Chapter One

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to Charmed. However I do lay claim to Sara Halliwell.

She stood tensely, waiting for him to show himself. She gazed warily around at her surroundings; it was strange to be back in her old home where so many memories were made. Sara Halliwell was shocked that her older brother Wyatt summoned her to the attic of the manor. Was shocked that he summoned her at all. The last time Wyatt had wanted to talk to his sister, it had taken five of his best demons to drag her kicking and screaming to his lair. Sara could only guess what he wanted. Chris. Ever since Chris had disappeared off his radar Wyatt had been obsessed with finding him.

Sara hated to see her once happy home, shattered and put back together as a museum. She wished more than anything that Chris had let her join him on his mission to the past, the one last stand against Wyatt and the evil empire that he had created. While she knew it must be wonderful to see your long dead or imprisoned family safe and well, Sara knew that the weight of the future would be heavy enough to destroy her. All she could do was pray that Chris was strong enough to find a way to change the demented reality he had left her in.

"All right Wyatt," she called putting her hands on her hips. "I have other things I could be doing!"

After a few moments of silence Sara knew Wyatt was just toying with her, it was after all one of his favorite things to do. She was starting to pace the attic, anxious to learn why she was there, when she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Moving closer she gazed steadily at herself. While Wyatt looked so much like their father, Sara and Chris resembled their mother in most ways except for their emerald green eyes. Her thick brown hair was falling from its ponytail in curly whisps that she pushed back behind her ears. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she noticed Wyatt's reflection over her shoulder in the mirror.

"Sara." He whispered as she turned to face him. "I thought it was better to try and let you come willingly before I lost any demons bringing you in by force."

She remained silent to his comment, it was always better to let Wyatt do the talking, and she was more then leery as to what his intentions were. She feared Wyatt above anything else; he had destroyed her world, her family, and her life. Yet through all of it Sara knew he loved her in his own twisted way.

"What? Not even a hello for your older brother?" Wyatt asked as he stepped toward her. "Mom would be so disappointed in your lack of manners."

"Mom's gone Wyatt," she whispered softly looking down at the floor her hair falling past her face blocking him from her view, something Chris told her to do if Wyatt ever got to her. 'Never let him see your pain, Sara' Chris' words echoed in her mind.

"So is our dear brother" Wyatt grated as he lifted her face. Sara grew nervous as Wyatt's eyes bored into hers. "I want to know where he is Sara, and I know you know."

"I will never tell you where he is Wyatt, I promise you that." Sara glared at him shaking her chin free of his hand. It was a bold move and she knew it. Defying him was not the smartest thing to do since he had killed many for a lot less. "I don't even know"

"Yes you do and if I have to torture it out of you…" Wyatt broke off, a thoughtful expression coming to his hardened features. He looked back at his sister, she was strong and willful, and he knew that she would never betray Chris consciously. Wyatt knew that Chris was in the past he just didn't know where. Time travel had never been his area of expertise. What he did know was that Chris would do anything for their younger sister, even if it meant giving up on his mission to change what was. Wyatt gazed at his sister; he would bring Chris back even if it meant having to sacrifice her.

Sara shrank back slightly as she watched the wheels turn in Wyatt's mind. Whatever he was thinking could not be a good thing. With a wave of his hand a demon appeared at his side and Sara shrank back farther. Dark lighters were not her favorite beings in the world.

Wyatt turned to the demon and began to speak in hushed tones; just softly enough that Sara couldn't make out what he was saying. Whatever they were talking about it, she knew it wasn't in her favor. With another wave of his hand the demon was gone and Sara was once again alone with her brother.

"Tell me Sara," Wyatt began slowly, "Where is Chris? I advise you to think very carefully about how you answer." Wyatt watched her eyes as she battled with her fear and indecision. Her face was an open book, even though her mind was closed to him.

"Just tell me where he is and I promise that neither one of you will be hurt. We could be a family again Sara. That's what you really want, isn't it?"

Sara gazed at her brother, hatred darkening her eyes. Yes she wanted to be a family again, but it was too late for that. He had taken them away from her. All she had left was an evil, twisted brother with a demented sense of humor and another brother that she prayed would soon find a way to make things change for the better. With that last thought she knew her answer. She would never let Wyatt know where Chris was or else all would be lost and she highly doubted that Wyatt planned on keeping his promise that neither of them would get hurt.

"Go to hell, Wyatt." Sara breathed in his ear. "Kill me if that's what you want but I will never tell you what you want to hear, that's a promise." She didn't have time to step away before Wyatt's hand grabbed her throat and she was lifted into the air, cutting off her airway. 'So he really has it in him to kill me as well,' was all she could think.

"I didn't want to have to do this to you Sara," Wyatt bellowed, his anger resounding off the walls of the attic. "If you do not tell me where our brother is exactly I will force you to help me summon him here and then I will kill him before your very eyes, just like I did with mom." With that he threw her against the wall where she flopped to the ground like one of her old dolls. Sara slowly got to her feet rubbing her aching neck. When she looked up she was face to face with Wyatt and the dark lighter he had dismissed only a few minutes before.

"Sara, I want you to meet an old friend of Dad's, Alec." Sara visibly shuddered. She remembered the story. Alec had almost succeeded in killing their father long before she and her brothers were born, over a charge named Daisy their dad had been protecting. What frightened her most was that she knew Aunt Prue had vanquished the dark lighter. So what was he doing here and now?

"Now tell me where Chris is." Wyatt stated in a low voice. "If you don't Alec here is going to get his revenge for losing Daisy." With that said Alec raised his crossbow ready to fire, awaiting Wyatt's command.

"No" was all she said.

"Have it your way then." Wyatt smirked and with that he nodded to Derek.

Sara watched the crossbow fire as if in slow motion. She howled in pain as the arrow embedded itself in her chest. Pain shot like fire through her body as she sank to the floor. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Tears of pain streaming down her eyes she looked up at Wyatt. How could he do this? She knew he only wanted Chris back so he could form the power of three. She hadn't actually expected him to kill her. He still needed her.

"Don't cry Sara," Wyatt said as he kneeled down to her. "That arrow isn't your typical dark lighter arrow. Poisoned yes. It will take much longer to kill you than the other would have and will be far more painful. However the only way for you to survive is if we can bring Chris back. So if you want to live you will help me." With that said Wyatt and Derek vanished leaving her in a pool of blood on the floor.

"Chris…" Sara screamed wildly into the darkness before the pain overtook her.

Back in the past Chris woke with a start. He was still shaking from his dream, his mind replaying everything. Sara, Wyatt, the dark lighter. Was it real or just a dream? He tried not to think about the way Sara had looked even before she had been shot. She had been to thin, her eyes dull. He wanted to cry as he thought to her lying on the floor by herself, hurt and alone, dying. Quickly dressing, his mind on his sister, he tried to decipher if it was a dream or real. He knew deep down that it was no dream. Wyatt had planned for him to witness what he was about to do. He also knew that he needed to get his sister away from Wyatt and find away to help her. Asking his parents or his aunts would be too risky, even though they knew who he was; he had managed to keep his sister a secret. Chris quickly orbed out to his favorite spot at the top of the Golden Gate Bridge, he needed to be able to sort his problem. Problems. He had to save Wyatt, save the future, yet he was not going to sacrifice his sister to do that. She was all he had left. He had two weeks to save his brother and he doubted more than a day to save Sara. Chris looked up at the early morning sky in utter despair, life it seemed wasn't fair. Why should he have to give up everything for his brother, the twice-blessed son? He howled in anguish and frustration as he sank to his knees, tears forming.

"SARA!"

Leo knew something was wrong, even in the beautiful morning stillness. Chris was in distress. He was amazed at the bond he was starting to form with his neurotic son from the future, even with all of Chris' struggles to pull away from him. They at least were closer then they had been when Leo had found that Chris was his second born. Setting his coffee down Leo orbed to his son hoping the boy was not in mortal danger.

What Leo found at the top of the bridge was not one of the things he had expected. Chris sat hunched on his knees staring off into the morning sun, tears streaming from his eyes. Eyes that seemed to radiate pain. He quickly walked over to his son placing a soothing hand on his shoulder. Chris neither moved, nor spoke, Leo wondered if he knew he was there at all.

"Chris?"

"Go away" came the harsh whisper. "Just leave me alone."

"I'm not going anywhere," Leo argued. It was obvious his son was horribly upset but

Leo couldn't imagine what could have set son this far over the edge. "What's wrong Chris?"

Chris was dimly aware that his father was just trying to help him; all he knew was that he wanted to be alone. Couldn't he just drop the wonderful dad act already? With that Chris lost it, jumping up glowering at his startled father.

"What's wrong is that I can't stand this, being here, seeing all of you happy and

well. Your not there in the future, he is and he kills without a thought and plays with your pain. I have to go back to that. I hate him! Why did he have to do that to her? She's all I have left, please god why?" Chris stopped as suddenly as he started while he sank back his knees. Tears were falling freely from his green eyes. "She's dying and there's nothing I can do about it. I have to go back."

"Who's dying?" Leo asked startled. He knew that is son's fiancé Blanca had already fallen victim to Wyatt's terrorizing. Was it Piper, Phoebe, or Paige? Back? He had mentioned needing to go back. But the future had yet to change.

"Sara," came his soft croak. "I have to back for Sara."

"Sara?" Leo hadn't heard the name before now. Was she a friend? Cousin? Before he more time to think Chris stood and turned his red, blurry eyes to his. There was a pleading look in them.

"I need your help to go back and get her." Chris began. He knew that before his father would let him go he was going to have to tell him who Sara really was. For once the future consequences didn't seem as important. They already knew too much as it was. Who knows what he had done in coming here. "Sara is my sister. I will not loose her. If I have to kill him to save her I will."

Leo was thunderstruck. He had a daughter, one that at this very moment seemed to be in very bad shape. Chris was willing to do horrible things and go to great length to help her. He had already known that the future was far from a happy place and his sweet son was going to torment people, even murder.

"I think we are going to need the sister's help with this." Leo carefully watched his son's reaction to his words. When Chris didn't object Leo continued. "What happen to her?"

"Alec the Dark lighter ring any bells for you?"

"What?" Leo was sure there was a mistake. "Prue vanquished him!"

"And Wyatt brought him back" Chris growled. "It doesn't matter. He shot her with some kind if new dark lighter arrow. It takes longer to kill but is far more painful. We have to go now or there will be no time. He gave her an ultimatum. Tell him where I was in the past exactly or he is going to let her die." With that said Chris orbed to the manor knowing his father would quickly follow.

Sara didn't know how long she had been lying in a heap on the floor. It didn't seem to matter. She was going to die there. Her life seemed to unfold before her eyes in quick clips. Memories of happiness before Wyatt had turned making her wish to be a young girl again. Then the memories turned dark and she tried to think of other things. She wished that she could see Chris and her family again but they were gone. All she could hope for was that Chris found a way to change the tragedy that was Wyatt. When she felt a shiver up her spine she knew that Wyatt was back. What else can he possibly want, she thought? Moaning, she turned her head so she could see him.

"Time is not on your side little sister." Wyatt said as he gazed down at her. "I want you to bring Chris back."

"I …can't."

"Oh yes you can. The spell I have won't work unless Chris wants to come back, needs to come back."

"I guess your…screwed then." She coughed, speck of blood appeared on her lips. Wyatt's hand collided with her face cause her to scream. The pain was so intense she felt as if he had stabbed her with a burning knife. He roughly grabbed her hair forcing her to look him in the eye.

"He knows your going to die. Chris saw everything that happened. Oh he will come if you call for him. He won't want to fail you like he did mom. Call him Sara!" shoving the spell in her had he orbed out.

Wyatt's words haunted her. Chris knew she was dying? He wouldn't sacrifice the future to try and save her, would he? He had to know that it was hopeless; if Wyatt caught him they will have lost. Sara rolled onto her side coughing harshly as more blood found it's way to her lips. How much longer could an arrow through the chest take to kill her? Was the poison slowing time? Sara was so close to unconsciousness when she started to fell light and airy. Was that Chris' voice she heard calling her name? Whether it was or not Sara didn't know, she just wanted to sleep.

Piper watched her son as he paced the length of the attic. He was so distraught Piper want to cry. He stopped suddenly, his head jerking to a far corner of the attic. His face went from slight relief to horror stricken. His eyes were filling with tears. Piper moved as fast as her pregnant body would let her to Chris. Whatever he saw was obviously breaking his heart. He snapped back when Piper laid a hand softly on his shoulder. He quickly looked over at his two aunts. They were just finishing up on the spell. The women and Leo had decided that it was better to use a summoning spell then sending Chris back. While Chris was doubtful that it would work, he took a small comfort in knowing that they were trying everything they could to help.

Chris thought Piper had taken the idea of a third child rather well. He could tell

she had many questions to ask yet he was grateful that she sensed the urgency in his voice and in Leo's eyes. Maybe Sara and the future still had a chance.

Once the candles were set in a large circle and the spell was finished Chris looked pleading for his family to hurry. He just hoped Sara was holding on.

"Let's hope this works" Paige voiced everyone's thought aloud.

With that Chris watched as they began to say the spell. Chris was focusing on the floor within the circle of candles that he only caught portions of the long spell

"We call…blessed be… bring forth…so Chris may see." Chris held his breath as they finished. Before he could think of much more fog seemed to fill the room clouding his view.

"Sara!" he called pushing his way forward. The fog cleared as quickly as it had appeared leaving a lifeless form heaped on the floor before him. Chris dove forward, quickly pulling her into his lap and brushing her long hair back away from face. He winced, as he looked her over. A large bruise took up her face on the right side, there was blood everywhere and she was so very pale and thin.

"Sara?" He called her softly as tears began to fall. "Sara it's Chris, please wake up, please. I can't keep going without you, please fight!" He rocked her closer to his chest burying his face in her hair. He knew that Leo was already at their side trying to heal the wound the dark lighter's arrow had left her with. Why was it taking so long?

"Chris?" He jumped at the sound of her soft voice. Lifting his head he gazed in her eyes that were identical to his own emerald green yet so full of pain.

"I here" he soothed. "You're going to be fine"

"Wyatt…wants you…back" She looked confused, terrified. "He…wants…us…power three"

"What's taking so long?" he desperately asked Leo taking his eyes off hers for no more than a moment.

"I don't know, the wound is healed but I can't rid her system of the poison. I don't…" Leo was cut off by a soft whisper.

"Daddy?" Sara struggled to focus on the figure next to Chris. It had been so long since she had last saw her dad. Could that really be his voice? She felt someone take her hand then.

Leo grasped his daughter's hand leaning toward her as she struggled to find him.

"I'm right here, baby" Leo said softly. He wanted to cry as she stilled seemed unable to find him. Slowly her eyes began to close, though the wound was healed the effects of the poison was becoming more apparent. Beads of sweat were forming, she was starting to shiver, and her skin was hot to touch. What worried Leo the most was the way she labored for each breath.

"Please Sara try," Chris whispered as his sister lost consciousness. "Please don't leave me!"

Piper watched the scene brokenly; her sisters had rushed to her side wrapping her in a large hug as they prayed Leo and Chris could save Sara. Piper felt tears begin falling down her face when she heard the soft call for a daddy. Piper looked away. It was too painful to watch. She was going to lose her daughter before she ever had her to begin with. She was startled a moment later when Chris let out a low moan of anguish.

"NOOO!"