I forgot a disclaimer the first time, so here:

Disclaimer: Obviously, don't own Charmed or any of the characters.

nighttime writer : I totally didn't even know that anonymous review blocker thing was on! Thank you for letting me know!

CharmedBec: And I'll update if you do! ;) lol….I love your story "False Memories".

Also, thanks to everyone else who reviewed. Here's some more :D

Leo orbed into the manor's living room, his head a whirl of confusion and guilt. He had watched Chris, his son, relive the most painful moments of his life and he was the one who had forced it!

"So?" Paige stepped out from the kitchen. "What did you find?" Piper and Phoebe followed from the other direction and stood, staring at Leo expectantly.

"Umm...he's good. Perfect, actually. Really, probably the best of any of us." He rubbed his head and walked into the kitchen as the sisters exchanged confused glances, then followed with gusto.

"What? Just like that? He's good?" Piper asked incredulously.

"Look, Piper..." He sighed. "He's been through a lot, okay? I just think that we should let him be for awhile. It was really hard on him." He sat on the couch.

"Wait. Wait a minute." Phoebe stood in front of Leo, hands on hips. "You're telling me he's clean? Nothing wrong?"

"Is there something you misunderstood from that?"

"Look,--"

"No, you look Phoebe." He got up. "We really shouldn't have pushed it, or at least, not in that way. He had to relive everything because of how we did it."

"Why do you care, though? Even if he is clean, he's still a neurotic nuisance!" Paige sniped.

"Paige. Don't." Leo muttered. "Just. Leave it be. He's good, he's clean."

"Chris?" Leo materialized outside his door at P3, waiting for an answer. It had been 3 days since he had tricked him, but the girls were starting to wonder too much. He had to talk to Chris about what was going on.

"Just a sec," Chris said from inside. He got up with a sigh and answered the door with little enthusiasm. He exaggerated a look at Leo's hands. "What, no spiked grenadine?"

"I said I was sorry." Leo said.

"Yeah, well. Sorry doesn't fix it, but whatever." He walked away from the door back to his desk and sat down. "Come on in."

"Thanks. Um...we need to talk."

"No, we don't." Chris said. He was writing continually throughout the exchange, concentrating on that.

"Chris, look at me." Leo said. Chris stayed writing. "Chris." Nothing. "Chris!"

When the younger man didn't look up, Leo's temper rose. He was usually good about keeping it, but this was serious. So...

"Hey!" Chris yelled. Leo grabbed him and forced him to orb with him to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge. Without their work. "What the hell, Leo!"

"We need to talk."

"Leo, we don't have the time to talk." He began to orb, but Leo stopped him.

"The girls are starting to ask questions."

"So let them ask." He began to orb out again, but stopped himself, a look of anxiety settling on his face. "You told them?"

"No. I'm not going to. But...you need to get back into the swing of everything. You staying away kinda looks suspicious, you understand?" Chris met his stare with a stony one but quickly began to nod.

"Yeah...makes sense." He muttered. He ran his hand through his hair. "That's it right? I can go now?"

"Actually, no. We need to talk."

"About what?"

"I think you know."

"Not the time, Leo."

"Well, when will it be the time Chris?"

"When hell freezes over, pigs fly and you become a better father. Never, Leo." He orbed out, leaving a stunned and hurt Leo standing alone on top of the bridge, feeling more solitary than ever before.

Chris sat in his room, his head spinning, blood rushing hot through his veins. He was just so angry! How dare Leo just ask him those questions, to even think he deserved to know those things.

He doesn't, he told himself. Even though he really hasn't done anything yet, he doesn't.

But he still felt bad. It was an angry outburst, a lashing out against a man who had no knowledge except for that one sliver of what he had seen. And his mother had not raised him to be like that. With a sigh, he flopped back on his bed. He was gonna have to apologize.

Meanwhile, across town, Piper sat in the bathroom, staring at the stick in her hand as it turned positive. She threw her head back against the wall with a sigh.

"Piper," a knock came with a door and then it opened slowly. She tucked the test behind her back.

"Phoebe! Why even knock?"

"Because it's polite."

"Well, you know what's not polite?" Phoebe waved the question off with a dismissive air and a fling of the hand and stood in the bathroom, looking down at her sister.

"What are you doing in here?"

Piper sighed. She was going to have to tell them sooner or later. With a roll of her eyes, she pulled the test out and shoved it toward her sister.

"I'm late." Phoebe look at the stick in confusion, then absolute shock as it registered.

"Oh my god, you're pregnant! Oh my...wait. Is Leo...? Piper!" Piper flushed and looked away. "But...maybe it's not positive. I mean, these things can be wrong right?"

"I've taken three of them." She said. "I'm pretty sure I'm pregnant. I've been throwing up for the past couple of days and this morning, I had the weirdest craving..."

"Oh man..." Phoebe slid down the wall next to her, resting on her heels. "What are you gonna do?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm gonna have a baby."

"When are you gonna tell Leo?" Phoebe asked. Piper rose slowly, shaking her head.

"I'm not."

"What!"

"Phoebe, it was hard enough for him to leave one kid. I'm just gonna let him go...up there, and I'll stay here, and..."

"And what happens when he sees the baby when he comes back? What if he comes down before the baby is born?"

"Well, I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

It was at that moment that the very subject of conversation orbed into the house. Leo walked up the hall, calling for them. Piper looked at Phoebe with wide eyes.

"Hide it."

Phoebe looked at her with taunting eyes, but did as she was told, folding it deeply in toilet paper and quickly flushed it, just as Leo came to the door.

"There you are. I've been looking for you." He leaned against the doorframe. Piper rose from the tile, slightly apprehensive now that she knew what grew inside of her, and how she knew she had to keep him from knowing.

"What for?"

"I want to talk to you. About me hanging around here a little bit longer." He paused and looked at Piper. "About us, too."

"Us?" Her voice was tight and high. Phoebe cleared her throat and started to walk toward the door.

"I think I...have to go...do something." Leo stepped aside and Phoebe strode past quickly, leaving the two alone.

"So...us."

"Yeah." He smiled softly, then chuckled a little. She squinted, analyzing his behavior. Ever since he had examined Chris, he was different. Mellow, almost, but still the cautious Leo. "I'm coming down. For awhile."

"You mean, for good?"

"I want to be here. With you, Wyatt and," He caught himself, determined to not relay the secret about Chris. "and...my family. I want to see Wyatt grow."

"You think you can just do that? Come back? Leo, you can't just jerk us around like that. It's not good for Wyatt, it confuses him." It confuses me.

"I know," He tipped his head toward her, "but I need to follow my heart, and not my head. I've missed too much already."

"Yes, you have." She walked toward him and bit her lip hesitantly. "And what was that about us?"

"You keep going back to that." He chuckled. She stepped back a little.

"Well, if you didn't mean it--" She prepared to reprimand him, but he interrupted it with a kiss. She fought it at first, but gave in as a warm feeling flushed through her. She knew she wanted it; the proof was in the stick that had just been flushed. And if he was serious...

His hand moved to her shoulder and he drove the kiss deeper, encircling her and holding her tighter until they were full blown making out right in the hall. And it would have possibly kept going further, but they were interrupted.

"Must you do this in the hall? There's a bedroom; 5 feet away." A sardonic voice came from behind and they broke apart, gasping. Piper licked her lips and shied away, readjusting her shirt and hair. Leo grinned sheepishly, and ran his hand through his hair and they both looked at their son-unbeknownst to Piper, who probably would've been more mortified had she known. However, she didn't, and gave him a look that could kill.

"Chris. What are you doing here?"

"Couldn't we ask Leo the same?"

"What Leo does-what this FAMILY does-is none of your business. And for you information, Leo's going to be here now; he's on sabbatical as an elder. So maybe you can leave."

Chris's eyes went to Leo's, and for a moment, Leo could swear he saw a glimmer of hope at the prospect of Leo staying. It was quickly replaced with a desperate one. "But we still don't know about Wyatt---"

"Again, Chris, what this family-" Piper advanced now, irritation and anger blatant on her face.

"Actually, I think he should stay; he knows things about the future what we could use." Leo interjected. Piper stood, mouth slight agape and looking between the two. She could see something there...a trust, a bond or something.

"What the hell happened last week?"

"Nothing." Both answered quickly. Too quickly for Piper's comfort, but she let it go when she saw the look they exchanged.

"Fine. Stay. Just...don't just pop in without warning, okay?"

"No problem, believe me." He raised his eyebrows, holding his hands up defensively. "Anyway, I have a lead on an underworld demon, and I just wanted to let you know I was going down there, in case you needed to get a hold of me. But I guess with Leo here, it doesn't matter."

"You're right, it doesn't." She snuffed, crossing her arms in front of her. His face looked wounded throughout this entire conversation though, and she had become less angry as the minutes passed. She didn't like Chris, but she did have a soft spot for a man who would risk his life to save her son. "But thank you for letting us know. Now, if you'll both excuse me, I have to go cook. We're having lasagna for dinner, if either of you wanted some." She disappeared down the hallway and Leo watched as Chris, unaware of it himself, let the raw pain of his mother's dislike show on his face for a few brief moments before he turned to Leo. He fumbled with his hands, sticking them in his pockets nervously as he gestured with his head toward the bedroom. Leo followed and sat on the bed, and Chris closed the door behind him.

"Look, Leo. I need to...apologize for what I said earlier. On the bridge." He spoke softly and avoided his father's eyes, licking his lips. "I...you have to try and understand where I'm coming from."

"And you have to know that I'm sorry for whatever may have happened then; but...I can do better."

"I know, and...You haven't yet done that. The whole, bad dad thing. So it wasn't right for me to yell at you like that." He shook his head. "I mean, you're a great dad to Wyatt..." Leo caught the edge and resentment in the statement and jumped up from his seated position, placing a hand on Chris' shoulder.

"And I am going to be a great dad to you." He said. Chris looked up at him, his eyes filled with doubt and hurt. He swallowed, shrugged and spoke, changing the subject.

"I have to get going." Leo looked away from his eyes and nodded, a little hurt from his son's change of subject but he had no choice but let it go.

"What about the lasagna? You know, no one makes better lasagna than Piper." He said. Chris sent him a glance.

"Then you enjoy it. I have business to attend to." He began to orb, but Leo pulled him back, Chris staring at him incredulously.

"You're not going down there alone."

"Excuse me!"

"It's too dangerous Chris."

"Who's going to stop me?"

"Me."

They didn't realize their voices were loud, and they didn't realize that, although they were indistinguishable, the girls downstairs could still there was something wrong.

"What in the hell?" Phoebe asked, looking up.

"Oh, Leo and Chris are going at it." Piper said. "Chris walked in on us making out. Possibly something because of that."

While it was true that they were bickering, she was blatantly wrong about the subject matter. Chris had tried to orb again, and Leo had just pulled him back. Now, they faced each other, Chris' face set in determination.

"You're going to stop me?"

"I think I'm doing a pretty good job so far."

"What the hell does it matter now that it's too dangerous, Leo? I've done this before."

"Because I said so, Chris. Damn, you must've been one hell of a teenager."

"Don't worry, you were never around to put up with anything!" He yelled, outraged. Leo stepped back, and Chris just stood there glaring, breathing heavily with so much anger. "Whatever. I don't fucking care. I'll eat the damn lasagna, and play nice, and then, I guess, we'll go down tomorrow."

"Chris--"

"No, Leo, don't. Just. Call me when it's ready." And with that, Chris orbed out. Leo knew where he was going, but he didn't follow. Whatever Chris had to work out, whatever he needed, the bridge was His Place.

He made his way to the kitchen where the girls stood and Wyatt sat in his high chair as his mother worked. He walked up with a smile, and scooped up the infant, who giggled with delight as his father continued playing with him by blowing on his belly. Piper smiled at the scene before her.

"He's gonna love having you home."

"I'm gonna love being home. Chris will be coming back for dinner too."

"Oh really?" Paige said, her eyebrow rose. "He's never stayed before when we invited him."

"Yeah, and didn't he have to go to the underworld? Demon investigating?" Piper asked.

"I asked him to stay. Look, we did a horrible thing last week; I'm trying to make up for it." All three looked at him, surprised. "Besides, I wanted to go down with him, so I asked him to wait until tomorrow."

The sisters exchanged questioning looks, then looked at him skeptically. Of course, they wanted to know what the hell had shaken Leo so much that his entire attitude about their neurotic white lighter. He cared for him now, in a way that was unexplainable and none of the girls could imagine what would change his demeanor so quickly.

But whatever it was, they knew they weren't going to get the answer from Leo. He avoided the question with a simple shake of the head and a change of subject. Now, Piper merely shrugged and kept arranging the dinner, happy to just have the man she loved back with the family for the time being, and even possibly for good.

Chris stared at the scene in front of him as he orbed in for dinner. His aunts sat at the table with his father and Wyatt, while his mother bustled around, the smell of her home cooking in the air. He watched as she turned, laughing and grinning, and he was reminiscent of a time when he was truly happy.

The picture was broken. When Piper saw him standing in the doorway, her happy look morphed to one of mere tolerance and she offered a tight smile.

"Chris. It's good of you to join us. There's a seat there." She nodded toward the end of the table. He nodded and muttered his thanks as he pulled out his seat and sat back. He watched at first as the family chatted and took their share of portions, totally ignoring his presence and he wondered, once more to himself, why he was there.

He had always avoided these meals that he was invited to for the mere purpose of avoiding hanging around them. He didn't want something to slip. He was also afraid, he had to admit, that he would get attached; not that he didn't love them. But attached...not when he would have to leave them and go back to a future that may not be all wine and roses.

"Chris? Chris!" He was shaken from his thoughtful stupor by Phoebe's stern voice and looked up to see 4 pairs of eyes staring at him. He grinned sheepishly.

"Sorry, I was thinking about...stuff." He cleared his throat.

"Did you want some salad?"

"Naw, I think I'll dig right in to the lasagna. If it's okay." He added the last part quickly, not wanting to seem too comfortable, too rude. They nodded and passed it to him and the familiar smell hit him square in the face. He laughed in spite of himself and quickly cut himself a piece, not noticing the crazy stares he was getting from the rest of them until he looked up. "What?"

"What are you laughing for?"

"It's just...familiar." The word wasn't his prime choice and he scowled as soon as it left his mouth. Paige shot Phoebe a questioning glance as she grabbed the pan to get some herself.

"Familiar?" Piper asked. Leo, seeing what Chris had done, decided to interject and change the subject.

"So, what did you do today Paige? You were gone all day." He saw Chris shoot him a relieved glance out of the corner of his eye, but no one else seemed to notice. Paige began to launch into her tales of Magic school, and the antics the kids had gotten into.

And they sat; each talking and laughing, and Chris found himself feeling as if he belonged. He didn't notice he was being studied by Piper, who watched as he laughed and chatted with the sisters, recalling tales of his own childhood at Magic school. She noted that he was relaxed and happy, the smile on his face neither forced nor pained. It hid nothing as did most of his expressions and she smiled as she realized she had forgotten that Chris was a 22 year old kid, with his whole life ahead of him and this huge responsibility resting on him.

God, she thought. No wonder he is so uptight all the time. She remembered back to when she found out who she was; a witch, who was supposed to fight all the evils of the world, risking her life time and time again, and no one to know about it.

The chatter continued into the night until after Piper had put Wyatt down for the night and they were all gathered in the kitchen, helping to clean up the mess the meal had left.

"So Chris, you seem to have had fun tonight." Leo said, a smile on his face. Chris genuinely smiled back.

"I did. It's...been awhile since I've been able to...have a good, home cooked meal."

"Well that, mister, is a shame." Piper said. She looked at him, resting her hands on the counter in front of her. "You know, Chris, we don't hate you. You should come around more often." He shifted uncomfortably now as he felt himself become the center of attention and the scrutiny of their stares.

"I know you don't hate me. But...I can't...get too comfortable."

"Why not?"

"Because something might slip." He said, unable to contain it. He closed his eyes in frustration. "Like that."

"Something might slip? What is the big secret about?" Paige asked. "What the hell happened last week, anyway? We never got any real answers."

"Oh, Leo did." He snapped sarcastically. "And might I add, can I have that potion? Does a great job of putting someone under, being able to intrude on their thoughts and dreams and anything else that is none. of. anyone's. business."

And suddenly, a wonderful evening began to turn sour.

"You weren't telling us anything Chris. We needed to know that you were safe."

"And the fact that I was risking my life to come here and save your nephew, Piper and Leo's son, from becoming the monster he will become, is not enough?"

"Watch it Chris." Piper warned.

"He's right." Leo murmured. They all turned their attention to him, each surprised that he had spoken up for Chris. "What I saw...we can't let that happen." Chris met Leo's gaze from across the table and he knew he wasn't necessarily talking about the evil person Wyatt might become. Chris took a deep breath.

"Look, I swear; if it gets to a point where it's necessary, I will tell you everything. But...it would be best if you all didn't know. Okay?" He was begging now, and the girls realized it. So they sighed and nodded.

"Fine."

"But," Phoebe interjected. "If anything serious happens, you have to tell us everything."

"Deal." Chris breathed. "Now, can I go? I need to rest up for tomorrow. You too, Leo."

"Yeah, I know. Am I staying here for tonight?"

"Of course." Piper replied. "You can stay in the guest room, down the hall from the Nursery."

"Sounds good. I'll see you tomorrow, Chris? Bright and early?" Chris nodded.

"I'll see you all later; and Piper, thanks for the dinner. It was delicious." She nodded in return. As he orbed out, she turned to Leo.

"There is something going on, and something happens...I swear Leo Wyatt--"

"Nothing bad, I swear on my mother's life. Let's just...get ready for bed, okay?"

"Actually, I need to talk to you." Piper looked at Phoebe's, whose eyes grew wide. She looked at Paige and motioned for the two of them to leave and eventually slid out quietly, with brief good nights to both, leaving them standing in the hall alone.

"About what?"

"Um..."

"Piper?"

She took a deep breath, wringing her hands. She was going to tell him about the pregnancy, because he was staying. She'd been thinking about it all night, throughout the dinner, watching him and how he was acting, and she knew she couldn't keep this from him.

"Piper, what is it?" Concern clouded his eyes and stepped toward her, taking her nervous hands in his own.

"I'm pregnant."