When Piper contracts a life-threatening tropical virus that leaves her in intensive care, and to try to save her life, Prue and Phoebe cast an 'awakening' spell. However, since the spell was used for personal gain, the sisters can no longer sleep, and Piper's sickness spreads into an epidemic as a direct consequence. Meanwhile, Prue quits her job at Bucklands and Phoebe enrolls in university.