I can protect you and still have time to warn your sisters.

Cole: Good idea.

Phoebe: What if the Source's henchmen come after you?

Cole: I'll say that you orbed away with Leo before I got back. He'll be angry. Besides, the Source already knows I've betrayed him.

Phoebe: Cole! I've already seen what Raynor did to you, what he made you do. I can't let the Source have you.

Cole: You have no choice. I can keep the Source at bay. What I can't do is protect you here. He can sense my location. And, if he finds me, he'll find you. Leo's right. Up there - with the Elders - that's the one place he can't get to you. Go now.

Phoebe: But .....

Cole: No, Phoebe, just do as we ask. You can't worry about me. It's you the Source'll want. I'm just a means to that end.

Leo takes Phoebe's hand and orbs her to the Elders. Scene closes as Cole turns to face Shax.

[vandergraafk]

Scene 2

Shax and Cole are face to face. Cole morphs into Belthazor, his demonic alter-ego. Cole/Belthazor launches fireball after fireball at Shax. Shax, in turn, sets the elements in swirl as he flings Belthazor against the jagged wall's of Cole's lair. Belthazor staggers to his feet and continues to launch fireball after fireball. Shax flinches, momentarily disappears, but returns in a swirl. Again, Shax flings Belthazor against the wall. Belthzaor staggers again to his feet, but much more slowly. He conjures one last, huge fireball in the hopes that he can wound Shax enough to escape. The fireball hits Shax and he disappears. Belthazor shimmers to the mausoleum where he morphs back into Cole who is visibly hurt. It appears as if Cole has severely bruised ribs.

There is no dialogue. Occasional grunts pierce the silence between fireball blasts and swirling elements. The thunk of Belthazor's body being flung against the wall of the cave resonates loudly.

Scene 3

Leo and Phoebe materialize in the heavens. The setting resembles an ancient agora from Grecian times. There are Doric pillars and marble benches A mist permeates the entire arena. A group of Elders gather about Leo and Phoebe. Sandra (an Elder) speaks first.

Sandra (covered in white, her face shrouded by her cloak): Leo, why have you brought a Charmed One here?

Leo: There's no time to explain. Time may have been reset. But, I suspect a trap. I need to keep Phoebe safe from the Source while I warn Prue and Piper.

Sandra: This is highly unusual. It violates all protocol. It was difficult enough defending you when Piper was brought here.

Leo: I know. I know. But, I think the circumstances will allow ...

Sandra: Another exception? Leo, you can't keep straying from the whitelighter manual. Your wings will be clipped.

Leo: If that's what it takes to save the Charmed Ones, then that's a risk I will take.

Sandra: I know, Leo. It's what makes you what you are. It's why you were destined to become the Charmed One's whitelighter. I will see to it that Phoebe remains safe. I'll run interference with the Council.

Leo: Thank you, Sandra. I am now even more indebted to you. But, I've gotta go if I'm to warn Piper and Prue.

Sandra: Then go. By all means, hurry!

Leo orbs to the manor as Sandra and her coterie of Elders surround Phoebe.

[vandergraafk]

Scene 4

Leo orbs into the manor, but he arrives too late. A heavily bleeding Piper lays prone on the floor of the den next to the crumpled body of her sister Prue who appears to be unconscious. Against the outer wall a very badly injured Dr. Griffiths dangles out the window. Leo attends to Griffiths first. Leo summons his whitelighter healing powers to restore Griffiths, but is unable. Dr. Griffiths has died.

Leo (under his breath): My god, I'm too late. He rushes to Piper and stops the bleeding. She has a pulse, but has not been completely healed. Leo turns to Prue. He senses that her injuries are more severe. Leo checks her pulse. He can barely register one. He applies his healing powers to Prue immediately.


Leo (his gaze to the heavens): Please, let me save her. His hands are concentrated on Prue's head where he hopes to bring her back to consciousness.

Piper (stirring, as she props herself up with her arms at her back and her hands pressed to the floor): Leo, what happened.

Leo: Now now, Piper. I've got to save Prue. I can't seem to revive her. (Turning towards the heavens again, he pleads)
( Please, I beg you. It can't end this way.

Piper: Rousing from a dazed stupor What do you mean you can't save her? You've got to save her, Leo. You've got to.

Leo: I know. I know, but I don't know whether I can.

Piper: But you can heal the injured, can't you?

Leo: Not always. Not if fate has deemed otherwise.

Piper: Fate? (Adrenalin rushing as her anger rises.) I'll be damned if we can't save Prue. After all the innocents we have saved, doesn't fate owe us?

Leo: Piper, I need to concentrate. If fate means to have her, then fate will take her. Neither I nor the Elders can undo what fate has in store.

Piper (visibly angered): LEO! Do something!

Leo: I am. I'm doing everything I can.

Piper: Well, it's not working.

Leo: I know.

After ten or so more minutes of futile attempts at resuscitation, Leo removes his healing hands, gets a table cloth from the kitchen and covers the limp body of Prue Halliwell, the eldest Charmed One and the first casualty in the battle between the Source and the Charmed Ones.

Piper (sobbing): Why didn't they let you save her, Leo? Why?

Leo (dejectedly): I don't know. Maybe if I hadn't wasted time in the Underworld or begged for Sandra's understanding?

Piper: Sandra?

Leo: An elder, one of the ones who befriended us when I took you there.

Piper: Oh yeah, the time that I don't remember at all. How much time did you lose up there?

Leo: I don't know. You know time runs more slowly in the heavens. It could have been minutes. It could have been hours. There's no way to tell.

Piper: You could have saved Prue.

Leo: I didn't know. I came to warn you.

Piper: Warn me - us - about what?

Leo: About Shax, the Source's personal assassin. He had already killed you before we reversed time.

Piper: We?

Leo: Phoebe, Cole and I. We were in the Underworld.

Piper: You were in the Underworld?

Leo: It's a long story. Time reversed itself to undo the exposure of magic. You and Prue had been exposed as witches. You died in the hospital. Prue was besieged by a SWAT team. The only way to save you was to reverse time.

Piper: But you can't reverse time.

Leo: No, I know. But Tempest can and did. Only, we had to agree that Phoebe would stay in the Underworld and ally herself to evil.

Piper: Tempest, the demon? Didn't we vanquish his sorry ass.

Leo: No, you didn't. You only defeated him. Besides, it was the only chance we had.

Piper: Well, you should have done better. You know you can't make deals with demons.

Leo: It was the only way to save you.

Piper: But, it cost Prue her life. And what about Phoebe?

Leo: She's safe. Up there. (Leo nods to the heavens)

Piper: Well, we've got to undo this. You've got to get Tempest to reset time.

Leo: I don't think that's possible.

Piper: Why not? You've done it once. Do it again!

Leo: It's not that easy.

Piper: Why? Why can't we undo this?

Leo: Magic's not exposed.

Piper: But Prue is dead.

Leo: Yes, and that's what the Source wanted: an end to the power of three. Prue's death assures that.

Piper: That's not good enough. Can't the Elders do something?

Leo: No, Tempest is the only one who has the power to reverse time. The Elders can only call upon the Cleaners to reverse time if magic has been exposed.

Piper (looking around): It looks to me as if magic has been exposed. How are you going to explain the death of Dr. Griffiths?

Leo: I don't know. But whatever the explanation, it won't have anything to do with magic. No one witnessed Shax's attack.

Piper: You hope!

Leo: I know. When Tempest reset time, I'm certain that the Source made sure that magic wasn't exposed. As a result, the Elders can't call upon the Cleaners to erase the exposure of magic.

Piper: The Cleaners? That's the second time you've mentioned them. Who are they?

Leo: They're a group of magical beings - men in white, men in black - who have been assigned to each side in order to clean up events when magic has been exposed. They can reverse time on a limited basis.

Piper: So, get them to work.

Leo: I can't. The Elders can't. Magic hasn't been exposed.

Piper: Then, let me expose some magic. What if I go outside, down to city hall, and blow up a few things. Won't that expose magic?

Leo: Yes, but it won't undo Prue's death. All the Cleaners will be able to do is reverse time to the point that you exposed magic. Prue's death would be before that. That's why you can't fix it.

Piper: So, why didn't you call on the Cleaners to fix it the first time.

Leo: They wouldn't have been able to. Too much magic had been exposed. Too much would have had to be undone. The Cleaners don't have that kind of power. Only Tempest does.

Piper: Okay, I get it. But, Leo, this is a disaster. How can I lose my older sister. What am I - what are we - going to do without her. You've got to fix this.

Leo: I can't.

Piper: Then, raise her from the dead.

Leo: Piper, you know I can't do that. I don't have the power to heal the dead.

Piper: Well, get the Elders to.

Leo: They don't have that kind of power either.

Piper: Then what good are they?

Leo: You can't mean that.

Piper: I do. I never wanted to be a witch anyway. And, I'm damned sure I don't want to be a witch if it means losing Prue. Tell them that, Leo. I want my sister back.

Leo: Piper ...

Piper: Leo, don't Piper me. I want my sister back. Get up there and demand that they do something.

Leo: I can't, Piper. There's nothing we can do. I know it's asking too much. But, you're going to have to accept that Prue has died.

Piper: Leo, I won't. If you can't - or won't - do anything. And, they won't either. Then, I'll do it myself. And, you. You need to go. You need to go NOW!

Leo: Okay, but let me finish healing you. (Leo places his hands over Piper's wounds and finishes healing her. Piper stands up and heads towards the attic to consult the Book of Shadows.)A dejected Leo reluctantly orbs back to the heavens. Facing Phoebe is not going to be any easier.

[vandergraafk]

Scene 5

Cole rouses himself. He looks around. He is alone in the mausoleum. Yet, he fears for his life.

Cole (to himself): It's only a matter of time before they track me down.

He feels his ribs and knows he has been injured. He climbs aboard one of the concrete coffins and sits upright. His ribs hurt, but the injuries are not as bad as he thought.

Cole (to himself): Maybe Leo can heal me again.

Cole waits.

[vandergraafk]

Scene 6

Leo orbs to the heavens. He is reunited with Phoebe.


Phoebe: Good, Leo, I'm glad to see you. Did you warn them?

Leo: I was too late.

Phoebe: Too late for what? You were only gone a few seconds.

Leo: Too late to warn them. Shax had already attacked.

Phoebe: And, Prue and Piper...?

Leo: Dr. Griffiths, he was dead. Piper was bleeding heavily. I stopped the bleeding. She's okay.

Phoebe: And Prue?

Leo: Phoebe, you'd better sit down. I don't know how to say this.

Phoebe: Say what, Leo. Is Prue alright? Did Shax take her?

Leo: No, Shax didn't take her, and she's not alright.

Phoebe: What do you mean: she's not alright?

Leo: Phoebe, I don't know how to tell you this.

Phoebe: (Becoming more insistent) Tell me WHAT, Leo.

Leo: I was too late. She was unconscious when I got there. I tried my best. I couldn't revive her.

Phoebe: She's dead?

Leo: Phoebe, I'm truly sorry. I wish I could undo this but I can't.

Phoebe: What do you mean you can't? Leo, you have to.

Leo: Phoebe, there's no way I can fix this. Magic wasn't exposed. Why would the Source want to reverse this event. He got what he wanted.

Phoebe: An end to the power of three. God, why did I have to save Cole.

Leo: Phoebe, don't torture yourself. No one could have foreseen what would happen.

Phoebe: Leo, I should have listened to Prue. I shouldn't have gone to help Cole as long as Shax was around.

Leo: Phoebe, how could you have known that the power of three was required to stop Shax. If anything, it's my fault. I failed you as a whitelighter.

Phoebe: Leo, it was right there, right there in the Book of Shadows. A power of three spell was required to vanquish Shax. And, I let my sisters down.

Leo: Phoebe, don't beat yourself up over this. You know as well as I do that not every spell in the Book of Shadows requires the power of three. And, your ancestors could have been mistaken. They didn't have near the power that you three have individually and together. Two witches might have been enough.

Phoebe: Yes, Leo, but it wasn't. I chose to help Cole when I really needed to protect my sisters. I made a mistake, a very fatal mistake. How can Piper forgive me? Or Prue?

Leo: Well, I don't think Piper is blaming you, at least not yet. Right now, she's really angry and she's going to need you. I should orb you back to the manor.

Phoebe: Do you think that's wise. I mean the Source must be angry that I got away.

Leo: Yes, but with Prue's death, the Charmed Ones are no longer a threat. I think we can risk it. Piper really needs you.

Phoebe: And, Cole? Leo, can you find Cole? He might need help.

Leo: It's too dangerous for me to go back to the Underworld, not now.

Phoebe: But, you have to. I can't lose both Prue and Cole.

Leo: But, Phoebe, I can't sense Cole. I could be going on a wild-goose chase.

Phoebe: Try the mausoleum. If Cole could go anywhere, it would be there. Orb me back to Piper. We've got to save Cole.

Leo: I'll go to the mausoleum, but I won't linger there. If Cole's not there, then I should be with Piper. She will need both of us to get through this.

Phoebe: Okay. God, I hope he's there. The thought of losing two loved ones on one day, I can't even imagine that. Don't let my brave exterior fool you, Leo. I need Piper just as much.

Leo: I know, Phoebe, I know. Take my hand.

Leo orbs Phoebe back to the manor to console a disconsolate Piper.

[vandergraafk]

Scene 7

Leo and Phoebe orb into the foyer. Phoebe sees the destruction from Shax's attack. It almost is like before, before time was reversed. The damage to the manor is more substantial. And, the sight of Griffiths' body draped over what remains of the window ledge causes her to even shudder.

Phoebe: Hurry, Leo, hurry.

Leo orbs away.

Phoebe: Piper? Piper, are you here.

Phoebe quickly checks downstairs and heads up to the attic in the hopes of finding Piper there. She checks Leo and Piper's bedroom as she walks by. Piper is not there. Phoebe picks up her pace. She practically races to the attic.

Entering the attic, Phoebe sees Piper slumped on the couch. She rushes to embrace her sister.


Piper (sobbing vigorously: She's dead, Phoebe. She's dead. Shax killed Prue.

Phoebe: I know, honey. I know.

Piper: I don't know what to do. I've looked in the Book of Shadows. There's nothing there. I tried to summon Grams. No one came.

Phoebe: You need to rest.

Piper: Phoebe, how can I rest when Prue is dead? What are we going to do? Without Prue, I don't want to go on.

Phoebe: As witches? Piper, we are protectors of the innocent. We have to go on.

Piper: Why? It cost Prue her life.

Phoebe: You're angry. You need to get some rest. Come downstairs with me. I'll stay with you.

Piper: How can you be so calm? Don't you realize your sister's dead?

Phoebe: Yes, Piper, I do. But, we can't worry about that now. I need you to get some rest.

Piper: Rest? Phoebe, I want revenge. I want to get the Source. I want to kill Shax.

Phoebe: We can't. We don't have the power of three. Besides, we're safe for now.

Piper: For now? Is that the best you can offer. I'll keep blasting Shax till he's vanquished with or without the power of three.

Phoebe: Honey, you're not thinking clearly. Going after Shax ... that would be suicide. We've got to look out for each other.

Phoebe pulls Piper back into her arms and gives her a long, warm hug. After a very long interlude, Phoebe gets Piper to her feet and takes her downstairs to Piper's bedroom. They lie together, as Piper drifts off to sleep.

[vandergraafk]

Scene 8

Leo orbs into the mausoleum.

Leo (whispering): Cole?


Cole makes himself visisble.


Cole: Leo? What are you doing here? Where's Phoebe?

Leo: She's okay, Cole. She wanted me to find you. She was hoping you'd be able to escape and make your way here.

Cole: I almost didn't. Shax surprised me and practically broke my ribs. I escaped, but just barely.

Leo: Are you injured badly?

Cole: Bruised ribs, maybe a couple are cracked. Nothing that can't be healed. You can heal this, can't you?

Leo: No, I don't think so. Remember the last time I tried to heal you?

Cole: Yes, but you were trying to heal a demon from a witch's attack. How could you possibly have expected to heal me? This is different. I was attacked by a demon.

Leo: Yes, Cole, but you still are a demon. Okay, half a demon.

Cole: But, a demon who did good and was attacked by evil. Shouldn't that count for something?

Leo: Maybe. But, I can't guarantee anything. If the Elders find out about this, I could lose my wings.

Cole: You could lose more. Without me to protect the power of three, the sisters are in danger.

Leo: Then, you don't know?

Cole: Know what?

Leo: Prue is dead. The Source got what he wanted. Maybe not the way he wanted it, but he still broke the Charmed Ones.

Cole: Then, that's all the more reason to heal me. Piper and Phoebe are sitting ducks if Shax comes back. They can't stop him. Not without the power of three.

Leo: You're probably right. But, I think they're safe for now. The Source got what he wanted. There's no risk in exposing magic by sending Shax after Piper and Phoebe.

Cole: But, you don't understand. The Source wants all of them dead. I can sense that. He won't give up until they are all gone. One is not enough. He needs to avenge all of the demons and warlocks who were vanquished by the Charmed Ones. Only the death of all three Charmed Ones will satisfy him and still his rivals.

Leo: You might be right. Besides, who am I to argue with an upper level demon? Listen, I'll give this a try, but I can't guarantee it'll work.

Leo extends his healing hands over Cole's rib cage. A healing glow settles over Cole's body. Unexpectedly, there is no blowback to Leo. Cole is healed. Leo removes his hands.


Leo: How do you feel?

Cole: Better.

Leo: I guess you were right. Healing a demon ... That's one for the whitelighter manual. Well, it worked. So, I guess it is okay if the demon's intentions were good and he was injured by another demon.

Cole: Yeah, whatever. Leo, I need you to get back to the sisters. If they're attacked, they will need you to heal them.

Leo: And you? What are you going to do?

Cole: I've got to be on my guard. It's only a matter of time before the Zotars catch up with me. I'll shimmer through different planes to keep them off balance. If I'm lucky I'll be able to keep one eye peeled to the sisters.

Leo: And if you're not?

Cole: It's up to you. Can you protect the sisters?

Leo: Maybe. What if we surround the manor with crystals?

Cole: What? You mean the pyrite crystals Prue nearly killed me with?

Leo: Yes, those. They can keep out demons, as well as keep them trapped.

Cole: I'll try to remember that.

Leo: Why?

Cole: Never mind. I don't plan on going back to being evil. And it's not like I'm going to let the Underworld know.

Leo: I hope not. We need to keep a few secrets.

Cole: Yeah ... back to the crystals. They would help, but only if you surround the manor. You can do that?

Leo: Yeah, Grams, the sisters' grandmother, did that a long time ago.

Cole: Thanks for the history. But if you surround the manor, I won't be to help if Shax attacks. It'd be better to surround the sisters with crystals in the attic. You can do that, right?

Leo: Definitely.

Cole: Good. Just make sure they have access to the Book.

Leo: The Book?

Cole: Demons are always trying to steal it. I can't imagine Shax would ignore it. Besides, they might need it.

Leo: Agreed. Then, I'd better go.

Cole: So, should I. I've been here too long as it is.

Leo orbs back to the manor. Cole shimmers to another plane of existence.

[vandergraafk]

Scene 9

In the Underworld. Shax is reporting to the Source.


The Source: You killed one of the witches?

Shax: Yes, the eldest one.

The Source: So, the power of three is broken. And, Belthazor?

Shax: He escaped. I wounded him, but we fought to a draw. With nobody able to heal him, he will surely die.

The Source: Good, then let the bounty hunters get him and finish him off. I need you to kill the other two witches. I want them all dead.

Shax: Now?

The Source: No, let them clean up the mess. Did you kill the doctor, too?

Shax (matter of factly): Of course.

The Source: Then, they'll have some explaining to do. We'll lie low and strike when they are most vulnerable.

Shax: I await your command, my lord.

The Source: Go, then, I will summon you when I need you. You have served me well.

[vandergraafk]

Scene 10

[Leo orbs into the attic. He fails to find Piper and Phoebe. Remaining still, Leo concentrates and uses his powers to sense the location of the sisters. He locates them and orbs to the bedroom. Leo sees the sleeping Piper. He gently nudges Phoebe. She stirs and silently slinks from the bed. Phoebe accompanies Leo into the hallway.


Phoebe (whispering): Did you find Cole?

Leo (whispering): Yes, I did. He was injured, but he's okay.

Phoebe: What do you mean he was injured.

Leo: He fought Shax to a draw and escaped with bruised ribs.

Phoebe: Did you heal him?

Leo: Phoebe, you know I shouldn't have tried.

Phoebe: What are you saying, Leo?

Leo: Cole is very persuasive. I tried and I did heal him. He's okay.

Phoebe: So, where is he?

Leo: He had to go. He's shimmering between planes.

Phoebe: Between planes? Leo, I need him.

Leo: I know, Phoebe. But, he needs to avoid demonic bounty hunters. He promised he would keep watch over you.

Phoebe: How, Leo, how? How can he protect me when he's flitting between planes to avoid bounty hunters?

Leo: I don't know, Phoebe. I trust him.

Phoebe: You do?

Leo: Yes, Phoebe, I wouldn't have been able to heal him if he weren't good. There was no violent reaction like the last time.

Phoebe: Thank you, Leo. I know it wasn't easy.

Leo: No, it wasn't. But, Cole had some good ideas. We need to protect you and Piper and the Book with crystals.

Phoebe: Crystals?

Leo: Yes, crystals. Do you remember the pyrite crystals that Prue used to trap Cole, I mean Belthazor?

Phoebe: Yes.

Leo: Well, Cole thinks. No, he knows they'll protect you from Shax. You need to surround yourself with them.

Phoebe: Where?

Leo: Cole suggested the attic. But, I think it's better if you put them here in the bedroom. Piper needs to sleep. And, you should get some too.

Phoebe: Leo, how can I sleep? If Cole thinks Shax will attack, then one of us needs to remain alert.

Leo: I agree. But, you need to remain inside the crystal cage. Do you know where Prue kept the crystals?

Phoebe: I think so. They're up in the attic. Orb me there and we'll get both the Book and the crystals.

Leo: Okay.

Leo orbs Phoebe to the attic. She locates the crystals where Prue kept them - in the trunk. Leo grabs the Book of Shadows and both head back downstairs to Piper's bedroom. Leo arrays the crystal, while Phoebe pushes a chair inside the circle and grabs a book from Piper's shelf.

Phoebe: Is everything set?

Leo: Yes, I think so.

Phoebe: Are you going to stay?

Leo: I should go.

Phoebe: You can't. Somebody's got to call Darryl. There is a dead body downstairs.

Leo: Okay. I'll call Darryl. If I need you, I'll orb back. Whatever you do, don't wake Piper.

Phoebe: Agreed.


Leo orbs downstairs and rings Inspector Morris. Phoebe begins reading, but her thoughts are elsewhere.


Darryl Morris (picking up the phone): Inspector Morris speaking. How may I help you?

Leo: Darryl. We need your help. Prue is dead, and there is a deceased doctor at the manor.

Darryl: How did this happen?

Leo: Trust me, you don't want to know.

Darryl: Demonic?

Leo: Yes, the Source sent his personal assassin after a Dr. Griffiths, chief surgeon at San Francisco Memorial. The sisters tried to protect him. They failed.

Darryl: How bad is it?

Leo: There's damage to the manor. Dr. Griffiths' body is draping over the window ledge. Prue is lying in the sitting room.

Darryl: Has anyone come a calling?

Leo: No, I don't think so. From the street, no one can see Griffiths. The neighbors are away on holiday.

Darryl: Look. Do me a favor, please. Don't touch a thing. When the CSI team arrive, just say you came home and found the two bodies.

Leo: What about the sisters?

Darryl: Are they in the manor?

Leo: Piper's asleep. And Phoebe is watching over her.

Darryl: Okay. Look, Phoebe is going to need to explain that she came home after you. Can you give Piper a sleeping pill? We've got to explain how she slept through this.

Leo: I can give her a powder whose symptoms resemble the effects of a sleeping pill.

Darryl: Good. Leo, this is going to be very tough to explain.

Leo: I know, Darryl, I know. We know you'll do your best.


Leo hangs up and orbs upstairs to the bedroom. He gives Piper a powder and apprises Phoebe of the plan.


Phoebe: Good. Besides, I can't read. I should be downstairs calling Dad and asking for his help. We've got a funeral to plan.

Leo: Can't that wait?

Phoebe: No, Leo, it can't. Prue wouldn't want it. And, Piper would insist that I do it. Besides, it will give me something to do. i just can't sit around and wait for Shax to attack.

Leo: Okay, if I can help ...

Phoebe: Leo, just you're being here is help enough. If Shax comes, then you must orb me inside the crystal cage and get Cole. Promise me you'll do that.

Leo: Phoebe, you know I will.

Leo and Phoebe walk downstairs and await Inspector Morris and the crime scene team. Phoebe is on the phone with her father while Inspector Morris is en route.

Phoebe: Dad, something awful has happened?

Victor Bennett: Are you alright?

Phoebe: Yes, Dad, I am. But, Prue is dead.

Victor: What! How could this happen?

Phoebe: We were attacked by Shax.

Victor: Shax? Attacked? Phoebe, where's Piper? And, who is Shax?

Phoebe: She's okay, Dad. She's sleeping. Leo healed her.

Victor: And Shax?

Phoebe: A demon, Dad. A very vicious demon, one we can't kill.

Victor: Did you, at least, notify the police?

Phoebe: Yes, Dad, they're on the way.

Victor: I'll be right over. Shax or no Shax.

Phoebe: Don't worry, Dad. I don't think Shax will be here, but I do need you. We need you.

Victor: I know, honey. I'll do my best.

Phoebe: Thanks, Dad, I appreciate that.

Phoebe hangs. Victor excuses himself from the office and heads to the manor. Phoebe lets Leo know that Victor is coming.

Leo: Good. It can only help.

Phoebe: I need him, Leo.

Leo: Who? Cole?

Phoebe: Well, yes, him too. But, I need Dad right now.

Leo: Good, then I'm glad you called him.

A knock at the door, a door whose shattered glass evinces a crime scene, interrupts their conversation.

Inspector Morris: Is anyone home?

Leo: Come in, Inspector Morris. Phoebe and I are waiting. I'm glad you could come so quickly.

Inspector Morris: How long has the CSI team been here?

Leo: About an hour. They've been taking pictures, examining the debris. (whispering) I don't think they have a clue.

Inspector Morris: (whispering). Let's hope not. (normal voice) I got here as quickly as I could. I'm going to need as much information from you as I can get - both of you. Is there some place we can go while the CSI unit sift through the crime scene. The coroner is en route. I expect him momentarily.

Leo: Thank you, Inspector Morris. We can talk in the sun room. Right this way.

As the crime team combs through the debris and gathers evidence, the coroner arrives and pronounces both Prue and Dr. Griffiths dead. She arranges their bodies to be taken to the morgue for autopsy.

Coroner: I may need to autopsy the victims.

Inspector Morris: Is there something odd about the wounds?

Coroner: No, not really. It appears to be severe trauma in both cases, though the victim in the window appears to have borne the brunt of the blast.

Inspector Morris: Then, you'll have to ask the families for permission. There seems no obvious reason to autopsy either body if we know what the cause of death is.

Phoebe: (whispering to Inspector Morris) Darryl, do they need to autopsy Prue? We know what killed her.

Darryl: (whispering) Phoebe, we've got to do this by the book. Prue and a prominent doctor were killed here. This is going to turn into a media frenzy.


Darryl: (to the coroner) I believe the Halliwells will not give permission for an autopsy. You can contact the immediate family of the other victim. I think his name (Darryl feigns checking his notes) ... um, Dr. Griffiths. He seems to have been a prominent surgeon. They might wish for an autopsy.

Coroner: I will make my inquiries then.

Phoebe: (whispering to Inspector Morris) Can't we keep this quiet?

Darryl: I don't see how. As soon as the coroner releases Dr. Griffiths' name to the media and when they find out that Prue was a photographer for 415 magazine, the media will be everywhere. If we keep this quiet, it's only going to make matters worse.

Phoebe: Okay, but what about our peace and quiet. Besides, we still expect another demonic attack.

Darryl: I know. but if anything looks out of the ordinary, all hell will break loose.

Phoebe: Darryl, I think hell has already broken loose.

Darryl: You know what I mean. We've got to play this by the book.

Leo: I agree with Darryl. We can try to fend off the media, but it's better to let them have their headlines. Better to have them on the lookout for unknown, but vicious assailants than to have them poking their noses around here.

Darryl: I agree.

Victor enters the house and calls to Phoebe.

Phoebe: In here, Dad.

Victor: Where? The sun room?

Phoebe: Yes, Dad, we're with Lt. Morris.

Victor enters the sun room. As he does, Lt. Morris stands up.

Inspector Morris: Ms. Halliwell, Mr. Wyatt, I believe we are done here. If there is anything else you can recall, please give me a call. Let me check with the coroner and the CSI team. We'll try to wrap this up as quickly as we can.

Victor: I appreciate that, inspector. And your name?

Inspector Morris: I'm Inspector Morris. I was a partner of Inspector Trudeau who was a friend of the deceased. And you are?

Victor: Victor Bennett, I'm the girls' father. I appreciate your coming. My daughters are devastated and I'm pleased that a friend of the family will be leading the investigation.

A member of the CSI team walks into the sun room.

CSI Team Member: Excuse me, Inspector Morris. We're almost done in here. Do you wish to take a look?

Inspector Morris: Yes, I'll be right there. Mr. Bennett, Ms. Halliwell, Mr. Wyatt, if you will excuse me.

Victor: By all means.

Inspector Morris accompanies the CSI team member into the foyer.

Inspector Morris: Any prints?

CSI Team Member: None. We did find metallic fragments of what appears to be an RPG.

Inspector Morris: An RPG?

CSI Team Member: It looks as if this was a hit job. We think the gentleman and the woman were in the sitting room standing when an explosive shell blew out the interior wall. The shock flung the man across the room and practically out the window. The woman was knocked across the room. We believe both died on impact. The coroner claims both died of severe trauma. The autopsy should affirm this.

Inspector Morris (looking around the sitting room): Then how do explain the damage to the window? It looks as if that took a direct hit.

CSI Team Member: Well, we did find some fragments over by the window. But, we think the shock of impact of the body being flung across the room took out the window. Besides, it's difficult to see how both the interior wall and the window could have been taken out with one shot.

Inspector Morris: What are you trying to say?

CSI Team Member: Just that there aren't enough fragments to explain two RPG blasts. Maybe the shell hit some metal in the interior wall and was deflected. In any event, we can pretty reasonably conclude that the gentleman was the target. He's pretty mangled. The woman died from severe head trauma, but her body was not badly hit. She must have been collateral damage.

Inspector Morris: No, officer. She was not collateral damage. She was a photographer for 415 magazine, a respected member of the community.

CSI Team Member: Sir, I didn't mean any disrespect.

Inspector Morris: I didn't think you did. You're new to the team,l aren't you?

CSI Team Member: Yes, sir. I've been with CSI for about 3 months. And this is the worst case I've been associated with.

Inspector Morris: Well, thank you. I'll expect your full report on my desk in the morning. I think we're finished here.

The CSI team pack up and leave the manor. The coroner escorts the bodies, now wrapped in black body bags, to the awaiting hearse.

Inspector Morris (turning in a whisper to Leo): We need to talk.

Leo: About what?

Inspector Morris: About the metallic shards.

Leo: It was the best I could do under the circumstances.

Inspector Morris: Yes, but this will bring in a special team. Assassination, that ups the ante quite a bit.

Leo: Well, I'm sorry. It was all I could come up with at the moment.

Inspector Morris: We'll see how this plays out. I guarantee the media are going to be all over this. And the brass are going to be all over me on this.

Phoebe: Did this just get a whole lot worse?

Inspector Morris: Not necessarily. We've got to be very, very careful. Everything - and I mean everything - has to be by the book. I suggest you get on with funeral arrangements, especially now that Leo has managed to divert attention from Prue.

Phoebe: I ... er, we (tightly clutching her father's arm) will.

Victor: Let me take care of that Phoebe. Give me a list of names and who you wish to lead the service. It's the least I can do. I never should have let you become witches.

Phoebe: Dad, don't.

Leo: Victor ...

Victor: (Victor cuts off Leo) I'm not. But, you're my daughters, and I'm your father. It's something I have to do.

Phoebe: We understand. Dad, do you mind if I rest after I give you the list. I'll stay with Piper. Leo, find Cole. I need him, too.

Inspector Morris: Well, I'm finished here. (Whispering) Keep your eyes alert and hope this doesn't get any worse. I'll hold off the media as much as I can. The last thing I want is a media circus messing with my crime scene.

Victor: Good. Phoebe, while you're working on that list, I'll call around for some contractors to shore up the ceiling. That is okay, Inspector Morris, is it not?

Inspector Morris: Yes, that's okay. CSI have taken photos and removed what evidence they could find. There's no reason not to make needed repairs.

Victor: I appreciate that.

Inspector Morris departs. Victor and Phoebe return to the sun room. Leo orbs to the bedroom to watch over Piper before heading off to find Cole.

End of Episode