Eliza stood behind the bar at P3 going through the potions ingredients conducting the weekly inventory the last thing the resistance needed was to be unable to brew potions due to lack of supplies. It was actually Melinda's turn but Eliza needed to occupy her mind, she'd felt Chris return from the past but he hadn't checked in with the resistance yet which annoyed her no end.
"I'm sure he's just lying low and will roll in like nothings happened".
Eliza smiled at her sister in laws expectational mind reading skills "we've spoken about this Mel, do I go wading through your thoughts" the feisty white-lighter replied but couldn't help laughing.
"Where is everyone this place looks like a ghost town" Mel said observing the handful of resistance members lounging round the former night club which was one of several resistance camps normally the place was packed.
"I think most went to the sanctuary staring at walls covered in the pictures of your fallen comrades can make you depressed".
"Yeah but it was a good idea of yours it reminds us why we're doing this, I just can't stop thinking about what they'd say if they could see us all now" Mel fell into the limited memories of her mother and aunt Phoebe, she never got to know her aunt Paige.
"You should leave it to the adults" Eliza did a perfect impersonation of her late mother in law making Mel really laugh.
Suddenly her face changed settling on one that Mel knew all to well as it normally preceded trouble of one kind or another.
"Please tell me you have not just sensed a portal" the young hybrid begged of the woman who'd become a surrogate mother.
"Look I have to go, can you see if you can do something about tidying this place up, after seeing the manor turned into a museum the last thing your mother needs is to see her club looking like a college boys dorm room" she said talking about the mess.
"On it, at least we don't have to worry about up there punishing us for personal gain any more" Mel said searching for the Tidy spell.
Eliza found the place where her powers were kept and called upon her ability to orb dissolving into white and blue orbs.
The charmed ones emerged through the portal into their neurotic little white-lighters future and were surprised to see that the attic looked like a museum with black velvet ropes and large information boards.
Suddenly the room was filled with the sound of jingles as blue and white orbs appeared in front of them taking the form of the striking woman that was Eliza Naylor Halliwell. She was six foot with waist length light auburn with light copper highlights hair, almond shaped vibrant emerald eyes, prominent cheekbones, rosy lips and pale skin that was covered in scars. She was dressed in her usual combat boots, jeans, grey crop top and oversized military jacket.
The charmed ones were just getting over the shock of her arrival when she flicked her arms and all four of them were remotely orbed out before dissolving into white and blue orbs herself returning to P3. She arrived moments after them and was glad to see that Mel had worked her magic literally as everything was neatly tidied away.
"Who are you and why does my club look like a military outpost" Piper said noticing the racks of uniforms and the canvas camp beds.
"Welcome to 2026, I'm Eliza Naylor, P3 is the hub of the resistance and just one of many outposts. Most of the people who live here are our front line fighters. I think their over at the sanctuary at the moment it's got better facilities including hot showers which is always a luxury" she laughed remembering the state Chris used come home in.
"What's the resistance" Phoebe said thumbing through the ring binder that was sat on the bar containing spell and recipes.
"The resistance is everyone and anyone who doesn't wish to conform to Wyatt's rule, we try and take out as many of his allies as possible and rescue innocents. Our barracks provide a home to those we rescue and P3 acts as the HQ".
At that moment Hunter the half demon half witch shimmered in "Eliza is it true is Chris back, has he checked in yet".
"Hunter calm down remember our powers are linked to our emotions, yes Chris is back and no he hasn't checked in yet".
Mel choose that moment to step out the back office which had been converted into a kitchen with a tray of freshly baked cookies.
"El we're out of coco powder and almond essence" she said placing the tray on the bar knowing what was coming next.
"What, how much did you use I got some the day before last" Eliza said.
"Wasn't me" Mel attempted but failed to shift the blame.
"Oh ok tell me who other than you and Chris in the resistance uses the kitchen for anything other than nuking stuff in the microwave".
Mel blushed and looked down at her feet "it's just we finally had enough ingredients to make gram's recipe, I got carried away".
"Just don't make a habit of it it's getting tough to get supplies again" she snapped before orbing out so they didn't see her cry.
Suddenly Melinda realised that they weren't alone "hi I'm Melinda and this is Hunter" smiling weakly at her family.
"What was that all about" Piper said pointing to the tray of cookies left on the bar slightly confused at why Eliza flew off the handle.
"Not long ago we were down to a couple of months worth of rations the older guys ensured the kids had at least one meal a day and where possible two. To do that they themselves ate every other day, her husband secretly gave up that allowance to feed the others. He got to the point where" Mel choked on emotion unable to continue remembering how bad Chris had gotten.
"He practically wasted away, he hid the weight loose under baggy clothing but we finally found out when he collapsed that was the last straw. She was heartbroken at how bad he'd let things get so she orbed half way across the world to a country that Wyatt hasn't conquered yet and did her best to procure food" Hunter stepped in.
"When she finally got back the only trace off him was a letter he left in her pillow case that simply read 'I've going to fix this".
Just then Cole shimmered in behind the charmed one's, Hunter frowned "Dad what you doing aren't you meant to be undercover".
The charmed one's whirled around eager to see who this cute demons dad was as soon as they did they wished they hadn't.
"Eliza around it's kind of urgent" Cole said totally ignoring the sisters and Leo who were doing perfect impressions of gold fish.
"She's just left to take a personal moment she won't be long I'm sure, you want a cookie" Mel said trying to ease the tension.
"Thanks but no thanks look I can't wait forever or their start getting suspicious can't you call her or something" his voice was cold as steel.
"I can try but she's probably got us on mute having your sister in laws thoughts in your head twenty for seven is a real strain on your sanity then you chuck everyone else in and well it's hard not to go crazy. I would kno...Eliza get your bossy backside back here".
Blue and white orbs light up the room as Eliza returned "what have I told you about being polite when you call people".
"Sorry Cole made me" Mel burst into laughter at how childish that excuse sounded which helped mellow Eliza's mood.
"Cole I thought you were working your magic on Wyatt's personal guard so I'm struggling to think of a reason why you'd be here".
He rolled his eyes at the surrogate mother of the resistance "Wyatt's got Chris, it seems he sent a retriever after him".
Mel's laughter stopped abruptly "WHAT. How could you let that bastard get my brother".
"Hey I came here as soon as I heard".
"Who do you think you are calling my little boy a bastard" Piper yelled which was a big mistake as Mel had inherited Piper's temper.
"Newsflash mother Wyatt is not little, he's six foot two and the leader of the underworld. He's tortured millions but he really gets a kick out of torturing Chris and when that doesn't work torturing me and Eliza in front of Chris. Look around you, you see these pictures these are just the images of the members of the resistance killed by Wyatt and in Wyatt's name. That gold one contains your image".
Suddenly the glass vase containing tulips that someone hoped would brighten the place up exploded as Mel's emotions ran riot.
"Take a walk and cool off and try to get a control of your emotions Mel the last thing we need is you to set the place on fire" Eliza said.
Mel reluctantly orbed out in a huff.
"Hunter do me a favour and go make sure she doesn't do anything stupid".
The young demon nodded before shimmering out leaving the charmed one's stunned.
"Did she just call Piper mother" Paige said staring at the spot where Mel had just been standing.
Eliza sighed Chris was busted.
"Mel has her mothers temper and her aunts ability to keep secrets" Cole made things worse.
"Cole future consequences" she snapped.
"What dear little Melinda Halliwell revealed that already, time for a tactical retreat I think".
Eliza picked up a empty beer bottle and tossed it expertly at Cole who just managed to shimmer in time.