After being gone with Leo for the past month, Prue and Phoebe wonder if Piper will ever return. While reading through the Book of Shadows, the sisters discover that the ones sending all the demons to attack them are working for a group called the Triad. Later, they come to Darryl's rescue when a mortal man who is protected by a demon tries to kill him. However, the sisters have to lie about to the assistant D.A. Cole Turner in order to keep their secret safe, and as a result, the man is set free. Cole has his own secret that he uses to get rid of the demon. Upon Leo and Piper's return, they realize unless they trick the Elders, they can no longer be together.
Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.
Complete story — includes the ending
While Piper and Leo are away for a month seeing The Elders, Prue and Phoebe must face a series of demons known as Guardians, who help mortal murderers go free in exchange for the souls of their victims. After saving Darryl from a Guardian, Prue and Phoebe must testify in court, where it is later revealed that the judge and all the other people in the court room are demons. Phoebe falls in love with the District Attorney Cole Turner ( Julian McMahon ), however she does not know he is a demon sent by The Triad to kill the Charmed Ones. Meanwhile, Piper and Leo return and reveal that The Elders want them to end their relationship or else the sisters will get a new Whitelighter. However, Leo decides to propose to Piper in secret.