Oh dear lord, an update…first off, I'd like to say how sorry it's been so, so, SO long. Florida, Disney slave worker, writers block, etc, etc. But I'll try and keep it up.
I like sick Chris, so I decided to be unoriginal and incorporate him into this story. Enjoy! Hope you enjoy…but I warn, it may be awhile 'til the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em. WB does. And they're awesome.
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"Barbas!" Gideon's voice echoed in the canyon of the underworld. The demon of fear appeared, his face bored and mildly irritated.
"Yes?"
"I have a task for you, one that you will enjoy greatly."
In the underworld, Leo and Chris were orbing to the source of Piper's cries and took in the sight of her body strapped to the rock. Chris's legs went weak with relief, and he and Leo exchanged an identical look of reassurance. They kind of smiled as they realized both were trying to calm the other.
"Hello!" Piper's irritated voice cut through the air and shook the two from their silent conversation.
"Piper." Chris and Leo simultaneously breathed her name as Leo rushed toward her. He quickly unstrapped her and she rubbed her wrists, shooting irritated looks at the both of them.
"What the hell took so long!" Leo shot her an incredulous look and Chris walked over to her to help her climb lower from the rock.
"We were trying to figure out who took you!" Chris looked at Leo for some help, to calm her down because she was visibly shaken, as one would expect. Leo nodded, and moved over, grabbing her other arm.
"Piper," Leo began. "Let's just go home, get you something to eat or something."
"I just had dinner, Leo, I don't need anything." She snapped. He started, wounded by the irritated tone of her voice and she softened. "Well, maybe some ice cream."
"I'm gonna get going, then. Get some rest, maybe research some more, try and figure out who nabbed you."
"You're not staying for dessert?" She asked. He stopped and turned, his face quizzical.
"Do you want me to stay for dessert?"
"Would I have asked you to if I didn't?" She asked back, mildly irritated.
"I guess I can put it off a little bit, but we need to know who it was."
"Well, he said some stuff. I think that whoever is trying to turn Wyatt sent him after me; I just don't know why."
"See, Chris, that's why you need to stay. To help figure it out." Leo pressed. Chris fought to roll his eyes as he walked back into the kitchen and toward the freezer.
"I said I'd stay. But let's get started. If he really is working for who's after Wyatt, this could be the break I was looking for."
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Barbas appeared in the manor's entry, a grin on his face. He could hear three separate voices in the kitchen, joking and laughing, surprisingly enough, with random key demon references interjected in between.
"...see, this is good for you Chris. You seem almost human." Piper spoke, licking the last of the ice cream off the spoon and tossing it into the bowl. Leo and he exchanged a sideways glance and Chris looked down quickly, clearing his throat.
"Oh, thanks."
"Well, come on, I didn't mean it like that."
"I know, I know." He looked up and half grinned at her. It was moment of calm; they were relaxed and Chris kind of chuckled, his spoon half in his mouth when...
"Hello? Anyone home?" An unwelcome familiar voice sliced the air and popped the calm like a knife. They rose quickly and walked warily to the entrance of the home, and there stood someone hated by all in the home.
"Barbas."
"Hello, hello all. No, please, don't welcome me into your home." Piper glared at him, before snapping.
"Get out." He stared back at her and began to laugh.
"You calm down, witch. I'm not here for you, or your son." He laughed after that, the kind of laugh that meant he was laughing at something she didn't know, and she cocked her eyebrow.
"Get out. Of my home."
"Ooh, anger. That's good. Anger...partner's fear." He grinned and turned his sights on Chris. "Isn't that right, whitelighter?"
"Thanks, Yoda. And I think you should listen to her. All those hormones, she might just blow you up."
"Oh I'm not here for any of them, I'm here for you." Chris looked at him warily and exchanged a quick glance with Leo. It soon hit him though what was going on, and he hung back.
"Oh yes...the things you fear the most will come true. You will fail. And she, will die. Again. And everything you've worked so hard for will be for nothing." Leo watched as Chris' eyes grew as wide as saucers and he began to back up slowly as he stared at a spot in the dining room, and Leo knew what he was seeing.
"Chris, it's not happening...don't listen to him."
"Leo, what's going on?" Piper asked, but Leo ignored her. Chris was sinking back into the corner now, sliding down the wall into a crouched position as he began shaking his head vigorously, muttering to himself.
"Chris, don't listen to him." Leo walked to him, pressure spreading through his chest at the sight of his son crouched on the ground, his arms slung over his neck as he hung his head mumbling to himself as Barbas spoke to him. He put his hand on his head. "Come on, bud, she's okay." He whispered.
"I know, I know, it's just," Chris pulled his hands in front of him, and lifted his head, eyes shimmering with tears. "I can see her, in the corner...and there's blood on my hands..." He finished hoarsely, and lowered his head again as Leo began to murmur to him softly, trying to calm him down. Chris knew it wasn't true, Leo knew that; but the merely reality of the memory and the threat that something could happen to Piper had scared him beyond sanity.
"If you don't leave, Barbas, I'm gonna do what I should've done years ago..." Piper spoke, her voice cutting and primal angry. Being the coward he was, he recognized the threat as a genuine one and took that time to merely laugh.
"Oh, but he knows it's true...he knows it will happen." He vanished quietly from the living room and Piper stared at the spot angrily for a moment before walking to the corner where Chris sat.
"Chris?" But the young man merely shook his head. She looked at Leo worriedly. "Leo what's going on?"
"Look, I think I just need to get him to bed. And we need to figure out who enlisted Barbas to do this."
"Do what, Leo? Who is he seeing?" Leo looked at her and she knew he'd tell her something later, but for now, he bent and moved to pick up Chris.
"I'll be back; I'm just gonna orb him up to the extra bedroom." She nodded in consent and the two men dissolved into blue orbs. When they arrived, Leo was standing, cradling Chris as if he was a child, but he quickly rested him on the bed.
"Mom..." He breathed. Sweat began to lightly coat his forehead and he coughed, and Leo lowered his hand to his forehead. He pulled back as he realized it was hot and suddenly recognized that under the stress and tension of the environment, Chris had not only suffered emotionally today, but it was physically taking a toll on him.
"She's okay, Chris. It was just Barbas." Leo murmured as he awkwardly moved the young man around, taking off his shoes as he moved the covers over him.
"Leo..."
"Hey, I'm gonna go downstairs okay? I need to explain what's going on to your mom..."
"Noooo...Leo, don't tell..."
"No, don't worry, I won't. But we need her help, okay? Chris, you're sick. And I don't think it's magical. We'll get you some medicine and stuff..."
"Leo, I'm hot."
"I know, bud, I know. But we'll take care of you, no worries."
"But you..." He began to object, then settled and smiled as he coughed again before speaking. "Bud." Leo could only smile.
"Yes. Bud." He ruffled his hair, then walked out of the room and down the stairs to the kitchen, where Piper sat, her face quizzical.
"What is going on around here, Leo? I want answers. Now."
"Nothing is going on, Piper. Look," He took a deep breath. "Barbas just got to him, okay? Made him see things...look, he's upstairs, lying down, I think he's pretty sick. I'm gonna take him some medicine."
"What happened between you two? These past couple of months...there's something between you two, something you're not telling us."
"Look, Piper, there is. But I can't tell you. He...he trusts me." Leo spoke softly, the last part stated with a sort of affectionate tone.
"Whatever. You said he's sick?"
"I think so." He looked up the stairs, his face a little worried and she grew even more perplexed. How could Leo be so bonded with Chris, so concerned?
"Well, let me." He looked up at her, a confused expression on his face.
"What?"
"Oh, come on Leo," She smirked at him. "How long has it been since you've played nurse?"
"Oh, and you have?"
"I'm a mother, Leo; I take care of my sisters, too." She grabbed the medicine he had retrieved and smiled. "I'm just gonna check on him."
"Piper, I don't..."
"Look, we're close in the future, right? Friends with his mother, babysitter and all? He needs something familiar."
"Piper..."
"Here, you need some time with Wyatt; call Paige and have her bring him down, take him to the park or something."
She wasn't relenting, and he could tell. Her face was fixed into a bright smile, and she was rounding off every excuse he was coming up with. He sighed.
"Fine. I'll go to Magic school though, get Wyatt, check on things. But Piper...don't push him."
"Me?" She smiled sweetly. "Leo, I don't know what you're getting at."
"I think you do. Just...be kind to him." She softened a bit and relaxed.
"Leo, I don't despise the kid. He irritates me sometimes, but I don't hate him. He's grown on me actually a little."
Leo orbed out, but not without letting her see his apprehensive face. She made her way up the stairs, trying to figure out what there was between the two men but could come up with nothing.
She entered the room Chris was in and went over to the young man on the bed. He was sprawled there, his mouth wide open, legs askew with one half-hanging off the bed. She wiped her hand over his head, brushing the stray brown hair from his eyes. He was warm, as Leo had mentioned, but nothing to be alarmed over. If anything, the young man in front of her merely need some good rest.
"Hmmm..." He slightly moaned in his sleep, adjusting his position as he finished with a sigh. She smiled; he reminded her of Leo, who did the same. He would lay there a little, moan and roll over, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer in his sleep. She smiled as she closed her eyes, feeling his arms around, breathing the scent of him in.
"Piper? What..." He whispered, stirring in his sleep and pulling her from her thoughts, leaving her with flushed cheeks. She was embarrassed, but shook it away. Chris couldn't read her mind.
"Hey. Leo said you weren't feeling very well, figured I'd come up and give you some medicine.
He eyed her tiredly, then nodded as he began to pull himself to a seated position. "Thanks."
"He said you had a hard time today." She handed him the water and medicine, which he looked at with slight disgust. "What?"
"Nyquil? Uh, Piper...we're witches...something tells me something could be whipped up..."
"By Paige. But until she gets back, Nyquil will do you fine." She chided. He Shrugged and tossed the pills into his mouth and took a swig as he swallowed, then wiped his sleeve across his mouth and handed the glass back. She had to smile at him.
"What?"
"You just...I don't know why, but it's funny."
"I amuse you?"
"Right now, yes." She chuckled. "Now, lie down, get some rest." She lifted the covers slightly to help him slide under further, and he laid his head down. He felt slightly wrong, allowing himself to be pampered like this. He should be at his apartment, researching. He should be trying to find out why Barbas came after him-more importantly, who had sent Barbas after him, because something told him he had something to do with Barbas.
"Thanks, Piper." He blinked and yawned and looked up at her face. It was unusually soft for him; her eyes usually held a suspicious glare, and her face was usually clouded with apprehension; now, it was concerned and almost caring. Like a knife in his chest, he felt pain as he had earlier in the day, so much that he had to shift his body and look away.
"Chris?"
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"Chris, what did he make you see?"
He turned his head toward her, eyeing her. For a split second, he wanted to tell her, wanted to cry to her, wanted her to smooth his hair and tell him it was okay. But she was not her, she was not the mother he knew, and she wouldn't be for 14 years...so he looked away.
"My mother. When she died. I don't want to talk about it."
Piper stayed silent for a moment. She knew how it was, to lose a mother, especially at that point in life, when he would have needed her so. So she nodded, patted his shoulder and put the glass down on the side table, making a move to rise.
"Well, if you ever do need to talk Chris...I know, I haven't always been the nicest, or understanding. But you're here for Wyatt; and if we are close friends in the future...I'm here, if you ever need to talk. And I'm a good listener."
He was squeezing his eyes shut, breathing deeply, waiting for her to leave, but he couldn't just be silent and let her walk away without the thank you he wanted to give her; she didn't raise him that way.
He rolled over as she walked to the door. "Piper?"
"Yeah?" She turned at the doorway, resting one hand on it, one on her barely there baby bump. He smiled.
"Thanks. I don't mean to be rude...just, thanks."
She smiled and opened her mouth to speak, when she felt something deep inside of her. She was looking at his eyes, green orbs staring at her own, a slight happiness covering so much sorrow, and she felt it again. Quickening. The baby, she thought.
She suddenly had flashes; not premonitions, but small memories, a conversation with Leo she had had.
"He lost his mother, Piper, when he was a teenager..."
"You're growing closer to him..." Leo shrugged in reply.
"Happens."
The demon in the underworld was next, from earlier that day.
"What I want, is for that kid to stop meddling around in our business..."
"For one, I don't know who you're talking about..."
"You son, is who I'm talking about..."
"My son is only two. He can't do anything that would possibly bother you."
"Your other son you twit."
"You don't know..."
"Piper?" She was jolted out of her state, and her other hand went to her abdomen. She remembered feeling Wyatt when he first moved early in the pregnancy. And now, Chris looked at her with sad eyes and her mind reeled. Oh, god.
He was starting to push himself up, scared by the look on her face. She had paled suddenly and she looked like she was going to faint. He prepared to jump from the bed, to catch her when she fell. "Piper!"
"Chris..." She whispered. She had to compose herself; she couldn't let him know she knew. Not now, not at this moment. But oh god...
"Chris, what did he make you see?"
"My mother...her death. I don't want to talk about it."
"Chris, you need to get back in bed. I'm fine...just...just a little morning sickness."
"It's almost 6 at night."
"Yeah, well, it comes whenever it pleases. Just get into bed." He eyed her warily, but did as he was told.
"Call Leo; make sure everything is okay. Just...be careful." He advised gently, and she smiled tightly.
"Chris, don't worry. I'm fine. I just gotta go throw up..." She chuckled a little bit, but made sure he was lying down. "You call me, if you need anything."
"Okay. Thanks Piper. Night."
"Night, Chris."
She made sure she closed the door behind her, playing calm as she could, but tears sprang to her eyes. Oh, god.
Somehow, she ended up in the living room, where she stood in the kitchen, pouring a glass of water as she tried to process it all. She knew it, as she could feel the child move inside her again. Oh, Chris. Oh Chris...
"Leo! You had better get your ass in here right now!"
He orbed in within seconds, Wyatt in tow and he immediately knew something was up as he saw her, visibly shaken as she downed the glass of water. "Let me put Wyatt in his crib."
"Yeah, you go do that." Her voice was sharp, angry and he did what he was told as his stomach sunk. She knew. He knew she knew. Somehow...had Chris told? Or had Piper pushed, used his sickness and somewhat dazed mood to get information out of him? The idea that she would trick him irritated Leo greatly and he orbed back, prepared for a yelling match.
SMACK!
Leo reeled. Piper was a pacifist; the only time she fought was to defend her family or to vanquish a demon, and she had just slapped him. Hard!
"What the hell, Piper---"
"You knew! This entire time, you've known! Since the memories...that's what you saw! You saw me, die! You saw him, you saw everything, and you didn't tell me!" She spun on her heel and stalked into the kitchen, her back ridged, and Leo followed, his temper and a surprising protectiveness spawning inside of him.
"So you did trick him? How'd you get it out of him Piper? You must have been masterful, because I've been trying to get him to tell you for weeks and he hasn't budged. Huh? Did ya play the 'I care for you, oh let me help you' card? Thought maybe you could get something good?"
She stopped from her retreat and when she turned, Leo softened to see the tears streaming down her face.
"You really think I'm that cruel, don't you? You think I'd try and get something like that out of him, after I knew it was that hard for him. Well, Leo, I did nothing of the kind. I didn't," Her voice caught. "I felt him, Leo. In here. Felt him move inside of me." She crossed her arms in front of her. "The demon in the underworld...he said something to me and I remembered that and there were other things and...I felt him." Her voice was breaking and she just stood there, crying. "Oh god..."
"The baby moved?"
"Chris, moved. And when he looked into my eyes, I felt him inside of me. I realized it, but...Leo, he's our son." Her voice was breaking as she stared at her ex-husband, trying to figure out what was happening.
Leo walked to her and she moved to him as he opened his arms. "I know it's hard to understand...it was hard for me too."
"You should have told me," She whispered, walking into his embrace. "One of you should have told me."
"I know. But...he didn't want to, and I had to respect that..."
"One of you should have told me."
"Told you what?" Paige's voice interrupted the meeting, and Piper and Leo looked up to see the two sisters staring at them, their eyes wide with curiosity.
"What's going on?" Phoebe asked. Piper looked at Leo as she bit her lip, then turned back to her sisters.
"Chris is..." Piper caught herself as Leo nudged her back. "is sick." Phoebe eyed her sister, because she knew her all too well. Something was up, but she had no idea. But if Chris was sick, then he was.
"That sucks. Magical?"
"I don't think so," Leo began. "He just, kind of runs himself ragged trying to figure out who's turning Wyatt. I think all he's suffering from is a little burnout." Paige nodded, walking into the kitchen.
"Sounds about right. We all get it sometimes. So...potion, right?"
"If you wouldn't mind." Piper muttered.
"I...have to go to the store. I'll be back later, Piper." Leo grabbed her hand and squeezed before orbing out, leaving her alone with her sisters.
"There's something else, isn't there?" Phoebe asked. Piper looked at her, her eyes bright as she forced a smile.
"No, it's...it's fine. Everything's good. I think I'm gonna go up and make sure he's okay."
"I'm sure he's fine, Piper. Weren't you just up there?"
"He's sick, Phoebe. And aren't we supposed to be close to him in the future? Could it hurt to treat him with a little bit of kindness?" Her face had taken on a defensive, as well as determined. Phoebe could tell something was going on, yet she wasn't going to find out then.
"Fine, whatever." She snatched at her purse. "I'm going to the office...I'm gonna go answer some letters or something."
"Phoebe." Her voice was an exhausted one, and Phoebe stopped at the door.
"What?" She turned, and Piper's face was strained. "Piper, just tell me what is really going on."
She wanted to. She wanted to sit down with Phoebe and talk through this all. But she couldn't. She would feel awful about letting Chris' secret out before he knew that she knew about it.
"Not just yet. But, I swear, you will be the first I talk to about it." Phoebe just shook her head.
"Fine. Okay." she smiled to reassure her sister before she spoke again. "I do have to go though."
"I know. I'll see you tonight, k?"
"Mmhmm." Phoebe shifted her purse to her shoulder and with a quick smile was out the door, leaving Piper again alone with her thoughts. She could hear Paige riffling through the kitchen and looked toward the stairs.
"Paige?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm gonna go check on him again. Are you figuring out something?"
"Of course." She appeared at the opening to the kitchen. "It's gonna take about an hour though. I need some herbs, so I'm gonna go get it. But I'll let you know when I'm done."
"So I'm stuck here with him by myself?" Piper asked cautiously.
"He's sick, Piper. He's not gonna bite."
"I know." Paige could see the uneasiness on her face and chalked it up to the fact that Piper and Chris didn't really get along, no way knowing what the truth really was and that Piper's biggest fear is that Chris would awaken and she would spill the secret. Even though she needed to.
Paige orbed out, and Piper was left alone as she stared at the stairs. Slowly, she began to climb them. She got to the bedroom door, cracked so she could glance inside and he was laying in the bed, his lips moving slightly as he lightly tossed and turned. She opened the door and walked to his side, sitting softly on the side. His murmuring was inaudible, but he was experiencing some angst. She slid her hand into his, and began to rub his hand. His forehead was creased in anguish, his head turning and twisting and she knew it had to be about the murder. She closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall, drifting to sleep and not noticing how Chris had calmed, his restlessness dissipating with each swipe of her thumb.
"Piper?" She didn't know how long she'd been out; it couldn't have been long though. Paige, nor Leo, was back yet, and it didn't seem like that long at all. She looked down at his whisper though and peered into his eyes; Leo's eyes.
"Hey, Chris. How are you feeling?"
"Better." He tried to push himself up and noticed her hand in his. He glanced at her suspiciously and she met his gaze for a moment before looking away.
"That's good." She pulled her hand away and quickly rose up. "Paige ran out to get some stuff for a potion. But you do need to rest."
"And have you rested?" His tone was warm and concerned as he sat up. She glanced back in time to see his eyes go wide and put a hand to his head.
"Don't you worry about me," She lightly scolded, "You are the one who is sick. You need the rest. I'm just pregnant. It's normal for the baby---" The words caught in her throat when she got the baby, being as he was staring right her, his eyes wide and encouraging.
"Piper?"
"I can't...I can't do this. Chris, you should've told me."
He looked into her face, her eyes filling with tears and he felt a surge of anger.
"Leo." He growled, forcing himself up and ready to orb when Piper put her hand on his chest.
"No! No, not Leo." She said. "You...you..." She trailed off, her hand going to her abdomen and she sighed. "You." was all she could muster.
He didn't know what she meant, nor what to do. He had a fight or flight moment, and he made a snap decision. Before Piper could stop him, his body turned into a mass of blue, swirling orbs, then dissipating as he left her confused and alone, wondering why everything seemed to be going wrong with her life.